Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, that's part of what we were trying to lay out.
• You know, first of all... ...that's part of what we were trying to lay out.
• I mean, that's part of what we were trying to lay out.
• And part... ...of the degree to which we're shedding those now, and part of the issues that we have are
• You've been part of two lawsuits against the state.

Bills: HB4 , HB20

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2853, which would allow the UT System Board of Regents to adjust the University of Texas at El Paso student union fee above the current statutory cap, subject to student approval, to help fund a new student union building. Senator Blanco explained the bill and the committee substitute, there were no questions or witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then heard House Bill 610, which would limit severance payments for terminated independent school district superintendents to six months’ salary and benefits. Senator Paxton described large severance payouts and said the bill had passed the House overwhelmingly. There were no witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the bill was left pending. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 4623, which would waive school district immunity in certain cases involving negligent hiring, supervision, or employment of professional school employees who commit abuse or related misconduct against students. Senator Paxton and several witnesses, including survivors and parents, argued the bill was needed to address cover-ups, delayed reporting, and repeated failures to remove dangerous employees; some members raised concerns about liability caps, litigation, and how the bill would interact with the Tort Claims Act. The committee also heard from TEA staff and employee-group witnesses who discussed possible injunctions and stronger no-hire protections. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4, an accountability and assessment bill that would restore A-F ratings, change the state testing system, and replace STAAR with shorter, more instructionally useful assessments. Senator Bettencourt explained the committee substitute, including annual ratings, limits on taxpayer-funded lawsuits, and a phased-in testing redesign with beginning, middle, and end-of-year assessments. Testimony was generally supportive from education and business groups, though some witnesses favored norm-referenced testing while others emphasized criterion-referenced, TEKS-aligned assessments; one witness noted social studies assessments were restored in the bill. The hearing concluded with additional invited testimony and no final vote reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The report is signed by four of the four members on the part of the House and two of the three members
• on the part of the Senate.
• The stories we heard in committee and that I've heard since taking part in a few events to celebrate
• </c><00:20:01.520><c> in</c> that I've heard since um taking part in that I've heard since um taking
• part in a<00:20:01.919><c> few</c><00:20:02.240><c> events</c><00:20:03.360><c> uh</c><00:20:03.520><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have eight bills that were a part of the scheduled hearing.
• Part of the, I guess, questions have led me to just want to get clarification.
• That's part of the reason why I've done this job for 28 years.
• This has been true for the better part of the decade.
• This has been true for the better part of the decade.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard a series of bills focused on transportation safety, climate resilience, wildlife connectivity, parking enforcement, and EV charging reliability. AB 605 would create a pilot program allowing certain hydrogen internal combustion cargo-handling equipment at ports; supporters said it could help ports stay competitive while reducing emissions, while South Coast AQMD raised concerns about possible nitrogen oxide emissions and limits on future regulation. The bill passed on an 11-0 vote to the Natural Resources Committee. AB 1132 would require Caltrans to incorporate community resilience indicators, including socioeconomic factors, into climate vulnerability assessments; supporters from Greenlining, AARP, and others said it would better protect seniors, people with disabilities, and transit users during heat waves and disasters, while some members questioned the cost during a tight budget year. It passed 9-0 to Appropriations, with some members not voting. AB 382 would lower school-zone speed limits to 20 mph and give local agencies more flexibility in how the limit is posted and enforced; supporters cited child pedestrian deaths and safety research, and the bill passed 11-0 to Appropriations. AB 902, as amended, would require transportation projects in wildlife connectivity areas to include wildlife passage features where feasible; supporters emphasized reduced collisions and habitat fragmentation, while the California Building Industry Association and COGs moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. It passed 9-1 to Local Government. AB 1014 would give Caltrans more discretion to lower speed limits on state highways based on local conditions rather than the 85th percentile rule; supporters said it would improve safety in rural and tourist areas, and the bill passed 13-0 to Appropriations. AB 1022 would end towing or booting vehicles solely for unpaid parking tickets, with supporters describing the practice as punitive and harmful to low-income drivers, while cities and parking groups argued it would weaken enforcement and create problems for out-of-state vehicles. The bill passed 9-3 to Appropriations. AB 1423 would require publicly funded EV chargers to meet reliability standards and allow enforcement of uptime requirements; supporters said taxpayers need functioning chargers, while charging-industry opponents objected to retroactive standards and possible conflicts with existing agreements. The bill passed 14-0 to Utilities and Energy. The committee also approved a consent calendar of five bills by voice vote and held roll calls open for additional members to add on.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for being part. part of allowing us to make April 2nd of Alverde County Del Rio Day at this
• But part of it was because of the experience that we wanted to have.
• Seawater is around 40,000 parts, and we clean that up every day worldwide.
• It's the science drives that conversation for the most part.
• You would agree to me that racism... racism has been a part of Texas' history, would you not?

Bills: SJR 12 , SCR 39 , SB 7 , SB 8 , SB 27 , SB 29 , SB 125 , SB 241 , SB 371 , SB 396 , SB 406 , SB 464 , SB 568 , SB 578 , SB 608 , SB 617 , SB 660 , SB 689 , SB 693 , SB 707 , SB 731 , SB 732 , SB 763 , SB 779 , SB 836 , SB 854 , SB 857 , SB 875 , SB 878 , SB 879 , SB 906 , SB 920 , SB 921 , SB 922 , SB 942 , SB 965 , SB 985 , SB 996 , SB 1029 , SB 1035 , SB 1036 , SB 1059 , SB 1084 , SB 1098 , SB 1101 , SB 1185 , SB 1188 , SB 1321 , SB 1332 , SB 1366 , SB 1388 , SB 1396 , SB 1453 , SB 1484 , SB 1494 , SB 1536 , SB 1563 , SB 1596 , SB 1610 , SB 1619 , SB 1737 , SB 1738 , SB 1741 , SB 1816 , SB 1822 , SB 1841 , SB 1939 , SB 2155 , SB 2188 , SB 2230

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border, National Guard, state guard, border wall, border barriers

Summary: In this meeting, significant discussions revolved around the passage and modification of various Senate Bills, including SB1388, which pertains to family support services under the Health and Human Services Commission. Senator Kolkhorst advocated for the bill, emphasizing its focus on pro-life, family-centered care. The committee passed the bill after thorough examination, showcasing a collaborative effort among the members to ensure its alignment with successful past initiatives. In another session, Senator Hughes presented SB942, aimed at retroactive child support linked to prenatal care, which sparked a constructive dialogue reflecting bipartisan support for maternal and child welfare.

Transcript Highlights:

• Situations like this are normalized as just being part of the college experience, but the reality is
• </c><00:04:21.680><c> of</c><00:04:21.799><c> the</c><00:04:21.919><c> college</c> as just being part
• The part I'm most thankful for came when I had health issues.
• So that part of the equation we're already putting enough effort into. We're doing a good job.
• A third part I want to bring up, and this is a very critical part, is that there is a significant amount

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And housing, of course, is a crucial part of the treatment process.
• Drug courts are part of the collaborative court system. Yes.
• I think that's a big part of it as well.
• And my hats off to them for contributing to part of the solution.
• And part of that process is how do we deal with those appeals.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Proposition 36 and its implementation, with judicial and budget officials describing it as a major shift from misdemeanor to felony processing for repeat drug possession and certain theft offenses. Witnesses explained that the law creates a treatment-mandated felony process that can lead to dismissal if a defendant completes treatment, but also requires evaluations, court monitoring, and potentially long, open-ended supervision. Judicial representatives said the new law is already generating large numbers of filings, creating workload, staffing, courtroom, and facility pressures, and that access to treatment beds, housing, and evaluation capacity is limiting participation. Several speakers emphasized that collaborative courts are effective but are not a perfect fit for Prop. 36 because those programs are typically probation-based and serve different risk/need populations. Court officials from San Bernardino and Orange counties said the impacts vary by county but are severe, with some counties seeing hundreds or more filings in a short period and others moving more slowly to build treatment infrastructure first. They argued that Prop. 36 is effectively an unfunded mandate unless the state provides more resources for judges, staff, facilities, treatment, housing, and supervision. The Legislative Analyst’s Office noted that Prop. 36 will reduce the Proposition 47 savings that fund mental health and substance use treatment grants, but said the near-term reduction is relatively modest and that the full effect will take time to appear because of the way those savings are calculated. Members of the committee repeatedly raised concerns that the state is underfunding the courts and counties needed to carry out the new law. The committee also reviewed the Governor’s proposed trial court operations budget, including a partial restoration of a prior $97 million cut and additional ongoing funding. Judicial branch officials said the restoration helped avoid furloughs, hiring freezes, and service reductions, and supported cybersecurity, technology, staffing, and records management. The LAO recommended that the Legislature seek more detail on how midyear restorations are handled and consider clarifying language for transferring unspent trial court trust fund monies to the General Fund. Finance said the flexibility in the ongoing funding was intentional and would be taken back for consideration. In a separate item, the committee heard testimony on a $6.3 million increase for Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal appointed counsel programs. Judicial officials and appellate project representatives said the system is facing a crisis because indigent appeals have risen sharply while the number of panel attorneys has fallen, leaving many cases waiting months for counsel. They argued the proposed increase would help but is still below what is needed to recruit and retain attorneys and prevent delays that affect criminal, juvenile, and child welfare cases. The committee also discussed the Tracy courthouse project in San Joaquin County, where local officials said reopening a courthouse closed since 2011 is necessary to serve a growing population and relieve overcrowding elsewhere. The LAO and Finance both noted the project is next in line under the facilities plan, though LAO suggested the Legislature could consider whether other facility priorities should come first.

Transcript Highlights:

• the respect of not only those there but internationally, so we're very, very thankful that he's a part
• the respect of not only those there but internationally, so we're very, very thankful that he's a part
• the respect of not only those there but internationally, so we're very, very thankful that he's a part
• One is Mokai, oh, okay, that's part of Maui County. I apologize.
• Thank you, Chair. part of the process but I can say in part of the process but I can say in good<00:21

Committee: Senate Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard Governor’s Message 590, the nomination of Archie Kappa Kappa Kappa to the Hawaiian Homes Commission, and received extensive testimony in support from Department of Hawaiian Home Lands staff, labor representatives, and community members. Supporters emphasized his leadership during the Maui wildfire response, his cultural standing, his long community service, and his experience with the Polynesian Voyaging Society. In his own remarks, Kappa described his background as a lifelong Lahaina resident, former lifeguard supervisor, and community organizer, and said he would prioritize commission duties while balancing his voyaging commitments. Members questioned Kappa about attendance, his understanding of the Hawaiian Homes Commission’s responsibilities, and his views on commercialization and revenue generation. He said commission meetings would be his priority, acknowledged he could not guarantee attendance at every meeting, and explained that commercialization meant using commercial properties and leases to generate revenue for Hawaiian Homes communities. He also said he supported using land assets to reduce reliance on legislative appropriations. A senator raised Act 279 and the need to focus spending on reducing the waitlist; Kappa said the act was complex and that he did not yet know enough to speak confidently beyond what he had read. The committee did not vote on the nomination in the portion provided and said it would return to voting later. The committee then took up Governor’s Message 591, the nomination of Lawrence Luua to the Hawaiian Homes Commission. Testimony described his background in banking, military service, Maui County planning, and long involvement with Molokaʻi homestead matters. Luua told the committee he had lived the challenges of homestead life, including housing and road issues, and said he wanted to continue the work of Prince Kūhiō by helping Native Hawaiians return to and live on the land. In response to questions, he said he began attending DHHL meetings regularly in July 2024, discussed concerns about county road obligations versus homestead responsibilities, and said he had struggled with Act 279 because he was concerned about moving funds away from other projects even though he supported its goal of reducing the waitlist. The committee then moved on to the next governor’s message and testimony for another nominee, with a SHPD representative briefly introducing the background of that nominee, but no action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's probably a main part of the discussion today that you'll hear from the professions.
• And so our CAMs, and part of where I was struggling with this a little bit, is that our CAMs are under
• And so you offer to do that, but it's not a part of your scope.
• Because I want to understand that part. You're recognized. Thank you.
• But for the most part, there is the opportunity to provide reciprocity. Go ahead.

Summary: The subcommittee heard and approved four bills focused on reducing or modernizing professional regulation. HB 6015, by Rep. Oliver, repeals the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute to allow businesses more flexibility in container materials; members joked about the possibility of a Home Depot bucket, and the bill passed 16-0. HB 339, by Rep. Abbott, creates an alternative temporary licensure pathway for surveyors and mappers based on employer recommendation and exam passage, but members raised concerns about qualifications, liability, and oversight; Abbott said he was open to amendments, and the bill passed 14-1 with Rep. Overdorf dissenting. HB 139, by Rep. Lopez, allows pawnbrokers to use digital transaction forms instead of only printed forms; a technical amendment added readability and placement requirements for digital forms, and the bill passed unanimously. HB 195, by Rep. Chambliss, lets the Department of Corrections coordinate with DBPR boards so inmates who complete licensure-related classes can receive credit toward professional licensure; supporters framed it as a second-chance and workforce bill, an amendment clarified that DBPR handles professions without boards, and the bill passed favorably 15-0. The committee then received a presentation from DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin on the department’s role overseeing more than 1.7 million businesses and professionals across over 30 fields. She highlighted enforcement and complaint data, including more than 24,000 inspections and complaints handled in the last fiscal year, a preference for education and voluntary compliance over formal discipline, and the department’s alternative dispute resolution program, which returned $2.7 million to consumers and saved $270,000 in costs. Griffin also reviewed recent deregulatory and efficiency efforts, including endorsement/reciprocity reforms, fee waivers, reduced processing times, and shorter call wait times, and said DBPR is continuing to look for ways to cut red tape while protecting public safety. Members questioned Griffin about permitting, continuing education, complaint processing, board vacancies, fraud in cosmetology and construction, coordination with other agencies, and whether schools can block students from taking state exams over unpaid tuition. DBPR staff said complaints are generally processed within 60 days, schools cannot bar graduates from taking the exam because of tuition debt, and the department works with other agencies when issues cross jurisdictional lines. The panel discussion that followed featured industry representatives from landscape architecture, building/code administration, pools, roofing, construction, HVAC/electrical, and hospitality, who generally supported reducing local permitting burdens, standardizing requirements, improving reciprocity and training pathways, and using technology and clearer scopes of work to make licensure and inspections more efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's broken into two parts.
• Part two is the demographic statistical information.
• That's the more interesting part, in my opinion.
• on their laps extensions as part of the on their laps extensions as part of the presentation<00:59:32.559
• </c><00:59:37.920><c> of</c> sometimes members who aren't part of sometimes members who aren't part of

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Public Works and Highways committee held a capital budget orientation led by Legislative Budget Assistant Office staff, who walked members through the budget materials, the capital budget process, and the committee’s compare sheet. The presentation explained that agencies begin developing capital requests nearly a year in advance, submit them by May 1, and that the governor’s recommended capital budget is a reduced version of the much larger agency wish list. Members were told the agencies initially requested about $1.1 billion in projects, the catalog was trimmed to just over $400 million in general fund projects, and the governor’s recommendation in the pink book totals about $143 million in general fund capital appropriations. The committee also reviewed the prior capital budget and related statutes and committee procedures. Several specific projects drew discussion. The Department of Education’s CTE projects were explained as having been shifted into the operating budget in the prior cycle and now returning to the capital budget recommendation; members asked whether there was a backup CTE project and whether local approval had been secured for the named project. The Cannon Mountain tramway request was highlighted as a $20 million recommendation, with the presenter explaining that an earlier $18 million appropriation would be lapsed back to the general fund to help balance the budget. The Department of Corrections’ new prison project was also discussed; members were told the state has already appropriated $50 million for planning and site evaluation, but the governor’s current capital budget does not include a new prison construction appropriation because the project is not yet ready for that phase and may need to be funded differently, possibly through a separate, staggered appropriation. State Treasurer Monica Mezzapelli then presented on debt affordability and the state’s borrowing capacity. She said the state’s credit position has improved, with the debt-to-revenue ratio falling from 8.2% in 2015 to 3.8% in 2024, and explained that RSA 6-C limits debt authorization to 10% of unrestricted prior-year revenue. She noted that the Treasury’s planning assumes $60 million in annual bond issuance, with the prison-related $40 million now expected to be issued in 2026 rather than 2025 because the project is not ready to spend the funds. She said the state can still borrow more, but additional debt service must be paid from operating funds, and recommended keeping capital bonding in the $120 million to $130 million range to preserve affordability and the state’s credit rating. Members asked for clarification on the CTE funding shift, the prison schedule, and the meaning of the large agency request totals. The chair and treasurer discussed the governor’s $143 million recommendation versus the committee’s usual target range, and the treasurer said $130 million would be more comfortable than $140 million, with $135 million described as a possible compromise. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the meeting was informational and ended with the presenters offering to answer follow-up questions as agencies come before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this effort would be part of a larger effort.
• And this effort would be part of a larger effort.
• This effort would be part of a larger effort.
• Parts are hard to get.
• There's not a lot of parts to go around.

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking about the infrastructure expenses that they had to do as part of the agreement with the
• the city, they can, ITD gets their wishes and desires met by requesting that the city make those as part
• And so all of those costs are borne by the developer as part of those projects. ...as part of those projects
• Chairman Cannon and Representative Cheatham, that would all be part of that infrastructure package.
• And so it could... ...That would all be part of that infrastructure package.

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee approved minutes from February 2, 3, 5, and 9, 2026, then considered several revenue-related measures. RS 33317, a clarification to last year’s urban renewal district changes, would require agencies not to deny fire district or ambulance service district withdrawal requests when no outstanding bonded or written contractual obligations remain, and it was introduced after brief questions about consultation and fiscal impact. The committee then heard House Bill 506 and related RS 33329 on the STARS program, which allows developers to front infrastructure costs for qualifying projects and receive a rebate of up to 60% of new sales tax revenue. Representative Monks explained the bill would raise the program’s floor and ceiling, while the RS would instead lower the floor and keep the ceiling at $100 million; after questions about timing, windfalls, and project scope, the committee held HB 506 in committee and introduced RS 33329 with a due pass recommendation to the second reading calendar. House Bill 610, which would extend homestead exemption treatment to people away on religious missions in the same way it applies to military service members, was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 594, which codifies a Supreme Court ruling directing late property tax fees and interest to the jurisdictions that assess them, also received a due pass recommendation after supportive testimony from county treasurers and a city administrator. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking about the infrastructure expenses that they had to do as part of the agreement with the
• , desires met by requesting that the city make those as part of the agreement there.
• And so all of those costs are borne by the developer as part of those projects. ...as part of those projects
• Chairman Cannon and Representative Cheatham, that would all be part of that infrastructure package.
• And so it could. ...that would all be part of that infrastructure package.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But beyond that, operating expenditures, and part of that's for their campus.
• Part of that's for their vehicle fleets that are going out.
• I think that's part of what this committee is tasked to do. So, Representative Tanner?
• I think that's part of what this committee is tasked to do. So, Representative Tanner?
• I think that's part of what this committee is tasked to do. So, Representative Tanner?

Committee: House Business

Summary: The committee opened by approving the minutes from January 15th. It then considered several RS introductions related to occupational licensing. RS 33021, presented by Rep. Ehlers, would reduce cosmetology licensing requirements by lowering education hours from 1,600 to 1,000 and apprenticeship hours from 3,200 to 2,000, with supporters saying it would lower barriers to entry and improve Idaho’s competitiveness with other states. Members asked for more evidence of hardship from the current standards, but the RS was introduced. The committee also introduced RS 32964, presented by Rep. Manwaring, which would reinstate an open-book jurisprudence exam for professional land surveyors. He said the exam had previously been open book, had a 100% pass rate, and was intended to ensure surveyors know Idaho law in daily practice. Members asked about how the test would be structured and whether similar open-book testing should be considered for other licenses, but the RS was introduced. Rep. Tanner then gave a presentation on JFAC and budget oversight, focusing on the need for accurate fiscal notes, review of DOPL spending, and scrutiny of dedicated funds, staffing, fleets, and board consolidation. A budget analyst from Legislative Services walked the committee through budget resources, including the base budget builder, Legislative Budget Book, Fiscal Report, Fiscal Source Book, and Fiscal Facts, and offered to provide fund balance reports. Members discussed the committee’s role as policy-focused rather than budget-setting, while also noting the value of understanding budget data without overstepping JFAC’s role. Finally, the committee heard RS 32928, also related to cosmetology licensing, which would allow students to sit for their exam after completing 80% of their education hours rather than waiting until all hours are finished. Supporters said it would make the process easier without changing the requirement to complete all hours before licensure. The RS was introduced, and the committee adjourned after announcing that floor session would begin the next day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's all those things, and those are part of an agreement.
• That's not going to be the part of it.
• We have a are part of an agreement.
• </c><00:04:34.960><c> So</c><00:04:35.280><c> now</c> not going to be the part of it.
• So now not going to be the part of it.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But when we were looking back at what parts of our mental health delivery system we were missing, this
• Actually, I'm Shea Backus, representative of Assembly District 37 in the northwest part of Las Vegas.
• In big part, I was able to work with the medical society in putting this together and making sure that
• We have the bill divided in two parts. The first part addresses private insurers.
• The stool sample that you brought up is not actually part of this.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that part of the law that went through? **Representative Nash**: Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, as Ms.
• You know, I think having been someone who's a part of our tenant union and I walked around and was a
• An incredibly important part of the conversation today is the word 'may.'
• I think that is a really important part of the discussion we're having today.
• that the folks in this room are doing a lot of good work, and the people who are in the future are part

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It'll be part of their new case management system if that is what the subcommittee recommends.
• So to clarify, 24, so 24, there are two parts of it.
• So, so I think to clarify for the top part, um, that's going to be roughly 15.4 million.
• The bottom part will be whatever the difference is to get to 20 million total for the biennium or per
• For children's behavioral health strategic plan, correct, this would be part of potentially part of exceptional

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article II

Transcript Highlights:

• That's part of the EI.
• As part of what you utilize as part of your input. in decisions that you make concerning bills and votes
• For it's important that all of us recognize where we've gone... been and where we are and part of the
• Regardless of the color of their skin, they're making certain also that race is a part of to no longer
• Right over here, Lorenzo De Zavala, who is framed in the that picture right there, was a part of that

Bills: SB26 , SB28 , SJR36 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB28 , SB28 , SR131 , SR168 , SR174 , SR175

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a critical part of a child's development, not a privilege to be taken away.
• is vital for students' physical. and social and mental well-being, and it should be an untouchable part
• recommend strengthening the language around the moderate to vigorous physical activity requirement as part
• nutrition they need, I urge you to consider making medically tailored or therapeutic nutrition a key part
• I'm a business person, so I get that, and I actually used to own part of a food company that had its

Bills: SB 25 , SB25 , SB314

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: attorney ad litem, indigent parents, parent-child relationship, legal representation, Texas Family Code, court procedures, nutrition, health standards, food labeling, education, dietary guidelines, medical education, food safety, school meals, child nutrition, food additives, public health, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is kind of the driest part of This is how these cases go.
• This is kind of the driest part of my discussion. They file petitions and support.
• But once you establish the trust, if you can be trusted with the sensitive part, But once you establish
• It's probably part of the most effective part of the process is when the service hearing customers come
• And so it's, it's, that's a, that's a, we enjoy that part, by the way, that interaction is really good

Summary: The joint committee met with a quorum present and first received an overview of its jurisdiction and duties related to appointing the Florida Public Counsel. Staff explained the committee’s authority under joint rules and state law, noted that the current Public Counsel’s term expires February 28, 2025, and that applications for the next four-year term were open with a February 6, 2025 deadline. The committee then heard an extensive update from Public Counsel Walt Truerweiler on the Office of Public Counsel’s work representing utility ratepayers before the Public Service Commission and in appeals. Truerweiler described the office’s caseload and priorities, including electric, gas, water, and wastewater rate cases; storm recovery dockets; cost-recovery clauses; rulemakings; and customer service hearings. He emphasized that the office seeks to challenge unsupported or imprudent costs, find value for customers, and use expert analysis and customer testimony to shape outcomes. He highlighted recent and ongoing matters, including major Duke, TECO, Sunshine water/wastewater, and hurricane recovery proceedings, and said the office had fully litigated four of its last five rate cases, while also achieving a major settlement in Duke that reduced a requested increase and imposed cost controls on solar projects. Members praised the office’s work and asked about the benefits of settlements, staffing and compensation, and how the office decides when to fully intervene versus provide guidance or monitor a case. Truerweiler said settlements can create predictability, reduce uncertainty and expense, and produce tangible value for both customers and utilities. He also acknowledged recruitment challenges, including lower pay than comparable agencies and difficulty attracting attorneys who do not want in-person litigation work. The committee took no substantive action beyond receiving the presentations, and adjourned after a motion was adopted.