Transcript Highlights:

• every 10 years to vote for a candidate without being purged from the rolls, especially voters like my parents
• election cycle, our team works in coalition with voting rights groups to offer nonpartisan public education
• This would disproportionately disenfranchise elderly voters. voters below the poverty line, single parents
• how this would have an impact with maybe having a driver's license at their childhood home, their parents
• involved in city council races and elections, even though I was, you know, from Dallas and Austin, my parents

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• This was not a study meant to educate the public on things.
• For example, college-educated people are more likely to do a survey than non-college-educated people.
• Or at least they tell us they're college educated, right?
• Is there kind of the education, orientation, organization piece of the job and then kind of... ...education
• And I think it's an opportunity to educate the public, to use this document to educate the public about

Committee: Joint Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When I was 16 years old, I came out to my parents as gay, and after struggling with my sexuality, I was
• Many had come through the foster care system, a system I know as an adopted lesbian parent of three kids
• But what this bill is about is when you have, for example, a kid says to their parents, 'I'm gay,' or
• 'I'm lesbian,' or 'I'm trans,' and then the parent... ...parents, 'I'm gay,' or 'I'm lesbian,' or 'I'm
• trans,' and then the parent says, 'We're sending you away to be converted.'

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on domestic violence protections, pay equity enforcement, Jewish demographic data collection, court transparency, auto glass insurance practices, pet policy disclosure for renters, and civil rights accountability for federal officers. SB 99 would require courts and law enforcement to better recognize military protective orders in domestic violence cases; supporters from the Department of Defense and military organizations said it would close jurisdictional gaps for military families, and the bill passed to Public Safety. SB 1237 would increase penalties for repeat noncompliance with California pay data reporting laws; supporters said stronger enforcement is needed to address persistent wage gaps, and the bill passed to Appropriations. SB 1387 would allow Jewish identity to be reported as an ethnic category in state demographic data; supporters said better data would improve policy and anti-discrimination efforts, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary or divisive, and it passed to Privacy. SB 932 would require assignees filing civil actions to identify the original party in the case caption; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it passed to Judiciary/Appropriations on call. The committee also took up SB 98, which would regulate auto glass insurance claims by restricting assignment of benefits, requiring clearer estimates and invoices, and limiting inducements to consumers. The sponsor and NICB said the bill would curb fraud and unsafe repairs, while independent glass shops and industry groups argued it could reduce consumer choice and favor insurer-aligned networks; the bill passed to Appropriations. SB 1296 would require landlords to disclose pet policies before collecting application fees and provide refunds if nondisclosure materially affected an applicant’s decision; supporters said it would save renters time and money, while rental housing representatives objected to a provision limiting eviction based solely on failure to sign a pet addendum. The bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, SB 747, the No Kings Act, would create a California cause of action allowing people to sue federal officers for constitutional violations using standards similar to Section 1983. Senator Wiener and a witness who said he was unlawfully detained by Border Patrol argued the bill is needed because federal officers currently lack comparable accountability after the Supreme Court narrowed Bivens remedies. Law enforcement groups opposed the bill, warning that the qualified immunity language is unclear, could create a separate California standard, and might expose officers and governments to retroactive litigation; members discussed possible amendments on qualified immunity and retroactivity, and the bill was moved forward with an urgency amendment while negotiations continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2514E makes various changes to education statutes to conform with the pre-K-12 education
• Senate Bill 2514E makes various changes to education statutes to conform with the pre-K-12 education
• Senate Bill 2516E, a bill to be entitled an act relating to higher education.
• Senate Bill 2516E makes various changes to the education statutes to conform to the higher education
• House Bill 5601E, a bill to be entitled an act relating to higher education.

Summary: The Florida Senate convened in special session for budget conference work, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and moments of silence honoring Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Mateer and former Senator Bill Posey. The Secretary read the joint proclamation calling the special session, which was limited to budget and related conforming legislation, including appropriations, implementing bills, collective bargaining/state employees, retirement, law enforcement radio system, health, higher education, K-12 education, government administration, correctional facilities, judges, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup, fuel taxes, and taxation. Senators also heard Chair Hooper outline the process for moving identical Senate bills and House companion bills into conference posture. The Senate then took up and passed several Senate bills and House companion bills, generally by 32-0 votes, after adopting delete-all/insert-nothing amendments to place the Senate language onto the House vehicles. Bills addressed fuel taxes and Inland Protection Trust Fund distributions, the state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge, judicial certification, K-12 education conforming changes, retirement, higher education, health care, collective bargaining/state employees, government administration, correctional facilities financing and capital improvements, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup programs, and taxation. In debate on the tax bill, Leader Berman urged consideration of suspending the motor fuel tax to provide relief at the pump, but the House-passed tax bill did not pass as received, and the Senate requested conference instead. The chamber also processed the main budget measures: Senate Bill 2500E and House Bill 5001E for the General Appropriations Act, and Senate Bill 2502E and House Bill 5003E for the implementing bill. After substituting the House bills and adopting conforming amendments, the Senate passed them and requested conference. For the remaining House bills, the Senate either passed them as amended and then acceded to or requested conference on the House request. The session concluded with a motion to waive rules for publishing the Special Order Calendar for the remainder of the special session, an announcement that the Special Order Calendar Group would not meet on May 12 or 13, and adjournment upon the call of the President for committee meetings and other Senate business.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, the educational services for the deaf and the blind, and then followed by the State Department
• of Education.
• First, the Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind, which can be found on LBB page 1-049.
• interventions to assist parents in diagnosis and exploration of treatment and education options.
• The State Department of Education is an executive agency under the State Board.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first considered the Department of Environmental Quality budget. Janet Jessup outlined enhancements for Triumph Mine monitoring and maintenance, a transfer for the Cordilleran Basin Superfund cleanup, and a fund shift to move two positions from federal support to the IPDES Program Fund. Members also discussed language to consolidate air permitting and drinking water permitting fee funds, and a separate cash transfer related to the new solid waste regulatory fund created by House Bill 555. The budget motion and the related language both passed, and the committee issued do-pass recommendations. The committee then took up the Department of Lands budget, focusing on Forest and Range Fire Protection funding. Members debated a one-time General Fund restoration for fire preparedness in FY 2026 and a similar request for FY 2027, with concerns raised about prior reversions and whether dedicated funds could be used instead. Director Dustin Miller explained that the other funds cited were restricted to forest practices enforcement and equipment replacement, and that the preparedness money supports standby crews, including seasonal firefighters in eastern Idaho and other regions. The FY 2026 request passed, the initial FY 2027 request failed, reconsideration was later allowed under parliamentary ruling, and the FY 2027 request then passed. The committee also adopted language limiting General Fund firefighter bonus appropriations to firefighters, after some discussion about whether the wording was too narrow. Next, the committee considered Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind. The agency’s request included career ladder adjustments, a van for student transport, staffing for a new 18-bed residential building in Gooding, replacement items, and an endowment fund adjustment. A substitute motion to add the cottage staff funding failed, but the original motion passed, providing funding for the career ladder, replacement items, and the endowment adjustment, with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, the State Department of Education budget was reviewed. The agency requested additional spending authority for school bus camera grants, an extended USDA farm-to-school grant, and ongoing technology grants for the child nutrition program. A substitute motion to increase the farm-to-school authority to cover the anticipated extension failed, but the original motion passed, approving the school bus camera fund increase, the farm-to-school grant authority, and the child nutrition technology funding, with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then announced the next day’s agenda and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Education Committee, Subcommittee on Appropriations will come to order.
• From an education standpoint, we recently streamed 4 million streams on our PBS Kids app.
• It's the entire phase of what could be used by either a parent, a student, or a teacher to learn about
• That teacher prep programs are producing quality educators.
• The Secretary of Education, Secretary Hamlin and I discussed an audit.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee’s Appropriations Subcommittee met to hear budget presentations from OETA, the Commissioners of the Land Office, and the Oklahoma Educational Quality and Accountability Commission (OEQA). The chair asked witnesses to stay focused on budget requests and agency operations rather than policy, unless policy affected the numbers. OETA reported no request for additional funding. Director Sean Black highlighted the agency’s 70th year of continuous broadcasting, completion of transmitter replacements, conversion to fiber, and lower electricity costs from more efficient equipment. He said OETA would offset the loss of federal CPB funding through donations, events, and partnerships, and described its statewide reach, educational programming, and multiple broadcast and streaming channels. Members asked about energy use and were told the new transmitters had reduced power costs. The Commissioners of the Land Office discussed record distributions to schools, a flat budget, and planned spending on invasive woody species, implementation of SB 951, IT modernization, and possible changes to mineral management and staffing. The secretary requested funding for a revenue compliance director, field services manager, internal auditor support, and other adjustments, while explaining the agency’s use of stabilization funds and carryover. Senators questioned orphan and abandoned wells, AI use, and staffing efficiency; the secretary said the agency was trying to work more closely with operators, use AI and in-house software where possible, and manage wells and land in ways that protect school revenue. OEQA presented its priorities for teacher quality, including Teach Forward apprenticeship pilots, dashboard expansion, accreditation review, statutory cleanups, and continued monitoring of cell phone-free zones. The agency described a small, stable budget, five unfilled positions, and a proposed $100,000 reduction for FY 2027 based on efficiencies. Members asked about Teach Forward applications, multilingual testing, and the broader quality of teacher preparation programs; OEQA said it had received three Teach Forward applications and that translating certification tests would raise cost and validity concerns. Senators urged OEQA to play a stronger role in connecting teacher preparation programs with classroom needs, and the meeting adjourned without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to thank President Armstrong, his administration, and the faculty for educating such an
• appreciation of these students and Cal Poly's long legacy of providing high-quality polytechnic education
• Funny story: we had some at-risk kids; their parents were no longer in the picture for a long period
• Deeply committed to both housing and education, he also began working to build teacher housing for San
• Throughout his career, Alan exemplified a deep commitment to higher education, serving as a professor

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and welcomed guests from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, including President Jeffrey Armstrong, students, and staff. Senator Laird highlighted the university’s 125th anniversary and student achievements, including a Rose Parade Sweepstakes Trophy and a national design-build competition win. The chamber also recognized guests from Senator Cortese’s office later in the session. On the floor, the Senate took up and adopted SCR 111 by Senator Niello, commemorating the 125th anniversary of the certified public accountant profession in California and recognizing the California Board of Accountancy and the California Society of CPAs. The resolution passed by unanimous vote after roll call. The Senate also adopted SCR 109 by Senator Grove, proclaiming January 2026 as National Mentoring Month and honoring Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central California for its long record of youth mentoring and community impact. In unfinished business, the Senate concurred in Assembly amendments to SB 25 by Senator Umberg, described as streamlining California’s merger process and aligning it with the federal process; the motion passed 33-0. The Senate then approved a motion from Senator Laird to give certain Budget and Fiscal Review Committee bills second reading upon report and third reading status, with the motion carrying 29-10. The chamber also approved several adjourn-in-memory tributes, most notably for former Congressman Doug LaMalfa, with multiple senators speaking to his rural advocacy, bipartisan relationships, and personal kindness, and for Barry Del Bono, Alan Stewart Hammond, and Jeb Bing. The session ended with the Senate in recess until the next scheduled floor meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to thank President Armstrong, his administration, and the faculty for educating such an
• appreciation for these students and Cal Poly's long legacy of providing high-quality polytechnic education
• Deeply committed to both housing and education, he also began working to build teacher housing for San
• I rise today as chair of the Senate Education Committee to adjourn in memory of Alan Stewart Hammond.
• Throughout his career, Throughout his career, Alan exemplified a deep commitment to higher education,

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pray that Lord God you give them discernment to look through the environmental, economic, energy, educational
• from, and Senator Hinojosa mentioned that he's from Edinburgh, Texas, but he knows the power of education
• The city of Kauffman is the county seat, fostering education through Kauffman ISD and Trinity Valley
• One of the things she was attempting to accomplish was to bring higher education. to the Dallas area,
• school educators and funding for teacher compensation under the Foundation School Program to Education

Bills: SJR1 , SB9 , SB40 , SJR36 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB9 , SB40

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform, 1185, senate

Transcript Highlights:

• Around a thousand children, the average foster parent per day is $28.17.
• </c> foster parent foster parent DM<00:50:52.960><c> per</c><00:50:53.280><c> day</c><00:50:53.440><c
• If that cannot be achieved, the next option is termination of parental rights and adoption.
• So what about the parents, regardless of having effective kin option?
• If they choose that temporary custody route, we will work with the parents for a period of time.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:01 Department for Public Health Budget Request 00:01:46 Department for Community Based Services Budget Request 00:31:58 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) 00:57:13, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes, then heard a lengthy presentation from the Department for Public Health on Kentucky’s rural health transformation plan and related budget questions. Commissioner John Langfeld said the state received a $212.9 million federal award, one of the larger awards nationally, and outlined five focus areas: maternal and infant health, integrated EMS/trauma response, behavioral health and substance use disorder, oral health, and chronic disease prevention with an emphasis on obesity and diabetes. He stressed that the effort is intended to be integrated, data-driven, and sustainable, and that the federal funds cannot be used for new construction, clinician salaries, research and development, EHR replacement, or to pay for currently billable services. He also said the program carries accountability requirements and that funds can be clawed back if milestones are not met. Members pressed for clarification on duplication with other budget requests, sustainability after the five-year funding period, and how success would be measured. Langfeld said he was not aware of any duplicate funding with the department’s additional budget requests and said the rural health funds were separate from those requests. He also said the program will be tracked through specific metrics and timelines, using both execution measures and outcome measures such as readmissions, with more rapid-cycle feedback to allow course correction. Representative Fleming raised concerns about possible overlap with navigator funding and asked for more detail on the budget breakdown; Langfeld said a detailed line-item budget had been prepared but was still awaiting final CMS approval before release, and that he would explore sharing more information once restrictions were lifted. The committee then heard from the Kentucky State Public Health Laboratory about a request for a new central lab expansion. The presenter described the current 35-year-old facility as outdated and constrained by aging infrastructure, obsolete equipment, deferred maintenance, and inadequate space, and said the lab performs critical work with no in-state alternative for many services, including newborn screening, select-agent and biosafety level 3 testing, animal necropsy for rabies, genetic sequencing, environmental and food safety testing, and response to emerging infectious diseases. The project is already in design phase C, expected to finish in mid-April, with construction funding sought at roughly $276 million on top of about $35 million already approved for design. Members asked about long-term operating costs, backup arrangements, and whether the current facility would remain in use; the presenter said the current lab would continue to be used by the department while other divisions move into vacated space, and that the lab has mutual-aid agreements with the Southeast Consortium and universities for contingency support. Finally, the Department for Community Based Services began its budget presentation on SNAP and relative caregiver issues. Commissioner Lisa Dennis and budget director Misty Sammons identified the governor’s recommended budget items tied to new federal requirements under HR1, including changes affecting payment error rates. The discussion was just beginning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• July 10 for DRRA to recreate and send the district audit compliance report to the Department of Education
• Committee on Education Funding, to which was referred Senate Bill 513FN, an act requiring schools to
• </c> know that the Department of Education know that the Department of Education recognizes<00:47:27.040
• , shearing and educational exhibits, shearing and spinning<02:23:26.240><c> demonstrations,</c><02:23
• ><c> night</c><02:26:22.000><c> shifts</c> Stories of parents working night shifts Stories of parents

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• interest in higher education.
• My passion for higher education is simple: I'm a graduate of higher education.
• The Education Appropriations Committee for K-12 education changed my life, and my colleagues said it
• Our family is very vested in higher education. Education in the state of Florida is crucial.
• My parents did not have a clue about college.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will do our best to be on behalf of education. or educating our kids in the state of Texas.
• Whether a child feels transgender or not from parents, parents are the best to know that. stuff.
• I can tell you that TIPS is run through Region 8. region 8 service center, education service center,
• Operatives out there that are run through education service centers as well.
• In some instances, in EV chargers and in another rule-making I worked on dealing with some education

Bills: HB10 , HB 12 , HB675 , HB10 , HB12

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• Before these filings, we had to educate people to advocate for themselves.
• I'm well-educated, experienced, and informed on the subjects that I offer today.
• So if I have parents... ...and we won't be able to build.
• My parents taught school there and ranched as a sideline. My name is Keith Crawford.
• My parents taught school there and ranched as a sideline.

Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee held its third interim hearing on Texas electric grid reliability and 765 kV transmission lines/private property rights. Chair Schwertner opened by noting record ERCOT summer demand of 91,089 MW and emphasized the committee’s focus on managing rapid load growth, ensuring adequate generation, and protecting homeowners, businesses, landowners, and ratepayers. The committee also adopted strict two-minute limits for public testimony and planned to hear invited witnesses first, then public testimony. PUC Chairman Thomas Gleeson, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas, and OPUC Chief Counsel Benjamin Barclay testified on Senate Bill 6 implementation, large-load interconnection, transmission cost allocation, and market design. Gleeson said the PUC has adopted or is finalizing rules on net metering/co-location, large load interconnection standards, and a transmission cost recovery rule that would move from 4CP to 12CP, lengthen the interval to 30 minutes, and add a minimum demand charge to better allocate costs to large loads. Vegas explained ERCOT’s new batch process for large loads, saying it provides year-by-year capacity allocations, clearer financial obligations, and a transmission plan; he reported 205 GW eligible for Batch Zero, with 65 GW classified as baseload, 25 GW in an intermediate category, and 114 GW as allocated load. Barclay supported the changes as better protection for residential and small commercial customers, while warning that the minimum demand charge may need an exit-fee concept to address stranded costs if large loads leave. Members pressed witnesses on whether additional market changes are needed to attract dispatchable thermal generation and whether DRS/DRRS Plus could become a capacity-market substitute. Gleeson and Vegas said the current market still favors solar, batteries, and other low-variable-cost resources, and that more incentives may be needed for gas and other thermal generation; Gleeson said the commission’s reliability standard assessment will begin this year and conclude next year with a 2029 outlook. They described DRS as an ancillary service for intraday reliability and DRS Plus as a proposed real-time revenue mechanism for thermal resources during scarcity, not a forward capacity market. Senators also questioned whether 12CP could still be gamed, whether curtailment authority under SB 6 should be expanded from EEA 2 to earlier stages, and whether the batch process should be bifurcated so traditional industrial loads are handled differently from data centers. Witnesses said the batch process is intended to prevent speculative projects from driving transmission costs, that most large-load projects are data centers, and that future rules may need to better distinguish among types of large loads.

Transcript Highlights:

• list and DHHL, because according to some of the people, like even Patty Teria in the room, their parents
• I've done things like education maps, maps on education, population, health—you name it.
• <01:22:56.400><c> uh</c><01:22:56.520><c> maps</c><01:22:56.800><c> on</c><01:22:57.159><c> education
• </c><01:22:58.159><c> um</c><01:22:58.679><c> Alice</c> education uh maps on education um Alice education
• housing finds a way to be like education housing finds a way to be in<01:23:09.239><c> there</c><01:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Housing and Public Safety/Water and Land hearing first took up HB 1096, which would repeal statutory tenant-selection preferences for disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans in state low-income housing. HPHA testified in support, saying the change was a housekeeping measure because the same preferences already exist in administrative rules and could be adjusted later to align with other local preferences, while also noting the federal VASH program provides stronger veteran housing support. Several members questioned why the preference should be removed at all, emphasizing that veterans have long been underserved and asking for a stronger justification; the committees ultimately deferred HB 1096. The later Housing/Hawaiian Affairs agenda heard HB 606 HD1, a measure to extend Act 279 funding and related exemptions for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Supporters argued the bill would give DHHL more time to use the $600 million appropriation to acquire land, work with developers, and address a wait list of about 29,000 applicants, while also helping restore Hawaiian communities and reduce the Hawaiian diaspora. Opponents focused on accountability and oversight, saying DHHL needs clearer plans, measurable goals, and stronger safeguards before receiving more money, and warning that prior spending and strategic-plan changes had reduced the number of applicants served. The committee also heard testimony that the bill would help DHHL fulfill long-standing obligations to Native Hawaiians and that the housing need affects the broader state, not only Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as a trustee on the Orange County Board of Education.
• Only this time we'll change the elections for five county boards of education.
• And that was when it was only affecting the Orange County Board of Education.
• Good morning, Mary Barkey, Vice President of the Orange County Board of Education.
• I'm the general counsel of the Orange County Department of Education, and we're in opposition.

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, let me just... um as educational consideration to the um as educational consideration to the committee
• Everybody's educated, everybody's aware.
• </c><01:54:07.440><c> and</c> help provide um any education and help provide um any education and technical
• So, I don't know if we would, if that was your parents' car and you're driving your parents' car, I think
• ><c> think</c> driving your parents car, we I think driving your parents car, we I think there'd<03:18

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused primarily on House Bill 1087 and House Bill 123, both related to firearms. HB 1087 was introduced as a Second Amendment measure, but after questions from the chair and discussion with law enforcement, the sponsor agreed it should be set aside and referred to a study committee for further review, rather than advanced as written. The New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association testified in opposition to the bill as written, while also indicating support for the sponsor’s proposed amendment or a study approach. The bulk of the discussion centered on HB 123, which would require the return of firearms after a not guilty verdict or dismissal. The sponsor and several members described the bill’s purpose as speeding up the return of property, but law enforcement and judicial branch witnesses raised concerns about federal law, the need to ensure a person is still legally eligible to possess firearms, and the bill’s 24-hour return requirement. Witnesses from the State Police and judicial branch explained the current process, including background checks through the state police gun line, and said the existing procedure already aims to return firearms promptly while allowing time to verify disqualifying information. Members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, including removing language that would bar background checks and instead tying return of firearms to completion of the check within a set time frame. Judicial branch and State Police witnesses said a process that requires a background check and return within a reasonable period, with notice if there is a delay or denial, would better address safety and legal concerns. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee closed the public hearing and indicated it would continue working on the language before executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we've done a lot of education. We follow our sales very closely.
• And part of the issue we seen was when, before the education, you.
• When the education requirements came in and the smaller city level.
• But we've done a lot of education. We follow. You bet. But we've done a lot of education.
• They didn't want to go for the education.

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Committee met to begin its study of the feasibility and desirability of revising the content of the real estate tax statement to improve property tax transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the study directive under House Bill 1176 and the statutory requirements for tax statements, including required line items such as true and full value, mill levy, legislative tax relief, primary residence credit, and the Legacy Fund portion of that credit. The Tax Department then explained how the current uniform statement is prescribed and approved, and noted that changes are typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from the North Dakota Association of Counties described the full annual tax cycle, from county budgeting and valuation notices to budget hearing notices, levy certification, cap calculations, and final tax statement mailing. They emphasized that counties and auditors do extensive coordination with taxing districts and neighboring counties, and that the process is labor-intensive and often manual. Members discussed the limited public response to budget notices and tax statements, the difficulty of explaining the legislative tax relief line, the 3% cap and valuation issues, and whether more frequent assessments or different timing would improve understanding. Several members and witnesses noted that many taxpayers only engage when they receive their final bill, and that clarity may be more important than adding more detail. NDACO also presented a rough cost survey from eight counties, estimating an average tax statement cost of about 74 cents and a statewide total near $600,000 for printing and mailing tax statements alone, with outsourcing generally cheaper than in-house printing. Witnesses noted that House Bill 1176 added other mailings and notices, increasing county workload and cost beyond the statement itself. The committee then heard from software vendors, who explained how their systems handle tax billing, budget notices, valuation notices, primary residence credit processing, and tax levy calculations, and they identified the 1600/1685 primary residence credit and discount interaction as a current programming challenge. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on gathering testimony and identifying issues for possible future recommendations or bill drafts.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have testimony from parents and children together.
• </c> Uh, we also have testimony from parents Uh, we also have testimony from parents and<00:24:29.440
• I'm Ryan Kusamoto, President and CEO of Parents and Children Together.
• So, thank you so much. do a fullcourt press to educate people do a fullcourt press to educate people
• Next, we have Ryan Kusumoto, Parents and Children Together, in support.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard House Bill 2095, which would provide supplemental appropriations for the Judiciary for the 2025-2027 biennium. Judiciary Administrative Director Brandon Kimura testified in strong support and outlined a request for about $6.4 million in supplemental operating funds, plus four permanent full-time position conversions. He grouped the request into security, services to court users, and staffing needs, including $3.25 million for supplemental armed private security at judiciary facilities statewide, nearly $200,000 for cybersecurity staffing and support, restoration of funding for substance use treatment purchase-of-service contracts, restoration of funding for the Office of Public Guardian on Kauaʻi, salary commission funding, a Kona court operations position, and two Court-Appointed Special Advocates positions converted from temporary to permanent. He also described five capital improvement requests totaling $55.4 million, led by $30 million for construction of a new South Kohala courthouse, $1.2 million each for air conditioning upgrades in Hilo and Kauaʻi, $15 million for elevator upgrades at Kahumanu Hale, and $8 million in lump-sum bond funds for emerging projects. Several organizations testified in support, including Parents and Children Together and the True Cost Coalition. Supporters emphasized the importance of the purchase-of-service funding for domestic violence and substance use treatment services and said the restoration would return funding to pre-COVID levels and help providers maintain capacity. Kimura explained that the Judiciary often shifts funds among contracts during the year to avoid service interruptions, but that the reduced funding has caused delays and operational problems for providers and probationers. Members asked detailed questions about the capital projects and operating requests. Representative Shimizu asked for more information on the lump-sum bond funds and the elevator project, and Kimura explained that the Kahumanu Hale request covers four remaining elevator shafts after earlier funding addressed the first five elevators. Representative Cochran asked about the absence of Maui County projects, and Kimura said the Judiciary is still planning for its older Maui facilities with DAGS. Chair Tarnas questioned the need for armed private guards and discussed whether court security should be prioritized within the Department of Law Enforcement; Kimura said the Judiciary needs additional personnel now and has not asked DLE to deprioritize other missions, though the chair suggested further coordination between the agencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• They've educated, trained, prepared, and equipped us.
• Your master's, and was it in leadership or education?
• Nursing education is built on holistic. ...patient care. We teach prevention and patient education.
• Let's invest in proven solutions, expanding graduate medical education. medical education, incentivizing
• to having a broad-based education.

Bills: SB1888 , SB3003 , SB2417 , SB2459 , SB3055 , HB1393 , HB2884 , SB2943

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: grand jury, jury qualifications, jury wheel, small counties, Texas legislation, age verification, obscene devices, online sales, juvenile protection, penalties, antitrust, attorney general, Texas Free Enterprise, business regulations, legal confidentiality, personal identifying information, data brokers, judicial safety, civil rights, data privacy