Transcript Highlights:

• Brown is the Executive Director of the current NSCC, which is, I think, the National Security Collaboration
• Brown is the Executive Director of the current NSCC, which is, I think, the National Security Collaboration
• Brown is the Executive Director of the current NSCC, which is, I think, the National Security Collaboration
• I'm the Executive Director of the National Security Collaboration Center, UTSA, in that downtown facility
• It updates the term commissioner to executive director to reflect the changes made by the 88th Legislature

Bills: HB146 , HB150 , HB1500 , HB1545 , HB1562 , HB2067 , HB2520 , HB2818 , HB3214 , HB3250 , HB3466 , HB3512 , HB3623 , HB4063 , HB4395 , HB4464 , HB4668 , HB4690 , HB5331 , HB3833 , HB146 , HB150

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The committee took up several pending business items and reported a series of House bills out of committee, including HB 2467, HB 2468, HB 2518, HB 4310, HB 4386, HB 4490, HB 5323, and HB 149. Most of these were advanced on committee substitute motions and sent to the local and uncontested calendar or reported favorably to the full Senate. HB 2467 drew one nay vote, while the others were approved without opposition. HB 4310 and HB 4386 were described as committee-substitute versions with changes narrowing disclosure requirements and preserving attorney-client privilege in certain circumstances. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 149, an AI governance bill. The substitute was explained as addressing biometric identifier capture and storage, exempting certain AI uses for security and fraud prevention, clarifying definitions, restricting AI systems that simulate explicit child sexual content, adjusting Attorney General investigative authority, refining sandbox program waivers, reducing Texas AI Council powers and membership, and adding DIR coordination provisions. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 1500, the DIR sunset bill. The author said the bill would continue DIR for 12 years, restructure its board, update advisory committees, require regular cybersecurity assessments and penetration testing for state agencies, improve IT procurement training, and transfer the e-grants program to the Comptroller. A Texas 2036 witness supported the bill as a way to strengthen governance, procurement, and cybersecurity. Members asked detailed questions about the bill’s structure and then left HB 1500 pending. The committee also heard a lengthy presentation on HB 150, which would create the Texas Cyber Command as a component of the University of Texas System, administratively attached to UTSA and located in San Antonio. The author argued the command would centralize cyber threat intelligence, incident response, and digital forensics, and would be able to support state and local entities, with optional services for local governments. Members raised concerns about university mission drift, governance, security, chain of command, procurement authority, gifts and donations, and civil liberties implications of proactive cyber monitoring. Witnesses from UTSA/NSCC and SecurityScorecard testified in support, emphasizing the security of the downtown San Antonio facility, the existing cyber ecosystem there, and the need for a dedicated cyber capability. The bill remained under discussion with no final committee action announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, so why does the Forestry Commission need a medical director?
• a physician to serve as a medical director to oversee your credentialed EMS personnel.
• The executive director would say... ...and the executive director would probably want me to say this:
• Nyman, and our contract is just an extension for one year for our current executive director.
• director.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bhai okay now next we have director Bhai okay now next we have medical<00:08:15.919><c> director</c>
• <00:08:16.280><c> of</c><00:08:16.479><c> advanced</c> medical director of advanced medical director
• </c> assistance okay first we have Director assistance okay first we have Director of<00:16:07.639><c
• First up, Director Yaman providing comments.
• </c> division of DHS on behalf of director division of DHS on behalf of director Yaman<00:22:05.960><

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services began by explaining strict one-minute testimony limits, reliance on written testimony, and that it had quorum and would move directly to decision making on deferred measures. It first adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass SB 8 with amendments, creating a five-year trial period for a jury-duty exemption for actively practicing APRNs, delaying implementation to January 1, 2027, and adding a defective date. It then adopted amendments to SB 189 on breast cancer screening, replacing references to “woman” with “patient,” clarifying that supplemental imaging and mammograms must be medically necessary and ordered by the patient’s provider, deleting one subsection, and adding a defective date. The committee then heard testimony on several bills. SB 46 on insurance/mental health coverage drew support from a member of the public and others, but later the chair said it would be deferred indefinitely pending a required sunrise analysis and a concurrent resolution. SB 642 on fertility preservation services received broad support from providers, advocacy groups, and an individual who described facing cancer treatment and high out-of-pocket costs; the chair later amended it to make coverage optional, limit it to those over 26, and add a defective date. SB 49 on terminal illness had limited testimony and was later passed with amendments incorporating agency and professional association changes plus a defective date. The committee also heard strong support for SNAP-related bills. SB 53, expanding SNAP eligibility to 300% of poverty, drew testimony about the “benefits cliff,” but the chair later deferred it indefinitely, citing uncertainty about costs and system issues. SB 58 on public assistance had no testimony. SB 960 and SB 961, both SNAP-related, drew extensive support from nonprofits, health groups, and others; DHS said its modernization work would not be ready until fall 2026 and that current systems could not automatically extend certification periods. SB 963 on SNAP also received support, including testimony from a volunteer reentry advocate and a public health advocate, but the chair later said it would be deferred indefinitely because the committee could not determine the fiscal impact and wanted to wait until next year. Finally, the committee heard SB 798 on child welfare and SB 974 on foster care. Testimony on SB 798 included support from child welfare and advocacy organizations, but also criticism from a witness who said the bill lacked voices of those harmed by the system and another who emphasized the need for independence, implementation, and accountability. The committee then recessed to regain quorum and later returned to decision making, where it deferred SB 46 indefinitely, passed SB 642 with amendments, passed SB 49 with amendments, and deferred SB 53 indefinitely. The transcript ends while the chair is continuing through the remaining measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• director.
• </c> coordinating commission the executive coordinating commission the executive director<00:03:00.200
• it would revive the 2025 director it would revive the 2025 compensation<00:03:03.000><c> Council</c>
• </c><00:03:20.480><c> branch</c> determinations for executive branch determinations for executive branch
• branch and then finally the executive branch and then finally section<00:03:45.760><c> 18</c><00:03:

Summary: The committee considered House File 1837 and first adopted the A6 amendment to the DE2. Staff explained that the A6 made several technical and policy changes, including fixes to compensation council language, grants management changes drawn from prior legislation and the governor’s fraud package, clarifying revisions to state contracting language, revival of the 2025 compensation council so it could address judicial salaries in 2026, changes requested by Minnesota Management and Budget to personnel management statutes, and a conforming change renaming the commissioner’s plan to the Non-Represented Employees Compensation Plan. After discussion, the committee adopted the DE2 as amended to House File 1837. Members and the chair described the bill as a bipartisan policy package reflecting work from both sides of the aisle. No opposition was recorded on the final motion. The committee then voted to re-refer House File 1837, as amended, to the General Register. The motion carried by voice vote, and the bill was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've got Danielle, of course, is here from the executive director of California Arts Council.
• Then Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez, who's executive director of Arts Connection and the Arts Council of
• Hi, I'm Lisa Tramovich, executive director speaking on behalf of Spark, the Shakespeare and Performing
• I'm the Executive Director of Theatre Bay Area.
• Chair Allen and Senator Rubio, Dominique Johnson, Executive Director of the Stanislaus Arts Council,

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on the Arts

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director for the ARC, Louisiana.
• I serve as the Executive Director of the Community Provider Association of Louisiana.
• I'm the executive director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
• I'm the executive director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
• My name is Billy Lacombe, and I'm executive director of Faith House.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> executive director left and they executive director left and they actually<00:08:57.040><c> hired
• director and working a new executive director and working with<00:09:25.120><c> the</c><00:09:25.440
• </c><00:10:13.760><c> a</c> executive director did not have a executive director did not have a licensing
• </c><00:41:50.480><c> director</c> came on and um as the executive director came on and um as the executive
• </c> but there is an executive director. but there is an executive director.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Our Director, Mr.
• That's with the HR director. That's her job.
• They didn't say—they didn't, when I talked to the executive director of Civil Service, I said, 'Did you
• They didn't say, they didn't, when I talked to the executive director of civil service, I said, did you
• That’s how our new executive director, who is very capable, always says: ‘We are the 250 men and women

Summary: The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 6, 2026, approved the April 28 minutes, and heard several bills before moving into confirmation hearings. HB 205, by Rep. Bacala, would allow local governing authorities to supplement election commissioners’ pay by up to $100 per day; supporters from clerks of court and the Secretary of State’s office said the increase is needed to recruit and retain qualified commissioners amid longer days, training demands, and election security changes. The committee also reported HB 210, a cleanup bill clarifying retroactive application of a prior ethics law, and HB 228, which recreates the Department of State Civil Service and related entities through 2033. It likewise reported SR 86, which bars eyeglasses with audio/video recording capability in the Senate chamber without the Senate President’s permission, and HB 1177, which protects the identities of lottery hunt winners until after the drawing. HB 1045, limited to Pointe Coupee Parish, raises an audit threshold for certain water districts from $500,000 to $600,000 to reduce audit costs, and HB 813 would move Orleans Parish sheriff terms so the sheriff takes office in January instead of waiting until May; all were reported favorably. Senator Miller also announced that SB 491 would not be taken up that day. The committee then questioned nominees to the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East. The first group, including Peter Vicari and Ronald Schumann, was asked extensively about recent personnel actions, an internal investigation, and the authority’s handling of a report that members said would likely be released after a board vote. Senators focused on the firing of the chief of police/operations personnel, allegations of payroll fraud, and whether the authority had improperly combined the chief of police role with compliance duties in a way that may conflict with statute and Civil Service guidance. Committee members also raised concerns about the chief’s contract, whether it had board approval, and whether the authority’s bylaws and salary practices complied with law. The nominees and counsel said some matters were still under review and that a separate compliance position was being considered. The committee later heard from additional nominees, including David Martin, Gregory Marsiglia, and Elton Jude Myers, who described backgrounds in engineering, law, procurement, and governmental contracts. Senators again pressed them on the need to separate compliance/auditing duties from the chief of police role, and the nominees generally agreed that those functions should be distinct and that the authority should have qualified auditing expertise. The meeting ended with no public comment and adjournment after the confirmation discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Executive Director of the Home Care Aid Council, a trade association of 100 home care agencies
• I'm Jen Maynard, Executive Director of the MassPace Association, testifying on behalf of the eight Programs
• I'm Jen Maynard, Executive Director of the Mass Pace Association, testifying on behalf of the eight programs
• I am the executive director of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
• A lot of my testimony really focused on the same thing as Executive Director Maynard from MassPACE, so

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing focused on two broad sets of issues: home- and community-based care, and school-based Medicaid reimbursement. In the morning session, legislators and advocates testified on bills affecting children and disabled enrollees, including proposals to clarify rate-setting for home health and home care services (H. 767/S. 870), allow family members and spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth (H. 1394/S. 886 and related bills), extend MassHealth coverage for applied behavior analysis and other therapies beyond age 21 for adults with autism and developmental disabilities (H. 1351/S. 871), and protect medically fragile children by improving access to continuous skilled nursing. In the later portion of the hearing, testimony shifted to a bill to improve MassHealth reimbursement for schools (S. 862), with speakers describing the school mental health crisis and the need to reinvest Medicaid funds directly into school health services. Witnesses on the home care rate-setting bill said current reimbursement methods are opaque and outdated, contributing to workforce shortages, unfilled shifts, long waitlists, and patients remaining in hospitals longer than necessary. Home care providers and trade groups argued the bill would not set rates directly but would require more transparent methodology and fuller consideration of real costs such as wages, benefits, taxes, training, and technology. On caregiver bills, many family members and provider organizations described the financial and emotional strain of caring for disabled or medically fragile relatives, especially when parents, spouses, or guardians are barred from being paid caregivers. They argued the bills would recognize existing unpaid care, help families remain at home, and reduce reliance on more expensive institutional care. Advocates for adult ABA coverage said services remain medically necessary after age 21 and that ending coverage at that age creates an inequitable “cliff” for MassHealth members compared with those with private insurance. For the PACE/community care bill, elder law attorneys and PACE advocates said current MassHealth income rules force some older adults with modestly higher incomes to spend down to $542 per month, making community living unrealistic and pushing people toward nursing homes. They supported changing the eligibility structure to a premium-based approach that would allow more people to remain in the community. On the school Medicaid bill, advocates said schools are providing effective, preventive mental health care, but reimbursement currently flows to municipalities rather than directly back to school health budgets, limiting districts’ ability to hire and retain staff. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and several witnesses requested favorable reports on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Tom Williams, the Executive Director of the Employees' Retirement System.
• </c><00:27:46.159><c> director</c> have Angelina Marcado executive director have Angelina Marcado executive
• </c><00:27:56.600><c> state</c> executive director of the Hawaii state executive director of the Hawaii
• Okay, next we have Sergio Akabila, executive director for Hawaiʻi Workers Center, in support.
• Next we have Randy Per, executive director for HGA, in support.

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Jessica Wilbright, and I am the executive director of St.
• I'm the executive director of Russell House.
• I'm the executive director of Missouri Network Against Child Abuse.
• I'm the executive director of the Missouri Court-Appointed Special Advocate Association.
• I'm the executive director for Capital City Court Appointed Special Advocates here in Cole County, and

Committee: House Children and Families

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, next we have de her director. Director, okay, thank you very much.
• Director, okay, thank you very much. Director. Up next, we have United Public Workers, L.
• Yes, me, Cheney, Executive Director, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women.
• Yes, me, Cheney, Executive Director, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women.
• Yes, me, Cheney, Executive Director, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women.

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard several labor-related measures. SB 183 would allow arbitration to resolve disputes over state and county contributions to the EUTF benefits trust fund; labor groups supported it, and the committee advanced it with amendments. SB 185, concerning indebtedness to the state, drew support from unions and discussion with DAGS about tiered repayment options for lower-paid employees; DAGS said the system could be programmed to accommodate the bill, and the measure was also advanced with amendments. SB 458 would expand the definition of employer for wage-payment laws to include the state and counties when no comparable public-employee provision exists; HSTA testified in support, citing repeated delayed pay for teachers, while DAGS and county representatives raised operational concerns. The committee deferred SB 458 for further administrative work. SB 425, on qualified community rehabilitation programs and the aggregate contract cap, was advanced with technical amendments after UPW said employers were splitting contracts to exceed the statutory threshold. The committee also considered SB 1287, which would apply unfair and deceptive practices law to tipped food and beverage establishments and require tip-pool signage with wage-division contact information. The Attorney General’s office recommended a savings clause to avoid retroactive application issues, and the committee passed the bill with amendments. SB 1660 would require hospitality employers to adopt anti-harassment measures, training, panic buttons, and anti-retaliation protections; the Commission on the Status of Women and worker advocates supported it, while DLIR noted existing complaint systems and the need for rulemaking. The committee adopted amendments incorporating sexual assault hotline information, panic-button guidance, and employer flexibility on translation languages, then passed the bill with amendments. SB 631, relating to the Department of Human Resources Development, was deferred, with the chair noting a prior law already allows departments to screen and select applicants from initial pools.

Transcript Highlights:

• With me are Executive Director Rex Isom and Program Director John Foster.
• Isom, our Executive Director. Thank you, Chairman Basinger.
• I serve as Executive Director of the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board.
• I'm the Executive Director of the Public Utility Commission.
• Executive Director of the agency.

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director and founder of the organization, and we are here today to support this bill
• I'm the executive director. Good afternoon, Chair Peterson and members of the committee.
• I'm the executive director of the Housing Development Consortium and a Black Home Initiative core team
• I'm executive director for Tenants' Revolt, which formed in mid-2023 in the city of Bellingham.
• I'm executive director for tenants revolt, which formed in mid-20203 in the city of Bellingham.

Bills: HB1974 , HB2265 , HB2452

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation, deed restriction, affordability covenant, property tax exemption, excise tax exemption, predevelopment

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Trinity Tran, the executive director of the California Public Banking Alliance, and public banking
• The board has the authority to hire and fire an executive director with a two-thirds vote.
• The board has the authority to hire and fire an executive director with a two-thirds vote.
• That executive director would, and the initial operations and administration of the state bank would
• My name is Mark Rosary and I'm the executive director for Washington for Public Banking.

Bills: SB5754

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: public bank, state bank, finance, banking regulations, economic development, state investment

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director for Minnesota AgriGrowth.
• director of the dicklet um the executive director of the oh<01:08:27.319><c> I'm</c><01:08:27.560><c
• director of the uh the executive director of the Minnesota<01:08:32.520><c> building</c><01:08:32.799
• </c> executive director for Agri growth executive director for Agri growth welcome<01:10:32.320><c> to
• c> AGR</c> executive director for Minnesota AGR executive director for Minnesota AGR growth<01:10:42.159

Bills: HF1277 , HF1006

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: data centers, tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, economic development, employment growth, property tax, abatement, land bank, redevelopment, political subdivision

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director of Rural People's Voice.
• My name is Emma Scalzo, and I'm the executive director of Balance Our Tax Code.
• Then the board must hire an executive director by June 30, 2027.
• I'm the president and executive director of Ask Me Counsel 2.
• I'm Rosetta Sanchez, the executive director of Cedar River Clinics.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on February 6, 2026, and first voted to suspend the five-day notice rule for all bills on the agenda. Senators Braun and Gildon objected, arguing the bill needed more public review and that the fiscal note had only just been released, but a roll call vote passed 15-9 and the committee proceeded to Senate Bill 6346. Staff briefed SB 6346 as a proposal to create a 9.9% income tax on Washington taxable income above a $1 million per-household standard deduction, with a $50,000 charitable deduction, apportionment rules for nonresidents and certain professions, quarterly estimated payments, and credits for capital gains tax and certain business taxes. Staff said the tax would begin in 2029 and eventually raise about $3.5 billion annually from roughly 30,000 taxpayers. The bill also would expand the Working Families Tax Credit, create a sales tax exemption for grooming and hygiene products, increase the small business B&O tax credit and filing threshold, and end the B&O surcharge on high-grossing businesses one year early. Members questioned the bill’s constitutionality, its exemption from referendum, treatment of student athletes, natural-resource industries, and whether real estate gains would be captured. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including labor groups, educators, health care advocates, counties, child care workers, and some business owners and high-income individuals, said the bill would make the tax code more progressive and provide stable funding for health care, education, child care, public defense, and other services, while expanding the Working Families Tax Credit. Opponents, including many small business, construction, housing, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as a tax on pass-through businesses and retained earnings, harm housing production and investment, encourage wealthy residents and businesses to leave the state, and violate the state constitution or the will of voters. No final action on SB 6346 was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> division Gwen lawen yamam Lao executive division Gwen lawen yamam Lao executive director<00:02:43.519
• Chun Lori Moore executive director of Chun Lori Moore executive director of the<00:03:18.000><c> military
• </c><00:03:57.400><c> director</c><00:03:57.799><c> of</c> Nela Craig Nako executive director of Nela
• </c><00:04:04.599><c> director</c> Authority Dean Minami executive director Authority Dean Minami executive
• </c> Corporation Wendy gaty executive Corporation Wendy gaty executive director<00:04:10.959><c> of</

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of your career has been. in service of the executive branch. your past experience with the executive
• Director Tom Palladino, good to see you. James Crabtree, previous director of.
• What I'm about to say is that executive directors are great repositories of information, but they're
• There are circumstances where Executive directors have come to us in individual office calls advocating
• Director Miller has also served as the Executive Director of the Texas Solar Power Association. and a

Committee: Senate Nominations

Keywords: Texas Water Fund, water management, infrastructure funding, local governments, workforce development, community colleges, educational programs, sustainability

Summary: The meeting focused on several crucial issues, including the Texas Water Fund and its implications for development in the state. Various members highlighted the critical need for effective management of water resources, discussing the role of the Water Development Board and their strategies for outreach to local governments. The committee engaged in a thorough examination of funding projects and the sustainable financing necessary for communities facing challenges in meeting their infrastructure needs. Additionally, there was notable discussion regarding promoting workforce development and the alignment of educational programs with the demands of the job market as indicated by recent trends in community colleges.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2013, I went over to PERA to be the Deputy Director. In 2011, I became the Executive Director.
• We started our relationship at PERA when I was Executive Director, and as he just mentioned, as Deputy
• I'm the Executive Director for the New Mexico Independent Community Colleges.
• I'm speaking on behalf of myself and Mark Saavedra, who is the Executive Director for the Council of
• So, as the Executive Director of PRA, he went above and beyond to ensure that she was well taken care

Committee: Senate Senate Rules