Transcript Highlights:

• job going back to when we first dropped this bill 15 years ago of using state-owned space more efficiently
• My next question is this is taking we're wanting to be more efficient and cost savings to the state,
• <00:02:30.000> But<00:02:30.160> there<00:02:30.319> are space more efficiently
• But there are space more efficiently.
• we're wanting to be more efficient we're wanting to be more efficient and<00:04:58.000> cost<

Keywords: Public Property - Room 409, 29 January, 2026; 2:30 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The Public Property Committee held its organizational meeting and elected Senator Ladner as secretary. It then took up Senate Bill 2203, which would centralize leasing authority for state agencies in privately owned space under DFA and, when cheaper, move certain agencies into the capital complex area to encourage consolidation and cost savings. Senator Seymour questioned specific references in the bill, including a corporation mentioned in current law and whether the measure could affect ports, the Gulf Coast Coliseum, universities, community colleges, or local offices outside Metro Jackson. Blunt said the bill was intended only for state agencies in the Metro Jackson area and not for local county offices or other institutions, and he later identified the corporation reference as the Mississippi Home Corporation. The committee adopted a title-sufficient do-pass motion and reported the bill out. The committee next considered a bill by Senator Hobson authorizing the Soil and Water Conservation Commission to construct a levee project in Yazoo County using federal funds, at an estimated cost of more than $100 million. Hobson said the project would address significant flooding and complete a portion of levee work near Carter and Satartia. With no questions, the committee again adopted a title-sufficient do-pass motion and reported the bill out. Senator Williams then presented Senate Bill 2594, the Mississippi Antiquities Law bill, which would streamline demolition of abandoned, vacant, or blighted buildings on public university and community college campuses while preserving historic properties. He said the measure would require coordination with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, define blight, require engineering analysis in some cases, and give MDH 90 days to respond before demolition or further inspection proceeds. Several senators raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the definitions of blight and other causes, and that it might let institutions tear down too much without sufficient oversight. Williams said the bill was meant to balance preservation with practical needs and agreed to work on a floor amendment to tighten the language. The committee then voted to report the bill out. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2340, authorizing DFA to sell, lease, or convey the former DPS property at 1900 East Woodrow Wilson Avenue in Jackson. The committee substitute would direct proceeds to the general fund rather than DPS, while preserving mineral rights, allowing repurchase under certain conditions, and requiring DFA review of proposals. Senators discussed possible redevelopment uses, including University Medical Center, and the bill’s restrictions on uses such as heavy industrial, adult entertainment, casinos, liquor stores, and solid waste facilities. No final vote on this bill was reflected in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we decided to, in order to make it more efficient, expand to more people and then trying to bring
• And so we decided to, in order to make it more efficient, expand to more people and then trying to bring
• , to in order to make it more efficient, to in order to make it more efficient, expand<00:43:18.480
• When we did the hearings on this, the most common response I heard is that they wanted the efficiency
• I will say to your point though, if efficiency is a concern and then we allow a situation where the PSC

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met in August with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes without objection. The committee then reviewed several regulations, generally adopting staff-suggested amendments without objection, and heard brief explanations from agency representatives on each item. The Board of Pharmacy regulations would clarify what registered and certified pharmacy technicians may do under supervision and what certified technicians may not do, while updating registration applications. The Board of Cosmetology package included changes to executive director authority, licensure and reciprocity rules, school requirements, training hours, instructor ratios, sanitation and disease-related rules, complaint procedures, and permit terms; members asked about straight razor language and the increase in student-to-instructor ratios, and the board explained that cosmetologists are not permitted to use straight razors and that the higher ratio was intended to give schools flexibility, especially for part-time students and schools with wait lists. The Occupational Therapy emergency compact regulation added four compact rules adopted in April 2025, and Senator West raised a technical question about certification requirements under House Bill 6; the agency said it had been instructed to file the regulation as submitted. The Department for Fish and Wildlife Resources presented a package covering wildlife management area rules, a northern pintail bag limit increase, reportable disease reporting, and a repeal tied to boat registration fees. After a brief explanation of the new wildlife disease reporting rule, the agency requested and received a deferral of 301 KAR 2:031 to avoid a gap while replacement language is finalized. The Economic Development Finance Authority explained an emergency regulation for the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program, saying it was needed because the program had become oversubscribed and because administration was shifting to a new film office and council; members also asked about certification issues under House Bill 6, and the agency said it had filed the regulation as directed. The Department of Workplace Standards emergency PPE regulation was also discussed, with members asking about HB 6 certification language, and the agency gave the same response. The Department of Insurance regulation would create a $10,000 registration fee and a $1,000 annual licensing fee for pharmacy benefit manager licenses, with an agency amendment exempting PBMs that solely serve workers’ compensation plans. Members asked how many PBMs would be affected and why workers’ compensation PBMs were carved out; the agency said there were 70 registered PBMs total, four solely workers’ comp, and that workers’ comp rates are set by statute and could not absorb the fee. Finally, the Public Service Commission’s pole attachment regulation was summarized as a broadband-expansion measure that speeds application review, increases the number of poles allowed in a single application, and shortens dispute timelines; the commission explained it grew out of earlier legislative direction and subsequent emergency amendments, and the committee adopted the staff amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:35.279> and system that makes us more efficient and system that makes us more efficient
• and Our mission is to foster efficient and economical<01:03:07.280> growth.
• For example, through our water efficiency grant program, 100% of which pass through to end users, we
• appliances, and efficient toilets.
• This has resulted in an estimated savings of 260 million gallons of water so far, and more efficient

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1297, unemployment benefits waiting period — Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency.
• SB 1301, business relocation notice penalty — Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency.
• SB 1302, executive contractors license safety — Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency.
• SB 1310, dentist and dental hygienist compact — Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency.
• Senate Bill 1236 is drawn from the Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency and further

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed a quorum, and approved the journal from January 21, 2026. Members then used points of personal privilege to recognize guests and groups in the gallery, including Chaplain Ron Lagata, an anti-human-trafficking proclamation for Not in Our State, an active-duty Air Force apprentice from Davis-Monthan, Space Force and aerospace guests, and Special Olympics Arizona. Senator Bolick’s proclamation emphasized Arizona’s commitment to combating human trafficking and invited members to an upcoming event. Senator Tothley delivered a somber statement about the death of eight-year-old Malika, Molly Boone, in his community and criticized delays in the Turquoise Alert system. He urged statewide changes so alerts go out more quickly and more broadly, and the Senate observed a moment of silence in her memory. The President Pro Tem expressed condolences and said he would continue working on solutions. The chamber then moved through the day’s legislative calendar, reading a long list of bills and resolutions for second reading and introducing several new bills for first reading and committee referral, including measures on election procedures, voting security, prison sentencing, water supply, unemployment benefits, health care, and appropriations. A nomination to the Arizona Board of Regents was also read by name only. Committee announcements were made for upcoming meetings, and the Senate adjourned on motion until Monday, January 26, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's having an unpriced asset and at a zero. been real good allocations made that really do bring efficiency
• , but to say that we're not going to look at efficiency, yet we need more and more and more, you're undermining
• Thank you. any efficiency you may not get the transmit power you need so that's that's an example of
• and I think AI has tremendous power and we need to marshal it for being able to use the spectrum efficiently
• country succeed. technologies that will make us the best. using all of its spectrum with maximizing efficiency

Keywords: spectrum policy, FCC auction authority, national security, innovation, technology development, 9-1-1 modernization, adaptive technologies, China competition

Summary: The meeting centered on the critical examination of spectrum policy and its implications for innovation and national security. The committee discussed the lapse of the FCC's spectrum auction authority, which has been in effect since March 2023, emphasizing the urgency of restoring this authority to maintain U.S. technological leadership against competitors like China. Witnesses provided testimony regarding the need for adaptive and reconfigurable spectrum technologies to enhance communication capabilities for both civilian and military applications. Senator Klobuchar highlighted the importance of modernizing 9-1-1 systems and ensuring robust emergency communication frameworks leveraging new spectrum innovations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent Energy Efficient Investments Company out of Merrimack.
• Mike Davy, I'm an owner of Energy Efficient Investments.
• uh I represent energy efficient uh I represent energy efficient Investments<02:08:43.079> uh<
• Finally, on the energy efficiency side, Ceres is supportive of energy efficiency projects wherever they
• <02:16:56.920> side finally on the uh Energy Efficiency side finally on the uh Energy Efficiency

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee held public hearings on House Bill 471 and House Bill 373. HB 471 would create a temporary commission to study growth, traffic, planning, and land use issues in a group of southern New Hampshire towns, with possible recommendations on regional planning commission boundaries or coordination. Representative Perez said the bill was requested by Londonderry residents and local officials, and Eric Power of Brookline testified in support, saying the towns share corridor and development issues that cross regional planning commission lines. Several members questioned whether existing law already allows towns to form regional planning commissions under RSA 364:6, whether the bill should be broader, and whether the town list should include additional communities. The hearing closed with testimony counts reported as two in support and three opposed on remote sign-in, plus one opposed and one in support on the blue sheet. HB 373, sponsored by Representative Diane Powers, would revise RSA 41:11-a on town property leases. Powers said current law is too restrictive because leases over five years require repeated town votes, which she argued is impractical for long-term arrangements. She cited examples from Hampton and Brookline, including long-term road and property leases, and said she had found multiple similar cases. The bill would keep select board authority for leases under one year, allow a legislative body to authorize a specific longer lease by a three-fifths ballot vote, and preserve the existing five-year blanket leasing authority with a three-fifths vote, while keeping existing leases valid if authority is later rescinded. Eric Power testified in support, describing recurring lease renewals in Brookline and saying longer terms are needed for projects such as housing, cell towers, and solar arrays. Members asked about the change from a simple town vote to a three-fifths threshold and whether the bill duplicates existing mechanisms; Powers said the higher threshold was intended because the leases involve long-term commitments. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described.

Transcript Highlights:

• agenda, I will remind everyone that the Assembly has rules to ensure we maintain order and run an efficient
• This bill increases efficiency and allows ...
• Without any further delays, this bill increases efficiency and allows prospective security officers to
• The changes in this bill aim to improve the overall functions of the board to ensure a healthy and efficient
• statutory updates to a few boards and a bureau at the Department of Consumer Affairs to improve efficiency

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and duties of the committee and again emphasize coordination, increase transparency, potential efficiencies
• <00:17:35.919> and transparency, potential efficiencies and transparency, potential efficiencies
• <00:20:08.720> on<00:20:08.880> the effectively and efficiently on the effectively
• and efficiently on the regional<00:20:09.440> level.
• Your very efficient Institutions Committee will be meeting at 1:30. >> Senator from Windsor. >> I have

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bringing them into the future with modern tools, which will help us drive down FTE, drive up our efficiency
• Thank you so much with Some of the material that was presented as far as the efficiencies or also the
• For me, whether or not we're doing it as efficiently as we should, or should we be doing something else
• our focus is not only on reflecting upon our legacy but also on advancing modernization... and efficiency
• These improvements reflect our commitment to efficiency and accountability operational efficiency is

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• across counties and divisions and strengthens the continuity of service, improving operational efficiency
• But when you really want to drive efficiency at scale when you're thinking about public services, its
• health care information and also the AI to actually automate extend those systems, make them more efficient
• But absolutely we're we're trying to figure out how to make it more efficient, more effective for our
• you with a consideration to make strides as what you can see when able much better operational efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• would permit the ESD and the county to enter into an ILA to address this issue, which would be more efficient
• This bill aims to eliminate the redundancy, ultimately facilitating more efficient and more effective
• As you just heard, it makes operations more efficient. It makes the process faster.
• This is a common-sense update that recognizes inflation, respects local control, and supports efficient
• Some key points of support: It improves operational efficiency.

Bills: SB208, SB628, SB777, SB1042, SB2354, SB2477, SB2521, SB2523, SB2608, SB2703, SB2778, SB2835, SB2965, SB2367, SB3044

Keywords: workforce housing, capital investment fund, affordable housing, housing development, Texas housing laws, loan programs, community development, Texas housing, zero-interest loans, low-income housing, nonprofit organizations, construction, economic stability, housing affordability, capital investment, Texas housing policy, county fire code, fire marshal, local government code, interlocal agreement

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and limited public testimony to two minutes per person. The committee heard Senate Bill 628 by Senator Zaffirini, which would clarify that counties may enter interlocal agreements with emergency service districts to administer and enforce county fire codes, including for multi-county ESDs in the committee substitute. Witnesses from Travis County ESD-11, the Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office, and a member of the public supported the bill as a way to reduce duplication, costs, and jurisdictional confusion. Public testimony was closed and the committee substitute was left pending. The committee then heard several housing-related bills. Senate Bill 208 by Senator West would create a Workforce Housing Capital Investment Fund to provide zero-interest loans to nonprofit builders for workforce housing; Habitat for Humanity representatives, a Brownsville nonprofit developer, and housing advocates supported it as a way to finance infrastructure and land development for affordable homes. Senate Bill 2835 by Senator Johnson would allow cities to opt into single-stair apartment buildings for small-scale, multi-story housing; supporters said the design is safe and could expand housing supply, while the Texas APA expressed qualified opposition over code-process concerns and fire-safety questions. Both bills were left pending after testimony. Additional bills heard included SB 1042 updating the Kimble County Hospital District’s enabling law; SB 1708, a committee substitute protecting familial property divisions from platting requirements; SB 2778 raising the ESD expenditure threshold requiring board approval from $2,000 to up to $50,000; SB 2608 expanding LIHTC eligibility for certain public housing projects; SB 3044 adding board representation for Marfa and Presidio on the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District and adjusting an exemption; SB 2367 extending park board authority to Waller County; SB 2523 clarifying ETJ reduction procedures and owner opt-out rights; SB 2521 requiring death-certificate reporting to appraisal districts to help address squatting and homestead exemption issues; and SB 2477 easing office-to-residential conversions in larger cities. In each case, the bills were laid out, testimony was taken, and the measures were left pending subject to call of the chair. The committee then recessed until 15 to 30 minutes after adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Scheduling road testing slots will allow these programs to efficiently place students into testing slots
• Scheduling road testing slots will allow these programs to efficiently place students into testing slots
• Generally, from an efficiency perspective, you'd be better off having more resources in one group than
• having a private group and a public group doing the same thing if you're talking about efficiency. $100
• perspective you'd be better efficiency perspective you'd be better off<00:16:06.079> having<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our aim is to be as fair and efficient as possible, and since CDGFA was created we try and measure our
• efficiency by the amount it costs to collect to administer $100 in revenue.
• So some of that decline is likely due to efficiency improvements, but the department also has struggled
• It doesn't really, it's not an efficient use of state resources.
• Implementing energy efficiency upgrades in their home or business.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <06:36:10.878> standards enforcing energy efficiency standards enforcing energy efficiency
• <07:07:23.440> standards enforcing energy efficiency standards enforcing energy efficiency
• Efficient number by the A and will rise. Efficient number having<07:42:45.040> risen.
• Congress set the efficiency standards in 1975.
• Congress set the efficiency standards in 1975.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Our river flows are as efficient as possible, taking into consideration the environmental conditions
• Here's a note that water use efficiency is crop yield per water consumed.
• As I mentioned, the high water recovery system can increase the efficiency of water recovery and reduce
• It's just a more efficient permitting process from our perspective.
• Is there any anticipation as to how much more efficient that will be in terms of a person requesting

Transcript Highlights:

• On the next slide, Slide Five, some administrative efficiency strategies are listed here.
• It is a very energy-efficient building.
• I would say, again, Wade mentioned the idea of energy efficiency.
• , and that to get this much improvement now in energy efficiency costs this much money.
• We can keep making it more efficient; it's just going to be more and more expensive.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's certainly a great efficiency in terms of being able to do this by video conference.
• So I think we don't want to offset the efficiency gains by making it an impersonal...
• I think we don't want to offset the efficiency gains by making it an impersonal system.
• would help explore avenues, problems, benefits, and other issues for modernizing and making more efficient
• HB 4233 is focused on clarity, accountability, and efficiency.

Bills: HB111

Summary: The committee heard a long series of House bills, with most measures laid out by Senate sponsors and then left pending after brief public testimony. Early bills focused on construction and licensing issues, including HB 305 on prompt payment for public construction audits, HB 5093 on restoring public access to notary contact information, HB 2037 on updating landlord-tenant repair and security deposit rules, HB 4214 on a centralized public information request contact database, and HB 5435 exempting higher education institutions from a 90-day notice requirement for certain public-private partnership projects. Testimony was generally supportive on these bills, and no votes were taken; each was left pending. The committee also considered several transparency and regulatory bills. HB 111 would expand the Public Information Act to certain nonprofit state associations and narrow some attorney-client and working-paper exceptions, with supporters arguing it would improve oversight of public funds and critics questioning the scope and thresholds. HB 5129 would protect occupational license holders’ personal identifying information from disclosure without consent, HB 4350 would allow peace officers to redact personal information from online real property records, HB 4748 would authorize multiple-award state purchasing contracts, and HB 4765 would clean up code enforcement officer licensing rules. HB 4134 would allow motor vehicle creditors to charge limited fees for electronic payment options while requiring a free alternative, and HB 1043 would direct a study of blockchain-based property title records; both drew testimony, with some concern about the practical effects and vendor implications of the blockchain study. Several bills addressed insurance, workforce, and digital-asset regulation. HB 3520 would reduce the insurance coverage required for transportation network companies during the period when a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, drawing support from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and opposition from trial lawyers who argued the higher coverage better protects the public. HB 3320 would create a self-insurance pool for religious institutions, with TDI explaining it would still be regulated but operate under a special statutory framework. HB 4233 would modernize rules for digital asset service providers by removing certain auditor-access requirements and updating reporting and licensing provisions. HB 3923 would reduce bachelor’s-degree requirements for some state jobs, though Every Texan argued low pay, not degree requirements, is the main driver of turnover. HB 4518 would create a legal structure for decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations tied to blockchain governance; business law experts opposed it as unnecessary and potentially risky, while crypto advocates supported it. Finally, HB 1803 would join an interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists, with supporters citing workforce shortages and opponents saying Texas already licenses quickly and that the compact could weaken state oversight. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly closed testimony and left bills pending, and a quorum was eventually established before later items were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's for the Energy Efficiency revive and Loan Fund.
• Then you'll see the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block grant program.
• It's to teach them how to, how to use energy efficiently.
• It's no longer a capital efficiency retrofit project.
• That's how we're going to have the most efficient, cost-effective grid here in Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then last, we have the Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Program.
• It's to teach them about saving energy, it's to teach them how to use energy efficiently.
• Received awards from us, reimbursable grant awards for making energy efficient. retrofits.
• It's no longer a capital efficiency retrofit project.
• That's how we're going to have the most efficient. cost-effective grid here in Texas.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then lastly, through that worker portal, we're looking to gain overall workforce efficiencies by
• that have gone well for you and what are some of the keys to just the success and the speed and efficiency
• ... ...the keys to just the success and the speed and efficiency at which Access is moving right now.
• . the keys to just the success and the speed and efficiency at which access is moving right now.
• And then in the future, we'll have opportunities to make the system a little bit more efficient.

Summary: The subcommittee heard updates on several major technology modernization efforts, beginning with the Department of Financial Services’ Florida PALM project, which is replacing the state’s decades-old FLAIR accounting system. DFS described PALM as a statewide effort affecting all three branches of government, with cash management already live and the remaining financial management, payroll, and data warehouse components still in development. Officials said the project began in 2014, was restructured after a 2022 legislative pause, and is now being recommended for a go-live delay from January 2026 to July 2026. Members asked about governance, staffing, contract structure, cost growth, and maintenance costs; DFS said the contract is deliverable-based, the current amendment would add a net $2.2 million, and post-go-live maintenance is expected to be about $13 million annually under the current contract through July 2027. The Agency for Health Care Administration then updated the committee on the FX Medicaid enterprise modernization program. AHCA explained that federal CMS directed states to move from monolithic Medicaid systems to a modular approach, leading Florida to procure separate vendors for integration services, data warehouse, unified operations, provider services, and claims processing, with pharmacy benefits still to be procured. Officials said the project has spent about $334 million to date, with most costs federally matched, and requested $189.95 million for the upcoming year. They also highlighted a 2024 special assessment that produced 81 recommendations, most tied to staffing shortages, and said the Legislature added 47 FTEs, with 17 currently filled or being filled. Members asked about governance changes, production status, data access, and future technology maintenance; AHCA said some components are operational, the data warehouse is nearing certification, and the agency is working to keep the system adaptable and nonproprietary. The Department of Children and Families presented its Access modernization project, which is replacing a mainframe-based eligibility system used for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid assistance, and related programs. DCF said the six-year, $205 million project is in its third year and has already delivered a new customer portal with mobile access, multi-factor authentication, and fraud protections, while also building a worker portal, document management, community partner tools, and workload management functions. The agency said it is requesting $36.625 million for the next fiscal year, the same as last year, and emphasized that the project has remained on schedule and on budget by breaking work into smaller modules and using strong vendor and staff support. Members praised the project’s progress and asked about cybersecurity testing and the long delay before modernization began; DCF said security requirements were built in from the outset and that the remaining work will focus on moving staff off the legacy mainframe and modernizing notices and back-end processes.