Transcript Highlights:

• They’re those that are supporting their parishes, their schools, all of that on the backside.
• The average award amount per recipient is about $4,250 per school year. That's just a note I have.
• The difference with the Fast Track program is I would have needed to have been away from school for a
• And A-plus, you can access that money for four years after high school. But that's separate.
• A-plus is for immediate high school grads, up to about four years.

Committee: House Economic Development

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All five of my siblings and I went to school and graduate school here in Sturbridge.
• All five of my siblings and I went to school and graduate school here in Sturbridge.
• There are a hundred and ten... ...All five of my siblings and I went to school and graduate school here
• I am here to share a story about primary school girls whose public school lunches were served to them
• students from the high school who signed on to that letter.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a heavily attended hybrid hearing focused primarily on plastics reduction bills, along with a few local and related waste-management measures. Chair Rauch and Chair Barber outlined strict testimony rules because of the large number of speakers. Before the plastics docket, the committee heard support for a local Sharon sewer-extension bill for a Sunrise Senior Living project, and the bill’s proponents said the project would help address senior housing needs and would still require MWRA and local approvals. The chairs also noted a separate local matter involving Sharon and the MWRA. A major portion of the hearing centered on the Plastics Reduction Act and related bills addressing single-use plastics, including plastic bags, polystyrene, black plastic, plastic beverage bottles, non-flushable wipes, skip-the-stuff provisions, and truth-in-labeling. Sponsors and supporters said the bills would reduce litter, microplastics, greenhouse gas emissions, and municipal waste costs, while creating statewide consistency and supporting environmental justice communities. Several speakers cited local bans already adopted by many Massachusetts cities and towns, and many urged the committee to advance comprehensive statewide action. The committee also heard testimony on a boat wrap recycling bill, a mattress recycling bill, and a bill to prohibit hotels from providing small plastic toiletries. Municipal officials and waste professionals supported extended producer responsibility for paint and labeling for non-flushable wipes, saying these measures would shift costs away from cities and towns and reduce strain on wastewater systems. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, Mayor Ruth Ann Fuller of Newton, and a Franklin County waste official all backed paint EPR and wipes labeling. Fire Chief Brian Nardelli testified for the Fire Chiefs Association in support of lithium-ion battery legislation, citing fire safety and disposal concerns. Other speakers, including environmental groups, local activists, and business representatives, supported bag and polystyrene bans, though the Retailers Association of Massachusetts urged any bag policy to be truly statewide and said any bag fee should be retained by retailers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• High School.
• There's language there that directs the school safety marshal and the Kentucky Center for School Safety
• > to</c> the Kentucky Center for School Safety to the Kentucky Center for School Safety to to<00:29:40.320
• </c> Senate Bill one from 2019, the school Senate Bill one from 2019, the school safety<00:30:27.600>
• One of them being a $434,000 cost to the Council of Chief State School Officers.

Committee: House Appropriations & Revenue

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Cabinet for Health and Family Services 00:00:30 Kentucky Department of Education 00:27:10 Education and Labor Cabinet 00:31:35 Auditor of Public Accounts 00:36:55, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're looking for kids right out of high school, trade school.
• We used to have school buses drop off the kids.
• There was no, you go to some kind of school or learn anything.
• I do traffic survival school, which is the more in-depth eight hours in person.
• Chairman, Madam Vice Chair, just to clarify, these are high school students.

Bills: HB2003 , HB2057 , HB2109 , HB2111 , HB2112 , HB2114 , HB2256 , HB2259 , HB2317 , HB2323 , HB2398 , HB2443 , HB2446 , HB2574

Committee: House Transportation & Infrastructure

Keywords: driver education, instruction permit, underage drivers, motorcycle licenses, traffic regulations, special plates, centennial, Arizona Department of Transportation, vehicle registration, commercial discounts, Arizona Centennial, distracted driving, portable wireless communication devices, motorcycles, traffic safety, civil penalties, driver license, examinations, motorcycle awareness, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• as far as testing, if they have met their financial obligation to the school, if they feel like they
• and they have to take a to school and they have to take a sanitation<00:52:36.079><c> and</c><00:52:
• </c><00:52:57.680><c> and</c> on them once they get out of school and on them once they get out of school
• </c><00:53:47.040><c> as</c><00:53:47.280><c> far</c> of the requirements of the school as far of the
• requirements of the school as far as<00:53:47.680><c> testing,</c> as testing, as testing, if<00:53:

Committee: Joint Public Health and Human Services

Keywords: Public Health - Room 216, 27 January, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It does a number of things including providing property owned by counties, municipalities, or school
• districts to participate in the Live Local Act, so long as the municipality or school district is a participant
• Regarding the development owned by a school district, is my understanding correct in that if there is
• proposed development and it is owned by a school district, the school district has the ability to yay
• Redondo: Yes, in fact the school district has to be a party to the application itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• Shanks has been a dedicated agriculture teacher at Butte Valley High School in Siskiyou County.
• Shanks has been a dedicated agriculture teacher at Butte Valley High School in Siskew County.
• Gene Dalestonia Catholic School, who are visiting us from the great city of Temecula in my district.
• It's a charter school. They're right up here.
• It's a great program, a very unique charter school and what they do.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and proceeded with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of guest introductions recognizing FFA students, district staff, public health leaders, and visiting students from local schools. Several members highlighted agriculture education, public health week, and civic education, and one member also announced the birth of a calf before introducing an honored agriculture teacher. The chamber then moved through the daily file, passing over second- and third-reading items and taking up Senate Concurrent Resolution 1, which establishes the joint rules for the 2025-26 legislative session; it was adopted on a 50-14 vote and sent immediately to the Senate. On the consent calendar, Assembly Bill 565, Assembly Bill 708, and Assembly Concurrent Resolution 42 were adopted unanimously, 71-0. ACR 42, relating to adult education, also received 65 co-authors. Additional guest introductions followed, including students from the San Fernando Valley and a Jewish day school, with remarks emphasizing leadership, agriculture, and community service. The Assembly then held an adjournment in memory for U.S. Army Sergeant Edvin F. Franco of Glendale, who died in a training accident in Lithuania. Members honored his military service, awards, and family. The house announced its next schedule and adjourned until Monday, April 7 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• today, and we are going to take up HB 355 relating to emergency opioid antagonists in public K-12 schools
• This bill will allow public schools to purchase, use, and maintain emergency opioid antagonists that
• And this bill is to protect our children and give the schools enough tools in their toolbox to protect
• You did really great, but as a high school educator, actually assistant principal for the last 30 years
• of our students do have that option of having that safety, and it makes it a little easier for the school

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee considered three bills and reported all of them favorably by unanimous votes. HB 355, by Rep. Jay Alvarez, would allow public K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions to purchase, use, and maintain FDA-approved emergency opioid antagonists rather than being limited to naloxone. The bill was described as giving schools more flexibility and a lower-cost option for overdose response; it received supportive public testimony and passed 18-0. HB 531, by Rep. Hanchowski, expands background screening requirements for child care facilities and programs to include certain recreational enrichment programs, and creates a statewide public awareness campaign about screening requirements. An amendment narrowed the definition of recreational enrichment programs to in-person dance, gymnastics, and martial arts lessons and conformed a statutory cross-reference; the amendment was adopted without objection. The bill then passed 18-0, with support from Florida Smart Justice Alliance and some discussion about strengthening enforcement against bad actors. HB 1127, by Rep. Weinberger, addresses child welfare by creating a treatment foster care pilot program for high-acuity children, directing DCF to study residential treatment capacity, and improving data collection on commercially sexually exploited children. The bill also includes recruitment and funding proposals for foster parents and workforce strategies for DCF. Members praised the bill’s focus on difficult cases and system gaps, public testimony was supportive, and the bill passed 18-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hadn't been educated on this in the school system; I had no clue what it meant.
• her education due to these programs. for schooling and obtain a college degree.
• to $330 billion for our education system and school meals.
• know kids aren't attending school already because of this.
• An 11-year-old girl in Texas took her life. than go to school.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> shooter incidents in K through2 schools shooter incidents in K through2 schools the<01:20:06.040
• I am a mother of a school shooting survivor, and I'm a grandmother with grandchildren in schools here
• I am a mother of a school shooting survivor, and I'm a grandmother with grandchildren in schools here
• I am a mother of a school shooting survivor, and I'm a grandmother with grandchildren in schools here
• </c><02:10:26.760><c> shootings</c> them popular in these school shootings them popular in these school

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered House Bill 279 and House Bill 392, both relating to firearms. HB 279 would restrict carrying or possessing firearm parts except at or between certain locations and in an enclosed container, define firearm parts and prohibited persons, and increase penalties for violations. The Department of Law Enforcement strongly supported the bill, saying it would close a loophole involving disassembled or “ghost gun” parts and help law enforcement charge people who carry weapons in pieces. Most public testimony opposed the measure, with speakers arguing it was unconstitutional, vague, hard to enforce, and would burden lawful gun owners, gunsmiths, and firearm dealers; several also said existing laws already cover the conduct. One supporter, Dennis Dunn, said additional firearm security could reduce theft and suicides. The chair noted the committee had received 270 testimonies on HB 279, with 39 in support, 234 in opposition, and one comment. The committee then heard HB 392, which would prohibit the possession, transfer, and sale of ghost guns and establish mandatory minimum sentencing for using a ghost gun in a felony. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s office supported the bill, saying unserialized firearms are difficult to trace and that prosecutors need clear laws to address them. Supporters argued the measure would help prevent untraceable weapons from circulating and align penalties with other firearm offenses. Opponents, including several gun owners and association representatives, said the bill was unnecessary because existing state and federal laws already prohibit unserialized firearms, and warned it could create confusion, criminalize lawful owners of antique or self-built firearms, and be difficult to administer. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:59.880><c> that</c> University of Hawaii Law School that University of Hawaii Law School that
• Jonathan Kalulu School softball.
• </c> privilege of watching our high school privilege of watching our high school teams<00:37:35.720><
• </c> high school. I see great things to come. high school. I see great things to come.
• . schools. schools.

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard multiple governor’s messages for confirmation to the Agribusiness Development Corporation board and one appointment to the Aloha Stadium Authority. For GM 606, David Ige Hinazumi was supported by ADC and DBEDT, with testimony highlighting his private-sector experience, technology background, and ability to help with risk management and finances. He told senators he had attended board meetings since 2018, saw ADC as a state business arm for agriculture, and supported expanding land, facilities, and even aquaculture if resources allowed. Senators asked about ADC’s role relative to the Department of Agriculture, and he said the department’s strength is research/regulatory work while ADC should focus on business development, support, and facilities for farmers and aquaculture businesses. For GM 607, Jason Watts was strongly supported by ADC leadership, DBEDT, and many agricultural and community groups, with one opposing testimony from Hawaii Farm Bureau. Supporters praised his governance, accountability, transparency, and frequent communication with the agency. In questioning, Watts said ADC’s top priority should be increasing land holdings, and he discussed ADC’s role in water systems, including preserving agricultural water sources and inventorying systems statewide. He also said ADC could potentially help small farmers comply with environmental permitting through a broader, regional approach if authorized by the Legislature. The committee also heard from Joshua Uyehara for GM 682, who was supported by ADC, county officials, and farm groups. He said his priorities would be accelerating ADC projects, expanding capacity, and possibly using ADC as a center of expertise for water systems and for helping farmers with environmental requirements; he also said biofuel crops and food production can be complementary, though food should be prioritized when water is constrained. The committee then considered GM 513, Tracy Lester Smith’s appointment to the Aloha Stadium Authority. The stadium authority and DBEDT supported her, citing her experience in NASCAR, boxing, and Bellator MMA as useful for marketing, attracting events, and commercializing the stadium. Smith said she was eager to serve and would bring experience from both the landlord and tenant perspectives, helping the board think about venue operations, sponsorships, and event attraction. Senators asked about improving public perception and execution, and she emphasized accountability, timelines, and building a venue that can draw major sports and entertainment events. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• survey of schools is that the number of staff needed in schools to address youth mental health has gone
• </c> supports in schools. supports in schools.
• We need a unified system guiding how schools access and integrate mental health supports.
• Coming from in-house, but also contracting outside of our schools.
• received some excellent assistance in their school.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul's School.
• Paul's School.
• Paul's School.
• Paul's School.
• Paul's school. school. school.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And for those people that are incarcerated, that may be incarcerated with a high school education, maybe
• back, when a student from one of the cities in my own district brought a 3D-printed firearm to the school
• If we're talking about youth violence in schools, it's absolutely exploding, and it's exploding under
• If we're talking about youth violence in schools, it's a...
• If we're talking about youth violence in schools, it's absolutely exploding, and it's exploding under

Bills: HB2255 , HB2354 , HB2595 , HB2320 , HB2597

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: litigation finance, legal funding, lawsuit, financial services, access to justice, common interest communities, homeowners association, property management, housing regulations, community governance, criminal justice, judgment, collateral attack, legal proceedings, sentencing reform, firearm regulation, manufacturing, safety standards, background checks, license requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• He has lived in Arizona for over two decades, having graduated from high school in Tucson and completed
• Raised in Phoenix, District 26, graduated from North High School, completed medical school at the University
• Myself and Cesar are very excited to welcome Carl Hayden High School students that are visiting here
• Our Arizona Constitution requires ...sectarian information inside our public schools.
• Our Arizona Constitution requires that our public schools do not teach any sectarian education, and I

Summary: The House opened with prayer led by Erica Kirk and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a proclamation sponsored by Representatives Teresa Martinez and Matt Gress recognizing Charlie Kirk on National Freedom Day. Several members then gave personal remarks honoring Kirk’s civic engagement, First Amendment advocacy, and legacy, and the chamber also welcomed the Doctor of the Day, visiting students from Carl Hayden High School, and guests from Arizona agriculture and local government. The House then moved through Committee of the Whole action on several bills. In the first committee of the whole, HB 2091, HB 2104, and HB 2105 received do-pass recommendations, while HB 2016 and HB 2022 were retained on the calendar. In the second committee of the whole, members debated HB 2008, with supporters saying it would prevent public money from funding politically biased or sectarian library-related institutions and opponents calling it part of a broader effort to censor and defund libraries; the bill received a 33-23 do-pass recommendation. HB 2046, HB 2116, and HB 2132 also received do-pass recommendations, while HB 2142 was retained. On third reading, HB 2148, a bill amending Title 41 to add provisions relating to federal monies, passed the House by a vote of 33-25 with two not voting and was transmitted to the Senate. The House also adopted the Committee of the Whole reports, referred several bills to engrossing, announced committee meetings and bill referrals, and adjourned until Monday, February 2, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We must work together with the Wom with a Bity school.
• With the Wom with a Bity school, together, all of us have to be in this game to protect it.
• With the Bity school, together we are stronger and working on this.
• With the Bity school, when together we are stronger and working on this.
• With the Bity school. Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you. Of the Baitisco.

Summary: The joint protocol session for the 31st Annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day opened with a blessing, presentation of the colors, the national anthem, and the Pledge of Allegiance. House Speaker Steve Montenegro and Senate President Warren Petersen welcomed tribal leaders and emphasized the importance of government-to-government collaboration, tribal sovereignty, and continued partnership on issues affecting Arizona. The main address was delivered by Fort Mojave Indian Tribe Chairman Timothy Williams, who focused on water, sovereignty, economic development, and border issues. He warned that Colorado River negotiations and the expiration of interim guidelines require tribes to be included in any future water-management framework, noting that Arizona tribes hold senior federally recognized water rights. He also highlighted tribal economic enterprises, schools, jobs, and public services funded by tribal revenue, and urged the Legislature to consult tribes on any water agreement. Tohono O'odham Nation Chairman Verlin Jose spoke about the Nation’s size, its role as a major employer, and the need for unity in the face of federal policy changes and cuts. He stressed border security on tribal lands, saying the Nation has spent millions annually on border-related efforts and has seen success through cooperative agreements without a fixed wall. He also emphasized water conservation, the importance of the Colorado River and CAP, and the economic benefits of tribal gaming, which he said has contributed billions to Arizona’s state and local governments while supporting tribal infrastructure and services. The session concluded with an introduction for a poetry reading by Dr. Laura Tohi of the Navajo Nation; no votes or legislative actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, those three towns, I should note, are also three-fifths of the Mascoma Valley Regional School District
• :41.600><c> Masoma</c><00:05:42.320><c> Valley</c><00:05:42.639><c> Regional</c><00:05:43.120><c> School
• </c> of the Masoma Valley Regional School of the Masoma Valley Regional School District.
• /c><00:06:12.160><c> District</c><00:06:12.560><c> versus</c><00:06:12.800><c> the</c> Kuk Valley School
• District versus the Kuk Valley School District versus the state<00:06:13.199><c> of</c><00:06:13.360

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Rules Committee met briefly to approve the prior meeting minutes, which were accepted on a voice vote. The committee then adopted an amendment to House Rule 66 setting second-year session deadlines, including a change requested by the Democratic office to make the last day to sign off 4:00 p.m. rather than noon. That amendment passed by roll call, 8-0, with Representative Sweeney absent. The committee next heard a request from Representative Thomas Opel for a waiver of House Rule 36E to allow late drafting and filing of a bill tied to education funding in response to the recent Conval decision. Opel said he initially sought the waiver for two bills but narrowed it to HB 503, arguing it was needed to help the General Court address constitutional education funding obligations and property tax relief. Committee members discussed the request only in procedural terms and expressed concern about setting a precedent for departing from drafting rules; no member moved to grant the waiver, so no action was taken. Finally, the committee considered its customary late-drafting authorization for majority reports from statutory or study committees. After the clerk suggested extending the filing deadline to Friday, November 7 because the reporting deadline falls on Saturday, November 1, the committee adopted the motion by roll call, 10-0, with Representative Sweeney absent. The committee then adjourned unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• appear on the 2026 general election ballot that asks a question of whether county commissioners and school
• The first point I wanted to make is that school boards already have term limits at eight years under
• I've never served on a school board and I've never served in a local elected office.
• And maybe you are a different commissioner, school board member in your 30s than you are in your 60s,
• and you bring something different to the table. ...school board member in your 30s than you are in your

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and temporarily postponed Senator Yarborough’s bill and Senate Bill 1170 at the sponsor’s request. The committee first considered Senate Bill 982 by Senator Bernard, which was amended to remove language the sponsor said had been declared unconstitutional in 2016. As amended, the bill addresses qualifying fee payment issues, allows qualifying fees to be paid by properly executed checks or debit cards linked to a candidate campaign account, creates a private right of action for qualifying challenges limited to candidates, and addresses campaign expenditures by debit card. Mark Heron testified in support, saying the bill would clarify recent qualifying disputes. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported SB 982 favorably. The committee then took up Senate Joint Resolution 536, a proposed constitutional amendment to impose legislative term limits of eight years in the House and eight years in the Senate, with carve-outs for current officeholders and redistricting. An amendment to change the limits to 12 years in each chamber failed on a tie vote. Public testimony was mixed but largely opposed, with speakers from county and small-county groups arguing the proposal was a one-size-fits-all statewide mandate that would override local choice and reduce institutional knowledge. Several members debated whether the eight-year limit was the right number, with some supporting term limits in principle but questioning a lifetime ban on returning to office. The resolution was ultimately reported favorably. The committee also considered Senate Joint Resolution 802, which would place on the 2026 ballot an eight-year term limit for county commissioners and school board members, with school board limits applied retroactively and county commissioner limits prospectively. An amendment to change the limit to 12 years failed. The Florida Association of Counties, a county commissioner, and representatives of the Small County Coalition testified against the measure, arguing that counties should retain local control through county charters and local referenda. Some senators supported the concept of term limits but raised concerns about imposing a uniform statewide rule on counties and school boards. After debate, the joint resolution was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators who had missed votes were allowed to register their positions on SB 982 and SJR 536, and the committee moved to rise.

Transcript Highlights:

• He is also a graduate of New York University School of Law and is a friend of mine from law school.
• Members, I got to meet Alfredo when I was in high school.
• School meals: removed the co-pay for reduced-priced school meals, $2 million.
• School meals removed the co-pay for reduced-priced school meals, 2 million. These are just some.
• They create great jobs coming out of high school, not having to go to college, right out of high school

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and interns from both parties, along with former lawmakers and a newly seated member, Representative Sylvia Allen. The chamber then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2065 honoring the late Alfredo Gutierrez. Members from both parties gave extended remarks about his life as a civil rights advocate, student activist, legislator, and mentor, and the resolution was unanimously adopted and transmitted to the Senate. Family members of Gutierrez were recognized in the gallery during the memorial tribute. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole on the first budget-related measures. On House Bill 4138, the “feed bill”/budget operations measure, Democrats argued the budget favored corporations and data centers over seniors, health care, housing, universities, and vulnerable families, while Republicans defended it as a continuation of prior policy and said it preserved tax conformity and modest agency cuts. After debate and questions, the committee recommended the bill do pass and the House adopted that report, sending HB 4138 to engrossing. The chamber next considered House Bill 4139, the amusement/gaming-related budget bill. Members debated whether it was essentially unchanged from last year’s budget language, with Republicans saying it was a continuation bill and that gaming-related provisions would support rural economies and tourism, while Democrats questioned the broader budget context and its effects on working families. The committee recommended HB 4139 do pass, and the House adopted that recommendation. The House then began debate on House Bill 4140, the state budget implementation bill, focusing on the budget stabilization fund and a proposed government efficiency initiative; discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I went to school here, my children went to school here, and my grandchildren are currently going to school
• And then also, just real quick, on the list is your churches, your local schools and the school leaders
• "Yes, ma'am, I believe if we're going to make school safety rules and regulations for the schools to
• I think one of our school districts is... ...one of our school districts in San Antonio is providing
• You need to be able to go out to the schools when schools are open.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.