Transcript Highlights:

• And with all that being said, successes like you can't imagine.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Keywords: national security, Department of Energy, foreign espionage, security protocols, Chinese Communist Party, national laboratories, research security

Summary: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee convened to address pressing issues related to research security risks at the Department of Energy, focusing specifically on foreign nationals' access to sensitive information. The meeting highlighted the increasing threats posed by espionage from the Chinese Communist Party, which has sought to infiltrate U.S. national laboratories and exploit American research for military purposes. Discussions included the importance of tightening security protocols to safeguard national interests and maintain technological advantages. Witnesses provided insight into historical contexts and current vulnerabilities, emphasizing that without proper measures, the gaps could jeopardize national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine that. You're paying $280 a month. And that's what most people are paying now.

Bills: SB4 , SJR2 , SB 4 , SJR 2

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: property tax, homestead exemption, school funding, state aid, constitutional amendment, SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval

Transcript Highlights:

• I imagine that each of you can recall a time Time when you felt that terrible feeling when someone made

Transcript Highlights:

• So the costs, as you can imagine, we were through several years.

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee met on February 3, 2025, with a quorum present and took up three main items. First, the committee considered a large set of recommended objections to Agency for Health Care Administration rules, all centered on sunset provisions stating the rules would expire after five years. AHCA asked for another deferral while it reviewed the rules, arguing the sunset language was a form of self-restraint rather than an invalid exercise of rulemaking authority. Committee leadership disagreed that further delay would resolve the issue and moved to a single vote covering all objections. The motion passed by roll call, and the committee informed AHCA that an objection would be filed unless the agency amended the rules within 30 days. The committee then heard an informational briefing from the Department of Environmental Protection on its Outstanding Florida Springs rule and stormwater rule. DEP explained that it did not prepare a statement of estimated regulatory cost for the springs rule because the proposed standards largely mirror existing water management district rules and the Central Florida Water Initiative framework, so DEP said there was no new regulatory burden. Members asked about permit authority, costs, and whether the rules were functionally different from prior rules. DEP maintained the rules set minimum standards and did not add costs beyond what regulated parties were already doing. DEP also described implementation of the stormwater rule adopted under the 2020 Clean Waterways Act and later ratified by the Legislature in 2024. DEP said the rule was the product of years of workshops and technical advisory committee meetings, and that the final version included lower-cost alternatives, grandfathering, and phased implementation. DEP estimated the rule’s cost at about $2,600 per acre in the revised CERC, while industry witnesses said the real cost could be much higher, especially if land costs are included. A home builders representative argued the estimate understated impacts, while a stormwater engineer said the rule gives more flexible, performance-based tools and could become more cost-effective over time. Finally, Senator Graal presented proposed Chapter 120 changes in SB 108, aimed at tightening and modernizing rulemaking. The proposal would require five-year rule reviews, annual agency reporting, faster notice of proposed rulemaking after authorizing legislation, electronic filing, public access to incorporated materials, clearer tracking of technical changes, and limits on how long rules can remain pending ratification. Members discussed whether the Legislature should be more specific in statutes about rulemaking deadlines and whether agencies should be more accountable when rules stall. No formal action was taken on the Chapter 120 proposals, and the committee adjourned after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• , it is really clear that whenever a veteran is met with ambiguity in this critical time, you can imagine

Committee: Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So just imagine my spot at the bottom of the House organizational chart.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dustin Burroughs: I'm a firm believer in servant leadership, so just imagine my spot at the bottom of

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we imagine he'll be seated.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I would imagine, and this is where the question comes from, the standard of care would be consultation
• I would imagine, and this is where the question comes from, the standard of care would be consultation
• I would imagine and this is events.
• I would imagine and this is where<00:34:46.000><c> the</c><00:34:46.240><c> question</c><00:34:46.480
• Imagine families working multiple jobs, families who don't speak English fluently, families who don't

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you imagine there would be or could be a scenario in which educators are removed from their regular
• Uh do you imagine this there concluded.
• I<03:50:43.920><c> imagine</c><03:50:44.560><c> any</c><03:50:44.960><c> student</c><03:50:45.520><c>
• would</c><03:50:46.239><c> benefit</c><03:50:46.720><c> from</c> I imagine any student would benefit
• from I imagine any student would benefit from learning<03:50:47.359><c> about</c><03:50:47.600><c> your

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened hearings on SB 69, including a germane amendment on school board votes to accept or reject gifts and donations, and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Prime sponsor Rep. Glenn Cordelli said the literacy program was modeled on earlier HB 671, would be funded through gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements to the governor and legislature. Members questioned changes from the earlier bill, including the move away from center-based language, the lack of a dollar threshold for school board action on donations, anonymous gifts, and whether the amendment preserved enough evaluation data. Testimony on the donation provisions raised concerns about broad language, timing, and public-meeting requirements. Rep. Timothy Han and Becky Wilson of the New Hampshire School Boards Association both noted that school districts already have policies and asked how the bill would work for routine donations, anonymous gifts, and situations that might require non-public discussion under right-to-know law. Wilson cited examples such as field-trip scholarships, backpack drives, and sports uniforms, and said the association was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails. Rep. Han said school boards may need to discuss some gifts in non-public session and that the bill should better address those circumstances. On the early literacy amendment, Wilson and others questioned whether the program was sufficiently developed, whether it was appropriate to rely on a primarily online model for very young children, and how it would interact with special education services and IEPs. A representative from Waterford.org, Rob Riley, testified in support, saying the program would be supplementary, adaptive, and family-engagement based, and that Waterford could provide devices and internet access for families who need them. He said the program would work alongside school districts and IEP teams rather than replace existing services. No vote was taken during the hearing; the chair said the committee would later exec the bills and try to get reports in for the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also imagine many of our pro-development, pro-zoning mandates, you know, colleagues who might be in
• of planning board and statute.<01:32:36.239><c> I</c><01:32:36.480><c> also</c><01:32:36.719><c> imagine
• I also imagine many of our statute.
• I also imagine many of our pro-development<01:32:39.280><c> prozzoning</c><01:32:39.920><c> mandates.
• </c> imagine the intent was not to do that. imagine the intent was not to do that.

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we heard from Representative Rolds, it imagines a fictional scofflaw power plant that would ask and
• As we heard from Representative Rolds, it imagines a fictional scofflaw power plant that would ask and
• As we heard from Representative Rolds, it imagines a fictional scofflaw power plant that would ask and
• We're spending a lot of discussion on them, but there are some real difficulties in imagining how we
• </c> some real uh difficulties in imagining some real uh difficulties in imagining how<02:16:43.840><

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the person I spoke to was initially very skeptical of the idea of a blue envelope program, imagining
• :19.359><c> blue</c><00:45:19.559><c> envelope</c><00:45:20.079><c> program</c><00:45:20.559><c> imagining
• </c> of a blue envelope program imagining of a blue envelope program imagining police<00:45:21.839><c
• This is not being done as some sort of a revenue producer by any stretch of the imagination, but bringing
• but um you know bringing the imagination but um you know bringing awareness awareness awareness to<01

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 105, which would create a new conservation license plate and direct the added fee to the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund. The sponsor, Rep. Rosemarie Rung, said the bill would create a non-tax revenue source to help address toxic cyanobacteria blooms in New Hampshire lakes, ponds, and rivers. She described the public health, environmental, and economic harms from blooms, the high cost of watershed management plans and mitigation projects, and the limited current funding available through state and federal sources. She argued that a voluntary plate program could provide sustainable support and raise awareness. Supporters, including Reps. Katie Pell and McDonald, said the bill would help affected lake communities and tourism-dependent areas. New Hampshire DES testified neutrally but confirmed that blooms have increased sharply, that the agency has issued more than 120 warnings in the past two years, and that the existing mitigation fund is nearly depleted after one-time appropriations. DES said the proposed plate would not solve the entire funding need but could provide dedicated revenue for studies and implementation projects. DMV testified that the operational impact of adding a new plate would be minimal. New Hampshire Lakes also supported the bill and said survey results suggested some current Moose plate holders and new registrants would likely choose the Loon plate. Committee members asked about the health effects of cyanobacteria, the expected revenue from the plate, and whether the problem is natural or human-driven. Testimony said exposure can cause skin irritation, gastrointestinal illness, and more serious liver or neurological effects, with pets and children at higher risk; one witness also cited research suggesting aerosolized toxins may affect people several kilometers from a bloom. DES explained that while lake sediments can release nutrients, the underlying problem is largely driven by watershed inputs and worsened over time. No vote was taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the chair invited written testimony and additional questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, imagine that: golf and oil and gas and education bond issue and a seat belt law.
• alongside other documents in the classroom history classroom and any one of the locations, such as the library
• I read through it and sat down for hours in a library and was very disturbed to see in one of the proposed

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I don't imagine the other chamber will like that one bit.
• So, I don't imagine the other chamber will like that one bit.
• You could imagine one product having 18 states-specific language being an incredibly long label.
• You could imagine the specific language.
• You could imagine one<02:29:45.600><c> product</c><02:29:46.000><c> having</c><02:29:46.399><c> 18</c

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have—uh, we're scheduled until 2:30, though I imagine the next topic will take a little bit of time
• We have—uh, we're scheduled until 2:30, though I imagine the next topic will take a little bit of time
• We have—uh, we're scheduled until 2:30, though I imagine the next topic will take a little bit of time
• ><03:35:02.160><c> the</c><03:35:02.319><c> ne</c><03:35:02.640><c> next</c> until 2:30, though I imagine
• the ne next until 2:30, though I imagine the ne next topic<03:35:03.279><c> will</c><03:35:03.439><c

Committee: Joint Select Water Committee

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine a situation where a provider might believe that in order to serve
• Imagine that this committee is getting rid of unfunded mandates.
• I imagine there'll be some more discussions, but if the discussions can go toward more flexibility and
• 36.160><c> I</c> there's I appreciate the collaboration I there's I appreciate the collaboration I imagine
• there'll be some more imagine there'll be some more discussions<03:15:37.920><c> but</c><03:15:38.439

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• going to pass this for them and uh but going to pass this for them and uh but but I but I but I uh I imagine
• you get a ton of uh I imagine you get a ton of uh I imagine you get a ton of resolutions to come to
• sometime some about you know it's sometime some about you know it's sometime some sometimes it's hard to imagine
• when they sometimes it's hard to imagine when they sometimes it's hard to imagine when they talk about

Bills: SB 26 , SB 28 , SJR 36 , SB 616 , SB 565 , SB 384 , SB 28 , SB 28 , SR 131 , SR 168 , SR 174 , SR 175

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

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I imagine that some of the cases that are—I'm not sure if somebody would say, look, it's been
• > that</c><05:32:58.680><c> that</c><05:32:58.920><c> I've</c><05:32:59.280><c> heard</c> I would imagine
• of uh any cases um and and I'm I'm I of uh any cases um and and I'm I'm I would<05:33:20.040><c> imagine
• that</c><05:33:20.680><c> some</c><05:33:20.958><c> that</c><05:33:21.120><c> somebody</c> would imagine
• that some that somebody would imagine that some that somebody who's<05:33:21.798><c> asking</c><05:33

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed House Bill 1, focusing on the legislative branch budget, especially the Senate and House lines. Members discussed that the Senate’s fiscal year 2025 adjusted authorized amount was higher than 2024 actual spending, largely due to personnel, benefits, and travel, and one member proposed a $500,000 annual cut. Staff explained that any reduction would need to be allocated across specific line items such as personnel, benefits, and travel, and noted that the Senate budget is entirely General Funds. After discussion of how the adjusted authorized figures were calculated and why the branch no longer staffs some joint committees as it once did, the committee moved on without taking a vote on that section. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from the New Hampshire Retirement System. NHRS officials described their statutory administrative budget, which is funded through the retirement trust rather than the General Fund, and said the FY 2026-2027 increase is driven by IT modernization, cybersecurity, a new strategic plan, and additional staff positions. They also reviewed the system’s funding progress, clean audit opinions, investment performance, and changes to asset allocation, while noting that several recent pension-related laws required major database changes. Members questioned the large increase in salaries and benefits, the need for new employees versus contractors, the purpose of training costs, and the source of the Group Two benefit funding. NHRS said the governor’s budget includes General Funds for Group Two benefit changes, with $5 million in FY 2026 and $27.9 million in FY 2027, and that the figures reflect the governor’s recommendation and related HB 2 provisions. Committee members also asked about employer and employee contribution rates for Group Two police and fire members, which NHRS said were not included in the budget document but were about 31.2% for police and 30.35% for fire, with employee shares around 11.55% and 11.8%. The committee did not make a decision on the NHRS budget during this exchange and indicated it would review the details further before returning to it later. The committee then heard from the Community Development Finance Authority on the State Treasury Department budget line for the required state match to administer the federal Community Development Block Grant program. CDFA explained that its $280,000 annual request for FY 2026 and FY 2027, totaling $560,000, supports administration, technical assistance, contracting, and monitoring of roughly $19 million in annual federal CDBG funds. Members asked about the leverage of the state match, oversight of projects, staffing, and grant prioritization. CDFA said it has 18 employees, uses public hearings and a scoring system to prioritize awards, and conducts both desk and on-site monitoring, with annual audits to ensure compliance. No vote was taken on the CDFA item in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I imagine they'd be able to, um, you know, hire, fire, pay better benefits on merit.
• Well, I imagine they'd be able to, um, you know, hire, fire, pay better benefits on merit.
• /c><01:44:51.960><c> that's</c><01:44:52.119><c> what</c><01:44:52.280><c> it</c> address I would imagine
• that's what it address I would imagine that's what it was<01:44:53.239><c> um</c><01:44:53.400><c> so
• perform work with special knowledge and experience needed for every kind of project that you can imagine

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all