Transcript Highlights:

• collecting of data, validating the data, and leading us to phase three, which is the mitigation and collaboration
• Leading us to phase three, which is the mitigation and collaboration.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They work together, receive a general topic, and collaborate as a group with very minimal. ...to design
• The state's CISO has full visibility and a collective collaboration. So it's working well.

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Or put another way, just urging them to do remediation and work collaboratively with the Environment
• opposed to that idea and provided that you will be, you'll see a draft ahead of time and we could collaborate

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• long-standing history of military experience speaks volumes toward his character and expertise as a collaborative
• long-standing history of military experience speaks volumes toward his character and expertise as a collaborative

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, took roll, approved the previous day’s journal, and spent much of the first portion of the meeting recognizing Education Week honorees. Senators introduced students and coaches from the LifeSmarts Consumer Education Competition, including first-place Iolani School, second-place Kahalani High School, and Oahu teams placing third and fourth. The Senate also recognized 2025 Senate Youth Delegate Wilson Chow and thanked staff and community partners for supporting Education Week 2025. The chamber then moved to executive business, adopting standing committee reports 1210 through 1349 and confirming Governor’s Message No. 644, Steven Logan, as Adjutant General of the Department of Defense by unanimous consent. Senators spoke in support of Logan’s military and public safety experience, and he was confirmed with 23 ayes. The Senate also confirmed Governor’s Message No. 645, Mike Lambert, as Director of the Department of Law Enforcement, with senators citing his HPD background, work on homelessness, vice, agricultural crimes, and school enforcement; the confirmation passed with 22 ayes. After the confirmations, the Senate recognized the newly appointed officials and their families and guests. The body then passed House Bill 991, Senate Draft 1, relating to criminal history record checks, on third reading by unanimous consent with 22 ayes. The session concluded with announcements, including a YWCA clothing drive, a personal letter from Representative Gene Ward announcing his resignation from the House effective at the end of the month due to health issues, and a motion to adjourn until Monday, March 24th at 11:30 a.m., which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• The success of parole definitely involves our cooperation, collaboration with the Texas Department of
• Um, they're successful in helping folks obtain employment in collaboration with the rehabilitation and

Committee: House Corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, my thought was, looking at the practical aspects of it, that small-scale nuclear technology is
• Well, my thought was, looking at the practical aspects of it, that small-scale nuclear technology is
• Well, my thought was, looking at the practical aspects of it, that small-scale nuclear technology is
• Well, my thought was, looking at the practical aspects of it, that small-scale nuclear technology is
• Well, my thought was, looking at the practical aspects of it, that small-scale nuclear technology is

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• first start with connecting with our financial aid partners on the campuses and the systems to collaborate
• This provision in this work group hopefully will standardize some of the practices that we're seeing
• 11.440><c> the</c> hopefully will standardize some of the hopefully will standardize some of the practices
• :12.400><c> seeing</c><01:05:12.720><c> on</c><01:05:13.200><c> all</c><01:05:13.359><c> the</c> practices
• that we're seeing on all the practices that we're seeing on all the campuses<01:05:13.920><c> across

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up a series of “same and similar” provisions between the House and Senate higher education bills and adopted them one by one, with brief explanations from members and staff. The items included a cybersecurity addition for a doctoral degree program, Northstar Promise definitions and eligibility limits, self-loan provisions on institution eligibility and data disclosure, and dual training language requiring certificates, diplomas, or degrees to come from accredited postsecondary institutions. The committee also adopted an amendment to the private career school provisions that clarified exempt institutions remain within the act, and removed certain limited-license and renewal fees for institutions participating in dual training grants or the eligible training provider list. Each of these motions prevailed by voice vote. The committee then moved into policy differences between the House and Senate bills, beginning with emergency grants and hunger-free campus grants. Members discussed shifting funding from OHE-administered competitive grants to direct appropriations for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State, while the Senate retained competitive grant access for private and tribal colleges and added reporting requirements. OHE Commissioner Dennis Olson said the added reporting would be an extra administrative task but raised no significant concerns. Testifiers from the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State, and the private college sector supported faster, more direct funding and described the grants as important for emergency housing, transportation, food insecurity, and other student basic needs. A LeadMN representative also supported the changes, saying campus staff and students wanted funds delivered more quickly. The committee also discussed direct admissions on R31. The Senate proposal would require public and charter high schools to participate in the direct admissions program by the 2029-2030 school year. Assistant Commissioner Wendy Robinson said OHE supports statewide expansion and that the program has improved FAFSA completion, college enrollment, and student retention in Minnesota. Members noted the bill had bipartisan support and heard from advocates such as Ed Allies and Students United. No votes were taken on the policy-difference items during this portion of the meeting, and the chair said further discussion of state grant and sexual misconduct policy differences would be held at a later hearing with additional OHE staff present.

Transcript Highlights:

• can you help me understand what kind of drove this decision and was there a breakdown in this collaborative
• No, I agree 100%. >> The final thing is here, and I think my understanding is this is more of a practical
• amend, or restructure, I think that we should do it that we at least show where due diligence, best practices
• correctional education, hospital discharges under the Department of Public Health, um... due diligence best practices
• because if due diligence best practices because if &gt;&gt; okay &gt;&gt; okay &gt;&gt; okay &gt;&gt

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So is this a common practice?
• Chair, Representative, so based on my anecdotal experience as a lawyer practicing traffic court, any
• Is that common practice, or am I thinking of this wrong? I guess we'll hear from the bill sponsor.
• Is that common practice, or am I thinking of this wrong? I guess we'll hear from the bill sponsor.
• I am thrilled about this collaboration.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Nucor Corporation on its Arizona operations, including the Kingman steel facility, recycling-based electric arc furnace production, workforce development, safety improvements, veteran hiring, and recent investments. Nucor emphasized that its Arizona materials support local infrastructure and manufacturing jobs, and members asked about scrap sources, annual tonnage recycled, average pay, safety practices, and future expansion. No formal action was taken on the presentation. The committee then considered HB 2574, which would require ADOT to hold off on enforcing a civil traffic judgment while an appeal is pending if a stay is granted. The sponsor and a witness argued the bill would close a due-process gap by preventing penalties from taking effect before appeals are resolved. The committee voted 7-0 to give HB 2574 a due pass recommendation. HB 2057, which lowers the fee for Arizona Centennial special plates on fleet vehicles and directs the fee split to administration and the Centennial Plate Fund, also passed 7-0 after discussion about possibly expanding the discount to other specialty plates. HB 2109, which raises penalties for repeat distracted-driving violations and adds an enhanced penalty when such conduct causes a motorcycle crash, drew extensive testimony and discussion. Supporters argued stronger fines are needed to change behavior and improve road safety, while members raised concerns that the bill lacked an education component and discussed possible committee-of-the-whole amendments. The committee voted 7-0 to pass the bill. HB 2317, which would bar local governments from prohibiting cruising, generated significant testimony both for and against; supporters framed cruising as a cultural practice tied to lowriding, while opponents described neighborhood congestion, blocked access, trash, and public-safety problems. The chair held HB 2317 so the sponsor and stakeholders could work on amendments. The committee also heard HB 2003, which would lower the minimum age for an instruction permit to 15 and extend permit validity and supervised-driving time for teen drivers; the sponsor argued the changes would improve safety by increasing supervised practice, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the teacher retirement system have said they're already out of compliance with good actuarial practice
• Although they are in compliance with the state 31-year minimum, they're out of compliance with normal practice
• limit, they move into a stage of operation in which they are not only outside of actuarial good practice
• , now they're outside of what the state says is actuarial good practice.
• There always has been a requirement for collaboration between the school district and the private schools

Bills: HB 3

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management, public safety infrastructure, Project 25, P25, broadband emergency alerting, outdoor warning sirens, homeland security, disaster response

Transcript Highlights:

• Where those interest rates for the state biennium must be estimated, we collaborate with financial advisors
• Yes, and in fact, while we had information around strong cybersecurity practices, standards, guidelines
• social media channels, what we put out also through to our state workforce information about best practices
• The SAO also conducted an audit of financial practices at the Commission.
• I've spent the bulk of my career practicing law with two big law firms, including seven years at McCool-Smith

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee first heard the Legislative Budget Board and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on the Secretary of State budget. LBB said the recommendation would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million overall, with major changes including removing federal HAVA funding and one-time business system replacement money, adjusting the agency’s base request, deleting an outdated Interstate Crosscheck rider, and directing HAVA funds to be drawn down first. Secretary Nelson and staff defended the agency’s needs, emphasizing election security, business filings, international protocol, and the Texas Register, and requested additional staff, a new website, digitization of records, IT and cybersecurity upgrades, and renovation of the Rudder Building. Senators discussed voter-roll maintenance, cross-checking data, call-center response times, and the need for online voter registration and more efficient election administration. No votes were taken. The committee then took up the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB outlined a $2.4 million decrease for the office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs, driven by unexpended balances and the removal of one-time federal and border-security items, while noting continued funding for disaster response, victim assistance, and $2.9 billion for border security at roughly the prior level. Governor’s staff said Texas remains focused on border security, economic development, and public safety, and discussed efforts to seek federal reimbursement for prior border spending. Members asked about the National Guard’s status, possible federal assumption of border costs, the music incubator program, the Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, defense economic adjustment grants, and a new $5 million nonprofit security grant proposal. Staff said the semiconductor program has 12 approved projects totaling about 948 jobs and $17 billion in capital investment, and that the nonprofit security request was added late to address threats to houses of worship and other nonprofits. No formal action was taken. Finally, the committee heard the Texas Facilities Commission and lease-payment recommendations. LBB said the Facilities Commission recommendation would reduce appropriations by about $2.0 billion, mainly by removing border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, while adding money for higher utility costs, Rudder Building refurbishment, and additional staff. The lease-payment recommendation would decrease general revenue by $9.3 million. LBB also noted new riders related to completing the State Library and Archives building, tenant communication during disruptions, and a space-utilization report. In agency testimony, members asked about border wall maintenance responsibility, total facilities-related debt, and the status of capital complex construction. The Rudder Building renovation and related security needs were repeatedly discussed as important one-time infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• our benchmarks are to make sure we're actually measuring ourselves against what we believe is best practices
• We are at capacity practically with our current facility.
• We are at capacity practically with our current facility. This new facility.
• We are at capacity, practically, with our current facility and the annex facility that the agency received
• As a result of this turnover, Every Texan collaborated with TSCU to survey the state workforce on their

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard budget presentations for the Texas Historical Commission, the Pension Review Board, the Employees Retirement System (ERS), Social Security and benefit replacement pay, the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESSRS), and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The Legislative Budget Board outlined recommendations and major changes for each agency, including reductions tied to one-time projects at the Historical Commission, continued funding for courthouse grants, heritage trails, and Holocaust/genocide education, as well as new or modified riders and capital items. For the pension-related items, LBB described funding changes for PRB, ERS, Social Security, and TESSRS, including ERS health plan cost growth driven largely by pharmacy costs, the status of pension funding reforms, and TESSRS’s request for additional state support to address its unfunded liability and staffing needs. Members asked extensive questions about the Historical Commission’s one-time funding, unexpended balance authority, courthouse preservation, the Presidio La Bahia and National Museum of the Pacific War projects, and coordination of Texas history messaging across sites such as the Alamo, San Jacinto, Washington on the Brazos, and other heritage locations. The Historical Commission chair emphasized heritage tourism, economic development, and the need for continued investment in historic sites, staffing, IT modernization, and vehicles. On the pension items, senators discussed PRB oversight of local systems, including the Dallas police and fire pension situation, and ERS investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health costs. ERS officials said the plan remains well funded overall, noted a 2021 cash balance reform and a planned supplemental legacy payment, and explained that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are a major driver of pharmacy spending; they also said the agency is working with the Texas Pharmacy Initiative and that rebates are contractually returned to ERS. For TESSRS, LBB and agency staff said the system serves volunteer and part-paid emergency personnel, is facing an infinite amortization period, and is requesting additional appropriations, staffing, and IT funding, along with a statutory change to allow an actuarially determined state contribution. The agency said it may otherwise need to cut benefits for volunteer firefighters. For CPRIT, LBB reported about $600 million in recommended funding for the biennium and a 10-FTE increase, while the agency described its $6 billion voter-approved program, $3.75 billion in grants awarded to date, and $10.4 million in revenue sharing since 2011. CPRIT’s only exceptional item was a request for a 10% salary increase for two exempt positions. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It must be done collaboratively, and I don't think that that process has lent itself to that.
• c> be</c><01:24:13.520><c> done</c> methodically it must be done methodically it must be done collaboratively
• 15.360><c> I</c><01:24:15.600><c> don't</c><01:24:15.760><c> think</c><01:24:15.920><c> that</c> collaboratively
• and I don't think that collaboratively and I don't think that that<01:24:16.639><c> process</c><01:24
• But it's got to be collaborative.

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• response was that there were only a very small percentage of bills, and that they were there working collaboratively
• response was that there were only a very small percentage of bills, and that they were there working collaboratively
• response was that there were only a very small percentage of bills, and that they were there working collaboratively
• response was that there were only a very small percentage of bills, and that they were there working collaboratively
• The response was that they were working collaboratively and engaging the governor's office, but they

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some small changes under community collaboration, a placeholder for tobacco prevention and cessation.
• Some small changes under community collaboration, a placeholder for tobacco prevention and cessation.
• Some small changes under community<01:21:22.560><c> collaboration</c><01:21:23.440><c> a</c><01:21:23.679
• ><c> placeholder</c> community collaboration a placeholder community collaboration a placeholder for<

Keywords: LBA Briefing on Budget, 928, house, all

Summary: The presentation was an LBA overview of Senate changes to the House-passed state budget, with Michael Kane explaining how Senate Finance updated revenue and spending estimates after April revenue figures and agency discussions. He said the Senate’s revenue outlook was higher than the House’s in some areas, but lower in others, especially video lottery terminal revenue, and that the biggest differences also came from changes to revenue splits between the general fund and education trust fund, lapse estimates, and several policy changes in House Bill 1 and House Bill 2. Kane highlighted several major revenue and policy differences: the Senate changed the business tax, tobacco tax, and real estate transfer tax splits; adjusted liquor revenue dedication; removed the House’s meals-and-rooms distribution cap; delayed the Lakes Region facility proceeds plan; altered the PECARD fund treatment; added a granite patron of the arts tax credit; and changed the treatment of unique funds and video lottery terminal revenue. On spending, he noted Senate changes to judicial, corrections, HHS, human rights commission, and other budgets, including additional settlement costs, higher lapse assumptions, and a different approach to Medicaid premium revenue and retirement savings. He also described Senate additions such as a nursing home bed fee, Hampstead Hospital transition funding, and changes to the YDC claims settlement fund. The presentation focused on comparing House and Senate surplus statements across fiscal years 2025 through 2027, including projected ending balances and rainy day fund transfers. Kane repeatedly emphasized that the numbers were still dependent on final revenues and lapse amounts, and that some balances would be carried forward and trued up later in the biennium. No committee vote or final action was described in the excerpt; it was an informational budget briefing and comparison of the two chambers’ proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• families, we would like to thank the members of the Minnesota House of Representatives for their collaborative
• Representative the Minnesota House of Representative for<00:11:10.000><c> their</c><00:11:10.240><c> collaborative
• </c><00:11:11.040><c> work</c><00:11:11.760><c> during</c><00:11:12.160><c> this</c> for their collaborative
• work during this for their collaborative work during this legislative<00:11:12.959><c> session.
• Not just in today's day and age, but since the dawn of human history, people collaborated, you know,

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have Joshua Wish from Hua Cooperative Collaborative Collective.
• Joshua Wish, from Hua Cooperative Collaborative Collective.
• Agriculture does, I believe, some annual certifications, some regular certifications, good agricultural practices
• Agriculture does, I believe, some annual certifications, some regular certifications, good agricultural practices

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill takes a modest, practical step toward addressing these issues by focusing on areas where the
• </c><00:29:47.159><c> in</c> same uniform standards of practice in same uniform standards of practice
• and and are allowed different practice and and are allowed to<00:30:33.600><c> use</c><00:30:33.799>
• </c><00:31:30.360><c> step</c> this bill takes a modest practical step this bill takes a modest practical
• </c> projects are being built uh the practic projects are being built uh the practic alties<00:53:57.319

Bills: HF1698 , HF632 , HF1352 , HF2197 , HF618 , HF1248 , HF1697

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: property tax, exemption, leased land, public use, commercial property, HF632, Minnesota property tax, conservation easement, conservation restriction, assessed value, property valuation, tax assessment, real property, land conservation, farmland preservation, natural areas, riparian buffer, water quality, water quantity, county assessor

Transcript Highlights:

• Another 15 to 25 are credentialed in practical nursing every year, and 85 to 95% of those graduates are
• Another 15 to 25 are credentialed in<00:49:52.640><c> practical</c><00:49:53.119><c> nursing</c><00:49
• Really, this was a collaborative effort with the executive branch, and we were just looking for what
• effort wi with the was a collaborative effort wi with the executive<02:20:44.479><c> branch</c><02:20
• or the practice of the Wyoming<03:19:28.399><c> High</c><03:19:28.640><c> School</c><03:19:28.800><c

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that in practice in Epping?
• The practice for zoning board and for the planning committee is that the alternates are there.
• Is that in practice in Epping?
• The practice for zoning board and for the planning committee is that the alternates are there.
• Um, I mean, the practice that we’ve had in Epping is that generally you serve until the next election

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee convened for a day of public hearings on nine bills, with plans to later execute several early bills and possibly additional measures under House Rule 44. Chair Diane Pauer outlined time limits for sponsors and testimony, announced a lunch break around noon, and noted substitute members would be arriving later. The first hearing was on House Bill 1107, which would allow municipal budget committees to have one to three alternate members. Representative Valon, the prime sponsor, said the bill was intended to help towns like Epping deal with quorum problems during the compressed budget season and noted that alternates are common on other local boards. The New Hampshire Municipal Association testified in support, saying the bill would increase flexibility and help fill seats. Committee members raised concerns about whether alternates should be elected, how they would be selected, whether they would be sufficiently informed to vote, and whether the bill’s one-year term language and rescission provisions were clear. The sponsor and NHMA said the process would be consistent with other local boards, that alternates would typically be appointed after elections, and that they would follow up on possible statutory clarification. The hearing closed with six remote supporters, one paper supporter, and no opposition reported. The committee then heard House Bill 1118, sponsored by Representative Colby, which would raise the daily amount municipal employees may hold before remitting funds to the treasurer from the current $1,500 limit to $3,500. Colby said the existing thresholds are outdated, have not been updated in about 20 years, and create burdens for smaller towns that must make frequent bank deposits, sometimes far from town offices. She said the bill would improve efficiency and allow staff to focus more on serving residents, while still allowing municipalities to keep lower limits if they choose. Members asked about how the remittance process works in practice, what amounts municipalities typically collect, and whether the change reflected a broader trend of updating cash-handling thresholds. The sponsor explained that the bill only changes the dollar thresholds in the relevant statutes and does not require municipalities to adopt the higher limit. The transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1118 is reported.