Transcript Highlights:

• Now, some may state there's a body of research which suggests that tougher penalties aren't an effective
• Admittedly, I'm not well versed in the entire body of research, but I will share that in Arizona in the

Bills: SB60 , SB85 , SB323 , SB309 , SB465

Committee: Assembly Judiciary

Keywords: elderly, vulnerable persons, criminal penalties, theft, civil penalties, criminal justice reform, traffic stops, law enforcement, data recording, public safety, racial profiling, SB323, Nevada, Department of Corrections, offenders, inmates, incarcerated people, prison phone calls, free phone calls, family communication

Transcript Highlights:

• And also our researcher, Molly Peterson, for the work that they've done for us.
• He was our researcher, and Jacob Grunthauser has also been a part of the team as our C.A.

Transcript Highlights:

• The credit of the general revenue fund for allocation to the finance commission to support research financial
• And in my research, I've seen how coerced debt can ruin the credit of domestic violence survivors. by

Bills: HB 431 , HB 1522 , HB 1922 , HB 2467 , HB 2468 , HB 3228 , HB 3229 , HB 3306 , HB 3803 , HB 3804 , HB 3805 , HB 3806 , HB 4219 , HB 4238 , HB 4344 , HB 4386 , HB 4739

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: HB 431, Texas Property Code, Property Code Chapter 202, solar roof tiles, solar shingles, solar energy device, homeowners association, HOA, property owners' association, POA, renewable energy, residential solar, distributed solar, roof-mounted solar, homeowner rights, architectural control, open meetings, public notice, transparency, government efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• fees to the credit of the general revenue fund for allocation to the Finance Commission to support research
• I've been studying coerced debt for a decade and a half, Angela Litwin: And in my research I've seen

Bills: HB 431 , HB 1522 , HB 1922 , HB 2467 , HB 2468 , HB 3228 , HB 3229 , HB 3306 , HB 3803 , HB 3804 , HB 3805 , HB 3806 , HB 4219 , HB 4238 , HB 4344 , HB 4386 , HB 4739

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: HB 431, Texas Property Code, Property Code Chapter 202, solar roof tiles, solar shingles, solar energy device, homeowners association, HOA, property owners' association, POA, renewable energy, residential solar, distributed solar, roof-mounted solar, homeowner rights, architectural control, open meetings, public notice, transparency, government efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to the unique needs of profound autism, research on this condition has been difficult.
• After considerable research, we've arranged for Simon to attend Independent Identity two days a week

Bills: SB2959 , HB3096 , HCR29 , HCR56 , HCR12 , HCR55 , HCR74 , HCR78 , HCR116 , HCR117 , HCR6 , HCR50 , HCR107 , HCR80 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR72 , HCR75 , HCR93

Committee: Senate Administration

Keywords: firearm safety, awareness month, public safety, responsible ownership, storage, recreational use, profound autism, awareness day, caregiver, disabilities, support, counseling, mental health, awareness, support services, community health, necrotizing enterocolitis, premature infants, breastfeeding, health awareness

Summary: The Senate Committee on Administration met with a quorum and took up a series of pending resolutions, bills, and the local uncontested calendar. The committee first reported HCR 80 favorably and placed it on the May 9, 2025 local and uncontested calendar. It then heard and approved several commemorative resolutions, including HCR 12 designating September as Deaf Awareness Month for 10 years, HCR 55 reaffirming Poteet as the Strawberry Capital of Texas, HCR 56 designating May as NEC and Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and HB 3096 creating Profound Autism Awareness Day on March 17. Each of these measures was reported favorably to the full Senate, with no opposition in testimony except HB 3096, which included supportive testimony from Tara Duval describing the needs of individuals with profound autism and their families. The committee also approved HCR 58 redesignating Dripping Springs as the Wedding Capital of Texas, SB 2959 designating August as Firearm Safety Month, HCR 74 naming Carthage the Country Music Capital of Texas, HCR 78 establishing Lone Star Santa’s Charities Day, HCR 116 redesignating Brownsville as the Bicycling Capital of the Rio Grande Valley, and HCR 117 designating Port Aransas as the Fishing Capital of Texas. SB 2959 drew supportive testimony from Stephen Price, who emphasized gun safety, suicide prevention, and public awareness, while other measures received no public testimony. All were reported favorably and recommended for the May 9 local and uncontested calendar. Later, the committee approved HCR 6 naming Galveston the Juneteenth Capital of Texas, HCR 50 naming Galveston the Mardi Gras Capital of Texas, HCR 107 making the Texas Almanac the official State Book of Texas, HCR 70 designating Jim Hogg County as the Vaquero Capital of Texas, HCR 71 recognizing LaSalle County for wild hog hunting and related traditions, and HCR 29 designating April as Counseling Awareness Month. HCR 6 received testimony from a Galveston city representative in support of the Juneteenth designation, and HCR 29 received testimony from the Texas Counseling Association supporting recognition of counselors. Finally, the committee certified the May 9, 2025 local and uncontested calendar after removing 32 bills for reasons including penalties, fiscal notes, or opposition, specifically noting SB 317 was removed due to criminal and civil penalties, and then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two minutes is definitely not enough time for me to go over my research and findings, but I want to be
• Two minutes is definitely not enough time for me to go over my research and findings, but I want to be

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 158, which had been amended from an automatic voter registration-related request to a resolution urging the administration to follow the law and comply with federal court orders. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including from the League of Women Voters of Hawaii, the Democratic Party of Hawaii, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Hawaii women lawyers, and others. One witness spoke against automatic voter registration, warning it could be exploited by bad actors, though the chair clarified that the amended resolution was focused on court orders rather than AVR. Members asked questions about whether states or Congress can enforce compliance with court orders and whether there were historical examples of presidents refusing to follow them. The response emphasized separation of powers, checks and balances, and the importance of state support for the rule of law. The committee then voted to accept the proposed SD1 for SCR 158; the measure passed with one no vote recorded from Senator Awa. The committee also took up SCR 154, a resolution supporting implementation of applicable United Nations Human Rights Council universal periodic review recommendations. No testimony was received on that measure, and it was deferred. In a later decision-making agenda item, the committee considered a measure directing the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to include circuit and district court facilities in planning new correctional centers and to establish a release procedure away from residential communities and public spaces; the committee recommended passage as amended, and the measure passed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• new Texas-based oyster hatchery, and I'm going to botch this, Pala Chios Marine Oyster Agriculture Research
• I mean, there's research showing that tall buildings are much more dangerous to birds than wind turbines

Bills: HB3129 , HB3251 , HB3556 , HB3724 , HB3887

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: construction, wildlife impact, height restrictions, national wildlife refuge, environmental regulations, HB 3887, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Parks and Wildlife Code, performance bond, payment bond, contractor bonding, public works, construction contracts, public building, procurement, bid security, subcontractors, suppliers, contractor payment protection, project completion

Transcript Highlights:

• I will do my own research in case it is necessary, hopefully not for anybody at this in this room or
• On the Newspaper Association's public notice website while they research and identify a newspaper that

Transcript Highlights:

• And researchers warned in this paper to avoid approving laser privileges for optometrists.
• We have research exhibit 15 in our opposition packet.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• We did research before presenting this bill, and we surveyed nearly a hundred school officials across
• As we further researched this summer, we met with military families at a workshop at MacDill Air Force

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Military and Veterans, Space, and Domestic Security Committee met with a quorum and heard several bills focused on veterans, military families, and aerospace. SB 684 by Sen. Avila would let certain Florida Retirement System members buy military wartime service credit under updated eligibility dates and expand the definition of wartime service to include recent operations such as New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, Freedom Sentinel, and Enduring Sentinel. Veterans and first responders testified in support, and senators said the bill corrects an outdated gap. The committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 1528 by Sen. Collins on educational opportunities for military children. The bill strengthens coordination between school districts and military installations and requires DOE training modules for school staff working with military families. An amendment removing a sunset provision was adopted, and three Hillsborough County students who helped develop the idea testified in support, describing research on military-family school transitions and the need for staff training on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended. SB 910 by Sen. Collins, on veterans benefit assistance, was amended and reported favorably. As amended, it allows veterans to work with professional claims advisors while adding consumer protections, including fee caps, bans on initial/nonrefundable and referral fees, required disclosures, and limits on use of veterans’ login credentials. Sen. Collins and others argued the federal VA claims process is too slow and confusing and that veterans need both help and safeguards. The committee also approved SB 1464 by Sen. Wright, which expands FDVA outreach through digital, print, social media, and in-person efforts and requires public events and annual reporting, and SB 1516 by Sen. Wright, which creates an international aerospace innovation fund administered by Space Florida to support partnerships with international aerospace companies. All measures were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• , who is the president of Brookhaven, Jason Carpenter from Lexia Learning, Lucelly from Envision Research
• site and attracting millions of pilgrims and tourists each year, as well as serving as a center for research

Transcript Highlights:

• You've heard testimony of the unique challenges in our region from a researched and calculated perspective
• As a professor of psychology at Angelo State University, and no, not the disconnected researcher in an

Bills: SB 502 , SB 513 , SB 622 , SB 670 , SB 731 , SB 732 , SB 916 , SB 961 , SB 1122

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• In my research, the Gulf of Mexico cannot become the Gulf of America in any former geographical or historical
• Because I do recognize, when my research and work in petroleum engineering dealt with... ...in petroleum

Bills: HB1 , HB247 , HB1

Committee: House Ports, Waterways & Intermodal Transit

Keywords: DUI, driving under the influence, ignition interlock, interlock device, driver license suspension, restricted license, motor vehicle, alcohol offense, first offense, repeat offender, blood alcohol concentration, BAC, license revocation, Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, ALEA, public safety, traffic safety, chemical dependency, substance abuse, court referral program

Transcript Highlights:

• And some want to see it expand even more, but a recent research study also finds that as sports betting
• Recent research also finds that as sports betting spreads, credit card debt increases and overdraft frequency

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• not feasible, and need not feasible, and need need<00:02:42.920><c> further</c><00:02:43.200><c> research
• </c><00:02:43.760><c> determine</c><00:02:44.120><c> if</c><00:02:44.240><c> it</c> need further research
• to determine if it need further research to determine if it works.<00:02:44.640><c> So,</c> works.
• Rebecca and Elijah, our researchers, who help us to understand what we're doing.
• Elijah our researchers who help us to Elijah our researchers who help us to understand<01:38:21.480><

Bills: HF4338

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review, postpayment review, surety bond, compliance training, case management, targeted case management

Transcript Highlights:

• That is certainly something that I can research deeper, potentially even with you more... that, you know
• </c><00:10:46.280><c> deeper,</c> that that I can research deeper, that that I can research deeper, potentially
• That is certainly something that I can research deeper, potentially even with you more specifically.
• It's something I'll have to do some research. Thank you for bringing that up.
• </c> something I'll have to do some research. something I'll have to do some research.

Bills: HF4712 , HF4801 , HF3756 , HF4860 , HF4931 , HF4289 , HF4460

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: residential pools, swimming classes, certification, private business, health safety, health care, prior authorization, managed care, medical assistance, mental health, substance use treatment, chronic conditions, health insurance, insulin, healthcare access, pharmacy regulations, patient assistance, affordable medication, healthcare, pharmacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Nicole Smarillo, and I'm the director of data research and policy at Think Small.
• Nicole Smarillo, and I'm the director of data research and policy at Think Small.
• /c><00:51:43.280><c> to</c> Um, in addition to those additional conversations, what we know from research
• Yes, that's what I was referencing, is that research shows us that that is truly what makes a difference
• shows us that that is truly research shows us that that is truly what<00:55:32.480><c> makes</c><00:

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Housing Partnership drives innovative housing solutions through original research.
• Yeah, you know, I did a little bit of research on the cost of housing with neighboring states.
• </c><00:30:36.240><c> uh</c> know, I did a little bit of research uh know, I did a little bit of research
• ,</c><00:30:45.520><c> uh,</c><00:30:46.000><c> compared</c><00:30:46.399><c> to</c> their own research
• , uh, compared to their own research, uh, compared to Wisconsin,<00:30:48.159><c> I</c><00:30:48.399>

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No, not at this moment, but we will do some additional research and we'll come back. >> Thank you. >>
• Uh, the benefit to extending it and doing more research is important.
• ><00:34:43.839><c> and</c><00:34:44.079><c> doing</c><00:34:44.240><c> more</c><00:34:44.480><c> research
• </c><00:34:45.040><c> is</c> extending it and doing more research is extending it and doing more research
• a financial research into how much<01:18:51.840><c> this</c><01:18:52.000><c> is</c><01:18:52.159><c

Bills: HB1546

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: Medicaid, health insurance, healthcare access, insurance subsidies, pilot program, affordable care, preventive services, low-income, community engagement, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2083, which would add homeless shelters to Hawaii’s drug-free/safe-zone protections. The City and County prosecutor’s office strongly supported the bill, saying service providers asked for the change because drug activity near shelters can undermine recovery efforts. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, focusing on a possible notice problem because many shelters are not readily identifiable and the bill’s 750-foot distance requirement could be difficult to apply. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii also opposed the bill, arguing it would expand criminalization of poverty and drug use and that drug-free zone laws are ineffective and disproportionately harmful. The prosecutor’s office said it would do more research on the notice concern. The committee then moved on without taking a vote in the transcript provided. The committee next discussed HB 2087, which would change the treatment of abuse of family or household member cases by ending the deferred-acceptance pilot and returning to the prior statute. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying the pilot had not reduced backlog as intended and that domestic violence cases should remain petty misdemeanors without deferral. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Public Defender’s Office both opposed HB 2087, instead urging extension of the pilot for another five years so the legislature can better evaluate how deferred acceptance is working. They said deferrals can be a useful incentive for behavior change and that more data is needed before ending the program. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about why Hawaii should differ from other counties and whether repeat offenders could keep receiving deferrals; the prosecutor said the deferral is available only once and reiterated support for returning to the old statute. The committee then heard HB 2096 on aggravated circumstances in child protective proceedings. The family court and Attorney General’s Office supported the bill, saying current law limits aggravated-circumstances findings to the early return hearing, which can prevent findings in the most serious abuse cases when key evidence is not yet available. They said the bill would allow such findings later in the case and, with proposed amendments, would let the court consolidate aggravated-circumstances and termination-of-parental-rights hearings to reduce delay and appeals. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii opposed the measure, arguing it would expand state power in family matters and could worsen outcomes for parents and children. Committee questions focused on the amended language, including what “another court of competent jurisdiction” means and whether a charge alone would be enough; the judiciary responded that criminal courts are included, but a hearing and opportunity to defend would still be required. Finally, the committee took up HB 1959, another domestic violence measure. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Public Defender’s Office, the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and county prosecuting offices testified in support. Supporters said the bill would extend the pilot program while keeping deferred acceptance of guilty pleas in place, giving more time to evaluate whether the program is working and whether a more formal diversion model should be developed. The coalition also suggested technical fixes to ensure judiciary data reporting continues and that the deferred-acceptance statute is not inadvertently repealed. No vote or final action was taken in the transcript before the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• He asked House Research to direct more information on how that fiscally happens, if possible, or to ask
• For the record, my name is Ken B, and I'm the director of research, analysis, and policy for ARM.
• The University of Minnesota’s 2022 statewide research and the Acute Care Transition Advisory Council
• The University of Minnesota’s 2022 statewide research and the Acute Care Transition Advisory Council
• House File 2722 proposes targeted, research-based solutions to address these issues.

Bills: HF2367 , HF2319 , HF2523 , HF1742 , HF671 , HF2331 , HF2722 , HF2406 , HF1674

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF2367, Community First Services and Supports, CFSS, personal care assistance, PCA, consumer-directed community supports, CDCS, home and community-based services, HCBS, direct support professionals, direct care workers, caregivers, support workers, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, collective bargaining agreement, retention stipend, health care cost stipend, training stipend, orientation program, retirement trust