Transcript Highlights:

• Fennice did a good job of explaining why it is needed in terms of the number of deaths per year.
• But otherwise, MnDOT does a great job. Well, thank you, Representative McDonald.
• I think they do a great job. I'm kind of biased to Mr. Schultz, who was up here our last testifier.
• He does a great job with the Herald-Journal, both in Delano and Winston and Watertown, my hometown.
• And many others do a great job, Mr. Schultz, so does his newspaper reporter, Robert Hopwood.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> finish the job, be safe, come home. finish the job, be safe, come home.
• </c> just what they need to do their job. just what they need to do their job.
• </c> to do their jobs and to keep us safe. to do their jobs and to keep us safe.
• </c> the tools they need to do their job the tools they need to do their job safely?
• </c> job. Most of them are not day traders. job. Most of them are not day traders.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Am I excited about jobs and growth and investment? Absolutely.
• Am I excited about jobs and growth and investment? Absolutely.
• And so I think it's our job.
• We don't get jobs for it. It's just not—the risk versus the benefit.
• It really was, and they did a good job with it. All right.

Summary: The committee took up public comment on a package of similar local-option bills related to carbon capture and sequestration, including House Bills 5, 6, 497, 498, 501, and 504. The bills would let parishes, or in some cases specific parishes such as Rapides and Livingston, decide by local vote whether Class VI wells, CO2 sequestration, and related pipeline infrastructure could be permitted. The chair grouped the bills together for testimony, adopted a three-minute public comment rule, and noted that the bills were not yet under consideration for a vote during the public-comment portion. Supporters, including Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson, parish officials, local activists, and residents, argued that communities affected by carbon capture projects should have a direct voice through local option elections. They said the bills were about self-determination, local control, and allowing residents to decide whether the risks are worth the benefits. Several speakers said their parishes had passed resolutions opposing carbon capture or asking for local choice, while others emphasized concerns about eminent domain, aquifer protection, lack of public understanding, and the need for more information about project impacts and financial benefits. Some supporters also said a local vote would force industry to engage more directly with communities and could improve transparency. Opponents, including representatives of the Department of Conservation and Energy, the Louisiana Chemistry Association, the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, warned that the bills would create uncertainty, undermine Louisiana’s primacy over Class VI permitting, and invite litigation under federal preemption and the Supremacy Clause. They said the state already has a strict permitting process with public input and technical review, and that allowing parish-by-parish approval could delay or block billions of dollars in investment, jobs, and export-related projects. The department testified that if the state adopted a local-option referendum system, EPA could determine Louisiana was not implementing the program consistently and could move to remove primacy. No committee vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• . very dangerous jobs.
• Just the job, not the just the job itself is labeled as that dangerous as a carcinogen.
• Just the job, not the just the job itself is labeled as that dangerous as a carcinogen.
• Just the job, not the just the job itself is labeled as that dangerous as a carcinogen.
• Just the job, not the just the job itself is labeled as that dangerous as a carcinogen.

Bills: HF2354 , HF3407 , HF4359 , HF4192 , HF3356 , HF3695 , HF1597 , HF3155 , HF3871 , HF4437 , HF4446 , HF3990

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, ghost guns, unserialized firearms, 3D-printed guns, 3D printer firearms, CNC milling, home-built firearms, firearm serialization, serial numbers, unfinished frame, unfinished receiver, ghost gun ban, gun control, firearm design files, CAD files, digital gun blueprints

Transcript Highlights:

• search assistance, job readiness training.
• search assistance, job readiness training.
• </c><00:46:36.880><c> of</c> is doing a very responsible job of is doing a very responsible job of keeping
• You might have a job. You’re thinking about college.
• You might have a job. You’re thinking about college.

Bills: HB1877 , HB2006 , HB2167 , HB2224 , HB1626 , HB1690 , HB2012

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: LGBTQ+ rights, commission membership, representation, youth involvement, Hawaii legislation, child well-being, financial support, expectant mothers, Hawaii Rx kids program, economic stability, youth homelessness, financial assistance, housing instability, emergency services, transitioning youth, Medicaid, pharmaceutical benefits, human services, healthcare access, public funds

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1877, which would expand the membership of the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission and add a youth seat. The commission’s vice chair supported the bill, saying the commission started with eight members, has growing interest, and would benefit from an odd-numbered board and youth representation. Members asked about quorum, and the commission said it has generally met monthly with only one quorum issue in the past 18–19 months and would work with legislative leaders to have appointments ready if the bill passes. Written testimony included support from Kokopac and one individual in opposition. The committee then took up HB 2006, which would create a cash assistance program for pregnant women and mothers of babies. The Department of Human Services explained current TANF rules, including eligibility requirements, child support cooperation, and work-program participation, and said the state has recently raised benefit levels to the maximum allowed, with a family of three or four receiving a little over $900 per month. Supporters from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others argued the bill could reduce child poverty and improve maternal and child health, citing evidence from Michigan’s Rx Kids program and the temporary federal child tax credit expansion. A mother and Oahu Youth Action Board member testified from personal experience about the need for direct support during pregnancy. The committee also noted support from several organizations and about 26 individuals. The committee next heard HB 2167, which would direct the Office of Youth Services to run a pilot program providing financial assistance to homeless youth. The Office of the Public Defender, youth advocates, and several organizations supported the measure, saying even small amounts of help can prevent homelessness and help youth transition safely to adulthood. The Office of Youth Services said it supports the intent of the bill but requested clarification, and committee members discussed whether the program should be run directly or through contracted community agencies, how to set performance metrics, and how to structure the RFP and contract process. The chair indicated the committee wanted to work with the vice chair and OYS offline to refine the bill before moving forward. The committee then began discussion of HB 2224, relating to Medicaid pharmacy benefit management, with testimony generally supporting giving DHS flexibility to negotiate with PBMs.

Transcript Highlights:

• How long have you had that job? Going being at a small school, you do many. You wear mini hats.
• Without this bill, if this action were to happen, an agency director or agency leadership taking a job
• Violations, but you know, making it too low, somebody taking a job somewhere over a few $1,000, that
• We're looking at a situation where somebody's taking a job somewhere, and it's being influenced because
• undertaking, only that our pension boards must continue along with the directors who do such a wonderful job

Bills: HB3057 , HB3279 , HB4428 , HB3420

Committee: Senate Retirement and Government Resources

Keywords: government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, employment restrictions, state officers, prohibited acts, government contracts, public service, public finance, pension, pension fund, retirement system, board of trustees, proxy voting, proxy proposal, shareholder vote, shareholder activism, fiduciary duty

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Currently, Kentucky has a 152,000 job gap.
• Make sure we got them working and we got jobs for them and housing and everything else we need for the
• working<00:07:40.080><c> and</c><00:07:40.319><c> we</c><00:07:40.560><c> got</c><00:07:40.720><c> jobs
• /c><00:07:41.120><c> for</c><00:07:41.440><c> them</c><00:07:41.599><c> and</c> working and we got jobs
• for them and working and we got jobs for them and housing<00:07:42.319><c> and</c><00:07:42.560><c>

Committee: Senate Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:22 HB 392 Discussion: 01:44 HB 392 Vote: 02:39 HB 576 Discussion: 03:40 HB 576 Vote: 06:53, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to be able to do our job as legislators and bring forward policy recommendations that deal with
• who would have to start the process of writing these policies to get access to the report to do our job
• report</c><00:07:00.639><c> to</c><00:07:00.800><c> do</c><00:07:00.880><c> our</c><00:07:01.120><c> job
• </c><00:07:01.680><c> We</c><00:07:01.840><c> don't</c> to the report to do our job.
• We don't to the report to do our job.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Will this directly affect the diversification of our economy, moving Oklahoma forward and creating jobs
• that the state of Oklahoma is now the only state in the nation with a net loss of advanced industry jobs
• The Department of Commerce has done a great job. seeking a private opportunity, whether that is a battery
• Those are great jobs and that's opportunity, but outside of that, there's not a lot of opportunity for
• Great job, members.

Bills: HB2445 , HB2123 , HB3048 , HB3176 , HB3239 , HB3263 , HB3794 , HB3796 , HB4265 , HB4266 , HB4317 , HB4321 , HB4322 , HB3673

Committee: House Commerce & Economic Development Oversight

Keywords: HB2445, Route 66, Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Forward Commission, centennial, historic highway, preservation, tourism, historical society, scenic byway, National Historic Trail, Route 66 Alliance, Route 66 Association, Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, historic preservation, heritage tourism, public-private partnership, sunset extension, commission extension

Transcript Highlights:

• Quite frankly, when I was still on the job, and there was a president in there that was gobbling up all
• And now it comes down to a matter of all of our agencies working together to do their job to protect
• all departments working together in unison, and at what point do we stop trusting them to do their job
• We trust them to do their job, and at some point we've got to trust them to stand up and protect us with
• They do their job, but they're also protecting the law-abiding citizens' rights.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• about those who ignore the laws that they are required to understand in order to be able to take the job
• It's about those who follow... ...are required to understand in order to be able to take the job.
• It affects future job opportunities, and in some cases, it can impact immigration status and visa renewals
• they support employers, and they help keep hospitality businesses operating safely so people have jobs
• and then more than likely it's the last one that's getting it even though they might have done their job

Bills: HB1977

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: indemnification, liquor, commercial servers, liquor liability, business protection, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• itself and the people they hire is be able to bring in really solid regulators, let them do their jobs
• That's difficult to do, and they need a few more employees to make the job better and help the citizens
• workers' compensation insurance for an employee who has experienced injury or sickness while performing job-related
• You guys did a great job explaining this bill. I'm standing for questions. Thank you.
• But great job by staff and everyone, and we're moving right along, so thank you.

Bills: HB2091 , HB2118 , HB2122 , HB2138

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: insurance, financial surveillance, regulations, assessments, Arizona Revised Statutes, mobile food vendors, licensure, food safety, statewide regulations, health standards, zoning, temporary vendors, technical registration, engineering, architect, land surveyor, reciprocity, endorsement, qualification standards, firefighter

Transcript Highlights:

• agree with the goals that we want our universities to do the best for our students and help them get jobs
• Senator Higginbotham, you know, Chairman Creighton and this legislative body have done a pretty good job
• , Senator Hegelboot, you know, Chairman Creighton and this legislative body have done a pretty good job
• You've done a great job. Thank you. I appreciate you being available. We'll call on you again.
• And so, as Senator Menendez did a great job laying out some of the history behind it, just to give you

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard several bills and took no final votes, leaving each measure pending. The first major item, SB 1322 by Senator Hagenbuch, would create a Texas Higher Education Accrediting Commission to evaluate and approve accrediting agencies for public colleges and universities using outcome-based metrics such as retention, graduation, employment, debt, and repayment. Supporters, including Kate Byerley of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, argued the bill would add competition and align accreditation with Texas workforce needs; Senator Menendez questioned the need for a new bureaucracy and noted the $3.6 million fiscal note, suggesting existing reporting and oversight structures could serve the same purpose. The committee then heard SB 1998, which would establish a pediatric subspecialty preceptorship program to encourage medical students to enter pediatric subspecialties. Dr. Lauren Gamble testified in strong support, saying the program would help address shortages and improve access for children, especially in rural and underserved areas. SB 2788, authored by Senator Menendez, would add the PSAT as an accepted assessment for dual credit and Texas Success Initiative purposes; Priscilla Camacho of Alamo Colleges supported the bill, citing strong student outcomes and widespread use of the PSAT as a readiness indicator. Senator Creighton laid out SB 2076, which would remove or modify certain Capitol view corridor restrictions affecting the UT Austin Academic Medical Center project, including the planned specialty hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center expansion. He said the existing corridors are outdated and limit development. The committee also heard SB 1418, a cleanup bill replacing outdated references to ACT Plan with Pre-ACT and removing obsolete SAT subject test language. After brief testimony and no opposition on the later bills, the committee closed public testimony and left SB 1322, SB 1998, SB 2788, SB 2076, and SB 1418 pending before recessing for the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• innovators who have helped our community, helped our economy, and faculty and staff have done a great job
• We feel that we also have a project pipeline of over 25 billion dollars' worth. and 4,000 new jobs that
• full-time employees and contractors working at our Point Comfort site, and we have approximately. 90 job
• Because of that, we need growing career programs and job opportunities that relate to the agricultural
• We believe we do a really good job of workforce education.

Bills: SB530 , SB757 , SB769 , SB1085 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1409 , SB1878 , SB2138 , SB2314 , SB2231 , SB2361 , SB2431 , SJR59

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Transcript Highlights:

• largest state in the U.S. with over 24,000 veteran-owned businesses, annually creating 1.1 million jobs
• largest state in the U.S. with over 24,000 veteran-owned businesses, annually creating 1.1 million jobs
• Integrating veteran-owned businesses into the HUB program will create jobs, increase revenue, and create
• jobs.
• state welcomes them to stay in Texas, invest in Texas, and be the next generation of risk takers and job

Bills: SB 390 , SB 1197 , SB 1271

Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs

Keywords: veteran-owned businesses, state contracting, historically underutilized business, economic opportunity, small business, economic development, veterans, certification, Texas legislation, unmanned aircraft, spaceport, criminal offense, aviation regulations, airspace safety, military installations, concurrent jurisdiction, governor's approval, state agency, land acquisition, Veteran Affairs

Summary: The meeting of the Committee on Veteran Affairs addressed several significant bills aimed at supporting veterans and their businesses. Among the bills discussed was SB390, which seeks to expand the definition of historically underutilized businesses to include all veteran-owned businesses, regardless of disability status. This change aims to create a more equitable economic landscape for veterans and to foster their participation in state procurement opportunities. The committee heard strong testimony supporting this initiative, emphasizing the importance of providing veterans with fair chances in business development.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, when you need to do your job, you want to focus on just your job.
• and some of the threats and some of the things that come our way, I guess, can be expected with our job
• But for these folks, these are people that took a job, and this is what their assignment is, and I think
• they need protecting, because they are just doing their job.

Summary: The Health Care Facilities and System Subcommittee met and heard three bills, all of which passed favorably. HB 229 by Rep. Oliver would update the Health Facilities Authority Act to reflect modern health system structures, allowing not-for-profit LLCs and not-for-profit parent corporations of health systems to use the financing authority, and clarifying that authorities may use loan agreements as well as lease financing. An amendment narrowing and clarifying the not-for-profit definition was adopted without objection. AdventHealth testified in support, and the bill passed 17-0. The committee then heard HB 527 by Rep. Trabulsi, which creates a public records exemption for current and former AHCA personnel who investigate complaints, Medicaid fraud, abuse, waste, or inspect licensed health facilities. The sponsor said the exemption is intended to protect investigators and their families from retaliation. There was no public testimony, and members discussed balancing transparency with safety. The bill passed 17-0. Finally, the committee heard HB 431 by Rep. Trabulsi, which extends by one year the requirement for athletic coaches and similar youth sports volunteers to complete Level 2 background screening through AHCA’s clearinghouse, with the sponsor saying the delay would give the system time to expand and reduce costs over time. Public testimony from youth sports organizations supported the goal of screening but raised concerns about cost, implementation details, and age thresholds for screening. Members generally supported the bill as a child-safety measure, and it also passed 17-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• going to have all the resources and tools available to law enforcement, and we're going to get the job
• What's unique about this thing is Bob's House of Hope and Ranch Hand Rescues is doing an incredible job
• what's unique about this thing is Bob's House of Hope and Ranch Hand Rescues is doing an incredible job
• Great job. I appreciate you. I’m so glad to have you on everything you do.
• They do an amazing job.

Bills: SJR36 , SB2

Summary: Texas senators, representatives, the Texas Trucking Association, DPS, and Bob’s House of Hope held a Capitol press event focused on human trafficking awareness, with an emphasis on the often-overlooked trafficking of boys and young men. Speakers said Texas remains among the worst states for stopping trafficking and argued that public awareness must expand beyond the common assumption that victims are only girls and women. Several participants described trafficking as modern-day slavery and stressed that it affects people across all backgrounds, including in border and highway communities. The event highlighted a new awareness campaign in partnership with the trucking industry, including decals and posters to be placed on trucks statewide to encourage drivers and the public to “see something, say something.” Texas Trucking Association leaders said the industry’s large statewide footprint gives it a major role in spotting suspicious activity and educating drivers. Bob Williams of Bob’s House of Hope said his organization opened the first U.S. safe house for sex-trafficked boys and young men and cited studies suggesting boys may make up a substantial share of trafficking victims, though the problem is underreported. Lawmakers and DPS officials said the state should continue giving law enforcement more tools to combat trafficking and praised the partnership with private industry and victim services. No formal vote or legislative action was taken at the event; the main action was the launch of the awareness campaign and the public rollout of the truck decals, with participants posing for photos with the first truck carrying the new messaging.

Transcript Highlights:

• You've done such an amazing job.
• You've done such a great job. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for those words.
• </c><00:42:15.599><c> I've</c> you've done such an amazing job I've you've done such an amazing job I've
• and don't bring weapons to the job.
• </c> Responders who go uh do their job Responders who go uh do their job and<02:02:44.920><c> don't</

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just saw that they had a few job postings, so they're really getting going, which is really great.
• Let us help you in your department do your job on here.
• It's used very effectively if someone switches jobs and they're not on their new plan for 90 days.
• </c><00:45:08.440><c> of</c> because they do a really great job of because they do a really great job
• You're doing a great job of advocating for our team's work, so thank you.

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Great job. Okay, now the next one on our schedule...
• Since this is the two of you, what is your term in this job?
• </c> early on we got this student on a job early on we got this student on a job path<01:26:46.320><c
• They will do a wonderful job managing it.
• Yeah, and it's not like they're doing a bad job.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Personnel Appeals Board, which explained that it became an independent state agency after Senate Bill 487 and was presenting its first standalone operating budget. The board described its quasi-judicial role in hearing appeals from classified state employees over disciplinary actions such as warnings, suspensions, and terminations, and said it handles about 25 to 35 cases a year, with some cases lasting longer because of their complexity. Members also outlined the need for a chair and vice chair who are attorneys, the board’s current staffing and space needs, and its plan to move away from reliance on Administrative Services for office support and website functions. The board requested about $353,500 for fiscal year 2026, including startup costs, routine operating expenses, and two new part-time positions: a program director and a paralegal. Members said the budget reflects the new independent status, includes funding for only four board members rather than the authorized five, and is designed to avoid full-time staffing costs and benefits. Legislators asked about the cost per case, the board’s relationship to DAS, whether appeals must go through the board before court, and how often cases are appealed further. The board said appeals must first go through it, that court appeals are infrequent but have increased recently, and that the board’s process is intended to resolve disputes more quickly and less expensively than court litigation. Committee members also asked about the board’s caseload, outcomes, and staffing. The board said that in the prior year there were 22 cases, with four decisions overturned in favor of employees, nine dismissals, and nine settlements, and that many disputes are resolved before reaching the board through a multi-step internal process. A member noted the governor and council had recently approved a new board member and were expected to approve a fifth soon. The discussion ended with questions about the board’s website and records access, which members said would need to be moved from Administrative Services as part of the agency’s transition. The committee then moved to the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities. The executive director explained that the council is 100 percent federally funded under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and develops a five-year plan to address the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She said the council works with state agencies and advocacy organizations on quality-of-life issues, accessibility, voter rights training, and plain-language or easy-to-read materials, and that 60 percent of its membership must be individuals with disabilities or family members/guardians. She also described the council’s funding structure, including reimbursement to the state for operating costs, and noted that it currently has three full-time and three part-time positions, with no new positions requested but one full-time position being eliminated and replaced after a pandemic-era staffing change did not work out as planned.