Transcript Highlights:

• Aquifers don't recognize political boundaries, and any and all those impacted by the aquifer underneath

Bills: SB480, SB767, SB790, SB971, SB1066

Keywords: water resources, interlocal contracts, local government, collaboration, planning activities, wildfire response, firefighting equipment, emergency services, state database, Texas Forest Service, customer complaints, Public Utility Commission, water service, complaint process, utility regulation, SB 971, Texas Water Assistance Program, Water Code, rural political subdivision, rural water

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met on Texas Water Day and limited public testimony to two minutes. The chair emphasized the need to move quickly because of scheduling conflicts with other committees and noted the importance of water policy and related stakeholders. The committee heard several bills focused on water administration, rural utilities, emergency response, and public works contracting. Senate Bill 790 by Senator Alvarado would let the Public Utility Commission create a simplified process for resolving tenant complaints over water or wastewater bill discrepancies; it was described as a way to avoid lengthy contested-case hearings for small disputes. Senate Bill 971 by Senator Sparks would clean up conflicting statutory definitions of “rural political subdivision” so Texas Water Development Board programs are applied consistently; Texas Rural Water Association testified in support. Senate Bill 767, also by Senator Sparks, would expand and improve a statewide database of fire-response equipment so departments, including volunteer and rural departments, can locate and share resources more effectively during emergencies; fire service witnesses supported the bill and suggested annual updates to keep the database current. Chair Perry laid out Senate Bill 480 to clarify that local governments and special districts may enter interlocal agreements for water-related planning and research, including aquifer management and flood/water planning. He also presented Senate Bill 1066, which raises payment and performance bond thresholds for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department public works contracts to $150,000, arguing the change would reflect inflation and help smaller vendors on lower-risk projects. Witnesses were heard on the bills, with no opposition recorded in the transcript. The committee voted out all five bills favorably. SB 1066, SB 480, SB 767, SB 790, and SB 971 each received unanimous committee approval and were recommended to the local and contested calendar, with SB 767 noted as amended by a suggested annual-update requirement for the equipment database.

Transcript Highlights:

• concerns with this version of the bill that make it difficult for the public to know where these boundaries
• concerns with this version of the bill that make it difficult for the public to know where these boundaries
• concerns with this version of the bill that make it difficult for the public to know where these boundaries
• 00:57:58.680> know<00:57:58.799> where<00:57:59.000> these<00:57:59.119> boundaries
• public to know where these boundaries public to know where these boundaries are<00:57:59.760>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul, and uh, you know, there's an arbitrary boundary where East St.
• 02:21.280> arbitary and uh you know there's a arbitary and uh you know there's a arbitary boundary
• And yeah, I understand the frustration about we can't be limited by MnDOT district boundaries on some
• > District we can't be limited by mindat District we can't be limited by mindat District boundaries
• on on some of these things so boundaries on on some of these things so yes<01:31:46.280> we'll

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :16:08.640> and<01:16:09.120> without<01:16:09.520> their<01:16:10.199> boundaries
• <01:16:11.199> So within and without their boundaries.
• So within and without their boundaries.
• Groundwater is dynamic and does not stay within property line boundaries.
• Groundwater is dynamic and does not stay within property line boundaries.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• other thing is I know with the Shoshone tribe, exercising our right to hunt off the reservation boundary
• hunt our to hunt off<00:14:32.880> the<00:14:33.120> reservation<00:14:33.600> boundary
• <00:14:34.560> with<00:14:34.800> a off the reservation boundary with a off the reservation
• boundary with a treaty<00:14:36.160> on<00:14:36.480> unoccupated<00:14:37.760> unoccupated
• ><00:44:53.440> tribal As we've mentioned before, big game animals don't recognize those boundaries

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you help us understand kind of the jurisdictional boundaries of those?
• Can you help us understand kind of the jurisdictional boundaries of those?
• Can you help us understand kind of the jurisdictional boundaries of those?
• Can you help us understand kind of the jurisdictional boundaries of those?
• or various aspects of funding for Can you can you help us understand kind of the jurisdictional boundaries

Bills: HF4693

Keywords: transportation, license plates, validation stickers, replacement fees, government fees, 1183, house

Summary: The Transportation Finance and Policy Committee approved the April 13, 2026 minutes and then heard a presentation from Charles Carlson of Metropolitan Transportation Services on regional transit governance and finance in the Twin Cities area. Carlson reviewed the history of transit governance from private streetcars and buses to public control, including the creation of the Met Council and Metropolitan Transit Commission in 1967, later fragmentation through suburban opt-outs and the Regional Transit Board, and the 1994 consolidation that made Metro Transit part of the Met Council. He also explained the role of the Transportation Advisory Board as a state-created advisory body to the council’s federally designated MPO function, and noted that any major structural change to the Met Council could trigger federal redesignation requirements. The presentation then focused on funding changes over time. Carlson said transit was long supported by fares, property taxes, and federal aid, but that property taxes for operations were prohibited in 2001, federal operating assistance ended, and the state shifted to general fund support and then motor vehicle sales tax revenue. He described the 2006 constitutional dedication of motor vehicle sales tax, the volatility of that revenue during the Great Recession, and the use of one-time state appropriations and later federal COVID relief to cover operating gaps. He said the 2023 legislature created the regional 3/4-cent transportation sales tax to stabilize transit operations, reduced the state’s rail operating obligation, and moved Metro Mobility/Metro Move into a state forecast-based program effective in 2025. Members asked several questions about the structure of suburban “opt-out” providers, including Maple Grove and Plymouth, and how they can contract with Metro Transit or private providers while still retaining control of their allocated funds. Carlson explained that replacement service municipalities receive statutory and formula allocations and choose how to use them. He also described Metro Move as a waiver-based service begun in 2024 that uses human services and Medicaid funds to reduce pressure on the state general fund. Later discussion covered ridership and service shares, with Metro Council providing the vast majority of regional transit service and suburban providers accounting for a small share. No votes or bill actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes; the chair indicated a bill would be taken up later in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, constituents' concerns as far as the local control stops at the city boundaries, and neighbors
• So, again, looking at where local control stops at the city boundaries, and we have neighbors that we
• stops<01:54:59.360> at<01:54:59.480> the<01:54:59.560> city<01:54:59.840> boundaries
• ,<01:55:00.400> and<01:55:00.680> we stops at the city boundaries, and we stops at
• the city boundaries, and we have<01:55:01.080> neighbors<01:55:01.760> that<01:55:01.880

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a pupil who resides in an unorganized territory and whose residence adjoins the school district boundary
• a pupil who resides in an unorganized territory and whose residence adjoins the school district boundary
• Students who live with their parent or guardian and also live inside of a school district boundary activate
• shore up enrollment protections for tribal students who do not live inside of a school district boundary
• So why are we not giving students and teachers the tools they need to understand personal boundaries,

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• guidelines were having to have certain specific things, one of which was very clear delineated boundaries
• 00:08:16.120> delineated which was very clear delineated which was very clear delineated boundaries
• 08:17.680> was<00:08:17.840> to<00:08:18.000> occur<00:08:18.879> as boundaries
• of where this was to occur as boundaries of where this was to occur as well<00:08:19.159> as<
• What would happen when someone went outside the boundaries of the social district and they were holding

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say it's probably mostly on the school district side because school district boundaries are more
• create their own rosters, and in my area precincts don't necessarily align with school district boundaries
• > District necessarily align with School District necessarily align with School District boundaries
• 04.960> school<01:05:05.240> districts<01:05:05.599> in<01:05:05.760> my boundaries
• so the school districts in my boundaries so the school districts in my area<01:05:06.319> contract

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a reminder: fallout doesn't follow state or national boundaries. That is an emergency.
• Just a reminder: fallout doesn't follow state or national boundaries. That is an emergency.
• national Fallout doesn't follow state or national Fallout doesn't follow state or national boundaries
• <00:44:30.920> that<00:44:31.240> is<00:44:31.359> an boundaries that is an boundaries

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• education and training so they understand what they can and cannot do, where the guardrails and boundaries
• education and training so they understand what they can and cannot do, where the guardrails and boundaries
• education and training so they understand what they can and cannot do, where the guardrails and boundaries
• They don't understand there's some boundaries here and what their interests are.
• The boundaries here and what their interests are—one of the most common threads that kept coming back

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Thirteen of those 15 fall within the boundaries of Portsmouth, Newington, and Greenland.
• Thirteen of those 15 fall within the boundaries of Portsmouth, Newington, and Greenland.
• 00:57:00.839> fall<00:57:01.200> within<00:57:01.440> the<00:57:01.559> boundaries
• of those 15 fall within the boundaries of those 15 fall within the boundaries of<00:57:03.200>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So just because this particular area, like over this boundary, they have a right that because they're
• We do have the Shoreland Protection Act, and that sets some boundaries, but it does not address this
• We do have the Shoreland Protection Act, and that sets some boundaries, but it does not address this
• We do have the Shoreland Protection Act, and that sets some boundaries, but it does not address this
• We do have the Shoreland Protection Act, and that sets some boundaries, but it does not address this

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All of the $363 million stays within your town boundary.
• It doesn't ever cross town boundary, right?
• All of the $363 million stays within your town boundary.
• It doesn't ever cross town boundary, right?
• If some should cross the boundary, it doesn't. It stays within.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because invasive species do not respect county lines or island boundaries.
• 00:37:59.280> lines<00:37:59.640> or<00:37:59.800> island<00:38:00.040> boundaries
• <00:38:00.840> And county lines or island boundaries.
• And county lines or island boundaries.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Training in active listening, trauma-informed practices, ethical boundaries, and cultural responsiveness
• listening, trauma-informed practices, listening, trauma-informed practices, ethical<01:04:24.600> boundaries
• ,<01:04:25.000> and<01:04:25.080> cultural ethical boundaries, and cultural ethical
• boundaries, and cultural responsiveness<01:04:26.160> would<01:04:26.280> ensure<01:04

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education resolutions, beginning with HCR 11 and HR 14, which ask the Board of Education and the State Public Charter School Commission to report on improving access to stable, suitable, and affordable facilities for public charter schools. The Charter School Commission supported the measure, and OHA also supported it while noting long-standing facility challenges, the lack of a dedicated facilities appropriation, and the strain on charter schools that have had to use operating funds for buildings and temporary structures. Kealakehe Academy, Hawaii Technology Academy, and several individuals also testified in support. The committee then took up HCR 181 and HR 171, which seek a shared decision-making committee to develop an action plan for a K-12 Ka Waihona School in Kapolei. The Department of Education said it has already developed a strategic plan for Kaipuni education, has expanded immersion programs over the past decade, and is addressing growth through interim guidance and a new priority placement process. Community witnesses, including representatives of Ke Alo Ever, strongly supported the resolutions, emphasizing the need for a K-12 pathway, the importance of Hawaiian language and culture, and the role of community voice in planning. They argued that teacher shortages, especially for licensed Hawaiian immersion teachers, remain a major barrier and proposed a kumu recruitment and retention program tied to community, UH, and DOE partnerships. The committee also heard HCR 187 and HR 177, which urge the Department of Education to begin initiatives to address teacher retention statewide. DOE and the University of Hawaiʻi College of Education said teacher retention is already being addressed through the Teacher Education Coordinating Committee, a five-year plan focused on building capacity, improving satisfaction, and compensation, and a new DOE human resources plan. In response to questions, DOE said it is seeking better school-level data on why teachers leave, is preparing for contract negotiations, and is working with the standards board and DLIR on an apprenticeship-related grant. TECC representatives said the group has been working since the pandemic era, may narrow its focus to retention as the most actionable area, and expects to provide more concrete recommendations in its annual report. The transcript ends as the committee moves on to the next item, HCR 47 and HR 43, without showing any votes or final actions on the measures heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• Within the debt capacity forecast, MMB models out the outer boundaries under each guideline.
• models<00:58:45.119> out<00:58:45.440> the<00:58:45.760> outer<00:58:46.079> boundaries
• <00:58:46.640> under models out the outer boundaries under models out the outer boundaries

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You can cross state boundaries. You can export it. You can do it within the federal law.
• You can cross state boundaries.<00:12:30.720> You<00:12:30.800> can<00:12:30.959> export
• <00:12:31.440> You<00:12:31.519> can boundaries. You can export it.
• You can boundaries. You can export it.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With these medications, the upper boundary for weight reduction according to the clinical trials is in
• With these medications,<00:47:45.760> the<00:47:46.480> upper<00:47:47.280> boundary
• <00:47:47.680> for medications, the upper boundary for medications, the upper boundary for

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on February 23, 2026, approved the January 12 minutes, and then focused primarily on Kentucky Medicaid’s coverage and potential expansion of GLP-1 drugs, especially for weight loss. Department for Medicaid Services Commissioner Lisa Lee explained that Medicaid currently does not cover drugs for weight loss, anorexia, or weight gain, but the department had filed a regulation to remove that blanket exclusion so GLP-1s could be covered when used for an underlying health condition. She said the administrative regulation review subcommittee found the regulation deficient, and the co-chairs wanted the board to discuss the policy and financing implications before any change. DMS also said it would be open to adding caveats to ensure coverage would not extend to cosmetic weight loss alone. The department provided several data points on current utilization and spending. In 2025, Kentucky Medicaid paid for appetite-stimulating drugs such as Megestrol, Dronabinol, and Marinol, but did not pay for weight-loss drugs. For GLP-1s, DMS said coverage began in 2025 and is limited to FDA-approved medical conditions, with prior authorization requiring a type 2 diabetes diagnosis code and A1C documentation. DMS reported $234.6 million in GLP-1 spending in 2025 before rebates, about 240,931 prescriptions, and said GLP-1s accounted for 7.3% of pharmacy spend in 2024 and 8.3% in 2025. It also said there were 24,844 expansion members and 13,638 non-expansion members using GLP-1s, with spending of about $156 million and $78.5 million respectively, and that 10 pediatric weight-loss prescriptions were covered under EPSDT. The department said outcome analyses, including whether GLP-1 use reduces insulin or other diabetes treatment, are underway and should be completed in a couple of months. Members asked about cost, rebates, and whether the state should wait for more outcomes data before expanding coverage. DMS said average reimbursement to pharmacies was $975 per prescription and the average dispensing fee was $109; it also said 2025 rebate invoices totaled $90.8 million, with $7.6 million collected so far. Several members expressed concern about the high cost and the need to evaluate whether the drugs improve health outcomes before expanding access, while others noted the potential benefits for obesity and diabetes treatment. Some members also discussed whether GLP-1s are effectively being used for weight loss in diabetic patients and whether broader data collection should be used to assess long-term value. After the Medicaid discussion, Eli Lilly executive Tracy Sims presented on obesity as a chronic disease and the economic burden it creates in Kentucky. She said Kentucky’s adult obesity rate is a little over 37%, that obesity is linked to about 200 diseases, and that untreated obesity costs the state billions in GDP and hundreds of millions in state budget impact. She highlighted recent federal access programs for GLP-1s, including a Medicaid-related program that she said could lower the state share of a Zepbound prescription to about $71 per month after federal matching. No votes were taken on the GLP-1 policy question during the meeting, and the main action was the receipt of testimony and discussion of the department’s proposed regulatory change.