Transcript Highlights:

• She is also a student at Barry Goldwater High School, which is part of my school district that I represent
• land ownership; foreign adversary; 1720, equal parenting time; 1754, AD; special occasion; 1776, school
• Research has also proven that kids with quality early childhood experience do better in school.
• The status quo is kids are in the high school bathrooms vaping and smoking because it's being sold to
• The status quo is kids are in the high school bathrooms vaping and smoking because it's being sold to

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a school district building fund, and it can be transferred to the general fund.
• this does is we're looking at the University of Idaho not being able to build out its engineering schools
• Did you talk about the school facilities fund? Okay. And I'm going to ask a question on that. Fund?
• Ward-Engelking is referring to is a separate action, which would be the transfer of funds from the school
• Ward Engel King is referring to is a separate action, which would be the transfer of funds from the school

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee took up a series of JFAC budget items, beginning with health education programs. Members approved an FY 2027 increase of $900,000 and 2.5 FTP for psychiatry, family medicine, OB fellowship, child psychiatry, and veterinary education slots. They then adopted language to shift funding for the family medicine OB fellowship to the rural health transformation program if those funds become available before July 1, 2026, with the general fund then redirected to undergraduate medical education seats under H 368. The language drew debate about whether rural health money should be reserved for rural facilities and whether the provision would preempt a future committee’s role, but it ultimately passed. The committee next approved the Office of the State Board of Education budget, including Canvas LMS renewal, transfer of risk managers to institutions, and a federal post-secondary improvement grant, with a net increase of $4,487,900 and a reduction of four FTP. For colleges and universities, a substitute motion to add general fund support for an additional rescission restoration and other items failed, and the original motion passed instead, providing a smaller increase. Community colleges received a one-time general fund increase of $1,123,200 after the committee rejected a substitute that would have only reduced Canvas costs. Career Technical Education was addressed twice: first, the committee approved $957,600 one-time from the Career Ready Students Fund to restore a prior rescission in secondary programs; later, it approved $1,877,300 one-time from the same fund for secondary CTE programs after rejecting a substitute that would have used ongoing general fund support. The Department of Administration budget included utilities, Medicaid procurement staffing, training, document services, IT hardware, and a rescission correction. The committee rejected the main motion after concerns were raised about staffing for a large Medicaid managed care contract, but then approved the Permanent Building Fund budget, including $890,100 for design of a National Guard Readiness Center in Bonneville County and $71.6 million for replacement items and maintenance projects. Standard language and reporting language for that fund were adopted by unanimous consent. Finally, the State Lottery received approval for $25,800 in dedicated funds for replacement computers used in scratch-game design. The committee adjourned after announcing future work group meetings and upcoming budget agenda items.

Transcript Highlights:

• concerned that what we're not doing is looking at the spending that we should be spending on our schools
• And Senator Warnick pointed out the cuts to our schools.
• and our property-poor schools.
• We've had our small communities try to do some school bonds.
• School bonds, they know what it's for, they know who it's going to affect— their own children.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability focused on the final stretch of the legislative session, with repeated criticism of Democratic budget proposals and several policy bills. They said they were especially concerned about an environmental crimes bill they argued would impose excessive penalties for workplace mistakes, as well as bills they described as anti-law-enforcement, including measures related to police face coverings and sheriff qualifications. They also discussed a proposed income tax, calling it unconstitutional and urging that it be sent to referendum if it advances. A major topic was the operating, transportation, and capital budgets. Republicans said the operating budget relies on one-time fund sweeps, raids the rainy day fund and pension assets, and assumes future income-tax revenue while cutting Medicaid, child care, schools, and other services. They said the transportation budget has some positive emphasis on road preservation but criticized ferry funding and the proposed sweep of the Public Works Trust. On the capital budget, they were less specific and described it as generally bipartisan. The lawmakers also addressed reports of fraudulent or duplicate sign-ins on the income-tax bill, saying any abuse should be investigated but that many duplicate entries may have been accidental rather than malicious. They said the system should be improved with better verification, but maintained that more than 100,000 unique people had signed in opposition. Other issues discussed included opposition to using pension funds to balance the budget, criticism of a Sound Transit proposal for 75-year bonds, concerns about a bill requiring arbitration before lawsuits against the state or local governments, and objections to child care budget changes they said would hurt rural and property-poor communities without broader regulatory reform.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Senator Warnick pointed out the cuts to our schools.
• and our property-poor schools.
• Green Hill School, fentanyl distribution, sexual assault.
• We've had our small communities try to do some school bonds.
• School bonds, they know what it's for, they know who it's going to affect: their own children.

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability focused on the final stretch of the legislative session, with most of the discussion centered on budget proposals, a proposed income tax on high earners, and several policy bills they oppose. They criticized the operating budget for relying on a new income tax, using one-time fund sweeps and pension-related financing, and drawing down the rainy day fund, while saying the capital budget was more bipartisan and the transportation budget had some positive emphasis on road preservation but still included concerns such as Public Works Trust Fund sweeps and ferry funding. A major topic was allegations that sign-ins on the income tax bill included duplicates or fraudulent entries. Republicans said they took the issue seriously, supported verification improvements, and argued that even after removing duplicates the bill still drew over 100,000 unique emails opposing it. They rejected claims that their side had manipulated the process and said the Legislature should fix the sign-in system, possibly with more IT safeguards, while also arguing the bill should lose its emergency clause so voters could weigh in through a referendum. Republicans also criticized bills they described as anti-police or anti-law-enforcement, including measures related to face coverings and sheriff qualifications, and they opposed a bill requiring arbitration before claims against the state or local governments can go to jury trial, saying broader tort reform is needed instead. They said the state’s liability problems stem from harm done in areas like juvenile rehabilitation and child welfare. On the budget side, they objected to cuts to Medicaid, child care, transitional kindergarten, rural school funding, and other programs, while also warning against using pension funds to balance the budget and against a proposed 75-year Sound Transit bond, which they called financially irresponsible. No votes were taken in this media availability.

Transcript Highlights:

• a provision when you are released on parole where you have to be working gainfully employed or in school
• a provision when you are released on parole where you have to be working gainfully employed or in school
• Tax levies for our schools, school board elections, city council— all of these things are impacting their
• School board elections, city council— all of these things are impacting their day-to-day life.
• The debate would be whatever election it is, whether that's school board election, city council election

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• partners with almost 21 unified school districts, serving almost 4,000 children and their families and
• and later at Santa Clara Law School.
• higher education, serving as a professor of telecommunications law and contracts at New York Law School
• and later at Santa Clara Law School.
• He was at the city council meetings, the school board meetings, and planning meetings, and because of

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You see the big increase in 2024 for public schools that was related to House Bill 1 from that year that
• added $330 million to the public school budget.
• budget is when you talk about adult and juvenile correction, prisoner population, and also public schools
• modernization ...years ago that would be that $125 million annually that goes to school modernization
• fund to pay for that billion-dollar bond the state let for school modernization facilities.

Summary: The committee held a courtesy presentation from JFAC members and staff on the state’s fiscal outlook, with a focus on the general fund, Medicaid, and the budget pressures facing fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Senator Groh and staff explained that JFAC raised the revenue forecast above the governor’s recommendation, but that projected costs from tax conformity and other factors largely erased that gain, leaving a very small ending balance. They also noted that the governor’s budget relies on some one-time money and that JFAC had asked agencies for additional 1% to 2% reduction plans beyond the governor’s proposed 3% cuts. Alex Williamson presented the Medicaid portion of the budget, saying the Division of Medicaid faces an ongoing FY 2027 increase of about $235 million. She said about $84.8 million of that is offset by the already-implemented 4% provider rate cut, and another $67 million in governor-recommended reductions would require legislative action. Those options include further hospital rate reductions, cuts to residential habilitation rates, review of managed care administrative costs, and removal of some services in Idaho Code. Members asked whether reserve funds could be used instead of additional cuts, and Williamson deferred the broader fiscal picture to Mr. Bybee. Keith Bybee then walked the committee through the state’s structural balance, cash reserves, and sales tax distribution. He said the state’s revenues and expenditures are no longer aligned over the long term, that the 2025 revenue forecast missed by more than $100 million, and that the current projected ending balance could fall to about $29.8 million if the governor’s plan and tax conformity are adopted. He emphasized that the Legislature must decide whether to use one-time money, make more cuts, or restore structural balance. Members debated whether the budget problem was driven by recent tax cuts and revenue assumptions, and several said they were reluctant to cut Medicaid further. No formal votes or actions were taken, and the committee adjourned after asking members to send feedback before the chair’s upcoming JFAC presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• excellent resolution from our majority leader Quinlan to ensure that UH is included in the list of schools
• in</c><00:21:03.600><c> the</c><00:21:03.760><c> list</c><00:21:03.919><c> of</c><00:21:04.159><c> schools
• </c> uh is included in the list of schools uh is included in the list of schools required<00:21:05.360
• required</c><00:22:26.880><c> to</c><00:22:27.200><c> complete</c><00:22:27.520><c> a</c> list of schools
• required to complete a list of schools required to complete a list<00:22:27.919><c> of</c><00:22:28.080

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education held a resolutions hearing on March 19 and heard testimony on a series of University of Hawaii-related measures. Topics included exploring an Alzheimer’s disease research center and federal funding requirements, establishing a BSN program at UH Maui, expanding student mental health services, supporting Hawaiian language resources at the Kawaihuani Center, creating a homeless student stability and housing resource program, forming a veterinary medicine expansion working group, and compiling a list of bachelor’s programs aligned with regional job needs. Testimony was generally supportive, with UH representatives often noting that several initiatives were already underway or that systemwide assessments and planning processes were in progress. For the veterinary medicine measure, UH said Windward Community College would not be the ideal location for a doctoral program, but the system would be willing to study the issue systemwide. For the Maui nursing program, UH said it had already received authorization to plan and was working through the curriculum approval process, with a goal of offering the program in fall 2026. For the student basic needs resolution, UH said a systemwide assessment covered all campuses and islands, with a report expected in summer or fall. In decision making, the committee recommended passage of HCR 31/HR 30, HCR 73/HR 66, HCR 96/HR 92, and HCR 97/HR 93 as is, and all were adopted without objection. HCR 124/HR 120 and HCR 125/HR 121 were passed with amendments, including a technical amendment and a request to send a certified copy to the Kawaihuani Center director. HCR 195/HR 188 was passed with amendments to add a UH Hilo representative to the veterinary working group, and HCR 196/HR 189 was passed with amendments to include UH and HMC in the list of schools developing job-aligned bachelor’s program lists and to incorporate HMSO style changes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• especially honored to recognize an amazing group of students and chaperones from Kahakai Elementary School
• join me and give a warm Senate welcome to the students and administrators from Kahakai Elementary School
• students and chaperon from kahakai students and chaperon from kahakai elementary<00:04:08.079><c> school
• my alma moer um in Kyu elementary school my alma moer um in Kyu aona<00:04:12.079><c> who</c><00:04:
• Tyler Senator dequ announce your school Tyler Senator dequ announce your name<00:05:21.560><c> while

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, called the roll, and approved the previous day’s journal. Members then made several introductions recognizing visitors in the gallery, including staff and guests connected to tourism, a group from the Luso-American Development Foundation from Portugal, and students and administrators from Kahakai Elementary School. Senator Kim also introduced four University of Hawaiʻi Shidler College of Business Travel Industry Management students and their academic advisor and professor. Senator DeCoite spoke about Tourism Day at the Capitol, thanking HTA, HBCB, CNH, and Kilohana for their participation and youth-focused tourism programs, and later introduced the FLAD visitors from Lisbon, Portugal. The clerk reported Governor’s Message Nos. 713 to 717 transmitting nominations to boards and commissions, and Governor’s Message No. 718 withdrawing a nomination to the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund board. The Senate also received Senate Concurrent Resolutions 51 to 67 and Senate Resolutions 33 to 51 for referral to committee, which were ordered referred. The Chair announced that the deadline to file Senate Concurrent Resolutions and Senate Resolutions with the Clerk’s Office was 4:30 p.m. that day. At the close of business, Senator Wai moved that the Senate stand in recess, leaving the journal open until 4:30 p.m. for receipt of resolutions and reconvene at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 10. Senator Dort seconded the motion, and the Senate recessed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• I spent the last year researching the kids of 12 school facilities, which is a huge problem.
• I think we know that having a high school degree is helpful in life. That's why I sort of focus.
• I think we know that having a high school degree is helpful in forms.
• And when I think of issues like the school-to-jail, the school-to-prison pipeline—something that I, you
• Some of these kids are high school, high school level of high school; they're in high school.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission on correctional consolidation and collaboration heard testimony focused on how Massachusetts uses custody levels, staffing, programming, and medical release tools, with Prisoners’ Legal Services arguing that the system is overusing expensive high-security settings and underusing step-down options. Dave Rainey said the incarcerated population has dropped substantially over the last several years, but spending and staffing have not fallen in proportion. He argued that DOC overclassifies people into medium and maximum security, relies too heavily on behavioral assessment units that function like segregation, and keeps people in restrictive settings such as Souza-Baranowski and Shattuck Hospital longer than necessary. He also said medical parole is underused and that many people with serious chronic illness or advanced age pose little public-safety risk and should be released through existing legal pathways. Sheriffs and other commission members pushed back on some of those points, emphasizing that staffing needs are driven by the acuity of the current population, that corrections is not overstaffed, and that classification decisions involve serious public-safety judgments. They also stressed that some high-cost medical placements are necessary because people remain under sentence and require care, and that furloughs and other release tools can create security risks if contraband or substance use is involved. The discussion also covered the role of county sheriffs versus DOC in reentry, with several members saying county systems tend to do more day-to-day step-down and release planning, while DOC has more difficulty moving people through lower-security settings before release. Ben Foreman of MassINC offered a more systemwide, data-focused perspective, praising the state’s transparency and arguing that Massachusetts has made major progress in reducing incarceration and increasing public safety. He said the state still has an opportunity to improve by right-sizing facilities, investing in community-based mental health treatment, and using the commission to better understand the capital and operating costs of the current system. In response to questions, he said he was aware of DOC studies on programs like furlough but had not reviewed recent ones, and he noted that total-control facilities like Souza-Baranowski have long been criticized in the research literature for poor outcomes. Nora Wassel of the Women and Incarceration Project then testified that the commission should issue an interim report and scrutinize the planned new women’s prison, which she said is not justified by current population trends or available data. She argued that women are overclassified under DOC’s own tools, that reentry beds and minimum-security placements are underused, and that the system may be failing to account for women’s distinct medical and reentry needs. The meeting ended with continued discussion of reentry, furloughs, day reporting, and whether consolidation should mean fewer facilities, better step-down pathways, or both.

Transcript Highlights:

• And watching Nick dance to songs we grew up to in high school.
• You know, we're a lot like middle school, and how we act is a lot like middle school.
• Well, Majority Leader, I think he's sometimes never left middle school.
• And he stopped and turned to me, and this was a high academics school, a wonderful school.
• She's my high school girlfriend from Puerto Rico. Love her to pieces.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• where one student Chesterfield School where one student had<00:34:05.279><c> the</c><00:34:05.519><c
• We're going to have to send you back to school to learn how to count. Thank you, Marupial.
• We've done it for schools.
• We've done it for schools.
• We've done it for a number of schools.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 94, which would prohibit municipal amendments to the state building code and move New Hampshire toward a more uniform statewide code. Senator McConi and several supporters, including the Josiah Barlo Center for Public Policy, the State Fire Marshal, the Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association, argued that local variations create confusion, raise housing costs, and make compliance harder for builders operating in multiple towns. The Fire Marshal said the goal is a single state building and fire code with only limited administrative amendments at the local level, not technical changes, and noted that municipalities could still seek exceptions through the Building Code Review Board if needed. The chair explained that a similar House bill was already moving forward with fire code and administrative amendment language, and members agreed that retaining SB 94 would avoid conflicting bills. The committee then voted to retain SB 94 by roll call, 13-0, with no minority report. The committee then took up Senate Bill 30, which would designate the Virginia opossum as New Hampshire’s state marsupial. Senator Fenton presented the bill as a light-hearted measure inspired by Chesterfield School fourth graders, who had submitted written testimony and supported the idea. Members discussed the bill in a humorous but mostly supportive way, with one member objecting that it trivialized the legislature, while others said it could help engage students in the legislative process. The committee voted ought to pass on SB 30, 11-2, and agreed to place it on consent with no minority report. Later, the committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 95, concerning youth camp cabins and state fire/building codes. Senator McConi said the bill would exempt new residential cabins in youth recreation camps from sprinkler requirements and allow them to omit electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems, while requiring any such systems that are present to comply with state code. He said the measure was intended to resolve recurring interpretation problems that have caused expense and uncertainty for camp owners, and he praised work with the Fire Marshal’s office to reach a workable compromise. Representative Schmidt asked about cabin sizes and whether larger cabins with multiple occupants would still be safe; the senator explained that camps typically use counselors, drills, and supervision, and that the people behind him could answer more detailed questions. The transcript cuts off before the hearing concludes or any vote is taken on SB 95.

Transcript Highlights:

• was a Lunenburg resident who grew up in nearby Lancaster and graduated from Nashoba Regional High School
• was a Lunenburg resident who grew up in nearby Lancaster and graduated from Nashoba Regional High School
• Governor, item 7061- That notwithstanding the actions of the Governor, item 7061-901010, Charter School
• That, notwithstanding the actions of the Governor, item 7077-0023, Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine
• Kennedy and was born and raised in Lowell, graduating from Lowell High School before earning a bachelor's

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first took up several procedural orders extending reporting deadlines for the Committees on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity; Health Care Financing; and Public Health. All three orders were adopted after suspension of the rules. The chamber also concurred in Senate petitions referred under Joint Rule 12, including proposals on cosmetology license reciprocity, judicial and clerical matters, retirement pension notarizations, and automated curb enforcement. The House then suspended Joint Rule 12 for additional petitions on Medicaid coverage for autism treatment and assistive technologies and on a gubernatorial proclamation for Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The House passed to be enacted two local bills: House 2320, establishing an appointed treasurer-collector in Berkeley, and House 4136, further regulating stabilization funds in Leicester. It also ordered several bills to a third reading, including measures on employment discrimination based on legal cannabis use, the role of the governor’s council on the ballot, absentee voting, ballot uniformity and election ballots, changing Chicopee’s mayoral term from two years to four, and regulating employer use of credit reports. Later, the House accepted and adopted a gubernatorial amendment to the FY2026 appropriations bill related to vital statistics. The bulk of the session focused on FY2026 budget veto overrides. The House considered and approved multiple Ways and Means recommendations to let appropriations stand notwithstanding the Governor’s vetoes, including items for administrative staff in the trial courts, state parks and recreation, nursing facility rate add-ons, community services for the blind, substance addiction services, early intervention services, Korea Technical Institutes, the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, shelter workforce assistance, housing services and counseling, regional economic development grants, charter school reimbursement, and the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine program. Roll call votes on these items generally passed by wide margins. The House also observed moments of silence for Bolton Police Chief Amos Luke Hamburger and former Senator Edward J. Kennedy Jr., and then adopted an order to adjourn to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• facility will be used. ...functions or sports for which the building or facility will be used by the school
• If such school board approval plan is not executed within two years of the plan's approval, such unused
• disclosures, and we added in Representative Faruze's bill around the sale of the deeds of public schools
• It's, in fact, you know, when you go back to law school, it's called the case in controversy.
• It's, in fact, you know, when you go back to law school, it's called the case in controversy.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The Commerce Committee first met in executive session and considered a substitute for Senate Bill 973. Members adopted an amendment that revised the bill’s title and removed language tied to “certain written disclosures” and a two-year unused-facilities requirement from related school property language. After adopting the amendment and rolling it into the House Committee substitute, the committee voted the bill do pass by a 6-3 roll call vote. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 907 and related bills, dealing with abusive website access litigation. Senator Brad Hudson said the measure targets a single plaintiff’s pattern of threatening businesses with ADA-related website lawsuits and settlements, and explained changes made to refine definitions and extend coverage to political subdivisions. Witnesses from the Missouri Chamber, NFIB, Associated Industries of Missouri, the Columbia Chamber, the Missouri Insurance Coalition, and the Missouri Broadband Providers Association testified in support, describing the suits as costly and coercive for small businesses and nonprofits. Members questioned the scope of the bill, including whether it should also cover churches and nonprofits, and whether the “good faith” standard in the Senate version was too vague or burdensome. A committee attorney explained that good faith would likely be a fact-based issue decided by a court under a preponderance standard. Several members expressed support for narrowing the bill to avoid broader tort reform, while others raised concerns about litigation costs and the lack of an early mechanism to stop abusive suits. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Marzan, a Sacramento native, Elk Grove High School graduate, and Army reservist.
• A Sacramento native, Elk Grove High School graduate, and Army reservist who was killed on March 1 in
• Judge Clay is a graduate of the law school and retired from the Alameda County Superior Court in 2024
• He is an attorney and a graduate from the law school.
• He is an attorney and a graduate from the law school.

Summary: The Senate opened with a roll call establishing a quorum, a moment of silence for Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, and a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Pérez then introduced representatives of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, highlighting the organization’s community role and economic impact. The body also approved the Senate journals and moved to confirmations and resolutions. Three gubernatorial appointments were confirmed unanimously or near-unanimously: C.N.R. Lomeli to the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and C. Don Clay and Joshua Pertula to the University of California College of Law and San Francisco Board of Directors. The Senate then adopted SCR 120, designating National Consumer Protection Week and Slam the Scam Day, after remarks on fraud, senior scams, data brokers, and a Pleasant Hill cryptocurrency scam case in which law enforcement recovered stolen funds. The resolution passed 36-0, and the floor recognized Pleasant Hill police and Secret Service personnel involved in the case. The Senate also adopted SCR 126 proclaiming March 9, 2026 as Special Olympics Day, with support emphasizing inclusion and the organization’s programs in California; SCR 79 designating Sleep Health Awareness Week, with discussion of sleep deprivation and support for permanent standard time; SCR 135 declaring Peace Corps Week, with remarks on volunteer service and returned Peace Corps members; and SR 83 recognizing Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, stressing early screening and disparities in outcomes. Each of these resolutions passed unanimously or by unanimous roll call. After adoption, the Senate welcomed guests tied to each measure, including Special Olympics athletes, returned Peace Corps volunteers, and colorectal cancer advocates. The session concluded with adjournment in memory of Paul McAley and Robert Uyoha, honoring their professional, civic, and family contributions. The Senate then recessed, with the next floor session announced for March 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Marzan, a Sacramento native, Elk Grove High School graduate, and Army reservist who was killed on March
• A Sacramento native and Elk Grove High School graduate and Army reservist who was killed on March 1 in
• Judge Clay is a graduate of the law school and retired from the Alameda County Superior Court in 2024
• He is an attorney and a graduate of the law school.
• legislature passed Senate Bill 328 by Senator Portentino in 2019 to support, in support of moving school

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Patty Rendon, Hillsborough County School Board, and these are some of my students from Hillsborough
• And this is the third school we've had in the last two weeks.
• member here today and to help celebrate our children that came up from Hillsborough County Public Schools
• And as a school board member, I always thought I would retire as a school board member, never thought
• And as a school board member, I always thought I would retire as a school board member, never thought

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met to consider three bills before moving to its budget presentation. HB 843, relating to Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission trust funds, was explained as a set of clarifying changes to improve budget flexibility, including use of certain trust funds for law enforcement and other conservation-related purposes. After questions about whether the bill would shift resources away from conservation, an amendment removed the sections dealing with the Administrative Trust Fund and the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund. The amended bill received support in public testimony and was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 295, which directs the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan by 2026 based on prior recycling recommendations. Supporters, including students involved in an “Ought to Be a Law” program and representatives from the waste and recycling industry, said the bill would create a roadmap for improving recycling and waste diversion. An opponent argued the state should instead enact more direct statutory changes on issues such as food waste, yard waste, and manure handling rather than study them further. Members praised the student participation and the bill passed. HB 339, creating a temporary alternative credentialing pathway for surveyors and mappers, was presented as a response to workforce shortages and an aging profession. The sponsor said the bill would help meet demand while preserving oversight, and an amendment added a four-year work requirement and adjusted renewal provisions. After brief supportive debate, the amended bill passed. The subcommittee then received its Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget proposal, which emphasized spending reductions, vacant-position cuts, and a smaller overall budget than the current year while still funding water resources, Everglades restoration, resiliency, land management, cleanup programs, agriculture facilities, and other projects. Members closed by thanking the chair for an inclusive budget process, and the meeting adjourned after a motion to rise.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is by Representative Howard, Health Resources for Texas schools respiratory emergencies.
• This would be $17.9 million to increase funding at DSHS to increase public schools' access to asthma
• And Asthma is a huge problem for our school age children and it keeps them out of school, so this could
• help us keep, keep them in school.
• OK, page 54, sickle cell guidelines for public schools.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article II

Transcript Highlights:

• And I will also, just so everyone knows, we passed that school choice bill five times.
• But at the desk that Senator Mays is sitting at, we have repeatedly not only passed the school choice
• Senator [Menendez](link from function call): We not only passed the school choice bill five times, but
• He'll be certainly on point with a tremendous change in Texas which long overdue which is school choice
• If you're one of the guys that traveled here today that attended high school with me or college, would

Bills: SCR7

Keywords: legislature, adjournment, permissions, Texas Constitution, session, legislative authority, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Crere Prairie is a legend in this school.
• Prior to medical school, there's guidance, mentorship, and test prep to help people get to the place
• where they can get into medical school.
• In medical school, there are things that can be done and that are being done.
• Currently, certified nurse midwives, RNs who go back to school for a master's-level education, attend

Keywords: 988, house, all