Transcript Highlights:

• , right, and an application process.
• I want to leave that open for PED to develop their own process of choosing where it would go and who
• I hope we can get more scientists and engineers out of this process, so I'm looking forward to that.
• They need to be managed by a contracted vendor connected to a continuously staffed operations center.
• The procurement laws we have in the RFP processes would still apply.

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I've gone since then and talked with Commissioner Maryfield about this second injury fund process and
• And he has informed him that I'd like to see this go through a full process of a bill, since there's
• It went through the legislative process. Here it is.
• It went through the<00:32:47.360><c> legislative</c><00:32:48.039><c> process.
• </c><00:32:50.240><c> And</c> the legislative process. Here it is. And the legislative process.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Compounding this problem, which is a punitive action with no due process for those who are innocent,
• The re-entry process is an opportunity to provide people with essential healthcare services.
• So, um, members of sunset process offers us an opportunity.
• This will improve the fairness, consistency, and transparency decision making process of BPP.
• The legislation is significant in the reentry rehabilitation process for release.

Bills: HB153

Committee: House Corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate your interest and participation in the legislative process.
• We're seeing government contracts.
• We're seeing government contracts.
• It is perverting the process.
• And involved in the political process.

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you explain what this new process is and why it needs to be changed?
• A couple of examples of that is if they've had a role in the design process.
• /c><00:50:36.440><c> design</c> they've had a role in the design they've had a role in the design process
• . process. process.
• this is a presumption that there's no liability if the contractor followed the specs within the contract

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you have all the contracts. You have to pay up front.
• They are looking at how they can streamline that process, because right now the permitting process is
• That the permitting process is in the 12-year time frame?
• So just wanted to... ...following that new process at that time.
• Do they begin at the start of the permitting process?

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a long-term contract with this particular customer? >> Mr. Meyer? >> Yes, ma'am.
• Is there a long-term<00:15:30.399><c> contract</c><00:15:30.880><c> with</c><00:15:31.199><c> this</c
• ><00:15:31.519><c> particular</c> long-term contract with this particular long-term contract with this
• Um, so you also mentioned that you have a three-year contract with this in the context of a load that
• A three-year contract with this, in the context of a load that seems to dwarf the amount of energy that

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• with the Fort Myers Beach Fire District and establishes Representative Giallombardo: a transition process
• You served on the county government, you understand that process.
• This is a process. This and it will have to weigh in.
• This is a long, drawn-out process. To use the colloquial phrase, this is how the sausage is made.
• This process matters and the bill has changed as it has gone through the process and it's better for

Transcript Highlights:

• . down the process.
• This creates a barrier to efficiency in the title transfer process. a problem.
• The department currently requires a cumbersome multi-step process.
• This process leads to operational inefficiencies, increased costs and processing time, potential legal
• MyPlates is the official state partner contracted by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to market

Bills: HB341 , HB469 , HB971 , HB1624 , HB2721 , HB2959 , HB3365 , HB3731 , HB3793 , HB3861 , HB3946 , HB3966 , HB4348 , HB4401 , HB4402 , HB4924 , HB4966 , HB5563

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, commercial vehicle, safety standards, enforcement, Texas counties, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I will also give you an update on how this act is making its way through the legislative process; this
• This process exemplifies what the legislative process can look like at its very best.
• What's the thought process there? What's changed that makes that term no longer appropriate?
• It was an informal arrangement, but it probably was like a contract or anything, right?
• Just thanks again to everybody involved in this process.

Bills: HF2233 , HF1999 , HF1995 , HF1614 , HF2781 , HF1775 , HF1316 , HF2127 , HF2521 , HF689 , HF2380 , HF1273

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• Has there been any thought process with regards to that?
• Has there been any thought process with regards to that? Thank you for the question.
• We've got a long-term contract with Massabesic, with wholesale water.
• </c> and I just was curious what the process and I just was curious what the process was<00:44:03.760
• process process and<01:02:57.559><c> we</c><01:02:58.559><c> it</c><01:02:58.640><c> would</c><01:02

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that process, I think, was a three-month process.
• And so it's been a learning process for all of us.
• We've actually been changing and improving the process along the way.
• So after the emergency rulemaking process comes a process where you have to then go through the normal
• rulemaking process with a longer public comment period and all of that.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened, established quorum, and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear: Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair/member assignments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by unanimous votes. The committee then heard and advanced two appointments requiring testimony. Dr. Hernando Garzon, nominated as chief medical officer for the Emergency Medical Services Authority, discussed his background in emergency medicine, disaster response, EMS data modernization, local flexibility within statewide standards, ambulance offload time regulations, stakeholder engagement, and alternatives to emergency transport such as community paramedicine and telehealth. Members pressed him on strategic planning, rural and climate-related disaster response, ambulance rate reporting, and how EMSA can better protect vulnerable people during evacuations; his appointment was approved 4-0 and sent to the Senate floor. Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health, described her tribal background, prior public service, and focus on health equity, behavioral health, tribal consultation, data, and community-led programs. Senators asked about measuring outcomes, serving rural communities, balancing equity work amid federal DEI opposition, youth mental health, and preventing fraud or waste through transparency. Public commenters, including tribal, health, and community advocates, strongly supported her nomination. Her appointment was also approved 4-0 and forwarded to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• This goal is shared by the 911 Board as a whole, and I look forward to continuing that process.
• in closing the continuing that process in closing the 911<00:08:17.960><c> board</c><00:08:18.199><c
• I think it's just talking about the process, whereas 911 is what allowed you to use a mobile phone to
• whereas in 911 is what allowed process whereas in 911 is what allowed you<00:21:59.799><c> to</c><00
• I also manage all of the PSAP-related contracts for the Kī Police Department, and in doing so, always

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and discussed three nominations to the 911 Board: Matthew Kurara (Governor’s Message 505), Re Mahuna (Governor’s Message 614), and Rebecca Liberman/Weberman (Governor’s Message 661). Kurara, a Honolulu Police Department communications captain, said he would bring PSAP and dispatch experience to the board, with a focus on Next Generation 911, better coordination among PSAPs, and recruiting and retaining telecommunicators. Mahuna, a longtime Hawaiʻi Police Department officer and current board member, emphasized his emergency-response experience during disasters on the Big Island and his support for improving communication through Next Generation 911, including the new joint call center on Hawaiʻi Island. Liberman, the board’s VoIP representative and a Charter/Spectrum government affairs director, said she was continuing her second term and would keep working on legislative and government issues, including the statutory change removing “enhanced” from the board’s name to better support Next Gen efforts. Members asked each nominee about rural coverage, redundancy, training, broadband, radio-system limitations, and how Next Generation 911 would affect service in places like Puna and other rural areas. The nominees generally said the system is designed with redundancy so service would revert to backup systems if new technology fails, and that the main challenges in rural areas are often broader communications or radio issues rather than 911 itself. Kurara and Mahuna both said each PSAP currently handles much of its own training, though there is interest in more standardization and national best practices. Liberman explained that VoIP calls generally work over the internet and may benefit from Next Gen, but that location/address issues for some internet-based calling services may still need further review. The committee also discussed public education about text-to-911, the use of technologies such as FirstNet, and whether the E911 special fund ceiling needed to be raised again. Mahuna said he did not see a current need to raise the ceiling further. Written testimony was received in support of all three nominees, including support from public officials, law enforcement, county agencies, and private individuals. No opposition testimony was noted, and the chair said decisions would be made later with the other nominees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, there's nothing in the bill that changes anything about the teacher contracts.
• 14 fewer days of instruction or 23 fewer days of instruction, but we continue to have a 200-day contract
• . ...instruction or 23 fewer days of instruction, but we continue to have a 200-day contract for our

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They also began the process for NEPA.
• Can move forward with our public comment process.
• So the process for the consent decree is pretty clear.
• and the bag-drop process.
• process managed by the Transportation Commission.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session on two major corridor projects before moving to public hearing and executive session. In the Yakima area, WSDOT, Yakima County, and Ecology described the Interstate 82/east-west connector work as a coordinated effort to add capacity, improve interchanges, and address the Boise Cascade mill site contamination that sits in the project footprint. County and Ecology witnesses said the county is ready to remove wood waste and contaminated material, but the project is stalled pending a draft work plan and a de minimis consent decree; several senators pressed for faster action and clearer direction from Ecology. The committee then heard an update on the SR 3 Belfair freight corridor, where WSDOT said environmental review is complete and the next major step is an access hearing this summer, followed by right-of-way acquisition and construction likely in late 2027 or early 2028. Local and tribal partners emphasized the project’s importance for freight mobility, housing growth, emergency access, and regional economic development. The public hearing was on engrossed substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation resources bill that largely tracks provisions from prior legislation but also adds or changes several tax and account provisions. Staff explained that the bill clarifies fuel tax and peer-to-peer tax distributions, treats trade-in value differently for recreational vessel and luxury vehicle taxes, provides a six-month motor home exemption and penalty waiver for the luxury vehicle tax, allows lease payments to be made over time, exempts tribal members and nonresidents, creates a Preserve Washington account, changes some transfer timing, and repeals the luxury aircraft tax. Testimony was mixed: aviation groups supported repealing the luxury aircraft tax; trucking and some citizens opposed fuel tax and diesel tax increases; Sound Transit, transit advocates, labor, and ferry interests asked for amendments such as 75-year bonding authority, mobile driver’s licenses, ferry funding, and bike education funding. Alaska Airlines and Delta also supported adding mobile ID language. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills, including SHB 1823, SHB 2114, E2SHB 2251, SHB 2323, SHB 2410, EHB 2588, 2SHB 1923, and HB 2495, all with due pass recommendations after adopting amendments where applicable. The committee adopted a striking amendment to E2SHB 2251 adjusting Climate Commitment Act account distributions and a striking amendment to EHB 2588 limiting the ferry district changes to Whatcom County and removing the voter-approval tax provision. It also adopted an amendment to 2SHB 1923 that added further conditions for passenger-only ferry districts, including whale-protection and fare-related provisions. Senator King voted no on E2SHB 2251, objecting that the bill reduced the transportation share of Climate Commitment Act revenues. The chair announced one more executive action meeting would be held Wednesday morning, with amendment requests due the prior day.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there is a clawback if something would interrupt this construction process.
• They are looking at how they can streamline that process, because right now, the permitting process is
• Is that our permitting process in the 12-year time frame?
• Do they begin at the start of the permitting process?
• millions of dollars to, in fact, get to the get-go of this process.

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The Committee on Utilities first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee substitute for House Bills 2658, 2147, 2472, and 2546 by a roll call vote of 20 ayes and 1 no. The substitute expanded telephone solicitation language to include unsolicited real estate solicitations, adjusted reassigned-number compliance language, and refined spoofing-related definitions to focus on intent to cause harm or wrongfully obtain value. Members also discussed how the no-call list, existing business relationships, and political fundraising calls would be treated under the substitute. The committee then heard House Bills 1626 and 2122, both relating to nuclear energy and construction work in progress (CWIP/QIP) financing for nuclear projects. The sponsors argued the bills would remove an outdated barrier to nuclear construction in Missouri, especially for small modular reactors, by allowing utilities to recover construction costs during construction and thereby reduce interest and overall project cost. They emphasized ratepayer protections through clawback provisions, the role of the Public Service Commission, future energy demand, economic development, and keeping Missouri competitive with other states. Several members raised concerns about higher utility rates, the risk of cost overruns, the possibility of ratepayers paying for projects that are delayed or never completed, and whether the proposal was premature given that SMRs are not yet widely deployed in the United States. In response, the sponsors and supporters said the bill would include refund protections similar to Senate Bill 4 and that the PSC would oversee prudence and timing. Public witnesses in support included business, utility, and municipal representatives, as well as Missouri S&T’s chancellor, who stressed workforce development and the growing national and global move toward nuclear power. The hearing on House Bills 1626 and 2122 was then closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that process, I think, was a three-month process.
• And so it's been a learning process for all of us.
• We've actually been changing and improving the process along the way.
• So after the emergency rulemaking process comes a process where you have to then go through the normal
• To me, it's always process oriented. What is working? What's not?

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I haven't inquired as to the process and who all was involved in that.
• Nothing to do with HB4, nothing to do with our redistricting process.
• I knew that he was involved in the redistricting process and I called him.
• There is nothing that is not transparent in this process.
• Non-confusing process, like with hundreds of bills in our regular session.

Bills: SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB4 , HB1 , HB3 , HB20 , HB22 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , HB4 , SB2 , SB5

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• Has there ever been a process, and maybe this is for the Chair, has there ever been a process to, like
• </c><02:17:20.160><c> violation</c> power due process violation power due process violation uh<02:17:
• </c> process aims to accelerate the process process aims to accelerate the process of<02:20:01.479><c
• There is due process, right?
• </c><02:24:21.040><c> right</c><02:24:21.520><c> the</c> process there is due process right the process

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1233, relating to storm management systems, which would add safety and maintenance requirements for detention and retention ponds. Supporters, including Alison Schafers of the Ki Injury Prevention Coalition and Kristen Herstead of the Hawaii Lifeguard Association, said the measure is needed because poorly maintained ponds can become hidden drowning hazards, especially for children, and argued that fencing, signage, and life-saving equipment would have minimal cost. Schafers described the death of her daughter in a detention pond and said the bill reflects recommendations in the Hawaii Water Safety Plan. Members asked about whether the issue should be handled at the county level; testifiers responded that a statewide standard is needed, though counties would likely handle permitting. No vote was taken on the bill during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HB 867, relating to recreational facilities, which would require accessible playgrounds. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it submitted comments and that state parks do not generally have recreational facilities affected by the bill, while most such facilities are under county jurisdiction. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability Communication Access Board, and the Disability Rights Center all supported the bill’s intent but recommended changes, including replacing the term “special needs” with “accessible,” focusing the requirement on new and renovated playgrounds, and specifying wheelchair-accessible swings. Testifiers emphasized that accessible play spaces promote inclusion for children with disabilities and benefit all children. No final action or vote was reported. The committee also took up HB 1358, relating to a public land trust working group. DLNR supported the measure and said it had provided written comments, while the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported the bill and described longstanding problems with incomplete land inventories, self-reported revenue data, and disputed public land trust payments. OHA said an audit it funded suggests the state owes more than current payments reflect, and other supporters said the bill is needed for transparency, accountability, and a complete inventory of public trust lands, including submerged lands. Committee questions focused on how the public land trust information system is maintained, who updates it, and how revenue reporting works; DLNR said the system is older, has limited dedicated IT staffing, and relies on agency self-reporting rather than independent verification. No vote or final committee action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• This isn't a new process.
• , that considers due process, and we should all be very proud of this. ...rights, that considers process
• They have to go through the process anyway.
• They're already going through the process.
• It's a negotiation process.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness, and a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Senators also paid tribute to former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron with a moment of silence. The chamber then moved to special-order bills after routine announcements that no committee reports, governor’s messages, or House messages were on the desk. The first major bill, SB 138/HB 687 on transportation offenses involving death, increased penalties for repeat DUI/BUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide offenses and added warnings and misdemeanor penalties for refusing lawful breath or urine tests. After a brief amendment and questions about attorney rights and prior impairing-substance language, the bill passed 37-0. SB 306 on Medicaid providers followed, requiring broader provider access, including after-hours availability and more primary care access for Medicaid enrollees; it also passed 37-0. The chamber then took up the major condominium reform bill, SB 1742/HB 913, addressing post-Surfside safety, reserve funding, milestone inspections, budgeting, reserve flexibility, manager regulation, conflicts of interest, and condo sale rescission periods. Senators from both parties praised the sponsors for extensive stakeholder work and the bill passed 37-0 after multiple amendments. The final major item was SB 7016/HB 1205 on constitutional amendments and petition-gathering rules, with sponsors arguing the bill was needed to combat fraud in the 2024 petition process and opponents warning it would burden citizen initiatives. The Senate adopted the House bill and then considered numerous amendments on petition circulator rules, submission deadlines, invalid-signature thresholds, voter notification, and related enforcement provisions; several amendments were adopted, and the substitute was later withdrawn, leaving the chamber to continue on the underlying bill and remaining amendments.