Transcript Highlights:

• The IT program was designed to recruit diverse and highly qualified special education workforce because
• IT program engaged in the classroom the IT program uh<00:02:14.680> was<00:02:14.920> designed
• to<00:02:15.599> recruit<00:02:16.120> diverse<00:02:16.599> and uh was designed
• to recruit diverse and uh was designed to recruit diverse and highly<00:02:17.160> qualified<
• though I was just part of the design though I was just part of the design team<01:03:49.799>

Bills: HF846, HF1538, HF1959

Keywords: education, special education, apprenticeship, funding, grants, intermediate school districts, teacher apprenticeship, registered apprenticeship, teacher licensure, teacher shortage, workforce development, education finance, K-12 education, higher education, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, Tier 3 license, teacher preparation, mentor teacher, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• or commercial buildings, heard of the Committee on State Affairs, HB 1361 by Hernandez. of funds designated
• assistance provided by the Department of Family and Protective Services to a certain relative or designated
• Designated meola of the official suites capital of texas of the 10-year period ending in 2035 replacing
• HCR 99 by Speller, designating the Texas strip stake as the official stake of Texas and directing the
• H.C.R. 101 by King, Designating the Bureau of State Affairs. tomahawk rib eye steak as the official steak

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a healthy aging bill designed to help older... It is not primarily an education bill.
• It is a healthy aging bill designed to help older Californians remain connected, informed, engaged, and
• In San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, the local area agency on aging is de-designating.
• But losing critical ADRC funding and our designation simply because the partner is not the original one
• But under current law, when an ADRC partner undergoes a transition, the ADRC designation can be lost.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They came up with the app, and their curriculum is designed for teachers to actually use.
• It's structured, modular, and designed to drop into an existing class without messing up the pacing of
• c><00:32:42.080> is and their curriculum is used um is and their curriculum is used um is designed
• designed for teachers to actually use. designed for teachers to actually use.
• It's structured, modular, and designed It's structured, modular, and designed to<00:32:46.960>

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the January 27, 2026 journal as corrected, and noted several roll-call corrections. A committee report from State Veterans and Military Affairs recommended Senate Bill 4 be amended and sent to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The president also announced signing of Senate bills and Senate Joint Resolution 5. The bulk of the meeting consisted of announcements and recognitions. Senators highlighted visits from the Colorado Council of 911 Authorities, Colorado Mesa University, CASE members, physical therapists and students, Rooted Christian Academy, the state community college system, a sportsmen’s legislative reception, and an open house for National Unclaimed Property Day. Senator Carson recognized Mountain Vista High School students who created a financial literacy curriculum and app to teach budgeting, banking, credit, interest, and debt, tying their work to last year’s financial literacy legislation. Committee scheduling announcements included the Joint Health and Human Services Committee meeting after House adjournment with the Joint Budget Committee presenting the governor’s budget, no Judiciary Committee meeting that day, and the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee’s first meeting to hear confirmations, Senate Joint Resolution 1, and Senate Bill 103. The Senate then recessed until 11:00 a.m. after a motion by the Majority Leader.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Joint Resolution 17, a joint resolution designated the Cerulean Veterans Memorial Bridge in Trigg
• House Joint Resolution 18, a joint resolution designated the Elmer Carman Miller and PFC Clarence Osbert
• <00:23:07.360> the<00:23:07.600> Cerulean resolution designated the Cerulean resolution
• designated the Cerulean Veterans<00:23:08.799> Memorial<00:23:09.200> Bridge<00:23:09.520
• the Elmer Carman resolution designated the Elmer Carman Miller<00:23:17.120> and<00:23:17.360

Keywords: Video Starts 00:00 Convene 06:39 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 13:20 Introductions of New Bills and Resolutions 17:05 Adjournment 23:56, 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky House convened, heard the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 95 members present, excused absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from January 7, 2026. No committee reports, second readings, or floor amendments were needed during the session. The House adopted House Citation No. 3, adjourning in loving memory and honor of Gary Bennett Shell, the father of Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell and a former member’s colleague. Members offered remarks about his illness, his impact on his community and family, and requested a moment of silence. The chamber also heard a brief announcement about the KPA Big Boy Breakfast scheduled for the next morning. A long list of new bills and resolutions was introduced, covering topics including medical debt reporting, protection of minors on digital platforms, property tax exemptions and constitutional amendments, veterans benefits, emergency management services, student loan repayment and apprenticeship tax credits, abandoned property, residency definitions for postsecondary education, animal services tax exemptions, high school graduation requirements, Ten Commandments displays in public schools, animal control officers, disabled veterans benefits, hospital police departments, involuntary commitment, school lunches, hazardous duty and line-of-duty disability benefits, reading and language arts instruction, criminal procedure, education accountability, milk transportation, citizenship requirements for elected officials, student support personnel, school psychologist licensure compact, aircraft sales tax exemptions, glucagon, theft by deception, insurance regulatory authorizations, healthcare workforce credentials, welcome centers and rest areas, flags of remembrance, wages, affordable housing, legislative ethics, barbering, veterans’ benefits protections, KEES scholarships for non-certified schools, chickens on residential property, school nutrition, hospital price transparency, mental health and substance use coverage, food donation, vehicle lights, and several memorial bridge designations and an aviation economic development task force. The House then adjourned until 9:00 a.m. Friday, January 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• for instruction in general, projects that are over the 50 million threshold, and it also specifies design
• If you are requesting a project in the design phase, you have to have a 25 match.
• requesting an athletics project, they have to be over 50 million That has to have a 50 match in the design
• There is no threshold but they have to come up with a 50 match in the design phase. Thank you, Mr.
• In a future year, it's earmarking funds for NMSU, and then it's also designating 100 million for those

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're designed to provide property tax relief to homeowners and renters whose property taxes are high
• There are different types of TIF districts designed with different purposes.
• with different purposes for designed with different purposes for example<00:53:53.079> housing
• districts are designed example housing districts are designed to<00:53:54.799> develop<00:53:
• <00:58:48.559> for<00:58:49.359> so the type of district is designed for so the type

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Tax Committee met to hear a House Research presentation from Jared Swanson on Minnesota’s property tax system. Before the presentation, the chair announced that the committee would put the governor’s budget on hold until the department could provide the information needed for a proper hearing. The committee then approved the prior meeting minutes without objection. Swanson gave an overview of how property taxes are structured and collected in Minnesota, explaining that the state uses a levy-based system in which local governments set levies and counties collect and distribute payments. He described the property tax cycle, the difference between referendum market value and net tax capacity, and how classification rates shift tax burdens among property types. He also outlined the state general property tax, noting it is split between commercial-industrial property and seasonal recreational property, and reviewed how Minnesota compares with other states, with residential taxes generally around the middle and commercial-industrial taxes relatively higher. The presentation also covered major property tax relief and aid programs. Swanson explained three broad relief mechanisms: shifting burdens through exclusions and classification rates, state-paid credits and refunds, and state aid to local governments or levy reductions. He discussed local government aid (LGA), township aid, and county program aid (CPA), including their funding levels, formulas, and general-purpose nature. Members asked why some cities receive no LGA and how the funds may be used; Swanson said cities with strong tax bases often receive zero aid and that the money generally can be used for the same purposes as property tax revenue. No votes were taken on the presentation itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• person who is unwilling or unable to use a multi-occupancy restroom or changing facility that is designated
• Senate Bill 1029 designates a candidate as having the intent to terminate upon the death of a candidate
• counties, cities, towns, and community colleges, and prohibits the abatement of GPLIT revenues designated
• Excise tax abatement period to the amounts designated only for counties, cities, towns, and community
• colleges, and prohibits the abatement of GPLIT revenues designated for school districts.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard staff presentations on a series of bills covering elections, education, health, criminal law, taxes, and property issues. Among the measures described were HB 2308 on dental insurer ownership restrictions; SB 1126 on school cooperation with DCS caseworkers; SB 1210 on out-of-state online postsecondary registration; SCR 1006 on restroom accommodations and pronoun/name use in public schools; and several election-related bills, including SB 1006 on campaign contribution itemization thresholds, SB 1029 on committee treasurers after a candidate’s death, SB 1038 on transmission of cast vote records, SB 1057 on ballot paper fraud-countermeasure certification, and SB 1237 on consultation for election rulemaking. Most of these were noted as being on third-read consent calendars. The committee also discussed HB 283, as amended by a strike-everything amendment, to update diabetic coverage requirements in health benefits plans, with testimony emphasizing newer glucose-monitoring technology and potential long-term health savings. Other bills summarized included SB 1049 on spousal maintenance standards, SB 1053 on concealed weapons permit fees for residents versus nonresidents, SB 1093 on expanding the definition of riot and adding it as a predicate offense, SB 1160 on restricting drones within one mile of ticketed entertainment events, and SB 1211 on lifetime injunctions for victims of felony aggravated harassment involving domestic violence. Members asked several questions, especially about the drone restriction and its scope, including exemptions for law enforcement and written consent from event organizers. Later discussion covered tax and property measures: SB 1293 would limit GPLIT revenue abatements so school district-designated revenues are not abated; SB 1294 would keep a destroyed property’s classification in place for up to five years or until its use changes, with members discussing how that would preserve valuation and aid rebuilding after fires or other disasters; and SB 1430 would make technical, clarifying, and cleanup changes to Department of Revenue tax statutes. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the meeting concluded after questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• From the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration, pursuant to Rules 1.21 and 3.33, designates
• An act relating to transportation, designating a segment of Mark Trunk Highway 23 in Kandiyohi County
• : House File number 1722, number four on the calendar for the day, an act relating to highways, designating
• House File 2554 designates the Burnsville Parkway bridge over I-35W as the Elmstrad-Finseth-Ruge Heroes
• I've been able to secure private funding for this designation.

Transcript Highlights:

• ratio because the program was designed ratio because the program was designed to<00:54:41.760>
• is a policy instrument that was designed is a policy instrument that was designed as<01:44:51.320
• meet in order to be designated?
• meet in order to be designated?
• > to this extends that designation ability to this extends that designation ability to the<05:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So they focus on different challenges, different design processes.
• The issue, frankly, is their old design.
• That is designed to meet the needs of rural health care in North Dakota.
• That is designed to meet the needs of rural health care in North Dakota.
• Chairman, how would you design that hub?

Summary: The committee reconvened at North Dakota State College of Science for a presentation from President Dr. Flanagan and college leaders about NDSCS’s mission, enrollment growth, workforce training, and facilities needs. Flanagan highlighted student success in national competitions, strong placement and retention, growing enrollment, and new or expanding programs in aviation maintenance, fire science, dental hygiene, community health worker training, surgical technology, HVAC/plumbing, and precision agriculture. He also emphasized the college’s partnerships with industry, including John Deere, Fargo Jet Center, Sanford, and Comdel Innovation, and said NDSCS plans to seek approval next session for a revenue bond to build a new dorm and to remodel the library into academic and allied health space. Allied health dean Deb Smith testified that her division is at capacity and needs a simulation center, more lab and classroom space, and expanded dental and OTA facilities to meet demand and accreditation needs. Committee members questioned Flanagan and staff about workforce shortages, especially faculty pay, and whether the college can staff additional growth. Flanagan said the biggest challenge is recruiting instructors because industry pays more, but noted some health care and adjunct hiring is possible because of schedule flexibility and benefits. He also discussed shifting resources away from lower-demand programs like power sports toward higher-demand areas such as automotive and aviation maintenance. Members also asked about the college’s identity as a technical institution, with Flanagan arguing North Dakota would benefit from a more defined tech-school system. The committee then received a University System presentation from Jamie Wilkie on the cost of delivering dual credit. Wilkie explained the methodology used to allocate direct and overhead costs across subsidized and unsubsidized dual credit, noting that dual credit and early entry account for about 5.9% of total credit hours and 2.7% of formula funding. The analysis showed subsidized dual credit tuition revenue of about $5.5 million and unsubsidized revenue of about $2.9 million, with some institutions showing margins and others losses depending on the model. Members discussed whether K-12 funding should also be reflected, how payments to high schools and teachers are structured, and whether tuition-free dual credit would require replacing both tuition revenue and the current dual credit scholarship. No votes were taken; the committee simply received the presentations and discussed the findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have a program that is designed for high-risk individuals, which is a prevention program.
• that is designed for high-risk individuals, which is a prevention program.
• It's keeping plan design the way it is with this bullet.
• It's keeping plan design the way it is with this bullet.
• And we will be working to co-design the survey so that... Thank you.

Summary: The Employee Benefits Committee met to hear presentations on state employee health insurance, compensation, leave policies, labor market conditions, and prevailing wage issues, then later took up committee rules and bill-draft jurisdiction. PERS reviewed the history and structure of the state health plan, noting the state has paid the full family premium since 1979, described cost-control and benefit-enhancement changes over time, and explained current plan options, wellness incentives, employer wellness discounts, and the upcoming bid process for the 2027-29 contract. HRMS then presented compensation comparisons showing state classified pay generally trails private and regional markets, with larger gaps at higher-level jobs, and reviewed benefits and leave policies, including the new enhanced annual leave and new-hire leave, the state’s unpaid family leave structure, and varying tuition reimbursement practices. Job Service reported on labor force trends, low unemployment, high labor force participation, job openings, and wage growth, and OMB said there are no state prevailing-wage requirements beyond federal Davis-Bacon rules for federally funded projects. The committee then considered a proposed amendment to Joint Rule 211 to better align the health insurance mandate review process with recent statutory changes. Members discussed how the rule should reference both the committee’s required actuarial reports and the Legislative Council cost-benefit analysis, and the amendment was adopted on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed how its jurisdiction decisions affect whether a bill draft receives actuarial analysis, with staff explaining that a decision not to take jurisdiction means the bill is not treated as impacting the relevant retirement or health plans for purposes of that analysis. After that, the committee began reviewing bill drafts for jurisdiction. The first draft, bill draft 33, would automatically renew pre-tax elections for dental and vision coverage during open enrollment instead of requiring annual re-election. Members debated whether it had any actuarial impact, noting the state does not pay those premiums directly, and the discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This breaks down the various designated and undesignated amounts within Agri.
• <00:15:09.000> and down the various designated and down the various designated and undesignated
• <00:15:15.040> designated<00:15:15.519> spending<00:15:16.240> that designate designated
• spending that designate designated spending that includes<00:15:16.759> things<00:15:16.959><
• <00:37:48.640> amount an amount and not designating amount an amount and not designating amount

Bills: HF1704

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• of the process, but we need to actually do that design process.
• <01:14:36.400> performance go beyond um just designing performance go beyond um just designing
• <01:15:15.600> to something that can truly be designed to something that can truly be designed
• but We need to actually do that design but We need to actually do that design process.<01:15:52.000
• Requires the design of charger ready.

Bills: HB1617

Keywords: carbon emissions, tax credit, fossil fuel, agriculture, food security, environmental tax, greenhouse gas, 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on HB 1949, which would create a public dashboard for the green fee to improve transparency and accountability. Testimony from the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, and many community and conservation groups was generally supportive, with several speakers urging that the governor’s project recommendations remain largely intact and that community-driven projects continue to guide spending. One amendment was suggested to place the dashboard at the Department of Budget and Finance for fiscal expertise, while other testimony favored keeping it with the commission. Members asked about procurement, ETS involvement, recurring hosting costs, and whether the dashboard could be funded from green fee revenues; the commission said it could work with ETS and that green fee funds could reasonably be used. The committees then voted to pass HB 1949 with amendments. The committees also heard HB 2618, which would require the governor to submit a separate bill for amounts tied to any increase in the transient accommodations tax and, in later discussion, was expanded into a broader restructuring of future green fee allocations. Testimony from the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, and others supported the bill and emphasized the value of more predictable, dedicated funding for conservation and climate-related work. During decision-making, the chair described amendments creating several special funds under DLNR, including a watershed biodiversity and wildfire risk reduction fund, an aquatic resources conservation fund, a coastal restoration fund, a cesspool conversion revolving loan fund, and a green fee special fund for remaining revenues, with recommended amounts discussed for some of the funds. The committees voted to pass HB 2618 with amendments. The hearing then moved to HB 1644, a consumer protection measure for residential solar sales that would require compliance with consumer protection laws, licensing or contractor affiliation for sellers, and a standardized disclosure form. Testimony in support came from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and several solar companies and individuals. Supporters said the bill would address complaints about third-party sales practices and improve disclosure, especially around financing. The committee then began hearing HB 2243, which would require electric utilities to provide public, electronic customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the Public Utilities Commission; the Division of Consumer Advocacy and the PUC offered comments supporting the measure’s intent.

Transcript Highlights:

• and lines of communication with school transportation managers has been crucial so the agency can design
• And then finally, just a reminder that you all have designated us as the state's in-house energy policy
• These are the five projects that have been selected through a competitive process that we co-designed
• We co-designed a transportation electrification strategy that we delivered to you in February of 2024
• Most of the others are in active design and permitting, which is where you'd want them to be at this

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The House Transportation Committee held a work session focused heavily on Climate Commitment Act transportation spending and electrification programs. Staff first reviewed roughly $2.2 billion in CCA transportation allocations over three biennia, noting that the largest shares went to public transportation, active transportation, ferry electrification, ZEV programs, rail freight/ports, and planning, with about half of the electrification and fuel-conversion spending tied to state ferries. Members asked for more detail comparing CCA dollars with the broader transportation budget and for total project costs, not just CCA contributions. The Department of Ecology presented on the zero-emission school bus program. Ecology said the legislature codified the program in 2024 and requires electric buses once diesel and electric costs are equivalent, with exemptions available when electric buses cannot meet district needs. Ecology reported $38.3 million in CCA funding for 2025-27, with $21.4 million already obligated or spent to replace 91 diesel buses in 28 districts, plus additional federal EPA funding leveraged for 13 more buses. Members asked about health impacts, parity timing, rural route exemptions, charging and training costs, and whether the program includes infrastructure; Ecology said the grants cover buses, charging, and sometimes training, and that the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is developing the cost-equivalency formula. The Department of Commerce described its clean transportation role, including EV rebates, charging infrastructure, tribal electric boats, and the EV Coordinating Council. Commerce said its rebate program was designed to lower monthly payments for low-income households, that 89% of recipients said the rebate was essential to their purchase, and that lease incentives helped draw additional federal dollars. Members asked about tribal boat details, utility interconnection and curtailment, range anxiety, and vandalism at charging stations; Commerce said battery storage and managed charging are being used in some projects, some utilities are more responsive than others, and vandalism remains a challenge. The Department of Enterprise Services reported 567 Level 2 and 46 Level 3 charging ports installed at 82 state sites, with 19 more sites in progress and over $100 million in additional candidate projects. DES said most funding is for new infrastructure, though some VW settlement money is used for replacements, and members asked about charger replacement needs, mobile charging, and EV fleet purchasing data. WSDOT then outlined its EV infrastructure and transit programs. It said the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Partnership program has funded 23 new charging sites this biennium, including overburdened communities and tribal locations, and has supported 264 DC fast-charging ports statewide. WSDOT also described the new Washington Zero Emission Incentive Program, a point-of-sale voucher program for zero-emission commercial vehicles and equipment with $112 million available this biennium; it reported strong early demand, especially for off-road equipment and heavy trucks, and said technical assistance is being provided to help businesses participate. In public transportation, WSDOT said CCA funds support bus and bus facility grants, commute trip reduction, green transportation capital projects, paratransit, tribal transit, zero-emissions access car share, and other mobility projects, with most awards benefiting overburdened communities. Finally, WSDOT’s rail freight and ports division said port electrification projects are underway but spending is still low because of long design, permitting, utility, and supply-chain timelines; it estimated the $89.8 million program could reduce more than 140,000 metric tons of emissions over 10 years. Members questioned the pace of spending, the Northwest Seaport drayage project, and how state funds can leverage additional federal or port resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:35.760> Thank<00:27:36.000> you, designate special orders.
• Thank you, designate special orders. Thank you, Madam<00:27:36.440> President.
• Pursuant to Rule 26, I designate<00:27:39.040> the<00:27:39.160> following<00:27:39.560
• First, the bill improves state agency coordination by requiring agencies to designate a Safe at Home
• To be clear, a single person will be designated as the Safe at Home contact to make it easier for the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so... talking about these... what designers are not designing properly.
• All they have to be to go out and inspect septic systems is a Designated Representative, right?
• They're not an engineer, but they're expected to review designs of all these systems.
• I don't design them, but I do understand where you're coming from.
• This bill is designed to help in those situations.

Bills: HB456, HB482, HB1463, HB1682, HB1949, HB5549, SB763

Keywords: translation, environmental quality, complaints, accessibility, multilingual, TCEQ, environmental justice, environmental complaints, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, language access, public information, Texas Commission, multilingual access, administrative actions, environmental regulations, state representatives, state senators, penalty notice, Water Code, legislative notification

Transcript Highlights:

• This highway designation would serve as a visible testament to that legacy.
• The Veterans Memorial Highway designation will serve.
• They see that designation. On the DMV, what would their responsibility be?
• It does what the SCRA was designed to do. It protects the service members.
• Members, House Bill 1894 designates November as Veterans Month.

Bills: HB101

Keywords: voter approval, local tax, disaster declaration, tax rate increases, community funding

Transcript Highlights:

• approved users of the card and just a general explanation of how that would work and how they're designated
• Stories like that... ...stories like that that SB 240 is designed to protect against, and that's why
• They just have to do it in the restroom that God designated them to be going into.
• I hold degrees in design. My name is Sophia. I'm a Texan, born and raised.
• I hold degrees in design and international fashion business.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1183, by Senator Creighton, which would require Lone Star Cards used for SNAP and TANF benefits to display the recipient’s name and photo, add fraud-reporting information, and require HHSC to track replacement-card requests. Creighton argued the bill would reduce fraud and protect taxpayer dollars, citing Texas SNAP theft and overpayment data. HHSC testified that photo IDs on the card are technically possible and explained how authorized secondary users are added. Dr. Amber O’Connor of Every Texan testified against the bill, saying SNAP fraud is a small share of expenditures, that the proposal would be costly and ineffective, and that federal rules limit mandatory photo requirements. Public testimony closed and SB 1183 was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1184, also by Senator Creighton, which would lower from 20 years to 10 years the minimum age of collectible wine that Texas collectors may sell to permitted restaurants. Supporters said the change would help Texas restaurants access desirable vintages, keep collectible wine in-state, and align with market demand; invited witnesses from the wine industry testified in favor. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1184 was left pending. Next, Senator Birdwell laid out Senate Bill 2051 and Senate Joint Resolution 68, both aimed at revising Texas impeachment procedures in response to issues identified during the 2023 impeachment process. The measures would clarify constitutional and statutory impeachment authority, require sworn testimony, extend review periods for House members, address conflicts of interest and presiding officers, require cost reporting, and modify rules for impeaching the governor or lieutenant governor. A committee substitute added protections for the accused, longer review periods, and a fallback presiding-officer option. Witnesses generally supported stronger accountability but raised questions about whether the language should also cover retired or visiting judges. Both measures were left pending after testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1577, which would expand Texas Motor Speedway’s alcohol sales authority to include distilled spirits and remove certain event and concession limits; the Speedway’s representative supported the bill and it was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 and Senate Bill 240, which would recognize only two sexes and restrict access to sex-designated private spaces in public facilities based on biological sex. Supporters argued the measures were needed to protect women’s privacy and safety, including in schools and shelters, while opponents warned about enforcement problems, privacy concerns, and impacts on transgender Texans and others who do not fit stereotypical sex traits. After extensive testimony, both measures were left pending. The committee then took up multiple pending bills and reported several favorably, including SB 511, SB 33, SB 510, SB 871, SB 2024, SB 2166, SJR 27, SJR 40, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1541, SB 2420, SB 1999, SB 2309, SB 1860, and SB 2429, with some also certified for the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is designed to do one thing and one thing only: crush public sector unions in violation of Article
• requiring certain registration, it bans gifts to public officials from countries of concern and designated
• Persons-Mulicka: At a conference in May 2024 on transnational repression, and there it was designated
• The bill designates the SS American Victory as Florida's official flagship.
• A state flagship is designated to represent the state maritime heritage and history.