Transcript Highlights:

• He's a proud tech... ...educated in Plano Senior High, submitted at this university and UT Southwestern
• He values high education, excellence in primary care.
• He sought a means of educating all U.S. citizens about African-American culture and engendering pride
• That we're reassured that as we deal with educational issues.

Bills: SB26 , SB28 , SJR36 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB28 , SB28 , SR131 , SR168 , SR174 , SR175

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Bills: SB2026 , SB1376 , SB1355 , SB2115 , SB1533

Committee: Senate Veterans and Military Affairs

Keywords: military discharge, veterans, DD Form 214, confidentiality, grandchildren access, Oklahoma National Guard, education assistance, military benefits, dependents, CareerTech Assistance Act, burial grant, memorial headstone, eligibility requirements, funding, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, fiscal management, state law, veteran burial, burial assistance, indigent veterans

Summary: The Veterans and Military Affairs Committee met and advanced several bills related to veterans records, National Guard benefits, burial honors, and veterans home operations. Senate Bill 2026 would allow grandchildren, with proof of lineage, to access a veteran’s DD-214 filed with a county clerk; it passed 9-0. Senate Bill 1376, amended to be named the CW5 Chris Rowe Act, would revise National Guard retirement and pay provisions, including a five-year Oklahoma Guard service minimum for retirement eligibility and language intended to ensure full-time Guard members are paid at their rank; despite concerns raised about the five-year threshold and out-of-state members, it passed 9-0. Senate Bill 1355 would create a program and funds to provide memorial headstones, markers, or medallions for eligible veterans and National Guard veterans; it also passed 9-0. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2115, a broad measure affecting Oklahoma veterans homes and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill would allow more flexible hiring of part-time health care staff, create revolving funds for quicker purchasing of supplies, and exclude certain purchases from the state Purchasing Act. Members questioned the canceled warrant fund, the scope of the purchasing exemption, and how donations and federal funds would be handled. The author and ODVA representatives said the bill was still a work in progress and emphasized the need for flexibility and safeguards. The bill passed 9-0. Finally, Senate Bill 1533, described as cleanup language for the Dignity and Burial Act, would change eligibility to require a veteran to have been a resident of Oklahoma rather than dying in the state. It also passed 9-0. Near the end of the meeting, Chair Stanley noted plans for another committee meeting the following week and Senator Peterson mentioned an upcoming floor substitute related to the Strategic Military Planning Commission sunset issue.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill analysis, but some examples include farming, ranching, and historic, cultural, and on-site education
• This facility would provide much needed recreation, public health, and educational opportunities for
• that demonstrates sound financial stewardship to our ratepayers and balances the best practice of education
• the paramount duty of the state is to make sure that these students are given an opportunity for education
• House Bill 2129 simply codifies the additional activities and educational opportunities that agritourism

Bills: HB2459 , HB2480 , HB2530 , HB2129 , HB2223

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: school siting, urban growth, education policy, zoning regulations, community planning, residential development, commercial zones, mixed-use zoning, urban planning, state regulations, public facilities district, regional aquatics, sports facilities, local government, infrastructure, agritourism, agriculture, tourism, economic development, local businesses

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, and welcome to the Appropriations Committee on Higher Education.
• have a special mission to educate our citizens and help improve our society.
• So education is very much in my interest.
• I have been in higher education for 21 years prior to my current role.
• And certainly for me, the education that I received in Miami-Dade was outstanding.

Bills: S0176 , S0816

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: campus safety, higher education, university safety, college safety, student safety, threat assessment, violence prevention, credible threat, campus security, law enforcement notification, emergency response, public universities, Florida College System, student conduct, workplace violence, security escorts, incident reporting, title IX-like safety procedures, institutional safety policy, school violence

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear two bills and several confirmation appointments. Senate Bill 176, as amended, required public universities to maintain and publicize clear campus safety policies and reporting procedures for threats to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Senator Polsky said the bill was intended to close a gap in postsecondary safety guidance and mirror K-12 requirements. The committee adopted the amendment without objection, heard supportive comments about campus safety, and reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard Senate Bill 116, which would codify the University of Florida Diabetes Institute in statute to support research, prevention, education, collaboration, and outreach on diabetes; the bill drew supportive testimony from AARP and others and was also reported favorably. The committee then took up confirmations for multiple university and college boards of trustees. Nominees and appointees testified about their backgrounds and priorities, including FIU trustee Nestor Plana, UNF trustee Clarence Stephen Moore, UCF trustees Mark Philburn and Alan Flores, USF trustees Rick Piccolo and Nancy Watkins Hemingway, and Miami Dade College trustee Ismarie Monreal, among others. Their remarks emphasized student success, research growth, workforce development, financial stewardship, and institutional goals such as engineering, cybersecurity, health care, and preeminence. Several members asked about NCLEX nursing pass rates and university performance metrics, and one public commenter raised concerns about campus climate and student safety at UCF. After hearing the appointees and public comment, the committee voted to confirm the group of nominees in a block and reported the confirmations favorably. The meeting concluded without further business after a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• agency are not used to replace existing assistance, but rather are set aside for post-secondary education

Bills: S1002 , S1016 , S1030 , S1594 , S1630

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Keywords: child welfare, substance abuse, neglect, parental rights, drug exposure, Medicaid, disabilities, employment, healthcare access, income eligibility, veteran benefits, minor clients, financial assistance, education services, Department of Children and Families, Department of Health, aging services, disability assistance, long-term care, Alzheimer's support

Summary: The committee considered several bills affecting children, disability services, aging, recovery residences, and foster youth benefits. SB 1016 codified the working people with disabilities program for Medicaid waiver recipients, with amendments removing automatic enrollment and improving information sharing between agencies; advocates testified that the program helps people with developmental disabilities work while keeping needed care, though they raised implementation and training concerns. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1002, as amended, clarified that evidence of acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect in child welfare cases and allow court intervention and treatment requirements; it was also reported favorably. SB 1594 would preserve veterans’ benefits for foster youth for postsecondary education or aftercare rather than using them as reimbursement to the agency, and it passed favorably. SB 1630 modernized aging and long-term care statutes, expanded emergency service authority, updated oversight of area agencies on aging and guardianship, and permanently established the Florida Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence; after two amendments, it was reported favorably. SB 1030, on recovery residences/substance abuse services, was amended with a substitute that narrowed transfer definitions, sped licensure for existing providers adding levels of care, and limited credentialing entities’ access to resident records; members noted it remained a work in progress, but it was reported favorably. The committee also held confirmation hearings. Robert Astellos, nominated as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, described efforts to reduce the pre-enrollment list, improve transparency and customer service, expand family involvement, and streamline agency processes; multiple advocacy groups appeared in support, and the committee recommended his confirmation. The committee then unanimously recommended confirmation of the appointees on tabs 7 through 10. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Bills: SB8 , SB10 , SB16 , SB8

Keywords: education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display, First Amendment, voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses, limited federal ballot, immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement

Bills: SB 410 , SB 795 , SB 2510 , SB 728 , SB 2689 , HB 143

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: Gulf Coast Protection District, navigation safety, special districts, state governance, Texas legislation, Gulf Coast, flood protection, storm risk management, coastal restoration, natural resources, prescribed burns, self-insurance, fire management, liability protection, rural land management, recycling, environment, sustainability, economic development, Texas Recycling Fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Boill, briefly answered your second part of your question about the education.
• And so I think we're going to need a lot of education surrounding this in each of our districts.
• The bill gives the Secretary of State ample opportunity to educate the public, and some funding, to educate
• So does the steps correlate to work experience and education?” “Yes, absolutely.”
• Denise is in education. All right, we'll sit.

Bills: HR118 , HR196 , HR237 , HR285 , HCR85 , HB442 , HB443 , SCR5 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR63 , SB25 , SB202 , SB319

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: water utility, tax credit, excessive rates, residential service, subcommittee, fallen trees, property damage, insurance, property values, hurricanes, storm damage, local government, homeowners, risk management, committee study, census, military population, Department of Defense, representation, federal funding

Transcript Highlights:

• When you answer the lady's question on the $7 million in education, roughly what's the education budget
• I think that's very educational.
• This bridges the gap between education and employment.
• We rank last in education, and these additional cuts to education will make it nearly impossible to attract
• and employment we rank last in education and these additional cuts to education will make it nearly

Bills: HB4138 , HB4139 , HB4140 , HB4141 , HB4142 , HB4143 , HB4144 , HB4145 , HB4146 , HB4147 , HB4148 , HB4149 , HB4150 , HB4151 , HB4152 , HB4153 , SB1831 , SB1832 , SB1833 , SB1834 , SB1835 , SB1836 , SB1837 , SB1838 , SB1839 , SB1840 , SB1841 , SB1842 , SB1843 , SB1844 , SB1845 , SB1846

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, education funding, health care, general fund, state budget, local funding, gaming, pari-mutuel, horse racing, regulatory assessment, first-time starters, budget implementation, federal funds, government services, budget stabilization, financial reporting, capital outlay, infrastructure, veterans services, highway construction

Bills: HR202 , HB2095 , SB2657 , SB2138 , SB3110 , SB3082 , SB3109 , HB1800

Keywords: Hawaii, Hawaiʻi, house resolution, congratulatory resolution, education, public schools, librarian of the year, middle school principal of the year, school counselor of the year, teacher of the year, library system, blind and print disabled, accessible learning, braille, audio technology, principal, school counselor, agriculture education, culinary arts, student recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• Saying that New Mexico is destroying virtual education, actually it's not true.
• Amendment 1 to the House Education Committee substitute for House Bill 253?
• They were chartered to do virtual education. They're fine.
• education and three-year-old students receiving special education services.
• And then lower on G, early childhood education, ADM, or early childhood education, M-EM, means full-time

Bills: HB253 , HB153 , HB255 , HB287 , HB371 , SB151 , HB8 , SB177

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete

Bills: HB253 , HB153 , HB255 , HB287 , HB371 , SB151 , HB8 , SB177

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete

Summary: The committee first corrected its action on Senate Bill 151, noting that the earlier motion had been made incorrectly after the committee substitute was amended. Members then moved to do not pass the Senate Finance Committee substitute and do pass the same committee substitute so it could be sent to the floor. The only change identified in the substitute was an adjustment to the sunset date. A roll call vote followed, with several members voting yes and a few voting no or being excused, and the motion to report the committee substitute out with a due pass recommendation carried. After the SB 151 vote, the chair said the committee was essentially finished and expected to meet on the floor the next day, likely around noon, with a plan to come in earlier and handle a few more bills. The discussion then shifted to House Bill 2 and the broader issue of state employee compensation. One member argued that over the past several years the state had already provided substantial pay raises and benefits, citing roughly $1.3 billion in raises, about $184 million annually for health care costs, and $116 million annually for employer pension costs, for a total of about $1.6 billion over four years. That member said the state had done enough on employee compensation and that a proposed 1% increase did not make sense given competing priorities such as child care and other needs. The committee then adjourned, and there was a brief question about when the university fund bill would be heard, but no firm timing was given.

Bills: SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 10 , HB17 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB17 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB2 , SB5 , SB10

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings

Transcript Highlights:

• Ultimately, planned to become a special education teacher.

Bills: SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB 1 , HB4 , HB4 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB1 , SB2 , SB5

Keywords: 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, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans

Bills: SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB 1 , HB4 , HB4 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB1 , SB2 , SB5

Keywords: 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, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans

Transcript Highlights:

• Bush's Chapter 51B in the state's education code to regulate higher. education institutions' interactions
• Is that the same scenario that they employ for getting people educated, their students educated, and
• So there is not a burden as in the U.S. for higher education.
• As an educator, I suggest. against lawmakers reject HB 17.
• They want their children to receive an education. education in the U.S., but since they are too young

Bills: HB17 , HB34 , HB41 , HB 118 , HB 119 , HB 127 , HB 128 , HB 129 , HB 130 , HB132 , HB133 , HB17 , HB41 , HB118 , HB119 , HB127 , HB128 , HB129 , HB130 , HB132 , HB133

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: foreign ownership, real estate, national security, designated countries, Texas property law, lobbying, foreign adversaries, compensation prohibition, transparency, civil penalties, higher education, foreign adversary, research security, trade secrets, academic partnerships, HB 128, sister city, sister-city agreement, international exchange, municipal diplomacy

Transcript Highlights:

• associated with serious harm, including increased likelihood of depression, suicidality, lower educational
• They poisoned my body with blockers and hormones, arresting my puberty and messing with my development
• Yeah, when someone is transitioning, which means when you get hormones or puberty blockers or surgery—and
• Yeah, when someone is transitioning, which when you get hormones or puberty blockers or surgery, and
• kids do not even ever receive a diagnosis, and an even tinier percentage receive even hormones or puberty

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard SB 934 by Senator Wiener, which would extend the statute of limitations for malpractice claims arising from conversion therapy and clarify how expert testimony and scientific evidence may be used in those cases. Supporters, including a survivor, a licensed therapist, and LGBTQ advocacy groups, described conversion therapy as harmful and argued survivors often cannot come forward within current filing deadlines. Opponents, including civil justice and conservative legal groups, argued the bill was a workaround to recent Supreme Court rulings and raised concerns about free speech, evidentiary standards, and whether the bill could chill legitimate therapy. Committee members largely focused on whether the bill was limited to conversion therapy malpractice claims and not broader gender-affirming care; the bill was moved on a 7-2-1 vote to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. The consent calendar was also adopted on a 6-0 vote and placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1092 by Senator Allen, a housing bill aimed at manufactured home parks. The bill would give residents or their designated representatives a right to make a competitive bid when a park owner intends to sell, lease, or transfer a park, with notice and response periods intended to give residents time to organize financing. Supporters said the measure would preserve naturally occurring affordable housing, especially for older and lower-income residents, and help resident-owned cooperatives or nonprofits buy parks before investor buyers do. Opponents from park owner and realtor groups argued the bill would burden private property rights, devalue parks, and create unconstitutional takings and litigation risk. Committee questions centered on the bill’s timelines, whether residents would have 120 days to express interest and another 120 days to close, and whether the purchase agreement would be binding if accepted. The author and supporters said the second period was needed for due diligence and financing, while opponents said the structure could still delay sales and reduce market value. Several members expressed support for the bill’s goal but asked for further clarification or possible tightening of the timing and good-faith provisions; no final vote on SB 1092 was taken in the portion provided.

Bills: SB169 , SB180 , SB203 , SB87 , SB195 , SB192 , SB169 , SB180 , SB203 , SB87 , SB195 , SB192 , HB132 , HB37 , HB13 , HB54 , HB126 , HB7 , SB30 , HB188 , HB189 , HB26 , HB264 , HB288 , HB248 , HB249 , HB227 , HB228 , HB132 , HB37 , HB13 , HB54 , HB126 , HB7 , SB30 , HB188 , HB189 , HB26 , HB264 , HB288 , HB248 , HB249 , HB227 , HB228

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: Lieutenant Governor, vacancy, governor appointment, Alabama Constitution, state government, media monitoring, government contracts, state agencies, local agencies, media regulations, transparency, dental insurance, medical loss ratio, premium regulation, insurance commissioner, rebate, consumer protection, midwifery, licensed midwives, State Board of Midwifery

Transcript Highlights:

• to education K-16.
• Senate Bill 734. 5 by Menendez relating to holocaust education and training to education k through 16
• enrollment and success in our education for students with disabilities to education K through 16 Senate
• Education to Education K-16 Senate Bill 776 by Hughes relating to the award of compensatory damages.
• In a virtual education program as an alternative to expulsion to education K through 16. 807 by Zaffirini

Bills: SJR1 , SJR2 , SJR5 , SJR33 , SJR34 , SJR35 , SJR37 , SJR38 , SJR39 , SCR12 , SB4 , SB40 , SB701 , SB702 , SB703 , SB704 , SB705 , SB706 , SB707 , SB708 , SB709 , SB710 , SB711 , SB712 , SB713 , SB714 , SB715 , SB716 , SB717 , SB718 , SB719 , SB720 , SB721 , SB722 , SB723 , SB724 , SB725 , SB726 , SB727 , SB728 , SB729 , SB730 , SB731 , SB732 , SB733 , SB734 , SB735 , SB736 , SB737 , SB738 , SB739 , SB740 , SB741 , SB742 , SB743 , SB744 , SB745 , SB746 , SB747 , SB748 , SB749 , SB750 , SB751 , SB752 , SB753 , SB754 , SB755 , SB756 , SB757 , SB758 , SB759 , SB760 , SB761 , SB762 , SB763 , SB764 , SB765 , SB766 , SB767 , SB768 , SB769 , SB770 , SB771 , SB772 , SB773 , SB774 , SB775 , SB776 , SB777 , SB778 , SB779 , SB780 , SB781 , SB782 , SB783 , SB784 , SB785 , SB786 , SB787 , SB788 , SB789 , SB790 , SB791 , SB792 , SB793 , SB794 , SB795 , SB796 , SB797 , SB798 , SB799 , SB800 , SB801 , SB802 , SB803 , SB804 , SB805 , SB806 , SB807 , SB808 , SB809 , SB810 , SB811 , SB812 , SB813 , SB814 , SB815 , SB816 , SB817 , SB818 , SB819 , SB820 , SB821 , SB822 , SB823 , SB824 , SB825 , SJR1 , SJR2 , SJR5 , SJR33 , SJR34 , SJR35 , SJR37 , SJR38 , SJR39 , SCR12 , SB4 , SB40 , SB701 , SB702 , SB703 , SB704 , SB705 , SB706 , SB707 , SB708 , SB709 , SB710 , SB711 , SB712 , SB713 , SB714 , SB715 , SB716 , SB717 , SB718 , SB719 , SB720 , SB721 , SB722 , SB723 , SB724 , SB725 , SB726 , SB727 , SB728 , SB729 , SB730 , SB731 , SB732 , SB733 , SB734 , SB735 , SB736 , SB737 , SB738 , SB739 , SB740 , SB741 , SB742 , SB743 , SB744 , SB745 , SB746 , SB747 , SB748 , SB749 , SB750 , SB751 , SB752 , SB753 , SB754 , SB755 , SB756 , SB757 , SB758 , SB759 , SB760 , SB761 , SB762 , SB763 , SB764 , SB765 , SB766 , SB767 , SB768 , SB769 , SB770 , SB771 , SB772 , SB773 , SB774 , SB775 , SB776 , SB777 , SB778 , SB779 , SB780 , SB781 , SB782 , SB783 , SB784 , SB785 , SB786 , SB787 , SB788 , SB789 , SB790 , SB791 , SB792 , SB793 , SB794 , SB795 , SB796 , SB797 , SB798 , SB799 , SB800 , SB801 , SB802 , SB803 , SB804 , SB805 , SB806 , SB807 , SB808 , SB809 , SB810 , SB811 , SB812 , SB813 , SB814 , SB815 , SB816 , SB817 , SB818 , SB819 , SB820 , SB821 , SB822 , SB823 , SB824 , SB825

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025

Transcript Highlights:

• comply with court orders, the court that appoints a receiver must choose one that is qualified by education
• just read that you were doing a lot of stuff with getting the sodas out of schools and physical education
• Additionally, we know that 100% of children that start on puberty blockers continue on to take cross-sex
• out of ten children will outgrow their gender confusion if simply allowed to go through a normal puberty
• No Harm Action has documented over... 400 Texas children who have been subjected to the horrors of puberty

Bills: SB397 , SB481 , SB596 , SB760 , SB855 , SB1195 , SB1196 , SB1233 , SB1257 , SB1318 , SB1368 , SB1388 , SB1398 , SB1524 , SB1558 , SB1589 , SB1677 , SB1792 , SB2034

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights