Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate you taking time to hear this this morning.
• Chairman, I know time is of the essence, but members, it's real important to recognize, now how long
• All the time about reducing debt and making college more accessible for families.
• The question is, we did this like six years ago, and I understand it takes time to implement things,
• At this time, the chair will ask the clerk to call the roll. Creighton. Here. Hagenbuch. Here.

Bills: SB2847, SB3039

Keywords: higher education, bachelor's degree, core curriculum, general education, semester credit hours, credit hours, degree acceleration, time to degree, workforce-aligned credentials, workforce readiness, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, public universities, community colleges, transferability, curriculum reform, academic requirements, degree completion, transfer students, education transparency, academic credit

Transcript Highlights:

• like more direction about screen time. like more direction about screen time.
• curriculum and staff time. curriculum and staff time.
• Like we or we want really<00:19:33.440> limited<00:19:33.760> screen<00:19:34.000> time
• time or we really really limited screen time or we really want<00:19:34.840> to<00:19:34.919>
• Thank you for your time. Next Thank you. Thank you for your time.

Bills: HF3776, HF3557, HF3585

Keywords: screen time, preschool, kindergarten, early childhood education, digital media, tablets, smartphones, educational technology, EdTech, classroom devices, publicly funded preschool, school policy, child development, special education, IEP, 504 plan, IFSP, Minnesota education law, climate literacy, education

Summary: The committee first approved the previous day’s minutes, then took up House File 3776, as amended by the A2 amendment, which clarified how the bill would apply to students with IEPs and 504 plans. The bill’s author argued that Minnesota should address screen time for preschool and kindergarten students, saying current law is too broad, that young children are especially vulnerable to developmental and attention harms from screens, and that parents and teachers should have more control over device use. The bill was laid over after discussion. Testimony on HF 3776 was split. Amanda Faye of Minnetonka Public Schools opposed the bill as drafted, saying it would conflict with existing academic standards, READ Act screening requirements, accessibility tools, and local control, and would force districts back to paper-based screening. Katherine Myers of Live More Screen Less supported the bill, citing concerns about early childhood screen exposure and arguing that screen-free time supports child development. Members raised concerns about local control, parental rights, and how to protect students who need devices for accommodations; the author and nonpartisan staff noted that schools can already adopt cell phone policies, but exceptions may be needed for certain students and uses. After laying over HF 3776, the committee began House File 3557. Representative Craft introduced the bill as a voluntary program to promote practical science education and workforce development tied to climate literacy, including a proposed Minnesota Seal of Climate Literacy for high school students. The bill was only introduced before the transcript ended, with no vote or final action recorded on HF 3557.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill is left pending at this time. Bill is left pending at this time.
• Bill's left pending at this time.
• Two times this happened before. Okay. This is the third time and you're going to jail. Okay.
• So they keep doing that every time. And they keep doing that every time.
• Bill's left pending this time.

Bills: HB46, HB272

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard several House bills and took no final votes, leaving each bill pending after testimony. HB 272 would align venue and evidentiary rules for fraudulent use or possession of credit/debit card information with existing credit card abuse law; the sponsor said it would improve prosecutions, and the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center supported it. HB 1661 would increase penalties for certain election-related offenses, including failure to distribute election supplies and early release of election results; no substantive opposition was heard. HB 551 would protect the residential addresses of people who receive campaign expenditures on public Texas Ethics Commission reports, similar to donor privacy protections, and a witness from Texas Eagle Forum later indicated support for the privacy change. The committee also heard HB 2820, which would raise the amount charitable bingo organizations may keep in operating capital from $50,000 to $100,000. The sponsor and a Texans for Charitable Bingo representative said inflation and operating costs have made the current cap too low and that the bill would help charities maintain stable operations without expanding gaming. HB 3181 would impose stronger consequences for repeated denial of court-ordered child possession and access, including limiting probation and requiring attorney’s fees after multiple contempt findings; a family court judge and a parent testified in support, while another witness argued the bill should be paired with stronger criminal enforcement and that parents already face high costs. HB 4157 would update Texas law for commercial spaceflight by recognizing liability waivers and preserving workers’ compensation rights; no one testified against it. The committee also heard HB 4145, which would let health care providers satisfy a timely billing requirement by sending bills to a patient’s legal representative in a personal injury case, closing what supporters described as a loophole in letter-of-protection situations. Finally, HB 46, relating to the Texas Compassionate Use Program, drew the most extensive discussion: supporters said it should expand access for legitimate medical cannabis patients and add more delivery methods and conditions, while opponents warned against broader marijuana expansion and questioned adding chronic pain and other conditions. The sponsor said he still supports the program and wants a balanced, regulated expansion, but noted the bill is still being worked on. All bills were left pending at the close of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate y'all's time today.
• Limiting the number of trucks that can be pulled over at one time to improve safety. 3.
• It causes distress, and that distress builds over time. The distress builds over time.
• in time and duration.
• The time frame is pushing us, so if we could, at this time, I'd like to go ahead.

Bills: SB110, SB64, SB42

Keywords: weight limits, trucking regulations, transportation, enforcement authority, portable scales, SB64, Alabama, state waters, public waters, aquatic plants, aquatic vegetation, lake management, waterway maintenance, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, commercial contractors, vegetation removal, mowing aquatic plants, uprooting plants

Transcript Highlights:

• It's time that we take action.
• They're not first-time offenders.
• I've been doing this a long time.
• with no good conduct time.
• time involvement.

Bills: HB1482, HB2017, HB2103, HB2341, HB2756

Keywords: community supervision, repeat offenders, intoxication, Texas Penal Code, criminal justice reform, intoxication manslaughter, criminal penalties, mandatory supervision, parole eligibility, Grayson's Law, mental health, trauma, jailers, law enforcement, occupational health, diligent participation, state jail felony, time credits, rehabilitation programs, de-escalation

Transcript Highlights:

• This is that time of the year.
• The cells can be very pitch dark at times.
• Thank you for your time. At this time, the chair calls up Kristen Budwine. Thank you.
• And convicted of wrongdoing multiple times.
• At this time, the chair calls up Kirsten.

Bills: HB1482, HB2017, HB2103, HB2341, HB2756

Keywords: community supervision, repeat offenders, intoxication, Texas Penal Code, criminal justice reform, intoxication manslaughter, criminal penalties, mandatory supervision, parole eligibility, Grayson's Law, mental health, trauma, jailers, law enforcement, occupational health, diligent participation, state jail felony, time credits, rehabilitation programs, de-escalation

Transcript Highlights:

• often times severe. often times severe.
• timing of the plan. timing of the plan.
• >> Thank you all for the time today. I hope we get more time in the future.
• >> Thank you all for the time today. I hope we get more time in the future.
• Thank you all for the time today. I hope we get more time in the future.

Bills: HF4841, HF4234, HF3697

Keywords: Hennepin County, sales tax, health care facilities, ballpark improvements, tax revenue, HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the statute of limitations for addressing those very heinous crimes.
• And so those folks right now are time barred, so their statute has already run.
• However, with the timing that's laid out in This bill, I think it gives us, it does give us clear time
• So they would really have to have lost it because of the time bar.
• of this bill: we have plenty of time to find funding to put into this.

Bills: HB97, HB280, HB183, HB151, HB202

Keywords: Shaken Baby Syndrome, abusive head trauma, child safety, training and education, healthcare funding, youth internships, workforce development, education, grant funding, employment, drinking water, water quality, environment, public health, water filtration, private well testing, federal funding, childhood sexual abuse, time limitations, civil actions

Transcript Highlights:

• This is something that has grown over time, and we now have—and as China's economy has grown larger,
• Thank you very much for your time, and I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you very much, Mr.
• Senate Bill 1622 provides a one-time waiver of the automatic fine levied against a reporting individual

Bills: S1622, S1178

Keywords: financial disclosure, statement of financial interests, ethics, late filing, late-filed disclosure, automatic fine, waiver, Florida Commission on Ethics, public officials, state officers, local officers, state employees, ethics enforcement, government transparency, sunshine law, reporting persons, penalty reduction, first-time offender, election ethics, general revenue fund

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first took up Senate Bill 1178, the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act, sponsored by Senator Garcia. The bill would expand state restrictions on foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, including creating a state registration framework for foreign agents, banning gifts to public officials from covered foreign entities, requiring ethics training on foreign influence, tightening procurement limits for information technology and critical infrastructure, restricting sister-city/sister-state encouragement, revising linkage institute rules and tuition provisions, and criminalizing certain conduct tied to foreign governments or unauthorized enforcement of foreign law. Members asked extensive questions about how the bill would affect election technology, software development, federal foreign-agent registration, educational exchanges, and the treatment of organizations such as CARE; the sponsor said the bill focused on ownership/control and foreign countries of concern, not specific components or general participation in events. An amendment by Senator Grall was adopted to clarify definitions, align penalties with willful violations, and specify that new ethics training content is additive. The committee then heard supportive testimony from Kelly Curry of State Armor and Rob Pierce of American Global Strategies, both of whom argued the bill would help Florida counter foreign influence, protect data and infrastructure, and improve transparency. CS for SB 1178 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1622, which provides a one-time waiver of the automatic fine for a late-filed financial disclosure under specified conditions, including that the filer submitted the disclosure before the maximum fine accrued and had not previously received such a waiver. Carrie Stillman of the Commission on Ethics testified in support, saying the bill preserves transparency and compliance goals while making the fine and appeals process more workable. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. Finally, the committee took up confirmation hearings for appointments in tabs 3 through 26. No separate votes were requested, no public testimony was offered, and the block of appointees was recommended favorably to the full Senate by roll call vote. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I appreciate your time.
• So I appreciate your time.
• So I appreciate your time.
• So I appreciate your time.
• So I appreciate your time.

Bills: HF25, HF4

Keywords: pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, tax relief fund, budget surplus, surplus revenue, tax rebate, tax refund, one-time refund, income tax, property tax, constitutional amendment, Minnesota Constitution, general fund, budget reserve, taxpayer relief

Bills: SB 82, SB 1807, SB 2254, HB 119, HB 130, HB 581, HJR 98, SB 1988

Keywords: business liability, concealed carry, handgun policy, premises liability, criminal acts, civil liability, business premises, concealed handgun, property liability, property rights, gun regulations, criminal liability, protective order, confidentiality, personal information, court records, victim protection, charitable raffle, nonprofit, wildlife conservation

Bills: HB1411, HB2980, HB3015, HB3147, HB3277, HB3323, HB3443, HB3882

Keywords: True Grit Trail, Oklahoma, tourism, signage, Department of Transportation, state parks, historical sites, economic development, motor vehicles, insurance, registration, verification, law enforcement, electronic credentials, Service Oklahoma, digital identification, data protection, driver's license, special license plates, Route 66

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, it's been a statute for that time.
• This time we'll go to House Bill 3757. Representative Wilk will be presenting this today.
• This time we'll recognize Representative Hill, Chairman Hill, to explain House Bill 2445.
• I believe now it's the time we push the gas and move forward. So, I yield for questions.
• I would completely agree with you as someone that has spent some time down in your district recently

Bills: HB3443, HB2123, HB3757, HB2445

Keywords: transportation, oversize permit, overweight permit, permit fees, motor carrier, commercial trucking, heavy haul, wide load, special combination vehicle, manufactured home transport, portable building transport, utility poles, rural electric cooperative, farm equipment, agricultural hauling, bridge formula, load limits, weight limits, road funding, highway construction

Transcript Highlights:

• And we do have a two-minute time limit for everyone, Zoom and in person.
• And we do have a two-minute time limit for everyone, Zoom and in person.
• Do you happen to know when the last time Do you happen to know when the last time this<00:04:44.320
• to run both programs at the same time. to run both programs at the same time.
• um bill increases the expenditure limit um bill increases the expenditure limit and<00:42:12.880

Bills: SB2444, SB2446, SB2450, SB2453, SB2461, SB2457, SB2462, SB2313, SB2528, SB2532, SB2571, SB2678, SB2529

Keywords: real property, exemption, attachment, execution, consumer protection, financial security, inflation adjustment, head of family, senior citizens, Intermediate Court of Appeals, judges, Hawaii judiciary, court membership, legal system, presidential preference primary, elections, political parties, Hawaii voting, 2028 election, voting

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2444 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution, which the Attorney General said could create vague retroactivity language and litigation risk; the committee noted the exemption had last been adjusted around 1978. SB 2446 would add a seventh associate judge to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Judiciary staff testified in opposition, saying recent internal restructuring and a pending vacancy had improved output and that it would be prudent to wait and see the effect before adding another judge. The Public Defender supported the goal of faster appellate resolution but said it would defer to the court’s assessment and had no objection to revisiting the issue later. The committee also discussed current appellate timelines, with staff saying at least 225 days is built into the process before a case reaches a merit panel, and that a two-year delay from panel assignment was realistic under the current structure. The committee then heard SB 2450, which would establish a presidential preference primary for the 2028 cycle. The Chief Election Officer said the election would cost about $4 million, less if combined with the regular primary. Several opponents argued the bill would add bureaucracy, duplicate or undermine party-run processes, and waste taxpayer money; one speaker estimated the total cost could be closer to $6 million when county costs are included. Supporters and committee members discussed that the measure would not require parties to use the results and that Hawaii remains one of the few states still using caucuses. The committee also asked whether counties could staff the election and whether the results would be useful given Hawaii’s current primary timing. SB 2453 would require the Office of Elections to include a notice with each ballot that a digital and printed voter information guide is available, with the notice in 32-point font as a separate insert. The Chief Election Officer said the insert would cost about $90,000 and asked for an effective date of January 1, 2027 because mailing preparations for the primary would already be underway. The Disability and Communications Access Board, League of Women Voters, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and others supported the bill. The committee also began hearing SB 2461, which would have the Office of Elections prepare a questionnaire for candidates and publish responses online and in the voter guide; the Chief Election Officer said the office did not think it should be the agency to shape campaign questions, though he said it could work if the questions were specified in statute. Finally, the committee heard SB 2457, which would require a criminal conviction before seized property could be forfeited. The Attorney General and Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, arguing it would prolong cases, increase storage costs, and make forfeiture less effective against crime, especially where owners flee, die, or hide assets through shell companies. The Public Defender strongly supported the measure, saying forfeiture should be tied to convictions and that people challenging forfeiture often lack counsel. The Honolulu Prosecutor also opposed the bill, but said it supported transparency, due process, and even a right to counsel; it argued conviction-only forfeiture would fail in cases involving fugitives, deceased suspects, or hidden ownership structures. The committee questioned what would happen to property if an owner could not be found, and the prosecutor said the outcome would depend on the type of property and could involve abandonment or interpleader proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• So at this time, I would like to carry this bill over until further discussion. Okay.
• It cannot be more than five trucks pulled over at one time and ...five trucks pulled over at one time
• At the appropriate time, I'd like to give this bill. And that's it.

Bills: HB517, SB110

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response

Transcript Highlights:

• who's been with us, but she's now calendar clerk, so welcome Nicole Albers, who's been with us a long time
• Liu, thank you for volunteering your time, your expertise, and your care to the people of Texas today

Bills: SR1, SR2

Keywords: Texas Senate, senate rules, caucus report, legislative administration, senate officers, parliamentarian, assistant parliamentarian, secretary of the senate, sergeant-at-arms, calendar clerk, journal clerk, doorkeeper, enrolling clerk, senate staff, employee policies, leave policy, compensatory time, outside employment, staff salaries, per diem

Summary: The Senate reconvened from recess and received a message from the House stating that the House was organized and ready to conduct business. The House also reported passage of SCR 7, which directs the State Preservation Board to begin steps to replace the Children of the Confederacy plaque with a plaque honoring victims of Texas’s convict leasing system. The Senate then took up and adopted Senate Resolution 1, the caucus resolution offered by Senator Zaffirini, which sets recommendations for Senate operations. The officers of the Senate were then sworn in. Next, the chamber considered Senate Resolution 2, the Rules Resolution, offered by Senator Hughes; it was adopted by a 31-0 roll call vote and makes only limited changes to committee structure while retaining prior rules. The Senate also authorized the President to appoint a five-member committee to notify the House that the Senate was organized and ready to transact business. Senator Eckhardt introduced the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Liu, a family medicine physician from Austin. With no further business, the Senate recessed until 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 22.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, at the appropriate time, I know you have an amendment to this bill, but if you allow me to do
• or what the health insurance company would pay at that particular time.
• I don't see something that limits it to calculations from 2025. Follow up.
• The person who's been catastrophically injured having a limit on damages.
• How, when we look at coercive it unfolds over time and it's difficult to detect.

Bills: SB2030, SB1926, SB2170, SB2151, SB2166, SB1213, SB1381, SB1824, SB1876, SB1728, SB1582, SB1286, SB1386, SB1708, SB1618

Keywords: expungement, record sealing, criminal records, clean slate, automatic expungement, expedited expungement, criminal history, OSBI, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, deferred judgment, delayed sentence, pardon, pardon and parole board, law enforcement records, sealed records, arrest records, conviction records, reclassification of felony to misdemeanor, reentry, second chance

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if the subject matter has come before this body time after time again, that This body time after
• This veto this time. Is that not true?
• Well, gentlemen, this is the first time and...
• Gentlemen, this is the first time, and you've been here for quite some time.
• Speaker, I would like to speak on the bill at the proper time. Now would be that time.

Bills: HR144, HB4182, HC51, HR169, HB4178, HB4179

Keywords: commendation, sports, team achievement, high school, state championship, suffrage, restoration of voting rights, conviction, probation, law-abiding citizen, congressional term limits, constitutional amendments, Article V, state resolution, political reform, Jackson State University, Veterans Memorial Stadium, economic growth, property tax, multi-purpose facility

Bills: SF0072, SF0104, SJ0005

Keywords: teacher licensure, teacher mobility, interstate compact, education compact, licensure reciprocity, reciprocal certification, teacher certification, professional teaching standards board, out-of-state teachers, military spouse, active duty military, teacher shortage, career and technical education, CTE teacher, background check, disciplinary records, licensure portability, multistate commission, education regulation, school staffing

Transcript Highlights:

• this time. this time. >> Thank<00:13:42.480> you.
• It's something that we might look at bumping those limits, but at this time, I don't really see a need
• It's something that we might look at bumping those limits, but at this time, I don't really see a need
• It's something that we might look at bumping those limits, but at this time, I don't really see a need
• uh higher limits, some have lower<01:32:06.159> limits.

Bills: HB0068, HB0062, HB0127, HB0109

Keywords: veterans, property tax exemption, disabled, service-connected disability, Wyoming, governmental claims, liability limits, inflation adjustment, public safety, local government insurance, HB0127, recreation mill levy, recreational facilities, public recreation, mill levy, property tax, local tax, county commissioners, school district levy, voter approval