Transcript Highlights:

• </c> services in the Senate. services in the Senate. All<00:02:58.239><c> right.
• </c> services technical assistance language. services technical assistance language.
• On page services.
• Some of them are living in the Senate Health and Human Services position as Senator Rasmuson had mentioned
• Health and Human living in the Senate Health and Human Services<00:47:31.200><c> position</c><00:47:31.760

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; The plan shall require syringe service &gt;&gt; The plan shall require syringe service
• </c><00:47:39.359><c> that</c> the CTE program that uh services that the CTE program that uh services
• </c> facility um or management services facility um or management services organization<01:07:24.640>
• </c> as a result of the permitted services as a result of the permitted services being<01:22:55.120><
• <01:45:14.960><c> proceeding</c><01:45:15.440><c> is</c> services from DCF, the proceeding is services

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a good... ...have blind people walking around without services.
• That's in the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind budget.
• So we had to pay the FAST tax collection service.
• So we had to pay the fast tax collection service.
• It's just the educational service. No, 25. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the journal, then received gubernatorial and Senate messages and committee reports. Several new bills and resolutions were introduced and referred, including measures on taxation refunds, county commissioner vacancies, open meetings, data centers and water use, state historic preservation, and multiple Senate bills on vacancies, administrative rules, abortion trafficking, energy resources, irrigation districts, and education. The House also advanced a number of bills to second and third reading calendars and referred House Concurrent Resolution 35 and House Joint Memorial 21 for printing. The bulk of the floor action focused on budget and appropriation bills brought up under suspended rules. House Bills 866 and 867, maintenance budgets for constitutional officers and general government, passed after debate over the size of the appropriations, transparency of JFAC’s cuts, and the inclusion of military pay raises and other baseline costs. House Bill 868, for the Public Employee Retirement System, passed after questions about one-time software and disaster-recovery funding. House Bill 869, for the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, passed amid discussion of using dedicated funds to restore cuts and confusion with a separate deaf-and-blind school budget. The House also passed House Bill 870, an Office of Information Technology Services enhancement bill centered on cybersecurity hardware and the final phase of IT consolidation from Health and Welfare, despite objections that it represented government growth and relied on federal funds. House Bill 871, funding the State Tax Commission for tax conformity work, property tax education, and seasonal staff, also passed after debate over necessity and spending. House Bill 835, limiting non-cognizable spending by the executive branch and preserving exceptions for emergencies, military facilities, and tuition-related funds, passed as well. The House then moved to announcements and adjourned until Monday, March 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• still be even with Texas on per-pupil funding per instructional day and adjusted for the cost of living
• So when you adjust for the cost of living and the number of instructional days, even if this bill passed
• So it's a big cost-of-living adjustment; it's a big category.
• Have you spoken with any school administrators about what the, like, lived experience will be for them
• I do want to make this, if this passes, as seamless a transition as possible.

Committee: House A&B Education Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have transit day this Wednesday, so be aware of that.

Bills: SB1390

Committee: House A&B Transportation Subcommittee

Keywords: gross production tax, oil and gas, natural gas, casinghead gas, oil revenue, tax apportionment, revenue sharing, county highway fund, school funding, average daily attendance, general revenue fund, revenue stabilization fund, county bridge and road improvement, state transportation fund, preserving and advancing county transportation fund, education funding, higher education, student aid, tourism funding, conservation funding

Transcript Highlights:

• We are streaming this hearing live on YouTube.
• myself um we're minute so just to repeat myself um we're going<00:00:52.920><c> to</c><00:00:53.000><c> live
• </c><00:00:53.199><c> a</c><00:00:53.359><c> testimony</c><00:00:53.760><c> for</c> going to live a testimony
• for going to live a testimony for individuals<00:00:54.559><c> to</c><00:00:55.079><c> one</c><00:00
• But in your estimation, is that a deal killer, or is that something you could live with?

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing began with SB 133 on energy, which drew opposition testimony from James Abraham, who said the bill was unnecessary because the Public Utilities Commission had already opened a proceeding to investigate wheeling, including intergovernmental wheeling, and should be allowed to finish its collaborative process. The committees then moved to SB 161 on county permitting and inspection, where several agencies submitted written comments or opposition, while the Grassroots Institute and HCDA-related testimony supported the measure. Members raised concerns about accountability and whether state agencies would report back on projects approved under any permitting exemption, and witnesses suggested annual reporting or amendment language to address that issue. The hearing then turned to SB 232 and SB 588, both related to renewable energy permitting. Testimony on SB 232 was largely supportive, but Rocky Mold of the Hawaii Solar Energy Association said SB 232 was an older version of a bill and that SB 588 was the preferred, updated measure. Members discussed whether the bill should be limited to residential or behind-the-meter customer-sited systems rather than utility-scale projects, and Mold clarified that the proposal was intended for customer-sited systems, not utility-scale facilities. For SB 588, the Department of Land and Natural Resources warned that state or county laws inconsistent with the National Flood Insurance Program could jeopardize flood insurance eligibility and related federal assistance, while Mold argued the bill’s FEMA floodway exemption was needed to avoid blocking solar installations on existing structures. The chair expressed concern about risking federal funding and questioned whether the exemption could be narrowed without defeating the bill’s purpose. SB 412, also on renewable energy, received supportive testimony from the State Energy Office and others. Members questioned whether a single coordinating entity should compile agency assessments, and Mark Glick said the Energy Office could take on that role if given the duty and sufficient staff. The committee then discussed SB 635 on energy efficiency, which would require state agencies to use energy-efficient lighting. Mark Glick testified that much of the work was already underway through benchmarking and related contracts, and a DAGS representative said the state was already assessing 590 buildings over 10,000 square feet, with results expected around 2027. Members suggested amending the bill to require annual status reports so the committees could track progress and avoid duplication. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid service in Texas to give us an idea of where that person might be living.
• Those waiver services are in fee-for-service.
• HCS Texas home living class and Dbmd. So H.C.R. all of those are still fee for. Service, right?
• Health services programs such as community living assistance and support services, home and community-based
• These services really do make a difference in people's lives.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened to discuss interim charges regarding fraud, waste, and abuse in Texas human services, particularly focusing on Medicaid and childcare programs. The meeting highlighted the importance of preventing misuse of taxpayer funds, with testimony from various stakeholders emphasizing the need for increased oversight and accountability in these programs. Key points included the alarming rise in healthcare fraud in other states, the necessity for Texas to enhance its fraud prevention measures, and the potential financial repercussions of failing to meet federal compliance standards. Several committee members expressed concerns about the impact of fraud on vulnerable populations, particularly those relying on Medicaid services. Testimonies from experts underscored the effectiveness of Texas's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in combating fraud, yet pointed out existing vulnerabilities, such as inconsistent enforcement and the need for better data sharing among agencies. The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by hospice care providers, with a significant increase in the number of hospices in Texas raising concerns about quality and oversight. The committee heard from various witnesses, including representatives from health plans and advocacy organizations, who provided insights into the complexities of managing Medicaid and the importance of maintaining program integrity. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore legislative solutions to enhance oversight and ensure that resources are directed to those in genuine need.

Transcript Highlights:

• House bill is establishing a sick leave bank for Sonia Felix, an employee of the Department of Transitional

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sorry we even have to talk about this, but it's the society we live in today. youth assembly team
• </c> about this but it's the society we live about this but it's the society we live in in in today<00
• Every time a panic alarm is used, I know that Alyssa is saving lives while Alyssa's legacy lives on.
• Every time a panic alarm is used, I know that Alyssa is saving lives while Alyssa's legacy lives on.
• Seconds save lives.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Primary and Secondary Education Committee met and first took up House Bill 14, which would establish Alyssa’s Law in Kentucky public schools. The bill, as amended by committee substitute, would allow districts to implement wearable panic alert systems for school staff beginning in the 2025-26 school year. Sponsor Rep. Kevin Jackson and supporters described the system as a silent badge/button that can alert school offices, 911, first responders, and other personnel, with different button sequences for different emergencies. Testimony from Lori Alade, Alyssa’s mother and founder of Make Our Schools Safe, emphasized that “time equals life” and said the technology can help in active threats, medical emergencies, weather events, and other urgent situations. Students from St. Margaret Mary’s Kentucky Youth Assembly also supported the bill, citing the Georgia school shooting response as an example of how such systems can save lives. Members asked about vendor neutrality, costs, training, and whether the system could be used off campus; sponsors said the bill is intended to be vendor neutral, estimated statewide costs ranged from about $2 million to $6 million, training would be provided before the school year, and they would follow up on the off-campus question. The committee approved HB 14 with the committee substitute attached. The committee then reconsidered and approved House Bill 48, a cleanup measure related to school reporting requirements. The substitute was described as addressing department concerns about eliminating certain reporting forms while preserving district flexibility and reducing burdensome reporting. It would allow schools to maintain or use alternative reporting methods, provide KDE a timeline and guidelines for reporting on Cognia software used for CPS and C-dips, and require a written report to the LRC describing reporting requirements imposed on public schools and districts, with items not reapproved by the legislature sunsetting in 2026. The bill passed the committee with the committee substitute attached. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 190, as amended by committee substitute, which would shift the measure from a planning-and-action bill to a planning-only bill for advanced coursework and codify some gifted-student regulations. Rep. Duvall and Dr. Julia Link Roberts of WKU said the bill is intended to expand opportunities for high-potential students by requiring districts to set policies on advanced coursework or accelerated learning options for grades 4 through 12. The substitute changes the standard from “proficient” to “distinguished,” allows districts flexibility in how they implement the policies, and may require automatic enrollment for students scoring distinguished, with opt-out provisions and a principal exception if coursework conflicts with career pathways or CTE access. Members discussed how the proposal differs from current advanced programs, the broader inclusion of students, and district variation in available opportunities. No final vote on HB 190 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 56% uh of school AG children live 56% uh of school AG children live um<00:13:00.160><c> in</c><00
• This is just the people living there.
• </c><00:29:50.240><c> in</c> Minnesota school AED children live in Minnesota school AED children live
• Services Services committee<00:43:28.640><c> so</c><00:43:28.960><c> the</c><00:43:29.079><c> education
• </c> education service education service and<01:11:26.159><c> you</c><01:11:26.280><c> can</c><01:11:

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Supportive services disabilities.
• What allowed the project to move forward was creating a service reserve that fills those service gaps
• </c> trying to get enough service dollars. trying to get enough service dollars.
• a service reserve that fills<00:04:57.520><c> that</c><00:04:57.840><c> service</c><00:04:58.160><c>
• > and</c> services, demands for services and services, demands for services and amenities<01:23:32.080

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1592 relates to public defense services.
• Recorded and live streamed on TVW.
• or virtual currency mining services.
• It forces data centers to turn off, endangering essential services that we rely on in everyday lives.
• But the calls for service go up.

Summary: The committee began with a public hearing on Substitute House Bill 1592, which would change how state public defense funds are distributed and, in the substitute version, keep current law on state funding responsibility while revising the allocation formula. Staff explained the bill would shift county and city distributions to a pro rata, caseload-based model, allow very low-density counties to request OPD to provide some or all public defense services, require additional data collection and reporting, and direct OPD to study caseload reductions and retention. Representative Peterson said the bill is meant to create a better structure for future state support of indigent defense without the very large cost of the original proposal. Testimony from counties, cities, OPD, defenders, and local officials was strongly supportive, emphasizing a statewide public defense crisis, rising local costs, staffing shortages, and the need for a fairer funding model. The committee then heard Substitute House Bill 1742 on environmentally sustainable urban design and Substitute House Bill 1906 on water system regulation and water rates. HB 1742 would create a center in Ecology to promote sustainable urban design, fund design competitions and grants, and establish an advisory council; the sponsor said the bill reflects a desire to support a pilot project through alternative funding, and there was no public testimony. HB 1906 would require more planning and notice for Group A water systems, add customer notice and right-of-first-refusal provisions for some ownership changes, and direct the UTC to consider external funding sources, capital planning, and rate smoothing when setting water rates. Water utility and PUD witnesses supported the goal of improving transparency and consolidation of failing small systems, while noting the substitute reduced some fiscal concerns. The committee also heard HB 2248 on Secretary of State corporate and charity filings, HB 2438 creating the SEED scholarship for early childhood education students, and HB 2515 addressing emerging large energy use facilities such as data centers. HB 2248 would redirect part of annual filing fees to the Secretary of State revolving fund, require initial reports from nonprofits and LLPs, and change trademark certificate procedures; the fiscal note showed modest revenue losses, and the division supported restoring the fee split for operational funding. HB 2438 would transfer $10 million annually from the GET account to fund scholarships and wraparound services for early childhood education degree seekers, with testimony from early learning advocates and a student describing workforce shortages and personal financial barriers. HB 2515 drew extensive testimony both for and against: supporters said it would protect ratepayers, water resources, and grid reliability by requiring tariffs, reporting, clean-energy requirements, and a fee on large energy users; opponents argued it singled out data centers, could hurt investment and jobs, and included unrelated labor and procurement provisions. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive-session briefing on several bills and amendments, including HB 1903 on statewide low-income energy assistance, HB 1909 on a court unification task force, HB 1982 on vacating certain convictions tied to treaty Indian rights, HB 2034 on LEOFF Plan 1 retirement changes, HB 2105 on employer notice of federal I-9 audits, HB 2210 on ranked-choice voting, HB 2215 on Climate Commitment Act fuel supplier obligations, and HB 2271 on post-consumer recycled content requirements. Staff summarized proposed substitutes and amendments, with several changes aimed at reducing or shifting fiscal impacts, narrowing agency duties, or striking provisions entirely.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I live on a piece of property in Guilford that my family has owned and lived on since 1842, I guess
• <00:05:19.160><c> on</c><00:05:19.440><c> since</c> lived on since lived on since 1842<00:05:22.560><
• I have service in Vietnam.
• I have service in Vietnam.
• </c><00:09:57.160><c> in</c> maintenance officer I have service in maintenance officer I have service

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met for an organizational opening session in which the chair, Ken Weyler, called the committee to order and members introduced themselves. The introductions established the committee’s leadership and membership, including Vice Chair Dan McGuire, ranking member Mary Jane Wallner, deputy ranking member Karen Eil, clerk Jerry Griffin, and other members from both parties. Many members briefly described prior legislative service and professional backgrounds, with several noting prior experience on Finance or related budget committees. Chair Weyler then outlined committee procedures and expectations. He emphasized that Finance handles spending bills and fiscal notes, that bills will generally be heard by the full committee and then referred to the appropriate division, and that executive sessions may be used to save time when positions are clear. He reviewed rules on attendance, dress, phones, paperwork handling, committee replacements, conflict of interest and recusal, and the process for testimony, including that members should listen without debating witnesses and that sponsors of bills must recuse themselves from questioning witnesses on their own bills. He also described the committee’s structure and workload, noting three divisions and the role of legislative budget staff. Weyler said the committee would likely see bills from many policy committees that have fiscal impacts, and he encouraged policy committees to find offsets within their own areas rather than assume new spending will be added. No bills were heard and no votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• House bill is establishing a sick leave bank for Sonia Felix, an employee of the Department of Transitional

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate briefly convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up a House bill establishing a sick leave bank for Sonia Felix, an employee of the Department of Transitional Assistance. On motion by Senator Fattman, the rules were suspended to allow immediate consideration, and the Senate ordered the bill to a third reading without objection. The chamber then considered and adopted an order setting the Senate’s next meeting for Thursday at 11:00 a.m. and directing the clerk to dispense with printing a calendar. After that order was approved, the Senate voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• House bill is establishing a sick leave bank for Sonia Felix, an employee of the Department of Transitional

Summary: The Senate convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up a House bill out of order. The measure, House No. 514, would establish a sick leave bank for Sonia Felix, an employee of the Department of Transitional Assistance. Senator Fattman moved to suspend the rules so the bill could be considered immediately, and there was no objection. The Senate then ordered the bill to a third reading by voice vote. No debate or testimony was recorded in the transcript. The chamber also adopted an order to adjourn upon completion of business and to reconvene on Thursday at 11:00 a.m., with the clerk directed to dispense with printing a calendar. The Senate then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:06:24.160><c> on</c> employees because the cost of living on employees because the cost of living
• </c><02:09:12.239><c> like</c> health behavioral health services like health behavioral health services
• </c> offering responsible gaming services. offering responsible gaming services.
• , and diagnostic laboratory services.
• services and diagnostic laboratory<03:05:58.000><c> services.

Bills: HB2118 , HB2473

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, Hawaiian culture, sense of place, land management, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to permitting and economic development. On HB 2603, relating to permits, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it supported the measure with comments. Committee discussion focused on the fact that the state’s facilitated permit process appears to have been rarely or never used, the need to identify specific projects that would use it, and whether DBEDT would need dedicated staffing to administer it. DBEDT said it had found no projects under the current process, had no capacity to run the program as structured, and estimated it would need about 7 to 9 FTEs, including permitting, coordination, data, systems, and possibly legal support. The chair suggested exploring a staff assignment and comparing the concept to federal FAST-41-style expedited permitting. On HB 2140, relating to essential permitting positions, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development again supported the bill with comments. Testimony and questioning centered on a pilot program to help counties pay competitively for permitting staff. A DBEDT representative said the issue of competitive pay affected both county and state permitting offices and that the bill was intended as a temporary pilot, though a more permanent solution would be preferable. When asked how counties would fund the salary support, the witness said that was not yet discussed with the counties and agreed to follow up. The committee also noted the bill applies to participating counties. On HB 2598, relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the State Procurement Office and HTDC offered comments, and the Department of the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns. The AG said the bill’s residency-based certification requirements, when tied to procurement, could implicate the dormant Commerce Clause, and that the required 1% contribution tied to state contracts raised unconstitutional-conditions concerns. In questioning, the AG characterized these as legal risks rather than automatic lawsuits. The committee did not take a vote. The committee then heard HB 2141, relating to state enterprise zones. Taxation, DBEDT, HCDA, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and HTDC testified in support, while the Tax Foundation noted the program was intended to help economically depressed areas create jobs. HTDC said the bill would help preserve the Maui Research and Technology Center’s enterprise-zone status after rezoning. Committee discussion focused on whether the enterprise zone program is being used effectively, how the bill might attract businesses to areas where the state is investing, and whether the program’s labor requirements are too burdensome for new businesses. DBEDT explained that the program requires a 10% workforce increase in the first year, which must be sustained, and said it promotes the program through county coordinators and in-person outreach. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> those services those services immediately<00:32:03.240><c> post</c><00:32:03.560><c> discharge,<
• </c> of a code that covers multiple services. of a code that covers multiple services.
• those other services.
• </c> services. So, it works in a similar way. services. So, it works in a similar way.
• So, if these services were resort.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will go ahead and call this meeting to order of the Ports, Waterways, and Intermittent Transit Committee

Bills: SB171

Committee: House Ports, Waterways & Intermodal Transit

Keywords: navigable waters, non-navigable waters, motor vehicle prohibition, criminal penalties, land use, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> documented both wage and cost of living documented both wage and cost of living differences<00:25
• </c><00:36:53.520><c> down</c> actually a higher cost of living down actually a higher cost of living
• ,</c><00:37:06.240><c> you</c> what the people actually living, you what the people actually living,
• who is paying for those services.
• </c> who receives special education services who receives special education services at<01:04:55.119>

Bills: HF3790 , HF3654 , HF3371 , HF3470 , HF1099

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education finance, lease levy authority, graduation ceremonies, school districts, Minnesota Statutes, local revenue, funding increase, education, state appropriation, local control, HF3371, local optional revenue, school finance, general education aid, school district funding, referendum revenue, referendum market value, equalization aid, state aid, property tax levy

Transcript Highlights:

• I live Uh my name is Elizabeth Kushing. I live in<01:03:56.480><c> Hampton.
• Mitigation<01:32:23.120><c> services.</c> Mitigation services. Mitigation services.
• </c> and the lives of those around him. and the lives of those around him.
• </c> live. Thank you. live. Thank you.
• </c> right to transit that airspace. right to transit that airspace.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all