Transcript Highlights:

• <01:42:06.880> local<01:42:07.520> units conservation districts are local units conservation
• Cody Conservation District represented Cody Conservation District represented by<01:42:36.560> Corey
• <01:42:42.720> District, Converse County Conservation District, Converse County Conservation
• <01:42:51.080> District, Laramie County Conservation District, Laramie County Conservation
• from Sublette County Conservation from Sublette County Conservation District,<01:42:56.680> Megan

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is a bill we heard previously relating Texas Farm Bureau and Ranchlands Conservation Program
• And I'm also the founding director of the Center for Sport Fish Science and Conservation, uh, making
• It would provide a predictable and protected budgeting picture for future spending efforts.
• We have you registered as Joey Park Coastal Conservation Association for House Bill 204229.
• I'm here today in support of House Bill. 229 on behalf of the Coastal Conservation Association.

Bills: HCR6

Keywords: Meals on Wheels, senior services, nutrition, community support, volunteerism

Transcript Highlights:

• The efforts in my district have been just an enormous privilege of my life to be able to do that.
• I appreciate you and all of your capable staff that have been a support of my efforts. Mr.
• that we've had. ...all the efforts that we've had.
• Garland is a strong conservative.
• Garland is a strong conservative with a clear vision for Alabama's future.

Bills: SB 2, SJR 36, SB 2, SR 19, SR 27, SR 30, SR 32, SCR 11

Keywords: Houston East End, Chamber of Commerce, East End Day, economic development, community involvement, scholarships, business events, McAllen, celebration, community pride, cultural events, economic growth, McAllen Day, community recognition, South Texas, local pride, Wise County Day, Texas Senate, Wise County, state recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• What do you see your role on the board to make it more conservative?
• There’s the Florida DOGE effort; the entire system is complying with that.
• I’ve sat with the group that leads veterans’ efforts and military efforts at the school.
• Now, you know, at UWF, the military efforts are so important.
• Now, you know, at UWF, the military efforts is so important.

Summary: The committee first took up 127 gubernatorial appointees grouped in blocks and, after brief testimony in favor of several nominees, voted to recommend confirmation of the block nominees to the full Senate. The committee then moved through a series of University of West Florida and other board nominations, hearing from each nominee about their background and priorities, with most emphasizing service, local ties, student success, military partnerships, and university growth. Several nominees also answered questions about governance, faculty hiring, diversity, and the university’s strategic direction. For the University of West Florida Board of Trustees, the committee heard from Paul Bailey, Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, Christopher Young, and Adam Kissel. Bailey stressed his local roots, legal background, and support for UWF’s pre-law program and military connections; Matthews highlighted her education and state-government experience, current role as board chair, enrollment growth, fundraising, and alignment with state directives; Moyah cited her education and school board experience, fiscal discipline, and recent positive financial and enrollment figures; Ross emphasized fundraising, workforce needs, cyber opportunities, and support for the governor’s higher education agenda; and Young focused on business accountability, audit oversight, rural access to education, and expanding military-related opportunities. Each of these nominees was questioned about issues such as diversity, “woke” culture, faculty ideology, and the role of the board, and each was ultimately recommended for confirmation by roll-call vote. Adam Kissel’s nomination drew the most extensive debate and public testimony. Kissel described his background in free speech advocacy, federal education policy, philanthropy, and higher education reform, and said he would support UWF’s growth, free-speech protections, military and veteran engagement, and stronger graduation rates. Senators pressed him on prior writings favoring privatization of public higher education, comments about replacing administrators with AI, his work with the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025, and how his views fit with serving on a public university board; he said his long-term libertarian views did not conflict with his short-term support for UWF receiving more resources. Public testimony was split, with supporters praising his free-speech credentials, military focus, and alignment with the governor’s reforms, while opponents questioned his commitment to public higher education and whether he could be trusted to learn the university from the ground up. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kissel’s confirmation to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• What do you see your role on the board to make it more conservative?
• She also met with the group that leads veterans' efforts and military efforts at the school.
• Now, you know, at UWF, the military efforts is so important.
• So what's in there is, call it, the conservative movement's vision for education. Questions?
• Kissel, in particular, because this ideological, conservative position is being imposed on us.

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider a large slate of gubernatorial appointees, with 127 nominees on the agenda. The committee first approved the grouped nominees in Tabs 1 through 54 by unanimous roll call vote after brief public testimony in support of several appointees. The committee then took up individual University of West Florida and Pensacola State College-related nominations, including noting that Dr. Joel Rudman had resigned from the Pensacola State College board before appearing, leaving no action to take on that tab. Several UWF trustees were confirmed after testimony focused on their qualifications and priorities for the university. Paul Bailey emphasized his local ties, legal background, and interest in UWF’s military connections and pre-law program; Rebecca Matthews highlighted her education and public service background, current role as UWF board chair, enrollment growth, fundraising, and alignment with state directives; Rachel Moyah discussed her education leadership experience, finance role, and positive enrollment and fundraising trends; Ashley Ross described her fundraising and higher education background and stressed workforce, advancement, cyber, and military partnerships; and Christopher Young spoke about his Panhandle roots, business experience, audit and compliance work, and support for military and student opportunity. Each of these nominees was confirmed by roll call and forwarded to the full Senate. The most contentious nomination was Adam Kissel for the UWF Board of Trustees. Kissel described his background in higher education policy, free speech, philanthropy, and federal education work, and said he would focus on free speech, accreditation, military/veteran support, honors programming, and graduation rates. Committee members questioned him closely about prior writings on privatizing public higher education, his views on free speech versus Senate Bill 266, Project 2025, AI in administration, and his fit for UWF. Public testimony was split, with supporters praising his free-speech credentials and reform views, while opponents, including former UWF leaders, warned he was too ideological and not sufficiently grounded in the university community. After debate, the committee voted 5-4 not to confirm Kissel, so his name will not be forwarded to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• In DC, it was stated that children fare better with two parents, so society should make every effort
• . conservator.
• I'm a joint managing conservator and didn't see them; they then use that to go to the next court.
• He used to file false claims to CPS about me as an effort to take my daughter.
• My heart goes out; my soul efforts and professional efforts are there to protect victims of family violence

Bills: HB168, HB 1044, HB1534, HB1914, HB2240, HB2530, HB3284, HB3395, HB3515, HB3783, HB4034, HB4213, HB168

Keywords: marriage age, minors, family law, void marriage, rights of minors, Texas marriage law, marriage ceremony, authorized officiants, family code, judges, religious leaders, parent-child relationship, Department of Family and Protective Services, legal rights, notice requirements, HB 1914, Texas Family Code, Chapter 156, conservatorship, custody

Transcript Highlights:

• Rational and really take a good look at how we are conserving our groundwater resources and not pretend
• So this is counterproductive to that recovery effort.
• The bill would undermine carefully managed conservation efforts and increase poaching and habitat conflict
• The bill would undermine carefully managed conservation efforts and increase poaching and habitat conflict
• The bill would undermine carefully managed conservation efforts and increase poaching and habitat conflict

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, approval of the journal, and several guest introductions, including the doctor of the day, Arizona State Troopers Day participants, the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and a Delta Sigma Theta delegation. A Senate proclamation was read recognizing the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association for its work serving people with communication disorders. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole and later third-reading votes on a large number of House bills, with several members offering floor explanations on controversial measures. Among the bills considered in Committee of the Whole were HB 2133 on sexual material and synthetic depictions, HB 2167 relating to the Attorney General, HB 2600 on school clubs and parental consent, HB 255 on brackish groundwater recovery, HB 2787 on Mexican wolf reintroduction cooperation, HB 2795 on small modular reactor zoning, HB 2985 on state land water allocations, and HB 2003 on driver instruction permits. HB 2133 was amended, including a floor amendment adding exemptions for parody, comedy, artistic expression, and criticism, and the committee recommended it do pass as amended. HB 2787 and HB 2985 advanced after divided votes, while HB 2795 failed in the later floor vote. HB 2003 was amended to add a delayed effective date of December 1, 2026 and advanced out of committee. On third reading, the Senate passed HB 2013, 2031, 2102, 2103, 2117, 2226, 2262, 2278, 2378, 2584, 2693, 2270, 2370, 2665, 2666, 2876, 487, 2003, 255, 2133, 2167, 2600, 2787, 2811, and 2985, with several votes split largely along party lines. HB 2795 was defeated. Debate focused heavily on water policy, public safety, school parental consent, speech and sexual-material regulation, local control over zoning, and the Attorney General’s authority. The Senate also agreed to a free conference committee for HB 2874 and appointed Senators Finchem, Bolick, and Ortiz, then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I think the next item is the Youth Conservation Corps. This is Agency Code 522.
• The YCC is the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps, and we are a workforce development program.
• Based on the needs of the women in our state, we have concentrated our efforts on three areas: health
• Districts to do improvements to both conserve water and serve farmers in the area.
• And we're working with the Soil and Water Conservation Districts on ag projects in the area.

Transcript Highlights:

• that was created by voters through a constitutional amendment to support activities that protect, conserve
• planning and decision- for conservation planning and decision- making<00:12:16.040> uh<00:12:
• 00:14:35.600> for habitat and Recreation these are for habitat and Recreation these are for efforts
• to enhance habitat connectivity efforts to enhance habitat connectivity benefit<00:14:39.399> water
• <00:15:54.240> easements<00:15:55.240> funding conservation easements funding conservation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you pass this, you do not allow for that very conservative. approach to occur.
• Personally, I think this bill is a waste of time, and I wish we had put our efforts into real public
• I want to thank you for your efforts and I'll be voting for your bill. Thank you Mr. Canales.
• HB 2347 by Zwiener relates the adoption of a water conservation program by certain counties.
• , not just conservation by municipalities.

Bills: HJR34, HB 113, HB184, HB198, HB247, HB367, HB449, HB1778, HB514, HB576, HB632, HB1395, HB2225, HB2582, HB2494, HB766, HB2715, HB2712, HB3069, HB3505, HB 1269, HB4224, HB3609, HB5032, HB2240, HB5180, HB3348, HB4668, HB4909, HB4665, HB4895, HB3395, HB3157, HB4762, HB4395, HB4325, HB4952, HB4386, HB4273, HB2760, HB2697, HB2820, HB1828, HB1768, HB1579, HB1773, HB1871, HB2035, HB2448, HB2492, HB1411, HB4753, HB4666, HB4529, HB1499, HB1610, HB2028, HB1506, HB886, HB3546, HB796, HB223, HB1475, HB3556, HB4638, HCR126, HB38, HB 104, SB1008, SB1106, SB1172, SB2629, SB2964, SB616, HB2214, SB552, HB3181, HB3628, HB589, HB3529, HB3354, HB333, HB2914, HB4130, HB4131, HB24, HB 1160, HB3962, HB4115, HB2295, HB5398, HB1407, HB3800, HB2613, HJR138, HB42, HJR34, HB 129, HB677, HB426, HB668, HB1699, HB2017, HB2128, HB2038, HB3783, HB3717, HB2316, HB3686, HB2563, HB3883, HB4021, HB2788, HB2663, HB3305, HB3173, HB3474, HB 1105, HB3531, HB3490, HB3597, HB 1295, HB3512, HB3010, HB3112, HB4215, HB3223, HB3464, HB3120, HB4214, HB4511, HB3704, HB4081, HB4783, HB4063, HB2783, HB4937, HB5085, HB2510, HB3426, HB4361, HB 1169, HB2516, HB2347, HB4034, HB4700, HB3560, HB5150, HB3860, HB3146, HB3924, HB 113, HB184, HB198, HB247, HB367, HB449, HB1778, HB514, HB576, HB632, HB1395, HB2225, HB2582, HB2494, HB766, HB2715, HB2712, HB3069, HB3505, HB 1269, HB4224, HB3609, HB5032, HB2240, HB5180, HB3348, HB4668, HB4909, HB4665, HB4895, HB3395, HB3157, HB4762, HB4395, HB4325, HB4952, HB4386, HB4273, HB2760, HB2697, HB2820, HB1828, HB1768, HB1579, HB1773, HB1871, HB2035, HB2448, HB2492, HB1411, HB4753, HB4666, HB4529, HB1499, HB1610, HB2028, HB1506, HB886, HB3546, HB796, HB223, HB1475, HB3556, HB4638, HCR98, HCR92, HCR126

Keywords: HJR 34, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, ad valorem tax, property tax exemption, real property, border counties, U.S.-Mexico border, United Mexican States, border security, border security infrastructure, landowner, county tax base, local government, tax relief, property value increase, infrastructure improvements, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, statutory construction

Transcript Highlights:

• I would also say, again, the conservation easement.
• I'm a theologically conservative Christian and a politically conservative voter.
• Conservation, easements, improved alerts, and updated building codes are all necessary and helpful.
• And donors wanting to contribute to relief efforts.
• We can work better in this state for conservation.

Bills: HB1, HB 2, HB18, HB19, HB20

Keywords: youth camps, emergency preparedness, safety standards, health regulations, camp licensing, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 367 creates the Watershed Restoration and Conservation Fund. Mr. Chairman.
• Restoration and Conservation Fund. Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• And before he was elected, we chatted about this opportunity to create the watershed restoration conservation
• This legislation is a result of many hours of conversation and good faith efforts to get us to this point
• This legislation is a result of many hours of conversation and good faith efforts to get us to this point

Summary: The House Committee on Appropriations met on May 18, 2026, and considered four Senate bills. Senate Bill 143 would create a Special Protective Equipment Fund to finance bulletproof vests for peace officers, with the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement to regulate distribution; an amendment standardizing fund language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Testimony and cards in support came from law enforcement groups and the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement. Senate Bill 367 would create the Watershed Restoration and Conservation Fund, depositing remaining severance tax revenues from sand and stone mining after constitutional allocations; an amendment was adopted to align it with House Bill 802 by adding reporting and appropriation language, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Support was noted from the Louisiana Concrete Association and Chiefs of Police, and members discussed flood-related concerns and broader watershed restoration goals. Senate Bill 388 would authorize review of state contracts involving foreign adversary nations or terrorist organizations and remove a trigger clause from a prior 2023 law. The sponsor said the review could be done at no cost, and the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 398 would reorganize manufactured housing regulation by moving oversight from the fire marshal’s office to the Board of Contractors, consolidating residential housing oversight, moving licensees to Title 37, and changing inspection procedures; an amendment to conform fund language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Antlers support the Elks through multiple efforts such as their drug awareness program.
• We put 'conservative' on our literature when we mail it out, and they believe us.
• Being a true conservative means that we plan wisely, not just for today.
• Efforts to reduce and eliminate income tax.
• I am a small government conservative; I'm not an anarchist.

Bills: HB3257, HB3176, HB3544, HB3619, HB3546, HB1782, HB2293, HB4358, HB3081, HB3983, HB3790, HJR1023, HB4139, HB3297, HB3041, HB3673, HB4105, HB3338, HB3048, SR33, SCR21, SCR20, HB4030, HB4031, HB4032, HB4034, HB4036, HB4037, HB4038, HB4040, HB4041, HB4042, HB4043, HB4045, HB4046, HB4047, HB4048, HB4044, HB4050, HB4051, HB4052, HB4053, HB4054, HB4056, HB4057, HB4071, HB4065, HB4067, HB4072, HB2992, HB4338, HB4170

Keywords: veterans, disability benefits, federal law, Oklahoma Statutes, military service, Oklahoma, Gas Hub, artificial intelligence, national laboratory, public-private partnerships, aerospace, high-performance computing, economic development, social AI companions, minors, emotional attachment, safety protocols, civil penalties, parental controls, geographic information

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this is a true bipartisan effort. There are two Democrats, two Republicans on the bill.
• As Mark stated, um we've had great support for this whole effort across all avenues.
• this, and we feel comfortable that this is something that can be provided to the anglers with no conservation
• this, and we feel comfortable that this is something that can be provided to the anglers with no conservation
• this, and we feel comfortable that this is something that can be provided to the anglers with no conservation

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So any effort.
• Otherwise, It will be a defunct effort if we try to do that right now. Mr.
• And actually, there are some Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
• We were involved in a joint effort between our Seca de la Isla and Seca San Jose to build.
• I hope it's a great effort to streamline the process of capital outlay for the Murphy Lake.

Transcript Highlights:

• The International Union for Conservation of Nature finds that carcinogenic chemicals found in plastic
• We earn Richmond, our conservation chair, and Alan Gordon, our executive committee chair.
• Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation, and
• Two initiatives that will jumpstart Massachusetts' efforts to reduce our plastic dependence.
• Such efforts should not hold... ...vehicle batteries at the end of their useful life.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a heavily attended hybrid hearing focused primarily on plastics reduction bills, along with a few local and related waste-management measures. Chair Rauch and Chair Barber outlined strict testimony rules because of the large number of speakers. Before the plastics docket, the committee heard support for a local Sharon sewer-extension bill for a Sunrise Senior Living project, and the bill’s proponents said the project would help address senior housing needs and would still require MWRA and local approvals. The chairs also noted a separate local matter involving Sharon and the MWRA. A major portion of the hearing centered on the Plastics Reduction Act and related bills addressing single-use plastics, including plastic bags, polystyrene, black plastic, plastic beverage bottles, non-flushable wipes, skip-the-stuff provisions, and truth-in-labeling. Sponsors and supporters said the bills would reduce litter, microplastics, greenhouse gas emissions, and municipal waste costs, while creating statewide consistency and supporting environmental justice communities. Several speakers cited local bans already adopted by many Massachusetts cities and towns, and many urged the committee to advance comprehensive statewide action. The committee also heard testimony on a boat wrap recycling bill, a mattress recycling bill, and a bill to prohibit hotels from providing small plastic toiletries. Municipal officials and waste professionals supported extended producer responsibility for paint and labeling for non-flushable wipes, saying these measures would shift costs away from cities and towns and reduce strain on wastewater systems. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, Mayor Ruth Ann Fuller of Newton, and a Franklin County waste official all backed paint EPR and wipes labeling. Fire Chief Brian Nardelli testified for the Fire Chiefs Association in support of lithium-ion battery legislation, citing fire safety and disposal concerns. Other speakers, including environmental groups, local activists, and business representatives, supported bag and polystyrene bans, though the Retailers Association of Massachusetts urged any bag policy to be truly statewide and said any bag fee should be retained by retailers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• “Today we’ll be briefly discussing some of our current efforts, efforts that we’ve just begun, and new
• So we would like to support them in that effort.
• Hernandez, can continue to support your cleanup efforts.
• That effort is called an update to the probabilistic seismic hazard assessment, and that effort is underway
• It's a conservative organization.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Committee Substitute 1, um, this is also part of an effort that Co-Chair Tipton has been working
• <01:50:32.640> that um this is also part of an effort that um this is also part of an effort
• Senate Resolution 195, a resolution supporting perpetual conservation easements, Senator Webb.
• and conservation, Senator Webb. and conservation, Senator Webb.
• supporting perpetual conservation supporting perpetual conservation easements,<02:12:12.840>

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The university scrutinized our constitution simply because we... ...used the word conservative.
• On numerous occasions, conservative-leaning students and faculty alike have shared examples with me about
• It is part of a coordinated effort to censor classrooms, silence critical inquiry, and dismantle public
• Senate Bill 37 is an effort to bring our campuses back to a place where there is diversity of thought
• You know, there has been sort of a national effort.

Bills: SB 37

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've seen a conservation district expansion threat, board appointment holdover threat, pest management
• But when you have a pesticide discussion, or when you have a conservation district discussion happening
• You don't really get to discuss why you don't like this conservation district; instead, it becomes, well
• Police is where we're going to spend the time and effort. We don't want to get...
• I am the representative of a conservation district in East Texas. Okay, good to know.

Bills: SB250, SB375, SB536, SB845, SB1633, SB1944, SB1957, SB2081, SB2137, SB2262, SB2299, SB2419, SB2452, SB2522, SB2549, SB2594, SB2605, SB2631, SB2639, SB2675, SB3029, SJR60, HB22, HB1392, HB2525, HB22

Keywords: municipal annexation, railroad, adjacent areas, local government, property rights, healthcare provider, Harris County Hospital District, hospital funding, healthcare services, public health program, home loans, nurses, veterans, public servants, Texas Heroes program, low-interest loans, social workers, housing assistance, SB 1633, Texas Tax Code