Transcript Highlights:

• So, I do have a virtual testifier. If we could go to them first, that would be Pam Mason.
• Do we have anybody virtually? >> Thanks.
• virtually virtually from<00:21:53.290> [clears throat]<00:21:53.320> Iowa from [clears
• Um but wondering if anyone else has an opinion, Senator Dziedzic, or if MnDOT or someone more learned
• <01:19:27.840> has or if MnDOT or someone more learned has or if MnDOT or someone more learned

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• difficult it was during the pandemic and, and having to, uh, you know, uh, in the middle of everything go virtual
• , all virtual, and then some virtual and, and, uh, in addition to all the difficulties of the pandemic
• It was not until I spoke to Laura on either June 9th or 10th of 2024 that I learned for the first time

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:45.199> all written consent for virtually all written consent for virtually all student
• <00:14:32.880> many those six years, I've learned many those six years, I've learned many
• <00:42:20.400> pathway, opportunity, another learning pathway, opportunity, another learning
• for for my child who had a learning for for my child who had a learning challenge<01:08:35.839><
• to Representative Lichfield and learning to Representative Lichfield and learning that<03:32:28.160

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will note that when we saw this bill, we learned that it has been around for a while, or an iteration
• that it has saw this bill U we learned that it has been<00:26:41.039> around<00:26:41.480>
• and in person 400 events both virtual and in person throughout<01:14:21.679> the<01:14:21.960
• inperson events uh as well as virtual inperson events uh as well as virtual that<01:14:39.000>
• about small farms is that you learned about small farms is that you get<01:27:43.280> that<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've also been reaching out to legislative councils in other term-limited states to learn what practical
• These discussions, which we'll hold virtually and in person, can provide a platform for open dialogue
• Garty, can you talk a little bit more about how folks will be invited to a virtual stakeholder input?
• dedicated policy analyst, someone that they are building a relationship with, someone that they're learning
• I know Senator Hogan has fostered this through over the years and as it applies and we learn what we

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum, approved the previous meeting minutes, and heard an update from Garty Consulting on the interim study of legislative term limits. The consultants outlined their research plan and preliminary themes, including loss of institutional knowledge, shifts in power toward executive agencies and lobbyists, reduced long-term policy capacity, faster leadership turnover, and recruitment/support challenges. They also described possible recommendation categories ranging from constitutional and statutory changes to procedural and cultural adjustments. Committee members asked about how other states repealed term limits, how the public survey would address perceptions of term limits, and how stakeholder focus groups would be selected. The committee also heard a presentation from NCSL on term limits in other states, including examples from Nevada, Montana, and Colorado, with discussion of training programs, staffing changes, annual-session debates, bill limits, and impacts on decorum and leadership continuity. Several members requested follow-up data on part-time versus full-time legislatures, taxpayer costs, and nonpartisan staff devoted to oversight. The committee then considered revisions to the legislature’s workplace harassment policy and related forms. Legislative Council explained changes that clarified the definition of harassment, added captions for readability, extended several deadlines, allowed informal resolution before a review panel is appointed, clarified the role of Legislative Council in intake and documentation, and updated confidentiality/open-records language. Members, especially Senator Hogan, said the revisions better formalize the role of counsel and provide a less intimidating path for resolving complaints. The committee adopted the revised policy and forms by roll call vote. Finally, the committee approved a motion to enter executive session at 1:00 p.m. to review the results of a capital threat assessment and discuss legislator security, citing the applicable open-meetings exemptions. Members were instructed to limit discussion to the stated purpose and not take final action until returning to open session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the amendment ensures that districts operating full-time virtual programs do not draw down
• support staff retention allotment funds for students who do not live in the district and are full-time virtual
• toolbox for handling student behavior, which not only improves their environment, but it improves the learning
• wiser, but also more confident and curious and excited about the possibilities ahead that come with learning
• Possibilities ahead that come with learning.

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion to suspend Rule 5.14 and move the intent calendar deadline to 6 p.m. that day. It then took up and passed several bills, often by suspending the regular order of business and the constitutional three-day rule. HB 1866 gave limited Texas peace officer authority to National Park Service law enforcement officers within the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park; HB 4996 increased the penalty for refusing to release a fraudulent lien when the victim is a public servant; and HB 5033 created a trigger mechanism for ending vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes. HB 1533 made a range of appraisal and property tax procedure changes, HB 2282 raised the arrest warrant reimbursement fee from $50 to $75, HB 3421 updated probate and estates procedures, and HB 4263 revised Texas Juvenile Justice Department grievance procedures. Each of these measures advanced through second reading, third reading, and final passage, with recorded votes generally showing strong support and some opposition on a few bills. The chamber also considered major policy bills. HB 2, the large public education and school finance package, drew extensive floor discussion and multiple amendments. Senators emphasized its $8.5 billion investment, including teacher and staff pay, school safety funding, special education, charter and traditional school funding changes, and other allotment adjustments. Several senators praised the bill as historic and collaborative, while also noting the need to monitor implementation and future effects. After adopting amendments and hearing supportive remarks from multiple members, the Senate passed HB 2 on final vote, 31-0. Other debated measures included HB 143, which codified cooperation between the Railroad Commission and the Public Utility Commission to address electrical safety hazards at well sites and related facilities, and CS SB 3074/3070, which allowed limited written communications from the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to TCEQ commissioners about permit applications, with disclosure and response requirements. Senator Johnson raised concerns that the TCEQ bill could politicize an apolitical permitting process and potentially affect federal delegation, but the bill was amended and passed 28-3. The Senate also passed HB 4426 on Railroad Commission permits for commercial surface disposal facilities, HB 3161 giving TMRS cities more flexibility on employee contribution rates, and HB 2712 allowing future test years for certain water and sewer utility rate-making, with an amendment to protect ratepayers if projections overcharge them. At the end of the session, the Senate handled several procedural motions, including re-referring HB 1904 from Criminal Justice to State Affairs and suspending posting rules so committees could meet later that day. The chamber then recessed until 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2025, for a local and uncontested calendar, and planned to adjourn until 5:00 p.m. that same day after that calendar concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And number three, specifies the intent to apply lessons learned from past DER efforts. So...
• And number three, specifies the intent to apply lessons learned from past D.E.R. efforts.
• I would have commented with the work that you're doing on virtual power plants.
• Virtual power plants are not retail suppliers.
• There's only so much learning that can be done in a laboratory.

Summary: The committee heard several energy and water affordability bills, with extensive testimony on SB 254 by Senator Becker, SB 541 by Senator Becker, SB 453 by Senator Stern, SB 292 by Senator Caballero, and SB 473 by Senator Padilla. SB 254 was presented as a broad utility affordability package addressing short-term climate credits, a Power Fund, tighter scrutiny of rate increases and utility profits, wildfire spending, securitization of future utility costs, and streamlining. Supporters, including TURN and several environmental and public power groups, said it could lower bills and reduce long-term costs; opponents from investor-owned utilities, labor, business, and local government raised concerns about market impacts, insufficient analysis, and the breadth of the bill. The committee approved SB 254 on a 6-3 vote and placed it on call. SB 541 focused on load flexibility and using existing grid capacity more efficiently. Senator Becker described it as a transparency and planning measure to identify cost-effective load shifting and reduce peak demand, while supporters said it could improve resiliency and save money. Several CCAs and utilities opposed the bill in print or unless amended, arguing that some language implied a mandate and that the concept needed more cost-effectiveness analysis; the author said amendments would remove language dividing the state goal among retail suppliers and clarify that the bill is not a procurement mandate. The committee passed SB 541 as amended to Appropriations on a 9-1 vote and left it on call. SB 453 by Senator Stern would return unspent ratepayer-funded microgrid program dollars and was described as a way to keep the lights on and redirect unused funds. It drew support from local government and environmental groups, with PG&E expressing concern about how the bill would affect its ability to spend awarded funds. The committee passed SB 453 as amended to Appropriations on a 12-0 vote. SB 292 by Senator Caballero would require more granular outage and reliability reporting, including census-tract-level data, to better inform resilience planning after PSPS events; utilities opposed unless amended, citing duplicative reporting and regulatory overlap, but the bill passed 12-0 to Appropriations. SB 473 by Senator Padilla would require or expand water utility decoupling to promote conservation and affordability. Supporters, including water utilities, labor, business, and local government groups, argued decoupling stabilizes revenue, supports conservation, and can keep rates lower for low-use customers. The Public Advocates Office opposed, saying prior pilot data showed no conservation benefit and about $1 billion in added costs, and that the CPUC had already rejected similar requests. Committee members questioned the conservation and capital-investment effects of the different rate structures; the author and supporters argued decoupling helps utilities fund infrastructure while allowing lower fixed charges for low-use customers. The transcript ends during that discussion, before a final vote on SB 473 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not all students learn the same.
• People are walking inside your classroom to make sure students are learning.
• People are walking inside your classroom to make sure students are learning.
• Students can't learn if they are hungry. So great bill. I'm excited to vote up on it. Thank you.
• And you just, you know, argumentative in all the things and can't learn and process.

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee heard and advanced a series of education bills focused on transparency, accountability, attendance, school start times, student well-being, and career planning. HB 1321, by Rep. Salsman, would remove public-records and public-meeting exemptions for university presidential searches, eliminate the Board of Governors from those searches, require Board of Governors members to file full financial disclosures and be Florida residents, and expand syllabus posting requirements; it passed 15-0. HB 1079, by Rep. Botana, as amended, broadened eligibility for dropout retrieval programs to include students who withdrew and did not reengage in education, and it also passed 15-0 after a strike-all amendment and supportive testimony from a program provider. The committee also approved PCS for HB 969, by Rep. Kassel, which shifts evaluation of school mental health services to the Department of Children and Families and requires more detailed outcome data, surveys, and reporting related to the Mental Health Assistance Allocation program; it passed 15-0. HB 1367, by Rep. Booth, creates a statewide attendance policy with uniform definitions and reporting requirements to address chronic absenteeism; it passed 15-1 after support from business and education groups and some concern about state control over district policy. PCS for HB 261, by Rep. Gerwig, revises the 2023 middle and high school start-time law by allowing districts to document compliance efforts and unintended consequences rather than fully meet the mandated later start times; it passed 16-0. The most debated bill was HB 1483, by Rep. Valdez, which would align Florida’s school grading scale with the familiar 90/80/70/60 letter-grade standard over a five-year transition and require school grades to appear on student report cards. Supporters argued the current scale is misleading and too lenient, while opponents warned it would sharply increase failing school labels, create costs and turnaround mandates, and confuse parents and students. Despite extensive testimony from school board members, teachers, students, and advocacy groups on both sides, the bill passed 12-4. The committee then quickly approved HB 1245, a one-year Hunger-Free Campus Pilot Program for three universities with the highest share of Pell-eligible students, and HB 571, which expands career planning, paid work experience, and credit-transfer review for students; both passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• The last experience was my first experience working with veterans, and I learned more. about veterans
• I've learned more now than I ever could.
• We've also provided a virtual job fair after COVID hit.
• And so one of the issues of things that I've learned as we go. Which is really important.
• One of the problems that we learned, that I learned, in helping Roy is the VA... sent him his check,

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Community for uh cic's in open Learning Community for uh cic's in Minnesota<00:51:18.280> and
• Uh, first up we have two virtual testifiers: Ivory Taylor and then Becky Cole.
• Next up we have Becky Cole, also joining us virtually.
• Next up we have Becky Cole, also joining us virtually.
• Next up we have Becky Cole, also joining us virtually. Becky Cole, also joining us virtually.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There’s a lot of work-based learning, so you have facility visits, guest speakers, presentations, career
• Virtual learning was utilized by teachers and students.
• I believe that it's important that our students are in school learning new skills and socializing with
• instructional time and ensuring that all students, regardless of where they live, have the opportunity to learn
• others focused on non-rural and higher-needs settings find consistent negative effects on student learning

Bills: HB 1209, HB4746

Keywords: school funding, instructional days, education, public schools, school performance, four-day school week, performance rating, school governance, school calendar, education funding, emergency closures, school district, school operations, Texas education, public school accountability, academic distinction designation, postsecondary readiness, career and technical education, CTE, P-TECH

Transcript Highlights:

• IT HAS BEEN DISPLAYING A HIGH DEGREE OF EXCELLENCE IN VIRTUALLY EVERY SINGLE AREA IT HAS BEEN EXCEEDING
• IN THE SHORT TIME SINCE MY APPOINTMENT BY THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS I HAVE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL ABOUT FUTHER
• ONE THING I LEARNED DURING MY FIRST APPOINTMENT WHICH WAS TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LICENSING BOARD
• MANY SHINGLES AND NAILS NEEDED TO BE IN A PARTICULAR SHINGLE AND BEING STRESSED OUT ABOUT HAVING TO LEARN
• THERE'S LOTS TO LEARN AND I WANT YOU TO LOOK CLOSELY AT DO YOU SEE IN THIS CANDIDATE THE ABILITY TO LEARN

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'd just like to learn about it, if I could. Mr.
• And I learned a lot about the state Supreme Court justice system.
• pillar of how they learn on the job is very experienced and consistent staff.
• We do them virtually, and it's a robust group.
• If we learned anything, Mr. Chairman, and Representative Hernandez...

Transcript Highlights:

• about 7% of the students have vision problems, and that obviously impacts their ability to read and learn
• We witness firsthand how undiagnosed vision problems create barriers for learning.
• The evidence is clear: A student who cannot see cannot read, thus learning is stifled by this bill.
• Our students deserve nothing less than the ability to see and to learn effectively.
• However, 80% of learning for young people is visual.

Bills: HB 1178, HB1411, HB1441, HB1773, HB1813, HB2107, HB2598, HB2911, HB2967, HB3672, HB5263, HB3797

Keywords: education, temporary certification, out-of-state educators, teacher shortage, military spouses, personal leave, school holidays, employee compensation, overtime provisions, school safety, peace officers, mental health, de-escalation techniques, trauma-informed care, student trustee, school board, student representation, education policy, nonvoting position, school governance

Transcript Highlights:

• There are about 50,000 kids in some flavor of age. of a virtual school, but those are public virtual
• In terms of making the state number one in terms of student learning outcomes, this is This is a whole
• I think when a lot of people learn, first of all, they're shocked to learn that public education funding
• What they're more surprised by and what I was shocked when I learned. initially, is when you juxtapose
• One, virtually every hearing that this legislative body did, whether you're in the House or Senate, This

Keywords: infrastructure, water supply, flood mitigation, Texas Water Fund, community projects, funding allocations

Summary: During this committee meeting, the focus was on discussing critical infrastructure funding, especially related to water supply and flood mitigation projects. Chairwoman Stepney and the Water Development Board presented extensive details regarding the Texas Water Fund, which included $1 billion appropriated to assist various financial programs and tackle pressing water and wastewater issues. Additionally, funding allocations aimed at compromising the state's flood risk and improving water conservation were hotly debated, emphasizing collaboration among committee members and the necessity of addressing community needs in such projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 287 by Senator Reese is an act in Title 6 relative to virtual currency to provide for virtual
• Bill 363 by Representative Jacob Landry is an act to amend Title 17 relative to students enrolled in virtual
• schools, to authorize students enrolled in virtual schools to participate in public school activities
• at the public school they would otherwise attend. ...to authorize students enrolled in virtual schools
• education number to every child participating in a publicly funded program for pre-K or in an early learning

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 287 by Senator Reese is an act in Title 6 relative to virtual currency to provide for virtual
• Bill 363 by Representative Jacob Landry is an act to amend Title 17 relative to students enrolled in virtual
• schools, to authorize students enrolled in virtual schools to participate in public school activities
• at the public school they would otherwise attend. ...to authorize students enrolled in virtual schools
• education number to every child participating in a publicly funded program for pre-K or in an early learning

Bills: SR130, SR131, SR132, SR133, SCR74, SCR12, HB582, HB221, HCR74, HCR58, HB71, HB79, HB158, HB160, HB169, HB227, HB251, HB289, HB330, HB394, HB410, HB429, HB769, HB1017, HB1234, HB712, SCR3, SB54, SB72, SB129, SB164, SB232, SB287, SB322, SB374, SB375, SB386, SB409, SB447, SB458, SB78, SB112, SB124, SB125, SB174, SB190, SB201, SB208, SB236, SB273, SB307, SB347, SB357, SB385, SB387, SB393, SB401, SB415, SB426, SB435, SB487, SB488, SB523, SB222, SCR9, SCR58, SB480, SB514, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, HCR31, HCR47, HB362, HB363, HB368, HB377, HB380, HB382, HB386, HB392, HB406, HB431, HB441, HB466, HB503, HB533, HB559, HB575, HB590, HB593, HB618, HB655, HB664, HB685, HB692, HB707, HB715, HB732, HB738, HB741, HB748, HB776, HB807, HB822, HB856, HB860, HB868, HB887, HB888, HB905, HB908, HB961, HB980, HB990, HB992, HB999, HB1000, HB1010, HB1146, HB1157, HB1233, HB1243, HB54, HB137, HB180, HB192, HB310, HB321, HB396, HB512, HB552, HB578, HB638, HB663, HB708, HB717, HB718, HB1009, HB1082, HB1104, HB1107, HB1198, HB1246, HB27, HB143, HB205, HB259, HB267, HB288, HB308, HB403, HB405, HB414, HB417, HB478, HB546, HB548, HB555, HB557, HB609, HB670, HB672, HB740, HB779, HB786, HB796, HB812, HB848, HB915, HB917, HB921, HB930, HB933, HB1095, HB1096, HB1103, HB1129, HB1154, HB1166, HB1187, HB1195, HB1230, HB316, HB511, HB514, HB799, HB1039, HB17, HB36, HB41, HB47, HB73, HB126, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB166, HB211, HB226, HB271, HB324, HB337, HB351, HB399, HB571, HB723, HB726, HB750, HB759, HB844, HB966, HB1006, HB1018, HB1036, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB379, SB382, SB441, SB449, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB782, SB149

Keywords: E. Joseph Savoie, Dr. Savoie, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, UL Lafayette, higher education, Louisiana Board of Regents, commissioner of higher education, president emeritus, Carnegie R1, research university, student financial aid, needs-based aid, community and technical college system, teacher education, hurricane Katrina, hurricane Rita, retirement resolution, commendation, senate resolution, public service

Summary: The Senate convened with 29 members present, opened with prayer by Oren Connor, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a musical performance by the Chuck Wagon Gang. The chamber also recognized several guests and observances, including birthdays for Senators Seabaugh, Fesi, and Price, White Coat Wednesday participants, Tourism Day, the Louisiana Oil Marketers Association, Chenault International Airport’s 40th anniversary, and visiting fair queens from Washington and Tangipahoa parishes. The Senate dispensed with reading the journal and received numerous House and Senate messages, committee reports, and resolutions. Several Senate resolutions were taken up and adopted, including commendations for Isaac Herzenberg, condolences for Kathleen Sessomson and former Senator Louis Lambert Jr., recognition of White Coat Wednesday and Tourism Day, and a study resolution on transfer-on-death and payable-on-death accounts. The Senate also adopted a conference committee report on House Bill 782, which concerned vapor and alternative nicotine products and was described as giving the state more tools to combat illegal vapes. A number of Senate bills returned from the House with amendments were either concurred in or rejected, including SB 54, SB 72, SB 129, SB 164, SB 232, SB 287, SB 374, SB 375, SB 386, SB 409, SB 112, SB 124, SB 125, SB 174, SB 190, SB 207, SB 236, SB 307, SB 357, SB 385, SB 387, SB 458, SB 477, SB 590, SB 593, SB 618, SB 655, SB 692, SB 707, SB 732, SB 738, SB 748, SB 776, SB 807, SB 860, SB 868, SB 887, SB 888, SB 905, and SB 961, with votes generally passing by wide margins. The chamber also considered several House bills on final passage. Among those approved were measures on local security districts, budget review authority, school activity access for virtual students, electronic bid forms, brake equipment and trailer safety, construction management at risk contracts, temporary registration plates, the Louisiana Maritime Academy name change, OMV fee and ID issues, ferry operations, group purchasing for local governments, the Green Envelope Program for drivers with disabilities, OMV field office fees, LED fee updates, port development priorities, workforce instructor capacity, and a campus disciplinary process bill tied to hazing prevention. Some House bills were passed after amendments, while others were passed over or rejected for later conference, including bills on virtual school participation, historic preservation, civil service, suicide prevention, local government training, and economic development districts. The Senate also rejected House amendments on SB 78 and SB 208, and rejected amendments on SB 387, sending those matters toward further negotiation.

Transcript Highlights:

• or any kind of physical activity that benefits children physically cognitively income per improve learning
• I can tell you about what it's like to be the the family of a victim, but I in the meantime, have learned
• I'm going to hand off the virtual gala and you will to the vice chair.
• improve the education requirements for obtaining both a standard driver's license and our drivers learn
• Senators I will now hand back the virtual gavel to chair colleagues. >> Thank you, Senator Avila.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Learn numbers to 25 again.
• The more I learn about this, the more confused I get.
• What I learned in my career of merging and taking over businesses is that when a company or a hospital
• And again, for a teacher that's not in this lane, I'm learning a lot. Thank you.
• Even for our hospitals, we are developing a concept of virtual care, a virtual hospital.

Transcript Highlights:

• If I have learned one thing, it's that Americans cherish liberty in a truly profound way.
• What did you learn from your representation of President Trump?
• It was an honor, and I learned a ton.
• And that's, that's what I've learned.
• As I hope you've learned.

Keywords: nominations, Deputy Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, Todd Blanch, Gail Slater, confirmation hearing

Summary: The meeting focused on the nominations of Todd Blanch and Gail Slater for the positions of Deputy Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, respectively. The committee considered the qualifications of both nominees, with opening statements provided by the nominees themselves. There was an evident emphasis on the rigorous vetting process that nominees undergo before their selection, highlighting the importance of the roles within the Department of Justice. Members of the committee engaged in a structured question-and-answer session to further evaluate the nominees' capabilities and fit for the positions they were nominated for, with each member allotted seven minutes to pose questions.