Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a Marine Corps veteran, and I have the privilege of serving as the Executive Director of the Texas
• Executive Director—this was part of his nine-page written testimony, and Patrick, I sent this to you,
• Executive Director—this was part of his nine-page written testimony, and Patrick, I sent this to you,
• Executive Director, this was part of his nine-page written testimony, and Patrick, I sent this to you
• I'm the deputy executive director for the Texas Veterans Commission.

Summary: The Select Committee on Veterans Affairs met to hear testimony on interim charge 2, focused on military-to-civilian transition, and later on the role of the Military Veteran Peer Network and broader transition supports. The committee first heard from representatives of Midwestern State University and Wichita Falls, who described partnerships with Sheppard Air Force Base, expanded military student services, scholarship support, and the importance of helping service members connect to education, employment, and community before separation. Witnesses emphasized that successful transition is not just about finding a job, but about creating a warm handoff to local employers, colleges, civic groups, and veteran organizations, and they urged earlier outreach while service members are still on active duty. Testimony from Texas A&M University–Central Texas and the Texas A&M University System focused on the Military Talent Pipeline, credentialing, and workforce alignment. Witnesses said Texas should better capture service members’ skills earlier, improve information-sharing with employers, and expand pathways that translate military training into civilian credentials. A major recommendation was a Texas “medic/corpsman to registered nurse” pathway modeled on Wisconsin’s WISMAC program, along with broader reciprocity and bridging programs for military certifications in fields such as aircraft maintenance, trucking, and other high-demand occupations. Members also discussed the need for more staffing and resources at university veteran offices, and the value of measuring the return on state investment in veteran education benefits such as Hazelwood. The committee then heard from the Texas Veterans Commission’s Mental Health Department on the Military Veteran Peer Network. The witness described peer support coordinators and rural veteran counselors who provide warm handoffs, suicide prevention support, and counseling, especially during the first 18 months after separation, which was identified as a high-risk period. She said the network is effective but too small and needs growth, and noted barriers to base access and TAP participation. Additional testimony from a retired Army officer and transition leader stressed that Texas has many strong programs but weak coordination, and recommended using installation-specific approaches, commander engagement, consent-based data sharing, and stronger links between TAP, state resources, and local communities. A final witness from Onward Ops described upstream enrollment, risk screening, certified peer mentors, and data-sharing to proactively support separating service members; he said the current system leaves veterans to navigate stovepiped programs on their own and called for more community partners, especially in rural areas. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Deputy Director of Government Counsel and Accountability.
• As the acting executive director of Kevin S., with slightly more authority to try to implement some of
• so that The executive is doing exactly our legislative intent.
• Some people made a deal, and we gave the executive greater room.
• Read the governor's executive message. She acknowledges that she got last-minute support.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Todd Anderson, Director of Risk Management. Mr.
• Chairman, members of the committee for the record, Todd Anderson director. Mr.
• Chairman, members of the committee for the record, Tog Anderson, Director of Risk Management.
• We are the smallest executive budget agency of any state with five analysts.
• With the executive branch. Senator Hogan. Thank you, because this is such a work in progress.

Committee: Joint Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• I also am here as the chair of the Court Executive Advisory Committee, representing the 58 court executives
• Daryl Parker, Court Executive Officer, Santa Barbara.
• Next we'll move to Jennifer Peabody, Acting Executive Director, California Appellate Project Los Angeles
• Good evening, my name is Lynelle He. and I'm the Executive Director of Appellate Defenders.
• Good afternoon, I'm Jonathan Soglin, I'm the Executive Director of the First District Appellate Project

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Executive Director, you have five minutes. The floor is yours.
• And when I became executive director of PCFFA, the fishermen that I spoke for expanded from my family
• And when I became executive director of PCFFA, the fishermen that I spoke for expanded from my family
• Madam Executive Director, we are grateful for you, your leadership, and love working with you, as I've
• Whiteman, Executive Director of California Ocean Science Trust. Dr.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture

Summary: The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture held its annual Zeke Grader Fisheries Forum, focusing on the state of California fisheries and the environment. Secretary Wade Crowfoot and CDFW Marine Region Manager Dr. Craig Schumann described the sector as economically important but under pressure from drought, climate change, wildfire, warm oceans, and federal uncertainty. They highlighted progress under the state salmon strategy, including barrier removal, habitat restoration, flow protections, hatchery modernization, and technology improvements, while noting that salmon closures in recent years reflected the state’s driest period on record. Schumann reported 2025 commercial landings of about 217 million pounds worth $212 million, led by market squid, Dungeness crab, groundfish, and spiny lobster, and said the state’s marine protected area network had received international recognition. He also discussed salmon season openings, in-season management, hatchery release strategies, parentage-based tagging, kelp restoration planning, domoic acid closures, and expected future opportunities for rebuilt groundfish stocks such as yelloweye rockfish and cow cod. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to the Klamath River dam removal and salmon recovery. CDFW’s Crystal Robinson reviewed the project timeline, from the 2002 fish kill through dam decommissioning and full barrier removal in October 2024, and said fish returned to historic habitat within days. Yurok Chairman Joseph James, Karuk Chairman Russell “Buster” Attebery, and Dr. Craig Tucker described the dam removal as a historic tribal and state partnership and emphasized that salmon are central to tribal culture, food, and sovereignty. They said the river is already showing recovery, including the return of spring-run Chinook above Upper Klamath Lake for the first time in over a century, but stressed that continued restoration, funding, and protection of cold-water tributaries like the Scott and Shasta Rivers are still needed. Speakers also raised concerns about federal efforts to reinterpret the Endangered Species Act and rewrite the Klamath irrigation biological opinion, and urged the state to remain actively involved. The committee discussed AB 263 and AB 2218, which relate to minimum stream flows and Indigenous water rights, respectively. Members also questioned the agencies about Sacramento River salmon management, Shasta Reservoir cold-water releases, enforcement capacity, and federal disaster funding delays. Crowfoot and Schumann said the Sacramento remains the state’s most important salmon river and that the Bay-Delta Plan update and hatchery and flow actions are critical to recovery. They said marine enforcement remains limited, with about 50 officers covering the 1,100-mile coastline, and relies on technology, federal partnerships, and public tips. The committee indicated it would follow up on the federal biological opinion rewrite and on salmon-related policy issues. The final panel addressed the 2026–27 Dungeness crab season outlook. CDFW’s Joanna Grable said the season will be shaped by the “four horsemen” of whales, domoic acid, meat quality, and fleet dynamics, and warned that warm ocean conditions and a possible strong El Niño could increase domoic acid risk and whale entanglement concerns. She said the department will likely take a conservative approach, including possible season delays or gear reductions, while using new tools such as crab evisceration authority. PCFFA Executive Director Lisa Damrosch argued that the fishery has been built too much on fear and litigation, but acknowledged that RAMP now provides a framework to avoid a repeat of the 2016 crisis while still protecting whales and supporting fishing communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Leas, Ranking Member King, members of the committee, I'm Kirk Hove and Cotter, the executive director
• director of Transportation Choices Coalition.
• I'm Eric Fitch, Executive Director at the Washington Public Ports Association, signed in pro on Senate
• I'm Kyle Tuig, Senior Director of Public Works for Spokane County.
• I'm also the chair of the Spokane Regional Transportation Management Center Executive Board.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held public hearings on three bills: SB 6225, a proposed substitute bond bill authorizing transportation funding bonds; SB 6005, the proposed substitute supplemental transportation budget; and SB 6354, a bill to expand access to electric vehicles through limited direct sales by qualifying EV-only manufacturers and changes to the documentary service fee. Staff explained that SB 6225 would authorize $1.1 billion in general obligation bonds, an additional $400 million for selected Move Ahead Washington highway projects, a $500 million increase in SR 520 bond authority, and the expiration of some older unused bond authorizations. For SB 6005, staff described a $17.5 billion supplemental budget with $1.5 billion in new funding, including reappropriations, preservation and maintenance spending, ferry investments, Climate Commitment Act-related adjustments, and a six-year balanced plan through 2031. For SB 6354, staff outlined the direct-sales framework for qualifying EV manufacturers, dealer licensing requirements, penalties for violations, and a fee increase that would direct revenue to EV rebates and multimodal transportation. Testimony on the budget and bond bills was broadly supportive from transit, local government, labor, construction, ports, and climate advocates, who praised preservation funding, ferry investments, safety programs, EV charging, rail electrification, and flood-response or local project funding. Several witnesses asked for specific project or account changes, including support for Skagit Transit, Day Road and Poplar Way bridge-related funding, Spokane TMC operating support, Kent corridor funding, and additional rail capital projects. Some speakers also urged more Climate Commitment Act funding for EV rebates, charging, and rail electrification, while others warned against deeper cuts to local programs and stressed the need for long-term preservation and bonding to stabilize the system. Testimony on SB 6354 was sharply divided. Rivian, Lucid, and several Washington auto dealers supported the bill as a compromise that would allow limited direct sales for EV-only manufacturers while preserving franchise protections and generating revenue for EV rebates. Climate advocates supported the bill as a way to accelerate EV adoption and asked that more of the fee revenue go to instant rebates for low-income buyers. In opposition, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and Honda argued the bill creates unequal rules, weakens the franchise system, and was not the product of a true compromise. The committee announced that SB 6225 and SB 6005 would be in executive session Thursday at 8 a.m., with amendments due by noon the prior day, while SB 6354 would be scheduled for executive action later.

Transcript Highlights:

• I Director<00:41:57.440><c> Gram.</c> Director Gram. Director Gram.
• </c> the executive branch. the executive branch.
• &gt;&gt; Director<00:48:39.640><c> Gram.</c> &gt;&gt; Director Gram. &gt;&gt; Director Gram.
• Director<01:08:56.920><c> Gram.</c> Director Gram. Director Gram.
• Director Gram. the future? Director Gram.

Bills: HF4110 , HF4101 , HF4144 , HF3546

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We have David Fee, the actuary from the PRB, and Amy Cardona, the executive director of the Pension Review
• And Amy Cardona, the executive director of the Pension Review Board.
• Kumar, the executive director of the Fire Retirement Fund, and myself are sitting together here in agreement
• I'm the executive director of the Austin Firefighters Retirement Fund.
• I'm the executive director of the Austin Firefighters Retirement Fund.

Bills: SB771 , SB2345 , HB135 , HB135

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: diesel fuel tax, tax credit, auxiliary power units, power take-off equipment, refund, energy efficiency, firefighter retirement, municipal contributions, pension system, retirement benefits, funding ratios, sales tax exemption, exotic animals, game animals, agriculture, livestock, civil liability, motor vehicle, legal protection, removal

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard Senate Bill 2345, as a committee substitute, which would reform the Austin Firefighter Retirement Fund. Senator Schwertner explained that the bill is based on an agreed voluntary funding soundness restoration plan between the City of Austin and the fund, and would create a new reduced benefit tier for firefighters hired on or after January 1, 2026, adjust COLAs for current retirees, establish an actuarially determined funding model to address legacy liabilities and 2024 asset losses over 30 years, and add new board seats. Mayor Kirk Watson, city finance staff, the fund executive director, trustees, and retired firefighters all testified in support, describing the measure as an agreed-to, fiscally responsible compromise that protects benefits, supports recruitment, and reduces risk to taxpayers. The committee adopted the committee substitute, but left SB 2345 pending. The committee also heard House Bill 135, which clarifies tax treatment for exotic game or exotic livestock operations by defining them within agricultural exemptions and stating that sales of exotic livestock are not subject to sales and use taxes. Senator Flores described it as a clarification to provide consistency and fairness, and a witness for the Exotic Wildlife Association said it would resolve a Comptroller-related tax issue and benefit ranchers, landowners, and hunters. The committee closed public testimony and reported HB 135 favorably to the full Senate, with a motion to place it on the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 771, by Senator Hinojosa, was also heard and later reported favorably. The bill would allow diesel fuel used in auxiliary power units or power takeoff units to qualify for the same fuel tax credit or refund already available for gasoline, correcting an inadvertent exclusion from the 2003 motor fuel tax rewrite. A witness supported the bill as a matter of tax equity. The committee then considered House Bill 1109, the House companion to SB 935, which exempts counties from certain motor fuel taxes on fuel used in county vehicles; Senator Hall explained it as simply exempting government agencies from paying the tax on their own vehicles. HB 1109 was reported favorably to the full Senate. The committee adjourned after completing its business.

Transcript Highlights:

• With me today is Beth Burt, Executive Director for the Autism Society of the Inland Empire, to provide
• I am the Executive Director of the Autism Society.
• My name is Edgar Chavez, Executive Director of Hayward Promise Neighborhoods.
• Sarah Potter, Executive Director of John Burton Advocates for Youth, proud co-sponsor.
• Sarah Potter, Executive Director of John Burton Advocates for Youth, proud co-sponsor.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Don wbec and I serve as the executive Don wbec and I serve as the executive director<00:40:47.480
• director for the serve as executive director for the Minnesota<00:47:06.599><c> Association</c><00:47
• I'm the executive director of Eospace, and I'm here in support of Senate File 800.
• </c><01:46:44.719><c> director</c><01:46:45.040><c> of</c> Sarah Klein uh the executive director of Sarah
• and</c><01:47:00.360><c> I'm</c> executive director of eospace and I'm executive director of eospace

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director of SECA, California. My name is Janie Whiteford.
• I'm the executive director of SECA, California IHSS Consumer Alliance.
• We've also provided some standards and metrics for the annual evaluation of the executive director to
• The executive directors lump all of the contracts into, like, one vote.
• I'm the executive director at the California Disability Services Association.

Transcript Highlights:

• So Chelsea left a couple of months ago, I think, and we've got a new director.
• Director of the Sheriffs and Deputies Association.
• The executive branch, we execute, right?
• I'm the director of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
• That zone director then picks where that child lives.

Committees: Joint Judiciary , Joint Judiciary Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're going to go into executive session.
• And with that, we are through with executive session. Okay.
• Directors are encouraged to retake the training annually.
• get school directors on a board that really... ...is because sometimes you will get school directors
• Sure, Derek Harris, Executive Director, Black Education Strategy Roundtable.

Bills: SB5901 , SB5860 , SB5956 , SB5574 , SB5922 , SB5858

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: school construction, school facilities, capital budget, school plant project, state funding assistance, school construction assistance program, on-base schools, military base, Department of Defense school, military families, public school facilities, instructional space, Superintendent of Public Instruction, SIP, school district capital funding, school housing burden, rapid growth, enrollment growth, free and reduced-price meals, alternative learning experience

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Russell Brown, the Executive Director for the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.
• I'm Russell Brown, the Executive Director for the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.
• I'm James McMahon, Policy Director with the Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
• Chair, members of the committee, I'm Russell Brown, Executive Director for the Washington Association
• Chair, members of the committee, I'm Russell Brown, Executive Director for the Washington Association

Summary: The committee heard briefings and testimony on several bills, with members repeatedly noting limited time and that some measures were already familiar from prior hearings. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5880 would allow cities and counties to use ISO/IEC-accredited private toxicology labs for blood or breath testing, accept private donations for that purpose, and reimburse the State Patrol for evidence transport costs. Senator Wagoner said the bill is a temporary fix for a major toxicology backlog that delays justice; prosecutors, police chiefs, and the Seattle City Attorney supported it as a way to relieve the backlog, while defense representatives said it would not solve the problem and raised due process concerns about out-of-state labs and access to witnesses. Members discussed possible amendments on in-state/out-of-state labs and litigation logistics, and the bill was set for executive action the following Tuesday. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5436 would create a gross misdemeanor for willfully or recklessly interfering with access to or from a place of worship or disrupting religious services through obstruction, trespass, repeated calls or electronic communications, or threats. Senator Solomon said the bill responds to rising intolerance and is modeled on protections for health care facilities; supporters from the Anti-Defamation League, Faith Action Network, Jewish and Sikh community organizations described harassment, threats, and security costs at houses of worship. Defense and law enforcement groups raised concerns about overbreadth, possible impacts on peaceful protest, and unintended effects on law enforcement or immigration enforcement, and asked for clarifying amendments. The sponsor said he was open to changes, and the committee indicated it would continue working on the bill before executive action next Tuesday. Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5105 would expand child sexual abuse material offenses to cover digitally created or altered obscene depictions, even when the minor is not identifiable, extend the statute of limitations for those felony offenses from three to ten years, and broaden sexual exploitation of a minor to include knowingly causing a minor who is unconscious or unaware to be photographed or part of a live performance. Supporters including the Attorney General’s Office, prosecutors, and sheriffs’ chiefs said the bill is needed to address AI and other technology that can evade current law and to keep pace with rapidly changing digital abuse material. Opponents from the defense bar and the Sentencing Guidelines Commission argued the bill may still be overbroad and raise First Amendment problems under Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition, especially where no actual minor is identified. The committee also heard and then quickly acted on other bills: Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268, requiring one year of community custody for unlawful possession of a firearm, was amended and reported out due pass as amended; Engrossed Senate Bill 5272, addressing penalties for violence against referees and school volunteers, was reported out due pass; and Engrossed Senate Bill 5286, concerning reimbursement for costs in cities with state psychiatric hospitals, was also reported out due pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• Director Gobe? Director Goby. Thank you. And a lot of dittos.
• Thank you, Director. Is there anyone else? Madam Chair? It's Senator Roush. Senator Rausch.
• And as you know, I flopped around in Director Gobi's big shoes on this commission.
• director of the Farm Bureau.
• Ann Gobi, appointed by the Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.

Summary: The meeting was the final session of the Special Commission on Agriculture in the 21st Century, convened to adopt its final report. The chairs described the report as the product of extensive public engagement, research, and collaboration, focused on challenges and opportunities for Massachusetts agriculture, including climate resilience, farmland access, workforce development, food security, and farm viability. Several members and stakeholders thanked the chairs and staff for the multi-year process and emphasized the value of hearing directly from farmers and industry participants. Senator Barrett offered a detailed set of draft corrections and concerns for the record, including the report title, outdated references, repeated definitions of MDAR, the need to better reflect suburban communities, and a possible tension between recommendations supporting anaerobic digestion and a governor’s proposal affecting the alternative portfolio standard. The chairs noted that comments had been circulated for written review and said substantive feedback would be considered, while also indicating the document was nearing finalization. The commission then held a roll call vote and unanimously voted to adopt the final report, with all members present voting yes. The chairs said the final report would be formatted, published online, and distributed to stakeholders and the public, with a public rollout and media briefing planned for the fall. They also noted that the report was intended to support related legislation already filed or expected to be filed in the Legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:10.720><c> of</c> Hirsch and I serve as director of Hirsch and I serve as director of government
• </c> pressures and would align the executive pressures and would align the executive branch<00:16:21.199
• I'm the executive director and chief investment officer of the Minnesota State Board of Investment.
• I'm the executive director<00:26:39.520><c> and</c><00:26:39.760><c> chief</c><00:26:40.000><c> investment
• </c><00:26:40.480><c> officer</c><00:26:40.720><c> of</c> director and chief investment officer of director

Bills: HF2783

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Daniels is Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorney's Office and present and would like
• Zach Daniels, Executive Director, Louisiana District Attorney's Association.
• Daniels, Executive Director, Louisiana District Attorneys Association.
• Daniels, Executive Director, Louisiana District Attorneys Association.
• Executive Director, Louisiana District Attorneys Association.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee met on March 18, 2026, with a quorum present and heard several criminal justice bills. HB 36 by Rep. Butler, as amended, removed Evangeline Parish from the Acadiana Regional Juvenile Justice District and was reported favorably. HB 160 by Rep. Knox increased penalties for domestic violence offenses involving strangulation; the committee adopted an amendment requiring at least one year without probation or suspension, heard strong support from survivors and prosecutors, and reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 552 by Rep. Bryant, handled by Vice Chair LaFleur, clarified DWI law to include impairment beyond alcohol; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 119 by Rep. Fontenot created and strengthened penalties for AI-generated sexual images, especially involving minors; after amendments, including a new possession offense and a name change to “Act Ivy Daniels,” the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 171 by Rep. Spell corrected a citation in the personal surety provisions and was reported favorably without opposition. HB 140 by Rep. Cox drew the most debate. The bill lengthened juvenile delinquency filing and adjudication timelines and changed procedures for extensions and dismissals. Prosecutors and law enforcement supported the bill as a practical update to account for modern evidence gathering and case complexity, while public defenders, juvenile advocates, and other opponents argued it would prolong detention, undermine speedy-trial protections, increase costs, and harm children. After extensive testimony and discussion, the committee adopted amendments and reported HB 140 favorably as amended by a roll call vote of 8-3, with Representatives Knox, LaFleur, and Moore voting no. The committee also heard HB 68 by Rep. Schlegel, combined with concepts from Rep. Glorioso’s similar bill, to update disturbing-the-peace law to protect houses of worship from intentional disruption. An amendment clarified definitions of worship spaces and interruptions and increased the mandatory minimum jail time from 15 to 30 days, while enhancing penalties to a felony for more serious conduct such as battery, property damage, or carrying a dangerous weapon during the offense. Supporters framed it as a deterrent and protection for religious liberty, while opponents, including the ACLU, raised First Amendment concerns and asked for tighter language. The transcript cuts off during opposition testimony, and no final vote on HB 68 is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• He will spend the rest of his life in prison, but these are the things that happen when an executive,
• It forces the executive, or the party of the executive, eligible for parole for pardon which he eligible
• with their in their sole executive with their in their sole discretion<00:04:37.800><c> can</c><00:04
• </c> Executive or the party of the executive, to stand in front of the voters and account for the actions
• After I got out of session and literally had a phone call from every funeral director in my district,

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up two bills. Senate Bill 126, sponsored by Senator McDaniel, proposed a constitutional amendment to limit the governor’s pardon power during the final 60 days before a gubernatorial election and through the transition period, with the stated goal of giving voters more time to learn about executive clemency decisions. McDaniel said the measure was intended to increase accountability and noted it would need approval by both chambers and then placement on the 2026 ballot. Senator Haron raised concerns about whether the proposal could chill pardons and asked about the timing; McDaniel responded that 60 days was chosen because of early voting and the need for public notice. The committee adopted a substitute and then passed the bill with a favorable expression; several members voted aye, Senator Haron passed, and Senator Adams later asked to be recorded as voting aye before adjournment. The committee then considered Senate Bill 37, sponsored by Senator Elkins, which would amend Kentucky law on indigent burials to allow cremation as an option instead of requiring burial, and would require consultation with the county coroner before a decision is made. Elkins described it as a local control measure and said he was working with Rabbi Litman on a possible accommodation for Jewish indigent decedents, since the Jewish community strongly prefers burial and has offered to assume costs in those cases. Questions focused on how long officials must make a bona fide effort to notify a spouse or next of kin and whether the bill would affect current practices; Elkins said it would not change existing policy on that point and suggested a possible floor amendment for additional issues. Rabbi Litman testified in support, explaining the religious importance of burial and the community’s concern about cremation. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed with a favorable expression, though Senator Herron and Senator Tichenor expressed reservations and voted no or passed, citing constituent concerns and the possibility that family members may later seek a burial place to visit.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Major General Retired Will Blaylock, and I serve as the Executive Director of the Missouri National
• I'm Major General Retired Will Blaylock, and I serve as the Executive Director of the Missouri National
• I'm Major General Retired Will Blaylock, and I serve as the Executive Director of the Missouri National
• I'm Major General Retired Will Blaylock and I serve as the Executive Director of the Missouri National
• Paul Kirchoff, Executive Director of the Veterans Commission, as Representative Griffith warned you.

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The committee first heard House Bills 1993 and 2771, both sponsored by Reps. Irwin and Boykin, which would extend Servicemembers Civil Relief Act-style protections to Missouri National Guard members when they are called to state emergency duty. The sponsors and supporting witnesses said the bills would help Guard members with issues like eviction, lease termination, debt collection, and civil court proceedings while they are serving, and would align state law with federal protections already available to active-duty service members. Committee members generally expressed support, noting the financial strain on Guard members and their civilian employers, and witnesses from the Missouri National Guard Association and the Guard itself said the bills would provide clarity and stability. No opposition was presented, and the hearing ended without a vote in the transcript. The committee then heard House Bill 1869, which would create a grant program administered by the Missouri Veterans Commission to help repair and reset damaged veteran grave markers in private and public cemeteries when the damage is caused by natural events. Rep. Roberts explained the bill was prompted by a constituent’s experience with a deteriorated headstone, and members asked about eligibility, whether the money would go to families or cemeteries, and whether vandalism or non-cemetery graves would be covered. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at natural causes and family-member applications, though he was open to suggestions for expansion. The Veterans Commission director supported the concept but warned the agency lacked funding and staffing to take on another program without additional appropriations; members also raised broader concerns about underfunding the commission. No formal action or vote was taken in the transcript. After the bill hearings, the committee received informational testimony from Retrieving Freedom, a Missouri-based service dog organization, and from Compass Health on firearm suicide prevention. Retrieving Freedom described its training of service dogs for veterans and children with autism, including demonstrations of tasks such as grounding, retrieving items, and helping with mobility, and said it had a waiting list but was expanding its work in Missouri. Compass Health discussed its firearm suicide prevention grant work, emphasizing community-based education and conversations about safe access to lethal means rather than confiscation. These presentations were informational only and did not involve committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jeremy Wolfe, the executive director of BRIM, introduced himself. The Chair then swore him in.
• Jeremy Wolfe, Executive Director of BRIM, said, "In July, just to let you know, I looked at things that
• Jeremy Wolfe, Executive Director, BRIM: Okay. Do you want to address?
• Jeremy Wolfe, Executive Director, BRIM: The original intent of the bill, again, was something that I
• Jeremy Wolfe, Executive Director, BRIM: The amendment that Mariah just explained, if it takes that language

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance