Transcript Highlights:

• I also sit on the House Public Education Committee, but most importantly, I am a mom with a son in our
• neighborhood public schools.
• She asked me, would you be interested in that?
• But so, yeah, that's what a cut to public education funding did.
• Our precious dollars that taxpayers are interested in. You had talks with TEA.

Keywords: education funding, House Bill 5419, zero-based budgeting, public testimony, school safety, special education

Summary: State Representative Gina Hinojosa and a group of parents and education advocates testified in support of House Bill 5419, a zero-based budgeting proposal aimed at reviewing Texas Education Agency spending and redirecting more public education dollars to classrooms. Hinojosa argued that public schools are being weakened by chronic underfunding, teacher shortages, delayed special education services, and inadequate school safety funding, and said the bill would help cut bureaucracy, vendor contracts, and other non-classroom spending in favor of teacher pay, safety, and special education. Several witnesses, including self-identified Republicans and former GOP officials, backed the bill as a good-government measure and said they were crossing party lines because public schools need more direct investment. They criticized TEA growth, vendor contracts, public-private partnerships, and what they described as unfunded mandates from the state, including school safety requirements. One witness said rural districts are being forced into four-day school weeks, while others cited campus closures, deferred maintenance, and local tax increases tied to state funding shortfalls and recapture payments. The discussion also focused on the need for a systematic review of TEA spending and the lack of a sunset review for the agency since before 2005. Hinojosa and others said increasing the basic allotment would help districts, reduce recapture pressures, and prevent local tax hikes. The exchange was primarily a public hearing and advocacy session; no vote or formal committee action was described in the transcript.

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 4 March, 2025; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 3 March, 2025; 4:45 PM, 925, all

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 26 February, 2025; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With Lori's unique background as a small business owner, public servant.
• He has a direct interest in getting information about the seriousness of those investigations.
• He has interest in getting information about investigations. against his competitors.
• Do you agree that public sector jobs are low productivity jobs?
• Do you believe that public sector jobs are quote low productivity jobs? Is that your opinion?

Keywords: PRO Act, labor laws, worker rights, unionization, right-to-work, public testimony, political polarization

Summary: The meeting centered around an in-depth discussion of the PRO Act, with representatives expressing passionate opinions both for and against the legislation. Representative Chavez de Rimmer emphasized the importance of worker freedom, arguing that the PRO Act would infringe upon individual rights by coercing unionization. This perspective was strongly received by members from right-to-work states, who articulated their concerns about the potential erosion of workers' choices and protections. Speaker after speaker conveyed conflicting views on labor laws, indicating a deeply polarized environment surrounding labor issues at the moment.

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 19 February, 2025; 2:45 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This ensures a return on our investment and public safety.
• the very first minute that you woke up this morning you all the all of that public infrastructure public
• Public infrastructure is not just for a convenience. or for luxury.
• It is public infrastructure is the foundation of a growing and thriving society.
• This is a public benefit, and a public good, and a really strategic investment. into our economy, and

Keywords: Texas, Infrastructure Report Card, ASCE, population growth, climate change, investment, public safety, engineering standards

Summary: The meeting focused on the release of the 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card, highlighting key findings and recommendations for improving infrastructure across various sectors in the state. Julie Jones, Vice President of ASCE Texas, opened the session by introducing key speakers, including Dr. Art Wood and committee co-chairs Griselda Gonzalez and Austin Mazzarelli. Throughout the discussion, the report's grades were revealed, showing the state's infrastructure received an overall grade of 'C'—adequate but requiring significant attention and investment. Emphasis was placed on the rising challenges posed by climate change and increased population growth, underscoring the need for strategic investments in infrastructure to support Texas' economic growth and public safety.

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 4 February, 2025; 10:25 AM, 925, all

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 4 February, 2025; 5:00 PM, 925, all

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 4 February, 2025; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 29 January, 2025; 3:15 PM, 925, all

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 28 January, 2025; 3:30 PM, 925, all

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 14 January, 2025; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Parent tax credit that siphoned money away from possibly being invested in public education.
• Members, on behalf of Chairman Manger, this is a reminder that the Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight

Bills: HB3057, HB3130, HB4113, HB3310, HB3314, HB3985, HB4486, HB3040, HB3407, HB4343, HB2981, HB3764, HB3765, HB3767, HB3982, HB3321, HB3322, HB3323, HB4126, HB4130, HB4170, HB3345, HB2941, HB3062, HB3244, HB3298, HB2977, HB3304, HB3299, HB3297, HB4260, HB3906, HB3648, HB3319, HB2933, HB3544, HB1322, HB4104, HB4105, HB4106, HB4107, HB4108, HB3974, HB3134, HB3055, HB3115, HB3471, HB3497, HB3500, HB3505, HB3755, HB4202, HB4226, HB4236, HB4139, HB4144, HB4422, HB4423, HB4317, HB4321, HB4322, HB3176, HB3239, HB3263, HB3673, HB3794, HB3796, HB4265, HB4266, HB2123, HB3048, HB2445

Keywords: government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, gender transition, minors, health services, punitive damages, parental rights, health care providers, voter registration, voter eligibility, felony disenfranchisement, restoration of voting rights, formerly incarcerated, reentry, parole, probation, supervision

Transcript Highlights:

• , joint resolutions, and joint resolution of second reading, assignment of bills and resolutions, public
• were stated by different groups, making some changes that do protect eligible recipients of these public
• Kids are American, U.S. citizens, meaning that they are entitled to these public benefits.
• Access public benefits for kids that are eligible and might need them.
• Away from possibly being invested in public education, but then let's expand them.

Bills: HB3057, HB3130, HB4113, HB3310, HB3314, HB3985, HB4486, HB3040, HB3407, HB4343, HB2981, HB3764, HB3765, HB3767, HB3982, HB3321, HB3322, HB3323, HB4126, HB4130, HB4170, HB3345, HB2941, HB3062, HB3244, HB3298, HB2977, HB3304, HB3299, HB3297, HB4260, HB3906, HB3648, HB3319, HB2933, HB3544, HB1322, HB4104, HB4105, HB4106, HB4107, HB4108, HB3974, HB3134, HB3055, HB3115, HB3471, HB3497, HB3500, HB3505, HB3755, HB4202, HB4226, HB4236, HB4139, HB4144, HB4422, HB4423, HB4317, HB4321, HB4322, HB3176, HB3239, HB3263, HB3673, HB3794, HB3796, HB4265, HB4266, HB2123, HB3048, HB2445

Keywords: government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, gender transition, minors, health services, punitive damages, parental rights, health care providers, voter registration, voter eligibility, felony disenfranchisement, restoration of voting rights, formerly incarcerated, reentry, parole, probation, supervision

Summary: The House convened with a prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including the Duncan Girls Golf Team, the Doctor of the Day, and the Nurse of the Day. Members also made personal announcements and committee meeting reminders before moving to legislation. The main floor action centered on House Bill 4422, which would require applicants for SNAP and TANF to be U.S. citizens and use the SAVE system to verify immigration status. Supporters argued it would protect taxpayer dollars, enforce the law, and reduce improper benefits use; opponents said it would deter eligible families, especially children in mixed-status households, from seeking aid and would not address DHS error rates or budget problems. After extended debate, the House passed HB 4422 by roll call vote, 18-0. The House then considered House Bill 4423, a similar measure applying the same citizenship-verification concept to Medicaid through the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Debate repeated many of the same arguments about fiscal responsibility, eligibility, children’s access to benefits, and immigration enforcement. HB 4423 also passed by roll call vote, 18-0. The chamber then moved to announcements and adjourned until Monday, March 2, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is photos of people's private areas in public spaces. It's like upskirting.
• So if you have three or more victims in a public space, it advances it to a felony.
• So would you agree that this proposal represents a fundamental shift from an independent public health
• It removes $1 billion from the foundation of that trust, not the interest, not the excess, but the principle
• is a far-fetched notion, and knowing how important this board is and that we represent and govern public

Bills: HB3327, HB3711, HB4104, HJR1077, HB3329

Keywords: State Board of Education, Oklahoma education board, board appointments, school governance, education reform, governor appointments, legislative appointments, speaker of the house, president pro tempore, senate confirmation, board vacancies, removal for cause, public education, state superintendent, school board training, board member qualifications, emergency clause, Oklahoma statutes 70 O.S. 3-101, school funding, transparency

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 3711, which was described as a work in progress aimed at increasing transparency for taxpayers about instructional expenditures in school bond communications. Members questioned whether the bill changed what districts may bond for, and the author said it did not alter the bond process, only added communications. After title was struck, the bill passed committee 13-5. House Bill 4104, dealing with repeat peeping Tom and clandestine recording offenses, was presented with an amendment adding conduct involving three or more separate victims as a basis for felony treatment. The amendment was adopted after questions about its legal basis and a recent court decision. The bill as amended then passed committee unanimously, 18-0. The committee also took up House Joint Resolution 1077, which would send to voters a proposal to move $1 billion from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust corpus into a new Oklahoma’s Futures Trust Fund. The proponent said the T-SET board would remain in place, the corpus would stay protected, and annual earnings from the new fund would be split between reinvestment and legislative appropriations for health and education. Opponents argued the measure would shift money from an independent endowment to a politically controlled process and could weaken existing T-SET programs. After debate, the resolution passed committee 14-4. Finally, House Bill 3327 proposed expanding the State Board of Education from seven to nine members, with appointments divided among the governor, speaker, and president pro tem, and allowing removal only for cause. Members raised questions about geographic representation and vacancy appointments, but the bill passed as amended 15-2. House Bill 3329, a trailer bill related to sunset legislation, added a July 1, 2027 sunset for the Board of Psychological Examiners after concerns about its handling of a complaint and a recent court ruling; it passed as amended 14-2, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• interest for these individual responses to be attainable by public records.
• interest for these individual responses to be attainable by public records.
• It may be public records some data.
• disclosure and copying under the Public Records Act.
• Otherwise, the public will lose.

Bills: SB6215, SB6160, SB6313, SB6049, SB6164, SB5046, SB5842, SB6035, SB5853, SB5888

Keywords: fraud prevention, identity theft, consumer protection, security measures, legislation, government efficiency, state agencies, reporting, bureaucracy, transparency, Capitol Centennial Stewardship, funding, gifts, grants, donations, legislative support, student privacy, employee confidentiality, public disclosure, data protection

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things that would cause me interest in investing in this is that they've instituted a 340B
• One of the things that would cause me interest in investing in this is that they've instituted a 340B
• Was it due to interest rates?
• But I don't think the bank, the interest is not, I mean, the bank isn't motivated by interest on this
• This special session is yet another example of dedicated public servants who serve in this chamber.

Bills: HB1621, HB1624, HB1623, HB1622, HB1625, HB1626, HB1627, HCR3038

Keywords: presidential physical fitness test, physical education, fitness assessment, student fitness, school curriculum, graduation requirements, elementary school, middle school, high school, public schools, nonpublic schools, superintendent of public instruction, exceptions, disability accommodations, North Dakota studies, computer science, cybersecurity, health education, concept-based fitness class, school standards

Summary: The North Dakota House convened in special session with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several rural health-related bills. Senate Bill 2401, as amended, required physicians to complete one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle and also added language allowing criminal history background checks for the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. Supporters emphasized the role of nutrition in reducing chronic disease, and the bill passed 92-0. The House then considered Senate Bill 2402, which expanded pharmacists’ limited prescriptive and therapeutic substitution authority for certain low-acuity conditions and clarified related lab-test and communication requirements. Members discussed examples such as motion sickness, cold sores, lice, hypoglycemia, COVID and flu testing, emergency access to medications and supplies, and limits excluding certain drug classes; the bill passed 91-1. Senate Bill 2403 created a temporary medical facility emergency operating loan option through the Bank of North Dakota for qualifying rural hospitals facing severe financial distress, with extensive debate over the targeted nature of the aid, anti-gifting concerns, repayment terms, and the hospital’s turnaround plan; it passed 80-12. Senate Bill 2404 appropriated funds for NDIT to address federal digital accessibility requirements and for the Public Service Commission’s litigation efforts related to transmission costs, with a backup loan authorization available if needed; it passed 92-0. At the close of the session, leaders thanked members and staff for their work on the rural health transformation package, a committee notified the Governor and the Senate that the House had completed its business, absent members were excused, and the House adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have enormous public support right now.
• Private schools get public money without the strings that come with public money.
• Actually, we’re reacting to the public.
• We also have public schools that are very small.
• This is a component of public education. This is a cost of public education.

Bills: HB1621, HB1624, HB1623, HB1622, HB1625, HB1626, HB1627, HCR3038

Keywords: presidential physical fitness test, physical education, fitness assessment, student fitness, school curriculum, graduation requirements, elementary school, middle school, high school, public schools, nonpublic schools, superintendent of public instruction, exceptions, disability accommodations, North Dakota studies, computer science, cybersecurity, health education, concept-based fitness class, school standards

Summary: The House convened in special session, opened with prayer and the Pledge, confirmed a quorum, and recognized visiting students from Shiloh High School. Members also observed a moment of silence for former Representative Cindy Shriver Beck, and the House adopted the Employment Committee report approving special-session staff appointments. The chamber then considered House Bill 1621, which would require the presidential physical fitness test in K-12 physical education courses with exemptions for students with disabilities and an effective date of August 1, 2027. Supporters framed it as a return to a historic fitness standard and a response to federal direction; the bill passed 90-0. The House next took up House Bill 1624, a universal school meals bill that would place the program in statute rather than the Constitution, start it a year earlier than the initiated measure, and appropriate $65 million for the first year. Debate centered on whether universal meals were needed, whether the bill would preserve legislative flexibility and property-tax relief, and whether it would help families or subsidize those who could pay. The bill passed 55-38. Finally, the House began debate on House Bill 1623, the rural health transformation package tied to federal grant funds and a Bank of North Dakota loan program to support rural health projects, EMS, behavioral health, and related infrastructure. The sponsor and supporters emphasized North Dakota’s strong grant award, the need to move quickly, and the bill’s role in filling rural health gaps statewide. Some members raised concerns about federal spending, inflation, and telehealth, while others stressed the need to address EMS and workforce shortages. The transcript ends during debate on HB 1623, before any final vote is shown.

Bills: HB1621, HB1624, HB1623, HB1622, HB1625, HB1626, HB1627, HCR3038

Keywords: presidential physical fitness test, physical education, fitness assessment, student fitness, school curriculum, graduation requirements, elementary school, middle school, high school, public schools, nonpublic schools, superintendent of public instruction, exceptions, disability accommodations, North Dakota studies, computer science, cybersecurity, health education, concept-based fitness class, school standards

Summary: The North Dakota House convened in special session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the reading of communications from the Secretary of State and Governor Kelly Armstrong certifying the special session call. The governor’s executive order said the session was called to act on funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program so the state could accept and appropriate federal funds and avoid interruptions to government services. Three new members, Representatives McNally, Scraw, and Timmons, were sworn in, and the roll showed 91 members present, establishing a quorum. The main business was a Rules Committee report outlining temporary special-session rules. The changes were designed to speed up floor action, including allowing second reading the same day a bill is reported from committee, final passage one day after first reading, and immediate transmission to the other chamber unless reconsideration is noticed. The report also replaced the regular standing committee structure with two joint committees: Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy, allowed remote testimony and remote member participation with approval, and limited bill introduction to Legislative Management-approved bills or bills approved by a two-thirds vote. Several deadline changes for resolutions and bill filing were also described, with some provisions delayed until the special session ends. The House adopted the Rules Committee report after a motion by Representative Bosch and no opposition. During announcements, the clerk listed the membership of the Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy committees, and the Highway Patrol announced safety sessions for legislators in the Rough Rider Room at 11 a.m. that day and the next day. The House then recessed until the joint session scheduled for 10 a.m. the following day.