Transcript Highlights:

• The governor's Floridian's first—I add veterans in the middle of that, Floridian veterans first—because
• First, when we talk about the Department of HAPS, First, when we talk about the Department of Elder Affairs
• Senator Burton or should we go, who should be first? Senator Harold?
• I first want to say there was a lot that was said in Dr. Lopopado.
• There was even the South Florida AIDS Network wrote back to Dr.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a presentation on the governor’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget for the health and human services silo, which totals $48.5 billion. Agency leaders outlined major requests for AHCA, APD, DCF, DOEA, DOH, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, including behavioral health redesign, Medicaid rate changes, developmental disability services, child welfare and opioid programs, senior services, cancer research, public health initiatives, and veterans’ facility and technology needs. The committee also received an overview of the overall state budget, which was described as $117.4 billion, up 1.1% from the current year. AHCA’s presentation focused on $71.6 million for a Medicaid behavioral health redesign, including funding for residential treatment, a serious mental illness waiver, and higher inpatient psychiatric rates for youth, plus $7.1 million to raise private duty nursing reimbursement in fee-for-service Medicaid, $2.5 million for the background screening clearinghouse, and $124.4 million for the Health Care Connection System (FX). APD requested funding to continue moving people off the pre-enrollment list and to support developmental disability centers, a new forensic facility, an electronic health record system, and higher operating costs. DCF highlighted $81.9 million for eligibility and system integrity, $187.5 million for opioid prevention and treatment, $35.5 million for community-based care lead agencies, and $72.7 million to expand behavioral health bed capacity, including 474 new beds at state hospitals. DOEA sought additional funding for Alzheimer’s services, home care, and community care for the elderly. DOH emphasized $278 million for cancer research and innovation, $5 million for food and product safety testing, $5 million for the Florida FIRST blood-on-ambulance initiative, and $5.7 million for a public lab feasibility study. Veterans Affairs requested funds for facility improvements, cybersecurity, and medication management equipment. Members asked detailed questions about several items, especially the proposed changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which would reduce eligibility and the number of people served. Senators and public witnesses criticized the lack of transparency and urged the department to pause the changes and work with stakeholders; the Surgeon General said the issue was driven by funding constraints and federal changes, not a legal barrier, and that the agency was exploring alternatives. Questions also addressed the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, the Kids Care/CHIP expansion implementation, the cancer research funding structure, and the timeline and cost of the FX system. Public testimony focused heavily on ADAP, with speakers warning that thousands could lose medication access and calling for community involvement and a review of the program’s finances. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions, with no votes taken on the budget items during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most firefighters are at least first aid and CPR trained, right?
• Most firefighters are at least first aid and CPR trained, right?
• of<00:26:26.960> CPR CPR um first aid trained minimum of CPR CPR um first aid trained
• And that's what mutual aid is for.
• So I can address the first part.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm director at Equal First Aid. Thank you for being here. Oh, sorry about that. Good morning.
• I'm director at Equal First Aid. Thank you for being here. Oh, sorry about that. Good morning.
• I'm director at Equal First Aid. Thank you for being here. Oh, sorry about that. Good morning.
• <00:02:07.399> aid leade I'm director at equal first aid leade I'm director at equal first
• <00:03:20.120> aid of this life-saving bill equal first aid of this life-saving bill equal

Keywords: The previous live stream for this committee experienced a technical issue. This is the complete meeting recording recovered from backups., 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 44, “Landon’s Law,” sponsored by Rep. Candy Massaroni. The bill would allow schools to keep anti-choking devices such as LifeVac on hand while limiting liability. Testimony from Equal First Aid and LifeVac emphasized that choking is a leading cause of death for children, that the devices are noninvasive and FDA-registered, and that updated Red Cross guidance allows their use when standard rescue protocols fail or are not feasible. Lauren McCubbins, Landon McCubbin’s mother, gave emotional testimony about her 8-year-old son’s death from choking at school and urged the committee to give schools an added rescue option. Members asked questions about how the device works, whether the Heimlich maneuver remains part of the protocol, and whether the bill is limited to LifeVac or applies to similar devices. The bill was reported favorably, with a roll call vote showing unanimous support from members present. The committee then heard a bill sponsored by Rep. J. Baker aimed at reducing administrative burdens in schools and supporting teacher recruitment and retention. The measure would lengthen the required evaluation cycle for tenured teachers from every three years to every five years, provide teachers a copy of their employment contract upon request, streamline professional development provisions, update continuous school improvement plan filing requirements, restore schools’ ability to use Title II funds for certain programs after an unintended consequence of prior legislation, and require KDE to review reporting requirements and eliminate those not required by law. Rep. Baker said the bill was developed with teachers and administrators through a working group and is intended to reduce “check-the-box” tasks so educators can focus on instruction. Amanda Butler of Spencer County Schools and other educators testified that the changes would save time, preserve funding for mentor and induction programs, and reduce repetitive paperwork. Rep. Fleming asked for clarification on the longer evaluation cycle, and an educator witness explained that each evaluation involves pre-observation, observation, and post-observation time and that districts would still retain flexibility to evaluate more often if needed. No final vote on this bill was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, it is, in a nutshell, Mr.
• And basically, in that very quickly.
• Basically, it is in a nutshell, Mr. Basically, it is in a nutshell, Mr.
• <00:08:24.000> uh That's what this u basically uh That's what this u basically uh addresses
• hearing aids in Kentucky. hearing aids in Kentucky. >> 15<00:12:21.839> seconds.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:05 Discussion HB 3 01:32 Vote HB 3 02:26 Discussion HB 169 05:31 Vote HB 169 09:44 Discussion HB 164 10:44 Vote HB 164 12:24, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum and took up three bills. House Bill 3 was presented by Rep. Amy Neighbors with a representative from the Kentucky Pharmacist Association; the committee moved directly to a vote and passed the bill with favorable expression. The transcript does not include the bill’s substantive details, but the committee approved it without recorded opposition. House Bill 169, sponsored by Rep. Fleming, addressed coverage for eating and feeding disorders. A committee substitute was adopted after a brief explanation that the change would remove body mass index as the sole criterion for coverage decisions and instead focus more on mental health considerations, with Dr. Andrea Kray of the Kentucky Eating Disorder Council supporting the change and explaining that BMI is not a reliable marker of severity and can create barriers to timely treatment. The committee then passed HB 169 as amended with favorable expression. House Bill 164, presented by Rep. Hein with guests from the Academy of Audiology, was summarized as improving coverage for children’s hearing aids in Kentucky. After a brief explanation and no questions from members, the committee passed the bill with favorable expression. The meeting ended after a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, staff, the first bill is 4138, Mr. Livingston.
• STEM and workforce program state aid and operating state aid for the community college districts as specified
• They haven't received that state aid since approximately 2015, and the STEM aid all community college
• I believe one of the first bills we sent her—maybe the first bill—was the tax conformity package, which
• The first one is 2035. Staff? Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• prioritize aid distribution accordingly. prioritize aid distribution accordingly.
• So that would be my first question, or first two questions.
• So that would be my first question, or first two questions.
• First up, we have Meredith Fergus, financial aid analyst with the University of Minnesota. Welcome.
• First question. here till midnight. No. First question.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thompson, I'd like to ask you about that first case, you know, with missing persons.
• Basically, you could argue that that should apply to lots of things beyond red flags.
• Basically, you could argue that that should apply to lots of things beyond red flags.
• All federal assistance can be received by Wyoming to aid in the enforcement of Wyoming law.
• All federal assistance can be received by Wyoming to aid in the enforcement of Wyoming law.

Bills: SF0101

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearm regulation, state legislation, public safety, civil penalties, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have two basically my bill.
• Uh, the first is the fiscal note.
• and to aid in their recovery.
• <01:29:22.400> This and to aid in their recovery. This and to aid in their recovery.
• It included a cut to student support personnel aid. It included a cut to library aid.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the first bill is Senate File 128.
• 10:09.399> 2026 group The First Column proposed pay 2026 group The First Column proposed pay 2026
• Johnson Madam chair so to the first Johnson Madam chair so to the first question<00:18:06.120> about
• and actually the first in the country.
• <01:17:24.440> uh sitting there uh basically uh sitting there uh basically uh uh<01:17:25.800

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State Representative Todd Smola, First Hampden District.
• We do mutual aid for fire, Plymouth County Control.
• Because first I'm going to tell you is my first seven or eight years as sheriff, I was begging for an
• We provide funding to six regional legal aid organizations and 10 statewide legal aid organizations.
• First of all, thank you to the members.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s H-2 budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard first from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who outlined a $1.72 billion budget, up $69.8 million from FY26. She said the proposal emphasizes core operations, readiness, and partnerships with municipalities, and highlighted work on firearms-law implementation, State Police reform, DOC reentry efforts, hate-crimes prevention, emergency response, and planning for major events including the World Cup. Members also raised concerns about DNA backlog reporting, State Police academy boxing and training standards, ICE communication, disaster relief funding, crime lab staffing, EMS placement, and diversity in public safety leadership. Several exchanges focused on specific operational issues. Secretary Kwan and her team said the State Police are tracking the influx of forensic work from local sheriffs, that the boxing program remains suspended pending an IACP review and likely will not return in its prior form, and that EOPS has no direct communication with ICE but supports law-enforcement coordination where appropriate. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, though members urged a more permanent funding source. On the crime lab, staff said the roughly $4.5 million increase is intended to cover core operations and a structural funding gap rather than expand services. The secretary also said EOPS is not ready to absorb OEMS from DPH at this time, though she would keep an open mind. The committee then heard from district attorneys, led by Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden, who said the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association is seeking a 10% increase in operating budgets, including about $16.7 million for staffing salaries, to recruit and retain prosecutors, advocates, and support staff. He said the request reflects rising workload and the need to keep the criminal justice system functioning efficiently and fairly. The hearing was recessed briefly after the district attorneys’ opening remarks, with additional testimony expected to continue afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I misunderstood your first question.
• Their first, their first.
• Basically, we had two funds.
• That's what got us in this in the first place.
• I heard you mention that this is a first step.

Bills: SB1521, SB372, SB1232, SB1307, SB1338, SB1390, SB1451, SB1463, SB1558, SB1567, SB1595, SB1621, SB1734, SB1749, SB1827, SB1833, SB1991, SB1992, SB63, SB2063, SB2180, SB1198, SB80

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, chatbot, conversational AI, companion AI, AI companion, virtual companion, chatbot regulation, minor safety, child online safety, parental controls, content moderation, self-harm, suicidal ideation, crisis intervention, mental health claims, romantic AI, emotional dependence, app store

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh line 16, the operating aid.
• Uh the first bianium, the 31,000. Uh the first bianium, the committee<00:18:49.440> concurs.
• <00:32:19.600> The 22,994,000 the first bianium. The 22,994,000 the first bianium.
• Oh, Senator Gl first. Uh, Mr.
• Oh, Senator Gl first. Uh, Mr. Sen Mr. Oh, Senator Gl first. Uh, Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, to my Assemblymember, thank you very much.
• And adjusting financial aid formulas.
• I'm going to actually just acknowledge, I should have the first panel, but first we have the amazing,
• I booked my first million dollar order.
• I want to ask the first question.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, basically, with inflation, please help our schools and our people and help us with the basic allotment
• allotment and the use of the basic allotment the districts and off the basic allotment and the use of
• the basic allotment, you know, the amount that we've increased the basic amount, which we have.
• impact of the basic allotment, sort of the... ...would be the impact, the financial impact of the basic
• So you're asking what's the current basic allotment, and then with the current basic allotment at just

Bills: HB2

Keywords: 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, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Summary: The committee continued public testimony on House Bill 2, which would make major changes to public school funding, teacher pay, special education, early learning, school safety, and related programs. Many superintendents and education advocates supported the bill’s overall direction but urged changes, especially a larger basic allotment and more flexible funding for rural and small districts. Witnesses from Paint Creek, West Hardin, Cushing, Blooming Grove, Mildred, Buffalo, Plano, and rural school groups said the bill’s targeted raises and new requirements would not fully cover inflation, TRS/Medicare costs, transportation, insurance, or support staff salaries, and several asked the committee to restore the House version’s higher basic allotment and small-school allotment. Charter school representatives supported the facilities funding changes and said charter schools need state help because they cannot levy taxes, while also noting the funding gap with ISDs. Fine arts advocates asked the committee to restore the fine arts allotment, arguing arts improve engagement, attendance, and academic outcomes, especially in rural and at-risk communities. Early learning and special education witnesses supported parts of the bill but raised concerns about pre-K restrictions, disability-related pre-K access, and the need to preserve or clarify special education provisions and mental health oversight language. Several witnesses praised the teacher pay raise, teacher incentive allotment expansion, and teacher preparation investments, saying they would help recruit and retain educators and improve student outcomes. Others, including counselors and support staff advocates, argued the bill should also include raises for counselors, nurses, librarians, bus drivers, custodians, aides, and other non-teaching employees who keep schools running. One witness from the Texas Counseling Association opposed the substitute because it removed a counselor pay provision, warning of counselor shortages and inequities. A parent and special education advocate said the bill’s structure creates too many strings attached and asked for a larger basic allotment instead of more targeted funding. Another witness from Mental Health America urged keeping the collaborative task force on public school mental health services through 2031, and a disability rights advocate said the committee substitute appears to omit some special education items that were in the House version. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 6, a school discipline bill. After questions about automatic mandatory expulsion for vape possession and concerns about younger students, the committee adopted the substitute and voted to report HB 6 favorably to the full Senate by a 9-1 vote, with Senator Menendez voting no and Senators West and Menendez expressing reservations but supporting further discussion. After that vote, testimony on HB 2 resumed. Senators used the hearing to ask about the bill’s cost, the difference between the basic allotment and the bill’s targeted funding buckets, and whether the permanent teacher pay increase shifts pressure off districts. The bill’s supporters emphasized that it represents an historic, roughly $8 billion investment and that many of the new funding streams are intended to be permanent or to address specific district needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 276, sheltering or aiding unmarried minors.
• SB 276 increases the crime of sheltering or aiding an unmarried minor from a first-degree misdemeanor
• SB 276, sheltering or aiding unmarried minors.
• SB 276 increases the crime of sheltering or aiding an unmarried minor from a first-degree misdemeanor
• This bill is basically a nothing burger.

Summary: The committee met and took up several criminal justice, public safety, and boating measures. It first heard SB 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, which would create mental health diversion options for eligible misdemeanor and felony defendants, expand mental health and substance abuse grant uses, require evaluations and treatment recommendations in certain cases, add Hillsborough County to a forensic diversion pilot list, and create a behavioral health data repository. After adopting a technical amendment, the bill received strong support from NAMI Florida, family advocates, sheriffs, and the Murphy family, and was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee also approved SB 86, expanding peer support programs for certain law enforcement support personnel, and SB 472, allowing inmates who complete approved education in correctional facilities to receive credit toward professional licensure requirements. Both bills were amended and then reported favorably without opposition. SB 276, which increases penalties for unlawfully sheltering or aiding an unmarried minor and creates a defense for actions taken to protect a minor from danger, drew questions about runaway youth, LGBTQ youth, and the scope of the defense; the sponsor said he was open to further amendment, and the bill passed favorably. Members then approved SB 402, updating the unlawful use of uniforms, medals, or insignia statute to reference the armed forces by definition rather than by branch. SB 490, as amended, would let law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officers carry concealed off duty and exempt law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and active military service members from the three-day waiting period for rifle and shotgun purchases; it passed 8-1 after debate over the waiting period and equal treatment concerns. Finally, the committee passed SB 628, Lucy’s Law, to strengthen boating safety and penalties, after adopting an amendment that removed proposed changes to warrantless blood draws and boating education requirements; the bill was supported by the family of Lucy Fernandez and passed unanimously. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• First we for for a number of reasons.
• First, whether uh two things.
• <00:31:00.320> concept have any problem with the basic concept have any problem with the basic
• The first is um people's input on this.
• <00:32:05.120> proposition sure as a as a as a basic proposition sure as a as a as a basic

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began by explaining that the meeting was a work session and that votes would only be taken where there was clear consensus. CACR 6, the proposed constitutional amendment on a “right to compute,” was discussed first but not acted on because the prime sponsor was absent. Members raised concerns about whether the issue belonged in the constitution and what the amendment would mean in practice, and the chair recessed the matter for a future meeting. HB 74, concerning the definition of “citizen” for the right-to-know law and disclosure of preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority of a public body, drew little support. Members noted the Senate’s prior rejection of a related bill and agreed the proposal was unlikely to advance. A motion to ITL the bill passed unanimously by roll call, 15-0, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. HB 232, dealing with rights of conscience for medical professionals, was also recessed. Members said they had not yet seen the amendment, which was described as narrowing the bill to abortion-related issues and limiting penalties. Several members said they could not judge the bill without the amendment and expected disagreement, so the chair recessed it. HB 253, on interest-bearing pooled trust accounts maintained by lawyers, was discussed at length; the chair said the bill did not address the underlying IOLTA issue and would likely create conflict with the bar and judiciary. Members cited existing Supreme Court procedures and suggested the bill was unnecessary. A straw vote showed support for interim study and ITL, and the committee ultimately voted 15-0 to place HB 253 on consent. HB 293, aimed at preventing minors from accessing obscene material on internet-connected devices, prompted substantial debate. Members generally supported the goal but objected to the bill’s private right of action, its focus on manufacturers rather than content providers or internet platforms, uncertainty about the filtering technology required, and concerns about defining obscenity on a national rather than community basis. The committee discussed forming a subcommittee to work on the bill further, and members volunteered to serve, indicating the issue would be revisited rather than voted on immediately.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:48.120> year tune of $92 million in the first year tune of $92 million in the first
• Is it first come, first serve? Is it a lottery, like the public charter schools do?
• It does four basic things.
• write a first like they get first write a first refusal refusal refusal so<02:10:22.840> again
• That should be the first step.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please read the first amendment.
• Please read the first amendment.
• First, we have Jacob Asher.
• Please read the First Amendment.
• Please read the first bill.

Bills: SJR59, SCR30, SCR46, SB31, SB127, SB324, SB401, SB407, SB467, SB482, SB506, SB529, SB584, SB619, SB636, SB646, SB647, SB659, SB715, SB732, SB735, SB771, SB784, SB800, SB801, SB816, SB1013, SB1026, SB1049, SB1055, SB1065, SB1137, SB1169, SB1181, SB1383, SB1395, SB1410, SB1433, SB1524, SB1531, SB1568, SB1640, SB1666, SB1681, SB1718, SB1754, SB1757, SB1972, SB1980, SB2004, SB2007, SB2041, SB2046, SB2050, SB2075, SB2076, SB2154, SB2173, SB2206, SB2225, SB2253, SB2268, SB2306, SB2308, SB2314, SB2322, SB2330, SB2351, SB2366, SB2371, SB2392, SB2398, SB2476, SB2533, SB2540, SB2544, SB2589, SB2610, SB2623, SB2660, SB2662, SB2693, SB2707, SB2717, SB2722, SB2742, SB2753, SB2779, SB2807, SB2843, SB2844, SB2858, SB2877, SB2880, SB2885, SB2920, SB2938, SB2986, HJR4, HCR35, SJR3, SJR18, SB5, SB260, SB1786, SB914, SB963, SB1197, SB1415, SB1437, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR84, SJR59, SCR12, SCR39, SCR46, SCR48, SCR19, SCR30, SCR3, SB2023, SB1433, SB2322, SB2877, SB407, SB1718, SB1395, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB1502, SB507, SB1026, SB1434, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB619, SB1122, SB732, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB529, SB209, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB2253, SB584, SB1085, SB2314, SB2046, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB1524, SB1137, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB517, SB1200, SB1410, SB1845, SB1863, SB2681, SB2200, SB2199, SB1757, SB2050, SB2458, SB2201, SB1055, SB2660, SB2662, SB1065, SB801, SB2533, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB647, SB1721, SB2268, SB2366, SB1013, SB2797, SB2371, SB2383, SB646, SB1169, SB1754, SB2779, SB2004, SB2119, SB2448, SB1777, SB1283, SB2392, SB2076, SB2786, SB2876, SB2284, SB2225, SB1540, SB2920, SB2929, SB1972, SB2540, SB2742, SB2595, SB2217, SB715, SB2330, SB1383, SB500, SB1640, SB2001, SB2080, SB2722, SB506, SB2514, SB2623, SB2753, SB2398, SB1241, SB2927, SB2173, SB2538, SB898, SB467, SB1449, SB2529, SB1531, SB2846, SB2476, SB986, SB1181, SB2075, SB2154, SB2864, SB31, SB2880, SB1359, SB2386, SB771, SB2844, SB2550, SB1351, SB1423, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB2351, SB410, SB659, SB816, SB2776, SB2693, SB2580, SB1980, SB1886, SB1234, SB739, SB482, SB456, SB127, SB1666, SB2843, SB2801, SB800, SB2055, SB784, SB2986, SB735, SB1012, SB324, SB2926, SB2938, SB2007, SB2138, SB1242, SB2615, SB1049, SB2310, SB1224, SB2972, SB1568, SB2841, SB2885, SB3016, SB2858, SB2610, SB2139, SB1856, SB2035, SB2308, SB2306, SB2041, SB1528, SB1681, SB1141, SB2401, SB2530, SB2375, SB547, SB1266, SB1373, SB1467, SB2069, SB2269, SB2480, SB2544, SB672, SB904, SB2695, SB2891, SB2422, SB2543, SB1854, SB317, SB2539, SB2532, SB2925, SB1250, SB2082, SB2203, SB457, SB2357, HJR4, HB135, HB 1109, HCR35, HCR64, SB2721, SB243, SB1285, SB2568, SB1959, SB1442, SB1454, SB2520, SB2541, SB1708, SB1237, SB1844, SB1586, SB1, SB260, SB31, SB467, SB482, SB647, SB732, SB816, SB1055, SB1137, SB1169, SB2004, SB2253, SB2268, SB2314, SB2351, SB2371, SB2623, SB2722, SB2779, SB2920, HJR4, SB407, SB1395, SB1433, SB1718, SB2322, SB2877, SB619, SB646, SB1026, SB2742, SB2880, SR443, SR449, SR456, SR460, SR465, SCR46, SB260, SB3062, HJR8, HJR31, HJR72, HJR99, HJR133, HB29, HB33, HB50, HB 107, HB 116, HB 125, HB140, HB141, HB155, HB171, HB227, HB255, HB363, HB368, HB491, HB609, HB630, HB745, HB767, HB913, HB917, HB 1135, HB 1188, HB 1238, HB 1242, HB 1261, HB1318, HB1404, HB1495, HB1507, HB1606, HB1708, HB1748, HB1851, HB1922, HB2002, HB2003, HB2198, HB2355, HB2358, HB2415, HB2457, HB2495, HB2546, HB2637, HB2763, HB2765, HB2798, HB2818, HB3228, HB3307, HB4116, HCR29, SB1410, SB3062, HJR8, HJR31, HJR72, HJR99, HJR133, HB29, HB33, HB50, HB 107, HB 116, HB 125, HB140, HB141, HB155, HB171, HB227, HB255, HB363, HB368, HB491, HB609, HB630, HB745, HB767, HB913, HB917, HB 1135, HB 1188, HB 1238, HB 1242, HB 1261, HB1318, HB1404, HB1495, HB1507, HB1606, HB1708, HB1748, HB1851, HB1922, HB2002, HB2003, HB2198, HB2355, HB2358, HB2415, HB2457, HB2495, HB2546, HB2637, HB2763, HB2765, HB2798, HB2818, HB3228, HB3307, HB4116, HCR29, SB1410

Keywords: education funding, Texas State Technical College System, capital projects, infrastructure, higher education, Birding Capital, Matagorda County, wildlife, conservation, Texas Legislature, Texas beef, cattle industry, agricultural heritage, Texas strip steak, economic growth, SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment

Transcript Highlights:

• It's different than the state aid. The state aid amounts may vary by plan. that makes sense.
• It's different than the state aid. The state aid amounts may vary by plan.
• Chair, Senator Pratt first and Senator Howe. I'll let Senator Howe go first. Mr.
• They're state aid. other 110s are fine. They're state aid.
• How go first. Senator How first. Mr. How go first. Senator How first. Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this your first committee that you've chaired? No, you haven't.
• When I first punched in in 1986, there were 8,000...
• First, let me give you a little background.
• This is such a basic way that we improve the lives of working people.
• And communities like mine, that hardship ...basic needs.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid hearing on legislation concerning unemployment insurance, non-compete agreements, prevailing wage, and minimum wage issues. Committee leaders outlined the hearing process, asked witnesses to keep oral testimony to three minutes, and invited written testimony through November 20. No votes were taken during the hearing; it ended with a motion to adjourn and notice of the next hearing on November 20. Much of the testimony focused on bills to expand unemployment insurance for striking workers, including H. 2168 and S. 1319. Labor leaders, union members, and legal advocates argued that workers who are out on strike for more than 30 days should be able to receive UI benefits, saying the policy would help workers and families meet basic expenses, reduce employers’ ability to “wait out” strikes, and encourage good-faith bargaining. Speakers cited recent strikes, including the Republic Services strike, and said the proposal would not meaningfully increase strike activity or strain the UI trust fund. Another major topic was minimum wage legislation, especially H. 2107/S. 1349 to raise the minimum wage to $20 by 2029 and index it to inflation, and H. 2191 to create a $25 enhanced care worker minimum wage. Supporters said current wages are not keeping pace with housing, food, and childcare costs, and that care workers, direct support staff, and human service employees face chronic vacancies, burnout, and turnover. Testimony also supported H. 2126 on prevailing wage by adding apprenticeship and training contributions to the wage calculation, and H. 2159 and S. 1363 on prevailing wage-related issues. One witness, Russell Beck, testified against S. 1336, which would ban non-competes, and against H. 2118, arguing Massachusetts’ current non-compete law is a balanced compromise that should not be disrupted.