Transcript Highlights:

• She had been refused entry at Haven for Hope because she couldn't conform to the required behaviors.
• In the legislature, the House, you may recall, amended Senate Bill 1 to change illegal voting from a

Bills: HB45, SB1540, SB2225, SB2284, SB2382, SB2487, SB2514, SB2595, SB2876, SB2877, SB3031, SB2753

Keywords: flooding, disaster response, emergency preparedness, state guidance, public safety, election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, spirit beverages, alcoholic beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, distribution, taxation, firearms, local regulation, archery equipment, weapons, voter registration, statewide list

Transcript Highlights:

• Treated with off-label use, early treatment, rather than delayed entry into the hospital where they just
• After those bills became law, I saw countless examples of PBMs continuing to engage in illegal steering

Bills: SB331, SB883, SB926, SB1137, SB1138, SB1144, SB1151, SB1236, SB1270, SB1522, SB1869, SB2207, SB2422

Keywords: healthcare, cost disclosure, transparency, administrative penalties, health facility compliance, COVID-19, off-label use, prescription drugs, patient access, medical standards, insurance, physician ranking, incentives, fiduciary duty, health plan issuers, SB 1137, group home, assisted living, residential care, board and care

Transcript Highlights:

• educating people on the need to not leave your weapons in cars because a legal weapon becomes an illegal
• This larger section B that deals with entry into a railcar.

Bills: HB268, HB305, HB307

Keywords: gun show, firearm sales, criminal background check, firearm regulation, gun show promoter, election procedures, voter registration, residence requirements, change of address, voter eligibility, youth camp, flood safety, life jackets, grant program, flotation devices

Transcript Highlights:

• This really is about that formative assessment for entry.
• This really is about that formative assessment for entry.
• [clears throat] Do you have any data on what the past fail rate is currently on these entry practices
• So currently to enter into an ed entry.
• fail rate is currently on these entry fail rate is currently on these entry practices<00:10:27.120

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Primary and Secondary Education met for its first meeting of the session, reviewed basic committee rules, and took attendance before considering two bills. The chair emphasized civility, no signs in the room, and deadlines for committee substitutes and amendments. House Bill 416, sponsored by Representative Clines, would change teacher-preparation admissions by replacing an entrance test score requirement with a formative assessment approach while retaining exit examinations for teacher certification. KDE witnesses said the bill would reduce barriers, provide programs with data to support students, and not lower standards. Members asked about content-specific preparation, whether the bill would water down standards, and available data on current entry-test barriers. Several members spoke in support, citing the teacher shortage and the value of giving more candidates a path into education. The committee approved HB 416 unanimously and sent it to the House floor with a favorable expression of opinion. House Bill 389, sponsored by Representative Hein, would define dysgraphia, require KDE to annually update the dyslexia toolkit, support district professional development and coaching, require local boards to develop screener/diagnostic processes, and require postsecondary teacher programs to include dyslexia instruction. A committee substitute made technical changes, including an IDEA citation and removal of specific three-cueing language in favor of evidence-based practices. Testimony stressed that dyslexia is not the same as special education eligibility and that early identification and intervention are needed. Members discussed the low number of districts with related policies, the quality of approved screeners, and the need for more local and regional support services. The committee approved HB 389 with the committee substitute attached and sent it to the House floor with a favorable expression of opinion.

Transcript Highlights:

• This applies at land and sea ports of entry.
• As a practical matter, CBP cannot deny entry to U.S. citizens when they return from across the border
• As a matter of this identification, if you go to the port of entry right now and, you know, next time
• matter, even though there is the White House Travel Initiative, the federal government cannot deny you entry
• If it's not something that you're going to deny an American citizen entry for, it just seems like it's

Bills: HB3484, HCR112, HCR125

Keywords: border municipalities, agreements, funding eligibility, infrastructure, intergovernmental cooperation, REAL ID, travel document, border crossing, Texas, U.S. citizens, Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, defense innovation, national security, U.S. Army Futures Command, military technology, economic growth, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• correctional industries, the re-entry correctional industries, the re-entry coordination<00:19:18.720
• <00:32:25.200> At Re-entry, and community supervision.
• So, all of this is re-entry.
• What are the... 11:15 re-entry program. What are the obstacles now?
• and we're also working with our re-entry and we're also working with our re-entry um<02:09:13.119

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• us a motion to suspend our rules to take up House Bill 949 for immediate consideration pending its entry
• I make a motion to suspend rules in order to take up H944 for immediate consideration pending its entry
• moves that we suspend our rules to take up House Bill 949 for immediate consideration pending its entry
• House... ...to suspend our rules to take up House Bill 933 for immediate consideration pending its entry
• I make a motion to suspend rules in order to take up H933 for immediate consideration pending its entry

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the notice pending its entry on the notice calendar?
• <00:26:08.159> on immediate consideration pending entry on immediate consideration pending
• entry on the<00:26:08.480> notice<00:26:08.960> calendar<00:26:09.840> H542.
• <00:26:20.480> Are its entry on the notice calendar.
• Are its entry on the notice calendar.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House took up several Senate proposals of amendment and, by voice vote, concurred in each. On House Bill 928, technical corrections to fish and wildlife statutes, the House suspended the rules, heard a section-by-section explanation of changes to hunting violation points, license expiration dates, license fees, and Champion Lands reporting, and then concurred after both the committee and Ways and Means reported favorable straw polls of 11-0. On House Bill 915, the extended producer responsibility program for beverage containers, the House also suspended the rules and heard a detailed summary of Senate changes affecting handling fees, redemption requirements, PRO administration, collection-site standards, reporting, and effective dates; Environment reported a favorable straw poll and Ways and Means noted a modest fiscal impact from higher liquor bottle handling fees, after which the House concurred. The House then took up Senate Bill 328 on housing and common interest communities. The General and Housing Committee explained the Senate’s further amendments, including changes to the treasurer’s housing credit facility, consultation requirements, VHIP funding provisions, municipal housing planning, duplex and accessory dwelling unit rules, temporary multi-unit provisions, downtown and village center benefits, and common-interest-community reporting on vegetable gardens. Appropriations and Environment both reported no additional fiscal concerns and favorable straw polls, and the House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment. Finally, the House considered House Bill 542 on PCB testing in Vermont schools. The Senate strike-all amendment would extend the testing deadline to 2035, create a future special fund for testing and remediation, require PCB testing before major renovation projects using state construction dollars, and direct ANR to report on remaining costs and funding options. After questions about how the amendment would affect schools that had already tested or completed remediation, Education explained that existing remediation reimbursements would continue and that the amendment mainly delays the mandate and sets up a future funding mechanism. The House concurred, then recessed until 5:20 p.m. to prepare for additional Senate bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• We support four ports of entry, and we operate six rest areas.
• Regulation, 100 of those 121 are in our ports of entry, which are in the 12 ports scattered throughout
• On one side, we have our ports of entry, which we co-share responsibility for with the Department of
• Online, but we also generate the majority of our revenues at the Raton and Gallup ports of entry.
• Right there, particularly, you have entry into town with only three exits.

Transcript Highlights:

• If the data entry screen could have as little as a modification where the treasurer, whoever is doing
• the data entry, would indicate whether the individual or association was located within the district
• screen uh could have as data entry screen uh could have as little<00:09:21.200> as<00:09:21.320
• would indicate whether the entry would indicate whether the individual<00:09:27.480> or<00:09
• And so I became familiar with the data entry software being utilized, and in fact, all contributions

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is referred to the Committee on Appropriations pursuant to House Rule 35A, pending its entry
• c><00:02:38.680> 35A<00:02:40.080> pending<00:02:40.560> its<00:02:40.800> entry
• <00:02:41.440> on to House Rule 35A pending its entry on to House Rule 35A pending its entry

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate Bill 212, relating to potable water supply and wastewater system connections, but postponed action on it for one legislative day after a member from Ferrisburg moved to delay consideration because an amendment was still pending. No vote count was recorded, but the chair announced the ayes appeared to have it. The chamber also received notice that the Senate had refused to concur in House amendments to Senate Bill 223, concerning water quality of Vermont waters, and Senate Bill 325, concerning regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction. In response, the Speaker appointed House conferees for both bills. For S. 223, the House conferees were Representatives Sheldon, Labor, and Satroits; for S. 325, the conferees were Representatives Sheldon, Labor, and Chapin. Additionally, the Committee on Ways and Means reported Senate Bill 328, relating to housing and common interest communities and carrying an appropriation, favorably with amendment. The bill was referred to the Committee on Appropriations under House Rule 35A. The House then agreed to journalize remarks from a member from Berrytown and adjourned until the next day at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unlike some other courses you can take while it's early entry, it's college credit.
• Unlike some other courses you can take, while it's early entry, it's college credit.
• So there's dual credit and early entry. We sometimes intermingle those terms.
• Because they're freely able to do early entry now, but you just wouldn't get dual credit for it.
• You can take early entry courses.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Higher Education Funding Committee met to discuss possible changes to North Dakota’s higher education funding formula, with a particular focus on separating the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences MD program from the general formula. Dr. Jenkins outlined several options for the MD program, including a fixed-funding model, a hybrid model, or keeping it in the formula, and emphasized the need to preserve strong support for medical education while making future funding clearer. He also discussed efforts to increase the share of North Dakota students in the MD program through ND85, expanded recruiting, early acceptance pathways, MCAT prep, a four-plus-one program, and the Primary Care Accelerated Track, along with future cost pressures such as AI licensing and residency growth. The committee then reviewed a simplified funding model from the University System Office that would base funding more heavily on student FTE, credentials awarded, and a few incentive factors such as small institution and research adjustments. Members questioned the use of placeholder numbers, the lack of a clear methodology for the small institution and research factors, and whether the model would adequately account for differences among institutions, high-cost programs, and graduate education. Several members raised concerns that arbitrary factors would be hard to defend politically and could distort funding or create competition between schools, while others said the exercise was useful as a starting point for discussion. Alex presented a second alternative that kept the current SIP-code structure but increased CTE weighting, added a progressive economic size factor, and separated out the MD program. His model also added an on-campus face-to-face headcount component and a credentials component, with the intent of rewarding in-person enrollment and completions. Members questioned the use of headcount instead of FTE, how hybrid, online, dual-credit, and off-campus students would be treated, and why face-to-face enrollment was weighted more heavily than completion. No formal votes or final actions were taken; the committee instead continued discussion and asked members to provide direction on which elements, if any, should be developed further.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the time series forecasting comes into with the predicting entries that's based on... historical
• trends and seasonality in the entries into the systems by the types of offenses, descriptive information
• So it's not just an overall average of 100 entries into. state residential this is what they did but
• Yes, so that is one of the grouping variables we use when. predicting entry into the system as well as
• The way the model works with the entries into the system, the historical trends in entries into the system

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to the adult community re-entry program, but a little more tailored.
• to the adult community re-entry program, but a little more tailored.
• to the adult community re-entry program, but a little more tailored.
• to the adult community re-entry program, but a little more tailored.
• It's the 1115 waiver re-entry program.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division Three work session on February 21, 2025 focused on the Division of Medicaid Services budget. The chair opened with procedural guidance, noting the division’s role is to make recommendations to the full Finance Committee, that the budget must be balanced, and that members should track possible amendments ahead of a March 26 target for House Bills 1 and 2. Members also discussed the importance of using official budget documents and online resources, and the chair said no motions would be taken at this session. A major early topic was concern over a five-point Medicaid policy document and the timing of House Bill 2. Representative Tarki objected that the document appeared to be an unofficial draft and argued that significant Medicaid policy changes should have been transmitted by February 15 under state law. He said the lack of an official, posted document raised transparency concerns because the changes could affect tens of thousands of residents. Committee leadership responded that the five-point document was a working document, that it would be posted online within minutes, and that House Bill 2 is often delayed while the Office of Legislative Services finalizes and formats the governor’s proposed trailer bill. DHHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White and Medicaid Director Henry Litman then began the budget presentation. White said the committee would use the PowerPoint as the document of record, starting with the governor’s operating budget pages 885-893, and noted that Medicaid is the largest accounting area in the state budget. He said the governor’s budget reflects about $60 million in reductions within the Medicaid area, with Granite Advantage handled off-budget and another $10 million in reductions there, for roughly a $70 million difference overall. Members asked whether the comparison was being made against an efficiency budget or a prioritized-needs budget, and White said the department could look at it different ways. The presentation then outlined Medicaid’s role in New Hampshire: it provides health coverage, serves as the state’s direct interface with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and helps finance related services such as long-term supports, school-based services, adult dental coverage, and re-entry programs for people leaving correctional settings. White also reviewed enrollment and program context, saying New Hampshire has about one in seven residents enrolled in Medicaid, making it the fourth smallest Medicaid program in the country by enrollment, and described recent efforts such as youth re-entry and the Medicaid unwind after the end of the federal continuous coverage period. He said the state had to process more than 238,000 redeterminations after the public health emergency and that the department tried to avoid unnecessary coverage loss during that transition.

Transcript Highlights:

• acceptable documentation for U.S. citizens re-entering the United States at land and sea ports of entry
• As a practical matter, CBP cannot deny entry to U.S. citizens when they return from across the border
• security feature, but again, as a practical matter, uh, this identification, if you go to the port of entry
• even though there is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, the federal government cannot deny you entry
• through this additional process if it's not something that you're going to deny an American citizen entry

Summary: The Committee on State-Federal Relations heard testimony on HB 3484, which would formalize agreements between border municipalities and treat certain infrastructure, services, and facilities as Texas assets for funding eligibility if they are within 30 miles of the border. Representative Van Deaver and a witness from Texarkana described how the bill would help Texarkana, Texas, secure state funding for jointly used facilities such as wastewater, water treatment, and airport assets that are physically located in Arkansas but serve Texas residents. Members asked about whether Arkansas benefits from the facilities and whether the bill would apply only to U.S. border cities; testimony clarified that it applies to Texas municipalities bordering another U.S. state, and the bill was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also heard HCR 112, by Representative Perez, which urges Congress to allow state-issued Real ID cards, including Texas driver’s licenses, to be accepted as identification for U.S. citizens re-entering the country at land and sea ports of entry. Perez argued that Texas already verifies citizenship and lawful presence for Real ID issuance, that most Texans already have Real ID-compliant licenses, and that acceptance at the border would reduce costs and delays for routine cross-border travel without weakening security. Members asked about the security features of Real ID, implementation timing, passport delays, and how border crossings currently work; Perez said the resolution would not replace passports for international air travel and would apply only to U.S. citizens returning at land and sea ports. HCR 112 was also left pending, and the committee adjourned after HDR 125 was withdrawn from the schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• from Maui, from Lahaina, excuse me, providing an essential service to people because there was no entry
• I had nothing, bringing water and fuel into families speeding through police barricades illegally because
• from Maui, from Lahaina, excuse me, providing an essential service to people because there was no entry
• Thank you very much. ...barricades illegally because we felt it was essential and a duty that we support
• Specifically, item 44: permits, licenses, registrations, and right-of-entry issued by the department

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 946 on wastewater management, which would clarify that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters after 12/31/26 applies to treatment plants. Testimony was in support from the Department of Health, Maui County Council, Mayor Bisson, and individuals, and no one testified in opposition. SB 849 on wildlife conservation would prohibit intentional taking, harming, or killing of the Hawaiian hawk (ʻio) and increase penalties for taking native aquatic life, wildlife, and land plants; DLNR supported the bill, noting the ʻio was delisted federally in 2020 and that the measure also updates penalties and adds a rehabilitation/community service option. No questions were raised, and the bill drew support testimony only. For SB 330 on invasive species prevention, the Attorney General raised a supremacy clause concern with language requiring state enforcement of federal quarantines and recommended reverting to a prior version with a catchall for federal regulation. The Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species supported the bill as a way to close a biosecurity gap, while the Department of Agriculture said it supported the intent but wanted to avoid acting without a cooperative agreement with USDA and suggested deleting the portion allowing action without such an agreement. The committee also heard SB 1393 on public land use, which would require the School Facilities Authority to consult with DOE and other agencies before land conveyances or leases and repeal a requirement that DOE transfer title upon request; both SFA and DOE supported the measure, with DOE emphasizing the need for early communication and consultation, and members asked about possible disagreements or stalemates. The committee then heard SB 321 on private roads and ways, which would deem certain privately owned roads and similar ways transferred to adjacent owners or community associations if conditions are met. The Hawaii Land Title Association said the bill as drafted would create uncertainty and proposed a court process to clarify ownership and create a recordable order; written support came from the Mortgage Bankers Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Financial Services Association, and one individual. SB 66 on housing permitting would require permit decisions within 60 days for certain housing projects and deem permits approved in some circumstances; DLNR’s historic preservation office supported the intent but noted county historic preservation roles, OHA suggested amendments to clarify county duties, and DPP opposed the time limits as risky for health and safety reviews, warning about back-and-forth review cycles and possible mismatches between approved plans and field work. Realtors, NAIOP, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii YIMBY, and the Maui Chamber supported the measure, while Lahaina Strong, Hawaii Good Neighbor, and two individuals opposed it. Finally, the committee heard SB 1170 on expeditious redevelopment of affordable rental housing, which would speed permits for rebuilding permanently affordable multifamily rental housing damaged by natural disasters and exempt certain projects from EIS requirements. HHFDC supported the bill, citing the Front Street Apartments rebuild and the long SMA permit timeline on Maui, and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the intent while suggesting technical placement of amendments. Testimony in support also came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and Joe Blanco, who described difficulties rebuilding a project originally developed under older statutory requirements and said the bill’s added language addressed those issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• at the top, and the 95% get passed down to consumers, and then the courts come in and say that was illegal
• The courts come in and say that was illegal and now the money goes back to the corporations as a reimbursement
• Assembly Bill 5232 authorizes the Regional Rehabilitation and Re-entry Center Authority to determine
• The Supreme Court has not held that all indirect taxes on federal governments are illegal.
• raising the tax, New Jersey can make costs so prohibitive as to destroy the prisons which house 90% of illegal

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• students are currently attending mostly or completely online school, and also 22%... ...attend direct entry
• Treatment programs have faced challenges for many years, with some individuals soliciting illegal kickbacks
• Finally, the bill would establish a task force to make recommendations to the Legislature preventing illegal
• a task force to study enforcement challenges and recommend appropriate procedures for addressing illegal
• So even if they... ...was already in statute that deceptive internet marketing was illegal in Texas,

Bills: HB46, HB35, HB4490, HB4454, HB2188, HB3078, HB4743, HB2556, HB46, HB5342, HB4783, HB3785, HB5278, HB1639, HB2581, HB4224, HB4070, HB4099, HB4882, HB3794

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Transcript Highlights:

• mental or psychological problems of a child or the child's family; sexual behavior or attitudes; illegal
• Why do we need to import foreigners, even import them illegally, when teenagers used to work at these
• gambling and illegal slot machines.
• Additionally, we are providing criminal penalties for illegal casino-style games.
• And we are prohibiting illegal gaming advertisement. Good afternoon, members.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the Speaker announced schedule changes for the following week, including canceling the floor session on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main floor action centered on CS/HB 7033, the House tax package. Sponsor Rep. Duggan described broad tax changes, including reducing the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25%, exempting certain bullion sales, repealing the aviation fuel tax, delaying the natural gas fuel tax, changing corporate income tax treatment for charitable trusts, reducing the pari-mutuel tax on card rooms, and major changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use. The bill would redirect most TDT revenue toward property tax relief, dissolve tourist development councils, and include related property tax and local tax administration changes. Several amendments were debated: a Driscoll amendment to preserve local TDT flexibility failed; Duggan’s amendment giving local governments 25% discretion over TDT revenues was adopted; Eskamani’s combined-reporting amendment failed; and a Duggan amendment requiring audit certification of compliance with the TDT/property tax relief provisions was adopted. After debate, CS/HB 7033 passed 78-29. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1221 on local option taxes, which was presented as a companion-style measure to give local governments more flexibility while redirecting TDT revenues toward property tax relief. Supporters argued the bill would provide immediate relief to property owners and restore accountability in local tax use, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism funding, infrastructure, and local services. An amendment allowing local governments to retain 25% of TDT revenues for general purposes was adopted, and the bill passed 62-45 after floor debate. The final item shown was the reading of CS/CS/HJR 1257, a proposed constitutional amendment related to property tax exemptions and assessment limits, but the transcript cuts off before debate or action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why do we need to import foreigners, even import them illegally, when teenagers used to work at these
• gambling and illegal slot machines.
• Additionally, we are providing criminal penalties for illegal casino-style games, and we are prohibiting
• illegal gaming advertisement.
• It is the world equestrian center. 40% of race entries of winds and purse earnings across all Florida

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber approved the journal and adopted the special order report, and the Speaker announced a schedule change canceling the floor on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main business was CS for HB 7033, the House tax package, presented by Rep. Duggan. He described a broad set of tax changes, including the previously passed sales tax rate reduction from 6% to 5.25%, exemptions for certain bullion sales, changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use, property tax administration updates, affordable housing-related exemptions, repeal of the aviation fuel tax, delayed natural gas fuel tax implementation, corporate income tax changes, and other provisions. Debate focused heavily on the TDT section and the bill’s property tax relief structure. Amendments to preserve local flexibility or remove the TDT restrictions were offered and debated; one Duggan amendment was adopted to allow local governments to keep 25% of TDT revenues for general use while directing 75% to property tax relief, and another amendment requiring audit certification of compliance was also adopted. A combined reporting amendment offered by Rep. Eskamani to close corporate tax loopholes was debated at length but failed. On final passage, supporters argued the bill provides immediate, permanent tax relief and affordability help, while opponents said it diverts tourism dollars away from local needs and could harm tourism-dependent counties and services. CS for HB 7033 passed the House 78-29. The chamber then took up CS for CS for HB 1221 on local option taxes, which would give local governments more control over certain local taxes and, as presented, redirect TDT revenues toward property tax relief with some local flexibility. After questions and amendments, including a Miller amendment allowing 25% of TDT revenue for general purposes and another accountability amendment, the bill moved to final debate. Members split sharply: supporters framed it as immediate tax relief and local accountability, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism marketing, infrastructure, and county budgets. The transcript ends during closing debate on HB 1221, before final passage is recorded.