Transcript Highlights:

• It's a little different animal than sitting on a river, but we've accommodated, to the best we can, enough
• Rebecca Lawrence loved animals, all animals, but especially big cats. Syl Stewart.
• She envisioned opening her own animal rescue center with her sister Scarlett confidently handling security

Bills: SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, SB 1, HB4, HB4, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, SB2, SB5

Keywords: school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3777 by Tupper releases the requirements of the owner of a doctor taken into custody of Animal control
• HB 3816 by Metcalf relating to the prosecution of the criminal offense of cruelty to livestock animals
• HB 3829 by Curry, relating to a study to review the animal friendly account for the Committee on Public
• HB 3832 by CurRI relating to the issuance of animal-friendly specialty license plates for to the Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• that are parked on the state side of the highway tragically on October 13th 22 city of level and animal
• transported to the hospital and later died of his injuries several days later this legislation adds animal
• Adding these type of will help ensure drivers stay clear of both animal control officers and parking
• Waste trucks and toll operator vehicles are currently included under the law as this adds animal control

Bills: SB35, SB284, SB296, SB305, SB857, SB995, SB1121, SB1555, SB1902, SCR25, SB 35

Keywords: transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up from Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Invasive Animal Control.
• Florida's also an entry point for many species being imported from around the world with thousands of animals
• which was observed and reported by a member of the Public Trump private rapper was able to catch the animal
• native fish and wildlife, their habitats, the economy or human health and safety removal of these animals

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is an appropriation out of the Treasurer's State's office for the animal rescue shelters
• When they buy those plates, the revenue goes back for local animal shelters.
• Back for local animal shelters. This is that appropriation. Happy to answer any questions.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, granted several leaves, and received a gubernatorial communication noting approval of House Bill 1002 (Act 1). The chamber also recognized guests, including state troopers, a nurse of the day, students, a cheer team, Entergy representatives, and a representative-elect, before moving to the calendar. Members passed House Bill 1003, the Arkansas House Representative Staff appropriation, by 94-0 with the emergency clause. On the budget calendar, the House considered a series of appropriation amendments and bills affecting agencies and institutions including the Labor and Licensing Board, University of Arkansas Community College at Rich Mountain, the State Treasurer, DFA, county turnbacks, career technical education, Northwest Arkansas Community College, and the Fort Chaffee appropriation. Several amendments were adopted by voice vote, and the House then batched and passed multiple appropriation bills, while some were pulled out for separate votes. In separate roll-call votes, House Bills 1021, 1027, 1029, 1049, 1056, 1061, 1074, 1075, and 1079 passed, while House Bills 1014, 1060, and 1062 failed. The chamber also adopted House Resolutions 1004 and 1005, which were described as necessary to introduce a non-appropriation bill. The meeting ended with adjournment set for 11:00 a.m. the next day, and committee announcements noted upcoming House Rules, Special Language, and Joint Budget meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• The data really points to the need ... animals is low to non-existent.
• The MPCA animals is low to non-existent.
• It says it must allow it when the probability of consumption or immersion by humans or animals is low
• It says it must allow it when the probability of consumption or immersion by humans or animals is low
• by humans or animals is low or<00:52:15.680> non-existent.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This will allow our animal health division, and I have Dr.
• who is the state veterinarian, has been so for almost three decades and has been through a lot of animal
• are the diseases that we have to face as a result of international trade and just the movement of animals
• And, you know, those 400 individuals are in the veterinary services, the animal health expertise, a deep
• And, you know, those 400 individuals are in the veterinary services of animal health expertise, a deep

Summary: The hearing opened with budget framing from the chair and the LAO, who said the May Revision addresses roughly a $14 billion budget problem and that the environment and transportation subcommittee’s proposals account for about $1.9 billion of the solution. The LAO urged members to focus on solutions that do not worsen out-year deficits, to preserve reserves, and to defer major policy changes that are not necessary to pass the budget, including the newly introduced water-related trailer bills. Members also raised concern about a late-dropped Olympic-related trailer bill, which the LAO likewise suggested should be deferred for fuller review. The first major item was the Delta Conveyance Project and related water quality control plan trailer bills. The administration argued the proposals would streamline permitting, water rights proceedings, judicial review, and land acquisition, and would clarify DWR’s bond authority for the project. DWR said the project is needed to protect water supply reliability against drought, earthquakes, sea level rise, and other climate-related disruptions, and that the tunnel would help move water when conditions are wet and safer for the environment. Committee members from both parties questioned the timing, the use of budget trailer bills for major policy changes, the scope of the CEQA and water-rights changes, the lack of a bond cap, cost growth, and eminent domain protections. The LAO recommended deferring both water trailer bills without prejudice. Public comment was sharply divided, with labor, water agencies, and some business groups supporting the project as climate adaptation and reliability infrastructure, while environmental, tribal, fishing, county, and community groups opposed it as an attempt to bypass public process and weaken protections. The committee then briefly heard the DMV’s Digital Experience Platform fee trailer bill, which would reinstate a $1 system improvement fee to help fund the vehicle-registration phase of the project. DMV said the fee would raise about $7 million annually and offset roughly $59 million to $60 million of project costs, while the LAO noted it would help but would not solve the Motor Vehicle Account’s broader structural gap. The hearing then moved to California High-Speed Rail, where the new CEO presented an updated plan and said the project remains a major climate and infrastructure investment. He reported a revised Merced-to-Bakersfield cost range of $34.9 billion to $38.5 billion, said the agency is trying to reduce risk through direct procurement of materials, and argued that stable annual funding is needed to avoid higher costs from delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:44:22.800> disease<00:44:23.280> or<00:44:23.360> pest insect or other animal
• disease or pest insect or other animal disease or pest is<00:44:23.800> prohibited.
• related to petroleum-based food dyes, I'd like to pass this on with amendments incorporating the Animal
• I'd like to pass this on with amendments incorporating<01:06:28.640> the<01:06:28.760> Animal
• <01:06:29.120> Health incorporating the Animal Health incorporating the Animal Health Institute

Bills: SB2706, SB2320

Keywords: workforce development, agriculture, biosecurity, pilot program, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii, Leeward Community College, DHRD, training, apprenticeship, career pathways, credentialing, job training, internship, hands-on experience, state employment, workforce pipeline, agricultural jobs, biosecurity jobs, general fund appropriation

Summary: The committees first heard SB 2371, which would prioritize lease offers on agrivoltaics parcels for beginning farmers, require annual compliance reports to DAB, authorize penalties for noncompliance, and allow solar facilities on certain agricultural lands. DAB, the State Energy Office, PUC, and Hawaii Farm Bureau generally supported the intent, while OPPSD recommended amendments to preserve agricultural lease affordability and strengthen food-production language. Members questioned whether the bill would meaningfully encourage solar on ag lands, whether beginning farmers would have enough information to use such parcels, and how the bill would interact with Land Use Commission review. The Farm Bureau said agrivoltaics remains challenging and largely in pilot form, and noted the Mililani project as a promising example of dual use. The committees voted to pass SB 2371 with amendments, with one member expressing a preference that it be opened to all farmers rather than only beginning farmers. The next measure, SB 2800, appropriates funds to DAB, DLNR, and ADC for acquisition, repair, and maintenance of irrigation systems. All testifying agencies and the Farm Bureau supported the bill, and members pressed them for estimates of needed funding and the condition of existing systems. DAB cited major repair needs, including Waimea, Molokai, Kahuku, and Kawailoa, and said its backlog could total roughly $65 million; ADC estimated about $35 million for several systems; and DLNR said its current needs for three systems were about $35 million, with the largest cost tied to piping in Kekaha. The committees amended the bill to defer its effective date to July 1, 2050 and to blank out the appropriation amounts in the bill text, with the agencies’ requested amounts to be included in the committee report for consideration. SB 2800 then passed in AEN, Water and Land, and EIG. The final measure discussed was SB 2718, a food hub pilot program beginning in 2028 that would require state departments and UH to source 30% of certain food purchases from local agricultural products, create a nutrition- and ʻāina-based school program, and have DAT partner with a regional aggregator for Native Hawaiian staple crops. DAT, DOH, the Farm Bureau, Food Plus Policy Group, HAPA, and others supported the bill’s intent, while the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed it, saying it is already struggling to meet the current local procurement percentage and faces procurement and quantity barriers, especially for staple items used daily. The testimony focused on whether agencies could realistically meet the higher local purchasing target and whether smaller farms could supply the needed volumes.

Transcript Highlights:

• and will ensure animal life safety as<00:54:06.160> well<00:54:06.319> as<00:54:06.559
• But we do have to keep those animals warm and cool. And that's priority number one.
• But we do have to keep those animals warm and cool. And that's priority number one.
• But we do have to keep those animals warm and cool. And that's priority number one.
• But we do have to keep those animals warm and cool. And that's priority number one.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:26:16.840> insect<00:26:17.360> or<00:26:17.440> other<00:26:17.640> animal
• infected with an insect or other animal infected with an insect or other animal disease<00:26:18.440
• And it says it's a violation to bring into the state any plant, plant product, animal, microorganism,
• 43:34.960> plant,<00:43:35.360> plant<00:43:35.640> product,<00:43:36.160> animal
• , any plant, plant product, animal, any plant, plant product, animal, microorganism,<00:43:37.680

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard several measures and took testimony without questions on SB 2431 relating to health savings accounts and SB 2797 relating to consumer protection. For SB 2797, the DCCA Office of Consumer Protection offered comments, Retail Merchants of Hawaii opposed the bill over gift card fraud compliance costs and legal risk, and AARP Hawaii supported it. The committee also heard SB 2946 on foreclosures, where the Hawaii State Bar Association’s Collection Law Section and several lenders, associations, and individuals opposed the measure, while the Hawaii Bankers Association and others offered comments. SB 2961 on insurance drew comments from the Insurance Division and Hawaii Insurance Council, with NAMIC opposing and some individuals supporting. SB 2948 on insurance fraud received comments from the Insurance Division and support from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, with NAMIC and the Alliance for Responsible Consumer Legal Funding also commenting. No votes were taken during the hearing portion, and the committee recessed after testimony. The committee then reconvened for decision-making on the 9:30 agenda. SB 2431 was passed with amendments, including DOTAX-requested changes, a five-year limit on credit carryforwards, removal of an aggregate cap, a rural definition, transparent reporting, technical amendments, and a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050. SB 2797 was also passed with DCCA-requested amendments, technical changes, and the same deferred effective date. SB 2946 was deferred because there was no testimony in support. SB 2961 was passed with amendments, but after Senator McKelvey raised concern that policy-limit language could undermine the bill, the committee removed two policy-limit amendments before adopting the recommendation. SB 2948 was passed with amendments deleting certain definitions, aligning penalties and public-records provisions, adding coordination and disclosure clarifications, and making technical changes; one no vote by Senator Awana was recorded, with the rest in favor. The committee also considered SB 3000 from a prior hearing and recommended passage with amendments clarifying the Attorney General’s authority, creating a special fund, and addressing concurrent actions, again with a deferred effective date and one no vote by Senator Awana. In a joint CPN/GVO agenda, SB 2258 relating to school agriculture procurement targets was passed with amendments after the Department of Education said it would need to follow up on whether changing the target period from calendar year to school year would create procurement or scheduling issues; the committee added technical changes, a deferred effective date, and routed the bill to Ways and Means, with a note that Education should also have received it. In a later joint CPN/AEN hearing, SB 2452 relating to climate-friendly insurers drew strong opposition from the Insurance Division and several insurance groups, who warned it could push insurers out of the authorized market and into the surplus lines market, raising costs; Senator Dela questioned whether the bill would worsen an already strained market, while the division said the legislature could make the policy choice but warned of market disruption. The hearing then moved to SB 2760 on invasive species, where DLNR, DAB, CGAPS, and the Oahu Invasive Species Committee generally supported broader inspection and quarantine authority, civil penalties, and longer interim-rule authority, while committee members asked about staffing, treatment capacity, and implementation for non-agricultural commodities such as building materials and vehicles.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill increases penalties for willfully torturing and killing an animal. Any further remarks?
• I rise in opposition to AB 381, while we had some tragic situations involving animals.
• While we had some tragic situations involving animals, we already have a four-year felony for animal
• If we pass this law, it'll actually make animal abuse about the equivalent of what we charge for raping
• , the idea that we're going to once again expand these felonies is unnecessary, and we're putting animal

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a whole different animal. Senator Clark, um, I don't think this gets to that.
• That's a whole different animal. The pay went up across the board.
• That's a whole different animal. I'm a business major, so I can pick on me.
• That's a whole different animal.
• That's a whole different animal. good decision now going on to Master's good decision now going on to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• asset to the state and our society for studying and monitoring the... interaction of human disease, animal
• As an example… Many of you may have heard in the news last spring that the first case of animal-to-human
• to be a significant burden on UVA. which can draw many of them to more lucrative careers in small animal
• , large animal issues which that affects our food supply as well.
• and researchers to the Panhandle to support cutting research that will benefit not only our food animal

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After the oil is squeezed, the seed actually becomes this flaky substance, and it's a great animal feed
• <00:13:26.800> it's<00:13:26.920> a<00:13:27.079> great<00:13:27.440> animal
• flaky substance and it's a great animal flaky substance and it's a great animal feed<00:13:28.240
• <00:13:38.079> and<00:13:38.279> provide would do for the animals and provide would
• do for the animals and provide that<00:13:38.920> that<00:13:39.079> fatty<00:13:39.480

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on HB 976, a measure related to incentives for renewable fuels, including renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. Supporters said the bill would help close the cost gap between renewable and conventional fuels, strengthen Hawaii’s energy security, support climate goals, and encourage local economic development. Testifiers from Pono Pacific, PAR Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Airlines/Alaska Airlines, the Hawaii Department of Transportation, Pacific Biodiesel, Aloha Carbon, and others described ongoing or planned projects, local feedstock development, and potential benefits for agriculture, waste diversion, and emissions reductions. Several testifiers also discussed proposed amendments. The Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition said it wanted to remove the import tax credit, eliminate the aggregate cap increase to avoid additional state funding, and revise local-production language to rely on a carbon-intensity threshold rather than location-based preferences. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised technical concerns about the bill’s administration, including prorating credits if the cap is exceeded and the feasibility of a 30-day filing window. Some supporters urged keeping solid waste, including construction and demolition debris, as eligible feedstock, while Energy Justice Network opposed that approach and also urged removing GMO-related language and waste-based feedstocks because of environmental and toxic emissions concerns. Opposition testimony focused on the bill’s cost and feasibility. Energy Justice Network and Ted Metros argued the measure could become a large subsidy for a refinery and questioned whether Hawaii has enough land and water to produce meaningful quantities of biofuel locally. Metros also criticized the refundable credit structure and said the state should not bear the cost for what he described as a benefit largely tied to tourism and imported fuel. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the chair later noted the committee had received 13 testimonies in support, 18 in opposition, and seven comments, and then invited further discussion on cost allocation and lowering caps to broaden participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it was my priority that we fully fund the Board of Animal Health with the situation facing turkey
• priority that we fully fund the<00:05:12.560> board<00:05:12.720> of<00:05:12.880> animal
• health with the the the board of animal health with the the situation<00:05:15.280> facing<00
• board<00:05:27.680> of Chair Anderson said the committee had fully funded the Board of Animal
• Line 261 is an operating adjustment for the Board of Animal Health.

Bills: HF2446, HF2563, HF2444

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an animal unit, which is a cow and calf, depending on the rainfall of the area.
• that, Madam Chair, my I add to your excellent point about increasing food supply, specifically in animal
• But in a cow's position, it's close to two years to get that cow bred. until that animal is ready for
• we import beef from another country, it's either frozen or it's in a sealed barrel because of the animal
• So, if I want to import an animal, say, from England, a high-bred venison, I have to quarantine them;

Transcript Highlights:

• pseudouridine, N-methyl pseudouridine, which is not a... normally a component in DNA or RNA in plants, animals
• dispute and have that conversation, but what we need to recognize here is one question: there was no animal
• And that binary system is how computers work, but in nature, whether it's plants, animals, or humans,
• One of them is uracil in animals, in plants.
• Conservative Coalition... a ban on mRNA-based vaccinations and treatments for disease in humans and animals

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB116, HB18, HB37, HB116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• love to come to the farm, spend time with the horses, ride the ponies, and enjoy time with the other animals
• With the other animals we have on the farm, along with the bees and the chickens, our one son started
• They were beloved, beloved friends, beloved animals.
• They were beloved, beloved friends, beloved animals. My family, Robert Chambliss raises horses.
• I love the animal. I'm a horse owner myself.

Summary: The Commerce Committee held its first meeting, took roll, established a quorum, and heard opening remarks from the chair, vice chair, and ranking member emphasizing the committee’s broad scope and focus on Florida’s economy and daily-life issues. The committee then considered several bills, with members and staff noting the agenda included four bills and a PCS. The first measures dealt with insurance and consumer regulation. CS/HB 367 on home and service warranty associations was explained as allowing financial requirements to be met through one or more contractual liability policies and reducing certain filing requirements; an amendment adding requirements for liability insurance coverage was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. HB 655 on pet insurance and wellness programs created a regulatory framework for pet insurance and also passed favorably. HB 6015, which deleted the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute, had brief support testimony and passed favorably. The committee spent the most time on CS/HB 105, a strike-all PCS on thoroughbred permit holders and decoupling racing from gaming. The sponsor said the revised bill would decouple racing and gaming while adding protections for the thoroughbred industry, including a notice period before racing could stop, permit transferability, and changes to how breeders’ and owners’ funds are administered. Supporters argued the bill would preserve and strengthen the industry through clearer rules and more direct support, while opponents—horsemen, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, and related businesses—warned it would harm a major rural industry, threaten jobs, and favor casino interests. After extensive debate, the strike-all was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a divided vote. Finally, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates was presented as correcting an unintended consequence in surcharge law for utilities owned by one municipality but located in another. Testimony focused on the fairness of the current surcharge structure and the impact on Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach. After debate about negotiation, parity, and local impacts, the bill passed favorably. The committee then adjourned after its first meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a state-of-the-art bivarium, an animal care facility, an animal care facility. research facility
• Obviously there is a lot of preclinical work that goes on including in animals.
• opportunity to have automated cage cleaning, for example, that helps us in automated track. of all of the animals
• where UTMB researchers have created an Alzheimer nasal spray which has shown promising results in animals

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what a risk to himself a Florida highway patrol or patrol and rescue the animal before the dog
• there's not always highway patrol been on hand when an incident like this occurs and there are more animals
• The dogs, former owner was arrested and charged with animal cruelty.
• This bill would make it a third-degree felony to commit extreme animal cruelty.
• We have Diana Ferguson from Florida, Animal Control Association waiving in support.

Keywords: 999, senate, all