Transcript Highlights:

• When we started the Land-Grant Interim Committee in 2003, there was a handful of priorities that the
• Actually, the primary priority... of that first interim committee was the enhancement and empowerment
• One of the priorities that the Land-Grants brought forth, Madam Chair, in the 2003 Interim Committee
• You have a do pass on your committee. Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• We'll turn it over to the committee. Are there questions from the committee?

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, today the subcommittee will hear five proposed committee bills that are a result of the Open
• Members, today the subcommittee will hear five proposed committee bills that are a result of the Open
• by staff during the interim.
• by staff during the interim.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to everybody on the committee today.

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met to consider five proposed committee bills under the Open Government Sunset Review Act, which requires certain public record and public meeting exemptions to be reenacted before automatic repeal. Each bill was briefly explained by its sponsor or a member presenting on behalf of the sponsor, with no amendments or public testimony offered on any of the measures. The subcommittee favorably reported PCB GOS 26-01, preserving the Florida Gaming Control Commission exemption; PCB GOS 26-03, preserving the public emergency shelter address and phone number exemption; PCB GOS 26-04, preserving exemptions for financial information used in small business loan administration; PCB GOS 26-02, preserving the conviction integrity unit reinvestigation information exemption; and PCB GOS 26-05, preserving a Public Service Commission meeting exemption for portions involving proprietary confidential information. During discussion on the Public Service Commission bill, members asked about transparency and utility rate increases, and the sponsor responded that the exemption is narrow, has never been used, does not affect public discussion of rate increases, and does not limit lawsuits or discovery. All five PCBs were reported favorably by roll call vote. The chair then thanked members for their participation, noted that more bills were being referred to the committee, and adjourned the meeting without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Correll served as the institution's interim chancellor from Dr.
• from that committee report House Bill 752.
• Other committee reports, Mr.
• Education will meet at 9 a.m. in Committee Room 1.
• Insurance will meet at 9 a.m. in Committee Room 3.

Bills: HR188, HR189, HR190, HR191, HR179, HR180, HR181, HR182, HR183, HR185, HR186, HR187, HCR75, HCR76, HCR77, HCR78, HCR79, SCR24, SCR36, SCR39, SB64, SB107, SB152, SB185, SB217, SB232, SB278, SB290, SB294, SB320, SB321, SB419, SB424, SB436, SB440, SB468, SB470, SB476, SB482, SB489, HCR32, SCR11, HB12, HB42, HB205, HB222, HB267, HB324, HB325, HB350, HB478, HB610, HB617, HB679, HB745, HB749, HB797, HB807, HB821, HB896, HB979, HB992, HB1000, HB1024, HB1050, HB1166, HB1172, HB1173, HB1193, HB1207, HB1218, HB1223, SB256, SB180, HR1, HR17, HCR5, HCR4, HCR47, HB59, HB74, HB159, HB330, HB364, HB414, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB786, HB1008, HB1033, HB1034, HB1041, HB1062, HB1070, HB1079, HB1112, HB1118, HB1139, HB1151, HB1176, HB1182, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB368, HB433, HB441, HB447, HB466, HB481, HB741, HB1242, HB362, HB893, HB990, HB1007, HB1153, HB1243, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, SB127, SB244, HB615, HB864, HB1103, HB1175, HB31, HB225, HB608, HB664, HB897, HB977, HB1003, HB1160, HB1180, HB911, HB306, HB366, HB1161, HB1230, HB181, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB772, HB773, HB996, HB1035, HB1058, HB1082, HB1113, HB1189, HB1234, HB1240

Keywords: hunting dogs, field trials, working dogs, dog training, greyhound protection, Farm Bill, federal overreach, sportsmen, sportswomen, wildlife management, conservation, rural communities, Louisiana hunting, hunting tradition, animal welfare, dog breeders, dog owners, outdoor recreation, Kathy Taylor, musical achievements

Summary: The House met with a quorum and handled a mix of ceremonial recognitions, committee reports, and floor action on a large number of bills and resolutions. Members recognized several championship high school teams, including Northlake Christian, Archbishop Hannan, St. Scholastica, Lutcher, and St. Louis, and also designated or commended groups and individuals such as Ascension Parish, the Louisiana Counseling Association, LSU, Dr. Paul Correll, and others. The chamber adopted several resolutions without objection, including measures naming Counseling Day at the Capitol, LSU Day at the Capitol, and honoring Dr. Correll’s retirement, while also receiving and referring various other resolutions and Senate bills to committees or laying them over. The House then took up and passed a series of bills, many with amendments. Major measures included HB 159 creating a Caddo Parish home incarceration pilot program with court, sheriff, and district attorney coordination; HB 364 directing public safety PSAs about celebratory gunfire; HB 414 on background checks for certain health care workers; HB 74 creating a Spectrum Alert program for missing children with autism; HB 568 increasing penalties for visible marijuana use in school zones; HB 786 prohibiting extrapolation in Medicaid provider audits; HB 1033 expanding the definition of critical infrastructure; HB 1041 limiting medical-intervention-based discrimination and mandates; HB 1062 revising the Special School District board; HB 1079 giving charter-school enrollment preference to certain preschool, military, foster care, and custody-ordered students; HB 1139 on discharge planning for involuntarily admitted behavioral health patients; HB 1182 changing occupational therapy licensure credentialing; HB 1214 creating an Office of State Health Care Facilities; and HB 1241 requiring insurers to check for child-support arrears before paying certain settlements. Most of these bills passed by wide margins, often after technical or substantive amendments. Several local and administrative measures also advanced, including bills on utility district per diem, abolishing a police chief position in Edgefield, a crime prevention district fee, and New Orleans historic preservation penalties. The chamber also referred or temporarily returned a number of bills to the calendar, and one local bill on historic preservation in New Orleans was introduced at the end of the transcript. Overall, the meeting was marked by broad bipartisan support for many measures, with recorded roll-call votes on the more contested bills and no major procedural disputes beyond extended questioning on the marijuana-in-school-zones bill and the medical-intervention bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on higher education will come to order. The clerk will call the roll.
• , in your committee, Mr.
• On the thin advisory committee? Right, the thin advisory.
• Right, no, the interim, the interim study that you mentioned.
• That the committee needs to address.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm a capital outlay analyst with the Legislative Finance Committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee, this is Kevin Mathis.
• Committee Member: Thank you. I think it came online.
• So putting that on your radar as committee members. With that, Mr.
• Chair and members of the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports from committees.
• The Senate will dispense with reading reports from committees, as committee recommendations are included
• Rules and Executive Appointments Committee are carried over to the next convening of the Senate.
• They're just honestly, colleagues, the sheer number of nominees that the Rules Committee is expected
• I want to give a courtesy to the Port Orford Jubilee Committee.

Summary: The Senate convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Senator Starr, followed by several courtesies recognizing Pride Month, a staff birthday, and later a retirement and a community celebration. Senator Robinson then used remonstrances to warn against expanding surveillance through school bus camera systems, arguing that leaked plans from a vendor could create commercial databases of drivers’ movements and erode privacy. The main business was confirmation of numerous gubernatorial appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions. Senators debated the process at length, with several minority members objecting that the volume of nominees, limited hearing time, and lack of transparency made meaningful advice-and-consent review difficult. Supporters responded that the nominees were qualified public servants and that the Senate should work with the Governor’s office on reforms. The Senate first confirmed a large block of appointments, then confirmed two Sustainability Board appointees, and later confirmed three Quality Education Commission appointees after extended debate. The Quality Education Commission nominations drew the most substantive policy discussion. Opponents argued the commission needs more technical research expertise and broader representation, while supporters emphasized the nominees’ education experience and direct knowledge of Oregon schools. Several senators described Oregon’s education system as in crisis, citing low reading and math proficiency, chronic absenteeism, and the need for urgent reform of the Quality Education Model and school funding. The Senate also received a proposed rule amendment creating an official Senate seal, which was distributed and held on the table, and the chamber adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before I begin, I want to thank the committee members and committee staff for their thoughtful conversations
• We appreciate the work of the committee and the committee consultant on this bill, and there are, I assume
• We appreciate the work of the committee and the committee consultant on this bill, and there are, I assume
• Good evening, committee members. Saddamo J.
• We'll recess the committee. We will reconvene the Senate Housing Committee.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• But as this committee is making recommendations to the finance committee, it's going to come down to
• , just as she did in our committee meeting.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, my name is Dee Wald.
• We only get per diem when we travel to an interim committee meeting, which is a business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let the committee be received. Received. Good morning.
• I'll admit, I was a bit skeptical when Senator Hogue told me he was forming a 34-member interim committee
• The interim committee wrote and endorsed four bills in October.
• The following committees will meet immediately.
• The Joint Appropriations Committee will meet in the Brinfield-Hawgland Room, and the Joint Policy Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened in joint session for the special session of the 69th Legislative Assembly, with introductions of visiting officials and a moment of silence for former Governor Alan Olson. The chamber then escorted Lieutenant Governor Michelle Strind and Governor Kelly Armstrong, along with First Lady Kirstie Armstrong, to the rostrum. The governor’s remarks were ordered printed in the journal. Governor Armstrong addressed the special session’s single purpose: considering North Dakota’s $199 million first-year federal award under the rural health transformation program. He thanked legislators, HHS, tribal partners, providers, and community leaders for their work on the state’s CMS application, and said four bills helped improve the application score: requiring the presidential fitness test in PE courses, adding nutrition education to physicians’ continuing education, joining the physician assistant licensure compact, and expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice. He said he looked forward to signing those bills and the accompanying appropriation measure. The governor described the rural health plan as focused on four pillars: promoting wellness and healthy lifestyles, stabilizing the rural health workforce, expanding access through telehealth and mobile services, and using technology and data to improve care. He emphasized that the plan would avoid new buildings and unsustainable programs, and instead use federal funds for lasting, scalable reforms. He said the state could receive at least $500 million over five years, possibly more, and urged quick authorization and appropriation so the funding could be deployed responsibly. After the governor and lieutenant governor were escorted out, the joint session was dissolved. The House then returned to regular business, announced committee meetings, excused absent members, and adjourned until 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, interim committee meeting for the interim session. I am your new chair and vice chair.
• Uh, good morning, committee.
• We do come to the oversight committee, to this committee on an annual basis, generally the last meeting
• Approval of this committee for legislation.
• I want to say that we have a very good committee, um, very engaged committee, and these people represent

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Border Security will now come to order. Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.
• There is a committee substitute. Members, Senator Hinojosa sends up the committee substitute.
• Good afternoon, Chairman Birdwell and members of the committee.
• Good afternoon, Chairman and Burdenwell and members of the committee.
• Hearing and seeing none, the committee substitute is adopted.

Bills: SB2601

Keywords: landowner compensation, border crime, agriculture damage, law enforcement, crop loss

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security met with a quorum and heard only one bill, Senate Bill 2601 by Senator Blanco, laid out by Senator Hinojosa of Hidalgo. The bill was presented as a committee substitute to revise the Landowner’s Compensation Program created last session under SB 1133. The changes would expand eligibility to include land lessees with the landowner’s permission, cover damage to the land itself as well as structures and real property, add continuous smuggling of persons as a qualifying border crime, prohibit insurers from using claims under the program in rate calculations, and require law enforcement to provide requested border crime reports to the Attorney General within 14 days. Public testimony was unanimously supportive. Charles Maley of the South Texans Property Rights Association said the program has been beneficial and that the bill helps clean up implementation issues, including clarifying compensation for debris and pollutants left on land. Stephen Diebel of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association also supported the bill, saying it would help address fence damage, destroyed infrastructure, and other harms along the border, and that lessees who manage properties day to day should be eligible for direct compensation when they have the landowner’s permission. Members discussed border-related property damage, including vehicles crashing through fences, broken sheds, livestock escaping, and resulting highway hazards. Senator Hinojosa asked about how conflicts between landowners and lessees would be handled, and testimony indicated documentation of lease authority would be required. After public testimony closed, the committee adopted the committee substitute without objection and voted to report SB 2601 favorably to the full Senate by a 5-0 vote, recommending it as local and uncontested.

Transcript Highlights:

• Talk about the Behavioral Health Executive Committee.
• With the Legislative Finance Committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• Chair, committee members.
• There's a reason why I no longer sit on the interim committee for Military and Veterans Affairs.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Koch for appointment to the advisory committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on offenders with
• During the interim, my entire staff had the opportunity of visiting the...
• Steven, the Interim Chair of Political Science, and the Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science.
• , along with her husband John and their youngest son Diego, lifetime board member Claire Caudill, interim

Bills: SB 26, SJR 36, SB 26, SB 616, SB 565, SB 384, SB 28, SR 109, SR 122, SR 126, SR 130, SR 136, SR 137, SR 141, SR 142, SCR 20

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension, utility consolidation, regionalization, water supply, sewer

Summary: The meeting was marked by significant resolutions recognizing various contributions to Texas and celebrating community initiatives. Key discussions included the adoption of resolutions commemorating Texas Hispanic Judges Day and highlighting the 100th anniversary of Memorial Park. Senators expressed appreciation for the judges' dedication and legacy, with notable mentions of individual judges and their impact on the community and legal landscape in Texas. The Senate also honored students and organizations contributing positively to their communities, showcasing the interconnectedness of public service and the legislative process.

Transcript Highlights:

• You will remember, committee, that this was an interim topic, and we took up this bill during the interim
• If I'm going to start out the morning with committee testimony, I'm glad it's this committee.
• <00:34:08.480> testimony, the morning with committee testimony, the morning with committee
• <00:34:10.320> Uh I'm glad it's this committee. Uh I'm glad it's this committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee.

Bills: SF0052, SF0024

Keywords: wildlife management, environmental restoration, funding, invasive species, aquatic ecosystems, native fish, habitat conservation, lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• Madam Chair and members of the committee...
• Hello, Madam Chair and committee members.
• I sit on six interim committees.
• Committee members, what is the pleasure? Committee members, what is the pleasure?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, thank you, committee.
• Committee...
• Committee, you're right. Okay, committee will be back to order here.
• Chairman, committee.
• Committee. Committee, we're going to take up one more bill this morning: 2399.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee began with roll call and a brief update on remaining work, then took up Senate Bill 2213, the “science of math” bill. Members clarified that the appropriation for the program was not included in the DPI budget and would remain attached to the policy bill for now. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a do pass recommendation, 21-2. The committee next considered Senate Bills 2036 and 2037, both juvenile justice/Human Services bills involving mental health and criminal responsibility evaluations for minors. Testimony explained that the bills create new processes and require DHS to contract with specialized providers, with appropriations of $500,000 in 2036 and $300,000 in 2037. Members debated whether the funding should come from existing DHS resources or remain as separate appropriations, and whether the programs were one-time or ongoing. The committee adopted amendments on both bills and then recommended both do pass, with 2036 passing 14-6 and 2037 passing 17-4. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2021, the Information Technology Department budget. Representative Bosch outlined major themes in the budget, including migration from PeopleSoft and the mainframe, onboarding/off-boarding automation, double-counting of IT spending, and the transition of education technology from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Members also discussed a study amendment related to a statewide enterprise resource planning system, and added language on grant management and compliance management. The committee adopted the amendments and gave the budget a do pass recommendation, 20-0-3. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2011, the Highway Patrol budget. Representative Pyle explained the House changes, including shifting some one-time costs to the motor carrier electronic permit fund, funding for body armor, breath tests, road course resurfacing, fleet costs, handgun replacement, and carryover authority for federal technology funds. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the budget 21-0-2. The committee then began Senate Bill 2399, a Human Services bill on Medicaid reimbursement for psychiatric residential treatment facilities, but deferred action after testimony from a facility representative and committee discussion about therapeutic leave days, reimbursement rates, and whether a cap on reimbursable days should be set in statute or rule. The chair said the committee would seek more information from DHS and take the bill up the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll go straight to Representative Garrett to start us off on committee, House Education Committee substitute
• Start us off on committee, House Education Committee substitute for House Bill 23, and we'll also ask
• legislative committee.
• Should those committees be listed, Mr. Chair? I mean, would it be appropriate if it's an interim?
• I mean, would it be appropriate if it's an interim legislative committee?

Bills: HB253, HB153, HB255, HB287, HB371, SB151, HB8, SB177

Keywords: distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members of the committee.
• And, of course, get the committee together.
• Committee, any discussions?
• Will we get anything on that as a committee?
• Committee, any discussions?

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services Division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget for the 2027-29 biennium and to receive an update on Commerce programs. Legislative Council staff first walked the committee through the “blue sheet” base budget summary, explaining the major line items, the large share of federal grant authority in Commerce’s budget, and the continuing appropriations that support several Commerce funds. Members asked how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff said collaboration varies by program but is strong in areas like UAS and LIHEAP. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken then presented on current activities, focusing heavily on grant administration, transparency, and economic development programs. Members questioned how grant applicants are selected, whether Commerce tracks applications and return on investment, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. The commissioner said Commerce uses scoring criteria, outside reviewers, a minimum 30-day application window, and typically completes awards within two to three months. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce should open some grants only to intended recipients versus running competitive application processes; Commerce said it follows best-practice grantmaking and that its attorney in the Attorney General’s office approved that approach. Commerce also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, citing long-term investment and job creation results, examples such as Red Trail Energy, Packet Digital, Valiance, Corvent Medical, child care loans, and the Automate ND program. Members asked about acceptable failures, lessons learned, regional economic development coordination, and the expansion of the fund into non-primary sectors. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell then outlined a statewide workforce ecosystem review, a new governor’s workforce sub-cabinet, and three task forces focused on simplifying entry, warm handoffs, and data integration. She discussed the in-demand occupations list, Workforce Pell, apprenticeships, and efforts to better connect students with employers and higher education. Commerce also briefly reviewed housing programs and a new housing sub-cabinet. No votes were taken; the committee simply received testimony, asked questions, and adjourned after setting up the next meeting to hear the Attorney General budget in June.

Transcript Highlights:

• as amended by the committee substitute. as amended by the committee substitute.
• Uh, and I will cover the committee Uh, and I will cover the committee substitute<00:03:06.879>
• House Bill 543 and the committee side. House Bill 543 and the committee side.
• yes to get this thing out of committee. yes to get this thing out of committee.
• So, I'm a yes here in committee.

Keywords: HB 534 (only one on the agenda) – 00:02:08, 958, all

Summary: The House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee met to consider House Bill 534, sponsored by Rep. DJ Johnson, with a committee substitute. Johnson said the bill was the product of interim work with the Secretary of State’s office, the State Board of Elections, county clerks, KREF, and other stakeholders, and that the committee substitute folded in several election-administration changes. He highlighted provisions clarifying the timeline for felony voter-roll removals, allowing the Board of Elections to work with federal agencies to identify non-citizens on the voter rolls, creating a process for those individuals to prove citizenship and vote provisionally, and changing some KREF board appointments. He also described technical campaign-finance changes and said some provisions might still be adjusted through floor amendments. Members raised concerns about fiscal impact, timing, and voter privacy. Rep. Bivens questioned the cost and whether the bill could affect voter records; Johnson responded that the bill itself did not require new equipment or broad new spending, though a special election in a local government failure scenario could create costs. Rep. Hancock and Rep. Marzian argued the bill could create unnecessary burdens on county clerks and questioned whether there was a demonstrated problem to justify the changes. The county clerks’ association, through Rockcastle County Clerk Danetta Ford Allen, opposed the bill as introduced, warning that citizenship checks could wrongly remove eligible voters, that online ballot images or cast vote records could threaten voter privacy and facilitate vote buying, and that the emergency clause would force major changes too close to the May primary. Johnson defended the bill as a targeted response to a real local election failure and said the citizenship data sharing would be limited to name, date of birth, and Social Security number. He also explained that the ballot-image language was permissive and intended to let counties explore emerging technology, but he was open to removing that section or changing the effective date in a floor amendment. He further said he would consider preserving gubernatorial appointments to KREF with Senate oversight instead of shifting appointments to legislative leaders. After discussion, the committee voted 9-2 with one pass to report the bill out, with several members explaining yes votes as support for moving the bill forward while expecting further cleanup, and no votes citing cost, timing, and voter-access concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members of the committee.
• To those online, back to the committee, is there any opposition in the committee?
• committees is due.
• That still allows for the report to get to the interim committee before they finish at the end of December
• November and December are the last two months of interim committees, and that gives a little bit more