Transcript Highlights:

• regulatory environment, infrastructure, available transportation, market conditions, investment alternatives
• Ultimately, this bill is about making sure every community, no matter how small or remote, has a pathway
• collaboration ensures that workforce development is aligned with education and skills training, creating pathways
• to the 28 local workforce development boards to get these young people on an education or career pathway
• to the 28 local workforce development boards help get these young people on an education or career pathway

Bills: SB913, SB1086, SB1087, SB1143, SB1534, SB1553, SB1718, SB1754, SB2004, SB2322, SB2448

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met to hear a series of bills and informational primers, with several resource witnesses from the Governor’s Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The chair opened by noting the death of Senator King’s son and asking members to keep the family in their prayers. Most bills were laid out and left pending subject to the call of the chair after brief author presentations and public testimony. The committee heard several local hotel occupancy tax bills: SB 1553 for Kerr County, SB 1086 for Childress County, SB 1087 for Mason County, and SB 913 for Alpine. Supporters, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association and local officials, said the measures would allow counties or the city to use hotel tax revenue for tourism-related projects and local development. The committee also heard SB 1534, which would direct a study on health physics education and workforce needs in Texas; resource witnesses from TWC and THECB testified on the bill. All of these measures were left pending. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 1754, which would prohibit local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power at wholesale, with an exception for certain battery storage tied to dispatchable generation. The bill drew strong support from witnesses who argued counties should not subsidize wind and solar projects that can harm neighboring landowners and that renewables already receive substantial federal support. Opponents from the solar and storage industry argued the bill would remove a voluntary local economic development tool, raise power prices, and discourage investment. Senators also debated landowner impacts, grid reliability, and whether the bill was the right policy tool; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2322, a committee substitute related to the Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act, which would exempt electric generation facilities from the program’s compelling-factor test so they can qualify for school tax limitation agreements. Supporters said the change would correct an unintended barrier for dispatchable generation, while Senator Johnson argued it would weaken the program’s purpose by subsidizing projects that would locate in Texas anyway. SB 1718 would add the NRA annual meeting to the major events reimbursement program; the NRA supported it, while gun violence prevention advocates opposed using state incentives for the organization. SB 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events program, and SB 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard SB 1143, a substitute bill aimed at improving transparency and coordination in programs serving opportunity youth ages 14 to 24, with witnesses supporting better reporting and workforce alignment. At the end of the meeting, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate bill also does not include major changes to the board member recall process and alternative
• There are all kinds of alternatives.
• We all know alternate pathways are becoming more popular.
• We all know alternate pathways are becoming more popular.
• By modernizing and hopefully amplifying the teacher certification pathway and encouraging more to go

Summary: The Senate began with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness, and a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange on the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron. After routine business, the Senate took up several special-order bills. The first major bill, transportation offenses involving death, increased penalties for repeat DUI/BUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide offenses. An amendment added penalties for refusal to submit to breath or urine testing and required law enforcement to notify suspects of those penalties. The bill passed 37-0. The Senate then passed SB 306 on Medicaid providers, requiring broader after-hours and holiday access to care and setting network standards for Medicaid managed care plans, also by a 37-0 vote. The chamber next considered a major condominium and cooperative associations bill responding to post-Surfside safety and financial concerns. Senators described the measure as balancing building safety with financial relief, extending reserve-study deadlines, allowing temporary reserve relief after inspections, tightening oversight of managers and inspectors, and adjusting voting, resale, and reserve rules. After extensive debate and praise from members for the bill’s sponsors and staff, the bill passed 37-0. The longest discussion centered on a constitutional amendments/petition process bill aimed at curbing fraud in citizen initiative petitions. Sponsors argued that the 2024 petition process was plagued by fraud and identity theft and proposed tighter rules for circulators, faster submission deadlines, voter notification, penalties, and limits on petition handling. Senators offered and adopted multiple amendments, including changes to petition-circulator definitions, invalid-signature thresholds, and voter notification procedures. After a substitute amendment was withdrawn, the Senate continued debating the underlying amended bill, with members split between concerns about election integrity and worries that the bill would burden volunteers and make it harder for citizen initiatives to qualify.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the alternative for the border highway connector, which will connect Santa Teresa.
• know, but at some level, we need to ensure that when we're building, we are creating pedestrian pathways
• speaking. about this because the policy board of the MPO sent a letter to GSA supporting the other alternative
• Everything that happens here in Santa Teresa affects Columbus, and I think you know the same alternatively
• In the landscape, the states that succeed will find those power pathways forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're finding other alternatives to make sure that when dollars do go out to other workforce plans and
• We're finding other alternatives to make sure that when dollars do go out to other workforce plans and
• We're finding other alternatives to make sure that when dollars do go out to other workforce plans and
• We're finding other alternatives to make sure that when dollars do go out to other workforce plans and
• pathways so people can become teachers. pathways so people can become teachers.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:41:54.240> talent that kindergarten to career talent that kindergarten to career talent pathway
• pathway that the sector can focus on. pathway that the sector can focus on.
• order for people to move into jobs and not only stay in entry-level positions, but continue on a pathway
• sector partnerships, and they not only help cultivate our local talent pipelines and create new pathways
• <00:44:27.680> for pipelines and create new pathways for pipelines and create new pathways

Bills: HB2118, HB2473

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, Hawaiian culture, sense of place, land management, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to permitting and economic development. On HB 2603, relating to permits, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it supported the measure with comments. Committee discussion focused on the fact that the state’s facilitated permit process appears to have been rarely or never used, the need to identify specific projects that would use it, and whether DBEDT would need dedicated staffing to administer it. DBEDT said it had found no projects under the current process, had no capacity to run the program as structured, and estimated it would need about 7 to 9 FTEs, including permitting, coordination, data, systems, and possibly legal support. The chair suggested exploring a staff assignment and comparing the concept to federal FAST-41-style expedited permitting. On HB 2140, relating to essential permitting positions, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development again supported the bill with comments. Testimony and questioning centered on a pilot program to help counties pay competitively for permitting staff. A DBEDT representative said the issue of competitive pay affected both county and state permitting offices and that the bill was intended as a temporary pilot, though a more permanent solution would be preferable. When asked how counties would fund the salary support, the witness said that was not yet discussed with the counties and agreed to follow up. The committee also noted the bill applies to participating counties. On HB 2598, relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the State Procurement Office and HTDC offered comments, and the Department of the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns. The AG said the bill’s residency-based certification requirements, when tied to procurement, could implicate the dormant Commerce Clause, and that the required 1% contribution tied to state contracts raised unconstitutional-conditions concerns. In questioning, the AG characterized these as legal risks rather than automatic lawsuits. The committee did not take a vote. The committee then heard HB 2141, relating to state enterprise zones. Taxation, DBEDT, HCDA, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and HTDC testified in support, while the Tax Foundation noted the program was intended to help economically depressed areas create jobs. HTDC said the bill would help preserve the Maui Research and Technology Center’s enterprise-zone status after rezoning. Committee discussion focused on whether the enterprise zone program is being used effectively, how the bill might attract businesses to areas where the state is investing, and whether the program’s labor requirements are too burdensome for new businesses. DBEDT explained that the program requires a 10% workforce increase in the first year, which must be sustained, and said it promotes the program through county coordinators and in-person outreach. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lucy Payne, our board chair, and Aaron Don, our director of teacher preparation and pathways.
• positions and we invited alternative positions and we invited alternative preparation<00:31:17.520
• Ideally, a pathway that interest.
• > mentioned So, personalized pathways, I mentioned So, personalized pathways, I mentioned this
• A personalized pathways model is not all about remediation.

Bills: HF3421

Keywords: early literacy, reading instruction, teacher preparation, teacher candidates, teacher licensure, educator licensing, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, field experience, supervised practicum, evidence-based reading, science of reading, literacy methods, teacher training, preservice teachers, school-based experience, reading intervention, Minnesota education policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• AHVP, which stands for Alternative Housing Voucher Program, are state-funded mobile vouchers that are
• Additionally, this type of work has led us to what's on this slide, which is a research pathway where
• To what's on this slide, which is a research pathway where we are looking to, at least once a year, if

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met with a presentation from Housing Navigator Massachusetts. Staff described the nonprofit’s mission to improve access to affordable housing through a free, 24/7 search tool and public data dashboards. They explained how the site distinguishes between rent-based-on-income units and fixed below-market rent units, how mobile vouchers such as AHVP and Section 8 interact with those listings, and what types of housing are included or excluded from the database. They also reviewed accessibility filters, supportive housing resources, and related state programs such as EOHLC resources and RAFT. Committee members asked about the organization’s funding, the availability of voucher programs, and whether the site tracks demand for accessible units or wait lists over time. Housing Navigator said it is primarily supported through the state, works closely with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and does not collect personal application data because it is not part of the application process. Staff said accessible units appear to be in high demand, but they do not have direct data on how many people are waiting or how many applications result from site visits. They also said they are working to improve data sharing, more frequent updates, and future research tools. Members discussed ways to increase public awareness of Housing Navigator, including sharing a one-page fact sheet or infographic through disability organizations, local disability commissions, independent living centers, and the Massachusetts Office on Disability. The subcommittee also briefly discussed future goals, including inviting MassHealth to a January meeting, seeking regular updates on federal Medicare and Medicaid developments, reviewing the annual report’s recommendations, and possibly planning a future health equity event. The meeting ended with the introduction of new commission member Victoria Gill and a motion to adjourn, which was approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're giving alternative ways of handling things.
• The bill creates a provisional license pathway and graduate precept program that provides student training
• opportunities for up to 90 days and then for the provisional license pathway up to 180 days.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• he was mayor of the city and county of San Francisco, led the way to turn the tide and put us on a pathway
• hearing from our community members, and they must be memorialized because they are going to be our pathway
• Brison Fellowship Fund to support graduate students with an emphasis on alternative energy sources and

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the previous day’s journal. Procedural motions were adopted to allow certain members to speak on adjournment in memory and to host guests on the floor, and the chamber suspended Joint Rule 61 to allow the Appropriations Committee to meet and consider AB 1533. The majority leader also requested that SB 272 and HR 44 be removed from the consent calendar. The main floor action was the Assembly’s Pride Month observance, centered on HR 43, which recognizes June 2025 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month. Assembly Member Ward and members of several caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing LGBTQ+ history, civil rights, community contributions, and current political attacks on LGBTQ+ rights. Assembly Member DeMaio spoke in opposition, arguing the resolution was divisive and included controversial policy references. After debate, 49 coauthors were added and the resolution was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then held a Pride Month ceremony honoring 14 distinguished individuals for contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, followed by guest introductions recognizing APICA fellows, family members, educators, and community leaders. The Assembly later adopted the consent calendar, with SB 61, SB 66, SB 846, SB 229, and SCR 3 approved, and then heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for John E. Brison and former Assembly Member William T. Bagley. The House adjourned until Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and THC, we know that its use stimulates the same areas in the brain and these dopamine reward pathways
• urgent need to safeguard legal education and professional. eligibility in Texas by providing an alternative
• pathway for law school accreditation.

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• ensured that our students have access to quality education. ...have access to outcome-based education pathways
• Senator Middleton, I notice that the bill mandates a new pathway for law and medical school accreditation
• them ample time to cure and work with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to find an alternative

Bills: SB1998, SB646, SB2786, SB2076, SB2615, SB1961, SB1418, SB2647, SB1322, SB2788

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

Transcript Highlights:

• know, it takes a lot of time to get a helicopter, and sometimes if they're not there, this is an alternative
• is<00:15:04.160> an if they're not there, this is an if they're not there, this is an alternative
• and as I've always said, alternative and as I've always said, seconds,<00:15:07.480> minutes<
• date, bring offenders to justice regardless of whether a victim chooses to explore a restorative pathway
• <01:30:02.800> to to explore a restorative pathway to to explore a restorative pathway to

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• talked about summer, we've talked about professional development, and yesterday we talked about alternative
• Coming in are made through alternative pathways that they have opportunities and we should look at providing

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge you to consider alternative measures such as expanding resources and support from licensed wildlife
• need help and there's nowhere to... animals need help and there's nowhere to take them, and the alternate
• There are no educational pathways, just desperate Google searches.

Bills: HB448, HB448

Keywords: wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, good samaritan, injured animals, orphaned animals, debilitated wildlife, wild birds, wild animals, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, permit exemption, animal rescue, animal welfare, veterinary medicine, veterinary licensing, animal cruelty, wildlife care, rehabilitation act, non-federally protected species, endangered species

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3929 aims to provide a pathway to strengthen Texas's role in the global financial market and
• This ongoing legal uncertainty has led market participants to consider alternative jurisdictions that
• better respect private contracts, and HBK, we're a Texas firm. and we'd like Texas to be that alternative

Bills: HB74, HB175, HB460, HB576, HB2271, HB2294, HB2874, HB3016, HB3133, HB3191, HB3458, HB3929, HB4063, HB4115, HB4394, HB74, HB175

Keywords: Puerto Verde, Port Authority, eminent domain, bonds, tax assessments, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, public welfare, child care, certifications, Texas Rising Star Program, grant program, disability inclusion, family income, affordability, economic impact, state study, cost analysis, government support

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> GOOD MORNING CHAIR OVERDORF ALTERNATING CHAIR GRALL, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE AND KRISTEN LARSON
• AND TYPICALLY THE PARENTS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CIRCUIT COURT ADMINISTRATED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF
• THAT'S WHAT THE WORK IS HERE TODAY TO PROVIDE CERTAINTY AND A PATHWAY SO THAT OUR BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for getting for are multiple pathways for getting for PAS<01:21:47.520> landing<01:21:47.840>
• So, reducing land application as a management option without affordable alternatives would result in
• <01:27:12.320> would without affordable alternatives would without affordable alternatives
• These compounds enter the environment through multiple pathways, including atmospheric deposition via
• <01:41:22.560> including<01:41:23.040> atmospheric pathways including atmospheric pathways

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• through the United States pathway through the United States Department<00:07:01.759> of<00:07
• And House Bill 562 should pass, an act relating to alternative high school diplomas. Thank you, Mr.
• Our students should have more access to pathways and programs that provide firsthand experiences with
• Our students should have more access to pathways and programs that provide firsthand experiences with
• Our students should have more access to pathways and programs that provide firsthand experiences with

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:09 Calendar/2nd Readings 05:59 Report of Committees 07:10 Orders of the Day 08:11 HJR 25 08:26 HB 66 11:58 HB 305 16:20 HB 432 22:44 HB 313 27:29 HB 44 30:26 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 34:30 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 42:07 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 43:38 ConC/Rules Report 47:26 Floor Amendments 48:25 Adjournment 48:54, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 94 members present. The chamber excused absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications, and received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 136 and 183 and requested concurrence. The journal was approved, and several bills were reported for second reading, including measures on vehicle wheels, proactive post-secondary admission, choking prevention in schools, state parks, background checks, public post-secondary employment, tuition waivers, veterans benefits, and a resolution urging a federal accreditation pathway for veterans-benefits assistance companies. Committee reports advanced a number of bills, including measures on privacy protection, theft by deception, social work, licensed occupations, members of the bar, and alternative high school diplomas. The House then adopted House Joint Resolution 25, which declares Kentucky a “food is medicine” state and directs agencies to coordinate pilot studies and partnerships around nutrition, public health, and Kentucky-grown products; the resolution passed 95-0. The chamber also passed House Bill 66, as amended, on video teleconference meetings for agencies and boards. The bill requires posting board member contact information, permits video-only meetings for informational or routine matters, requires a physical quorum for final actions on law, regulation, taxation, and large grants, and allows agencies to set their own video-meeting procedures; it passed 95-0 after adoption of a committee substitute, floor amendment, and title amendment. House Bill 305, the grand jury service bill renamed the Crystal Rogers Act, was amended by committee substitute and floor amendment after a successful motion to suspend the rules for a technical correction. The bill strengthens grand jury confidentiality rules, prohibits knowing recording or disclosure by those present, and extends the statute of limitations for violations; supporters cited the Crystal Rogers case as the reason for closing a gap in the law. It passed 93-0. House Bill 432 on local purchasing also passed, 82-7, after committee substitute changes clarified the 75% threshold for used vehicles and equipment and updated rules for noncompetitive purchasing and local government flexibility. The House then passed House Bill 313, reducing the notice period for city utility franchise agreements from 18 months to 6 months, by a vote of 93-0, and House Bill 44, which creates a robotics program trust fund and grant program for grades 7-12 to support STEM and workforce training, by a vote of 91-0. The session concluded with motions and announcements, including the bringing up of House Resolution 60 from committee and a resolution recognizing February 11, 2026 as Recovery Advocacy Day in Kentucky, with remarks on overdose deaths, recovery efforts, and the importance of prevention and services. Members also announced upcoming receptions and meetings, and one bill, House Bill 372, was withdrawn.

Transcript Highlights:

• And ID is a pathway to getting a job and ID is a pathway of going to college.
• This bill sets up an alternative pathway for 20. That current pathway still exists.
• This alternative pathway says 80% of units have to be deed forever, not just 10 years, but forever, to
• This alternative that current pathway.
• This alternative pathway<01:38:29.280> says<01:38:29.679> 80%<01:38:30.159> of<01

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• provides for a pilot program to assess the competency of applicants for a license to teach through alternative
• authorizes institutions in the Nevada System of Higher Education to create a pilot program to offer alternative
• pathways for assessing the competency of prospective teachers by using alternative assessment methods

Keywords: 909, all