Transcript Highlights:

• I don't drink beer. You're two are fined. I was fine. You're two are fined. Way two are fine.
• I don't drink beer. You're two are fined. I was fine. You're two are fined. Way two are fine.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Pre-K-12 Appropriations met with a quorum present, but the chair announced that the committee would not be presenting its budget that day due to a Senate memorandum. The only bill heard was SB 7036 by Senator Corey Simon, which was described as a broad education package strengthening school turnaround tools, early literacy supports, early learning policies, academic interventions, and educator pipeline provisions. Simon explained that the bill would expand educational emergency authority, clarify use of Title I funds for STEM, align charter renewal and dismissal rules, update epinephrine policy, protect gold seal provider status in certain cases, expand VPK summer bridge eligibility, support math and reading interventions, expand agriculture and Algebra I career-based instruction, re-engage students through GATE, and update teacher certification pathways, including computer science. The committee adopted an amendment offered by Simon that removed provisions on temporary door locks and DOE-developed instructional materials and added a GATE startup grant update to expand rule eligibility and allowable implementation costs. The bill drew many appearance forms, with several individuals and the Florida Education Association waving against, while one speaker, Ella Latimore, appeared in support/for the bill. Simon said concerns from the prior stop had been addressed by removing the contested language and noted discussions with the CFO’s office and law enforcement regarding the door lock provisions. After closing debate, the committee approved the bill on a roll call vote and reported CS for SB 7036 favorably. The remainder of the meeting included brief remarks recognizing visiting students from Childs High School and the Rack Pack, comments about community member Misty Cash, and a discussion by Senator Osgood about declining immigrant student enrollment and its budget impact on school districts. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't drink beer. You're two are fined. I was fine. You're two are fined. Way two are fine.
• I don't drink beer. You're two are fined. I was fine. You're two are fined. Way two are fine.

Bills: S7036

Keywords: education, epinephrine, charter schools, voluntary prekindergarten, school funding, teacher incentives, student progress monitoring

Summary: The Senate Committee on Pre-K-12 Appropriations met with a quorum present and announced it would not be presenting its budget at this time, per a Senate memorandum. The sole bill on the agenda was SB 7036 by Senator Corey Simon, which was described as a broad education package strengthening school turnaround tools, early literacy supports, early learning policies, academic offerings, and educator pipeline provisions. Senator Simon explained that the bill addresses persistently low-performing schools, Title I use for STEM curricula, charter school renewal and dismissal rules, epinephrine device policies, VPK summer bridge eligibility, disability-aligned interventions, agriculture and Algebra 1 instruction, GATE access, and certification updates for teachers and computer science. An amendment was adopted that removed provisions on temporary door locks and DOE-developed instructional materials and added a GATE startup grant update. The committee heard numerous appearance forms, with many individuals and organizations waving against the bill, while one student, Ella Latimore, appeared and spoke briefly. Much of the exchange with her was lighthearted and unrelated to the bill, but Senator Simon used his closing to note that concerns from the prior stop had been addressed by removing the DOE materials and door-lock language, and he asked for favorable support. The committee then voted on the bill as amended, and CS for SB 7036 was reported favorably. After the vote, members made several informal statements, including remarks about a Valentine’s Day visit from students and appreciation for community member Misty Cash. Senator Osgood also raised a serious concern about declining immigrant student enrollment affecting district budgets, especially in Broward County, and urged the committee to address the issue proactively with school districts. The chair said staff were already working with districts on the matter and that more discussion would follow. The meeting then adjourned after additional light banter among members.

Transcript Highlights:

• it a local... it to our community and make it a local issue, then I feel like only the people that drink
• So therefore, it's not just about the drinking water.

Bills: HB473, HB397, HB397

Keywords: water recreation, public access, water bodies, recreational use, water commissions, real estate, disclosures, equitable interest, disciplinary actions, Alabama Real Estate Commission, HB397, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax, tax relief, senior exemption, elderly homeowners, retiree exemption, disability exemption, blind exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• And we were talking deferred maintenance as well with drinking water.
• And we were talking deferred maintenance as well with drinking water.
• We're drinking water all morning. I'm here talking about the needs of wastewater.
• All water is important, whether you're trying to stop it, drink it, or flush it down.
• And through that program, they are working through our drinking water supply management areas.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we were talking deferred maintenance as well with drinking water.
• And we were talking deferred maintenance as well with drinking water.
• We're drinking water all morning. You know, I'm here talking about the needs of wastewater.
• You know, all water is important, whether you're trying to stop it, drink it, or flush it down.
• And through that program, they are working through our drinking water supply management areas.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and received updates from the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Commission, followed by presentations from Deloitte on two legislative studies required by House Bill 1020. Director Reese Haas reviewed major project and budget updates, including the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, Resources Trust Fund balances, carryover spending, project prioritization, bid conditions, regional water system coverage, and department process improvements. Members also discussed how the commission prioritizes projects, maintenance expectations, and the impact of limited municipal water supply funding. No formal committee action was taken during the DWR update; the commission’s municipal funding decisions were described as pending its April 8 meeting. Deloitte then presented the cost-share policy study, which found that under current policy and forecasted revenues, North Dakota faces an estimated $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years, with a near-term gap of about $1.8 billion through 2031. The firm outlined seven recommended options, including tighter definitions and a 25% cost share for eligible replacement projects, caps and financing strategies for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, aligning cost share with commission priority guidance, delaying lower-priority projects, using available lines of credit, and adjusting reimbursement timing for revolving loan funds. Committee members questioned inflation assumptions, affordability, user fees, and the use of legacy fund earnings for bonding, but no decisions were made. In the governance and finance study, Deloitte said final recommendations are still being refined, with a final report due May 29. The study examined the Southwest Pipeline, NAWS, and Red River Valley systems using governance and finance criteria such as decision authority, transparency, affordability, risk, and access to funding. For Southwest, Deloitte outlined options ranging from improved state-authority coordination to transferring ownership to the Southwest Water Authority; for NAWS, options focused on strengthening the authority’s role and potentially transitioning operations and maintenance; and for Red River, options ranged from enhanced facilitation to formal state oversight or state ownership. Members asked follow-up questions about ownership transfer, capital repayment streams, and why NAWS was not considered for transfer, and Deloitte said NAWS’s limited organizational maturity made that option less viable in the near term.

Transcript Highlights:

• How many tourists are drinking poison coconuts now?
• Drink a coconut.
• How many tourists are drinking poison coconuts now?
• Drink a coconut. Now they're concerned.
• Drink a coconut. Drink a coconut.

Bills: SB2885, SB2174, SB2925, SB2798, SB2320, SB2800, SB1230, SB2706, SB3233, SB2405, SB2350, SB2169, SB3320

Keywords: coconut rhinoceros beetle, invasive species, biosecurity, green waste, environmental management, agriculture, quarantine, pest control, transport regulations, Hawaii Revised Statutes, coconut trees, tax credit, natural management, Hawaii, environment, agricultural enforcement, agricultural theft, farm theft, crop theft, commodity theft

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2885 SD1, which would create mandatory handling and storage rules for commercial and residential coconut rhinoceros beetle host material beginning in 2027, with penalties and an effective date. Support came from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, DLNR, Maui County Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Testifiers generally said the bill would help reduce CRB spread, though some urged additional science-backed methods, better coordination, and technical or cost-share support for smaller operations. Hawaiian Earth Recycling recommended amendments to align the bill with existing Department of Health/EPA composting rules, add other materials that can harbor CRB, allow future approved treatment methods, and replace the bill’s 60-day turning requirement with existing pathogen-reduction standards. One individual supported the goal but argued the state’s CRB strategy has lacked community and cultural consultation and should include a cultural advisement role. Department witnesses said enforcement would rely on inspection and an educate-before-regulate approach, and they noted the challenge of creating enough drop-off sites, especially in rural areas. The committee then took up SB 2174 SD2, which would authorize the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to declare an emergency quarantine, halt operations in affected areas for 96 hours with possible extension, quarantine suspected pest areas, issue notices and compensation to affected farmers, and adopt interim transportation rules for materials that may harbor high-impact invasive species. The department and DLNR supported the measure, emphasizing the need for fast action in the first hours of an invasion. Hawaii Farmers Union supported the compensation provisions but asked for stronger communication with producers and a post-action report to the Board of Agriculture after about 90 days to evaluate effectiveness and economic impacts. In response to questions, department staff said the bill would be a short-term, department-only quarantine authority distinct from the governor-declared biosecurity emergency authority enacted previously, and that it could serve as an intermediate step. They also said outreach would need to be done through farm organizations such as Farmers Union, Farm Bureau, and Cattlemen’s groups. The final measure discussed was SB 2925 SD1, relating to coconut trees. The bill would recognize coconut trees as a source of food and water and a cultural treasure, require rules for coconut tree seed banks, require signage identifying landscape palms where applicable, set labeling standards for non-consumable landscape palms, and create an income tax credit for consumable coconut trees maintained through natural management practices. The transcript ended before testimony or action on this bill was completed, and no vote was taken on any of the measures discussed in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• He helped my father out with his Vietnam, with his Agent Orange, and the Camp Lejeune drinking water.
• He helped my father out with his Vietnam, with his Agent Orange, and the Camp Lejeune drinking water.
• the<00:07:20.720> Cample<00:07:20.960> of<00:07:21.039> June<00:07:21.280> drinking
• <00:07:21.919> So,<00:07:22.080> I the Cample of June drinking water.
• So, I the Cample of June drinking water.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and opened with the pledge and prayer before taking up House Joint Resolution 44 and House Bill 508, both related to veterans’ benefits assistance and accreditation. Rep. Cook said the resolution urges Congress, specifically Rep. Jack Bergman, to create an accreditation program for private companies that help veterans with claims. The resolution was framed as a response to concerns about bad actors while preserving veterans’ choice in who helps them. It passed the committee with favorable expression after a roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bill 508, which would regulate third-party, for-profit veterans’ claims assistance by requiring disclosures, limiting fees, barring certain practices like international call centers and direct access to personal information, and requiring reporting to the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs. Rep. Cook emphasized that the bill would not affect accredited VSOs or attorneys and said it was meant to provide guardrails without eliminating free services. Supportive testimony came from representatives of private veterans-benefits organizations, who argued that veterans need more options and that the bill protects choice while targeting bad actors. Opposition testimony came from Daryl Casey of JACVO, who said the bill should instead require VA accreditation for any for-profit company assisting veterans and argued the fee structure could take veterans’ benefits. Committee members questioned both sides about whether third-party vendors are operating now and whether accreditation is feasible. Several members said the bill was a step in the right direction, and Rep. Moore and others noted they might support an amendment tied to future federal accreditation. House Bill 508 passed the committee with favorable expression. After Rep. McCool stepped out, the committee began House Bill 335, a separate measure allowing schools and other government facilities to have anti-choking devices and limiting liability to align with Good Samaritan protections. Sponsor Rep. Massaroni described it as a simple bill, and Lauren McCubbins testified emotionally in support, recounting the death of her 8-year-old son Landon after he choked at school and saying the bill could help prevent similar tragedies.

Transcript Highlights:

• this bill, we can be proud that we are funding programs making sure our shared waters are safe for drinking
• But she's torn how no one should be drinking the water in L.A. where the firefighters, where the wildfires
• But she's torn how no one should<00:38:53.200> be<00:38:53.440> drinking<00:38:53.760><
• > water<00:38:54.320> in<00:38:54.560> LA<00:38:55.440> where should be drinking
• the water in LA where should be drinking the water in LA where the<00:38:55.839> firefighters

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is something we've done before in this committee on extending drinking water infrastructure, which
• This is something we've done before in this committee on extending drinking water infrastructure, which
• The Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund Advisory Committee had given a grant to this system for
• I'm the administrator of the Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau at DEES, and I just want to clarify
• water fund could go not this drinking water fund could go into<01:39:00.560> bankruptcy<01:39

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How much money is available in the Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund?
• apologize for my lack of knowledge about wells and septics, but does this loan just pay for the drinking
• I'm Brandon Kernin, I'm the administrator of the Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau, and along with
• Senator, just for my own clarification: we've heard two other bills on drinking water, but this one is
• Making appropriation for the regional drinking water is... try<01:59:35.320> we've<01:59:35.520

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She said she was bringing the bill forward because of increased levels of sodium chloride in drinking
• DEES has also recorded a 150% increase in the number of contaminated drinking water supply wells over
• Many systems already remove PFAS, but they do not remove chloride from drinking water.
• And um so there's drinking water.
• Um, I don't even know, maybe the Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we protect our water and our drinking water, our environment? And there's a balancing act.
• drinking water. So I support this fully. drinking water. So I support this fully.
• water sources, our environment, including drinking water wells, perennial rivers, lakes, and coastal
• <01:08:36.640> water setbacks to surface and drinking water setbacks to surface and drinking
• So the focus primarily is setback issues and protecting groundwater, drinking water supplies, perennial

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they were detained, in humane conditions that they were in, that literal ice had to melt for them to drink
• Ice had to melt for them to drink water in America, 2026.
• This woman was drinking water from her faucet because she was too scared to go outside to get water.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer by Deacon Ernie Gonzalez, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of Dr. Pamela Murphy as Doctor of the Day. Members also introduced guests, including local officials, Arizona Game and Fish commissioners, and advocates from the Alzheimer’s Association. A proclamation was read designating January 26, 2026, as Arizona Aviation Day, highlighting the industry’s economic impact and the role of airports, aerospace, and aviation-related jobs in the state. The clerk then recorded a large number of bills and resolutions for first and second reading, covering water and energy policy, education savings accounts and school choice, elections and campaign finance, veterans issues, public safety, housing, health care, immigration-related matters, and land and natural resources. Representative Gress also read a resolution recognizing National School Choice Week and praising Arizona’s school choice programs, including charter schools and empowerment scholarship accounts. A lengthy portion of the meeting consisted of members’ personal privilege remarks responding to violence and immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and Arizona. Many members condemned ICE tactics, described fear and harm in immigrant communities, and called for constitutional rights, due process, and accountability; several requested or observed a moment of silence. No substantive floor votes on legislation were taken during the transcript beyond the motion to adjourn, which passed, and the House adjourned until 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• of THC to five milligrams per gummy individually wrapped or 5 mg to the THC infused water or the drinks
• The THC infused water or the drinks.
• Hunger Pill's drinks.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They stopped in to eat at a little truckside restaurant, and the entire busloads wanted to drink Yuengling
• They stopped in to eat at a little truckside restaurant, and the entire busloads wanted to drink Yuengling
• They stopped in to eat at a little truckside restaurant, and the entire busloads wanted to drink Yuengling

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on March 27, 2025, with a quorum present and first took up House Bill 255, relating to physical therapy. The bill sponsor and representatives of the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy and APTA Kentucky said the measure is mainly a cleanup and modernization bill that updates outdated statutory language, changes PTAs from “certified” to “licensed,” gives the board authority to purchase liability insurance, moves fee and fine caps into regulation without changing current fees, renames temporary permits as provisional licenses, and creates a pathway to more easily recognize some internationally trained physical therapists already practicing in other states. Senators asked whether the bill changed training, scope of practice, Medicaid, or supervised practice standards; witnesses said it did not, and that supervised practice requirements remain in place with out-of-state practice accepted only when equivalent or more stringent. The committee approved HB 255 with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Bill 618, an alcoholic beverages measure with a Senate committee substitute. The bill was described as having three parts: allowing restaurants to buy limited quantities of alcohol from retail outlets to meet customer demand while keeping the three-tier system intact and requiring quarterly reporting; creating a temporary auctioneer license to auction previously retail-sold alcohol in original packaging, such as estate or bourbon collections; and giving quota bar license holders the same opportunity restaurants already have to sell barrel picks by the bottle. Testimony supported the bill as a way to help restaurants, auctioneers, and bars, while a senator raised a question about sales tax on auction sales and another noted that nonprofit or church-related alcohol auctions already require permits under existing law. One senator suggested future guardrails to encourage local purchasing, but no amendment was adopted. The committee passed HB 618 with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• If this continues, If this continues, drinking water for cities like Brownsville, McAllen, and Harlingen
• involves capturing water from daily drainage runoff and turning it into a new water source for potable drinking
• involves capturing water from daily drainage runoff and turning it into a new water source for potable drinking

Bills: SCR13, SB1248

Keywords: water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, harvest reports, wildlife harvest data, public information act, open records, confidentiality, hunter privacy, angler data, game animals, game birds, fur-bearing animals, nongame animals

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met without a quorum at first, then later established quorum and proceeded with testimony and votes. Senate Bill 1248, by Chair Perry, was explained as a narrow Open Records Act exception to protect harvest report location data collected through Texas Parks and Wildlife’s digital tagging system. Support testimony came from Matt Wagner of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, who said the bill would protect private land and sensitive biological information while preserving useful wildlife data. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending until later in the meeting. The committee then heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 13, which urges the State Department and the International Boundary and Water Commission to press Mexico to comply with the 1944 Water Treaty and deliver its share of Rio Grande water. Senator Hinojosa, farmers, municipal officials, and other witnesses described severe water shortages in South Texas, low reservoir levels, crop losses, the closure of the Valley sugar industry, and the need for alternative supplies such as desalination, reuse, and drainage-runoff projects. Members also discussed treaty enforcement, regional drought, and the role of cartels and Mexican water storage, while emphasizing that Texas must also invest in its own water infrastructure. The committee also considered Senate Bill 740, which the committee substitute amended to require the Public Utility Commission to adopt a standardized application form for system improvement charges and complete related rulemaking by September 1, 2026, applying only to applications filed on or after that date. Members discussed concerns about water wholesalers using the process to delay cases and drive up costs, and the need for more transparency and PUC resources. The committee voted to adopt the substitute and report SB 740 favorably. After returning to the earlier items, the committee voted SB 1248 out favorably and recommended it for the local and uncontested calendar, and voted SCR 13 out favorably as well. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• local governments, utilities, agriculture and all these entities that do use groundwater for their drinking
• the lower Florida and brackish source that doesn't impact the upper Florida, which is the primary drinking
• you know, demand across the state to try to make sure that as people come in for increased water, drinking

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Spiegel: Do you believe you have a drinking problem? Ben Knope: Of course not.
• She buys a case every week at Costco, but she's responsible and doesn't drink around the children.
• Knope, you said you don't have a drinking problem, but isn't it true you were arrested for DUI?

Transcript Highlights:

• convincing, common, and unselfish actions, may we provide the underserved resources to secure clean drinking
• Let us ask the question, why should there be the lack of clean drinking water and hunger in any part

Transcript Highlights:

• of Engineers, the EPA, and the National Sanitation Foundation, and ASWA, the Association of State Drinking
• State Drinking Water Administrators. State Drinking Water Administrators.
• treatment facilities and run it through our water treatment facilities and put it into our water that we drink
• facilities and put it into our water<01:15:11.840> that<01:15:11.960> we<01:15:12.080> drink
• water that we drink. water that we drink.

Bills: SB8

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51 Approval of Minutes 00:02:07 Legislator Comments 00:02:18 LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19 PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18 WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all