Transcript Highlights:

• structured literacy. structured literacy.
• <00:19:51.840> for support building support structure for support building support structure
• strong implementation structures. strong implementation structures.
• <01:03:43.120> literacy evidence-based structured literacy evidence-based structured literacy
• reading, evidence-based, structured reading, evidence-based, structured literacy<01:09:54.360>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it doesn't look like structure.
• We need structural and pervasive.
• > of structure.
• That existing structure of structure.
• end quote means a structure structure end quote means a structure existing<05:14:48.160> on<05

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on HB 1065, a housing bill that would clarify when multifamily and mixed-use housing may be allowed on commercially zoned land, define infrastructure standards, and preserve municipal discretion over where such development can occur. Prime sponsor Representative David Priest said the bill is intended to help address the housing shortage by using already developed commercial areas without overriding local planning. The New Hampshire Municipal Association, through Brody Dees, said it supports the bill and views it as a priority, but noted it is still discussing related language with stakeholders and wants clearer definitions for multifamily development, infrastructure, and adaptive reuse while preserving local control over commercial land use. Testimony was mixed. Ivy Van, a certified planner, opposed the bill because she said the infrastructure language is too restrictive and could exclude properties served by private utilities or septic systems. Chris Freeman, a housing provider, was generally supportive but recommended technical changes, arguing the infrastructure definition may be too broad and that the adaptive reuse language could unintentionally block useful building modifications. He said the bill should be clarified so it does not discourage reuse projects. The committee then moved to discussion of an accessory dwelling unit bill, with Representative Turkot describing changes that would shift some ADU approvals from a matter of right to conditional use or special exception, allow municipalities more control over attached versus detached units, set parking standards tied to single-family dwellings, and adjust size limits. He argued the bill would restore local discretion and prevent ADUs from becoming primarily rental units. Representative Reed pushed back, saying detached ADUs can help meet housing needs and provide opportunities for small landlords, while other members questioned how the bill would affect existing detached structures and breezeways. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair also noted a recess and time limits for later testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• This policy will allow DWC to modernize and structure... Of these annually.
• So my point is there's some structure to it that makes it significant.
• Yes, we're trying to put some kind of structure in place to be able to really effectively.
• So it's a new structure, Senator. We're very clear it's a new structure.
• I guess the question is why do they need to have the new structure?

Bills: HB111

Summary: The committee heard a long series of House bills, with most measures laid out by Senate sponsors and then left pending after brief public testimony. Early bills focused on construction and licensing issues, including HB 305 on prompt payment for public construction audits, HB 5093 on restoring public access to notary contact information, HB 2037 on updating landlord-tenant repair and security deposit rules, HB 4214 on a centralized public information request contact database, and HB 5435 exempting higher education institutions from a 90-day notice requirement for certain public-private partnership projects. Testimony was generally supportive on these bills, and no votes were taken; each was left pending. The committee also considered several transparency and regulatory bills. HB 111 would expand the Public Information Act to certain nonprofit state associations and narrow some attorney-client and working-paper exceptions, with supporters arguing it would improve oversight of public funds and critics questioning the scope and thresholds. HB 5129 would protect occupational license holders’ personal identifying information from disclosure without consent, HB 4350 would allow peace officers to redact personal information from online real property records, HB 4748 would authorize multiple-award state purchasing contracts, and HB 4765 would clean up code enforcement officer licensing rules. HB 4134 would allow motor vehicle creditors to charge limited fees for electronic payment options while requiring a free alternative, and HB 1043 would direct a study of blockchain-based property title records; both drew testimony, with some concern about the practical effects and vendor implications of the blockchain study. Several bills addressed insurance, workforce, and digital-asset regulation. HB 3520 would reduce the insurance coverage required for transportation network companies during the period when a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, drawing support from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and opposition from trial lawyers who argued the higher coverage better protects the public. HB 3320 would create a self-insurance pool for religious institutions, with TDI explaining it would still be regulated but operate under a special statutory framework. HB 4233 would modernize rules for digital asset service providers by removing certain auditor-access requirements and updating reporting and licensing provisions. HB 3923 would reduce bachelor’s-degree requirements for some state jobs, though Every Texan argued low pay, not degree requirements, is the main driver of turnover. HB 4518 would create a legal structure for decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations tied to blockchain governance; business law experts opposed it as unnecessary and potentially risky, while crypto advocates supported it. Finally, HB 1803 would join an interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists, with supporters citing workforce shortages and opponents saying Texas already licenses quickly and that the compact could weaken state oversight. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly closed testimony and left bills pending, and a quorum was eventually established before later items were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our statute talks about insured value of the structure.
• building code had wind-driven structural damage.
• For example, roof covers did not perform as well as the structures themselves.
• building code had wind-driven structural damage.
• So that's currently the way we are structured. So that's currently the way we are structured.

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard a series of presentations focused on mitigation, flood and wind resilience, and insurance discounts. Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management outlined several funding streams for mitigation, including federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program dollars, BRIC grants, flood mitigation assistance, and the state hurricane loss mitigation program. He emphasized the new Elevate Florida initiative, which will use about $400 million initially to elevate or reconstruct flood-prone homes, starting with National Flood Insurance Program properties and severe repetitive-loss homes, with no current per-home cap. Guthrie said the state will contract directly with licensed vendors and aims to reduce future flood losses, lower insurance costs, and keep properties on the tax rolls rather than relying on buyouts. Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski described Florida’s windstorm mitigation discount program, explaining that the 1802 inspection form is used to assess a home’s overall “envelope” and determine statutory discounts. He said the office is updating the program based on a new wind loss study, with likely changes including greater recognition of roof types such as metal roofs and possible territorial risk adjustments. He also said the Legislature now requires the office to revisit the study every five years. Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services reported on My Safe Florida Home, noting that the program offers inspections and grants for roof and opening protections, has completed more than 100,000 inspections, and has reimbursed hundreds of millions of dollars. He said the department has validated its discount calculations with insurers and that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce premiums through verified mitigation work. Michael Newman of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety said Florida’s building code is nationally leading and that post-Ian surveys found no wind-driven structural damage in buildings built after adoption of the code. He argued that mitigation should be treated as a system, not isolated upgrades, and suggested adding Fortified designation to the state’s mitigation form to better document verified resilience improvements. Bill Truex, a county commissioner and builder, stressed the need to educate homeowners about floodproofing and roof choices, citing examples where flood panels prevented damage and noting that asphalt shingles often do not last as long in Florida as their marketing suggests. In panel discussion, senators asked about program eligibility, outreach to elderly and digitally challenged residents, contractor vetting, roof-life disclosures, and whether flood insurance should be more broadly required. Officials said outreach will include call centers and in-person assistance, and several participants urged better consumer disclosure and more data-driven guidance on roof and mitigation choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is important to note that HB 616 is a reaction to incomplete and one-sided information stemming from

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a structurally deficient bridge.
• :46.400> are<00:21:46.559> these how structurally efficient are these how structurally
• <00:22:33.039> So considered structurally deficient.
• So considered structurally deficient.
• <00:23:00.720> There's structurally deficient list. There's structurally deficient list.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to build on the comments we made in our committee hearing last week on the overall structure
• Do you want the funding to go deep and have fewer structures that are protected but have more of them
• If we wanted to prioritize structure risk mitigation as compared to watershed.
• And you or anybody else that wants to, the proximity to the structure that, the structures that we're
• Many buildings are old and inefficient, lacking operational and structural efficiencies.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we've reduced that projected structural imbalance by 45% in this first year, meaning we don't have
• Um, all of those things and in a budget situation where we had some structural issues that needed to
• to an agreement on is that structural to an agreement on is that structural imbalance<00:02:20.800
• situation where we had some structural situation where we had some structural issues<00:03:15.920
• reduction in the structural imbalance. reduction in the structural imbalance.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to walk through the structure of the document first, and then we'll go down the sheet row
• That's the structure of the document, just so you all have that context.
• But I'm telling you, we've got a structure already ready to go.
• of the current programmatic structure of residencies.
• In addition to this, I'll start with page three, which talks about structured literacy.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, um, but it was failing. structures need ma major improvements to structures need ma major improvements
• of the marina structure. of the marina structure.
• 56.240> currently<00:25:56.559> under structure is being it's currently under structure
• <00:53:37.520> Um, bridge, a a structural issue there.
• Um, bridge, a a structural issue there.

Keywords: 00:02 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:44 Approval of Minutes 01:56 Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet 54:59 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy received an update from Kentucky State Parks and the Finance Cabinet on the status of major capital projects funded through recent legislative appropriations. Commissioner Mark Keelin, Deputy Commissioner Chris Perry, and Finance Cabinet/DECA representatives described progress on campground upgrades, utility and broadband improvements, building systems repairs, life-safety work, accommodations and hospitality renovations, pool and beach projects, playgrounds, golf course improvements, marina work, and wastewater upgrades across the state park system. They emphasized that Kentucky has 44 state parks and that the funding has supported completed work and projects still under construction or in design. The presentation highlighted funding tied to House Joint Resolution 76, House Joint Resolution 56, and House Bill 6. Parks reported roughly $72 million invested to date, with 66 projects completed and 17 under construction, including campground renovations at sites such as My Old Kentucky Home, Kin Lake, Carter Caves, Cumberland Falls, and others; broadband projects at several campgrounds; electrical grid resilience work at parks including Kentucky Dam Village and Kin Lake; and completed life-safety upgrades such as lock systems. Officials also noted pool and beach work, ADA improvements, lodge and guest room renovations, marina replacements, and wastewater plant upgrades. DECA said it currently manages 1,335 active capital projects statewide, including 149 for Parks, and credited additional project management capacity and regular coordination meetings for accelerating delivery. Committee members asked for a copy of the presentation and pressed the department for more detailed accounting of House Joint Resolution 56, including how much money remains, which projects are complete, and whether current appropriations are sufficient to finish the listed work. The department also requested a larger maintenance pool appropriation of $40 million for the next budget, arguing that routine and emergency maintenance needs across 44 parks exceed current resources and that preventative maintenance would reduce long-term costs. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nine 345 lines; that's a lot of routing, a lot of structures.
• The way our funding structure is set, those numbers are set.
• The Texas regulatory system is structured to maximize...
• At the top of our funding structure, going back to page six.
• This funding structure, I know St.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally the state board works to ensure that to that the state flood control structures are in good
• Structure and urban expansion increased the need for repair.
• And I'd add that's TCEQ that's identified those structures just not meeting the standards.
• You may not have a structure in your county, but look above you, and you're relying on these structures
• The $150 million with our current structure and our current staffing is appropriate to what we believe

Bills: HB294, HB405, HB519, HB294

Keywords: food production, property owners' association, home gardening, cottage food, urban agriculture, livestock, community standards, renewable energy, ethanol, biodiesel, incentives, agriculture, grants, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties

Transcript Highlights:

• And to them, every loan we structure represents a business stabilized, jobs created or retained, wealth
• We<00:04:08.480> structure<00:04:08.879> flexible<00:04:09.760> debt<00:04:10.080
• > products, We structure flexible debt products, We structure flexible debt products, leverage
• > business structure represents a business structure represents a business stabilized,<00:04:27.600
• ,<00:05:02.400> expand<00:05:02.960> partnerships structures, expand partnerships structures

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 2581 was presented as a request for a $1 million state investment in Fortis Capital, a Minnesota nonprofit economic development lender. The bill was described as supporting entrepreneurship and wealth-building by expanding access to capital for businesses that are underserved by traditional lending, especially in rural areas, communities of color, immigrant communities, and low-wealth areas. Testifiers argued that conventional underwriting standards leave viable businesses without financing and that Fortis provides flexible gap financing to help deals close, complementing rather than replacing banks and CDFIs. Brian Smith, co-founder and CEO of Fortis Capital, said the organization was established in 2019 and has deployed 37 loans totaling over $4 million since 2021, leveraging an additional $29.5 million through partnerships. He said Fortis seeks to increase lending capacity, reduce risk in innovative capital structures, expand statewide partnerships, and accelerate small business growth and job creation. In response to questions, he said Fortis typically charges about 6.12% on average, has had two defaults, and operates as a revolving loan fund. He also explained that Fortis already participates in some Department of Employment and Economic Development programs, but is not eligible for certain grant programs because those grants go directly to borrowers. Committee members asked how the proposal fits with existing state economic development efforts and whether competitive grant programs exist for this kind of work. A DED representative said he would need more detail to compare the proposal to agency programs, though he mentioned the emerging entrepreneur loan program as a possible fit. Members also discussed broader concerns about direct appropriations versus competitive grants. No public testimony was offered. Chair Frasier closed by saying the bill addresses a real need and laid House File 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• That will go a long way towards those. ...are thoroughly trained in structured literacy.
• With increasing federal uncertainty, this gives New Mexico a durable state-level structure to protect
• Yet historically, special education has lacked the permanent cabinet-level structure that it needs.
• Yet historically, special education has lacked the permanent cabinet level structure that it needs.
• This structure strengthens the state's ability to monitor and support compliance, provide consistent

Bills: SB64, SB19, SB44, SB83

Keywords: special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP, individualized education program, students with disabilities, IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, dyslexia, dyslexia screening, structured literacy, reading intervention, multilayered system of supports, MTSS, student assistance team, free appropriate public education, FAPE, special education compliance, charter schools

Transcript Highlights:

• :26.560> to merely provides the structure to merely provides the structure to establish<00:05:
• Rather, it's just the structure that is being built.
• <00:10:48.240> is mentioned the employment structure is mentioned the employment structure
• <02:03:24.719> Well, structure with no career rule. Well, structure with no career rule.
• Little did I know structure worked.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . that long-standing structure by that long-standing structure by conditioning<00:43:27.680> implementation
• <00:48:03.920> is whether altering rulemaking structure is whether altering rulemaking structure
• This raises three structural concerns.
• This raises three structural concerns. This raises three structural concerns.
• But the challenge is structural.

Bills: HF962, HF3541, HF2936, HF3762, HF2879

Keywords: Capitol security, public safety, emergency management, state buildings, law enforcement, corrections, legislative approval, rule-making, financial impact, jail regulations, expungement, firearm eligibility, criminal records, organized retail crime, retail theft, supply chain theft, theft enterprise, organized theft, cargo theft, shoplifting

Transcript Highlights:

• It could very, very well bleed over into the adjacent structures.
• <00:18:18.720> what over into the adjacent structures what over into the adjacent structures
• c> for structures existing structures uh for structures existing structures uh for for<00:25:16.559
• some of the three story structure some of the three story structures<00:26:41.600> they<00:26
• <01:50:58.760> there's and women um less less structure there's and women um less less structure

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Municipal and County Government subcommittee met on February 19, 2025 to gather additional information on House Bill 432, which concerns recovery houses. The first witness, State Fire Marshal Sean Tumi, said his office had worked with stakeholders for more than a year on the bill’s definition changes and supported the revised definition. He explained that the bill removes vague language such as “safe, healthy, family” and instead relies on fire-code requirements and certification standards, including a primarily non-transient dwelling unit and living as a single household. He distinguished recovery houses from boarding or rooming houses and from other congregate settings such as group homes or transitional housing, saying those other uses do not currently have the same exemptions. Members questioned Tumi about fire safety, inspections, smoke alarms, egress, and whether sprinklers should be required. He said recovery houses are inspected by the fire marshal’s office and local fire departments, with annual inspections under state fire code provisions, and that operators must work with a certifying body. He described the inspection process as checking alarms, extinguishers, heating systems, cooking equipment, street numbers, and no-smoking rules, and said new houses are generally given time to obtain certification. He also said he would prefer sprinklers everywhere but believed mandating them for these existing structures would likely shut down many recovery houses and significantly harm the recovery community. Bill McKenny of the New Hampshire Building Officials Association then testified in support of HB 432. He said recovery housing is an important step after treatment and that the 2024 code changes and the bill help align state law with federal disability law. He emphasized that certification through a recognized organization gives code officials confidence that standards are being monitored, and warned that if a recovery home loses certification it would lose the waiver from sprinkler requirements and could be treated more like a boarding or rooming house. No vote or final action was taken at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So as a structure that can come together help us...
• We can keep going over the structure of this bill.
• We can keep going over the structure of this bill.
• <00:46:56.200> of we can keep going over the structure of we can keep going over the structure
• <01:09:14.920> then coming up with a funding structure then coming up with a funding structure

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Structured literacy, same thing that we're doing.
• So, Secretary, I'm wondering how many districts have implemented structured literacy.
• Is that I'm going to say structured literacy because that's on the tip of my tongue.
• Structured literacy as an example.
• Structured literacy, Secretary, I think the law was passed in 2019.

Transcript Highlights:

• It reduces the structural deficit by more than half, so we refuse to kick the can down the road.
• Additionally, the Legislature's budget reduces the out-year structural...
• Additionally, the Legislature's budget reduces the out-year structural deficits that were identified
• ACSA recommends many of the proposal shift to a more reimbursement-structured program. Thank you.
• ACSA recommends many of the proposal shift to a more reimbursement-structured program. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders described as the compromise budget expected to move to the floor later that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core programs from federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget plan, saying it uses higher-than-expected revenues and reserve balances to reject some proposed reductions and fund temporary restorations and new spending in areas such as education, child care, health care, housing, homelessness, and public safety. Department of Finance representatives said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced framework and the effort to address out-year deficits, while noting the plan includes additional spending and revenue changes. Sisney also previewed floor bills including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125, with SB 122 described as a modification to the tax credit proposal and SB 125 as the managed care organization tax proposal. Subcommittee chairs then described the major policy choices in their areas. Health chair Addis said the budget responds to federal health care rollbacks by protecting Medi-Cal, clinics, hospitals, dental care, and other safety-net services, while also supporting reproductive care, gender-affirming care, and county health systems. Education chair Alvarez highlighted increased school funding, expanded learning, special education, teacher support, community colleges, and a change to Cal Grant eligibility for older community college students. Other chairs emphasized child care expansions, homelessness and housing funding, prison closure and criminal justice savings, wildfire mitigation, county support for Medi-Cal and CalFresh administration, and accountability measures tied to homelessness and corrections spending. Several members also raised concerns or priorities, including the impact of the MCO tax on providers, the need for more support for local journalism, transit and climate funding, biotech and R&D incentives, and continued work on Prop 98 and long-term revenue solutions. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided, but members broadly expressed support for the budget framework and the need to continue negotiations with the administration before final passage. The committee discussion repeatedly framed the budget as a response to federal policy changes and a choice to protect vulnerable Californians while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The vice chair, citing LAO warnings about future volatility and limited reserves, pressed Finance on whether the budget represented a record-sized state budget and whether revenues were also at record levels, underscoring concerns about the state’s preparedness for a downturn.