Transcript Highlights:

• session's boomed up from 10 to 9, we'll try to get through as much as we can. try to break before the session
• Energy Supply Chain Fund, the Texas Advanced Nuclear a report for the upcoming legislative session as
• Corona, I know last session we bumped up a lot of the resources for the agency.
• I would say At the beginning of last session or or the The preceding biennium, our average tenure in
• Dollars last session on some technology upgrades. Did we not do that? Did we have?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that the concern about the length of the road is if a tree falls across the beginning of the road
• I know that the concern about the length of the road is if a tree falls across the beginning of the road
• I know that the concern about the length of the road is if a tree falls across the beginning of the road
• Route<00:34:00.320> 13<00:34:01.120> is<00:34:01.360> the<00:34:01.519> length
• Street which is Route 13 is the length Street which is Route 13 is the length that<00:34:02.039>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of these programs are about three years in length.
• So I know we've, last session and a session before that, talked a lot about mandatory minimums in the
• Prevention education usually you want a multi-session approach, so at least two sessions.
• It would be a couple sessions. And I believe red flag, green flag is that two-session approach.
• So when you say sessions, I mean, are we talking like hours or like half-hour each session?

Summary: The committee first approved the December 16 minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their economic and public-system impacts. She explained that ACEs are population-level risk indicators, not individual diagnostic tools, and said higher ACE exposure is associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare and justice involvement, and lower workforce participation. She cautioned that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across the life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based interventions and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, trends in ACEs, and home visiting; she emphasized supportive relationships, protective factors, and the importance of positive childhood experiences. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco, along with a recorded family story from Abby, about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota. Abby described how Healthy Families North Dakota supported her family after a premature birth and NICU stay by providing weekly in-home coaching, developmental screenings, postpartum mental health check-ins, referrals, and parenting support. The presenters explained that home visiting is voluntary, relationship-based, and usually begins prenatally or shortly after birth, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, pregnancy navigators, human service zones, self-referrals, and other community partners. They said North Dakota currently has four main evidence-based models operating through 12 organizations, with Healthy Families available in all 53 counties, though only a fraction of eligible families are served. Funding was described as a patchwork of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E, Medicaid, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and other grants; members discussed whether the Legislature or agencies should expand support and how to improve outreach and sustainability. Finally, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, focusing on AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and chatbot-related risks. The report summarized federal and state law, including North Dakota’s existing computer-generated image provisions, the federal PROTECT Act, the Take It Down Act, and recent federal executive orders on AI policy. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI’s effect on critical thinking and misinformation. The committee then heard from BCI Special Agent Cassidy Halsef, who said AI is already driving a sharp rise in child exploitation cases in North Dakota, including AI-generated explicit images of real minors and school-based incidents involving mass-shared manipulated images. She said investigators are seeing more cyber tips, more difficult forensic work, and lasting harm to victims and families, and urged stronger legal penalties, specialized training, victim services, and prevention education in schools and communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to speak about TMB's budget priorities this session.
• Lengths, that kind of stuff on the time to process a license. How are we doing?
• You know, this is my first full session as chairman, and last session we were attached to TDLR, and I'd
• We anticipate next session, and this is going to be a major information resources project.
• I was overly optimistic last session; I thought we would be able to get going faster on it.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And even this session, I think we've got a bill to help expedite that.
• authorizes qualifying political subdivisions to seek open market financing for terms of 50 years in length
• So, I caution that as you expand the length, if you do... ...funding increases the cost of goods provided
• Trying to address last session, but I look forward to continuing to work with you in this committee as
• and this clarifying legislation this session together ensure that we're not inadvertently creating more

Bills: SB863, SB1190, SB1261, SB1413, SB1624, SB1662, SB1663, SB1855, SB1967, SB2124, SB2204, SB1623

Keywords: Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, water loss, municipally owned utilities, Texas Water Development Board, administrative penalties, water audit, water infrastructure, water supply, state water plan, water management strategies, water financing, municipal bonds, revenue bonds, public debt, obligations, TWDB

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Howard Erie, and I testified on this topic last session.
• My name is Howard Erie, and I testified on this topic last session.
• Senator Bettencourt in the last session had Senate Bill 1999.
• after session.
• The depository was established by the 84th legislative session.

Bills: HB42

Keywords: special prosecutor, state law, criminal justice, accountability, law enforcement

Summary: The committee heard Senator Flores lay out the committee substitute for HB 2894, which would expand state reimbursement eligibility for local governments disproportionately affected by the disabled veterans homestead exemption. Flores said the bill would add certain municipalities in Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties if lost ad valorem tax revenue equals or exceeds 10% of general revenue, while existing recipients would remain under the current 2% threshold. Lampasas and Bell County officials and the City of Killeen testified in support, describing significant revenue losses and urging adequate funding. One witness, Howard Avery, argued any reimbursement should be counted as property tax revenue for voter-approval rate purposes to avoid a windfall. The committee later adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably, with one nay. The committee also heard SB 782, which would create a temporary severance tax exemption for restimulated inactive oil and gas wells, intended to encourage investment in mature wells. The Comptroller explained the revised fiscal note as effectively zero because the wells are currently marginal and not generating meaningful tax revenue, while industry witnesses said the bill could extend well life, support local economies, and reduce orphan-well liabilities. Public testimony was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 3033, a DPS-related grant program funded by voluntary $3 donations on driver’s license and ID applications to support nonprofits aiding injured or fallen DPS officers and their families, including memorial highway signs. The DPS Officers Association supported the bill, citing existing foundation assistance and the need for a steady funding stream. The committee later reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered SB 524, which would permanently extend the franchise tax and fee exemption for qualifying veteran-owned businesses for their first five years; testimony from a veteran business owner and veterans advocates supported the measure, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported it favorably. Additional measures were laid out and left pending or voted out: HB 3594, a local San Antonio retiree health care fund bill with agreed changes for contributions, spouse benefits, and remarriage rules, was supported by stakeholders and reported favorably; HB 4738 would repeal small administrative fees tied to certain loans and was reported favorably; HB 42 on HEAF funding and HB 5246 on the Texas Space Commission were heard and left pending. The committee also reported HB 3474, a cleanup bill for the Pension Review Board’s investment performance review schedule, and HB 2802, the Austin firefighter retirement fund bill, both favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 1056, which would allow gold and silver held in the Texas Bullion Depository to function as legal tender through debit-card transactions. Supporters framed it as a way to use hard assets and expand financial options, while bankers and some senators raised major operational, consumer-protection, tax, and constitutional questions; the bill remained under discussion as testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• But theirs is attached to the board, which makes sense because you need somewhat of an arm's length to
• somewhat<00:29:20.000> of<00:29:20.159> a<00:29:20.320> arms<00:29:20.679> length
• <00:29:21.399> to<00:29:21.559> look<00:29:21.760> at somewhat of a arms length
• to to look at somewhat of a arms length to to look at it<00:29:22.919> the<00:29:23.080> self
• ago was for wanted um a couple sessions ago was for them<00:32:34.240> to<00:32:34.399> start

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, particularly in New Orleans, you know, we've gone to great lengths to drive that visitation
• I'm going to need you to come back next session and help me curb screen time among children as well,
• Chase on this whole session. I want to thank him for bringing the spirit of this bill.
• And as this will be our last committee meeting for this session, I want to thank our wonderful staff

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, we moved it up because we're going in session at 4. So, we moved it up to respond.
• The bad part is that Alicia and I discussed it at length and then I almost went to the other one.
• you know, I think at the moment we're at about 790 or so bills that have been introduced in this session
• happens over... know, irrespective of what happens over the next handful of days in the legislative session

Bills: HB402, HB402

Keywords: rural impact, legislation, agriculture, school funding, transparency, data assessment, rural communities, land bank authority, property acquisition, tax-delinquent properties, real estate management, local government revenue, floodplain management, stormwater drainage, emergency powers, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The work that was done in that last session was incredible.
• The work that was done in that last session was incredible.
• The work that was done in that last session was incredible.
• Motion: executive session. Second.
• I'm pretty sure that was used in the second session news to us.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we adjusted the amount, or the length of detour, if that bridge was going to be either closed or
• So the size of the dot kind of varies as far as the length of detour would be. And I just...
• Kind of varies as far as the length of detour would be.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee devoted its meeting to a presentation from Troy Suing of the Department of Transportation on state highway preservation needs. Suing said DOT is a leader in asset planning, but that current funding is not enough to keep up with the condition of highways, bridges, and other assets. He distinguished operations and maintenance from preservation, and described the preservation program’s main parts: pavements, bridges, and other highway facilities such as slopes, rest areas, signal systems, retaining walls, and culverts. Suing reported that about 40% of state roads are already overdue for preservation and that, with current funding, as much as 85% could need preservation within 10 years. He said there are more than 7,900 lane miles currently due, and that delaying work past the “lowest life cycle zone” increases risk and can cost three to five times more later. For bridges, he said the state has about 3,400 bridges, an average age of 52 years, and roughly 10% are over 80 years old; the share of bridges in poor condition is about 9.9%, near the federal threshold that could trigger more federal oversight. He also highlighted culvert failures, including one on SR-510, and the closed Carbon River Bridge on SR-165 as examples of how deferred preservation can lead to closures and community disruption. Committee members questioned the comparison to national asset management leadership, liability risk as roads deteriorate, the cost and regulatory burden of bridge projects, and whether DOT is relying more on its own crews for bridge work because of cost and urgency. Suing said the department is underfunded to fully implement its asset plans and is forced to focus on risk, emergent needs, and the most critical bridge work first. He said DOT’s 2026 supplemental budget identified preservation as one of five unfunded critical priorities and estimated a 10-year preservation need of $8 billion to address the backlog and become proactive again. Members discussed whether targeted funding in the next biennium could help move the state back toward the “green zone,” and the chair closed by emphasizing the real-world impacts of bridge and road failures and the need for legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the vendors I've spoken with at great length is Flock.
• spoken with uh at great length is Flock. spoken with uh at great length is Flock.
• because we have this this session because we have this truncated<00:18:41.760> timeline.
• <00:35:21.040> I essentially dead for the session. I essentially dead for the session.
• So, uh just so rest of the session.

Bills: HF3479, HF4205, HF3782, HF4081, HF4138

Keywords: foreclosure, mortgage, redemption period, homestead, Minnesota Statutes, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate recognition, vehicle surveillance, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, data privacy, government data practices, law enforcement data, surveillance technology, location data, vehicle tracking, warrant requirement, probable cause, exigent circumstances

Transcript Highlights:

• Eric Rudine, Government Affairs: I don't think there's a specific length.
• Eric Rudine, Government Affairs: I don't think there's a specific length.
• Eric Rudine, Government Affairs: I don't think there's a specific length.
• Eric Rudine, Government Affairs: I don't think there's a specific length.
• Eric Rudine, Government Affairs: I don't think there's a specific length.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, motion to move into executive session. late? Seeing none, we'll end the late?
• Um motion to move into<01:23:46.400> executive<01:23:46.880> session.
• into executive session. into executive session.
• Thank you. >> Motion come out of executive session. >> Go ahead. >> Go ahead.
• >> Motion come out of executive session. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> So moved.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But rest assured that we will continue advocating for this in the upcoming session if we can't get it
• Currently, it excludes the very businesses we've been in front of you talking about all session.
• <00:43:16.079> That<00:43:16.319> particular length of Broadway.
• That particular length of Broadway.
• against increasing the EV session against increasing the EV registration<00:45:38.160> fee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So pay is a very There's a major problem we need to deal with this session and so I can support your
• Chairman, thank you for your strong support of that last session.
• Where is that, the same language from last session, or is that new language?
• That's the same language from last session, and one of the witnesses to my right, um, can talk about.
• There are other bills filed this session about criminal penalties for squatters.

Bills: HB15, HB171, HB204

Keywords: flood risk, campground, safety regulations, civil penalty, guest safety, Harris County, flood control, governance, expansion, public health, local governance, environmental management

Transcript Highlights:

• I quickly, let me just say because of the length of the what happened to last night and then the session
• for, for today and the session later on today.

Bills: HB 2007, HB 2462, HB 2621, HB 2921, HB 3187, HB 3331, HB 3332, HJR 144, HB 3514, HB 3528, HB 3539, HB 3563, HB 3720, HB 3726, HB 3751, HB 3859, HB 3947, HB 4148, HB 4164, HB 4337, HB 4346, HB 4368, HB 4706, HB 4916, HB 4950, HB 4967, HB 5177, HB 5603

Keywords: commercial signs, county approval, transportation code, regulations, road signage, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, confidentiality, personal information, local government, airport data, public records, regional transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s a busy session and everyone’s running around. I’ll be very succinct in terms of this bill.
• The length of time a child needs to wear them depends on the severity of the asymmetry when they start
• Senator Campbell, I had a very similar bill last session that stalled in the House, but I will say this
• and Representative Johnson for bringing this forward on something that I failed to get past last session
• This is one of the... bills you all will hear this session, and I will be brief out of respect for your

Bills: HB50

Keywords: constitutional amendment, ballot language, fiscal note, fiscal impact, cost estimate, savings estimate, Legislative Budget Board, LBB, secretary of state, Election Code, Government Code, voter information, ballot proposition, state budget, election administration, Texas, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• grants become available to support the programs, and teacher apprenticeship may also shorten the length
• grants become available to support the programs, and teacher apprenticeship may also shorten the length
• grants become available to support the programs, and teacher apprenticeship may also shorten the length
• grants become available to support the programs, and teacher apprenticeship may also shorten the length
• of time it takes to shorten the length of time it takes to complete complete complete certification<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I move that the reading of the journal at length for the...
• Reading of the journal at length for the first legislative day be dispensed with. Any objections?

Keywords: 1136, house, all