Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment prevents Washington's children and youth from living in shelter near their schools or their
• Right now, as written, HB 2489 doesn't prevent addressing immediate safety risk.
• HB 2489 doesn't prevent addressing immediate safety risk.
• Bellevue and the city council, where we work on all the different pathways and then how we actually prevent
• Bellevue and the city council, where we work on all the different pathways and then how we actually prevent

Bills: HB2266, HB2489

Keywords: housing, supportive housing, transitional housing, emergency shelters, homelessness prevention, public space, local governance, life-sustaining activities, statewide standards, regulation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At its core, the Trueblood case is about a predictable and preventable cycle, one that housing can stop
• She asked whether the current bill language would prevent them from using those tools.
• Carol Helen said the bill would prevent the city from requiring operational agreements and some other
• It would prevent us.
• Boise already prevents criminalization when no shelter exists.

Bills: HB2266, HB2489

Keywords: housing, supportive housing, transitional housing, emergency shelters, homelessness prevention, public space, local governance, life-sustaining activities, statewide standards, regulation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• strongly agree with the intent of Senate Bill 5 to ban intoxicating hemp products in Texas and to prevent
• We heard about the lack of prevention warnings and the need for immediate disaster relief. trying to

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB5, SB11, SB12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• But there are some that are happening that could have been prevented, is what we kind of all believe.
• But there are some that are happening that could have been prevented is what we kind of all believe.

Bills: SB237

Keywords: child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews, confidentiality, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, current law does not explicitly prevent persons required to register as sex offenders from seeking
• Members, current law does not explicitly prevent persons required to register as sex offenders from seeking
• or holding Thank you. not explicitly prevent persons required to register as sex offenders from seeking

Bills: HB4, HB20

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard a series of higher education and K-12 bills, initially without a quorum and with several measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early bills included HB 1868, which would direct a study on lowering the dual-credit funding threshold for public junior colleges from 15 to 9 semester credit hours; HB 2598, which would replace statutory references to “licensed specialist in school psychology” with “school psychologist”; HB 3629, which would bar registered sex offenders from serving on independent school district boards of trustees; and HB 4361, which would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education. Each received brief sponsor explanations, no opposition testimony, and was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4848, requiring public higher education systems to ensure at least one institution offers affordable competency-based bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields, and HB 1211, which would remove the age 25 deadline for former foster youth to use public college tuition waivers. HB 1211 drew extensive supportive testimony from Texas CASA, a former foster youth who benefited from the waiver, and a current student headed to medical school, all arguing the change would better match the realities faced by youth aging out of care. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal uncertainty and the argument that the waiver is an investment in workforce participation; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 20, creating an Applied Sciences Pathway Program to let high school students earn certificates in targeted industries such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, and oil and gas while in school. Industry and workforce groups strongly supported the bill as a way to address labor shortages, while Texas 2036 raised concerns about allowing applied versions of core academic courses to substitute for traditional instruction. HB 4687, which would extend governmental immunity protections to certain campus/district charter schools and adult charter high schools, also received support from a charter-school attorney who said it would align statutes with existing case law and not expand charter rights. HB 4236, as substituted, would create a study group to examine the property value study’s effect on school finance and alternative valuation methods; it was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. The committee also heard HB 824 on civics instruction in high school government courses and HB 2243, which would create a commission on teacher job satisfaction and retention; the latter prompted debate over removing “ethnic diversity” language from the commission’s makeup. After adopting the substitute for HB 2243 by roll call, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, because, I mean, obviously, we want to do anything we can to prevent.
• I'm 100% to do anything and everything we can to prevent things.
• We want to do what is preventing the problem, and that's what you said. Prevention is the goal.
• Prevention is the goal. But what do you do about what's already happened?
• Prevention has to happen, but what's done is done.

Bills: HB4, HB20

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2853, which would allow the UT System Board of Regents to adjust the University of Texas at El Paso student union fee above the current statutory cap, subject to student approval, to help fund a new student union building. Senator Blanco explained the bill and the committee substitute, there were no questions or witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then heard House Bill 610, which would limit severance payments for terminated independent school district superintendents to six months’ salary and benefits. Senator Paxton described large severance payouts and said the bill had passed the House overwhelmingly. There were no witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the bill was left pending. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 4623, which would waive school district immunity in certain cases involving negligent hiring, supervision, or employment of professional school employees who commit abuse or related misconduct against students. Senator Paxton and several witnesses, including survivors and parents, argued the bill was needed to address cover-ups, delayed reporting, and repeated failures to remove dangerous employees; some members raised concerns about liability caps, litigation, and how the bill would interact with the Tort Claims Act. The committee also heard from TEA staff and employee-group witnesses who discussed possible injunctions and stronger no-hire protections. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4, an accountability and assessment bill that would restore A-F ratings, change the state testing system, and replace STAAR with shorter, more instructionally useful assessments. Senator Bettencourt explained the committee substitute, including annual ratings, limits on taxpayer-funded lawsuits, and a phased-in testing redesign with beginning, middle, and end-of-year assessments. Testimony was generally supportive from education and business groups, though some witnesses favored norm-referenced testing while others emphasized criterion-referenced, TEKS-aligned assessments; one witness noted social studies assessments were restored in the bill. The hearing concluded with additional invited testimony and no final vote reported in the transcript.

Bills: HM64, HM65

Keywords: capital outlay, Indian nations, tribes, technical assistance, state funding, resource allocation, firearm safety, public health, task force, violence prevention, alcohol misuse, legislation, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Chronic Wasting Disease poses a significant threat to the Texas deer population. and the hunting
• effectiveness of current Parks and Wildlife's rules and policies in managing and containing Chronic Wasting Disease
• resistance. to CWD using genotype analysis to explore whether some deer have natural traits that reduce disease

Bills: SB2031, SB2386, SB2476, SB2801, SB2843, SB2844, SB2846, SB2885

Keywords: deer breeding, chronic wasting disease, wildlife management, release site, landowner rights, TCEQ, environmental quality, administrative actions, public notice, legislative oversight, water supply, Angelina and Neches River Authority, ownership transfer, public utilities, Certificate of Convenience and Necessity, SB 2801, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Parks and Wildlife Code, field trial permit, hunting dog field trial

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota absolutely must prevent fraud.
• Minnesota absolutely must prevent fraud.
• Minnesota absolutely must prevent fraud.
• </c> Minnesota absolutely must prevent fraud. Minnesota absolutely must prevent fraud.
• We believe strongly that significant steps must be taken to prevent fraud.

Bills: HF3423, HF2354, HF3634

Keywords: healthcare, provider enrollment, medical assistance, legislation, state funds, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, service verification, Medicaid, human services, electronic documentation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• body and can lead to cancer and other diseases.
• This is not a lifestyle disease.
• Right now, some of my work is aiming to prevent celiac disease.
• When I was six, I was diagnosed with celiac disease.
• I have celiac disease.

Bills: H5012, S2927

Keywords: student nutrition, food allergies, celiac disease, gluten-free meals, allergen-free meals, medically restricted diets, school meals, college dining, K-12 education, higher education, disability access, accessibility services, food service, nutrition information, website disclosure, school website, meal accommodations, special diets, Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71

Bills: SF0110, SF0096

Keywords: property tax, residential real estate, tax assessment, primary residence, tax revenue, tobacco, excise tax, wholesalers, remote retail sales, nicotine products, youth prevention, regulation, licensing, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• TSGE represents physicians and health care professionals. professionals who are dedicated to the prevention
• , diagnosis, and treatment of digestive diseases in including colorectal cancer.
• what part of the state of Texas, in those underserved communities have the opportunity to detect and prevent
• this disease and the terrible consequences to their future.
• Texas remains a leader in digestive health and cancer prevention.

Bills: SJR3, SB5, SJR36, SJR3, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB5, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB372, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB764, SB842, SB971, SB790, SB767, SB480, SB1066

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code

Bills: SB156, SB467

Keywords: gun violence, firearm safety, special counsel, data collection, community initiatives, grants, Attorney General, public safety, suicide prevention, cybersecurity, information security, state agency, data protection, confidentiality, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ago, and members, we can be a leader in the nation and the world in rare disease.
• ago, and members, we can be a leader in the nation and the world in rare disease.
• ago, and members, we can be a leader in the nation and the world in rare disease.
• </c><00:11:05.120><c> We</c> nation and the world in rare disease.
• We nation and the world in rare disease.

Bills: HF2436, HF2435

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• going to the hospital, and that unlicensed respite with a trusted family member or friend could help prevent
• She said unlicensed respite with a trusted family member and a trusted friend could help prevent unnecessary
• I mean, what were they trying to prevent from happening at that time?

Bills: HF729, HF728

Keywords: human services, provider enrollment, medical assistance, healthcare, housing stabilization, substance use disorder, vulnerable adults, fraud prevention, respite care, children, licensed settings, home and community-based services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Because the care of an ALS patient—ALS patients have a motor neuron disease...
• I mean, last session we passed SB 240, which is the workplace violence prevention law, right?
• But this is a good bill because this would prevent that from happening. Happening, right?
• This would prevent that doctor who's been part of the process from actually testifying for CPS.
• Could have been prevented.

Bills: HB107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655, HB107

Keywords: sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records

Transcript Highlights:

• People with ALS and a lot of people with end-stage renal disease.
• It's part of the disease.
• It's how I learned about this disease. It's how I learned about this disease.
• Last session we passed SB 240, which is the workplace violence prevention law.
• Sickle cell disease affects about one in 2,000 newborns in Texas. Texas.

Bills: HB 107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655

Keywords: sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of health and human services bills and left each one pending after public testimony. HB 4655 would expand financial literacy instruction for youth aging out of foster care to include credit scores, predatory lending, scams, banking, budgeting, and related consumer topics; the sponsor and Buckner International described the need to protect foster youth from financial pitfalls. HB 923 would add three public members and one physician to the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel; supporters said it would improve informed consent and patient voice, while a witness raised concerns about a House amendment requiring a physician majority for decisions and senators questioned scope-of-practice limits. HHSC said the panel is an independent body and the bill expressly bars it from changing scope of practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a Genetic Non-Discrimination Act at the federal level, and that prevents health insurers and
• For the past 12 years, I've worked and developed therapies for genetically defined diseases.
• It would allow Families like mine to pursue preventative care without fear that the knowledge of their
• First, this bill encourages preventative health care and early intervention.
• A genetic predisposition does not mean someone will ever develop a disease.

Bills: H5112, S2921, H4914

Keywords: genetic discrimination, genetic testing, genetic information, DNA, hereditary risk, insurance underwriting, life insurance, health insurance, long-term care insurance, disability insurance, medical privacy, consumer protection, anti-discrimination, insurer regulation, Commissioner of Insurance, chapter 176D, underwriting, hereditary disease, genomics, travel insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 79 is about preventing that outcome for other New Mexican families.
• Our main goal here would be to prevent human and equine, secondarily, but to prevent human illness and
• the non-fatal disease and the fatalities took a spike.
• But the for the non-fatal disease and the fatalities took a spike.
• How many carry disease? The West Nile virus is...

Bills: SB66, SB79, SB108

Keywords: environment, cleanup, contamination, uranium mining, abandoned sites, state funding, mosquito control, public health, surveillance, prevention funds, local government grants, food security, agriculture, food bank, regional program, appropriation, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In his confirmation hearing, the Secretary claimed he claimed suicide prevention was a priority.
• outreach, suicide prevention services, and connections. to VA and community resources.
• Those hotlines and the suicide prevention programs?
• The FOX grants recognize and leverage the role communities play in suicide prevention.
• These interventions are suicide prevention.

Keywords: veterans, mental health, suicide prevention, Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Grant Program, HOPE Act, BRAVE Act, Every State Counts for Vets Mental Health Act, advocacy, legislation, mental health resources

Summary: The committee meeting focused primarily on the critical issues surrounding veterans' mental health and suicide prevention. Discussions centered on the reauthorization of essential programs aimed at providing non-clinical support services to veterans, particularly the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. Senators emphasized the urgent need for adequate mental health resources as the suicide rate among veterans remains alarmingly high. Key testimonies were provided by various advocates and officials, illustrating both successful implementations of these programs and areas needing improvement.