Transcript Highlights:

• So if you require any accessory structure to have a conditional use permit or special exception, it makes
• So if you require any accessory structure to have a conditional use permit or special exception, it makes
• So if you require any accessory structure to have a conditional use permit or special exception, it makes
• So if you require any accessory structure to have a conditional use permit or special exception, it makes
• So if you require any accessory structure to have a conditional use permit or special exception, it makes

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, any change to this policy would apply to all of those legislative Employees, except for temporary
• And that's why we have option number two, which is an exception for tribal elected offices.
• I am a little bit concerned that in option two, where at the bottom it says except for tribal elected
• skill, has exceptional educational attainment, or other experiences that exceed other individuals who
• And additionally, any increases above 75% for a new hire or a promotion do need kind of an exceptional

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the bill clarifies that a good cause exception to the armed guard requirement has to be
• the exception is claimed.
• , right, or adopt a good-cause exception.
• , right, or adopt a good cause exception.
• And then what we would offer is an exception.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a quorum and announced a full agenda, including combined public testimony for two bills related to student personal communication devices. The committee first took up Senate Bill 1262 by Senator Nichols, a school safety cleanup bill following House Bill 3. The bill would allow TEA to commission peace officers for school safety purposes, require annual renewal of good-cause exceptions to armed guard requirements, create a new report based on intruder detection audits and vulnerability assessments, and require behavioral threat assessment teams to include someone with specific knowledge of a special education student’s disability. Committee members asked about the difference between TCOLE licensing and TEA commissioning, the scope of the officers’ authority, and how the good-cause exception would work. The committee substitute was adopted, and public testimony included support from school safety and drone-response advocates, Disability Rights Texas in favor of the special education provisions, and a student witness raising concerns about the mental health impact of repeated lockdowns and the need for immediate, reliable school safety responses. The bill was left pending after testimony, then the committee briefly recessed and later reopened testimony to hear the student witness. The committee then laid out Senate Bill 2252 by Senator Creighton, a major early literacy and numeracy bill for kindergarten through third grade. Creighton said the bill builds on prior literacy efforts by funding teacher stipends for literacy and math academies, providing free and clearly administered screeners and assessments, expanding screening options, clarifying how results are used, supporting high-quality pre-K, and increasing the early education allotment. He emphasized low reading performance and the need for early intervention. Members discussed how the bill differs from earlier academy models and whether the assessments are diagnostic or high-stakes; Creighton and witnesses said the tools are intended to identify students needing support, not to serve as punitive testing. The committee adopted the substitute. Witnesses for SB 2252 largely supported the bill. A Uplift Education representative described strong gains from small-group literacy tutoring and said students receiving targeted support can make more than a year of growth in a year. An education specialist explained that the bill aligns general education screening with existing dyslexia and special education practices and helps districts identify students who need intervention before a disability evaluation is required. A Commit Partnership witness cited statewide reading data, the importance of high-quality pre-K, and the need for transparent, consistent progress monitoring and parent engagement. Members asked about the meaning of the growth data, how dyslexia screening works, and how the bill would help identify struggling students earlier. Before finishing all questions, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair after the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• You cannot hunt a coyote at night except for the certain particular season for night hunting coyote,
• But yes, you're right, except for the season for night hunting, correct.
• But yes, you're right, except for the season for night hunting, correct.
• But yes, you're right, except for the season for night hunting, correct.
• But yes, you're right, except for the season for night hunting, correct.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• had this bill last year and, uh, and we sponsor brought it and we all had several amendments and exceptions
• <00:05:10.880> and<00:05:11.199> it several amendments and exceptions and it several
• amendments and exceptions and it was<00:05:11.600> put<00:05:11.759> in<00:05:12.000><
• So, and all these exceptions that we put in, cattle, the cattle people, they're exempt.
• that we put in and all these exceptions that we put in cattle,<00:06:02.400> the<00:06:02.639

Bills: SB361

Keywords: dogs, dog tethering, dog confinement, animal welfare, animal cruelty, animal neglect, outdoor shelter, kennel standards, leash laws, trolley system, animal control officer, law enforcement enforcement, service animals, working dogs, hunting dogs, herding dogs, USDA breeder, commercial breeder, pet care, veterinary care

Transcript Highlights:

• The recurring question comes on the exceptions to the report. All those in favor say aye.
• Velis: consistent and necessary exceptions across model and local policy. Thank you.
• Velis: consistent and necessary exceptions across model and local policy. Thank you very much, Mr.
• But this will only be possible if exceptions to this rule are selective, consistent, and necessary.
• , the exceptions are equally as important to the main rule that is espoused in this bill, the exceptions

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first debated and advanced Senate Bill 2561, an act to promote student learning and mental health, centered on a statewide bell-to-bell restriction on student cell phone use in schools. Supporters argued the bill would reduce distraction, improve academic performance and mental health, and encourage social interaction, while preserving flexibility for districts and exceptions for emergencies, special education, health needs, and instructional uses. Several senators emphasized local control and the need for public input, and a number of amendments were considered: some were withdrawn, some were rejected, and others were adopted, including an amendment requiring consistent and necessary exceptions and another requiring public hearings and local public input. The bill was then ordered to a third reading and passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 38-2. The Senate also took up a conference committee report on a $259 million FY2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The report funded EMS costs, home care, the Healthy Incentives Program, DTA chip card technology, veterans benefits, the state police crime lab, the SSI state supplement, the Fair Housing Fund, and the National Guard, and included major indigent defense provisions: $40 million for 320 new CPCS staff attorneys, rate increases for private bar advocates, guardrails to reduce future work stoppages, and an independent review of the indigent defense system. Senators questioned the timing of the report, the inclusion of items not previously voted on by either branch, and the funding sources, including use of the transitional escrow fund and excess revenues. The report was accepted, the emergency preamble was adopted, and the supplemental budget was enacted. In addition, the Senate passed other measures, including a bill authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to supply water to the Linfield Center Water District and a municipal roads and bridges financing bill, both by roll call vote. The chamber also enacted a health care protections bill, and it concurred in referrals on a governor’s municipal empowerment legislation. The session included a brief memorial tribute and adjournment in memory of Harry C. Christensen.

Transcript Highlights:

• Meaning that the exceptions included in there, which this definition of credible allegation may end up
• now we have added into the law without defining those exceptions.
• now we have added into the law without defining those exceptions.
• > included<00:10:11.040> in Meaning that the exceptions included in Meaning that the exceptions
• ,<00:10:20.800> they other places where the exceptions, they other places where the exceptions

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4566, authored by Representative Franssen, which responds to a recent Office of the Legislative Auditor report on alleged kickbacks in the early intensive developmental and behavioral intervention (EIBDI) program. Franssen said the bill would require DHS to use expedited rulemaking to clearly include kickbacks in the definition of fraud and would allow the department to withhold or reduce payments when there is a verified credible allegation of fraud, arguing this would protect taxpayer dollars and address a fraud scheme that she said cost about $20 million. Former Representative Matt Dean testified in support, saying the OLA report confirmed kickbacks existed and that the bill would give DHS clearer authority to stop them and pursue those involved. Members raised several technical questions about how the bill interacts with existing state and federal law, including whether it overlaps with the illegal remuneration definition enacted last session, whether it could sweep in federal safe-harbor exceptions, and whether it would expand the scope of the anti-kickback rules. Nonpartisan staff said the bill cites existing definitions in Minnesota law, but also noted that the federal-law impact would need further review. Representative Noor emphasized keeping the credible-allegation language separate from the illegal-remuneration provisions to avoid unintended consequences, and Representative Fisher asked about differences from similar language in another bill; staff said the drafting differences could be reconciled. Representative Jacob cited the OLA report’s conclusion that DHS already had authority to act on kickback allegations without legislative changes, while Representative Gander and Dean argued that even small kickbacks can drive much larger improper provider costs. After questions were closed, Representative Franssen renewed her motion to lay House File 4566 over for possible inclusion, and the motion prevailed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tell me then the thinking behind having exceptions in the law.
• And are we opening a barn door Here by having these exceptions that effectively allows an individual
• So, can you help us understand does it make sense to have this exception if what we're really trying
• There's a section on exceptions. I'd be happy to answer questions.
• Leakc I'm thinking about the kind of threshold and exceptions here.

Bills: HB1245, HB2588, HB3024, HB3172, HB3279, HB3919, HB3306, HB3383, HB3431, HB3435, HB4352, HB3883, HB3942, HB4193, HB4203, HB4303, HB4311, HB4484

Keywords: retirement, pension, public employees, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, benefits, survivorship, contribution rates, disability retirement, owners associations, membership requirements, property ownership, board governance, residency requirements, salary increase, state employees, public finance, bonus limits, job performance, Fair Banking Act, financial institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• HSA-compatible plans, because the deductible has to apply under these federal rules to everything except
• bill, we have to swoop in, we in the industry have to try to swoop in and try to fix the language except
• It does have that deductible, though, that has to apply under federal rules to certain services, except
• I just think it's a devastating law, and I really hope that you reconsider exceptions for people who
• I really hope that you reconsider exceptions for people who are on these drugs. Thank you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a hearing with Chair Jamie Murphy and Senate co-chair Senator Feeney presiding. Members asked witnesses to keep testimony to three minutes and noted that written testimony could still be submitted. The committee heard testimony on several health insurance and pharmacy-related bills, including a proposal to allow controlled prescriptions to be transferred between pharmacies within the same chain, legislation affecting health savings account (HSA)-compatible plans and future insurance mandates, a bill on small business health insurance incentives, and H. 1212 on emergency insulin access. Several parents and patients testified in support of emergency insulin access, describing severe diabetes emergencies, diabetic ketoacidosis, prescription delays, and the need for pharmacists to dispense insulin in urgent situations when doctors or insurers are unavailable. A parent also described the burden of repeatedly obtaining new prescriptions for ADHD medication when pharmacies are out of stock. Witnesses supporting the HSA bill argued that state coverage mandates can unintentionally disqualify HSA-qualified plans and that the bill would preserve tax advantages for enrollees while avoiding repeated legislative fixes. A representative of the Retailers Association supported the small business health insurance incentives bill, saying it could help retain small employers in the merged market by allowing carriers to offer financial incentives tied to cooperative purchasing and utilization efforts. One witness, Kathleen Demarest, testified against a co-pay assistance restriction, saying a state rule had unexpectedly cut off her drug assistance before a generic was actually available, leaving her with very high out-of-pocket costs. Committee members asked a few clarifying questions about HSAs, insulin dispensing, and school support for diabetes care. After all scheduled witnesses had testified and no additional testimony was offered, the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Memorial resolutions to be adopted in block are listed on pages 1 through 5, with the exception of the
• of those excluded as announced by the, as announced by the, Pages 1 through 5, with the exception of
• We adopted in block the resolutions listed on pages 5 through 16, with the exceptions of House ... ..
• .listed on pages 5 through 16, with the exceptions of House Resolution 2072, 2074, and 2142.
• of those that were removed and with the exception of those that were added, as listed on pages 5 through

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and then took up a series of memorial and commending resolutions out of order and in block. Members offered tributes to Colonel James T. O’Kelly for his Marine Corps service and later public service; to Taran Mehta and DeWan Anthony Stiegel, Jr.; to Noreen Torin for her long career in Central Virginia journalism; to Bernard L. Henderson, Jr. for extensive public and civic service; and to Child’s Family Orchards for growing a record-setting peach. Several additional memorial and commending resolutions were adopted in block, including newly added resolutions for Stephanie Daniel Myers and Lynn Kathleen McKay, among others. The chamber then considered the conference report on House Bill 30, the biennial state budget. Speakers praised staff and conferees for their work and noted provisions such as pay raises for teachers and state employees, infrastructure funding, a higher standard deduction, and a utility-related rebate issue. Some members criticized the budget as a large spending increase and argued it did not provide enough tax relief, while others supported it and emphasized keeping commitments to data center tax policy and adding co-ops to rebate efforts. After debate, the House adopted the conference report by a vote of 71 yeas to 22 nays. At the close of business, the House was informed that the calendar was complete, reminded about a constituent relationship management software survey, and then recessed pursuant to House Resolution 2069.

Transcript Highlights:

• When we created the network, we engaged all of the exceptional centers in our state that participate
• We already really had some exceptional cancer clinical research centers, but all the stars on the map
• When we created the network, we engaged all of the exceptional centers in our state that participate
• We already really had some exceptional cancer clinical research centers, but all the stars on the map
• already really had some exceptional already really had some exceptional cancer<01:10:24.520>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so exceptional schools begin with exceptional principals.
• And so exceptional schools begin with exceptional principals.
• And so exceptional schools begin with exceptional principals.
• And so exceptional schools begin with exceptional principals.
• exceptional schools begin with exceptional schools begin with exceptional<02:09:59.400> principles

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:12 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:33 Kentucky’s New Assessment and Accountability Model Update: 00:03:50 Federal Education Policy and Its Impact on States: 01:00:55 Educational Leadership Training Opportunities in Kentucky: 01:26:44 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations: 02:10:38 Adjournment: 02:13:57, 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Education met for its first interim meeting and established a quorum before taking up its first topic, Kentucky’s new assessment and accountability model. Commissioner Robbie Fletcher, joined by KDE staff and superintendents, described a multi-year effort involving the Kentucky “Now We Learn” Council, more than 50 educators and stakeholders, at least 18 pilot districts, surveys, focus groups, town halls, and four prototype frameworks. He emphasized three priorities for the new model: vibrant learning experiences, innovation in assessment, and collaboration with communities. Fletcher said the state accountability portion would continue to meet federal requirements and identify CSI/TSI/ATSI schools, while shifting toward more emphasis on individual student growth, grade-level equivalency in reading and math, career and technical education, graduation rate, and English language proficiency. He also said science would remain a required assessment but be reported separately rather than counted in the CSI/TSI calculation. He stressed that the model should focus on growth, local flexibility, and meaningful measures that reflect community expectations, while still preserving a statewide framework. The committee also heard from Bullitt County superintendent Jesse Bacon, who described his district’s local accountability work. He said Bullitt County formed a community coalition with broad representation from across the district, business leaders, and community members, met six times during the school year, and worked toward a public-facing dashboard that would show community expectations, evidence of accountability, and areas for improvement. Bacon said the district identified six community-defined pillars, beginning with student learning and foundational academic knowledge, as part of a system intended to communicate strengths and improvement areas to the public.

Transcript Highlights:

• We received more exceptions than documents.
• We received a series of exceptions.
• They pay these lawyers to throw exceptions at the wall. That's the problem.
• has to come even if that is a straight... ...forward exception, right?
• And as the law has been amended, we have complicated exceptions.

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Lee Mller then said that House File 1446, which was pulled, had an exception and that
• He said he thought it was nice that they had put that exception into that bill.
• He said he thought it was nice that they had put that exception into that bill.
• He said he thought it was nice that they had put that exception into that bill.
• for limited exceptions.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Scott was here, yeah, so, and except for the purpose of a call. Thank you, Senator Cher.
• Unanimous consent to excuse Senator Nava until she returned to the chamber except for the purposes of
• that the record show that the roll has been called and that all those present voting affirmative, except
• Unanimous consent to excuse Senators Muñoz and Chendo until they return to the chamber, except for the
• The affirmative, except those voting in the negative, by a show of hands. Thank you.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you want to include the exception to a civil enforcement issue, right?
• There is an exception to that.
• ...broadest and one of the most often used exceptions.
• because the exceptions are especially in the public interest.
• and the state could still maintain control of the park with the exception of the... with the exception

Bills: HB45, HB755, HB 1232, HB1555, HB2460, HB2702, HB2973, HB3120, HB3225, HB3314, HB3356, HB3371, HB3634, HB3638, HB4247, HB4283, HB4290, HB4302, HB4503, HB4511, HB4565, HB4581, HB4627, HB4632, HB4660, HB4668, HB4960, HB5042, HB45

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money, HB 1232, whistleblower, whistleblower protection, public employee, retaliation

Transcript Highlights:

• I<00:16:42.800> won't<00:16:43.040> repeat<00:16:43.199> it<00:16:43.759> except
• simply to note I won't repeat it except simply to note that<00:16:45.839> this<00:16:46.160><
• that we do have a good cause exception that we do have a good cause exception process<00:16:58.560
• > which<00:16:58.800> allows<00:16:59.360> for<00:16:59.839> exceptions<00
• :17:00.320> to process which allows for exceptions to process which allows for exceptions to be

Bills: HB1805, HB2110, HB2180, HB2184, HB2219, HB2469

Keywords: child welfare, advocacy, oversight, independent office, foster care, child advocate, child safety, nepotism, ethics, government transparency, accountability, legislative standards, electronic voting, legislative transparency, Hawaii House, voting system, appropriation, lawmaker safety, political violence, confidentiality

Summary: The House Committee on Legislative Management heard testimony on several measures. HB 1805, relating to child welfare, drew support from the University of Hawaii and concerns from the Attorney General about the bill’s definition of state agency and possible separation-of-powers and supremacy clause issues. During decision-making, the committee opted to move the child advocate function to the Attorney General’s office, accepted the Attorney General’s suggested scope and jurisdiction amendments, set the salary at 90% of the Department of Health deputy director’s salary, and passed the bill with amendments. HB 2110, relating to nepotism, received support from the Hawaii State Ethics Commission, which said the bill would apply the rule consistently and noted the existing good-cause exception process. The committee later deferred the bill, saying existing House rules on nepotism were already strict and that the proposal would be duplicative in statute. HB 2180, relating to voting boards, had no oral testimony in the room during the hearing, but the committee later amended it into a blank appropriations vehicle for the House of Representatives and passed it with amendments. HB 2184, relating to lawmaker safety, drew concerns from the Campaign Spending Commission that the bill would require redaction of address information and could create implementation issues, and the Attorney General noted missing language regarding appointed officials and an internal cross-reference issue. The committee adopted amendments to address those concerns and passed the bill with amendments. HB 2219, relating to disclosure of privileged communications to the Ombudsman, was clarified by the Ombudsman’s office as not requiring disclosure of privileged material, only preserving privilege if such material is voluntarily provided; the bill passed with amendments. HB 2469, relating to a regular session review working group, received testimony from the State Procurement Office, the Legislative Reference Bureau, and others in support and opposition, and the committee passed it with amendments after changing references and funding language.

Transcript Highlights:

• accept the House offer on the budget spreadsheet and propose to bump all unshaded rows, with the exception
• accept the House offer on the budget spreadsheet and propose to bump all unshaded rows, with the exception
• On projects, we accept all shaded rows and propose to bump the unshaded rows, with the exception of lines
• On the back of the bill, we propose to bump unshaded rows, with the exception of line 37.
• On the back of the bill, we propose to bump unshaded rows, with the exception of line 37.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• accept the House offer on the budget spreadsheet and propose to bump all unshaded rows, with the exception
• accept the House offer on the budget spreadsheet and propose to bump all unshaded rows, with the exception
• On projects, we accept all shaded rows and propose to bump the unshaded rows, with the exception of lines
• On the back of the bill, we propose to bump all unshaded rows, with the exception of line 37.
• On the back of the bill, we propose to bump all unshaded rows, with the exception of line 37.

Summary: The Conference Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget and Agriculture, Environment, and General Government met to resolve differences on the budget spreadsheet, projects, back of the bill, proviso, and the implementing bill. The House presented offers on the budget spreadsheet, projects, and back of the bill, including acceptance of certain shaded rows and proposals to bump specified unshaded lines, and also proposed to bump two conforming bills related to fuel taxes and petroleum cleanup programs (SB 250 and HB 5701E). The Senate accepted the House’s offers on the budget spreadsheet, projects, back of the bill, and the conforming bills, while the House then accepted the Senate’s offer on the implementing bill with several lines bumped and accepted Senate proviso offers on selected lines, with the remaining proviso lines bumped. Both chambers ultimately concurred on the remaining bump lists for the proviso and implementing bill, indicating agreement on the conference package. A motion was adopted without objection to allow staff to make technical and conforming adjustments related to the bump process. There was no public comment, no further business, and the meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• These exceptions would all apply to your staff, correct?
• All new hires are limited to 75% of the max of the pay band unless an exception is met.
• Those exceptions, which I do not have directly in front of me at the moment, are exceptional legislative
• I wanted to know a little bit more about this exception. Has that been utilized?
• Which still limits to 75% of maximum, but also provides for exceptions.