Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that's the trade-off here. There are pros and cons to both approaches.
• </c> &gt;&gt; And I and I think that's the trade-off &gt;&gt; And I and I think that's the trade-off
• The point I'm trying to make is that this system inevitably is unfair because some districts are really
• The point I'm trying to make is that this system inevitably is unfair because some districts are really
• is unfair because some districts<00:44:40.640><c> are</c><00:44:41.119><c> really</c><00:44:41.440><

Summary: The subcommittee began its first meeting on retained education funding bills, focusing on HB 366, which concerns school building aid for eligible projects, and HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing. The chair framed the discussion around broader questions about how school building aid should work, noting the state’s limited available funding, the existing debt service obligations, and whether the current formula should continue or be changed. He also raised concerns about the state’s overall revenue constraints and the need to consider renovation, new construction, and possibly leasing within any future program. Members and the Department of Education representative discussed whether school building aid is a state or local responsibility, the current backlog of projects, and the condition of school facilities statewide. Tim Carney of the Bureau of School Facilities described his background and answered technical questions about current programs. Representative Luno argued that under the ConVal decision the state has responsibility for school buildings, including construction and renovation, and that the program also serves an equity function by helping districts with less property-tax capacity. Representative Papich urged the committee to focus on policy structure and fairness rather than just available dollars, saying the current system creates winners and losers and suggesting a simpler per-capita or similar allocation model, while acknowledging a possible transition for projects already in the pipeline. The discussion also covered CTE facilities and leasing. Carney explained that charter schools, and possibly CTE centers, can receive limited leasing aid, and that CTE capital requests are funded through a state capital process, while federal Carl Perkins funds cannot be used for construction. He and others described a separate rotational funding approach for CTE centers, but several members said that model can leave programs waiting too long and may not match changing workforce needs. The chair and others noted that a report from a related study group on CTE policy and funding was still pending, and that its absence could affect legislation for FY28. No votes were taken and no bill was acted on in the portion of the meeting provided; the discussion ended with interest in modeling alternatives, reviewing the waiting list, and examining the tradeoffs of reducing upfront state aid versus funding more projects overall.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as you turn to state in the trades.
• </c><01:24:00.719><c> An</c> magazines focused on the trades. An magazines focused on the trades.
• </c><01:32:26.800><c> level</c> related to unique on a practical level related to unique on a practical
• I think that would be an unfair statement.
• </c><02:38:09.680><c> nothing</c> costs, which leaves practically nothing costs, which leaves practically

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• very clearly practicing law when you're helping people prepare legal forms, that is practice of law on
• Concerns about fraudulent practices, unethical practices, such as those raised in lawsuits, this bill
• We obviously don't want unauthorized practice of law.
• They found that we did not practice law.
• That's the practice of law under Arizona.

Bills: SB1003 , SB1060 , SB1134 , SB1275 , SB1327 , SB1429 , SB1618 , SB1634 , SB1654 , SB1803 , SCR1002 , SCR1005 , SCR1023 , SCR1027

Committee: House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• So the map that we are presenting here today, real quick, as a practical matter, when I refer to the
• That's part of the trade-off that kind of happens with that throughout the map when you're trying to
• That's not just unfair, it's unconstitutional, and exactly what Florida voters banned.
• You must have been practicing. You're recognized. Hello, Aureli Kolodaghis, SPLC.
• These amendments prevent illegal and unfair gerrymandering for parties or incumbents.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• The other piece of the bill that I have committed to work on is crafting a series of best practices that
• framed in a way to accelerate station construction by streamlining the judicial process, but in practice
• , it will actually do the opposite, especially Judicial process, but in practice, it will actually do
• Okay, Mike West for the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, in support.
• Hiring practices go far beyond accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, and include

Committee: House Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• requires direct payments to tribal nations and urban Indian communities for traditional healing practices
• This proposal aligns oversight with national best practices and ensures recovery residences have access
• I'm the Executive Director of MARCH, a statewide trade association.
• There's been recent discussions about anti-kickback considerations related to such practices.
• The County Caution of Rate Exceptions may lead to unfair and unequal cuts depending on where a person

Bills: HF2434

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• for our local independent pharmacies such as Norman's Pharmacy in Brenham. and they're putting up unfair
• We're protecting healthy business practices. ensuring patient choice of who their health care providers
• You've got to look to the practical, front-facing applications. of these processes so if the goal is
• I worry a little bit more about just the practical application especially.
• That the developers are saying they don't have a practical way to to absorb the fees.

Bills: SB502 , SB513 , SB622 , SB670 , SB731 , SB732 , SB916 , SB961 , SB1122

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm in strong support of this bill, um, mostly for practical terms.
• </c> of this bill um mostly for practical of this bill um mostly for practical terms<00:21:39.960><c>
• And so it creates an unfair and inconsistent tax system with the $20 surcharge.
• And so it creates an unfair and inconsistent tax system with the $20 surcharge.
• And so it creates an unfair and inconsistent tax system with the $20 surcharge.

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Committee on Water and Land heard HB 504, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by imposing a $20 nightly charge on stays booked with points, miles, or other rewards-program benefits, with revenues dedicated to DLNR for natural resource protection, management, and restoration. Supporters said Hawaiʻi faces major environmental funding shortfalls and that visitors should help pay for the lands and waters they enjoy. Testimony in support came from DLNR, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Care for Now Coalition, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Hawaiʻi Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Kuaʻulu, Mālama Puka, Resources Legacy Fund, and others, many citing visitor polling showing strong support for an environmental stewardship fee and the need for a dedicated funding source and community grants. Opposition or caution focused mainly on implementation and the tax structure. The Department of Taxation said the surcharge would create administrative difficulties because it would be hard to verify the value of points, miles, and similar bookings, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi said it supported the policy goal but not the funding source, warning that tourists have limited budgets and may choose other destinations. Some members also raised concerns about the $20 rate and administrative complexity, while others said the concept was creative but needed refinement. After discussion, the chair recommended passing HB 504 as HD1 with amendments, including noting DoTax’s concerns and changing the effective date for the surcharge to January 1, 2027. Both committees adopted the recommendation and passed the bill with amendments; one member in Water and Land voted with reservations, and several members were excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• already struggling with economic challenges, requiring families to provide technology creates an unfair
• already struggling with economic challenges, requiring families to provide technology creates an unfair
• It's been inherently unfair to students, teachers, and schools to hold them accountable for knowing 100%
• Members, the antiquated practice of springing forward and falling back and changing our clocks twice
• Donald Trump ran on putting America first and making sure our citizens stop getting messed over by trade

Bills: HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB 124 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB1587 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , HB39 , HB 102 , HB 126 , HB290 , HB300 , HB2143 , HJR2 , HB147 , HJR6 , HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB 124 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB1587 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , SB1

Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledges, and several ceremonial recognitions, including Wilson County Day, San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants Day, and Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, along with acknowledgments of visiting groups and a birthday greeting. The chamber also announced committee meetings and then moved into floor business, including conference committee action on Senate Bill 1, the state budget. A series of motions to instruct House conferees on SB 1 were debated and voted on. One motion sought to restore salary for Attorney General Ken Paxton after his impeachment-related suspension; it passed 88-56. Another, from Rep. Olcott, directed conferees to support amendments requiring data collection on the costs of undocumented immigrants in hospitals and prisons; after extended debate and a failed amendment from Rep. Martinez Fischer to also study immigrants’ economic contributions, the motion passed 86-61. The House also adopted instructions to eliminate Texas Lottery Commission funding, to support amendments restricting public education institutions from affirming gender identities inconsistent with biological sex, and to seek an additional $4 billion in property tax relief, with each motion passing on recorded votes. The House then took up a supplemental calendar and passed several bills, including HB 39 on veteran death data, HB 102 on priority registration for certain students entering military service, HB 126 on student-athlete compensation and representation, HB 290 on tuition and fee assistance for members of the Texas military forces, HB 300 on Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program updates, and HB 2143 naming a highway in honor of Army Specialist Joey Lins. The chamber also postponed consideration of HJR 2 and HJR 6. Later, the House considered HB 120 on career and technology education pathways and HB 20 on applied science pathway programs for high school students. HB 120 received a perfecting amendment and was advanced after discussion about workforce preparation. HB 20 prompted extensive questioning about transportation, costs, and how students would access partner campuses such as community colleges and TSTC sites; debate continued as the transcript ended, with members examining how the program would operate and whether approval authority would rest with TEA.

Transcript Highlights:

• Really maintaining this practice of legacy admissions while prohibiting institutions from practicing
• </c><00:19:39.120><c> affirmative</c> institutions from practicing affirmative institutions from practicing
• admissions practices.
• </c><00:29:31.799><c> um</c> we're not subsidizing any unfair um we're not subsidizing any unfair um
• </c> institution are just particularly unfair institution are just particularly unfair I'd<00:31:33.120

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Metro and Keith Dunn from the building trades.
• In practice, this linkage is creating opposition to transit capital projects themselves.
• In practice, this linkage is creating opposition to transit capital projects themselves.
• Keith Dunn here on behalf of the State Building and Construction Trades Council.
• Maybe that should just become kind of standard practice for management.

Committee: Senate Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I think that the trade-off is pretty good.
• So, I think that the trade-off is pretty good.
• </c><00:56:44.840><c> that</c> arrange for agricultural practices that arrange for agricultural practices
• and um, good practices in in um, um, um, in<00:57:22.240><c> trade</c><00:57:23.440><c> um,</c><00:57
• </c> already happening in practice. already happening in practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've practiced pharmacy for 60 years. I retired two and a half years ago.
• This is totally unfair.
• My story is unique in that I'm not from our great state, but I decided to practice here after falling
• Unfair reimbursement and... ...few minutes.
• Unfair reimbursement and lack of transparency has forced many pharmacies in our state to close their

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> not practical and we understand that. not practical and we understand that.
• </c> employer control over my tips is unfair. employer control over my tips is unfair.
• That is unfair.
• If that happens, that is unfair.
• </c> our hiring practices, our policies, etc. our hiring practices, our policies, etc.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• trade practices.
• This is only an unreasonable restriction on free trade. Thank you, sir. Good to begin, please.
• I've been practicing liquor law for about 30 years.
• I've been practicing liquor law for about 30 years.
• It's a known pattern of practice.

Bills: HB45 , SB1540 , SB2225 , SB2284 , SB2382 , SB2487 , SB2514 , SB2595 , SB2876 , SB2877 , SB3031 , SB2753

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 30 and then voted to report the substituted bill favorably to the full Senate; the roll call showed six ayes and one nay, with later unanimous-consent corrections noted for additional aye votes. The committee also reported Senate Bill 801 favorably to the full Senate by an eight-to-one vote. Both bills were left with no further action in the meeting after the votes. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2595 by Senator Middleton and Senate Bill 2876 by Chairman Hughes, both aimed at addressing masked harassment and riot-related conduct. Supporters said the bills would deter intimidation, protect public order, and respond to recent protests and anti-Semitic incidents, while opponents from civil rights, disability, and advocacy groups argued the measures were overly broad, could chill peaceful protest, and would burden people who wear masks for religious, medical, or disability-related reasons. Public testimony was taken on both bills, and both were left pending after testimony closed. Senate Bill 2753, by Senator Hall, proposed consolidating early voting and election day into a single continuous in-person voting period with common procedures and equipment, while preserving countywide voting and mail voting. The Secretary of State’s office said the bill could improve ballot secrecy and simplify administration, though witnesses raised concerns about ballot privacy, logistics, and access for disabled voters; some county election officials were neutral or supportive of the concept, while others opposed it as confusing or potentially burdensome. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2225 on allowing spirit-based ready-to-drink beverages to be sold in grocery and convenience stores, with supporters arguing the law should focus on alcohol content rather than the source of the alcohol and that the bill would modernize an outdated code. Later, Senate Bill 1540, which would add election officials and related workers to confidentiality protections, drew support from county election officials who described threats and harassment, though one witness suggested the bill’s language may need technical adjustment to better match its intent. Finally, Senate Bill 2382, concerning statewide voter registration systems and offline counties, drew opposition from county election administrators and vendors who warned about capacity, cybersecurity, and single-point-of-failure risks, while others suggested a phased approach or API-based integration; the transcript ends with testimony still open on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The practical effect is clear.
• Mahalo for this time, Madam Speaker. practical effect is clear. Units practical effect is clear.
• </c> projects and income to an unfair projects and income to an unfair competitor.<01:40:58.080><c> And
• ,</c> bill is a student- centered, practical, bill is a student- centered, practical, and<03:18:55.600
• Residents are worth the trade-off.

Transcript Highlights:

• practices practices we<01:39:23.960><c> can</c> we can we can achieve<01:39:26.239><c> union</c><01:
• We had the trade unions coming in.
• We had the trade unions coming in.
• You have a trade, a skill that's in demand.
• You have a trade, a skill that's in demand.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:

• to provide the general law regarding how the assessed property moves between different assessment practices
• one of the original supporters of reducing the tax on leases, and we, it's a tax on tax, it's an unfair
• Certainly, I know the President is trying to fix a great deal of trade imbalances and also correct a

Committee: Senate Finance and Tax

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met and first heard SB 674, which would allow county property appraisers, like tax collectors already can, to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses if approved in their Department of Revenue budget. Support came from property appraiser representatives, who said the bill would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SJR 318, a proposed constitutional amendment on tangible personal property used on agricultural land, along with an amendment clarifying the exemption’s scope and allowing the Legislature to set conditions by general law. Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the joint resolution favorably. Members also took up CS for SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval of local discretionary taxes when they expire; an amendment changed the bill to require expiration dates and tied reapproval to tax expiration rather than a fixed eight-year cycle. Local government and tourism groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, transportation surtaxes, beaches funding, and long-term financing, while supporters argued voters should periodically affirm local taxes. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill SB 1512, both dealing with a homestead-style property tax benefit for certain long-term leased residential properties. After multiple amendments narrowed the proposal substantially, limiting it to one qualifying property and then to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominium units, counties and cities still opposed the measures as a tax shift to other taxpayers. The sponsor said the changes reduced the scope and fiscal impact, and both measures were reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions, multiple tax holidays, motor vehicle fee reductions, a property tax study, rural investment tax credits, a freeze on local communications services tax rates, and other tax changes, with an estimated $2.1 billion revenue reduction. Testimony was mixed: property appraisers supported the property tax study, while many public commenters opposed the firearm and ammunition tax holiday and urged inclusion of gun safes and locks instead. County, city, tourism, and lodging representatives raised concerns about tourist development tax limits and other local revenue impacts, while supporters emphasized tax relief and the study’s value. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7034 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Investments were made based on current rules; it is unfair to change that contract.
• <00:28:47.480><c> to</c><00:28:47.640><c> change</c><00:28:48.080><c> that</c> unfair to change that
• unfair to change that contract<00:28:49.880><c> finally</c><00:28:50.320><c> rural</c><00:28:50.720><
• Advantage I would ask that you unfair Advantage I would ask that you put<00:29:11.279><c> aside</c><
• This would take us out of alignment with existing engineering practice, with hundreds and hundreds of

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, very important: it is the practice of this committee to limit testimony to two minutes per person
• It is also the practice of this committee, and most committees, to recognize and take out of turn elected
• We also used circle practice for support, to celebrate, and even to grieve.
• So this is a practical bill using performance benchmarks to reverse excess tech and limit harm.
• I want to draw your attention to a phenomenon known as the research-to-practice gap.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on 41 bills related to school climate and safety, with chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlining procedures and noting more than 125 witnesses. The first major topic was the “Study Act” on cell phones in schools and related social media restrictions (House 666/Senate 335). Secretary of Education Pat Tutwiler and Attorney General Andrea Campbell testified in strong support, arguing that bell-to-bell phone-free policies would improve student focus, reduce anxiety and distraction, and support mental health. Several legislators also supported the approach, though Representative Jeff Turco and Senator John Keenan emphasized narrower bills focused only on school-day phone restrictions rather than broader social media regulation. Senator John Velis likewise backed a comprehensive school-hours restriction, citing student distraction and mental health concerns. Representative Tarsky described successful implementation of a Yondr pouch system in a school where he served as principal, saying it improved engagement and reduced bullying and discipline issues. The committee then heard testimony on a bill to prohibit Native American mascots in public schools (Senate 312/House 575). Senator Joe Comerford, Brittany Wally, and Rhonda Anderson all urged passage, saying Native mascots are dehumanizing, harmful to Native youth, and inconsistent with civil rights and educational values. They described support from tribal nations and noted that many Massachusetts schools have already changed mascots, but some still resist. The hearing also included testimony on school start times (House 647/Senate 360), where middle school students Caroline Duffy and Emery Jarvis described exhaustion and survey data showing widespread sleep deprivation. Former educator Telia Jacobs, former principal Rep. Tarsky, and others argued that later start times would improve health, learning, and student well-being, while acknowledging transportation and scheduling challenges. Zoriana Petrosian, who helped write one of the bills as a student, said the state already has enough research to act now. Additional bills drew testimony on related school issues. Dr. Raul Fernandez supported a bill promoting racially integrated schools (Senate 324), citing a recent advisory council report showing large disparities in segregated schools and urging DESE to develop a statewide integration strategy. On safe firearm storage education (House 548/Senate 397), multiple witnesses from Grassroots for Gun Violence Prevention and school communities supported annual school-based education about secure storage, saying it would help prevent child access to unsecured firearms and build on local resolutions already adopted in some districts. The committee also heard testimony on bills to expand career and academic plans (House 533/Senate 438), with speakers saying more structured planning would help students make informed college and career choices. Later, testimony on child sexual abuse prevention and survivor support bills described the prevalence of abuse, the need for training in schools and youth-serving organizations, and the importance of extending compensation and prevention measures. Throughout the hearing, chairs repeatedly closed bills with no witnesses and moved the agenda forward, but no votes were taken in the portion of the transcript provided.