Transcript Highlights:

• Raymond: So with reference to... Okay.
• But with reference to existing centers Mr.
• And with reference to quantum, where are you guys?
• Heinz Strader: I think what Dan was referring to is cloud.
• And Pablo even referred to it.

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss data centers and their impact on Texas's energy infrastructure. The meeting featured testimony from key representatives of the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and ERCOT, who outlined the evolving landscape of energy generation and the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data centers. Notably, ERCOT reported over 450,000 MW of generation resources planned for connection, with a significant portion attributed to data centers, which now represent around 87% of new large load interconnection requests. The committee explored proposed changes to the interconnection process, including a new 'batch study' approach aimed at streamlining the approval of multiple projects simultaneously. This change is intended to address the challenges of managing numerous simultaneous requests and to provide more certainty for developers regarding their energy needs. Testimonies emphasized the importance of ensuring that the costs of infrastructure upgrades are borne by the data centers rather than residential ratepayers, with discussions around the financial commitments required from developers. Several data center developers also provided testimony, highlighting the economic benefits of their projects, including job creation and increased local revenues. They expressed concerns about the potential for a moratorium on future growth due to the new interconnection rules and emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address water usage and environmental impacts. The committee plans to continue discussions on these topics in future hearings, with a focus on balancing economic growth with energy reliability and resource management.

Transcript Highlights:

• But with reference to existing centers... Mr.
• And with reference to quantum, where are you guys?
• Heinz Strader: I think what Dan was referring to is cloud.
• That has drawn a lot of data centers to the state historically.
• And Pablo even referred to it.

Transcript Highlights:

• It makes no reference to the U.S. states. Can you clarify for us?
• Representative Almy, the statute you're referring to is RSA Chapter 78-E.
• <03:17:15.520> the subjected to no tax and historically the subjected to no tax and historically
• So is the actual operator take about 30% from historic horse racing?
• racing which is what's makes it historic racing which is what's makes it historic horse<05:19:22.638

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 135, introduced by Representative Michael Harrington. He said the bill would codify a portion of the New Hampshire Constitution to bar New Hampshire businesses from being required to collect sales or use taxes for other states unless Congress mandates it, arguing that the U.S. Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision created an onerous compliance burden for businesses. He described the patchwork of state and local sales tax rules, thresholds, and product exemptions as extremely complex and said the bill was intended to push the issue back toward Congress and the courts. Members questioned whether the bill’s reference to a “foreign government” would apply to other U.S. states, whether the proposal would conflict with the Supremacy Clause, and whether it would create standing for businesses to challenge Wayfair. Harrington responded that “foreign government” meant any government other than New Hampshire, that he believed the state could challenge the decision in court by passing a law contrary to Wayfair, and that businesses were already being harmed by compliance costs. Some members raised concerns about whether the bill was an unfunded mandate or simply a private compliance burden, and Harrington argued that the state itself would not be collecting the taxes, but businesses would still face recordkeeping and administrative costs. Sam Garland of the Department of Justice then testified. He said the department was not taking a formal position on the bill, but offered technical comments. Garland acknowledged that Wayfair created significant compliance burdens and noted that states have become somewhat more uniform, with all states now having a $100,000 economic nexus threshold, though not all use the 200-transaction threshold and local tax variation remains substantial. He said the department’s concerns were legal, describing the issue as uncharted constitutional territory involving both vertical and horizontal federalism. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• renewal of emergency rules for an additional 90 days if the emergency continues to exist, although historically
• renewal of emergency rules for an additional 90 days if the emergency continues to exist, although historically
• implements, requires a technical or substantive update to reflect current use, and requires update references
• Oh, this is a new software you're referring to. This would be going forward, yes, ma'am.
• Okay, so how is there was the new—the chip that you're referring to that's going to be put on all the

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met for its first meeting of the session, took roll, and heard a presentation from Ken Plant of the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee on SB 108, the 2025 law overhauling Florida rulemaking. The presentation focused on new deadlines for agencies to begin and publish rules, limits on automatic sunset provisions, changes to emergency rule procedures, expanded public input on statements of estimated regulatory costs, a five-year review cycle for existing rules, and new licensing-reporting requirements. Members asked about the review timeline and emphasized the need to keep agencies accountable for meeting the new requirements. The committee then reviewed the Department of Management Services’ response to Auditor General Report 2025-1096 on fleet management. DMS said the audit found 10 issues, most of which it believes it has addressed, and described the statewide fleet system as tracking about 27,000 assets with limited staff. DMS highlighted two major improvement ideas that would require funding: an enterprise telematics system to automate vehicle data and improve tracking, and centralized fleet procurement to reduce duplication and save money. Members questioned the status of FleetWave implementation, missing vehicle records, integration with other state systems, and access controls for separated employees. DMS explained that FleetWave is fully implemented but still relies on manual data entry, that discrepancies with the state accounting system largely reflect mismatched or inconsistent entries, and that policies and procedures were updated after the audit. The department said it now works more closely with People First to deactivate access when employees leave. After discussion, no further business was raised, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm gonna let Kathy talk a little bit about the historical.
• And so historically that's not happened.
• I will tell you last year, so we talked about how these facilities historically have run and been self
• Reference, I'm sorry.
• And I think historically, the department rightfully so tried to be all of those things. And so...

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So just so you know, "capitol" with an "O" refers to the building, while "capital" with an "A" refers
• It's historic and iconic in this town. And when I say historic, I mean it.
• Historic—I mean historic.
• In accordance with the historical practice, we're going to take it up in two phases.
• Certainly, National Republicans need no help with all their historic success.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It needs some readjustments, and we're trying to get it back to historic the way it was historically,
• Despite this progress, this The historic investment of the IIJA expires next year.
• For towns like West Point, the IJA will make historic investments possible with funding that respects
• Where bill funding is historic investment in drinking water infrastructure, the needs dwarf the available
• Farm worker communities like those in Pajaro, who can now rebuild their water systems after historic

Keywords: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, water infrastructure, lead service lines, federal reauthorization, sustainability, cybersecurity

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions surrounding the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and its implications for local water systems. Various witnesses highlighted the transformative impact of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has provided an unprecedented amount of funding to help address long-standing issues in drinking water infrastructure, particularly concerning lead service line replacements and sustainability in water management. The discussions emphasized the urgent need for federal reauthorization to continue supporting these initiatives, as many rural and disadvantaged communities still face substantial barriers in upgrading their water systems. Additionally, cybersecurity risks were noted, raising concerns over the vulnerability of water systems across the nation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The newly formed GSA will be able to refer to the previously formed groundwater sustainability plan and
• AB 507, the Office to Housing Conversion Act, will accelerate adaptive reuse projects for historic office
• With construction costs at historic highs, With construction costs at historic highs and continuing to
• My name is Don Gerard, and I'm here on behalf of Santa Monica College, often referred to as SMC.
• investigations to another county's medical examiner, to refer in-custody death medical investigations

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of housing, water, and local finance bills, with the chair repeatedly reminding attendees about hearing rules and noting that several measures were being heard without a quorum at first. Early items included AB 407, which would broaden eligibility for state-run loan and financing programs to help small businesses fund environmental, seismic, and ADA upgrades, and AB 93, which would require data centers to estimate and report water use and follow state best practices. AB 93 drew support from water advocates and local government groups, while the Data Center Coalition opposed it, arguing the bill could be overly restrictive, difficult to retrofit, and raise trade secret or security concerns. The committee also heard AB 650 on housing element review, AB 1044 on creating a new Tulare County groundwater sustainability agency, and AB 523 on allowing proxy voting for single-representative member agencies on the Metropolitan Water District board; all drew broad support from local agencies and related stakeholders and no recorded opposition in the room. Several housing bills were presented as part of a broader fast-track housing package. AB 507 would streamline adaptive reuse of office buildings into housing, especially in downtowns with high vacancy; supporters said it would revive urban cores and help meet housing and climate goals, while the League of California Cities and a few cities opposed it unless amended, citing concerns about one-size-fits-all by-right approval and fee limitations. AB 1294 would create a universal housing application and limit early application requirements; it drew strong support from housing and business groups, with the American Planning Association and League of California Cities seeking more flexibility and input. AB 610 would require local governments to disclose housing constraints in their housing elements and limit new constraints after certification for three years unless disclosed; supporters said it would improve transparency and certainty, while opponents warned it could chill legitimate local policy choices and inclusionary housing requirements. Both AB 610 and AB 698, which would require analysis of the housing and property tax impacts of proposed transfer taxes, were moved out of committee on 7-0 votes after discussion and amendments. The committee also heard AB 1112, which would repeal an outdated Riverside County property tax provision affecting Rancho Mirage; the city argued it was the only qualifying no-low property tax city not receiving the standard minimum and sought equal treatment. After quorum was established, the bill was passed 6-0 with amendments and sent to Appropriations. AB 1021, heard later, would make it easier for school districts and other local education agencies to build employee housing, with the author citing teacher recruitment and retention problems and support from education stakeholders. Throughout the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance housing production, local fiscal tools, and infrastructure needs, and several authors accepted committee amendments and committed to continued negotiations with opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has a reference that we are, I think there's a grant or distribution of money, and if you know what
• Historical comparisons are a little tricky on that part.
• And then IHEs, or institutions of higher education, is a term that's often used to refer to colleges
• It's often used to refer to colleges or universities.
• It refers to the number of teachers who return in a given school year.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee first received a presentation from Legislative Audit on Arkansas Department of Education grant distributions for fiscal year 2025. Auditors explained the report summarizes $4.6 billion in grants to school districts, charter schools, education cooperatives, and other entities, with most funding coming from the Public School Fund and federal sources. Members asked about specific recipients and programs, including ClassWallet, master principal bonuses, Economics Arkansas, and CDC surveillance grants. Department of Education staff clarified that the audit report only shows distributions, not how recipients ultimately used the money, and noted that some funding declines reflected the end of one-time federal COVID relief dollars. Senators also asked about the special-language appropriation for Economics Arkansas and the use of public school fund revenues. The committee then heard a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Consumer Price Index projections from Moody’s Analytics and S&P Global, followed by a detailed adequacy-study update on teacher recruitment, retention, and salaries. The teacher report covered teacher counts, education levels, experience, shortages, preparation pathways, licensure exceptions, survey results, and salary trends. Key findings included about 32,800 teachers statewide in 2025, an average retention rate of 87%, and 30% of surveyed teachers saying they were considering leaving the profession. The report also noted shortages in special education, math, science, and other areas, growth in alternative preparation pathways, and the phaseout of several licensure exceptions under Act 304 of 2025. Members asked extensively about survey methodology, teacher satisfaction, preparation for classroom environment and special education, the cost and return on investment of alternative licensure routes, and whether exit-interview data exists statewide. The presenters said they could follow up on several questions, including details on alternative programs, incentives for ESL and special education endorsements, and comparisons to other surveys. On salaries, the report said the statewide average teacher salary in 2025 was $60,254, with districts averaging slightly higher than charters. Arkansas ranked 45th nationally on average salary in 2025, though 36th when adjusted for cost of living, and average district salaries had declined 8% in inflation-adjusted terms since 2016. Members also discussed the LEARNS Act minimum salary floor of $50,000, salary disparities among districts, and whether the state should focus more on retaining experienced teachers as well as raising starting pay.

Transcript Highlights:

• We used to refer everyone out.
• We understand that there's a lot of barriers to referring people out: lack of transportation, lack of
• So that's the report that she's referring to, and that was clear in the meeting that we had.
• Is it based on services, the quantity of services done last year historically?
• However, there was a lot of discussion in reference to everybody having to use the same one.

Summary: The committee held a panel discussion on Florida’s domestic violence system, focusing on how state and federally funded services are coordinated, the role of the Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence (FPEDV), the Florida Domestic Violence Collaborative, DCF, and certified domestic violence centers. Members reviewed the post-2020 restructuring after the dissolution of FCADV, the current hotline, legal services, training, and technical assistance contracts, and the Legislature’s recent work on lethality assessments under SB 1224. Panelists also described prevention, shelter, counseling, child advocacy, and legal support services, along with the statewide network of 41 certified centers serving all 67 counties. Testimony highlighted both collaboration and tension. FPEDV and Women in Distress described overlapping training and technical assistance roles, but FPEDV said its relationship with DCF has been difficult and at times obstructive, while DCF said communication and coordination are ongoing. Women in Distress and other providers emphasized the importance of direct services, the statewide hotline, injunction assistance, child welfare co-located advocates, and prevention programs. Several members asked about funding flows, certification, and whether the current structure is sufficient for rural counties; witnesses said federal FVPSA funds are formula-based, DCF contracts directly with centers, and rural programs face staffing and fundraising challenges that limit beds and services. A major portion of the discussion centered on the lethality assessment work group and implementation of the new statewide tool. FDLE explained that the work group concluded the Maryland model was copyrighted and costly to replicate exactly, so Florida adopted a statutory assessment that is not evidence-based in the same way, with training available online and 46 of about 400 law enforcement agencies having completed it so far. Senators raised concerns about multiple assessments, redacted police reports, and whether the tool will be useful without better coordination and data collection. Witnesses also discussed rising domestic violence, teen dating violence, and strangulation cases, with providers reporting increased demand, full shelters, and greater use of hotels and mobile crisis responses. No formal votes or actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so with that, I move this bill in front of the committee, and I move to re-refer House Bill 1143
• The motion prevails, and House File 1143 is re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
• The scale and the impact of this housing are historically unique when discussing funding for affordable
• I am also a proud historic Rondo descendant. The bill is important for two reasons.
• Remember to renumber the sections in sequence and correct the internal references.

Bills: HF1143, HF1548, HF1340, HF2549, HF2559, HF1673, HF2740, HF2507, HF2461, HF2381, HF2695

Keywords: education funding, unemployment aid, special education, Minnesota statutes, appropriations, housing, redevelopment, local government, trust funds, community development, HF1340, housing infrastructure bonds, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, affordable housing, supportive housing, permanent housing, adaptive reuse, area median income, AMI

Transcript Highlights:

• It deletes obsolete language and updates cross-references and corrects grammatical and typographical
• We are fixing bad federal law references.
• Historically, the data has been collected and maintained in a way difficult to analyze.
• The bill enhances transparency by requiring materials incorporated in the rulemaking by reference to
• Agencies limiting changes to documents incorporated by reference must use underlining of new text and

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We say beds because that's the reference to them being in licensed communities, and units obviously are
• However, historically, we have seen that the average number of hours per case has consistently grown
• We're happy to provide... ...displays within our local assistance binder in our reference documents.
• I refer to them as the three gems of the housing program.
• In Santa Clara County, the Home Safe Program has served nearly 400 APS-referred older adults.

Summary: The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk. The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care. The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 1842 as amended is recommended to pass and re-referred to the Education Finance Committee
• to the education finance re-refer to the education finance committee<00:08:03.800> all<00:08:
• Senate File 1842 as amended is recommended to pass and re-referred to the Education Finance Committee
• We've also referred them to online personal fitness, walking, photography, canoeing, and yoga.
• Johnson Stewart. we've also referred them to online we've also referred them to online personal<00:24

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:18:46.240> with<00:18:46.400> the historically what we've seen with the historically
• So that whatever historical Excuse me.
• >> Do you historically know how difficult that was?
• to this as being a you also referred to this as being a Christian<02:43:27.200> nation.
• That's historical precedent. So, that allayed all my concerns.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had a very passive recreation program historically, but we're really pushing forward now to attract
• state parks, all are also responsible for managing cultural resources that are on our Florida's historic
• These resources include historic structures and archaeological sites, monitoring the condition of these
• The historic structures in sure that these treasures of Florida's past reserved for the future, a good
• I know you reference future budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• Historically, looking at the necessity of vaccines, it's been around stopping the transmission of the
• Historically, looking at the necessity of vaccines, it's been around stopping the transmission of the
• Historically, looking at the necessity of vaccines, it's been around stopping the transmission of the
• Just a point of clarification: part of the amendment refers to life-threatening, and other parts refer
• <01:51:33.840> to Amendment refers to Amendment refers to life-threatening<01:51:36.560>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, I renew the motion that HF 2296, as amended, be referred to the Committee on Judiciary
• be referred to the committee<00:06:21.960> on<00:06:22.080> Judiciary<00:06:22.680>
• to the Judiciary as amended is referred to the Judiciary on<00:06:33.240> uh<00:06:33.319>
• You'll also see that nearly 50% of callers are actually from historically excluded communities.
• callers are actually from historically callers are actually from historically excluded<01:42:00.800

Bills: HF2296, HF1566, HF1854, HF1385, HF1142

Keywords: landlord-tenant, victim confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, tenant privacy, housing law, eviction, unpaid rent, damages, release of information, shared database, protective order, victim of violence, Minnesota Statutes 504B.206, housing finance, civil law, autism, rental properties, reasonable accommodation

Transcript Highlights:

• For the committee's reference, I provided a couple of handouts for you.
• And then you refer to a quarantine area. So I assume we've had a quarantine area for decades.
• It’s to return it to the quarantine zone based on historical efforts.”
• I won't spend much time on this, but it's there for reference or questions later.
• SB 7, I'm sorry, for the historic investment in the state's water resources.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is being referred to the Committee on Health, Finance, and Policy.
• > the<00:12:24.160> Committee bill's being referred to the Committee bill's being referred
• now on the general register, be referred now on the general register, be referred to<00:12:39.120
• This is my motion to refer this bill.
• Finance and Policy and be re-referred to Finance and Policy and be re-referred to the<00:42:46.280>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the previous day’s journal. The chamber received Senate messages announcing a joint convention for the governor’s message and transmitting Senate Files 1251, 3769, and 3868. The House also introduced House Files 4868 through 4933 and adopted committee reports and comparison report motions without objection. The Rules Committee placed several bills on the calendar and required pre-filing of amendments for specified measures. On the calendar, the House passed Senate File 3602, which enacts the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act and expands electronic signing to estate planning documents beyond wills. Supporters said it would help people who are homebound, hospitalized, or in rural areas and reduce uncertainty for banks and hospitals about electronically signed powers of attorney and health care directives. The bill passed 134-0. The House also passed House File 3516, a Board of Dentistry policy bill that updates licensure language, allows retired dentists to serve low-income uninsured patients, and increases the number of dental hygienists a dentist may collaborate with from four to eight; it passed 134-0. The House then passed House File 3528, a technical barbering bill that reduces training and retesting burdens, gives the board more testing flexibility, repeals duplicative rules, clarifies that waxing is not barbering, and makes other fee and registration changes; it passed 134-0. House File 3718, updating veterinary medicine and veterinary technology statutes, was amended to restore board seal language and then passed 134-0 as amended. Supporters said it modernizes definitions and standards, recognizes licensed veterinary technicians, and may help address veterinary shortages, especially in greater Minnesota. Finally, the House passed Senate File 3402, which broadens who may serve as a medical consultant for Community Health Boards to include additional licensed professionals such as DOs, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses; it passed 134-0. The chamber also considered several motions to move bills between committees, including referrals involving veterans, education, health, and psilocybin-related legislation. A motion to suspend the rules for House File 4487 was presented, and the bill was described as providing a one-time $1 billion property tax rebate or credit, but the transcript cuts off during extended debate on that motion before any final disposition is shown.