Transcript Highlights:

• Executive Officer, Early Learning, and support. Thank you, Vice Chair, talking. Okay.
• I'm the executive director of Teacher Lounge.
• Craig Nakamoto, Executive Director, ...
• Backwards Executive Director for the Hawaiʻi State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
• Additional testimony in support from the Executive Office on Early Learning.

Bills: HCR93, HCR14, HR85

Keywords: image-based sexual abuse, working group, gender-based violence, Hawaii Commission on the Status of Women, prevention efforts, survivor protections, new technologies, legal reform, HCR14, House Concurrent Resolution, perpetual easement, non-exclusive easement, state submerged lands, submerged lands, shoreline easement, drainage outfall, stormwater outfall, lagoon outfall, pipelines, Kahala Hotel & Resort

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Angie Mercado, the executive director of the White State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
• I attached the executive summary from that report in my testimony.
• priorities in the executive budget. priorities in the executive budget.
• I know we do look at the executive budget very closely.
• at the executive budget very closely. at the executive budget very closely.

Bills: HB1518, HB1699, HB1747, HB1705, HB1565, HB1801, HB1645, HB2115, HB2114

Keywords: HB1518, Hawaii SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food stamps, Department of Human Services, DHS, pre-release SNAP, pre-release application process, incarcerated individuals, prisoner reentry, reentry services, formerly incarcerated, jail release, prison release, recidivism, food security, benefits eligibility, controlled substance felony, drug felony, drug conviction

Summary: The committee opened its first meeting of the 2020 session and heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 1518, which would allow people incarcerated and nearing release to apply for SNAP benefits before release. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Human Services said they support the bill and are already piloting a pre-release application process at two facilities, with plans to expand it. The Attorney General’s Office supported the intent but noted a technical issue: one section of the bill appears to affect TANF as well as SNAP, while the title refers only to SNAP. A wide range of advocates, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Hunger Action Network, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, ACLU of Hawaii, and others, testified in strong support, emphasizing food insecurity after release, reentry stability, and reduced recidivism. The committee did not take a vote during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 1747, which would direct the Department of Human Services to seek federal waivers or extensions related to restricting certain SNAP purchases, including sugary drinks. DHS said it had already been approved for a narrow demonstration waiver and was working with retailers on implementation, with a target date of August 1. Supporters of the measure argued it would promote healthier choices, while opponents, including Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, said such restrictions are ineffective, stigmatize low-income residents, create burdens for retailers and DHS, and may be difficult to implement. Members asked DHS to clarify the scope of the waiver and confirmed it applies to sugary drinks and beverages containing more than 10 grams of sugar. Finally, the committee took up HB 1705, which would allow licensed mental health counselors to serve as child custody evaluators, but there was no testimony from the relevant agencies and the item was quickly set aside. The committee also heard HB 1565, which would establish a judiciary working group to improve family court processes and legal representation for youth in the child welfare system. The Attorney General’s Office offered minor technical amendments, and supporters from the Office of Wellness and Resilience, High Hopes Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and a social work student described the need for legal representation, citing better reunification and stability outcomes and the importance of youth voice in court proceedings. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• responsibility since I've been executive responsibility since I've been executive director<00:32
• So, I'm not been executive director.
• We need to move along quickly. the executive branch and the legislative the executive branch and the
• She's our deputy executive director for finance and administration.
• ><00:43:20.240> finance deputy executive director for finance deputy executive director for finance

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 28 January, 2026; 8:15 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation from the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), including its consolidated tourism and agency request. MDA said it has had strong recent results, citing about $65 billion in capital investment since 2020, roughly 25,000 jobs, record tourism, clean audits, and oversubscribed incentive programs. For FY27, the agency requested $26.4 million in general funds, level special-fund operating support, restoration of eight pins reduced in the LBR process, and several general-fund increases for a career ladder, a new HR system, training, and operating costs. MDA also discussed a $1.25 million request for America 250 activities, including a Mississippi event and participation in the National Mall “Great America State Fair,” plus an energy accelerator program tied to the governor’s energy initiative and a broader three-tier energy preparedness strategy. MDA also explained its incentive refill requests, saying it was not seeking additional funding for the ACE grant program this year and had shifted that support toward the governor’s port/rail/road investment fund and energy-ready sites. The agency highlighted a renewed request to restart funding for the small municipal and limited population counties grant program, which it said had previously helped smaller communities with water, sewer, downtown, and other projects. On tourism, MDA presented a breakout showing what the budget would look like if tourism were separated into its own department; officials said the current tourism budget within MDA is about $5.7 million in general funds and $7.9 million total, and estimated about $1.3 million in additional cost would be needed to stand up a separate tourism agency. A significant portion of the discussion focused on criticism from Senator Wiggins that MDA has not delivered enough economic development for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He argued that constituents believe MDA does little for the coast and objected to the agency’s role in the GCRF and coastal projects, saying the coast has not seen meaningful results in years. MDA officials responded that complaints about uneven distribution are common across the state, that MDA works with local economic development partners rather than dictating project locations, and that it has helped support major coastal projects such as Relativity Space, Lockheed Martin expansions, PCC Gulf Chem, BWC Terminals, and AWS. The exchange also touched on the Port of Pascagoula and local leadership disputes, with both sides disagreeing over whether the port and the coast have been adequately supported. No votes or formal actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm making a motion to go into executive session. All in favor of the motion?
• allow remote voting for executive allow remote voting for executive sessions<01:17:04.800> or
• c> of<01:29:22.320> the record, executive director of the record, executive director of the
• the executive director. Thank you, sir. the executive director. Thank you, sir.
• Unless there was executive section.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a true cleanup bill for the HHSC Executive Council, and I move passage.
• This is a true cleanup bill for the HHSC Executive Council, and I move passage.
• This is a true cleanup bill for the HHSC Executive Council and move passage.
• Executive Council and move passage. Question occurs on final passage. Record vote.
• They may not participate in any closed or executive sessions of the board.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation and pledges, received Senate messages, and adopted several procedural motions allowing committees to meet during the session and postponing or scheduling certain committee hearings. Members also observed a memorial recognition for Wood County Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard, who died in the line of duty, and adopted a resolution honoring her service. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 897 recognizing May 6, 2025 as Golf Day in Texas and House Resolution 1063 recognizing Dallas Housing Coalition Advocacy Day; additional recognitions highlighted Mental Health Awareness Month and tardive dyskinesia awareness, The Woodlands’ 50th anniversary, Alzheimer’s advocacy, student athlete Gator Young, an intern in Rep. Leo-Wilson’s office, and educator Jessica Lopez. The House spent much of the day on third-reading consideration of a long calendar of bills. Among the measures passed were HB 24 on zoning protest procedures, HB 3800 creating a health care workforce advisory board, HB 42 on higher education appropriations, HB 129 restricting contracts with foreign adversary companies, HB 677 on county elections administrator political activity, HB 668 on license-to-carry renewal procedures, HB 2128 directing a rural firefighting study, HB 2038 expanding physician licensing options, HB 2316 on election result reporting, HB 3686 on retired peace officer ID cards, HB 2563 creating a prescribed burn manager self-insurance pool, HB 1160 increasing penalties for assaults on utility workers, HB 3883 on major events funding, HB 2788 protecting fraud-detection information, HB 2663 on inactive well plugging extensions, HB 3305 extending a county health provider participation program, HB 3474 on pension reporting, HB 1105 expanding tuition exemptions for certain paramedics, HB 3490 on closed meetings with internal auditors, HB 3597 on child care facility notice thresholds, HB 1295 on health literacy planning, HB 3512 on AI training for government employees, HB 3783 on court-ordered counseling, HB 2017 on intoxication manslaughter penalties, HB 3010 on rural disaster recovery, HB 3112 on cybersecurity-related public information and meetings, HB 4215 on delivery network companies, HB 3223 on construction claims limitation periods, HB 3464 on controlled substances in correctional facilities, HB 3120 on residential child detention facilities, HB 4214 on public information, HB 481 on trade secret sealing, HB 4783 on opioid antagonist program reporting, HB 4063 on unilateral memoranda of contract, HB 2783 on county employee deferred compensation, HB 5085 on seed banks, HB 2510 on assisted living facility operations, HB 3426 on digital driver’s licenses, HB 4361 on emergency notifications at higher education institutions, HB 1169 on oil and gas infrastructure protection, HB 2516 on Medicare supplement eligibility for Texans under 65, HB 3560 on hospital staff background checks, HB 3860 on occupational licenses for inmates, HB 3146 on SOAH hearings, HB 184 on loan repayment for border prosecution attorneys, HB 198 on firefighter cancer screenings, HB 247 on border security infrastructure taxation, HB 367 on excused absences for students with severe illnesses, HB 449 on deepfake sexually explicit images, HB 1778 on human trafficking and related offenses, HB 514 on maternal health workforce outreach, HB 632 on pharmacy regulation, HB 2582 on victim parole information, HB 766 on precinct chair ballot applications, HB 2715 on suspension/removal of officials, HB 2712 on water and sewer utility test years, HB 3069 on transmission projects, HB 3505 on health provider participation districts, HB 1269 on plant disease and pest prevention grants, HB 4224 on access to health care records, HB 5032 on historical documents in the Capitol complex, HB 2240 on void marriages, HB 5180 on diploma designation, HB 3348 on health provider participation programs, HB 4668 on PUC authority to retain assistance, HB 4665 on child care training providers, HB 3395 on beneficiary designation for manufactured homes, HB 3157 on interim electric utility rates, HB 4395 on electronic submission of public securities records, HB 4325 on bribery civil penalties, HB 4386 on annuity replacement transactions, HB 4273 on Medicaid fraud-related unlawful acts, HB 2760 on judicial review of unemployment decisions, HB 2820 on charitable bingo operating capital, HB 1828 on legislative leave for correctional officers, and a series of Senate bills including SB 2349, SB 1268, SB 610, SB 1577, SB 1369, SB 2032, SB 1057, SB 1044, SB 922, SB 1759, SB 1143, SB 1506, SB 1403, SB 2361, SB 870, SB 372, and SB 72. Several bills drew debate or amendments, including HB 24, where a germane point of order was sustained against an amendment, and HB 198, HB 3348, and SB 2361, which were amended before passage. Most measures passed by wide margins, though some drew notable opposition, including HB 3883, HB 514, HB 1295, HB 184, SB 1143, and others. The House also postponed further consideration of HB 4700 until the end of the day and HB 24 until 1 p.m., and it granted permission for committees to meet during the House session and for the Calendars Committee to meet that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• > of Peterson, executive director of Peterson, executive director of Coalition<00:48:06.000>
• on deck, Wanda Schroeder, executive on deck, Wanda Schroeder, executive director<01:08:59.839>
• 27.600> Central<01:11:28.000> Minnesota executive director for Central Minnesota executive
• > of<01:11:37.440> the I'm the executive director of the I'm the executive director of
• ><01:13:28.159> Housing executive director of Minnesota Housing executive director of Minnesota

Bills: HF3902, HF3895

Keywords: housing tax credit, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, qualified projects, taxpayer contributions, greater Minnesota, zoning, housing, local government, multifamily development, affordable housing, land use, urban development, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to make a motion for Action to recognize the appointment of Denita Kiten as assistant executive
• , 2025, and salary at $90,000 per year, and to recognize the appointment of Lorie Smither as the executive
• appointment of March 16, 2025, and a salary of $80,000 per year, an adjustment to the salary of the executive
• appointment of March 16, 2025, and a salary of $80,000 per year, an adjustment to the salary of the executive

Keywords: Part three will take place after the second executive session, 958, all

Summary: The committee took up a personnel action package. A motion was made and approved to recognize the appointments of Denita Kiten as assistant executive director, effective March 16, 2025, at a salary of $90,000 per year, and Lorie Smither as executive assistant to the commission, effective March 16, 2025, at a salary of $80,000 per year. The motion also included increasing the executive director’s salary to $135,000 effective March 16, 2025. In the same motion, the committee approved the part-time employment of John Scott as fiscal officer to assist with budget preparation and review at a rate of $50 per hour beginning April 1, 2025. The motion was seconded, there was no discussion, and it passed by voice vote. The meeting then moved to adjournment. A motion to adjourn was made and seconded, and the committee voted to adjourn, with the next meeting tentatively discussed as April 8 but ultimately left without a firm date.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2011, I became the Executive Director.
• We started our relationship at PERA when I was Executive Director, and as he just mentioned, as Deputy
• I'm the Executive Director for the New Mexico Independent Community Colleges.
• I'm speaking on behalf of myself and Mark Saavedra, who is the Executive Director for the Council of
• So, as the Executive Director of PRA, he went above and beyond to ensure that she was well taken care

Transcript Highlights:

• Our constitution sets forth three branches of government: legislative, judicial, and executive.
• The Legislature creates laws, the executive branch enforces laws, and the judicial branch interprets
• Our constitution sets forth three branches of government: legislative, judicial, and executive.
• The Legislature creates laws, the executive branch enforces laws, and the judicial branch interprets
• three branches of government legislative judicial<00:02:06.399> and judicial and judicial and executive

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And with me today is Loretta Melby, Executive Officer of the BRN, who's here to answer any technical
• With me today is Rebecca Mitchell, executive officer of the California Naturopathic Medical Board, to
• I'm the executive officer of the California Board of Naturopathic Medicine.
• And with me today is Christine Molina, executive officer of the Respiratory Care Board. to accept the
• And with me today is Christine Molina, executive officer of the respiratory care board.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I certainly thank our executive director for that.
• It is imperative that I talk to you about our executive board. Chris White is our vice chair.
• And basically, we will inform the commission in many ways and the executive team to make sure that we're
• And basically, we will inform the commission in many ways and the executive team to make sure that we're
• And I know that you all received a document about what this was looked like, approved by the executive

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held its quarterly meeting on September 10, with roll call, approval of the June minutes as amended, and welcoming remarks for newly appointed commissioner Rachel Caprilyan and reappointed commissioners. Chair Denise Garlick outlined plans for a statewide community hearing series, beginning with a November 4 hybrid hearing at Needham Town Hall focused on the Boston/Metro West region, and described the creation of a nonvoting advisory council to broaden the commission’s expertise across health care, transportation, housing, education, employment, business, and local disability commissions. Commissioners discussed the nomination process, the need for geographic diversity, and the goal of having the council in place by the December quarterly meeting. The main presentation addressed proposed federal Medicaid and SNAP changes in H.R. 1, with Jennifer Bertrand of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council warning that the law could cut federal Medicaid spending by $1 trillion over 10 years, impose work requirements, require redeterminations every six months, restrict provider taxes, and reduce SNAP benefits. She said these changes could increase uninsurance, create administrative barriers, and threaten home- and community-based services, with a Massachusetts analysis projecting 141,000 to 203,000 MassHealth members could lose coverage over six months. Commissioners and attendees responded that the changes could harm people with disabilities, caregivers, and provider organizations, increase institutionalization risk, and intensify competition for limited state resources; several emphasized the need for disability groups and broader health care stakeholders to coordinate advocacy. Subcommittee reports highlighted recent and upcoming work. The Disability Employment Subcommittee reported on a June “Strength and Support” event, an August presentation by Run the Gamut, and an upcoming MAPC/Employment First workshop in Worcester, while the Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee discussed a presentation from the Lurie Institute for Policy Research on community living dashboards and disparities in Medicaid and LTSS. Commissioners also shared announcements about upcoming events, including the Paul Spooner Generational Leisure Summit, the Disability Policy Consortium’s John Winsky Memorial Award ceremony, the Massachusetts Health Council’s annual celebration, and a September 17 hearing on insurance coverage for hearing aids. The meeting ended with congratulations to commissioner Carl Richardson for an accessibility award and a motion to adjourn, which passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, again for the record, Tom Corretto, Executive Vice President. Good afternoon, Mr.
• Again, for the record, Tom Coreto, Executive Vice President of the Professional Firefighters of Arizona
• Executive Vice President of the Professional Firefighters of Arizona.
• Joe Clure, Executive Director of the Arizona Police Association. Good afternoon.
• Joe Clure, Executive Director of the Arizona Police Association.

Bills: SB1216, SB1391, SB1493, SB1520

Keywords: trauma, public safety, counseling, mental health, employee benefits, law enforcement, stress management, suicide prevention, workforce readiness, disciplinary action, appeals, termination, superior court, investigative process, reinstatement, immigration, data sharing, federal government, undocumented immigrants, visa overstays

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement heard several bills related to public safety personnel. SB 1520, which would have required state agencies to share certain immigration-related data with the federal government and sunset in 2029, was set aside after a proposed strike-everything amendment was defeated. The committee then voted 7-5 to give the underlying bill a do pass recommendation. SB 1216, which removes the sunset from traumatic event counseling programs for peace officers, firefighters, and 911 dispatchers and expands eligibility to crime scene and digital forensics technicians, drew support from police and fire representatives and passed 12-1 with a do pass recommendation. SB 1391 would create an AZ POST-administered law enforcement stress management pilot program, funded with a $950,000 general fund appropriation and operated through one Arizona nonprofit. The sponsor described it as a preventive, peer-support-focused program, but several members objected that the bill was overly prescriptive and looked like a vendor-specific measure. The committee voted 5-7 against giving SB 1391 a do pass recommendation. SB 1493, as amended, would require employers to pay taxable costs, attorney fees, and expert fees when a law enforcement officer who was terminated without just cause prevails through the administrative appeal process and then in Superior Court after the employer refuses reinstatement. Supporters argued it was a fairness and due process measure for rare cases where officers must litigate twice to be reinstated. After adopting a chairman’s amendment, the committee approved SB 1493 as amended with a due pass recommendation by an 8-3 vote, with one member changing from yes to no before the final tally.

Transcript Highlights:

• ensure compliance with applicable laws, conduct inspections, evaluations, and investigations of state executive
• > state evaluations, and investigations of state evaluations, and investigations of state executive
• <00:04:03.600> branch<00:04:03.960> agencies, executive branch agencies, executive branch
• This was established by executive order last fall.
• The executive branch reports that this is already proving to be a very useful tool for coordinating fraud

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I'm Sheri Visay, am the executive director of the Mississippi Municipal League.
• Uh I'm Sheri Visay.<00:03:39.519> am<00:03:39.680> the<00:03:39.840> executive<00
• :03:40.239> director<00:03:40.560> of<00:03:40.640> the Visay. am the executive
• director of the Visay. am the executive director of the Mississippi<00:03:41.280> Municipal<00
• um he's consulting with his executive um he's consulting with his executive team<00:14:30.720>

Keywords: Municipalities - Room 216, 30 January, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2578, which would create a federal match land bank fund administered by the Mississippi Development Authority, with a 1.25% administrative allowance and an effective date of July 1, 2026. The chair explained it as a municipal tool to help purchase dilapidated property using available federal and state funds. The committee asked no questions and passed the bill by voice vote, title sufficient, do pass. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2679, the Mississippi Land Bank Act. Sheri Visay of the Mississippi Municipal League testified in support, describing land banks as locally created entities to acquire, manage, and return vacant, abandoned, and tax-forfeited properties to productive use. She emphasized that the bill would not authorize eminent domain, would be locally controlled, and would be subject to public accountability requirements. Senators asked about title, acquisition, funding, and whether the bill should also allow acquisition of privately owned non-tax-forfeited parcels; the sponsor said the bill was intentionally limited at first to tax-forfeited properties, though future expansion could be considered. The committee then passed the bill by voice vote. Next, Senate Bill 2729, with a committee substitute, was explained as a narrow change to allow Capitol Police in Jackson to enforce local noise ordinances for alcohol-permitted businesses, without removing authority from local police or sheriffs. The sponsor said he had spoken with Commissioner Tindle, who did not object, though the chief of Capitol Police was still consulting internally. The committee nonetheless adopted the motion to pass the committee substitute, title sufficient, by voice vote. The committee also took up Senate Bill 2862, a code-forwarding bill related to annexation. The chair noted it made no substantive changes and only brought forward existing code sections, and a reverse repealer was added by amendment. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill, title sufficient, do pass committee substitute. Finally, Senate Bill 2893 proposed expanded notice requirements for zoning changes, including newspaper notice, posting on social media platforms, online posting, public access to the proposed changes, and extending the appeal period from 10 to 20 days. After discussion, an amendment was added to require signage for 30 days instead of 7, and the committee then passed the committee substitute by voice vote. The meeting ended with the bills reported and the committee in recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• He is the Executive Director of the Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee, who is with us today and
• Are there messages from the governor and other executive communications? None on the desk, Mr.
• summoned or directed to assist him or her is not justified in the use of force if the arrest or execution
• And what we're doing here today is attempting a legislative fix to an executive deficiency that cannot
• Senators, next Wednesday, February 4th, we'll be taking up a list of executive appointments for your

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the executive director of the Florida Association of Counties.
• So the mayor in Miami-Dade serves more like what you might hear in other states as an elected executive
• So the mayor in Miami-Days serves more like what you might here in other states as an elected executive
• . serves more like what you might hear in other states as an elected executive.
• So it is an option for charter counties to have this countywide elected executive, which was the topic

Summary: The subcommittee met to discuss Florida county commission districting options, with an overview from Ginger Delagall of the Florida Association of Counties. She explained the constitutional, statutory, local charter, and federal Voting Rights Act framework governing county commissions, including the default five-member at-large model for non-charter counties, the option for seven-member mixed boards with a referendum, and the broader flexibility available to charter counties, which can choose different board sizes, election methods, and term limits. She also described the current distribution of county structures across the state and noted a few counties in transition or litigation, including Orange, Lee, and Alachua. County commissioners from Bay, Madison, Pinellas, Polk, and Bradford counties testified about how their current systems work in practice. Commissioners from Bay and Polk defended at-large systems as promoting countywide accountability, broader perspective, and collaboration, especially in large or diverse counties. Commissioners from Madison and Bradford supported single-member districts as improving local access, clarity, and responsiveness, particularly in smaller rural counties. Pinellas Commissioner Dave Eggers described a mixed system in a large charter county and said it balances district-level responsiveness with countywide accountability. Several members asked about Orange County’s mayor-chair structure, the effects of single-member versus at-large representation, and whether counties had considered changing their systems. In questions and discussion, members raised concerns about accountability, representation, gerrymandering, countywide versus district-specific interests, and whether certain structures better serve rural or urban counties. Delagall said the association had not done cost or equity studies comparing systems. The panel repeatedly emphasized home rule and local choice, with commissioners and Delagall urging the Legislature to let counties and their voters decide their own form of government. No votes were taken on any bill or proposal, and the meeting ended with adjournment after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• to specifically arrest individuals for violation of Texas law, conduct searches and seizures, and execute
• House Bill 4996 amends the Penal Code to increase the penalty for refusal to execute the release of a
• House Bill 4996 amends the Penal Code to increase the penalty for refusal to execute the release of a
• House Bill 4996, relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of refusal to execute the
• The result of the law is it has prohibited the sharing of pertinent information from the executive and

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion to suspend Rule 5.14 and move the intent calendar deadline to 6 p.m. that day. It then took up and passed several bills, often by suspending the regular order of business and the constitutional three-day rule. HB 1866 gave limited Texas peace officer authority to National Park Service law enforcement officers within the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park; HB 4996 increased the penalty for refusing to release a fraudulent lien when the victim is a public servant; and HB 5033 created a trigger mechanism for ending vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes. HB 1533 made a range of appraisal and property tax procedure changes, HB 2282 raised the arrest warrant reimbursement fee from $50 to $75, HB 3421 updated probate and estates procedures, and HB 4263 revised Texas Juvenile Justice Department grievance procedures. Each of these measures advanced through second reading, third reading, and final passage, with recorded votes generally showing strong support and some opposition on a few bills. The chamber also considered major policy bills. HB 2, the large public education and school finance package, drew extensive floor discussion and multiple amendments. Senators emphasized its $8.5 billion investment, including teacher and staff pay, school safety funding, special education, charter and traditional school funding changes, and other allotment adjustments. Several senators praised the bill as historic and collaborative, while also noting the need to monitor implementation and future effects. After adopting amendments and hearing supportive remarks from multiple members, the Senate passed HB 2 on final vote, 31-0. Other debated measures included HB 143, which codified cooperation between the Railroad Commission and the Public Utility Commission to address electrical safety hazards at well sites and related facilities, and CS SB 3074/3070, which allowed limited written communications from the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to TCEQ commissioners about permit applications, with disclosure and response requirements. Senator Johnson raised concerns that the TCEQ bill could politicize an apolitical permitting process and potentially affect federal delegation, but the bill was amended and passed 28-3. The Senate also passed HB 4426 on Railroad Commission permits for commercial surface disposal facilities, HB 3161 giving TMRS cities more flexibility on employee contribution rates, and HB 2712 allowing future test years for certain water and sewer utility rate-making, with an amendment to protect ratepayers if projections overcharge them. At the end of the session, the Senate handled several procedural motions, including re-referring HB 1904 from Criminal Justice to State Affairs and suspending posting rules so committees could meet later that day. The chamber then recessed until 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2025, for a local and uncontested calendar, and planned to adjourn until 5:00 p.m. that same day after that calendar concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also led EXIM's involvement in the execution of the historic and groundbreaking April Abraham Accords
• forward to working with many of the staff and those programs that I've worked with in the past to execute
• I believe that President Trump has demonstrated an ability to sign and execute new trade agreements in
• The executive orders, for example, that I've read, once again, not... what the implementation is like
• Following the president's DEI, executive order, this administration haphazardly and illegally, in my

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm executive director of the Division of Medical Services in the North Dakota Department of Health and
• I'm calling it a pool of money, our total pool of money, and I'm going off the executive recommendation
• Our budget for transition off the executive recommendation is $21.8 million in our jails was the $16
• We had 25 re-entry beds in the executive recommendation, and that was $1.6 million.
• You can see the executive recommendation was 74.5 total, and this includes some of the temp to authorize

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2399, concerning therapeutic leave days for psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTFs). Sarah Aker from the Department of Health and Human Services explained the current Medicaid rate-setting methodology, how occupancy affects rates, and why paying the full rate for leave days would create additional fiscal impact. Members debated whether the bill should pay the full Medicaid rate, a flat reduced rate, or a tiered rate, and discussed whether a cap or department authorization should be used to control use of leave days. The department said it was not supporting the change as it was not in the governor’s budget, though it supported family engagement in care. After discussion, the committee settled on a compromise motion to set therapeutic leave days at a $500 daily rate and require department authorization of the number of leave days. The motion passed 6-2, with Representative Anderson voting no and the rest of the recorded members voting yes. The committee then moved on to Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation budget materials, where Michelle Zander walked through detailed population and rate calculations for women’s and men’s facilities, county holds, deferred admissions, transitional facilities, work release, and proposed reentry, man camp, and Grand Forks-related costs. Members asked about the county jail reimbursement rates and the overall pool of funds, and Zander explained the calculations and noted the proposal was roughly break-even depending on assumptions. The committee also heard an overview of DOCR IT requests from Amy and NDIT staff, including data processing, medical modules, a new client management system, body scanners, data management tools, facility management software, medical software upgrades, college solutions, and body cameras/tasers. Staff explained that the new client management system would likely be a multi-phase project with a wide cost range based on vendor selection and scope, and that the current request was for phase one. Members emphasized the importance of better data tracking, staff safety tools, and information that could help explain programming and release outcomes to the public. The committee planned to continue with Veterans Affairs the next day and then return to Senate Bill 2015.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's the chief executive officer of SA Youth.
• On January 20th, President Trump issued Executive Order 14172, which renamed geographic places around
• The President's executive order... ...naming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
• The President's executive order directed the Secretary of the Interior to rename the Gulf within all
• So you mentioned earlier the executive order that was issued that speaks to this particular issue.

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on several bills, with most measures left pending after public testimony closed. SB 801, by Sen. Menéndez, would require DSHS and local clerks to issue birth certificates at no cost to people experiencing homelessness. The author and Maria Benavides of SA Youth said the fee and mailing requirements are major barriers to obtaining ID, housing, and work, and Benavides described clients who were able to secure housing and employment after getting birth records and IDs through her program. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard a set of bills related to the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America naming issue: SB 1410 would require state agencies to use “Gulf of Mexico” in official documents, SB 1717 would conform state law to the federal renaming to “Gulf of America,” and SJR 63 would amend the Texas Constitution to match that change. Support testimony for the latter two emphasized alignment with federal action and the use of different geographic names by different countries. All three measures were left pending. Members then heard SB 1200, which would require plaintiffs suing defense contractors to disclose in discovery whether they are receiving litigation funding from adversarial nations such as China, Russia, or Cuba. The author and Texans for Lawsuit Reform said the bill targets third-party litigation funding and foreign influence on lawsuits, especially those affecting defense contractors; the committee substitute narrowed the definition of defense contractor and expanded applicability to actions involving defense contractors’ activities. SB 2626, which requires continuing medical education on pregnancy-related emergencies for OB-GYN physicians and nurses, drew support from witnesses who said it would reduce confusion about Texas abortion law and improve care in emergencies. SB 506, SB 2681, SB 1862, SB 1863, and SB 2216 all focused on elections, including ballot language standards, voter registration challenges, interstate voter-roll cleanup, procedural audits, and election equipment security; testimony split between supporters who said the bills improve transparency and integrity and opponents who warned of vague standards, added costs, and possible voter disenfranchisement. Each of those bills was left pending after testimony.