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• right now to lead the country in providing the first system where some type of service member identification

Bills: SB2007, SB2104, SB2543, SB2545, SB2926, SB2938

Keywords: military status, vehicle registration, veterans, Texas transportation, state records, discrimination, employment rights, spouses of service members, labor code, SB 2543, Texas veterans cemeteries, state veterans cemetery, Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Land Board, Natural Resources Code, veterans land fund, veterans housing assistance fund, veterans burial, burial eligibility, cemetery location

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several bills focused on veterans’ mental health, criminal justice coordination, cemetery expansion, housing, vehicle registration, and anti-discrimination protections. SB 2926 would transfer administration of veterans’ mental health initiatives from HHSC to the Texas Veterans Commission, create a community-based mental health grant program, require a statewide veteran suicide prevention action plan, and add annual reporting requirements. SB 2938 would require county jails to verify and report veteran status at intake, help veteran inmates apply for federal benefits, and provide access to county veteran services and free visitation with service coordinators. Both bills were described as joint or practical efforts to improve coordination and service delivery for veterans, and both were left pending after no public testimony was offered. The committee also heard SB 2543, which would give more flexibility to expand the Texas veterans cemetery system, and SB 2545, which would explore using manufactured homes as another affordable housing option for veterans through the Veterans Land Board. SB 2545 drew questions about how manufactured-home loans would work; a Texas Veterans Land Board witness said implementation would likely require closing at a title company rather than through a retail bill of sale, and the Texas Manufactured Housing Association testified in support. Both cemetery and housing bills were left pending. Members then heard SB 2007, which would let vehicle registration applicants voluntarily designate military status so the DMV could record it and help with benefits and towing/impound issues involving deployed service members. Witnesses from the towing industry and DMV supported the bill, saying the current system lacks enough identifying information to run military-status checks and that the indicator could help prevent vehicles from being sold while owners are deployed. SB 2104 would add military status as a protected class under state anti-discrimination laws for employment, housing, and utilities; the author said it would address ongoing discrimination against service members, veterans, and military families. The Texas VFW supported the bill, citing the Leroy Torres case as an example of why additional state protections are needed. After discussion about overlap with federal law and existing state protections, SB 2104 was also left pending.

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• Recently, I've seen in the last school year a decrease in identification of students.

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• All right, next up we have HB 1341, Health Care Practitioner Identification, by Representative Gonzales

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee met with a quorum present and considered two bills. HB 361, by Rep. Nix, would reclassify registered interns as registered associates for clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling, and would streamline supervision rules by removing the requirement that licensed supervisors be physically present in private practice settings. Supporters said the bill would modernize terminology, reduce barriers to practice, and expand access to mental health care while maintaining supervision and public safety. Several members raised concerns about possible unintended effects on community health centers and Medicaid workforce issues, but the bill drew broad support and passed 17-0, reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 1341, by Rep. Gonzales Pittman, which is aimed at preventing misuse of physician specialty titles and limiting those titles to practitioners who are actually board-certified in the specialty they claim. The sponsor emphasized that the bill does not address the general use of “doctor” or “physician,” only specialty designations such as dermatologist, gynecologist, neurologist, or plastic surgeon. Testimony in support came from medical and professional groups, including anesthesiologists and plastic surgeons, who said clearer titles help patients know who is treating them and improve safety. The Florida Optometric Association opposed the bill, arguing it could create confusion or omit optometric titles and other designations. Two amendments were adopted without objection. One removed a hospital name-tag requirement from the bill. The other changed a claims-denial provision so that denial letters need only disclose that a Florida-licensed physician in good standing made the decision, while the insurer must retain the physician’s identifying information for potential litigation or discovery. Some members supported the privacy protections, while others questioned whether the amendment was germane to the bill. As amended, HB 1341 passed 13-4 and was reported favorably.

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• This identification and treatment model was created in response to the Parkland school mass shooting.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

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• Cherski, that's a really big question, and some of it is better identification of children as being suspected
• much younger age, and we have been working really hard with in our school system to increase our identification
• We have seen identification of students since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
• 24.800> of<00:40:25.280> children<00:40:25.920> as<00:40:26.079> being identification
• of of children as being identification of of children as being suspected<00:40:26.760> of<00:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• That's why the vaccination, the testing, the microchip identification.
• <00:33:05.040> If<00:33:05.200> you<00:33:05.280> don't microchip identification
• If you don't microchip identification.
• ,<00:33:23.560> health<00:33:23.760> certification, identification, health certification
• , identification, health certification, etc.<00:33:25.480> Then<00:33:25.640> the<00:33

Keywords: 912, senate, all

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• It can make it more difficult to obtain legal identification that reflects their day-to-day lived reality
• :19:21.039> to<00:19:21.200> obtain<00:19:21.600> legal<00:19:22.080> identification
• difficult to obtain legal identification difficult to obtain legal identification that<00:19:23.360
• I think this bill, frankly, would benefit from prioritizing and an identification of the top three or
• of the top three or four identification of the top three or four items<02:33:12.000> so<02:33

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• and report data on referral outcomes, timelines, service connections, consumer experience, and identification

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• There's a lot of VIN cloning, but the titles remain active, and vehicle identification numbers (VINs)

Bills: HB2026, HB2427, HB2455, HB2560, HB3510, HB3966, HB3986, HB4429, HB5436, SB3062

Keywords: memorial highway, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, Archer County, highway designation, vehicle weight, ports of entry, Texas Transportation Code, truck regulations, load limits, Adopt-a-County Road, funding, road maintenance, county partnership, public recognition, memorial designation, highway, Sergeant Mark Butler, transportation, Brazos County

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• registration application and the application for a new or renewed driver's license or personal identification

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• Composite scores have completed training on early identification of social and communication delays.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

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• be reformulated because it's easy for the scammers to work around that and provide different identifications
• be reformulated because it's easy for the scammers to work around that and provide different identifications
• be reformulated because it's easy for the scammers to work around that and provide different identifications
• be reformulated because it's easy for the scammers to work around that and provide different identifications
• They have to know identification.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

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• There is a non-driver identification that the DMV provides.
• We are not, if we pursue that for identification purposes for those people who are not driving, asking
• > a<03:27:04.479> non-driver is a there is a non-driver is a there is a non-driver identification
• that the DMV provides I identification that the DMV provides I think<03:27:09.520> we<03:27:09.800
• We pursue that for identification purposes for those people who are not driving.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

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• that serves all the students, this is how it has helped us to reduce maybe special education identification
• that serves all the students, this is how it has helped us to reduce maybe special education identification
• that serves all the students, this is how it has helped us to reduce maybe special education identification
• that serves all the students, this is how it has helped us to reduce maybe special education identification
• This is how it has helped us to reduce maybe special education identification or redo something.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 295, which would make school building aid funds non-lapsing/non-APS. Representative Cahill said the bill was intended to keep any unused building aid money available for future projects, potentially helping move projects up the priority list or provide a little more funding for school construction. Members asked about how much money has lapsed in past years, whether the education trust fund and building aid are separate, and whether any lapsing dollars could be used to pay down debt. Department of Education official Jim Carney said about $29.1 million would be available if building aid is funded to the $50 million maximum in FY26, confirmed that the fund currently lapses, and said the department would gather historical lapse data. Committee members also discussed whether a dedicated fund structure could achieve the same goal, and the chair noted that the education trust fund statute includes school building aid as one of its uses. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed and the committee said it would later hold a work session after receiving more information. The committee then took up HB 237, introduced by Representative Dan McGuire, which would prohibit the use of special education state funds and differentiated aid for students not receiving special education services. The New Hampshire School Boards Association, through Becky Wilson, opposed the bill as written, saying it was unclear, potentially unnecessary, and difficult to implement because adequacy and differentiated aid are distributed as part of a districtwide lump sum rather than as student-specific dollars. She explained that special education costs are embedded across district budgets, including staffing, training, transportation, and instruction, and that some staff and services benefit both special education and general education students. Wilson also said differentiated aid is not tied to a specific pupil and is used at the district’s discretion, though it is intended to support students with greater needs. Committee members pressed on whether the bill would require districts to track money by individual student, whether it could conflict with federal special education law, and whether it would affect least restrictive environment requirements. Wilson said making the funds student-specific could create privacy and accounting problems and could make it difficult to staff inclusive classrooms, though she did not give a definitive legal opinion on federal compliance. She agreed that students who are not eligible for special education would not be included in the separate catastrophic/special education aid reimbursement program. The discussion continued into the second section of the bill, with members exploring how adequacy aid and differentiated aid are used in practice, but no action was taken during the portion provided.

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• verification<00:15:43.920> of basically a verification of basically a verification of identification
• . identification. identification.
• and they were very explicit about very similar technology that you're talking about now, the identification
• within DEED and the paid family leave program that was just launched, that they're doing the identification

Bills: HF4698, HF4608

Keywords: higher education, identity verification, enrollment fraud, funding, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, postsecondary education, community college, university, developmental education, remedial education, remediation, corequisite, co-requisite, English composition, college readiness, adult basic education, ABE, student placement, credit-bearing courses, noncredit courses

Summary: The committee first approved the March 26 minutes after Representative Coulter pointed out and moved a technical correction to add a missing “T” in “Regents.” The committee then took up HF 4698, which Representative Duran said would address enrollment fraud at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities by funding an automated identity-proofing system. Testimony from Chief Information Security Officer Craig Munson described a commercial software system that would verify student identities using a selfie and a state ID image, reduce ghost students and fraud, speed enrollment, and lessen staff time spent on manual investigations. Members focused heavily on privacy, data retention, and biometric concerns. Representative Cleveland asked what biometric data would be collected, and Munson said it would be limited to a selfie and ID images, not fingerprints or retinal scans. Chair Klippert and others urged stronger Chapter 13 protections and clearer data practices, while Chair Scott asked how long images would be stored; Munson said they should be deleted as soon as identity is validated, with possible revalidation later. Members also raised concerns about racial bias in biometric matching and the need for alternate verification methods. The bill was laid over, and Duran said he would work on the data practices with committee members. The committee then heard HF 4608, presented by Representative Allen for Representative Koznick, on developmental education reform. Allen said too many students are placed into remedial courses that do not count toward a degree, costing time and money and reducing completion rates. Jane Groatman of the International Institute of Minnesota supported the bill, describing students who spent years in noncredit remedial coursework and arguing for a one-semester cap on remedial classes and clearer notice that such credits do not count toward a degree. Mark Grant of Minnesota State College faculty opposed the bill’s approach, saying it imposed a one-size-fits-all model, could undermine open admissions, and should not limit colleges’ flexibility to meet diverse student needs. The bill was laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 549, which is an act relating to eligibility of detainees to obtain a state-issued driver identification
• H. 549, an act relating to eligibility of detainees to obtain a state-issued non-driver identification
• detainees to obtain a state-issued detainees to obtain a state-issued non-driver<00:52:49.600> identification
• non-driver identification card. non-driver identification card.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading for St. Patrick’s Day, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the reading of a resignation letter from Representative Hooper of Burlington. The letter said the House environment had changed significantly and that he was resigning before the next cycle, while thanking colleagues and urging bold leadership to address major problems facing Vermonters. Members then received first readings and referrals for a large slate of bills. House bills introduced included measures on tax administration, hunting license fees, emergency management, oath and affirmation language in statutes, judiciary procedures, a Vermont homelessness response continuum, paperwork reduction, public utility subjects, municipal regulation of agriculture, miscellaneous agricultural subjects, and municipal permitting of ground-mounted solar arrays. Senate bills referred to House committees included vocational rehabilitation, home improvement and land improvement fraud, advanced metering infrastructure devices, water quality, and fair employment practices. Several other bills on the notice calendar were also referred to Ways and Means or Appropriations because they affected state revenue or carried appropriations. The House adopted two concurrent resolutions on the consent calendar: HCR 214, honoring Irish-American patriots and their role in American independence, and HCR 220, welcoming the USS Vermont’s namesake visit and designating April 18, 2026 as USS Vermont Day. Members also offered announcements recognizing guests from the USS Vermont and related veterans’ groups, remembering former Representative Ken Harvey, and noting upcoming events such as March Madness pools, the Legislative Cabaret, a Rural Caucus meeting, and a NAMI Walks team. On the floor calendar, H. 723 on posting of land was taken up, amended as recommended by the Committee on Environment, and ordered to third reading on a 10-0-1 committee vote. The House then began second reading of H. 757 on manufactured homes and limited equity cooperatives; committee members described manufactured housing as a key affordable housing option in Vermont and said the bill would clarify how these homes are purchased, titled, taxed, and financed, while reducing costs and improving consistency for homeowners, lenders, and municipalities.

Transcript Highlights:

• skills often demonstrate characteristics of dyslexia in screening assessments, leading to over-identification
• A lot of what we test right now is basic things like number and shape identification, which is great
• important, especially in the early years. things like number and shape things like number and shape identification
• 00.560> is<01:23:00.719> great<01:23:00.880> and<01:23:01.120> is identification
• , which is great and is identification, which is great and is part<01:23:01.440> of<01:23:01.840

Bills: HF3421

Keywords: early literacy, reading instruction, teacher preparation, teacher candidates, teacher licensure, educator licensing, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, field experience, supervised practicum, evidence-based reading, science of reading, literacy methods, teacher training, preservice teachers, school-based experience, reading intervention, Minnesota education policy, 1183, house

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• do want to acknowledge that there is ongoing litigation around Senator Perez's bill requiring identification
• It means faster intervention and earlier identification of victims who may still be in danger.
• Recent federal immigration enforcement operations have raised serious questions about officer non-identification

Keywords: 988, house, all

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• relates to an educator who was stopped on a university campus here and questioned and asked for her identification
• educator who was stopped on a university, on a campus here, and questioned and asked for her identification
• And grateful that she was able to carry, and I think for good reasons, her identification with her, to

Keywords: 988, house, all

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• Affairs and Government Efficiency, having had under consideration SB 1479 relating to deeds, identification
• proposal will absolutely wreak havoc on our economy if taxpayers are limited to certain forms of identification
• then-Governor Doug Ducey urged the state legislature to review the law on accepting consular identification

Keywords: 1182, all