Transcript Highlights:

• IF YOUR FROM PUERTO RICO YOU WILL PAY THREE TIMES AS MUCH.
• Smith: I WANT TO PUSH BACK ON THIS IDEA THAT IT IS IMMORAL TO ALLOW YOUNG PEOPLE TO PAY IN-STATE TUITION
• >> Chair Hooper: BACK TO SENATOR FINE, SENATOR FINE. >> Sen.
• Polsky: LAST QUESTION A LITTLE BIT BACK TO YOU ARE BACK AND FORTH WITH SENATOR SMITH.
• WE ARE NOW BACK ON ... >> Sen.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We see a facility pay itself and then pay an inflated rent or fee to a related company that is also owned
• They can pay somebody that it shouldn't pay. This is not the tool for that scenario.
• Back to you, John.
• Thank you guys for coming back.
• They have to pay that payment back, but they're not subject to these sanctions that are included in this

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This fund, let me back up.
• So they get their money back.
• that would require us to pay that out. that would require us to pay that out.
• They don’t, it’s not like the state gets it and then pays it back to them or do they just retain it and
• pays it back<00:28:08.640> to<00:28:08.880> them<00:28:10.039> or<00:28:11.039><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 118, as amended, which contains several unrelated provisions with a modest fiscal note. Nathan White of the Department of Health and Human Services explained that section 1 would change the personal needs allowance for Medicaid-eligible residents of private and county nursing homes from an adjustment every five years to an annual adjustment, increasing the state cost by about $50,000 per year. He also described section 2, a one-time appropriation of about $160,000 to make certain Hampstead employees whole for missed bonuses and lost leave during the state’s transition of the facility to Dartmouth management. White then outlined sections 3 through 5, which would create a dedicated fund for Hampstead lease revenue to cover the state’s contractual obligation to match Dartmouth capital improvements dollar-for-dollar up to $3 million. He said the state receives about $1.141 million in lease revenue in the first year, with a 3% annual escalator, and that the fund would hold lease revenue until needed for reimbursement. Members questioned how the matching arrangement would work, what happens if Dartmouth spends before the fund has enough money, and whether the state could refuse to match certain improvements. White said Dartmouth has final determination under the agreement if disputes arise, and that if the bill does not pass the state could face difficulty meeting the obligation without cutting services or finding other general funds. Several members also raised policy concerns about the personal needs allowance becoming an automatic cost driver. Brian Clark, attorney for the Bureau of Adult and Aging Services, clarified that current law requires the allowance to be updated at least every five years, but the legislature could change it in an off year if it chose. He also explained that the allowance is money residents retain from their own income, such as Social Security, as part of Medicaid cost-of-care calculations, and that the department does not regulate how residents keep those funds. No vote was taken during the discussion, and the committee paused to correct the bill copy before continuing testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• back.
• it back.
• back and so you know I like the then pay back and so you know I like the approach<00:18:09.880> of
• pay it back could people don't have to pay it back could could<00:18:27.919> we<00:18:28.080>
• for<00:18:35.679> the paying the government back for the paying the government back for the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what is paying most of the money for.
• And it's also correct that right now we're only paying on interest. We're not paying any principal.
• He was mentioning that the state pays a portion and the federal government pays a portion.
• I'll pick back up on the first proposal. Yes.
• And, you know, I know you either pay me now or you pay me later.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It has backing. It has regulation.
• I know you're paying. Yeah.
• It has backing. It has regulation.
• know you're paying. know you're paying.
• I've not heard back from on that. I it? I've not heard back from on that.

Bills: HB259, HB206, HB207, HB259, HB206, HB207

Keywords: income tax credit, tax incentive, recruitment, remote work, remote worker, recruited worker, rural counties, small counties, county population tiers, opportunity zone, teacher recruitment, nurse recruitment, law enforcement recruitment, workforce development, economic development, relocation incentive, Alabama Department of Revenue, nonrefundable tax credit, tax carryforward, state income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Those who are going to pay, pay early and often.
• If you get injured on the job, you rest, but without pay.
• Thank you very much. they do not pay what they owe.
• Times they changed their name so they don't have to pay.
• If an employer cannot pay the bill, Should they be in business?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• topic, but you certainly can refer back topic, but you certainly can refer back to<00:09:17.200>
• >> and and those people are already paying >> and and those people are already paying
• I I pay 5 cents a charge at home.
• let people pay overtime? let people pay overtime?
• are additional taxes that trucks pay are additional taxes that trucks pay that<00:42:40.640>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The working group approved the prior meeting minutes with one correction to reflect Laura Ziggler’s attendance. Staff then outlined the report due February 13, 2026, which must summarize the group’s activities and include findings and recommendations adopted by the group; the report will go to the governor and legislative transportation leaders. The chair emphasized that the group’s charge is broad and includes analyzing electricity used as vehicle fuel infrastructure opportunities and barriers, developing policy and funding recommendations for sustainable transportation funding, and reviewing other states’ laws and policies. Discussion focused heavily on how to replace declining gas tax revenue as more vehicles become electric. The chair framed the issue as a fairness and implementation challenge, noting that EVs are a growing share of the fleet and that the group should consider both policy and funding, not just one or the other. Members and guests raised several ideas already submitted, including a road user charge, changes to the EV charging tax, ending or modifying the EV surcharge, broadening the tax to publicly owned charging stations, reducing the charging level threshold to level 2, ending sales tax on electricity, addressing off-road use, and expanding the definition of auto parts to include charging equipment. Representative Elkins argued that charging based on electricity used at home is impractical for most vehicles, that public charging is already much more expensive than home charging, and that the current sales tax plus surcharge amounts to double taxation for public-charging users. He said a mileage-based user charge modeled on Utah’s approach is workable, could be phased in, and could preserve privacy by allowing a voluntary or alternative method for home charging estimates. Senator Howe responded that home electricity use can be estimated similarly to mileage deductions on taxes and said the state should tax all electricity used as fuel, regardless of charger level, if it can be identified. Other speakers echoed that all road users should pay a fair share and that the main challenge is implementation. Tony Kis of Quick Trip asked that a late letter be included in the record and urged clarification of the sales, use, excise tax, and collection rules to avoid double taxation and reduce administrative burden, noting the current monthly collection date and suggesting the group should streamline collection methods. No final policy decisions or votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• , if they have to pay a lot more tuition to come.
• oftentimes borrow money to pay for the person next to them.
• As it pertains to the number of students who pay the full tuition. and are taking out loans to pay that
• And then flexed back up.
• And then we'll we'll move back to the when we call the author back. Yes, Representative Davis.

Bills: HB3032, HB3434, HB3574, HB5339, HB5646

Keywords: nursing education, clinical sites, health facilities, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, legislative study, healthcare training, tuition, financial assistance, higher education, public institutions, student support, nonresident students, Texas Education Code, resident tuition, scholarships, regenerative agriculture, grants, sustainable farming, soil health, bioremediation

Transcript Highlights:

• > pay school has to pay district has to pay school has to pay district has to pay for<00:58:56.319
• :10:18.719> the<01:10:18.880> charter pay me and you pay me or the charter pay me and you
• They they pay for it and then they ask us to pay them back for what they what they >> but they may be
• /c><01:43:26.639> to<01:43:26.800> pay<01:43:27.040> them<01:43:27.280> back<
• /c><01:43:27.520> for then they ask us to pay them back for then they ask us to pay them back

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so just kind of taking you back to 2003.
• After the pay increases and health care swaps came through, we realized that just to pay for our existing
• And so we do use a portion of federal funds to pay back the debt on existing bonds now.
• , so do you pay?
• that we pay liquidated damages.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:58.040> for because we're going to have to pay for because we're going to have to pay
• Your insurance company pays $8,000.
• be the maximum value of co-pay be the maximum value of co-pay assistance<00:45:11.599> spread
• policies from incorporating co-pay policies from incorporating co-pay accumulator<00:49:00.880><
• We do find that co-pay coupon list prices are increasing faster than drugs without a co-pay coupon.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Registered feedlots have been paying the same amount per capacity, and with that they're also paying
• We're not looking for anybody coming back.
• When you have able-bodied folks that can pay for things, they should pay for things, not the entire tax
• The tax base is not paying for it. This amendment... The tax base is not paying for it.
• The schools feed the kids, whether they pay or not, they have a deficit, they ask the parents to pay

Bills: LB878, LB958, LB958A, LB762, LB1187, LB966, LB929, LB962, LB1209, LB937A, LB962A, LB1050, LB1050A, LB965, LB1022, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB745, LB749, LB778, LR293, LR296, LR422, LR495, LR496, LR497, LR498, LR499, LR500, LR501, LR502, LR503, LR504

Keywords: paid parental leave, state employees, workplace benefits, family support, economic impact, Medicaid, Medical Assistance Act, home and community-based services waiver, HCBS waiver, waiver participant, assessment tool, clinical interviewing, service tier, retroactive coverage, doula, doula reimbursement, maternal health, prenatal care, pregnancy, birth outcomes

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, we cannot go back and fix it. I think we did as best as we can to pay.
• And, you know, we cannot go back and fix it. I think we did as best as we can to pay.
• And, you know, we cannot go back and fix it. I think we did as best as we can to pay.
• So I can fork out this next batch of money to pay for CEO that if they screw up, I resort back to the
• We don't pay for that. to be paying for car rental cars or or to be paying for car rental cars or or

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House and Senate tourism briefing focused on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s interim action plans, current projects, contract oversight, destination management action plans (DMAPs), and the impact of recent legislation and audit findings. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson said she accepted the temporary role to help address agency challenges, emphasized rebuilding trust, and said HTA is reviewing the state auditor’s concerns and posting its response publicly. She also described HTA’s mission and organizational structure under SB 1571, including reporting lines to the governor, the director, and the board, and outlined staff additions in finance, brand marketing, destination stewardship, and planning. A major topic was the permanent CEO search. HTA board chair Tata Po said the goal is to select a CEO within about four months, with the search firm still engaged, the position description being revised to reflect the new law and compensation changes, and approvals still needed before the job can be reposted. Members expressed frustration that the recruitment had been paused and questioned whether HTA has sufficient qualified leadership and staff during the interim period. Board leadership said the current staff is limited by vacancies but that they have confidence in the team and will add resources if needed. Members also pressed HTA on the role of the destination stewardship team and the CNHA/Kilohana contract, asking how staff oversight works and whether staff members were effectively wearing multiple hats. HTA explained that the stewardship team provides direction to contractors and that the work is divided among specialists overseeing projects such as tour guide certification, technical assistance, community tourism collaboratives, and a destination app. The committee also discussed whether the board can still vote on budgets under the new structure; the Attorney General’s office was cited as confirming that the board may advise, but the department director retains budget authority. HTA said it is working with CNHA and HVCB on contract and budget timing, with a goal of shifting to a calendar-year process so recipients know funding earlier.

Transcript Highlights:

• All they have to do is go back and pay the claim that they would have had to pay to begin with.
• back the claim.
• Yeah. ...committing fraud that they must pay back the claim. Yeah.
• Going back in.
• All this bill does is it says if they're paying, they don't have to stop paying.

Bills: SR145, SR146, SR147, SR148, SCR78, SCR12, HB302, HB221, HCR58, HB59, HB89, HB153, HB243, HB335, HB342, HB350, HB407, HB451, HB513, HB595, HB682, HB688, HB690, HB730, HB762, HB802, HB816, HB940, HB944, HB1003, HB1011, HB1029, HB1053, HB1058, HB1062, HB1064, HB1079, HB1084, HB1098, HB1161, HB1189, HB1203, HB1215, HB1247, HB1248, HB1251, HB1253, HB1257, HB1258, SCR3, SB393, SB401, SB415, SB426, SB435, SB487, SB488, SB523, SB56, SB163, SB341, SB504, SB322, SR125, SCR54, SCR59, SCR9, SCR58, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR27, HCR28, HCR66, HCR67, HCR72, HCR5, HCR32, HCR49, HCR50, HCR53, HCR60, HCR62, HCR64, HCR68, HCR78, HCR81, HCR86, HCR97, HCR102, HCR31, HCR47, HCR3, HB1095, HB1096, HB1103, HB1129, HB1154, HB1166, HB1195, HB1230, HB316, HB511, HB799, HB1039, HB12, HB66, HB145, HB167, HB196, HB213, HB218, HB222, HB256, HB291, HB326, HB352, HB401, HB430, HB433, HB434, HB448, HB456, HB476, HB481, HB487, HB492, HB549, HB579, HB608, HB621, HB624, HB626, HB632, HB637, HB656, HB722, HB745, HB804, HB818, HB821, HB833, HB864, HB867, HB874, HB893, HB909, HB951, HB968, HB969, HB978, HB979, HB988, HB989, HB1001, HB1005, HB1007, HB1024, HB1032, HB1038, HB1050, HB1051, HB1056, HB1059, HB1077, HB1080, HB1081, HB1086, HB1108, HB1112, HB1153, HB1172, HB1173, HB1175, HB1192, HB1193, HB1204, HB1218, HB1242, HB1244, HB1249, HB1252, HB1254, HB1, HB2, HB3, HB42, HB45, HB71, HB79, HB158, HB160, HB169, HB227, HB251, HB289, HB312, HB313, HB314, HB330, HB383, HB394, HB410, HB429, HB769, HB971, HB983, HB1017, HB1126, HB1234, HB1235, HB17, HB27, HB36, HB41, HB47, HB73, HB126, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB166, HB205, HB211, HB226, HB259, HB271, HB308, HB310, HB324, HB337, HB351, HB399, HB403, HB571, HB712, HB723, HB726, HB740, HB750, HB759, HB812, HB844, HB966, HB1006, HB1009, HB1018, HB1036, HB1107, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB78, SB208, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB379, SB382, SB387, SB441, SB449, HB74, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB468, HB956, HB1117, SB149

Keywords: critical infrastructure, foreign adversaries, homeland security, task force, Louisiana Senate, military bases, oil and gas, refining facilities, energy generation, industrial manufacturing, agriculture, food supply, biosecurity, agroterrorism, Chinese Communist Party, People's Republic of China, Russia, Russian government, FBI, Secret Service

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, received a Memorial Day guest minister introduction and prayer, and then moved through journal and legislative bureau matters. The chamber adopted or advanced several Senate resolutions, including SR 149 directing DOTD to study hazards from increased Norfolk Southern rail activity at the Alabo Street Wharf, SR 153 commending a Miss St. Tammany Parish Fair Queen, SR 154 asking LDH to study the in-home skilled nursing market, and SR 145 recreating the task force on protecting Louisiana critical infrastructure from foreign adversaries. It also adopted SCR 78 designating Bonfuca Museum and Research Center Day at the Capitol, and later adopted SCR 54 and SCR 59 memorializing Congress on the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission and Comite River Diversion Canal flood-risk map review, respectively. The Senate also considered a large number of House bills and Senate bills on concurrence or final passage, with most passing overwhelmingly. Topics included education and school policy, health care, criminal justice, natural resources, transportation, insurance, and local government. Among the measures discussed were bills on adolescent literacy, vocational training in graduation plans, special education due process, school crisis plans, autism therapy accommodations during the school day, Medicaid dental coverage, workers’ compensation procedures, prior authorization for certain generic drugs, boiler inspection authority, money transmission licensing, and alternative power sources for nursing facilities. Several bills drew brief explanations from sponsors about technical corrections or policy clarifications, while a few were returned to the calendar or recommitted to committee. A few measures prompted more substantial debate. Senate Bill 456 on workers’ compensation generated extended discussion over whether employers should be allowed to file actions to investigate questionable claims without first cutting off benefits; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while opponents argued it would increase litigation and disadvantage injured workers. The bill ultimately passed 20-17. Senate Bill 401 on the Prescription Drug Affordability Board had House amendments rejected, and Senate Bill 487 on charitable gaming premises rental agreements also had House amendments rejected. Other bills, including SB 393, SB 415, SB 426, SB 435, SB 488, SB 523, and SB 163, had House amendments concurred in, while HB 1095, HB 1103, HB 1129, HB 1166, HB 1195, HB 220, HB 316, HB 511, HB 799, HB 12, HB 66, HB 145, HB 167, HB 196, HB 213, HB 218, HB 222, HB 256, HB 291, HB 326, HB 352, HB 430, HB 433, HB 434, HB 448, HB 456, and HB 1039 were among the House bills finally passed, many by wide margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the county pays for that.
• And the county pays for that.
• So he's back. He goes back to Mojave County.
• So he's back. He goes back to Mojave County.
• So he's back. He goes back to Mojave County.

Bills: HB2050, HB2082, HB2176, HB2195, HB2202, HB2307, HB2584

Keywords: radiologic technologist, radiologist assistant, radiology, imaging, x-ray, diagnostic x-ray, fluoroscopy, mammography, computed tomography, CT technologist, nuclear medicine technologist, bone densitometry, radiation safety, radiation licensing, scope of practice, health workforce, rural health care, critical access hospital, supervision, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:59:49.520> to<00:59:49.799> produce pay to produce pay to produce food<00:59:52.440
• And I was like, oh, are you going to pay cash for it? Oh, uh, are you going to pay cash for it?
• Pay cash? Like, total poor person fumble. You would never pay cash when you could get a mortgage.
• on unrealized gains like know paying on unrealized gains like paying<01:07:08.240> on<01:07:08.440
• <01:07:50.319> to that so um no I'm going to go back to that so um no I'm going to go back

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so in terms of paying the same rate we have, calculated under our current rate methodology, and paying
• Chair, you know, I think we can take that back.
• We'd have to come back to have that Century Code change.
• Chair, Representative Mitskog, I will have to take that back to understand if we pay life skills, LSTC
• I added back in the $1.7 million for...

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:

• back to the fund, and even if it is denied again, the facility has to pay the money back, so the fund
• back to the fund, and even if it is denied again, the facility has to pay the money back, so the fund
• back to the fund, and even if it is denied again, the facility has to pay the money back, so the fund
• back to the fund, and even if it is denied again, the facility has to pay the money back, so the fund
• back to the fund, and even if it is denied again, the facility has to pay the money back, so the fund

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the back of my mind, I want to get back to my team, and that's one less officer.
• We provide invoicing over to TxDOT; TxDOT pays back through the contract.
• We provide invoicing over to TxDOT; TxDOT pays back through the contractor for those officers to that
• This is what they're paying the company. Okay, so they're paying.
• This is what they're paying the company. Okay? So they're paying the company that.

Keywords: 1184, house, all