Transcript Highlights:

• >> THE TRANSPORTATION TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WILL NOW COME TO ORDER BROOK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL
• GOOD THINGS THAT WILL HELP WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OUR CONCERN IS THE REPEAL OF THE RPC OF STATUTES
• PROBLEMS OF GROWTH AND DEVELOP TRANSCEND REGIONS.
• THEY PROVIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT BY MAINTAINING A CERTIFIED REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANS
• FOR THE EDA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WE KNOW THAT DEVELOPERS ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF MAKING MONEY. THAT IS WHAT MR.
• BARRETO WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF FWC IS ADMITTEDLY A DEVELOPER BUT HE IS ALSO A LOBBYIST.
• HE STANDS TO BENEFIT FROM POLICIES THAT BENEFIT DEVELOPMENT OR CONSERVATION.
• THAT CATER TO COMMERCIAL FISHING INTERESTS, DEVELOPERS AND TOURISM.
• HE IS NOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST, IS A DEVELOPER.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:21.760> a Senate would direct dees to develop a Senate would direct dees to develop
• and also that the plans were developed and also that the plans were developed according<00:17:31.039
• <00:29:44.960> to line with other types of development to line with other types of development
• page two of the amendment develop page two of the amendment develop marketbased<04:05:24.319>
• Walls up through, you know, developed Walls up through, you know, developed that<04:27:00.000>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, our own workforce development you know, our own workforce development division,<00:26:
• has the workforce development council. has the workforce development council.
• So it can be a collaborative among members of the Workforce Development Council, could it not?
• So it can be a collaborative among members of the Workforce Development Council, could it not?
• the workforce development council could it<00:30:26.000> not?

Bills: SB3179, SB2872, SB2391, SB3282, SB2836, SB2181

Keywords: educational workers, harassment, workplace safety, temporary restraining orders, investigation procedures, retired education employees, teacher shortage, rehired retirants, entry level salary, collective bargaining agreements, pension benefits, education, teacher salaries, automatic increments, collective bargaining, teacher retention, workforce development, Pell grant program, short-term education, eligibility

Summary: The joint committee first heard SB 3179, which would require the Department of Education and charter schools to report harassment incidents involving educational workers and adopt procedures for handling them. DOE supported the bill, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying amendments to limit the measure to harassment directed at workers because of their position, to limit DOE legal assistance to temporary restraining order actions, and to clarify whether the harassment must come from outside the school system. Members also discussed whether the bill should cover non-DOE individuals on campus, whether investigations could be handled in-house, and whether training should be embedded in existing workday or school-year training rather than added as a separate requirement. The committee later voted to pass the bill with amendments as SD1. The committee then took up SB 2872, which would require retired teachers or administrators rehired into shortage or hard-to-fill positions to be paid the entry-level salary for that position. DOE supported the bill, and the Attorney General requested clarifying language about its effective date and that it would not affect already matured rights and duties. The Employees’ Retirement System administration emphasized that the bill should retain a 12-month break in service to preserve the pension system’s tax-exempt status and noted the importance of consistent classification of eligible positions. Members expressed support for using retired educators to help fill staffing gaps, but no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard SB 2391, which would provide annual step increases for public school teachers under bargaining unit 5, subject to funding. The Attorney General said the bill could conflict with collective bargaining procedures and Chapter 89, while DOE said unit 5 includes more than teachers and asked that the benefit be considered for other bargaining units as well, with funding provided if enacted. HSTA strongly supported the measure, arguing that annual step movement is already recognized in the collective bargaining agreement as a recruiting and retention tool. Testimony totals were noted as 16 in support, two in opposition, and three comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 3282, which would establish a statewide framework for the federal workforce Pell Grant program to fund short-term workforce education and training. The Attorney General suggested clarifying that the matter is one of statewide concern because UH is involved. UH and the Chamber of Commerce supported the bill, and DLIR testified that it is coordinating with DOE, the Workforce Development Council, and national groups on implementation. Members questioned whether the Workforce Development Council or DLIR should handle rulemaking and administration, and DLIR said the council is advisory while the department has grant administration expertise. The committee then moved into decision-making after discussion of possible amendments and implementation concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• development team, serving, including in capacities as acting secretary.
• Chair, Rob Black with the Economic Development Department.
• They're collaborating with Four Corners Economic Development.
• We're not focused on that type of development or even retail.
• the local economic developer in the community that you're talking about.

Summary: The committee first recognized Mark Roper of the Economic Development Department for his long service and retirement, with members and the secretary praising his work on economic development across the state. Secretary Rob Black then presented EDD’s budget and special appropriation requests, describing strong recent job and income growth and outlining the department’s strategy around science and technology, site readiness, workforce development, foreign direct investment, and rural/community programs. He highlighted wins in advanced energy, quantum, space and defense, and biosciences, and asked for funding for quantum/DARPA matching funds, additional site readiness work, LIDA closing funds, JTIP training support, New Mexico Partnership, and healthy foods and other community programs. Members asked detailed questions about the quantum proposal, site readiness, the new mapping tool for industrial sites, workforce participation, trade missions, foreign investment, tariffs, water and produced water, tribal site evaluation, and public engagement on major projects. Black said the quantum request was intended to match federal dollars and build a workforce pipeline, that the site-readiness software would be a set enterprise license, and that the department was working with tribes and local partners on future site evaluations. He also said tariffs have created uncertainty but New Mexico’s infrastructure and foreign trade zones could help attract manufacturing, and he acknowledged concerns about transparency and community input while noting that some projects, such as Pacific Fusion, had gone through extensive public processes. The committee also discussed specific projects and funding balances, including Mantis Space’s move to Albuquerque, the status of Virgin Galactic’s spaceport lease, and the current LIDA fund balance and encumbrances. Black and Deputy Secretary Isaac Romero said the department was trying to use State Investment Council-backed venture funds to attract companies and that the new investments were already producing deals and jobs. Members generally supported the department’s direction but pressed for more targeted expertise, faster deployment, and stronger community involvement in future economic development decisions. Later, Secretary de Blassie of the Department of Health presented the department’s budget request and progress report. He said DOH had improved revenue cycle management, reduced old Medicaid-pending cases, increased census at facilities, improved budget and contract timeliness, and responded effectively to the measles outbreak. The department requested additional base funding for epidemiology and response, the DOH helpline, the Vital Records Virtual Vault, state labs, and the veterans home, along with special requests for respiratory vaccinations and marketing and lab equipment replacement. He also noted progress on MOUD and the medical psilocybin program, and said the department was not seeking to launch new programs given the limited time left in the administration.

Transcript Highlights:

• On slide 14, you'll see a, a publicly available tool that we developed to monitor student outcomes such
• But also gives them the opportunity to develop the habits and confidence needed to persist in higher
• Just two more real quick questions um with the CTE development, do y'all actually work with TEA to develop
• Um, we, uh, basically, uh, work with TEA, uh, specifically on developing regional pathways.
• Um, on the Texas state, um, You mentioned research and development and so forth.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have committee jurisdiction that allows members to develop expertise, and they should have the first
• <00:24:40.720> consumer bill actually can it develops consumer bill actually can it develops
• Rural Development. All in favor say aye. Rural Development. All in favor say aye.
• and Economic Development. and Economic Development.
• Development. All in favor say aye. Aye. Development. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed?

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, a roll call, and confirmation that a quorum was present, then moved to committee reports. The main floor debate centered on a Rules Committee report involving the referral of a sports betting bill. Senator Rasmussen and others argued the bill should go first to the State and Local Government Committee because gambling falls within that committee’s jurisdiction, while Senator Franzen, Senator Klein, and others defended the Rules Committee’s 6-2 decision to send it to Commerce, emphasizing committee discretion and past referral practice. After clarification that the vote was only on adopting the committee report, the Senate rejected the report by a vote of 22-44. The Senate then handled second readings of a slate of Senate and House bills and introduced two new Senate files: SF 4759, eliminating Cesar Chavez Day, referred to State and Local Government, and SF 4760, changing employment/occupation rules related to criminal convictions, referred to Judiciary and Public Safety. In motions and resolutions, several bills were re-referred with little or no opposition: SF 2689 was moved from State and Local Government to Judiciary and Public Safety but failed on a 30-35 vote; SF 4194 was moved from Taxes to Health and Human Services; SF 4274 was moved from Judiciary and Public Safety to Transportation; SF 4332 was moved from Environment, Climate, and Legacy to Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development; and SF 4592 was moved from Judiciary and Public Safety to Jobs and Economic Development. SF 4455 was also given a second reading and placed on General Orders. The session ended as the Senate moved into special orders.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is agreed to. on tourism, recreation, and economic development, who reports the following bills.
• My son developed a welt on his body that would come and go.
• , but across all issues, whether it is economic development, whether it's a utility issue.
• Schools can already choose to support these classes and develop our own curriculum.
• Trinity School District, Western... ...and developed our own curriculum.

Keywords: Scheduler, 973, house, all

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and first handled routine business including postponing approval of the prior journal and confirming a quorum. Several committee reports were adopted, including measures from Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, Tourism and Recreation and Economic Development, Appropriations, Rules, Commerce, and Environmental and Natural Resource Protection. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 531, designating June 2026 as Scoliosis Awareness Month, after testimony from Rep. DeLosier and discussion of a constituent’s experience with severe scoliosis; the resolution passed 201-1. The House then adopted a series of additional resolutions and bills, including Diaper Need Awareness Week, a study on PANS/PANDAS, 717 Day, Little League World Series Week, and a resolution commemorating America 250 in Pennsylvania. It also passed bills on Sunshine Act agenda notice changes, veteran death notifications, Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, township audit deadlines, first responder memorials, road transfers, parole board succession, and restrictions on HOA limits for rooftop solar. The solar bill drew multiple failed amendments on HOA voting rules, native plants, energy-source discrimination, and net metering; one amendment on indemnification for elected officials at special events was adopted. In final passage votes, the House approved legislation to prohibit NDAs related to data centers, with debate centered on transparency and local control; it passed 171-31. The chamber also passed bills allowing Pittsburgh school administrators to collectively bargain, requiring hunting and trapping education options in schools, expanding SWIF’s equity investment authority, and scheduling metatomidine as a Schedule 3 controlled substance. The Counseling Compact bill and a parole-record privilege bill both passed unanimously or near-unanimously, and the House signed those measures for presentation to the Governor. The session ended with referrals of new bills to committees, a motion to adjourn, and adjournment until July 1, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The director will be responsible for developing and implementing policies to define the responsibilities
• The substitute further develops the factors the PUC may consider.
• and develop these data centers.
• Gas development, when the market first deregulated, led to a lot of gas being developed to replace many
• So now the country is trying to re-energize that and bring the U.S. back into developing gas again.

Bills: SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 1495, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2154, SB 2167, SB 2184, SB 2211, SB 2268, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 2902

Keywords: SB 438, Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative law judge, ALJ, public information act, open records, confidentiality, privacy, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, family members, Government Code 552.117, Government Code 552.1175, Tax Code 25.025, public records, government transparency

Summary: The meeting of the committee commenced with the establishment of a quorum, where members discussed and voted on five significant bills related to energy efficiency, insurance regulation, and public utility governance. Notably, Senate Bill 2717 was presented, incorporating feedback to foster collaboration among various state agencies for improved energy efficiency performance. This was followed by a detailed discussion on Senate Bill 1642, which proposed changes to the Texas Department of Insurance's executive structure to optimize management and consumer focus. Each bill saw active participation from senators who moved to adopt committee substitutes for clarity and responsiveness to stakeholder concerns, indicating a proactive approach to legislative issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each in fiscal year 25-26 to establish each program and engage in thoughtful development.
• I would just say that **CDFA** will develop its grant guidance in accordance with the language that's
• So in July 2025, CDFA plans to begin program development, which includes identifying, as I mentioned,
• Outreach to stakeholders, developing the solicitation documents, and identifying those opportunities
• The last time I was here was in 1987, when we were in the middle of our oil and gas development.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Resis County, that's a municipality that has allowed them to develop.
• And the thinking is when it comes to economic development, we don't have a rapid way to deploy assets
• 21st Century Fund toward energy infrastructure and economic energy infrastructure and economic development
• Fund, which is part of the Development Fund, which is part of the Energy Bank established under SB304
• a... ...consider a way to develop a framework that allows students to earn financial gain in a way that

Bills: SB311, SB322, SB304, SB313, SB315, SB316, HB489, SB90

Keywords: electric transmission, public highways, permit processing, economic growth, infrastructure, rural development, condemnation actions, state regulations, community development district, CDD, annexation, municipal annexation, wet municipality, dry county, wet county, Sunday alcohol sales, ABC Board, alcohol licensing, on-premises consumption, golf course

Transcript Highlights:

• The board can develop and help work with programs to develop other ways for programs who might just not
• developing a pathway for their program. developing a pathway for their program.
• degree in business and child development degree in business and child development and<00:24:35.279
• others really benefit their development. others really benefit their development. and<00:46:05.359
• certain point of of their development certain point of of their development and<01:39:34.639>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is to support CSPS as it begins design, development, configuration, and implementation of the new
• My name is Blake Kaiser-Lack from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development.
• My name is Blake Kaiser-Lock from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development.
• I'm the head of public economic development with Lendistry.
• If you're a developer in a low resource community, could you be questions if you're a developer in a

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of May Revision budget items, beginning with the State Controller’s Office. SCO described requests for Fiscal Book of Record stabilization, payroll system implementation, ACFR reporting support, and unclaimed property outreach funding. Members focused on the Fiscal system’s July go-live, the improved timeliness of the ACFR, and the unclaimed property program’s roughly $15 billion balance and outreach efforts. The Department of Finance and LAO raised no major concerns, and the item was closed after discussion of how the new outreach funding would be used. The committee then considered several revenue proposals. Finance presented a proposal to tax pre-written digital software and SaaS, with estimated General Fund gains of $450 million in 2026-27 and $900 million ongoing; LAO suggested broader digital tax changes and a business-use exemption, while industry groups opposed the measure as a tax on essential digital tools. CDTFA also presented an administrative request tied to the software tax, and later a $10 million budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs. The committee then heard a federal conformity proposal for new children’s tax-deferred accounts, which LAO supported, and a proposal to cut the first-year LLC/LP minimum tax from $800 to $400, which Finance said would aid small business formation but LAO argued was poorly targeted and would reduce revenue. Another major item was a permanent business tax credit limitation beginning in 2027, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability. Finance said it would raise about $850 million in 2026-27 and more in later years, while LAO noted it would mainly affect large firms using the R&D credit and could also touch California Competes and other programs. Public testimony split sharply between business groups opposing the cap and advocates supporting it as a progressive revenue measure. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment proposal, which would retain a smaller staff to continue improving the free filing system and return most of the prior funding to the General Fund. The hearing concluded with the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which brings in about $221,000 to $266,000 annually for arts grants and teacher stipends. Members and advocates supported the item but also urged larger arts funding, including the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund. The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development then presented proposals for the California Civic Media Program, CA RISE reappropriation, and a reversion of unused Chips for America facility funds; LAO supported the latter two but was cautious about new civic media spending. Members raised concerns about the civic media program’s scope, including the exclusion of broadcast and the lack of a specific ethnic media set-aside, while GoBiz said funds would begin going out in the fall if approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:41.040> lacked transformation fund development lacked transformation fund development
• Um they they do not develop uh Medicaid Um they they do not develop uh Medicaid rate<00:24:22.960>
• transparencies and how do we develop transparencies and how do we develop those<00:27:57.560>
• "Well, Myers and Stauffer develops, again, they develop rates based on cost proposals and cost reports
• <00:44:33.280> and and hold DMS accountable to develop and and hold DMS accountable to develop

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on January 12, 2026, to approve the December 10, 2025 minutes and continue finalizing its findings and recommendations. Members reviewed findings on administrative inefficiencies, Medicaid and workforce participation under HR 1, Medicaid budget growth, rural health transformation fund development, and provider tax/state-directed payment changes. The board approved a motion to change “pilot” to “partnership” in the workforce-related recommendation, and also adopted a technical amendment clarifying overlapping HCBS services by removing reference to adult daycare waiver services and revising the language to focus on reducing duplication, simplifying provider contracting, and standardizing processes across programs. A separate technical correction was noted to change “DMS” to “DPH” in the rural health transformation finding, to be handled in the final edits. Several findings drew discussion but no final substantive vote during the meeting. On the rural health transformation fund, Dr. Berg said Kentucky had done well in federal funding and noted limits on what could be shared publicly, while Commissioner Lee said a public website had been created and recommended the department reference be changed to the Department for Public Health. Finding five prompted extended discussion about provider taxes, state-directed payment reductions under HR 1, and whether the board should address the relationship between actuarial studies, MCO payments, and actual provider reimbursement more directly. Senator Meredith and others argued for a broader, more transparent baseline review of rates across provider groups, while Commissioner Lee said CMS will require certain fee schedule comparisons to Medicare beginning July 1, 2026, and that quarterly expenditure reports already go to LRC. The board did not finish resolving finding five during the meeting and agreed to return to it after staff prepared more explicit language. Members also discussed the possibility of an all-payers claims database as a better way to understand what is being paid across payers and services. No final vote on the full findings package was taken in the portion of the meeting provided, but the board did adopt the noted amendments and continued working through the remaining language.

Transcript Highlights:

• assisting with districts um developing assisting with districts um developing and<00:03:52.879><
• resources and professional development. resources and professional development.
• 20:18.880> with Phase two professional development with Phase two professional development with
• <00:20:32.080> uh community of practice developing uh community of practice developing uh
• a statewide professional development a statewide professional development framework<01:26:33.040

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

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:09:44.319> rolled center for economic development rolled center for economic development
• to develop those new products.
• Farmers the farmers trying to develop Farmers the farmers trying to develop what<01:39:16.320>
• <01:40:22.760> new developing helping to develop those new developing helping to develop those
• work. a crop that was developed at the a crop that was developed at the University<01:49:54.320>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, everybody, and welcome to the House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance
• then so the legislation that developed then so the legislation that developed the<00:04:55.000><
• , and also from the general fund to the Workforce Development Fund.
• <00:58:22.680> career beyond its cost students develop career beyond its cost students develop
• with industry professionals and develop with industry professionals and develop essential<00:59:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We talk a lot about workforce development, but workforce development is life development.
• We talk a lot about workforce development, but workforce development is life development.
• We talk a lot about workforce development, but workforce development is life development.
• We talk a lot about workforce development, but workforce development is life development.
• We talk a lot about workforce development, but workforce development is life development.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we've got the, the, uh, we, we have developed.
• Um, since November 2024, we've been developing and distributing.
• And we have internal and external working groups developing response plans.
• Of, of, of wildlife, uh, to coordinate plan development and enhancement.
• So those are ideas that we continue to develop.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have a sworn officer's career development plan funded at $11,576,190.
• Hawaii has a police department, and they have a career development plan.
• Hawaii has a police department, and they have a career development plan.
• That's why the career development, so in year two, we have a plan.
• That's why the career development, so in year two, we have a plan.

Summary: The Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining met for an informational public hearing on several state employee bargaining units at impasse. The Department of Management Services outlined negotiations for the FDLE special agents, security services/correctional officers, sworn law enforcement officers, Florida Highway Patrol troopers, and Florida State Fire Service units. Across the units, the state said most contract articles had been resolved, with remaining disputes centered mainly on wages, hours of work, grievance language, safety, grooming, travel, and other housekeeping items. The state repeatedly emphasized proposed 2% competitive pay increases plus specialty or special pay increases in some units, insurance held harmless with no added employee cost, and its desire to keep current scheduling practices and remove outdated grievance language referencing the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. No votes were taken. Representatives for the Florida State Fire Service Association argued that firefighters are being asked to perform work far outside their job descriptions, including major construction, and said the state’s work-schedule and on-call practices unfairly avoid overtime and underpay firefighters. They also sought higher on-call compensation, a stronger wage plan with incentives and certification-based increases, restoration of a pay differential for firefighter-EMTs, and added PPE, decontamination, and cancer-prevention protections. The PBA’s Florida Highway Patrol unit said troopers need a larger career development plan, veteran stipends, updated grooming/tattoo rules, safer and newer vehicles, and better pay to address turnover. The PBA’s law enforcement unit focused on vehicle safety, performance evaluation language to prevent case-presentation quotas, and a $7,000 across-the-board raise, while disputing whether certain articles were timely opened. The security services unit said correctional officers, probation officers, and ISS officers need an $8-per-hour starting pay increase, retention bonuses, special pay for death row and close-management assignments, and overtime pay for lieutenants and captains who currently receive comp time and sometimes work beyond their limits. The committee heard the presentations, asked a brief question about correctional officers’ overtime, accepted written materials from the FOP special agent unit, and adjourned without action.