Transcript Highlights:

• It relates to developing a strategic plan for improvement and expansion of early learning educational

Bills: HB322, HB126, HB3062, HB1481, HB2310, HB2674, HB121, HB2243, HB3627, HB1178, HB367, HB5515

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, higher education, mental health resources, substance abuse education, student policy, communication devices, school regulations, disciplinary measures

Transcript Highlights:

• Sorry, I'm the county planning manager. Gotcha. Any question. Senator Gaynor.
• are already in planning stages.
• efforts, including the Olympia Parks, Arts, and Recreation Plan and the city's comprehensive plan.
• efforts, including the Olympia Parks Arts and Recreation Plan and the city's comprehensive plan.
• And Recreation Plan and the city's comprehensive plan.

Bills: SB6132, SB6181, SB6154, SB6189, SB5903, SB6037, SB5983, SB5995, SB6016, SB5820, SB6064, SB6077, SB6101, SB6013, SB6066

Keywords: indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development, city incorporation, local governance, municipalities, state law, government structure, culvert replacement, fish passage, hydraulic project approval, Department of Fish and Wildlife, stream crossing, bank stabilization, flood control, erosion control, emergency permit, expedited permit

Summary: The committee heard several local government bills. Senate Bill 6181 would let county legislative authorities in certain large western Washington counties file city incorporation petitions without first gathering resident signatures, if the proposed area is fully within an urban growth boundary and has more than 25,000 people. Senator Conway and Pierce County officials said the change would give dense unincorporated areas like South Hill another path to a public vote on incorporation, while opponents argued it bypasses the 10% signature threshold and that the bill lacks details on boundaries and other incorporation issues. No action was taken during the hearing. Senate Bill 6132 would give the Port of Moses Lake additional bonding authority tied to a tax increment financing area so it can finish a rail project and preserve federal funding. Senator Warnick and port representatives said the bill is narrowly tailored to one port and needed because costs have risen. Senate Bill 6154 would let local governments seek exceptions from hydraulic project approval timelines and allow emergency culvert repair dollars to be redirected to higher-priority fish passage projects elsewhere in a watershed. Thurston and Snohomish county officials, along with city public works staff, supported the bill as a way to maximize fish habitat benefits and manage limited resources, while one remote commenter objected to the underlying fish habitat rationale. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6189, which extends from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2028 the deadline for certain cities and counties to create an additional public facilities district for regional aquatics and sports facilities. Olympia, Tumwater, and regional supporters said more time is needed to complete feasibility, financing, and interlocal work for a regional aquatic center. In executive session, the committee did not act on SB 5820 or SB 6064, but advanced SB 6037, SB 5983, SB 5995, SB 6013, and SB 6066 with proposed substitutes or amendments as applicable, sending them to Ways and Means, Rules, or Transportation as noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, hospital discharge plans are... ...newborn infants after delivery.
• Currently, hospital discharge plans are only mandated for pediatric patients.
• Currently, hospital discharge plans are only mandated for pediatric patients, where discharge plans for
• anyone that is in active labor, but they also currently have a plan.
• What are the plans for who bears the cost for the cleanup?

Bills: SB274, SB301, SB249

Keywords: healthcare, life-sustaining treatment, patient preferences, POLST, advance directive, medical orders, hospital discharge, pregnancy, patient care, discharge planning, healthcare policy, substance use, harm reduction, syringe services, needle exchange, overdose prevention, naloxone, opioid antagonist, drug paraphernalia, syringe

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several measures related to health care, public health, and patient protections. House Concurrent Resolution 148, urging a statewide educational strategy on menopause, was presented as a workplace awareness measure and received supportive comments from members before being released. Senate Bill 274, updating Delaware’s MOST program to POLST and clarifying capacity determinations and documentation for end-of-life orders, also drew supportive testimony from medical and nursing groups and was released. House Bill 458, limiting local backflow preventer requirements for certain low-hazard buildings, was presented as a cost-relief measure for homeowners and small businesses; DHSS expressed concerns but said it was willing to work on amendments and a sunset provision, and the bill was released. Senate Joint Resolution 18, designating August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day and ordering flags at half-staff, was released after brief supportive remarks. The committee then considered Senate Bill 339, a technical correction to the advance health care directive form clarifying that an agent’s authority for voluntary mental health admission cannot exceed 72 hours, consistent with existing law. Members asked detailed questions about how the 72-hour limit works and whether it applies to voluntary directives; the sponsor and a Disability Rights Delaware witness explained that the bill only aligns the form with current statute and does not expand authority. The bill was released. House Bill 301, requiring hospitals to create discharge plans for pregnant patients discharged while showing signs of labor, prompted extensive discussion. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve safety, transportation planning, and aftercare, while some members noted Delaware hospitals already do much of this work and questioned whether codifying it was necessary; supporters emphasized maternal mortality disparities and the need for guardrails. The bill was released. Senate Bill 196, creating ownership disclosure requirements for long-term care facilities and resident notice rules after ownership transfers, was presented as a transparency measure for seniors and families and was released after supportive testimony from the Delaware Nurses Association and elder-care advocates. Senate Bill 320, expanding pharmacists’ independent prescriptive authority for certain non-controlled medications and allowing opioid use disorder medications under standing order, with added malpractice reporting requirements in Senate Amendment 2, was supported by pharmacists and nurse practitioners as an access-to-care measure and was released. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 161, establishing a unified licensing and oversight framework for adult behavioral health providers under DSAM, was presented as a patient-protection measure; providers supported the goal but cautioned that regulations must be workable, and the substitute was released. Senate Joint Resolution 19, directing DHSS to study strategies to reduce health care costs, was released with a note reflecting concerns about broadening the analysis to include additional cost drivers and alternatives. Finally, Senate Bill 249 with Senate Amendment 2, modernizing harm-reduction programs and paraphernalia laws, generated the most extended debate: supporters framed it as life-saving public health policy, while opponents raised concerns about needle litter, community impacts, and whether the approach facilitates addiction. Despite the objections, the bill was released.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a senior at ASU studying urban planning with a certificate in geographic information systems and
• By elevating riot to this same level, the bill allows for a felony conviction based on mere planning
• It allows the state to transform a peaceful planning meeting into a felony conspiracy charge, turning
• that are approved for... ...private prison partners in pay plans that are approved for the department
• Chairman, Senator Alston, historically, the state has been very, again, very strategic about treating

Bills: SB1010, SB1035, SB1058, SB1077, SB1093

Keywords: Charlie Kirk, Loop 202, Arizona highways, transportation, renaming, Arizona Department of Corrections, ADC, corrections, prison, jail, correctional officers, prison guards, staffing, retention, salary increase, pay raise, wage increase, general fund, appropriation, state budget

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the change to this bill that Senator Jenkins is adding is someone would have to have planning
• And so the change to this development district except for the new planning seat.
• And so the change to this bill that Senator Jenkins has adding is someone would have to have planning
• is going to make up the rules to make sure when something's filed, it's authorized to be filed on a plan
• Senate Bill 148 by Senator Stein provides for compensation to the members of the Lake Charles Planning

Bills: HR217, HB66, HB204, HB208, HB326, HB472, HB483, HB484, HB793, HB1051, HB1080, HB1087, HB1111, HB1215, SB78, SB148

Keywords: rent stabilization, affordable housing, cost burdened, Louisiana housing, housing policy, emergency rental protections, Alexandria, municipal ordinances, administrative adjudication, code enforcement, housing violations, building codes, zoning, nuisance ordinances, vegetation ordinances, sewerage, drainage, licensing, permits, local government

Summary: The committee met on April 29 and considered a series of local and special bills affecting municipal and parish governance, blight enforcement, development districts, and term limits. Early action included a motion to apply a three-minute rule. House Bill 483, concerning the Fulberg/Marini Security and Improvement District in Orleans Parish, was voluntarily deferred after discussion and no support cards. House Bill 484, which revised the New Orleans Regional Business Park board by reducing membership from 12 to 11 and giving the mayor four direct appointments with removal authority, was adopted as a substitute and reported favorably. Senate Bill 78, dealing with the Shreveport Downtown Development District, was amended to correct a legislative district reference and then reported favorably. The committee also heard announcements that several previously deferred bills would not be heard that day. Several Shreveport-related blight bills were advanced. House Bill 1051, authorizing demolition of certain dilapidated properties in Shreveport, was amended to allow the city to rely on findings from code enforcement, fire, police, or other public safety officials, and then reported favorably. House Bill 1080, addressing condemned commercial property in Shreveport, was also reported favorably, though the author said he would continue consulting with the city attorney before floor consideration. House Bill 66 for Alexandria expanded the city’s administrative adjudication authority to cover a broader range of ordinance violations, including building, zoning, vegetation, nuisance, sewer, drainage, licensing, and permit matters; it was supported by the city and reported favorably. House Bill 326, requiring the Tickfaw police chief candidate to reside within the village, also passed favorably. House Bill 793, a contentious bill concerning recorded subdivision plats and prescription, drew extensive testimony from the author, parish officials, a former appellate judge, and the McCormick family. Supporters said the bill closes a loophole exposed by recent court rulings that could let noncompliant plats become enforceable after five years without actual notice to local governments, while opponents argued the current substitute still creates uncertainty and could burden property owners; the author said the bill was prospective only and would also go to the Law Institute. Despite the debate, the committee moved the substitute favorably. Senate Bill 148, allowing municipalities to pay a modest per diem to planning and zoning commission members by local ordinance, was reported favorably with support from Lake Charles. The committee rejected House Bill 208, which would have let St. Helena Parish voters decide whether to impose term limits on parish governing authority members. The bill’s author argued the people should decide, but the St. Helena Police Jury opposed it and committee members emphasized local control; the final vote was 3 yeas to 10 nays. House Bill 1215, concerning the disposition of historical statues and monuments, was amended to bar the Office of State Parks from placing transferred monuments back in the parish from which they were removed, and then was reported favorably. House Bill 472, authorizing local rent stabilization ordinances during a governor-declared emergency, was amended to limit such ordinances to the emergency period, tie increases to the consumer price index, and cap them at 365 days; discussion continued on whether the measure duplicated existing price-gouging laws and whether a broader study would be preferable.

Transcript Highlights:

• The RDA was created after plans the RDA.
• </c> planned outages, and maintenance. planned outages, and maintenance.
• </c> who are planning to plan their future who are planning to plan their future and<00:59:06.359><c>
• , there will be more gas planned.
• , there will be more gas planned.

Bills: HF4308, HF4153, HF4703, HF4711

Keywords: HF4308, Monticello nuclear plant, Prairie Island, renewable development account, RDA, nuclear waste, spent fuel, dry cask storage, utility tax, commercial-industrial property tax, state general levy, property tax exemption, residential heating fuels, natural gas tax exemption, electricity sales tax exemption, year-round sales tax exemption, distributed solar energy standard, solar mandate, community solar, grid modernization

Bills: HB1175, HB1376, HB1500, HB1796

Keywords: HB1175, small business, residential zoning, land use, zoning reform, neighborhood store, neighborhood cafe, convenience store, minimarket, corner store, mixed-use, local government, city zoning, town zoning, code city, parking regulations, hours of operation, alcohol service, food requirement, commercial use in residential areas

Summary: The House convened, the clerk called the roll, and a quorum was declared present. The chamber then proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and an opening prayer, followed by approval of the previous day’s minutes without objection. Under messages from the Senate, the clerk reported that the President had signed House Concurrent Resolutions 4406 and 4407 and Resolution 8407. The Speaker then signed Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407. The House also agreed to treat the bills, memorials, and resolutions on the day’s introduction sheet as first-reading items and refer them to the appropriate committees. No substantive debate or bill action occurred beyond these procedural steps. Representatives Ortiz-Self and Abbarno announced that the Democratic and Republican caucuses, respectively, would meet after adjournment. The House then adjourned until 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 15.

Bills: HB447, HB447

Keywords: HB447, school buses, student transportation, public schools, local boards of education, dual enrollment, career technical education, CTE, community college, trade school, technical college, offsite educational venues, student access, transportation policy, school bus law, Alabama education law, Montgomery County, probate court, judge of probate, will registration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:13.839><c> of</c><00:09:14.000><c> merger</c> really says that when a plan of merger really
• says that when a plan of merger or<00:09:14.760><c> exchange</c><00:09:15.760><c> is</c><00:09:16.000
• of merger so advance in part of the plan of merger so there's<00:10:47.760><c> no</c><00:10:48.079><
• The shareholders approve the whole plan. They have it in front of them.
• The shareholders approve the whole plan. They have it in front of them.

Bills: HF747, HF360

Keywords: corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, trusts, Uniform Trust Code, probate, estate planning, trust protector, directed trust, investment trust advisor, distribution trust advisor, excluded fiduciary, decanting, power of appointment, revocable trust, irrevocable trust, uneconomic trust, rule against perpetuities

Transcript Highlights:

• So I called up, and I'm asking people around, and I heard that the private plans, commercial plans, don't
• It's something about high-deductible plans only, or no? Mr.
• We had a strategic reserve of oil. That makes sense.
• What makes it strategic for our economy?
• And by having a strategic reserve that one day we may tap, that's kind of the point of it being a strategic

Bills: SB1165, SB1206, SB1212, SB1291, SB1347, SB1516, SB1554, SB1649, SB1689, SB1812

Keywords: breast cancer, screening services, health insurance, cost sharing, preventive care, storm damage, catastrophic storm, hail damage, wind damage, roof repair, roof replacement, post-storm repairs, insurance claim, property and casualty insurance, adjuster, public adjuster, contractor licensing, homeowner protections, deductible waiver, insurance fraud prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I know that we want to plan something special for the tribal... ...from LD7.
• I know that we want to plan something special for the tribal communities in March.
• We have strategic geography between two major metros, available land, expanding infrastructure, strong
• And if we have any plans to go down through the high schools and through the junior highs?”
• By the time you adopt your infrastructure improvement plan and your fee, you are already out of date.

Bills: HB2107, HB2588, HB2946, HB2950

Keywords: SNAP, nutrition assistance, fast food, vitamins, waiver, food policy, municipal planning, homeowner association, building permits, single-family home, property rights, design standards, development fees, municipalities, infrastructure, public services, annual reporting, property development, tourism improvement area, TIA

Bills: SF0114, SF0102, SF0117

Keywords: elections, Wyoming House of Representatives, state representatives, multi-member districts, county-based districts, party list voting, list voting, proportional representation, Jefferson method, greatest divisors method, ranked choice voting, RCV, primary elections, party conventions, minor parties, major parties, ballot design, apportionment, redistricting, nomination procedures

Bills: SF0114, SF0102, SF0117

Keywords: elections, Wyoming House of Representatives, state representatives, multi-member districts, county-based districts, party list voting, list voting, proportional representation, Jefferson method, greatest divisors method, ranked choice voting, RCV, primary elections, party conventions, minor parties, major parties, ballot design, apportionment, redistricting, nomination procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to ask the Department of Ag if they have plans of creating an animal welfare... because
• that you can have significant cost increases, so you've had a project that you've set up a financial plan
• precursors to secure what I would refer to as the brick-and-mortar money to do these projects is planning
• So we have an ability to go in there to ensure that they are planning the project.
• this stuff codified in here, we're going to really be able to take the projects that have the best planning

Bills: HM26, HB243, HB109

Keywords: insects, ecosystem, education, public awareness, wildlife conservation, state agency involvement, New Mexico, equine welfare, animal rescue, shelter funding, trust fund, veterinary care, water project fund, water project finance act, New Mexico Finance Authority, water infrastructure, water grants, water loans, regional water planning, water rights adjudication

Summary: The committee first heard House Memorial 26, a student-presented memorial encouraging state agencies to participate in insect education and conservation efforts, including free workshops sponsored by Wild Friends. The young witnesses emphasized the ecological and agricultural importance of insects, especially pollinators, and clarified that the memorial would not restrict fishing bait or other insect use. After brief questions about fishing, the University of New Mexico connection, and a planned BioPark bugarium, the committee approved the memorial on a due pass motion by unanimous consent. The committee then heard House Bill 243, which would provide more stable funding for shelters that care for homeless, abused, abandoned, or surrendered horses, donkeys, and mules. The bill would appropriate $500,000 to the existing Equine Shelter Rescue Fund, move administration of the fund from the Livestock Board to the Department of Agriculture, strengthen grant and reporting requirements, and create an Equine Welfare Trust Fund seeded with $5 million. Supporters from Animal Protection New Mexico, the Livestock Board, and the Department of Agriculture said the shelters are essential, underfunded, and at capacity, and that the bill would provide a more reliable funding stream. Some public testimony raised concerns about how animals are tracked and whether any horses could end up at auction or slaughter. Committee discussion focused on whether equine care should be funded through recurring appropriations instead of a trust fund, whether the Livestock Board or Department of Agriculture should administer the money, and whether the bill could affect wild or free-roaming horses. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would not change the Livestock Board’s enforcement role and that the trust fund was intended to create long-term support. A motion to table the bill failed, and the committee then voted 4-4 on the due pass motion, so HB 243 did not advance. One member explained his support but said the bill was not a good long-term solution. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 109, which would temporarily, through December 2029, allow the New Mexico Finance Authority to award water project funds without separate legislative authorization after projects have already been vetted. The sponsor and NMFA and Water Trust Board witnesses said the current authorization step delays projects for months, increases costs, and especially hurts small rural communities and acequias. They said the bill keeps existing oversight and evaluation processes, adds technical assistance for smaller applicants, and was amended to extend the sunset date to 2029 and remove an unconstitutional two-thirds-extension requirement. The committee approved HB 109 on a due pass motion by a vote of 7-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• The terms of the contract are commensurate with the pay plan or collective bargaining agreement operating
• The contract are commensurate with the pay plan or collective bargaining agreement operating for similar
• I had planned to be there today, and I look for any excuse to get in the Sherberg building since it,

Bills: SB5930, SB6075, SB6216, SB6233

Keywords: irrigation districts, director contracts, beneficial interests, transparency, governance, mitigation, habitat conservation, property rights, landowner compensation, fairness in mitigation, critical habitat, species preservation, riparian protection, salmon recovery, watershed planning, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Ecology, habitat conservation account, conservation easement, noxious weed control

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard several bills. On SB 5930, staff explained that the bill would create a spouse-employment exception to the municipal conflict-of-interest rules for irrigation district directors, allowing a director’s spouse to work for the district if employed before the director’s election, with disclosure and recusal requirements. Senator Gainer said the bill would help rural districts with limited staffing options, and a representative of the Washington State Water Resources Association testified in support. The bill drew 58 pro and one con sign-in, and the public hearing was closed. The committee then heard SB 6075, which would expand use of the Habitat Conservation Account to help landowners facing mitigation requirements from Ecology or Fish and Wildlife when those costs exceed a typical mitigation fee or reduce more than half the financial benefit of the property’s current use. Senator Wagoner described it as relief for landowners dealing with costly mitigation, and the bill had 296 pro and 2 con sign-ins with no oral testimony. The committee also heard SB 6216, a DNR efficiency bill that would replace paper pamphlet and office-posting requirements for timber and land sales with website posting and other practical notice methods; DNR, the Washington Forest Protection Association, and the American Forest Resource Council supported it, and the bill had 60 pro and one con sign-in. Before hearing SB 6233, the committee voted by voice to waive the five-day notice rule. Staff said the bill would increase criminal wildlife penalty assessments for trafficking covered animal species from $2,000 to $4,000 for second-degree offenses and from $4,000 to $8,000 for first-degree offenses, with half of the revenue going to the University of Washington’s Center for Environmental Forensic Science. Senators raised questions about the scope of “trade,” legal harvest in other jurisdictions, and the center’s role. Professor Samuel Wasser testified remotely in support, describing the center’s wildlife forensic work and its use in combating illegal wildlife trade. The hearing closed with six pro and 62 con sign-ins, and the committee concluded its business for the day.

Bills: HB1175, HB1376, HB1500, HB1796

Keywords: HB1175, small business, residential zoning, land use, zoning reform, neighborhood store, neighborhood cafe, convenience store, minimarket, corner store, mixed-use, local government, city zoning, town zoning, code city, parking regulations, hours of operation, alcohol service, food requirement, commercial use in residential areas

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a prayer from Rabbi Seth Goldstein. After caucus announcements and routine approval of introductions and committee referrals, the chamber moved to second and third reading of several bills. House Bill 1175, concerning small business establishments in residential zones, was amended to give smaller communities more local control and then passed 94-2. House Bill 1376, allowing voluntary prepayment of the state capital gains tax to preserve a federal tax deduction, passed unanimously 97-0. House Bill 1500, dealing with resale certificates for units in common interest communities, received a technical striking amendment to update the bill to current condo law and then passed 85-12. On third reading, Substitute House Bill 1302, which would let local governments waive utility connection charges for certain industrial symbiosis or green technology projects, passed 76-21 after supporters described it as an environmental and economic development tool and opponents warned it could shift costs and raise utility prices. House Bill 1796, allowing school districts to bond against capital levy collections to accelerate construction projects, passed 78-19 amid debate over whether the change respected voter intent and public trust. Substitute House Bill 1980 was returned to second reading for a striking amendment, which was adopted, and then passed 97-0. Supporters said it would create a pilot program to help employers, transit agencies, and workers better use transportation infrastructure and HOV/transit lanes in congested areas. The House also re-referred House Joint Memorial 4010 and House Bill 2402 to different committees, then adjourned until the following Friday morning.

Bills: HB1175, HB1376, HB1500, HB1796

Keywords: HB1175, small business, residential zoning, land use, zoning reform, neighborhood store, neighborhood cafe, convenience store, minimarket, corner store, mixed-use, local government, city zoning, town zoning, code city, parking regulations, hours of operation, alcohol service, food requirement, commercial use in residential areas

Summary: The House convened, the clerk called the roll, and a quorum was declared present. The chamber then observed the Pledge of Allegiance and heard an opening prayer from Pastor Gordy Hutchins of Evergreen Grace Church in Tacoma, who asked for clarity, humility, justice, compassion, and unity in the members’ work, ending with a lighthearted “Go Hawks.” The House approved the previous day’s minutes without objection and received a message from the Senate stating that the President had signed House Concurrent Resolutions 4406 and 4407 and Resolution 8407. The Speaker also signed Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407. The House agreed to treat the bills, memorials, and resolutions on the introduction sheet as first reading items and refer them to the appropriate committees. No substantive debate or votes on policy bills occurred. Members announced caucuses after adjournment, and the House adjourned until 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 15.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we do not plan to include in ago.
• </c> statewide capital improvements plan statewide capital improvements plan proposed<01:06:09.520><c
• this planning process.
• </c><01:10:30.560><c> advisory</c> Now, um the capital planning advisory Now, um the capital planning
• </c> slight change um in the last planning slight change um in the last planning period<01:10:45.040>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:11 Approval of Minutes 00:02:00 Information Items 00:02:25 CPE Special Report 00:03:26 Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:31:48 A. Attorney General 00:32:10 B. Court of Justice 00:36:41 C. Cabinet for Economic Development 00:50:44 D. Kentucky Public Pensions Authority 00:56:06 E. Board Discussion of Planning Issues 01:05:12, 958, all

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board opened its fourth meeting, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes by unanimous voice vote, and then heard information items and agency presentations. The main substantive presentation came from the Council on Postsecondary Education, which outlined its capital planning recommendations for the 2026–28 biennium. CPE staff described the role of Kentucky’s research and education network (Kron), including connectivity to cloud services, Internet2, identity services, and new local AI/inferencing capacity, and argued that the network is now essential to higher education, health care, and extension services. They said the network’s recent upgrades were driven by privacy, security, redundancy, and the need to support modern research and AI workloads at lower cost than commercial providers. CPE also presented its broader higher-education capital request: $700 million for asset preservation and $1.73 billion for new construction, for a total recommendation of about $2.4 billion. Staff said they do not plan to recommend IT projects or equipment in this cycle, despite reviewing 48 IT submissions totaling nearly $1.4 billion and equipment requests totaling $322.6 million. For asset preservation, they said the recommended allocation method would remain based on each institution’s share of Category 1 and 2 square footage, and they noted that the state’s prior facility assessment is now 12 years old, with deferred maintenance still estimated in the $7–9 billion range. For new construction, they said the requests are heavily focused on STEM and health-related facilities that are difficult to retrofit into older buildings. Board members asked about how asset-preservation amounts were determined, including why Northern Kentucky University’s request was much larger than its prior allocation. CPE staff responded that campus size, building age, and institutional prioritization affect the requests, and that schools are asked to submit more projects than are likely to be funded. The board then moved on to an Attorney General capital plan overview, where senior counsel Will Schroeder began describing the office’s technology needs and the office’s prior reliance on a 2020 appropriation to replace legacy systems and improve security.

Transcript Highlights:

• two regions of the state, over the interim, local governments either are participating in joint planning
• These include regional and state water and flood planning, joint planning for long-term aquifer management
• , and the various research efforts that yield the scientific data necessary to carry out those planning
• These include regional and state water and flood planning, joint planning for long-term aquifer management
• , and the various research efforts that yield the scientific data necessary to carry out those planning

Bills: SB480, SB767, SB790, SB971, SB1066

Keywords: water resources, interlocal contracts, local government, collaboration, planning activities, wildfire response, firefighting equipment, emergency services, state database, Texas Forest Service, customer complaints, Public Utility Commission, water service, complaint process, utility regulation, SB 971, Texas Water Assistance Program, Water Code, rural political subdivision, rural water

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met on Texas Water Day and limited public testimony to two minutes. The chair emphasized the need to move quickly because of scheduling conflicts with other committees and noted the importance of water policy and related stakeholders. The committee heard several bills focused on water administration, rural utilities, emergency response, and public works contracting. Senate Bill 790 by Senator Alvarado would let the Public Utility Commission create a simplified process for resolving tenant complaints over water or wastewater bill discrepancies; it was described as a way to avoid lengthy contested-case hearings for small disputes. Senate Bill 971 by Senator Sparks would clean up conflicting statutory definitions of “rural political subdivision” so Texas Water Development Board programs are applied consistently; Texas Rural Water Association testified in support. Senate Bill 767, also by Senator Sparks, would expand and improve a statewide database of fire-response equipment so departments, including volunteer and rural departments, can locate and share resources more effectively during emergencies; fire service witnesses supported the bill and suggested annual updates to keep the database current. Chair Perry laid out Senate Bill 480 to clarify that local governments and special districts may enter interlocal agreements for water-related planning and research, including aquifer management and flood/water planning. He also presented Senate Bill 1066, which raises payment and performance bond thresholds for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department public works contracts to $150,000, arguing the change would reflect inflation and help smaller vendors on lower-risk projects. Witnesses were heard on the bills, with no opposition recorded in the transcript. The committee voted out all five bills favorably. SB 1066, SB 480, SB 767, SB 790, and SB 971 each received unanimous committee approval and were recommended to the local and contested calendar, with SB 767 noted as amended by a suggested annual-update requirement for the equipment database.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Next up, Office of Planning. Next up, Office of Planning.
• </c> agency, they're a planning agency. agency, they're a planning agency.
• </c> duplication or conflicting plans. duplication or conflicting plans.
• </c> chairman of the Molokai Planning chairman of the Molokai Planning Commission.
• </c> planning the future. So, thank you. planning the future. So, thank you.

Bills: SB3253, SB2401, SB3169, SB17, SB3014, SB3032, SB1432, SB2002, SB2972, SB3247

Keywords: conservation, endangered species, wildlife preservation, native birds, biodiversity, sanctuary, nonprofit, DLNR, agricultural district, land use, chapter 195D, chapter 205, chapter 42F, state funding, public purpose, habitat restoration, predator-free sanctuary, ecosystem restoration, Zealandia, wildlife refuge

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard testimony on SB 5253 SD2 relating to conservation and SB 2401 relating to regional shoreline mitigation district, with the chair emphasizing short testimony limits and the need to finish before session. On SB 5253, DLNR said it stood on its written testimony and answered questions about the bill’s proposed nonprofit endangered species sanctuary. Members asked whether existing entities or agreements, such as land trusts, private landowners, and DLNR safe harbor agreements, could accomplish similar conservation goals without creating a new entity. DLNR said similar work already exists, but it was not aware of a comparable sanctuary model in the state. A member also questioned language suggesting for-profit businesses in the sanctuary, and DLNR said the intent appeared to be sales of outreach or similar materials, though it agreed that such activities could be handled by a nonprofit. The bulk of the hearing focused on SB 2401, which would create a regional shoreline adaptation/mitigation framework. The Department of the Attorney General said it had concerns about inconsistent use of the terms “mitigation” and “adaptation,” warning of possible title-subject issues. DLNR said it was neutral on the terminology and more concerned with the substance, and noted that the bill would not waive permits; any plan would still require environmental review and applicable state and county permits. DLNR also supported OHA’s recommendation to consider impacts on Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices during regional planning, and said the bill’s language on temporary shoreline protection measures could help address the gap between emergency permits and longer-term planning while avoiding a hardening-only approach. The Office of Planning supported the regional planning concept but noted it is not a regulatory agency and would need to work with DLNR and the Land Board. OHA supported the bill’s planning-based approach but recommended amendments to require assessment of impacts on Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices during plan development and to clarify that environmental review would still apply at the project level. Testifiers from the Ka‘anapali Steering Committee strongly supported the bill, saying it would provide a regional framework for ongoing erosion problems while preserving full regulatory authority and normal permitting, and they proposed amendments to standardize terminology, create a limited pathway for temporary shoreline protection, and address ownership and maintenance responsibilities. Members discussed the meaning of “mitigation” versus “adaptation,” the scope of shoreline hardening, and whether the bill would help the legislature take a broader, more holistic view of shoreline decisions. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.