Transcript Highlights:

• The bill authorizes civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, with enforcement through district
• But I, as a legislator, still believe in incrementalism.
• I'm willing to vote for this bill because it is an incremental step.
• Senator Parker, just like tax policy has to be done on an incremental basis, and...
• But I don't know if it's, if that's. exactly what the involvement of the district court is.

Bills: HB18

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill authorizes civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, with enforcement through district
• My district, my constituent management services, was in favor of us using all tools, but I think we should

Bills: HB18

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that we have other ways involving taxpayer dollars, such as the parent choice tax credit.
• But you mentioned the Parental Choice Tax Credit, and I've had many conversations.
• But you mentioned the Parental Choice Tax Credit.
• Are we counting on the districts to provide the resources for this training? Yes. ...adjunct.
• Are we counting on the districts to provide the resources for this training? Yes.

Bills: HB2950 , HB2978 , HB3132 , HB3242 , HB3467 , HB3700 , HB3701 , HB4115 , HB4274

Committee: House Education Oversight

Keywords: postsecondary education, standardized test scores, educational equity, higher learning access, Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, HB2978, school libraries, library media center, library media program, community standards, sexually explicit conduct, obscene material, age-appropriate materials, school curriculum, book challenges, book banning, censorship, public schools, school board, education committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that we have other ways involving taxpayer dollars, such as the parent choice tax credit.
• But you mentioned the parental choice tax credit, and I’ve had many conversations with members of the
• For instance, we’ve had a school in my district that voted three to two to keep a book that I’ll pass
• It is a may, and not a shall, based on local control districts and principals in the buildings.
• Are we counting on the districts to provide the resources for this training? Yes.

Bills: HB2950 , HB2978 , HB3132 , HB3242 , HB3467 , HB3700 , HB3701 , HB4115 , HB4274

Committee: House Education Oversight

Keywords: postsecondary education, standardized test scores, educational equity, higher learning access, Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, HB2978, school libraries, library media center, library media program, community standards, sexually explicit conduct, obscene material, age-appropriate materials, school curriculum, book challenges, book banning, censorship, public schools, school board, education committee

Summary: The Education Oversight Committee heard several bills focused on higher education, school library materials, military student transfers, women’s privacy, academic grading standards, program review, and teacher professional development. HB 2950, by Rep. Woolley, would remove the ACT requirement for homeschool students seeking Oklahoma’s Promise and bar colleges from imposing extra homeschool-specific hurdles; supporters said it would treat homeschoolers the same as other students, while opponents raised concerns about oversight and taxpayer-funded aid. The committee also heard HB 3132, which would direct higher education institutions to seek accreditors that do not impose DEI mandates, and HB 3700, which would require colleges to grade students only on academic criteria rather than opinions or beliefs. HB 3701 would codify regents’ procedures for reviewing and acting on low-performing degree programs, and HB 4115 would cap required teacher professional development hours, with the sponsor emphasizing local control and that the bill is permissive rather than mandatory. The committee also considered HB 2978, which would prohibit public school library materials from including descriptions or depictions of sexually explicit conduct. Supporters framed it as protecting children and aligning library collections with community standards, while opponents worried the language could limit access to materials that help students understand abuse and safety. HB 4274, a cleanup bill on military student schooling and school choice, would restore omitted transfer language, clarify in-district enrollment timing, and align the six-month relocation requirement with the Open Transfer Act. HB 3242, dealing with privacy for women in schools, universities, and domestic violence shelters, drew questions about how gender would be verified and how the bill would affect transgender students and shelter access. Most bills advanced on motions for due pass after committee discussion. HB 2950, HB 2978, HB 3132, HB 4274, HB 3242, HB 3700, HB 3701, and HB 4115 all received due pass recommendations. HB 3467 was laid over until the next meeting, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:49.320><c> uh</c> the shwood park sanitary who District uh the shwood park sanitary who District
• </c><00:53:59.680><c> base</c> infrastructure and a limited tax base infrastructure and a limited tax
• </c><01:09:21.080><c> is</c> district the renchel school district is district the renchel school district
• </c> being the one of the highest taxed being the one of the highest taxed communities<01:10:33.640><
• </c><01:25:55.400><c> disparities</c> creates um some tax-based disparities creates um some tax-based

Bills: HF343 , HF446 , HF448 , HF674 , HF811 , HF832 , HF1661 , HF1528 , HF1536 , HF1541 , HF1670 , HF1438 , HF1714 , HF1748 , HF1835 , HF1904 , HF1929 , HF1942

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: HF343, Chisago County, Shorewood Park Sanitary Sewer District, Rush Lake, sewer extension, wastewater infrastructure, sanitary sewer, treatment pond, sewage treatment, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, Public Facilities Authority, local infrastructure, municipal utilities, water quality, sanitation, bond proceeds fund, Minnesota bonding, HF446

Transcript Highlights:

• Joe Harrington, District Attorney in the 10th JDC; Bradley Burkett, District Attorney in the 7th JDC
• Judicial District Attorney.
• JDC; Claire Howington, 16th Judicial District Attorney; Brad Burkett, District Attorney for the 7th
• District Attorney.
• Brad Burkett, District Attorney for the 7th, JDC, Billy Joe Harrington, District.

Bills: HCR50 , HB123 , HB219 , HB251 , HB404 , HB769 , HB1065 , SB58 , SB81 , SB92 , SB97 , SB141 , SB156 , SB181 , SB207 , SB396 , SB410

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: electronic monitoring, GPS ankle monitor, ankle bracelet, pretrial release, post-conviction supervision, bail monitoring, house arrest, corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement, prosecuting authority, court reporting, provider registration, LCLE, Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, data privacy, personal information, cybersecurity, confidentiality, monitoring violations

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Rick Eggert, Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association, in support.
• Special</c> Eggert, Waikiki Beach Special Eggert, Waikiki Beach Special Improvement<00:39:13.720><c> District
• </c><00:39:14.080><c> Association</c><00:39:14.760><c> in</c> Improvement District Association in Improvement
• District Association in support.

Bills: SB2405 , HCR19 , HCR63 , HCR85 , HCR140 , HCR166 , HCR82 , HCR98 , HCR104 , HCR106 , HCR141 , HCR165 , HR20 , HR57 , HR77 , HR132 , HR156 , HR74 , HR90 , HR96 , HR98 , HR133 , HR155

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: agricultural workforce, housing, Hawaii, working group, zoning, land use, financial incentives, tax credits, water conservation, infrastructure, public health, March4Water, water access, sustainable resources, Honopou Bridge, emergency access, wildfire risk, public safety, structural integrity, community outreach

Summary: The Water and Land Committee met on April 7 and heard testimony on several resolutions and one bill. SB 2405 SD1 HD2, relating to agricultural workforce housing, received support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, HFTC, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, and the committee later recommended passage as is; one member voted with reservations citing department cost and staffing concerns. The committee also heard HCR 19/HR 20 designating March as March for Water Month, HCR 63/HR 57 urging DLNR and DOT to clarify jurisdiction over Honouliuli Bridge, HCR 85/HR 77 on transferring parcels for the East Kapolei TOD project, HCR 140/HR 132 on vegetation management and fuel reduction in West Maui, HCR 166/HR 156 on identifying East Oahu lands for native Hawaiian tree planting, HCR 82/HR 74 on basic shelter standards for rapid deployment housing, HCR 98/HR 90 on a Honolulu housing pattern book, HCR 104/HR 96 on North Shore coastal trails, HCR 106/HR 98 on endorsing Waikiki as a world surfing reserve, HCR 141/HR 133 on Maui fire code enforcement, and HCR 165/HR 155 on permanent pickleball nets and lighting at Kamiloiki Community Park. Testimony was generally supportive on most measures, with several agencies and organizations submitting written comments or appearing in support. HCR 82/HR 74 drew the most discussion: the State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the intent but asked that accessibility be considered on the front end, while another testifier opposed the resolution, arguing it could turn temporary emergency shelters into permanent substandard housing and should be deferred. Committee members discussed temporary versus permanent housing standards and accessibility, and the chair later said the measure would be amended to require permanent units to meet appropriate code standards and to note accessibility concerns in the committee report. On HCR 140/HR 132, DLNR testified that firebreak maintenance on its Waianae lands would be costly, and members noted funding and staffing implications. At the end of the meeting, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures it voted on. SB 2405 was passed with a reservation from one member; HCR 19/HR 20, HCR 63/HR 57, HCR 85/HR 77, HCR 98/HR 90, HCR 104/HR 96, HCR 106/HR 98, HCR 141/HR 133, and HCR 165/HR 155 were passed unamended, while HCR 140/HR 132 was passed with reservations and HCR 166/HR 156 and HCR 82/HR 74 were passed with amendments. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as I said so many times and I say again, I got two in my district that it proved that this works.
• that it proved that this in my district that it proved that this works.<00:15:21.519><c> It's</c><00
• Um, this deals with the tourism tax incentive rebate.
• </c> this deals with the tourism tax this deals with the tourism tax incentive<00:29:42.399><c> rebate
• </c> additional guard rails on this tax additional guard rails on this tax incentive.<00:29:52.799><c

Bills: HB178 , HB124 , HB96 , HB250 , SB289 , SB317 , HB359 , HB178 , HB124 , HB96 , HB250 , SB289 , SB317 , HB359

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: HB178, Ten Commandments, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama, school display, religious display, Bible, Judeo-Christian, Establishment Clause, church-state separation, religion in schools, founding documents, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Northwest Ordinance, social studies, civics, history curriculum

Transcript Highlights:

• communities, taking into account the County of Kauai's ordinance relating to the plantation camp district
• Members, let's move on to HCI 185, HR 175. relating to the plantation camp district relating to the plantation
• camp district wildfire<00:46:42.680><c> and</c><00:46:42.840><c> wildland</c> wildfire and wildland

Bills: HCR13 , HCR61 , HCR136 , HCR185 , HCR155 , HCR68 , HCR174 , HCR178 , HCR179 , HCR91 , HCR103 , HCR115 , HCR199 , HR15 , HR128 , HR175 , HR147 , HR62 , HR164 , HR168 , HR169 , HR83 , HR95 , HR107 , HR189

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: coral reefs, sunscreen, environmental education, student stewardship, marine conservation, reforestation, Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, native forests, climate resilience, sustainable practices, economic opportunity, biodiversity, wildland-urban interface, WUI, wildfire mitigation, wildfire safety, Maui County, County of Maui, Kauai

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 31, 2026, and heard testimony on several resolutions. HCR 13/HR 50, which asks DLNR to work with DOE and the Public Charter School Commission on a student coral stewardship program, drew comments from DLNR, which said it stood on written testimony and had proposed amendments, and from supporters in the room. HCR 61, urging investment in reforestation policies, workforce, nursery capacity, and related support for public and private lands, received strong support from DLNR and multiple testifiers, including members of a reforestation policy hui, a resident, and others who emphasized watershed protection, flood and fire resilience, and the need to upgrade nursery infrastructure and staffing. Committee members asked questions about nursery modernization, staffing, island-specific needs, and whether reforestation could reduce wildfire impacts; the DLNR witness said all islands need investment, with especially large opportunities on Hawaiʻi Island, and that healthier forests improve resilience though they cannot eliminate climate-related risks. The committee then heard HCR 136/HR 128 on wildland-urban interface safety standards for Maui plantation towns, but no one testified. It also heard HCR 185/HR 175, which urges denial of permits for ICE detention-related warehouses; Chris Coffey of Immua Alliance testified in support, saying migrant survivors of exploitation are harmed when ICE detains people and that Hawaii would not be the first place to take such action, citing examples from other states and cities. In questioning, members explored whether a local facility would keep people closer to families and services or instead increase local detention; Coffey said detention generally cuts off access to services and can intensify fear, and that a local facility could incentivize more detention and make survivors less likely to come forward. Finally, the committee heard HCR 155/HR 147 supporting the Hawaii Water Safety Coalition’s Hawaii Water Safety Act. Testifiers included Allison Shapera, who described the statewide water safety plan, Hawaii’s high drowning rate, the economic and human costs of drownings, and her personal loss of her daughter in a preventable drowning; Kirsten Hermstead and Kalani Vierra of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association said the plan’s recommendations need legislative recognition to help with implementation and grant funding; and Jessamine Town Horner testified by Zoom as a co-founder and bereaved family advocate. The transcript provided does not show any votes or final committee actions on the measures discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even after persistent pushing for an evaluation through the district, our family ultimately had to pay
• 06:41.919><c> the</c> pushing for an evaluation through the pushing for an evaluation through the district
• ><c> family</c><00:06:43.280><c> ultimately</c><00:06:43.680><c> had</c><00:06:43.919><c> to</c> district
• , our family ultimately had to district, our family ultimately had to pay<00:06:44.240><c> for</c><00

Bills: HF60 , HF3067 , HF3730 , HF3638 , HF3401

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, paraprofessional, paraprofessional qualifications, education support staff, teacher aide, teacher assistant, special education, Title I, federal personnel qualifications, Minnesota Department of Education, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, Read Act, reading instruction, math instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• on military bases, which are the Clover Park School District and the Medical Lake School District.
• military bases, which are the Clover Park School District and the Medical Lake School District.
• I represent the 28th Legislative District, home to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and Clover Park School District
• is in the 28th Legislative District.
• Clover Park is a unique school district.

Bills: HB2470 , HB2353 , HB2420 , HB2338

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: HB2470, school construction assistance, capital budget, school facilities, on-base schools, military base schools, military installations, public school construction, school plant projects, state funding assistance, superintendent of public instruction, OSPI, school capital funding, instructional space, school district construction, alternative learning experience, ALE, free and reduced-price meals, special housing burden, district growth

Transcript Highlights:

• So, a transient occupancy tax is a lodging tax for those of y'all who didn't know that.
• website, showing a presentation to let people know and explaining the fact that this is your public tax
• I don't think it was in her district. So, y'all give me a little bit of leeway here.

Bills: HB407 , SB306 , SB320 , SB321

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: local redevelopment, tax payments, transient occupancy, state revenue, authority powers, transparency, discretionary accounts, government accountability, public access, online publication, liquefied petroleum gas, safety regulations, public gathering places, cylinder storage, proximity regulations, drycleaning, environmental remediation, pollution, hazardous waste, trust fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 143 basically removes the sunset from the assessment tax to nursing homes.
• Senate Bill 143 basically removes the sunset from the assessment tax to nursing homes.
• </c><00:08:30.879><c> And</c> uh taxes for the private hospitals.
• And uh taxes for the private hospitals.
• Bill receives a favorable report. uh re the retail sales tax from 6 to uh re the retail sales tax from

Bills: SB146 , SB143 , SB144 , SB145 , HB224 , SB152 , SB153 , SB154 , SB162 , SB226 , SB146 , SB143 , SB144 , SB145 , HB224 , SB152 , SB153 , SB154 , SB162 , SB226

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: supplemental appropriation, FY2025 budget, general fund, Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy, Unified Judicial System, court automation, advanced technology and data exchange, judiciary funding, transportation debt service, highway bonds, bridge bonds, Alabama Department of Transportation, ALDOT, public highways, federal matching funds, state appropriations, bond principal and interest, special funds, budget amendment, SB143

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the district is going to be a self-contained district, and any dollars that we can generate
• There's, uh, no possibility of like car lots or red light districts going into this district.
• Robert Awana on behalf of DO Tax.
• Robert Awana on behalf of DO Tax.
• </c> development district. development district.

Bills: SB2908 , SB2671 , SB3085 , SB2907 , SB2353 , SB2074 , SB2360 , SB2057 , SB3251 , SB2354 , SB3001

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: permit processing, permitting reform, county permits, development permits, building permits, land use, construction delays, housing development, infrastructure development, county workforce, differential pay, salary incentive, performance bonus, recruitment and retention, expedited hiring, vacancy rates, permit backlog, government modernization, county mayor, county council

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several Senate bills, with most measures drawing broad support and a few generating significant opposition or policy questions. SB 2908 SD1 and SB 2671 SD1 were taken up first; both appeared to have majority support, with SB 2908 receiving seven in support, one in opposition, and one comment, and SB 2671 receiving five in support and two comments. SB 3085 SD2, related to film industry operations, drew 11 supporters and no opposition. Georgia Skinner explained that the bill would streamline the approval timeline for productions by reducing delays tied to Land Board review, and she said DLNR supported the effort. Committee members asked about the need for the change and the relationship between the film studio, DLNR, and the approval process. The committee then discussed SB 2907 SD1, which would create an Office of Marine Affairs. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DLNR, HTDC, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, ocean industry representatives, and others. The governor’s office supported the bill’s intent but objected to placing the office within the Office of the Governor, urging instead that it be housed at HTDC. HTDC said it was willing and excited to take on the work and described ongoing stakeholder engagement. Members asked about the rationale for the placement and the long-term structure of the office. SB 2353 SD2, concerning the Aloha Stadium district and billboard/naming-rights issues, drew strong opposition overall, with four in support, 23 in opposition, and one comment. Andrew Pereira of the Stadium Authority argued the measure could generate revenue to help maintain and operate the stadium and said the district would remain self-contained; he also emphasized that the development would respect the character of the area. The committee then heard SB 2074 SD1, which had five in support and 26 in opposition; only one support testimony from the Carpenters was heard before the discussion moved on. Finally, SB 2360 SD1, an enterprise zones measure, received 14 supportive testimonies and two comments. Testimony focused on updating the program for modern business models, especially e-commerce and direct-to-consumer sales, while committee members questioned whether the program overlaps with higher tax burdens and whether businesses receiving subsidies should be monitored for job retention after graduation from the program.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's within my district. within my district. within my district.
• They'll vary from district to district. So I think from district to district.
• So those franchise tax franchise tax. So those franchise tax franchise tax.
• tax base for these taxes.
• use tax up the way they should with the use tax and the sales tax.

Bills: HB 1535 , HB 123 , HB 111 , HB 180 , HB 342 , HB 1027 , HB 1178 , HB 610 , HB 1277 , HB 1615 , HB 1620 , HB 5342 , HB 4885 , HB 4751 , HB 4689 , HB 4530 , HB 4488 , HB 2149 , HB 2041 , HB 2071 , HB 1813 , HB 2282 , HB 2248 , HB 2243 , HB 2522 , HB 2310 , HB 2513 , HB 2300 , HB 1902 , HB 3719 , HB 4284 , HB 4327 , HB 3743 , HB 3778 , HB 3801 , HB 5153 , HB 5147 , HB 4877 , HB 4850 , HB 3158 , HB 3261 , HB 3005 , HB 3033 , HB 3138 , HB 3099 , HB 2849 , HB 2967 , HB 3488 , HB 3477 , HB 3466 , HB 3396 , HB 3469 , HB 2594 , HB 2776 , HB 2564 , HB 2298 , HB 5331 , HB 5646 , HB 5247 , HB 5323 , HB 2015 , HB 4384 , HB 3896 , HB 4014 , HB 3627 , HB 3594 , HB 2524 , HB 510 , HB 561 , HB 5111 , HB 5446 , HB 1181 , HB 3963 , HB 2785 , HB 1661 , HB 2460 , HB 24 , HJR 138 , HB 3800 , HB 42 , HB 129 , HB 677 , HB 668 , HB 2128 , HB 2038 , HB 2316 , HB 3686 , HB 2563 , HB 1160 , HB 3883 , HB 2788 , HB 2663 , HB 3305 , HB 3474 , HB 1105 , HB 3490 , HB 3597 , HB 1295 , HB 3512 , HB 3783 , HB 2017 , HB 3010 , HB 3112 , HB 4215 , HB 3223 , HB 3464 , HB 3120 , HB 4214 , HB 4081 , HB 4783 , HB 4063 , HB 2783 , HB 5085 , HB 2510 , HB 3426 , HB 4361 , HB 1169 , HB 2516 , HB 4700 , HB 3560 , HB 3860 , HB 3146 , HB 184 , HB 198 , HB 247 , HB 367 , HB 449 , HB 1778 , HB 514 , HB 632 , HB 2582 , HB 766 , HB 2715 , HB 2712 , HB 3069 , HB 3505 , HB 1269 , HB 4224 , HB 5032 , HB 2240 , HB 5180 , HB 3348 , HB 4668 , HB 4665 , HB 3395 , HB 3157 , HB 4395 , HB 4325 , HB 4386 , HB 4273 , HB 2760 , HB 2820 , HB 1828 , HB 1579 , SB 2349 , SB 1268 , SB 610 , SB 1577 , SB 1369 , SB 2032 , SB 2034 , SB 1057 , SB 1044 , SB 922 , SB 1759 , SB 1143 , SB 1506 , SB 1403 , SB 2361 , SB 870 , SB 372 , SB 72 , SB 1583 , SB 2314 , SB 1267 , SB 1273 , SB 765 , SB 552 , HB 2145 , HJR 112 , HB 1804 , HJR 110 , HB 1194 , HB 1531 , HB 5008 , HB 3421 , SCR 27 , HB 5398 , HB 1407 , HB 426 , HB 1535 , HB 123 , HB 1773 , HB 1871 , HB 2035 , HB 2448 , HB 2492 , HB 1411 , HB 4753 , HB 4666 , HB 4529 , HB 1499 , HB 1610 , HB 2028 , HB 1506 , HB 886 , HB 3546 , HB 796 , HB 223 , HB 1475 , HB 3556 , HB 4638 , HB 111 , HB 180 , HB 342 , HB 1027 , HB 1178 , HB 610 , HB 1277 , HB 1615 , HB 1620 , HB 5342 , HB 4885 , HB 4751 , HB 4689 , HB 4530 , HB 4488 , HB 2149 , HB 2041 , HB 2071 , HB 1813 , HB 2282 , HB 2248 , HB 2243 , HB 2522 , HB 2310 , HB 2513 , HB 2300 , HB 1902 , HB 3719 , HB 4284 , HB 4327 , HB 3743 , HB 3778 , HB 3801 , HB 5153 , HB 5147 , HB 4877 , HB 4850 , HB 3158 , HB 3261 , HB 3005 , HB 3033 , HB 3138 , HB 3099 , HB 2849 , HB 2967 , HB 3488 , HB 3477 , HB 3466 , HB 3396 , HB 3469 , HB 2594 , HB 2776 , HB 2564 , HB 2298 , HB 5331 , HB 5646 , HB 5247 , HB 5323 , HB 2015 , HB 4384 , HB 3896 , HB 4014 , HB 3627 , HB 3594 , HB 2524 , HB 510 , HB 561 , HB 5111 , HB 5446 , HB 1181 , HB 3963 , HB 2785 , HB 1661 , HB 2460 , HCR 98 , HCR 92 , HCR 126

Keywords: Trinity River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, board of directors, governor appointment, public water authority, regional water authority, water resources, local government, natural resources, board training, ethics, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, complaint procedures, public comment, director removal, governance reform

Transcript Highlights:

• For firearm-related violations, a school district may continue to prohibit, or, excuse me, a school district
• School districts are still required to provide the constitutional requirement.
• So I... districts are still required to provide the constitutional requirement.
• The discipline decisions are made by investigation within the district.
• And again, I will just re-emphasize that this is not a mandate on districts.

Bills: HB2246 , HB2360

Committee: House Education

Keywords: firearm violations, education, student discipline, school policies, safety measures, albuterol, asthma, inhaler, rescue inhaler, respiratory emergency, school nurse, student medication, self-administration, anaphylaxis, public schools, private schools, charter schools, tribal compact schools, K-12 health, medication policy

Transcript Highlights:

• districts or mayor control of those districts.
• </c> and districts. and districts.
• districts.
• . districts.
• </c> by district in 2024. by district in 2024.

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:09 Roll call 00:00:24 Election of Co-Chairs 00:01:11 Office of Education Accountability Annual Report 00:04:41 Office of Education Accountability District Data Profiles, School Year 2024 00:23:50 Update from the Education Professional Standards Board 00:58:19 Adjournment 01:08:00, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting with roll call and procedural business, including elections of co-chairs. The House elected Representative Truett as House co-chair, and the Senate elected Senator Denine as Senate co-chair. After the organizational votes, the committee heard the Office of Educational Accountability’s annual report, beginning with Brian Jones and Deborah Nelson describing OEA’s investigations and research divisions and recent staffing turnover. On the investigations side, OEA said it handled complaints only when submitted in writing and generally opened cases only when it had enough facts to evaluate. Jones reported complaint volume declined from 805 in 2023 to 738 in 2024, with 325 in the first half of the current year. He outlined the kinds of matters OEA investigates, including school-based council issues, open meetings, board eligibility, nepotism, conflicts of interest, certification, activity funds, and surplus property, while noting that routine personnel matters, bullying, child interviews, and cases tied to litigation are generally handled locally or referred elsewhere. He also said OEA refers special education, assessment/testing, discrimination, and serious misconduct matters to the appropriate agencies, and that he did not see a need for statutory changes to improve OEA’s work, though he said cases should move more quickly. The research division presentation focused on OEA’s district data profiles and annual research agenda. Nelson explained that OEA reviews KDE-reported data and underlying datasets to verify accuracy, analyze trends, and produce reports for the General Assembly. She highlighted 2024 publications on district governance models and student achievement, and said this year’s agenda includes district data profiles, student discipline analysis, and a review of early childhood regional training centers. She also noted OEA received an NCSL notable document award for its 2023 staffing shortages report, its 10th such award. Sabrina Smith then walked through the district data profiles, which compile demographic, staffing, finance, and performance data for all 171 districts, plus statewide and comparative data. She noted changes in the report format, the continued availability of an online interactive version, and several trends: adjusted average daily attendance declined statewide from 2015 to 2024; the counselor-to-student ratio has improved but has not yet reached the statutory goal of one counselor per 250 students; the share of teachers moving from rank three to rank two has declined; special education identification has risen from 13% to 16%; and starting teacher salaries vary widely by district, with Kentucky’s average starting salary around $40,000 ranking near the bottom compared with surrounding states and the nation. Members asked about the history of the research division and whether the paper copies of the district profiles would continue, and staff said the printed versions would continue unless legislators asked otherwise.

Bills: HB1329

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division

Keywords: government spending database, public expenditure transparency, open data, government transparency, school district spending, state spending, local government finance, education finance, budget database, expenditure reporting, salary transparency, benefits data, public records, Legislative Management study, North Dakota, school board training, superintendent, principal, business manager, higher education spending

Summary: The division first discussed Senate Bill 1540 and related amendments involving implementation mechanics, procurement exemptions, and an emergency clause. Bank of North Dakota representatives explained that, based on a timeline review with DPI, the project would be very difficult to implement for the 2026-27 school year without exemptions from state purchasing and IT oversight rules and without an emergency clause; they said the normal procurement process could take about 240 days and that a 15-month implementation window would likely push the start to 2027-28 if those changes were not adopted. Members also raised a separate policy question about a criminal penalty placeholder in the bill, and the committee agreed that the sentence was unnecessary and should be removed. The committee deferred means-testing questions and fiscal-note issues to the next morning, with the understanding that the bill would be drafted in a way that made it workable if it advanced. The committee then turned to the water budget bill and reviewed the latest amended version, which included changes to the Water Topics process, Southwest Pipeline line of credit provisions, Red River supply funding, Mouse River project amounts, general water funding, studies on Missouri River intakes and water governance/finance, and a carryover/transfer adjustment. Chris Cattermas of the Department of Water Resources said most of the carryover funds were already obligated, with the largest unobligated amount in flood control. After review, Senator Thomas moved a do-pass recommendation on the bill as amended, the motion was seconded, and the committee approved it unanimously. The chair noted that other bills would be taken up the next morning, including 1013, 1014, and 1540.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would put an extreme burden on our school districts.
• Every school, we have, you know, 168 school districts. They're all unique.
• It still seems to me that you're looking to pinpoint a problem with your school district.
• And I think about how many phone calls I get when people get their property tax statement.
• You first have to define what information you're going to capture from a district.

Bills: HB1329

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division

Keywords: government spending database, public expenditure transparency, open data, government transparency, school district spending, state spending, local government finance, education finance, budget database, expenditure reporting, salary transparency, benefits data, public records, Legislative Management study, North Dakota, school board training, superintendent, principal, business manager, higher education spending

Summary: The Education Division met with all members present and first took up House Bill 1329, which would create a transparency database and website for school spending information. Senator Schaible offered Amendment 0204 to turn the bill into a study, citing concerns that the proposal would impose major data-collection burdens on 168 school districts, require new data standards and privacy protections, and likely cost far more than the $500,000 in the bill. Several members supported transparency but agreed the implementation costs and technical feasibility were unclear. The committee adopted the amendment 4-1, then passed HB 1329 as amended on a 5-0 vote, with Senator Shively to carry the bill. The committee then discussed House Bill 1540, the education savings account/voucher bill. Representatives from the Bank of North Dakota and the Department of Public Instruction explained that they had not been consulted on the original drafting and outlined needed administrative changes, including clarifying the Bank as administrator, using a third-party program manager, involving DPI in rulemaking, adding audit and appeal procedures, and adjusting language on eligible purchases and school disqualification. They also said the current timeline was likely too aggressive to launch by the 2026-27 school year and estimated the program would require about 15 months to implement, with a fiscal note now around $5.1 million. Members also discussed policy-related amendments on means testing and application timing. Senator Shively proposed a 300% of poverty-level means test and a sign-up period to reduce costs and limit open-ended enrollment, while Senator Axman proposed a tiered approach that would keep all students technically eligible but phase in funding levels by income, preserving access for students who qualify for other federal supports. DPI said it could not currently disaggregate some data by family income and that the appeal process and procurement timeline still needed work. The committee did not move HB 1540 out that morning and instead recessed to continue discussion later after members had time to review the administrative and fiscal issues separately from the means-testing proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also restricts tax and fee benefits.
• rendered ineligible for state tax credits, exemptions, or discounts.
• Permit the taxes on this.
• for record keeping, furnishing bonds, and accounting for a remittance tax.
• The Army and Air Guard operate under three districts.

Bills: HB551 , HB 1281 , HB1378 , HB1617 , HB2868 , HB2881 , HB3374 , HB4439 , HB4726 , HB4732 , HB4878 , HB4914 , HB4921 , HB4958 , HB5200 , HB5318 , HB5360 , HB5402 , HB5568 , HB5573 , HB5623 , HJR218

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, international organizations, World Health Organization, jurisdiction, state law, enforcement, United Nations, World Economic Forum, attorney general, Texas attorney general, state sovereignty, legal enforcement, Texas Attorney General, electric energy storage, municipal regulation, county regulation