Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, I want to briefly talk about worker wages.
• Finance Committee (LFC) first noted that New Mexico ranked 35th out of all states for child care worker
• Is that essentially for the child care worker? Is that essentially what you're saying there, Mr.
• And then do we have any idea why there's such a disparity on the worker to the administrator?
• And I guess as we move in the direction of additional certifications and requirements for the workers

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the name of the members voting remotely. Baker. Go ahead, Dave. Baker.
• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Baker, go ahead, Dave.
• [Music] The clerk will call the name of the members voting remotely. Baker votes aye.
• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Baker, go ahead.
• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Baker votes I.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Nasta is from NCSL and is with us remotely.
• Nasta is from NCSL and is with us remotely. In order, Co-Chair Pham, we had anticipated having Mr.
• businesses that maybe don't really know the first step to take or kind of how to train their existing workers

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee held a series of informational briefings on information management and technology issues. It first heard from ACLU representatives on data privacy, who argued that Oregon should strengthen protections against private data brokers, government purchases of personal data, reverse warrants, automatic license plate readers, and local police surveillance. They urged data minimization, limits on data sales and retention, and broader transparency and accountability measures. Members asked about practical uses of license plate readers, state sales of data, and how Oregon’s approach compares with other states; the presenters said similar proposals have been adopted elsewhere, including data minimization in Maryland and a state version of the Fourth Amendment Is Not for Sale Act in Montana. The committee then received a detailed update from the Department of Administrative Services and Enterprise Information Services on licensing system modernization for 14 boards and commissions with the most immediate need. DAS said it is seeking a shared procurement approach through an RFP that would create either one scalable system or two tiers of systems, depending on agency needs and security requirements, with contracts expected by September. Committee members emphasized the need for a more unified, user-friendly statewide login and service experience for businesses and residents, and raised concerns about small agencies “figuring it out on their own” without sufficient cybersecurity or technical expertise. EIS said it is overseeing the investment review, security and architecture review, and future implementation planning, and noted that multiple agency requests may still come back to the legislature in the next session. The committee also discussed a revised cybersecurity incident notification concept. Staff explained that the earlier bill had raised stakeholder concerns, so the co-chairs directed further interim work with the Oregon Cybersecurity Advisory Council and other local government and K-12 stakeholders. The goal is a narrower, voluntary “911-style” notification process that would let public bodies alert peers and potentially receive assistance after cyber incidents; a temporary voluntary process is being tested now, with a work group developing language for possible 2027 consideration. Finally, the committee heard updates from the new state chief data officer on data governance, data sharing, geospatial work, and the state transparency website, followed by a briefing on data centers from NCSL and the Technology Association of Oregon. The data officer described efforts to expand data inventories, data governance plans, data literacy, and interagency sharing, along with statewide aerial imagery, geospatial standards, and the open data portal. The data center discussion focused on national and state trends, including rapid growth in data centers, rising electricity and water demand, and legislative responses such as new rate classes, reporting requirements, and cost-allocation rules to protect ratepayers. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• has the department distributed all of the funds that were previously appropriated for the social worker
• Will there be hybrid options, remote options? Absolutely.
• Will there be hybrid options, remote options? Absolutely.

Bills: SB37, SB29

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• of learning and just the ability for families to manage their schedules and really capture those workers
• So in their mind, transportation is less expensive than maintaining that remote school site. I see.
• So in their mind, transportation is less expensive than maintaining that remote school site. I see.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met for its annual Proposition 98 overview, with Chair Alvarez outlining the committee’s focus on K-12 funding, student outcomes, and use of one-time funds. Superintendent Tony Thurmond gave an update on education issues, including wildfire recovery support for affected school communities, ongoing concerns about federal threats to education funding and immigration enforcement, progress on literacy and math, dual-language immersion, educator housing, and support for dual enrollment. Members broadly expressed support for these priorities, while also raising concerns about implementation, funding stability, and the need for schools to remain safe places for students. The committee then reviewed the Governor’s Proposition 98 proposal. The Department of Finance said the 2025-26 Proposition 98 guarantee is projected at $118.9 billion, with higher revenues and TK-related rebenching driving the increase. The LAO said the budget adds about $7.5 billion over two years and discussed the volatility of the guarantee, especially in 2024-25, when changes in revenue could have an outsized effect on school funding. Members questioned the proposed $1.6 billion delayed settle-up payment, the legal basis for delaying it, and the impact of possible federal funding freezes. The LAO presented alternatives such as a reserve deposit or delayed disbursement, while Finance said the proposal is intended to manage uncertainty. Members also raised concerns that ethnic studies implementation was not funded in the January budget, and Finance said the administration was not proposing funding for it. The committee next heard on the Proposition 98 rainy day fund and education deferrals. Finance said the reserve would receive a mandatory deposit of about $1.2 billion in 2024-25 and a discretionary deposit of $376 million in 2025-26, leaving a balance of about $1.5 billion. The LAO supported rebuilding the reserve as a way to manage volatility. On deferrals, Finance described the Governor’s plan to eliminate remaining deferrals by 2025-26, and the LAO said paying them off improves cash flow and budget resilience. Members generally supported eliminating deferrals and rebuilding reserves, though some asked about acting earlier if revenues allow. The committee also reviewed the proposed $1.8 billion student support and professional development block grant; Finance said it would fund professional development, recruitment and retention, and dual enrollment, while the LAO recommended clearer language on local discretion and use for one-time costs. Members were divided, with some supporting flexibility and others warning that one-time block grants can create instability and confusion for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• They need to be powering or heating remote areas. They have been used in military bases.
• We cannot build these large reactors in a remote community. We need to transform our thinking.
• GE or NOVA is interested in studying what it would take to remotely operate these reactors because they
• GE or NOVA is interested in studying what it would take to remotely operate these reactors because they
• They cannot have a control room of their own if they're remotely deployed.

Summary: The meeting was an extended briefing from Idaho National Laboratory officials on the lab’s mission, its role in nuclear energy research, and the federal push to accelerate advanced reactor deployment. Speakers described INL’s size and capabilities, including test reactors, fuel and materials facilities, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure work, and partnerships with DOE, the NRC, the Department of Defense, and private companies. They emphasized that the lab is supporting both commercial nuclear development and national security work, while also training a large intern workforce. A major theme was the current federal effort to streamline nuclear regulation and speed up licensing and demonstration. The speakers said recent executive orders and DOE/NRC coordination are reducing redundant requirements, shortening environmental review timelines, and aiming for three new nuclear systems to reach criticality by July 4, 2026. They argued that regulatory uncertainty has been a major driver of nuclear cost and that the administration’s actions, along with DOE’s pilot and demonstration programs, are intended to rebuild the domestic supply chain and industrial base. The discussion also focused on advanced reactor types, including small modular reactors, microreactors, molten salt concepts, and liquid-metal designs. Officials said these technologies are being developed for data centers, military bases, remote communities, industrial heat, hydrogen production, and other nontraditional uses. They highlighted several projects and companies, including Oklo, Aalo, Radiant, X-energy, TerraPower, Kairos, and DOE’s MARVEL and Project Pele efforts, and said some reactors are expected to reach criticality or operation in the next few years. Questions from attendees covered safety, public health impacts, materials and heat management, waste or used fuel handling, costs, and whether nuclear could remain competitive against other energy sources; the speakers responded that advanced reactors are designed with passive safety features, that used fuel should be viewed as a resource, and that cost remains highly design- and supply-chain-dependent.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 3rd area is the feasibility invalidity of using remote testing for progress.
• And in Florida, we do allow our of Florida full-time Florida virtual school students to remote test on
• And so the study did look at the data for students test the remotely versus knows not testing remotely
• The recommendation here again is to proceed with caution with any expansion of remote testing because
• I think we learned a lot actually during the pandemic when folks transition to devices remotely.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the name of the members voting remotely. Acomb. Acomb, I. Acomb votes I.
• 02:44.040> voting call the name of the members voting call the name of the members voting remotely
• . remotely. remotely.
• The chief clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Acomb. Acomb, I.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 2354, a consumer protection bill dealing with medical assistance fraud. Representative Norris described the measure as a crackdown on Medicaid fraud that would add investigators and prosecutors, increase penalties, and broaden the fraud definition to cover more sophisticated schemes. He also emphasized the federal three-to-one match for state spending on the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The chamber adopted amendment A11 by a roll call vote of 134 yeas and 0 nays. Norris said the amendment narrowed subpoena powers to align with language from the other body, moved the appropriation to the general fund to satisfy a leader agreement and secure the federal match, and made technical cross-reference corrections. On third reading, Representative Schumacher said the bill had been worked through several Human Services Committee hearings and discussions with the Attorney General’s office and was now in workable form. Norris thanked bipartisan authors and staff and urged a green vote. The final roll call passed the bill 118 yeas to 16 nays, and House File 2354 was finally agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Members.
• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Clardy. Clardy, present.
• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Clardy. Clardy votes yes.
• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Clardy. Clardy votes aye.
• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Clardy. Clardy votes aye.

Transcript Highlights:

• I met him remotely. Okay. And at what time did you meet him remotely?
• When we were first contemplating making volunteers into paid workers, we were envisioning contract work
• I think it was signed remotely. You're incorrect.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The hearing concerned a Legislative Ethics Board complaint against Representative Tara Simmons in Washington State OAH Docket 401-645. The judge outlined the process, the two issues on appeal—whether Simmons violated RCW 42.52.020 and RCW 42.52.070, and, if so, what penalty should apply—and admitted a number of exhibits by stipulation or prior ruling, while taking one exhibit under advisement pending an offer of proof. The board also moved to sequester witnesses, which was granted, and the judge deferred ruling on a motion to exclude three defense witnesses until after hearing the board staff’s case. Opening statements followed, with staff alleging Simmons used her position to benefit an outside organization and to secure special privileges, and the defense arguing the conduct was lawful, technical in nature, and consistent with prior ethics guidance. Board staff then called Kimberly Gordon, an attorney and founding board member/treasurer of American Equity and Justice Group (AEJG), as its first witness. Gordon testified that AEJG used data dashboards to make justice-system data more accessible, received state proviso funding sponsored by Simmons, and also received two donations from Simmons—$10,000 and $40,000. She said the first donation was intended to help hire Antoine Coleman, whom Simmons had recommended and who was later identified as Simmons’s romantic partner, and that AEJG returned the $10,000 and declined the $40,000 after concluding there was a potential conflict of interest. Gordon also testified that AEJG believed Simmons’s involvement in the organization and her communications about Coleman created ethical concerns. Gordon further testified about a second proviso intended to expand AEJG’s work into education data and its subcontract with Equity in Education Coalition (EEC). She said EEC did not perform the expected deliverables, prompting repeated communications with the Administrative Office of the Courts and a meeting involving Chris Stanley, where AEJG raised concerns that EEC was not complying and that Simmons had intervened in the dispute. According to Gordon, Stanley ultimately directed the parties to rewrite the subcontract and continue, but AEJG later moved forward largely without EEC’s assistance. The board staff introduced AEJG’s complaint and related timeline exhibits during her testimony. After direct examination, the hearing recessed for lunch, and cross-examination by Simmons’s counsel began when the hearing resumed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not sure who's in camera land right now on this, but I'm not going to hold this up because of a remote
• One of the things that the lobbyist for the Association of Social Worker Boards mentioned was that, due
• boards mentioned was that social worker boards mentioned was that due<00:05:48.120> to<00:05:
• 11:00.200> high licensed social worker test is too high licensed social worker test is too high
• have like a master's level social worker have like a master's level social worker and<00:27:13.799

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard House Bill 2712, which would remove the exam requirement for licensure as a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA). Members expressed concern that the exam requirement was only added in 2021 and has not been in place long enough to evaluate, but they also questioned whether licensure should be granted without a meaningful measure of competency. Testimony was split: supporters argued the exam is a barrier for applicants without formal social work education, while opponents said licensure should still require some standard of competency, especially because the title carries public expectations and insurance reimbursement implications. Karina Bonia, speaking for NASW New Hampshire, said there is very limited data because only one person in New Hampshire currently holds an LSWA. She explained that LSWA applicants may have degrees outside social work, unlike licensed social workers, and that the current exam is the same national social work exam used for higher levels of licensure. She argued that this creates a significant barrier for LSWA applicants and noted that LSWA holders are already required to complete 30 hours of training and substantial supervised hours. Members asked for data on pass/fail rates and whether a different exam or practical skills test would be more appropriate. Committee members and OPLC representatives discussed whether the current statute and board rules already provide enough authority for the board to set other criteria, and whether the exam requirement is tied to the social work compact. OPLC indicated that the current rule requires passage of a national proctored exam approved by the board, but that no national exam exists specifically for this level, and that the board may need legislative authority to develop different criteria. The discussion ended with interest in obtaining the existing rule language and possibly revisiting the issue through amendment or future legislation rather than immediately removing the exam requirement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just so you know, I did receive some calls from health care workers that deal with claims, social workers
• Does your bill capture only physicians or is it a wider swath of healthcare professionals and workers
• How are we going to hold hospitals and health facilities accountable if we don't protect the workers
• Frontline workers who had been hailed as heroes were suddenly expendable. ...if they didn't agree to
• You stated that it was for healthcare workers.

Bills: SB95, SB268, SB493, SB619, SB660, SB922, SB984, SB1098, SB1188, SB1307, SB1332, SB1822

Keywords: immunization, written informed consent, civil liability, health care provider, vaccine compensation, administrative penalty, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, pharmacy benefit manager, PBM, gag clause, prescription drug pricing, out-of-pocket cost, cash price, pharmacist, pharmacy, prescription drug benefit

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Anderson, P. votes yes.
• members participating remotely. members participating remotely.
• members participating remotely. members participating remotely. Anderson<00:24:13.080> P.E.
• members participating remotely. members participating remotely.
• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• section, O&M functions should be deemed to occur at the facility site regardless of whether performed remotely
• So this would be a PLA, even if it's offsite for the labor doing remote work.
• So this would be a PLA, even if it's offsite for the labor doing remote work.
• any requirement that they be a New Yorker, or could it be an energy company in California that is remote
• any requirement that they be a New Yorker, or could it be an energy company in California that is remote

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, chaired by Senator Kevin Parker, met to consider a series of energy, utility, housing, and labor-related bills. The committee discussed Senator Parker’s clean hydrogen bill authorizing NYSERDA to administer programs to fund clean hydrogen projects, with members debating how it would be financed through NYSERDA’s system benefit charge and RGGI funds and whether there should be a fiscal estimate. Despite concerns from some members about cost transparency and the use of ratepayer-supported funds, the bill advanced to the Finance Committee with three without-recommendation votes. The committee also advanced Senator Parker’s bill directing NYSERDA to study hydrogen feasibility, Senator Gonzalez’s Green Affordable Pre-Electrification Program bill, Senator Hinchey’s natural carbon sequestration research program bill, Senator Gineris’s bill increasing penalties for utility annual report failures, Senator Comrie’s EV charging fee transparency bill, and Senator Parker’s battery energy storage workforce and labor standards bill. Senator Comrie’s outage hotline bill moved to third reading, while Senator Parker’s renewable hydrogen center program bill advanced despite a technical objection that a deadline in the bill had already passed, and the battery storage bill was referred to the Labor Committee. Several bills drew specific concerns. On the outage hotline bill, members questioned whether small municipal electric and water systems should be exempted rather than required to petition for an exemption, and one member said they would not support the bill without a carve-out. On the annual report penalty bill, members asked about the lack of documentation for the penalty increase and whether municipal utilities would be affected; the sponsor explained the penalty was updated from a 1900-era statute to reflect inflation and that municipal utilities file with the PSC. On the EV charging transparency bill, a member suggested the bill should also require credit card payment options, not just prohibit mobile-device-only payment. On the battery storage labor bill, members asked whether remote operations would count as on-site work and whether out-of-state remote monitoring would be covered; the sponsor said that was the intent and would follow up with labor counsel on residency questions. The committee concluded by adjourning after moving the listed bills forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, remote pre-screening for treatment.
• Second, remote pre-screening patients. Second, remote pre-screening for<01:04:16.480> treatment.
• And then, third, remote signing of consent forms.
• And then third, remote in person.
• Also, I like the remote signing and the telemet, you know, so you can do it virtually.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• workers?
• Joseph Jolassant and with Louisiana Workers and Robin Crumhold with injured workers while you guys are
• I represent Louisiana Workers, and I am a product of an injured worker. I'm here today.
• Our workers tend to have more severe injuries than other workers.
• And in addition, if the workers’ comp insurer denies the medical claim, then the injured worker can use

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first disposed of several measures without debate, including deferrals of House Bill 460, House Bill 561, Senate Bill 322, and another deferred Senate measure, before taking up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz. HB 819 would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with ODG by MCG, a private evidence-based guideline system used in other states. Cruz and Troy Prevo argued ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and could reduce claim duration, medical costs, and premium rates; Dr. Jason Picard said Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference for gaps in the state schedule and that the bill would not change appeals or variance procedures. Opponents, including injured-worker advocates Joseph Jola St. and Robin Crumholt, argued Louisiana’s current guidelines are working, that ODG is more cost-cutting and insurer-driven, and that the bill could increase denials and delay care. Members discussed amendments to add a two-year sunset, allow tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and raise the carrier’s burden to challenge care; the committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 819 favorably by a 7-6 vote. The committee then began Senate Bill 409 by Senator Myers, the Louisiana Living Donor Leave Protection Act. The bill would provide paid leave protections for living organ donors, set eligibility and verification procedures, and prohibit forfeiture of leave in certain circumstances for private employers. Myers said the measure is intended to remove job and paycheck barriers for people willing to donate organs and to support better transplant outcomes. Technical amendments were adopted at the start of the presentation, and the bill was introduced for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Care Court, requires courts to accept Care Court petitions electronically, explicitly allows for the remote
• This bill would increase access to direct care worker jobs for people with past records by aligning the
• including for registered nurses and vocational nurses, physicians, surgeons, and clinical social workers

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• financial aid is, who financial aid is, where are the tutors, our student wellness, licensed social workers
• Our student wellness, licensed social workers, psychosocial issues in students is a challenge.
• It's coming in and seeing us or if it's doing it remotely.

Summary: The subcommittee met to examine Florida’s nursing education pipeline and the state’s persistently low NCLEX passage rates. Chair Tuck opened by noting the projected nurse shortage and Florida’s ranking near the bottom nationally for first-time NCLEX pass rates. The Department of Health explained the Board of Nursing’s approval process for nursing programs, including application requirements, probation standards, and termination for programs that repeatedly fail passage-rate benchmarks. The Florida Center for Nursing then presented statewide data showing Florida has more test takers than most states, but still trails the national average; the gap has narrowed in recent years, though Florida remains below average. Members focused heavily on why the state continues to underperform, with discussion of faculty shortages, clinical placement constraints, accreditation, student preparedness, and the large share of newer private for-profit programs among those placed on probation. Committee members asked about how probation works, what happens when programs improve, and whether the board requires corrective plans. They also questioned the relationship between program type and outcomes, the effect of Operation Nightingale, and how many students fail and retest. The Florida Center for Nursing said first-attempt pass rates are the standard measure and that students who fail are expected to remediate and retest, though costs vary. The center also said Florida’s data shows accredited programs outperform approved or probationary ones, and that the state’s nursing workforce challenges are tied to broader issues such as faculty vacancies, clinical site competition, and student demographics, including many students balancing work, family, and language barriers. A panel of nursing school leaders from public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit institutions then described strategies used to improve outcomes. These included transparent recruitment, early orientation, tutoring, success coaching, stronger faculty development, curriculum mapping to NCLEX standards, higher course benchmarks, mandatory remediation, simulation labs, and commercial NCLEX prep tools such as ATI, Kaplan, and HESI. Several panelists said their programs had improved after probation or had very high passage rates, and they emphasized that student success depends on academic preparation, clinical experience, and support services. Members also asked about tuition, program length, translation into other languages, and faculty recruitment; panelists said costs vary widely, faculty hiring is difficult because hospitals pay more, and some schools are considering medical Spanish and immersion options rather than full curriculum translation.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> MEMBERS, IF WE ARE BEING REMOTELY INTELLECTUALLY HONEST, THE LARGEST INCENTIVE FOR AN IMMIGRANT
• They need construction workers.
• Businesses across Florida are already struggling with worker shortages, and mass deportations would only

Bills: SJR2, SB4, SJR36, SJR2, SB4, SJR1, SJR5, SB9, SB40, SJR2, SB4, SR98, SJR40, SJR41, SJR42, SJR43, SJR44, SJR45, SJR46, SJR47, SCR13, SB6, SB13, SB21, SB826, SB827, SB828, SB829, SB830, SB831, SB832, SB833, SB834, SB835, SB836, SB837, SB838, SB839, SB840, SB841, SB842, SB843, SB844, SB845, SB846, SB847, SB848, SB849, SB850, SB851, SB853, SB854, SB855, SB856, SB857, SB858, SB859, SB860, SB861, SB862, SB863, SB864, SB865, SB866, SB867, SB868, SB869, SB870, SB871, SB872, SB873, SB874, SB875, SB876, SB877, SB878, SB879, SB880, SB881, SB882, SB883, SB884, SB885, SB886, SB887, SB888, SB889, SB890, SB891, SB892, SB893, SB894, SB895, SB896, SB897, SB898, SB899, SB900, SB901, SB902, SB903, SB904, SB905, SB906, SB907, SB908, SB909, SB910, SB911, SB912, SB913, SB914, SB915, SB916, SB917, SB918, SB919, SB920, SB921, SB922, SB923, SB924, SB925, SB926, SB927, SB928, SB929, SB930, SB931, SB932, SB933, SB934, SB935, SB936, SB937, SB938, SB939, SB940, SB941, SB942, SB943, SB944, SB945, SB946, SB947, SB948, SB949, SB950, SB951, SB952, SB953, SB954, SB955, SB956, SB957, SB958, SB959, SB960, SB961, SB962, SB963, SB964, SB965, SB966, SB967, SB968, SB969, SB970, SB971, SB972, SB973, SB974, SB975, SB976, SB977, SB978, SB979, SB980, SB981, SB982, SB983, SB984, SB985, SB986, SB987, SB988, SB989, SB990, SB991, SB992, SB993, SB994, SB995, SB996, SB997, SB998, SB999, SB1000, SJR40, SJR41, SJR42, SJR43, SJR44, SJR45, SJR46, SJR47, SCR13, SB6, SB13, SB21, SB826, SB827, SB828, SB829, SB830, SB831, SB832, SB833, SB834, SB835, SB836, SB837, SB838, SB839, SB840, SB841, SB842, SB843, SB844, SB845, SB846, SB847, SB848, SB849, SB850, SB851, SB853, SB854, SB855, SB856, SB857, SB858, SB859, SB860, SB861, SB862, SB863, SB864, SB865, SB866, SB867, SB868, SB869, SB870, SB871, SB872, SB873, SB874, SB875, SB876, SB877, SB878, SB879, SB880, SB881, SB882, SB883, SB884, SB885, SB886, SB887, SB888, SB889, SB890, SB891, SB892, SB893, SB894, SB895, SB896, SB897, SB898, SB899, SB900, SB901, SB902, SB903, SB904, SB905, SB906, SB907, SB908, SB909, SB910, SB911, SB912, SB913, SB914, SB915, SB916, SB917, SB918, SB919, SB920, SB921, SB922, SB923, SB924, SB925, SB926, SB927, SB928, SB929, SB930, SB931, SB932, SB933, SB934, SB935, SB936, SB937, SB938, SB939, SB940, SB941, SB942, SB943, SB944, SB945, SB946, SB947, SB948, SB949, SB950, SB951, SB952, SB953, SB954, SB955, SB956, SB957, SB958, SB959, SB960, SB961, SB962, SB963, SB964, SB965, SB966, SB967, SB968, SB969, SB970, SB971, SB972, SB973, SB974, SB975, SB976, SB977, SB978, SB979, SB980, SB981, SB982, SB983, SB984, SB985, SB986, SB987, SB988, SB989, SB990, SB991, SB992, SB993, SB994, SB995, SB996, SB997, SB998, SB999, SB1000

Keywords: SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Money, but then I think about the kid that's a 4-H kid out in a real remote part of Kentucky that has
• part of the Kentucky you know a remote part of the Kentucky you know a horse<00:20:24.200> to
• part of Kentucky that has a remote part of Kentucky that has a project<00:20:53.600> horse<00
• But I'm thinking about that real remote area. You know, so you got to consider animal health.
• But I'm thinking about that real remote area. You know, so you got to consider animal health.

Keywords: 00:00 – Introduction 00:17 – Attendance Roll Call 02:09-- Discussion of SB 69 26:57 – Roll Call Vote, 958, all

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee met briefly and took up Senate Bill 69, a measure creating a certification path for non-veterinarians who perform equine dental work, especially floating teeth. Sponsor Sen. Robin Webb and supporters said the bill was the product of about two years of open meetings and stakeholder discussions, and that it would provide accountability, insurance access, and a way to grandfather in long-time practitioners with additional training. They framed it as a rural access and affordability issue, arguing that many horse owners, especially in remote areas, cannot easily reach or afford large-animal veterinarians and that the bill would preserve a long-standing husbandry practice while setting limits so certified providers could not perform surgery. Opposition came from equine veterinarians Dr. Brad Tanner and Dr. William Rainbow, who agreed there is a shortage of large-animal veterinarians and that floating teeth is necessary, but argued the bill’s scope goes beyond simple husbandry. They said the proposed authority would include procedures such as tooth removal and other work they consider surgery, which should remain within veterinary practice because of the need for sedation, pain management, and broader oral and physical exams. They also objected to the title “equine dental provider,” saying it could mislead owners into thinking the person has dentist-like training, and suggested a term like “equine teeth floater” would be clearer. Tanner cited a KVMA survey he said showed only 14 of 214 respondents supported indirect veterinary supervision in the bill. Members asked about continuing education, the “good moral character” licensing language, and whether people with past criminal records could be excluded. Supporters said continuing education would be required through certification programs and that character determinations would be handled case by case, with reference to broader second-chance licensing efforts moving through the legislature. Rep. Stalker asked for clearer terminology and educational guidance for consumers; the witnesses reiterated that the public should understand the difference between floating teeth and a full dental exam. After discussion, the committee moved to a roll call vote on the bill, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote result is fully shown.