Transcript Highlights:

• Roughly only 3,000 paramedics across the state, as most political subdivisions. do not have stand-alone
• Bro, we saw a very critical aspect of rule. communities, anywhere from medical aspects to what we are
• So I think I can envision, you know the model, and for several years, when A&M-Texarkana, I guess it
• You know, one thing that I might also leave you with is you've heard rule versus the urban And A&M is
• in a lot of urban areas, but we feel like rule is important to us.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As well as grants to tribes and political subdivisions would also be exempt.
• As well as grants to tribes and political subdivisions would also be exempt.
• As well as grants to tribes and political subdivisions would also be exempt.
• As well as grants to tribes and political subdivisions would also be exempt.
• this is a in some ways a good model. this is a in some ways a good model.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The lower court ruled in Trussville's favor.
• rules."
• family with the uh county subdivision family with the uh county subdivision rules.<00:18:01.919>
• Um when we get on rules. All right.
• provisions of the county subdivision provisions of the county subdivision regulations<00:18:41.440

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The process is open to state agencies and political subdivisions whose capital projects are generally
• MMB provides training and technical assistance to political subdivisions and state agencies to submit
• MMB provides training and technical assistance to political subdivisions and state agencies to submit
• The initial state agency and political subdivision requests were published by MMB in July of 2025.
• requests were published by subdivision requests were published by MMB<00:01:28.240> in<00:01:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• subdivision three. Is that correct, Mr. subdivision three. Is that correct, Mr. Hopkins?
• dealt with in rules. dealt with in rules.
• /c><01:10:18.360> rules<01:10:18.600> making Rules commit in a uh rules making Rules commit
• Subdivision 3, lines 77 to 722. Subdivision 3, lines 77 to 722.
• So, Section 13.05, Subdivision 11 is the privatization subdivision.

Bills: HF2354, HF3621, HF3429, HF3483

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud, payment withholding, withheld payments, program integrity, public funds, state agency, program participant, credible allegation of fraud, administrative reconsideration, contested case, chapter 14, data practices, confidential data, protected nonpublic data, anti-fraud

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from March 5 by voice vote and welcomed new member Representative Van Binsbergen. It then took up House File 2354, which Chair Liebling moved to re-refer to the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. Representative Norris presented the bill as an updated version of the Medical Assistance Protection Act, aimed at strengthening the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, closing loopholes, equalizing fraud penalties, and increasing penalties for large-scale Medicaid fraud. Attorney General Ellison said the bill would add 18 specialized staff to the unit, moving it from 32 to 50 positions, and argued the federal-state matching structure makes the Attorney General’s office the proper home for the funding because the unit is dedicated to Medicaid fraud work. Nick Wonka, director of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, explained the bill’s provisions affecting committee jurisdiction: expanded subpoena authority to obtain financial account contents in provider-fraud investigations, conforming legal representation language to preserve the unit’s authority, venue changes to allow charging in counties where parts of the offense occurred, and a restitution change to let courts order restitution for related conduct in the same scheme. He said the subpoena change would speed investigations and align the Attorney General’s authority with other agencies, and that the restitution change would help recover more fraudulently obtained Medicaid funds. No public testimony was offered. Members questioned why the funding should go to the Attorney General’s office rather than the BCA, whether the new records authority was federally required, how the venue language would work across state lines, and whether the added FTEs indicated the fraud problem was larger than expected. Ellison and Wonka responded that the federal grant requires the work to stay within the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, that the unit’s investigators are specialized and work with, but separate from, law enforcement, and that the venue provision applies only within Minnesota while out-of-state matters would be referred to the appropriate authorities. The amendment that had been posted was withdrawn and not offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• prevention, cyberattack response, and cyberattack support activities for the state or for a political subdivision
• Unless that's changed, that's pretty much been the ground rule since it started.
• So some language isn't clear that we have rule-making authority.
• The instruments they give away are student-model guitars.
• The ones that we give away are not professional models, but the next step below.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My personal preference is this, and I think you should follow the same rules with that.
• My personal preference is this, and I think you should follow the same rules with that.
• And hopefully, again, I don't know the rules here, but hopefully when we wrap this up, if it is a no
• The changes to the filibuster in that rules package made this a supermajoritarian institution.
• The intent of this bill was to regulate the behavior of the state and its subdivisions.

Keywords: 977, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation employs a similar model as approved legislation for the Austin Police Retirement Fund
• Third, establishing an actuarially determined funding model that pays off the legacy liability of $327
• You know, this is a model that you have seen before in the City of Houston.
• You've seen this funding model before for Austin police and Austin civilians.
• As I'm sure this committee is aware, the City of Austin and the Austin Firefighters Pension Subdivision

Bills: SB771, SB2345, HB135, HB135

Keywords: diesel fuel tax, tax credit, auxiliary power units, power take-off equipment, refund, energy efficiency, firefighter retirement, municipal contributions, pension system, retirement benefits, funding ratios, sales tax exemption, exotic animals, game animals, agriculture, livestock, civil liability, motor vehicle, legal protection, removal

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:32:18.880> outlining<01:32:19.560> what rules outlining what rules outlining what offenses
• <01:32:30.000> related opportunity to promulgate rules related opportunity to promulgate rules
• <01:33:24.920> Um after the rule-making happens. Um after the rule-making happens.
• expedited rule process?
• if the commission and board adopt rules if the commission and board adopt rules that<01:37:41.560

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Public Safety Policy Conference Committee met on May 8, 2026, with all conferees present. The chair opened with decorum instructions, explained that the meeting was policy-only, and noted that no public testimony had been signed up. Members then introduced themselves, with several noting they were retiring at the end of the session or year. The committee adopted a series of provisions, mostly by unanimous voice vote, including House language on identity theft and financial crimes updates, supervision abatement and restitution considerations for corrections, protective-order enhancements for murder penalties, prediction markets, victim-notification requirements for plea and sentencing hearings, research data privacy, ignition interlock and impaired-driving license changes, DOC licensing and sanctions for juvenile/adult community-based residential facilities, criminal-conviction employment and licensing standards, jail medication procedures, domestic abuse law changes, and a grant-use extension for dual-status/crossover youth funding. Several items were described as technical or clarifying changes, while others updated law to address AI-related identity theft, foreign protective orders, victim privacy, and corrections oversight. The committee also heard discussion on a Senate provision allowing victims of domestic violence to petition for wireless account and phone-number transfers. A witness supported the concept but urged changes to better align the state language with existing federal law; members noted the issue might need another vehicle or further work. For the domestic abuse item, staff explained that an A15 amendment would later adjust the warrantless-arrest window from 28 days to 14 days. On the jail-medication item, a member emphasized the changes were clarifying and not an admission that last year’s law was flawed. All adopted provisions passed by voice vote without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each year we see fire departments transitioning from volunteer model to full-time for various reasons
• And the approach has been modeled based on what is done in the private sector.
• And the approach has<01:08:37.839> been<01:08:38.000> modeled<01:08:38.560> based
• we had a different set of rules for TRA. we had a different set of rules for TRA.
• Uh, now if you've looked subdivision 5.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council rules, however, allow them to use the more widely understood
• Again, this bill is in response to what happened in 2023 when TSBEP amended the rules to allow for the
• 4,000 school psychologists, and ensuring that the legislative code is consistent with state agency rules
• Generally, House Bill 4361 would direct the coordinating board to adopt rules establishing standardized
• The other thing you've done is you've become the role model for your three brothers.

Bills: HB4, HB20

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard a series of higher education and K-12 bills, initially without a quorum and with several measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early bills included HB 1868, which would direct a study on lowering the dual-credit funding threshold for public junior colleges from 15 to 9 semester credit hours; HB 2598, which would replace statutory references to “licensed specialist in school psychology” with “school psychologist”; HB 3629, which would bar registered sex offenders from serving on independent school district boards of trustees; and HB 4361, which would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education. Each received brief sponsor explanations, no opposition testimony, and was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4848, requiring public higher education systems to ensure at least one institution offers affordable competency-based bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields, and HB 1211, which would remove the age 25 deadline for former foster youth to use public college tuition waivers. HB 1211 drew extensive supportive testimony from Texas CASA, a former foster youth who benefited from the waiver, and a current student headed to medical school, all arguing the change would better match the realities faced by youth aging out of care. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal uncertainty and the argument that the waiver is an investment in workforce participation; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 20, creating an Applied Sciences Pathway Program to let high school students earn certificates in targeted industries such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, and oil and gas while in school. Industry and workforce groups strongly supported the bill as a way to address labor shortages, while Texas 2036 raised concerns about allowing applied versions of core academic courses to substitute for traditional instruction. HB 4687, which would extend governmental immunity protections to certain campus/district charter schools and adult charter high schools, also received support from a charter-school attorney who said it would align statutes with existing case law and not expand charter rights. HB 4236, as substituted, would create a study group to examine the property value study’s effect on school finance and alternative valuation methods; it was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. The committee also heard HB 824 on civics instruction in high school government courses and HB 2243, which would create a commission on teacher job satisfaction and retention; the latter prompted debate over removing “ethnic diversity” language from the commission’s makeup. After adopting the substitute for HB 2243 by roll call, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• This change would 462 subdivision 20.
• This provision is included in the A7 amendment, section 23, subdivision 6, line 10.26.
• 6 line subdivision 6 line 10.26.<01:19:33.440> The<01:19:33.760> proposed<01:19:34.400
• seen the impact of the model firsthand.
• The collaborative care model is a proven innovative care model, with efficacy demonstrated in more than

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at section one, subdivision A of the bill, it exempts the materials and supplies used in
• Subdivision 1B provides that the funds would be issued as a refund to the city.
• Subdivision 1B provides that the funds be issued as a refund to the city.
• Subdivision 2 appropriates the resources to the Department of Revenue to issue that refund.
• Subdivision 2 appropriates the resources to the Department of Revenue to issue that refund.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I would like to have a presentation where we, uh, review the different business medic, uh, models
• Model. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• we really need to, um, think about, uh, supportive housing as a part of that, um, as a part of the model
• Yeah, just, just so that folks know what kind of what the rules are.
• Risk factors in using models similar to drug court programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're welcome. have to do a rule change um also we've have to do a rule change um also we've been<00
• ordinances plans and rules affecting the subdivisions<00:28:28.559> or<00:28:28.880> other
• shall adopt rules pursu use commission shall adopt rules pursu to<00:31:32.840> chapter<00:31
• Dore, you need to do rules.
• have you done rules so we have not rules have you done rules so we have not done<02:38:48.240> rules

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. On HB 211 relating to stream maintenance, DLNR supported the intent but requested amendments to clarify that responsibility for removing abandoned property rests with the entity that has jurisdiction or ownership of the stream, and asked for appropriations to help cover cleanup costs. Members discussed existing county authority to clean streams and then seek reimbursement from private owners, and the City and County of Honolulu’s written testimony was noted as arguing the bill conflicts with a federal court stipulation requiring notice and storage of personal property before disposal. On HB 502 relating to land use, OPSD and the Land Use Commission supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the short timeline and the need for rule changes, with OPSD recommending a more permanent county plan-based district boundary amendment process instead of a temporary one. The Department of Agriculture asked counties to make concurrent revisions to ordinances and rules affecting agricultural land partitioning. Testimony also noted the bill is aimed at legacy agricultural subdivisions and would require Land Use Commission rulemaking. On HB 510 relating to declaration of water shortage and emergency, DLNR and the Board of Water Supply strongly supported the measure, saying it would give CWRM a more timely tool to respond to emergencies outside designated water management areas and would require rulemaking, permit classifications, and criteria for declaring shortages. In response to opposition concerns from the Land Use Research Foundation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, DLNR said the rulemaking process would allow public input and that permit classifications could help balance agricultural and other water uses. On HB 511 relating to public lands, DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported removing the survey requirement before setting aside public lands between state agencies, saying it would speed Act 90 transfers and save time and money, though one testifier cautioned against misuse of agricultural lands. No votes were taken during the excerpted portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is no longer the rule.
• model, that should not be...
• officer model.
• Or the warrant service officer model, and really even the jail enforcement model.
• If you do the task force model, I'm sorry, even just the jail enforcement model.

Bills: HB1320, HB2012, HB2293, HB2655, HB3174, HB4108, HB4661, HB4799, HB5534, HB5580

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• stocking protocol a requirement to stocking epinephrine<00:07:22.720> we<00:07:22.840> modeled
• <00:07:23.199> this<00:07:23.360> after<00:07:23.639> the epinephrine we modeled
• this after the epinephrine we modeled this after the standing<00:07:24.199> orders<00:07:24.560
• 4, Because under Chapter 1373, subdivision 4, the Department of Administration, which is responsible
• So the answer is yes: school districts set their own policy, and a lot of times it is based on model

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, the current litigation and rulings, the holdings from the court are that our system is equitable
• There's more freedom and flexibility and complete freedom and flexibility in the new funding model.
• policies that lead us to inflation, when as a state we're taking care of all of our political subdivisions
• in Texas had the same retention rates as those candidates prepared through the year-long residency model
• These facts, found in the state of Texas within the last two years, demonstrate that your long-run model

Bills: HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 11 uh Clause 7 expire .155 subdivision 11 uh Clause 7 expire as<00:52:09.359> of<00:52:09.559
• He said the language in subdivision 7 seems duplicative.
• > be language in subdivision 7 seems to be language in subdivision 7 seems to be dup<00:57:26.520
• But it's required right now under subdivision 6. Representative Hansen, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• If you go to statute 17.45, subdivision 2, we actually recognize deer farming in subdivision 5 and subdivision

Bills: HF1621, HF1701, HF1796, HF1676, HF40, HF1428, HF1540

Keywords: HF1621, CelluComp, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, appropriation, grant, commercialization, fiber-based barrier packaging, packaging materials, PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, plastic reduction, sustainable packaging, environmental health, materials innovation, bio-based packaging, food packaging, agriculture finance, one-time grant, state subsidy

Transcript Highlights:

• Language was included that also gave political subdivisions the option of forming their own networks
• two subdivisions have made that choice: Dallas and San Antonio.
• These subdivision networks vary widely, with some having sufficient doctor choice and employee notices
• These political subdivision networks also do not usually include hospitals, inpatient or outpatient,
• Under the existing Workers' Compensation Act and division rules, I am aware of no provision...

Summary: The subcommittee heard testimony on a broad agenda of workforce, labor, and workers’ compensation bills. HB 4676 would require political subdivision workers’ compensation networks to follow the same notice, access, and complaint rules as certified TDI networks; supporters said public employees and first responders deserve equal access to care, while municipal risk pool representatives opposed added regulation and said existing 504 networks already perform well. HB 4479 would create a rural workforce development grant program at TWC to support college-and-career readiness and local workforce alignment, and HB 3844 would define “opportunity youth” in state law to improve data, coordination, and access to services for disconnected young Texans; both drew strong support from rural, education, and chamber witnesses. HB 5545 would clarify federal tax treatment for wage-replacement benefits in non-subscriber injury benefit plans, with proponents calling it a win for employers and injured workers. HB 5118 would direct TWC and DIR to study AI and automated employment decision tools in hiring, including bias and oversight concerns. HB 1667 would move existing PTSD workers’ compensation language into a broader Labor Code chapter so more first responders, including state and campus officers, could qualify for benefits; supporters called it a technical fix to extend coverage more evenly across agencies. The committee also heard several first-responder and workers’ compensation bills. HB 2369 would speed up claims handling for injured first responders by allowing a single medical evaluation, giving carriers 60 days to accept or deny a claim, and letting workers seek treatment while disputes proceed; law enforcement supporters said it would help injured officers return to work faster, while opponents warned it would revive extent-of-injury waiver problems and increase litigation. HB 4483 would reclassify certain workers’ compensation maintenance taxes as surcharges to reduce retaliatory taxes imposed by other states on Texas-domiciled carriers, and HB 875, as revised by committee substitute, would create a small-project exception to municipal workers’ compensation and bonding requirements for certain low-value construction contracts in small cities; both were presented as cost-saving measures for Texas employers and local governments. HB 4415 would extend anti-retaliation protections for workers’ compensation claimants from first responders to all public employees and expressly waive sovereign immunity for those claims, with supporters describing it as closing a loophole that leaves public workers without the same remedy available in the private sector. The committee also took testimony on HB 5400, which would expand remedies for sexual harassment victims by removing the requirement to first file an administrative charge, extending the filing deadline from 300 days to two years, clarifying retaliation, and eliminating current damages caps. Supporters, including employment lawyers and a parent of a victim, said the current deadlines and caps prevent many survivors from obtaining counsel or full relief, especially younger workers and those in small workplaces or franchises. Across the agenda, witnesses repeatedly emphasized access to care, fair treatment for injured workers, rural workforce development, and stronger protections for vulnerable employees. After each bill was laid out and testimony heard, the chair generally closed the public hearing and left the bill pending; no final votes were taken, and the subcommittee adjourned after completing the agenda.