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.

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:

• 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:

• 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:

• Rule 5, section... section 35 actually authorizes this motion, and rule 5, section 35 establishes that
• I move to suspend all necessary rules to take up HR647.
• The chair hears none, the rules are suspended.
• Set out the rules for this, but essentially, yes.
• Rule 11, Section 3, on the grounds that the amendment is not germane.

Bills: HJR4, HJR6, HB195, HB 13, HB143, HB135

Keywords: occupation tax, securities, financial regulation, tax exemption, legislative amendment, capital gains tax, realized gains, unrealized gains, investment income, asset sale, capital assets, wealth tax, estate tax, trust tax, tax limitation, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, property tax, sales tax

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:

• 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:

• 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:

• and interpret ethics rules through advisory opinions.
• Political subdivision engagement number 2.
• Responsibly adding in the political subdivision piece for us, I believe I spoke about this last year
• We want to expand our resources through the political subdivision integration.
• Political subdivisions: So last year we funded $150,000. Is that correct?

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:01.839> for<00:37:02.000> the all subsidi all the rules for the all subsidi
• all the rules for the subsidiary<00:37:02.880> trust.
• > you<00:47:23.599> shows<00:47:23.920> that<00:47:24.079> they model that
• I'll show you shows that they model that I'll show you shows that they accumulate<00:47:25.359> in
• You'll have to obey the same rules as every other industry.

Keywords: 1191, 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:

• 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:

• walk through just at the subdivision walk through just at the subdivision level<00:12:51.320>
• subdivisions subdivisions so<00:12:59.800> I'm<00:12:59.880> going<00:13:00.000> to
• > 3 so I'm going to start with subdivision 3 so I'm going to start with subdivision 3 um<00:13
• data and information the subdivision data and information the subdivision includes includes includes
• which I'll go through subdivisions which I'll go through quickly<00:15:55.560> as Subdivisions

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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:

• just say for the Transportation Committee, for members and the public, please know that our House rules
• For members and the public, please know that our House rules require all testimony to be made available
• even more concerning is Consumer model even more concerning is the<00:53:16.760> Bill's<00:53
• <01:18:57.880> and unnecessary as the current TNC rules and unnecessary as the current TNC
• In section 2, this measure requires DLIR to adopt rules governing a clean standard.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 1484 on transit-oriented development and HB 157 on transportation. For HB 1484, testimony included a request from the Hoi Community Development Authority to be removed from the measure while offering to assist if the transit-oriented development law is implemented, along with testimony in opposition and support from several individuals. The committees later recommended HB 1484 be passed with amendments, including an HD1, a defective date, deletion of a reference to section 225 on page 11, adoption of H-CDA’s proposed amendment, and related committee report changes. The vote was adopted in both committees, with Representatives Cochran and Lee excused and Representative Mora voting with reservations. HB 157 concerned the transfer and acceptance of roads in the Villages of Kapolei. HHFDC supported the bill’s intent and explained that the roads were originally self-permitted, the city had not accepted dedication, and HHFDC has been maintaining and upgrading the roads under an MOA that requires improvements to city standards before transfer. Testimony from the Villages of Kapolei Association and others described ongoing problems with non-emergency police services, illegal parking, abandoned vehicles, and the need for city enforcement on roads that are open to the public. Committee members asked about the current holdup, the possibility of transferring roads in segments, and whether a cash settlement could resolve the issue; HHFDC said it was working in segments and that the city had mentioned a $60 million figure. The committees then recommended HB 157 pass with amendments, noting they were awaiting an Attorney General opinion on authority to compel the transfer and that the matter would continue to the Committee on Water and Land. The Transportation Committee also heard several additional bills. HB 1083, concerning vessels in state commercial harbors, drew support from the Department of Transportation and some industry groups and opposition from charter operators; HB 1159, which would require compliance with harbor master evacuation orders and increase penalties, drew DOT support and opposition from multiple vessel operators, who argued the bill was too broad and should define emergencies more clearly and use tiered penalties. HB 58, limiting civil liability for firefighting at commercial harbors, received DOT and Maritime Group support. HB 1165, on county disposal of ocean-bordering property and state highway acquisition, received DOT support. HB 938, a broad motor vehicle franchise and EV-related bill, drew support from the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association and the Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, but strong opposition from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Tesla, Rivian, Scout Motors, and others; opponents argued it would restrict direct-to-consumer EV sales and innovation, while dealers said the bill was too broad and needed further stakeholder work. No final votes were taken on the Transportation Committee’s remaining measures in the portion provided, and the joint hearing was adjourned after decision-making on HB 1484 and HB 157.

Transcript Highlights:

• to rule 40.7. to rule 40.7.
• pursuant to rule 40.7. Thank you, Mr. pursuant to rule 40.7. Thank you, Mr.
• vote those voting pursuant to rule 40.7. vote those voting pursuant to rule 40.7.
• pursuant to rule 40.7. Thank you, Mr. pursuant to rule 40.7. Thank you, Mr.
• I'll wait. pursuant to rule 40.7. pursuant to rule 40.7.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with the fair representation, as the profile of the district changes, there are some very large subdivisions
• A rate analysis in 2024, based on a cost-of-service model, confirmed this, and the city council adjusted
• A new provision clarifies that, in cases of regulatory conflict between a county rule and the rule of
• another governmental entity, excluding municipalities, the more stringent rule will prevail.

Bills: HB3115, HB5671, HB5693, SB790, SB1055, SB1302, SB1504, SB1625, SB1663, SB2692

Keywords: Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater, water wells, domestic well, livestock well, exempt well, metering device, well meter, groundwater conservation district, Special District Local Laws Code, Water Code, Section 36.117, groundwater regulation, water rights, aquifer management, municipal utility, retail public utility, groundwater export, water supply contract, election

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony on a series of water, utility, and groundwater-related bills. Early items included HB 5693, which would let Drainage District 7 hold board elections in November of odd-numbered years when a countywide election is occurring, and HB 5671, which would update the Johnson County Special Utility District by clarifying board eligibility, allowing bond issuance, and removing redundant TCEQ approval language to reduce costs and delays. Both bills were left pending after brief testimony from bill sponsors and local witnesses. The committee also heard SB 1504, which would update the Gulf Coast Authority to allow video-conference participation in meetings, and SB 1302, aimed at closing a TCEQ permitting loophole that allowed dischargers with prior denials or suspensions to reapply through an automated process without meaningful review. SB 2692 drew substantial discussion: it would change the signature threshold for outside-city-limits customers appealing municipal utility rates to the PUC by customer class. Valero supported the bill as a way to avoid requiring large-volume users to gather signatures from unrelated residential customers, while the City of Corpus Christi opposed it, arguing that lowering the threshold to one customer could trigger expensive appeals costing $500,000 to $1 million. A PUC witness said such cases are increasing and that the agency would need additional staff under the fiscal note. SB 790, creating a simplified PUC complaint process for small water and wastewater billing disputes, and SB 1663, expanding TCEQ notice requirements for nearby residents when groundwater contamination is discovered, were also heard and left pending. Additional bills included HB 3115, clarifying that the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District cannot require meters on exempt domestic or livestock wells; SB 1055, raising the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District’s production fee cap from 1 cent to 7 cents per 1,000 gallons; and SB 1625, requiring private water and wastewater utilities to report cybersecurity incidents to TCEQ and DIR. The committee then took up pending business and adopted a substitute for SB 7, which made several changes to water fund use, eminent domain coordination, and EDAP-related provisions, and voted 10-0 to report it favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute for HB 2347, a county water conservation program bill, and reported it favorably 9-1. HB 5675 and SB 2476 were each reported favorably 10-0. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• including but not limited to subdivision including but not limited to subdivision approval.<00:13
• <00:15:38.800> department<00:15:39.199> will subdivision approval. department will
• <00:18:47.919> The<00:18:48.080> parcel limited subdivision approval.
• The parcel limited subdivision approval.
• not limit to subdivision approval. not limit to subdivision approval.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee met and approved the minutes from June 30, 2025. There was no old business. The committee then heard a series of New Hampshire Department of Transportation requests involving the sale or disposal of state-owned land and easements, including an access point sale in Exeter, land sales in Keene, Guilford, Lincoln, Conway, Chesterfield, Fremont, Belmont, and a utility easement in Albany. Most items were direct sales to abutters or towns, with conditions such as obtaining local and state approvals, commissioning boundary surveys, and paying administrative fees; each of these items was approved by motion and vote. One Guilford parcel was amended to reflect a smaller surveyed area and reduced appraised value before approval. The committee also approved a permanent access easement for a single-family residence on Route 153 in support of the Bickford property. The committee then considered a Department of Administrative Services item, presented as a substitution replacement, authorizing a perpetual utility line easement to Public Service Company of New Hampshire for a facility under construction on the Hampstead hospital property that will serve as the replacement facility for the Manchester senior center. The department requested waiver of the administrative fee because the easement was being granted in exchange for utility service, and the committee approved the request. An informational item, LRCP25-038, was discussed regarding a reduction in fair market value due to a change in access; staff explained no committee action was required because the item was informational only. Additional informational materials from the New Hampshire Council on Resources and Development were received, including meeting minutes and surplus land review memorandums for Meredith and Hampstead. Before adjourning, the committee set its next meeting for December 9 at 9:30 a.m. at Granite Place, Room 228, noting the meeting would be on a Tuesday rather than Monday because of building scheduling. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that that subdivision 20.
• them will be political subdivisions them will be political subdivisions under<00:26:08.159> the
• entities into the political subdivision entities into the political subdivision box<00:26:20.720
• by political subdivisions of the state. by political subdivisions of the state.
• Second, the updating zoning rules.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Rules calendar, Senator Kirby. Pass and retain.
• President, um my motion would be to suspend the rules.
• Grab my rules book. Just a second. We want to do this, uh, Senator. >> Okay.
• My motion is to suspend the rules >> Okay.
• They, you know, they get funding model.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 12 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the pledge, and then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The chamber also recognized several guests and groups, including the doctor of the day, visitors from Quebec, the Sumrall High School boys soccer team, Starkville public safety officials, and the Hattiesburg High School choral arts program. A resolution honoring the long-standing partnership between Quebec and Mississippi was read and adopted, and Ms. Nathalie Rivard of Quebec addressed the Senate about historical ties and economic cooperation between Quebec and Mississippi. The Senate then moved through a series of procedural actions on the calendar, including multiple motions to table reconsideration on medical cannabis and ARPA-related bills, and several motions to not concur and invite conference on workforce and budget measures. Among those were Senate Bill 2294, the Mississippi Future Innovators Act, Senate Bill 2288 on workforce training, Senate Bill 2401 on workforce development, Senate Bill 2189 on budget transfers, Senate Bill 2895 on ARPA funds, and Senate Bill 2917 on appropriations transfers. These motions were adopted, sending the measures to conference or otherwise advancing them as noted. A major portion of the meeting focused on appropriations bills. House Bill 1935, the Education Department appropriation, was explained in detail and adopted after a strike-all amendment; the bill includes funding for the student formula, teacher and assistant pay raises, special education supplements, school attendance officers, testing contracts, early learning coaches, and CTE instructor raises, with offsets from reduced or eliminated line items such as school safety platforms and certain vendor programs. The Senate also adopted strike-all amendments and passed House Bills 1936 and 1937 for Mississippi Public Broadcasting and the Library Commission, and then moved on to House Bill 1933 for the Bureau of Building. The Senate recessed until 2:30 p.m. and announced an appropriations meeting shortly after recess, while leadership noted that many supplemental appropriations bills would be considered later with attention to whether they contained reverse repealers and would go to conference or final passage.