Transcript Highlights:

• They had nothing to do with writing it. They had nothing to do with the idea.
• when a senator's called to order for words spoken, the words accepted be immediately taken down in writing
• reading, to remove the requirement that there be seats available at the chief clerk's rostrum for the writing

Transcript Highlights:

• And also the tightening of the agency writing those guiding documents.
• Overdorf's point, it's up to us when we write our bills that it be very clear, that there be date certain
• And to rep Overdorf's point, it's up to us when we write our bills, that it be very clear that there

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met and took up a long agenda of policy bills, local bills, and open government sunset review measures. The committee first heard HB 433 on administrative procedures, as amended by a strike-all that would create a five-year repromulgation process for agency rules, require review of guidance documents, add cost-benefit analysis requirements, and tighten licensing reporting. Members questioned whether the bill duplicated existing JAPC review functions and raised concerns about costs and the scope of agency authority, but the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably 12-3. The committee then approved HB 699, which increases penalties for certain traffic infractions when they result in a crash; CS/HB 404, a local bill updating the City of Tampa firefighters’ and police officers’ pension plan; HB 711, creating a statewide Spectrum Alert and law-enforcement training for missing children with autism; HB 4023, a local ethics-related charter change for the North Springs Improvement District; HB 583, requiring registration and disclosure for agents and organizations associated with foreign principals and foreign-supported political organizations; HB 251, recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida; and HB 749, extending medical benefits for firefighters who suffer catastrophic injuries during training. Most of these bills drew supportive testimony and were reported favorably by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee also considered several OGSR/open-records measures. PCB GOS-25-04 preserved exemptions for public safety communications system infrastructure records, PCB GOS-25-05 aligned cybersecurity-records sunset dates to October 2, 2026, and PCB GOS-25-06 narrowed exemptions for certain records held by the Department of Financial Services as receiver for insolvent insurers, making more information public. All three were reported favorably on 17-0 votes. The meeting adjourned after the final roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Education is supposed to be teaching reading, writing, math, science, history, and some arts.
• Why do they need to have that discussion when they're supposed to be knowing how to read well, write
• a great essay, write a great book?

Bills: SB207, SB611, SB920, SB1174, SB1207, SB1325, SB1396, SB1551, SB1619

Keywords: SB 207, Texas Education Code, public school attendance, excused absence, mental health appointment, mental health care, behavioral health, school district, student absenteeism, same-day return, health care professionals, physician certification, religious holy days, court appearance, DFPS, foster care, education policy, student wellness, school mental health, attendance policy

Transcript Highlights:

• AND IT DEPENDING UPON WHETHER OR NOT AGAIN, SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY TO CIVIL TRAFFIC IF THE SHERIFF WRITES
• IF IT IS A MUNICIPAL POLICE OFFICER WRITING IT THE CLERK RECEIVES JUST UNDER 6 PERCENT.
• I HAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS TO CONSIDER SINCE WE KEEP WRITING BILLS TO INCREASE PENALTIES THAT WILL INCREASE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Agriculture and Conservancy Districts winds up with 47 different Conservancy Districts to write
• Rulemaking, so whoever gets to write the rules can write whatever they want.

Transcript Highlights:

• to this, are we just writing these off? to this, are we just writing these off?
• it take you to write this puppy? it take you to write this puppy?
• what they've been asked to write.
• what they've been asked to writing what they've been asked to write.<01:53:54.639> So<01:53:54.880
• So now um that I heard that write.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there's a minority opinion as well, then either myself or Representative Solon will determine who writes
• there's a minority opinion as well, then either myself or Representative Solon will determine who writes
• that will determine who uh writes that Minority Minority Minority position<00:29:47.840> um<00
• Yeah, yeah, to write a rule. Sorry, follow-up, please.
• <05:56:59.760> that to give them something in writing that to give them something in writing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ‘Senator Lenny, I wanted to take a moment to write you a personal note of gratitude. My name is Dr.
• c><00:53:56.800> to Lenny, I wanted to take a moment to Lenny, I wanted to take a moment to write
• write you a personal note of gratitude. write you a personal note of gratitude.
• perfect answers uh today, but um I'm happy to um, you know, pass along some of those um citations in writing
• perfect answers uh today, but um I'm happy to um, you know, pass along some of those um citations in writing

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, seeing then, I'll make sure to write Uh, seeing then, I'll make sure to write that<03:09:09.680
• I don't care what you write.
• Nine to six. >> And Representative Heath will write the minority report. >> Okay.
• Representative Howard will write the minority.
• Heath will write the minority<04:29:55.520> report.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Could the Fiscal Policy Institute write it, or is there or maybe the commission on... representatives
• Could the fiscal<01:17:43.120> policy<01:17:43.679> institute<01:17:44.400> write
• it or or fiscal policy institute write it or or is<01:17:45.920> there<01:17:46.159> or
• <02:00:45.679> a relationship with a provider to write a relationship with a provider to write
• Sorry, I know I was writing really fast. I have bad handwriting, too, but mine I can read.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I couldn't write very fast. Okay. Thank you very much.
• very fast okay it to you couldn't write very fast okay okay<01:42:01.440> thank<01:42:01.639>
• Together they represent companies that write most of the property-casualty insurance business in the
• <01:54:12.040> most<01:54:12.280> of<01:54:12.440> the companies that write
• I helped with hardship cases where, okay, we’ll just write this off.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Commerce Committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 310, sponsored by Representative Keith Ammon, which would create a study commission to develop a legal framework for stable tokens and tokenized real-world assets. Ammon described stable tokens as blockchain-based digital tokens backed by U.S. dollars or treasuries, and tokenized real-world assets as representations of ownership in items such as gold, real estate, or artwork. He said the bill is intended to help New Hampshire get ahead of emerging financial markets while waiting to see how federal legislation develops. Committee members asked about the purpose of the bill, the difference between this proposal and Bitcoin, whether state regulation could be preempted by federal law, and whether the commission could be balanced and avoid becoming a vehicle for fraud or money laundering. Ammon said the proposal is blockchain-agnostic, could apply to multiple networks, and is meant to regulate asset-backed tokens rather than create a state-issued coin. He emphasized that the state would not be guaranteeing the underlying assets, but would set rules requiring audits, proof of reserves, and honest representation of backing, with the Secretary of State’s securities office involved in oversight. Several members raised concerns about the risks of stablecoins, including money laundering, tax evasion, and possible harm to the dollar or confusion about whether the state was endorsing a new currency. Ammon responded that the bill would not undermine the dollar and argued that tokenization could actually expand demand for U.S. currency by making it easier to use globally. He also said the state would not be in the business of weighing assets or directly valuing them, only ensuring a valid audit trail and one-to-one backing. The discussion ended with general agreement that the subject is complex and that a commission could help develop future legislation, but no vote or final action was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• When agencies write rules independent.
• bill of writing capability? bill of writing capability?
• <03:55:34.640> authority and modify that rule writing authority and modify that rule writing
• <03:57:42.319> authority if we limit the rule writing authority if we limit the rule writing
• is it okay with you if I write for information on your card?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to go to your comments in your writing.
• I'd like to get that in writing as well.
• So if you'd investigate that, and we'll write that down.
• So if you'd investigate that, and we'll write that down.
• But none of you handed us anything in writing.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.

Transcript Highlights:

• go up or down, they're they're writing go up or down, they're they're writing that<01:21:14.880>
• So I'll just write committee reports.
• And I will write the committee report.
• And I will<04:23:58.880> write<04:23:59.120> the<04:23:59.439> committee will write
• /c><04:33:21.359> committee And I will write the committee And I will write the committee report

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our next write-in is James Keene, House Bill 3863, and Senate Bill 2480. Good afternoon, Mr. Keene.
• That's the end of our write-in. Would anybody else like to testify?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its first public hearing of the 2025–2026 session, with House Chair Rep. Joe McGonagle outlining the committee’s focus on veterans’ benefits, military families, and related policy priorities. He noted the committee’s recent record of advancing major veterans legislation, described the hearing as hybrid, and explained that testimony would be limited to three minutes. The committee then heard testimony on several bills, including H. 3886/S. 2503, H. 3863/S. 2480, and H. 3859, among others. Melissa Willett of the Department of Defense and Rep. John Stanley testified in support of H. 3886/S. 2503, which would expand support for military families by improving school open enrollment flexibility, special education continuity, concurrent jurisdiction for juvenile matters on military installations, and coordination around military protective orders. Committee members questioned the juvenile jurisdiction and protective-order provisions, with concerns raised about federal versus state authority and due process; witnesses said the jurisdiction change would be case-by-case and that military protective orders are commander-issued decisions that could be used as evidence in civilian proceedings. The Department of Defense said the proposal aligns with priorities from military stakeholders and other New England states. Jim Keene testified in support of H. 3863/S. 2480, seeking a cost-of-living adjustment for veterans’ benefits and extending certain benefits to Guard and Reserve members killed on active duty. Allie DeBateau of the Massachusetts Municipal Association testified on H. 3859, which would streamline veterans benefits administration by having the state pay benefits directly rather than reimbursing municipalities quarterly; she said this would reduce local administrative burden while leaving local veterans service officers’ roles unchanged. Committee members asked about municipal support and the fiscal impact, and the hearing concluded with no votes taken, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• piece of land I chose required an extensive government approval process to build on, which meant writing
• All the merit badges I have completed, all the time spent leading, those hours spent writing my essay

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate held an informal session centered on its annual scouting recognition program, led by Senator Tarr and other Senate leaders. Scouts from several Massachusetts councils recited the Pledge of Allegiance, the Scout Oath, and the Scout Law, and the chamber heard a report on Scouting America in Massachusetts from Eagle Scout Molly Murphy of Woburn, assisted by other scouts and flag bearers from across the Commonwealth. Murphy described her own scouting experience, leadership roles, Eagle Scout project, and the challenges and benefits of scouting, emphasizing leadership, service, and community impact. Murphy also presented statewide scouting statistics for 2025, including 19,761 youth in 872 units, 9,402 adult volunteers, more than 23,500 merit badges earned, 482 Eagle Scouts, and over 203,000 hours of community service valued at more than $3 million. The Senate voted to print the scouting report in the Journal. Senators then read and presented a gubernatorial proclamation declaring April 23, 2026, as Scout Appreciation Day in Massachusetts, citing scouting’s service, character-building, and conservation values. In addition to the scouting program, the Senate transacted several routine matters. It passed to be enacted two local bills: one authorizing Marblehead to establish a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption and another further regulating the appointment of a special police officer in Malden. The Senate also adopted a resolution commending the IBS patient support group for recognizing April 19, 2026, as World IBS Day, and it engrossed a bill allowing retired police officers to serve as special police officers in Fairhaven after adopting an amendment, as well as a bill increasing the Haverhill Board of Health from three to five members. The Senate adopted an order to reconvene on Monday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• between being in class and learning vocabulary or if you're further along, you know, being able to write
• complex protocols and procedures, math skills for medication dosages and vital sign calculations, and writing

Transcript Highlights:

• difference between being in class and learning vocabulary, or if you're further along, being able to write
• complex protocols and procedures, math skills for medication dosing and vital sign calculations, and writing

Bills: SB800, SB1534, SB2055, SB2310, SB2431, SB2786, SB3039, SB1242

Keywords: sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, higher education, student safety, orientation policies, health physics, workforce development, nuclear energy, radiological safety, scholarship, education, Texas Leadership Scholars Program, student funding, transparency, degree requirements, certificate programs, student transfer, foreign language

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh just Couple of motions in writing to recommend bills to the public health Committee for their consideration
• Following motion in writing by Representative.

Transcript Highlights:

• I challenged them and asked them to send me in writing any suggested changes.
• Send me in writing any suggested changes or improvements. To this day, I haven't received anything.

Keywords: 1136, house, all