Transcript Highlights:

• Now there is comfort on both sides of the conversation.
• It’s just good when people have conversations in a room.
• And so this is the conversation I'm glad we're getting to.
• And so this is the conversation I'm glad we're getting to.
• I find that conversation always helps.

Summary: The committee met with limited attendance at first, then took up a series of water, agriculture, and rural affairs measures. HB 3898 would allow the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance for brackish water desalination projects in certain border counties and related nonprofit suppliers even if the projects are not in the state water plan. Supporters said it is needed to address severe water shortages in places like Webb County and to support future planning; opponents, including the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, argued it bypasses the regional and state water planning process. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 5339, which would create a higher-education grant program for regenerative agriculture research. A rancher testified that regenerative methods improved soil health, water retention, and farm viability, while a senator noted existing university research but said better coordination could help. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 1523, a temporary prohibition on TCEQ issuing Austin a Class 5 injection well permit for an aquifer storage and recovery project in Bastrop and Lee counties until December 2027. Local officials from Bastrop supported the pause, citing unanswered questions about water treatment, recovery rates, and impacts on the aquifer, while Austin Water opposed the substitute, saying the project is central to its long-term water plan and that stakeholder talks were already underway. TCEQ explained its ASR permitting process and said public participation is possible but not always used in the current authorization process. The bill was left pending. HB 5659, concerning the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District and requiring majority city-council approval before certain water sales or interbasin transfers, drew testimony from district officials who said the change could interfere with existing contracts and district authority, but the chair emphasized the need for local buy-in and said the stakeholders had reached a workable compromise; testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1690, which would expand notice requirements for groundwater export permits so neighboring landowners and potentially affected aquifer areas are informed by certified mail and publication. The sponsor tied the bill to impacts from the Vista Ridge project, and no one testified against it; it was left pending. HB 3333 would prohibit TCEQ from issuing new wastewater discharge permits directly into the Devils River in Val Verde County. The sponsor and a conservation witness said the bill protects one of Texas’s most pristine rivers and reflects a local stakeholder agreement, while TCEQ said it can ensure water quality but acknowledged the river’s unique sensitivity; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HCR 108 urging continuation of the U.S.-Mexico tomato suspension agreement, with supporters warning of major Texas job and consumer-price impacts if it ends, and HCR 76 urging federal action on imported shrimp, citing public health and industry concerns; both were left pending. Additional measures heard and left pending included HB 4158 on compensation for Texana Groundwater Conservation District directors, HB 654 creating a dismissal path for certain first-time deer hunting violations after self-reporting and hunter education, HB 4530 requiring Texas Water Development Board review of groundwater rights placed in the Texas Water Trust, HB 2128 directing a study of rural versus urban firefighting and rescue disparities, and HB 278 requiring groundwater districts and management areas to track progress toward desired future conditions over shorter intervals. On HB 278, witnesses split over whether the bill’s interim tracking would improve accountability or create new triggers that could be used against local districts, but no final vote was taken and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this is the conversation I'm glad we're getting to.
• We're already having those conversations.
• But it ends up being back to the same conversation.
• Might have a good conversation to do. Well, we've had a good conversation.
• Greg and I had a conversation this morning; I find that conversation always helps.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:57.360> many conversations and have implemented many conversations and have implemented
• We'd be glad to continue conversations We'd be glad to continue conversations with<00:10:45.360>
• conversation with data centers. conversation with data centers.
• . conversations. conversations.
• conversation is a more more conversation conversation is a more more conversation or<01:23:24.400

Bills: HF2928, HF2912, HF2297

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. to focus conversation. Thank you.
• Okay, let’s take that conversation there.
• And yes, this conversation is going to be very difficult.
• Okay, let’s take that conversation there.
• And yes, this conversation is going to be very difficult.

Bills: SB156

Keywords: gun violence, firearm safety, special counsel, data collection, community initiatives, grants, Attorney General, public safety, suicide prevention, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that that's a worthwhile conversation.
• By the way, in every conversation we started with, we said we did not come into this conversation with
• It was an open conversation, and several of you participated in that.
• We had that conversation in spades three years ago... ...of its mission.
• They just popped up in the conversations.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we appreciate the opportunity to have this conversation. It really is a conversation.
• So we appreciate the opportunity to have this conversation. It really is a conversation.
• We appreciate the space and place to be here with you and in this conversation.
• We appreciate the space and place to be here with you and in this conversation.
• Are people with lived experience part of those conversations? Those conversations? Yes.

Keywords: 907, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So my question is: are those conversations being had?
• So my question is: are those conversations being had?
• that is in law already. conversations is is too many to count so conversations is is too many to count
• um uh dictate that every conversation um uh dictate that every conversation has<00:46:52.760>
• <00:52:57.319> where would be the small conversations where would be the small conversations

Bills: HF390, HF1202, HF550

Keywords: government data, data practices, record keeping, penalties, legal enforcement, public meetings, transparency, government accountability, interagency groups, Minnesota Statutes, redistricting, Bipartisan Commission, Minnesota Constitution, census, legislative districts, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:08:48.199> with welcome any and all conversations with welcome any and all conversations
• conversation uh I'd welcome conversation conversation uh I'd welcome conversation around<01:12:54.960
• <01:27:28.159> and it's a really important conversation and it's a really important conversation
• to be a part of the conversation to be a part of the conversation so<01:30:36.600> if<01:
• the um I've had the same conversation the um I've had the same conversation with<01:32:24.080>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . conversations. conversations.
• <01:21:05.199> Just conversation um in that regard. Just conversation um in that regard.
• To me, that's one conversation.
• conversations in the chat bots. conversations in the chat bots.
• simulate a relationship or conversation. simulate a relationship or conversation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• into making this conversion into making this conversion correct<00:34:56.839> senator correct
• Thank you for all the conversation.
• Thank you for all the conversation.
• <01:14:05.840> with going to go to some conversations with going to go to some conversations
• It was that conversation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee received an informational overview from Direct Care and Treatment (DCT) staff on the agency’s role and current operations as it transitions from DHS. DCT described itself as Minnesota’s unique state behavioral health system, serving about 12,000 people annually through treatment facilities, residential group homes, and vocational sites, with about 5,000 staff and five major service lines including forensic services and the Minnesota Sex Offender Program. The presentation also reviewed the new executive board required by statute and the 47 work groups created to support DCT’s move to separate-agency status, with staff saying the board is in place, has met, and the work groups are on track for the July 1 deadline. Committee discussion focused heavily on system capacity, staffing shortages, and discharge bottlenecks. DCT said recruiting and retaining staff remains its top pressure, with many vacancies and overtime contributing to burnout. Members also raised concerns about long waits for admission, lack of step-down and community-based placements, and the effect on county jails and hospitals. DCT said it has expanded some capacity, including increasing beds in Willmar, reopening the Ironwood unit in St. Peter, and repurposing the CARE program site to add 16 forensic beds, but emphasized that the broader problem is the lack of community-based options rather than just DCT beds. Members also discussed priority admissions and a prior task force process for handling jail referrals. DCT said the priority admissions framework began July 1 of the previous year, uses factors such as medical acuity and impact on referring facilities, and is intended to help with backflow, though it does not solve the underlying bed shortage. Staff said the priority admissions review panel’s report is due February 15. In response to questions about a high-cost one-to-one care placement, DCT said it had found a less costly alternative and that each case has unique needs. DCT also reported progress on an electronic health record rollout and said a substance use disorder report requested by the Legislature is nearing completion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill doesn't exclude them from the conversion process.
• If I just say the conversion, you have the conversion.
• The bill doesn't exclude them from the conversion process.
• If I just say the conversion, you have the conversion.
• Number one, would a new conversion school be limited?

Summary: The committee first took up PCS for HB 123, which would change the process for converting a public school to a charter school by requiring approval from a majority of parents at the school, allow municipalities to apply to convert certain schools under limited circumstances, and address surplus school property in districts with declining enrollment. The sponsor said the bill is meant to give parents the primary say and to prevent districts from holding unused property. Opponents, including the Florida PTA, several members, and public speakers, argued the bill excludes teachers, school boards, and other stakeholders, could disenfranchise parents who do not live in the municipality, and could create enrollment, transportation, and equity problems. After debate, the bill passed 13-5 and was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 597 on diabetes management in schools. The bill would allow school districts and charter schools to procure and store glucagon pens for emergency treatment of severe hypoglycemia, permit trained personnel to administer them, require 911 to be called after use, and add limited liability protections. The sponsor said the medication is inexpensive and could save lives for the roughly 7,000 diabetic K-12 students in Florida. An amendment clarified that public and charter schools are both covered. The bill drew support from the American Diabetes Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Florida PTA, and members from both parties praised the measure. It passed unanimously and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, which would add walking along freeways, expressways, and their ramps as a hazardous condition requiring bus service for elementary students within two miles of school. The sponsor described personal examples of children walking near dangerous roads and said the bill is intended to prevent injuries and deaths. An amendment narrowed the language by deleting “state highway.” Public testimony included a parent who described her child being hit by a car and urged broader coverage, while members raised concerns about bus shortages and fiscal impact. Most members spoke in support, emphasizing student safety, and the bill was reported favorably after debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think both issues are worthy of conversation.
• I think both issues are worthy of conversation.
• , and a conversation that's ongoing.
• Madam Chair, I want to see this conversation go forward.
• Madam Chair, I want to see this conversation go forward.

Bills: HB2107, HB2588, HB2946, HB2950

Keywords: SNAP, nutrition assistance, fast food, vitamins, waiver, food policy, municipal planning, homeowner association, building permits, single-family home, property rights, design standards, development fees, municipalities, infrastructure, public services, annual reporting, property development, tourism improvement area, TIA

Summary: The Rural Economic Development Committee first took up HB 2950, which would allow governing bodies to approve tourism improvement areas to promote lodging and tourism as an economic development tool. Supporters from the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, Visit Yuma, and Visit Phoenix said tourism is a major economic driver, especially in rural communities, and argued the bill would give local areas a voluntary, industry-led way to market themselves, attract visitors, and support jobs without raising taxes on residents. Members discussed tourism in places such as Yuma and other rural destinations, and the committee voted 7-0 to give HB 2950 a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard a presentation on rural economic development centered on Lucid Motors’ investment in Pinal County and its partnership with Central Arizona College. Speakers from the Arizona Commerce Authority, Central Arizona College, and Lucid described workforce training programs, including the Drive48 accelerator, which they said has helped train workers for advanced manufacturing jobs and raised local incomes. The committee read proclamations recognizing both Lucid Motors and Central Arizona College for their contributions to job creation, workforce development, and economic growth in rural Arizona. Finally, the committee considered HB 2946, which would revise development fee requirements, including changes affecting the timing and administration of fees and a prohibition on charging development fees for accessory dwelling units. The sponsor and housing advocates said the bill was intended to help address housing affordability and give developers more predictable costs, while city and league representatives opposed it, arguing it would shift costs from growth to existing taxpayers and interfere with local infrastructure planning. After adopting an amendment that removed county-related provisions and made clarifying changes, the committee passed HB 2946 on a 4-1 vote with two members present, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So two things come up for me in this conversation.
• To me, it is most important that we just have that conversation.
• Wherever we land in that conversation, fine.
• To me, it is most important that we just have that conversation.
• Hard to get people to have the conversation. Well, this is one form of that.

Summary: The Joint Select Committee on Civic Health met to discuss next steps for its work on civic health, including related efforts by the Project for Civic Health and a proposed Evans School research survey of legislators. The chair reviewed the committee’s mandate and described ongoing partner initiatives, including shared principles of engaging with respect, seeking common ground, and disagreeing constructively. Members generally supported the Evans School proposal, though one member asked how the project would measure success, and the chair said the goal was to gather broad input from legislators on strengths, weaknesses, and future directions. A major portion of the meeting focused on a draft committee statement condemning political violence. Members agreed to remove the word “crazed” from the description of a recent assassination, with concerns raised that the term implied irrationality and could stigmatize disability. Members also suggested broadening the language to include non-abusive and productive dialogue, and replacing or supplementing “pray” with more inclusive wording; the final phrasing settled on “hope and pray.” The committee also briefly debated whether to describe the United States as a democracy or a representative republic, ultimately agreeing on “representative democratic republic” and approving the statement for posting and distribution, with several members still needing to provide digital signatures. The rest of the meeting was an open discussion about how to improve civility and relationship-building in the Legislature. Members emphasized the value of in-person meetings, shared meals, mentoring newer legislators, and more intentional cross-party conversations. Several said there are fewer informal opportunities now than in the past, especially after the pandemic, and suggested ideas such as retreats, regular gatherings, and bringing in outside experts like the National Institute for Civil Discourse. The chair said he would relay the committee’s support for the Evans School survey and adjourned the meeting after noting the discussion had produced several constructive ideas for future work.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had some conversations previously.
• <00:04:21.720> in know the the formal conversation in know the the formal conversation in
• into a lot of the conversations into a lot of the conversations around<00:27:59.440> around
• County back and forth conversation County back and forth conversation anybody<00:30:22.720> who
• we're having a lot of conversations we're having a lot of conversations about<00:31:29.320> um

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there's respect in having honorable conversations.
• Um as somebody honorable conversations.
• She appreciated the grace with which Representative Lee brought that to the conversation.
• She appreciated the grace Representative Lee brought to the conversation.
• She appreciated the grace Representative Lee brought to the conversation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This conversation should be ours.
• never get to hear those conversations never get to hear those conversations and<00:32:37.760>
• I think the conversations that I've had with members are the real conversations that we all should be
• I think the conversations that I've had with members are the real conversations that we all should be
• I think the conversations that I've had with members are the real conversations that we all should be

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to start engaging in those conversations.
• Questions about it—just the conversation.
• Conversation before.
• I appreciate the conversation.
• It's more conversation, absolutely.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want this to be conversation-based.
• So I often have these conversations.
• my wife has a conversation.
• We have a conversation.
• Sometimes that I have to have a conversation with, that my wife has a conversation, we have a conversation

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met to review Florida’s cell phone and social media literacy law, with Representative Brad Yeager describing the 2023 policy as aimed at removing classroom distractions and teaching students how to use social media responsibly. He said the law was intended to keep phones out of classrooms unless used for instruction, require social media literacy education, and limit access to certain sites on school Wi-Fi and government devices. Yeager said feedback since passage has been mixed: many teachers support it and some have adopted inexpensive shoe-organizer or pouch systems, but implementation varies by school and administrator enforcement. He said he is not currently pursuing a broader statewide mandate. Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez and Timber Creek High School Principal Mr. Wasco described Orange County’s approach as bell-to-bell phone restrictions, while Pasco County’s Dr. Zetchy described a similar policy with some flexibility during lunch or passing periods at the high school level. Both districts said the policy was implemented with parent communication, town halls, surveys, and transition periods, and that concerns about emergencies were addressed by allowing phones to be returned at the end of the day and by establishing procedures for parent contact. They reported few theft problems and said discipline issues related to phones have generally been manageable, though some teachers still struggle with enforcement or with students trying to evade the rules. A major portion of the discussion focused on social media literacy instruction. Orange County said it uses counselor-led programs, Canvas courses, resiliency days, and curriculum materials to teach students about cyberbullying, human trafficking, privacy, and the permanence of online posts, with progress tracked through the learning platform. Pasco said it has some resiliency modules but lacks a fully built-out, pre-made social media curriculum and would welcome more guidance from DOE, especially for high school classrooms where instructional time is limited. Members also asked about student anxiety, 504/IEP accommodations, caregiver students, and parent education; the districts said exceptions are handled through school committees and that parent academies and district resources are being used to help families set boundaries and understand the risks and benefits of phones and social media. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is one-time this time, this time conversation with this.
• And so there's risks all the way around in this conversation.
• I mean, this has sparked a lot of different conversations because there's some conversations about Minot
• I mean, this has sparked a lot of different conversations because there's some conversations about Minot
• There's a lot of different conversations because there's some conversations about Minot and maybe needing

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2014, the budget for the Industrial Commission, with Representative Kempenich walking through the agency’s major components: the administrative office, Bank of North Dakota, housing finance, Department of Mineral Resources, and the State Mill and Elevator. He described mostly special-fund operations, including bond payments, economic development programs, the rail loan program, the Rebuilder’s Loan Program, housing incentive funding, abandoned well reclamation work, lignite research, litigation reserves, and a capacity purchase arrangement for a future natural gas pipeline. He also explained several one-time funding items, such as grid resiliency grants, housing-related transfers from the Strategic Investment Fund, and enhanced oil recovery funding repurposed from a prior salt cavern study. Members asked about the reduction in housing incentive funding from the Senate version, the use of one-time Strategic Investment Fund dollars for ongoing housing programs, and whether a trigger should be added to increase housing funding later. Kempenich said no trigger was discussed and emphasized that housing needs vary widely across the state. Another exchange focused on the enhanced oil recovery grant program, which he said would be driven largely by the Energy and Environmental Research Center and would use repurposed funds. A longer discussion covered the natural gas pipeline capacity purchase, including its purpose, possible routes, and the idea that the state would be buying capacity rather than immediately building a pipeline. The committee adopted Amendment 25.0181.0207 on a 21-1 vote, with one member absent and not voting. The committee then passed HB 2014 as amended on a 21-1 vote, with one member absent and not voting. Representative Kempenich was designated to carry the bill. The chair then noted this was the final budget hearing for the committee, with one bill remaining to be heard later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, conversations took place again today.
• Um, conversations took place again today.
• We can have those conversations and we can move forward.
• <00:04:21.840> and in we can have those conversations and in we can have those conversations
• <00:04:34.120> today talking about the conversations today talking about the conversations

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republican leaders spoke to reporters about the ongoing Minnesota House standoff, saying Democrats had still not returned to the chamber and that no meaningful progress had been made toward a power-sharing deal. They rejected claims by Rep. Hortman that the sides were closer to an agreement, saying the same proposal had been offered for about 15 days and that any deal would first require Democrats to “show up to work.” Republicans also said they were open to written negotiations on a tie arrangement, but only if the terms were new and acceptable to both sides. The discussion focused heavily on the consequences of the absent Democrats and the Republicans’ efforts to keep legislative work moving. GOP members said they were still meeting with constituents, discussing bill ideas, and preparing work on capital investment, roads, bridges, wastewater, school funding, and budget issues. They emphasized priorities such as stopping fraud, improving reading outcomes, public safety, and limiting taxes and wasteful spending, while also saying agencies had previously been told not to attend Republican-led committee hearings and that they hoped those meetings could resume. Republicans also addressed questions about pay and per diem, saying members were still receiving legislative salary but not per diem and arguing that lawmakers who do not show up should face penalties, including loss of pay. They said such penalties would need to be authorized by the Rules Committee. On other matters, they said there was nothing new to announce on possible legal action, they had not yet fully reviewed the president’s funding freeze, and they were open to meeting again with Rep. Hortman, including at 3:30 the next day.