Bills: SB3263, SB3261

Keywords: student-athletes, name image likeness, NIL, compensation, transparency, University of Hawaii, Title IX, funding, protections, athlete agents, student athletes, endorsement contracts, professional representation, registration requirements, sports law, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Committee on Education and Committee on Health and Human Services heard testimony on several bills related to student health and safety, University of Hawaii programs, and workforce development. For SB 2969, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry, testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Witnesses described the ongoing physical and mental health impacts of the August 2023 Maui fires, said the study has identified serious untreated conditions and connected participants to care, and emphasized its role in serving survivors and training students. The committee also heard support from the Department of Health, the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Lung Association, Maui residents, and study staff. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard SB 2657, which would establish an Alzheimer disease and related dementia research center at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. University of Hawaii and Alzheimer’s Association representatives supported the bill, saying a local center would improve coordination of existing research, build state capacity, and help Hawaii compete for future NIH designation and federal funding. A family member affected by Alzheimer’s also testified in support, citing the disease’s impact in Hawaii. In response to questions, the university said the proposal would follow a five-year phased plan, with the first year funding used to recruit a senior neuroscientist and staff person, at an estimated cost of about $375,000, and that the effort would still strengthen Hawaii’s research infrastructure even if federal funding is not secured. For SB 2612, which clarifies immunity for Department of Education employees and agents who assist students with medication administration under certain conditions, the Department of Education said the bill is intended to protect volunteers and help ensure students can participate in school activities even when staffing is limited. The committee discussed how volunteers would be selected and whether every school would have someone available, and DOE said schools currently rely on health attendants, nurses, and trained volunteers. The committee also briefly discussed liability language and gross negligence exceptions. The hearing then moved to SB 2412, which would fund a bachelor’s degree program in sign language and sign language interpretation at UH Mānoa with a future master’s pathway. Testimony from interpreters, educators, and university officials emphasized the shortage of interpreters, the need to retain local talent, and the program’s role in building a pipeline; university representatives said the initial request would fund a faculty/staff position as a first step, with additional funding needed later. No final committee action or votes were announced in the transcript.

Bills: SB3263, SB3261

Keywords: student-athletes, name image likeness, NIL, compensation, transparency, University of Hawaii, Title IX, funding, protections, athlete agents, student athletes, endorsement contracts, professional representation, registration requirements, sports law, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on Senate Bill 3263, which would create a state-supported endowment for University of Hawaii athletics NIL (name, image, and likeness) funding. University of Hawaii Athletics Director Matt Eliott supported the bill, saying NIL requires both immediate funding and a longer-term sustainable solution. He asked for several changes: lowering the initial endowment target from $10 million to $2 million so the fund could start sooner, allowing NIL reporting by team rather than by individual student-athlete, and clarifying that athletes may choose whether to use an agent, while still allowing certified agents or a parent/guardian if desired. Committee members raised concerns about using taxpayer dollars for athlete compensation, the burden on a small-state budget, and whether the university could realistically raise the required matching funds. Several senators questioned whether the university had a concrete fundraising plan and whether the endowment would meaningfully help UH compete with larger programs. Eliott said UH is already fundraising privately for current NIL obligations, had raised more than $1.6 million toward a $3 million annual goal, and would continue fundraising for both short-term needs and the endowment match. He also said the university is not trying to compete with Power Five schools on the same scale, but to be successful at its own conference level. Members also discussed transparency and privacy, with some senators arguing that if state money is used, the public should know how it is spent, while Eliott said individual student-athlete NIL information should remain private and team-level reporting would be preferable. He confirmed international student-athletes are eligible for NIL and said about 60 to 70 UH athletes are currently participating, with more than 100 expected next year. The discussion also touched on UH’s Mountain West media rights and local TV rights, with Eliott explaining that the conference distribution is expected to remain around $3.5 million and that local TV rights would be negotiated separately. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we received this, which just has absolutely zero transparency in it.
• has absolutely zero transparency in it. has absolutely zero transparency in it.
• I'm really glad that we've come together around this transparency for these reports and having our members
• I'm really glad that we've come together around this transparency for these reports and having our members
• for this for these reports transparency for this for these reports and<01:37:00.080> having<01

Bills: HF3874, HF3875, HF3378

Keywords: judicial funding, Chief Justice security, fiscal year 2028, court system, judicial branch, judiciary, court notices, restitution, child protection, publication process, human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the March 3 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Judicial Branch on House File 3874, which was laid over for possible inclusion in a finance bill. State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba and Chief Judge Michael Fritz testified in support of a supplemental funding request focused on judicial branch safety and security, along with funding to cover the employer share of Minnesota Paid Leave costs. Shorba said the branch is seeking help because it did not receive funding for paid leave in the last session and is having to hold positions open to absorb the cost. The safety and security request included five parts: personal data protection for judges and court administrators, home security, two additional staff positions for threat assessment and coordination, security for the chief justice at public events, and a revived courthouse security grant program for counties. Testimony emphasized rising threats and incidents involving judges and court staff, including examples of doxing, home surveillance, and threats involving litigants, and cited increases in reported incidents, threats, and disturbances. Fritz said the branch’s current response system is stretched and that more law-enforcement-trained staff would improve coordination and response. Members questioned why the judicial branch should receive state funding for paid leave when private employers must absorb the cost, and Shorba responded that the branch was excluded from end-of-session funding decisions and that the mandate should be funded for all branches of government. Members also asked about the threat-response process and whether local law enforcement should be used more directly. Another concern raised was whether State Patrol troopers assigned to judicial security would have the training needed for criminal-code enforcement, and Shorba said the branch is discussing that issue with the State Patrol. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Transparency of board meetings.
• The substitute applies these limitations exclusively to districts most likely to struggle with transparency
• We have done everything we can to be as open and transparent as possible.
• I provide communications, outreach, and transparency measures when I'm not sitting as a MUD director
• Generally speaking, at least the MUDs in our area, are they pretty transparent as your money is in this

Bills: HB1835, HB2561, HB3630

Keywords: manufactured housing, HUD-code, zoning, local government regulations, installation permits, municipal utility district, board meetings, public access, meeting location, transparency, fire prevention, agriculture, local government, fire safety, regulations, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will bring competition and transparency to our state Blue Cross system by allowing approximately
• HB 1225 will promote and encourage more transparency in knowing the total cost prior to procedures, and
• What part of your bill talks about where there's going to be transparency in terms of the pricing?
• Second, this bill promotes transparency.
• It promotes robust transparency and accountability in government.

Bills: HCR141, SB438, SB1495, SB1964, HB 1225

Keywords: HCR 141, House Concurrent Resolution, NASA, Houston, Space City, Johnson Space Center, Mission Control, Apollo 11, moon landing, aerospace, commercial space, space exploration, Texas Space Commission, space policy, federal resolution, memorial resolution, Congress, Washington D.C., headquarters relocation, space industry

Transcript Highlights:

• one of a package of bills that's come over from the House to do some due diligence in increasing transparency

Bills: HB3002, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3419, HB3463, HB3919, HB3985, HB4303

Keywords: counties, county officers, education, training, sunset law, county purchasing, procurement practices, budget management, public accountability, emergency procurement, reverse auction, bidding process, competitive bidding, public procurement, city council regulations, public works, bidding procedures, construction contracts, transparency, public trust

Bills: SB 312, SB 945, SB 946, SB 1367, SB 1861, SB 2044, SB 2337, SB 2403, SB 2819, SJR 54

Keywords: public school funding, education, budget allocation, financial transparency, state law, local control, fiduciary responsibility, public retirement systems, investment management, proxy voting, financial factors, insurance, political shareholder proposals, fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental regulation, discrimination, credit extension, social credit, value-based standards

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3281 is the This is the same bill as Senate Bill 1433, the Guidance Transparency Act, which

Bills: SJR49, HB3281, HB4319, HJR1086

Keywords: wildlife, conservation, Oklahoma, regulations, permanent rules, administrative procedures, guidance documents, transparency, public inspection, rulemaking, rulemaking authority, specific authority, legislative review, agency rules, judicial rules, public safety, state agencies, legislative approval, 914, all

Bills: HB402, HB402

Keywords: rural impact, legislation, agriculture, school funding, transparency, data assessment, rural communities, land bank authority, property acquisition, tax-delinquent properties, real estate management, local government revenue, floodplain management, stormwater drainage, emergency powers, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today to present House File 414, a bill that seeks to ensure fairness, promote transparency,
• I'm here today to present House File 414, a bill that seeks to ensure fairness, promote transparency,
• In conclusion, this bill ensures fairness, promotes transparency, increases accountability.
• In conclusion, this bill ensures fairness, promotes transparency, increases accountability. reducing
• <00:04:03.040> and toward promoting transparency and toward promoting transparency and accountability

Bills: HF414, HF768, HF359

Keywords: data practices, filing fee, government transparency, complaints, public access, free speech, human rights, censorship, protected speech, Minnesota Department of Human Rights, real property, partition, eminent domain, transfer on death deeds, property rights, 1183, house

Bills: HB55, HB608, HB997, HB1035, HB1045, HB1048, HB1049, HB1057, HB1131, HB1177, HB1201

Keywords: juror confidentiality, public records, criminal procedure, privacy, court disclosure, intercollegiate athletics, confidentiality, revenue sharing, student athletes, official journal, public notices, government transparency, local government, municipal website, school board notices, parish council, police jury, special districts, levee district, drainage district

Bills: SB 8, HB 7, HB 15, HB 265, HCR 13

Keywords: immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement, county jail, federal immigration law, parental rights, public education, Texas Education Agency, TEA inspector general, school grievance process, student records, teacher certification, human sexuality instruction, parental consent, library materials, school transparency, educator misconduct, child abuse reporting, neglect reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• I commit to being transparent about what order we will Vote on bills and how I will manage proceedings
• Additionally, S.371, the SBA Disaster Transparency Act, complements S.300 and aims to bring further transparency
• Together, these two bills increase transparency and hold SBA accountable to the American public.
• I'm pleased to join Senator Scott in introducing the SBA Disaster Transparency Act.
• We must have increased transparency to prevent this from happening again.

Bills: SB298, SB300, SB371

Keywords: employee relocation, headquarters, Small Business Administration, Washington metropolitan area, telework, cost reduction, rural markets, geographic diversity, disaster loans, accountability, reporting, loan forgiveness, federal funding, SBA reforms, small business, disaster assistance, transparency, report publication, government accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• framework for how cash transactions may be rounded when exact change is unavailable, while ensuring transparency

Bills: HB2174, HB2496, HB2744, HB2863, HB2910, HB2938

Keywords: insurance regulation, modeling organizations, financial disclosure, rate-making, predictive models, revitalization districts, construction contracts, infrastructure, municipal services, intergovernmental agreements, user fees, landowner agreements, overtime, wages, employee rights, industrial commission, complaints, adjudication, landlord, tenant

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out House Bill 8, relating to public school accountability and transparency, including
• And so there's no transparency in that process. There's no ability to challenge. how it was graded.
• And it's way more transparent in this bill.
• That's why this process must be open and transparent.

Bills: HB8

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• That we're getting these assessments aligned and that we're making sure that the process is transparent
• Accountability and transparency are critical.
• Second, HB8 ensures consistent annual ratings, which give parents and taxpayers transparent information
• One of the things that's been a concern with transparency and trust is always having the agency select
• Transparency is key to ensuring students are better prepared for the future.

Bills: HB8

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out House Bill 8 relating to public school accountability and transparency, including
• It also prioritizes transparency for parents by ensuring they can review student answers for each question
• And so there's no transparency in that process. There's no ability to challenge how it was graded.
• I want to be 548 clear that I agree with the TEA tenant that all students can learn and as every teacher
• That's why this process must be open and transparent.

Bills: HB8

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Summary: The House Committee on Public Education met to hear House Bill 8, which would replace STAAR with a new assessment and accountability system beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The chair described the bill as reducing testing time, limiting benchmark tests, adding beginning-, middle-, and end-of-year assessments, requiring faster score turnaround, involving Texas teachers in test development, and tightening accountability timelines and transparency rules. Members also discussed provisions on A-F ratings, cut scores, CCMR, local accountability plans, and TEA reporting requirements. Committee members and invited witnesses split sharply on the bill’s approach. Supporters, including the chair, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, and Ed Trust’s Nicholas Munyon Penny, argued the bill would reduce high-stakes pressure, provide quicker and more actionable data, limit over-testing, and better align assessments to Texas standards while preserving criterion-referenced accountability. They said the new system would help teachers and parents intervene sooner and would improve transparency, including parent access to student responses and automatic rescoring in some writing cases. Opponents, including Rep. Hinojosa and student witness Ella Moran, argued the bill still increases testing and replaces one high-stakes test with multiple TEA-created tests. Moran testified that STAAR creates anxiety, disrupts instruction, and does not reflect real learning, while Hinojosa said the House had previously passed a better bill based on a nationally norm-referenced model and criticized the new proposal as a concession to the Senate. Questions also focused on AI scoring of writing, rescoring rates, and whether the bill’s new accountability rules would be reliable and fair. The committee did not take a final vote during the portion provided, but the chair said a vote on HB 8 would be called after public testimony later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I first read it, it seems like it's our attempt to not— we're all about transparency; at least we
• all should be about transparency—about not wanting the truth to be told to the public.

Bills: HB134, SB217, SB180, HB157, HB92, HB335

Keywords: vehicle registration, disability access, fines, law enforcement, public accommodation, bond financing, municipal bonds, county debt, local government debt, debt service schedule, bond disclosure, public finance, bond underwriter, county commission, city council, refunding bonds, swap agreements, interest rate swaps, derivatives, fiscal transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• that would create more compliance uncertainty. to move to a model that would provide customer transparency
• Texas' This is open government, by fixing several minor public information problems that reduce transparency
• device, including a ramp, elevator. or handrail that was provided as an amenity at the time that the tenant
• It allows tenants to petition. to hold their rent in escrow in the event that their landlord does not
• are issues that urge us These are issues that are important for the safety and well-being of these tenants

Bills: SB 1113, SB 1117, SB 1206, SB 1460, SB 1802, SB 1906, SB 1917, SB 2340, SB 2455, SB 2680, SB 2690, SB 705, SB 748

Keywords: SB 1113, converter's license, converter license, motor vehicle dealer, auto dealer, vehicle conversion, converted vehicles, direct sales, retail sales, trailer, semitrailer, manufactured trailer, chassis, manufacturer's statement of origin, MSO, Occupations Code, Transportation Code, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, dealer licensing, general distinguishing number

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee was marked by discussions on several significant bills, with a keen emphasis on legislative updates and committee substitutes. Notably, Senator Blanco presented a new committee substitute for SB2610, which modifies the employee cap from 100 to 250 and extends the update timeline for cyber security programs for small businesses. This substitute was adopted unanimously, reflecting a collaborative agreement among the committee members. Additionally, there were discussions surrounding SB1856 as Senator Crayton provided insights into how stakeholder feedback influenced the bill's committee substitute. The committee ultimately voted in favor, pushing it towards the local and contested calendar, indicating the bill's progression through legislative channels.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nothing goes back to the tenant. It's nothing.
• They don't want to have to start giving that money back to tenants in lower rents.
• To have two years to adjust their rents to their tenants.
• In addition to limiting the traveling HFCs, the City also supports the transparency provisions and tenant
• That tenant comes in, let's say the rent is $1,000, okay, and they can only pay $300.

Bills: HB21, HB211, HB223, HB323, HB524, HB530, HB636, HB762, HB21, HB211, HB223

Keywords: housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, tax exemption, audit requirements, affordable housing, local government, development bonds, housing assistance, financial assistance, low income housing, community support, affordability, veterans housing, community involvement, air conditioning, tenant support, healthcare, elderly, taxation