Transcript Highlights:

• measure, if not, Chair recognizes the Reverend Kevin Hawkins. to close on the measure. the budget board

Bills: HB769 , HB2132 , HB3383 , HB3792 , HB5431 , HB5682 , HB5677 , HB5678 , HB5680 , HB5681 , HB5683 , HB5684 , HB5685 , HB5686 , HB4078

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: environmental regulation, sustainability, business compliance, state oversight, local control, pollution, renewable resources, grant program, neighborhood organization, pedestrian infrastructure, Texas Department of Housing, financial assistance, neighborhood organizations, grants, urban development, safety, public safety, housing development, low income housing, tax credits

Transcript Highlights:

• Rusk County is not blessed with an interstate, nor an institution of higher education.
• might, the section you're referring to in the Transportation Code specifies the powers and duties of a board

Bills: SB682 , SB1013 , SB1369 , SB1422 , SB2001 , SB2080 , SB2366 , SB2705 , SB2841

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: memorial highway, Captain Kevin Williams, Firefighter Austin Cheek, Smith County, transportation, pedestrian right-of-way, sidewalk users, bicycle safety, micromobility, electric scooter, motor-assisted scooter, electric personal assistive mobility device, skateboard, roller skates, driveway crossing, alley crossing, traffic safety, yield law, Texas Transportation Code, vehicle-pedestrian collision

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on transportation infrastructure, public safety, and local commemorations. SB 2841 would clarify the overweight corridor designation for the Port of Brownsville so all three statutorily approved bridges are treated uniformly for northbound and southbound overweight traffic; the Port of Brownsville testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 39 would restore the commercial motor vehicle “admission rule” framework in collision cases; Senator Birdwell explained the committee substitute, and the bill was later reported favorably. The committee also heard and later advanced SB 682, SB 1369, and SB 1422, which rename stretches of highway or a bridge in honor of fallen firefighters and military service members, with no opposition testimony and all left pending before final votes. The committee also heard SB 2366, which would create a grant program for short-line railroad projects through rural rail transportation districts for track, bridge, capacity, and restoration work. Senator Hughes and several witnesses from rural rail districts and rail advocacy groups supported the bill, while TxDOT explained current rail funding is limited and that the bill would be the first such grant program for Class 3 short lines; members discussed that the bill would need a floor amendment because state funds cannot be paid directly to railroads. SB 1013 would expand crosswalk protections under the Lisa Torrey-Smith Act to include certain driveway curb cuts along sidewalks; it was supported by the author and left pending before later being reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 2080, which would modernize port and navigation district rules by easing records and procurement requirements, exempting certain security and cybersecurity discussions from recording, and expanding some operational authority. Port Houston and the Texas Ports Association supported the bill, while the City of Corpus Christi raised concerns that the language could expand port economic-development authority beyond navigation purposes and affect local tax bases; the Port of Galveston also noted concerns about the filed version but supported the bill as presented, and the committee substitute was later reported favorably. SB 2001 would create specialty license plates and related parking/toll benefits for permanently disabled peace officers; SB 2705 would codify registration exemptions for certain farm equipment and some specialty plates. Both were supported by witnesses, adopted with committee substitutes where applicable, and reported favorably. Final votes on the reported bills were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, and the committee recessed after leaving some motions open briefly.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:22.480><c> member</c> Kathleen Kelo, board member of Elder Voice Advocates.
• Five years later, I'm 76, and we're still looking for answers. is Kathleen Kelo I'm a board member of
• is Kathleen Kelo I'm a board member of the<00:31:40.440><c> Elder</c><00:31:40.919><c> voice</c><00:
• Representative Kosnik was on the Latina board, just wondered why that was not included in your bill.
• </c> faced barriers in employment education faced barriers in employment education housing<01:14:47.920

Bills: HF1837 , HF361 , HF2725 , HF2566 , HF2744 , HF1685 , HF501 , HF1889 , HF1389

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: state policy, employment, health insurance, fossil designation, public funds, community resources, Capitol Mall, grantmaking, community vitality, livability, funding, healthy aging, aging policy, older adults, seniors, elderly, gerontology, long-term care, assisted living, nursing homes

Bills: SB1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure

Bills: HSB6

Committee: Joint Veterans Affairs

Keywords: military, tuition, residency, veterans, education, community colleges

Transcript Highlights:

• Our policy has been educate before you regulate, or in this case, educate before you actually penalize
• or in this case educate before regulate or in this case educate before you<00:15:02.720><c> you</c><
• </c> educate before we regulate or parents. educate before we regulate or parents.
• </c> board of the office of Hawaiian Affairs? board of the office of Hawaiian Affairs?
• If the purpose of having board.

Bills: SB2885 , SB2174 , SB2925 , SB2798 , SB2320 , SB2800 , SB1230 , SB2706 , SB3233 , SB2405 , SB2350 , SB2169 , SB3320

Committees: House Agriculture & Food Systems , House Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: coconut rhinoceros beetle, invasive species, biosecurity, green waste, environmental management, agriculture, quarantine, pest control, transport regulations, Hawaii Revised Statutes, coconut trees, tax credit, natural management, Hawaii, environment, agricultural enforcement, agricultural theft, farm theft, crop theft, commodity theft

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2885 SD1, which would create mandatory handling and storage rules for commercial and residential coconut rhinoceros beetle host material beginning in 2027, with penalties and an effective date. Support came from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, DLNR, Maui County Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Testifiers generally said the bill would help reduce CRB spread, though some urged additional science-backed methods, better coordination, and technical or cost-share support for smaller operations. Hawaiian Earth Recycling recommended amendments to align the bill with existing Department of Health/EPA composting rules, add other materials that can harbor CRB, allow future approved treatment methods, and replace the bill’s 60-day turning requirement with existing pathogen-reduction standards. One individual supported the goal but argued the state’s CRB strategy has lacked community and cultural consultation and should include a cultural advisement role. Department witnesses said enforcement would rely on inspection and an educate-before-regulate approach, and they noted the challenge of creating enough drop-off sites, especially in rural areas. The committee then took up SB 2174 SD2, which would authorize the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to declare an emergency quarantine, halt operations in affected areas for 96 hours with possible extension, quarantine suspected pest areas, issue notices and compensation to affected farmers, and adopt interim transportation rules for materials that may harbor high-impact invasive species. The department and DLNR supported the measure, emphasizing the need for fast action in the first hours of an invasion. Hawaii Farmers Union supported the compensation provisions but asked for stronger communication with producers and a post-action report to the Board of Agriculture after about 90 days to evaluate effectiveness and economic impacts. In response to questions, department staff said the bill would be a short-term, department-only quarantine authority distinct from the governor-declared biosecurity emergency authority enacted previously, and that it could serve as an intermediate step. They also said outreach would need to be done through farm organizations such as Farmers Union, Farm Bureau, and Cattlemen’s groups. The final measure discussed was SB 2925 SD1, relating to coconut trees. The bill would recognize coconut trees as a source of food and water and a cultural treasure, require rules for coconut tree seed banks, require signage identifying landscape palms where applicable, set labeling standards for non-consumable landscape palms, and create an income tax credit for consumable coconut trees maintained through natural management practices. The transcript ended before testimony or action on this bill was completed, and no vote was taken on any of the measures discussed in the portion provided.

Bills: HR214 , HR213 , HB1692 , HR706 , HJR25 , HB1968 , HR1156 , HR212 , HR211

Keywords: House of Representatives, Ethics, Homeland Security, committee elections, government, House resolution, committee assignments, standing committees, House Ethics Committee, Committee on Ethics, Homeland Security Committee, Committee on Homeland Security, congressional organization, Member appointments, committee membership, legislative procedure, oversight, ethics oversight, national security, ethics

Transcript Highlights:

• them, education is an incredibly important part of protecting our children.
• We haven't really talked that much about sex education.
• They would also trigger, most likely, new members on their boards of supervisors.
• And I say that because does this create additional Board of Supervisors positions?
• That's what the county board of supervisors is. And I've served on a city council.

Bills: SB1433 , SB1434 , SB1435 , SB1567 , SB1571 , SB1686 , SB1745 , SCR1024 , SCR1025 , HB2671 , HB2676 , HCR2044

Committees: Senate Government , Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Keywords: county boundaries, Maricopa, Gila, Pinal, Yavapai, Yuma, La Paz, local governance, Arizona Revised Statutes, Maricopa county, county division, new counties, intergovernmental agreements, special election, shared use agreements, education, explicit material, parental consent, student protection, library access

Bills: HB2207

Committees: Senate Public Safety , Senate Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference

Keywords: braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• And did a number of different things in our general education, teachers, education excellence, school
• We will Department of Education.
• ,</c><00:03:59.880><c> teachers,</c> our general education, teachers, our general education, teachers
• /c> education excellence, school facilities education excellence, school facilities and<00:04:02.880>
• finance and education policy.

Bills: HF4893

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: education finance, student support, aid allowances, appropriation, school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• So for a special education evaluation So for a special education evaluation process<00:01:41.040><c>
• </c> appropriate public education. appropriate public education.
• </c> that has come out of education finance. that has come out of education finance.
• I'm speaking on behalf of Education Minnesota and our 84,000 educators across the state.
• </c> within the education budget. within the education budget.

Bills: HF4893

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education finance, student support, aid allowances, appropriation, school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• This work session is designed to educate the Education Committee about the work that has been taking
• And thank you to my beloved education committees.
• It not only involves this education committee.
• And no further business in front of the Education Committee, the House Education Committee is adjourned
• And no further business in front of the Education Committee, the House Education Committee is adjourned

Bills: HB1634

Committee: House Education

Keywords: mental health, behavioral support, education, school districts, student assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• Article four is education statute.
• Article five is special education.
• </c><00:14:59.040><c> house</c> today to speak on the educ house today to speak on the educ house education
• For special education services.
• </c> through education. So, thank you chairs. through education. So, thank you chairs.

Bills: HF1306

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: education, school policy, teacher training, student health, emergency response

Bills: SSB1068

Committee: Joint Workforce

Keywords: workforce development, unemployment insurance, adult education, internships, job training

Transcript Highlights:

• We increased their funding when it comes to FBA but also in what we're going to compensate their educating
• Sir, it includes about $111 to $112 million for education instruction pay raises, and the mechanism in
• We'll see later on with my colleague from Enid present the limits bill for education, but essentially
• But so essentially that'll be at SCE and then four other agencies in the state that have educators in
• And that is essentially then We're adding $3 million back into the state higher education regions.

Bills: SB1177 , SB1177

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget

Transcript Highlights:

• So you'll see over in the Oklahoma Water Sources Board a $35 million for a revolving loan fund to be
• I know we also see some education spending in the Commerce Department related to Head Start.
• of the medical examiner's board had asked for a substantial increase.
• I'm looking at the education areas that come from various funding.
• Would you speak to the state department of Education, our pre-K through 12 schools?

Bills: SB1177

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget

Transcript Highlights:

• of Education, of representation from the State Auditor, JLARC, OSPI, the State Board of Education, the
• You know, and it works together with the Professional Educator Standards Board and discussions about
• The Professional Educator Standards Board also recently approved updates to some of their endorsement
• The Professional Educator Standards Board also recently approved updates to some of their endorsement
• 9269, Susan Cain, State Board of Education; and gubernatorial appointee 9244, Thomas H.

Bills: HB1796 , SGA9249 , SGA9269 , SGA9244

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: school construction, contract indebtedness, school districts, bonding authority, education funding

Bills: SB5994

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: timber tax, school funding, levy failure, tax distribution, education funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Education Committee here.
• Welcome to the Education Committee here.
• Well, thank you, Madam Chair, members of the Education Committee, Senate Education Committee.
• I know you're very interested in education and early education, specifically, so it's nice to have you
• It's time that our education system faces the reality of how youth homelessness impacts access to education

Bills: HB1796

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: school construction, contract indebtedness, school districts, bonding authority, education funding

Bills: SSB3006

Committee: Joint Workforce

Keywords: career development, higher education, student resources, employment opportunities, tuition grant