Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:17.840> um wonderful and doing insect control um wonderful and doing insect control
• processes utilizing erosion control processes utilizing erosion control measures<01:28:34.800>
• Beaver control for nuisance beaver is critically important.
• it seems like it takes local control it seems like it takes local<01:40:56.520> control local
• control local control away<01:40:58.960> representative<01:40:59.520> purcel<01:41:00.080

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm presenting Senate Bill 920, a good governance bill based on a 2018 audit report of the Gaming Control
• require the Gaming Commission, upon adoption or adjustment of a fee that is deposited into the Gaming Control
• This provision is an important step toward ensuring that all fees collected under the Gaming Control
• revenues are used to protect and support the oversight responsibilities of the California Gaming Control
• Archuleta has said, to add kind of belt and suspenders to the fees of the Gambling Control Commission

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met at 1:40 p.m. with quorum established and heard one bill, SB 920 by Senator Archuleta. The bill was described as a good-governance measure based on a 2018 audit of the Gaming Control Fund. It would require the Gaming Commission, when adopting or adjusting a fee deposited into the fund, to maintain a regulation stating the fee’s authorized purpose and use, with the goal of improving transparency, accountability, and fiscal integrity in gambling regulatory fees. The bill’s sponsor and supporters, including Communities for California Card Rooms and representatives from several casinos, testified in strong support, saying the measure would add clarity and “belt and suspenders” to the fee process. Assembly Member Dixon asked about the delay since the 2018 audit and said she supported the bill. There was no opposition. The committee voted do pass SB 920 to Appropriations, with the roll showing enough aye votes to pass while the roll remained open for absent members. The committee then approved a consent calendar containing SB 33, SB 1205, SB 1235, SB 1236, SB 1273, and SB 1434, all with do pass to Appropriations recommendations. The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• existing comprehensive development agreement for a portion of State Highway 130 to facilitate non-controlled
• At year-end, when we bought that loan from the Japanese, the control of the senior secured lender.
• So from a control perspective, the debt set is what's called essentially the fulcrum security, so it
• So what happened is our investment firm bought the control, and the balance sheet reflects a significant
• We are relatively new to this on the ownership side and on the control side.

Bills: HB2007, HB2462, HB2621, HB2921, HB3187, HB3331, HB3332, HJR144, HB3514, HB3528, HB3539, HB3563, HB3720, HB3726, HB3751, HB3859, HB3947, HB4148, HB4164, HB4337, HB4346, HB4368, HB4706, HB4916, HB4950, HB4967, HB5177, HB5603

Keywords: commercial signs, county approval, transportation code, regulations, road signage, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, confidentiality, personal information, local government, airport data, public records, regional transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• As with most systems, as is with state-to-state, there are layers of access controls.
• It's fraud detection controls.
• So physical security, information security, fraud detection controls.
• Those are the controls, and I think those are very strong controls for that.
• However, it's an audit term, and it is related to internal control deficiencies.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several budget and policy items, beginning with the DMV’s proposal for the federal state-to-state verification system and the Digital Experience Platform (DXP). DMV officials said the state-to-state system is required for Real ID compliance and functions as a pointer system that shares only limited identifying information to help states verify whether an applicant has records in another jurisdiction. Members pressed hard on privacy, access, hacking, notification, and misuse concerns, including whether other states or federal actors could use the system to target Californians. DMV said access is limited to member jurisdictions, requests are transaction-based, records are encrypted, California can see when its data is requested, and legal remedies would include working through AAMVA and the Attorney General if misuse occurred. On DXP, DMV said the project has been reset, is on its revised schedule and budget, occupational licensing is complete, vehicle registration is targeted for completion by the end of the calendar year, and the full modernization is expected by fiscal year 2028-29. The committee then took up the High-Speed Rail Office of Inspector General trailer bill and AB 1608. The Inspector General said current law does not clearly authorize public reports or establish a work-paper retention and disclosure framework, and that the trailer bill and AB 1608 would codify those powers, add access to needed job classifications and purchasing authority, and require public reporting with temporary confidentiality only in limited circumstances such as pending litigation, security vulnerabilities, or fraud-detection weaknesses. Members debated how broad the confidentiality language should be, whether reports could remain confidential too long, and whether the bill should define “proposed agreements” and require notice to the Inspector General when agreements are being reviewed. The Inspector General said he had already found at least one procurement-related state law violation involving an amendment that added services not in the original contract, and members discussed the project’s large cost growth and the need for stronger oversight. No vote was taken on the item in the portion provided. Finally, Caltrans began presenting a trailer bill proposal related to workforce development under SB 150, explaining that it would amend Government Code 14017, which governs use of federal highway formula funds and related workforce development efforts. The transcript cuts off as Caltrans starts its overview, so no further discussion, vote, or action on that item is shown in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• So now you have one file to do a Control-F on.
• So, and I do know that cities and towns are about local control.
• So if it were for local control, why do cities and towns come in and tell us that we're really not?
• Liggett, do the universities provide forms of birth control? Mr.
• At the behest of the control tower, that's exactly right.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Intel Expert/Expert Works on using its Intel Expert software to help the Department of Child Safety and law enforcement process large volumes of audio, video, and text data in cases involving missing, abused, neglected, and exploited children. The presenters said the tool can triage hotline calls, identify names, locations, relationships, criminal methods, and coded language, and produce translated and aggregated transcripts, with the goal of reducing hundreds of hours of manual review to minutes. Members discussed possible use with DCS, sheriffs, DOC, procurement and RFP issues, cost, and whether the system could help identify backlogs, serial abusers, and trafficking networks; the presenters said it is already used in Iowa and could be adapted quickly for Arizona. Committee members indicated interest in pursuing legislation, a pilot, or budget action, and said they would follow up with agencies and the presenters. The committee then considered HB 2460, which would preempt local ordinances that penalize businesses for theft of movable property, especially shopping carts. The sponsor argued cities were shifting the cost of stolen carts onto businesses and consumers instead of pursuing thieves, while city and league representatives argued local ordinances were needed to address blight, sidewalk hazards, and abandoned carts, and that the bill would unnecessarily limit local control. After debate over whether businesses should be required to retrieve carts or use anti-theft devices, the committee passed HB 2460 on a 4-3 vote. Next, the committee heard HB 2060, which would prohibit public educational institutions and ABOR from encouraging or facilitating abortions. The sponsor said taxpayer-funded schools should remain neutral and not use official roles to promote abortion, while opponents argued the bill would chill constitutionally protected health care information and referrals, especially on campuses where student health services may be the only care available. Supporters testified that campuses should provide alternatives such as pregnancy resources and adoption information. The committee passed HB 2060 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also heard HB 2210, as amended, which would prohibit the state, political subdivisions, and private entities from using ADS-B aircraft surveillance data to calculate or collect fees from aircraft owners or operators. Supporters said the technology was intended for aviation safety and should not be repurposed as a tax-collection tool, warning that pilots might turn it off to avoid fees and reduce safety. Opponents, including the City of Phoenix, said airports need flexibility and that the bill could interfere with local airport operations. The committee adopted the Blackman amendment and then passed HB 2210 as amended on a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• provides an analysis on cost drivers of specific high-cost projects and identifies strategies to control
• New Mexico Junior College also avoids change orders to control costs.
• We're not going to invest in you guys if you can't control your costs from going from, I think, 354%
• We will actually be able to control valves from the control center so we can slow flow. Mr.
• , and we can then take on a more cost-efficient plan and control that.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:17.360> over yesterday, we have no control over yesterday, we have no control over
• . control. control.
• <01:23:36.120> like costs outside of their control like costs outside of their control like
• I mean, not out of control, but it is something that they have no control over.
• costs were truly out of their control costs were truly out of their control and<01:40:44.040>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For us, for me, primarily it's about flood control and flood mitigation.
• They claim the project provides flood control and ecological conservation.
• The project is not intended to be justifiable, as the flood control benefit is minimal.
• They're saying it's a benefit, the flood control benefit, or I always thought about 300 acres.
• The project is not tempted to play justifiable as the flood control benefit is minimal.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh changes over regulation and uh changes over regulation and overspending from one-party Democrat control
• need to bring the uh the size and scope and most importantly the fraud in state government under control
• <00:04:55.199> What<00:04:55.440> we state government under control.
• What we state government under control.
• because we have not been able to control because we have not been able to control the<00:20:08.880

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Republican legislative leaders in Minnesota held a budget-focused press availability after the November forecast, thanking Minnesota Management and Budget staff while arguing the updated numbers show a much worse deficit outlook than expected. They said the state faces a structural spending problem, cited projected gaps in the 2028-29 biennium and over the four-year outlook, and blamed recent deficits on higher spending, tax increases, mandates, and what they described as fraud in state programs. They also criticized Governor Walz for focusing on federal issues and for not doing enough to control spending or address fraud. Speaker Lisa Demuth, House Republican Leader Harry Niska, and Senate Finance lead Eric Pratt all said the forecast underscores the need for spending restraint, pro-growth policies, and stronger fraud prevention. They pointed to health care, long-term care, Medicaid-related programs, and local government mandates as major cost drivers, and said the legislature should examine those areas in the upcoming session. Demuth said the state should not ignore fraud and noted that the legislature had added staff to the Office of the Legislative Auditor and whistleblower protections, but had not passed an independent inspector general office. A substantial portion of the exchange centered on fraud investigations and comments by President Trump about Somali Minnesotans. The Republican leaders said they disagreed with condemning any community as a whole, but also said they shared frustration over fraud and corruption and wanted accountability for those responsible. They said the state’s fraud problem is not about any one community, but about failures in administration and oversight. The lawmakers said they would return to session on February 17 and continue working on budget and fraud-related issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our local control, or the PSAs, are owned by private entities, which you heard from two of them today
• Local control is really important to your city because if something goes wrong, that mayor is going to
• That's how government, or that's how we control, right, through the purse strings.
• That's how government, or that's how we control, right, through the purse strings.
• that the local control is set at<00:18:35.960> the<00:18:36.200> local<00:18:36.919>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 337, a bill addressing long-term funding for rural and Greater Minnesota EMS and ambulance services. The author offered the A2 amendment, moved to divide it, and the committee adopted lines 1.2 to 1.19 of the amendment. The bill, as amended, was described as creating a policy framework for identifying ambulance services with operating deficits, requiring financial audits, and setting up a future grant program, with the author emphasizing that the proposal was still being developed and was intended to be a long-term solution rather than a short-term fix. Testimony was largely supportive. Eric Simonson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said the bill builds on last session’s one-time aid and would target grant dollars using state data, clarify eligible uses, allow audits, address uncompensated care and readiness costs, and require reporting back to the legislature. Mike Warner of the Red Wing Fire Department said his city’s ambulance service operates with a heavy government-funded payer mix and a persistent operating shortfall. Tim Meyer of Sanford Ambulance said low-volume rural services face widening revenue gaps, staffing pressures, and the loss of the volunteer model. Nathan Zacharias of the Association of Minnesota Counties and Kevin Lee of North Memorial Health also supported the bill, citing rising costs, staffing shortages, stagnant reimbursement, and the need for a sustainable statewide funding model. Members raised concerns about how the bill would work in practice, especially around communities that straddle metro and non-metro boundaries and around local control over grant dollars. Representative Pel asked how the eligibility language would apply to places like Northfield and New Prague; the author and a testifier said eligibility would depend on whether a service area is mostly outside the metro area, but acknowledged more review was needed. Representative Huitt argued the bill should give more local control and should address EMS as a statewide issue, not only a Greater Minnesota issue. Representative Ryer asked whether the bill would eventually include revenue recapture or another funding source, and the author said the proposal was still at an early stage and all options were being considered. The committee laid HF 337, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• There we go. go to the Florida Gaming Control Commission's, one of their warehouses, where all of the
• Welcome to one of the warehouses that the Florida Gaming Control Commission has.
• Welcome to one of the warehouses that the Florida Gaming Control Commission has, where we keep illegal
• It is completely outside of the control of the player. It is chance.
• It is completely outside of the control of the player. And you are playing for value.

Summary: The Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee met to hear a panel on the prosecution and enforcement of illegal gaming in Florida. The chair opened with a video showing seized machines at a Florida Gaming Control Commission warehouse and described the scale of illegal operations. Panelists included the commission’s executive director, local sheriffs and police officials, and state attorneys from several counties, who described widespread illegal slot-machine locations, often in strip malls or convenience-store-type settings, and said the machines are typically used in organized criminal activity rather than legitimate amusement gaming. Witnesses repeatedly said the current penalty structure is ineffective because possession and operation of illegal slot machines are generally second-degree misdemeanors, which they described as too minor to deter operators who can quickly reopen after paying fines or completing diversion. They said enforcement is resource-intensive, requiring undercover work, search warrants, machine seizure, storage, forensic review, and long prosecutions, often while the same operators reopen elsewhere. Several panelists cited associated crimes such as robberies, firearms offenses, prostitution, drug activity, human trafficking, and at least some homicides tied to illegal gaming locations. Members also asked about the difference between legal amusement devices and illegal slot machines, online gambling, illegal horse racing, local licensing and ordinances, and whether manufacturers or distributors could be pursued. The commission and prosecutors said legal slot machines are limited to specific regulated locations and that lawful amusement machines lack a material element of chance. They said many illegal machines are imported or reworked versions of gaming devices and that upstream accountability is difficult under current law. Panelists also discussed cooperation with licensed casinos, tribal gaming entities, and local governments, noting that some local ordinances have tried to permit or limit these businesses. The main policy takeaway from the panel was a call to increase penalties, likely to felony-level offenses, and to consider stronger forfeiture and enforcement tools. No vote or formal action was taken at the meeting, and the chair adjourned after thanking the panelists.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm presenting Senate Bill 920, a good governance bill based on a 2018 audit report of the Gaming Control
• require the Gaming Commission, upon adoption or adjustment of a fee that is deposited into the Gaming Control
• This provision is an important step toward ensuring that all fees collected under the Gambling Control
• revenues are used to protect and support the oversight responsibilities of the California Gaming Control
• Archuleta has said, to add kind of belt and suspenders to the fees of the Gambling Control Commission

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee and heard one bill, Senate Bill 920 by Senator Archuleta. SB 920 would require the Gaming Commission, when adopting or adjusting a fee deposited into the Gaming Control Fund, to maintain a regulation stating the fee’s authorized purpose and use. The author described it as a good-governance measure based on a 2018 audit of the fund, aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and clarity around regulatory fee revenues. Supporters from Communities for California Card Rooms and related casinos testified in favor, saying the bill would add a useful layer of documentation and oversight; there was no opposition. Members asked a brief question about the delay since the 2018 audit, and the author responded that it was a matter of governance. The committee then voted SB 920 out on a motion by Assembly Member Gibson, seconded by Assembly Member Soria, with the bill passing “do pass to appropriations.” The roll was left open briefly for absent members. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing SB 33, SB 1205, SB 1235, SB 1236, SB 1273, and SB 1434, and approved those measures on a motion to “do pass to appropriations, recommend consent.” The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and that these internal controls or practices could also be of benefit to regional transportation agencies
• We have a director of internal controls that I created.
• We have a director, a director of internal controls that I created.
• In addition, one of the things I did want to point out, in addition to the BSCC's own internal controls
• and the public, and this committee may wish to consider whether work already done by the State Controller

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to consider new audit requests and received a status update from the State Auditor, who reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, several statutory audits underway, and that all audits approved in 2025 are moving forward. The committee first approved a consent calendar covering audits on University of California library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. One requested audit on local law enforcement and human trafficking had been withdrawn before the hearing. The committee then debated and approved an audit request from Assembly Member DeMaio on the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and its road project management and use of transportation funds. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether restricted funds, voter-approved revenues, and project commitments were properly used, while SANDAG officials said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and that its funding sources and project uses are governed by multiple existing audits and reporting requirements. Several members questioned whether the audit would duplicate existing reviews, but the motion passed after roll call. Next, the committee approved Senator Valadares’s audit request on Board of State and Community Corrections Proposition 47 grant administration. Supporters said the audit would assess whether grant recipients and BSCC oversight are producing reliable outcome and recidivism data and whether the funds are achieving public safety goals; BSCC responded that it already has internal controls, that the State Controller conducts biennial audits, and that its reported outcomes show reductions in homelessness, unemployment, and recidivism among participants. The committee also approved Senator Cortese’s audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and contract oversight, prompted by concerns about stagnant annual maximums, provider network losses, and out-of-pocket costs for employees and retirees. CalHR said its current dental network remains strong, that it recently completed an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier beginning in 2027, and that it maintains performance guarantees in its contracts. All three regular-calendar audit requests were approved, and the committee then completed add-on votes approving the earlier consent calendar items before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Controlled Substances Act defines an abuse unit for penalty group 1A, a substance such as LSD-based
• The adulterants and diluents are part of the weight in controlled substances, and so the...
• The only thing she controlled was her body.
• Traffickers, once they've gained sufficient control over their victims, will often begin to use them
• And then the The trafficker actually brainwashes them to control the other trafficking victims.

Bills: SB1099, SB1896, SB1980, SB127, SB614, SB955, SB1278, SB1372, SB1936, SB1937, SB2580, SB2595, SB2798

Keywords: SB 1099, illegal alien, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense, first-degree felony, minimum sentence, Criminal Justice, Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• in 2019 the 86 legislature established the fifth to help communities plan design and build flood control
• Pursuant to Chapter 55, building... dams, levees, and related infrastructure to capture, control, and
• in general, the district took steps to expand its powers and its infrastructure beyond just flood control
• It's not going to keep someone from moving into your town, but it is going to help control what that
• Counties today have stormwater ability to regulate subdivisions. to control drainage, to control runoff

Bills: HB1520, HB1525, HB1530, HB1535, HB2068, HB2091, HB2347, HB2372, HB2805, HB2815, HB2867, HB3154, HB3482, HB3483, HB3663, HB3781, HB3901, HB3915, HB4135, HB4153, HB4158, HB4329, HB4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• ; and natural resource projects, including flood control measures.
• Natural resource projects, including flood control measures.
• I'm here today on behalf of Florida's local mosquito control programs.
• We only provide one service, and that's mosquito control.
• , were mosquito control and air conditioning.

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce property taxes by lowering assessment caps on non-homestead property, expanding homestead exemptions over time, and allowing local governments to increase exemptions further. The sponsor argued the measure would provide broad property tax relief while requiring revenues to be directed to core services such as public safety, education, infrastructure, and natural resource projects, with a trust fund intended to help local governments transition. Senators raised concerns about the lack of a fiscal score, the effect on counties, cities, school districts, and special districts, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. Several amendments were debated. Senator Polsky’s amendment to explicitly authorize user fees and non-ad valorem assessments to offset lost property tax revenue failed. Senator Avila’s amendment broadening permissible uses of ad valorem revenue to include county constitutional officers and other expenditures approved by local governing bodies was adopted after debate over whether the bill would otherwise underfund essential functions. Senator Smith’s sunset amendment, which would have made the constitutional changes expire after five years, failed. Senator Smith’s amendment to allow tourism development tax revenue to support public safety and education also failed. Senator Graal’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund language was adopted, with supporters arguing the Constitution should not promise an unfunded account. Additional late-file amendments were considered. Senator Berman’s proposal to change the ballot title to more neutrally describe the measure as affecting property taxes and local community service reductions failed. Senator Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal was adopted, preserving school taxes. Senator Smith’s amendment narrowing the non-homestead assessment cap reduction to small businesses only failed. The committee then returned to the bill as amended and continued questioning the sponsor about eligibility, fiscal impacts, and whether the proposal could lead to local governments offsetting lost revenue through special assessments or other charges.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:35.319> not to aggravate blood sugar control not to aggravate blood sugar control not
• Insulin can very effectively control blood sugar, but it also makes it harder for people to control their
• <00:42:56.480> independent in for weight control independent in for weight control independent
• are very helpful for blood sugar control are very helpful for blood sugar control and<00:48:51.119
• have type two diabetes controlled by have type two diabetes controlled by diet<01:16:19.400>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 552, which would remove the “full-time student” requirement for children ages 19 to 25 covered under the state retiree health insurance plan. The prime sponsor said the change would align retiree coverage with state employee and ACA plans, would not cost taxpayers because retirees pay the premiums, and could even reduce administrative burden and possibly state costs. The chair noted the bill simply removes the words “if full-time student” from statute and said the proposal affects very few retirees and has no cost to the state. No opposition was presented, and the chair closed the hearing on HB 552 after no further testimony. The committee then opened a public hearing on House Bill 648, which would require commercial insurance coverage for glucose monitoring devices and supplies for people with diabetes. The prime sponsor, a retired dietitian and diabetes educator, gave extensive testimony describing diabetes as common, costly, and serious, and argued that continuous glucose monitoring is important for managing type 2 and gestational diabetes, preventing hypoglycemia, and improving safety and decision-making. She said CGMs can alert users to dangerous blood sugar changes, help people understand how food, activity, and medication affect glucose, and save lives while offering a strong return on investment. During questions, a committee member asked whether the bill should specify that the monitoring be tied to prescribed treatment, and the sponsor agreed that adding “prescribed” would be appropriate. The member also asked about the proper threshold for coverage and whether the bill should be tied to fasting-test diagnosis; the sponsor responded that A1C is only one measure of control and does not show daily fluctuations, and said she was not prepared to recommend a specific threshold but could provide clinical guidelines later. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the sponsor indicated support for the bill’s general approach to broader CGM access.

Transcript Highlights:

• It sounds like that you said the communities are interested in having a little bit more control over
• <00:23:26.520> over in having a little bit more control over in having a little bit more control
• their costs and make their to control their costs and make their investments<00:24:10.400> in
• best uh to control those costs over<00:24:13.760> time.
• over their lives, that want more control over their lives, that would<00:25:59.560> be<00:25:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on House Bill 592, which concerns regional conservation and energy resources planning for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors, and a commission to study transferring ownership of the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program to another authority. Jason Stock of the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association said his group was fine with the bill as printed, especially after Senate language clarified that habitat stronghold designations are for information gathering and not regulatory purposes. Ted Diers of the Department of Environmental Services strongly supported the bill’s Winnipesaukee River Basin provisions, saying the state’s role in operating the wastewater system is outdated and that the communities are now capable of taking more control; he also supported creating a higher-level engineering/director position to oversee aging infrastructure and help manage a possible transition. Committee members asked about the facility’s location, capacity, costs, staffing, the possibility of private operation, the commission’s membership, and whether the six-month study timeline was realistic. Diers said there would be no state savings beyond administrative time, that the communities already pay the costs, and that a report in six months should provide useful next steps even if it would not resolve everything. The chair closed the work session on HB 592 and announced a brief recess before later action, while a member indicated interest in proposing an amendment to change the commission’s membership.

Transcript Highlights:

• That way there's more safeguards and controls for it. Okay, thank you, Mr.
• When we're operating normally, day-to-day training for a national mission, we're under the control of
• Under the operational control of the Albuquerque Police Department.
• We're also doing traffic control.
• We're mostly doing major crime scenes, traffic control, and some specialty assignments.

Transcript Highlights:

• As stated by the bill author, the purpose of this legislation is to try to control flood.
• They can adopt and enforce permanent land use and control measures.
• So to the idea that the county commissioner's courts can control that, we have no authority to control
• So to the idea that the county commissioner's courts can control that, we have no authority to control
• So to the idea that the county commissioner's courts can control that, we have no authority to control

Bills: HB48, HB66, HB68, HB71, HB75, HB164, HB171, HB254, SB3, SB18, HB123, HB149, HB117

Keywords: HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert, Silver Alert, Blue Alert, missing persons alerts, accessible alerts, hearing impaired

Summary: The committee met in special session to hear a series of flood, preparedness, and youth-camp safety bills, with members repeatedly noting that many of the measures were intended as planning, warning, or authority-clarifying bills rather than direct spending bills. House Bill 254 would expand eligibility for the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program to include Kerr County and 18 other flood-affected counties by raising the GDP cap and lowering the poverty threshold; it drew no opposition and was left pending. House Bill 68 would direct a study of flood mitigation in flatland areas, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, to develop cost-effective drainage and infrastructure recommendations; local officials and advocates supported it, and it was also left pending. The committee then heard several youth camp bills tied to the recent Hill Country flooding. House Bill 75 would impose flood-aware building and site standards for youth camps near floodplains, and House Bill 71 would require camps and youth activity entities to submit emergency preparedness plans to TDEM, coordinate with local responders, and maintain readiness protocols; both bills were supported by safety advocates and camp representatives, and both were left pending. House Bill 171 would require campgrounds near flood-prone waters to give written flood-risk notice to campers and obtain signed acknowledgment; it was presented as informed consent and left pending. Testimony on these bills emphasized Camp Mystic and other recent flood tragedies, with some witnesses urging broader building-code and floodplain reforms. The committee also heard House Bill 117, which would let counties regulate impervious cover for flood mitigation in unincorporated areas. Supporters, including county officials, environmental groups, and residents, argued that rapid development in the Hill Country and other growing areas is worsening runoff and downstream flooding; opponents from the builders’ association said counties already have substantial authority and warned about overreach into rural property use. After extensive testimony, the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 18 would streamline permitting for certain flood control districts to repair dams and reservoirs and build small holding areas, and it was left pending after supportive testimony from Plum Creek Conservation District. Senate Bill 3 would create a state-backed outdoor flood warning siren program for identified flood-prone areas, funded through a grant program; witnesses generally supported it, though some cautioned that sirens are not sufficient by themselves and may not be heard indoors or in overnight storms. It too was left pending. The committee also began hearing House Bill 149 on public-safety radio interoperability, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s full testimony or action is shown.