Transcript Highlights:

• And we do have a set of amendments. Thank you, ma'am.
• Members, any question on that amendment set? I'll offer up amendment set 60-68.
• And I think we also had amendments set that included design build, design bid build, Set that included
• policy drafting process or strongly oppose it for policy reasons, we white-card it.
• Any objections to adopt an amendment set? Hearing none, that amendment set stands adopted.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on May 26 and considered several resolutions and one Senate bill dealing with transportation project delivery, vehicle safety, school-zone safety, flooding, and highway signage. The committee first took up SCR 64, which creates a task force to study construction management at risk (CMAR) for public works. An amendment added representatives from Louisiana Associated General Contractors and Associated Builders and Contractors to the task force, and the resolution was reported with amendments. The committee also heard HR 282, which creates a task force to study utility terrain vehicles with Louisiana State Police and other stakeholders; an amendment added the State Fire Marshal, and the resolution was reported with amendments. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 513, which addressed public works project delivery methods and included a proposal for an average-bid award method as well as design-build authority for airports and vertiports. Testimony from a Reason Foundation policy analyst and a Louisiana Associated General Contractors representative opposed the average-bid concept, arguing it lacked U.S. precedent, could encourage collusion, and could raise costs, while airport-related design-build provisions were supported. The committee adopted an amendment in concept to remove the average-bid language, then reported SB 513 with amendments by a vote of 11 yeas and 4 nays. The committee also reported SCR 62 favorably, which urges DOTD to evaluate all school zones on state highways in response to safety concerns and near misses involving crossing guards and distracted driving. In addition, HCR 112 was reported favorably to study flooding on Louisiana Highway 1 in Shreveport, and HR 275 was reported favorably to study an interstate highway signage maintenance and reporting program. The meeting concluded after all items were acted on and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm going to ask that you remember this is not policy today. This is policy. This is procedure.
• I'm talking about how do we set up different structures.
• It was not the policy decision. It was not the policy decision. It was not the policy decision.
• I have heard that Washington has their set, Texas has their set, but there's been lots of comments for
• It was not the policy decision. It was not the policy decision. It was not the policy decision.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is set by the leaders in the body.
• On their different policy areas.
• Our goal has been to hire a policy division director and then to hire 10 policy analysts so that each
• Well, we've hired a policy division director and then to hire 10 policy analysts so that each of those
• We're going to be creating those quick guides and white papers in our new policy division, Policy and

Summary: The Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then took up a draft bill to make legislators’ and candidates’ residential addresses confidential in public records. Legislative Council and the Secretary of State explained the proposal was prompted by security concerns and would protect residential addresses while still allowing election officials to verify residency and keep candidate names and offices public. Members raised concerns about unintended consequences, transparency, and how the change would affect rural districts and residency enforcement. The Secretary of State suggested an amendment to end the confidentiality when a candidate’s term ends, and the committee agreed to hold the bill over for further discussion at the next meeting. The committee also reviewed follow-up materials on legislator security and best practices, including advice on situational awareness, internet hygiene, varying routines, and reporting threats, along with NCSL materials comparing capitol security practices in other states. Members discussed a recent security incident and the need to keep alert contact information current, and staff said they would continue working with the Highway Patrol on legislative-specific notifications. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to Garrity Consulting’s final report on mitigating the effects of legislative term limits. The consultants summarized survey, focus group, and stakeholder input showing concerns about loss of institutional knowledge, leadership turnover, onboarding demands, and workload pressures, while also noting public support for term limits and annual sessions. Recommendations included considering annual sessions or shifting biennial sessions to even-numbered years, restructuring organizational session and interim committee work, creating office hours and more structured orientation and mentorship, expanding ongoing training and staff support, improving public communication and virtual testimony rules, and addressing barriers to service such as employer support and travel costs. Members discussed the tension between making the legislature more effective and preserving a citizen-legislature model, and the report was received as a roadmap for future implementation rather than immediate action.

Transcript Highlights:

• What kind of sets us apart from other peer organizations that provide policy research is that we don't
• . provide policy research is that we don't advocate for any policy.
• But we serve anybody who touches education policy. As Dr.
• Why can there not be just a statewide policy of...? ...there not be just a statewide policy of...
• Because though the local board might have a policy, you've got some teachers who enforce that policy,

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Selective fiscal policy issues.
• Carrier A was going to make me also buy an auto policy from them, but I wanted an auto policy from carrier
• Or non-renewed or canceled a policy.
• Moving to page 3, selected fiscal and policy issues.
• Moving to page 3 for selective fiscal and policy issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Higher Ed passes a finance bill and a policy bill because the policy bill had one provision in that had
• Higher Ed passes a finance bill and a policy bill because the policy bill had one provision that had
• retail settings retail settings to<01:15:22.760> advise.
• policy amendments. policy amendments.
• just passing out the higher ed policy just passing out the higher ed policy bill<01:49:37.360>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are definitely different policy goals between the House and Senate.
• Policy changes require lead time for business investment, whatever they are.
• Do you have policy choices?
• You know, setting aside money.
• And, you know, your fiscal policy has stabilized.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we were to set a value at it, that, that is a good... Mr.
• We at the center have established an acceptable use policy.
• Well, the data sets that my colleagues around the country are working with Well, the data sets that my
• So other data sets could be driver's license data. Okay.
• Hopefully some are on policy, some are on appropriations.

Summary: The task force reviewed survey results from state agencies on potential statutory revisions, with Levi reporting 70 proposals from 20 agencies and noting that about 33 might become agency pre-file bills. Members discussed the need to share the survey more broadly within higher education and to better coordinate issues involving IT and other cross-agency functions. The task force then heard from the Office of Management and Budget on three topics: concessions, architect/engineering pre-qualification, and legal notices. OMB said the concessions law is outdated and inconsistent with current practice, and suggested a collaborative rewrite to allow best-value evaluation, raise the threshold, and standardize solicitation templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB proposed expanding authority beyond current state-agency limits and creating uniform templates. On legal notices, OMB proposed modernizing publication requirements, exploring online and abbreviated notices, and working with newspapers and other stakeholders on technology and accessibility improvements. Members asked about where concession revenues go, whether political subdivisions must follow the same rules, and how to move from discussion to action. The task force agreed to have OMB work with Legislative Council and affected stakeholders to develop bill drafts, and the motion passed unanimously. The University of North Dakota then presented a series of proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND asked to rework the definition of construction so routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements over $250,000 would not automatically trigger public-improvement requirements, suggested raising the threshold to $500,000, and asked for more flexibility based on project complexity and risk. UND also proposed changes to public bid advertisements to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement rules, an increase in the direct-hire design threshold, and a higher legislative-consent threshold for privately funded projects. The task force supported having UND work with counsel and OMB to develop bill drafts, and that motion also passed. The Department of Public Instruction concluded with proposed cleanup to credentialing and education statutes. DPI recommended reviewing its credential categories for relevance, possibly transferring credentialing authority to the Education Standards and Practices Board, removing outdated school safety patrol language, clarifying waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so the statute reflects current practice. Members focused mainly on whether the dyslexia reporting requirement should remain, and DPI said the screening itself would continue even if reporting language were revised. No votes were taken on DPI’s suggestions, and the task force recessed after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• house senate and MMB and and really sets house senate and MMB and and really sets the<00:06:50.840
• However, budget rules are written in connection with statutory requirements for sound fiscal policy,
• However, budget rules are written in connection with statutory requirements for sound fiscal policy,
• <00:50:11.240> any<00:50:11.799> questions policy any questions policy any questions members
• on the fiscal note so maybe we can set on the fiscal note so maybe we can set some<00:59:39.280>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met for its first 2025 meeting, with co-chairs Senator Marty and Senator Pratt opening the session and members and staff introducing themselves. No bills were heard; the meeting was focused on orientation and on reviewing the committee’s budget rules for the new biennium. Committee members and staff from both caucuses, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), and legislative fiscal offices were introduced before the presentation began. MMB fiscal staff Brian D. and committee fiscal staff explained that budget rules are a nonbinding agreement between MMB and House and Senate fiscal staff that guides how fiscal proposals are tracked and understood. They reviewed the history of the rules, noting that the current document reflects the most substantial update since the rules were first adopted in the early 2000s, and that the 2025 version was reorganized into eight sections after extensive interim work by House, Senate, and MMB staff. The presenters emphasized that the rules are updated annually, are intended to promote consistent fiscal tracking and transparent communication, and are used as guidance for budget bills rather than as law. The presentation highlighted several substantive rule areas: general tracking rules and comparison points for budget documents; appropriation drafting guidance; treatment of transfers, revenues, and inflation; planning estimates and “budget tails”; and rules for extending, canceling, or reappropriating existing appropriations. Staff also described new or revised provisions, including guidance on understanding current-law changes, using Department of Revenue estimates for tax revenue, and treating inflation in the forecast as a general pressure estimate rather than appropriated dollars. The committee was asked to review the updated rules, but no vote or formal action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• might come from but the the policy might come from but the the policy choice<00:14:54.160> here
• we can have the discussion of the policy we can have the discussion of the policy here<00:18:57.840
• um and and that by the way um is set um and and that by the way um is set forth<00:35:17.760>
• is whether that uh method that's set is whether that uh method that's set forth<00:35:33.599>
• legislating on an important policy legislating on an important policy issue.<00:41:34.480> Um

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Why haven't the voters voted out the city council members who, who approved the policy?
• To adopt a policy. Which would then require the schools in that district or the charter.
• To set up this organized prayer or Bible study, uh, time period, is that, is that correct?
• But through their counsel or the attorney general's office, they would adopt that policy.
• And so, uh, that's generally, I, I think, how it would be set up. OK, thank you. So.

Bills: SB 6, SB 11, SB 33

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, it's Megan Jones, senior policy advocate for school food policy with Friends of the Earth.
• I'm the senior policy... My name is Megan Jones.
• I'm the senior policy advocate for school food policy at Friends of the Earth.
• While researching current priorities, potential new policies, current policies, potential new policies
• While researching current priorities, potential new policies, current policies, potential new policies

Summary: The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its second informational hearing at UCLA, focusing on California’s alternative protein sector and the role of public institutions in expanding plant-based, fermentation, and cultivated protein options. Chair Ash Kalra opened by highlighting prior state investments in UC research centers, the importance of student engagement, and the hearing’s three panels: reducing the carbon footprint of institutional meals, addressing market challenges to scaling alternative proteins, and advancing future food research and workforce development. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan also briefly praised the committee’s work and its relevance to climate and health goals. The first panel featured Friends of the Earth, UCLA Dining, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Megan Jones described California school food efforts, including technical assistance and microgrants that helped districts expand plant-based meals, reduce water and carbon footprints, and improve student satisfaction. Pete Angelese explained how UCLA Dining uses concept-driven venues, sustainable purchasing, and marketing nudges to increase plant-forward choices, while Dr. Michelle Wood outlined Los Angeles County’s 2024–2025 board motions to expand plant-based options in county food venues and programs, including joining the World Resources Institute’s Cool Food Pledge. Committee members asked about costs, procurement, and how student and consumer behavior can be influenced. The second panel addressed market barriers to scaling alternative proteins. Zach Weston and Daniel Gertner emphasized that the sector faces a cost-and-scale trap, high capital needs, and financing gaps, and they recommended grants, tax credits, loan guarantees, procurement commitments, and workforce development. T.K. Pillen of Beyond Meat argued that the category has faced a recent downturn due to consumer skepticism, industry attacks on “fake meat,” and pricing pressures, and said the key to renewed growth is increasing demand through better taste, health, pricing, and messaging around “plant protein.” Panelists also discussed hidden subsidies and structural advantages for conventional animal agriculture, and committee members raised questions about iBank loan guarantees and supply chain challenges. The final panel highlighted UCLA’s research and training efforts. Dr. Amy Roet described the Future Food Fellows program, which trains students across disciplines in science, communication, leadership, and community-building, and supports research on scalable, safe, and nutritious alternative proteins. Corinne Smith shared her cultivated meat research and student leadership in the Alternative Proteins Project at UCLA. Dr. Janet Tomiyama presented consumer psychology findings showing that disgust, gender norms, and terminology strongly affect acceptance, with “plant protein” and “complementary proteins” testing better than “fake meat.” The hearing concluded with support for continued public investment, clearer messaging, and expanded education and workforce pipelines to help California remain a leader in alternative protein innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• add that there were a number of policy add that there were a number of policy provisions<00:04:58.479
• <00:13:04.320> members<00:13:04.720> were policy issues uh that members were policy
• are going to come back to those policy are going to come back to those policy questions<00:13:10.560
• <00:13:17.120> up Um, and in some cases, we've set up Um, and in some cases, we've set up
• 53.440> no<00:13:53.600> more policy bonding and hopefully no more policy bonding and hopefully

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• set forth in this bill.
• the model policy, is there any enforcement that they're actually following the policy?
• If they have not acted to adopt a policy, how do we know that they're following the policy?
• the model policy, is there any enforcement that they're actually following the policy?
• the model policy, is there any enforcement that they're actually following the policy?

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• facility policy and procedure facility policy and procedure requirements,<00:02:52.560> and
• So three policies and procedures.
• would be looking at are these policies would be looking at are these policies and<00:09:52.560><
• ,<00:14:27.279> we under the no- lift no touch policy, we under the no- lift no touch policy
• documentation requirements in the policy documentation requirements in the policy statute.<01:37

Bills: HF3935, HF2216, HF4354, HF4210, HF4212

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, training, unlicensed personnel, resident rights, safety regulations, nursing home, long-term care, guardian, conservator, arbitration, mandatory arbitration, consumer protection, fee increase, rate increase, price hike, private pay, public funds, Medicaid, waiver services

Transcript Highlights:

• and then send it to ED Policy to come back afterwards because ED Policy really needs to do the work
• and then send it to ED Policy to come back afterwards because ED Policy really needs to do the work
• and then send it to ED Policy to come back afterwards because ED Policy really needs to do the work
• and then send it to ED Policy to come back afterwards because ED Policy really needs to do the work
• set up a table in the foyer. set up a table in the foyer.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Racial discrimination policies have consequences.
• Racial discrimination policies have consequences.
• There's a whole set of criteria out there.
• , that there's, you know, that there is a set of programs and policies that would result in that.
• But again, AB 1860 does not create these policies.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state government finance and policy state government finance and policy committee<00:05:18.080><
• House File 2566 is re-referred to the State Government Finance and Policy Committee.
• House File 2566 is re-referred to the State Government Finance and Policy Committee.
• And I just think that's a bad policy for the Commerce Committee.
• <00:48:14.960> for and I just think that's bad policy for and I just think that's bad policy

Bills: HF2543, HF2566, HF2627

Keywords: garnishment, wage garnishment, earnings levy, bank levy, execution, judgment debtor, judgment creditor, exemption notice, exempt property, bank account freeze, financial institution levy, employer disclosure, garnishee, writ of execution, debt collection, consumer debt, collections, bankruptcy exemptions, public benefits, means-tested benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• the people who implement your policies the people who implement your policies each<00:18:38.080>
• three in a setting four school.
• We're going to set a timer goes up. We're going to set a timer<01:36:22.600> here.
• We're policy advocates for kids.
• . setting. setting.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We could visit about the priority set.
• set up is not based on the column.
• And so you have written policy?
• So because I'm almost out of time, if you are dead set on setting this ESA program, Austin ISD students
• This initiative is not just a policy proposal. This initiative is not just a policy proposal.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Members from both parties emphasized education as a major issue, while several Republicans framed the committee’s work around school choice and parent empowerment. Senator West and other Democrats stressed protecting public schools, listening to Texans, and considering the effects of vouchers or education savings accounts on school districts and communities. Chairman Creighton laid out Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, describing it as a universal education savings account program modeled on similar programs in other states. He said the bill would provide about $200 million for a universal eligibility pool and additional funding for students with disabilities and lower-income families, with priority weighting for former public school students. He also highlighted anti-fraud measures, vendor pre-approval, criminal background checks, cybersecurity protections, annual testing requirements for participating students, and the use of the Comptroller rather than TEA to administer the program. Creighton repeatedly said the bill is not a voucher and argued it would not take money from public schools, which he said would receive separate historic funding increases. Members questioned Creighton about the 500% of federal poverty line definition, the adequacy of the $10,000 ESA amount, whether the program would favor students already in private school, how microschools and homeschool pods would fit, and whether the bill protects religious liberty and private-school autonomy. Democrats raised concerns about disability protections, 504 students, foster children, public-school funding, open records, and the historical context of vouchers. Republicans generally supported the bill as a way to expand options for parents and students, while also asking about administration, fraud prevention, and data security. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, with EdChoice President Robert Inlow presenting in support of SB 2 and citing the growth and reported success of school choice programs nationwide.