Transcript Highlights:

• In Merced County, a new permit was issued on July 2nd for a facility to open there.
• In Merced County, a new permit was issued on July 2nd for a facility to open there.
• Is that the one and only facility in the state in Lodi, or are there other facilities that recycle?
• Is that the one and only facility in the state in Lodi, or there are other facilities that recycle?
• So there's that pilot facility in Tracy, but since then the state has not developed...

Summary: The committee first heard SB 14, which would direct state agencies to reduce single-use plastics and improve waste diversion at state facilities by updating integrated waste management plans, increasing reusable foodware use, reducing paper purchasing, and requiring better employee education and recycling/composting practices. Supporters from the California Compost Coalition, Republic Services, Waste Management, and others said the bill would help build composting and recycling markets and let the state lead by example. Several groups that had opposed earlier versions said they were now neutral after amendments, including the removal of a 90% requirement. The bill was moved out on a due pass as amended recommendation. The committee then took up SB 326 on wildfire mitigation. The bill would create a framework for Cal Fire to evaluate the risk-reduction benefits of fuels management and landscape resilience investments, and it would accelerate implementation of Zone Zero defensible-space standards, including grants for local enforcement and broader application to rental and sale properties and post-fire reconstruction. Support came from Stanford climate researcher Michael Mastrandrea and several local government, insurance, and climate groups. With no opposition, the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. Next, SB 34 on port emissions and the South Coast Air Quality Management District drew extensive testimony. The author said the bill was narrowed by committee amendments to preserve the ports’ ability to reduce emissions while preventing cargo throughput caps and addressing concerns about automation, local control, and the timeline for port clean-air planning. Supporters included ILWU, business groups, and port-related stakeholders, while the South Coast AQMD and many environmental and community organizations opposed it, arguing it would weaken public-health protections and set a bad precedent. After lengthy debate, the committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended vote to Transportation, with some members voting no and others abstaining. The committee also heard SB 279, which would expand composting options for farmers and small community composters by allowing limited on-farm composting after large biomass events and increasing the amount small operations may process and sell. Supporters said the bill would help address agricultural waste, expand composting capacity, and reduce landfill disposal. Commercial composting representatives opposed it, warning that the bill could create regulatory inequities, strand recent investments in permitted facilities, and allow too much unregulated food waste. Despite those concerns, the bill passed to Appropriations on a due pass vote. The transcript also briefly referenced SB 613 on upstream methane emissions data, described as having no opposition and intended to improve tracking of imported oil and gas emissions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also includes $5 million in 2026 for property storage and debris removal, and my personal favorite
• It also includes $5 million in 2026 for property storage and debris removal, and my personal favorite
• It also includes $5 million in 2026 for property storage and debris removal, and my personal favorite
• It also includes $5 million in 2026 for property storage and debris removal, and my personal favorite
• It also includes $5 million in 2026 for property storage and debris removal, and my personal favorite

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services, I think that these regional areas are going to be in dire need of expanding all their facilities
• They need us to have a new wastewater treatment facility. That's $600 million.
• Ezequiel de Isla in Mora County, for instance, has received funding for its water storage project.
• That is water storage. That's flood prevention, right? They will apply to the Water Trust Board.
• I mean, that whole process in Albuquerque with Abiquiu and storage of our water, and then regenerating

Transcript Highlights:

• bonds that the public entities can issue to help pay for those as well, if there's a judgment or a lien
• If there's a judgment or a lien that's applied against them. Has that ever happened, you know?
• I took a tour of the Halliburton facility in Dickinson.
• Anybody seen that facility, the Halliburton facility in Dickinson? Bacon.

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• bonds that the public entities can issue to help pay for those as well, if there's a judgment or a lien
• If there's a judgment or a lien that's applied against them. Has that ever happened, you know?
• I took a tour of the Halliburton facility in Dickinson.
• Anybody seen that facility, the Halliburton facility in Dickinson? Bacon.

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It started in an assisted living facility in Champlain, Minnesota.
• Remember that these facilities are already licensed.
• They're subject to MDH rules regarding food safety storage, and it represents what we should be doing
• Remember that<00:26:00.880> these<00:26:01.120> facilities<00:26:01.600> are<00:
• 26:01.760> already that these facilities are already that these facilities are already licensed

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call establishing a quorum, and approval of the previous day’s journal. The body then moved through routine business including committee reports, second readings, first readings of a large batch of House files, and receipt of Senate File 3958 for comparison with a House companion. Several noncontroversial motions were adopted without objection, including referral and re-referral motions later in the day. The chamber then took up a series of bills, many of them veterans, commerce, mortgage, liquor, elections, and financial institutions measures. House File 3544, a veterans housekeeping bill updating state law to conform with federal standards and clarifying benefit forfeiture language, passed 133-0. House File 3467, authorizing MDVA to use nonmonetary support to collaborate on veteran services such as food insecurity, homelessness, and suicide prevention, also passed 133-0. House File 3437, clarifying that certain mortgage lending protections apply to consumer home loans rather than commercial loans, passed 133-0. House File 3479, clarifying homeowners’ rights to postpone foreclosure sales in several edge cases, passed 128-5. The annual liquor bill, Senate File 2511, drew the most discussion. Members described provisions addressing the so-called “Granny Happy Hour” in senior facilities, University of Minnesota liquor-related flexibility, and other local liquor-law changes. An author’s amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 129-1. House File 4118, allowing state-chartered credit unions to use private deposit share insurance subject to state oversight, passed 131-2. House File 4241, a local government/elections omnibus addressing disclosure rules, Hennepin County medical examiner appointment procedures, and Rochester School Board election structure, passed 124-9. House File 3699, changing a license plate contest to feature the Lake Superior agate and requiring a Minnesota artist, passed 110-22. Later, the House adopted motions to send House File 4668, an Explore Minnesota film tax credit bill, and House File 4319, a Lake City port authority bill affecting local taxing authority, to the Taxes Committee. The chamber also approved a motion to recall House File 1234, the payment transparency bill, from Ways and Means and place it on the General Register after a zero-cost fiscal note was reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is facilities.
• They can help manage and flow those facilities.
• We have a facility that is vacant in Houston.
• Those are hydroelectric generating facilities.
• Plus, remember, it also has dedicated flood storage.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Alamo Visitor Center Museum as presented by the Alamo Trust, as well as the potential location for storage
• , along with the dispersal facility.
• of a new archival and record storage center to replace our facility just north of here, which is about
• We'll have restroom facilities, and then within 48 months, our target is to have that park open.
• So additional trails, restroom facilities, etc. Thank you.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• facility for the purposes of erosion, floodwater, and set up.
• facility for the purposes of erosion, flood water, and set up.
• By the sponsor, a storage facility for the purposes of erosion, floodwater, and sediment control; divert
• Senate Bill 243, relating to the regulation of migrant labor housing facilities.
• We don't have random people coming into our facility.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received the House message that HB 35 had passed, and heard a gubernatorial message submitting Trinity River Authority board appointments for Senate confirmation. The chamber also adopted a slate of Senate resolutions by voice vote and later postponed reading and referral of bills and resolutions until the end of the calendar. Several members introduced bills with brief explanations before the Senate took them up under suspension of the regular order. The body then considered and passed a series of measures, often by wide margins, including SB 2846 on wildlife disease control and quarantine authority; CS SB 1224 requiring school superintendents or directors to report certain employee misconduct to local law enforcement; CS SB 2310 on transparency for degree and transfer requirements at public colleges; SB 1502 limiting school districts’ ability to exceed voter-approval tax rates after a failed TRE; CS SB 1141 on notice requirements before full adversary hearings in child-protection cases; CS SB 2568 exempting certain flood-control reservoirs from TCEQ permitting; SB 1524 on confidentiality of information about weapons in foster homes; CS SB 2925 creating a task force on modernizing manufacturing; CS SB 2269 on dispute resolution and enforcement for long-term care facilities; CS SB 1266 on Medicaid provider enrollment and disenrollment notices; SB 243 on migrant labor housing standards; SB 2200 on overweight vehicles transporting hazardous materials; CS SB 2480 on the Texas Physician Health Program; CS SB 1585 restricting government contracts with companies tied to foreign adversaries; CS SB 2357 establishing maternal health training; and SB 1551 requiring accessible AED placement in public schools. The Senate also debated more contested bills. CS SB 2019, which would extend vaccine exemption rules to medical and veterinary students, advanced only partway after a divided vote. CS SB 1442, directing a study on veterinary telemedicine relationships, and CS SB 1241, which would allow the Higher Education Coordinating Board to study alternative college entrance exams, prompted extended questioning about agency authority and whether changes should return to the legislature before taking effect. CS SB 2753, which would integrate early voting and election day voting into a single in-person voting period, was amended and passed to engrossment despite opposition. CS SB 2201, dealing with gang and foreign terrorist organization intelligence databases, and CS SB 2514, creating a DPS hostile foreign adversaries unit, drew detailed debate over civil liberties and national security. CS SB 2422, aimed at limiting Texas Medical Board discipline related to COVID-19 treatments and practices, also advanced after lengthy discussion and a close vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why I was also asking about renewables plus storage.
• plus storage. plus storage.
• DEES does periodic testing of the facilities around the state in order to maintain their compliance,
• of the facilities around the state<00:52:09.599> in<00:52:09.760> order<00:52:09.920><
• , necessary assessment of port facilities, necessary assessment of port facilities, economic<01:29

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas is home to an astonishing 50% of the world's hydrogen storage caverns. which solidifies Texas as
• a pivotal player in enabling reliable hydrogen storage solutions.
• PE Area Engineer and Maintenance Facility. I've heard of the Committee on Transportation.
• Including licensure, community-based care, contractors, family homes, and child care facilities for the
• AB 2928 by compass relating to the regulation of referral agency for assisted living facilities or for

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• if if you are negligent in the storage if if you are negligent in the storage of<00:44:20.640>
• costs for spills from tank storage costs for spills from tank storage facilities<04:49:40.360>
• So this facility has a serious...
• far you you put the landfill facility far you you put the landfill facility away<05:56:59.400>
• existing facilities existing facilities exempt<06:21:33.478> um<06:21:33.798> from

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee met in work session on several bills, beginning with HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training. Members said the bill had been sent to the Animal Protection and Licensing Subcommittee, where Representative Kuttab is expected to schedule a meeting soon to consider possible amendments based on testimony and other ideas. The committee later returned to HB 153 and confirmed a work session was planned for February 14, with discussion also including whether to explore a task force concept raised in testimony. The committee also discussed HB 215 and HB 566, both related to landfill permitting and leachate or harm/benefit reporting. Representative Gerana said he had met with the DES director and was working on amendments that would add a preliminary screening phase for determining net public benefit and expand the list of benefits beyond capacity need to include items such as economic and infrastructure benefits. HB 566 was said to be in the same posture as HB 215, and both were slated for subcommittee review the following Tuesday morning. HB 171 was also added for subcommittee discussion, with members saying the changes would be technical rather than substantive. HB 240, which removes forfeiture penalties for non-payment of dog licenses, drew support for a simple amendment changing a statutory “shall” to “may” so municipal officials would have discretion about issuing a warrant. Representative Bixby said OLS advised that this was the cleanest way to provide flexibility, and he reported that the sponsor was agreeable to the change. The committee also discussed HB 179, concerning hazardous waste accident fees, where the sponsor proposed a revised amendment imposing a $1,000-per-day penalty after 90 days of non-payment. Members raised concerns about homeowners, hobby farmers, and whether the bill could unfairly burden people who were not negligent or whose insurance claims were delayed. The sponsor and others said the intent was to recover costs from responsible parties, especially businesses, and to protect local taxpayers and fire departments from bearing the cost of damaged hazardous materials equipment. No votes were taken; the bills were left for further subcommittee work and amendment drafting.

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of saving storage money, we have to store a lot of information, and Steven has come in and made
• We put those people into a sober living facility home, but it's a home environment.
• If you agree to go to Firstep, which is strictly a sober living facility, but it's residential.
• Digitization: leveraging technology to reduce paper use and storage space requirements.
• of corrections case manager in that facility.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are not in lawful facilities. They're not in any state's lawful facilities.
• They're not in any state's lawful facilities.
• Compare that to a state-licensed facility or tribal gaming facility. These may be...
• Compare that to a state-licensed facility or tribal gaming facility. These machines are regulated.
• We've talked about the state-licensed facility.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard a presentation from the Florida Gaming Control Commission on illegal gambling in Florida. Executive Director Ross Marchman described the commission’s role, the limited number of legal slot-machine locations in the state, and the prevalence of illegal casinos, including “fish tables” and other machines found in strip malls, gas stations, and back rooms. He said the commission has received thousands of complaints, conducted 88 operations, seized thousands of machines and millions in cash and other property, and is currently storing large amounts of seized evidence at significant cost because the cases and appeals are still pending. Marchman argued that illegal casinos are tied to broader criminal activity, including robberies, drug trafficking, human trafficking, firearms offenses, and even murders, and said the current penalties are too weak because most gaming offenses are second-degree misdemeanors. He and members discussed the need for stronger deterrents, better resources, and possible changes to the law, including whether evidence could be reduced to samples rather than retained in full. Senators also asked about cease-and-desist letters to online gaming operators, the role of manufacturers and landlords, and how the commission distinguishes legal amusement machines from illegal slot machines. Daniel McGinn, speaking as an individual, supported the commission’s concerns and said prior enforcement efforts were limited by the statutory scheme. He referenced the Gator Coin case and explained that operators often use licensing agreements and repeated cash-split arrangements to keep machines in circulation. He urged legislative action, noted a gap in the statute regarding private rights of action, and warned against creating carve-outs that could raise constitutional or compact issues. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• facilities for cell phones in classrooms, innovative ways of keeping the cell phones under lock when
• facilities for cell phones in classrooms, innovative ways of keeping the cell phones under lock when
• Thank you very much. companies that had companies that had different<01:14:19.360> storage<01:
• 14:20.159> facilities<01:14:20.800> for<01:14:21.040> cell different storage facilities
• for cell different storage facilities for cell phones<01:14:21.639> in<01:14:21.880> classrooms

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to secure loans, as well as administering the central notification system, or CNS, for farm product liens
• and files and maintains statewide federal tax liens.
• Things like bogus liens filed against public officials, including some against public officials in the

Bills: HF1151, HF1239, HF1240, HF2020, HF2514, HF2515, HF2451

Keywords: Compensation Council, salaries, state officials, judicial compensation, legislative process, public funds, misuse, law enforcement, accountability, state government, legislative auditor, compliance, transparency, retirement benefits, health insurance, dependents, state employees, Medicare, legislative studies, government oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this facility uses 146 million.
• <00:19:35.600> like looking at bringing in facilities like looking at bringing in facilities
• Is this facility needed?
• So the facility on the left is generally speaking a 69 kV line, and the facility on the right is a 115
• facility on the right is a 115 KV line. facility on the right is a 115 KV line.

Bills: HF3296, HF3802

Keywords: energy conservation, data centers, electric sales, energy optimization, utility regulations, energy regulation, certificate of need, renewable energy, power production, energy efficiency, Minnesota statutes, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Homeowners often don't realize they've signed a loan or that it may come with a lien on their property

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• deed that you didn't and you didn't go through the private private and you can go out and get a first lien

Transcript Highlights:

• Heroes program, excuse me, which provides down payment assistance as a grant or as a forgivable second lien

Bills: SB 250, SB 375, SB 536, SB 845, SB 1633, SB 1944, SB 1957, SB 2081, SB 2137, SB 2262, SB 2299, SB 2419, SB 2452, SB 2522, SB 2549, SB 2594, SB 2605, SB 2631, SB 2639, SB 2675, SB 3029, SJR 60, HB 22, HB 1392, HB 2525

Keywords: municipal annexation, railroad, adjacent areas, local government, property rights, healthcare provider, Harris County Hospital District, hospital funding, healthcare services, public health program, home loans, nurses, veterans, public servants, Texas Heroes program, low-interest loans, social workers, housing assistance, SB 1633, Texas Tax Code