Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:09:08.759><c> so</c> selected and awarded the contract so selected and awarded the contract so
• </c><01:16:47.679><c> is</c> defined as they're under contract is defined as they're under contract is
• </c> bus contracts bus contracts all<01:58:57.880><c> uh</c><01:58:58.880><c> ended</c><01:58:59.280>
• </c> forward though because those contracts forward though because those contracts are<01:59:31.840><
• </c> currently encumbered or under contract currently encumbered or under contract and<03:05:01.880><

Summary: The Committee on Education held an informational/budget briefing with presentations from the State Library System, the School Facilities Authority, and the Department of Education. The chair opened the meeting by outlining the order of presentations and noting that members would hold questions until after all three agencies had testified. The discussion focused on each agency’s priorities for the upcoming biennium and their budget requests. State Librarian Stacy Aldridge described library usage and services, emphasizing strong demand for physical and digital materials, internet and Wi-Fi access, programs, Kanopy streaming, and PressReader. She highlighted digital literacy classes, RFID self-check and smart shelving improvements, and the role of libraries as community hubs. The library’s budget request included an additional $1.2 million for security guards, $48.484 million for FY 26-27 to support popup libraries during temporary closures and other needs, $500,000 for repair and maintenance, $2 million for Kap planning and design, and $25 million each year for lump-sum capital funding. Mallerie Fujitani said the lump-sum funding is needed to keep roughly 50 projects moving and to avoid delays in construction. School Facilities Authority Executive Director Ricky Fujitani explained the agency’s startup history and its programs for preschools, Central Maui schools, and workforce housing. He said the authority is using standardized, prefabricated, programmatic approaches to speed delivery and improve maintainability, citing prior preschool renovations as a successful model. He reported that of $389 million appropriated, $106 million was released, with $81 million for preschools, $20 million for Central Maui schools, and $5 million for workforce housing; he also noted the workforce housing program was reduced after Maui fire-related reallocations. He said the pilot workforce housing site at Mililani High School has been awarded and pointed to University of Hawaiʻi student housing projects as a model. Superintendent Hayashi then began the Department of Education presentation, introducing DOE leadership and outlining the department’s mission to support academic achievement, character development, and student well-being. He noted the department serves more than 152,000 students in 258 public schools and employs over 42,000 people, with nearly 54% of students facing significant challenges. He framed the budget request around the department’s strategic plan to prepare graduates for college, careers, or military service. The transcript ends during the DOE presentation, before any committee votes or formal actions are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• to location, following money couriers back to locations, and following people when they re-up on their
• It can be a six-hour drive until they get to the location where they need to go.
• Those two teams have to travel sometimes six hours to get to a location.
• search warrants at many of the locations, have adapted.
• They don't need to file a complaint, and they have a satisfactory contract.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2020, I got a contract from Gooda. I started supplying the program called LEAF.
• That is the problem we have as farmers, with a reliable market or even better, a contract.
• For the record, my name is Arlene Jones, and I am the executive director of Sprout Food Hub, located
• better contract I can lock<00:46:08.440><c> in</c><00:46:08.720><c> my</c><00:46:08.960><c> seats</c
• We were awarded a USDA LFPA contract in the amount of $100,000 in early 2024.

Bills: HF44 , HF2102 , HF2279 , HF2280 , HF2281

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So the commission makes that selection, and it's a Beverly employment contract from there.
• With regards to H. 3663, I'm sorry, 3663, that would inhibit my ability to work in almost any location
• It says that you can't have commercial drone takeoffs in public locations or in many other locations.
• It says that you can't have commercial drone takeoffs in public locations or in many other locations,
• I've reached out to other contractors who contract me, who are sort of a middle level, but I can reach

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 36 bills covering aviation, commercial vehicles, school buses, veterans license plates, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate Chair Brendan Crighton outlined the hearing procedures, then the committee heard testimony on a range of measures, including a bill to modernize alternative student transportation for vulnerable students such as those covered by McKinney-Vento, foster children, and students with disabilities; a bill on unmanned aerial systems that would define drones and restrict weaponization, interference with aircraft, and certain surveillance; and a bill addressing airplane noise and reporting at Beverly Regional Airport. Supporters of the student transportation bill argued it would update outdated school bus requirements while preserving safety standards, while drone-related testimony was split between sponsors and public safety advocates who supported stronger restrictions and industry representatives who warned the bills could conflict with federal law and harm legitimate commercial uses. The committee also heard testimony on workforce and school transportation bills. Representatives and industry witnesses supported a proposal to create a grant program and career outreach for the trucking industry, citing a persistent driver shortage and the importance of trucking to the state’s economy. Teamsters Local 170 supported a bill to ease unemployment job-search requirements for school bus drivers and monitors who are expected to return to work within a short period, saying the current rules create unnecessary burdens during summer layoffs. Another school transportation bill would create an under-the-hood exception for CDL licensing of school bus drivers; several chiropractors testified in support, saying they already perform DOT-style exams and should be explicitly authorized to do school bus driver medical certifications. Veterans-related testimony focused on license plate and disability-definition bills. Advocates supported a Medal of Fidelity license plate for Gold Star families and a separate bill to create an air medal plate. The Office of the Veteran Advocate testified in favor of revising the state’s definition of disabled veteran for RMV purposes, arguing the current language is tied to special monthly compensation categories and does not adequately reflect modern service-connected disabilities, including invisible wounds. The American Legion also urged clarification of the definition, while opposing a separate women veterans plate on the grounds that it could divide veterans unnecessarily. The committee took no votes during the hearing and ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• That could not be geofenced be identified to the organization that cannot be located.
• So if the contract between the provider and the insurance company specifies a facility fee as part of
• I think that how this could be addressed is in the next round of negotiating those contracts, those..
• How this could be addressed is in the next round of negotiating those contracts, those facilities would
• So if the contracts between the insurer and the hospital don't cover the facility fee, the patient will

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 279, on a committee substitute that narrowed the bill to privacy and safety protections for reproductive and gender-affirming health care. The substitute would strengthen limits on disclosure of protected health information, restrict geofencing around care facilities with exceptions for security and research, clarify emergency stabilization obligations under state licensing law, and allow abortion-medication labels to omit a prescriber’s personal name and address. Supporters including ACOG, the ACLU, the League of Women Voters, the Health Care Authority, and advocacy groups said the bill protects patients and providers from surveillance, harassment, and out-of-state investigations. Some members raised concerns about HIPAA, research data, and whether the bill could go too far, but the substitute passed 6-2. The committee then approved House Memorial 1, which asks the Legislative Finance Committee to study whether a constitutional amendment should create an independent commission to manage CYFD. Supporters said the department needs a comprehensive structural review, while opponents argued New Mexico already has enough reports and should act on existing recommendations instead of commissioning another study. House Memorial 31 also passed; it directs the Health Care Authority to re-evaluate a rule limiting home health agencies to serving patients within 100 miles of their licensed locations, in light of access needs in remote areas such as the Navajo Nation and anticipated demand from uranium workers. House Bill 306, dealing with facility fees, was amended by substitute to prohibit such fees for certain preventive services, vaccinations, telehealth, and some services provided in vehicles, while exempting rural hospitals and requiring notice to patients. Hospital representatives opposed the bill, warning it would add financial pressure and could still be passed through to patients or premiums, while insurers, retiree advocates, and consumer groups supported it as a way to curb confusing and costly add-on charges. The committee also advanced House Memorial 36 to create an unfunded nursing shortage task force focused on graduation rates, retention, and barriers to training, and House Memorial 35, which would ask HCA to seek a Medicaid state plan amendment for pediatric palliative care. Supporters of the palliative care memorial described major access gaps for children with complex conditions, especially in rural areas, and the memorial passed after testimony from a rural pediatric hospice nurse and committee discussion about the small number of eligible children and the burden on families.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think New Mexico Tech has now hosted five interim committees here, so it's a central location.
• Your nice central geographic location in the state really helps us to get to you rather easily.
• Or how do you obtain a contract to get this work done?
• Is it your location? Is that what causes the dramatic... Increase.
• I couldn't quite hear everything you said, but our location is against us.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We had two new homes that are located, one in the southern region and one in the Central region.
• two of our lead agencies right now to expand in about four counties, and I'll share with you the location
• We have a place to have all of them kind of centrally located and also looking for some data-sharing
• As you heard, DCF contracted with Citrus Health Network to expand the CHANCE program.
• The Legislature appropriated $1.5 million in fiscal year 2023-24 for DCF to contract for the expansion

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs received three presentations and took no bill votes. The Department of Children and Families gave an extensive update on human trafficking prevention and services, describing Florida’s statutory framework, hotline and investigation data, placement options such as safe houses and safe foster homes, new adult safe house certification rules, expanded screening tools for vulnerable adults, and prevention efforts including youth-led outreach and training. Members asked about whether current funding is sufficient, how DCF addresses grooming and re-victimization in residential settings, and how long youth typically remain in safe-house placements; DCF said funding is only one part of the support system, that families and youth receive prevention resources even when allegations are not substantiated, and that placement length varies by child. OPPAGA then presented its 2024 annual report on commercial sexual exploitation of children. The report found that verified CSE victims slightly declined in 2023, with Broward, Miami-Dade, Duval, Hillsborough, and Escambia among the highest-prevalence counties. Most verified victims were community youth rather than children already in care, though dependent youth had higher rates of prior maltreatment. OPPAGA also reported continued concerns about limited placement capacity, especially for less restrictive Tier 1 safe houses, and service gaps such as the need for survivor mentors. Its recommendations focused on expanding placement options, improving data collection, and strengthening collaboration to support survivor mentors. Finally, DCF presented the Step into Success pilot program for current and former foster youth ages 16 to 26. The program combines workforce education, professional development, and paid internships with mentor support; the first cohort launched in 2024 with 15 participants, all of whom secured placements, and the department reported strong satisfaction and early outcomes. Committee members asked about scalability, costs, and whether the model could be moved beyond DCF-run operations into community-based providers. DCF said the program was designed to be scalable, currently costs about $500,000 annually for the pilot, and could be expanded statewide with additional funding and partner support. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1585 by Hughes relating to a prohibition on governmental contract with companies of foreign
• Senate Bill 1589 by Hancock relating the contract for a contract between a single-source continuum contractor
• Senate Bill 1612 by Johnson relating to construction contract trust funds to business and commerce.
• Senate Bill 1615 by Relating to the application of funds under construction contracts to business and
• property located in a colonia to local government Senate Bill 1619 by Zaffirini relaying the use of

Bills: SJR60 , SJR62 , SJR65 , SJR66 , SJR67 , SJR68 , SCR27 , SCR28 , SCR29 , SB1576 , SB1577 , SB1578 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1581 , SB1582 , SB1583 , SB1584 , SB1585 , SB1586 , SB1587 , SB1588 , SB1589 , SB1590 , SB1591 , SB1592 , SB1593 , SB1594 , SB1595 , SB1596 , SB1597 , SB1598 , SB1599 , SB1600 , SB1601 , SB1602 , SB1603 , SB1604 , SB1605 , SB1606 , SB1607 , SB1608 , SB1609 , SB1610 , SB1611 , SB1612 , SB1613 , SB1614 , SB1615 , SB1616 , SB1618 , SB1619 , SB1620 , SB1622 , SB1623 , SB1624 , SB1625 , SJR60 , SJR62 , SJR65 , SJR66 , SJR67 , SJR68 , SCR27 , SCR28 , SCR29 , SB1576 , SB1577 , SB1578 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1581 , SB1582 , SB1583 , SB1584 , SB1585 , SB1586 , SB1587 , SB1588 , SB1589 , SB1590 , SB1591 , SB1592 , SB1593 , SB1594 , SB1595 , SB1596 , SB1597 , SB1598 , SB1599 , SB1600 , SB1601 , SB1602 , SB1603 , SB1604 , SB1605 , SB1606 , SB1607 , SB1608 , SB1609 , SB1610 , SB1611 , SB1612 , SB1613 , SB1614 , SB1615 , SB1616 , SB1618 , SB1619 , SB1620 , SB1622 , SB1623 , SB1624 , SB1625

Transcript Highlights:

• So the pilot project was funded by a proviso, and we executed a contract in August 2024 with Yakima County
• The Department of Licensing has contracts with each of the five ignition interlock device manufacturers
• Those contracts require the manufacturers to submit data within 48 hours of an install or other events
• We found that the department has not enforced certain provisions of those contracts to ensure that the
• It really does depend on geographically where you're located.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session focused on ignition interlock device compliance and broader traffic safety data. Traffic Safety Commission staff described a Yakima County pilot that provides enhanced probation supervision and support for DUI offenders, reporting that compliance with ignition interlock installation rose from roughly 16%–20% before the pilot to 41% among medium- and high-risk offenders, with barriers including cost, confusion about requirements, transportation access, and communication gaps. JLARC staff presented a statewide preliminary audit finding an overall 41% installation rate, with higher installation rates among higher-income drivers and limited use of financial assistance; JLARC recommended clearer goals for the assistance program and a formal coordination agreement between the Department of Licensing and State Patrol. State Patrol also reported on a Snohomish County outreach pilot that used troopers and door hangers to contact noncompliant drivers, found many were unaware of financial aid, and identified some drivers as physically unable to drive, without vehicles, or on warrant status. The committee then received a broader traffic safety update showing that serious injuries and fatalities rose sharply in recent years before declining somewhat in 2024; impaired-driving fatalities fell 15% from 2023 to 2024, while pedestrian fatalities remained near record highs. The Traffic Safety Commission also highlighted telematics-based research showing that targeted enforcement and visible patrols can reduce speeding, and that anonymized telematics data is being used to analyze speeding and distracted driving patterns statewide and at the corridor level. Members asked about privacy, enforcement methods, and how the data are used, and staff emphasized that the data are aggregate and opt-in through insurance or similar programs. After waiving five-day notice, the committee held a public hearing on Senate Joint Memorial 8016, which asks Congress and federal agencies to treat the Fairfax Bridge closure and replacement as an emergency and to expedite federal review and remove historic-register barriers. Supporters from Wilkeson, Carbonado, recreation groups, and nearby communities testified that the bridge closure has harmed tourism, emergency response, recreation access, and daily travel. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6230, which would require cash transactions to be rounded to the nearest five cents in light of the federal penny phaseout; staff said the Department of Licensing fiscal note showed a $186,000 technology cost, and retail and food industry representatives supported the bill but requested amendments for permissive language, safe harbors, consumer protections, and local preemption. In executive session, staff briefed members on several bills and substitutes, including snowmobile registration fee increases, gender designation record confidentiality, salvaged title transfer streamlining, fish-barrier/utility relocation changes, emergency highway work thresholds, a Traffic Safety Commission public-health-authority proposal, special parking privilege renewal changes, parked vehicle registration enforcement, and oil tanker tug-escort requirements. No final votes or bill actions were recorded in the excerpt beyond the motion to waive notice and the completion of the public hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• So beyond the, sorry, the professional development that we contract with, this is just showing a little
• As was mentioned, Representative Reeves, these are the 10 contracted professional development providers
• And that was actually, very unfortunately, and our data would show this, from one location.
• And so... ...from one location.
• And so really needing to monitor what practices are being used in those locations.

Bills: HB1795

Committee: House Education

Keywords: restraint, isolation, public schools, educational programs, student rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, elective was not, I guess I should have said we wanted to elect to go to a different location,
• You want to elect to go... ...said we wanted to elect to go to a different location, not elective.
• Some just say the unit number, where they're located, and when they're going to be sold.
• This also is defining then if a storage space is used for 30 days and a contract is not signed.
• Can you, so everyone has a contract for your units? Yes. It's delivered to the, yes.

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• and personal email addresses and mailing address, and the job title, rate of pay, and work site location
• So no other contact info, no work site location, duty station, or phone number, or office number.
• Like, is it in the contract that has to be written?
• We can't afford an office manager anymore, and our bookkeeping service is now contracted out.
• Further, according to HB 2105, Our bookkeeping service is now contracted out.

Bills: HB2091 , HB2105 , HB2218 , HB2107 , HB2137 , HB2243 , HB2264

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation, immigrant worker protections, immigrant rights, worker protections, I-9 audit, Form I-9, employment eligibility verification, workplace raid, federal immigration inspection, employer notice, anti-retaliation, retaliation, Attorney General enforcement, private right of action, labor law, workplace rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Not just see A T, sir, to this, but its contributing to the location of education of our population.
• Santa Fe serves Alachua and Bradford counties in 7 different locations already continually on top of
• A start of the river, a contracting business in 69. >> And we've grown from a local, a local firm. >>
• We actually work in 9 states don't require contracting license.
• obviously university redoing a lot of contracting.

Transcript Highlights:

• on Old Highway 51 in college located on Old Highway 51 in Western<00:04:06.879><c> Mississippi.
• ,</c><00:13:59.600><c> a</c><00:13:59.920><c> tasting</c> expand and have a location, a tasting expand
• and have a location, a tasting location<00:14:00.880><c> somewhere</c><00:14:01.279><c> within</c><00
• </c> location somewhere within the state. location somewhere within the state.
• Um, so I get the idea of picking up your order, but how does that conflict or work with the contract

Committee: Joint Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Tax rate hearings are to be located inside or within a 10-mile radius of the district's boundary.
• meetings through teleconference or videoconference if physically present at a publicly accessible location
• Kaufman County Water District residents by requiring the board meetings and tax rate hearings to be located
• Members, this is the bill we heard previously that relates to... ...the inspection of the location of
• Projects are located near the county, near the borders of these GCDs.

Bills: HB29 , HB685 , HB1633 , HB1689 , HB1690 , HB1918 , HB2010 , HB2500 , HB2608 , HB2626 , HB29

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> physically located, that type of thing. physically located, that type of thing.
• </c> contracts with him and they work well. contracts with him and they work well.
• </c> contract is with the insurance carrier. contract is with the insurance carrier.
• We talked about contracting and non-contracting.
• Um, my question is: a contract is a contract.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Contract the team and also some brecht best practices they've experienced.
• And then, of course, once you establish those contract parameters, you want to ensure that your contract
• When you search by location, you see the the star rating. Right?
• the renewal of that contract as the actual implementation.
• There are certain state term contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the table with the cost share for those contracts. specific projects.
• contracts in the next biennium.
• They are the ones awarding the majority of the contracts. And they are slow. We all know that.
• I mean, they're not executed contracts. They're not obligations at this point.
• We just need to award the contracts. Let me try it a different way.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1585, relating to a prohibition on governmental contracts...
• It allows precinct consolidation for poll locations of up to 10,000 voters.
• That is, no more than a 5% difference between the size of the polling locations.
• In Dallas in 2020, the procedural audit revealed that one polling location had not been counted.
• They forgot to count one location.

Bills: SB66 , SB243 , SB250 , SB317 , SB393 , SB397 , SB456 , SB628 , SB629 , SB636 , SB715 , SB731 , SB801 , SB865 , SB1012 , SB1013 , SB1015 , SB1032 , SB1141 , SB1181 , SB1224 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1250 , SB1266 , SB1285 , SB1376 , SB1442 , SB1449 , SB1502 , SB1524 , SB1528 , SB1551 , SB1585 , SB1640 , SB1708 , SB1844 , SB1854 , SB1863 , SB1959 , SB1965 , SB2035 , SB2082 , SB2119 , SB2138 , SB2199 , SB2200 , SB2201 , SB2245 , SB2269 , SB2284 , SB2310 , SB2357 , SB2419 , SB2422 , SB2480 , SB2514 , SB2523 , SB2529 , SB2533 , SB2541 , SB2550 , SB2568 , SB2595 , SB2605 , SB2608 , SB2615 , SB2717 , SB2721 , SB2753 , SB2778 , SB2841 , SB2846 , SB2891 , SB2925 , SB2929 , SB2933 , SB3016 , SB3029 , SB3039 , SB3044 , SJR3 , SJR18 , SB5 , SB326 , SB494 , SB530 , SB767 , SB769 , SB783 , SB914 , SB963 , SB1035 , SB1197 , SB1271 , SB1415 , SB1437 , SB1619 , SB1637 , SB1786 , SB1806 , SB2312 , SB29 , SB1238 , SB1967 , SB1 , SB260 , SB1637 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR59 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR48 , SCR19 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB1524 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2681 , SB2200 , SB2199 , SB2458 , SB2201 , SB801 , SB2533 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB1013 , SB2797 , SB2119 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB2284 , SB2929 , SB2595 , SB715 , SB1640 , SB2514 , SB2753 , SB1241 , SB2538 , SB1449 , SB2529 , SB2846 , SB986 , SB1181 , SB1359 , SB2550 , SB2245 , SB410 , SB1234 , SB456 , SB1012 , SB2926 , SB2138 , SB1242 , SB2615 , SB2310 , SB1224 , SB2972 , SB2841 , SB3016 , SB1856 , SB2035 , SB1528 , SB1141 , SB1266 , SB1373 , SB2269 , SB2480 , SB672 , SB2891 , SB2422 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2539 , SB2532 , SB2925 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB2357 , SB2721 , SB243 , SB1285 , SB2568 , SB1959 , SB1442 , SB1454 , SB2520 , SB2541 , SB1708 , SB1237 , SB1844 , SB1586 , SB1551 , SB3039 , SB2819 , SB66 , SB629 , SB1015 , SB2342 , SB2903 , SB2933 , SB1965 , SB2477 , SB3029 , SB2605 , SB2419 , SB1957 , SB375 , SB250 , SB777 , SB628 , SB2523 , SB2367 , SB2703 , SB2608 , SB2778 , SB3044 , SB2965 , SB2521 , SB865 , SB1032 , SB2165 , SB2501 , SB2675 , SB2452 , SB2835 , HB 1109 , HB1392 , HB22 , HB2525 , HB3093 , SB872 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1588 , SB1602 , SB1704 , SB1723 , SB1833 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2177 , SB2460 , SB2785 , SB2373 , SB1660 , SB614 , SB867 , SB1608 , SB1525 , SB905 , SB640 , SB2487 , SB1698 , SB383 , SB705 , SB748 , SB1113 , SB1117 , SB1802 , SB2340 , SB2586 , SB2680 , SB2690 , SB2994 , SB2747 , SB1950 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB3059 , SB2782 , SB2781 , SB2637 , SB2633 , SB2337 , SB2334 , SB1861 , SB2043 , SB1367 , SB946 , SB945 , SB2857 , SB128 , SB571 , SB1263 , SB3058 , SB612 , SB2221 , SB2587 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2713 , HB517 , HB912 , HB 1130 , HB142 , HB1689 , HB2018

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:

• The fourth item is $460,000 in recurring trust fund authority for contract renewals of critical public
• The fourth item is $460,000 in recurring trust fund authority for contract renewals of critical public
• FDLE needs recurring funding in this area, and this supports the contract increase.
• A few months later, Florida Virtual School contracted with DJJ to become the Florida Scholars Academy
• In addition to that, we contract with mental health services.

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the clerks of court. FDLE outlined 28 legislative budget requests for fiscal year 2026-27, including funding for a new Fort Myers regional operations center lease, technology and data system upgrades, moving several programs off uncertain federal grants, expanding the wellness office, cryptocurrency seizure efforts, cybersecurity, forensic equipment, digital forensics, criminal history modernization, training, and the SAFE fentanyl enforcement program. Members asked about the reported 79% increase in officer misconduct cases, the role of body cameras and masking, public records request burdens on local agencies, and the status of Fibers and the Uniform Arrest Affidavit systems. FDLE said the misconduct data covers all sworn officers and corrections personnel, that many cases would not be affected by body cameras because they involve off-duty conduct or internal matters, and that it is working with agencies and vendors to improve participation in reporting systems. DJJ Secretary Matt Walsh updated the committee on the Florida Scholars Academy, describing the new unified education system across 39 residential facilities. He reported first-year enrollment, course completions, graduations, and compliance results, and said the program now provides in-person and blended instruction, individualized support, mental health services, and career and technical education. He also discussed staffing shortages in some detention facilities, the need for more residential beds, and the importance of recognizing and supporting staff. In response to questions, he explained how the program addresses students with disabilities and behavioral needs through one-on-one instruction, paraprofessionals, and immediate mental health support. The clerks of court presented a budget request centered on funding shortfalls and rising costs. Clerk and Comptroller Stacey Butterfield said clerks are operating with outdated funding levels despite increased statutory duties, higher postage and staffing costs, and growing workloads in priority case types such as injunctions for protection and other high-risk matters. The clerks requested $22 million in direct appropriations, including support for due process costs, jury management, and staffing for 37 new judges approved last session. Members also asked about Senate Bill 532, which Butterfield described as a CPI-based measure to update court fines and fees that have remained unchanged since 2008. The committee took no votes on the presentations and adjourned after discussion.