Transcript Highlights:

• Two of those days were Saturday and Sunday.
• We're building a two billion dollar hospital. That's about two miles from where I live.
• I think we're winning on two out of three.
• So you're pursuing two tracks now.
• How do they fit into batch one, two, three and so on? We don't have line of sight on that.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You've got two years.
• Two asterisks will show there's an addition or deletion of a line item.
• I just was curious about two other institutions.
• Those two might. I'm always hopeful, but I'm not aware. Those two might be. Those two might.
• On page 10, item two... ...the page 10 item two, the recommendation and the legislative and the executive

Summary: The committee first adopted revised JBC rules, which staff said were updated to reflect legislation passed in the 2025 session. It then heard a presentation from DFA Secretary Jim Hudson on the governor’s proposed balanced budget for FY27, with no action taken. Hudson said the budget reflects three priorities: limiting state-government growth, continuing investments in education, and advancing income-tax cuts. He highlighted increases for education funding through EFAs, pay-plan costs for Corrections, DPS, and the Attorney General, higher education productivity funding, drug task forces, a Corrections medical contract, the governor’s 1033 initiative, SNAP error-rate reduction efforts, and an additional $100 million set aside for Medicaid sustainability. Committee members questioned the size of the tax cuts, the balance requirement, public education funding, Medicaid trust-fund levels, EFA funding, and the expected impact of new SNAP cost-sharing rules. The Division of Higher Education then presented its productivity-based funding recommendations. Officials said institutions were 2.61% more productive overall, with funding changes driven by a statutory formula that rewards degree production, underserved populations, and high-demand fields. Members asked about declines at UA Little Rock, the formula’s multipliers, the role of the Arkansas Access Act and a new return-on-investment metric, and how two-year colleges are adjusted for size. The committee also reviewed special items and approved two letters: one authorizing 17 net personnel changes across nine institutions, and another adding special language for North Arkansas College’s entry into the University of Arkansas system. The committee then adopted the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s recommendations for all institutions. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on the University of Arkansas system, especially Fayetteville’s athletics funding and the broader impact of the House/NIL settlement. Chancellor Charles Robinson and system officials explained that the board had waived a longstanding campus transfer and directed the university to provide an additional $6 million to athletics, with some costs likely to be passed through to students but partially offset by existing budget growth. Members debated whether the university should prioritize academics or athletics, how the transfer originated, and whether the athletic changes would affect affordability. The committee also discussed the 1890 extension program at UAPB and the Division of Agriculture’s land-grant funding. UAPB officials said the state match is intended to be one-to-one, that the current recommendation aligns appropriation with actual spending, and that a $2 million set-aside remains available if needed. The Division of Agriculture later clarified that its Smith-Lever extension and Hatch research funds are part of the UA system’s separate budget and that the state matched about $6.2 million in federal extension funding last year. The committee then moved to the Department of Corrections. It approved G1, transferring 51 positions to the secretary’s office to activate a recidivism program, with an estimated cost of about $4 million. Staff then began walking through the department’s FY27 budget, noting an increase of about $8 million for administration and shared services, including a $170,000 sex-offender assessment appropriation moved under Act 723 of 2025 and roughly $6 million more for medical contracts. Questions on the Corrections budget had just begun when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two things can be true.
• I have two questions, if I could.
• I mean, we're looking at a two-year budget. It's a two-year projection.
• I mean, we're looking at a two-year budget. It's a two-year projection.
• I have two.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 135, introduced by Representative Michael Harrington. He said the bill would codify a portion of the New Hampshire Constitution to bar New Hampshire businesses from being required to collect sales or use taxes for other states unless Congress mandates it, arguing that the U.S. Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision created an onerous compliance burden for businesses. He described the patchwork of state and local sales tax rules, thresholds, and product exemptions as extremely complex and said the bill was intended to push the issue back toward Congress and the courts. Members questioned whether the bill’s reference to a “foreign government” would apply to other U.S. states, whether the proposal would conflict with the Supremacy Clause, and whether it would create standing for businesses to challenge Wayfair. Harrington responded that “foreign government” meant any government other than New Hampshire, that he believed the state could challenge the decision in court by passing a law contrary to Wayfair, and that businesses were already being harmed by compliance costs. Some members raised concerns about whether the bill was an unfunded mandate or simply a private compliance burden, and Harrington argued that the state itself would not be collecting the taxes, but businesses would still face recordkeeping and administrative costs. Sam Garland of the Department of Justice then testified. He said the department was not taking a formal position on the bill, but offered technical comments. Garland acknowledged that Wayfair created significant compliance burdens and noted that states have become somewhat more uniform, with all states now having a $100,000 economic nexus threshold, though not all use the 200-transaction threshold and local tax variation remains substantial. He said the department’s concerns were legal, describing the issue as uncharted constitutional territory involving both vertical and horizontal federalism. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two more slides: schedule and budget.
• can see that the top part the top line can see that the top part the top line of<00:10:05.640>
• finance the other um change on line finance the other um change on line 2.16<00:27:36.960> is
• <00:32:16.720> 317<00:32:17.399> to uh lines 317 to uh lines 317 to 319<00:32:19.679
• We've got two more councils to... We’ve got two more councils to hear from.

Bills: HF1867, HF1240

Keywords: lottery, retailer contracts, Minnesota Statutes, contract qualifications, public integrity, criminal background, legislative auditor, public funds, state government, compliance, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that where you crossed the line? Like, this is just ridiculous.
• So I'm showing two risks for how they are covered.
• A trained, qualified workforce is important here for two reasons.
• I want to call the committee's attention to two recent reports.
• And then if you look down at lines 14 through 16 of the bill, it talks about electrical power lines,

Bills: SB34, SB75, SB330, SB1535, SB18, SB 18, SB 34

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• um lastly for modernization nearly two um lastly for modernization nearly two dozen<00:03:29.159
• When you look at page two, line 24, where electronic credential data is subject to chapter 13, are you
• <00:10:20.880> line bill when you look at on page two line bill when you look at on page two
• on lines 1.17 and 1.20<00:12:37.360> then<00:12:37.560> on<00:12:37.720> lines<
• within 's guidelines referenced on lines within 's guidelines referenced on lines 1.16<00:14:49.639

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There should be section two. Right. There should be section two. Okay. That's on the right.
• And so if you would just look line by line, if you'll look at your bill in your folder and...
• I believe what we're doing is replacing line 46 through 48 on page two with the following: Where it will
• Um, then replace lines 51 through 56 on page two with the following: "Sexual orientation or gender identity
• And the "or" on the property is deleted, which is on line 51. ...property is deleted, which is on line

Bills: SB166, HB365, HB272, HB232, HB234, SB278, SB277

Keywords: Ten Commandments, public education, displays, funding, Alabama law, sex education, abstinence, public schools, parental consent, human reproductive process, teen pregnancy, educational policy, sexual risk avoidance, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, the next two changes in this amendment...
• There is an amendment that puts it in line with everything together.
• The first one refers to lines 95 through 96 on page four. The first thing...
• Okay, so my amendment, I'll direct you to lines 267 through 271 on page 10.
• To lines 267 through 271 on page 10, there's some wording there.

Bills: SB210, SB176, SB167, SB244, SB218, SB9, SB153, SB9

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, controlled substances, unlawful distribution, marijuana, violent offense, sentencing guidelines, criminal justice, aggravated theft, employee benefits, retirement funds, criminal penalty, state law, overdose, failure to render aid, public health, Alabama Athletic Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• So, where does this draw the line?
• So let's move on to page two, line three.
• So, page two, line three, after furnishing proof of identity, do we have a definition of what identity
• And two, on line 1, would you be willing to consider changing that from a maid to a shell so it would
• Another two bathrooms, two Baes, still, streamman, like to offer a due pass on the bill.

Bills: SB1772, SB1958, SB2010, SB1595, SB1687, SB1684, SB2049, SB1966

Keywords: motor vehicle safety, headlamps, headlights, fog lights, daytime running lights, auxiliary driving lamps, spot lamps, off-road lamps, bicycle lights, bicycle reflectors, vehicle lighting, roadway visibility, low visibility, rain, snow, wipers, night driving, traffic safety, Oklahoma Title 47, vehicle code

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm looking at lines<00:26:37.679> 11 lines 11 lines 11 um<00:26:41.120> really<00:26:41.880
• Uh, can you again point me to which line number on this bill? Line 11. Last two words.
• Line 11. which line number on this bill? Line 11.
• <01:05:42.559> two natural gas which we saw um two two natural gas which we saw um two two
• right but then if you look up oh I6 two right but then if you look up oh on<01:32:30.080> line

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• raised for either one schedule or two raised for either one schedule or two schedules<00:16:50.000
• to consider and it's on page seven lines to consider and it's on page seven lines 11<00:35:29.240
• <01:00:47.720> 13<01:00:48.079> to lines 13 to lines 13 to 15<01:00:50.000> we'll
• <01:06:21.720> also<01:06:21.839> be three lines 18 lines 8-17 will also be three lines
• 21 through page 10, lines 1 to 5.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:50.000> a anything um on N Roman numeral two a anything um on N Roman numeral two a
• five underline line five now has line five underline line five now has now<00:25:29.679> includes
• into two different paragraphs broken into two different paragraphs instead<00:25:38.200> of<00
• But that takes time, and in that two and a half years with her father, if one month, two, there'd have
• I have two degrees, one from St.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On page two, lines 8 through 12, [it] falls under the opioid abatement trust fund rulemaking.
• Uh section two, line six. >> Yes. Uh section two, line six. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
• >> Section one, Roman two, line six. >> Section one, Roman two, line six.
• Um, and it's in one through four, and specifically line two, paid by carriers that... >> So, the whole
• page or just... >> Um, line two, paid by carriers that, unfortunately, the way the federal rules work

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then line two, page two, line three, uh, it's asking for reports, uh, but not more than twice per
• And then<03:08:57.760> line<03:08:58.000> two,<03:08:58.560> page<03:08:58.880><
• c> two,<03:08:59.040> line<03:08:59.279> three,<03:08:59.920> uh, then line
• two, page two, line three, uh, then line two, page two, line three, uh, it's<03:09:01.120> asking<
• everything page two, line 16, delete everything page two, line 16, delete everything before<03:32

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the bottom line of this bill. Correct.
• I'm looking at line 16 on page two,...
• I'm looking at line 16 on page two, Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• I'm looking at line 16 on page two, and it says, I think you had mentioned it in the layout, maybe revoked
• You have two minutes. Blade Berkman. Mr.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes ma'am, that's on page 24, I think it's line 658 if I got the... 24, I think it's line 658 if I got
• the line number right.
• Yes ma'am, line 658 right? Yes ma'am, line 658 says... You said 658, right? Yes ma'am, 658 says...
• Clerk, call up the next bill on page two of the calendar.
• on the line.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I had two cards in support of J.P.
• I have two cards: one green card.
• I think it's... ...actually two through seven. I apologize. Hold on. Yeah, two through seven.
• Previously, the short-line program was funded with one line item. I think P1 was $9 million.
• Number two, again, we don't buy buses every other day. It might be once every two or three.

Bills: HB345, HB503, HB511, HB590, HB655, HB685, HB692, HB707, HB715, HB748, HB776, HB856, HB860, HB868, HB887, HB888, HB896, HB999, HB1000, HB1086, HB1233

Keywords: rail infrastructure, ports, Class II railroads, Class III railroads, transportation, HB 503, Act 554, Golden Meadow, utility terrain vehicle, UTV, recreational off-highway vehicle, ROV, golf cart, low-speed vehicle, road shoulder travel, local ordinance, municipal traffic regulation, vehicle registration decal, municipal general fund, insurance requirement

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation and Public Works met with five members present and approved the April 29, 2026 minutes. The committee then heard and favorably reported several bills, including HB 1233, which lowers the contract threshold for hospital service districts to use the Seymours program for certain hospital construction projects, and HB 715, which requires aerial applicators operating from public airports to have a transponder and radio; an amendment removing language about airport use of ADS-B data for fees was adopted after sponsors said the issue would be handled in another bill. HB 999 was reported favorably to allow impoundment of out-of-state vehicles operated in Louisiana without liability insurance, and HB 692 was amended to let parishes and municipalities use group purchasing organizations, with a narrowing amendment limiting one-source procurements and assurances that local bidders would not be disadvantaged. The committee also advanced HB 511, creating a grant program for pursuit intervention technology in response to officer safety concerns, and HB 590, which would let OMV issue specialized envelopes or notices for drivers with autism or other disabilities so officers are alerted during traffic stops. HB 503 was reported favorably after a local cleanup change to a golf cart bill for Golden Meadow, and HB 655 was approved to let DOTD use cost-plus contracts for operation and maintenance of state-owned ferries. HB 748 clarified that school board-owned or leased vehicles are exempt from tolls, and HB 860 would allow fillable electronic bids for local government procurement. Later, the committee approved HB 896, a major tolling-related cleanup bill for Plaquemines Parish that addresses customer service center access, administrative fees, and exemptions, with members and local officials criticizing the toll structure and its impact on the parish. HB 1000 was reported favorably as a cleanup measure tied to highway priority program reporting and local district contract limits. HB 887 established a more consistent scoring and ranking process for Seymour projects, with an amendment to avoid conflict with changing FAA grant rules. HB 888, a cleanup bill on temporary tags, was amended with added security features and then reported favorably. HB 1086, a broad electronic title and registration modernization bill, received a lengthy amendment set but was voluntarily held over for a week so members could review the new language. The committee also advanced HB 776 to expand the Port Priority Program to larger projects, with amendments clarifying flexibility and removing private projects from the bill. HB 707 was reported favorably to let the Department of Agriculture and Forestry handle promotional activities for the liquefied petroleum gas commission through a cooperative endeavor agreement. HB 868, a farm safety bill requiring safety chains or other manufacturer-specified equipment on trailers, was reported favorably after testimony about a fatal accident and assurances it would not change engineering standards beyond existing manufacturer requirements. Finally, HB 856 was amended to authorize indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting for DOTD maintenance and construction work, then reported favorably, and the committee later corrected the record on HB 856 by reconsidering and withdrawing one technical amendment set so further floor cleanup could be made. The meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• When do we put those two together?
• I have two others.
• I rise today mainly to point out the two.
• You know we have two sides of every issue.
• When I was in school, teachers taught me you have to wait your turn in line, and if I cut in line, they

Transcript Highlights:

• 1.2 to one point to 3.3 delete one lines 1.2 to one point to 3.3 delete one lines 1.2<00:18:02.559
• removed um the um at line removed um the um at line 4.25<00:37:17.079> and<00:37:17.240><
• <01:09:29.960> would<01:09:30.120> say<01:09:30.279> were were two two areas
• that I would say were were two two areas that I would say were received<01:09:31.199> a<01:09
• They are two co-authors.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On the rail side, six active operator agreements with four freight rail lines and two tourist excursion
• rail lines.
• <00:32:19.960> and 194 active state-owned Rail lines and 194 active state-owned Rail lines
• agreements with four Freight Rail lines agreements with four Freight Rail lines and<00:33:56.080
• :33:58.480> lines<00:33:59.159> we and two tourist Excursion Rail lines we and two tourist

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Public Works and Highways Committee held an orientation meeting focused on introducing members, outlining committee norms, and hearing an overview from the Department of Transportation. Chair David Mills emphasized the committee’s long-standing bipartisan working style, asked members to share contact information for short-notice scheduling, and noted that the committee would need to complete as much work as possible before the building is vacated later in the year. Members introduced themselves and described backgrounds in engineering, construction, planning, local government, military service, education, and business. Several members highlighted prior service on planning boards, school boards, zoning boards, or in transportation-related fields as relevant to the committee’s work. Members repeatedly described the committee as collegial and nonpartisan, with most bills going to the consent calendar. The chair also noted that the committee’s work centers on state infrastructure, including roads, bridges, highways, and buildings. Representative Cluder, the ranking member, and others echoed that the committee is effective because it talks issues through and resolves disagreements collaboratively. One member mentioned a recent trip that reinforced the importance of infrastructure resilience after storms and rebuilding efforts in other states. Department of Transportation officials, led by Assistant Commissioner and Chief Engineer David Rodrig, gave a detailed organizational and operational overview. They described DOT’s structure, mission of “transportation excellence,” and major responsibilities across highways, bridges, rail, transit, aeronautics, maintenance, and administration. Rodrig reported 1,651 permanent positions and 404 vacancies, 2,160 state bridges with 115 on the Red List, 4,600 centerline miles of roadway, 25 public airports, 11 transit systems, and 194 active state-owned rail lines. He also outlined FY 2024 spending, project development activity, highway maintenance operations, fleet and fuel systems, and the distinction between the highway fund and DOT’s budget, including the role of federal funds and the turnpike enterprise fund. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on during this orientation meeting.