Transcript Highlights:

• Fully funding this exceptional item will be money well spent.
• We were really excited when we saw exceptional item number 24 listed on the HHSC.
• However, we did recently learn that exception item 24 was later removed from HHSC's LAR.
• The state of Texas is ranked 50th out of 50 states nationwide for DSP salaries, except...
• This is now integrated as part of the revised exceptional item submitted by the agency.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so exceptional schools begin with exceptional principals.
• And so exceptional schools begin with exceptional principals.
• And so exceptional schools begin with exceptional principals.
• And so exceptional schools begin with exceptional principals.
• exceptional schools begin with exceptional schools begin with exceptional<02:09:59.400> principles

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:12 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:33 Kentucky’s New Assessment and Accountability Model Update: 00:03:50 Federal Education Policy and Its Impact on States: 01:00:55 Educational Leadership Training Opportunities in Kentucky: 01:26:44 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations: 02:10:38 Adjournment: 02:13:57, 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Education met for its first interim meeting and established a quorum before taking up its first topic, Kentucky’s new assessment and accountability model. Commissioner Robbie Fletcher, joined by KDE staff and superintendents, described a multi-year effort involving the Kentucky “Now We Learn” Council, more than 50 educators and stakeholders, at least 18 pilot districts, surveys, focus groups, town halls, and four prototype frameworks. He emphasized three priorities for the new model: vibrant learning experiences, innovation in assessment, and collaboration with communities. Fletcher said the state accountability portion would continue to meet federal requirements and identify CSI/TSI/ATSI schools, while shifting toward more emphasis on individual student growth, grade-level equivalency in reading and math, career and technical education, graduation rate, and English language proficiency. He also said science would remain a required assessment but be reported separately rather than counted in the CSI/TSI calculation. He stressed that the model should focus on growth, local flexibility, and meaningful measures that reflect community expectations, while still preserving a statewide framework. The committee also heard from Bullitt County superintendent Jesse Bacon, who described his district’s local accountability work. He said Bullitt County formed a community coalition with broad representation from across the district, business leaders, and community members, met six times during the school year, and worked toward a public-facing dashboard that would show community expectations, evidence of accountability, and areas for improvement. Bacon said the district identified six community-defined pillars, beginning with student learning and foundational academic knowledge, as part of a system intended to communicate strengths and improvement areas to the public.

Transcript Highlights:

• That induces, right, or are there exceptions? Let me ask you, do you think there are exceptions?
• Exceptions under the law, then yes, they would be liable.
• With very few exceptions.
• Additionally, in states with a rape exception to their abortion ban, the use of these exceptions is quite
• You're not going to make any exceptions? Well, I would make an exception for a conference...

Bills: HB229, HB229, HB3990, HB5082, HB5510

Keywords: HB 229, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county dues, county association, state association of counties, lobbying, lobbyist, public funds, taxpayer lawsuit, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Government Code Chapter 556, Local Government Code Section 89.002, legislative advocacy, municipal government, county government, city government, special district

Transcript Highlights:

• We received more exceptions than documents.
• We received a series of exceptions.
• They pay these lawyers to throw exceptions at the wall. That's the problem.
• has to come even if that is a straight... ...forward exception, right?
• And as the law has been amended, we have complicated exceptions.

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Lee Mller then said that House File 1446, which was pulled, had an exception and that
• He said he thought it was nice that they had put that exception into that bill.
• He said he thought it was nice that they had put that exception into that bill.
• He said he thought it was nice that they had put that exception into that bill.
• for limited exceptions.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Scott was here, yeah, so, and except for the purpose of a call. Thank you, Senator Cher.
• Unanimous consent to excuse Senator Nava until she returned to the chamber except for the purposes of
• that the record show that the roll has been called and that all those present voting affirmative, except
• Unanimous consent to excuse Senators Muñoz and Chendo until they return to the chamber, except for the
• The affirmative, except those voting in the negative, by a show of hands. Thank you.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I WAS ON THE FENCE BUT I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING SENATOR MARTIN SAID EXCEPT I DON'T KNOW IF YOUR LAWYER
• EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE OR IF A MINOR FALL UNDER THOSE EXCEPTIONS ENUMERATED IN SECTION 2 OF THE BILL
• AND THE SAME THING, MOST STATES ALLOW CONTRACEPTION, WHY WOULD WE BE THE EXCEPTION ON THIS ISSUE?
• LINES 29 THROUGH 36 MAKE AN EXCEPTION TO AN EXCEPTION.
• THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE IS NOT AN ISSUE EXCEPT FOR DERELICT BOATS WITH DERELICT BOATS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you want to include the exception to a civil enforcement issue, right?
• There is an exception to that.
• ...broadest and one of the most often used exceptions.
• because the exceptions are especially in the public interest.
• and the state could still maintain control of the park with the exception of the... with the exception

Bills: HB45, HB755, HB 1232, HB1555, HB2460, HB2702, HB2973, HB3120, HB3225, HB3314, HB3356, HB3371, HB3634, HB3638, HB4247, HB4283, HB4290, HB4302, HB4503, HB4511, HB4565, HB4581, HB4627, HB4632, HB4660, HB4668, HB4960, HB5042, HB45

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money, HB 1232, whistleblower, whistleblower protection, public employee, retaliation

Transcript Highlights:

• I<00:16:42.800> won't<00:16:43.040> repeat<00:16:43.199> it<00:16:43.759> except
• simply to note I won't repeat it except simply to note that<00:16:45.839> this<00:16:46.160><
• that we do have a good cause exception that we do have a good cause exception process<00:16:58.560
• > which<00:16:58.800> allows<00:16:59.360> for<00:16:59.839> exceptions<00
• :17:00.320> to process which allows for exceptions to process which allows for exceptions to be

Bills: HB1805, HB2110, HB2180, HB2184, HB2219, HB2469

Keywords: child welfare, advocacy, oversight, independent office, foster care, child advocate, child safety, nepotism, ethics, government transparency, accountability, legislative standards, electronic voting, legislative transparency, Hawaii House, voting system, appropriation, lawmaker safety, political violence, confidentiality

Summary: The House Committee on Legislative Management heard testimony on several measures. HB 1805, relating to child welfare, drew support from the University of Hawaii and concerns from the Attorney General about the bill’s definition of state agency and possible separation-of-powers and supremacy clause issues. During decision-making, the committee opted to move the child advocate function to the Attorney General’s office, accepted the Attorney General’s suggested scope and jurisdiction amendments, set the salary at 90% of the Department of Health deputy director’s salary, and passed the bill with amendments. HB 2110, relating to nepotism, received support from the Hawaii State Ethics Commission, which said the bill would apply the rule consistently and noted the existing good-cause exception process. The committee later deferred the bill, saying existing House rules on nepotism were already strict and that the proposal would be duplicative in statute. HB 2180, relating to voting boards, had no oral testimony in the room during the hearing, but the committee later amended it into a blank appropriations vehicle for the House of Representatives and passed it with amendments. HB 2184, relating to lawmaker safety, drew concerns from the Campaign Spending Commission that the bill would require redaction of address information and could create implementation issues, and the Attorney General noted missing language regarding appointed officials and an internal cross-reference issue. The committee adopted amendments to address those concerns and passed the bill with amendments. HB 2219, relating to disclosure of privileged communications to the Ombudsman, was clarified by the Ombudsman’s office as not requiring disclosure of privileged material, only preserving privilege if such material is voluntarily provided; the bill passed with amendments. HB 2469, relating to a regular session review working group, received testimony from the State Procurement Office, the Legislative Reference Bureau, and others in support and opposition, and the committee passed it with amendments after changing references and funding language.

Transcript Highlights:

• Except as otherwise provided for emergency medical care.
• Why would we be the exception on this? There's really no reason to.
• We will take emergency and that's why I said, except in emergencies.
• Lines 29 through 36 make an exception to an exception.
• And what the exception... ...to an exception.

Summary: The committee first took up CS/SB 1606 on patient access to records. Sponsor Senator Grall explained an amendment that aligned the bill more closely with HIPAA by defining “designated record set,” allowing a 14-day extension, and requiring records to be produced in the requested form if readily producible. Several senators asked about patient portals, legal representatives, and whether the bill applied post-mortem; Grall said the bill was limited to authorized access during the patient’s life. Testimony was largely opposed, with health information and provider groups warning that the bill could create cybersecurity risks, conflict with HIPAA and meaningful-use rules, burden facilities, and improperly broaden access to portals and sensitive records. Supporters argued it would improve patient access and speed. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote after debate on the bill as amended. The committee then considered CS/SB 712 on construction regulations. Grall described provisions on synthetic turf, change orders, public works bidding, elevator rails, alarm contractor scope, tall mass timber, pool and spa contractor scope, spaceport exemptions, permit document limits, and solar/energy storage inspections. Two amendments were adopted: one removed pool and spa contractor language and delayed the change-order provision until July 1, 2025; the other removed the tall mass timber section. Pool contractors testified against the scope expansion in the original bill, while others supported the remaining provisions. Senators raised concerns about the Florida Building Commission process and how the public-works language might affect small-business participation, but the bill as amended was ultimately reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 1288 on parental rights. Grall said the bill would require parental consent for most minor health care decisions, allow parental access to records, restrict surveys/questionnaires, and limit use of biofeedback devices, while preserving certain exceptions such as emergency care and STD testing. An amendment clarified questionnaire opt-outs for K-12 students, added court-order exceptions, addressed DNA sampling for criminal investigations, refined biofeedback language, and added emergency behavioral health exceptions; it was adopted. The bill drew extensive testimony both for and against: supporters said it restored parental authority and protected children from decisions they are not equipped to make, while opponents argued it would endanger minors seeking confidential STI, mental health, or abuse-related care, especially in unsafe homes. Senators also debated whether the bill would conflict with existing laws and whether it could leave some minors untreated. The transcript ends during continued public testimony on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• These exceptions would all apply to your staff, correct?
• All new hires are limited to 75% of the max of the pay band unless an exception is met.
• Those exceptions, which I do not have directly in front of me at the moment, are exceptional legislative
• I wanted to know a little bit more about this exception. Has that been utilized?
• Which still limits to 75% of maximum, but also provides for exceptions.

Transcript Highlights:

• accept the House offer on the budget spreadsheet and propose to bump all unshaded rows, with the exception
• accept the House offer on the budget spreadsheet and propose to bump all unshaded rows, with the exception
• On projects, we accept all shaded rows and propose to bump the unshaded rows, with the exception of lines
• On the back of the bill, we propose to bump unshaded rows, with the exception of line 37.
• On the back of the bill, we propose to bump unshaded rows, with the exception of line 37.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• accept the House offer on the budget spreadsheet and propose to bump all unshaded rows, with the exception
• accept the House offer on the budget spreadsheet and propose to bump all unshaded rows, with the exception
• On projects, we accept all shaded rows and propose to bump the unshaded rows, with the exception of lines
• On the back of the bill, we propose to bump all unshaded rows, with the exception of line 37.
• On the back of the bill, we propose to bump all unshaded rows, with the exception of line 37.

Summary: The Conference Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget and Agriculture, Environment, and General Government met to resolve differences on the budget spreadsheet, projects, back of the bill, proviso, and the implementing bill. The House presented offers on the budget spreadsheet, projects, and back of the bill, including acceptance of certain shaded rows and proposals to bump specified unshaded lines, and also proposed to bump two conforming bills related to fuel taxes and petroleum cleanup programs (SB 250 and HB 5701E). The Senate accepted the House’s offers on the budget spreadsheet, projects, back of the bill, and the conforming bills, while the House then accepted the Senate’s offer on the implementing bill with several lines bumped and accepted Senate proviso offers on selected lines, with the remaining proviso lines bumped. Both chambers ultimately concurred on the remaining bump lists for the proviso and implementing bill, indicating agreement on the conference package. A motion was adopted without objection to allow staff to make technical and conforming adjustments related to the bump process. There was no public comment, no further business, and the meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if Gabe Williams would stand up, Gabe's an exceptional student athlete over at Saint Andrews, and
• <00:24:24.960> student<00:24:25.400> athlete Gabe's an exceptional student athlete
• With the exception of item 204, number 41, Thomas Allen Wicker. One moment.
• From 198 to 210, with the exception of 204.
• exception of 204. exception of 204.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 20 March, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, an invocation by Dr. C. J. Rhodes, and the pledge of allegiance. Routine motions were adopted to dispense with reading the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guests were introduced, including Ryan Golden of Congregation Beth Israel, students from First Baptist’s Friday program, the Magnolia Bar, Leadership Greater Jackson Youth Cohort members, a Doctor of the Day, and students from Anchor Christian Academy. On the calendar, the Senate took up a large block of resolutions and nominations. The chamber adopted numerous commendations and tributes, including resolutions honoring educators at MGCCC, Kappa Alpha Psi, Wavy Dave Chambers, Jasmine Ware, Nora Miller, multiple state championship teams, the Mississippi Forest Commission’s centennial, Colonel Charles Haynes, Robert “Bob” Dunlap, and others. The Senate also confirmed a block of Mississippi Emergency Communications Authority and advisory board nominations tied to the state’s NG911 implementation, after questions about who made the nominations; the response was that seven were gubernatorial and six lieutenant gubernatorial appointments. The nominations passed by morning roll call, with Senator McClendon voting no. The Senate then considered Senate Nomination No. 41, reappointing Thomas Allen Tom Wicker to the Information Technology Services Authority for a five-year term. Supporters cited his institutional and legal knowledge and long public service. That nomination also passed by morning roll call. Later, the Senate approved additional nominations in a block for the State Personnel Board and Public Procurement Review Board, including Donald Geary Don Brown, Hollis Raymond Ray Smith Jr. in two terms, and Rita Teresa Ray, with members noting clean peer reports and statutory eligibility; these too passed by morning roll call. In other business, the Senate concurred in a conference report on the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering bill, with Senator Johnson explaining that the House made technical changes, removed executive director language and a reverse appeal, and added a June 30, 2028 repeal date. The Senate also adopted a block of nominations and resolutions without objection. At the end of the session, members requested excused absences and adjournments in memory of several individuals, and the Senate agreed to stand in recess until noon, with the journal to reflect adjournment until 4:00 p.m. Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• ability scholarships, with the $1.5 million for exceptional ability scholarships. ...schools, with a
• In testimony before Senator Burgess's committee, private schools serving exceptional ability students
• ... ...or Burgess's committee, private schools serving exceptional ability students reported they're
• These are exceptional ability students.
• The bill does indeed provide that before a student with exceptional abilities is...

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and took up two bills. The first, SB 250 on rural communities by Senator Simon, was described as a broad rural development package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program, housing and transportation investments, added funding for rural education consortiums, and health care initiatives for rural areas. Senator Harrell asked about overlap between road funding programs, and the sponsor explained that eligible counties could receive both SCRAP and FARM funding. Several organizations waived in support or spoke in support, and the bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote. The committee then heard SB 318, the committee substitute for educational scholarship programs by President Gates. The bill was presented as a response to Auditor General findings about the rapid growth and administration of Florida’s school choice and scholarship programs. It would separate Family Empowerment Scholarship funding from the FEFP, require more frequent student enrollment verification, lower scholarship funding organization administrative fees, require return of overpayments, create a student ID system, establish a $250 million stabilization fund, require annual audits, and direct DOE to recommend future program administration through competitive procurement. Gates also offered five amendments, including technical changes to eligibility documentation and a substantive amendment requiring a DOE report on future administration and competitive selection; all five amendments were adopted. During debate and public testimony, senators and witnesses discussed accountability, software solutions, reimbursement delays, monthly attestations, and impacts on public schools and families. Supporters and opponents alike raised concerns about bureaucracy, fraud prevention, special education services, and whether the bill would help or burden parents. Gates said the bill aimed to fix tracking and payment problems without capping the program, and he noted the IEP timeline would be aligned with public school timelines. After debate, the committee reported CS for SB 318 favorably by unanimous vote, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• . with the help of the railroad commission uh... calculate And when considering a request for an exception
• So there is an exception of course for if we have a situations where there's a force majeure type issue
• so you're not stuck with 2040 that's not a you know that's the goal but then you can get that exception
• It does allow for the commission to provide exceptions if you're in the business of putting those wells
• First off, started at 10 years with no exceptions.

Bills: SB1150, SB763, SB1061, SB1146, SB1198, HB279, HB310

Keywords: concrete plants, environmental regulation, permit process, air quality, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SB 1061, uranium mining, production area authorization, TCEQ, Water Code, groundwater, groundwater conservation district, restoration table value, restoration values, contested case hearing, Chapter 2001, mineral rights, surface owners, notice requirements, environmental permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• Except we had a discussion, of course, of buffer strips in areas.
• Except we had a discussion, of course, of buffer strips in areas.
• Except we had a discussion, of course, of buffer strips in areas.
• Except we had a discussion, of course, of buffer strips in areas.
• Except we had a discussion, of course, of buffer strips in areas.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the Senate budget offer, we agree with the offer except for the following lines, which will be bumped
• For the Senate proviso offer, we agree with the offer except for the following, which will be bumped:
• For the Senate proviso offer, we agree with the offer except for the following, which will be bumped:
• For the Senate back of the bill offer, we agree with the offer except for the following lines, which
• For the Senate implementing bill offer, we agree with the offer except for the following lines, which

Summary: The Conference Committee on State Administration, Budget, and Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Appropriations met to resolve outstanding differences between the House and Senate on the budget, proviso, back of the bill, projects, and implementing bill, along with conforming bills HB 5203E, HB 5207E, and SB 2508E. Senator Broder presented the Senate’s offers, and the House responded by agreeing to many items while identifying specific lines in each section to be “bumped” to the next level for further resolution. The committee also agreed to bump the three conforming bills in their entirety. The House and Senate then went through the remaining disputed lines in the budget, proviso, back of the bill, project, and implementing bill offers, with the Senate ultimately concurring with the House’s list of lines to bump. Both sides indicated that the conference committee’s work was complete and thanked each other and staff for the negotiation process. A motion was made and adopted without objection to allow staff to make technical conforming adjustments related to the bump process. There was no public comment, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That’s part of the exception.
• <00:17:39.280> This<00:17:39.440> is That's part of the exception.
• This is That's part of the exception.
• But the description would have them in violation. >> No, there's an exception. >> Hunting dog, excuse
• It's not training, they're actually working. >> So when they're working, that's an exception.

Bills: HB446, HB446

Keywords: HB446, Daphne, Baldwin County, annexation, municipal boundary, corporate limits, local act, municipal incorporation, city limits expansion, zoning, land use, property tax, municipal services, Section 11-42-6, Judge of Probate, County Road 54 W, County Road 64, Rigsby Road, Highway 181, Alabama State Highway 181

Transcript Highlights:

• Deort and um all are excused with the Deort and um all are excused with the exception<00:20:20.480>
• <00:20:22.240> Okay,<00:20:22.480> we're exception of the chair.
• Okay, we're exception of the chair.
• <00:21:21.520> on<00:21:21.760> the exception of the chair.
• Okay. on the exception of the chair. Okay. on the house<00:21:22.159> side.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The conference committees met on April 25 in Room 229 and handled several bills, often by rolling them over when finance or budget releases were still pending. HB 1007 HD2 SD2 on HCDA was simply continued to 1:00 p.m. in the same room. HB 1316 HD2 SD1 on DLNR rental vessels and registration was later taken up, with members noting a proposed CD1 based on the Senate draft; after quorum was confirmed, both chambers voted yes and the measure was approved. SB 465 HD1 on Kiki Aola small boat harbor was rolled to 4:00 p.m. in Room 441 because the required release had not yet been received. HB 86 on Makai Watch was also deferred for lack of quorum, and HB 800 HD1 SD2 on government real property and land transfer was eventually voted out after the missing House member arrived, with both House and Senate voting yes. SB 1221 SD2/HD3 on water safety and retention/detention ponds was described as requiring county ordinances and surveys of existing ponds; the conference draft added “Sharky’s Law,” set a January 1, 2027 start date for county ordinances, and was approved unanimously by both chambers. The committees also discussed SB 223 SD2/HD1 on wildfire prevention and forest reserve fire protection. The measure would create an independent DNR wildfire prevention program, authorize forestry and wildlife facilities for fire protection and related work, allow the State Fire Council to strengthen fire code requirements in hazardous fire areas, establish a community fuels reduction project, require legislative reporting, and provide funding. The conferees explained that section 3, which sought an additional appropriation for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, was removed because the money was already included in the budget. The bill’s effective dates were set for July 1, 2025, and it was rolled over to 4:00 p.m. in Room 411 rather than voted on at that time. Later, HB 1220 HD1 SD1 on invasive species in Kaneohe Bay was taken up and passed after quorum was confirmed, with both House and Senate members voting yes. HB 778 HD2 SD1 on the integrated land use office and land use study, SB 739 HD1 on land exchange, and HB 830 HD2 SD2 on historic preservation reviews were all agreed to in principle but rolled over to later meetings because finance or WAM releases were still outstanding. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly noted absences, excused members, and the need to reschedule items to later in the afternoon.