Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, we had 11. This year, we found 4.
• It's purely based on years of service.
• The checks are given out on their anniversary date, so it's based purely on years of service.
• We're seeking to raise that to $10 per month per year of service.
• They have to pay into the system when you're trying to buy back your years of Service.

Bills: SB134, SB1356, SB1407, SB1611, SB1639, SB169, SB1722, SB182, SB1870, SB2039, SB432, SB609, SB715, SB716

Keywords: retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, state government, OMES, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Rehabilitation Services, civil service, human capital management, state employee disputes, whistleblower, veterans employment, veterans placement, fleet management, state fleet, motor vehicles

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you guys remember, um, last year this bill came before you, and there was a public hearing.
• So, we just decided to take a year, and we formed a committee with all of the fire chiefs and representatives
• The entire group spoke here about some concerns on the bill, and we took a whole year as a committee
• The ones that handle a thousand calls a year have a great relationship with their community, and the
• not blanket immunity, but immunity in connection to the code 65236, which applies to the Volunteer Service

Bills: HB325

Keywords: fire protection, volunteer fire department, fire district, emergency response, fire service fees, Lawrence County, voter approval, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to eight years consecutively.
• Just last year, Mr. Spencer was exonerated after spending 34 years in TDCJ.
• service...
• I served 27 years on a 50-year sentence for a crime committed as a 17-year-old.
• it at 40 years.

Bills: HB200

Keywords: HB 200, emergency communication, backup communications, satellite phone, portable satellite equipment, radio, floodplain, 100-year floodplain, FEMA, natural disaster, disaster preparedness, emergency preparedness, vulnerable populations, children, elderly, seniors, people with disabilities, care facilities, residential care, assisted living

Bills: SB 1468, SB 1612, SB 1789, SB 2530, SB 2571, SB 2717, SB 2967

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Bills: SB 1468, SB 1612, SB 1789, SB 2530, SB 2571, SB 2717, SB 2967

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Transcript Highlights:

• And one other announcement is, let's see, the bill authors for House Bill 7.
• They get between $12,000 and $14,000 of these requests a year.
• So thank you for your service, too.
• Thank you for your service.
• I took this job at the Legal Services Center last year.

Bills: HB557, HB732, HB1892, HB1954, HB2301, HB3180, HB3405, HB3650, HB3758, HB4035, HB4621, HB4795, HB4870, HB5069, HB5137, HB5149

Keywords: child support, arrears, court enforcement, contempt, legal protections, healthcare, insurance, cost reduction, accessibility, regulations, impotency, marriage annulment, Family Code, Texas law, family law, Texas legislation, dissolution of marriage, annulment, marriage, child custody

Transcript Highlights:

• We passed a government corruption bill last year.
• Are any of those examples within the last three years?
• And then the same thing, maybe even pushed to next year, that's not an election year.
• Just a suggestion, maybe just at the first of the year.
• Have that conversation with the author.

Bills: HB1245, HB2588, HB3024, HB3172, HB3279, HB3919, HB3306, HB3383, HB3431, HB3435, HB4352, HB3883, HB3942, HB4193, HB4203, HB4303, HB4311, HB4484

Keywords: retirement, pension, public employees, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, benefits, survivorship, contribution rates, disability retirement, owners associations, membership requirements, property ownership, board governance, residency requirements, salary increase, state employees, public finance, bonus limits, job performance, Fair Banking Act, financial institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's all House Bill 2692, which Representative Keel is the primary author.
• Retail water utilities must plan 20 to 30 years in advance to provide sufficient service to growing areas
• Any other questions for the bill author?
• We were able to buy it about 10 years ago.
• Second, the committee substitute authorizes the courts to enter an order authorizing a violator to spend

Bills: HB630, HB685, HB1318, HB2692

Keywords: outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 685, municipal utility rates, water rates, sewer rates, local government code, rate discrimination, tax-exempt entities, sales tax exemption, ad valorem tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, charitable organizations, municipal water service, municipal sewer service, utility billing, public utilities

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with no quorum at the start, but later reached quorum and took up several bills. House Bill 2692, codifying the San Antonio River Authority’s enabling legislation and making non-substantive modernization changes, received brief supportive testimony from the River Authority and was left pending before later being voted out favorably. House Bill 685, which would prevent municipalities from charging higher water or sewer rates to tax-exempt entities than comparable customers, also drew support and was reported favorably. House Bill 1318, clarifying compensation issues when a municipality decertifies part of a retail water utility’s service area, was heard without opposition and passed out of committee. House Bill 630, exempting certain older outboard motors from title requirements, likewise passed and was placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee spent the most time on Senate Bill 2497, relating to filtration systems for certain public drinking water systems. Senator Zaffirini described the bill as a response to ongoing secondary water quality complaints, while TCEQ testified that such contaminants are aesthetic rather than health-based and that the water remains safe to drink if primary standards are met. The Texas Rural Water Association opposed the bill as written, arguing filtration may not solve most water quality problems and could be costly for small systems, while a consumer witness from Floresville supported it and described repeated rate increases and brown water after a filtration system was removed. Members discussed narrowing the bill through a committee substitute and emphasized the need for flexibility and technical expertise; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with Senator Kolkhorst later asking to be recorded as voting no. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2850, which would create a pollinator task force to study habitat loss, public education, and best practices for protecting bees and other pollinators. Senator Menendez and invited witness Erica Thompson of Texas BeeWorks highlighted major colony losses and the economic importance of pollinators to Texas agriculture, and Environment Texas and the Texas Beekeepers Association supported the measure. Members discussed monarch butterflies, native grasses, milkweed, and conservation efforts, and the bill was reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. After testimony, the committee also voted out several pending items, including House Bill 5560 with a committee substitute addressing water-loss penalties and infrastructure improvements, and then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• was um um multi-year was um um multi-year process<00:16:26.960> and<00:16:27.440> it
• in recent years that our particularly in recent years that our leadership,<00:43:22.440> I<00
• In 2025, Northstar government services."
• So, as I'm sure everybody knows, DCT became its own thing July 1st of last year.
• That same authorization did not entity.

Bills: HF3643, HF4470, HF4462, HF4366, HF4172, HF3629, HF4356, HF3093

Keywords: Melissa Hortman, Mark Hortman, memorial park, state park, working group, Minnesota Historical Society, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Saint Paul, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Administration, Legislative Coordinating Commission, general fund appropriation, park planning, interpretive services, public engagement, state memorial, land use, natural resources, commemorative legislation, HF4470

Transcript Highlights:

• My husband was director of that organization for 30 years.
• And then their drug is covered for the rest of the year.
• And that was requested by PERS because of when their plan renews each year.
• and years and years for a cause.
• But those studies are anywhere from 20 to 40 years old.

Bills: SB2271, HB1216

Keywords: adult residential facilities, care services, Medicaid, payment rates, elderly care, health services, North Dakota, prescription drugs, drug affordability, copay assistance, copayment accumulator, deductible accumulator, out-of-pocket maximum, health insurance, health benefit plan, self-insured health plan, self-funded plan, third-party payment, manufacturer assistance, patient assistance program

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and took up three bills. House Bill 1216, dealing with prescription drug expense co-pay accumulators in health plans, was presented by Rep. Karen Carl’s, who explained it would prevent insurers from refusing to count third-party assistance toward deductibles for patients using high-cost, non-generic drugs. An amendment was offered to clarify effective dates, including a delayed January 1, 2026 start for PERS coverage. PERS testified that the amendment would align with its calendar-year benefit structure and likely reduce the fiscal note. The amendment was adopted 16-0, and the bill was set aside for further discussion later. House Bill 1199, creating a criminal justice data-sharing system and missing persons/missing Indigenous people task force, was introduced with a committee amendment changing the Attorney General reference to the Attorney General or designee. The committee noted the bill includes a $250,000 general fund appropriation for ongoing costs. The amendment passed 16-0, and the amended bill received a do pass recommendation by a 15-1 vote, with one no vote from Senator Magrum. House Bill 1531, appropriating $75,000 for an irrigation expansion study by the Agriculture Commissioner, was supported as a way to update older economic-impact studies on irrigation and assess opportunities for expansion. Members discussed its relationship to broader study pauses and the history of irrigation development in the state, including Garrison Diversion and remaining authorized acres. The bill passed 16-0. The committee then discussed scheduling for the coming week, noting a heavy bill load and plans for daily morning meetings before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Delta sorority at Auburn University has spent three years with the Tiger Paws dance team, performing
• ; whereas we note with utmost... service; whereas we note with utmost admiration and appreciation the
• and passion for politics began many years before his service in the Alabama Senate.
• In my tenure of 14 years in this chamber, first off, I want to thank the Lord.
• You can look back over those years of the back over those years of the accomplishments that this legislature

Bills: SB 2, SJR 36, SB 2, SR 19, SR 27, SR 30, SR 32, SCR 11

Keywords: Houston East End, Chamber of Commerce, East End Day, economic development, community involvement, scholarships, business events, McAllen, celebration, community pride, cultural events, economic growth, McAllen Day, community recognition, South Texas, local pride, Wise County Day, Texas Senate, Wise County, state recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• In Texas, in 2024, McAllen recorded its lowest crime rate in 37 years.
• Each year since 1898, we have celebrated the birthday of the father of our country.
• They're here every single year. I encourage you all to go have breakfast with them.
• The scholarship has been going for 24 years now.
• Texas is forever grateful for their service and dedication.

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SR19, SR27, SR30, SR32, SCR11

Keywords: Houston East End, Chamber of Commerce, East End Day, economic development, community involvement, scholarships, business events, McAllen, celebration, community pride, cultural events, economic growth, McAllen Day, community recognition, South Texas, local pride, Wise County Day, Texas Senate, Wise County, state recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• The statute authority employees.
• essential public services. essential public services.
• protect essential public services. protect essential public services.
• <00:10:22.399> So, service safely and effectively. So, service safely and effectively.
• authoring this bill. authoring this bill. >> Uh<00:16:11.360> Mr.

Bills: HF4141, HF3951

Keywords: housing authority, criminal penalty, assault, public safety, redevelopment, submetered utility service, tenant rights, digital payment, eviction protection, housing policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• being ordered to state active service. being ordered to state active service.
• . years. years.
• years, an acceleration of 18 years. years, an acceleration of 18 years.
• several years ago. several years ago.
• There is a<00:36:21.720> 104-year-old a 104-year-old a 104-year-old World<00:36:24.000> War

Bills: HF4615, HF3532, HF4492, HF4171

Keywords: military, pay, officers, enlisted members, state active service, Minnesota Statutes, veterans, burial eligibility, honor guard, state cemeteries, military service, burial fees, veterans affairs, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, advisory task force, commanders task force, veterans service organizations, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to do a contract for deed for 10 years.
• I will be the chief author this year of that bill, and as I make my way to the testifying table, Representative
• year if we do move forward a social district.
• Half of a two-year biennium, and I believe that we will be seeing a liquor bill next year if we do move
• To the author, Representative Driscoll, I had concerns about your 17-year-old liquor bill, but I really

Bills: HF2601, HF2607, HF2027, HF2608

Keywords: financial institutions, insurance regulation, insurance holding company, group capital calculation, liquidity stress test, NAIC, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, insurer solvency, affiliate transactions, groupwide supervision, internationally active insurance group, lead state commissioner, policyholder protection, hazardous financial condition, deposit or bond, contract for deed, conventional loan, cooperative apartment loan, mortgage interest rate cap, average prime offer rate

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2692 has Representative Guillén as the primary author.
• Retail water utilities must plan 20 to 30... years in advance to provide sufficient service to growing
• In fact, our beekeepers lost two-thirds of their colonies this past year.
• I just want to ask the author: it's an interesting suit you chose today.
• Any questions for the bill author?

Bills: HB630, HB685, HB1318, HB2692

Keywords: outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 685, municipal utility rates, water rates, sewer rates, local government code, rate discrimination, tax-exempt entities, sales tax exemption, ad valorem tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, charitable organizations, municipal water service, municipal sewer service, utility billing, public utilities

Bills: HB 109, HB 136, HB 694, HB 1201, HB 1716, HB 2071, HB 2216, HB 2358, HB 2807, HB 2886, HCR 78

Keywords: Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, child welfare, notification, Department of Family and Protective Services, conservatorship, parental rights, legal representation, child placement, doula services, pilot program, medical assistance, mortality rates, child protection, healthcare procedures

Bills: HB 109, HB 136, HB 694, HB 1201, HB 1716, HB 2071, HB 2216, HB 2358, HB 2807, HB 2886, HCR 78

Keywords: Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, child welfare, notification, Department of Family and Protective Services, conservatorship, parental rights, legal representation, child placement, doula services, pilot program, medical assistance, mortality rates, child protection, healthcare procedures

Bills: HB 109, HB 136, HB 694, HB 1201, HB 1716, HB 2071, HB 2216, HB 2358, HB 2807, HB 2886, HCR 78

Keywords: Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, child welfare, notification, Department of Family and Protective Services, conservatorship, parental rights, legal representation, child placement, doula services, pilot program, medical assistance, mortality rates, child protection, healthcare procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• Any other questions of the author?
• Um, 55 years, three years.
• This year, we are actually celebrating 85 years of operations here in Texas. Thank you.
• We're thinking 20-25 years ahead.
• years.

Bills: SB1468, SB1612, SB1789, SB2530, SB2571, SB2717, SB2967

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year