Transcript Highlights:

• So, we'll briefly cover the definition of a tax expenditure, some brief background on the commission
• So the commission is some background.
• Uh, feel free to ask staff or me, but I would love everyone to check that out. Thank you, Chair.
• Uh, feel free to ask staff or me, but I would love everyone to check that out. Thank you, Chair.
• to check that out. Thank you chair. to check that out. Thank you chair.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to get a pulse check from you all on what your expectations... ...to get a pulse check
• and reelected, I think it's four, potentially five members of the city council of Cape Verdean background
• And we have a long history in the best way of electing folks from Cape Verdean background, not only to

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting focused on organizing the Cabo Verdean Cultural Center Commission, including confirming quorum, approving prior minutes, electing leadership, and planning next steps. Once quorum was reached, members approved the minutes from the prior meeting and unanimously elected Senator Liz Miranda and Representative Kip Diggs as co-chairs. There was also discussion of whether vice chairs should be added later, with several members favoring a mix of legislative and appointed/community representation. A major portion of the discussion centered on expanding the commission membership and identifying candidates who reflect regional, gender, and professional diversity, with emphasis on arts, culture, history, philanthropy, development, and construction. Members suggested numerous names from Boston, Brockton, New Bedford, Fall River, Cape Cod, Taunton, and other communities, and there was broad interest in including people connected to cultural organizations, universities, and the business/development community. Members also discussed whether designees could count toward quorum, but no rule change was adopted during the meeting. The commission also discussed its operating structure and public process. Members agreed to submit two or three recommended names by November 13, and to reconvene on November 25 at 4 p.m. to finalize recommendations and continue building the commission. They also discussed meeting cadence, with support for alternating formal meetings and site visits or listening sessions every other month, plus possible subcommittees to handle research between meetings. The chair noted that the commission is public-facing, will keep records and minutes, and will need to consider the organizational vehicle or advisory structure that will support Cape Verdean clubs and associations in the broader project. The meeting adjourned after these next steps were outlined.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ike test check 12 Ike test check 12. Let's do it. Welcome to Senate Health and Human Services.
• So I hope my experience in the background I'd know nothing about what the commission does now, so I have
• But I hope my background brings in some experience that can be helpful to it.

Bills: HB3767, HB3934, HB4199, HB4336, HB2947, HB3834, HB4302, HB4095, HB3287, HB3649, HB4430, HB4431, HB2059, HB3647

Keywords: dentistry, licensing, dental hygiene, foreign-trained dentists, temporary license, public health, emergency response, child care, workforce, pilot program, affordable care, income eligibility, interventional pain management, pain management clinic, chronic pain, acute pain, spinal injections, epidural steroid injection, peripheral nerve block, nerve ablation

Transcript Highlights:

• I know you bring a lot of background and expertise to this topic, and I really appreciate you just being
• I know you bring a lot of background and expertise to this topic, and I really appreciate you just being
• Could you share with the committee to check with Ellis? It's our pleasure, right?
• I could you share with the committee to check with Ellis. 703 It's our pleasure, right?

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee met to consider several bills, beginning with HB 335 by Representative Kendall, which sought to recognize space as a fifth mode of transportation, give voting rights to ex officio Space Florida board members, and reduce what the sponsor described as unnecessary state oversight of spaceport operations. The bill was presented as a response to feedback from NASA, Space Force, and other federal partners about clarifying the state’s role at federally owned facilities like Kennedy Space Center. Members raised questions about terminology, authority over federal property, and the role of Space Florida; the sponsor said an amendment would remove the voting-rights provision and instead require spaceports to provide an annual list of shovel-ready projects. The amendment was adopted, and HB 335 passed favorably. The committee then unanimously passed HB 885, which designates a road in Baker County near the courthouse in honor of former Representative and Judge John Cruz, and HB 403, which names a portion of the road leading into NAS Pensacola as Warriors Way to honor the sailors killed in the 2019 Pensacola attack and the broader naval community there. Both bills drew brief supportive remarks and no opposition. The committee also considered HB 25, a bridge designation for Coach Wilks, a longtime local basketball coach, and adopted a Senate amendment adding the Dickey Betts Memorial Highway designation on U.S. 41 in Sarasota County. HB 25, as amended, passed unanimously. The meeting concluded with adjournment after all measures on the agenda were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• credit cards despite the policies behind those cards, and requiring financial institutions to cash checks
• Because of my background with financial institutions and that I used to be married to a car dealer, I
• The average consumer doesn't have the financial background and industry knowledge that I do.
• I checked with the bank, found out the interest rates.

Bills: HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard testimony on HB 149, the Artificial Intelligence Governance Act. Senator Schwertner described the bill as an outcomes-based AI framework that would require disclosure when people interact with AI, prohibit manipulative or social-scoring systems, address biometric capture, discrimination, and deepfake child exploitation, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. It would also create an AI Sandbox and AI Council. Witnesses from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a Houston attorney, TechNet, and the Texas Association of Business strongly supported the bill, praising its stakeholder process and pro-innovation approach, while Texas Appleseed suggested regulators should have more examination authority over sandbox participants. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard SB 229, which would prohibit motor vehicle dealers from conditioning a sale on dealer-offered financing or charging more because a buyer uses outside financing or cash. Senator West said the bill is meant to stop forced financing and bait-and-switch pricing, and he noted the bill passed the committee and Senate in the prior session. The Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposed the bill, arguing it would force dealers to accept any third-party lender or cash transaction on terms they cannot control. The Texas Credit Union Association supported the bill, saying consumers should be able to choose outside financing without hidden fees or pressure. After questions about cash purchases and dealer practices, the bill was left pending. The committee also took up SB 2566, which would clarify legislators’ access to information from executive agencies, including confidential information, by setting response deadlines, limiting confidentiality agreements to statutory terms, requiring a standard AG form, and creating a complaint and penalty process for noncompliance. No witnesses testified, and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 1749, as substituted, would let certain court-related employees and judicial conduct commission personnel keep personal information such as home addresses and phone numbers confidential, with work addresses used in place of home addresses for certain purposes. District clerk and judicial conduct commission witnesses described threats and harassment as the reason for the bill, and a court administration witness answered questions about how the address protections would work with voter registration and precinct records. That bill was also left pending, and the committee recessed without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• What about background checks?
• Yes, faith-based program providers accept responsibility and liability and should do background checks

Bills: HB298, HB342, HB332, HB344

Keywords: athletic classification, public high schools, English language learners, state education policy, athletic associations, religious instruction, elective credit, released time, public education, school policy, educational intervention, State Superintendent, local boards of education, subpoena, accountability, state control, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So when ACS goes to check on the program for children, okay, well, what about when they get that?
• been in place for 6 months. have a standard procedure that 6 months after we evaluate something, we check
• go amongst the district and bring this up, most people from all circles of life, no matter their background
• Their background is saying, "Is it already a holiday?"

Bills: SB197, HB140, SB214, HB214, HB147, HB270, SB73

Keywords: business regulation, nonprofit entities, electronic filing, merger agreements, limited liability companies, partnerships, property transfer, termination fees, HB140, private sewer systems, wastewater utilities, Public Service Commission, PSC jurisdiction, utility regulation, rate setting, rate consolidation, affiliated systems, common ownership, private utilities, sewer rates

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to the Budget Management Act and Article Four of Chapter 4, Title 41, there are lots of checks
• If you can go back to that, because I think that speaks to the background.
• Yeah, I was... ... to that background. Yeah, I was trying to in my mind separate administrative...
• And I wanted to double check our chart.

Bills: SB174, SB180, HB196, HB25, SB193, HB25

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, media monitoring, government contracts, state agencies, local agencies, media regulations, transparency, juvenile detention, county management, legal procedures, juvenile justice, county commission, supervision, administration, emergency services, 911

Transcript Highlights:

• > important<00:02:33.280> because background I think is important because background I
• background or expertise. background or expertise.
• You can double-check my work.
• You can you can double check<01:09:58.320> my<01:09:58.560> work.
• Again, 90% of it was from check my work.

Bills: HF3298

Keywords: underground storage tanks, petroleum, reimbursement program, environmental regulation, pollution control, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Please tell us about your district and the communities you represent, and your professional background
• Uh, from my background, I've been a professional firefighter for going on 23 years, 19 of those years
• Um, my greater background lies in disability services for 20 years.
• <00:05:22.440> in<00:05:22.759> prosecution have background in prosecution have background
• checks on suspects.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• get into the substance of the bill, I first want to start out by kind of sharing a little bit of background
• as to how I got bit of background as to how I got involved<00:02:00.840> in<00:02:01.119>
• point which you to an intended check-in point which you see<00:14:14.800> in<00:14:14.959>
• checks, before we proceed with the testifiers and member discussion.
• As this is written, would a school be able to perform a check for headlight on a student?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• check, including federal fingerprinting.
• <00:58:51.480> check<00:58:51.799> including federal background check including federal
• background check including Federal<00:58:52.640> fingerprinting<00:58:53.640> that<00:
• I can check with her and let the record show that nobody’s hand went up.” how<01:34:55.119> much
• but um I I think I think I would check but um I I think I think I would check with<01:36:00.239>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee met on February 2 and first approved the draft minutes from the prior meeting, with minor corrections to the meeting date and attendance notation. DHHS Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly then gave a department update, describing the current uncertainty around federal priorities and funding, and provided two substantive reports: progress on the new Hampstead Youth Development Center and an update on the department’s review of an ALS registry proposal. She said the YDC project is underway with tree clearing, fencing, stormwater and site-prep work, and remains on track for completion by June 30, 2026 and operation by August 30, 2026. The center currently has 12 youth, and the new design is intended to provide flexibility for fluctuating census levels. On ALS, Tilly explained that HB 576 had prompted the department to examine whether a registry could be built, but the estimated cost of a HIPAA-compliant system was about $750,000. She said DHHS is reviewing whether existing data sources, such as hospital discharge data and CHIS claims data, could provide useful information, but noted both are incomplete for registry purposes. Committee members discussed whether the Rare Disease Advisory Council, Dartmouth, or existing cancer registry infrastructure could help reduce costs. DHHS said it is neutral and willing to continue exploring alternatives, while members emphasized the value of a registry and the need to consider shared infrastructure and funding. The committee also heard from Jenny Horan of the Alzheimer’s Association, who presented the subcommittee’s report on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. She said the subcommittee spent the past year gathering information on dementia care, abuse and exploitation issues, caregiver strain, and available services, and is now moving into a second phase focused on identifying gaps and developing a state plan. Members asked about geriatric psychiatric capacity and long-term care availability; Horan said the state has limited capacity and that the plan will help clarify where needs are greatest. She offered to return for follow-up questions at a later meeting. Finally, Olivia May of DHHS presented the quarterly report on the 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage extension. She said New Hampshire implemented the extension after federal and state action, and the first claims data are still emerging because of reporting lags. In the initial cohort studied, 95% received some medical services during the extended period, 52.4% received mental health or substance use disorder treatment, 26.7% received preventive visits, and 3.2% received heart or hypertension services. Members asked about return on investment and whether higher federal matching rates are being used appropriately; DHHS said it claims the highest possible match based on eligibility group and will return with more data over time. The committee then heard the annual therapeutic cannabis program report from Michael Holt, who said the program had 1,475 registered patients as of June 30, 2024 and that growth has slowed, with New Hampshire having the lowest per-capita medical cannabis enrollment nationally.

Transcript Highlights:

• and I talked about this meeting, I thought it would be helpful to just provide a little bit of background
• and I talked about this meeting, I thought it would be helpful to just provide a little bit of background
• Can we do a time check, Chair FI? So we're a little less than an hour.
• So we're calling it the all-hands check-in. The first inaugural one just started on July 1st.
• So this is to give you some background.

Summary: The committee met to hear an update from Washington State Ferries on capital projects and workforce issues, beginning with a briefing on the agency’s long-term fleet and terminal needs. WSF officials described the history of underinvestment after the late 1990s, the current fleet reduction from 25 to 21 vessels, and the need to keep older boats in service while moving toward a 26-vessel long-range fleet and hybrid-electric operations. They said the agency is transitioning to a new vessel procurement strategy, with Eastern Shipbuilding selected to build up to three 160-car hybrid-electric ferries, and outlined a schedule that includes contract execution, about a year of design work, steel cutting in fall 2026, and several years of construction. Members raised concerns about the higher cost of electrified vessels, the length of the schedule, the adequacy of liquidated damages and incentives, the risks of building in Florida and transporting vessels to Washington, and whether the contract sufficiently protects the state from cost overruns and design problems. The committee also received an update on the Wenatchee conversion, which officials said is days away from entering service as the first large hybrid-electric ferry conversion. WSF explained that the conversion combined required midlife preservation work with propulsion upgrades and battery installation, and that the project took longer and cost more than originally expected because it was a prototype with significant lessons learned. Officials said the Tacoma and Puyallup conversions would follow later, but those decisions were being delayed until after the World Cup to avoid service disruptions. Members asked about the cost-effectiveness of the conversion, the expected fuel and emissions reductions, and what happens to engine crews during long conversion periods; WSF said crews were embedded in the project and that the conversions should reduce diesel use substantially once terminal charging is available. The meeting then shifted to workforce development, with Siegel consultants reviewing their 2021 and 2024 studies of ferry staffing, overtime, recruitment, and workplace culture. They said the earlier problems stemmed from seasonal staffing practices, low winter hours, limited career progression, a narrow maritime recruiting pipeline, and a culture that made retention difficult. Since then, they reported major improvements: staffing has increased from about 1,500 to 1,900, turnover has fallen, captain and engineer shortages have eased, and recruitment has broadened beyond the traditional maritime pool, including more women and other underrepresented workers. They credited new programs such as guaranteed hours, paid pilotage, AB-to-mate pathways, and the “Turning of the Tide” culture campaign, while noting remaining issues with communication, HR access, accountability, and quality of life. Members generally acknowledged the progress but asked whether staffing levels are now sufficient and how interchangeable crews are across vessels and routes. Finally, terminal engineering staff began a presentation on capital terminal work, starting with the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. They described the terminal’s age, low elevation, vulnerability to sea level rise and earthquakes, and the need for replacement piles, beams, and improved vehicle circulation. The agency said it has completed a planning and environmental linkage study, is moving into NEPA/state environmental review, and has been working with the community to balance the needs of Southworth and Vashon riders with neighborhood concerns in Fauntleroy. The preferred alternative is a larger offshore dock footprint that would improve capacity and reliability while reducing impacts to eelgrass habitat. The meeting ended before the terminal discussion was complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• They need some restraint because this change allows the people that are painting murals to do the background
• And the background check, there's a big one. Do you know where most...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are the new check marks.
• Please do a fact check.
• Please do a fact check.
• That's why I say do a fact check. That's why I say do a fact check.
• to background checks and responses to background checks and responses to reports<02:17:31.840>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They also do spots checks and criminal records checks, and the office would not run in their absence.
• also do spots checks and criminal records<00:15:19.760> checks<00:15:20.079> and<00:15
• checks and reconciling bank statements. checks and reconciling bank statements.
• health conditions in check and therefore less<01:42:08.440> costly.
• These checks are headlights, safe tires.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:48:10.800> and association for pediatrics checks and association for pediatrics checks
• Inerson check is impact safe sleep.
• minute checks recommended. minute checks recommended.
• And again, we have to do some work with them to ensure background checks are done because they're accepting
• background checks are done because background checks are done because they're<02:09:31.280> accepting

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also know, and I just wanna check you a little. bit out of love.
• So thank you to the committee for the opportunity to provide some background.
• So two questions, one, if we were to do a 13th check, give me some background on those numbers and, yeah
• I know I didn't get a $50 check. But, you know, I am, I worked.
• . effective September of 2013, a 13th check effective September of 2019. a 13th check effective January

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If I can kind of give the background on this while you're looking at the amendment, If I can kind of
• give the background on this while you're looking at the amendment.
• You can't write a check if there's no money in the checking account.
• You can't write a check if there's no money in the checking account.
• To give you a little background on this, our duty at unclaimed property is a fiduciary duty to ensure

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 135, which would redirect a portion of wagering dedications from the sports fund to the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund and remove a cap affecting that funding stream. The author and staff explained the amendment was designed to avoid any impact on the State General Fund while increasing support for early childhood education. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. Senate Bill 202, from the Secretary of State’s office, would increase the number of compensated days for parish board of election supervisors to cover additional election-related duties. Secretary Landry and election officials testified that the change was needed because supervisors now perform more work, including ballot tabulation, machine sealing, and verification tasks. The committee adopted technical and appropriation-related amendments and reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee then took up several health and human services bills. Senate Bill 155 would require insurance coverage for medically necessary dental procedures needed before cancer treatment; testimony from medical and dental professionals emphasized that untreated dental problems can delay chemotherapy or radiation and worsen outcomes. After adopting amendments to narrow the fiscal impact, the bill was reported favorably as amended, with discussion of a possible subject-to-appropriation amendment to be worked out later. Senate Bill 237, a major DCFS reform bill, drew extensive testimony and debate over child welfare oversight, mandatory reporter training, law enforcement coordination, and the bill’s large fiscal note. The committee adopted amendments, including a subject-to-appropriation provision, and reported the bill favorably as amended after emotional testimony from supporters and former DCFS employees. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 465 on prompt-pay insurance reform after an amendment reduced the fiscal note to zero; Senate Bill 261 on unclaimed property after a substitute bill was adopted; Senate Bill 295 on expanded coverage for traumatic brain injury rehabilitation after amendments narrowed the mandate and added subject-to-appropriation language; Senate Bill 157 providing six weeks of paid parental leave for K-12 educators and staff, also subject to appropriation; Senate Bill 276 requiring bail bond producers to certify outstanding obligations before new appointments; Senate Bill 83 on human trafficking services after removing the age-expansion cost; Senate Bill 143 on bulletproof vests after shifting funding away from a direct state appropriation; and Senate Bill 450 on school safety assessments after an amendment limited implementation to available funds and resources. In each case, the committee’s actions focused on reducing or eliminating fiscal notes while keeping the bills moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of you probably wear sunscreen to help prevent skin cancer, but don't check your feet regularly
• Its benefits extend to everyone, regardless of age, income, and background.
• Its benefits extend to everyone, regardless of age, income, and background.
• It benefits people across all socioeconomic backgrounds and ages, including those with limited access
• And thanks to you all, last year we had protection of community drug checking services added to that

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing focused on children’s health, disease prevention, screening, treatment, and pharmacy-related bills. The chair explained that the session was for public testimony only, with no votes or decisions taken that day, and outlined the three-minute limit for individual testimony. The committee then heard testimony on a range of bills, including H. 2413 on adding electromagnetic sensitivity to the state’s MAVEN registry, S. 1508 and H. 2433 on creating an amputation prevention task force, H. 2535 and S. 1551 on establishing a naloxone purchase trust fund, S. 1635 on authorizing pharmacists to provide opioid use disorder treatment, H. 2385 on creating a special commission on avian influenza, and S. 1497 on patient safety and non-FDA-approved compounded drugs. Testimony on H. 2413 came largely from advocates and individuals who described electromagnetic sensitivity as a real health condition and argued that adding it to the registry would improve data collection, provider education, and public awareness. Testimony on the amputation prevention task force bills came from the American Diabetes Association and podiatry groups, who said diabetes-related amputations are often preventable, disproportionately affect people of color, and could be reduced through earlier screening, better care coordination, and improved insurance coverage for preventive foot care. On the naloxone trust fund bills, a representative, emergency physician, and nurse testified that hospitals often cannot reliably send overdose patients home with naloxone because of billing and reimbursement barriers, and that a bulk-purchase fund would expand access at no added cost to payers or providers. The committee also heard strong support for S. 1635 from pharmacists and public health researchers, who said community pharmacists could safely initiate and maintain buprenorphine treatment and help close gaps in opioid use disorder care. On H. 2385, a local board of health chair supported a special commission on avian influenza, citing gaps in emergency preparedness and the need for clearer coordination across agencies. On S. 1497, a pharmacy representative opposed restrictions on compounded drugs from outsourcing facilities, warning that changes could reduce access to life-saving medications and harm patient safety. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.