Transcript Highlights:

• To improve our special education services. The changes that the federal government are worrisome.
• It improves our transparency with families and what's in the IEP.
• Jami Gonzalez, Public Charter Schools in New Mexico.
• I'm a public school teacher. My husband is disabled.
• I’m Deputy General Counsel at the Public Education Department.

Bills: HB30 , HB120 , HJR1 , SB210 , SB306

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: teacher residency, Teacher Residency Act, public schools, teacher preparation, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, student teachers, apprenticeship, co-teaching, mentor teachers, residency stipend, teacher salary, level one teacher, charter schools, school districts, New Mexico education, teacher workforce, principal stipend, cohort model

Bills: HB3724 , HB3392 , HB3466 , HB4060

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: high-demand facilities, electric utilities, public infrastructure, water management, taxpayer-funded subsidies, decommissioning plans, local control, citizen initiative, referendum, electric utility, large load customers, infrastructure, utility planning, electricity rates, cost allocation, data centers, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, ratepayer protection, HB3466

Bills: SB193 , SB132 , SB35 , SB145

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• allow for permanent makeup artists to come out from under a doctor's oversight after three years and improved
• This can improve suicide prevention strategies by offering deeper insight.

Bills: HB3287 , HB2947 , HB3784 , HB3901 , HB4275

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: public health, domestic violence, human trafficking, healthcare facilities, hospital protocols, behavioral health, Medicaid expansion, clinical interns, mental health services, licensing requirements, micropigmentation, medical procedure, physician oversight, nursing certification, state regulations, psychological autopsy, mental health, suicide prevention, state health department, investigation

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can do public-private partnerships to do that. We do that at airports now.
• Any public testimony? Any public testimony on the bill?
• And that ends public testimony. We're now in debate on Senator Harrell's bill. Any debate?
• That ended public testimony, and the committee moved into debate.
• Public testimony ended, the committee moved into debate, and Senator Trumbull waived closing.

Bills: S0260 , S1220 , S1352 , S1362 , S1370

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: electric vehicle, EV, battery fire, lithium-ion battery, towing, wrecker service, vehicle storage, submerged vehicle, saltwater damage, fire marshal, fire safety, tow yard, impound, storage fee, administration fee, local ordinance, county ordinance, municipal ordinance, insurance coverage, motor vehicle insurer

Transcript Highlights:

• 2369 establishes the Washington Local Food for Schools Program in the Office of Superintendent of Public
• If selling or granting surplus technology hardware to public school students, ...for surplus property
• if selling or granting surplus technology hardware to public school students.
• military families, ...for surplus property if selling or granting surplus technology hardware to public
• Members of the public have been corrected.

Bills: HB2007 , HB2360 , HB2369 , HB2432 , HB2440 , HB2534 , HB2557

Committee: House Education

Keywords: competency-based assessment, graduation requirements, education reform, student opportunity, pathway options, albuterol, asthma, inhaler, rescue inhaler, respiratory emergency, school nurse, student medication, self-administration, anaphylaxis, public schools, private schools, charter schools, tribal compact schools, K-12 health, medication policy

Transcript Highlights:

• My comments today are focused on improving the bill's wording, not changing the intent.
• My comments today are focused on improving the bill's wording, not changing the intent.
• I'm wearing my public administration hat, so we respectfully recommend three clarifying changes.
• I saw the intent is good, but again, we're in a public administration hat.
• You know, we need to educate our public in a lot of ways about how government works.

Bills: HB2167 , HB2168 , HB2169 , HB2171 , HB2790 , HB2905 , HCM2005

Committees: House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs , House House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference

Keywords: attorney general, nuisance action, consumer fraud, damages, civil penalty, public nuisance, nuisance abatement, abatement action, injunction, superior court, county attorney, city attorney, board of supervisors, obscenity, obscene materials, adult materials, pornography, schools, parks, residential district

Bills: HB292 , HB307 , SB33 , HB292 , HB307 , SB33

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: economic development, incentives, transparency, compliance, Alabama Jobs Act, speedy trial, visiting judge, court administration, public interest, criminal justice, SB33, marriage, premarital class, conflict resolution, marriage license reform, probate judge, Administrative Office of Courts, AOC, domestic violence, intimate partner violence

Transcript Highlights:

• and those most in need of improvement.
• This is a bill about improving access to health care.
• I could see improvements are needed.
• So the improvements in this bill are really going to make sure that this is a processing improvement
• platform to significantly improve these outcomes for young men.

Bills: HB2198 , HB2401 , HB2462 , HB2419 , HB2210 , HB2205 , HB2249

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: regulatory efficiency, permitting, licensing, executive order, state government, commission, gender equity, boys, men, advocacy, state policy, unpiloted aircraft, drones, regulation, airspace safety, privacy, address confidentiality, administrative law judges, privacy protection, staff employment

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a full agenda today, both public hearing and possible executive session.
• We're planning about 30 minutes of public hearing on House Bill 2463.
• It's just improving efficiency and getting food to people.
• And with that, that concludes the public hearing on House Bill 2463.
• And with that, that concludes the public hearing on House Bill 2463.

Bills: HB2279 , HB2463 , HB1941 , HB2238

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: PFAS chemicals, agriculture, environmental impact, regulation, food safety, farmers, food security, Washington, support for farmers, cannabis, cooperatives, marijuana industry, HB 2238, HB2238, statewide food security, food security strategy, hunger, food insecurity, food access, food assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll hear in public testimony from Earthjustice and environmental experts...
• I'm the Environmental Policy Director with the Washington Public Ports Association.
• WPPA strongly supports improving air quality, and Washington ports have demonstrated leadership.
• And it's kind of the—we don't really have that much public transportation.
• I'm Maggie Euse with Seattle Public Utilities.

Bills: HB2421 , HB1652 , HB2367 , HB2284

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: 6PPD, tires, environmental impact, public health, chemical regulation, HB1652, Salish Sea Protection and Marine Clean Fuels Act, marine fuel, low-sulfur fuel, sulfur emissions, ocean-going vessels, shipping, maritime pollution, air quality, particulate matter, Department of Ecology, port visit, regulated waters, fuel switching, vessel emissions

Transcript Highlights:

• but I am voting no, sort of a principled point to say we should be more careful about how we modify public
• And I think it's good public policy, it's good government, and urging you to continue to find ways to
• Tribal gaming has been one of the most successful public policy partnerships in this state.
• That distinction protects student athletes, reinforces integrity, and ensures public confidence.
• It improves the fan experience while replacing the black market with accountability.

Bills: HB2205 , HB2309 , HB2206 , HB2123 , HB2120 , HB2411

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: sports wagering, gambling regulation, state control, licensing, consumer protection, state employment, classified service, civil service, job qualifications, degree requirements, postgraduate degree, master's degree, doctorate, higher education, Office of Financial Management, OFM, classification plan, salary survey, market rate pay, compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's go ahead and close the public hearing on House Bill 1823.
• So let's go ahead and close the public hearing on House Bill 1823.
• Rail that serves the public interest requires that the public be at the table.
• Okay, so with that, we'll close the public testimony on House Bill 2111.
• Open up the public hearing on House Bill 2114.

Bills: HB1823 , HB2092 , HB2111 , HB2114

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match, grant funding, transportation grants, county roads, city streets, transportation benefit district, urban county, small city program, active transportation, pedestrian, bicycle, bike routes, transit, public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• And yet, as a public as public dollars.
• This legislation improves public safety as our officers face increasingly greater dangers and current
• There are things we can do to improve public safety and to assist police officers, and we should be working
• There are things we can do to improve public safety and to assist police officers, and we should be working
• </c> There are things we can do to improve There are things we can do to improve public<04:46:49.680>

Bills: HCR24 , HR352 , HB2243 , HR405 , HB2215

Keywords: Jewish American Heritage Month, Jewish Heritage Week, antisemitism, anti-Jewish hate, Jewish Americans, Jewish community, Hamas, October 7, Israel, hate crimes, civil rights, religious freedom, campus antisemitism, synagogues, public education, heritage month, diversity, inclusion, Holocaust remembrance, community safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The alliance, health care providers for public employees.
• They send that officer for their maximum medical improvement because they don't want to continue to pay
• When you're out, the public is losing out from being able to protect that community.
• But if you're a public employee now, you can't. And you are just out of luck.
• This step will allow for better tracking, improved policy development, and access to critical federal

Bills: HB875 , HB1667 , HB2369 , HB3844 , HB4415 , HB4479 , HB4483 , HB4676 , HB5118 , HB5400 , HB5545

Committee: House S/C on Workforce

Keywords: workers' compensation, municipal construction, bidding requirements, small municipalities, contracting policies, first responders, PTSD, mental health, emergency services, medical expenses, injury claims, insurance carriers, opportunity youth, workforce development, employment, education, federal funds, employment discrimination, immunity waiver, public employees

Summary: The subcommittee heard testimony on a broad agenda of workforce, labor, and workers’ compensation bills. HB 4676 would require political subdivision workers’ compensation networks to follow the same notice, access, and complaint rules as certified TDI networks; supporters said public employees and first responders deserve equal access to care, while municipal risk pool representatives opposed added regulation and said existing 504 networks already perform well. HB 4479 would create a rural workforce development grant program at TWC to support college-and-career readiness and local workforce alignment, and HB 3844 would define “opportunity youth” in state law to improve data, coordination, and access to services for disconnected young Texans; both drew strong support from rural, education, and chamber witnesses. HB 5545 would clarify federal tax treatment for wage-replacement benefits in non-subscriber injury benefit plans, with proponents calling it a win for employers and injured workers. HB 5118 would direct TWC and DIR to study AI and automated employment decision tools in hiring, including bias and oversight concerns. HB 1667 would move existing PTSD workers’ compensation language into a broader Labor Code chapter so more first responders, including state and campus officers, could qualify for benefits; supporters called it a technical fix to extend coverage more evenly across agencies. The committee also heard several first-responder and workers’ compensation bills. HB 2369 would speed up claims handling for injured first responders by allowing a single medical evaluation, giving carriers 60 days to accept or deny a claim, and letting workers seek treatment while disputes proceed; law enforcement supporters said it would help injured officers return to work faster, while opponents warned it would revive extent-of-injury waiver problems and increase litigation. HB 4483 would reclassify certain workers’ compensation maintenance taxes as surcharges to reduce retaliatory taxes imposed by other states on Texas-domiciled carriers, and HB 875, as revised by committee substitute, would create a small-project exception to municipal workers’ compensation and bonding requirements for certain low-value construction contracts in small cities; both were presented as cost-saving measures for Texas employers and local governments. HB 4415 would extend anti-retaliation protections for workers’ compensation claimants from first responders to all public employees and expressly waive sovereign immunity for those claims, with supporters describing it as closing a loophole that leaves public workers without the same remedy available in the private sector. The committee also took testimony on HB 5400, which would expand remedies for sexual harassment victims by removing the requirement to first file an administrative charge, extending the filing deadline from 300 days to two years, clarifying retaliation, and eliminating current damages caps. Supporters, including employment lawyers and a parent of a victim, said the current deadlines and caps prevent many survivors from obtaining counsel or full relief, especially younger workers and those in small workplaces or franchises. Across the agenda, witnesses repeatedly emphasized access to care, fair treatment for injured workers, rural workforce development, and stronger protections for vulnerable employees. After each bill was laid out and testimony heard, the chair generally closed the public hearing and left the bill pending; no final votes were taken, and the subcommittee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• First on the calendar today was a public hearing, and we will probably vote on it.
• That concludes our public hearing. Are there any comments you'd like to make?
• All right, we do have a public hearing. During your talk, you did speak about the amendment?
• And um, so I'll leave it to a public hearing. Thank you, Chairman. Thank you. All right.
• All right, that ends the public hearing. Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, committee.

Bills: SB87 , HB491 , SB43 , SB101

Committee: House Health

Keywords: midwifery, licensed midwives, State Board of Midwifery, licensure fees, professional liability insurance, complaints investigation, emergency care plan, out-of-hospital care, HB491, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school lunch, cafeteria, artificial dyes, food additives, food coloring, synthetic dyes, Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Department of Public Safety to compile a list of veterans and adopt procedures to share this
• safety of veterans by ensuring that applicant veteran status remains confidential and not subject to public
• Okay, so the Chair calls Greg De Grazia from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
• My name is Greg De Grazia, Director in Field Operations for the Texas Department of Public Safety Driver
• Members, House Bill 2513 relates to a paid leave of absence for public employees serving as fire protection

Bills: HCR46 , HB1389 , HB3359 , HB5629

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: commemoration, military, navy seal, honor, January 12, Nathan Gage Ingram, military funeral honors, JROTC, veterans, training, grant program, military honors, community engagement, funeral services, education grants, community service, HB 3359, veteran status, Texas Veterans Commission, veterans services

Bills: SB90 , SB255 , SB268

Committees: House Tourism , House Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: Green County, racing, pari-mutuel wagering, gaming regulations, commission appointments, historical horse racing, local tax, SB255, cannabinoid, hemp, hemp-derived THC, THCa, delta-8 THC, HHC, CBD, THC, novel cannabinoid products, hemp products, intoxicating hemp, delta-8

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move to public testimony. We don't have anyone registered to testify.
• If not, we're going to proceed to public testimony. Thank you.
• They'll see what the opportunities are and the public education can.
• Additionally, it will improve efficiencies in the process.
• The focus of this grant program is on improving local infrastructure.

Bills: HCR92 , HB 114 , HB561 , HB 1171 , HB1894 , HB2026 , HB2143 , HB2337 , HB2564 , HB114

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: Tuskegee Airmen, commemoration, African American history, civil rights, military recognition, veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, defense, grants, local government, economic support, community development, health and wellness, outdoor recreation, state land use

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and we believe it's also to the public and we believe it's also to the public benefit<01:06:55.079
• 10:33.480><c> we're</c> is a public sector problem that we're is a public sector problem that we're confronting
• </c><01:29:40.880><c> wishing</c> there any members of the public wishing there any members of the public
• </c> the state Grant is available to Public the state Grant is available to Public Schools<01:31:09.360
• </c> Cities the highest level of public Cities the highest level of public tuition<01:32:17.920><c> so

Bills: HF2090 , HF982 , HF2229

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: higher education, scholarship, financial aid, state grant, tuition assistance, Pell grants, student retention, education equity, disabled veterans, veterans' dependents, dependent children, college affordability, books and fees, University of Minnesota, public colleges, Office of Higher Education, veterans benefits, military families, permanent disability, 100 percent disability