Transcript Highlights:

• I HAVE LONG BEEN A SUPPORTER OF THE HOPE FLORIDA PROGRAM.
• THE HOPE FLORIDA FOUNDATION WAS SEPARATE DIRECT SUPPORT FROM THE PROGRAM.
• AND THAT IS TO HELP BOLSTER AND SUPPORT FAMILIES IN NEED.
• THE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT THROUGH A DIRECT SUPPORT ORGANIZATION SO WE CAN MAKE SURE
• >> I THINK SIMPLY TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE AGENCY OF DCF. >> Rep.

Transcript Highlights:

• hearings, and via the state's remote hearings, and via the state's remote sign-in<01:45:35.840><
• support one in oppose and one in neutral support one in oppose and one in neutral and<01:52:33.040>
• So, I'm here to ask you, please support me in supporting my constituents.
• "Support and one oppose?" "Support and one oppose?"
• In the our supporters as we can.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, so we have one in support.
• So we stand in full support of it. Thank you.
• Apply for funding to support a local road project.
• It can be used also to support, perhaps even support and provide revenue to the transportation project
• Supports this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would I be inclined to stop the redistricting effort if no one supports this redrawing of these maps?
• And to me, that's a call to support the virtual hearings, as any Texan with an iPhone or a computer can
• I appreciate your support on this resolution as it provides an additional tool for constituents to voice
• I’m going to support the decision of the committee and the decision of the Texas Senate.
• We just ran into problems with being able to get it worked out in a remote location because when you

Bills: SR5, SB5, SB11, SB12, SB25, SB26, SB28, SB35, SB5, SB11, SB12, SB25, SB26, SB28, SB35, SB5, SB11, SB12, SB25, SB26, SB28, SB35, SR5

Keywords: redistricting, Senate procedures, public input, Texas Legislature, amendments, Texas Senate, congressional districts, legislative procedures, legislative transparency, Senate rules, public hearings, committee procedures, hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes

Transcript Highlights:

• The vast majority are in support of these two questions. We've asked them.
• The support that you ask about: 80 percent of union households say they support this ballot question.
• I'm testifying remotely. Can you hear me? We can hear you, yep.
• Okay, Andrew Fagan is remote. Andrew? Hi. Good evening.
• I support these Massachusetts residents every day. I know their stories.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on two proposed ballot initiatives: one to reduce the state personal income tax rate from 5% to 4% over three years, and another to revise the state’s tax collection cap/62F process so it would be based on prior-year collections plus wage growth and include surtax revenue. The committee chair and House co-chair outlined the hearing process, and the first witness was Doug Howgate of the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation, who testified as the committee’s subject-matter expert on both measures. He said the income tax proposal would lower taxes broadly but would reduce state revenue by about $5.4 billion when fully implemented, with an estimated $800 million hit in FY27, and he discussed possible effects on competitiveness, taxpayer savings, and public finances. On the 62F proposal, he said the revised cap would make refunds more likely, could have produced several large refunds in recent years, and would reduce stabilization fund deposits and constrain recovery after recessions. Committee members questioned Howgate about competitiveness, outmigration, prior tax ballot measures, spending growth, MassHealth, and the interaction between the income tax and surtax. He emphasized that taxes are only one part of the state’s overall competitiveness and that housing, public services, and other factors also matter. He also noted that the surtax is constitutionally restricted but can still support ongoing spending choices. After his testimony, the committee moved to the proponents’ panel. Proponents of both initiatives, including representatives from Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts, the National Federation of Independent Business, Pioneer Institute, and the Mass Opportunity Alliance, argued that the measures would improve affordability, help retain residents and businesses, and support job growth. They cited polling support, outmigration, small-business reinvestment, and comparisons to lower-tax states such as North Carolina. Their economist, Rebecca Paxton, said her model showed smaller revenue losses than critics claim and projected that the revised revenue cap would not create additional annual revenue losses while producing more regular taxpayer refunds. Committee members pressed the panel on competitiveness, prior ballot initiative implementation, and whether the measures would actually address broader affordability pressures; the hearing ended with the committee continuing to take questions from the proponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we're hearing a lot coming out of the administration on the support for recycling.
• And that group also provides support to the local emergency planning committees.
• This supports the growth and development of local businesses and community projects.
• Some of it with some DOE money supporting it, but it's happening.
• I support what Jordan and Calvin came up with, that the state's role in this.

Summary: The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota. Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action. The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the first, uh, thanks that I would offer is that we always support the support we've received.
• Miscellaneous items, we always support OCA.
• And judicial branch agencies that we work with and support, primarily providing IT and support services
• The court coordinators support the child protection and child support associate judges across our state
• support for OCA.

Transcript Highlights:

• chaplains and peer support.
• Flood Decision Support Gages.
• They need support.
• They need support as well.
• You are simply offering support.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness hearing convened in Kerrville with quorum, public testimony limited to three minutes and invited testimony to 10 minutes. Leaders from both chambers, along with the lieutenant governor and speaker, framed the hearing as an unprecedented joint effort focused on learning from the July 4 flood, honoring victims, and identifying actions to reduce future loss of life. The committee also heard opening remarks about decorum, logistics, and the intent to continue work in future sessions. The first panel included Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, Emergency Management Coordinator William B. Thomas IV, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, Upper Guadalupe River Authority representative William Rector, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk, and Real County Judge Bella Rubio. They described the flood as sudden and catastrophic, with Kerr County reporting 108 deaths and two missing. Local officials emphasized that they received no timely warning of the scale of the event, that responders and volunteers acted heroically under extreme conditions, and that communications, cell coverage, and rural emergency resources were strained. Several witnesses said the county’s existing alert systems were limited by geography, sparse broadband, and the speed of the flood. Testimony focused on possible improvements, including real-time flood gauges and predictive monitoring, stronger rural emergency management staffing and training, better interoperability and alerting tools such as IPAWS, CodeRED, WENS, and sirens, and expanded broadband and radio coverage. Kerrville asked for a flood warning system before next summer and state help for stormwater, floodplain, and disaster recovery funding. UGRA described its past and current flood-warning and mitigation efforts, including gauge funding, a new software-based flood prediction project, and consideration of additional retention dams. Kendall and Real counties highlighted successful or needed alerting and evacuation practices, while also stressing the difficulty of funding and maintaining such systems in small rural counties. Members asked detailed questions about the timeline of the flood response, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and whether regional consolidation or additional infrastructure could improve future preparedness.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that group also provides support to the local emergency planning committees.
• And that group also provides support to the local emergency planning committees.
• This supports the growth and development of local businesses and community projects.
• Some of it with some DOE money supporting it, but it's happening.
• I support what Jordan and Calvin came up with, that the state's role in this.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This would allow TEA officers to support local law enforcement.
• Senate Bill 2252 is a policy support... ...support.
• Senate Bill 2252 is a policy support, a policy solution that supports early literacy outcomes, and I
• schools' ability to support early learners.
• I also appreciate you bringing up the parent support.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a quorum and announced a full agenda, including combined public testimony for two bills related to student personal communication devices. The committee first took up Senate Bill 1262 by Senator Nichols, a school safety cleanup bill following House Bill 3. The bill would allow TEA to commission peace officers for school safety purposes, require annual renewal of good-cause exceptions to armed guard requirements, create a new report based on intruder detection audits and vulnerability assessments, and require behavioral threat assessment teams to include someone with specific knowledge of a special education student’s disability. Committee members asked about the difference between TCOLE licensing and TEA commissioning, the scope of the officers’ authority, and how the good-cause exception would work. The committee substitute was adopted, and public testimony included support from school safety and drone-response advocates, Disability Rights Texas in favor of the special education provisions, and a student witness raising concerns about the mental health impact of repeated lockdowns and the need for immediate, reliable school safety responses. The bill was left pending after testimony, then the committee briefly recessed and later reopened testimony to hear the student witness. The committee then laid out Senate Bill 2252 by Senator Creighton, a major early literacy and numeracy bill for kindergarten through third grade. Creighton said the bill builds on prior literacy efforts by funding teacher stipends for literacy and math academies, providing free and clearly administered screeners and assessments, expanding screening options, clarifying how results are used, supporting high-quality pre-K, and increasing the early education allotment. He emphasized low reading performance and the need for early intervention. Members discussed how the bill differs from earlier academy models and whether the assessments are diagnostic or high-stakes; Creighton and witnesses said the tools are intended to identify students needing support, not to serve as punitive testing. The committee adopted the substitute. Witnesses for SB 2252 largely supported the bill. A Uplift Education representative described strong gains from small-group literacy tutoring and said students receiving targeted support can make more than a year of growth in a year. An education specialist explained that the bill aligns general education screening with existing dyslexia and special education practices and helps districts identify students who need intervention before a disability evaluation is required. A Commit Partnership witness cited statewide reading data, the importance of high-quality pre-K, and the need for transparent, consistent progress monitoring and parent engagement. Members asked about the meaning of the growth data, how dyslexia screening works, and how the bill would help identify struggling students earlier. Before finishing all questions, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair after the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• , meetings held in person or remotely, meetings held in person or remotely, electronic<01:07:58.520
• Good work, Senator. to support patients who are homebound or to support patients who are homebound or
• providing long-term disability supports providing long-term disability supports to<01:09:56.680>
• we'd ask for the Senate support.
• <01:28:00.080> of uh appropriations in support of uh appropriations in support of government

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program integrity and support program integrity and support adaptability<00:04:51.200> by
• to emerging fraud risks and support to emerging fraud risks and support timely<00:05:26.840>
• And secondly, expediting effective dates for better support of housing.
• > for<00:08:09.000> some Elimination of remote services for some Elimination of remote
• And secondly, expediting effective dates for better support of housing.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So we definitely support this bill.
• We stand in support of SB 264.
• We stand in support of SB 264.
• We stand in support of SB 261 for the same reasons that we support SB 264.
• And so the Attorney General supports this bill. We ask for your support as well. Thank you.

Bills: SB23, SB221, SB261, SB264

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Bergh.
• Whereas, to strengthen the Taiwan-Minnesota bilateral economic relationship, it is essential to support
• further resolved by the House of Representatives of the state of Minnesota that it has reaffirmed its support
• for the Taiwan Relations Act and supports Minnesota businesses to refer to Taiwan as Taiwan.
• impacts the health, safety, and well-being of the people of Taiwan and the rest of the world, and supports

Transcript Highlights:

• The House has always been supportive.
• In true Texas fashion and with your continued support.
• I respectfully urge your support.
• I specifically want to support this bill and express our support for the hotline portion of it.
• We support it and ask you to vote it out favorably. Thank you members.

Bills: HB3146, HB3719, HB3895, HB3923, HB4748, HB4751, HB4936, HB4952, HB4990, HB4991, HB5061, HB5196, HB5238, HB5246, HB5487

Keywords: State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative hearings, contested case, contested case hearing, administrative law judge, ALJ, final decision, proposed decision, agency hearing, hearing continuance, rescheduling, Texas administrative law, Government Code Chapter 2001, workers' compensation, Department of Human Resources, Texas Labor Code, Transportation Code, Agriculture Code, Insurance Code

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope you will support their confirmation. Any further discussion?
• <00:32:51.200> their I hope you will support their I hope you will support their confirmation
• <00:36:51.599> this Freedom Caucus is proud to support this Freedom Caucus is proud to support
• I urge members to support this again.
• I urge members to support this important<01:04:22.559> legislation.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened under call, received a prayer and pledge, and then proceeded through routine business including roll call, quorum, and messages from the House. The chamber concurred in House amendments to Senate File 3210, a human rights bill concerning disability accommodations, and then passed the bill on final passage by a vote of 42-22. The Senate also received several House messages on conference committees and returned bills, including SF 4476, SF 4612, and SF 4760, and agreed to conference committees on House File 3426 (Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund appropriations) and House File 4252 (higher education student aid reporting). The Senate adopted committee reports and moved several bills through second reading and introduction stages. In motions and resolutions, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 86, which governs Senate business during the interim between sessions; the sponsor explained that most changes were cleanup and modernization, with one substantive change allowing the Secretary of the Senate to appoint someone to fill a vacancy in an elected officer position for the remainder of the interim. The resolution passed 57-0. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 87, commemorating deceased senators Bruce Anderson, Carrie Dietick, Alice Johnson, Bob Kurlin, Don Samuelson, James Yuland, and Ray Vander, followed by a moment of silence. The Senate then took up confirmations of three Minnesota Tax Court judges: Jane Bowman, Bradford Deopena, and Beverly Luther Quest. Supporters cited their combined public- and private-sector tax law experience, and the appointments were confirmed. Later, the chamber designated special orders and debated Senate File 3891, which would allow eggs to be donated up to 30 days past their quality assurance date to food shelves; supporters emphasized food insecurity, food waste reduction, and the bill’s support from food shelves and retailers. The bill passed 65-0. The Senate also considered House File 4240 on election administration, adopting an amendment that replaced House language with Senate language, including polling-place requirements for certain school district elections, a ban on candidates betting on their own elections, and an effective date for Three Rivers Park District reporting; the bill then passed 36-28. The chamber then began consideration of House File 4239, another elections-related bill, taking it from the table and offering an A5 amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And each of these items do have a letter of support.
• They supported the work we did.
• They supported the work conversations. They supported the work we<00:35:46.320> did.
• And that's part of how we envision supporting smaller organizations in receiving these funds.
• The various supports to expand access includes financial management support like the fiscal agents that

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• municipal testifiers that are supportive municipal testifiers that are supportive of<00:25:30.240
• We support House File 1931.
• <00:40:42.720> of chambers and wide bipartisan support of chambers and wide bipartisan support
• Um it makes it support House File 1931.
• So, we strongly support um attorney. So, we strongly support this<00:41:55.680> bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We do—I do have some admin support and some support around invoicing and financial stuff.
• And then not just how do you support employers with recruitment, but how do you support employers with
• And then not just how do you support employers of recruitment, but how do you support employers with
• And then everything, we were able to get everything remote, which back then nobody did remote work.
• But I'm a real supporter of it.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee met to discuss using registered apprenticeships to help address workforce shortages in disability services, human services, and other high-need fields. Co-chairs and staff introduced the session as a follow-up to earlier discussions with state labor officials and representatives from developmental disability and behavioral health provider associations. The panel focused on how apprenticeships can create paid, structured pathways into jobs while also supporting credentialing and retention. Amara Ramon of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards explained how Massachusetts apprenticeship programs are registered and supported, including the roles of apprenticeship liaison staff, operations, quality assurance, and grant support. She described the core features of apprenticeships—paid on-the-job training, related technical instruction, wage progression, and industry credentials—and contrasted them with internships or co-ops. Melissa Chabelli of the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board described the intermediary role her board plays in designing programs, registering apprentices, coordinating employers, and handling compliance. She emphasized flexibility, employer investment, tax credits, retention benefits, and the importance of mentors and local workforce partnerships. Lisa Morris of UMass Chan/For Health Consulting described a developing apprenticeship for medical interpreters, built from an existing training foundation and designed to address the gap between classroom preparation and work experience. She said the model would combine pre-apprenticeship training, employer interviews, 2,000 hours of apprenticeship, and related technical instruction tied to national certification. Speakers also discussed examples for nursing, early childhood education, CNC machining, and programs serving neurodivergent learners, including Bridgewater State’s Excel program. In response to audience questions, panelists said state agencies can serve as intermediaries, recruitment can come through career centers, youth programs, community colleges, ESL centers, and incumbent workers, and accommodations or modified curricula can support apprentices with disabilities. No votes were taken; the session ended with encouragement for attendees to contact the presenters and Division of Apprenticeship Standards for help developing programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're supportive of more tools.
• Am I even remotely close? Rick, are you here? Oh, okay.
• I'm I remotely close and okay, well, then I'll just say.
• Adrian Shelley with public citizens, speaking in support of Senate Bill 763.
• So I urge your support and I'm very happy to take questions.

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