Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to Rules 1.21 and 3.33, the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration will designate
• This is the basic framework of the new intentional release and detention system that would be detailed
• > the<00:10:42.640> new the basic framework of the new the basic framework of the new intentional
• We are looking forward to the continued dialogue at the Capitol in the coming years.
• The same thing, and this legislature actually put into place a framework I think about three or four

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, all of our staff here at the Capitol, I've been big on that for a long time—legislative aides
• It's just trying to lay out a framework.
• it, how we want to do it, so it's not just an open book, but it kind of sets that runway and that framework
• It's just trying to lay out a framework.
• Ava, and Tellis, thank you so much for joining us at the Capitol.

Summary: The committee first approved the May 20 minutes and then advanced HCR 95, which would create a more uniform tax base for future state and local tax exemptions and credits, requiring a two-thirds vote of both chambers to deviate from that uniformity. HB 648 was deferred by the author. HB 1049, dealing with public meeting procedures and notice requirements, was amended after discussion with the Police Jury Association, school boards, and local government groups; the amendments removed a requirement for a lawyer at every meeting and clarified notice and posting language, and the bill was reported with amendments despite opposition from local government associations and the City of Baker. The committee then heard HB 615, which would expand livestreaming and two-year archiving requirements to more public bodies, including non-elected boards and commissions with taxing or rulemaking authority. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while local government and association witnesses argued it would impose an unfunded mandate, especially on small volunteer boards, and raised concerns about costs, staffing, record retention, and reliance on social media platforms. The bill was not advanced. HB 1201, as amended, would provide legislators reimbursement for travel and limited out-of-session expenses, including housing and mileage, beginning with the next term; members discussed the need to make public service more financially feasible and to broaden who can afford to serve. The committee reported HB 1201 with amendments. The committee also considered two constitutional convention-related bills. HB 244 would set guardrails for any future convention by capping delegates at 144, specifying delegate selection, requiring a two-thirds delegate vote to send proposals to voters, and requiring both a majority of voters and approval by three-fourths of the parishes for ratification; after debate over whether the parish threshold was too high, the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. HB 4, as amended, was narrowed to require the Senate and House Governmental Affairs committees to meet in the off-season to discuss the mechanics of a possible convention, but members viewed it as more of a study resolution than binding legislation, and the committee voted to keep it in committee. The meeting then moved to confirmation hearings. Courtney Myers, nominated for Deputy Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice, and Ernest Jacob Reade Jr., nominated as Assistant Secretary, testified about their backgrounds and priorities, emphasizing juvenile rehabilitation, education and vocational programming, mental health services, credible messengers, family contact, and better communication with legislators and families. Nathan McBride, nominated as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, testified about his engineering and government affairs background and said he would focus on legislative work, waste tire management, permitting modernization, and constituent service.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's used as an educational resource for the visitors at the Capitol.
• And for starters, I am proud of the fact that Florida has a great framework for accountability.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bonds that have increased in value or are not available for distribution under this constitutional framework
• involved: the Department of Administration, Department of Natural Resources, the Historical Society, the Capitol
• involved: the Department of Administration, Department of Natural Resources, the Historical Society, the Capitol
• involved: the Department of Administration, Department of Natural Resources, the Historical Society, the Capitol
• involved: the Department of Administration, Department of Natural Resources, the Historical Society, the Capitol

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How is the Texas regulatory framework helping or hindering the adoption of more innovative benefit designs
• Are there barriers in our regulatory framework currently?
• So we offer four different plan designs.
• But we have three different benefit designs.
• I don't know across all the plan designs. I just gave you the lowest-cost plan.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• those districts come from, and it's, in my mind, better than just setting aside the rules like the Mall
• But one of the critiques of TIF has been that, you know, of course they're designated and then the resources
• :45.640> they're you know, of course they're they're you know, of course they're they're designated
• 47.640> then<00:31:47.760> the<00:31:47.880> resources<00:31:48.400> are designated
• and then the resources are designated and then the resources are used<00:31:49.600> um,<00:31

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it was not designed to protect children, lobbied for legal authority to curry favor with the legislature
• So, so, you know, when we have a meeting in Albuquerque, everybody's off to the mall and having dinner

Transcript Highlights:

• So we’re giving direction on kind of the framework of what we’re looking for, but they...
• So we’re giving direction on kind of the framework of what we’re looking for, but they still have to
• On the first page at the beginning of the bill, it establishes the framework for utilizing Title IV-E
• And the recommendation comes back with a framework.
• He said he has literally been at the Capitol every day, weekends included.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 145, which would require adult residential care providers, especially assisted living centers, to have generators or other backup power arrangements and to submit preparedness plans to LDH. After technical amendments and testimony from the sponsor, LDH, and the assisted living industry clarifying the bill’s scope and cost concerns, the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably. It then took up SB 433, which would require Medicaid coverage of medically necessary FDA-approved weight loss drugs, including GLP-1 medications, subject to appropriations and fiscally sustainable coverage criteria; the bill was reported favorably after discussion of current Medicaid coverage and costs. The committee also approved SB 52, which requires better coordination between DCFS and LDH so SNAP and Medicaid benefits can follow children more quickly when they are removed from or returned to a home. Technical amendments changed reporting deadlines and required written notice, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 4 on public water fluoridation was amended to allow local governments or voters to opt out through a petition and election process, with support from the Louisiana Dental Association and others after compromise language was adopted; it was reported favorably with amendments. SB 152, which would prohibit the sale of cultured or lab-grown food products for human consumption, was also reported favorably with amendments after brief testimony in support and opposition. The committee next approved SCR 37, which asks the Surgeon General to review Louisiana’s informed consent laws and report back on any gaps, after discussion that the existing medical disclosure panel had not met since 2018. It then considered SB 194, a public assistance bill aligning Louisiana Medicaid and SNAP rules with recent federal changes on non-citizen eligibility and tightening Medicaid’s reasonable opportunity period for citizenship verification. After extensive debate over immigration, emergency care, and whether the bill could harm eligible applicants or rural hospitals, the committee adopted an amendment allowing LDH discretion for emergency health care services and reported the bill favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, HCR 113 created a task force to study gestational carrier agreements and assisted reproductive regulation; after debate over surrogacy, ethics, and referral to Civil Law, the committee rejected the referral motion and then reported the resolution favorably, and the meeting moved on to SB 333 on child-in-need-of-care proceedings and legal representation funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• that deadline to allow for the design and construction of that facility for Broward County.
• that deadline to allow for the design and construction of that facility for Broward County.
• And I think this bill sets up the framework. ...establish fair fees.
• Senate Bill 628, a bill to be entitled an act relating to transportation facility designations.
• Senate Bill 628, a bill to be entitled an act relating to transportation facility designations.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and a series of gallery introductions recognizing visitors, local officials, students, and public safety personnel. The chamber first took up a report from the Ethics and Elections Committee on 42 executive appointments; after Senator Gaetz explained that the committee had reviewed the appointees’ qualifications and suitability, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a 36-0 vote. The Senate then moved through a long special-order calendar focused largely on open-government sunset reviews and other policy bills. It passed measures to continue or consolidate public records and meeting exemptions for aquaculture records, agency-held trade secrets, and cybersecurity information, with one technical amendment adopted on the cybersecurity bill. The chamber also approved bills extending the statute of limitations for failure to report child abuse, strengthening regulation of commercial driving schools, requiring human trafficking education for nursing graduates, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person, and making the related public-records exemption. Additional bills passed included a nature-based coastal resiliency measure with an amendment restricting dredge-and-fill in Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, a chiropractic trust-funds bill, specialty license plates, a one-time waiver of late financial disclosure fines, public school personnel compensation changes, the annual Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services “Farm Bill,” homestead exemption clarification for long-term leaseholders, disability-presumption clarifications for first responders, reinsurance intermediary manager changes, patriotic displays in public schools, ADS-B fee restrictions, autism-related law enforcement training and a Blue Envelope program, campus safety policy transparency at public colleges and universities, and veterinary prescription disclosure. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary certificates for practice, and domestic animals. The Senate also debated and passed a bill allowing licensed insurance agents to market health care sharing ministries, despite concerns raised by Senator Polsky about consumer confusion, commissions, and the sale of non-insurance products; supporters argued it restored free speech, religious liberty, and consumer choice. The chamber approved the bill 32-5 after debate. Most other measures passed with strong bipartisan support, often by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, and several companion House bills were substituted in place of Senate bills before final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Earlier this year, the Minnesota Judicial Council adopted a new district court hearing framework that
• That historic new framework will officially take effect on February 3rd.
• That historic new framework will officially take effect on February 3rd.
• that will determine how our framework that will determine how our courts<00:09:37.880> use<00
• <00:10:06.399> will that historic new framework will that historic new framework will officially

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee met to approve the January 16 minutes and then heard a budget presentation from State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba on behalf of the Minnesota judicial branch. Shorba described the courts’ structure, mission, and workload, noting 322 judges, about 2,800 staff, roughly 1 million district court filings annually, and a current budget of about $479 million. He emphasized the branch’s constitutional obligation to provide fair and timely access to justice and said the courts are funded almost entirely through legislative appropriations. He also highlighted recent accomplishments made possible by prior legislative funding, including eliminating the pandemic felony and gross misdemeanor backlog, expanding remote and hybrid hearings, improving courtroom technology, sustaining treatment courts, and increasing pay for interpreters and psychological examiners. Shorba outlined the judicial branch’s 2026–27 budget request, which he said totals a 12% increase over the starting biennial base. Major requests included $77.3 million in 2026–27 and $104 million in 2028–29 for a 6% judicial salary increase and related compensation costs; $5.1 million in 2026–27 and $1.76 million in 2028–29 for digital accessibility compliance with new federal ADA rules; $4 million in 2026–27 and $800,000 in 2028–29 to modernize justice partner access to court records; $7.2 million in 2026–27 to raise pay for contract psychological examiners; and $18 million in 2026–27 to increase juror pay from $20 to $100 per day and align mileage rates with federal rates. He also discussed ongoing funding needs for interpreter services, jury costs, cybersecurity, and other statutorily required court services, saying temporary funding provided in the prior session will expire and that permanent support is needed. Members asked questions about treatment courts, employee bargaining, and mental health competency issues. Representative Eric requested more detail on funding for newly launched and existing treatment courts, and Shorba said many treatment courts begin with federal grants before transitioning to state support after about three years. He confirmed the judicial branch negotiates its own employee contracts rather than the executive branch doing so, and said the branch has three unions plus many unrepresented employees. On mental health and competency, Shorba said the branch is focused on obtaining timely psychological evaluations and is not responsible for treatment services themselves, but acknowledged a shortage of examiners and treatment beds and said a related competency board would be testifying the following week. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And to that end, first specifically, what this bill does is establish a clear regulatory framework for
• :03:02.320> a<00:03:02.360> clear<00:03:02.640> regulatory<00:03:03.080> framework
• establish a clear regulatory framework establish a clear regulatory framework for<00:03:03.720><
• all know that Congress has given the hemp THC industry a year to pass a sound federal regulatory framework
• all know that Congress has given the hemp THC industry a year to pass a sound federal regulatory framework

Keywords: The livestream event for this meeting cut off shortly after the meeting began. This is the complete copy pulled from back ups., 958, all

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• In terms of section E3, or sorry, E1A of the same section, It designates a case as high risk if there's
• For example, in the unamended bill, one could be convicted if they put out a communication designed to
• Well, I recently put out a communication that was designed to cause widespread fear.
• This amendment is designed to resolve those issues. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, sir.
• This amendment creates a new framework for what are called state housing affordable districts, allowing

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're convening the Committee on Transportation and Culture in the State Capitol conference room.
• testimony and support, and I wanted to echo what Uncle Chipper mentioned about the importance of B and framework
• c><00:07:49.199> the accommodate the planning um of the accommodate the planning um of the design
• 00:07:53.840> it<00:07:54.759> um<00:07:55.759> has<00:07:55.960> very design
• for safety um so it um has very design for safety um so it um has very specific<00:07:56.520> duties

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Transportation and Culture heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 1422, which would exempt certain community-based organizations providing transportation services from motor carrier law, drew support from the Department of Transportation, PUC, DLNR, Kauaʻi County, the Hōnaunau Initiative, and others; members asked about narrowing amendments to prevent unintended use, and the bill later advanced with amendments, including a three-year sunset. HB 1162, requiring motorcycle instruction permit applicants to complete a DOT-approved basic rider course, received support from DOT and Honolulu Customer Services; it advanced with amendments to address city and county concerns and to allow more implementation time. HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study when reducing speed limits by up to 10 mph, had mixed testimony and was deferred for further discussion. HB 1260, establishing summer streets pilot programs for counties other than Oʻahu, drew support from DOT, DOH, UH, Hawaiʻi Appleseed, bicycling and public health groups, and individuals; DOH and others asked that Oʻahu be included, but the measure was deferred for later decision-making. HB 177, making civil ID cards free, had opposition from DOT and Honolulu Customer Services and support from health advocates; DOT said the program costs about $1.3 million annually and would need replacement funding, and the bill was deferred. HB 862, authorizing motor coaches, small buses, and vans for school bus services under certain conditions, received broad support from disability advocates, DOE-related entities, neighborhood boards, and private providers, with testimony emphasizing flexibility and accessibility; it was deferred. HB 667, requiring microchip scanning and reporting when deceased cats or dogs are removed from roadways, was supported by DOT, the Hawaiian Humane Society, and many animal groups and individuals, and was passed unamended. HB 960, increasing the cap on certain DOT capital investment contracts, and HB 228, authorizing electronic license plates and banning plate-obscuring devices and flipping devices, were both heard and then deferred. HB 1156, increasing the amount of special facility revenue bonds available for harbor improvements, received support from DOT, the Island Chamber of Commerce, Alakaʻi Energy, and the Harbor Users Group, and was passed unamended to Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• we can reach out to him and maybe he's got some new ideas and hopefully we can get to that same framework
• You know, if one person from our designated county has four other counties, that's a workload.
• We have talked about this in Bismarck at the Capitol. Do you believe it was HHS?
• We have talked about this in Bismarck at the Capitol. Do you believe it was HHS?
• initiatives that states with large tribal populations have implemented, and some of them have been designed

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• child is legally blind and legally deaf, and the opportunity for her to be able to dance at the State Capitol
• like to see a world where we reimagine how we teach, because the current public school model was designed
• Reimagine how we teach, because the current public school model was designed for a different era, with
• Selects, it's amazing that this is the framework and the foundation, but we need to be a full committee
• A lot of things don't like to get talked about up at the Capitol because it raises a lot of issues and

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs held a historic hearing at Table Mountain Rancheria focused on tribal education, culture, resilience, leadership, and trust. The opening prayer and remarks emphasized the significance of holding the first committee hearing on tribal land. Members said the hearing was intended both to hear testimony about ongoing problems in schools and to identify next steps for legislation and policy, especially as the session neared its end. The committee also referenced recent efforts supporting Native students’ right to wear regalia at graduation and broader concerns about representation in education and state institutions. The first panel centered on Native students’ experiences in public schools. Bella Garcia described a two-year fight with Clovis Unified over wearing tribal regalia at graduation, including a restrictive approval form and administrators who she said denied Native identity and made her feel invisible. Morningstar Ghali connected those experiences to the legacy of boarding schools, racial profiling, suspensions, and the “boarding school to prison pipeline,” and called for culturally responsive education, Native educators, counselors, Native studies, and restorative justice. Janet K. Bill, from the Attorney General’s Office of Native American Affairs, described her own path from tribal Head Start to Stanford, law school, tribal council, and state service, and said education, justice, and sovereignty are linked. Members asked about restorative justice, representation, and how to build pipelines into leadership and education roles. The second panel focused on solutions. Chairwoman Michelle Heredia Cordova urged a reimagined education system that is more personalized, experiential, culturally grounded, and balanced with land-based learning, while also recruiting Native teachers and creating stronger tribal partnerships. Chairman Leo Sisku said schools should educate educators, stop tokenizing Native students, and create accountability and consequences for discriminatory behavior; he also supported stronger tribal-school partnerships and more positive outreach. Chairman Fred Bean emphasized consistent engagement from tribal leaders at every level of schooling, stronger transitions from elementary to college, and programs that prepare Native youth for leadership, trades, and higher education. Chairman Shaineto of Tule River argued that schools and administrators should face consequences for violating Native students’ rights, and that Native people should not have to keep educating institutions about basic cultural respect. Committee members responded by discussing possible statewide solutions, including regional tribal boards, better enforcement of existing laws, stronger pipelines into teaching and leadership, and improved representation on boards and in state agencies. Several members raised the need to implement existing laws, fill vacant Native appointments, and consider broader protections for Native regalia and cultural expression. No formal vote was taken in the transcript, but the hearing concluded with a clear call for continued collaboration, accountability, and legislation driven by Native voices.

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• furniture, which you see in state parks, but we also make some of the furniture you see here at the Capitol
• So the entire program for the Sex Offender Civil commitment Office, we are designed to protect the public
• would be, uh, even though they're not a state agency, they do provide programs to TDCJ and their framework

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• who are moving from other committees and who had some other meetings this morning across, uh, the Capitol
• are you going to be serving as the liaison to the Texas Access Justice Foundation as he did, or designating
• And so I, I just want to make sure that we've talked about this kind of frame frameworks, and finally

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• Homeowners may have assistance of an attorney or a designated representative.
• <00:45:42.079> to<00:45:42.240> protect<00:45:42.480> the which are designed
• Remaining under motions and resolutions, Senator Her for a motion to designate special orders. >> Mr.
• Um we increase the family residential<01:54:34.800> services<01:54:35.440> framework<01
• services framework rates for service<01:54:37.679> recipients<01:54:38.239> with<01:54

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• But this bill is designed to save every ratepayer money and reduce risk long term.
• But this bill is designed to save every rate payer money and reduce risk long term.
• So it's designed to recognize that there are legitimate state policy requirements that the utilities
• So it's designed to recognize that there are legitimate state policy requirements that the utilities
• It was a reactor from the '60s, '70s design model.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:34:19.280> to process was obviously designed to process was obviously designed to protect
• framework of water carriers?
• carrier as a utility in that framework? carrier as a utility in that framework?
• the way that the mechanism was designed the way that the mechanism was designed by<00:58:36.559>
• So, we're designing this entirely.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 2694 SD2, which would authorize the Public Utilities Commission to create automatic adjustment mechanisms for water carriers, including a water carrier inflationary cost index, and to waive certain requirements under the Hawaii Water Carrier Act. Testimony was sharply divided. The Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and several shipping, harbor, labor, and business-related supporters argued the bill would modernize regulation, reduce the need for large catch-up rate cases, and help keep rates aligned with rising costs. Young Brothers said its current rate-setting process is expensive and delayed, and that annual adjustments with guardrails such as a 5% cap and periodic full reviews would support sustainable operations and the state’s supply chain. Some supporters also said the company’s less-than-container-load service and required inter-island routes create costs that are not fully covered by current rates. Opponents, including the Consumer Advocate, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii Food Industry Association, restaurant and chamber groups, and other businesses, argued the bill would lead to higher costs for consumers and businesses and should not move forward. Several testified that shipping costs already significantly affect pricing and that automatic increases would worsen the cost of living. The Consumer Advocate said Young Brothers should focus on cost control and implementing its business plan rather than automatic rate increases. The Maui Chamber and others pointed to a recent PUC decision that imposed a two-year stay on rate increases and said the bill would undermine that protection. Some opponents urged the committee to defer to the PUC’s regulatory authority. The PUC explained that it regulates water carriers as public utilities under existing statute and said it had recently approved a temporary rate increase while imposing a two-year stayout period on further increases, with emergency relief still possible. PUC members said they were still examining whether they have authority to adopt the proposed WICI mechanism by rule and wanted legislative clarity. In response to questions, the PUC said it prefers the current two-year stayout as reflected in its order. Young Brothers also clarified that it serves less-than-container-load cargo, that some routes and services are cross-subsidized because they are not profitable, and that an independent observer is being put in place to monitor implementation of its updated business plan. The transcript ended with the committee still taking questions; no final vote or disposition on the bill was shown.