Transcript Highlights:

• It was seen as a significant change to the state's child care licensing infrastructure.
• expansion.
• Some other infrastructure or investment that we need to make.
• We're getting into an infrastructure bill. Chairman Davison: I appreciate it. Thank you.
• Public health infrastructure that will make meaningful differences in those communities.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on North Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care funding. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported that homelessness remains driven by tight housing markets, low incomes, rising rents, and barriers to rental assistance, public benefits, and disability determinations. She said the state’s one-time North Dakota Homeless Grant is serving all regions but reaches far fewer households than the former Rent Help program, and that aging homelessness, shelter staffing shortages, and limited affordable units are growing concerns. Members discussed the need for more housing supply, better coordination with Health and Human Services, landlord engagement, reentry housing, and possible continued one-time funding for the $10 million Homeless Grant and $25 million Housing Incentive Fund. Henderson also warned that federal Continuum of Care funding is uncertain, with HUD expected to issue a new notice June 1 and possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing toward transitional housing and other models. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described the school’s services for infants, children, and adults, including screenings, mobility training, assistive technology, and outreach across the state. He said the agency works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation and is also involved in improving website and document accessibility, especially for PDF materials. Public testimony highlighted barriers such as inaccessible CAPTCHA systems, online forms, driver’s license requirements on job applications, and limited transportation in rural areas. A deaf resident urged broader use of video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training so people know how to use them effectively. Finally, Kay Larson presented the final report on the child care provider licensing study. The report recommended streamlining North Dakota’s child care licensing structure into three provider types plus a preschool designation, while preserving health and safety standards and maintaining eligibility for child care assistance. The committee discussed simplifying training and qualification rules, revising ratio and group-size requirements, and adjusting age bands for infants and toddlers. The report also noted that some changes would require statutory amendments and later administrative rule changes, with a transition period likely extending through 2029. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the committee accepted the updates and scheduled follow-up presentations for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• recent years that changes to the renewable energy standard are merited, and we also support the expansion
• the recent years that changes to the renewable energy standard are merited and we also support the expansion
• Instead of the city building the pads and infrastructure for industrial development, this would be similar
• The gas and nuclear assets share fundamental infrastructure requirements: water access and treatment,
• The gas and nuclear assets share fundamental infrastructure requirements: water access and treatment,

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The Committee on Utilities heard testimony first on House Bill 2807, which would lower Missouri’s renewable energy standard from 15% to 7.5% and add nuclear generation as an eligible source, with the sponsor saying the goal is to give utilities more flexibility and support dispatchable power. The sponsor and several witnesses discussed a Senate companion and committee substitute that would clarify the bill to apply only to new nuclear and, in the Senate version, add battery storage credits. Support came from Renew Missouri, Ameren Missouri, Missouri Farm Bureau, and Associated Industries of Missouri, who emphasized grid reliability, dispatchable generation, and the need to adapt to growing energy demand. Opposition from the Consumers Council of Missouri focused on ratepayer impacts, warning that the bill could increase the RESRAM surcharge and urging explicit language to prevent nuclear costs from being passed through to consumers. The committee then heard House Bill 2598, a more complex proposal to create a Missouri Advanced Nuclear Office and a grant program to help finance a “power campus” pairing a natural gas plant with a small modular nuclear reactor. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a way to attract large data centers, provide near-term power, and use gas plant profits to help fund future nuclear development, while also positioning Missouri to compete with other states and federal nuclear incentives. Witnesses from Bridge to Nuclear and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce supported the concept as innovative and pro-reliability, though committee members repeatedly questioned why the state should put general revenue at risk, how profits and grants would be structured, and whether private markets could do the work without state involvement. Opposition to HB 2598 came from a consumer advocate and an environmental/community witness, who criticized the bill’s potential effects on electric rates, transparency, water use, and local communities affected by data centers. They objected to confidential grant applications and argued that the proposal would further favor large corporations over residents. No votes were taken on either bill during the hearing. Before adjournment, the chair announced that a committee substitute for Representative Banderman’s solar bill would be heard at a later, committee-only session, with the public allowed to attend but not testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• investments, how do we make things, like how we do food security, how do we provide farm infrastructure
• It reflects regulatory best practice, not a unilateral scope expansion.
• It reflects regulatory best practice, not a unilateral scope expansion.
• What potential risks or harms are going to happen in that delta to public infrastructure, hospitals,
• What potential risks or harms are going to happen in that delta to public infrastructure, hospitals,

Summary: The Consumer Protection & Business Committee held public hearings on two bills. House Bill 2616, described as an agriculturally resilient markets act, would create a broad package of agriculture-related policies and appropriations, including a strategy to expand state purchasing of Washington-grown food, temporary packaging and emissions exemptions for certain agricultural uses, changes to labor notice rules for agricultural and dairy layoffs, several grant and study programs, a transfer of cannabis production/processing/testing oversight to the Department of Agriculture, and an appropriation for the tree fruit leadership program. Representative Christine Reeves said the bill was intended as a state-level “farm bill” to address farm losses, food security, and regulatory burdens, and she emphasized stakeholder input and the need to support family farms and farmworker well-being. Testimony on HB 2616 was overwhelmingly supportive, with growers, commodity groups, dairy and potato representatives, and other agricultural stakeholders arguing that Washington farms face low margins, high regulatory and labor costs, refrigeration and processing challenges, and competition from foreign producers. Several speakers said the bill’s exemptions, grants, and studies would help keep farms viable and preserve local food production. Committee members asked about stakeholder outreach, the role of Washington State University and commodity commissions, the impact of federal versus state policy, and possible ways to reduce compliance burdens. The hearing ended without a vote, and the chair noted the bill was after cutoff and would not move this year, but that stakeholder meetings would continue over the summer. The committee then heard House Bill 2721, which would create a registration system for commercial interior designers, expand and rename the Board of Architects, set education, examination, and experience requirements, define the scope of practice, require seals and technical submission attestations, and establish penalties and a fee account. Supporters from interior design organizations said the bill would recognize a profession already performing code- and safety-related work in commercial spaces, align Washington with other states and national model law standards, and remove barriers to ownership and advancement, especially for women. Testifiers also said the bill would clarify responsibility for life safety, accessibility, and non-structural interior construction in schools, health care, and public buildings. The committee heard only supportive testimony, but members raised questions about how the profession compares with architecture, the impact of delaying the bill until 2027, and demographic diversity in the field. The chair closed the hearing noting the bill would not advance this session and that further interim work would be needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• spending, I think. ...reminiscent of the dot-com era, when there was a lot of infrastructure spending
• The data centers, the infrastructure, the power grid, all of that has really been boosting GDP, and it
• So anything affecting that data center, the infrastructure side... ...so anything affecting that data
• center, the infrastructure side, I would probably put it in three buckets.
• That compares to 3 to 400,000 jobs during the peak of an expansion.

Summary: The Finance Advisory Committee met for its January session to review Arizona revenue and economic conditions ahead of the budget process. JLBC staff presented the January baseline, noting projected positive cash balances through FY 2029 and about $577 million to $578 million in discretionary capacity, but also highlighting major unfunded items not included in the baseline, including federal tax conformity costs, ongoing one-time spending for state employee health insurance and school facility repairs, and administrative costs tied to H.R. 1. Staff also reviewed revenue trends by category, saying FY26 general fund revenues were running above forecast overall, with strength in retail, restaurants and bars, and individual income tax payments, while contracting and utility-related collections were weaker or flat. They also compared JLBC and executive revenue assumptions and discussed the executive’s proposed revenue changes, including border reimbursement assumptions, sports betting tax changes, data center-related tax and fee proposals, and other non-general fund measures. A major topic was income tax conformity with recent federal tax law changes. Staff explained that current Department of Revenue forms assume “straight conformity,” but the governor’s proposal and vetoed SB 1106 do not fully match those forms, creating possible amendment and timing issues for taxpayers and the department if the legislature adopts a different policy. Members also discussed the difficulty of forecasting revenues amid volatile monthly collections and uncertainty over how much of the current revenue strength will persist in the second half of the fiscal year. Danny Court of Elliott Pollack gave a broader national and state economic outlook, arguing that the U.S. has avoided recession despite several warning indicators, largely because of AI and data center investment, while employment growth has softened and inflation remains above the Fed’s target. He said Arizona remains relatively resilient, with strong population and job pipelines, but faces housing affordability constraints, slowing employment growth, and a more concentrated population forecast in the Phoenix area. Panelists generally agreed that Arizona remains in better shape than many states, though they cautioned that job growth is slowing, population estimates may be revised, and budget and revenue forecasts should be treated carefully given uncertainty in the data. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have major expansion of peer support at the Health Care Authority.
• And we also have about $26 million in expansions proposed.
• It is a new program, and we did not get the infrastructure We're doing it manually.
• You all know that we just completed demonstration year two of our CCBHC expansions.
• You didn't see a lot of expansion items in our budget this year for this very reason.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• a new courthouse, and they were able to deliver that on schedule and under budget, as well as an expansion
• ... ...the folks with Panasonic that they could deliver that infrastructure in time, and progressive
• So a lot of the infrastructure is there between the water and the sewer and whatnot.
• So a lot of the infrastructure is there between the water and the sewer and whatnot.
• So a lot of the infrastructure is there between the water and the sewer and whatnot.

Committees: House Economic Development , House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, now we're in full expansion mode, and our projections show us to be having...
• I thought it was part of the expansion during my—I'm a second-term freshman. And, Mr...
• Chair, Representative Dow, that expansion... ...harmed are getting damages. Mr.
• As you will see here, actually had an expansion request with the case management order.
• And until we have that, every agency is a hole in the infrastructure that can be infiltrated.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee first heard an Aging and Long-Term Services Department budget presentation comparing the LFC and executive recommendations. The main differences were in the Aging Network, Adult Protective Services, Program Support, and Long-Term Care Division, especially the executive’s proposed $10 million infusion into the Kiki Savadra Senior Dignity Fund and $6.2 million for expanding New Mexico Care. LFC staff explained that the committee recommendation was lower in general fund and fund-balance use, while the executive emphasized rising senior population needs, meal and transportation costs, and the cost savings of keeping older adults at home. The secretary also reviewed the department’s special requests, including the conference on aging, outreach, emergency preparedness, and the Kiki fund, and described New Mexico Care’s growth, its evaluation results, and the department’s plan to separate Kiki into its own accounting fund. Members largely focused on senior services, rural meal delivery, transportation, caregiver support, and the Kiki fund. Several members urged stronger support for non-metro aging providers and for New Mexico Care, citing its role in keeping seniors out of nursing homes and the program’s reported savings and outcomes. Questions also covered eligibility, background checks for caregivers, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer’s screening, and whether Kiki funds can support home modifications such as ramps. The committee then voted to adopt the LFC recommendation with one executive language change: adding the executive’s page 14 language allowing an additional 12.5% distribution for initial payments to aging network providers at the start of FY27. Representative Dow opposed the motion. The committee then moved to the Attorney General’s budget. LFC staff explained that the office’s budget relies heavily on the Consumer Settlement Fund, with both recommendations reducing general fund revenue while increasing settlement-fund use, and that performance measures were in consensus. The Attorney General said the office was not seeking more general fund, but wanted greater ability to use funds it recovers. He highlighted major consumer and public safety work, including litigation against major social media and AI platforms, a case involving Snapchat and child exploitation/extortion, the statewide crime gun intelligence center, efforts to address oilfield theft, work on missing and murdered Indigenous persons, and efforts to protect federal funds coming into New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• It just keeps growing, and it's now impacting infrastructure and all the other kind of spending that
• It just keeps growing, and it's now impacting infrastructure and all the other kind of spending that
• It just keeps growing, and it's now impacting infrastructure and all the other kind of spending that
• It just keeps growing, and it's now impacting infrastructure and all the other kind of spending that
• It just keeps growing, and it's now impacting infrastructure and all the other kind of spending that

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It extended a pilot program that was helping to build infrastructure for CRV programs, specifically in
• Infrastructure that we need for the future, one of those is clean drinking water.
• Infrastructure that we need, you know, for the future. One of those is clean drinking water.
• goals. the state deliver on its ambitious climate, housing, and transportation infrastructure goals.
• These investments in transit services and infrastructure, including TIRC, LCTOP, and AHSC.

Summary: The hearing focused on the governor’s May Revision proposals for transportation, natural resources, climate, and related programs, with the Department of Finance and the LAO presenting competing views on the state’s fiscal condition. Finance said the budget remains balanced over two years, with major climate-bond, water, parks, transportation, DMV, and agriculture proposals, while the LAO argued the state still has a structural deficit and should reject or defer many new discretionary spending items, preserve reserves, and be cautious about ongoing commitments. The LAO specifically questioned the timing and scale of new spending for programs such as Clean California, Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, and the Golden Gate Fields acquisition, and urged more clarity on future obligations and revenue scenarios, including for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes proposal for Bay-Delta water quality implementation. Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Finance described it as an enforceable, science-based alternative to a more traditional regulatory approach, with the state’s $25 million request intended to support early implementation, monitoring, habitat restoration, and environmental flows. The LAO countered that the Water Board has not yet adopted the updated Bay-Delta plan, that the proposal may be premature, and that the Legislature should wait for more information on the state’s total funding commitment and the program’s long-term costs. Several members expressed support for the program as a way to reduce conflict and protect water reliability, while others echoed concerns about timing and fiscal exposure. The committee also examined the proposed $125 million Proposition 4 contribution toward acquiring the Golden Gate Fields property for a shoreline park and habitat project. State officials said the acquisition is a time-sensitive, once-in-a-generation opportunity, with an appraised value of $175 million and additional philanthropic and local funding expected to close the gap. Members questioned whether the project had gone through the usual competitive process, whether the site is the best use of scarce park bond dollars, and how public access, habitat, and disadvantaged-community priorities would be protected. The discussion ended without a vote, and the committee moved on to transportation items including Clean California litter abatement, the Games Route Network, homeless encampment coordinators, and DMV modernization and field office proposals, with LAO recommending rejection or delay on several of those requests as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Strengthening protections for these critical infrastructure workers benefits all Florida residents, and
• Members, Senate Bill 1422 talks about operation of drones over critical infrastructure and facilities
• I'm proud to say that that expansion was already signed into law this session.
• Representative Randy Maggard in the House, and it was an expansion upon the peer support program that
• I'm proud to say that that expansion was already signed into law this session.

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions and introductions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. The chamber then took up a motion to reconsider the prior day’s failed vote on CS for SB 1080 (local government land regulation), which was adopted without objection, and moved into the special order calendar. A series of bills were debated and mostly passed, often after substituting House companions. Measures approved included funding for expedited DNA testing grants, additional aggravating factors in capital cases, fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients, commuter rail indemnification, migrant vessel disposition, specialty license plates, an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign, relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University, charter school changes, sexual offender registration updates, utility worker assault/battery penalties, juvenile justice revisions, student mental health outcome reporting, foster home licensure transfers, water access facilities, Florida Virtual School changes, school readiness resources for children with disabilities, sexual images/child exploitation penalties, tampering with electronic monitoring devices, certified recovery residences, the FSU Election Law Center, the Office of Faith and Community, and bonuses for county tax collector/property appraiser employees. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, school social workers, and brownfields. Debate centered on public safety, health care access, education, recovery housing, and government administration. Some of the most substantive discussion came on the Office of Faith and Community bill, where an amendment to bar political activity by office staff was offered and defeated after extended debate over election-related communications and the proper scope of existing ethics laws. The certified recovery residences bill also drew extensive support and testimony about addiction recovery and housing stability. Most bills passed on strong bipartisan votes, with a few receiving notable opposition, including the charter schools bill, the aggravating factors bill, and the Office of Faith and Community bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then... ...new expansion of the exhibit halls, its placement next to the monument, and the engineering
• make sure that the foundation of the monument is not impacted with the foundation needed for the expansion
• Could you talk about the Historic Infrastructure Sustainability Trust Fund? That's a mouthful.
• and Washington are the other properties that we've worked on to provide their needs with that infrastructure

Summary: The joint budget hearing focused on the Texas Historical Commission’s legislative appropriations request and its priorities heading into the Texas bicentennial. Agency officials said prior appropriations from the 89th Legislature have been fully expended or committed, and emphasized ongoing work with the General Land Office and Alamo partners to prepare revolutionary-era sites for increased visitation and interpretation. They highlighted major preservation and development efforts at Presidio La Bahía, Washington-on-the-Brazos, San Felipe de Austin, the First Capital, Monument Hill, and other Republic-era sites, along with continued work on the Texas Holocaust and Genocide, Anti-Semitism Advisory Commission. A large portion of the discussion centered on specific funding requests and project costs, including an $85 million request for the San Jacinto Monument and battlefield restoration, $16 million for phase two improvements at Washington-on-the-Brazos, and additional funding for Presidio La Bahía/Fannin Monument, the National Museum of the Pacific War, Caddo Mounds, Eisenhower Birthplace, Iwo Jima, and Palmito Ranch Battlefield. Officials also described a $100 million courthouse restoration program already underway, a request to address rising operating costs, staff compensation, and technology upgrades for connectivity, ticketing, reservations, e-commerce, and public access to records. They said visitation to historic sites is growing about 10 percent, with strong interest in revolutionary sites and archaeology. Members questioned the agency about the San Jacinto project costs, the IT request, visitation trends, and use of the Historic Infrastructure Sustainability Trust Fund. Officials explained that the trust fund provides about $11 million annually, split between historic sites and courthouses, and has supported projects such as Levi Jordan, Port Isabel Lighthouse, Washington-on-the-Brazos, the Goodnight properties, McGuffin Home, Fort Martin Scott, Eisenhower Birthplace, and several courthouses. No votes were taken; after questions and a brief opportunity for public testimony, no witnesses came forward and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• investment, expanding trade, strengthening supply chain resilience, and encouraging the establishment and expansion
• of operations... ...supply chain resilience and encouraging the establishment and expansion of operations
• Chairman, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has under consideration Senate Bill 1452
• Chairman, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has been consideration Senate Bill 1452,

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, and a proclamation recognizing and strengthening Arizona’s relationship with Taiwan. The proclamation highlighted Taiwan’s trade and economic ties to Arizona, bipartisan legislative support for Taiwan over many years, and support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. Members also welcomed Taiwanese diplomatic guests and noted plans for a bipartisan Arizona-Taiwan caucus and a future Taiwan consulate in Phoenix. The House then resolved into Committee of the Whole and considered a series of Senate bills. Among the measures advanced were SB 1004, SB 1012, SB 1040, SB 1049, SB 1168, SB 1326, SB 1021, SB 1052, SB 1172, SB 1188, SB 1212, SB 1346, SB 1452, and SB 1494, with several amended. Topics included law enforcement tracking of homeless sex offenders, spousal maintenance, election/government accountability, hyperbaric oxygen therapy in assisted living, re-credentialing timelines, controlled substance scheduling, vaccine-related concerns, Access fraud prevention, transportation fixes, and protections against patient brokering. Some members raised objections to SB 1049, SB 1021, SB 1212, and SB 1346, citing fairness, separation of powers, public health, and budget concerns, but the bills still advanced. After the Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the House moved several bills to third reading and voted on them. SB 1164, SB 1174, SB 1189, and SB 1754 passed overwhelmingly or unanimously, while SB 1413 failed 2-48 after members argued it contained a significant change to moving-violation liability and restitution that had not been clearly reflected in the bill materials. The House later reconsidered the failed vote on SB 1413 and then adjourned until Monday, April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anticipated uses of these dollars include normal deferred maintenance, ADA compliance, critical infrastructure
• system. $2 million is requested to modernize the state region's data system and administrative infrastructure
• directly with Texas institutions that are benefiting from significant new state investment and the expansion
• to see that expanded if you're to, I don't know, write your own bill this session I may leave the expansion

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is just a modest expansion of that policy, which I'm in favor of.
• So this is just a modest expansion of that policy, which I'm in favor of.
• our students and how we assess their growth and progress, I think this is a perfectly reasonable expansion
• So this is just a modest expansion of that policy, which I'm in favor of.
• This is just a modest expansion of that policy, which I'm in favor of.

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:

• I'd like to introduce this concept of the last mile in infrastructure projects.
• I'd like to introduce this concept of the last mile in infrastructure projects.
• And by having base funding, we can continue this critical expansion.
• And by having base funding, we can continue this critical expansion.
• </c> market um it'll allow uh the expansion market um it'll allow uh the expansion of<00:32:31.919><c

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• The HPCA asserts that the expansion under Medicare applies to private insurance in Hawaii at the time
• under Medicare applies to the expansion under Medicare applies to private<00:36:31.920><c> insurance
• </c><00:53:52.319><c> to</c> important piece of our infrastructure to important piece of our infrastructure
• Next bill is HB 716, relating to health infrastructure grant program.
• </c><01:31:05.199><c> grant</c> relating to health infrastructure grant relating to health infrastructure

Committee: House Health

Summary: The House Health Committee held its first hearing of 2025, with Chair Greg Takayama and Vice Chair Representative Leoy opening the meeting and outlining housekeeping rules, including a two-minute limit for testifiers and Zoom etiquette. The committee first heard HB 303 on health care preceptors. The Department of Health, Department of Taxation, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, and several health care organizations supported the bill, saying the existing preceptor tax credit program has been successful and that expanding eligibility to additional professions and students would help address workforce shortages. In response to questions, the Department of Health said the annual tax credit cap is $1.5 million, about 650 to 670 credits are currently used each year, and the bill applies only to unpaid preceptors. The committee then moved on to HB 441, which would raise cigarette taxes. The Attorney General, Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, Hawaii Public Health Institute, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and others supported the measure as a way to reduce smoking, especially among youth, and to support tobacco control and cancer-related programs. Opponents, including the Taxpayers Protection Alliance and the Cigar Association of Hawaii, argued the tax is regressive and unreliable as a revenue source. The Department of Health noted the last cigarette tax increase was in 2011, and one witness urged a larger increase than proposed. No vote was taken on either bill in the portion of the hearing provided. The committee also heard HB 557 on telehealth. The Department of Health supported the bill so long as it did not displace executive budget priorities, and the Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency and Hawaii Primary Care Association supported it. HPCA said the bill would conform state insurance law to recent Medicare changes expanding audio-only telehealth coverage beyond mental health services, and it emphasized access for rural residents, kupuna, and people with disabilities. HMSA opposed the bill as written, saying it strayed from the intent of Act 107 and that audio-only telehealth should remain limited because of quality-of-care concerns, though it supported continued access and asked for a different amendment approach. A telehealth provider also testified that payment disparities limit provider expansion and that audio-only access remains important for patients with serious illness. The hearing ended in the excerpt before any committee action or vote on HB 557.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the recent expansion of the program to cover bipolar disorders with psychotic features, in addition
• With the recent expansion of the program to cover bipolar disorders with psychotic features, in addition
• We've approved scoring adjustments for the February bar and an expansion of the provisional licensing
• We have built a statewide administrative infrastructure, and we've consistently sought better funding

Transcript Highlights:

• know that the daughter of a mentally ill parent was directly involved and informed the greatest expansion
• And under her leadership, it was the greatest expansion of staff salaries, assuring equitable analysis
• It's the greatest expansion of our staff.
• Children is the greatest expansion of our staff's respect and dignity and pathway to the middle class
• We can talk about access to even low-income fares, transportation, expansion of the waterfront transportation

Summary: The Senate convened for the opening day of the 194th General Court, with ceremonial remarks, an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the formal canvass of election returns. A special committee reported that all senators had been duly elected, and a committee was then appointed to notify the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor’s Council that a quorum of senators-elect was assembled and ready to be sworn in. Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll addressed the chamber, praised public service, and administered the oaths of office to the senators. The main business of the day was the election of the Senate President. Senator Karen Spilka was nominated by Senator DiDomenico and seconded by Senator Edwards, while Senator Bruce Tarr was nominated by Senator Durant and seconded by Senator Dooner. After nominations were closed, the roll call resulted in 34 votes for Spilka and 5 for Tarr, and the Senate declared Spilka elected president. Senator Tarr then moved that the vote be considered unanimous, and the Senate agreed. President Spilka delivered an inaugural address focused on the chamber’s recent legislative record and priorities for the new session. In her remarks, Spilka highlighted prior accomplishments including education funding, free community college, early education reforms, mental health care reform, prescription drug cost reductions, tax relief, housing, transportation, climate, and veterans’ legislation. She also outlined priorities for the new session, including a statewide listening tour, more transparency in committee and joint committee proceedings, housing and transportation affordability, health care reform, career and technical education, early education, and juvenile justice reform. She emphasized continued bipartisan work and public engagement. The Senate also adopted temporary joint rules and temporary Senate rules, authorized printing of the daily journal, and scheduled the next meeting for the following day at 11:30 a.m. Michael D. Hurley was elected clerk of the Senate and sworn in, and James DiTulio was sworn in as Senate counsel. The chamber also adopted a memorial adjournment in memory of Mary J. Hurley of South Boston before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2942 moves the window for TEA disapproval of a charter school expansion from June 30 to a
• The speaker explained that the bill moves the TEA decision window for expansion amendments from June
• The chair thanked the speaker, and Chairman Creighton was recognized on the expansion process.
• days, and that these would be expansion amendments.
• The expansion window is actually a cleanup to what we had originally in statute.

Bills: SB1798 , SB1835 , SB1319 , SB2942 , SB2928 , SB784 , SB1049

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Summary: The committee heard several education bills, with most of the discussion focused on Senate Bill 1835, Senate Bill 784, Senate Bill 1049, Senate Bill 2942, and Senate Bill 2928. SB 1835 would raise from 5% to 20% the cap on nonresident students who can receive resident tuition and fees through competitive scholarships at certain regional universities in slower-growing workforce development areas, provided the schools have capacity as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Supporters, including West Texas A&M University, said the bill would help fill underused capacity, attract students who may stay and work in Texas, and support regional workforce needs. SB 784 would strengthen a prior law allowing peace officers’ children to transfer between public school districts for safety reasons by requiring both districts’ approval, making clear that districts of innovation are not exempt, and prohibiting tuition charges. SB 1049 would require districts and open-enrollment charters to excuse students, at a parent’s request, for religious release-time instruction for up to one hour per day and five hours per week; witnesses said the program is constitutional, voluntary, and already operating in other states and some Texas districts. Each of these bills was left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them. SB 2942 would expand and adjust the state’s adult charter high school pilot program. Senator Creighton said the bill is intended to help the estimated 7 million Texas adults without a high school diploma by removing barriers to expansion, aligning legal protections with ISDs, changing TEA’s disapproval window for expansion amendments to a 30-day period after receipt, and updating funding to reflect part-year attendance. A committee substitute kept the upper enrollment age at 50 and removed a proposed testing change. Testimony from New Heights students and leadership described the program as life-changing, emphasizing that it combines diplomas with career credentials, childcare, transportation, and other supports to help adults stabilize their families and enter better-paying work. TEA witnesses explained the expansion process and said adult charter schools are overseen by the commissioner rather than the SBOE. The committee substitute was adopted, public testimony closed, and the bill was left pending. SB 2928 would set a uniform school start date for public school districts at the third Wednesday in August, while preserving existing district-of-innovation flexibility for current DOI districts and allowing year-round systems to continue. Senator Creighton argued the bill would reduce the patchwork created by DOI exemptions, support students and families, and preserve summer employment and tourism revenue. A committee substitute was adopted. Testimony came largely from tourism, hospitality, and recreation interests, including hotel, water park, zoo, chamber of commerce, and camp representatives, who said later start dates would extend the summer travel season, improve staffing and revenue, and give students more opportunities for summer jobs and camps. Several witnesses cited large economic impacts from tourism and said early school starts reduce August business. Some senators raised concerns about charter schools being excluded and about year-round calendars, but the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Biofuels infrastructure grant is a very important bill or infrastructure program that has been funded
• </c><00:10:38.240><c> Bofuels</c><00:10:39.040><c> infrastructure</c> for our farm.
• Bofuels infrastructure for our farm.
• Bofuels infrastructure grant<00:10:39.920><c> is</c><00:10:40.399><c> um</c><00:10:40.720><c> a</c><00
• <01:11:40.000><c> loan</c><01:11:40.320><c> program</c> expansion and modernization loan program expansion

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development