Transcript Highlights:

• <00:36:02.640> and<00:36:02.960> the authored by Senator Weber and the authored by
• That's from Senate file 1419, authored That's from Senate file 1419, authored by<00:36:38.960>
• 2430 authored by Senator Kunish. 2430 authored by Senator Kunish.
• And so we want to thank the authors<01:23:11.120> and<01:23:11.440> co-authors,<01:23:12.239
• > Senator<01:23:12.719> Herb, authors and co-authors, Senator Herb, authors and co-authors

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the CEO of the New Mexico Finance Authority.
• that are eligible to proceed, that they be authorized.
• Authorized FTE is 61. Our current vacancy rate is 8.2%.
• Next up, we have the Border Authority. That's Agency Code 417.
• The Lottery Authority is not a state agency.

Transcript Highlights:

• $165 million IT modernization bond bill three years ago.
• We were seeing the Supreme Court remand many decisions back to the authority of the state.
• So I was on the bond committee for five years.
• We don't need to bond for this; we can just add it to our budget. Please do that.
• We've been able to, through bond funds,... That it needs to do its work.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I asked for folks to be added for co-authors and respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• This is for co-authors. All those who desire to vote. All those who desire to vote.
• All debate having ceased, the clerk will open the roll for co-authors.
• Members, this is for co-authors. The clerk will open the roll for co-authors.
• Members, this is for co-authors on ACR 51. All those vote who desire to vote.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and prayer, then handled several procedural matters before moving to the daily file. Members approved a motion to withdraw Assembly Bills 100 through 219 to the second reading file by a roll call vote of 42-15, and unanimously approved re-referrals of AB 440 and AB 1265 to different committees. The chamber also welcomed international visitors, student and community guests, and later heard a series of guest introductions tied to agriculture, immigration, and Irish heritage. The main floor action centered on two resolutions. H.R. 19, recognizing California Agriculture Day, drew strong support from members representing agricultural districts, who highlighted the state’s farm production, exports, and the role of farmworkers and ranchers; the resolution was adopted by voice vote after 65 co-authors were added. ACR 51, honoring Irish American Heritage Month, was also adopted by voice vote after 66 co-authors were added, with members speaking about Irish immigration, labor history, California-Ireland ties, and St. Patrick’s Day. The Assembly also held multiple adjournment-in-memory tributes for the Honorable Leon Lawson Williams, a pioneering Black civic leader in San Diego who served on the City Council and County Board of Supervisors and helped expand public transit and advance civil rights. Members from San Diego and others described his barriers-breaking career and lasting influence on local government and community leadership. The House then received announcements about upcoming committee hearings and adjourned until Thursday, March 20, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would authorize a grant for $3 million to the Public Facilities Authority for First District
• This bill would authorize a grant for $3 million to the Public Facilities Authority for First District
• This bill would authorize a grant for $3 million to the Public Facilities Authority for First District
• But dual agency authority Minnesota.
• So, authority over water service lines.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to the change of name and sex for certain persons in the records of associated birth and authorizing
• HB 3483 by Terry Canales relates to the authority of the Lower Colorado River Authority to issue permits
• HB 3484 by Vikki Goodwin relates to the authority of Special Utility Districts to issue revenue bonds
• Dalton relates to the authority of the governing board of certain state institutions.
• HB 3496 by Tom Oliverson relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Insurance to publish a

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the governor has talked about a housing bond, VMT mitigation.
• The bond, and that's not acceptable. I understand.
• Housing body authority offer of cost effective way to mitigate VMT.
• Of which only about one-fourth are authorized, so that would.
• We strongly oppose the expanded... enforcement authority.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendation is to pass an amendment inserting language to authorize the transfer of various non-general
• Recommendation is to pass with amendments, adding a provisal to the revenue bond appropriation to read
• the transfer of various authorize the transfer of various non-general<00:36:44.240> fund<00:36
• <00:37:47.720> appropriation<00:37:48.720> to to the revenue bond appropriation to
• to the revenue bond appropriation to read<00:37:49.119> as<00:37:49.440> follows.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up a long decision-making agenda and repeatedly recommended passage of measures, most either unamended or with technical or date-deferral amendments. Early items included HB 496, which was passed with amendments deferring the effective date to 2050, and HB 700, which was passed with amendments incorporating Alzheimer’s Association language on dementia data collection, standardized cognitive assessments, Medicare Part C, and related definitions. Other bills addressed insurance, health care preceptors, workers’ compensation, labeling, rural emergency hospitals, and numerous budget or policy measures later in the agenda. Several bills received substantive amendment packages. HB 250 was amended to add an objective on treatments for common chronic or long-term conditions and to clarify that automating determinations is intended to reduce delays in patient care. HB 303 adopted Hawaii Pharmacist Association language clarifying the definition of a nationally accredited pharmacy residency program. HB 1179 was amended to adopt Department of Human Services language relating to Med-QUEST. Later, HB 1293 added a $250,000 cap, a $20 million general-fund appropriation for Department of Education food services, and procurement-reporting language; HB 1153 authorized transfers of various non-general-fund accounts to the general fund and added a blank appropriation for the governor’s office; and HB 1168 added a proviso to a revenue bond appropriation to help in-state residents with demonstrated financial need offset room-and-board increases. The most notable debate was on HB 1308, a sports wagering bill. Members discussed regulatory structure, youth sports restrictions, tax and fee provisions, and gambling-prevention funding. Several members opposed the bill, citing family impacts, gambling addiction concerns, and the possibility that regulatory and social costs would outweigh revenues; others supported it with reservations. The motion to pass with amendments was adopted, with recorded no votes and reservations. Across the agenda, most remaining bills were adopted with little or no discussion, including many measures passed unamended and several with deferred effective dates or committee-report notes reflecting testimony or appropriation requests.

Transcript Highlights:

• $475,000 of general fund uh bond $475,000 of general fund uh bond appropriation.<01:19:54.159>
• They have bonding authority for $6 million. My concern is this has been such a moving target.
• They have a<01:26:16.719> bonding<01:26:17.120> authority<01:26:17.440> for<01:26
• a bonding authority for $6 million. a bonding authority for $6 million.
• They are moving to 82 Peace Development Authority.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if a bonding bill passes this session, it could cover 1/6 of the need.
• And if infrastructure bonding requests.
• > this<00:08:34.240> session,<00:08:35.039> it a bonding bill passes this session
• , it a bonding bill passes this session, it could<00:08:35.440> cover<00:08:35.880> 1/6
• So I'm the chief author, and I can decide who I want as co-authors, and I made sure to bring in Republicans

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The segment focused heavily on affordability and fraud prevention in the Minnesota Senate. Senator Michael Kreun discussed his proposal to cap city and county property tax growth at the rate of inflation, with a small allowance for population growth, and to require voter approval by referendum for increases above the cap. He said property taxes rose by nearly $1 billion statewide last year, blamed part of the increase on unfunded state mandates, and said the bill would curb surprise double-digit hikes. Kreun said the proposal has been well received by constituents and homeowners, while cities and counties are concerned about losing revenue; he also said relief could begin as soon as the next property tax statement if the bill passes this year. He noted related affordability ideas, including increasing disabled-veteran exemptions and deferring property taxes for seniors, and said he is open to bipartisan work on other measures such as ending taxes on tips and overtime and reducing tab fees. The program also highlighted climate and infrastructure funding. Senator Ann Johnson Stewart argued that worsening weather is driving costly infrastructure damage and said a proposed climate superfund would shift some of those costs from taxpayers to major polluters. She said the fund could support storm sewer upgrades, pavement reinforcement, and erosion prevention, and noted that Senate File 4126 is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee. On fraud prevention, Senator Julia Coleman’s bipartisan bill would require at least one unannounced, on-site inspection for state grants over $10,000, with recurring check-ins for grants lasting more than a year. The bill is pending in the Senate State and Local Government Committee. Senator Heather Gustafson then discussed her push for an independent Office of Inspector General, saying it would provide oversight over any public or private entity receiving public dollars. She said the Senate previously backed the idea with 60 votes, that the governor’s coordinated council is only an interim step, and that she has not yet seen a Republican fraud package to review. The segment also noted that the Senate unanimously passed Senator Johnson Stewart’s school bus safety bill, Senate File 3623, by a 67-0 vote, clarifying that drivers must stop when school bus lights flash even if the stop arm is only partially extended; the bill now awaits House action.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:08:00.479> assist<00:08:00.800> in authorities ask Wyoming to assist in authorities
• The language, as federal authorities.
• <00:17:50.720> on can take federal arresting authority on can take federal arresting authority
• Authority, and I'll yield to him. Authority, and I'll yield to him.
• Wyoming State Guard has been authorized Wyoming State Guard has been authorized in<01:00:07.920>

Bills: HB0130, HB0095, HB0096, HB0097, SF0101, SF0106, SF0067, SF0123

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearms, state rights, federal regulation, law enforcement, civil penalties, government liability, concealed carry, public colleges, university facilities, weapons legislation, self-defense, campus safety, weapons, age requirement, permits, HB0097, Wyoming firearms privacy, merchant category code, MCC

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a voter who voted from precinct 409. voted in a bond and independent school district elections
• I voted against that bond, but this person in 409 voted for it. Vote dilution.
• Any further questions of the author?
• certain elections on a measure to authorize the issuance of bonds.
• Relating to authorized activities of a brewer or non-resident brewer's license holder, authorizing a

Bills: HB223

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2005, the Legislature passed House Bill 7, which authorized workers' compensation health care networks
• In 2005, the Legislature passed House Bill 7, which authorized workers' compensation health care networks
• The bill authorizes the commission, in coordination with TEA and the Higher Education Coordinating Board
• I want to say a huge thank you to the author of this bill, Representative Patterson.
• , and just because you have that bond doesn't necessarily mean that that is a catch-all protection or

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Looking ahead and our bonding<00:14:48.000> uh<00:14:48.480> proposals<00:14:49.279>
• will<00:14:50.079> prioritize bonding uh proposals will prioritize bonding uh proposals will
• What are you thinking in regard to a bonding request for prison expansion?
• <01:08:18.000> and developed and and authorized and developed and and authorized and approved
• In the end, um, a dis bond facility.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:17.920> between<00:15:18.160> law strengthen the bond between law strengthen
• the bond between law enforcement<00:15:19.199> and<00:15:19.440> the<00:15:19.600>
• <02:19:15.920> of Security Act to clarify the authority of Security Act to clarify the authority
• This legislation does not expand federal authority or create new rights.
• expand federal authority or create new rights.<02:26:02.880> instead.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this includes um authorization.
• hopefully appropriated in the bonding hopefully appropriated in the bonding bill<00:41:33.920>
• If bonding bill passes and includes it.
• If some other set of things occur, if the building does not get authorized in the bonding bill, the $20
• Uh but likewise, I think bonding bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Members met to review a budget bill agreement using a nonpartisan spreadsheet and summary materials. Chairs and members thanked fiscal, research, revisers, and agency staff for the collaborative process, noting the bill had been difficult and that the final product reflected compromise. The chair also said only minor technical changes were expected before final enactment, and the spreadsheet walkthrough was then turned over to fiscal staff. Fiscal staff explained that the agreement met the overall budget target and walked through major human services provisions. Key items included nursing facility payment changes, including a phased PDPM change, APS inflation, modified single-bed incentives, and a CPI-U capped payment cap; a nursing facility surcharge; workforce standards board rule costs; continuation of certain nursing facility property tax rates; regulation of for-profit acquisitions of nursing homes and assisted living facilities; repurposing assisted living special project funds; funding the SEIU self-directed worker agreement; CFSS reimbursement in acute care hospital settings; and multiple disability waiver rate and authorization changes, including CPI-U inflation caps, waiver authorization reforms, and a waiver reimagined advisory task force. The agreement also included family residential service rate increases, a temporary extension of customized living disproportionate share payments, tribal eligibility for targeted case management, positive supports training changes, out-of-home respite modifications, swimming lessons as an allowable service for certain children with disabilities, a provisional EID provider license, and program integrity services funded by licensing fee increases. Additional provisions covered MinnChoices studies and assumed savings, behavioral health fund changes, substance use disorder treatment billing and rate changes, supportive recovery housing, housing support supplemental rates for specific providers, disability determinations, enteral nutrition payment timing, temporary funding for Boundary Waters Care Center, several one-time human services grants, senior nutrition funding, and grant reductions and extensions. No formal vote was described in the transcript; the discussion focused on explaining the agreement and its fiscal effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, the authorities of that government must have had notice or good reason to believe that a riot
• Second, the authorities of that government must have had notice or good reason to believe that a riot
• on the agenda is actually my bill, and that's House Bill 143, which is an act related to fiduciary bonds
• So I'll turn the to fiduciary bonds.
• 47.440> a instance to get a notary uh to witness a instance to get a notary uh to witness a bond

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and considered four bills. House Bill 4, relating to grooming a minor, was presented as a response to child sexual abuse concerns and would create criminal penalties for adults who groom or solicit minors for sexual conduct. Members raised questions about possible impacts on teachers, youth ministers, nonprofits, and other good-faith communications, as well as concerns about vagueness and age thresholds. The sponsor and supporters said the bill was intended to target predatory conduct while exempting job-related, age-appropriate, and other non-predatory discussions. The committee approved HB 4 favorably by a vote of 14 yes, 0 no, and 5 pass. House Bill 84, dealing with local government liability for riot-related property damage, was described as a clarification of longstanding Kentucky law so it would apply to consolidated and unified local governments such as Louisville. The sponsor said the bill preserves accountability when governments have notice of a riot and fail to act, while opponents questioned whether language about citizens’ aid could encourage vigilante behavior. The sponsor and another member said the bill was not about vigilanteism but about preserving existing rights and ensuring equal protection for property owners across the state. HB 84 passed favorably by a vote of 15 yes, 1 no, and 1 pass. House Bill 188, relating to public safety in jails, would extend peer-support confidentiality protections from police officers to jail employees and add jail and medical staff to third-degree assault protections. The sponsor said the measure was prompted by concerns from Warren County jail leadership and was intended to improve mental and physical safety at no cost to taxpayers. Members voiced support for extending protections to jail and penitentiary staff, and the committee passed HB 188 favorably with 18 yes votes and no opposition. House Bill 143, relating to fiduciary bonds, would allow fiduciary bonds to be notarized instead of attested by the circuit court clerk, a change described as a practical request from clerks and attorneys. It passed unanimously, 18 yes, 0 no, 0 pass, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think some people think that what's going on in this bill alters what's already authorized under a
• So what this bill does is it does not impact any. operations or anything that's already authorized under
• It's an additional authorization if you get this permit to do some additional activities specifically
• Members, any questions for Dean Zaffirini on House Bill 2294 by House author Zaffirini?
• It's clarity, consistency, and fairness to all election authorities and their employees.

Bills: HB223

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to are authorized to convene upon adoption for by the House of today's adjournment motion members you've
• The first document is called the bonds. It's a long story, one that's short.
• HB 626 by Bell of Montgomery. relating to granting limited state law enforcement authority to certain
• For certain developments financed through the private activity bond program refer to the committee on
• HB 635 by Flores relating to the authority of certain state employees to work flexible hours to work

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill authorizes FDLE to do background checks for special districts and employees, the same as cities
• For enforcement, the bill authorizes the Commission on Ethics, after receiving a complaint, to review
• These bonds add roughly $10,000 to the cost of each home, and this bill makes the bond optional rather
• This authorization supports the successful partnership between FDEP and Monroe County and purchasing
• This authorization supports the successful partnership between FDEP and Monroe County and purchasing

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met and first took up CS/HB 973, a broad special districts bill focused heavily on soil and water conservation districts. The bill would dissolve 35 soil and water districts effective December 31, 2025, based on an OPAGA review that found widespread problems such as lack of revenue, inactive boards, poor notice practices, public records issues, and late financial reporting. It also would let special districts use state contracts, authorize FDLE background checks for district employees, preserve fire district taxing/service authority after annexation, extend liability protections for outdoor recreation on certain district lands, tighten eligibility for soil and water supervisors, and shift complaint review to the Commission on Ethics. Supporters argued the districts are often inactive, duplicative, and costly to review, while opponents said many districts provide local conservation, water quality, outreach, and volunteer services and should be given more time to remediate. Public testimony on HB 973 was mixed. Several soil and water district chairs and related advocates opposed the bill, saying their districts provide local conservation, flood, invasive species, education, and coordination services at little or no taxpayer cost, and that abolishing them would remove local representation and collaboration. The bill’s proponent, the Florida Association of Special Districts, supported the measure as a limited-government and accountability reform, arguing that districts with no revenue or contracts should not continue. Members debated whether the bill was relying on the OPAGA report while also eliminating future performance reviews, whether the Department of Agriculture could absorb the added responsibilities, and whether the districts should have been given more time to correct deficiencies. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably, with one no vote from Representative Hinson. The committee then considered CS/HB 995, which applies to Monroe County and the Florida Keys. The bill would exempt Habitat for Humanity in the Keys from construction performance bond requirements for affordable housing, extend the Florida Keys land acquisition/set-aside authority in Florida Forever for 10 more years, and extend the hurricane evacuation time frame from 24 hours to 24.5 hours to allow up to 825 additional residential permit allocations, phased in over 10 years and directed largely toward vacant buildable lots and workforce housing. An amendment was adopted to codify the 825-unit allocation and the distribution framework. With no opposition offered on the bill, the committee reported HB 995 favorably by unanimous vote.