Transcript Highlights:

• Several of us have to drive back more than 45 minutes.
• We have a $172 registration fee, while Louisiana's is $504.
• We all drive plenty, Madam Chair, throughout the state.
• You don't drive, you don't pay it to use it.
• And these folks are driving two, three, four, five million dollar rigs.

Transcript Highlights:

• And tuition drives cash customers.
• And tuition drives cash customers.
• And tuition drives cash customers.
• And tuition drives cash customers.
• And tuition drives cash customers.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the last several years, we have seen a closure of a number of ginning facilities, while states that
• Of a number of ginning facilities, while states that have more workable air quality permits have built
• And as previously stated, these vehicles aren't driving nearly as much as other vehicles that already
• have more workable air quality permits have built new gin. of a number of ginning facilities, while
• And as previously stated, these vehicles aren't driving nearly as much as other vehicles that already

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and approved Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 913 on a roll call vote of 16 ayes and 3 noes. The committee then opened a public hearing on Senate Bill 1033, presented by Senator Jason Bean. He said the bill would exempt certain older covered farm vehicles used in local farming operations from emissions inspection requirements, and would also ease permitting requirements for cotton gins by removing the need for air dispersion modeling in obtaining construction permits. He also noted the bill incorporated language from Senate Bill 953 to create an alternative funding stream for the state air pollution control program. Witnesses in support included representatives of Missouri cotton producers, Missouri Farm Bureau, Infra, the Missouri Mining Association, the Missouri Concrete Association, the American Council of Engineering Companies, Missouri Forest Products, the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, the Missouri Soybean Association, Associated Industries of Missouri, and the Missouri Corn Growers Association. Supporters generally argued that the farm vehicle exemption would reduce costly regulatory burdens on low-use farm vehicles, and that the cotton gin permitting changes would help Missouri cotton remain competitive with neighboring states and encourage in-state gin construction and expansion. Several witnesses also backed the air pollution control funding language, saying the program is important to permit holders and could become insolvent in fiscal year 2028. Committee members asked questions about cotton gin services, the number of affected cotton farmers, and the details and fiscal impact of the proposed funding stream for the air pollution control program. A Department of Natural Resources representative confirmed the program is projected to become insolvent in FY 2028 and said she would follow up on some details. No witnesses appeared in opposition, and the hearing on Senate Bill 1033 was concluded without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are gonna show Justin Drive. Texas Wildlife Association itself.
• We are gonna show Justin Drive. Texas Wildlife Association itself.
• We are gonna show Justin Drive. Texas Wildlife Association itself.
• We are gonna show Justin Drive. Texas Wildlife Association itself.
• We are gonna show Justin Drive. Texas Wildlife Association itself.

Bills: HB4568, HB5458, HB4543, HB2703, HB3728, HCR113, HCR126

Keywords: film industry, incentives, grants, Texas, moving image, economic development, production companies, content standards, HB 5458, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, chronic wasting disease, CWD, cervids, deer, elk, moose, wildlife management, game animals, disease management

Transcript Highlights:

• down FTE, drive up our efficiency, and shorten our Turnaround time for services.
• I've been driving the manpower down. We're matching what a civilian model is.
• So I know we had some real questions with contracts for a while.
• While I've got good people in place, they still need more training.
• While the governor wants me to stay until the end of his tenure, I just can't do it.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're driving out real Consider that. You're driving out real Coloradans.
• Drive over to Nebraska. Drive over to Nebraska.
• It will drive costs up.
• It will drive costs up. It will drive costs up.
• while they were doing ordinary things. while they were doing ordinary things.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the journal, and then moved through announcements recognizing Nowruz/Persian New Year, Ute Day at the Capitol, Mosaic students, and other brief invitations and tributes. The chamber then agreed to proceed out of order to resolutions and adopted House Joint Resolution 1017, which urges the federal government to fulfill obligations to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe regarding water rights and the Animas-La Plata project. Supporters emphasized tribal water security, federal funding, and the tribes’ longstanding stewardship; an amendment (L.004) was adopted 60-0, and the resolution then passed 60-0, with several members adding as co-sponsors. The House also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 17, reappointing Carrie L. Hunter as State Auditor for a five-year term. Speakers from the Legislative Audit Committee praised Hunter’s professionalism, nonpartisan leadership, and the office’s national recognition; the resolution passed unanimously, 62-0, and members invited Hunter to be recognized in the chamber. After that, committee reports from Appropriations and Finance were read and several bills were set as special orders for later consideration. In Committee of the Whole, the chamber considered several measures. Senate Bill 39, dealing with Fire and Police Pension Association disability and survivor benefits, received a technical cleanup amendment and passed. House Bill 1311, concerning bonds in lieu of retainage in construction contracts, was amended to clarify public versus private projects and passed; supporters said it would help smaller contractors, including contractors of color and women contractors, enter the market. House Bill 1184, continuing the Colorado Forest Health Council, passed after committee report amendments. House Bill 1305, on aligning state and federal statutes to improve access to inpatient behavioral health, passed despite some committee-level concerns about regulation. House Bill 1234, concerning access to child abuse or neglect records, passed after an amendment limiting access unless courts explicitly grant it; supporters said it would help victims access their own records, including for legal defense. Finally, Senate Bill 50, on child care center policy disclosures, was introduced with sponsors explaining it would require centers to disclose mandatory reporter obligations, camera and footage policies, and related privacy/access rules, in response to a case where parents were denied access to video footage.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2102 is not necessary because while it purports to create, HB 2102 is not necessary because while
• When we drive on the 202, we are driving on the result of Congressman Pastod's labor.
• Because if you've noticed, if you drive up north, you drive anywhere... ...could use it.
• Because if you've noticed, if you drive up north, you drive anywhere, especially in the summer, other
• I know everyone's driving between 30 minutes and three hours, so drive safe.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, and a series of guest introductions and proclamations, including a proclamation designating March as International Women’s Celebration Month. Members also recognized guests from several school districts and the Arizona Future Farmers of America. The chamber then moved through first readings and procedural motions, including reconsideration of HB 2169 and referral of bills to additional Committee of the Whole sessions. In the first Committee of the Whole, the House considered HB 2100 and HB 2103, both receiving technical floor amendments and due-pass recommendations. The chamber then took up HB 2048, HB 2364, HB 2415, HB 2775, HB 2833, HB 2862, HB 2870, HB 2995, and HB 4067. HB 2775 drew extended debate over whether Arizona should prohibit state and local enforcement of policies from international organizations such as the WHO, UN, ICC, IMF, WEF, and NATO; supporters framed it as a sovereignty measure, while opponents warned it was overly broad and could cut off useful best practices. HB 2833 focused on private-school student safety and mandatory reporting, with some members urging broader Title 15 coverage for private schools and others warning against regulating private schools further. HB 2862, which addressed law-enforcement facial coverings, was amended after debate and a division vote on a substitute amendment; the substitute passed 29-20, and the bill then received a due-pass recommendation. HB 2995, the “Alex and Lydia Act,” addressed domestic violence and coercive control in family-court-related contexts and also received a due-pass recommendation. HB 4067, requested by county recorders, added voter-status categories to electronic poll books; supporters said it would help election administration, while opponents argued it could create an unfunded mandate and burden or confuse voters. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, with one later motion to alter the HB 2862 report failing 20-30. In the Education Committee portion, HB 2040 passed easily, while HB 2093 sparked substantial debate over whether to repeal statutory requirements for mental health instruction in K-12 health education. Supporters said schools should focus on academics and that mental health care belongs with licensed professionals and parents; opponents argued the bill would remove life-saving instruction and support for students. HB 2313, dealing with educator work stoppages and political protests, also passed after debate over whether it would unfairly punish teachers and chill advocacy. HB 2423 passed with an amendment that trimmed reporting requirements, and HB 2478 advanced after a substitute amendment was defeated, the committee amendment was adopted, and an appropriations amendment was withdrawn. The session ended with the House continuing through the calendar after these due-pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• He has worked diligently on this thing for, for a good while, and when I was on state affairs, we heard
• Without this change, if a tree trimmer accidentally drops a tree on a home while working along power
• This drives up litigation and insurance costs for utilities, which ultimately get passed down to the
• That's, those are the things that really drive up the, the claims. Yes, ma'am. Thank you.
• It's existed for quite a while.

Transcript Highlights:

•   201 ALSO WHILE I AM GRATEFUL THE BILL  SPONSOR AS INDICATED IS GOING  202 TO ADDRESS
• But while you look for bogeyman, I need to be looking for terrorists.
• This is talking about a death benefit provided to firefighters diagnosed with cancer while on the job
• You said while still on the job, but they are still on the job while they are retired if they are in
• This has been a conversation in the autism world for a while, so thank you, everybody.

Summary: The Budget Committee met with a quorum present and heard several bills, with HB 1483 temporarily postponed. The most contentious measure was HB 945, which would create a state counterintelligence/counterterrorism team within FDLE. The sponsor said it was aimed at terrorists, nation-state actors, and other criminal threats, not political speech, and noted an amendment would address First Amendment concerns later. Opponents from the First Amendment Foundation, ACLU Florida, and other groups argued the bill was too vague, lacked guardrails, and could enable surveillance of protected speech or political activity. Members also raised questions about fiscal impact, oversight, warrants, and the bill’s July start date. Despite those concerns, the committee reported HB 945 favorably by roll call vote. The committee then unanimously passed HB 6507, a claims bill appropriating funds to compensate for damages caused by departmental negligence. HB 813, which clarifies Florida’s firefighter cancer law and death-benefit provisions, also passed after an amendment narrowed the bill and added language allowing a firefighter’s family to receive the death benefit if the firefighter separates from employment and dies within one year. Firefighter representatives supported the bill as a compassionate fix, while one local firefighter representative opposed the amendment, saying it would remove protections and create an arbitrary cutoff. Sponsors responded that DROP would not be affected and that the change was intended to help terminally ill firefighters spend their final days at home without losing survivor benefits. Finally, HB 365, dealing with law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism, passed favorably. Supporters, including family members and autism advocates, said in-person training and positive interactions are crucial to preventing escalations and tragedies during police encounters. They described real-life incidents where lack of training led to harmful outcomes and urged adoption of the bill’s training provisions. Members from both parties voiced support, calling the measure overdue and important for both public safety and the autism community. The chair closed the meeting by noting it was likely the committee’s last budget meeting and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• While STEM-related jobs are projected to grow significantly over the next decade, Texas is not. meeting
• Too often parents are unaware of the extent of their child's struggle in mathematics, while 59% of Texas
• The key is utilizing the data to individualize student learning. and drive decision-making.
• And so, we have to be innovative as a country and as a state to be able to drive those forward.
• So I think that's the power of these screeners that are embedded in this bill. because while at this

Bills: SB451, SB762, SB1490, SB1262, SB1459, SB1750, SB1962, SB2252, SB2253, SB2365

Keywords: instructional materials, public schools, Education Code, adoption, rejected materials, local funds, open educational resources, Texas Education Code, school districts, open enrollment charter schools, funding restrictions, environmental regulation, business compliance, local authority, economic development, state preemption, local control, open education resources, SB 762, Texas public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• While we met with him on a number of occasions, he actually set up a negotiating...
• While the controversies remain, it is better to have controversy than poverty and neglect.
• It's quite the drive, let me tell you.
• I think that should be the driving force of how we prioritize health initiatives.
• When I had a seizure, I was not able to legally drive to and from work for six months.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:52.559> while<00:17:52.880> we workers providing the services. while we workers
• <00:32:17.760> ensuring patients and providers while ensuring patients and providers while
• partial owner or while I'm not there.
• partial owner or while I'm not there.
• partial owner or while I'm not there.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As accurate as it can be, recognizing the procurement process takes quite a while.
• We were trying to drive this number of fatalities and aggressive driving, and lower serious, fatal, and
• It goes into businesses, and it talks about impaired driving.
• It goes into businesses, and it talks about impaired driving.
• So how can we help drive down impaired driving, fatal crashes, or other problems in the community, or

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from WSDOT on balancing uncertainty in capital program estimates and cash flow management. WSDOT explained the differences between design-bid-build and design-build delivery, its tiered risk-assessment process by project size, and how it uses base estimates, inflation, and risk modeling to set budgets. Staff said design-bid-build estimates are generally accurate within about 1% across the program, while design-build projects carry much wider uncertainty and are better communicated as ranges; they cited a P85 budget approach and noted that large, complex projects can be affected by market competition and long procurement timelines. Members asked about the Columbia River Bridge cost growth and about value engineering, and WSDOT said it uses value engineering but has limited scope to cut costs because of project requirements and policy mandates. Troy Swing also discussed cash flow, noting that a few large projects can significantly affect biennial funding needs, and said a risk pool would not reduce overall program risk but could help manage timing if paired with appropriation and cash-flow controls. The committee then received the final presentation in the WSDOT Project Delivery and Innovative Practices study from HKA Global. The consultant said WSDOT’s estimating practices are generally robust and recommended improving transparency by presenting budget authorizations as ranges or estimate classes, better tracking estimate growth over time, and adjusting advertisement timing to avoid competing lettings. The report also discussed surety bonding, suggesting the legislature consider restoring authority for reduced bonding on select large design-build projects or using phased bonding and alternative securities. On indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting, the consultant said current job order contract rules are restrictive and recommended legislative changes to make such tools more usable, especially for smaller tasks and to help use unspent funds more flexibly. The committee also heard a follow-up presentation on transit-oriented development policy recommendations tied to HB 1491. The Urban Institute’s Yona Freemark said Washington has been a national leader on TOD but that housing construction, especially in the Puget Sound, has slowed sharply since 2022. He said rising construction costs, high financing costs, and local tax and rent conditions are making many TOD projects infeasible, and recommended that the state fill infrastructure funding gaps around stations, revisit MFTE affordability requirements, consider minimum rather than average density requirements near transit, and create a statewide system to track TOD outcomes such as affordability, gentrification, and transit access. Members questioned the study’s developer interviews, the role of rent control and crime, property tax assumptions, and parking needs; the presenter said the study included five private developers, that rent control was not part of the study scope, and that parking was included in the model assumptions. Finally, the committee began a presentation on regulating emissions from ocean-going vessels at berth. Staff and consultants described California-style at-berth rules, which require shore power or equivalent emissions controls so ships can shut off diesel auxiliary engines while docked. The study is examining vessel traffic, emissions reductions, implementation costs, labor and operational needs, and possible effects on port competitiveness and cargo diversion. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:04.320> shooting, drive-by shooting, drive-by shooting, they'll they'll they'll get<00:
• have to be driving quite as quickly. have to be driving quite as quickly.
• Evans, while you're Superintendent Evans, while you're sitting<00:21:23.560> there,<00:21:24.200
• <00:47:57.200> and the ACLU of Minnesota for a while and the ACLU of Minnesota for a while
• their commitment to public safety while their commitment to public safety while also<00:57:19.680

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s not a driving trend yet at this point, but as we have more difficulty in attracting people to rural
• One of the things that we’ve talked about for a while is a BADDS program.
• So, that's an area I think that's going to take a while to make a change, but I think now that we're
• It often takes a little while to get all the contents of an application together.
• Madam Chair, they're full now, and they've had a full... contingent for a little while.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our mission at the Center for Excellence in Social Work is to grow the workforce while driving innovation
• It is the single driving factor, I would say, currently.
• Funding drives, money drives so much—practically everything, Madam Chair, as we well know.
• How do we get out and do prevention efforts while we use our youth?
• So while we are trying to expand. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• There will be a drive to the issues that I think we resonate together on, things like mental health care
• <00:05:06.680> to both bodies uh there will be a drive to both bodies uh there will be a drive
• I think for too long, while the trifecta was in place, it was about how they grow government, how they
• <00:15:10.519> the needs I think for too long uh while the needs I think for too long uh while
• While revenue is still projected to grow, projected spending is set to outpace forecast revenues, led

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The program opened with interviews on the start of Minnesota’s 94th Senate session, where the chamber is evenly split 33-33 after the death of DFL Senator Kari Dziedzic and a special election to fill the vacancy. DFL Majority Leader Aaron Murphy and Republican Leader Mark Johnson both said the tied Senate and narrow margins in both chambers will require more cooperation and compromise. Murphy emphasized affordability issues such as health care, child care, housing, college costs, and medical debt, while Johnson said Republicans want to refocus on Minnesota’s needs, limit tax increases and mandates, and use the split chamber to gain more influence in negotiations. Both leaders said they expect bipartisan work on issues like mental health, EMS, public school funding, permitting reform, and mandate reform. Former Senator Ann Johnson Stewart was also sworn in after winning the special election for District 45 and said she hopes to work on infrastructure, transportation, bonding, and jobs. The Senate Finance Committee then held a hearing on the social impact of legalizing online sports betting. Testimony from researchers and gambling addiction experts warned that online sports betting can contribute to addiction, family harm, and financial distress, with one witness describing it as a public health disaster and citing higher bankruptcy filings in states that legalize it. Committee discussion also reflected the competing view that many Minnesotans want the option to bet legally, while lawmakers have a responsibility to protect residents from harm. The final segment focused on Minnesota’s budget and economic forecast. Officials said the state is expected to end the 2026-2027 biennium with a surplus, but spending growth is projected to outpace revenues in the following years, creating a structural deficit of nearly $6 billion in fiscal years 2028-2029. Legislators said the forecast underscores the need to address spending, inflation, and long-term obligations such as special education and disability services, and some Republicans called for attention to waste, fraud, and abuse. The report noted that an updated forecast will be released in February, which could further shape budget negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Massachusetts is driving. I'm sorry. Massachusetts is driving. I'm sorry.
• my freedom to drive around. my freedom to drive around.
• I had to drive up to Wolfboro.
• I had to drive up to Wolfboro. And time. I had to drive up to Wolfboro.
• Bully, I enjoy driving.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While I understand the difficulties ahead for this upcoming fiscal year, many of the most far-reaching
• We understand that there are lots of things that could be driving the upward revision in spending.
• Have you analyzed or done anything to look at the additional things that drive up the costs of health
• So that also helps drive up sort of spending in Medi-Cal.
• A lot of headlines about that a while back, right? It correct?

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held the first of several hearings on the Governor’s May Revision for health care, with opening remarks focused on the state’s projected $12 billion deficit, looming federal Medicaid changes, and the potential impact on Medi-Cal, public health, reproductive health, and safety-net providers. Several members criticized the proposal as balancing the budget on vulnerable Californians, while others defended the need for cost containment and questioned the administration’s assumptions. The chair set ground rules for respectful, focused questioning and outlined three topics: the Medi-Cal proposals, Proposition 35, and Proposition 56. DHCS Director Michelle Baas presented the May Revision’s Medi-Cal package, saying the department’s budget totals $200.6 billion overall, including $45.2 billion General Fund, and that the proposals are intended to address rising caseloads, pharmacy costs, and managed care spending. She described proposed changes for adults with unsatisfactory immigration status, including a freeze on new full-scope enrollment for those 19 and older, $100 monthly premiums beginning in 2027, elimination of adult dental and long-term care coverage, removal of PPS/RAP payments to FQHCs and rural health clinics for that population, and a pharmacy rebate aggregator. Other proposals included eliminating certain OTC drug classes, removing GLP-1 coverage for weight loss, prior authorization and step therapy changes, reinstating the Medi-Cal asset test, eliminating acupuncture as an optional benefit, allowing utilization management for hospice, raising the managed care minimum medical loss ratio to 90%, reducing PACE capitation rates toward the midpoint of the actuarial range, eliminating the skilled nursing facility workforce and quality incentive program, and suspending the SNF backup power requirement. The LAO said the revised Medi-Cal spending estimate is about $2.5 billion higher than the Governor’s Budget in the budget year, and that the increase appears driven more by higher per-enrollee costs than by caseload alone. The LAO said the budget solutions are concentrated in a few areas, are largely ongoing, and should be considered in light of federal uncertainty, but suggested the Legislature could explore alternatives such as more targeted income thresholds for the undocumented expansion and simpler asset-test rules. Department of Finance officials said the proposals are difficult but necessary to address a third consecutive deficit and rising Medi-Cal costs. Members then pressed the administration on the methodology and impacts of the proposals, especially the enrollment freeze, premiums, asset test, hospice controls, PACE reductions, and the elimination of benefits and provider payments. No votes or formal actions were taken at this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:59.080> If well, you're driving up overall cost.
• If well, you're driving up overall cost.
• <00:25:21.880> from in Selma, our ER doctors drive from in Selma, our ER doctors drive from
• <00:25:56.360> to<00:25:56.560> Montgomery<00:25:57.880> or people driving to
• I'm going to find an emergency room doctor, and it's what you and I had discussed a while back with the

Bills: HB128, SB297, HB128, SB297

Keywords: HB128, Alabama Board of Nursing, Sunset Law, sunset review, nursing board, nurse licensure, registered nurse, RN, licensed practical nurse, LPN, advanced practice nursing, certified registered nurse anesthetist, CRNA, consumer member, board appointments, congressional districts, geographic representation, nursing regulation, nursing education programs, licensure compact