Transcript Highlights:

• 00:27:24.600> a visitors as well support such a such a visitors as well support such a such a fee
• 25.440> imposed<00:27:26.039> but<00:27:26.240> definitely<00:27:26.760> we fee
• if it were imposed but definitely we fee if it were imposed but definitely we support<00:27:27.440><
• to the general excise tax for agricultural businesses engaged in the production of genetically engineered
• program College of Engineering program College of Engineering Department<00:58:44.240> of

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard several agriculture and food-system bills. SB 1562 would create a Combined Housing Operational Agricultural Mobilization Program to help bona fide farmers live and farm on agricultural lands and provide a tax credit for donated land. Testimony generally supported the goal of housing for farmers and farm workers, but raised concerns about placing the program within the Department of Agriculture, possible constitutional and drafting issues, land-quality standards, lease structure, and whether another agency might be better suited. The committees recommended passing SB 1562 with amendments, including clarifying DOA authority to acquire agricultural lands and establishing an advisory committee within the department; the recommendation was adopted. The committees also heard SB 1171 on providing monofilament netting through hardware stores to help slow coconut rhinoceros beetle spread, SB 1186 on creating a statewide interagency food systems coordination team and working group, SB 1250 on a Farm to Families program, SB 1303 on agricultural loans, SB 1395 on a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund, SB 504 on a local agricultural transportation cost reimbursement program, SB 1185 on reviewing and repealing obsolete agricultural laws, and SB 187 on funding permanent agricultural biosecurity positions. Most testimony on these measures was in support, with some suggested refinements: for SB 1186, a youth advisory seat and clearer performance benchmarks; for SB 1250, broader eligibility for food pantries, cold storage, and staffing support; for SB 1303, support for lower interest rates and expanded loan tools; for SB 1395, debate over the fund’s structure and revenue source; for SB 504, clearer eligibility for small and beginning farmers, cooperatives, and food hubs; and for SB 1185, interest in joining the working group but concern about overbroad deregulation. No roll-call votes were taken on the other measures in the excerpt, but the chair reported testimony counts on some bills, including 89 in support and none opposed for SB 1250, 13 in support and one opposed for SB 504, and 14 in support with one comment for SB 1395. SB 1303 and SB 187 also drew supportive testimony from the Department of Agriculture, farm groups, food banks, and industry organizations, with SB 187 emphasizing the need to make Act 231 biosecurity positions permanent and fully funded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, we are collaborating with local universities on engineering capstone projects and building
• We've been using our fund balance to, I should say in user fees, support operations until they're back
• However, as Virgin Galactic starts operating and resumes the user fee payments, which we're working on
• We're contracting with local New Mexico-based architects, engineering firms, and sourcing all materials
• And so with the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) and the Army Corps of Engineers, it's

Transcript Highlights:

• use of artificial intelligence tools and, as applicable, related subject areas such as software engineering
• “USF is one of the most important economic and educational engines in Tampa Bay and indeed throughout
• It’s a national leader in places like engineering, healthcare, cybersecurity, research, and its medical
• I truly believe USF is a major economic engine for Tampa and for our region.
• It is an engine for academic excellence.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education convened with a quorum and first took up CS for SB 1694 on technology education. The bill would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and would encourage high school computer science courses that include AI to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal settings. The bill sponsor and several supporters emphasized preparing students for an AI-driven workforce while teaching critical evaluation and ethical use; one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the need to preserve real-world skills. Senator Davis supported the measure and suggested introducing similar instruction earlier, possibly in middle school. The committee voted the bill favorably, with Senator Leak later recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a large block of confirmations for higher education boards, including appointees to Tallahassee State College, the University of South Florida, the University of North Florida, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally highlighted backgrounds in education, health care, law, business, technology, and public service, and described priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, affordability, fiscal responsibility, and institutional growth. One nominee to Tallahassee State College was asked about low NCLEX pass rates and said the college had a plan approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Another nominee discussed Florida Poly’s STEM mission, and several members praised the nominees’ community ties and professional experience. After hearing the appointees, the committee voted to report the block of confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The committee then received a high-level overview of the higher education budget, totaling $11.9 billion, with major emphasis on workforce training and development. Highlights included increases for school district workforce education, the Florida College System, workforce development capitalization, a rural educator recruitment program, funding for the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s literacy and math initiatives, UF’s autism and neurodevelopment center, and a postsecondary guardian program for campus security. Members asked a brief question about a workforce fund transfer, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds added. No public comment was offered, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Questions, members, for Engineer Freeze or Senator Pratt?
• County, township, or city engineering department to either put it on an existing structure or, in
• So in this instance, you know, it could be overwhelming for a lake association to pay those extra fees
• <00:32:31.720> for<00:32:32.039> signs<00:32:33.039> I'm have pay those extra fees
• for signs I'm have pay those extra fees for signs I'm just<00:32:33.440> my<00:32:33.639>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ARC is our tokenization engine.
• Um, and there are different tokenization engines in our ecosystem. Plume operates one of them.
• as well. engines from centrifuge and secure ties engines from centrifuge and secure ties that<01:48:
• <01:55:25.360> Um<01:55:26.800> the advisers and and listing fees.
• Um the advisers and and listing fees.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Stable Token Study Commission held its first regular meeting, welcomed all remaining appointed members, and completed brief introductions from legislators and agency designees. The chair outlined the commission’s plan to use the first part of the enabling legislation as a “level-setting” discussion, focusing this meeting on the basics of blockchain, the current landscape for stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets, and leaving blockchain-based trust for a later meeting. No votes were taken. The main presentation came from Deanna Bario Zales of the Global Blockchain Business Council, who described stablecoins as increasingly converging toward fiat-backed or asset-backed models, with algorithmic designs viewed more cautiously. She said stablecoins are being used for payments, remittances, DeFi activity, cross-border transfers, retail use in high-inflation markets, and treasury functions, while noting risks such as peg instability, reserve transparency, counterparty and network risk, and possible capital flight from weaker banking systems. She cited growth in supply, wallet activity, and transfer volume, and said U.S.-pegged stablecoins dominate the market, with USDT and USDC leading. Zales also discussed tokenized real-world assets, describing them as digital representations of physical assets that can enable fractional ownership, liquidity, and faster settlement. She said the market is growing quickly, with institutional participation from firms such as BlackRock and Franklin Templeton, and projected continued expansion. She closed with an overview of regulatory developments, emphasizing the new U.S. stablecoin framework under the Genius Act, the proposed Clarity Act, OCC guidance, and similar regimes in the EU, UK, UAE, Singapore, Japan, and elsewhere, all of which she said are shaping compliance requirements and market development.

Transcript Highlights:

• fiscal management, personnel, admissions requirements, rules and regulations, and setting tuition and fees
• we leave operation of Minnesota fees we leave operation of Minnesota state<00:03:13.920> to<00
• advances in order to design engineered advances in order to design engineered crops<01:45:32.880
• These include, for example, science, engineering, public affairs, business, and agriculture.
• These include, for example, science, engineering, public affairs, business, and agriculture.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That are paying vendor fees? Yeah.
• The cities and counties. school districts pay no vendor fees on the Viaport. What fees do they pay?
• They charged that fee. And you don't show any record of y'all being paid those fees.
• I'm talking about the fee structure, not the membership fee, but the fee structure like the $400 because
• This is a purchase of a vehicle. that shows a $400 fee or an $800 fee.

Bills: HB10, HB 12, HB675, HB10, HB12

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:09:25.080> fines, transaction, including fees, fines, transaction, including fees, fines
• They have specific membership fees.
• They have specific membership fees.
• in the fee bill.
• into the into the fee bill like that. that. that.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I don't want to keep him or the engineer up here. Are you the engineer? Mr.
• Army Corps of Engineers. engineering dams and Brady.
• I have a background in civil engineering.
• They had their entire team of expert engineers on there.
• I've spent 17 years managing engineering teams.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and it is for executive search consulting services for their College of Business as well as their engineering
• So why is it twice the total projected fee? Back to the original question.
• And with this year, you're looking at the engine hot section, so that's why the number is so high.
• Both engines or just one? Both engines.

Summary: The ALC-Review Subcommittee reviewed seven methods of finance, including university projects at ASU Jonesboro and Mountain Home, Black River Technical College deferred maintenance, UA Batesville’s Farm Project Gateway Center, UAMS PET cyclotron equipment, a new allied health building at UAPB funded by a federal grant, and UCA’s multi-purpose arena design work. The committee also approved an alternative delivery construction project for UAPB’s Allied Health and Sciences Building, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members then approved discretionary grants from the Department of Health and DHS, including support for a heart attack center designation, community health worker training, homeless services funding corrections, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. In the contracts section, the committee reviewed RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental contracts, and a large slate of out-of-state and in-state contracts covering topics such as seatbelt survey data collection, Medicaid and DHS systems, state hospital staffing and services, veterans’ services, education assessments, and state IT and procurement projects. Several contracts drew extended questioning. Senators and representatives pressed DHS and the Department of Veterans Affairs about heavy reliance on contract nursing and staffing costs, and officials said they were using pay incentives and recruitment efforts to increase state employee staffing. Members also questioned AEDC’s lithium supply chain study and the Department of Education’s security contract, with concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments. The committee held three in-state contracts—Department of Education security services and two DHS staffing contracts—until Friday, then adopted the remaining contracts and received informational reports on contract amendments, executed contracts, and emergency procurements before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I served as the New Mexico State Engineer for two and a half years prior to our current state engineer
• Again, Mike Hammond, former New Mexico State Engineer, and I serve on the board of the Rio Grande Agricultural
• And Mike Hammond, who was a farmer-state engineer, really called me early about this bill and said, Susan
• So if we can help eliminate this brokerage fee that they have, and if we can see how we can do this refundable

Bills: HB186, HB92, HJM1

Keywords: tax credit, land conservation, biodiversity, agricultural preservation, historic preservation, natural resources, open space, tax exemption, Social Security, income, retirement, financial relief, Taiwan, trade, technology, education, international relations, economic partnership, New Mexico, United States

Transcript Highlights:

• Or is it that they get a flat fee per month per horse that they intake.
• Our cities are ready, the engineers are ready, contractors are ready.
• Mexico Finance Authority, the Energy Minerals Natural Resources Department, the Office of the State Engineer
• The applicant receives the output or the outcome, which could be a preliminary engineering report, a
• After that, we continue like working with agencies like the office of the state engineer because we work

Bills: HM26, HB243, HB109

Keywords: insects, ecosystem, education, public awareness, wildlife conservation, state agency involvement, New Mexico, equine welfare, animal rescue, shelter funding, trust fund, veterinary care, water project fund, water project finance act, New Mexico Finance Authority, water infrastructure, water grants, water loans, regional water planning, water rights adjudication

Transcript Highlights:

• core consumer protections, including fair construction charges and prohibitions on discriminatory fees
• I am aware that, you know, as needed, we'll send out our engineers to do inspections, certainly on infrastructure
• So we do have engineers that go out and review transmission distribution projects where there's improvements
• to infrastructure, and our engineers ensure that those projects are conducted according to national
• That time doesn't, and insurance and carrying costs and legal and engineering and architecture and all

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and considered four bills, all of which were reported favorably. SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives was presented as a negotiated “glitch bill” to narrow statutory language so co-ops can choose generation and power purchases based on cost and reliability without exposure to lawsuits aimed at banning fuel sources; it was supported by the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association and passed without debate. SB 364 on public accountancy was described as a modernization and licensure-efficiency bill to increase the supply of CPAs; an amendment correcting a drafting error and restoring automatic mobility language was adopted without objection, and the bill as amended was reported favorably. A public comment on the bill was briefly redirected after it appeared to address a different subject. The committee then took up SB 200 on utilities, which addresses solar decommissioning and storm protection plans. Chair Bradley said the bill would authorize counties to require decommissioning plans for utility-scale solar facilities at the end of their useful life, direct DEP to develop best management practices, and require the Public Service Commission to consider whether storm protection plan costs are reasonable relative to expected customer benefits. County and consumer groups spoke in support, and the Small County Coalition said the bill was a needed step that did not restrict solar development; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 126 on the Florida Public Service Commission, which was presented as a reform and “glitch” bill and amended to add CPA and financial analyst expertise, require stronger PSC order explanations, tighten intervention requirements, cap returns on equity at the national average for comparable utilities, set periodic ROE review schedules, and require affordability to be considered in rate-related proceedings. The PSC staff deputy executive director answered extensive questions about storm hardening, cost recovery, risk, and affordability. Several members and public speakers supported the bill’s goals but raised concerns about the affordability standard, the ROE cap, and comparisons to other states; others said the bill would improve transparency and accountability. The amendment was adopted, and CS for SB 126 was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• miniature vehicles are many cars, trucks, vans, and buses that have smaller dimensions and different engine
• This adds a provision to allow blood banks to be able to charge an administrative fee to cover their
• We're talking about civil engineering projects that are, you know, Bechtel's, you know, eyes of old.
• So we're not going to ask Water Development Board to be an engineer firm.
• leverage and then we do give some relief to the local taxpayers to keep their sewer and water tap fees

Bills: SJR 12, SCR 39, SB 7, SB 8, SB 27, SB 29, SB 125, SB 241, SB 371, SB 396, SB 406, SB 464, SB 568, SB 578, SB 608, SB 617, SB 660, SB 689, SB 693, SB 707, SB 731, SB 732, SB 763, SB 779, SB 836, SB 854, SB 857, SB 875, SB 878, SB 879, SB 906, SB 920, SB 921, SB 922, SB 942, SB 965, SB 985, SB 996, SB 1029, SB 1035, SB 1036, SB 1059, SB 1084, SB 1098, SB 1101, SB 1185, SB 1188, SB 1321, SB 1332, SB 1366, SB 1388, SB 1396, SB 1453, SB 1484, SB 1494, SB 1536, SB 1563, SB 1596, SB 1610, SB 1619, SB 1737, SB 1738, SB 1741, SB 1816, SB 1822, SB 1841, SB 1939, SB 2155, SB 2188, SB 2230

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border, National Guard, state guard, border wall, border barriers

Summary: In this meeting, significant discussions revolved around the passage and modification of various Senate Bills, including SB1388, which pertains to family support services under the Health and Human Services Commission. Senator Kolkhorst advocated for the bill, emphasizing its focus on pro-life, family-centered care. The committee passed the bill after thorough examination, showcasing a collaborative effort among the members to ensure its alignment with successful past initiatives. In another session, Senator Hughes presented SB942, aimed at retroactive child support linked to prenatal care, which sparked a constructive dialogue reflecting bipartisan support for maternal and child welfare.

Transcript Highlights:

• Abby Goodman upon her retirement after 30 years of dedication and commitment to the Massachusetts engineering
• to non-federally aided roadways and bridges, $65 million for the municipal pavement program for engineering
• And it's based on the stability of the gas tax, RMV fees, revenue, as well as the fund safeguards that

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House received a Governor’s message on fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The Committee on Rules reported several resolutions, including honors for Abby Goodman, a resolution reaffirming Massachusetts-Taiwan friendship, recognition of the Cambodian-American community’s Khmer New Year celebration, and Elks National Youth Week; the House suspended the rules and approved them. The House also concurred with Senate petitions on assisted living residences and medication administration in rest homes, sending them to the Committee on Aging and Independence. The main legislative business was House Bill 5279/5375, the transportation bond bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. Ways and Means recommended a substitute bill, House 5375, with a $2.737 billion general obligation bond authorization, and the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading. Later, the House took up House 5375 directly, heard support from members emphasizing Chapter 90 road funding, municipal flexibility, rural road mileage distribution, and broader transportation investments, and then passed the bill to be engrossed by roll call vote, 155-0. The House also passed House Bill 5371, authorizing grants of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the city of Boston, to be engrossed. In addition, the chamber received and filed the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s report on the March 31, 2026 special election for the 5th Essex District, adopted an order to escort the Governor and Executive Council into the chamber, and administered the oaths of office to Representative-elect Andrew Tarr. The session ended with an order to adjourn until the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill relates to student union building fees at the University of Texas at El Paso.
• Texas A&M University is nationally recognized for its excellence in engineering, agriculture, business
• It will also allow the university to offer critical. programs in engineering and agriculture, which are
• We're always looking for bright engineers, especially those who are from our area. and want to stay in
• on science. software and networking engineering, as well as mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2018, we contracted with an engineering firm to conduct a water and sewer system analysis.
• firm to conduct a water an engineering firm to conduct a water and<00:20:38.679> Source<00:20
• paying water users and those users are paying water<01:25:34.520> connection<01:25:35.040> fees
• ><01:25:35.360> and<01:25:35.520> they're<01:25:35.679> able water connection fees
• and they're able water connection fees and they're able to<01:25:36.080> finance<01:25:36.520

Bills: HF919, HF1192, HF212, HF214

Keywords: wastewater, infrastructure, funding, Litchfield, economic development, environmental compliance, Hastings, water treatment, PFAS, nitrates, bonds, capital investment, public health, HF212, Round Lake-Brewster, Independent School District No. 2907, school construction, school building, sales tax exemption, use tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a 100% employee-owned firm of engineers, architects, planners, and scientists.
• They further pursued permissions through the Clean Water Act with the Corps of Engineers to get a 404
• to get a 404 Corp of Engineers to get a 404 Nationwide<00:36:20.680> permit<00:36:20.960>
• or tax on recommended scale for a fee or tax on those<00:47:20.240> just<00:47:20.440> a
• to solve these complicated engineering to solve these complicated engineering problems<01:15:19.600

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In discussions with the city and the engineers, they think this is a high estimate, much higher than
• That fee in and of itself would not be subject to sales tax.
• uh TID fee uh TID fee um<01:01:30.840> uh<01:01:30.920> is um uh is um uh is is<01
• <01:01:51.680> is been established and and the fee is been established and and the fee is
• <01:02:00.040> would<01:02:00.200> not<01:02:00.640> be fee in and of itself

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, does the person, the farmer, the producer, ...do they pay a fee?
• or so that's going to go to the voters that would also, those sort of things may be subject to use fee
• Chairman, Mark Rhodes, here on behalf of the American Council of Engineering Companies.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and approved Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 913 on a do pass motion by a vote of 16 ayes and 3 noes. The transcript then moved to a public hearing on Senate Bill 1033, presented by Senator Jason Bean. The bill would exempt certain older covered farm vehicles used in local farming operations from emissions inspection requirements, and it also included language to ease permitting for cotton gins by removing the need for air dispersion modeling in certain construction permit applications. Bean also referenced related air pollution control funding language from Senate Bill 953. Testimony on SB 1033 was uniformly supportive. Cotton producers, Missouri Farm Bureau, the Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Pork Producers, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, the Missouri Mining Association/Infra, the American Council of Engineering Companies, and Associated Industries of Missouri all spoke in favor. Supporters said the bill would reduce regulatory and retrofit costs for farm vehicles, help cotton gins remain competitive with neighboring states, and provide a more stable funding stream for the state air pollution control program, which witnesses said is projected to become insolvent in fiscal year 2028. Committee members asked several questions about the cotton gin permitting changes, the number of farmers affected, and the air program funding mechanism. Witnesses explained that the funding provision would redirect a small portion of sales and use tax revenue from electric power distribution into the air pollution control program and would prevent sweeping of unused funds to general revenue. No one testified in opposition, and the chair closed the hearing on SB 1033.