Transcript Highlights:

• of that being excise taxes, which goes straight into GR, and then another $223 million in license fees
• As a note, TDCJ and BPP both underwent a strategic fiscal review and a Sunset Advisory Commission review
• As a note, the Texas TDCJ and BPP both underwent a strategic fiscal review and a Sunset Advisory Commission
• The DOJ report and Sunset Commission found that the agency is not adequately using technology and reporting
• Last session, the Sunset Commission recognized that while the agency has plenty of physical bed space

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard a presentation from the Legislative Budget Board on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Article 5 budget. LBB recommended $3.7 billion in all funds for 2026-27, a 5.2 percent decrease from the base, while FTEs would rise by 856.7. Major items included funding for driver license services, DPS facilities, troopers and recruit schools, crime labs, vehicle and aircraft operations, border security, and rider changes. The committee also reviewed DPS exceptional items not included in the recommendation, including additional staffing, technology, and facility requests. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, criticizing long wait times, call abandonment, and repeated staffing increases without clear process improvements. LBB said the agency’s call-answer rate was about 9 percent in fiscal 2024, with average hold times around 34 minutes, later reduced to roughly 22-25 minutes. Senators questioned whether more FTEs alone would solve the problem and urged a broader efficiency study and better use of technology. DPS officials said they were pursuing process changes, including appointment-system upgrades, online pre-population of forms, and remote issuance options, while noting that Real ID requirements and population growth continue to drive demand. DPS leadership then outlined the agency’s priorities: completion of the Williamson County training academy, recruitment and retention of troopers, capital needs for vehicles and aircraft, and expanded responsibilities at the Capitol complex and the Alamo. Officials said the new trooper funding would help address staffing shortages, public safety, and border operations, and that overtime and deployment patterns had been adjusted to reduce burnout and improve flexibility. They also discussed Operation Lone Star, saying DPS spending is largely overtime, travel, and fuel, and that the agency continues to coordinate with federal partners while awaiting clarity on possible federal reimbursement for border security costs. Senators also raised concerns about oilfield theft, cartel activity, high-speed pursuits, bilingual pay, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, and DPS said it would follow up on some of those issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• > you<01:03:20.799> justify<01:03:21.400> that<01:03:22.279> so Uh, their fees
• So for the consultants, what is the sunset dates on projects that they're doing?
• Consultants what committees so for the Consultants what is<01:09:22.480> the<01:09:22.759> sunset
• dates<01:09:23.560> on<01:09:23.839> projects<01:09:24.199> that is the sunset
• dates on projects that is the sunset dates on projects that they're<01:09:24.560> doing<01:09

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee will be meeting upon adjournment today to hear two sunset
• today<00:23:11.440> to<00:23:11.760> hear<00:23:12.159> two<00:23:12.480> sunset
• adjournment today to hear two sunset adjournment today to hear two sunset reviews<00:23:14.159><

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and completed a roll call showing 55 members present and 10 excused, establishing a quorum. The journal from Wednesday, January 21, 2026, was approved as corrected by the chief clerk after a voice vote. The chamber then moved into announcements and introductions. Members highlighted several upcoming events and committee meetings. Representative Mabrey announced the Judiciary Committee’s final SMART Act hearing series, including presentations from the Joint Budget Committee, the Office of the Child’s Representative, the Child Protection Ombudsman, the Department of Corrections, the Office of Alternative Defense Counsel, and Legislative Council staff on prison population. Representative Gilchrist invited members to a Healthier Colorado legislative reception, and Representative Suckla introduced the Plateau Valley FFA chapter visiting the Capitol. Representative McCormick, with Representative Winter, promoted a fundraising effort for children, using a lighthearted call for donations, and noted that the House Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee would meet upon adjournment to hear sunset reviews of the Veterinary Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee and the Forest Health Council, while postponing the Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council review. The House also noted a Faith Bridge Advocacy Day visit, and the chamber then adopted a motion to stand in recess until later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The speaker said the bill is about eliminating predatory fees on all forms of communication, including
• The speaker said the personal toll of these fees on families is immense, and that one in three families
• on all forms of predatory fees on all forms of communication<00:02:52.640> um<00:02:52.800>
• <00:03:53.280> on<00:03:53.439> our personal toll on of these fees on our personal
• toll on of these fees on our families<00:03:54.599> is<00:03:54.799> just<00:03:55.040>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:36:25.680> the amending definitions, repealing the amending definitions, repealing the sunset
• 26.479> of<02:36:26.640> the<02:36:26.800> property<02:36:27.120> tax sunset
• Requiring a portion of supervisory<02:45:41.920> fees<02:45:42.160> to<02:45:42.240>
• be<02:45:42.399> paid<02:45:42.640> to<02:45:42.800> the supervisory fees to
• be paid to the supervisory fees to be paid to the account.<02:45:43.680> Repealing<02:45:44.080

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we’re going to have some agency sunset issues if we don't get there.
• And so we just want to make sure they’re on sunset.
• Oh yeah, we do, but see some of these I might not mind seeing get sunset.
• Well, I don't want to sunset nothing now; I might need to move along.
• No, I don't want to sunset them, so that's why I said we'll do it that way. So what you think?

Bills: SCR 5, SCR 13, SB 3, SB 6, SB 10, SB 12, SB 13, SB 15, SB 17, SB 18, SB 19, SB 24, SB 35, SB 57, SB 65, SB 112, SB 284, SB 290, SB 388, SB 400, SB 402, SB 412, SB 495, SB 499, SB 502, SB 509, SB 621, SB 706, SB 740, SB 815, SB 842, SB 854, SB 875, SB 893, SB 917, SB 974, SB 1025, SB 1061, SB 1073, SB 1106, SB 1268, SB 1281, SB 1300, SB 1362, SB 1379, SB 1447, SB 1451, SB 1555, SB 1902, SJR 36, SJR 12, SCR 13, SCR 25, SCR 5, SCR 22, SCR 12, SCR 24, SB 495, SB 412, SB 10, SB 18, SB 565, SB 372, SB 842, SB 765, SB 62, SB 19, SB 666, SB 707, SB 888, SB 687, SB 706, SB 847, SB 290, SB 13, SB 1248, SB 740, SB 14, SB 1006, SB 504, SB 917, SB 925, SB 388, SB 1902, SB 1121, SB 995, SB 857, SB 305, SB 296, SB 284, SB 35, SB 6, SB 815, SB 3, SB 1281, SB 1379, SB 1300, SB 1497, SB 1499, SB 1498, SB 1451, SB 1061, SB 15, SB 65, SB 241, SB 304, SB 402, SB 499, SB 621, SB 974, SB 1023, SB 1024, SB 1025, SB 1106, SB 686, SB 112, SB 371, SB 204, SB 400, SB 609, SB 1447, SB 670, SB 502, SB 427, SB 850, SB 854, SB 413, SB 1555, SB 1362, SB 1346, SB 1033, SB 1220, SB 1073, SB 810, SB 987, SB 1539, SB 893, SB 447, SB 875, SB 406, SB 509, SB 985, SB 965, SB 17, SB 1119, SB 1505, SB 12, SB 24, SB 57, SB 1194, SB 1253, SB 1215, SB 1532, SB 1268, SB 1302, SB 856, SB 650, SB 583, SB 673, SB 840, SJR 57, SCR 8, SB 213, SB 681, SB 1172, SB 1252, SB 378, SB 610, SB 918, SB 1343, SB 608, SB 487, SB 955, SB 957, SB 988, SB 990, SB 1019, SB 1021, SB 1120, SB 251, SB 958, SB 535, SB 761, SB 1, SB 541, SB 315, SB 379, SB 1018, SB 1737, SB 266, SB 1415, SB 3, SB 6, SB 15, SB 35, SB 290, SB 706, SB 842, SB 917, SB 1281, SB 1451, SB 1902, SB 12, SB 13, SB 17, SB 19, SB 388, SR 261, SR 265, SR 276, SR 277, SR 281, SR 286, SR 293, SCR 5, SCR 13, SB 2425, SB 2880, SB 10, SB 12, SB 13, SB 17, SB 18, SB 19, SB 388, SB 412, SB 495, SB 2425, SB 2880

Keywords: SCR 5, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, Texas School for the Deaf, TSD, Robert Rives, gymnasium naming, building naming, honorary resolution, commemorative resolution, deaf education, hard of hearing, Gallaudet University, alumni hall of fame, football coach, school facility naming, education K-16, State Affairs, Texas Legislature, public school tribute, water rights

Transcript Highlights:

• The program sunsets after tax year 2029, giving the General Assembly the opportunity to evaluate results
• I do appreciate, though, adding the sunset provision, because that way, as we're going to future budgets
• I do appreciate, though, adding the sunset provision, because that way, as we're going to future budgets
• reviewed, and I just think it's good for a committee to kind of think this way and why I appreciate the sunset
• And then the sunset allows us to come back and say, hey, maybe there's another group we need to look

Summary: The House Revenue and Finance Committee met to consider House Substitute 1 for House Bill 386, which would create a temporary Delaware income tax deduction for qualified tip income from tax years 2027 through 2029. The sponsor described it as relief for service workers in restaurants, salons, and similar tipped occupations, with a deduction of up to $15,000, income-based phaseouts, a refundable credit for lower-income workers, and a sunset for later review. Committee members raised questions about the resident/non-resident language, the fiscal note, and whether the Department of Finance could implement the change; Finance said the department could administer it and expected only modest administrative costs, while the Comptroller’s office said the bill would reduce general revenue. After a brief recess to review updated language, the committee took public comment, but no one testified. A motion to release the bill failed to receive enough votes, and the chair said she would walk it to seek additional signatures. The committee then considered Senate Bill 219, which would phase in an increase in the military pension income exemption from $12,500 to $25,000 by tax year 2029. The sponsor argued the measure would help attract and retain military retirees, citing economic return estimates, workforce benefits, and support from all 21 Senate co-sponsors. Some members supported the bill as a way to reward service and bring in long-term residents, while others questioned whether the exemption should be income-based rather than available to all military retirees, including those with substantial second careers. The Department of Finance said it could operationalize the bill and that the non-resident language was unnecessary because the subtraction is already picked up in the non-resident code section. Public testimony from veterans’ organizations strongly supported the bill, emphasizing that the exemption can influence retirement decisions and help veterans and their families stay in Delaware. A motion to release the bill also failed to get enough votes, and the chair said she would walk it for signatures before adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we have the Sunset Review. Thank you.
• Okay, we have the sunset review of the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board, and it's a presentation
• So where we're at now, and answering some of those sunset factor questions, is the board is in a monitoring
• Next up, we have the Sunset Review.
• Next up, we have the Sunset Review of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, known as

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee of Reference met for sunset reviews and first heard a presentation on the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board from the Governor’s Office. The presenter explained that the board, created in 2016, has no dedicated staff or administrative budget and is supported by existing budget and policy staff and the Treasurer’s Office. The board’s purpose is to lower borrowing costs for qualifying schools by using a guarantee fund to enhance credit ratings, and it has largely been used by charter schools. Because the board has reached its statutory leverage cap and has not met since 2022, it is currently in a monitoring role, but it must remain in place to honor guarantees if any approved financing defaults. The committee asked about financing maturities, demand from schools, and whether a shorter continuation period would make sense. No public testimony was offered, and the committee voted to recommend continuing the board for 10 years, until July 1, 2036. The committee then reviewed the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). WICHE’s president described the interstate compact, its regional role in higher education access, workforce development, and data services, and its major student programs: the Western Undergraduate Exchange, the Western Regional Graduate Program, and the Professional Student Exchange Program. She highlighted tuition savings for Arizona students and the state, the return of many PSEP graduates to practice in Arizona, and additional cost savings through cooperative purchasing and technology contracts. The committee asked no substantive questions, and it voted to recommend continuing WICHE for 10 years, until July 1, 2036. The final major item was the Arizona Department of Education School Safety Program performance audit, followed by testimony from the department. The Auditor General reported that the program has grown substantially, especially after expansion to counselors and social workers and increased appropriations, but that ADE did not consistently ensure schools complied with program requirements. In a sample of 16 schools, most had issues such as missing or incomplete operational plans, inadequate safety team activity, incomplete required training, missing activity logs, or reimbursement requests lacking expenditure reports. The audit said these problems reduced the program’s effectiveness and increased the risk of improper spending, and it recommended stronger monitoring, written procedures, and better documentation review. ADE accepted the findings and said it is implementing the recommendations through more direct staff oversight, training requirements tied to funding, encrypted submission of emergency plans, site visits, and representative desk reviews. The discussion then shifted to whether emergency plans should address federal law enforcement actions; the director said the plans are designed for campus safety threats generally and do not specifically contemplate ICE enforcement. The committee took no vote on the audit presentation and adjourned after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, this does have a sunset. It sunsets in 2034. And the fact is, if you... That's in 2034.
• We have some additional lab fees. We're asking to increase that spending authority by $400,000.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Really is when you see the sunrise over the Oregon Mountains and you see our beautiful sunset.
• For hydro, nuclear, and geothermal, those credits will now sunset in 2033.
• The hospital fees, I'm not knowing the right way to put it, that we have passed the last few years to

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2013, the Texas Higher Education Coordination Board underwent sunset review.
• The Sunset Commission recommended that with additions to the coordinating board statutory duties, it
• session, Senator Birdwell authored and the legislature passed Senate Bill 215, the coordinating board sunset
• bill, which included among the recommendations from the Sunset commission removing the requirement for

Transcript Highlights:

• In the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board underwent sunset review, the Sunset Commission recommended
• That session, Senator Bardwell authored, and the Legislature passed the Coordinating Board Sunset Bill
• . from the Sunset Commission, removing the requirement for the Coordinating Board to approve capital

Bills: SB800, SB1534, SB2055, SB2310, SB2431, SB2786, SB3039, SB1242

Keywords: sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, higher education, student safety, orientation policies, health physics, workforce development, nuclear energy, radiological safety, scholarship, education, Texas Leadership Scholars Program, student funding, transparency, degree requirements, certificate programs, student transfer, foreign language

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2017, SJR 38 was accompanied by a sunset provision that would automatically rescind unless extended
• No. 1, after working with the city stakeholders, strikes a prohibition on municipalities charging fees
• submission, review, or approval of applications or permits, as well as striking the prohibition of fee
• with the cities that, at least some of them, we struck the prohibition on municipalities charging fees
• What those 20 lines did, they had prohibitions against municipalities like Dallas charging fees related

Summary: The Senate took up and passed Senate Bill 945, which concerns political shareholder proposals by insurers and insurance holding companies. Senator Hughes argued the bill would protect Texas-based insurers from activist shareholder pressure, especially proposals aimed at limiting insurance coverage for oil and gas companies for ESG or political reasons. The motion to suspend the regular order was adopted over objection, and SB 945 passed to engrossment on a 20-10 vote with one present not voting. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 1117, allowing any Texas-licensed dentist to administer botulinum toxin in oral or maxillofacial regions for aesthetic purposes, and House Joint Resolution 98, renewing Texas’s application for an Article 5 Convention of States to propose amendments on fiscal restraints, federal power limits, and term limits. Both measures advanced after debate and roll-call votes; SB 1117 passed unanimously after suspension of the three-day rule, and H.J.R. 98 was adopted on a 17-14 vote. Members then approved several other measures, including the committee substitute for House Bill 142 on HHSC’s Office of Inspector General and Medicaid overpayment recovery, Senate Bill 2373 on AI-enabled financial fraud and deepfake/phishing schemes, Senate Bill 2221 on fraudulent UCC financing statements, and Senate Bill 2681 on the basis for third-party voter-registration challenges. The Senate also adopted a resolution authorizing a Texas Life Monument replica at the Capitol complex, and passed S.J.R. 59 creating funds for Texas State Technical College capital needs. The body debated and passed Senate Bill 946, which would bar credit discrimination against organizations based on social, political, religious, or similar value-based considerations and require credit decisions to rest on creditworthiness. Senators raised concerns that the bill could create a special protected class for non-human entities or conflict with existing state policies, but the bill advanced to engrossment on a 20-11 vote. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 2477 to ease office-to-residential conversions in large cities after adopting an amendment negotiated with municipal stakeholders, and began consideration of Senate Bill 715 on ERCOT reliability requirements for generators, including existing generation, with extensive debate over impacts on renewables, power purchase agreements, and grid reliability.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll raise fees. We'll also cut deeply into career and technical education.
• These funds cannot be levied, so this must come from our general fund when the short-term funding sunsets
• short-term<00:50:08.640> funding when the short-term funding when the short-term funding sunsets
• > reference<00:50:11.480> that<00:50:11.680> added<00:50:12.040> cost sunsets
• for reference that added cost sunsets for reference that added cost last<00:50:12.599> summer

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Policy Committee met under a co-chair arrangement and heard opening remarks emphasizing civility, direct testimony from school leaders, and a focus on whether state policy is meeting student needs in the least intrusive and most cost-effective way. Chair Coleman asked testifiers to keep remarks brief and policy-focused, and the committee began with a series of superintendents describing local budget pressures and the cumulative impact of state mandates. Anoka-Hennepin Superintendent Corey McIntyre said the district, the state’s largest, is serving about 37,000 students and faces a roughly $26 million deficit even after major reductions, including cutting about $44 million and roughly 250 central office jobs. He cited rising costs tied to compensation, special education and multilingual cross-subsidies, unemployment, paid leave, READ Act implementation, student/staff safety and K-3 discipline requirements, and transportation, saying the district still faces about $50 million in mandate-related shortfalls and may need to reduce class size and student supports. Senator Kunesh responded that summer unemployment claims are paid from a separate state budget line, not the district general fund, and asked about paid leave costs; McIntyre and the chair clarified the district’s concern was the possibility of future costs if state funding ends. Prior Lake-Savage Superintendent Michael Thomas said district revenues are rising only about 2.5% to 3% while expenses are growing 5% or more, driven by inflation and vendor costs. He argued that the state’s inflationary funding tie should be maintained, and asked for an increase in local optional aid of $250 per pupil and more flexibility for districts that struggle to pass local levies. Minnetonka Superintendent David Law argued that schools are being asked to absorb broader community burdens, including food and mental health needs, while still being judged on academics and graduation; he said REACT funding fell short, forcing the district to shift reading funds to staff development, and urged the committee not to roll mandates forward without funding. Fergus Falls Superintendent Jeff Drake said expanded unemployment, earned sick and safe time, and paid family leave are creating staffing and budget challenges for rural districts, estimating unemployment costs could reach $240,000 annually and sick and safe time about $25,000, with added difficulty recruiting support staff and substitutes. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's<01:19:42.360> no<01:19:42.520> sunset.
• It's an ongoing There's no sunset.
• put a sunset on it and then move the put a sunset on it and then move the sunset<01:43:40.760> or<
• able to sunset this. able to sunset this.
• <01:44:28.000> this sunset this sunset this and<01:44:29.600> and<01:44:29.760> we

Bills: HF3776, HF3557, HF3585

Keywords: screen time, preschool, kindergarten, early childhood education, digital media, tablets, smartphones, educational technology, EdTech, classroom devices, publicly funded preschool, school policy, child development, special education, IEP, 504 plan, IFSP, Minnesota education law, climate literacy, education

Summary: The committee first approved the previous day’s minutes, then took up House File 3776, as amended by the A2 amendment, which clarified how the bill would apply to students with IEPs and 504 plans. The bill’s author argued that Minnesota should address screen time for preschool and kindergarten students, saying current law is too broad, that young children are especially vulnerable to developmental and attention harms from screens, and that parents and teachers should have more control over device use. The bill was laid over after discussion. Testimony on HF 3776 was split. Amanda Faye of Minnetonka Public Schools opposed the bill as drafted, saying it would conflict with existing academic standards, READ Act screening requirements, accessibility tools, and local control, and would force districts back to paper-based screening. Katherine Myers of Live More Screen Less supported the bill, citing concerns about early childhood screen exposure and arguing that screen-free time supports child development. Members raised concerns about local control, parental rights, and how to protect students who need devices for accommodations; the author and nonpartisan staff noted that schools can already adopt cell phone policies, but exceptions may be needed for certain students and uses. After laying over HF 3776, the committee began House File 3557. Representative Craft introduced the bill as a voluntary program to promote practical science education and workforce development tied to climate literacy, including a proposed Minnesota Seal of Climate Literacy for high school students. The bill was only introduced before the transcript ended, with no vote or final action recorded on HF 3557.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to reset the sunset date. Currently, it's set for January 2027.
• We're going to<00:00:18.080> reset<00:00:18.480> the<00:00:18.640> sunset<00:00:
• <00:00:20.320> Currently, to reset the sunset date. Currently, to reset the sunset date.

Bills: SB95, HB322, SB95, HB322

Keywords: underground facilities, excavation safety, One-Call Notification System, utility protection, public safety, underground damage prevention, notification system, construction safety, pipeline protection, utility management, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, director compensation, municipality, electricity supply, board of directors, postpartum depression, postnatal care, maternal mental health, perinatal depression, postpartum screening

Transcript Highlights:

• And for how much, this bill will sunset in five years and will maintain its defective date.
• Automobile Innovations recommendations, which were to prohibit counties from assessing additional fees
• to prohibit counties from assessing to prohibit counties from assessing additional<00:32:01.360> fees
• for<00:32:02.000> EVs,<00:32:02.880> zero<00:32:03.200> emission additional fees
• for EVs, zero emission additional fees for EVs, zero emission vehicles<00:32:04.080> beyond<00

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard House Bill 344 HD1, which would require new buildings to include electric vehicle charger-ready parking stalls. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from the State Energy Office, Department of Accounting and General Services, the Disabilities and Communication Access Board, and others. Members asked about cost and infrastructure impacts; the State Energy Office said the added cost would likely be modest if planned from the start, but that electrical capacity remains a key challenge for expanding EV charging. The chairs proposed two amendments: extending the bill to cover on-grade parking lots and adding language for Level 1 or Level 3 charging when appropriate. After discussion, both committees voted to pass HB 344 HD1 with amendments. In the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee, the chair voted aye, one member voted with reservation, and excused members were noted; the Government Operations committee also passed the measure, with one aye vote and one vote with reservations. The committees also heard House Bill 10001 HD1 SD1, relating to the Maui wildfire settlement trust fund. The Governor’s Office, Attorney General’s Office, Maui County, and the Tax Foundation testified in support. Members questioned Hawaii Electric Industries’ ability to fund its share of the settlement and whether the state should pay first or in tranches. The chair proposed amendments requiring all defendant parties to submit payment plans and proof of ability to pay, and requiring non-state defendants to fund their shares into escrow before the state releases its share. The committee adopted the amendments and passed the bill unanimously by the members present. Later, the committee deferred action on House Bill 229 HD1 until March 20 for clarification on amendments, then passed House Bill 860 HD1 with amendments addressing liability for limited resurfacing of disputed roads, and passed House Bill 1161 HD2 with amendments concerning highway fund use, formula calculations, and EV-related county fees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, the Department of Transportation, in your testimony you had stated that eliminating these fees
• :16:15.680> these had stated that uh eliminating these had stated that uh eliminating these fees
• 17.279> take<00:16:17.480> away<00:16:17.839> from<00:16:18.560> public fees
• would R take away from public fees would R take away from public services<00:16:20.440> uh<00
• one of the questions raised about appropriate use on the neighbor islands, adding in a three-year sunset

Keywords: 912, senate, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We, we pay our own way fee for services that we provide. Uh, we're in three divisions.
• Uh, but there's a $5 fee. It's, it's optional on a farm license plate for a trailer or truck.
• of you may remember the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiner's recent struggles through the sunset
• Despite the progress, regrettably, licenses are concerned by a sharp 75% increase in licensing fees that
• While TBMA members understand that some fee increases are necessary to cover the additional costs, to

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 91 by Representative Hill regarding court fees is referred to the Committee on Finance and
• Greenlight, I pay a fee once a year, maybe $10, and that's it.
• This is another sunset bill.
• I want to say the sunset committee.
• > Senator<03:26:00.960> Linda And the Sunset Committee, Senator Linda And the Sunset Committee

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber approved routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with the previous day’s journal, and allow introduction of bills and committee reports throughout the day. The Senate also received several House messages referring bills to committee, including local constitutional amendments for Limestone, Blount, and Mobile counties, a human cloning bill, a Fair Campaign Practices Act bill, a public education bill, a court fees bill, and a physician assistance bill. Committee reports were then taken up. The Finance and Taxation General Fund, Confirmations, State Governmental Affairs, County and Municipal Government, Education Policy, Banking and Insurance, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Transportation and Energy, and Local Legislation committees all reported a number of bills favorably, many with amendments or substitutes. Several measures were advanced to the calendar for the next legislative day, and the Senate confirmed multiple appointments, including Eileen Meyer and Tiffany Martin to the Alabama Board of Midwifery, Jennifer Ag, Jerry Gross, and Edgar Hower II to the University of West Alabama Board of Trustees, Patricia Sims, Tony Cochran, and Sandy Stimson to the Alabama State Port Authority Board of Directors. The Senate then adopted a special order calendar under Senate Resolution 34, setting the order of business for the 10th legislative day. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 161, the App Store Accountability Act, which was described as a child-protection measure requiring parental permission, age verification by app stores, accurate app age ratings, and limits on minors entering contracts through app downloads. Senators speaking in support said the bill was needed to protect children from harmful online content and preserve parental control, and they discussed an amendment clarifying the meaning of “act” and preserving compliance with other state age-verification laws. The debate was ongoing in the portion provided, and no final vote on HB 161 appears in this excerpt.