Transcript Highlights:

• public testimony or register a position on the bill from today's posting, please register at the electronic
• The PUC findings would be included in the planning criteria with this decision on an application for
• Under current statute, the working papers and electronic communications—for example, emails and team
• An exception for these working papers and electronic communications, like draft notes, currently does
• employees and communications at the Railroad Commission under the current SOAH working papers and electronic

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the TM the TXDMV offers many motor vehicle transactions by self electronic options to customers
• through the department's website, there's the texas.gov platform and the Texas by Texas mobile application
• Web dealer is another requirement, which is an electronic system for dealers to submit transactions to
• So the same online electronically. And then what happens?
• with the paper plates where like when the dealer is issuing a temporary paper plate, we update an electronic

Transcript Highlights:

• , the municipality, but to the applicant, the municipality, but to the applicant, of<02:06:31.440
• Um, again, the electronic submissions do not show well.
• Um, again, the electronic submissions do not show well.
• Um, again, the electronic submissions do not show well.
• do<02:24:18.000> not<02:24:18.640> um the electronic submissions do not um the electronic

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• PLEASE SILENCE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES.
• SIMPLY PUT SECTION 1 CHANGES THE TRAFFIC LAW AND ABUSE EDUCATION PROGRAM THROUGH THE KEY CHANGES APPLICANTS
• APPLICANT FOR A LEARNERS PERMIT MUST COMPLETE A DRIVERS EDUCATION TRAFFIC SAFETY CLASSROOM COURSE APPROVED

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Attendant to not be recorded by electronic roll call. ...by electronic roll call.
• we see as an oversight by making sure that these employment contract disclosure requirements are applicable
• We see as an oversight by making sure that these employment contract disclosure requirements are applicable

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed guests from the Arizona Psychiatric Society and Brigadier General John Connolly, and adopted a lighthearted April Fool’s proclamation directing the sergeant-at-arms to wear a silk top hat. The chamber also approved a House request to adjourn from April 2 to April 7, and transmitted Senate Bills 1181 and 1473 to the Governor. Later, the Senate observed a moment of silence for Passion Swartz after a personal privilege statement about her disappearance and death, and discussed the need to improve turquoise alert practices. The Senate then considered two Committee of the Whole calendars. On the first, it advanced HB 2120 on property tax exemptions and disability determinations, HB 2174 on insurance modeling/data organizations, HB 2289 on truth-in-taxation bond notices, HB 2861 on marital/postnuptial agreements, and HB 2903 on banks and financial institutions, all receiving do-pass recommendations and later passing the Senate. On the second calendar, it advanced HB 208 on school libraries and professional associations, HB 2040 on public educational institutions and adoption information, HB 2075 on school employee contracts, HB 2203 on Department of Education reporting requirements, HB 2255 on school employee training, HB 2383 on school district leases and housing development, and HB 257 on a special plate tied to the mining museum; all were adopted from committee and passed the Senate, with HB 2255 requiring and receiving a three-quarters vote. Several bills drew floor debate and recorded opposition. Senators argued that HB 2075 unfairly applied transparency rules only to school districts, HB 2174 weakened insurance consumer protections, HB 2289 could bias voters on bond measures, HB 2903 used vague “social credit score” language, HB 2008 attacked school librarians, and HB 2040 imposed adoption messaging in health settings. Despite these objections, the Senate passed each measure by recorded vote, with HB 2223 and HB 2203 passing unanimously or near-unanimously, and the remaining bills passing by varying margins before being transmitted to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for financial and clinical archives for the State Hospital Electronic Health Records System.
• This is to conduct a statewide information technology applications assessment.
• This will help us evaluate all our employees on an electronic basis.
• It's however long the department takes to make their selection process because they select the applicant

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:

• Those who wish to electronically submit comments may refer to the public notice posting.
• organize the industry. ...within the Railroad Commission's purview to better understand the data applications
• House Bill 3158 addresses this gap by establishing... ...application fees for permits and permit amendments
• The bill does not specify the method of payment, but these fees are expected to be collected electronically

Bills: HB1647, HB2612, HB3125, HB3158, HB3240, HB3506, HB3516, HB3707

Keywords: carbon sequestration, environmental policy, Texas, energy, climate change, regulatory council, geothermal energy, workforce development, education and training, energy industry, apprenticeship, energy production, energy policy, renewable energy, state council, administrative law, public information, transparency, government accountability, judicial process

Transcript Highlights:

• All senators and guests in the gallery, please silence all electronic devices.
• Military applications where there's no approved alternative.
• The application of the word promote would be the general understanding of what budget process, the application
• That's the poison pill in application of your bill.
• That's the poison pill in application of your bill.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and memorial remarks, including a moment of silence for service members killed in the conflict in Iran. The chamber then moved to special orders and took up a series of bills, with many measures passing unanimously after brief explanations and, in several cases, substitution of House companions. Early bills included CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, which drew extensive supportive debate about the civic value of debate programs and passed 37-0, and SB 1072 on an anti-Semitism task force, which was amended to clarify that criticism of Israel is not prohibited and then passed 37-0. The Senate also approved CS/CS/SB 1230/HB 1019 on PFAS chemicals and firefighting foam, with discussion focused on phasing out AFFF, testing requirements, exceptions for federal aviation and military uses, and support for firefighters and water quality; the bill passed 37-0. Other measures passed without opposition included SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 186 on student health and safety and seizure response training, SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services, SB 990/HB 883 on protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, SB 560 on child welfare and foster care medication procedures, SB 684/HB 961 on electronic signatures for salvage titles, and SB 778/HB 569 on forensic client services. Two bills, SB 432 on intoxicating substances and SB 928 on dangerous crimes, were temporarily postponed. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. The sponsor argued the bill would prevent counties and municipalities from funding or promoting DEI efforts he described as discriminatory or indoctrinating, while opponents offered amendments to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances. Those amendments were debated at length but were not adopted. The sponsor then continued explaining the bill’s exceptions, including references to holidays, heritage sites, and the Pulse Memorial, and the chamber was still in debate on the underlying measure when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we get a groundwater use permit application and staff evaluates the application, we publish two
• with the well construction application and the pump installation permit application...
• The first step is what we call a pre-application process.
• four to six months and we're actually finishing these applications 95% of the time in these applications
• You don't have to tell you that electronics has been improving by... ...electronics has been improving

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:58.080> opening first served with applications opening first served with applications
• Thank you all. applications and that was about half. uh applications and that was about half. uh last
• Uh how many of them are repeat applicants?
• that he's already got the application that he's already got the application into<00:26:28.880>
• system of Minnesota electronic system of Minnesota electronic submission<00:37:23.839> process

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Chair McClain: PLEASE SILENCE ALL YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICES.
• PROVIDES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CANNOT REQUIRE TIM PERCENTAGE OF THE LIVE LOCAL MIXED-USE AND LIVE LOCAL APPLICANT
• ELECTRONIC NOTICES DEEMED DELIVERED WHEN SENT VIA EMAIL AND NOT RETURNS AND PROVIDE THE ABILITY OF THE
• LANDLORD FOR THE LANDLORD OR TENANT UPDATE OR OPT OUT RECEIVING ELECTRONIC NOTICES AT ANY TIME AS LONG
• JUST BECAUSE IT SAYS IT CAN BE BY ELECTRONIC DOESN'T MEAN IT HAS TO BE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the application is pending.
• the application is pending.
• The applicant and the town pool affected by this bill is very small.
• <01:32:27.600> to very good incentives for an applicant to very good incentives for an applicant
• If electronically until many days later.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Witnesses, please be sure to register using the electronic witness registration system accessible on
• The purpose of this bill, in summary, is to recognize that these disclosures are not applicable to water
• Therefore, any concrete crushing facility... issued since September 1st, 2001 could be applicable to
• This bill ensures that both protestants and applicants in a contested case have a defined mechanism to
• meets all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Bills: SB2082, SB2203, SB2351, SB2550, SCR48

Keywords: concrete crushing, hospital proximity, environmental regulation, public health, zoning laws, SB 2203, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, contested case, administrative law judge, ALJ, discovery, scope of discovery, certification, administrative procedure, permit dispute, agency rules, Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows for electronic signatures, electronic odometer disclosures, and electronic powers of attorney
• Subpart 2 of the proposed rules addresses permitting and application requirements.
• Our proposed rules require applicants to provide documentation demonstrating the status of any applicable
• This is a requirement for the applicant. So the applicant is going to be the operator.
• It is not ripe for an application until there has been FAA review. Okay.

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a long agenda of agency rule changes, beginning with housekeeping on the order of business and then taking up rules from multiple state agencies. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s odometer disclosure rule allowing electronic signatures and disclosures, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and recreational parks, lead-based paint, counseling licensure, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental specialties and compacts, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistants, medical compacts, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these were described as technical updates, conformity with recent acts, federal standards, or compact participation, and nearly all were approved without objection after brief questions and, in many cases, no public comment. The committee also reviewed Department of Labor and Licensing rules on minimum wage/independent contractor standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements for ATV/LSV dealers, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting and retention programs. Testimony generally emphasized that the rules implemented recent legislation, updated fees or licensing standards, or streamlined existing processes. Members asked a few questions about fee structures, the rationale for regulating professional wrestling, and how the National Guard’s public-private partnership and incentive programs would work; the department said the recruiting incentives would be funded from existing appropriations and were intended to improve retention and force strength. These rules were also approved without objection. The most extensive discussion came on the Department of Education’s Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program rule. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify allowable expenses, and speed approval of core educational purchases. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting certain sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting phone purchases except for disability-related needs, setting a $1,000 threshold for additional review of technology purchases, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about safeguards, appeals, sports equipment, provider credentialing, rural vendor access, and whether the department would be flexible or overly restrictive. The department said it would review every request, provide written explanations for denials, allow appeals up to the State Board, and refer suspected fraud to prosecutors if necessary. After hearing from 13 members of the public, the committee continued to discuss the rule, but the transcript ends before any final vote on the EFA rule is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• If it goes electronic, that would be some system changes and a fiscal note added to that because we do
• Um, I was understanding this bill was to actually provide for the resident to make an application to
• So I think, uh, so the vice chair pointed out RSA 654:12, determining qualifications of the applicant
• Um, you just write it on your application.
• you just write it on your application. you just write it on your application.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then start streamlining and automating the eligibility application process.
• And then start streamlining and automating the eligibility application process.
• We did send some electronic documents for your review. About that.
• They’re taking applications, approving or denying applications as appropriate, processing...” “...approving
• There is an electronic mechanism for referral to that unit.

Summary: The meeting focused on Arkansas’s workforce development reorganization and a set of federal waiver requests intended to consolidate and streamline the state’s WIOA system. Commerce officials said the department has already centralized shared services, split the old workforce agency into reemployment and Arkansas Workforce Connections, and submitted a combined WIOA/Perkins state plan. They described nine waiver requests, including replacing local workforce boards with a single statewide board, creating one planning and accountability structure, allowing more flexible movement of funds across regions, easing the “last-dollar” requirement for training and supportive services, reducing required youth program elements, and allowing affiliate sites instead of mandatory comprehensive centers. Officials said the goal is to reduce administrative costs and redirect more money to training, supportive services, and employer-driven programs. Legislators raised concerns about rural representation, local employer relationships, and whether local offices would close. Commerce officials said local offices would remain open, some current staff could be rehired, and regional business councils would preserve local employer input. They said the current system is fragmented and expensive, with roughly $14 million in federal workforce funds flowing through local boards but only about $1.9 million spent on training and supportive services last year; they argued the reorganization could raise training spending to about $6 million to $7 million annually. Questions also addressed board composition, performance accountability, and how funds could be shifted between regions when needs change. The State Board of Workforce Development had approved the waiver package 11-3 before it was submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor. Members also discussed workforce access for people with disabilities, child care and transportation supports, and the role of Arkansas Launch, apprenticeships, and career and technical education. Officials said vocational rehabilitation now has better access to the state job board and that referrals and data-sharing with DHS and other partners still need improvement. Several legislators emphasized the need for training to align more closely with employer demand, especially in manufacturing, technology, health care, and rural areas. The committee also heard a brief overview of Workforce Pell, with staff explaining that the new federal short-term Pell option has narrow eligibility rules and may not fit many existing programs, including some CDL and CNA programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will send it to you electronically. >> Further comments? I have one.
• will send it to you electronically. will send it to you electronically.
• Can you please send your, um, what you read to us in to us electronically?
• Uh, requiring asking them to say, "Hey, can you send this to us electronically?"
• I'm not sure if it's applicable at this point.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also certification for electronic poll books that the EAC provides, and also field services for
• the Secretary of Defense to require documentary proof of citizenship with the federal postcard application
• executive order, which has to do with the documentary proof of citizenship on the federal postcard application
• Another case is a case that we filed against a contractor that processes all of the electronic benefit
• Another case is a case that we filed against a contractor that processes all of the electronic benefit

Summary: The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee held a virtual work session focused first on federal actions affecting elections. A representative from NCSL reviewed recent U.S. Supreme Court and pending cases, including a redistricting/Voting Rights Act case and a case on whether mailed ballots received after Election Day can be counted. She also discussed a Trump executive order directing USPS to draft mail-ballot rules, the federal SAVE system’s expanded use for voter list maintenance, DOJ requests for unredacted voter rolls, and reduced federal election-security support. Committee members asked about proof of citizenship requirements, whether DOJ requests are compulsory, and how federal election funding and grants may be changing. The Attorney General’s Office then described Washington’s litigation challenging two election-related executive orders and DOJ’s lawsuit seeking unredacted voter registration lists. State lawyers said courts have already enjoined parts of the executive orders, including documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements and voting-system changes, and have upheld Washington’s ballot-receipt deadlines so far. They said DOJ’s voter-roll demands have been rejected by multiple courts and that Washington’s position is that state law limits disclosure of sensitive voter data. Members asked about the legal basis for DOJ’s requests, the risk of immigration-enforcement use, and whether attestation on registration forms counts as proof of citizenship; the office said it does under state law and that no evidence of mass voter-fraud problems in Washington has been shown. Deputy Attorney General Todd Bowers then gave a broader overview of the Attorney General’s federal litigation, saying Washington has filed 61 cases since January 2025, often with other states, and has had notable success obtaining preliminary injunctions and favorable summary judgments. He highlighted cases involving election rules, environmental and energy disputes, public health funding, student loans, housing, and data privacy, and said many challenges involve executive-branch conditions added to congressionally appropriated funds. He also described a growing number of federal audits and inquiries directed at state agencies. Finally, Office of Equity Director Megan Matthews discussed how federal actions are affecting state and local equity work, community organizations, and public confidence. She said the office is coordinating more closely with the Attorney General, governor’s office, other agencies, and local governments through the immigration subcabinet, while also working on data privacy, Keep Washington Working compliance, and community outreach. Committee members asked about the office’s human-trafficking work and how it is encouraging agency compliance; Matthews said the focus is on clearer guidance, technical support, and consistent expectations across agencies. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides relative to limitations and cost sharing, definitions, implementation, applicability, and
• insurers are not required to provide coverage for routine preventative dental care, to provide for applicability
• So pre-authorized claims would be 10 days and then, depending on whether it's electronic or non-electronic
• number one clarifies the claim terminology by specifying that certain provisions apply to a clean electronic

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill as initially filed had a fairly significant portion that addressed electronic records and how
• I just, I'm really happy to say, many of you know, I serve on the Board of Synchronists, the electronic
• How would the facilities that could not be geofenced be... ...electronic medical record, and there were
• us and take some of our amendments to clarify the intent of the bill, as well as narrowing the application
• It is very difficult to get into the school of nursing in CNM and UNM, and they turn away many applicants

Keywords: 996, all