Transcript Highlights:

• It's just not adding up for me in terms of the process.
• Let's hold ourselves to account through the budget process, through the confirmation process for State
• Let's hold ourselves to account through the budget process, through the confirmation process for State
• processes.
• processes.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a lot of sincere thought, I know it's something that's come up. up several times in the committee process
• The letter is what started this whole process.
• I think it's You know, it's not a usual redistricting process.
• that I've hired as committee chair.
• As of this evening, we have hired.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The findings show that hiring experts who are experienced in-house — economists, engineers, and financial
• For example, in an electric base rate case, it's not unusual to hire four or more experts: a revenue
• If they have questions about the process for filing their own intervention in a case, we might be able
• I will tell you all that we don't—there's nothing on— ...we are processing.
• There is a request to hire for vacant positions. That concludes my presentation.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because to me there's always a process. The question is, is a process being followed?
• We have a process we got to go through.
• that you are kind of like a get hired that you are kind of like a get hired for<01:04:53.440>
• If we needed that, we would have hired a philanthropist.
• we would have hired we would have hired philanthropist.<01:19:09.040> We're<01:19:09.199>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's appellate process, correct. What is the venue provision? Appellate process.
• There's appellate process, correct. What is the venue provision?
• Respectfully, the state systems have a process: there is an intake process when people are hired, and
• So Emper’s has no way to know if a municipality hires a police officer, or hires three today, until that
• Like right now, what is the appeal process?

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it was not an easy process.
• And it was not an easy process.
• And it was not an easy process.
• And it was not an easy process.
• And it was not an easy process.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So at some point that hiring freeze will be lifted and we will start hiring new Group 1 state employees
• So at some point that hiring freeze will be lifted and we will start hiring new Group 1 state employees
• <01:17:49.440> it guiding myself through this process it guiding myself through this process
• We did that for any person who, on that date, was not yet hired, but also for people who were hired but
• We did that for any person who, on that date, was not yet hired, but also for people who were hired but

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met to review Division One of a very large budget package, with the chair explaining that the budget was being analyzed in three divisions over multiple days. Members first discussed procedure, including when amendments and line-item votes would be taken, and agreed to proceed with the division’s presentation before questions. Representative Maguire then outlined the division’s approach as a series of tradeoffs to close a large budget gap, emphasizing cuts, some revenue changes, and a focus on overall spending levels as well as individual reductions. The presentation covered a wide range of agencies and policy areas. Major proposed changes included cuts or eliminations to several boards and commissions viewed as costly or duplicative, such as the Housing Appeals Board, Board of Tax and Land Appeals, Human Rights Commission, Commission on Aging, Office of the Child Advocate, and the Personnel Appeals Board, with some functions consolidated into other boards. The division also proposed back-of-the-budget cuts to the Information Technology Department, Judicial Branch, Justice Department, Retirement System, Corrections, and Environmental Services, along with fee increases in several areas. Other notable items included ending marketing for Paid Family Leave, reducing job advertising and tourism promotion, defunding the Arts Council, moving liquor enforcement functions out of the Liquor Commission, and shifting some funds such as the College Savings Commission money to Division Two. Several members questioned specific cuts, especially the elimination of the Council on Aging, the reduction in regional planning commission grants, and the large cut to tourism advertising. Maguire defended the choices as necessary budget tradeoffs, arguing that some programs duplicated work done elsewhere, that regional planning grants were not among the most essential items, and that tourism promotion was a form of spending he viewed skeptically. He also explained that the public defender’s budget was partially restored after a credible claim of a governor’s budget error, and that the committee would continue refining corrections-related cuts because the House was only halfway through the budget process and further changes could still occur in the Senate and conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• So um we appreciate your interest and participation in the legislative process.
• The role of social media companies, I think, in some of this radicalization process is important to be
• We also, through that care process, came up with a lot of different intervention strategies, right?
• <00:17:43.760> came We also through that care process came We also through that care process
• Um, and so this bill and this funding is both reactive to support students and processing the trauma

Bills: HF3653, HF2717, HF3451, HF3857

Keywords: education finance, safe schools revenue, school safety, charter schools, funding, safe schools, school security, school levy, pupil units, safe schools aid, cooperative units, intermediate school district, school resource officer, peace officer liaison, sheriff liaison, drug abuse prevention, gang resistance education, violence prevention, suicide prevention, mental health services

Summary: The committee first adopted the March 3rd minutes by voice vote after Representative Lee moved them and there was no discussion. Members then reviewed hearing rules on decorum, safety, and participation before taking testimony from Dr. James Densley and Dr. Jillian Peterson of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center at Hamline University. The presenters summarized research on mass shootings and K-12 school shootings, drawing on a database of homicides in school settings from 2000 to 2025 and a smaller set of 15 K-12 mass shooting cases. They said school shooters are usually insiders, most often current or former students, and typically young males. They described common patterns including a noticeable crisis before attacks, perpetrators viewing the shooting as a final act, studying prior shooters online, and “leakage” in which most tell someone in advance. They also emphasized that many perpetrators use unsecured firearms from family members and argued that prevention should combine reporting systems, behavioral threat assessment, counseling, mentoring, secure storage, and other layered interventions rather than rely on a single solution. The presenters also discussed broader violence trends in the Twin Cities, saying much school violence is spillover from community violence and that pandemic-era disruptions and weakened trust in institutions contributed to serious violence. They cited a national survey finding that exposure to gun violence is associated with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear of public spaces, especially among young people. During member questions, Representative Wam asked for clarification on the data set and the rural/small-town share of the survey sample.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're pretty independent in our thoughts and processes, so we'd like to just stay out of this process
• So when these child cares are hiring and/or opening, they just have to base this on their enrollment
• The people with the gene variant can process all types of folate, including folic acid, that directly
• I would believe that fortification is a process for It's a very low, very concentrated amount of folic
• It's requiring staffing to be done through direct hire rather than outsourced temporary workers.

Bills: HB3552, HB2984, HB4124, HB3934, HB3448, HB3131, HB4200, HB4201, HB3011, HB1912, HB3380, HB3881, HB3538, HB3851, HB3907, HB4430, HB4431, HB4457

Keywords: childcare, differential pricing, Department of Human Services, child care subsidy, licensed providers, emergency legislation, child care, subsidy program, annual report, program integrity, overpayments, ivermectin, over-the-counter medication, pharmacy immunity, healthcare access, FDA approval, prescription, public health, dentistry, licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• And our 13-member board appointed by the governor oversees that regulatory process.
• <00:20:58.000> We<00:20:58.240> have<00:20:58.400> a investigatory process.
• We have a investigatory process.
• I may be for hire soon. I don't know. >> Thank you, Senator Boyd. >> Thank you.
• >> We are in the process of collecting data.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 4 February, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Board of Dental Examiners on its FY27 budget request. Board staff said the agency licenses and regulates dentistry and dental hygiene in Mississippi, with nearly 7,500 licenses and permits. They described recent accomplishments, including implementation of a new database and completion of sedation-permit inspection requirements, and said those changes created about $80,000 in savings. The board’s main remaining request was a 3% staff progression costing $20,539; members also discussed a possible $29,000 ITS charge tied to House Bill 1491, though staff said that cost might no longer be needed if the funding shifts back to ITS. The board also explained its revenue sources, including dental, hygienist, and dental assistant x-ray permits, and clarified that the “radiology” permits are for dental assistants authorized to take x-rays. Members asked about fees, renewal cycles, sedation permit classes, and continuing education requirements, and the board said it was fully staffed and did not need vacancy funding. The committee then heard from the Board of Nursing, which said it regulates about 80,000 LPN, RN, and APRN licenses and oversees workforce programs and disciplinary matters. The board emphasized its Office of Nursing Workforce, noting more than $4 million in grants to nursing programs from 2019 to 2024 and thousands of scholarships awarded to nursing students, with recipients required to work in Mississippi for a period after graduation. It said staffing remains a major problem because salaries are not competitive, leading to difficulty filling positions; between October and December, 10 positions were posted and only two were filled. The board said the legislative budget recommendation would eliminate five positions, and it requested $112,466 in salary funding to restore and support staff pay, including a maximum 7% progression for nursing positions, a 4% increase for nonexecutive staff, and a 2% increase for executive staff. The nursing board also requested additional contractual and technology funding. It said House Bill 1491 would increase annual fees by $49,486 plus a one-time $3,000 data migration charge, and it requested $13,800 for an ongoing subscription tied to the military medics program assigned to the board in the prior session. It also said a proposed human trafficking bill would require another $10,000 if enacted. Members asked about the board’s cash balance, renewal cycles, and staffing structure, including investigatory and compliance functions, and the board said it had about 39 current employees and was monitoring roughly 130 people in compliance, including about 30 in a confidential monitoring program for substance use or severe psychiatric conditions. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with members thanking both boards and inviting follow-up questions before appropriations decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're right square in the middle of this deal, and they're going to hire—I made them promise to hire—go
• You know, so they go through a grieving process. You know, so they go through a grieving process.
• process could take quite a lot.
• You're not in compliance, this process could take quite a while.
• And since then, we've seen the necessity of fixing the removal process.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a process called alternative methods of means, and the AMM process has been used in local jurisdictions
• AB 2601 is a process bill.
• This is a process bill. That's about process streamlining, and time is money.
• This is a process bill. That's about process streamlining and time is money.
• That's about process streamlining and time is money.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's just dealing with another matter, so I'm moving along the process here, as we all know this is a
• They would require that employees and agents receive the training within 30 days of initial hire and
• They would remove language that limited process timelines under the bill, which required actions to be
• From what I understand, AAA will only engage or hire tow-truck companies.
• They don't hire individuals.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have a lot to add to what you've already heard, other than it was an 18-month process.
• I'm very thankful to all those who participated; there was a long process.
• So I've had 15 years of hiring and having that hard conversation in my office, where the person that
• We've been working through the budget process. There is a contingency rider to fund this bill.
• I'm in the process of scheduling an elbow replacement right now.

Bills: HB886, HB1514, HB2434, HB2688, HB2802, HB3161, HB3221, HB4029, HB4339, HB4591, HB4774, HB4802, HB4853, HB5627, SB1737

Keywords: retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• Interns are involved in all facets of the governmental process and are exposed to the legislative processes
• Do these individuals lose their due process?
• Can you speak upon just a little bit about due process and specifically about the due process set out
• That is due process.
• This process. 5.

Bills: SB15, SB35, SB290, SB1365, SB2568, SB18, SB427, SB1860, SB1864, SB2675, SB596, SB2858, SB3058, SB816, SB1163, SB1484, SB1898, SB1777, SB1802, SB2692, SB315, SB1585, SB1626, SB2058, SB2050, SB2105, SB2245, SB2764, SB2611, SB2497, SB2452, SB2243, SB1705, SB1244, SB1361, SB438, SB578, SB584, SB2690, SB2521, SB2487, SB2342, SB2063, SB125, SB2041, SB1962, SB1413, SB6, SB2878, SB13, SB30, SJR87, SB7, SB127, SB293, SB441, SB3059, SB57, SB512, SB1718, SB140, SB2055, SB2075, SB2018, SB1534, SB1567, SB785, SB1233, SB1580, SB1663, SB413, SB447, SB519, SB467, SB1579, SB1191, SB1021, SB1838, SB2807, SB2835, SB546, SB2121, SB2167, SB2024, SB1032, SB1049, SB1266, SB1400, SB1302, SB401, SB1596, SB1281, SB1242, SB1343, SB1346, SB2753, SB2221, SB1719, SB2177, SB552, SB646, SJR1, SB15, SB800, SB790, SB748, SB571, SB1957, SB1923, SB1896, SB1760, SB1335, SB2368, SB2477, SB2587, SB2972, SB2986, SB2965, SB1563, SB1467, SB1164, SB1137, SB614, SB705, SB961, SB918, SB955, SB869, SB850, SB863, SB1610, SB1055, SB2206, SB457, SB2337, SB1362, SB926, SB1494, SB251, SB456, SB500, SB1307, SB2615, SB2995, SB2321, SB973, SB974, SB865, SB506, SB781, SB1522, SB1558, SB510, SB667, SB763, SB2073, SB1858, SB1660, SB505, SB2900, SB1433, SB1540, SB1964, SB1300, SB1644, SB2217, SB2373, SB2431, SB1758, SB2480, SB3039, SB3047, SB3073, SB2920, SB2781, SB826, SB766, SB2460, SB527, SB1946, SB2885, SB1243, SB2610, SB2595, SB857, SB2501, SB66, SB268, SB331, SB618, SB414, SB1394, SB2425, SB898, SB993, SB442, SB735, SB784, SB2538, SB1919, SB1013, SB2215, SB2322, SB626, SB570, SB747, SB2183, SB673, SB1015, SB1447, SB1370, SB1784, SB1897, SB2873, SB2891, SB2933, SB2540, SB2681, SB2695, SB1965, SB2203, SB872, SB875, SB1030, SB1277, SB1730, SB1681, SB1152, SB2969, SB2747, SB2705, SB2541, SB1708, SB2080, SB2721, SB1986, SB2392, SB2539, SB2857, SB2799, SB2785, SB2782, SB1531, SB1927, SB1263, SB1098, SB35, SB290, SB1365, SB2568, SB18, SB427, SB1860, SB1864, SB2675, SB596, SB2858, SB3058, SB816, SB1163, SB1484, SB1898, SB1777, SB1802, SB2692, SB315, SB1585, SB1626, SB2058, SB2050, SB2105, SB2245, SB2764, SB2611, SB2497, SB2452, SB2243, SB1705, SB1244, SB1361, SB438, SB578, SB584, SB2690, SB2521, SB2487, SB2342, SB2063, SB125, SB2041, SB1962, SB1413, SCR9, SB21, SB1198, SB1405, SB2601, SB2778, HB5560, HB762, HB1584, HB 107, HB 114, HB138, HB4386, HB2495, HB581, HB3348, HB5323, HB4341, HB6, HB171, HB143, HB449, HB3486, HB4263, HB5246, HB2, HB2011, SB17

Keywords: SB 15, Texas Local Government Code, zoning preemption, housing affordability, small lots, lot size, lot density, single-family zoning, residential subdivision, municipal land use, local control, state preemption, parking requirements, setbacks, infill development, missing middle housing, lot width, lot depth, homebuilders, housing supply

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:50:33.040> and Minnesota because they cannot hire and Minnesota because they cannot hire
• of the process.
• > comment completion of the process um my comment completion of the process um my comment is<01
• hard to hire doctor level people really hard to hire doctor level people and<01:13:23.719> we
• It affects your ability to hire workforce.

Bills: HF1005

Keywords: health insurance, medical assistance, behavioral health, reimbursement rates, primary care services, physician fee schedule, managed care, residential services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:41.720> him gets fired by the person that hired him gets fired by the person that hired
• fire him cuz he wasn't hired.
• fire him cuz he wasn't hired.
• fire him cuz he wasn't hired.
• But how process to make it solid. Right.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a long, drawn-out process to make sure you're competent to do what you're going to do.
• to make sure you're out process to make sure you're competent<00:27:10.880> to<00:27:11.120><
• assisted living when they've been hired assisted living when they've been hired and<00:33:05.480
• They've been hired, and they're going to be sitting on the sidelines potentially for 30 days, for 60
• They've been hired, and they're going to be sitting on the sidelines potentially for 30 days, for 60

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• or refusing to hire an individual if the employer relies in good faith on information from E-Verify.
• So if you're one person and you hire somebody for your sole proprietorship all the way up to a C-Corp
• Correct. ...unless you're found to hire illegal workers. Correct.
• But say I'm a single employer, and I go to hire somebody, and I put them in E-Verify Friday.
• And it's become found that I hired somebody illegally in my business.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed House Bill 4245, the Department of Revenue rules bundle covering 27 rules from six agencies. Members withdrew the committee amendment, adopted a floor amendment making changes to two lottery rules and one tax rule related to pre-need cemetery companies, then passed the bill 30-1. The Senate also adopted a title amendment and made the bill effective from passage by a 31-0 vote. Later, when the House rejected the Senate’s amendments, the Senate receded from its amendments and again passed the bill, making it effective from passage. The chamber also adopted several concurrent resolutions from the Rules Committee, including studies on school finance transparency, divorce grounds, the Southern West Virginia water crisis, athletic trainer access in public secondary schools, the eastern gray fox population, upland game bird stamp purchases, and the Public Service Commission. Senate Concurrent Resolution 50, calling for a study of the PSC, was also adopted. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 5381, which expands the Office of Energy’s role to develop a comprehensive energy policy and grid stabilization plan, and House Bill 5412, the Future Ready Education Act, after amending it to require annual vocational and agriculture offerings unless not viable and to set science-of-reading training requirements for K-5 literacy teachers by 2028-29. The Senate passed House Bill 845, a supplemental appropriation to the Governor’s Office Civil Contingent Fund, after concurring in a House amendment that reappropriated federal match grant funds and increased the civil contingency surplus fund from $15 million to $25 million; it was made effective from passage. The chamber also concurred in House amendments to House Bill 4106 on constitutional carry for 18- to 20-year-olds, House Bill 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia training reimbursement program, House Bill 5453 revising the school aid funding formula for special education weighting, and other measures including House Bill 4009 on portable benefits, Senate Bill 164 on substitute teacher definitions, and House Bill 4606 on pretrial release for certain felonies. A lengthy debate centered on House Bill 4198, the E-Verify Safe Harbor Act. The Judiciary Committee amendment would have required public and certain private employers to use E-Verify, while a further amendment from the Senator from Randolph would have limited the mandate to public employers and made E-Verify optional for private employers with liability protections for good-faith use. After extensive discussion about small business impacts, federal-state conflicts, and enforcement, the Senate adopted the Randolph amendment and then passed the bill 31-3, with a title amendment also adopted. The Senate later refused to concur in House amendments to House Bill 4010, concurred in House amendments to House Bill 5438, receded from amendments to House Bill 4765, and adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we also work with employers to hire veterans.
• With them we give out we hire vets awards.
• We honor employers that want to hire veterans, and why is that important?
• We tell them hiring veterans is good for business. Why is it good for business?
• So we support that and make Texas a better place to hire in our veterans.