Transcript Highlights:

• If you require assistance and register. or testifying, please contact the committee staff.
• disabilities who have the faculties to make choices for themselves, but may need additional supportive assistance
• agreement is involved in a criminal or civil proceeding, they are not allowed to have supportive assistance
• and ethical implications of authorizing a supporter under a supportive decision-making agreement to assist

Bills: SB66

Keywords: disability, supported decision-making, legal assistance, confidentiality, access to justice, autonomy, civil rights, advocacy, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• custodial staff and our systems mechanics and all those operational expenses with a combination of general
• It would most likely be general fund money that will replace the rent if we draft it. $219,500 was it
• Second reason, I think, is because in the last report to the Attorney General, Prairie Public had 10
• is what was generated by gaming.
• And then the 40%, the 40%—$375,000—was generated in their gaming sites, their 10 gaming sites, for that

Bills: SB2014

Keywords: industrial commission, economic development, housing finance, oil and gas, rail infrastructure, financial assistance, emergency funding, 908, all

Summary: The Government Operations Division met to continue work on the remaining bill and related amendments. Joe Morse asked the committee to include a $219,000 general fund replacement for rent that would no longer be collected from Career and Technical Education after the 15th floor of the tower becomes legislative space under the Legislative Council’s jurisdiction. Members discussed that state law currently requires rent only from executive branch office space, not legislative or judicial space, and there was no objection to adding the request to the amendment package. The committee then revisited a set of amendments it had previously discussed, including whether to include funding for Prairie Public. Senator Dwyer argued against any Prairie Public funding, citing its reserves, endowment, and charitable gaming revenue, and said the state should prioritize other needs. Senator Irby supported a one-time infrastructure contribution as the state shares in related infrastructure costs. Senator Sickler said Prairie Public still provides unique local programming, but that a one-time infrastructure item would be a reasonable compromise rather than ongoing operating support. A motion was made and seconded to provide Prairie Public $850,000 from the Strategic Investment and Improvement Fund for infrastructure needs. The roll call vote failed 3-2, with Senators Sickler and Irby voting aye, Senators Dwyer and Burkhard voting no, and Chairman Wanzek voting yes. After that vote, the committee indicated the amendment package was otherwise complete, though leadership had asked that final action on the bill be held for a little longer. The meeting adjourned with the understanding that more amendments could still be brought forward before the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee members is this: when the House has its budget out next week, if you'd please ask your assistant
• committee members is this: when the House has its budget out next week, if you'd please ask your assistant

Bills: HB125, HB116, HB183, HB342, HB341, SB280, SB245, SB159, HB125, HB116, HB183, HB342, HB341, SB280, SB245, SB159

Keywords: HB125, sunset law, Alabama Sunset Committee, Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, veterinary medical examiners, veterinary board, veterinary licensing, veterinary regulation, professional licensing board, state board continuation, sunset review, regulatory board, animal health, veterinarians, disciplinary authority, HB116, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset bill, Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board, bail bonding

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2674 seeks to protect that freedom for future generations.
• Brooks Moore, I'm the Deputy General Counsel at the A&M System, Office of General Counsel.
• I guess you guys have a general counsel. You should probably know a lot about it.
• I'm just a huge sports fan in general. We want this landscape to make sense.
• This generation is worth more than what big tech is making off of them. Thank you.

Bills: HB126, HB121

Keywords: election laws, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, voting integrity, education, property values, school districts, comptroller, funding formula

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met to hear testimony on a full agenda of education-related bills. Several measures were laid out and left pending, including HB 322 to allow JET Grant funds to be used for subscription-based and ongoing technology costs for career and technical education; HB 3062 to require fentanyl and drug-poisoning prevention instruction for entering college students; HB 121 to update school safety laws, including TEA peace officer commissions, annual renewal of certain safety exceptions, new reporting requirements, and special education behavior threat assessment changes; HB 3627 to let the State Board of Education chair employ staff; HB 5515 to curb inflated shipping and handling charges on instructional materials; HB 2674 to prohibit new state regulation of homeschool programs; HB 2310 to require a statewide strategic plan for early learning and inclusion for young children with disabilities; HB 367 to standardize documentation for excused absences due to serious illness; HB 1178 to speed certification for out-of-state educators and military spouses; and HB 1481 to expand cell phone restrictions to the full school day. Testimony was generally supportive on most bills, with some concerns raised on HB 121 about school district police departments investigating misconduct and on HB 2674 about how it would interact with the new ESA program in SB 2. HB 5515 drew support from instructional materials coordinators who described extreme shipping invoices and argued the bill would restore transparency and fiscal responsibility. HB 2310 was supported by disability advocates and early learning groups, who said a coordinated state plan would improve access and inclusion for children with disabilities. HB 367 was presented as a simple clarification to reduce confusion for medically vulnerable students and families, and HB 1178 was described by TEA as a modest pathway that would help bring experienced out-of-state teachers into Texas schools more quickly. HB 126, updating Texas’ NIL law to align with the pending House settlement and allow direct payments and pre-enrollment NIL agreements, received extensive testimony from university counsel and committee questioning about the settlement, recruiting, and future college athletics rules. HB 1481, expanding school cell phone restrictions from instructional time to the entire school day, drew strong support from parents, students, educators, and advocates who linked phones to distraction, cyberbullying, and mental health harms; one teacher asked for flexibility so phones could still be used for limited academic tasks. No bills were voted out; each measure heard was left pending subject to the call of the chair, and the committee then recessed to attend the floor session.

Bills: HF1141

Keywords: housing, finance, affordable housing, infrastructure bonds, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, supportive housing, homeless prevention, elderly assistance, community development

Transcript Highlights:

• assistance if they're having trouble with the process.
• We've heard some providers saying they're taking longer, but that is generally about an hour is what
• about an hour is but that is generally about an hour is what<00:12:14.480> we're<00:12:14.720
• So again, technical assistance was given. We appreciate that.
• So again, technical assistance was given. We appreciate that.

Bills: HF729

Keywords: human services, provider enrollment, medical assistance, healthcare, housing stabilization, substance use disorder, vulnerable adults, fraud prevention, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, the Lone Star card is the ID card for financial assistance programs in Texas, such as the Supplemental
• Assistance Program, known as SNAP, and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, known as.
• And just a general explanation of how that would work and how they're designated. Yes, absolutely.
• Because of my role as Commissioner Miller's... assistant and campaign manager at the time.
• And in general, I think that it's not within the state's interest in order to have this.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• for the benefit fit of the committee that there are other approved users of the card. and just a general
• The Texas Office of Inspector General, their summary of snap fraud investigation. investigations and
• It targets women and girls, especially in the. the trans community, and will the Attorney General be
• We encourage a culture... fear or transgender people and as we've seen people in general are punished
• And in general, I think that it's not within the state's interest in order to have this.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Doctors and providers who have sworn an oath to do no harm are quite literally harming a generation of
• Both Texas Children's Hospital and Dell Children's Hospital have been investigated by the Attorney General

Bills: SB 240, SB 1183, SB 1184, SB 1577, SB 2043, SB 2051, SCR 42, SJR 68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, the Lone Star Card is the ID card for financial assistance programs in Texas, such as the Supplemental
• Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program
• The Texas Office of Inspector General, their summary of SNAP fraud investigations and recoveries show
• They are in the same general area, and so it makes sense to hear from the witnesses together.
• Will the Attorney General be investigating every single claim?

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1183, by Senator Creighton, which would require Lone Star Cards used for SNAP and TANF benefits to display the recipient’s name and photo, add fraud-reporting information, and require HHSC to track replacement-card requests. Creighton argued the bill would reduce fraud and protect taxpayer dollars, citing Texas SNAP theft and overpayment data. HHSC testified that photo IDs on the card are technically possible and explained how authorized secondary users are added. Dr. Amber O’Connor of Every Texan testified against the bill, saying SNAP fraud is a small share of expenditures, that the proposal would be costly and ineffective, and that federal rules limit mandatory photo requirements. Public testimony closed and SB 1183 was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1184, also by Senator Creighton, which would lower from 20 years to 10 years the minimum age of collectible wine that Texas collectors may sell to permitted restaurants. Supporters said the change would help Texas restaurants access desirable vintages, keep collectible wine in-state, and align with market demand; invited witnesses from the wine industry testified in favor. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1184 was left pending. Next, Senator Birdwell laid out Senate Bill 2051 and Senate Joint Resolution 68, both aimed at revising Texas impeachment procedures in response to issues identified during the 2023 impeachment process. The measures would clarify constitutional and statutory impeachment authority, require sworn testimony, extend review periods for House members, address conflicts of interest and presiding officers, require cost reporting, and modify rules for impeaching the governor or lieutenant governor. A committee substitute added protections for the accused, longer review periods, and a fallback presiding-officer option. Witnesses generally supported stronger accountability but raised questions about whether the language should also cover retired or visiting judges. Both measures were left pending after testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1577, which would expand Texas Motor Speedway’s alcohol sales authority to include distilled spirits and remove certain event and concession limits; the Speedway’s representative supported the bill and it was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 and Senate Bill 240, which would recognize only two sexes and restrict access to sex-designated private spaces in public facilities based on biological sex. Supporters argued the measures were needed to protect women’s privacy and safety, including in schools and shelters, while opponents warned about enforcement problems, privacy concerns, and impacts on transgender Texans and others who do not fit stereotypical sex traits. After extensive testimony, both measures were left pending. The committee then took up multiple pending bills and reported several favorably, including SB 511, SB 33, SB 510, SB 871, SB 2024, SB 2166, SJR 27, SJR 40, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1541, SB 2420, SB 1999, SB 2309, SB 1860, and SB 2429, with some also certified for the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.320> very be and generally is very be and generally is very non-controversial,<00:04:02.640
• Meaning folks who make less assistance.
• and I generally support what's going on. and I generally support what's going on.
• increasing popularity too or a general increasing popularity too or a general pool<01:09:33.880>
• general pool. general pool.

Bills: HF495, HF4321, HF3902, HF4161, HF3755

Keywords: day care, tax subtraction, child care costs, licensed child care, dependent care assistance, HF4321, dependent care assistance programs, gross income exclusion, federal conformity, Internal Revenue Code, individual income tax, Minnesota tax law, tax conformity, child care assistance, employer-provided dependent care, taxable income, state income tax, retroactive tax change, family care benefits, housing tax credit

Transcript Highlights:

• was appointed the Interim General Counsel.
• I work for the Comptroller's Office in General Litigation. We were the requester on this matter.
• Would the Interim General Counsel please introduce this item?
• Would the Interim General Counsel please introduce this item?
• In favor of fines, our Interim General Counsel, Ms.

Keywords: Texas Ethics Commission, legislative recommendations, general counsel appointment, foreign lobbying, political contributions, quarterly meetings, public testimony, rule amendments

Summary: The meeting focused on the Texas Ethics Commission's (TEC) evaluation of legislative recommendations and personnel updates, including the appointment of a new general counsel and discussions about upcoming quarterly meetings. Commissioner Schmidt reported on the progress of various bills, including amendments to existing laws, the need for increased regulation on foreign lobbying, and the publication of new rules in the Texas Register. Public testimonies were heard regarding compliance issues and proposed changes in political contribution regulations. The Commission agreed to schedule further review on the legislative items discussed and the proposed rule amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bertie Brett Shumate to serve as Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division.
• As Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs.
• In 2017, you were appointed Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Division's Federal Programs Branch
• General and Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel.
• Most recently, Brett served as Acting Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, and DOJ.

Keywords: John Eisenberg, assistant attorney general, national security, China Initiative, Department of Justice, judicial authority, executive actions, nomination hearing

Summary: The committee meeting primarily involved discussions around key nominations and pressing legal issues pertaining to the Department of Justice. Notable discussions included the nomination of John Eisenberg for assistant attorney general for national security, where concerns over the revival of the China Initiative were raised. Senators expressed significant apprehensions regarding previous actions taken under this initiative and its implications for national security. Additionally, there were critiques of the broader implications of executive actions that challenge judicial authority, aligning with ongoing dialogues about the integrity of the judiciary and executive oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, I'd like to introduce, uh, our committee director Susannah Feather and our assistant clerk
• My staff and I are here to assist you with anything you might need, so please, uh, don't hesitate to
• If you're having trouble, uh, registering, please see our assistant clerk, Benjamin Barnes.
• He will assist you with that registration.
• Grant Program and rural prosecutor's Office Salary Assistance Grant Program.

Bills: HB318, HB198

Keywords: ERCOT, interconnection, electric utilities, power grid, transmission, election administration, school board elections, trustee terms, general election, Education Code

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:04.000> of<00:10:04.160> Workforce generation of Workforce generation of Workforce
• districts to teach the next Generations districts to teach the next Generations as<00:10:10.279>
• Sammy RAB, uh, Assistant Director of Government Relations at the Department of Education.
• The resident district will generate the state aid and receive a bill for 100% of the tuition.
• Local option revenue was first enacted to provide general education revenue, or general education funding

Bills: HF827, HF1258, HF2387, HF2388, HF2534, HF2016

Keywords: education, school funding, consolidation aid, financial support, Minnesota Statutes, education finance, ice arena, school districts, cooperation agreement, equal sports opportunities, school milk program, nutrition, food waste, kindergarten, public schools, supplemental revenue, charter schools, funding, state appropriations, general education funding

Bills: HB689, HB742, HB926, HB946, HB948, HB1028, HB1095, HB1114, HB1121, HB1155, HB1185, HB1217, HB1220, HB1227, HCR76

Keywords: public assistance, child welfare, benefit adjustment, DCFS, LDH, fraud detection, household reporting, Medicaid, immunization, healthcare eligibility, Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program, health policy, vaccination requirements, vaccination status, vaccine mandate, medical freedom, medical autonomy, public buildings, public access, government services

Bills: HB2, HB3

Keywords: capital outlay, budget, infrastructure, appropriation, general obligation bonds, bond authorization, capital improvement, financial management, state treasury, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's be the generation that acts. Thank you.
• When we talk about firearms in general, we so often and...
• , which could be Attorney General DeLong in a few years, right, or Attorney General whomever—that if
• My generation feels left behind. My generation feels left behind.
• Members of the committee, for the record, Mike Morton, Special Assistant Attorney General, the Attorney

Bills: SB156

Keywords: gun violence, firearm safety, special counsel, data collection, community initiatives, grants, Attorney General, public safety, suicide prevention, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um unless I over didn't hear assistance um unless I over didn't hear it<00:20:25.880> what<00
• We all know that medical assistance is critical for health care coverage in Minnesota.
• <00:47:56.400> or we all know that medical assistants or we all know that medical assistants
• I see them relying on medical assistance for their health care coverage to access primary care.
• $10 million from uh the general $10 million from uh the general fund<01:25:31.360> who<01

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:

• <00:21:03.960> for physical therapist assistants for physical therapist assistants for purposes
• eligibility for um, medical assistance eligibility for um, medical assistance as<00:26:10.920>
• So, um um assistance without dollars.
• They're from a different generation.
• They're from a different generation.

Bills: HF4401, HF4466

Keywords: HF4401, Minnesota Medical Assistance, dental reimbursement, dental rates, critical access dental providers, Medicaid dental, MinnesotaCare, managed care plans, county-based purchasing plans, fee-for-service, oral health access, safety-net clinics, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, Indian health services, state-operated dental clinics, low-income patients, children's dental care, provider reimbursement, dental access