Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 389 performance by a minor.
• Performance-based funding started in Kentucky back in 2017.
• Um, we had some very special guests in the annex today with Kentucky Arts Day.
• industry<00:19:08.880> generates The arts and culture industry generates The arts and culture
• <00:19:23.600> who arts community attracts tourists who arts community attracts tourists who

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 06:30 Calendar/2nd Readings 07:18 Report of Committees 08:19 Orders of the Day 09:04 HB 96 09:16 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 15:21 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 21:24 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 23:35 ConC and Rules Report 31:06 Floor Amendments 32:42 Return to Rules Report 33:28 Adjournment 34:27, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and arts center Rochester performance and arts center and<05:27:02.558> I<05:27:02.680> see
• And that's not just performing arts, but that's visual arts. That's arts across the board.
• They're doing visual art as well as performance art.
• They're doing visual art as well as performance art.
• They're doing visual art as well as performance art.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began by announcing that afternoon hearings, including House Bill 283, would be moved to Representatives Hall because of expected public interest. It then took up House Bill 671, which would establish a kindergarten literacy readiness program. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Mark Pearson, described the measure as a way to close gaps in early reading readiness and said it was intended as a first step, with only a placeholder appropriation while details are developed. He framed it as a targeted effort to help children who are not entering first grade ready to read. Testimony on HB 671 was largely supportive. Representatives asked about the bill’s structure, whether a specific program had been identified, how it would interact with play-based learning, and why the provider was limited to a registered nonprofit. Waterford.org representatives Teresa Rosenberger and Rob Riley testified in support, describing Waterford Upstart as a home-based, evidence-based early learning program already used in New Hampshire. They said the program provides adaptive instruction, family coaching, and technology support, including computers, tablets, internet access, and translation services in more than 100 languages. They also said the model has been successful in New Hampshire, including a Nashua pilot and later statewide efforts, and that similar legislation has existed in other states. Rep. Jonah Wheeler also spoke in support of the bill. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 671. After a fiscal note for HB 671 was distributed, the committee moved to House Bill 781, which would require school districts to adopt policies for a cell phone-free education and includes an appropriation. The transcript cuts off as Rep. Litchfield was introduced to testify on that bill, so no testimony, debate, or vote on HB 781 is included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Decades of research show that arts participation is linked to higher academic performance, better attendance
• He wanted to perform well in them, and when I asked him why, he said, "I want to perform well because
• Arts programs improve academic performance. How?
• It happens in art, dance, music, and theater programs on a daily basis. ...Fine Arts participation is
• Funding the Fine Arts Allotment would allow more students access to quality fine arts programs.

Bills: HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kid City provides music instruction, performance groups, guidance, performances, workshops.
• and arts and culture.
• Around arts funding and how important it is to the California economy and arts and culture.
• Council, as well as continued investment in programs like the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund
• The California Arts Council truly is the backbone of arts infrastructure in California.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and<00:13:39.200> performing<00:13:39.800> arts, studies, fine and performing arts
• They don't need a performing arts. They don't need a CTE. They don't need anything else.
• They don't need a performing arts. They don't need a CTE. They don't need anything else.
• They don't need a performing<03:13:45.720> arts.
• performing arts. They don't need a CTE. performing arts. They don't need a CTE.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We think about cultural tourism, the arts, and performing arts, and typically that's looked at as a separate
• arts.
• Again, this covers really broad industries, and it's not just performing arts; it goes far beyond that
• Arts and New Mexico Main Street.
• They were luxury, outdoor experiences, family, and arts and culture. family, and arts and culture.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will save my later introduction on Art at the Capitol because today is Art at the Capitol.
• So because today is Art at the Capitol.
• Art at the Capitol possible. Art at the Capitol possible.
• And to my team, thank you for planning Art at the Capitol.
• <00:16:55.040> that's course the wonderful art that's course the wonderful art that's showcased

Bills: SCR48, SCR28, SCR74, SCR62, SCR60, SCR89, SCR147, SCR179, SCR182, SCR59, SCR54, SCR180

Keywords: affordable housing, housing credits, perpetual credits, development, Hawaii Housing Finance, Vietnam veterans, commemorative medal, recognition, working group, Hawaii, no-bid contracts, emergency procurement, audit, state agencies, public funds, accountability, emergency response, disability access, 911 systems, life-saving measures

Transcript Highlights:

• These include removing one-time funding for the Flower Mound Performing Arts Center, a decrease in projected
• And we partner with Texans for the Arts and the Texas Commission on the Arts to achieve this.
• Arts in Dallas.
• We love art; art is transformative. Art drives economic development. Thank you for your time.
• These operational grants are not just about supporting arts for arts' sake.

Bills: SB 1

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

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken. The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information. The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And ...of Healing Arts, are you allowed to perform anything defined as surgical?
• of Healing Arts.
• If we have not shown competency in performing a procedure, we do not perform it.
• They're not under the Board of Healing Arts.
• They're not under the Board of Healing Arts.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee first established a quorum and then took up House Bill 3111, which concerns bail bonds oversight. A committee substitute was offered to fold bail bondsmen into the existing board for private investigators and private fire investigators, avoiding a fiscal note. An amendment then removed a $150 cap on fees charged to bail bond agents so the board could set fees as needed. The committee adopted the amendment, rolled it into a new committee substitute, and voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 3111 do pass by a 21-0 roll call. The hearing then moved to Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 1233, the CPA licensure bill. Senator Curtis Trent and supporters from the Missouri Society of CPAs and the state auditor’s office said the bill creates a new pathway to CPA licensure that emphasizes practical experience over additional academic credit hours, while keeping the same exam standards. They also described related provisions for social work supervisors and speech pathologists. No opposition testified, and the hearing on SB 1233 concluded without a vote in the transcript. The committee next heard House Bill 2999, a contested optometry scope-of-practice bill. The sponsor and supporters described it as a negotiated compromise to codify certain procedures optometrists say they already perform, while ophthalmologists argued it should not expand into surgical procedures and raised patient-safety concerns. Witnesses on both sides debated whether the bill would clarify or freeze scope of practice, whether it would improve rural access, and whether some procedures such as lasers or collagen cross-linking should be considered surgery. The bill drew both support and opposition testimony, but no committee action or vote is shown in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2957 on respiratory therapist licensing. The sponsor and the Missouri Society for Respiratory Care said the bill would raise the entry standard from the CRT credential to the higher RRT credential for new applicants after January 1, 2027, while grandfathering current CRTs and requiring proof of active credential at renewal audits. Supporters said this reflects current training standards and improves patient safety; no opposition testified in the transcript, and no vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course, arts and culture us.
• art and cultural heritage fund supporting<00:05:05.199> arts,<00:05:05.639> cultural<00
• engaged in our cultural arts and legacy. engaged in our cultural arts and legacy.
• <00:13:00.959> and Minnesota Latino community of arts and Minnesota Latino community of arts
• ><00:13:03.440> that performances and with installation that performances and with installation

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House considered a conference committee report on House File 2563, the legacy bill, and members described it as a bipartisan agreement with the Senate. Representative Vang outlined several major changes from the House version, including restoring funding for Peace in the Valley in parks and trails, moving Wilderness Inquiry funding to the arts and culture fund, increasing the Minnesota Zoo to $3.4 million, raising the Children’s Museum to $1 million, setting aside $1.5 million for a competitive grant pool for children’s museums statewide, and increasing the Science Museum to $700,000. Supporters said the bill invests in clean water, parks and trails, outdoor heritage, arts and cultural heritage, and a new community identity and heritage grant program for underserved communities. Several members spoke in favor of the report, emphasizing the value of legacy funds for conservation, cultural programming, tourism, and community identity. Speakers highlighted specific beneficiaries and projects, including outdoor heritage groups, the Science Museum, Latino arts and mural projects, and competitive funding for creative arts and music. One member noted that some state agencies also received appropriations in the bill and criticized fee increases on Minnesotans, while another said the bill reflected a fair negotiation process and that some programs saw reductions because of a $33.1 million accounting-related shortfall. After debate, the House adopted the conference committee report. The clerk then took the roll, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a vote of 113 yeas and 21 nays, with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Performing Arts Center, a decrease in projected revenues from donations and license plate revenue. revenue
• The the city The arts council can apply, our county arts council can apply.
• Arts Center.
• Students learn these skills from the seasoned professionals at the AT&T AT&T Performing Arts Center.
• Texas Commission on the Arts.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it is a performance-based grant.
• These include removing one-time funding for the Flower Mound Performing Arts Center, a decrease in projected
• The city arts council can apply or a county arts council can apply.
• One program that they support in Dallas is called Backstage Spotlight through the AT&T Performing Arts
• Arts Center.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lawfully is not a term of art, Madam Speaker and gentlelady, so I'm wondering if there's a definition

Bills: HB111, HB103, HB109, HB128, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB49, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB124, HB145, HB154, HB158, HB164, HB180, HB291, HJR6, HJR7, HR1, HJM1, HM13, HM47

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• If you are a professional, one, you're a child and you are performing, which means you are, you know,
• ,<00:28:42.960> which child and you are performing, which child and you are performing, which
• Well, I am a performer using Z platform.
• If you perform a to me is just wrong.
• So by doing that, I agreed to perform. >> You're the child or the parent?

Bills: HB19, HB170, HB171, HB173, HB174, HB19, HB170, HB171, HB173, HB174

Keywords: Ebony Alert, missing youth, public safety, law enforcement, racial equity, HB170, supplemental appropriations, Education Trust Fund, Alabama education budget, school funding, K-12 education, local boards of education, textbook adoption, school buses, school safety, charter schools, summer programs, afterschool programs, reading intervention, college and career readiness

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of you folks know that I did some art when I was younger.
• One of my friends became an international opera star, and she actually performed at the Santa Fe Opera
• prohibits public bodies from entering into agreements to deputize officers, employees, or agents to perform
• prohibits public bodies from entering into agreements to deputize officers, employees, or agents, to perform
• to July 2021, one of only three ICE detention centers in the country failed to meet its annual performance

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM25, HB9, SB2, SB19

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• Only under the Board of Healing Arts are you allowed to perform anything defined as surgical.
• Only under the Board of Healing Arts, are you allowed to perform anything defined as surgical.
• of Healing Arts.
• If we have not shown competency in performing a procedure, we do not perform it.
• They're not under the Board of Healing Arts.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 3111, which concerns bail bonds oversight. Representative Phelps offered a committee substitute that moved bail bondsmen into the existing Board of Private Investigators, Private Fire Investigators, and Professional Surety Bail Bonds to avoid a fiscal note. An amendment was adopted to remove fee caps in the substitute, and the committee then adopted the revised substitute and voted it do pass 21-0. The committee then heard Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 1233, the CPA licensure bill, along with related provisions for social work supervisors and speech pathologists. Senator Trent and supporters from the Missouri Society of CPAs, the speech-language association, the social work community, and the State Auditor’s Office said the bill would address CPA shortages by creating a new licensure path based more on experience, while preserving exam standards and adding reciprocity. No opposition was offered, and the hearing concluded without a vote. House Bill 2999 on optometry scope of practice drew extensive testimony and debate. The sponsor and ophthalmology witnesses described the bill as a negotiated compromise that would codify specific procedures optometrists may perform, while opponents from optometry argued it would freeze scope in statute, limit modernization, and require repeated legislative action as standards change. Witnesses disagreed sharply over whether the bill improved patient safety and access, whether the procedures were already within current practice, and whether surgical procedures such as lasers should be included. The bill was heard but no committee action was taken in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2957 on respiratory therapist licensure. Representative Castile and respiratory care witnesses said the bill would phase out the CRT as the entry credential for new applicants in favor of the higher RRT standard, while grandfathering current CRTs and adding renewal audits to confirm active credentials. Supporters said the change reflects current training standards and would raise patient-care quality without reducing workforce numbers. No opposition testimony was presented, and the hearing adjourned without a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas a substantive and sequential visual and performing arts curriculum enables students to develop
• <00:29:52.559> arts<00:29:52.880> curriculum<00:29:53.360> enables performing arts
• curriculum enables performing arts curriculum enables students<00:29:54.159> to<00:29:54.399>
• And then she went to go perform. She became a student of performing arts.
• <00:37:19.760> of performing arts and the importance of performing arts and the importance

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Adel G. and Lane Winchester from the Public Academy for the Performing Arts.
• For the performing arts. Oh, say, can you see by the dawn's early light?
• He is, besides studying performing arts and loving performing arts, he also loves math.
• He is a sophomore, and in addition to the performing arts, Boomlawn.
• He is a sophomore, and in addition to the performing arts, he likes English, and he wants to pursue a

Bills: HM19

Keywords: New Mexico Aviation and Aerospace Day, aviation, aerospace, space industry, missile programs, Spaceport America, White Sands Missile Range, White Sands Test Facility, Kirtland Air Force Base, drone, unmanned aircraft systems, commercial space transportation, NASA, aircraft, STEM education, research laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, flight testing, medical evacuation

Transcript Highlights:

• Student performance is up.
• Our North Star for Prop. 28 is more arts education for more kids.
• And by doing so, we increase the amount of spending that goes to arts education.
• Our North Star for Prop. 28 is more arts education for more kids.
• And by doing so, we increase the amount of spending that goes to arts education.

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills, with the most extensive discussion focused on AB 2189, AB 2615, AB 2496, AB 1750, and AB 1644. AB 2189 would create an $800,000 grant program through the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to support a statewide parent network for special education advocacy and training. Supporters said families need stronger coordination and information to navigate special education, while an opponent argued the bill could duplicate existing family-led organizations. The bill passed 6-0 and was sent to Appropriations, held on call for add-on votes. AB 2615, a cleanup bill to AB 715 on antisemitism and instructional materials, drew the most controversy. The authors said it was intended to clarify prior commitments by removing references to professional responsibility standards, refining the “factually accurate” language, and clarifying how discriminatory materials are handled. Supporters said it would help protect students from discrimination, while many educators, civil rights groups, and other organizations opposed it unless amended, warning that the factual-accuracy language could chill teaching and be applied too broadly. The committee chair and members raised concerns about implementation but ultimately supported moving the bill forward; it passed 5-0 and was held on call. AB 2496 would streamline school accountability reporting by making the California School Dashboard the primary transparency tool, phasing out the School Accountability Report Card over time, and making mid-year LCAP reporting optional. Supporters said this would reduce duplication and administrative burden while preserving access to key data; opponents worried families could lose the simplicity and accessibility of the current SARC and that the mid-year update still serves an important purpose. The bill was approved 3-0 and held on call. AB 1750, which would extend full salary for an additional five months for school employees who exhaust sick leave due to illness or injury, was supported as a dignity and retention measure but opposed by administrators over staffing and cost concerns; it passed 4-0 and was held on call. AB 1644 would require a bell-to-bell smartphone ban in TK-8 and recommend it for high school, with exceptions for instructional and safety needs; supporters said phones are harming attention and learning, while opponents argued districts had just adopted local policies and needed more flexibility. The transcript ends during discussion of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:42.440> art um articulating the um uh performing art um articulating the um uh performing
• there may be huge ramifications for performing arts organizations locally.
• He said the timing of the bill is extremely important for performing arts organizations across the state
• for performing arts organizations locally.
• So the timing of this bill in particular is extremely important for performing arts organizations across

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 1480 on transportation and road usage charging. Supporters included the Department of Transportation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, county representatives, and the Tax Foundation, while an automotive industry witness opposed the bill, arguing it would be unfair to rural drivers and those with longer commutes. Committee discussion focused on equity, rural impacts, and whether the measure should be tied to future rail funding. The committees ultimately recommended SB 1480 pass with amendments, including broadening allowable uses of funds, clarifying language on infrastructure and safety, addressing motor scooters, and striking a proposed new subaccount; the recommendation was adopted by both committees, with one no vote in TCA. For SB 970 on taxation, the Tax Foundation said the employer transit tax credit would be more efficient as a direct subsidy program, and the Department of Taxation recommended several changes, including a sunset date of December 31, 2030, anti-double-benefit language, deletion of certain reporting requirements, and an effective date of December 31, 2025. The department estimated the bill would reduce revenues by about $11.6 million over the four-year period it would be in effect. The committees moved SB 970 forward with amendments to include bike share in the credit and add a defective date, leaving the department’s suggested changes for later consideration; the recommendation was adopted. The committees also advanced SB 1008 on parking and SB 1088 on electric vehicle charging infrastructure without amendments. DCAB strongly supported SB 1008, saying it would help counties enforce accessible parking design requirements, and noted a related bill without the EV portion. SB 1088 drew broad support from the Public Utilities Commission, State Energy Office, county and advocacy groups, and individuals; one question raised whether the bill should sunset, but the response was that Hawaii still lacks sufficient EV charging infrastructure and the measure expands eligibility for affordable housing. Both bills were recommended to pass unamended and the recommendations were adopted. The Transportation and Culture and Arts committee then heard SB 1011 on the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program, with testimony in strong support from individuals and the State Archivist, who suggested preserving award recipients’ archives, photos, oral histories, and clippings. The committee also heard SB 441 on the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, with support from the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaii Theatre Center, musicians, and others emphasizing cultural value, workforce stability, and statewide access to the arts. The transcript then moved to SB 1581 on the Hawaii Japan Pacific Peace Monument and SB 1577 relating to the State Foundation on the Arts; on SB 1577, the Attorney General warned that using the Works of Special Art Fund for operating purposes could jeopardize the tax-exempt status of related bonds and recommended deleting section five, while also pointing to the Performing Arts Special Fund as an alternative.