Transcript Highlights:

• Indian Tribe and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, have the authority to employ and commission
• The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas already have officers
• Tribes generally lack criminal jurisdiction.
• Other tribes in Texas, including the Alabama-Coushatta and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe, already have
• Other tribes in Texas, including the Alabama Kashara and Kikapu traditional tribe already commissioned

Bills: SB693, SB781, SB836, SB860, SB906, SB993, SB1101, SB1321, SB1370, SB1537, SB1563, SB1610, SB1637

Keywords: notary public, notaries, acknowledgment, jurat, personal appearance, remote notarization, online notarization, e-notary, electronic notarization, fraud prevention, identity verification, real estate fraud, property transfer, state jail felony, Class A misdemeanor, secretary of state, continuing education, record retention, notarial act, Texas Government Code

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice heard a series of bills focused on criminal procedure, public safety, victim protections, and law enforcement administration. SB 1537 would require criminal-proceeding interpreters to meet the same appointment standards used in the Government Code, and SB 993 would let the Comptroller’s Criminal Investigative Division seek mobile-tracking warrants directly in motor fuel theft and related tax-fraud investigations. SB 693, as substituted, would create a criminal offense for notaries who notarize documents without the signer personally appearing, with a higher penalty when real property is involved, and would add continuing education for notaries. SB 1610 would tighten rules for civilly committed sexually violent predators at the Texas Civil Commitment Office, including penalties for new crimes and assaults on staff, sex-offender registration requirements, and removal of certain provisions from the filed version; the substitute reduced some of the harsher penalties and preserved parole/community-supervision eligibility. SB 836 would expand privacy protections for sexual assault survivors by limiting livestreaming of certain trials, allowing pseudonyms earlier in the process, and protecting forensic exam evidence and invasive recordings under protective orders. SB 1563 would require county jailers to receive training on interacting with veterans, with testimony emphasizing suicide risk, PTSD, and the need for better identification and support in jails. SB 906 would give the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo authority similar to other Texas tribes to commission peace officers under state law to enforce Texas laws on tribal land. SB 781 would standardize confidentiality rules for peace officers’ personal information and create a confidential departmental file system modeled on Chapter 143 civil-service practices, though members raised concerns about whether the bill could affect disciplinary records and existing disclosure rules. Testimony was largely supportive for the bills, especially from prosecutors, law enforcement representatives, victim advocates, and agency officials. Supporters of SB 693 described widespread deed fraud tied to improper notarizations; supporters of SB 836 stressed survivor privacy and the harms of livestreamed sexual-assault proceedings; supporters of SB 1563 said jailer training could help prevent veteran suicides and improve treatment; and supporters of SB 906 said state commissioning would improve public safety and coordination on tribal lands. SB 781 drew support from police and TCOLE witnesses who said the bill would extend confidentiality protections already used in civil-service departments, while some members questioned whether the bill duplicated existing law or could be read to shield misconduct information. Public testimony included opposition to SB 1610 from a civil-rights advocate who urged waiting for Sunset review, and opposition to SB 781 from a family member of a person killed by police, who objected to expanding confidentiality for officers. Several bills were left pending after testimony because the committee lacked a quorum or chose to hold them for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the best features of this program is that if a tribe can't use all of their funding, that tribe
• can send their unused funding to another tribe.
• That feature allows tribes to further their collaboration and better serve their communities.
• One of the best features of this program is that if a tribe can't use all of their funding, that tribe
• can send their unused funding to another tribe.

Bills: HF4561, HF4343

Keywords: homeless prevention aid, homelessness, housing stability, rental assistance, family homelessness, unaccompanied youth, housing navigation, legal representation, family outreach, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aid, general fund appropriation, unspent funds, aid redistribution, sunset repeal, Minnesota property tax aid, services for persons experiencing homelessness, sales tax, use tax

Transcript Highlights:

• of our tribe relative to the Prairie Island nuclear generating plant.
• > pr<00:31:43.279> nuclear of our tribe relative to the pr nuclear of our tribe relative
• Community is a friendly recognized tribe Community is a friendly recognized tribe in<00:31:49.000
• waste were cited next to the tribe waste were cited next to the tribe without<00:32:16.120> our
• The PUC in the legislature authorized the storage of spent fuel next to our tribe. Mr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You have the tribes listed on there, but you haven't listed them as engaged.
• MOU with the tribes so far.
• Tribes are an entity that we can do land exchanges with. So, we... Repeat that again?
• Tribes are entities that we can do land exchanges with. We have to partner with...
• So that's another area that we've engaged with tribes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The hope is that tribes and growers and the community can come together and really see a shared vision
• How will those monies be allocated amongst the different tribes in the state? Is it competitive?
• EPA and the U.S. government when it comes to federally recognized tribes, since they have the primary
• , but for all tribes within the state.
• So is it a competitive process or is it a formula among the different tribes and states?

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on water and coastal resilience heard an overview of the governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan, with presentations from the Department of Finance, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and later coastal agencies. Members discussed the water chapter’s major allocations for drinking water and wastewater, recycled water, tribal water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and SGMA implementation, dam safety, flood protection, integrated regional water management, Salton Sea projects, and water data/stream gauges. The LAO noted that many programs are established and have clear funding processes, but some newer or less-defined programs may warrant more detailed future budget requests and reporting. No votes were taken on the agenda items. Members raised concerns about groundwater subsidence, water deliveries from the Delta, the pace of water storage investments, instream flows, and whether bond dollars were being used to backfill General Fund reductions. Administration witnesses said groundwater recharge spending is being paced because prior years already funded substantial SGMA work, that Delta operations are governed by water quality, salinity, and species requirements, and that Proposition 1 storage projects have moved slowly because they are locally led and require permitting and financing. The Water Board and DWR said they use public needs assessments, annual plans, and existing grant processes to prioritize projects, and Finance said some General Fund programs were shifted to Proposition 4 to help balance the budget. Members also asked for clearer public tracking of bond spending and more concise future reporting. In the coastal resilience portion, the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy described Proposition 4 funding for sea level rise adaptation, coastal flood management, habitat restoration, public access, and San Francisco Bay projects, with a multi-year rollout based on project readiness and recent large state investments. The Conservancy said it would use its existing rolling grant process, while OPC said its sea level rise grants would build on existing programs and new technical assistance. The Department of Fish and Wildlife explained its proposed use of bond funds for climate-ready fisheries, hatchery modernization, salmon monitoring, whale- and turtle-safe fishing gear, and a specific hatchery operations request tied to the Friant settlement. The LAO said the coastal chapter’s proposed first-year spending is relatively modest but generally reasonable given staffing and project readiness, while members emphasized oversight, transparency, and coordination across agencies and jurisdictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, thanks to the assistant secretary and the work she's doing around working with our tribes,
• On to, in this case, many of the tribes, pueblos, and nations in this state on a campaign to say, you
• With regards to the tribes, how many of the tribes have child care facilities?
• How many of the tribes have child care facilities in existence currently?
• Of course, the tribes are eligible for that as well. Have they also taken advantage of that, or...

Summary: The committee heard first from LFC staff on a brief about New Mexico’s universal child care expansion. Staff said child care assistance has clear benefits for parents and families, but LFC has not found evidence in New Mexico that it improves children’s educational outcomes; they argued pre-K is the better tool for that goal. The brief highlighted four concerns with universal access: an estimated annual cost of about $849.7 million, a sharp decline in registered homes, possible crowding out of lower-income families, and reduced access for children under age two. Staff also suggested possible mitigations such as prioritizing slots for low-income and at-risk families, reinstating sliding-scale co-pays, and tying quality improvements to workforce wages. Members raised questions about the cost estimate, funding sources, provider quality, and whether the data showed actual crowding out. Several lawmakers expressed support for child care generally but concern about the fiscal impact and whether universal access would divert resources from the families most in need. Others emphasized the importance of child care for workforce participation, rural communities, and family stability, and questioned how registered homes are counted and regulated. LFC staff clarified that the cost estimate was for child care assistance only, not the entire ECECD budget, and that the data showed declines in the share of lowest-income children and infants/toddlers served, though not causation. The ECECD secretary then presented the department’s response, saying universal child care is intended to complete a cradle-to-career system and that the department has already seen strong uptake, increased capacity, and rising workforce participation. She said 6,206 families were found eligible in the first month, the share of infants and toddlers served rose, and new provider applications and licensed slots increased after the November rollout. The department also emphasized wage increases, quality improvements, and a new wage scale/career lattice, while projecting a lower near-term cost than LFC’s estimate and requesting additional funding for child care, early pre-K, home visiting, workforce systems, and capacity-building. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided; the discussion was informational and focused on questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, membership in tribes varies depending on the criteria that the tribes have.
• In fact, membership in tribes varies depending on the criteria that the tribes have.
• In fact, membership in tribes varies depending on the criteria that the tribes have.
• In fact, membership in tribes varies depending on the criteria that the tribes have.
• In fact, membership in tribes varies depending on the criteria that the tribes have.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How many tribes is that? Was it nine tribes involved with that?
• How many tribes is that? Was it nine tribes involved with that?
• that how many tribes is that was<00:32:32.679> nine<00:32:33.000> tribes<00:32:33.679>
• <00:32:39.679> that believe there are four tribes that believe there are four tribes that
• One of the questions I have is: Are you doing outreach to the tribes?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the clerk will read the resolution HR 277 by Ashby recognizing February 18 2025 as Alabama Cushata Tribe
• Members, today as Alabama Cushata Tribe their day at the state capitol as the oldest native tribe with
• The Alabama Cushata Tribe has deep roots and takes great pride in its contribution. and culture of Texas
• The tribe is here visiting today their capital.
• I'm honored today to welcome a number of prominent members of the Alabama Kshatriya tribe that are up

Transcript Highlights:

• HR 277 by Ashby recognizing February 18, 2025 as Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas Day at State Capitol
• Members, today is Alabama Coushatta Tribe, uh, their day at the state Capitol, as the oldest native tribe
• with a reservation in our Lone Star State, the Alabama Coushatta Tribe has deep roots and takes great
• The tribe is here visiting today their capital, and you may have seen them set up on the south lawn of
• I'm honored today to welcome a number of prominent members of the Alabama Coushatta tribe that are up

Transcript Highlights:

• It is both the tribe and the tribes and the landowners and the other governmental entities wanted an
• to the reservation to decide to tribes to the reservation to decide to do<00:24:28.400> that.
• It is um both the tribe conversation.
• It is um both the tribe [snorts]<00:25:25.039> and<00:25:25.279> the<00:25:25.520> tribes
• and um the land [snorts] and the tribes and um the land owners<00:25:28.960> and<00:25:29.840

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee met briefly to hear and sort through interim topic proposals, with members noting they needed to finish quickly before floor work. The first topic, from Representative Banks and Representative Ottman, would allow non-veterinarians to perform pre-check pregnancy testing on cattle to help address veterinary shortages, while still requiring a certified veterinarian for cattle sold as bred. No public testimony was offered, and the committee agreed to move through the full list and rank topics later rather than taking an immediate vote. A second topic, brought by the County Commissioners Association through Jeremiah Ryman and Joy Hill, concerned subdivision fencing laws. Hill said recent statutory changes moved fencing requirements into the subdivision statutes, creating cost and planning problems for developers and county officials. She said the preferred option would be repeal; if not, counties should have flexibility to exempt some subdivisions, and at minimum the law should be clarified because key terms and requirements are unclear. The committee asked a few questions and then moved on. Representative Davis and Holly Kennedy of the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts discussed updating conservation district statutes. Kennedy said districts are currently barred from borrowing money for major purchases and that election rules can force board members to vacate seats if they move within the district but outside their original locality. The association supported revisiting those provisions. The committee also heard a topic on comparing recreation rules on state lands and federal lands, with the sponsor saying the goal was to identify disparities and possible improvements. Later topics included preventing orphaned water rights, with Keith Kennedy of the Wyoming Association of Irrigation Districts asking for statutory clarification so water rights are properly transferred during divisions and not forfeited, especially in small subdivisions and family exemptions. Another proposal from Representative Ottman addressed a tribal buffalo issue involving whether animals crossing between reservation land and fee land are treated as wildlife or domestic animals; members emphasized the topic was for information and discussion rather than legislation. Senator Pearson also proposed revisiting fence-out laws for livestock to give landowners more protection when repeatedly dealing with wandering animals, while others cautioned that any changes would need to be handled carefully because of differing livestock rules and the state’s fence-in/fence-out framework. Finally, Senator Hicks raised livestock identification concerns, arguing producers should retain flexibility under prior law to identify animals as they choose and that veterinarians should not be forced into new federal tagging requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, on behalf of the tribe and our students and our school board, we strongly recommend a due pass to
• Chairman and Secretary, we've talked about the impact to the tribes and pueblos of New Mexico to make
• Chairman and Secretary, we've also talked about the impact to the tribes and publicism of New Mexico
• Have worked with all the Pueblos, tribes, and nations who were asked to send representatives to look
• Your question was specifically about our tribes, pueblos, and nations.

Bills: SB234, SB210, SB243, SB244, SM16, HB8

Keywords: foster children, school transportation, education funding, public education, child welfare, New Mexico Highlands University, soccer field, women's sports, infrastructure improvement, funding allocation, student athletes, appropriation, New Mexico State University, nutrition, travel support, funding, education, university support, financial assistance, parenting students

Transcript Highlights:

• The hope is that tribes and growers and the community can come together and really see...
• How will those funds be allocated among the different tribes in the state? Is it competitive?
• for all tribes within the state.
• . projects or open up for a competitive process among the tribes.
• and the Yurok Tribe.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think you have to benchmark it against tribes as well.
• I think you have to look at all 251 tribes that do gambling, because they all do it differently, and
• I think the political status of Native Hawaiians against federally recognized Indian tribes has been
• as they are for models in... ...for tribes as they are for models in states.
• I do think it’s worth noting that the tribes get per capita payments based on revenue share.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the gaming compacts, each of the tribes has a compact with the state, but essentially it's the same
• As a side note, we do have our annual meeting that's going to bring together the state and the tribes
• So the Hickory group tribe was closed as of 2021 due to the pandemic.
• Um, tribes, is there an opportunity for them to do it?
• Now, the tribes have, I'm sorry, the tribes have spoken to. possibly discuss the compacts, knowing that

Transcript Highlights:

• We weren't able to engage tribes from across Turtle Island, which is the United States, but we've been
• able to engage tribes from both sides of the Mississippi.
• Each tribe is a sovereign nation and the United States.
• She called the tribes and said, I think you folks should have a say on this versus YYF.
• She called the tribes and said, I think you folks should have upon on this versus YYF.

Keywords: American Revolution 250 Commission, 976, house, all

Summary: The Virginia 250 Commission met to review progress on the Commonwealth’s semiquincentennial planning and related business. Members approved the January 8, 2026 minutes, adopted the annual electronic/virtual meeting policy, and received updates on fundraising, advisory councils, partner institutions, and upcoming signature events. Reports highlighted strong donor support for Virginia Commemoration, Inc., with total gifts, pledges, and in-kind support reaching about $8.7 million and more than $2 million in pending requests. A major portion of the meeting focused on 2026 signature programming, including the Tribal Nations Leadership Advisory Council’s event at the Williamsburg Lodge, African-American Advisory Council initiatives such as African Landing Day, the African Landing Memorial opening at Fort Monroe, Juneteenth programming, and nationally broadcast July 4th events in Williamsburg. Other partners reported on exhibits and programming at Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Mount Vernon, and other historic sites. Carly Fiorina also announced that Virginia 250 and PBS will partner on a live national broadcast of the July 4th celebration, branded “America Made in Virginia.” The commission reviewed and approved the VA 250 and VCI budgets and the reopening of the grant-making process through Virginia Tourism and Virginia Humanities. Members discussed transparency, projected surpluses, and the possibility of later evaluating the economic return on the commission’s work. The body also adopted a resolution naming Carly Fiorina principal executive and Frank Sadler acting executive director, effective January 30, 2026, and ratifying their prior actions on behalf of the commission. Before adjournment, members discussed the Powhatan Mantle and ongoing conversations about its possible exhibition or custodial care involving Virginia tribes and the Ashmolean Museum. The meeting ended with comments reflecting on the commission’s inclusive approach to commemoration and a motion to adjourn in honor of Thomas Jefferson, which was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe Seminole was the only one of the five tribes that has not joined or filed their own lawsuit
• What is the foreseeable future if we don't work with the tribes and as a state to try to resolve these
• So, what are we doing as a state to help the tribes facilitate the time needed for them to catch up to
• He was not a member of any particular tribe.
• is this only happening within the reservation boundaries of the Muscogee nation and not the other tribes

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I took this bill two years ago in partnership with our Native American tribes to ensure exclusivity over
• MIGA represents nine of the 11 federally recognized tribes in Minnesota on behalf of tribal leaders.
• Senate File 757 respects tribal sovereignty and trusts tribes as exclusive license holders.
• I would think the tribes certainly, because it would decrease revenue substantially.
• <01:31:07.960> on appreciated the work of the tribes on appreciated the work of the tribes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, I did have the pleasure of working with her when I was president of the tribe of my tribe.
• Um, I may not have known her as well as some of you, but I considered her a friend. the tribe of my tribe
• . um the tribe of my tribe. um when<00:04:56.479> she<00:04:56.720> met<00:04:56.960>
• not<00:05:28.240> only<00:05:28.400> to<00:05:28.639> my<00:05:28.800> tribe
• , She was a friend not only to my tribe, but to other tribes.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• tribes as well.
• It could also include nonprofits or tribes, pueblos, or nations. Yes.
• I have a question about your comment about how you have worked with tribes. Thank you.
• How you have worked with tribes.
• And there are many other tribes that we were also partnered with. Thank you.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee met with a quorum and first addressed a point of order over whether HB 270 could be heard after being taken up earlier in the Transportation Committee. The chair ruled the bill could proceed because it was assigned to this committee and had been properly noticed. The committee then heard HB 280, which would create a three-year pilot program to support paid student internships through grants administered by the Department of Workforce Solutions. Supporters said the bill would help fund internships, mentoring, and transportation, and could improve workforce development, graduation outcomes, and pathways into apprenticeships or higher education. Members asked about administrative costs, student selection, rural and tribal access, payment mechanisms, and whether public entities, land grants, and dual credit could be included. The bill sponsor and witnesses said the program would likely serve about 100 students, use a sliding-scale matching model, and allow local flexibility in program design. The committee voted due pass on HB 280. The committee then heard House Memorial 46, honoring the Hurley family and especially Major General Patrick Hurley and his son Wilson Hurley for military service and artistic contributions in New Mexico. The memorial was presented as a tribute to a family of heroes, and members expressed support. The committee voted due pass on the memorial. Finally, the committee heard HB 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice and Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs on most public works projects, including road and utility work, while exempting trades without approved programs. Sponsors said the bill would close loopholes, broaden participation, and strengthen the workforce pipeline. Opposition came from asphalt, contractor, and utility groups, which argued the bill would raise costs, duplicate existing training programs, and create access problems for nonunion and geographically distant contractors. Supporters from mechanical contractors, building trades, and labor groups said the bill would improve workforce development and keep training dollars in New Mexico. After debate over the earlier Transportation Committee action and the bill’s cost impacts, the committee voted due pass on HB 270 by a 5-3 roll call.