Bills: HB 11, HB 14, HB 132, HB 1584, HB 1606, HB 5061, HB 1041, HB 2286

Keywords: licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, electric utilities, priority facilities, public safety, disaster response, emergency management, insurable interest, individuals with disabilities, life insurance, care providers, insurance regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• This is something I want to work with both sides on this issue to come up with something that makes sense
• for our state. ...work with both sides on this issue to come up with something that makes sense for
• Shouldn't you stick with that choice?
• With regards to the eligibility, and I didn't ask you this earlier, but it just occurred to me, with
• It would be my intent that a requirement could be satisfied with a website that each individual school

Bills: HB4491, HB3240, HB4146, HB4158, HB4159, HB3718

Keywords: extracurricular activities, charter schools, student eligibility, virtual education, Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association, prayer, religious freedom, public schools, consent, First Amendment, school policy, paid maternity leave, school employees, public health, childcare, work-life balance, education, family leave, tuition, grant

Transcript Highlights:

• Six is still too many, but we are targeting daily staffings with providers, with partners, with our team
• Said I would love to sit with you and explain our plan with Ms.
• Chairman, with that, I will stand with my colleagues... For questions.
• Could work with.
• And again, I don't mean that in a harsh way, but I constantly deal with young families where both individuals

Bills: SB48, SB64, SB100

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• Every day I'm in conversation with residents, some of those that are there with you in the committee
• There may be something with that.
• That Is with our contract with Stantec, a company that's helping research and provide options for how
• The students with disabilities are part of the Yazi Martinez.
• You know, so with that, I'll, Mr.

Bills: SB48, SB64, SB100

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, we'll go directly to the meeting. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• And even with all of these significant investments, you all kept your recurring spend very low.
• the basic agency recurring budgets, I think a signature piece of this Appropriations Act combined with
• So with that, Mr. Chairman, I think we're prepared for questions. Excellent.
• With respect to this, with where we're going and what we're doing, the fact that we're building a fund

Bills: HB2, SB48, SB64, SB100

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance

Transcript Highlights:

• students with disabilities.
• , including the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Special Education Act, and
• monitor compliance with... ...of students with disabilities, including the federal Individuals with
• disabilities, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. ...in order to comply with
• It is vital that students with disabilities are provided protections under the Individuals with Disabilities

Bills: SB64, SB19, SB44, SB83

Keywords: special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP, individualized education program, students with disabilities, IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, dyslexia, dyslexia screening, structured literacy, reading intervention, multilayered system of supports, MTSS, student assistance team, free appropriate public education, FAPE, special education compliance, charter schools

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, members, we have House File 2433 before us again.
• This is the governor's budget that we'll be using as a vehicle to work with the other body.
• So with that, I'll hand it over to you. Chair Kresha, if you'd like to do some thank yous.
• that overview of what we end up with.
• So with that, members, we are adjourned. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Bills: HF2433

Keywords: education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, members, we have House File 2433 before us.
• with spreadsheets and all things legal. with spreadsheets and all things legal.
• Um with that too I'd her own as well.
• And with yeah, thank you Chair Kisha.
• So with then we might not get a room.

Bills: HF2433

Keywords: education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Before I bring it with the introduction, before I bring it with the introduction, I do have an amendment
• And with that, I stand for questions. With the funding plan and the data work built in.
• And with that, I send for questions. Mr.
• Chair, members of the committee, John Dirk with AFT, New Mexico.
• “What do we want with this? Can you just elucidate?” “Mr.

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have with me Amanda DeBelle, with the Public Education Department, particularly over instruction
• In these capacities, I've worked with many students who struggled with math and who would frequently
• with numbers.
• Instead of guessing, I could intervene early and teach with intention, which aligns closely with New
• I think they do a nice job of matching with what we already do with literacy.

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• Under this bill, a student with a disability who participates in the Special Olympics for one school
• not only on the spectrum, but with disabilities.
• This legislation will empower our students with disabilities and promote a more inclusive, efficient
• Next, we'll take up tab 2, SB 794 on Agency for Persons with Disabilities by Senator Jones.
• And if those of you who know her story, she has a child with a disability.

Bills: S0556, S0794, S1600

Keywords: high school diploma, graduation requirements, physical education credit, performing arts credit, marching band, Special Olympics, students with disabilities, IEP, individual education plan, 504 plan, Florida education, school credits, diploma substitution, ROTC, dance class, State Board of Education, public schools, graduation pathways, adaptive physical education, Agency for Persons with Disabilities

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered three bills and a confirmation. On SB 1600, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and a technical amendment that shifted the bill from creating an accreditation process to requiring the Office of Insurance Regulation, DCF, and community-based care lead agencies to study liability insurance coverage and availability in the child welfare sector and report findings to the legislature by January 1, 2027; the bill also included enforcement provisions for failure to provide requested information. Support was noted from child and family advocacy groups, and the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard CS for SB 556, which would allow students with disabilities to satisfy a physical education graduation requirement through participation in Special Olympics, if included in the student’s IEP, and would clarify that two years of marching band participation can satisfy both PE and fine arts credit. Special Olympics Florida, families, and other supporters testified in favor, emphasizing flexibility, access, and recognition of rigorous activity. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS for SB 794, which requires background screening for employees of residential facilities and day training programs serving people with developmental disabilities and directs a review of waiver support coordination, including quality, consistency, access, competencies, recruitment and retention, caseloads, and geographic gaps in services. An amendment to conform to the House version was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Members then questioned Secretary Taylor Hatch regarding her confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Senators raised concerns about child welfare system performance, parent notification and rights, CBC funding formulas, managing entities, opioid settlement spending, peer support expansion, and technology/interoperability improvements. Hatch described DCF’s recent data and initiatives, including reductions in out-of-home care entries, youth advisory efforts, missing children recovery operations, expanded behavioral health capacity, and technology upgrades for benefits processing. Public comment included support from family and provider organizations and concerns from a former foster care worker about medical misdiagnosis cases. The committee voted to recommend Hatch’s confirmation favorably, with Chair Grall voting no, and adjourned after allowing Senator Sharief to be recorded as voting in favor of SB 1600.

Transcript Highlights:

• What's going on with the Zoom? Can you hear me now as I speak? What's going on with the Zoom?
• No, with the nays. Representative Vincent? No, with an explanation. Vice Chair?
• Sherkornhorse with P&M.
• Great to be with you.
• John Dirch with AFT New Mexico.

Bills: HB40, HB100, HJR1, SB64, SB19, SB44, SB83

Keywords: educational retirement, annuity adjustments, cost of living, non-compounding payments, retirement benefits, STEM funding, education, innovation, public education, New Mexico, nominating committees, boards of regents, student representation, political party registration, New Mexico constitution, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, members, we are going to start with a brief update on the READ Act implementation before we
• So when we communicate with districts, we communicate with their literacy lead.
• Building that can maybe help provide that advanced level of support to work with individuals within the
• Those individual costs that are associated with each individual district.
• with educators.

Bills: HF2430, HF2433

Keywords: education finance, teacher training, Read Act, state aid, school funding, education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation

Transcript Highlights:

• So families that have children with disabilities, their parents with income that is greater than or equal
• families that have children with families that have children with disabilities,<00:06:44.240>
• , their parents with income disabilities, their parents with income that<00:06:46.080> is<00:06
• are seniors who are people with are seniors who are people with disabilities,<00:12:47.040> vulnerable
• <00:12:47.600> individuals<00:12:48.560> and disabilities, vulnerable individuals and

Bills: HF2433, HF2434

Keywords: education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation, healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And with schools.
• advanced level to kind of help work with advanced level to kind of help work with individuals<00
• We can certainly provide those individual costs that are associated with each individual district. able
• um uh costs that are individual um uh costs that are associated<01:04:46.079> with<01:04:46.319
• > each<01:04:46.559> individual associated with each individual associated with each individual

Bills: HF2430, HF2433

Keywords: education finance, teacher training, Read Act, state aid, school funding, education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• disabilities.
• I live with a prosthetic leg.
• And I've worked very closely with the Center for Nursing and also with Halifax Hospital.
• most of you individually.
• And with that said, I appreciate the chance to speak with you guys this morning. Thank you.

Bills: S0162, S0254, S0688, S0794, S1110, S1574

Keywords: surgical smoke, health standards, hospital safety, patient protection, medical regulations, nursing education, licensure, remedial courses, temporary license, graduate nursing preceptorship, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, background screening, support coordination services, developmental disabilities, Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome, public hearings, orthotics, prosthetics, healthcare, Medicaid

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics was heard first. The bill would require coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics without lifetime or continuous-use caps, direct AHCA to seek federal approval and update contracts, and require annual reporting. Testimony from a child using prosthetic “gymnastics blades,” his mother, and another young person with a prosthetic leg emphasized the high cost of activity-specific devices and the impact on children’s mobility, sports participation, and quality of life. Senators voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 1574, “Maddie’s Law,” which adds newborn screening for biliary atresia using the existing blood specimen collected at birth. The sponsor and the child’s father described the condition as time-sensitive and potentially fatal without early detection, and argued the screening could prevent transplants and save money. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/SB 794 on background screening for employees of residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, training, and access issues. Parents and a support coordinator testified that strong support coordination is essential for families and that the bill would help standardize expectations and improve services. An amendment aligning the bill with the House companion was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Members next heard SB 162, which requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Supporters, including nurses and the Florida Nurses Association, described surgical smoke as a workplace hazard with toxic chemicals and potential cancer risks; hospital representatives said they support the intent but argued existing federal and state standards already regulate the issue and the bill is too prescriptive. A late-filed amendment clarifying the smoke must be “effectively captured and filtered” was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 254, a major nursing education bill that tightens oversight of low-performing nursing programs, creates a temporary provisional license and preceptorship pathway for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, requires remediation for delayed testing, and increases transparency by posting passage rates. Nursing groups supported stronger standards, while private nursing schools warned the bill could reduce capacity and discourage program directors; the amended bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 688, which would reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida, create a board of naturopathic medicine, set licensure and renewal requirements, and define the scope of practice while excluding most prescription authority. Supporters said it would expand health care choices and allow naturopathic doctors to practice openly, while opponents from the medical community warned the bill could authorize diagnosis and treatment without sufficient training and rely on unproven therapies. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned after members thanked staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• from the university, with good regents and working well with the legislature and the executive branch
• I believe it and agree with it.
• This bill only deals with LNH.
• Are you dealing with an emotional disability?
• Are you dealing with autism or are you dealing with a behavioral problem?

Bills: HB1675, HB3242, HB1739, HB3320, HB3047, HB4434, HJR1089, HB4432, HB3718, HB3705

Keywords: emergency management, severe weather, youth camp, summer camp, overnight camp, day camp, outdoor education, adventure camp, wilderness program, campground safety, tornado preparedness, flooding, flash flood, high winds, hail, lightning, extreme heat, extreme cold, wildfire smoke, evacuation plan

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the bill, a student with a disability who... Actively participating in the Special Olympics.
• Under the bill, a student with a disability who... Olympics as a course substitute.
• Under the bill, a student with a disability who participates in the Special Olympics for one year can
• It empowers our students with disabilities and promotes a more inclusive, efficient education system
• with disabilities and wanted to say how much we are very excited about this opportunity.

Bills: S0206, S0420, S0556

Keywords: autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, special education, exceptional student education, ESE, teacher preparation, educator certification, micro-credential, loan forgiveness, student loan repayment, teacher stipend, salary supplement, professional development, inclusive education, developmental disabilities, Down syndrome, behavioral disabilities, school district compensation, collective bargaining

Summary: The committee first heard SB 420, which would require portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to be prominently displayed in classrooms used for social studies and in all K-5 classrooms, with the Department of Education selecting the portraits. Senator Burgess framed the bill as a patriotic and educational measure tied to America’s 250th anniversary, while Senator Davis raised concerns about exclusivity, political precedent, and state intrusion into local classroom decisions. Senator Osgood and others asked about sensitivity to diverse student populations and whether additional figures such as Harriet Tubman could also be displayed. Burgess said the bill would not prevent other displays, emphasized the two presidents’ historical significance, and committed to funding support so the mandate would not burden districts. The committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 206 on autism education and teacher preparation. Senator Harrell’s strike-all amendment required teacher preparation programs to include autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities, required ESE-certified teachers to complete an autism microcredential, created an autism loan forgiveness program and salary supplement provisions, and directed district professional development to include autism-specific training with local CARD centers. A second amendment removed a proposed change to the legal definition of autism so that issue could be handled separately. Senators Davis and Osgood asked about implementation timelines, grandfathering current teachers, and how the bill would affect educators already working in autism classrooms; Harrell said he was open to further discussion and wanted to ensure flexibility while still requiring the credential. Public testimony included support from Orange County Public Schools, a parent of children with autism, and others. The committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 556, which allows students with disabilities to satisfy the high school physical education requirement by participating in Special Olympics for one year if included in the student’s IEP. An amendment also clarified that two years of marching band satisfies both the PE credit and a fine or performing arts credit. Supporters said the bill expands inclusive options and reduces administrative burdens, and Senator Yarborough praised the change as giving students more flexibility. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also took up confirmation votes for appointments in tabs 4 through 7 and recommended all of them favorably by a single roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this language says that a child or disabled individual lacks the mental capacity and that they
• So he had moved in with...
• I'll stop with that.
• I'm struggling with my...
• with this.'

Bills: HB200

Keywords: HB 200, emergency communication, backup communications, satellite phone, portable satellite equipment, radio, floodplain, 100-year floodplain, FEMA, natural disaster, disaster preparedness, emergency preparedness, vulnerable populations, children, elderly, seniors, people with disabilities, care facilities, residential care, assisted living

Transcript Highlights:

• I was assisting other deaf clients with disabilities to work on their cases.
• It's a journey and most families that have individuals with special needs, disability, whether they're
• Ron, I have you as Ron Lucy, uh, the executive director of the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities
• I'm the executive director of the Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities.
• individuals that don't have one, don't have two, but have three disabilities that are deafblind and

Bills: HB 451, HB 645, HB 1041, HB 1151, HB 1155, HB 1536, HCR 12

Keywords: commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening, validated screening tool, evidence-informed tool, conservatorship, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, trafficking prevention, Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit