Transcript Highlights:

• And again, although the research beyond David's parents is more than the task force requires, I share
• their parents were also in the system: how do you determine their lineage?
• As I mentioned before, both of my parents are small mom-and-pop landlords.
• As I mentioned before, both of my parents are small mom-and-pop landlords.
• As shared, my name is Margarita Bertha Avila.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee without quorum at first, then later established quorum and continued hearing several bills. SB 27, the annual CARE Court cleanup bill, would require courts to consider CARE referral for certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial, combine some hearings, allow limited data sharing among licensed medical professionals, and expand eligibility to include mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would clarify the meaning of “clinically stabilized,” streamline the process, and help more severely ill people receive treatment; opponents argued it would expand CARE Court too broadly, strain county resources, and divert attention from housing and voluntary services. The bill passed to the Health Committee on a roll call vote and was placed on call. SB 82, dealing with so-called “infinite arbitration clauses,” would limit consumer contract arbitration provisions to disputes arising from the product or service actually purchased. The author and supporters said the bill would stop companies from forcing arbitration in unrelated claims and would not ban arbitration itself. Opponents from business and banking groups argued the language was too restrictive, could create litigation over related transactions, and should be clarified as prospective only. The committee approved the bill and placed it on call after a roll call vote. The committee then heard two reparations-related bills. SB 437 would direct CSU to develop a genealogical methodology and framework for verifying descendants of enslaved people, with oversight, reporting, and guardrails tied to recently allocated state funding. Supporters said the bill would create a fair, evidence-based process; opponents, including professional genealogists and reparations advocates, argued the work is already well understood, the bill is unnecessary, and it could delay action. SB 518 would create a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within state government, with divisions for genealogy, property reclamation, outreach, and legal affairs. Supporters framed it as needed infrastructure to implement reparations recommendations; opponents objected to locating it in the Department of Justice, warned about data privacy and law enforcement control, and criticized the inclusion of broader communities. Both bills were moved to Appropriations and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 52, the End AI Rent Hikes Act, which would prohibit the use of algorithms to collude on and artificially inflate rental prices; the author and supporters described it as a response to AI-assisted rent fixing in California’s housing market.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’ll read the list of states that allow parents to, in writing, provide to the school directly.
• While we appreciate the right of parents to make the best decision for their own children, our concern
• One, we're talking about parents having the right to...
• We're talking about parents having the ability to go through this process to make the decision about
• Roman law shares ethical principles similar to those found in the Ten Commandments.

Bills: HB266, SB85, SB166, HB266, SB85, SB166

Keywords: education, diploma, adult education, dropout prevention, nontraditional high school program, driver's license eligibility, vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education

Transcript Highlights:

• So congratulations to all of the players, to the coaches, to the parents, to the team, and to the entire
• Congratulations to all of the players, the coaches, the parents, the team, and the entire support team
• He was always willing to lend a helping hand, offer encouragement, or simply share laughter with classmates
• Christopher is survived by his loving parents, Rich and Nicole Hawkmouth Daley, and a devoted brother
• Christopher survived by his loving parents, Rich and Nicole, Hawkmouth Daly, and a devoted brother to

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and several brief recognitions of visitors, including the Case High School girls softball team, which was congratulated for winning three consecutive Division Four state championships, and Bonnie Allen, the Senate reading clerk from Oregon, who was welcomed with her family. Later, Senator Collins introduced participants in the Ward Fellowship from Boston Latin School, noting the program’s focus on public service and summer internships. On the legislative calendar, the Senate took up Senate No. 2507, a bill establishing the Gloucester Fisheries Commission. Senator Tarr offered and the chamber adopted an amendment substituting a new draft, Senate No. 2566, titled an act further regulating the Gloucester Fisheries Commission. The bill, as amended, was then passed to be engrossed. The Senate also acted on several committee and House papers, suspending rules and Joint Rule 12 as needed to refer matters to committees. In addition, House No. 4307, a bill establishing financing for long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges, was ordered to a third reading. The Senate adopted an order to meet again on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in a formal session with a calendar. Senator Tarr then moved that the Senate adjourn in memory of Christopher J. Daley of Gloucester, age 18, who died in a car accident; he was remembered for his school, sports, and community involvement, especially hockey, and for his plans to attend Coastal Carolina University. The motion was adopted, a moment of silence was observed, and the Senate adjourned in his memory.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've seen the pain of a parent losing their child.
• I've seen the pain of a parent losing their child.
• And you talk about some devastated parents.
• to share.
• I want to share. Senator Perry, you're recognized.

Bills: SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, human trafficking, trafficking victim, compelling prostitution, affirmative defense, criminal defense, coercion, force fraud or coercion, sexual exploitation, victim protection, Penal Code, Texas criminal law, prosecution, party liability, affirmative defense statute, survivor rights

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs took up Senate Bill 5, which Senator Perry described as a ban on intoxicating THC consumer products while preserving legal CBD, CBG, hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil products. Perry argued that most retail THC products are already illegal under federal law, that the industry has used loopholes and misleading labeling to sell high-potency products, and that regulation would be ineffective because chemists can quickly alter formulations. He also said the bill would steer people with medical needs toward the Texas Compassionate Use Program (T-Cup), which he and other supporters described as the proper physician-guided alternative. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly discussed the distinction between legal hemp-derived products and intoxicating THC products, and Perry said the bill would not touch non-consumable hemp uses such as fiber and clothing. Invited testimony came from law enforcement and medical witnesses who supported the bill. Texas Police Chiefs Association representative Steve Dye, Kaufman County District Attorney Early Wiley, and Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne all said regulation would be too costly, too complex, and ultimately unenforceable, while a ban would be clearer and easier to enforce. They cited overloaded DPS labs, the need for expensive private testing, limited police and prosecutor resources, and the difficulty of keeping up with constantly changing cannabinoids and out-of-state products. Hawthorne and Wiley described raids and investigations involving warehouses, retail stores, cash seizures, and products they said were marketed to young people and often mislabeled or imported from other states. They also said the bill would help law enforcement by creating a clearer legal line and protecting legitimate CBD/CBG businesses. Dr. Lindy McGee, speaking for the Texas Medical Association and Texas Pediatric Society, testified that retail THC products pose serious risks to children and adolescents, including addiction, impaired brain development, psychosis, suicide attempts, self-harm, accidental toddler ingestions, and possible long-term cognitive effects. She said there is no effective medication treatment for THC addiction comparable to nicotine cessation tools, and she supported restrictions such as child-resistant packaging, no marketing to minors, and age limits, while opposing criminal penalties for possession by minors. Senators asked follow-up questions about brain development, memory, dementia risk, pregnancy, and cardiovascular effects. No vote was taken during the portion provided, and the committee continued with invited testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some parents parents and school systems.
• Parents rule, right? Unless there's a reason for the parent not to—the parents' right. Right.
• Parents rule, right? Unless there's a reason for the parent not to—the parents' right. Right.
• Parents rule, right? Unless there's a reason for the parent not to—the parents' right. Right.
• Parents rule, right? Unless there's a reason for the parent not to—the parents' right. Right.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with Senate Bill 22-FN, which would expand child care licensing background checks so the Department of Health and Human Services can receive fuller criminal history information, including pending charges and other non-conviction records, similar to the system already used for school staff. Grant Bossi, for Senator Pearl, and DHHS officials Melissa Clement and Christine Sheay testified in support, saying the bill closes a gap that can allow people with disqualifying charges to work with children. They explained that the FBI record is a snapshot in time, that juvenile records are not included, and that the bill would apply to child care programs including residential group homes. Questions focused on what “confidential criminal history” means and how often checks are repeated; DHHS said checks are done every five years or sooner if new charge information is received. The hearing on SB 22 was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 23-FN, which would expand the child endangerment statute and remove the word “purposely” from part of the language. Senator Pat Long said the bill is intended to strengthen protection for children and allow more serious conduct to be charged appropriately. Testimony from law enforcement, including Executive Counselor Dave Wheeler, Sergeant Ryan Rooney of Nashua Police, and Nicholas Georgulis of Manchester Police, supported the bill as a way to distinguish routine misdemeanor cases from the most egregious abuse and neglect cases, such as children living in squalor or being exposed to severe danger. Wheeler and some members raised concerns that the language could be vague or overbroad and cited a prior Manchester firearm-in-a-car arrest as an example of possible unintended consequences; supporters responded that the bill still requires knowingly violating a duty of care and that the serious bodily injury or death standard limits its reach. Rooney also described a fentanyl overdose case involving an 11-year-old and said the current misdemeanor charge did not fully reflect the seriousness of the conduct. The committee recessed SB 23 briefly to open and close SB 161, then returned to SB 23, which remained under hearing with no final vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:11.279> and they're going to be jointly sharing and they're going to be jointly sharing
• because what it does is it puts parents because what it does is it puts parents in<00:55:49.280>
• program and if a parent uh the if<00:55:56.599> a<00:55:56.880> parent<00:55:57.880>
• I would be comfortable sharing that data.
• Charter students it would exclude parent Charter students it would exclude parent paid<04:57:52.320

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed HB 443, which would change terms and vacancy language for members of a higher education commission. Members raised concerns that the bill was too narrow to address broader issues with commission membership, including expired appointments, attendance expectations, and whether the Department of Education could replace the commission’s role. Several members suggested the bill was not ready for action and favored holding it for further work, possibly through a subcommittee or work session. One member suggested that if attendance standards were added, no more than two unexcused absences should trigger removal, given the commission’s meeting schedule. The chair said he would defer action and form a small subcommittee to report back before the committee deadline. The committee then moved to HB 484, dealing with repurposing Career and Technical Education classroom space after 20 years of exclusive use. The chair explained that the bill was aimed at the Milford CTE project, where shared use of space could allow a school to repurpose part of a CTE facility while still using it for CTE-related instruction. Members discussed other possible situations around the state, including Claremont, North Conway, and Jaffrey/Rindge, and whether the bill should be limited to Milford or broadened to allow local districts more flexibility. Some members favored passing the bill now to help CTE projects move forward, while others argued for an amendment removing the requirement that the space be vacated specifically to expand the CTE program occupying it. Testimony and discussion emphasized that the Milford project had state approval but reduced funding, requiring a smaller scope and repurposing of existing space. Supporters said the bill could help preserve CTE programs while also benefiting general education space needs, and that local districts should have flexibility after 20 years. Opponents or cautious members noted that the language might not fit every district situation and asked for feedback from Director Beard and Steve Rothenberg before final action. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion provided, and instead discussed waiting for an amendment and additional input before acting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, I share some of the same concerns.
• Those wishing to vote, change to vote, shares, preparing to close.
• Is there parental consent? Yes, parental consent in order to opt in must be provided.
• Changing gears, I guess, see if you share my concern here.
• Do you share my concern with that? Thank you for that question.

Bills: HB4420, HB3974, HB3016, HB3062, HB3021, HB3145, HB4128, HB3131, HB3015, HB3472, HB3453, HB1638, HB4126, HB2696, HB2710, HB3552, HB3031, HB3544, HB3521, HB4490, HB4488, HB1746, HJR1069, HB4428, HB4429, HB1170, HB3538, HB4124, HB3904, HB4106, HB2999, HB3982, HJR1077, HB3464, HB2588, HB3462, HB4440, HB3674, HB3345, HJR1067, HB4326, HB4331, HB4337, HB4338, HB4359, HB4392, HB3557, HJR1076, HB4003, HB3495, HB3497, HB3501, HB3505, HB3749, HB3011, HB4336, HB4346, HJR1087, HB3240, HB3647, HB3796, HB3969, HB3972, HB3983, HB3984, HB3989, HB3383, HB3130, HB4358, HB3327, HJR1055, HB3386, HJR1089, HB3087, HB2970, HB3314, HB4129, HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• We shared evidence in policy committee how costly these towing programs are and how alternative debt
• And in fact, UC Santa Barbara shared that they had, Riverside, Irvine, San Diego, and Santa Cruz.
• I'm a charter school parent of three.
• I'm a charter school parent of three.
• I'm a charter school parent of three.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 14, 2025, for a regular order hearing with a large consent calendar and many individual bill presentations. The committee first approved numerous bills on consent, then heard a series of measures spanning reproductive health, child care eligibility, transportation, mental health diversion, county recorder fees, groundwater management, election deadlines, parking enforcement, consumer protections, housing, immigrant and student protections, and utility/CPUC oversight. Several bills were taken up only for presentation because they were on suspense, including ACA 4 on long-term housing funding, and the committee later approved a very large suspense calendar as a whole. Among the bills discussed, AB 260 would protect medication abortion access and providers; AB 904 would clarify child care subsidy eligibility during family leave or job search; AB 1014 would give Caltrans more flexibility on speed limits in rural highway segments; AB 46 would clarify judicial discretion in mental health diversion; AB 1413 and AB 929 addressed groundwater adjudication and SGMA-related protections for small community water systems and wetlands; AB 930 would count vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days; AB 1022 would end towing solely for unpaid parking tickets; AB 290 and AB 302 dealt with automatic payments for the California Fair Plan and medical data protections; AB 1303 would remove the need for a Social Security number for California Lifeline eligibility; and several housing bills, including AB 920, AB 956, AB 1470, AB 893, and AB 1021, sought to streamline approvals or expand housing options. AB 1318 and AB 49 focused on immigrant-serving nonprofits and keeping immigration enforcement out of schools, while AB 1532 extended telecommunications and transportation access programs and added CPUC accountability measures. Testimony was generally supportive for the bills heard, with authors and sponsors emphasizing low or absorbable fiscal impacts, consumer protection, housing production, public safety, and protections for vulnerable communities. Opposition appeared on a few measures, including concerns about ADUs, towing authority, charter school-related issues, and the scale of proposed housing funding in ACA 4. Several members also commented in support of the housing and immigrant-protection measures, and some bills were voted out with recorded no votes or not-voting members noted. After the suspense calendar was deemed approved, the committee opened public comment on bills not presented that day, heard a long list of supporters and opponents on various measures, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• terminating parental rights or uh<00:02:45.519> involving<00:02:46.360> placement<00:02
• Adams to share with you some research supporting the need for this bill.
• Adams to share with you some research supporting the need for this bill.
• prior I talked to other foster parents prior I talked to other foster parents who've<00:17:16.039
• They shared that with me as well, that they were good with the ITWIST language.

Keywords: 00:11 Call to Order/Roll Call 01:02 Discussion of 25RS SB 26 07:48 Roll Call Vote on 25RS SB 26 08:43 Discussion of 25RS SB 85 28:04 Roll Call Vote on 25RS SB 85 29:37 Discussion of 25RS HB 805 40:30 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 805 41:32 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 26, presented by Senator Brandon Storm, Family Court Judge Marcus Vanover, and Crystal Adams on behalf of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health. The bill would ensure Kentucky complies with the ADA by prohibiting disability alone from being used to terminate adoption petitions, parental rights, or child-placement petitions. Testimony cited Kentucky Supreme Court and Court of Appeals cases involving parents with intellectual or developmental disabilities and national data showing high removal rates for parents with psychiatric, intellectual, or physical disabilities. The committee approved the bill 15-0 with favorable expression. The committee then heard Senate Bill 85 from Senator Steve Meredith and State Auditor Allison Ball, which continues the transition of the Office of the Ombudsman from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Auditor’s office. Testimony focused on completing the transfer by clarifying access to the ITWIST database, ensuring complaints go directly to the Ombudsman, adding whistleblower protections, and making the office a separate office within the Auditor’s office for efficiency. Members asked about the prior conflict of interest when the Ombudsman was housed within CHFS, the database access dispute and lawsuit, and whether the office still remained independent. The bill passed with favorable expression after some members voted pass. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 805, with Representative Nick Wilson and Representative Sarah Stalker explaining a committee substitute and amendment. The bill would set timelines for the Cabinet to physically locate children reported at immediate safety risk and require annual kinship-care reporting to be automatically provided to the legislature and posted publicly. Wilson said the bill also cleans up language from last year’s House Bill 271, including changing “threats” to “risks” in the safety-plan definition and other terminology fixes. The committee adopted the substitute and amendment and advanced the bill with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• William's, all those wishing to vote or change a vote, shares pairing to close. Clear a vote.
• All those wishing to vote or change vote, cherish parent of clothes, clear the vote.
• choice and parental rights.
• I'd be happy to share all of these with you. They're open access.
• I think I need to share this with you.

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• isn't set, you may be educating your child in something that's already outdated, which is what I shared
• , allows the court in any parenting time proceeding in which a parent is alleged to have committed domestic
• , allows the court in any parenting time proceeding in which a parent is alleged to have committed domestic
• In any parenting time proceeding in which a parent is alleged to have committed domestic violence or
• I do have more to say about this that I will share with members after.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long calendar of House bills across education, health, water, land, housing, labor, public safety, and taxation. Several measures dealt with artificial intelligence, including bills on AI disclosures for minors, AI-assisted divorce arbitration, an Arizona AI education program, AI privilege protections, and a required AI course in schools. Other topics included ESA administration funding, a prohibition on public money for certain foreign-controlled genetic sequencing devices, towing regulations, DUI and ignition interlock changes, health facility and nursing facility complaint timelines, internationally trained physicians, nurse anesthetist reimbursement, pharmacy penalties, childhood cancer research, cybersecurity encryption, school mental health instruction repeal, superintendent performance pay, adoption disclosures in student health settings, anti-Semitism in schools, and a range of water, land, and housing bills. Members frequently raised concerns about local control, unfunded mandates, constitutional issues, and the scope of state intervention. Several bills drew criticism for affecting school curriculum, public education, reproductive rights, protest activity, or tribal communities. Others were supported as technical fixes, consumer protections, or funding measures. The caucus also discussed a series of bills related to the Mexican gray wolf, state land management, solar and wind siting, groundwater transport, and rural development, with some members objecting that the proposals would undermine federal protections or tribal interests. A number of bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2020, HB 2957, HCR 2044, HB 2352, HB 2667, HB 2906, HB 2093, HB 2386, HB 2481, HB 2830, HB 2076, HB 2411, HB 2136, HB 2665, and HB 2904. The meeting ended with an announcement of the Latino Caucus guest presentation and an emotional tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson, followed by presentation of an Affordability Award to Representatives Lorena Austin and Stephanie Simacek for work on economic justice and working families. The caucus then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• managed care, and we absolutely should be making sure they are meeting all the expectations I just shared
• I believe one of the things we could do better is to share more data with you as it relates to the things
• These are parents who will be taking care of their children, and there will be an evaluation process
• We don't want to teach parents to do things that are really not relative for that individual child.
• And I'll share with you a quote. We probably have a 95% refusal rate for these shots two years ago.

Summary: The Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and took up a long agenda of health care, Medicaid, and patient-access measures, along with confirmation votes. The committee first reconsidered and amended SB 1606 on patient access to records, clarifying portal obligations, deleting a section affecting nursing home facility records, and setting a January 1, 2026 effective date; the bill then passed favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also recommended confirmation of a block of appointees and separately confirmed Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after Harris testified about priorities including financial accountability, managed care oversight, transparency, and quality improvement. Senators asked about audit findings and Medicaid managed care performance, and several witnesses and committee members voiced support for her appointment. The committee then advanced a series of bills, most of them with amendments, including claims bills SB 28 and SB 22 for South Broward Hospital District settlements, SB 772 on undesignated glucagon in schools, SB 998 on death certification by physician assistants and APRNs, SB 1412 on home health administration flexibility, SB 1800 creating a Parkinson’s disease research consortium at USF, SB 306 on managed care network access during holidays and after hours, SB 1768 on stem cell therapies by physicians, SB 1602 on pediatric readiness in emergency departments, SB 1156 on the home health aide program for medically fragile children, SB 1490 on Children’s Medical Services and managed care administration, and SB 1182 on Medicaid coverage of continuous glucose monitors. Most of these bills received support from industry, advocacy, or provider groups and were reported favorably as committee substitutes. The most debated measure was SB 1270, a broad strike-all amendment combining provisions on mRNA vaccine documentation, vaccination-status protections in the Patient Bill of Rights, medical marijuana reporting and background-screening definitions, compact language, and volunteer immunity. The committee heard extensive testimony both for and against the vaccine-related provisions, including concerns about discrimination, patient safety, provider discretion, and medical liability. After additional technical amendments and a time-certain motion, the bill passed favorably as a committee substitute, with Senators Davis and Osgood voting no and Senator Harrell expressing a weak yes. At the end of the meeting, senators recorded their votes on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't ban it; it simply says you have to get parental permission.
• The parents need to know. You're hiding that from the parents.
• The parents need to know. You're hiding that from the parents.
• The parents need to know. You're hiding that from the parents.
• Sometimes they feel that I am somebody and my parents do not get me.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with would open it up if the parent doesn't understand the Miller test.
• One of the things that I just want to say is that as a parent, and I know we have parents and grandparents
• harder to be a parent.
• As a parent of three young kids, I share your concern.
• Thank you for sharing your story again with us.

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills affecting civil practice, judicial conduct, and attorney regulation. HB 4961 and the similar HB 3095 would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision, with HB 3095 also addressing certain exceptions and limiting economic damages in some cases. Supporters said the measures would encourage insurance coverage and fairness for insured drivers, while opponents argued they would unfairly punish injured people who were not responsible for the lack of insurance, including pedestrians, passengers, children, and others. HB 3095 drew constitutional concerns from witnesses, and the committee later withdrew the committee substitute and left the bill pending; HB 4961 was also left pending after questions about its scope, including passengers. HB 5570 would expand a continuing legal education exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate who serve on boards or commissions. The author and witness said the bill would free up time for public service while still requiring ethics training. A committee member raised a discrepancy in the number of attorneys covered, and the bill was left pending. HB 2969 would prohibit the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech, especially in relation to sincerely held religious beliefs. Supporters framed it as a protection for lawyers of faith against an ABA-style speech code, while no one testified in opposition; the bill was left pending. HB 4260 would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction. The author described it as an ethics measure to avoid conflicts of interest, but county officials and the County Judges and Commissioners Association opposed it, saying existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would impose hardships, especially in rural counties. The bill was left pending. HB 4388 would require all judges, including those who serve only in administrative roles, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct; supporters said some judges avoid discipline by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents said the bill was unnecessary and could burden county judges who serve as administrators. It was also left pending. The committee also heard HB 5134, which would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect to suffer actual damages and allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill would curb harassment and fishing expeditions, but members questioned how the standard would work in practice; the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 3964 would narrow common-law public nuisance claims by barring suits over lawful conduct, conduct already addressed by other remedies, and products, while preserving other causes of action. Supporters said the bill would prevent regulation through litigation and protect legislative authority; opponents said it would eliminate important remedies and that no Texas abuse had been shown. The author indicated he would revise the bill, and it was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to take the opportunity real quick to thank my parents, who are also here.
• Those are my parents. Oh, those are your parents.
• So I thought I’d share that as a laundry list.
• I’ve even asked a lot of the groups that I met with to share names with me, share bios of folks that
• I've really enjoyed our conversation and certainly our shared passion for higher ed.

Summary: The committee first took up 127 gubernatorial appointees grouped in blocks and, after brief testimony in favor of several nominees, voted to recommend confirmation of the block nominees to the full Senate. The committee then moved through a series of University of West Florida and other board nominations, hearing from each nominee about their background and priorities, with most emphasizing service, local ties, student success, military partnerships, and university growth. Several nominees also answered questions about governance, faculty hiring, diversity, and the university’s strategic direction. For the University of West Florida Board of Trustees, the committee heard from Paul Bailey, Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, Christopher Young, and Adam Kissel. Bailey stressed his local roots, legal background, and support for UWF’s pre-law program and military connections; Matthews highlighted her education and state-government experience, current role as board chair, enrollment growth, fundraising, and alignment with state directives; Moyah cited her education and school board experience, fiscal discipline, and recent positive financial and enrollment figures; Ross emphasized fundraising, workforce needs, cyber opportunities, and support for the governor’s higher education agenda; and Young focused on business accountability, audit oversight, rural access to education, and expanding military-related opportunities. Each of these nominees was questioned about issues such as diversity, “woke” culture, faculty ideology, and the role of the board, and each was ultimately recommended for confirmation by roll-call vote. Adam Kissel’s nomination drew the most extensive debate and public testimony. Kissel described his background in free speech advocacy, federal education policy, philanthropy, and higher education reform, and said he would support UWF’s growth, free-speech protections, military and veteran engagement, and stronger graduation rates. Senators pressed him on prior writings favoring privatization of public higher education, comments about replacing administrators with AI, his work with the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025, and how his views fit with serving on a public university board; he said his long-term libertarian views did not conflict with his short-term support for UWF receiving more resources. Public testimony was split, with supporters praising his free-speech credentials, military focus, and alignment with the governor’s reforms, while opponents questioned his commitment to public higher education and whether he could be trusted to learn the university from the ground up. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kissel’s confirmation to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lakes region, we share with Canada. And Lakes region, we share with Canada.
• We share it with Canada. Cedar none. We share it with Canada.
• I share my own story with hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese Americans born to parents who fled
• One military parent is so scared that the sharing of classified information over non-secure channels
• One military parent is so scared that the sharing of classified information over non-secure channels

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you truly believe in parental choice then you will not support this bill.
• Parents, not politicians, ought to be the ones to decide what events to take their children to.
• But I had a great concert, some of my piano students came out with their parents.
• Children have a natural right to their parents and equally.
• They're against parents. But they were there.

Bills: SB 18, SB 19, SB18, SB19, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888

Keywords: Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water permit, water appropriation, dam permit exemption, reservoir, flood control, floodwater control, erosion control, sediment control, watershed protection, flood prevention, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, USDA, local sponsor, district, authority, water infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to begin by sharing a little overview of our system, discussing our process, and then sharing
• <00:12:32.959> a uh I'd like to begin uh by sharing a uh I'd like to begin uh by sharing a
• discussing our process and then sharing discussing our process and then sharing some<00:12:37.600
• It's a way for parents to share this with them and feel that they're involved in introducing their kids
• <00:18:22.120> them way for parents to share this with them way for parents to share this

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2018, my husband and I... we're parents to a three-year-old boy and a newborn baby boy.
• It was a parents' night out program.
• Lastly, this bill will ensure that parents are informed about the safety of the facilities that they
• All these measures should already be in place, and parents assume they are. We did.
• The bill authorizes information sharing with DPS, the FBI, and other relevant entities.

Bills: SB650, HB3667, SB28, HB3201, SB1184, HB1800, SB 28

Keywords: permit issuance, regulatory framework, business operations, efficiency, application process, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, lottery regulations, occupational licensing, fraud prevention, criminal background checks, lottery couriers, SB 1184, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, wine collection seller, collectible wine, vintage wine

Transcript Highlights:

• I received a phone call that no parent wants to get.
• I'm here to support Bill 1760 and share a few of my thoughts.
• As parents, there is not a whole lot more that you could ask for.
• A call that every parent prays that they never get.
• And that trauma for a parent having to do that every year as a parent of three myself, Mr.

Bills: HB153