Video & Transcript Research : 'Penal Code amendment'

Page 108 of 500
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Director, can you explain to us what a public contract code exemption is?
  • It's a Public Contract Code exemption under which we use the RFI process.
  • And so to be able to essentially amend the contract.
  • So the first issue number 16 is the amended definitions of immigrant youth.
  • This would also amend the Welfare and Institutions Code to reduce some of the demographic reporting requirements
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The hearing opened with Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst’s Office remarks on the May Revision, which both described efforts to reduce large out-year operating deficits through a mix of revenue increases, spending reductions, and reserve use. Finance said the May Revision more than halves projected deficits in later years, while LAO stressed that revenues are at unprecedented levels yet the state still faces a significant structural deficit and is drawing down reserves; LAO urged maintaining at least the administration’s level of budget solutions and adding to reserves rather than new ongoing commitments. The chair echoed concern about cuts to vulnerable populations and noted the tension between service reductions and requests for additional administrative positions. The committee then heard a series of California Health and Human Services and HCAI proposals, including additional legal support for CalHHS to respond to federal HR1 changes; a net-zero transfer of positions for a centralized eligibility/data-sharing platform; 988 crisis line implementation funding and continued work with the Trevor Project to train crisis centers to better serve LGBTQ youth; EMS data system maintenance funding; HCAI implementation of AB 1312 hospital charity care screening; SB 660 data exchange framework funding; CalRx biosimilar insulin reappropriation; and a diaper access initiative that would provide free diapers to newborns in participating hospitals and support a future direct-to-consumer purchasing option. Members questioned the diaper program’s universal design, the use of a Public Contract Code exemption, and the selection of Baby2Baby, with the chair expressing concern about optics and the lack of an income threshold. The committee also discussed distressed hospital funding, with HCAI requesting up to $50 million for another round of grants to hospitals in immediate financial distress. HCAI said it receives annual and quarterly financial reports but the data lag limits real-time monitoring, and the LAO recommended stronger program parameters and turnaround plans. Members argued the repeated need for distressed hospital aid reflects a structural problem, not a short-term gap, and raised broader concerns about hospital reimbursement and patient flow. Other items included reverting $19.6 million in unused opioid settlement funds from HCAI to DHCS for General Fund offset, and a Rural Health Transformation Program request to increase HCAI spending authority to cover the full federal award. Later, DMHC presented funding requests to implement PBM licensing and financial review requirements under AB 116, modernize the managed care complaint system, and build an electronic claims settlement data system under AB 3275. The final major discussion focused on the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, which opposed the May Revision’s proposed reduction of its Innovation Partnership Fund from $20 million to $10 million and a $6.7 million cut to community advocacy grants. The Commission argued these programs are core to Proposition 1’s goals of statewide innovation and community accountability, while Finance said the proposal is consistent with Proposition 1’s maximum funding levels and reflects a broader effort to prioritize direct services and use unspent prior-year funds; members pressed for more information and questioned whether the cuts would undermine the new behavioral health framework.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Health Care Financing Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Transcript Highlights:
  • Actually, an observation is, is there something that would incentivize or penalize insurance companies
  • Actually, an observation is, is there something that would incentivize or penalize insurance companies
  • And, you know, thirdly, really thinking about the risk coding and recognizing that this risk coding will
  • I can tell you, risk coding is a massive pain for us in primary care.
  • And actually, we're coding for things that don't impact patients' lives, nor do they make a difference
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket focused on primary care, workforce development, and medical debt. Chairs Cindy Friedman and John Lawn outlined hearing procedures and noted that testimony would be taken on 17 matters. The committee first heard testimony on bills to establish a community health center nurse practitioner residency program and to strengthen mental health centers. Senator Keenan, Rep. Keefe, and health center leaders described the Worcester nurse practitioner residency as a successful pipeline and retention strategy, citing workforce shortages, training needs in community health centers, and the cost of the program. Rep. O’Day also supported the mental health centers bill, saying it would raise payment rates, improve reimbursement for behavioral health services, and help clinics retain staff and expand access. The committee then took testimony on bills to address medical debt through hospital financial assistance reform. The Attorney General’s Office, Health Care for All, Health Law Advocates, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and individual patients supported the measure, arguing that hospital financial assistance policies are inconsistent, hard to find, and difficult to navigate. Witnesses said the bill would standardize eligibility criteria, create a uniform application, improve notice requirements, and expand access to discounted care up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Several personal stories described medical bills being sent to collections, confusion over insurance billing, and the burden of debt on low-income and chronically ill patients. Committee members asked about hospital concerns, the role of the health safety net, and whether the bill addressed root causes of medical debt; testimony emphasized that the proposal was meant to improve transparency and access rather than replace broader insurance reforms. The hearing also focused heavily on “Primary Care for You” legislation, H. 1370 and S. 867, which would increase primary care investment and create a new payment model. Rep. Haggerty, physicians, a patient, community health center leaders, and the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers described a primary care crisis marked by low reimbursement, staffing shortages, long waits, burnout, and difficulty recruiting clinicians. Supporters said the bills would shift spending toward preventive, team-based care, improve access and equity, and reduce long-term costs. The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans said it was directionally supportive of increased primary care investment but warned that any new spending must stay within the cost growth benchmark and preserve existing contracting structures. The hearing ended with additional testimony on a community health center workforce and loan repayment grant bill from Rep. Stanley, and with further discussion from Dr. Alan Garo about the need for payment reform in primary care.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

89th Legislative Session May 1st, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm not even going to read the definition in the penal code of that because it's not appropriate.
  • Senate Bill 1341 will amend statutory definitions for manufactured home and HUD-code manufactured home
  • Members, House Bill 294 amends the Property Code to prevent cities and HOAs from creating ordinances
  • Members, House Bill 294 amends the Property Code to prevent cities and HOAs from creating ordinances
  • House Bill 2702 amends the Emergency Management Government Code to provide an exemption for VFW posts
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, heard the invocation and pledges, and then took up a series of memorial resolutions and recognitions. Members adopted memorial resolutions honoring former President Jimmy Carter and Dr. Alice Gail Hudgens, with remarks highlighting their public service and community impact, and adopted resolutions recognizing Victoria College’s 100th anniversary and May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. The chamber also recognized Texas A&M system interns and later granted permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. The House then moved through a long third-reading calendar, passing a number of bills on wide margins. Measures approved included SB 304 on municipal court jurisdiction over nuisance abatement ordinances, SB 608 on reporting evidence collection kits, SB 2312 creating a Texas Advisory Committee on Geopolitical Conflict, SB 494 creating a petroleum theft task force, SB 530 on postsecondary accreditation, HB 45 giving the Attorney General a role in prosecuting human trafficking cases, HB 35 on peer support for first responders, HB 47 and HB 3073 on sexual assault policy and prosecution, HB 318 and HB 3000 creating rural sheriff and ambulance grant programs, HB 554 on Juneteenth fireworks sales with county opt-in authority restored, HB 705 and HB 932 joining licensure compacts for cosmetology and occupational therapy, HB 849 allowing county park boards to meet by video conference, HB 1119 on mental health bed reporting, HB 3041 on students with nontraditional secondary education, HB 713 on maternal mortality review reporting, HB 3104 on Webb County bailiff appointments, HB 3970 on electricity planning for large loads, HB 4042 on Railroad Commission safety provisions for gas distribution pipelines, HB 4490 protecting next-of-kin information, HB 1731 on the physician assistant compact, HB 2607 on Walker County Hospital District governance, HB 3689 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association funding, HB 1788 on continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists about abuse and trafficking, HB 1612 on hospital direct payments for uninsured patients, and HB 138 on health impact cost and coverage analysis. Several bills drew extended debate or amendments. HB 353, creating a trespass offense near schools and daycares, prompted questions about constitutional concerns and property rights before passing. HB 3211 on optometrists in managed care plans received a perfecting amendment and a Medicaid-related amendment setting a minimum payment level. HB 1056 on gold and silver specie and a state-based currency prompted detailed questioning about its mechanics and fees, followed by a point of order challenging the caption. The House also adopted or postponed a number of items, including postponing HB 2520 and HB 1359 until later in the calendar before later passing both, and laying several bills on the table subject to call. Many measures passed overwhelmingly, while a few, including HB 3326 on loan forgiveness for adjunct professors and HB 3237 on energy consumption goals, passed with narrower margins.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part II) Apr 28th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, there is an amendment. Secretary will read the amendment. Floor Amendment No. 1 by West.
  • Following amendment, Secretary of the amendment. For amendment number one by Gutierrez.
  • This is the amendment. lines the exact code. Mr. Bettencourt, your amendment. Thank you, Mr.
  • This is the amendment that lines the exact code and the federal tax code that companies applying would
  • Members, there is an amendment. Members, there is an amendment. Secretary will read the amendment.
Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion to move the intent calendar deadline to 4 p.m. and then took up several bills by suspending the regular order of business. Senate Bill 2031, concerning removal of high fences around breeder deer release sites, passed after an amendment shortened the testing period from five years to three, tied visible identification requirements to the date Parks and Wildlife began requiring them, and made the bill effective immediately. Senate Bill 1490, a cleanup to adult charter high school funding, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2227, creating a process for delayed birth certificates and renamed the Charles E. Barton Act, both passed unanimously after floor amendments. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1964, regulating artificial intelligence systems used by state agencies, also passed unanimously after the author described guardrails for high-risk AI and disclosure requirements. The Senate then considered Senate Bill 2877, which increases penalties for election fraud and related attempts; after debate over whether existing law already covers some conduct and whether the bill was necessary given the small number of convictions, it passed to engrossment and later final passage on a 21-10 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2658, on brackish groundwater production and study, passed after four amendments, including one giving water districts authority to stop production if monitoring shows harm to freshwater supplies or subsidence and another returning a portion of transported water revenue to districts. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 648, strengthening recording requirements for real property instruments to help prevent deed theft, also passed on a 26-4 vote. Other measures approved included Committee Substitute Senate Bill 401, making it easier for homeschool students to participate in UIL activities through local district opt-in/nearest-district participation rules; Committee Substitute Senate Bill 407, requiring health care facilities to honor conscience or religious vaccine exemptions for employees, despite extensive questioning about patient safety and immunocompromised patients; Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2117, creating a Texas Committee on Foreign Investment to review risky foreign acquisitions; Senate Bill 1718, adding the NRA annual meeting to the major events reimbursement program after a failed amendment seeking equal space for gun-control advocacy; Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1626, clarifying limits on censorship and interference with digital expression by social media platforms; and Senate Bill 2206, updating the state R&D franchise tax credit and related sales tax treatment, which passed 31-0. The chamber also debated Senate Bill 1395 on school health advisory councils. An initial amendment to restore voting seats for teachers and school employees failed, but a later amendment by Senator West added students back in an advisory, non-voting capacity. The Senate then handled routine motions, committee scheduling, first-reading referrals, and adjourned until April 29, with the session ending in memory of two constituents.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

89th Legislative Session Apr 15th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Amendment 1 to Amendment 1 to Article 1.
  • and the amendment to the amendment under Rule 13, Section 8. and the amendment to the amendment under
  • And do you remember what the original amendment was that we were amending on that amendment to the amendment
  • Code, or a terroristic threat under Section 22.07A2, Penal Code, against an employee of the school district
  • This is on the amendment. This is on the amendment, the Schatzline amendment.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledges, and several ceremonial recognitions, including Wilson County Day, San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants Day, and Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, along with acknowledgments of visiting groups and a birthday greeting. The chamber also announced committee meetings and then moved into floor business, including conference committee action on Senate Bill 1, the state budget. A series of motions to instruct House conferees on SB 1 were debated and voted on. One motion sought to restore salary for Attorney General Ken Paxton after his impeachment-related suspension; it passed 88-56. Another, from Rep. Olcott, directed conferees to support amendments requiring data collection on the costs of undocumented immigrants in hospitals and prisons; after extended debate and a failed amendment from Rep. Martinez Fischer to also study immigrants’ economic contributions, the motion passed 86-61. The House also adopted instructions to eliminate Texas Lottery Commission funding, to support amendments restricting public education institutions from affirming gender identities inconsistent with biological sex, and to seek an additional $4 billion in property tax relief, with each motion passing on recorded votes. The House then took up a supplemental calendar and passed several bills, including HB 39 on veteran death data, HB 102 on priority registration for certain students entering military service, HB 126 on student-athlete compensation and representation, HB 290 on tuition and fee assistance for members of the Texas military forces, HB 300 on Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program updates, and HB 2143 naming a highway in honor of Army Specialist Joey Lins. The chamber also postponed consideration of HJR 2 and HJR 6. Later, the House considered HB 120 on career and technology education pathways and HB 20 on applied science pathway programs for high school students. HB 120 received a perfecting amendment and was advanced after discussion about workforce preparation. HB 20 prompted extensive questioning about transportation, costs, and how students would access partner campuses such as community colleges and TSTC sites; debate continued as the transcript ended, with members examining how the program would operate and whether approval authority would rest with TEA.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Human Services - 02/05/25

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • It came through a waiver amendment from the federal government.
  • So it came through a waiver amendment. Mr.
  • So you got an A1 amendment there, Senator. I do.
  • I would like to move the A1 amendment as an author's amendment. It looks like it's technical.
  • I would like to move the A1 amendment as an author's amendment, please.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/09/2026 - House Public Safety & Law Enforcement

Public Safety & Law Enforcement

Transcript Highlights:
  • Madam Vice Chair, please move the verbal amendment. Mr.
  • All those in favor of voice amendments, say aye. Aye. Inserted.
  • Madam Vice Chair, please move the bill as amended. Mr.
  • verbal amendment.
  • know quite what the purpose of defining it in Arizona Code would be.
Bills: HB2665, HB2904, HB2917
Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement heard three bills. HB 2665, named Cade’s Law, would expand Arizona’s manslaughter statute to cover intentionally directed communications—verbal, written, or electronic—that encourage a minor to die by suicide, while excluding general public commentary and non-directed discussion of suicide or mental health. The sponsor and several parents and suicide-prevention advocates testified in support, emphasizing teen suicide risks and the need to address online communication. Some members raised concerns about ambiguity, peer-to-peer counseling, and whether minors could be swept into the statute. After a verbal amendment clarifying the communication language, the bill passed 10-4 with several members voting present due to drafting concerns. HB 2904 declared fentanyl trafficking across the Arizona-Mexico border a public health crisis and directed state health officials to act within their authority. The sponsor argued the bill was needed to combat cartels and protect Arizona from fentanyl-related deaths. The ACLU of Arizona opposed it, saying the bill used vague and unprecedented terms such as “unlawful invasion,” could sweep in asylum seekers or low-level drug offenders, and might affect bail and sentencing. After a contentious debate over border security, sovereignty, and the bill’s definitions, the committee gave HB 2904 a do pass recommendation by an 8-6 vote. HB 2917 would create a firefighter cancer registry at the Department of Health Services to collect and analyze data on cancer among Arizona firefighters. Firefighter representatives supported the measure as a way to better understand occupational exposure and improve prevention, but members questioned whether the bill’s reporting requirements were truly voluntary, since the draft appeared to require participation and provider reporting of medical information. The sponsor and supporters said the intent was not to mandate disclosure and were open to amendments to clarify consent and privacy. The committee approved the bill 12-1, with one present vote and one absence, while noting that cleanup amendments would be needed before floor consideration.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Committee on Housing (02/10/2026)

Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • as amended.
  • The amended bill community systems.
  • , this amendment centers Importantly, this amendment centers community-based<00:24:00.799> housing
  • > where<01:43:44.159> you would you be amendable to this where you would you be amendable
  • > that<04:22:33.279> aren't penal like penalizing towns that aren't penal like penalizing
Keywords: 1189, house, all
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The following amendment, the clerk will read the amendment.
  • Amendment by Verdell to explain the amendment. Okay. Copy that. That's me.
  • I have an amendment. The following amendment— the clerk will read the amendment.
  • I'm gonna vote for this amendment either as it is or as it is not. As it is amended, the amendment.
  • The following amendment—the clerk will read the amendment. Amendment by Hopper.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • If you've got amendments, changes, and concerns, and just kind of all of that stuff, so that we start
  • They live outside of the public school code, and we didn't feel like it was appropriate for us to do
  • Public school is defined and all of this lives in the public school code.
  • This is essentially amending some issues as it relates to restraint and seclusion.
  • However, the success of our students and our operational efficiency is being penalized.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Health and Human Services (04/23/2025)

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • amendment that amendable if we had an amendment that also<01:21:49.600> said<01:21:49.840>
  • may be looking at the amendment text. may be looking at the amendment text.
  • Yes, I've got that amendment.
  • It's an F64 code if it's a gender-related insurance billing code.
  • code and then a mental health code code and then a mental health code billing<03:30:05.520> would
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • On the amendment, thank you, Mr.
  • Representative Williams for a question on the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
  • Uh, ever Caldwell, are we opening the door for construction with this amendment?
  • So this amendment is not giving construction rights. It's defining the construction rights.
  • Members, we will not be taking questions on the bill once the amendment is adopted.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • I move to reject Senate amendments to House Bill 2992 and request conference.
  • The Senate amended the cap down from $1.5 million to $250,000.
  • There's an amendment. Clerk will read. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There's an amendment.
  • Amendment submitted by Caldwell-Chad. You are recognized to explain your amendment. Thank you, Mr.
  • Well, we just amended the Senate bill. You are recognized for a follow-up.
Summary: The House convened, called the roll, and heard an invocation focused on “leading with the farewell,” followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a series of floor recognitions honoring guests and student groups. Presentations included the nurse of the day, Susan Hollingsworth, and multiple student champions and visitors, including the Clinton High School 4A hip hop state champions, Pryor High School’s Life Smarts state champions, the Elgin High School wrestling team, the Fort Gibson FFA livestock judging team, Putnam City North’s girls basketball champions, visiting students from Douglas, OSU environmental science graduate students, and Oklahoma Energy Resource Board teachers of the year. The chamber then took up several Senate bills. SB 378, updating bail bondsman regulations, passed 77-3. SB 985, codifying the local food for school program in statute, passed 79-0. SB 1246, which would update and speed up DEQ permitting while preserving transparency, drew questions about agency outreach and environmental impacts; after a division vote on advancing the bill passed 30-28, the bill itself passed 81-0. Later, SB 1500 on pharmacy benefit managers passed 81-0, SB 1984 on osteopathic medicine passed 74-0, and SB 1644 creating a reporting mechanism for suspected alpha-gal syndrome passed 82-0. The House also adopted Senate amendments to HB 3720, the local food freedom bill, and passed it 81-0. HB 4118, the family caregiver credit, also passed 81-0 after the Senate amendment restored the title “Caring for Caregivers Act.” A motion was made to reject Senate amendments to HB 2992 and request conference. House Joint Resolution 1100, relating to OMES proposed major rule changes, was read on second reading and referred to administrative rules. A lengthy debate centered on an amendment to SB 1546, a teacher-related bill, which would expand the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Scholarship Fund tax credit to support the Strong Readers Act, the Oklahoma Math Proficiency Act, and certain capital projects for scholarship-granting organizations. Supporters said it would encourage private investment in education and add instructional capacity; opponents argued it would favor wealthy private schools, do little for rural or high-poverty districts, and divert scholarship resources. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill was advanced to final passage, with debate continuing at the end of the transcript.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Revenue and Taxation Apr 6th, 2026 at 02:00 pm

Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then it continues on further provided we have a motion for an amendment. Move to the amendment.
  • The clerk will now read the amendment. Mr.
  • With the author of the amendment, what shall we do with the amendment?
  • All in favor of the amendment, say 'aye'. My bad. Would there be debate on the amendment?
  • If you are in favor of the amendment, you'll vote 'aye'.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism 2ND REVISED Feb 24th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • One of the things we're trying to do, and I didn't get the amendments in here in time.
  • Senator Thompson, would you care to explain your amendment?
  • So with that, do pass on the amendment? Second from the chair.
  • Will there be questions on the amendment? Seeing none, will there be debate on the amendment?
  • Back on the bill as amended.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Without objection, there's also a live amendment on this bill.
  • Would you like to adopt the live amendment? Yes, please. Staff, please read the live amendment. Mr.
  • Chairman, I move to amend the proposed committee substitute House Bill 4317, page 5, section 2.
  • So that's some of the stuff that we're looking to make amendments to.
  • Of note, we will be amending the repealer at the bottom of page three.
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee Feb 11th, 2026

Finance and Taxation General Fund

Transcript Highlights:
  • . >> We have an amendment. >> Oh, we have an amendment. >> Amendment. I'm sorry.
  • Senator, you have an amendment. >> I do have an amendment here.
  • >> We have an amendment. >> We have an amendment.
  • There's an >> Amendment. I'm sorry. There's an amendment. amendment. amendment.
  • Senator, you have an amendment. amendment. amendment.
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Jan 21st, 2026

Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Transcript Highlights:
  • >> So actually I know what the amendment does. >> Will you use your microphone, please?
  • I know what the bill does, but can you amend? Can you tell me what the bill does?
  • >> The amendment. >> No, the bill. Can you explain the bill? >> [music] >> Turned off.
  • c><00:09:02.480> know<00:09:02.560> what<00:09:02.720> the<00:09:02.880> amendment
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Higher Education Apr 29th, 2025

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • On set, they build sets, and they're not building things up to codes, but they have to have some kind
  • You're not running up to code. lighting, you're just running.
  • But like I said, if you guys want to amend it and just buy it.
  • This is a an amendment to the an urban scholarship that was founded in 1997. 74th session, we did an
  • Maybe potential for another good amendment? We have no further questions? Okay.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 15th, 2025 at 10:04 am

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • strengthens the bill by expanding protections to public projects under Chapter 2252 of the Government Code
  • The most critical situation is when a system is down and there is no backup code.
  • continue their business The most critical situation is when a system is down and there is no backup code
  • Representative Chairman Terrigo moves that HB 2214, without amendment, be reported to the full House
  • So this bill seeks to amend the Business and Commerce Code to make contractual provisions that incorporate
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 3862, which would restrict social media app use for minors and limit smartphone/social media access in classrooms. Supporters, including representatives from Champions for Childhood, argued that smartphones and social media are linked to addiction, distraction, cyberbullying, and worsening youth mental health, and said the bill would help parents and schools protect children. After testimony, the committee left HB 3862 pending. Members then heard HB 3712, a construction retainage bill that would stop owners from withholding reserved funds on specially fabricated materials once they are delivered, approved, and warranted, while still allowing retainage for labor and installation. Witnesses from the precast concrete industry said current retainage practices delay payment for years and create financial risk for subcontractors and suppliers. The bill was left pending after closing. The committee also heard HB 2963, a right-to-repair bill requiring manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information for owners and independent repair providers, with carve-outs for medical devices, vehicles covered by existing repair agreements, trade secrets, and security protections. Support came from consumer, environmental, repair, and policy groups, while one witness from Safelite was neutral and urged removal of the MOU reference for auto manufacturers. HB 2963 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4308, which would create county industrial development districts to attract industrial employers and finance infrastructure through local elections and a board structure. Supporters, including the Fort Bend County commissioner, said the bill would help counties diversify tax bases and create jobs; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee took up several pending bills and voted to report HB 74, HB 112, HB 2214, HB 3016, HB 3133, HB 3173, HB 3807, HB 4063, HB 4115, HB 5008, and HB 2652 favorably to the full House, with some sent to the Local and Consent Calendars. The committee also heard HB 3874 on construction contract transparency and HB 4196 on creating a task force to modernize manufacturing, both of which were left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 3344, which would create a licensing and regulatory framework for re-roofing contractors; supporters said it would curb storm-chasing and protect homeowners, while one roofing contractor opposed it as too restrictive and argued existing fraud laws are sufficient. HB 3344 was also left pending.