Transcript Highlights:

• The House concurs.
• House order.
• The House stands in recess until 1 p.m. House of Camnora. Mr.
• House to be in order. House to be in order. House to be in order.
• House number 5561.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Read the House bill.
• Read the House bill.
• Read the House bill.
• Read the House bill.
• Read the House bill.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, introductions, and a moment of silence honoring service members killed in the conflict in Iran, including Florida native Captain Cody Cork. The chamber then moved through a special order calendar, taking up several bills on education, public safety, insurance, health, and local government policy. Many measures were accompanied by sponsor explanations and supportive remarks from members, often emphasizing constituent impacts, public safety, and administrative efficiency. The first major bill, SB 1062 on speech and debate education, was expanded through a delete-all amendment and passed 37-0 after extensive floor debate praising debate programs as a civic and educational tool. SB 1072 created an anti-Semitism task force in the Attorney General’s Office; an amendment clarified that criticism of Israel is not prohibited, and the bill passed 37-0. SB 1230/HB 1019 addressed PFAS “forever chemicals,” especially in firefighting foam, with phase-outs, testing, enforcement, and exceptions for certain federal, military, and emergency uses; it also passed 37-0 and was dedicated in memory of former firefighter Joe Casello. SB 1706 expanded the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program with tighter eligibility rules, and SB 186 required broader seizure-response training and seizure action plans in schools; both passed unanimously. The Senate also approved SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 990 authorizing protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 modernizing nonprofit corporation law, SB 560 streamlining foster care medication and oversight procedures, SB 684 easing electronic signature requirements for total-loss vehicle and vessel titles, and SB 778 revising forensic client services for certain defendants with intellectual disabilities or autism. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including SB 432, SB 928, and SB 620. Most of these measures passed by votes of 36-0 or 37-0 after brief debate or no debate. The most contentious item was SB 1134 on official actions of local governments related to DEI. The sponsor argued the bill would stop taxpayer funding and promotion of discriminatory or indoctrinating DEI practices, citing examples from several counties and cities. Multiple amendments sought to narrow penalties, protect good-faith officials, and preserve local proclamations and observances, including LGBTQ Pride Month and other cultural events, but those amendments were rejected. Debate centered on vagueness, local discretion, and whether the bill would chill legitimate government activity. The transcript cuts off during questioning on the underlying bill, before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Housing.
• and housing.
• House, and provided affordable housing developers with powerful new tools to streamline permitting and
• housing.
• housing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, first, Janelle Taylor from House Research, Mary Davis from House Research, Brad Hegmire, House Fiscal
• from House Research, Mary Davis from<00:03:14.879><c> House</c><00:03:15.200><c> Research,</c><00:03
• :16.080><c> Brad</c><00:03:16.400><c> Hegmire,</c><00:03:17.200><c> House</c> from House Research, Brad
• Hegmire, House from House Research, Brad Hegmire, House Fiscal,<00:03:18.159><c> Amy</c><00:03:18.920
• Members of the House, I rise today in strong support of House File 2563, a bill not only upholds our

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the central goals in Virginia was to address housing affordability, excuse me.
• Now, if you want bird-safe windows on your new house, you can, of course, pay to have those installed
• But then second, I understand there's been some focus on permitting and speeding up permitting and consolidating
• I think that the next steps, though, are to look at why the permits are there in the first place.
• But then second, I understand there's been some focus on permitting and speeding up permitting and consolidating

Summary: The Special Committee on Regulatory Reform met to hear from Patrick McLaughlin of the Hoover Institution and Pacific Legal Foundation about regulatory accumulation and reform. Chair Mark Wright explained the meeting was a study hearing only, with no votes planned or quorum for action. McLaughlin described his research measuring regulation by counting binding words such as “shall” and “must,” and said Louisiana ranks among the most regulated states, with about 183,000 restrictions and growth in regulatory stock outpacing the national average. He argued that excessive regulation slows GDP growth, raises consumer prices, and disproportionately burdens small businesses and low-income households. McLaughlin pointed to reform examples in British Columbia, Idaho, and Virginia, where centralized oversight, periodic review, one-in-one-out or similar rules, and simplified benefit-cost analysis were used to reduce regulations without harming safety. He said Virginia’s regulatory modernization effort, including use of AI and a regulatory management office, helped cut requirements and lower homebuilding costs. Committee members asked about how the data were measured, how regulation affects housing, licensing, and population growth, and whether Louisiana could use similar tools. McLaughlin emphasized that AI should assist human reviewers, not replace them, by identifying outdated, duplicative, or overly burdensome rules. Members also discussed Louisiana’s own reform efforts, including LaDOGE, permit streamlining, and prior bills to create public hearings and legislative review of regulations. Wright and others asked about federal mandates, “gold plating” of state rules, and how to identify unnecessary state-level additions. McLaughlin said some state rules are required by federal law, but many others are not, and AI can help distinguish required language from added burdens. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after members expressed interest in following up on McLaughlin’s report and examples from other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• We literally only have like 25 houses rebuilt.
• “I heard something like $12,000 to reconnect these new houses that are being built. That's one.
• SB 924 ensures that programs work across diverse housing types, conditions, and tenancy structures.
• We're a nonprofit dedicated to advancing middle housing solutions, including ADUs and JADUs.
• Chair and members, Alicia Priago on behalf of the Housing Action Coalition in support. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of energy, water, and utility bills. SB 952, SB 1417, SB 924, SB 925, SB 1011, SB 1168, SB 1196, and SB 1350 were all discussed, along with consent items SB 1008 and SB 1245. SB 952 would give the Department of Water Resources more flexibility in meeting clean energy procurement goals for the State Water Project; it drew support from the State Water Contractors and California Municipal Utilities Association and no opposition. SB 1417 would extend transparency and notice requirements to mutual water companies, especially in response to wildfire-related rate increases in Altadena; supporters described lack of notice, meeting access, and public accountability, while the California Association of Mutual Water Companies opposed the bill as overly prescriptive and potentially conflicting with existing law. SB 924 would modernize low-income energy assistance and weatherization programs to better measure affordability outcomes and tenant benefits, and it passed with broad support. SB 925 would direct the Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy; it was supported by industry and clean energy groups and passed without opposition. SB 1011 would require CPUC standards for human review of utility AI systems and labor consultation; supporters framed it as a safety and workforce protection measure, while utilities and business groups warned about cost, duplication, and overbroad regulation. SB 1168, now a study bill, would have the CPUC examine how data centers pay for load growth and rate impacts; it drew mixed reactions, with some industry opposition and some labor support after amendments. SB 1196 would speed utility hookups for ADUs and JADUs by allowing earlier applications and setting timelines; housing advocates supported it and it passed. SB 1350 would allow renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen, with strong support from hydrogen, labor, and utility interests, but TURN opposed it unless amended, arguing it lacked safeguards against greenwashing and resource shuffling. The committee also approved the consent calendar and several bills were reported out on recorded votes, with most measures advancing on strong bipartisan support and a few no votes from Senators Strickland and Dahle on selected items.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the intent is, if I tell you how to break into my house — I'm going to use my house as an example
• house, I should be allowed to fix how to break in my house.
• I see that if the individual who transports has an annual permit, he's able to use that permit.
• Has a permit, an annual permit, he's able to use that permit rather than having to get a permit for each
• So it's an umbrella permit, per se.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation heard testimony on a large agenda of transportation-related bills, with several measures discussed before a quorum was established. AB 1588 focused on sideshows and street takeovers, with the author, San Francisco Police Department, and Streets Are for Everyone arguing the bill would modernize enforcement, add motorbikes and dirt bikes to the sideshow framework, and improve public safety; there was no opposition testimony. AB 2015 would require Caltrans to study the effects of third-party navigation apps on congestion, local streets, infrastructure, and emergency response, and was supported by Streets for All, AAA, and local agencies, with no opposition. AB 2717 would extend a sunset for off-site advertising displays at large sports venues; the Dodgers supported it, the San Jose Sharks and others noted amendments, and no opposition was heard. AB 1608 would strengthen the independence and transparency of the High-Speed Rail Office of Inspector General by requiring public reports, adding confidentiality protections for sensitive security information, and granting staffing and purchasing authority; the First Amendment Coalition supported the amended bill, while the Vice Chair raised concerns about transparency and limiting confidential notices to committee chairs. The committee also heard AB 2346 on e-bike safety, which would require speedometers on Class 2 e-bikes, lights, a statewide sidewalk speed limit, local authority over bike-path speeds, and point-of-sale disclosures. Support came from medical, law enforcement, local government, and safety groups citing rising injuries and confusion over e-bike rules; PeopleForBikes remained opposed unless amended, mainly over lighting and disclosure requirements, though Streets for All withdrew its opposition after amendments. Members broadly supported the bill and discussed helmet use, youth safety, and the distinction between e-bikes and higher-powered e-motos. AB 1919 would let Santa Cruz Metro place a citizens’ initiative on the ballot to secure transit funding and protect service and jobs; the sponsor, bus operators, and labor supported it, with no opposition testimony. AB 2012 would streamline permits for moving manufactured homes under an annual permit, and AB 2024 would clarify Outdoor Advertising Act permitting and relocation procedures; both drew support from industry and housing groups and no opposition. After quorum was established, the committee adopted the consent calendar, which included items 13, 6, 8, 11, 14, 15, and 21, by roll call vote. The committee then heard AB 2484, which would allow San Diego voters to authorize a local transit tax initiative for MTS; the author and MTS argued it would preserve service and allow voters to decide future funding, and the bill advanced on a 5-2 roll call with the roll left open for absent members. The committee also heard AB 2560, which would codify the state transportation climate principles known as CAPTI; supporters said it would lock in goals for transit, rail, active transportation, equity, and greenhouse gas reduction, while Orange County Transportation Authority opposed. The author closed by asking for aye votes, and the committee proceeded toward roll-call action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also exempts silt and sediment discharges permitted by a construction stormwater general permit
• or renews an existing permit.
• Most of our farms do not operate under permits.
• Most farmers in the state do not operate under permits. Number two, we oppose this thing.
• Most of our farms do not operate under permits.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> measure on this agenda that is House measure on this agenda that is House Bill<00:03:58.120><c>
• </c><00:12:16.959><c> Bill</c> chair votes I Vice chair on House Bill chair votes I Vice chair on House
• </c><00:20:30.320><c> Bill</c> testify on House Bill testify on House Bill 977<00:20:33.240><c> if</c
• </c><00:22:43.600><c> Bill</c> on House Bill on House Bill 1051<00:22:45.880><c> if</c><00:22:46.039>
• </c> businesses are Regulatory and permitting businesses are Regulatory and permitting process<00:26:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several energy- and environment-related measures. HB 242 HD1 on electric vehicle batteries drew support from the Department of Health, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, SERFCO, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation; the Energy Office suggested a broader working group covering all lithium-ion batteries, and members later adopted amendments including a date change and revised timing language. HB 751 HD2 on statewide organic waste reduction and diversion received mixed testimony, with the Department of Health opposing it over concerns about compostable food packaging and incomplete testing data; the committee nonetheless moved the bill forward with amendments removing compostable food packaging from the definition of organic waste and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committees also considered HB 1020 HD1 on a statewide program to characterize carbon sequestration potential and underground water resources. The Hawaiʻi State Energy Office and Ulupono supported the measure as part of a broader geothermal and energy security effort, while members raised concerns about overlapping roles between agencies and the need for a single coordinated voice. The committee ultimately amended the bill to place DBEDT in charge, with technical changes, and passed it. In a separate portion of the hearing, HB 350 HD2 on energy was heard with support from the State Energy Office, industry, and advocacy groups; opponents argued the existing solar water heater law is working and that variances already allow flexibility. The committee passed HB 350 unamended. Later, the committee heard HB 977 HD1 on energy financing, HB 1017 HD1 on the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, HB 1051 HD1 on energy efficiency portfolio standards, and HB 1406 HD1 on government procedures. HB 977 received support from the Public Utilities Commission, DCCA, and others and was advanced with technical, non-substantive amendments. HB 1017, which would repeal the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, and HB 1051, which sets energy efficiency benchmarks, were both passed unamended. HB 1406, a task force bill aimed at improving permitting and regulatory processes, was amended to add a Senate representative, include the State Energy Office, make the bill effective on approval, and note prior funding requests in the committee report; it was then adopted. Votes were recorded on each measure, with some members excused and HB 751 drawing one no vote from Senator Rhoads.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each jurisdiction has authority to set standards, requirements, and fees for a sewer connection permit
• Each jurisdiction has authority to set standards, requirements, and fees for a sewer connection permit
• I honestly thought that this was already permitted. It wouldn't be an issue.
• Not every city, as I understand it, or not every jurisdiction permits it, and then in some places it
• So if you're developing four or five lots, if you add a lot of complexity to the permitting process,

Bills: SB6211, SB6234, SB6242

Keywords: real estate, excise tax, growth management, uniformity, local government, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, shared stewardship, counties authority, land management, environmental agreements, local governance, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As the Assembly Member said, we have 12 municipal stormwater permits in California.
• different under each permit.
• there was a lengthy permitting review process involved.
• the permit through one chemical application.
• These permits already include limits like those in AB 2447.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Through the permitting pieces, we are committed to continuing to meet our permitting obligations, as
• It is about 400 housing units.
• And so what was the determination of why those housing units were built, who received those housing units
• But the housing units that were built as a part of, and specifically through TCC, are... ...housing units
• 400 housing units?

Summary: The meeting began with a lengthy opening discussion with Secretary Karen Ross of the Department of Food and Agriculture, who reviewed the department’s proposed budget, emphasized California agriculture’s record output, and highlighted major priorities including climate-smart agriculture, groundwater management, local food systems, farm-to-school, food hubs, invasive pest prevention, bird flu response, and food safety. She also warned about federal budget cuts, especially at USDA and FDA, and discussed market access challenges abroad, rising input costs, labor shortages, and the need for automation and workforce training. Members raised questions about the future of Farm to School, the California Nutrition Incentive Program/Market Match, local food procurement, and how to better connect farmers to schools, food banks, and food hubs; Ross said the department had strong evidence the program benefits small farms and Title I schools and noted continued interest in building out local food infrastructure. The committee then took up item one on eliminating vacant positions at the Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, and Food and Agriculture. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that the Governor proposed eliminating 6,000 vacant positions statewide, with the Joint Legislative Budget Committee previously rejecting 650 of them, including 174 in these three departments. LAO and Finance said the vacancies represented a source of budget flexibility, but warned that eliminating them could create program impacts; LAO recommended retaining the special-funded positions at Fish and Wildlife and Food and Agriculture, while weighing the General Fund positions against other priorities. Finance argued the reductions were part of a broader budget-resiliency exercise and that departments could reclassify or shift vacancies to higher priorities. Members focused heavily on the practical impacts of the cuts. Assemblymember Petrie-Norris argued that Fish and Wildlife staffing shortages were already slowing permits needed for housing, clean energy, water, and transportation projects, and questioned the value of saving relatively small amounts of money. Fish and Wildlife officials said the department had prioritized mission-critical work and could still meet permitting obligations, but acknowledged limited-term staffing constraints. State Parks said the proposed ranger and maintenance cuts would not have immediate effects but could slow maintenance and eventually worsen deferred maintenance. Food and Agriculture said some of the eliminated positions supported early pest detection and eradication, but that the department believed it could still meet its mandate and reclassify positions if needed. The chair and several members signaled concern about the Fish and Wildlife and Parks cuts, while also noting the broader need for budget reductions. The committee then moved to item six, hearing an overview from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. Staff described the office’s role in CEQA implementation and said the budget requests were baseline funding to maintain existing functions, including IT services and administrative/legislative support, rather than new programs. The chair asked the presenters to move quickly through background material so the committee could get to questions, and the item began with no votes taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• to obtain hemp research permits.
• The chair hears none, and House Bill 1269 is left pending.
• The chair hears none, and House Bill 1276 is left pending.
• , uh, to the house and this data to house the database it currently manages and maintains similar database
• The chairs none, and House Bill 147 is left pending.

Bills: HB147

Keywords: government contracting, business program, discrimination, state procurement, equity, underutilized businesses

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock met with a quorum present and heard several bills, all of which were left pending. HB 1113, by Rep. Cain, would update Texas hemp law to keep state rules aligned with federal changes, require timely rule amendments by the Department of Agriculture, and create hemp research permits for universities and nonprofits. Supporters from the Texas Hemp Coalition said it would improve research, licensing, testing, and enforcement while helping the industry stay compliant and competitive; the author said the bill was intended to reward good actors and deter bad ones. HB 1203, by Rep. Gonzalez, would create an Office of Food System Security and Resiliency within the Department of Agriculture to address food insecurity and coordinate local food access efforts. Gonzalez said the office would build on a prior Department of Agriculture study and help connect farmers, agencies, schools, and local governments; members asked about the fiscal note, consumer costs, and whether the office would overlap with existing programs. HB 1269, HB 1276, and HB 1277 focused on plant disease and pest prevention, including a grant program and studies to identify gaps and track outbreaks. Gonzalez emphasized the need for a more intentional state response, citing crop losses from pests and a recent cotton disease outbreak in his district. HB 1437 would create a pollinator task force to address threats to Texas honeybees and related pollination industries. A Texas Beekeepers Association witness described major recent colony losses, emerging threats such as mites and hornets, and the need to bring agencies and researchers together; Gonzalez noted prior work adding a bee specialist at AgriLife Extension. Finally, HB 147, by Chairman Guillen, would modernize cattle brand registration by moving it to an electronic system at the Texas Animal Health Commission while keeping county clerks involved. Supporters said it would improve efficiency, accuracy, and access for ranchers and law enforcement, while an opponent warned about possible electronic tracking implications and costs for small producers. The committee took no final votes and adjourned after leaving HB 147 pending as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• California's housing crisis continues to limit homeownership opportunities and increase housing costs
• Housing experts have estimated a shortage of between 840,000 and 3.5 million housing units.
• ADUs are a key component of our housing strategy because they expand housing supply while enabling homeowners
• So you got park bond money if you built housing.
• And then, of course, the housing market collapsed and nobody was building any housing for a while, so

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing met on April 7, 2026, and heard two housing-related bills in detail: SB 1116 and SB 1117. SB 1116 would update the Starter Home Revitalization Act by clarifying development standards for small infill projects, reinforcing ministerial approval and timelines, strengthening state oversight, updating subdivision rules, and addressing private restrictions such as HOA or deed limitations. Supporters, including California YIMBY, AlphaX, and several housing groups, said the bill would remove implementation barriers and help produce more starter homes; there was no opposition testimony. Members generally supported the measure, and it was advanced to the Senate Local Government Committee. SB 1117 would clarify accessory dwelling unit fee law by requiring local governments to calculate impact fees only on the portion of an ADU above 750 square feet, rather than charging fees on the entire unit once it exceeds that threshold. Supporters argued the bill would reduce cost barriers and encourage larger ADUs, while opponents from Cal Cities, counties, special districts, and fire districts said impact fees fund essential infrastructure and services and should not be further limited. Committee members largely supported the bill as narrowly tailored, though several emphasized the importance of infrastructure funding and asked for continued work with local government stakeholders. The bill was also moved to the Senate Local Government Committee. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing SB 1267 and the committee omnibus bill SB 1426, both of which were approved. After quorum issues and a brief recess, the committee later returned to lift calls and finalized votes, approving the consent calendar 10-0, SB 1117 10-0, and SB 1116 8-0. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out House Bill 5650.
• The chair moves that House Bill 5661 as substituted be reported favorably to the full House and with
• The chair moves that House Bill 5665 without amendment be reported favorably to the full House with a
• Opposition to House Bill 5187.
• Um, you asked about permit fees.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> governor, two appointed by the House, governor, two appointed by the House, and<00:08:08.479><c
• </c> opera house sometime, right? opera house sometime, right?
• Um, and I know there's been some issues on the committee as we've talked about permits and permitting
• , length of time for permits, permit reform.
• </c> that's going into uh getting permitting that's going into uh getting permitting done<00:58:19.280

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the designated time for our hearing in House Revenue and Taxation, and this hearing is called
• They must have a permit and a license in order to sell these products.
• Number four, the Tax Commission will publish a list of all permit holders, all permit holders, whether
• Department can deny permits based on fraud, felony, or evasion.
• And House Revenue and Taxation stands adjourned.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on March 12, 2026, and took up three introduction-only RS drafts. RS 33573, sponsored by Representative Raymond, would create a permitting and licensing framework for vape and alternative nicotine products, define contraband, require out-of-state bonding, allow permit denial for fraud or felony issues, and impose a modest excise tax on vape and alternative nicotine products, with revenue split between Health and Welfare, public education for cessation, and the general fund. Raymond said the measure was developed with multiple stakeholders and was intended for introduction only this session. Representative Barbieri opposed the policy as overregulation and argued it could double-tax a cessation product, while other members asked for fiscal comparisons to tobacco taxes. The committee ultimately voted to introduce the RS. The committee then considered RS 33664, sponsored by Representative Raibold, which would establish a state property tax tied to occupancy and direct the revenue back to counties and cities for law enforcement, fire, EMS, property tax reduction, infrastructure, and maintenance. Several members said their votes to introduce were not endorsements and expressed opposition to a statewide property tax, though they supported discussing the idea. The motion to introduce passed. Finally, RS 33659, also by Representative Raibold, would clarify homestead exemption verification by requiring matching Idaho ID/address documentation, allowing an Idaho income tax statement in some cases, and tightening rules to prevent claiming similar exemptions in other states while preserving exceptions for active military and religious missions. Members discussed how counties would verify out-of-state exemptions, and Raibold said the bill formalizes practices already used in some counties. The committee voted to introduce this RS as well, then adjourned and announced a meeting for the following day at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> those uh uh permit application reviews. those uh uh permit application reviews.
• ><c> application</c> currently an NSR permit application currently an NSR permit application would<01
• So there are two permitting actions that occur. Current staff can manage between 12 and 24 permits.
• So, uh, 8 to 10 months for the permit to construct and 8 to 10 months for the permit to inject or the
• </c> 12 and 24 permits. 12 and 24 permits.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> used high-capacity magazines and houses used high-capacity magazines and houses were<00:09:49.680
• This opportunity eight different houses.
• And this bill, House File 330 3351, And this bill, House File 330 3351, would<00:14:06.320><c> allow<
• </c> rule should travel with the permit rule should travel with the permit holder. holder. holder.
• ><c> have</c><00:26:51.760><c> statewide</c> A statewide permit should have statewide A statewide permit

Bills: HF3351

Keywords: firearms, guns, gun control, gun safety, local control, home rule, preemption, municipal regulation, county regulation, city ordinances, zoning, firearm dealers, gun dealers, ammunition, carry permits, permit to carry, pistols, Saturday night special, metal-penetrating bullets, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 186 to State Affairs. House Bill 245 to Finance. House Bill 285 to Criminal Justice.
• House Bill 1993 to Jurisprudence. House Bill 1914. House Bill 1990 to State Affairs.
• House Bill 2498 to Business and Commerce. House Bill 2517 to Business and Commerce. House Bill 24.
• House Bill 4749 to State Affairs. House Bill 4804 to Transportation. House Bill 4945 to Finance.
• House Bill 4804 to Transportation, House Bill 4945 to Finance, House Bill 15 to Finance, House Bill 601

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received the House message that HB 35 had passed, and heard a gubernatorial message submitting Trinity River Authority board appointments for Senate confirmation. The chamber also adopted a slate of Senate resolutions by voice vote and later postponed reading and referral of bills and resolutions until the end of the calendar. Several members introduced bills with brief explanations before the Senate took them up under suspension of the regular order. The body then considered and passed a series of measures, often by wide margins, including SB 2846 on wildlife disease control and quarantine authority; CS SB 1224 requiring school superintendents or directors to report certain employee misconduct to local law enforcement; CS SB 2310 on transparency for degree and transfer requirements at public colleges; SB 1502 limiting school districts’ ability to exceed voter-approval tax rates after a failed TRE; CS SB 1141 on notice requirements before full adversary hearings in child-protection cases; CS SB 2568 exempting certain flood-control reservoirs from TCEQ permitting; SB 1524 on confidentiality of information about weapons in foster homes; CS SB 2925 creating a task force on modernizing manufacturing; CS SB 2269 on dispute resolution and enforcement for long-term care facilities; CS SB 1266 on Medicaid provider enrollment and disenrollment notices; SB 243 on migrant labor housing standards; SB 2200 on overweight vehicles transporting hazardous materials; CS SB 2480 on the Texas Physician Health Program; CS SB 1585 restricting government contracts with companies tied to foreign adversaries; CS SB 2357 establishing maternal health training; and SB 1551 requiring accessible AED placement in public schools. The Senate also debated more contested bills. CS SB 2019, which would extend vaccine exemption rules to medical and veterinary students, advanced only partway after a divided vote. CS SB 1442, directing a study on veterinary telemedicine relationships, and CS SB 1241, which would allow the Higher Education Coordinating Board to study alternative college entrance exams, prompted extended questioning about agency authority and whether changes should return to the legislature before taking effect. CS SB 2753, which would integrate early voting and election day voting into a single in-person voting period, was amended and passed to engrossment despite opposition. CS SB 2201, dealing with gang and foreign terrorist organization intelligence databases, and CS SB 2514, creating a DPS hostile foreign adversaries unit, drew detailed debate over civil liberties and national security. CS SB 2422, aimed at limiting Texas Medical Board discipline related to COVID-19 treatments and practices, also advanced after lengthy discussion and a close vote.