Transcript Highlights:

• licensed Children's Hospital as a Level One or Level Two pediatric trauma center if such hospital has a valid
• For those who have lost a parent serving our country, they should be able to utilize the full allotment
• This bill eliminates all self-attestation to prove your shelter utility costs.
• The bill allows dental hygienists to fully utilize, under dental supervision, the education and training

Transcript Highlights:

• currently working on an adult maker space in the library for small business owners to be able to utilize
• I think that is what offers validity to this whole thing.
• Rent, utilities, transportation, clothing, health care—all of those things that families need access
• Organizations and efforts, and if they utilize a portion of their properties for these types of tax deductions

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In West Texas, a lot of our schools are utilizing telemedicine.
• Maybe longer than that, but they are utilizing that to try to bridge the gap as far as the long-term
• helpful to identify and call out some programs and courses that are not productive and are not being utilized
• That is one of the oldest Christian churches founded in the 2nd century, thereby validating his understanding

Bills: HB2476, HB2893, HB4848, HB5062, SB37, SB60, HB2860, HB4930, SB646, SB 37

Keywords: living expenses, higher education, student support, homeless students, financial aid, grant program, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, workforce development, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, competency-based education, baccalaureate degree, cost of attendance, dual credit, computer science, course credit, foreign language requirement, curriculum review, governing board, faculty council

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but, but certainly I think our goal has been to utilize line pits, and I think Represent Roland Shaw
• The typically when you do utilize these types of things, it is cheaper in the long run.
• This is going to be a process whereby utilizing new IT software at the Railroad Commission, we'll probably
• Um, what is an example of a valid reason why your royalties would be suspended?

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:29.360> those<00:26:29.760> applications<00:26:30.559> and did utilize
• But if we're not utilizing<01:04:44.400> it,<01:04:44.720> I'm<01:04:44.880> not
• You make a valid point.
• <01:42:00.000> There's<01:42:00.320> like a you make a valid point.
• There's like a you make a valid point.

Bills: SB1, SB4, SB6, SB9, SB16, SB17, SB20, SB22, SB28, SB29, SB36, SB41, SB45, SB77, SB85, SB87, SB96, SB98, SB110, SB126, SB139, SB143, SB164, SB167, SB171, SB186, SB188, SB195, SB197, SB198, SB204, SB205, SB206, SB207, SB209, SB210, SB211, SB217, SB219, SB220, SB225, SB231, SB237, SB238, SB241, SB244, SB246, SB247, SB272, SB294, SB315, SB346, SB364, SB366, SB367, SB386, SB392, SB403, SB415, SB427, SB431, SB437, SB457, SB459, SB469, SB471, SB478, SB484, SB489, SB502, SB503, SB507, SB508, SB510, SB516, SB517, SB518, SB519, SB521, SB535, SB543, SB550, SB564, SB568, SB570, SB575, SB577, SB578, SB590, SB607, SB616, SB621, SB634, SB644, SB647, SB649, SB652, SB655, SB656, SB663

Keywords: agricultural lands, foreign ownership, state agriculture policy, real estate regulation, land conservation, SB4, Royal Mausoleum, Mauna Ala, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, OHA, Department of Land and Natural Resources, DLNR, stewardship, Hawaiian affairs, cemetery, burial site, ancestral remains, cultural preservation, state land management, agency transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• They must utilize scenario-based training that simulates real-world situations, including the use of
• I think there are some valid concerns.
• <00:50:36.640> concerns<00:50:37.160> we think there are some valid concerns we think
• them that we've talked about utilize them that we've talked about over<01:30:02.400> the<01:30
• <02:02:41.400> in<02:02:41.719> criminal to be utilized in criminal to be utilized

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We just want to make sure that non-potable water is not utilized for food production in New Mexico and
• Water basically provides an opportunity to utilize a cleaner source for agricultural irrigation than
• I have no utility bills.
• sad-looking sod fields that were barely being maintained so that they could keep that water right valid
• Again, that might be a valid policy consideration, but what frustrates me so deeply is that these same

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is practically no way for a district hospital to utilize this tool to exclusively hire physicians
• Research shows that hospital employment of physicians is associated with increased utilization, higher
• amendments ensure that dry needling will not be implemented until the Department of Consumer Affairs validates
• The bill ensures that competencies are validated through national standards and that any additional training
• The bill ensures that competencies are validated through national standards and that any additional training

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of bills, with members repeatedly noting the lack of quorum while testimony continued. AB 1693 by Assemblymember Zbur would streamline local permitting for retail tenant improvements by allowing qualified professional certifiers to review plans and requiring local action within set deadlines; the California Retailers Association supported the bill, citing lengthy permit delays, and there was no opposition. AB 2010 by Assemblymember Soria would expand access to high-volume spay and neuter services, including mobile clinics, to address pet overpopulation; supporters said it would improve access in rural and underserved areas, while opponents and the Veterinary Medical Board raised concerns about safety standards and asked for amendments. AB 2195 by Assemblymember Rodriguez would stop automatic occupational license suspensions for low-income parents behind on child support; supporters argued the policy is counterproductive and hurts earning capacity, while the California Child Support Association and others said license suspension is an effective enforcement tool that brings parents to the table. The committee also heard AB 2311 by Assemblymember Chiu, which would let public health care district hospitals directly employ physicians; supporters said it would improve recruitment and access to care, while medical groups warned about physician autonomy and institutional influence. AB 1796 by Assemblymember Jackson would create a licensure pathway for professional interior designers and add an interior designer to the California Architects Board; supporters framed it as a public safety and professional recognition measure, while opponents said it would create confusion, unnecessary regulation, and no demonstrated public harm. AB 1739 by Assemblymember Ward would make it a crime for clergy providing therapeutic services to engage in sexual contact with a counselee, closing a gap in existing law; it drew strong support from survivor advocates and no opposition. Finally, AB 2497 by Assemblymember Johnson began testimony on modernizing the physical therapy practice act, with the author noting committee amendments that removed imaging and other provisions, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or action on that bill was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The public safety assessment is the risk assessment currently being utilized by the administrative office
• It was initially validated in 2021. It was validated again this past summer.
• To validate certain tools that we're using and also to assist us in determining what's working and what's

Transcript Highlights:

• the co relief funds that were utilized the co relief funds that were utilized for<00:22:51.559><
• "Yeah, that might be a valid question to ask and to add." "Representative Cck, thank you.
• <03:48:05.040> question yeah that that might be a valid question yeah that that might be a
• valid question to<03:48:05.560> ask<03:48:06.159> and<03:48:06.359> to add<03:48
• I'm not suggesting it's not valid. I'm suggesting it's not like the huge issue.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first addressed House Bill 415, which would remove the requirement that schools provide menstrual products. Members supporting an ITL said the mandate was unfunded, had been in place since 2019, and was already working without complaints from districts. Other members opposed the bill, arguing menstrual products are essential and that the requirement helps students, especially those with fewer resources. The committee voted ITL on HB 415 by a roll call of 17 yeas, 0 nays. The committee then took up House Bill 388, concerning public reports on special education. Supporters of ITL said they agreed with the goal of transparency but were concerned about student privacy, especially in small districts, and thought the bill’s information requests went too far. They noted that related issues could potentially be addressed in another bill, HB 557. The committee voted ITL on HB 388, 17-0. House Bill 730, which would require schools and some colleges to provide information on adoption, was also moved ITL. The sponsor said adoption is personally important to him but that the bill was not the right vehicle and involved entities such as colleges and the Attorney General unnecessarily; he said related ideas might be folded into other bills later. The committee agreed and voted ITL, 17-0. The committee then discussed House Bill 671, a preschool/early literacy proposal involving a statewide nonprofit digital program, likely Waterford. Members raised questions about who would be covered, data privacy, prior use of federal ESSER funds, whether the program had measurable results, and whether the bill’s nonprofit requirement was too restrictive. Department of Education witness Melissa White said the state had spent $400,000 in FY22 and $600,000 in FY23 on a Waterford contract using ARP ESSER funds, but she did not have participant counts and said the department could not measure literacy gains for that population. She also said the bill’s funding level would likely require an RFP and that, if enacted as written, the program would probably still be Waterford-based. The discussion continued without a final vote in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, uh, when a child or their family goes to utilize these funds for tuition regarding higher education
• these funds for tuition goes to utilize these funds for tuition regarding<01:16:26.800> higher
• I think that you make some really valid and excellent points.
• I think that you make some really valid and excellent points.
• think that you make some really valid think that you make some really valid and<01:19:33.400>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think making sure that they're well listed for whether it be landlords or tenants to be able to utilize
• We bring forward ideas that are still valid.
• forward ideas that are still valid my forward ideas that are still valid my personal<00:26:42.520>
• able to be placed in an area, this would allow the agency to move them around in order to ensure utilization
• able to be placed in an area, this would allow the agency to move them around in order to ensure utilization

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• money that employees give you, that are state contributions to make the pension whole, and then utilizing
• So that's a way to kind of validate what CPRIT is seeing early on.
• Well, all the documents they send in, they have to validate that they're veterans.
• And then we are now doing customer satisfaction— And they have to validate that they're veterans.
• Well, there were ARPA dollars that were utilized in Georgetown Public Library in Senator Schwertner's

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard budget presentations for the Texas Historical Commission, the Pension Review Board, the Employees Retirement System (ERS), Social Security and benefit replacement pay, the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESSRS), and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The Legislative Budget Board outlined recommendations and major changes for each agency, including reductions tied to one-time projects at the Historical Commission, continued funding for courthouse grants, heritage trails, and Holocaust/genocide education, as well as new or modified riders and capital items. For the pension-related items, LBB described funding changes for PRB, ERS, Social Security, and TESSRS, including ERS health plan cost growth driven largely by pharmacy costs, the status of pension funding reforms, and TESSRS’s request for additional state support to address its unfunded liability and staffing needs. Members asked extensive questions about the Historical Commission’s one-time funding, unexpended balance authority, courthouse preservation, the Presidio La Bahia and National Museum of the Pacific War projects, and coordination of Texas history messaging across sites such as the Alamo, San Jacinto, Washington on the Brazos, and other heritage locations. The Historical Commission chair emphasized heritage tourism, economic development, and the need for continued investment in historic sites, staffing, IT modernization, and vehicles. On the pension items, senators discussed PRB oversight of local systems, including the Dallas police and fire pension situation, and ERS investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health costs. ERS officials said the plan remains well funded overall, noted a 2021 cash balance reform and a planned supplemental legacy payment, and explained that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are a major driver of pharmacy spending; they also said the agency is working with the Texas Pharmacy Initiative and that rebates are contractually returned to ERS. For TESSRS, LBB and agency staff said the system serves volunteer and part-paid emergency personnel, is facing an infinite amortization period, and is requesting additional appropriations, staffing, and IT funding, along with a statutory change to allow an actuarially determined state contribution. The agency said it may otherwise need to cut benefits for volunteer firefighters. For CPRIT, LBB reported about $600 million in recommended funding for the biennium and a 10-FTE increase, while the agency described its $6 billion voter-approved program, $3.75 billion in grants awarded to date, and $10.4 million in revenue sharing since 2011. CPRIT’s only exceptional item was a request for a 10% salary increase for two exempt positions. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Governmental bodies now utilize some form of electronic voting and recordations in their minutes.
• jail, engineering, finance, applications, permits, economic development, zoning planning, DPW, and utilities
• I think you make a valid point too, Rep. Shamar? I think you make a valid point too, Rep.

Bills: HB248, HB249, HB997, HB1052, HB1193, SB1, SB161, SB218, SB220, SB289, SB435

Keywords: Compensation Commission, elected officials, salary evaluation, government accountability, Louisiana legislature, compensation, independent commission, salary adjustment, consumer price index, official journal, public notices, government transparency, local government, municipal website, school board notices, parish council, police jury, special districts, levee district, drainage district

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1, which would authorize electronic voting by public bodies under the Open Meetings Law and apply the change retroactively to validate prior electronic votes. Senator Jenkins said the bill would align the law with current practice and reduce litigation risk; members asked about best practices for announcing votes and recording them in minutes. The committee reported SB 1 favorably without objection. House Bill 1052 by Representative Spell was then heard and reported favorably. The bill would exempt certain child advocacy center and multidisciplinary investigative team records—such as forensic interviews, medical records, and related work product—from public records disclosure. Testimony from child advocacy advocates emphasized protecting sensitive child abuse investigation materials, limiting disclosure through in-camera review and protective orders when records are needed in court, and preventing misuse of records in civil or custody disputes. The committee also considered Senate Bill 289, as amended, dealing with confidentiality of certain university records in public records requests. Senator Abraham’s amendments narrowed and clarified protections for applicant materials, donor confidentiality, proprietary research, and industry negotiations, while preserving disclosure of top finalists and limiting confidentiality periods for some negotiations. The amended bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 218, allowing the State Board of Election Supervisors to approve alternative election-official certification training programs, and Senate Bill 220, a technical correction regarding the official journal of the state, were also reported favorably. Senate Bill 161, repealing a 2013 requirement that certain high-salary unclassified state employees register vehicles in Louisiana, was reported favorably after questions about its scope. House Bill 1193, authorizing CPRA to use indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity construction contracts for smaller maintenance and emergency-related coastal projects, was amended to make proposal materials unavailable for public inspection until selection is complete and to clarify the bill does not apply to design-build contracting; it was then reported favorably as amended. House Bill 249, which would have created a constitutional compensation commission to set compensation for elected officials with CPI-based adjustments, failed on a roll-call vote of 6 yeas and 9 nays. Because the constitutional amendment failed, the companion enabling bill, House Bill 248, was deferred. The committee also heard House Bill 997 on local government public notices on websites; after amendments narrowing the bill to parishes, municipalities, and school boards, members continued debating it, with supporters arguing it would reduce duplicate publication costs and opponents raising concerns about public notice transparency and newspaper access.

Transcript Highlights:

• I ran a water utility. They are what they are. You just followed the law.
• And one thing he will tell you, and there's some validity to this...
• And one thing he will tell you, and there’s some validity to this, is that when he was talking to us,
• So as we talk about it in a responsible fashion, I just hope that for the people of Wisconsin that utilize

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately that's not the case today for our organization but I do want to validate what the witnesses
• That would authorize you to utilize textbooks that would be violating this law?
• Because you're utilizing what would be your process for remedy besides being liable for potential damages
• be able to teach, contextualize, and instruct about it or omit it because that may be a perfectly valid

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know the Senate had some serious and valid concerns a couple years ago with having their interests
• I know the Senate had some serious and valid concerns a couple years ago with having their interest protected
• . ...serious and valid concerns a couple years ago with having their interests protected.
• There were valid concerns that if we ever went into a convention, right, there was talk about, well,
• So I heard you mention ACEs as a part of the initiative that you guys are also utilizing, but can you

Bills: HCR95, HB4, HB244, HB615, HB648, HB1049, HB1201

Keywords: sales tax, exemptions, credits, rebates, uniformity, legislative rules, fiscal report, constitutional convention, Louisiana constitution, electoral process, government structure, delegate elections, delegates, state election, ratification, Louisiana, public meetings, broadcast, transparency, government accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• So each municipality has a public utility agency that... ...municipality has a public utility agency
• So the public utility company is different than what this is. This is a public utility agency.
• This is a public utility agency.
• And the second amendment has to do with the collateral utilized by municipal-owned utilities that are
• And the second amendment has to do with the collateral utilized by municipal-owned utilities that are

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, approval of the previous journal, and messages from the House, then moved through several recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups. Members adopted resolutions recognizing the Texas chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America, Fine Arts Education Day, Donate Life Texas Day, Baha’i Capitol Day, County Government Day, Jack County Day, Crockett County Day, and a recognition of Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanik for service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The chamber also heard remarks from visiting doctors, students, county officials, and community groups, with multiple senators speaking in support of military families, arts education, organ donation, and local government service. The Senate then took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2779, relating to the allocation and use of certain hotel occupancy tax revenues. Senator Birdwell said the bill would stop local governments from conditioning HOT funds on race- or class-based priorities and would require Galveston to transfer the full state rebate for beach cleaning and maintenance to its park board. After questions, the Senate suspended the rules, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed it, though the final vote showed significant opposition. The chamber also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2322, described as a cleanup bill removing the compelling-factor test for dispatchable generation from the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act. A major debate centered on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2253, which would phase out uncertified teachers in core classrooms and strengthen educator certification requirements. Senator Creighton argued the bill responds to a teacher pipeline crisis, adds parent notification, creates multiple preparation pathways, and provides financial incentives for certification; Senator West and Senator Sparks pressed for rural flexibility and implementation details. An amendment from Senator Gutierrez to add a teacher student-loan repayment program failed on a 11-17 vote, while other technical and fiscal amendments were adopted. The bill then passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2371, updating skimmer-reporting rules to cover electronic terminals beyond fuel pumps, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2351, relating to the construction of certain concrete plants under a standard permit. Senate Bill 619, a conscience-protection bill for health care workers, drew extended questioning from Senators Cook, Eckhardt, and Menendez about patient abandonment, scope, and whether it could allow refusals of legal services such as vaccines, antibiotics, contraception, or personal care; despite those concerns, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment. Finally, the chamber began consideration of Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1169, which would allow public entities to form public utility agencies to cooperate on water and wastewater projects without eminent domain or cross-collateralization, with Senator Hinojosa explaining it as a tool for small and rural communities facing utility infrastructure problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just give me I have the GOP utilization. Just give me a<00:08:48.000> clarification.
• Of the GLP-1 utilizers in question.
• it and I'm and we haven't utilized it and I'm concerned<00:21:43.520> about<00:21:43.760>
• The treatment guidelines are present and available for clinicians to utilize.
• The treatment guidelines are present and available for clinicians to utilize. >> Okay, I have Dr.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on February 23, 2026, approved the January 12 minutes, and then focused primarily on Kentucky Medicaid’s coverage and potential expansion of GLP-1 drugs, especially for weight loss. Department for Medicaid Services Commissioner Lisa Lee explained that Medicaid currently does not cover drugs for weight loss, anorexia, or weight gain, but the department had filed a regulation to remove that blanket exclusion so GLP-1s could be covered when used for an underlying health condition. She said the administrative regulation review subcommittee found the regulation deficient, and the co-chairs wanted the board to discuss the policy and financing implications before any change. DMS also said it would be open to adding caveats to ensure coverage would not extend to cosmetic weight loss alone. The department provided several data points on current utilization and spending. In 2025, Kentucky Medicaid paid for appetite-stimulating drugs such as Megestrol, Dronabinol, and Marinol, but did not pay for weight-loss drugs. For GLP-1s, DMS said coverage began in 2025 and is limited to FDA-approved medical conditions, with prior authorization requiring a type 2 diabetes diagnosis code and A1C documentation. DMS reported $234.6 million in GLP-1 spending in 2025 before rebates, about 240,931 prescriptions, and said GLP-1s accounted for 7.3% of pharmacy spend in 2024 and 8.3% in 2025. It also said there were 24,844 expansion members and 13,638 non-expansion members using GLP-1s, with spending of about $156 million and $78.5 million respectively, and that 10 pediatric weight-loss prescriptions were covered under EPSDT. The department said outcome analyses, including whether GLP-1 use reduces insulin or other diabetes treatment, are underway and should be completed in a couple of months. Members asked about cost, rebates, and whether the state should wait for more outcomes data before expanding coverage. DMS said average reimbursement to pharmacies was $975 per prescription and the average dispensing fee was $109; it also said 2025 rebate invoices totaled $90.8 million, with $7.6 million collected so far. Several members expressed concern about the high cost and the need to evaluate whether the drugs improve health outcomes before expanding access, while others noted the potential benefits for obesity and diabetes treatment. Some members also discussed whether GLP-1s are effectively being used for weight loss in diabetic patients and whether broader data collection should be used to assess long-term value. After the Medicaid discussion, Eli Lilly executive Tracy Sims presented on obesity as a chronic disease and the economic burden it creates in Kentucky. She said Kentucky’s adult obesity rate is a little over 37%, that obesity is linked to about 200 diseases, and that untreated obesity costs the state billions in GDP and hundreds of millions in state budget impact. She highlighted recent federal access programs for GLP-1s, including a Medicaid-related program that she said could lower the state share of a Zepbound prescription to about $71 per month after federal matching. No votes were taken on the GLP-1 policy question during the meeting, and the main action was the receipt of testimony and discussion of the department’s proposed regulatory change.

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico utility... Participate in.
• In the middle column, we have investor-owned utilities, like the investor-owned utilities that you have
• That, you know, connect Utility A with Utility B with Utility C. Thank you for that.
• The Colorado utilities are in the SPP market.
• I think that's what's really occupying regulators and you You know, I'm a big utilities investor on utilities