Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2221 strengthens civil recourse by raising the minimum statutory damages from $5,000 to $10,000
• So under the current bill or the amendment that has $3,000... ...we would be required to file suspicious
• Is that the big statutory change, the difference between what's been proposed and what's not?
• I think we have just one final change we might be making in a floor amendment.
• We like finally having a statutory energy savings goal. Yes, it's $75,000, 85% of what's achieved.

Bills: SB383, SB1012, SB1181, SB1705, SB2075, SB2221, SB2586, SB2864, SB2994

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service

Transcript Highlights:

• I wish to offer a floor amendment to SB 997, SD2. Madam Clerk, please identify the amendment.
• I wish to offer a floor amendment to SB 997, SD2. Madam Clerk, please identify the amendment.
• I wish to offer a floor amendment to SB 997, SD2. Madam Clerk, please identify the amendment.
• c> two amendment floor amendment number two amendment floor amendment number two proposing<00:10:
• Amendment will address this by amending Amendment will address this by amending references<00:12

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Seon makes a motion to amend that any other corrections that we need to make.
• We have a motion to approve the minutes as amended. All in favor? Aye. Opposed?
• Let's see, lines 2.12 and 2.16 amend when OLA can conduct a special review.
• <01:06:07.119> role<01:06:07.400> and statutory role and statutory role and responsibilities
• given our statutory role and responsibilities<01:09:04.520> the<01:09:04.640> council<

Bills: HF1867, HF1240

Keywords: lottery, retailer contracts, Minnesota Statutes, contract qualifications, public integrity, criminal background, legislative auditor, public funds, state government, compliance, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, have you thought through the First Amendment implications of the language as this is written?
• I have the amendment on the ballot.
• So, are you, I think we're hearing that common law should have priority over statutory law?
• I don't think they're mutually exclusive except when statutory law denies common law.
• So I'm asking directly, statutory law.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Drefel, to meet that statutory requirement, ... >> Thank you for that.
• analytics interact with the statutory analytics interact with the statutory mandated<00:30:45.039
• Drefel, >> to<00:32:13.200> meet<00:32:13.519> that<00:32:13.840> statutory
• ><00:32:14.559> requirement, >> to meet that statutory requirement, >> to meet that
• statutory requirement, >> Representative<00:32:15.279> Hicks.

Bills: HF3378

Keywords: human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Gaetz: FURTHER QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT? QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT?
• THE AMENDMENT PASSES. TAKE UP THE NEXT AMENDMENT. WHICH IS AMENDMENT 520306. SENATOR GRALL. >> Sen.
• DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT IS THERE DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT. >> WAIVE CLOSE BE ONCE ALL FAVORING THE AMENDMENT
• QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT? APPEARANCE CARDS ON THE AMENDMENT?
• THE AMENDMENT PASSES. YOU NOW HAVE THE BILL AS AMENDED BEFORE YOU.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the amendment. Are there any questions on the amendment? We do have one. on the amendment.
• This amendment to Senator Gruters' strike-all amendment—hold on a second. Strike-all amendment.
• The amendment to the amendment is adopted. Are there any questions on the amendment as amended?
• Is there any debate on the amendment as amended?
• All in favor of the amendment as amended say yay.

Bills: S0032, S0068, S0210, S0246, S0340, S0418, S0428, S0606, S0628, S1028, S1734

Keywords: injunctions, protection orders, domestic violence, serious violence, court procedures, enforcement, risk protection, statewide communication system, pediatric care, emergency departments, hospital regulations, patient safety, health care standards, public records, violence protection, confidentiality, defamation, specialty license plate, specialty plates, motor vehicle registration

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and reported a series of bills favorably, covering health care, public safety, insurance, coastal resilience, juvenile justice, drowning prevention, transportation designations, and beach management. Senator Harrell presented CS/SB 68, requiring hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, designated pediatric readiness personnel, and participation in a national readiness assessment; it passed. Harrell also presented CS/SB 340, requiring nursing students to complete two hours of human trafficking identification training before licensure; it also passed. Senator Sharif’s CS/SB 32 and SB 210, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person and the related public records bill, were both reported favorably. Senator Garcia’s CS/CS/SB 302 on nature-based coastal resiliency, Senator Jones’s SB 418 on law enforcement interaction with individuals with autism and the Blue Envelope Program, and Senator Martin’s CS/SB 1734 updating juvenile probation and detention officer definitions and related cost-share language were also approved. The committee then took up several drowning-prevention measures. CS/SB 606 by Senator Smith would add drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum materials and direct the Department of Health to create standardized materials; an amendment removed a records-retention requirement, and the bill passed. SB 428 by Senator Yarborough would expand the state swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7; it received strong support from advocates, including a young swim instructor and autism advocates, and passed. The committee also approved CS/SB 246, a specialty license plate bill that was amended to include the UFC plate and a First Responders’ Resiliency Foundation plate, and CS/SB 1028, which revises Citizens Property Insurance and clearinghouse procedures to prioritize admitted carriers and prohibit public funds for the clearinghouse; that bill drew discussion about market competition, Citizens’ exposure, and potential impacts on policyholders. Additional measures reported favorably included SB 628, designating a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as Warrior Sacrifice Way to honor the sailors killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack, and CS/SB 636 on beach management, which would create a proactive pathway for coastal communities to obtain erosion-related designations and align with federal programs. Beach industry testimony supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about perpetual easements and funding shortfalls. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional votes on selected bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not rhetorical discrimination, that is statutory discrimination.
• Amendment submitted. By Representative Erbs.
• The questions on the amendment, seeing none, we will adopt the amendment.
• We will then proceed back to the bill as amended. So, are there questions on the bill as amended?
• I would actually, I don't mind amending.

Bills: HB3674, HB4326, HB4331, HB3029, HB2963, HB3551, HB2973, HB3019, HB3461, HB2961, HB3261, HB3759, HB3429, HB3069, HB3372, HB3705

Keywords: school resource officer, sexual assault training, law enforcement training, CLEET, school safety, mental health, continuing education, HB4326, Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, Oklahoma's Promise, scholarship, tuition assistance, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, eligibility expansion, adopted students, foster care, DHS custody, child-placing agency, tribal custody

Transcript Highlights:

• Comment on OAC 442-10-51113D, amended to make employee credentials valid for one year.
• Hearing examiners historically lack the statutory independence protected afforded to administrative law
• Those are ultimately. statutory requirements.
• respond to these questions, if you would specifically go ahead and point out for folks, hey, this is a statutory

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Amending the Marie Camino: statute to authorize the Water Development Board to review and approve these
• House Bill 5559 addresses this problem by clarifying the statutory authority of IOUs to implement and
• The Chapter 13 statutory duty to provide continuous and adequate service places on the utility the burden
• funds to correct all the losses, but they also can't stop human nature of using the water and the statutory

Bills: HB 4530, HB 4931, HB 5559, HB 5560

Keywords: water rights, Texas Water Trust, water bank, environmental conservation, water quality, instream flows, aquifer, water injection, Edwards Aquifer, environmental regulation, groundwater, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water conservation, drought, utility regulation, water use restrictions, Public Utility Commission, civil penalties, drought contingency, environmental protection

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the amendment. Are there any questions on the amendment? We do have one. On the amendment.
• This amendment to Senator Gruters' strike-all amendment—hold on a second. Strike-all amendment.
• The amendment to the amendment is adopted. Are there any questions on the amendment as amended?
• Is there any debate on the amendment as amended?
• All in favor of the amendment as amended say yay.

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and reported favorably a series of bills after hearing sponsor presentations, public testimony, and roll-call votes. Among the health and public safety measures, CS/SB 68 would require pediatric readiness standards in hospital emergency departments; CS/SB 340 would require nursing students to complete human trafficking identification training; CS/SB 32 and SB 210 would create a new injunction process and related public records provisions for victims of serious violence by a known person; and SB 418 would add autism-focused law enforcement training and a voluntary Blue Envelope Program for drivers with ASD. Each of these bills received supportive testimony and passed the committee. The committee also approved several child safety and community protection measures. CS/SB 606 would add drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum materials, and SB 428 would expand the state swim lesson voucher program to older children, with strong support from advocates and families concerned about drowning risks, especially for children with autism. CS/SB 302 would streamline permitting and incentives for nature-based coastal resiliency projects, and SB 636 would create an alternative beach management pathway for coastal communities, though beach preservation advocates warned about perpetual easement language and funding concerns. SB 628, designating Warrior Sacrifice Way in Pensacola, also passed unanimously. In addition, the committee advanced CS/SB 1734 on juvenile justice, with a late-file amendment updating definitions for juvenile probation and detention officers and codifying detention cost-share language. It also reported favorably CS/SB 246, a specialty license plate bill that was amended to include the UFC plate and an additional first responders resiliency plate, and CS/SB 1028, which revises Citizens Property Insurance Corporation clearinghouse procedures and related insurance market rules. Several witnesses testified in support or with technical concerns on the insurance bill, and members discussed competitive safeguards, clearinghouse scope, and Citizens’ assessment risk. At the end of the meeting, members requested to be recorded on specific bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 4518 provides the statutory foundation for these organizations to register and operate in Texas while
• HB 4518 provides the statutory foundation for these organizations to register and operate in Texas while
• HB 4518 provides the statutory foundation for these organizations to register and operate in Texas while
• Under current law, any transmission line longer than three miles requires an amendment to a certificate
• . ...without the need for a CCN amendment.

Bills: HB111

Summary: The committee heard a long series of House bills, with most measures laid out by Senate sponsors and then left pending after brief public testimony. Early bills focused on construction and licensing issues, including HB 305 on prompt payment for public construction audits, HB 5093 on restoring public access to notary contact information, HB 2037 on updating landlord-tenant repair and security deposit rules, HB 4214 on a centralized public information request contact database, and HB 5435 exempting higher education institutions from a 90-day notice requirement for certain public-private partnership projects. Testimony was generally supportive on these bills, and no votes were taken; each was left pending. The committee also considered several transparency and regulatory bills. HB 111 would expand the Public Information Act to certain nonprofit state associations and narrow some attorney-client and working-paper exceptions, with supporters arguing it would improve oversight of public funds and critics questioning the scope and thresholds. HB 5129 would protect occupational license holders’ personal identifying information from disclosure without consent, HB 4350 would allow peace officers to redact personal information from online real property records, HB 4748 would authorize multiple-award state purchasing contracts, and HB 4765 would clean up code enforcement officer licensing rules. HB 4134 would allow motor vehicle creditors to charge limited fees for electronic payment options while requiring a free alternative, and HB 1043 would direct a study of blockchain-based property title records; both drew testimony, with some concern about the practical effects and vendor implications of the blockchain study. Several bills addressed insurance, workforce, and digital-asset regulation. HB 3520 would reduce the insurance coverage required for transportation network companies during the period when a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, drawing support from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and opposition from trial lawyers who argued the higher coverage better protects the public. HB 3320 would create a self-insurance pool for religious institutions, with TDI explaining it would still be regulated but operate under a special statutory framework. HB 4233 would modernize rules for digital asset service providers by removing certain auditor-access requirements and updating reporting and licensing provisions. HB 3923 would reduce bachelor’s-degree requirements for some state jobs, though Every Texan argued low pay, not degree requirements, is the main driver of turnover. HB 4518 would create a legal structure for decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations tied to blockchain governance; business law experts opposed it as unnecessary and potentially risky, while crypto advocates supported it. Finally, HB 1803 would join an interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists, with supporters citing workforce shortages and opponents saying Texas already licenses quickly and that the compact could weaken state oversight. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly closed testimony and left bills pending, and a quorum was eventually established before later items were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• With regard to water and sewer utilities, this bill amends Section 13.185A of the Water Code to apply
• removal due to criminal activity or ethical violations, this bill should be passed to improve the statutory
• This bill does not impact in-state contributions whatsoever, although I'm open to amendments that could
• It violates the 10th Amendment and our sovereignty.
• In order to conduct background checks on state employees, state agencies must have explicit statutory

Bills: HB1951, HB2715, HB3092, HB3237, HB3278, HB3511, HB3592, HB3675, HB3778, HB3782, HB3826, HB3970, HB4016, HB4049, HB4341, HB4344, HB4406, HB4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• to identify the language that you referenced that is earlier in this statute that allows for the amending
• biological sex designation denoted to a child at birth on their certificate of birth shall not be amended
• ability to change your driver's license as well based on these types of things, so this will get our statutory
• that is a compelling interest because of historical recordkeeping, vital statistical integrity, statutory

Bills: HB4319, HB4317, HB1225, HB3076, HB3081, HB4226, SCR17, HB4432, HB3304, HB3411, HB3435, HB4339, HB4331, HB4341, HB4342, HB1770, HB1016, HB4113, HB2950, HB4141, HB3277, HB2988, HB3029, HB3338, HB1889, HB3834, HB3831, HB2939, HB3045, HB3657, HB1739, HB3759, HB3755, HB4484, HB4486, HB4108, HB1250, HB2961, HB1219, HB3025, HB1782, HB1907, HB3718, HB4459, HB2976, HB3548, HB3545, HB2952, HB2929, HB2956, HB2973, HB3055, HB3086, HB3040, HB3794, HB4336, HB3151, HB1590, HB3581, HB3313, HB3429, HB3448, HB1752, HB2650, HB3584, HB4202, HB3586, HB4321, HB4280, HB3650, HCR1020, HB2116, HB2206, HB4301, HB3625, HB3147, HB3403, HB3498, HB3970, HB3975, HB3976, HB3980, HB4265, HB4266, HB3638, HB3880, HB3930, HB3942, HB3944, HB4191, HB3242, HB3678

Keywords: administrative procedures, rulemaking authority, specific authority, legislative review, agency rules, accounting, CPA, licensure, educational requirements, reciprocity, professional conduct, vital records, birth certificate, birth registration, biological sex, sex designation, male, female, nonbinary, gender identity

Transcript Highlights:

• And section three amends 489.
• <00:17:05.919> amend instance of amendment would amend instance of amendment would amend subdivision
• <00:17:26.319> amends The third instance of amendment amends The third instance of amendment
• And the fifth instance of amendment And the fifth instance of amendment would<00:18:07.360> amend
• have amended the bill as proposed. have amended the bill as proposed.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This shall be a division vote on the amendment. on the amendment with piis only so on the amendment with
• The amendment is adopted. a of pass pass with Amendment sen Lisa a of pass pass with Amendment sen Lisa
• The amendment is adopted. pass with Amendment sen Glenn cordelli pass with Amendment sen Glenn cordelli
• <05:51:41.280> Bill that amend as amended on House Bill that amend as amended on House Bill
• Support this amendment and then ought to pass as amended.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment would remove that.
• And so removing the amendment is not doing anything.
• So, in 2021, we entered the Lucio Amendment.
• What this bill does is just strike the amendment on.
• I vaguely recall the Lucio Amendment in 2021.

Bills: HB4011, HB2680, HB4325, HB4327, HB4944, HB1761, HB4688, HB3453, HB40, HB1707, HB4749, HB2322, HB3647, HB4139, HB4081, HB2203, HB2100, HB4170, HB3104, HB4623, HB40

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• the other person testifier said amending the other person testifier said amending the<00:17:05.679
• such as Section 3 of the 14 Amendment such as Section 3 of the 14 Amendment without<00:27:59.279
• not impact the whether an amendment not impact the whether an amendment passes<00:35:42.359>
• the states have to ratify any amendments the states have to ratify any amendments to<00:43:49.000
• repealing statutory revision amending or repealing statutory revision amending or repealing various

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several election-related and governance measures. On SB 176, relating to recounts, the Office of Elections supported clarifying that recount triggers should be based on the final Election Day report rather than the 6:00 a.m. next-day report, citing a 2022 recount example. The chair noted 3 testimonies in support, 42 in opposition, and 1 comment. On SB 1337, relating to the Stadium Authority, the authority supported changing quorum rules so only voting members count, explaining that the current interpretation makes it difficult to conduct business; written testimony from DBEDT was also received. On SB 289, relating to ethics administrative fines, the Ethics Commission supported uniform procedures to resolve uncontested enforcement matters more quickly while preserving due process; written support was also noted. The committee then heard SB 311, a proposed constitutional amendment on freedom of speech and money in elections. Supporters, including Community Alliance on Prisons, Our Revolution Hawaii, Pride at Work Hawaii, Common Cause Hawaii, and others, argued that money in politics distorts democracy and that the amendment would help prevent wealthy interests from buying influence. Opponents, including the Hawaii Christian Coalition and individual testifiers, argued that changing the constitution was too serious, that the proposal should be handled by ordinary legislation instead, and that the measure could create legal conflict. Deputy Attorney General Candace Park said the bill would only matter if key federal cases such as Buckley and Citizens United were overturned, and the chair thanked her for the legal input. The committee also heard SB 780, relating to election ballot disqualification, which would exclude candidates disqualified by constitutional or statutory provisions and create procedures for challenges. Opposition testimony said the bill would undermine voter choice, burden courts and election officials, and invite misuse; the Hawaii Christian Coalition echoed those concerns. Members raised questions about whether the measure would apply only to state and county offices, and the Attorney General’s office said it would follow up. Finally, on SB 1030, relating to election intimidation, supporters said firearms should not be brought near polling places or ballot drop boxes, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary and could affect lawful possession; the committee received 12 testimonies, with 39 in support. The committee then began SB 1225, a proposed constitutional amendment changing the vote threshold for legislative amendments to a majority of votes tallied, excluding blanks, spoiled ballots, and overvotes; testimony in support was heard from the LGBTQ+ Commission and others, and the discussion was still underway when the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, there is an amendment. Secretary will read the amendment.
• Secretary will read the amendment. Floor Amendment No. 2 by Johnson.
• With this statutory language. Again, I appreciate your time and effort on the amendment.
• Secretary will read the amendment. Floor Amendment No. 3 by Hughes.
• Members, there is an amendment. Secretary will read the amendment. Floor Amendment No. 5 by West.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with remarks highlighting UTRGV’s growth, degree production, research expansion, medical school, and role in serving the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. The chamber also recognized the doctor of the day and adopted additional resolutions, including one for Denton County Days at the Capitol and another recognizing Texas HBCU Day. The Senate gave extensive recognition to outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp through Senate Resolution 368. Senators from both parties praised his long public career, leadership of the A&M System, support for regional universities, and bipartisan approach. The resolution was adopted after multiple members added their names. The chamber also heard from advocates with the Texas Streets Coalition, and received gubernatorial nominations for the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. On legislation, the Senate passed several major bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to address teacher vacancies, bilingual certification testing, paid leave options, classroom removals, and appeal rights, then passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment on parents’ right to direct a child’s education, advanced on a 22-9 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, aimed at preventing foreign influence and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education, passed unanimously. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the business entities bill, also passed after debate over corporate governance and shareholder protections. Senate Bill 857, authorizing law enforcement to tow certain vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed despite some concern about towing abuses during disasters. The Senate also took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536 on dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, but the transcript ends as that bill is being laid out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I am here to introduce a non-germane amendment to HB 1260, and it's amendment number 2026-1173S.
• > here,<00:12:24.160> financial this uh amendment here, financial this uh amendment here
• testify on the amendment? testify on the amendment?
• . amendment. amendment.
• amendment? Sure. amendment? Sure.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all