Transcript Highlights:

• I know the wind farms aren't surviving to the 25-year specs.
• In other words, I call it being booked, or if the child's parent or guardian is called, it's just based
• And the school principal said, whenever her parents got there, "He has a right to be in this class."
• For those families in the future, for the children, for the parents, for the mothers, the grandmothers

Transcript Highlights:

• My parents, who became ardent fans of C-SPAN when I entered Congress, are here today offering their unwavering
• effects of, where do these folks... who are now unemployed, get the resources they need to live and survive
• To your parents and husband and children, I know y'all are incredibly proud, so let me just say that.
• This is my mom and dad, my daughter, my parents.

Keywords: PRO Act, labor laws, worker rights, unionization, right-to-work, public testimony, political polarization

Summary: The meeting centered around an in-depth discussion of the PRO Act, with representatives expressing passionate opinions both for and against the legislation. Representative Chavez de Rimmer emphasized the importance of worker freedom, arguing that the PRO Act would infringe upon individual rights by coercing unionization. This perspective was strongly received by members from right-to-work states, who articulated their concerns about the potential erosion of workers' choices and protections. Speaker after speaker conveyed conflicting views on labor laws, indicating a deeply polarized environment surrounding labor issues at the moment.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:25:59.760> to told my wife that I was unlikely to told my wife that I was unlikely to survive
• Parents have that expectation for their young people.
• Parents have that expectation for their young people.
• parental permission to do that? parental permission to do that?
• sitting in their own um school, a parent sitting in their own house<01:40:57.119> could<01:40

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about empowering parents.
• I just say— I represent these parents. I have two parents in Tennessee right now.
• Number two, we trust parents, and we have to trust parents.
• Parents want real choice.
• for parents. ...choices to parents beyond public schools, it fails to provide choice for parents of

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Members from both parties emphasized education as a major issue, while several Republicans framed the committee’s work around school choice and parent empowerment. Senator West and other Democrats stressed protecting public schools, listening to Texans, and considering the effects of vouchers or education savings accounts on school districts and communities. Chairman Creighton laid out Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, describing it as a universal education savings account program modeled on similar programs in other states. He said the bill would provide about $200 million for a universal eligibility pool and additional funding for students with disabilities and lower-income families, with priority weighting for former public school students. He also highlighted anti-fraud measures, vendor pre-approval, criminal background checks, cybersecurity protections, annual testing requirements for participating students, and the use of the Comptroller rather than TEA to administer the program. Creighton repeatedly said the bill is not a voucher and argued it would not take money from public schools, which he said would receive separate historic funding increases. Members questioned Creighton about the 500% of federal poverty line definition, the adequacy of the $10,000 ESA amount, whether the program would favor students already in private school, how microschools and homeschool pods would fit, and whether the bill protects religious liberty and private-school autonomy. Democrats raised concerns about disability protections, 504 students, foster children, public-school funding, open records, and the historical context of vouchers. Republicans generally supported the bill as a way to expand options for parents and students, while also asking about administration, fraud prevention, and data security. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, with EdChoice President Robert Inlow presenting in support of SB 2 and citing the growth and reported success of school choice programs nationwide.

Transcript Highlights:

• In a joint tenancy, the property passes to the surviving owner. >> [Cough and clears throat] Whereas
• to the surviving owner. to the surviving owner.
• <01:30:09.720> who<01:30:10.240> isn't<01:30:10.600> making uh a single parent
• who isn't making uh a single parent who isn't making enough<01:30:11.320> to<01:30:11.520>
• are a parent are a parent and<02:47:18.960> you<02:47:19.120> try<02:47:19.360>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents can support the local businesses we all know and love.
• Implementing PreK for all will help more Kentucky parents participate in the workforce and help grow
• <01:11:41.120> a<01:11:41.280> health sister or neighbor will survive a health sister
• or neighbor will survive a health incident. incident. incident.
• , that love her, including her parents, that love her, including her parents, but<02:40:59.680>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into committee and floor reports. Several measures received favorable committee reports and were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar, including Current Resolution 9, Senate Joint Resolution 23, House Bill 145, House Bill 567, and House Bill 506 with House Committee Substitute 1. The chamber also noted that House Bills 500 and 504 had already received two readings and were sent to the Rules Committee before House Bill 500 was brought up for final consideration. Most of the discussion focused on House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill. Members described it as a “good first draft” and emphasized a budget process they said was more transparent than in prior years. The bill was presented as a restrained two-year operating budget with spending growth kept at a little under 2% annually, while setting aside about 2% of projected revenues, or roughly $614 million, in the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future needs. The budget also used base reductions in some areas while exempting others such as Medicaid benefits, SEEK, corrections, behavioral health, and veterans programs. Subcommittee chairs then outlined major spending areas. Education provisions included a 2% annual increase in base SEEK funding, transportation funding held flat, equalization for recallable nickel funding, continued retirement contributions, and major support for postsecondary access, dual credit, asset preservation, and workforce training. Health and family services provisions held Medicaid steady while adding waiver slots, behavioral health and substance use support, public health investments, and funding for rural health and laboratory capacity. Other sections covered personnel and pensions, veterans services, infrastructure, public safety, economic development, tourism, and environmental projects. The only recorded action on the floor was adoption of House Committee Substitute 1 to House Bill 500, followed by a motion for final passage of the bill as amended. The transcript ends as discussion on final passage begins, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think anyone could survive that, but really coming into the department and leadership positions
• commissioner um I don't think anyone commissioner um I don't think anyone could<00:12:16.880> survive
• that um but really uh could survive that um but really uh coming<00:12:19.519> into<00:12:19.760
• Hebert said the division provides child support services that encourage responsible parenting, family
• services for people assisting parents services for people assisting parents with<00:44:10.960>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The obvious conclusion is that the only way you survive a 26-foot wall of water coming at you is to get
• Texas parents deserve to know how their schools are doing, how students are doing, and how taxpayers
• I have heard from parents, teachers, and of course, students—who never like to be tested, but...
• This has been the number one issue throughout all my years in the House and the Senate—parents and teachers
• But when it really comes to parents and teachers, the STAAR test, the end-of-the-year high-pressure test

Bills: SB8, SB4, SB43, SB1, SB2, SB13, SB6, SB10, SB16, SB14, SB3, SB8, SB4, SB43, SB1, SB2, SB13, SB6, SB10, SB16, SB14, SB3

Keywords: education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, Texas congressional redistricting, U.S. House districts, congressional map, redistricting, gerrymandering, 2020 Census, census tracts, block groups, voting districts, election law, Texas House of Representatives districts, federal congressional districts, 2026 elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so it um, parents or teachers.
• And it is so easy to take your parents' ID. It's a very easy process.
• It's a very easy take your parents ID.
• I think I have shared with this committee my parental failing 20 years in public health.
• I think I have shared with this committee my parental failing 20 years in public health.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 1281, which would establish standards and voluntary certification for agency-owned “facility comfort dogs” used by police and other public safety agencies. Representative Morton, the prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to create a consistent statewide framework because different departments currently use different policies. He emphasized that the bill is meant to distinguish comfort dogs from service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy dogs, and noted that a small amendment may be needed to make that distinction clearer. He also said the bill is timely under the ADA because comfort dogs fall outside service-animal protections, but still need training standards for public safety and consistency. Committee members questioned whether the bill was too detailed and whether the legislature should be setting rules on matters like training methods, diet, and breeding. Laura Barker of Hero Pups, who helped train New Hampshire’s first police comfort dog, supported the idea of a minimum standard but said the bill should be less prescriptive and should not interfere with therapy dogs or private handlers. She explained that comfort dogs vary in temperament and deployment needs, that raw diets raise zoonotic disease concerns, and that the program should remain voluntary and not cost the state money. Detective Michelle Jones of Portsmouth Police opposed the bill as written, saying the term “facility comfort dog” is confusing, the bill is overly restrictive, and some provisions go beyond what should be mandated by statute; she suggested a more flexible, guideline-based approach and noted that departments already have their own SOPs and can enforce them internally. Justin Brassen of the Manchester Police Department also testified, describing the history of comfort dog programs in New Hampshire and the work of a prior subcommittee formed through the governor’s commission on PTSD among first responders. He said there are currently no statewide standards and that the earlier study involved police, fire, EMS, dispatch, corrections, and NAMI New Hampshire, with the goal of creating a thoughtful work product. He agreed the bill needs work and answered questions about how departments handle training and public access. By the end of the hearing, members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, and one committee member suggested the bill may be better handled through interim study because of the amount of work still needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not paying attention like we do as parents when we're out with them.
• Um, real quickly, um, in DFW, the main concern lately has been among parents is the issue with child
• I've been in Texas for almost 10 years now, and I'm a parent of a Saint Saint Francis school student.
• Yes, so you have multiple parents from Saint Francis.
• So I was gonna say more, but I think, um, um, our other parents, uh, have covered some of it.

Bills: HB316

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, affordable care act, medical assistance, federal funding

Transcript Highlights:

• We deter people from driving without a license when their survival depends on it.
• They're not paying attention like we do as parents when we're out with them.
• There were teachers and parents all around.
• Yes, so you have multiple parents from St. Francis.
• So I was going to say more, but I think our other parents have covered some of it.

Bills: HB316, HB353, HB 1160, HB1414, HB1422, HB1443, HB1713, HB1789, HB1902, HB2073, HB2666, HB2695, HB316

Keywords: motor fuel, criminal offense, metering device, organized crime, Texas Penal Code, trespassing, school safety, day-care centers, education, trespass, public safety, utility employees, criminal penalties, assault, harassment, public duties, safety, law enforcement, driving offenses, license regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• I met a lot of women who survived, which is wonderful.
• I met a lot of women who survived, which is wonderful.
• to survive. Thank you. to survive. Thank you.
• No parent ever thinks that their child or they themselves will struggle with mental health.
• Parents will do anything to protect their children. And that's a given.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for each child placed with the parent, which increases by $100 each year until January 1, 2029.
• She was bonded to her father, and he was not in a place to parent three children.
• But he was not in a place to parent three children. You got three children back at the same time.
• that prescribes which parent has final authority to make legal decisions on behalf of the child.
• We're supporting today's economy by helping parents so they can work and pay their bills.

Bills: SB1052, SB1115, SB1118, SB1120, SB1121, SB1124, SB1171, SB1172, SB1174, SB1175, SB1214, SB1233, SB1235, SB1316, SB1345, SB1372, SB1399, SB1458, SB1494, SB1496, SB1564, SB1602, SB1621, SB1628, SB1630, SB1631, SB1668, SB1672, SB1814, SB1821

Keywords: assisted living, health care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, physician orders, informed consent, AHCCCS, remote work, state agency, employment, public health, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, historic preservation, radiation protection

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1121, which would prohibit hospitals from requiring lead aprons for cardiac catheterization staff when a radiation protection system is in place, while still allowing hospitals to require aprons outside the designated safety zone or when exposure levels warrant additional protection. An amendment added flexibility for radiation safety officers to require lead or other PPE if exposures approach occupational limits and removed expedited rulemaking language. Supporters, including the sponsor and interventional cardiologists, argued the devices reduce radiation and orthopedic injuries and improve recruitment and retention; hospital groups shifted to neutral after the amendment. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1121 on a 9-2 vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1120, which would require hospitals performing cardiac catheterization procedures to equip at least 50% of those rooms with radiation protection systems by 2027. Supporters said the systems protect clinicians from radiation and long-term injury, while opponents, including hospital and radiology groups, argued the bill was overly prescriptive, could create a captive market, and might not fit all rooms or procedures. After adopting a children’s hospital exemption amendment, the committee passed SB 1120 on a 6-6 vote, with the chair breaking the tie in favor of the bill. Senate Bill 1118, an appropriation measure tied to the radiation protection system proposal, was also advanced after brief discussion, passing 6-5. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1214, which would create guardrails for non-FDA-approved stem cell and regenerative therapies, including provider standards, informed consent, advertising limits, reporting requirements, and a private right of action for violations. Supporters described it as a patient-protection and access bill, while testimony emphasized concerns about unregulated “bad actors” and patients traveling out of state for treatment. The committee adopted an amendment removing a reference to the National Law and passed SB 1214 on a 9-3 vote. The transcript then began discussion of SB 1630, which would create a Medicaid-funded home and community-based service benefit for adults with serious mental illness, with AHCCCS taking a neutral position and estimating a significant fiscal impact.

Transcript Highlights:

• She survived cancer and suffered the devastating loss of her brother to gang violence.
• President, when my parents emigrated to the country, we first lived in Jamaica, Queens, and that's where
• President, when my parents Emigrated to the country, we first lived in Jamaica, Queens, and that's where
• I don't know a single parent who has turned around and told their child, 'I hope you grow up one day
• I DON'T KNOW A SINGLE PARENT WHO HAS TURNED AROUND AND TOLD THEIR CHILD, I HOPE YOU GROW UP ONE DAY,

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions. The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading. The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• My parents never said that. I didn't My parents never said that.
• their parents yet. their parents yet.
• We're the parents.
• We're the parents. their identity. We're the parents.
• their parent is pretty darn slim. their parent is pretty darn slim.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• having access to a firearm, the protective order effectively prevents the person from living with a parent
• So I thank you for bringing this forward, and I hope to hell it has a chance to survive.
• Lackey's words, we hope this bill survives as well. Thank you. All right. Thank you both very much.
• He was strong and healthy and prepared to take on the world, but no one could survive the impact of a
• the trauma that these enforcement operations leave in children that have seen firsthand how their parents

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our parents are being hunted and deported.
• I'm standing here today because of my grandmother, who was born into Jim Crow and survived generations
• And we do not need five more congressional members who will continue to ignore. or the survival and voices
• Quran says to stand firm for justice as witnesses to God, even if it is against... yourselves, your parents
• My students come from families... ...working two or three jobs just to survive in districts drawn by

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I pay for survival in ways most people in power will never understand.
• Because it means working class black and brown people would finally have a chance to break out of survival
• going to make sure the kids will have resources, the stability, and the freedom to build beyond survival
• Some of you know that my family, that my parents met while they were both working for an orphanage in
• And I'm so grateful for my parents who did not start out with means, that they set the example that caring

Bills: HB21, HB211, HB223

Keywords: HB 21, Texas Tax Code, ad valorem tax, property tax, delinquent taxes, tax delinquency, penalty reduction, interest rate, split payment, installment payment, tax relief, county tax collector, taxing unit, property owner, tax collection, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax increase election, supermajority, 60 percent threshold

Transcript Highlights:

• in four students who are parents, many of whom are single and most of whom are women.
• This bill defunds the student parent it.
• I come from a parent support programs.
• Student parent supports look different at every campus. And at St.
• <03:32:33.760> support the um, student parent support the um, student parent support initiative

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These are the people that are buying local and surviving off of the local seafood, even if we put it
• every day, so I forget who I met with—is that the best thing that I hear at commencement is when the parents

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development met with a quorum, adopted the minutes from its October 3, 2024 meeting, and Chairwoman Butler noted that HCR 82 would be voluntarily deferred in favor of continuing work on HCR 77 related to a pilot program for landscaping and crawfishing. The committee then considered HCR 205, which urges the USDA to use its Commodity Procurement Program to purchase domestic Louisiana shrimp. Representative Kerner and Commissioner Mike Strain described the shrimp industry’s low prices, full cold storage, and the need for urgent federal action to support shrimpers and move product into schools, nursing homes, and food banks. Members discussed domestic sourcing rules, enforcement against imported seafood, and marketing challenges; HCR 205 was reported favorably without objection. The committee also took up HCR 188, which memorializes Congress to oppose any federal farm bill provision that could negatively affect the use of hunting dogs. Chairwoman Butler and Commissioner Strain explained that the concern centered on vague language in a farm bill section that could be interpreted to restrict hunting dogs used for tracking or field trials. Members agreed the language should be removed if it remained in the bill, and HCR 188 was reported favorably without objection. The committee then heard a presentation from Orlando McMeans of the Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture, along with Dr. Calvin Walker. They outlined the center’s research, extension, and academic programs, including enrollment growth, dual-enrollment efforts, 1890 scholars, JAG Stars scholarships, beef cattle and aquaculture research, viticulture, precision nutrition, and food access initiatives. They also described major facility projects, including a high-tech meat processing facility, research labs, a vineyard, and a proposed disaster-safe shelter. Members asked about butcher training, cattle genetics, and the shelter’s potential uses, and the committee adjourned after the presentation.