Transcript Highlights:

• third reading of a bill, an act providing a simplified procedure for the layout and acceptance of subdivision
• Papers from the House: Several petitions come from the House under the suspension of Joint Rule 12 and
• Question comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor say aye; those opposed, no.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several House bills out of the orders of the day. It passed to be engrossed a Somerset local option bill authorizing an additional wine and malt beverage license, a Marlborough bill creating a simplified procedure for subdivision road layout and acceptance, and a bill establishing a sick leave bank for David A. Russell of the Department of Correction. The chamber also handled House petitions referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12, agreeing to the suspension and sending the matters to the appropriate committees. Later, the Senate adopted an emergency preamble for a sick leave bank bill for Jean McCarran of the Registry of Motor Vehicles. On final passage, the Senate approved and sent to the Governor three bills: one extending residency requirements for certain Newton police and fire personnel, one authorizing investments for the Richmond Free Public Library, and one increasing the residency limit for Acton police and fire department members. It also enacted the Jean McCarran sick leave bank bill. The Senate then adopted an order to reconvene the following Monday at 11:00 a.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• itself and its political subdivision itself and its political subdivision um<04:37:29.680> really
• And political subdivisions and so on.
• It should be we follow the law, we follow the court rulings.
• we follow the court rulings. we follow the court rulings.
• education is not what the conval ruling education is not what the conval ruling said said said and

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Voting pursuant to rule, thank you, Mr. President. Sen. Carlson votes aye, Sen.
• They are trying to follow the rules. They make Decisions on increasing capacity.
• We are not going to change the rules of the game.'
• Westlin, for those voting pursuant to Rule 40.7. Thank you, Mr. President. Sen.
• JASINSKI FOR THOSE VOTING PURSUANT TO RULE 40.7. SPEAK TO MR. PRES. SEN.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Subdivision two provides consistency and clarity by requiring prosecuting authorities to implement a
• But subdivision two, this is a great example of consistency, predictability, and security.
• Subdivision two is a great example of consistency, predictability, and security.
• Looking at uh subdivision<00:17:35.120> three,<00:17:35.872> [laughter] subdivision three
• Uh the fourth subdivision again include.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 962, the Brady-Giglio bill, which seeks to create a more uniform statewide process for how prosecutors identify and manage law enforcement officers whose credibility may be questioned. The author explained that the bill grew out of stakeholder work over the past year, and the committee adopted the DE3 amendment, which reflected much of that negotiated language. Testifiers from the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, Law Enforcement Labor Services, the Minnesota Sheriffs Association, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, and the Minnesota County Attorneys Association all said the bill was moving in the right direction and emphasized the need for consistency, predictability, security, and due process in Brady-Giglio decisions. Several witnesses said the bill should prevent Brady designations from being used as the sole basis for discipline and should prohibit prosecutor-maintained do-not-call lists. County attorney and law enforcement representatives said the current draft is a major step forward but that work remains, especially on data access, data retention, sharing, and security provisions. They also noted that the language had not yet been fully approved by all stakeholder boards, though they supported continuing the process and asked the committee to advance the bill so negotiations could continue. Members raised questions about whether public defenders, defendants’ rights groups, and other public employees had been included in the discussions. The author and other supporters said the main alignment so far has been among prosecutors and law enforcement, with additional input from other groups to come later. In closing, the author described personal experiences that illustrated how an error or misunderstanding could unfairly affect an officer’s career and argued for a statewide standard. The committee then voted to re-refer House File 962, as amended, to the Judiciary Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And number 16, methane and ozone rule status.
• Um, and number 16, methane and ozone rule status, and the last one under C, number 15, the role of states
• her or whoever shows up to give us an uh maybe an update on the impact of the 2023 Supreme Court ruling
• There's a new heat index rule that's coming out of that's being contemplated by the Environment slash
• would draw you a crowd of people that would come and visit you about, visit us about this heat index rule

Transcript Highlights:

• , act law, treaty, executive order, rule, act law, treaty, executive order, rule, regulation<00:14
• even if you don't know what the rules are.
• even if you don't know what the rules are.
• even if you don't know what the rules are.
• US uh the the the ruling 1997, Prince v.

Bills: SF0101

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearm regulation, state legislation, public safety, civil penalties, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section one proposes an amendment to section 84.0272, subdivision one, to provide that appraisals are
• Section four, subdivision one, adds approximately 32 acres to Frontenac State Park in Goodhue County
• one to provide that subdivision one to provide that appraisals<00:04:36.760> are<00:04:36.880
• two and um to 84.0272 subdivision two and um section<00:05:02.400> 84.96.
• > adds Section four subdivision one adds Section four subdivision one adds approximately<00:05

Bills: HF3643, HF3426, HF4222, HF4224

Keywords: Melissa Hortman, Mark Hortman, memorial park, state park, working group, Minnesota Historical Society, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Saint Paul, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Administration, Legislative Coordinating Commission, general fund appropriation, park planning, interpretive services, public engagement, state memorial, land use, natural resources, commemorative legislation, environment

Transcript Highlights:

• However, meal quality standards have not been required until this upcoming school year as the rule was
• Most SFAs are eager and well on their way to meeting the freshly prepared requirements of the rule.
• When the PED had the rule hearing around the New Mexico Grown Rule, we had some of the greatest participation
• We need these guys to realize they have to build under the specifications and the rules.
• We do have a nice set of rules in the legislature; we've never changed it. Whatever we get stays.

Transcript Highlights:

• Housing for Foley is a top priority, as we have not had a new housing subdivision in our community for
• Or was that a rule that MHFA created? Or where did that requirement come from?
• a new subdivision. a new subdivision.
• 04:22.640> has uh uh that number one has uh uh that number one has certain<01:04:24.600> rules
• it already certain rules around it already establishing<01:04:27.640> uh<01:04:27.760> the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And he was a rather reasonable guy, and he wrote the dissent to this ruling.
• he wrote the dissent uh to this ruling. he wrote the dissent uh to this ruling.
• <00:35:54.480> 2<00:35:55.240> um 609.666 subdivision 2 um 609.666 subdivision 2 um
• This new rule is not only unprecedented in this state.
• That's what your bill is about. the current rule that a person using the current rule that a person using

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard Chair Bliss present HF 13, a bill to change Minnesota self-defense law so that a person using reasonable force in resisting an offense against the person would not be required to consider retreat. Bliss tied the proposal to a recent Minnesota Supreme Court case involving a man at a light rail station and argued the court had effectively created a duty to retreat that the legislature had never enacted. He said the bill would codify the right to stand one’s ground while still leaving reasonableness to judges and juries. Supporters Bryan Gosh of the NRA and Rob Door of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus testified that Minnesota’s duty-to-retreat rules are confusing, judicially created, and out of step with other states. They argued the bill would clarify self-defense law and protect people who defend themselves or others, citing examples from other states and a Texas church shooting to argue that a retreat requirement can endanger victims and bystanders. Opponents Maggie Emery of Protect Minnesota, Sarah Erickson of Giffords, and Don Einwalter of Moms Demand Action argued the bill would function as a “shoot-first” law, increase homicides, worsen racial disparities, and make communities and law enforcement less safe. They cited studies linking stand-your-ground laws to higher homicide rates and pointed to incidents in Florida and Minnesota involving firearms and children. The committee also took up two amendments. Representative Hollins offered an amendment on safe and secure firearm storage, saying it was intended to reduce child access to guns and suicides; she requested a roll call. Chair Bliss opposed it, saying current law already covers negligent storage and that the amendment was too broad, including for a rural constituent who keeps a shotgun by his door. Representative Hudson and Representative Pinto argued over whether current law is sufficient and whether the amendment would remove needed flexibility. The transcript ends during discussion of the amendments, with no final vote or disposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• One being just the implementation date, and then other things like we see in subdivision 1, where we're
• 06:44.400> the then other things like we see in the then other things like we see in the subdivision
• where<00:06:46.000> we're<00:06:46.240> referring<00:06:46.639> to subdivision
• one where we're referring to subdivision one where we're referring to the<00:06:47.039> way<00
• The rules of the conference committee. The rules of the conference committee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Public notice of this hearing was given on March March the 12th, 2025, according to Rule 4, Section 11A
• of the Texas House Rules.
• Although the resolution allows for state or political subdivisions to make rules to protect citizens
• This is actually in within the subdivisions not out on a long transmission line where you can see them
• happening so they could be anywhere in the community in the subdivision.

Bills: HB206, HB 1285, HB1335, HJR107, HB206

Keywords: pipeline, construction, cash bond, county authority, local government, HB 1285, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, drones, unmanned aircraft, UAS, drone inspections, oil and gas, pipeline inspection, surface mining, well sites, tank batteries, disposal wells, injection sites, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• framework in statute via the rules framework in statute via the rules process<00:13:06.800> rather
• > Insurance<02:21:33.720> rule<02:21:34.120> ins settlement Rule Insurance rule
• 37.399> to 1000 part of the rule that pertains to 1000 part of the rule that pertains to to<02
• c><02:21:52.520> set reviewing that rule as the rule is set reviewing that rule as the rule is
• She said they are looking at the whole rule as the rule is set to expire, so they are in the process

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a non-germane amendment to HB 297 that would create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Insurance Commissioner DJ Beton, joined by department staff, explained that the proposal is intended to help homeowners afford insurance by funding proactive home improvements that reduce risk and improve insurability. He said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 available on a first-come, first-served basis. Beton described the problem as rising homeowners insurance premiums, hard-market underwriting, nonrenewals, and the resulting shift to more expensive surplus lines coverage. He said eligible projects could include roof fortification, exterior improvements, flood-related foundation work, and removal of hazardous trees or limbs. He cited similar programs in other states, especially Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina, as evidence the model can work and noted that industry representatives were present in support. He also said the program would use means testing aligned with the Department of Energy’s weatherization program to target lower-income applicants. Members asked about the non-germane process, who would administer the program, and how the bill would prevent misuse of grant funds. The commissioner said the department would administer the program using one repurposed existing position, with Treasury handling fund flow through an MOU. Staff explained that applicants would have to show completed work through a signed contract, itemized work, and a sworn contractor affidavit, with some upfront payment allowed for materials and the remainder paid after completion. The chair and members discussed that the amendment is being attached to a different bill only to move the proposal through committee and on to House Finance for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• policy and that that model policy is really not being practiced.
• Model policy, and if that model policy is really not being practiced.
• And that was the purpose of the model policy.
• The first section of the model policy is already in state law.
• policies, and this is one of the model policies that came out of that.

Bills: SB693, SB781, SB836, SB860, SB906, SB993, SB1101, SB1321, SB1370, SB1537, SB1563, SB1610, SB1637

Keywords: notary public, notaries, acknowledgment, jurat, personal appearance, remote notarization, online notarization, e-notary, electronic notarization, fraud prevention, identity verification, real estate fraud, property transfer, state jail felony, Class A misdemeanor, secretary of state, continuing education, record retention, notarial act, Texas Government Code

Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice bills focused on victim protections, law enforcement tools, notary/deed fraud, sexually violent predators, veterans in jail, tribal policing authority, and peace officer records. Several bills were laid out, heard, and left pending because the committee lacked a quorum for final action on those items. Testimony was generally supportive on bills addressing interpreter appointments, fuel theft investigations, deed fraud, survivor privacy, veteran jailer training, tribal peace officer authority, and officer-record confidentiality, though some bills drew concerns about due process, scope, or drafting. Senate Bill 1537 would clean up criminal procedure language on appointing interpreters and align it with Government Code standards requiring licensed or certified interpreters; it received no public opposition and was left pending. Senate Bill 993 would let Comptroller Criminal Investigative Division officers directly seek warrants for mobile tracking devices in fuel-theft and tax-fraud investigations; it also drew support and was left pending. Senate Bill 693, as substituted, would create a criminal offense for notarizing documents without the signer personally appearing, with a higher penalty when real property is involved, and would add notary continuing education; a Dallas County prosecutor testified that notary fraud is a major driver of deed theft, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1610, as substituted, would address safety, registration, and criminal penalties at the Texas Civil Commitment Office for sexually violent predators, including assaults on staff and sex-offender registration issues; agency witnesses described increased assaults and operational problems, while a public witness urged waiting for Sunset review and raised due-process concerns. Senate Bill 836 would add privacy protections for sexual assault survivors by limiting livestreaming of trials, expanding pseudonym use, and protecting forensic exam and invasive-recording evidence; survivors and advocates strongly supported it, and defense lawyers said they had no opposition to the substitute. Senate Bill 1563 would require county jailer training on interacting with veterans, with testimony from the Texas Veterans Commission and veterans’ advocates emphasizing suicide risk, PTSD, and the need for better identification and support in jails; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 906, which would authorize the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribal police to be commissioned as Texas peace officers like two other federally recognized tribes in Texas; tribal leaders said the change would improve response times and coordination, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 781, as substituted, would standardize confidentiality rules for peace officer personnel and departmental files statewide, mirroring Chapter 143 civil-service practices; law enforcement witnesses supported it as a way to protect personal information and create uniform records practices, but several senators raised concerns that the bill could blur existing disclosure rules or bury misconduct complaints, and public testimony included an opposition witness describing a police shooting involving her brother.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't want to penalize projects that have relied in good faith on existing rules.
• This local public power model works.
• Suppliers continue to break the rules, so adding more rules without sufficient enforcement capabilities
• And we need to talk about utility return on equity and reforming the utility business model.
• Section 43, that really business model. Section 43, that really needs to be thought about.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes. Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs. Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described. Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.

Transcript Highlights:

• It strikes the 2014 deadline to adopt rules on the certification of regulatory compliance.
• It strikes the 2014 deadline to adopt rules on the certification of regulatory compliance.
• So the subdivision no longer applies to cleaning products as defined in chapter 18B and would instead
• So the subdivision no prohibition.
• And section 64 repeals statutes and rules relating to seed potatoes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We follow the rules. We pay our taxes.
• rules.
• This isn't a situation where it's like, say, alcohol, where we have strict rules, sometimes bizarre rules
• So in my mind, I don't think it should be the catch-me-if-you-can model.
• Setting clear rules benefits all parties and avoids litigation.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 41 by Senator Wiener, which would regulate pharmacy benefit managers by increasing transparency, banning patient steering and spread pricing, and requiring full pass-through of rebates. Supporters, including independent pharmacists and health advocates, said PBM practices are driving up drug costs and closing neighborhood pharmacies. Opponents from PBM and health plan groups argued the bill overlaps with recently enacted licensing and reporting requirements, would not lower consumer prices, and may be preempted by ERISA. Members discussed confidentiality issues, consumer savings, and the relationship between SB 41 and the new budget trailer bill; the author asked for an aye vote. The committee then took up SB 378, also by Senator Wiener, aimed at online marketplaces that advertise illegal intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products. Supporters from labor, public health, and the licensed cannabis industry said online sales are undermining regulated businesses and exposing children to unsafe products. Opponents from tech and hemp industry groups warned the bill is overbroad, could sweep in general-purpose platforms and lawful hemp wellness products, and raises Dormant Commerce Clause and First Amendment concerns. The author said he would narrow the bill, remove industrial hemp references, and address strict liability and standing issues; members largely focused on how to target illegal products without capturing lawful marketplaces. SB 243 by Senator Padilla addressed AI companion chatbots, with supporters including Common Sense Media and transparency advocates warning that these systems can be addictive, manipulative, and dangerous for minors and vulnerable users, citing studies and the death of a Florida teenager. The bill would require disclosures, anti-addiction design limits, self-harm protocols, audits, reporting, and a private right of action. Tech and business groups opposed the measure as overly broad and said its definitions could sweep in general-purpose AI tools; several members supported the goal but questioned the breadth of the definitions and the private right of action. Finally, SB 522 by Senator Wahab would extend just-cause eviction protections to rental units that were previously covered by the Tenant Protection Act but were destroyed in disasters and later rebuilt. Supporters, including Los Angeles city officials and tenant advocates, said the bill would help keep displaced renters housed after wildfires and other disasters. Apartment and realtor groups opposed it, arguing it would remove a key exemption needed to finance rebuilding and could discourage post-disaster reconstruction. Members expressed support for tenant protections in disaster areas, and the author asked for an aye vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the uniqueness of the North Dakota public banking model.
• I mentioned the governance model. I want to spend a little more time on that.
• So the governance model that we're working on really is aligned around that.
• So we've been taking strategic action as a part of the governance model also that we've been working
• They invite me out to speak about the unique North Dakota banking model.

Summary: The committee took roll, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a compliance-report update on the Industrial Commission and related funds and programs. Staff reviewed the status of one-time appropriations and grant programs, including electric grid resiliency, lignite research, enhanced oil recovery, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the salt cavern business-case study, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members asked about funding balances, reimbursement timing, matching requirements, and how some commitments would affect the State Investment Fund and future biennia. Industrial Commission staff then gave a broader update on the agency’s administrative office, grant management system, leadership transitions at several commission agencies, and active grant rounds. They reported that the grant management system is nearing completion, that several agency leadership searches have concluded, and that the commission’s grant programs currently have 108 active grants totaling more than $165 million. They also described the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority round, the oil and gas research program’s enhanced oil recovery awards, the grid resiliency grants, the salt cavern study, and the research technology park program, noting that some projects are awaiting federal funds or additional matching cash. Ron Ness, speaking for the Oil and Gas Research Council, focused on the state of the oil industry and the enhanced oil recovery “Bakken 2.0” effort. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on better infrastructure, longer laterals, and new EOR methods such as CO2, natural gas, and surfactants. He emphasized the importance of the Bakkeneast pipeline and related gas-utilization projects, the recent DOE funding that will return some money to the research council, and the need to modernize tax and incentive rules for CO2-based recovery. Members discussed the potential economic benefits for oil, agriculture, and manufacturing. The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and a broader strategic update. Bank leadership reviewed the bank’s mission, governance, participation lending, student lending, disaster programs, and legislatively directed programs, and said the bank is managing for a flatter deposit base and stronger liquidity because of fintech competition and changing market conditions. They reported improved earnings, with net income rising to about $231 million, and described Rough Rider Coin as a new internal payment rail for North Dakota banks and credit unions, not a public cryptocurrency. Members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster lending, and the bank’s capacity to support state programs while maintaining its balance-sheet and liquidity requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• We oppose House Bill 17 in its current form and encourage you to consider a centralized online model
• ESDs are political subdivisions of the state of Texas created by the citizens to provide fire and/or
• And that one we are just another political subdivision that is subject to the 1.025. Got it.
• I would remind the body that last month, the Third Court of Appeal... ...ruled that the Death Star Law

Bills: HB17, HB23, SB 10

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest

Transcript Highlights:

• But yet we don't have any nationwide regulation or rule on how you can market yourself.
• does not have tight regulations on how companies can market natural foods, and there is no nationwide rule
• This subdivision does not apply to a food article that is sold and marketed as pet food.
• This subdivision does not apply to a food article that is sold and marketed as pet food.

Bills: HB139, HB172, HB156

Keywords: HB139, Alabama discrimination, civil rights, public accommodations, employment discrimination, equal access, protected classes, race discrimination, sex discrimination, religious discrimination, age discrimination, disability discrimination, national origin discrimination, school board discrimination, labor organization, employment agency, retaliation, private right of action, punitive damages, attorney fees