Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:28.880> in<00:09:29.200> instead<00:09:29.519> of language in instead of
• language in instead of insane<00:09:31.920> or<00:09:32.399> idiot.
• Kentucky voters appreciate succinct ballot language. County clerks appreciate easy implementation.
• <00:19:35.039> County<00:19:35.440> clerks ballot language.
• County clerks ballot language.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:05 Attendance Roll Call: 00:10 SB 70 Discussion: 00:58 SB 70 Vote: 04:36 SB 80 Discussion: 05:16 SB 80 Vote: 31:45 SB 127 Discussion: 32:30 SB 127 Vote: 39:38 SB 154 Discussion: 41:25 SB 154 Vote: Adjournment: 47:14, 958, all

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 70, which would modify the Public Pension Oversight Board by adding one House member and one Senate member, automatically placing the House and Senate chairs of state and local government on the board, adding the state treasurer, broadening who the Speaker and Senate President may appoint, and reducing the governor’s board appointments from two to one. After a brief procedural correction about a committee substitute, the bill was explained and then passed by a 9-0 favorable vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 80, a constitutional amendment to restore voting rights to people with felony convictions after they complete imprisonment, probation, and parole, while excluding certain offenses such as election fraud, violent felonies, sex offenses, and crimes against children. The sponsor and Senator Herron argued that Kentucky’s current system is confusing and leaves the state as one of the few with lifetime disenfranchisement, while witnesses from the Sentencing Project, the League of Women Voters of Kentucky, and an advocacy group for people with lived experience supported restoration but urged a simpler, broader, automatic approach without offense-based carveouts. Committee members raised questions about implementation, clerk guidance, and how the proposal interacts with expungement and gubernatorial pardons; one senator specifically asked whether serious offenders, including child rapists, would regain voting rights under a broader version, and the witness answered yes. The bill passed with a favorable expression by an 8-1 vote. The transcript then began discussion of Senate Bill 127, also sponsored by Senator Hickden, but the exchange was cut off before the bill was fully explained or any vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, a lot of the language that we have here in the drafted bill with regard to procurement and
• This is a cleanup bill that would modernize language related to soliciting bids for purchases by the
• The committee substitute aligns the language in the bill with other legislation related to artificial
• So this bill creates a statutory exception that allows retailers to sell gasoline that meets the fuel
• In Section 2, it provides new language to clarify that the statute applies to current license holders

Bills: HB146, HB150, HB1500, HB1545, HB1562, HB2067, HB2520, HB2818, HB3214, HB3250, HB3466, HB3512, HB3623, HB4063, HB4395, HB4464, HB4668, HB4690, HB5331, HB3833

Keywords: HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity

Summary: The committee took up several pending business items and reported a series of House bills out of committee, including HB 2467, HB 2468, HB 2518, HB 4310, HB 4386, HB 4490, HB 5323, and HB 149. Most of these were advanced on committee substitute motions and sent to the local and uncontested calendar or reported favorably to the full Senate. HB 2467 drew one nay vote, while the others were approved without opposition. HB 4310 and HB 4386 were described as committee-substitute versions with changes narrowing disclosure requirements and preserving attorney-client privilege in certain circumstances. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 149, an AI governance bill. The substitute was explained as addressing biometric identifier capture and storage, exempting certain AI uses for security and fraud prevention, clarifying definitions, restricting AI systems that simulate explicit child sexual content, adjusting Attorney General investigative authority, refining sandbox program waivers, reducing Texas AI Council powers and membership, and adding DIR coordination provisions. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 1500, the DIR sunset bill. The author said the bill would continue DIR for 12 years, restructure its board, update advisory committees, require regular cybersecurity assessments and penetration testing for state agencies, improve IT procurement training, and transfer the e-grants program to the Comptroller. A Texas 2036 witness supported the bill as a way to strengthen governance, procurement, and cybersecurity. Members asked detailed questions about the bill’s structure and then left HB 1500 pending. The committee also heard a lengthy presentation on HB 150, which would create the Texas Cyber Command as a component of the University of Texas System, administratively attached to UTSA and located in San Antonio. The author argued the command would centralize cyber threat intelligence, incident response, and digital forensics, and would be able to support state and local entities, with optional services for local governments. Members raised concerns about university mission drift, governance, security, chain of command, procurement authority, gifts and donations, and civil liberties implications of proactive cyber monitoring. Witnesses from UTSA/NSCC and SecurityScorecard testified in support, emphasizing the security of the downtown San Antonio facility, the existing cyber ecosystem there, and the need for a dedicated cyber capability. The bill remained under discussion with no final committee action announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a very specific statutory authorization.
• It's a very specific statutory authorization.
• It's a very specific statutory authorization.
• for you, so it will be great to have the language in front of us.
• <00:19:37.679> in it will be great to have the language in it will be great to have the language

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an introductory Division One budget briefing led by Legislative Budget Assistant staff Melissa Rollins and Jack Mullen. They explained staff roles and agency assignments within Division One, noting that Jack is taking over the General Government category while Melissa handles Categories 2 and 3, and that members can contact either staffer with questions. They also reviewed the upcoming budget calendar, including the governor’s budget presentation expected in mid-February, agency hearings beginning around February 17–20, a Division One deadline around March 26, and House Finance reporting deadlines in early April. A major portion of the discussion focused on how to read fiscal notes and the difference between expenditures and appropriations. Staff used sample language to explain that a bill may show an expenditure estimate without actually authorizing funding or new positions, and that a zero appropriation means the agency is not authorized to spend the estimated amount unless the bill is amended. Members asked questions about why a bill could show costs but still not authorize spending or hiring, and staff clarified that new positions require specific legislative authorization and classification detail. They also noted that many bills will have expenditure lines without appropriations, and that amendments may be needed if the committee wants to fund or authorize the program. The rest of the meeting walked members through the HB 1 and HB 2 tracking documents used by the division. Staff explained that HB 1 tracking sheets record additional agency requests not included in the governor’s budget, including requests that may be zero-net transfers, corrections, or new spending items, and that grayed-out items indicate actions already taken. They said HB 2 will be handled through a similar tracking process, with amendments routed through LBA staff and the Office of Legislative Services. Members were told that the division will review agency budgets, class lines, and proposed changes over roughly six weeks, with the goal of preparing a detailed change report for full House Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• um provision in terms of the language. um provision in terms of the language.
• :18.479> as action is to adopt the house language as action is to adopt the house language as
• > a<00:08:23.120> purpose the House language uh that is a purpose the House language uh
• an amendment on changes to the languages an amendment on changes to the languages of<00:08:30.240
• <00:09:58.880> references eliminate a two u statutory references eliminate a two u statutory

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• states, and that was amended, I believe, the last session or maybe two sessions ago, to change that language
• :09.519> um<00:04:09.640> to<00:04:09.799> change<00:04:10.120> that language
• okay I think your puppy has language okay I think your puppy has something<00:04:18.680> to<00
• Will you get together with some folks to make sure that if there's some statutory change that's needed
• <00:13:55.519> change know if there's some statutory change know if there's some statutory

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 00:16 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations 25:49 Discussion of Hospital Rate Improvement Plan 58:50 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee began by reviewing a large slate of administrative regulations and explaining that it does not approve regulations but can find them deficient and send them back for further work. Members then asked questions on several items, including EMS reciprocity, dental hygienist licensure, and interpreter licensure. The EMS board explained that reciprocity would extend to applicants from any state, not just contiguous states, because the underlying statute had been amended. On the dental regulation, staff said the changes mainly clarified licensure requirements, reinstatement fees, and that dental hygienists administering local anesthetic must do so under direct dentist supervision. The most extended discussion involved the Board of Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The board chair said the main concern was that the EIPA is an educational specialty assessment, not a nationally recognized certification, yet the regulation would allow it to support full licensure. Members discussed whether that could let educational interpreters work outside their intended scope and whether a separate educational license or statutory change would be more appropriate. The board said it did not think the regulation could be fixed further at this point and suggested a statute could create a narrower educational interpreter license. After discussion, the committee voted to defer both related interpreter regulations, 201 KAR 39:030 and the companion regulation, for further work. The committee then took up two community mental health regulations, 907 KAR 1:044 and 907 KAR 5:005, which had been found deficient in Administrative Regulations. Department for Medicaid Services staff said the rules would expand and rename the mental health associate role as a behavioral health associate, making the role available in many more facilities, but would also require additional coursework or progress toward licensure. Some members and providers raised access-to-care concerns, especially for rural areas and unlicensed staff already working in the field. Staff said the proposal had been revised through work with CMHCs and licensing boards, but the committee ultimately voted to defer both regulations as well. After finishing the regulation review, the committee heard a presentation from the Kentucky Hospital Association on the ATRIP hospital rate improvement program. Hospital representatives said ATRIP is a Medicaid state-directed payment program funded through a provider tax and federal matching dollars, allowing hospitals to receive payments tied to quality measures. They reported improvements including lower Medicaid readmissions, high sepsis screening rates, reduced infections and opioid prescribing, expanded postpartum depression and suicide screening, and training for more than 1,000 people. They said the program has helped hospitals invest in staffing and quality improvement and warned that without it, many hospitals would face severe financial strain.

Transcript Highlights:

• Centers is scent the original language Centers is scent the original language um<00:26:33.799>
• one draft two now um is altered language one draft two now um is altered language that<00:33:11.559
• <01:01:58.559> as that especially the language as that especially the language as practicable
• um but we also added a language um but we also added a language clarifying<01:04:52.720> that
• <01:15:37.639> program School Readiness plus statutory program School Readiness plus statutory

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• >> It um, they will be adopting the same language and the same dollar amounts. >> And do you have any
• city complies with the statutory city complies with the statutory requirements requirements requirements
• language and the same dollar amounts. language and the same dollar amounts.
• If you would look at the language, I'm assuming you have it in front of you.
• > you<01:01:36.920> have<01:01:37.080> it<01:01:37.200> in language, I'm

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why we have language to make this effective immediately upon signing by the governor and two-thirds
• Representative: Under the existing language... there's none. That's the problem.
• As currently written however, the language of HB21 would adversely affect Diana Gray: responsible HFCs
• So that language that I referred to is not necessary to stop the traveling HFCs.
• But first, we want to say we applaud and support Chairman Gates's language that addresses the issues

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:

• Where do you see the current statutory framework as providing avenues for consumers to pursue?
• And we have offered some language for the committee's consideration regarding this amendment.
• We mostly just wanted the penny language put in there; that was our main point. >> Right.
• We mostly just wanted the penny language put in there; that was our main point. >> Right.
• We mostly just wanted the penny language put in there; that was our main point. >> Right.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up a short-form administrative licensing measure requested by the administration to correct and clarify renewal provisions in a prior bill. Members raised no questions, and the committee voted to adopt the proposed Senate draft and recommit the bill back to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee for a further public hearing. The committee then heard SB 2876 on natural hair braiding, which would exempt natural hair braiders from licensing under certain conditions. The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology said it views hair braiding as within the broader scope of cosmetology, but agreed that people who only braid hair should not need a license because the training and exam requirements are minimal. The board warned, however, that exempting braiders could create consumer protection gaps involving sanitation, training, and enforcement, and noted that related services such as waxing, cutting, coloring, shampooing, and relaxing would still require licensure. Supporters included the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii and the Institute for Justice. The committee also heard SB 2950 on captive insurance and SB 2951 on insurance proceeds. On SB 2950, the Insurance Division opposed the bill, saying captive insurance is designed for formal self-insurance for companies and that allowing captives to insure the public would not fit the existing regulatory framework; a fire survivor advocate supported the measure as a way to expand disaster-related insurance options. On SB 2951, which would require mortgage servicers to follow certain rules for disbursing insurance proceeds after residential damage or destruction, United Policy Holders strongly supported the bill, citing delays in releasing funds and the need to help survivors rebuild, while banking and financial industry groups submitted opposition or comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 2952, SB 2960, and SB 2964, all related to property insurance and disaster recovery. SB 2952 and SB 2960 would extend the time policyholders have after a declared disaster to submit documentation and recover replacement cost value, with supporters arguing that rebuilding after major disasters takes far longer than standard policy deadlines allow and that the bills would improve consumer protection and transparency; the Insurance Division, the Insurance Council, and national insurance groups opposed the measures. SB 2964 would require annual disclosures of replacement cost value and coverage sufficiency; the Insurance Council opposed it as costly and unnecessary because policies already include inflation-related adjustments, while United Policy Holders and fire survivors supported it, saying many homeowners are underinsured and do not understand their coverage.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it is all new language.
• So it is all new language.
• So it is all new language.
• Language underlined.
• So it is all new language.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President Trump said that tariff is the most beautiful word in the English language.
• President Trump said that tariff is the most beautiful word in the English language.
• President Trump said that tariff is the most beautiful word in the English language.
• President Trump said that tariff is the most beautiful word in the English language.
• President Trump said that tariff is the most beautiful word in the English language.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• are that it clarifies the inclusion of nurses employed by charter schools, and it has some cleanup language
• The only thing Senate Bill 19 does is delay the statutory requirement of the Public Education Department
• All this does is delay that statutory requirement by a month. All right. Thank you, Senator.

Bills: SB83, SB106, SB107, SB123, SJR1

Keywords: ecological monitoring, sustainability, tribal engagement, education, research funding, graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, out-of-school programming, education funding, youth programs, affordability, nonprofit organizations, defibrillators, public schools, health and safety, emergency response, school elections

Transcript Highlights:

• competitive with other states that actively attract captive insurance companies while also clarifying statutory
• language to ensure consistency with guidance from the Attorney General's office.
• with OID, the Ag, the industry, the chairman, the vice chair, and many others to try to get this language
• And it defines that language in there. What he can challenge.
• But we're still working on the language to get it right. And I move for adoption.

Bills: HB3783, HB2955, HB3802, HB4488, HB2471, HB3781, HB3127

Keywords: captive insurance, protected cell, sponsored captive, captive insurer, insurance commissioner, premium tax, dormant captive, risk retention group, pure captive, association captive, industrial insured captive, series captive, branch captive, special purpose captive, reciprocal insurer, capital and surplus, letter of credit, change in control, merger, conversion

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be the last step in the process that would allow us to meet the statutory requirements that
• So, we're just waiting on the week to meet the final provisions of the statutory requirements to designate
• We were living really close to the 90 statutory day turnaround time and processing licenses last year
• So, there's also pieces of legislation there to get us to more plain language. Name them.
• Our statutory mission is to serve the indigent care population, to operate the hospitals and clinics,

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also updates statutory language on substance use disorder treatment to reflect the full range of care
• > language<00:01:39.480> on It also updates statutory language on It also updates statutory
• sure I'm looking at the right language sure I'm looking at the right language here.<00:03:46.480
• proposed language in front of us. proposed language in front of us.
• <01:30:09.080> account<01:30:09.640> for language account for language account for um<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment takes those out and just uses our standard committee subject to appropriation language
• It also modifies some language that was dealing with...”
• “It also modifies some language that was dealing with a report.
• And so they're just going to be engaging in their statutory obligation to produce that audit and then
• This amendment removes language on page 2, lines 25 and 26, about being subject to appropriation.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 105, which reinstates a sunset-expired TOPS Tech benefit for eligible veterans. Senator Kathy said the bill would use existing TOPS dollars, not new funding, and would help veterans stay in Louisiana and enter the workforce. After brief questions about eligibility and funding, Representative Marcelle moved the bill favorably, and it was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 3, by Representative Newell, asked the Louisiana Housing Corporation to study whether vacant state-owned property could be repurposed for housing and rental assistance for cost-burdened state employees. Members discussed the high fiscal note and whether the work could be absorbed in existing budgets. Fiscal staff said LHC had requested a full-time position and four part-time positions for the study, but the committee also talked about narrowing the study’s scope. Representative Marcelle moved the resolution favorably, and it was reported favorably without objection. The committee then debated House Bill 189, which would extend supplemental pay to fire protection officers at the Lakefront Management Authority’s airport fire department. Representative Newell and airport representatives argued the firefighters perform specialized, hazardous ARFF duties and should receive the same supplemental pay as other qualifying public firefighters. Some members questioned whether the airport and its employees qualify under existing law and whether the supplement should be expanded further. After discussion, Representative Marcelle moved the bill favorably, but the motion failed on a roll call vote of 8 yeas to 10 nays. Later, Senate Bill 461, concerning Office of Group Benefits coverage for certain small employee groups, was reported favorably without objection. House Bill 623, creating a three-tier permitting system for vapor products, was amended to clarify direct-to-consumer shipment restrictions and then reported favorably as amended. House Bill 1222, creating a grocery initiative grants and financial support program through LED to address food deserts, drew extended debate over whether it would amount to government-run grocery stores; supporters framed it as an incentive and grant program for private grocers, while critics raised concerns about government involvement. After amendment, it was reported favorably as amended by a vote of 16 yeas to 2 nays. Finally, House Resolution 80, directing a comprehensive fiscal audit related to Board of Regents and university system spending on certain executive budget metrics, was amended into a substitute version. Members debated whether the resolution would require universities to do additional work and whether it belonged in Appropriations at all, especially since the fiscal note had been removed. The discussion also raised concerns about the listed schools and the resolution’s purpose in light of a federal civil rights investigation. The transcript ends while the committee is still discussing the resolution and related procedural motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's cloaked in language to protect doctors. HB 99 is a flawed bill.
• But we added some language that said every act that... ...with respect to the actuarial study that's
• The Judiciary Committee drafts language that works, and we have not even attempted... ...and we have
• Again, we copied that language from the 2016 memorial.
• In practice, C.B.... ...assistance due to technical statutory gaps.

Bills: HB99, HJR5, HM39, HB206, HB213, SB41, SB153, SB165, SB261, SB264

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Transcript Highlights:

• So, page one of the language I'm looking at, lines one through nine.
• So this is the statutory language enabling that, and just let you all know there's a bill coming out
• <03:47:47.159> language um so this is the statutory language um so this is the statutory language
• So there's been boilerplate language in the back of House Bill 2 that has this same language for years
• <03:53:51.880> in so there's been boilerplate language in so there's been boilerplate language

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education. The Department of Education testified that the bill’s definition would conflict with federal definitions and be very restrictive, potentially affecting a wide range of instructional methods, curriculum materials, teacher training, civics requirements, suicide prevention training, and other programs. The department said the bill could force a broad overhaul of school practices, create local implementation burdens, and require at least one new state position, with a fiscal note estimating roughly $118,000 in FY 2026 rising in later years. Members also raised concerns about possible impacts on federal pass-through funding and whether the bill was workable. Representative Papovich moved to retain HB 129, and the motion passed 7-0. The committee then heard HB 133, a Department of Safety/DMV bill involving follow-up when a person votes using an out-of-state license or non-driver ID and then does not obtain a New Hampshire credential within the statutory timeframe. DMV officials said the bill would require a $40,000 technology upgrade plus a new full-time position, and that the fiscal note did not include postage or fully account for the manual work needed to match records, send notices, and review responses. They said the proposal also raised broader tracking issues because it would apply not only to voters but to anyone who had not obtained a New Hampshire license within 60 days, and they questioned whether DMV was the proper agency to make those inquiries. Committee members pressed the department on how the 60-day clock would be determined, whether the bill could amount to a kind of poll tax or raise privacy concerns, and whether voter ID cards or other exceptions would avoid that problem. The department explained that New Hampshire offers a free voter identification card through town clerks for people without a license or state ID, but said the bill did not exempt those cards and that the DMV would still be asked to investigate status after voting. Officials also said the bill would be difficult to enforce, that some cases would be ambiguous, and that any response from the DMV would likely amount to a request for information rather than an enforceable consequence. No vote on HB 133 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And registration for informal marriage contains language that may not be inclusive of all applicants.
• This bill amends the language on these forms to add clarity and make these forms more applicable to all
• We appreciate, uh, Representative Gomez and her office working with us to, Broaden the language so that
• Can they look backward and Are they dismissible because they didn't comply with the language?
• Uh, how do we tweak that language so that it makes it appropriate for protective order?

Bills: HCR 10

Keywords: balanced budget amendment, federal budget, deficit reduction, deficit spending, fiscal restraint, constitutional amendment, U.S. Constitution, Congress, PAYGO, Gramm-Rudman-Hollings, national debt, budget deficit, taxpayer dollars, balanced budget resolution, memorial resolution, Texas Legislature, federal spending, budget reform, fiscal conservatism

Transcript Highlights:

• language from may to sh- 101 that we didn't have concurrent authority.
• This can certainly provide language in that regard. 170 Thank you, Madam Chair.
• We are hopeful that we could make just a minor refinement to the language. 464 465 So the language would
• So again, we had a room full of attorneys quibble over the language and they just wanted to see a little
• This won't just affect county elections offices, the language in this bill is...

Bills: SB108, SB318, SB507, SB511, SB533, SB1026, SB1386, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596

Keywords: elections, Election Code, poll workers, election clerks, presiding judge, alternate presiding judge, polling place, central counting station, county chair, political party, gubernatorial election, vote counting, election administration, Texas elections, precinct officials, ballot counting, county election officials, election integrity, election fraud, Attorney General