Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, rules are suspended.
• Hearing none, rules are suspended.
• Hearing none, the rule is suspended.
• Hearing none, the motion is adopted.
• Hearing none, motion adopted. Senator Zaffirini. Any objection? Hearing none, motion adopted.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Jim Harris of Tilden Baptist Church, followed by remarks from Senator Zaffirini recognizing his service and retirement as an agricultural teacher. The chamber also received a message from the governor on appointments to the Coastal Water Authority Board of Directors. Senators then adopted SR 434 honoring Goodwill Industries of San Antonio’s 80th anniversary, with Senators Gutierrez, Menendez, and Zaffirini praising its workforce training and second-chance employment mission; SR 435 recognizing Dr. Christine Ramos Camacho as Doctor of the Day; and a group of additional resolutions adopted by voice vote. Senator Zaffirini also introduced the McMullen County Day delegation, and Senator Gutierrez introduced the Doctor of the Day. The Senate then took up and passed several bills. SB 1951 addressed penalties for late property rendition filings and removed a financial incentive for appraisal districts; SB 1261 related to financing water supply projects in the state water plan; SB 1620 created a Texas Forensic Analyst Apprenticeship Pilot Program; SB 530 updated higher-education accreditation rules; SB 2183 standardized fireworks sales periods statewide; SB 2368 strengthened the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act and added foreign-affiliation safeguards for electricity market participants; SB 1398 limited children without placement (CWOP) practices and added community-based care transparency; and SB 1960 established digital replication rights for voice and visual likenesses. Each of these bills advanced through suspension of the regular order, passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage, with recorded votes generally showing strong support and some opposition on a few measures. The chamber also debated SB 825, which would require an annual study of the economic, environmental, and financial impacts of illegal immigration. Senators Middleton, Hinojosa, Gutierrez, and Eckhardt debated whether the study should include positive as well as negative impacts; an amendment to require that broader analysis failed, and the bill was left pending after passage to engrossment. Other measures passed included SB 2010, prohibiting political subdivisions from operating guaranteed income programs; SB 546, requiring reporting and continued implementation of school bus seat belts; SB 586, establishing the Historical Texas Cemetery designation program; SB 1150, requiring inactive oil and gas wells to be plugged or returned to production under a compliance plan; SB 1184, lowering the minimum age of wine eligible for sale by wine collection sellers; SB 2185, clarifying bilingual education allotment funding; SB 1923, making child support follow the child in certain temporary placements; SB 2252, expanding early literacy and numeracy supports and screening tools; SB 1870, barring local decriminalization of drugs; and SB 2405, the major TDCJ sunset bill, which included facility planning, parole and rehabilitation reforms, and an amendment protecting parole board discretion. Most of these bills were adopted after floor amendments and passed with recorded votes, often along party-line or near-party-line divisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd love to maybe hear from them.
• Hearing none, hearing no negate, base closed, question is, shall House Bill 908, pass the house.
• Hearing none, hearing no negative debate. Good gentleman, 14. Yeah, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Hearing none, hearing no debate, the motion is closed. Question is, House Bill 855, pass the House.
• Hearing none, court may read.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, so ordered. Thank you. Okay.
• Hearing none, public testimony is closed.
• Hearing none, so ordered. Okay.
• Hearing none, so ordered.
• Hearing none, so ordered. Thank you.

Bills: HCR111 , HB5655 , HB5689 , HB5690 , HCR46 , HCR83 , HCR81 , HCR84

Committee: Senate Administration

Keywords: beekeeping, pollination, agriculture, local economy, Combes, Bee Capital of Texas, water management, eminent domain, bond issuance, Fort Bend County, public infrastructure, special district, government validation, local authority, bonds, Cole Ranch Improvement District, Hunter Ranch Improvement District, property taxes, infrastructure funding, local governance

Transcript Highlights:

• Next we will hear testimony.
• Hello, can you all hear me fine? Yes.
• Next, we will hear from Suzette Robert. Can you hear me okay? Yes. Yep. So I'm Suzette Robert.
• We'll hear from a panel.
• Next we'll hear from Dr. Dante de Tablan. Welcome.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills related to advertising, economic development, tourism, digital advertising, delivery taxes, and alcohol taxation. The first panel supported H. 3249, which would create a high school trade partnership program linking public schools with private employers, especially in manufacturing, and would offer employers a tax credit for participation. Representative Soder, Uxbridge High School leaders, and others argued the bill would strengthen career pathways, build a skilled workforce, and keep students and jobs in Massachusetts. The committee then heard testimony on H. 3031 and S. 2003 to modernize the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund by dedicating an additional share of hotel occupancy tax revenue to tourism promotion. Tourism and hospitality representatives from Cape Cod, Southwick Zoo, and Indian Ranch said the proposal would not raise taxes but would reinvest existing visitor-generated revenue into marketing that supports jobs, local businesses, and municipal tax receipts. A tech-industry coalition opposed several digital advertising tax bills and a delivery tax bill, warning they would raise costs, create uncertainty, and burden consumers, small businesses, and delivery workers. The largest portion of the hearing focused on S. 2029, which would raise the alcohol excise tax by 10 cents per drink and dedicate the revenue to public health programs. Public health experts, advocates, a student prevention leader, and representatives from Jane Doe, Inc. argued the tax would reduce alcohol-related harms, address decades of inflation-driven erosion in the tax, and generate substantial new funding for prevention, treatment, domestic violence services, and community schools. Committee members asked questions about the current tax structure, inflation, and how the proposal compares with neighboring states. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, we'll close the hearing on 2107 and open the hearing on HB.
• With that, we'll close the hearing on 2107 and open the hearing on HB 2137 with a staff report.
• O'Sullivan, can you hear us? Yeah, I can hear you. Great. Please proceed when you're ready.
• Paxton, can you hear us on Zoom?
• Monorelli, can you hear us?

Bills: HB2107 , HB2137 , HB2243 , HB2264

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: construction safety, hazard notification, worksite regulations, labor safety, state law, law enforcement, correctional officers, interest arbitration, collective bargaining, public safety, workers' compensation, healthcare providers, physical therapy, occupational therapy, employment, unemployment insurance, benefits, layoffs, workforce reduction, 904

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, to begin the hearing.
• Thanks for hearing us.
• Of particular concern today is DUA's growing hearings backlog, which consists of hearings-level appeals
• a hearing took place.
• decision after a hearing took place.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hearing on House 5188, a late-filed bill to establish a special commission to study access to unemployment insurance in Massachusetts. Representatives Hadley Luddy and Joshua Tarski, the bill’s sponsors, said they filed it after seeing many constituent cases involving delays, unresolved claims, and difficulty navigating the unemployment system, especially for seasonal workers and others facing financial instability. They argued the commission should review claim data, gather stakeholder input, and identify gaps in the process so the system is more efficient, equitable, and transparent. Greater Boston Legal Services testified in support, describing numerous client cases in which claimants waited months for determinations or were stuck in limbo after the launch of a new online benefits system. Attorneys said DUA’s backlogs and timeliness metrics had worsened, citing large increases in non-monetary, separation, and hearings backlogs, and they urged the committee to consider systemic fixes, including better notice about paid family and medical leave and possibly more funding or staff for DUA. Committee members generally praised the bill and the sponsors’ collaboration, and one suggested the commission’s reporting deadline might need to be extended. No vote was taken during the hearing. After testimony and brief discussion, the chair closed the hearing and concluded the committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• For each portion of today's hearing, we will begin by hearing from representatives of the entity under
• So when I hear those things, I don't hear certification. I hear license.
• We will be hearing testimony from Gilda Dominguez. ...and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board.
• hearing screenings and hearing aid fitting services.
• Can you hear me? Thank you very much. Can you hear me? Perfect. All right, great.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate business committees held a sunset review hearing for five California regulatory entities: the Respiratory Care Board, the California Council for Interior Design Certification, the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board, the Board of Occupational Therapy, and the Board of Naturopathic Medicine. Each board or council described its licensing, enforcement, modernization, and consumer-protection work since the last review, and committee members focused on workforce access, transparency, fee authority, and whether current regulatory structures are appropriately tailored to public safety. For the Respiratory Care Board, the main issue was a proposal to move toward a bachelor’s degree requirement for licensure. Board representatives said the change would better align education with the complexity of care and could help the profession’s long-term status and reimbursement prospects, but Assembly Member Addis and others raised concerns about rural access, staffing shortages, and added barriers to entry. Public commenters, including respiratory therapists, families, and congregate living health facility operators, strongly opposed the degree mandate and urged continued use of LVNs for certain respiratory tasks in community settings. The board also discussed its ongoing work on LVN respiratory care issues, updated suctioning guidance, digitized licensing and enforcement systems, and fee cleanup language. The interior design item drew the most debate. CCIDC leaders defended the current title-act certification model, arguing it establishes competency without evidence of public harm and avoids the disruption a full licensure system could cause. Several committee members questioned the lack of enforcement authority, the private nonprofit structure, Bagley-Keene compliance, and whether certification meaningfully improves plan acceptance or public safety. Public testimony was split: supporters said the system works and preserves flexibility, while opponents argued the model lacks accountability, creates confusion, and does not reliably prevent plan-check denials or protect the public. The speech-language pathology/audiology board reported major modernization gains, including a new online licensure system, faster processing, continuing education audits, and updated supervision and advertising rules; it also received support for creating a new audiology assistant license category, while a consumer group urged more public members, proactive inspections, and faster discipline. The occupational therapy board reported growth, improved enforcement and licensing performance, and a need for additional fee authority to address rising costs, while public testimony supported reducing advanced practice hand therapy training hours. The final naturopathic medicine item began at the end of the transcript, but no substantive discussion was captured before the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's keep this public hearing open and hear from people who want to testify on insurance crimes.
• We're going to close the public hearing on Substitute Senate Bill 6248 and open the public hearing on
• Again, we're happy to hear from you by email.
• With that, we'll close the public hearing on Substitute Senate Bill 6079 and open the public hearing
• What I think we maybe don't hear about is...

Bills: SB6178 , SB5831

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling, consumer protection, void and unenforceable, Washington insurance code, chapter 48 RCW, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll close the hearing on 2091 and open the hearing on 2218 with a staff report. Thank you.
• Truitt, can you hear us? Okay. Oh, hi there. Can you turn your camera on? You hear me?
• Okay, you can hear me, good. Can you turn your camera on? Do you hear me? Yes.
• Beth Milito, can you hear us on Zoom? Yes. Yes, can you hear me? Yes, please proceed.
• We'll be hearing. Thank you.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2091, a collective bargaining measure that would require state agencies and other employers covered by the Personnel System Reform Act to provide unions with employee contact and job information similar to what other public employers already must share. The sponsor and union witnesses said the bill would close a gap left by prior legislation and improve communication with represented employees; no one testified in opposition during the hearing portion shown. Action on the bill was deferred. The committee then moved to House Bill 2264, which would allow workers who voluntarily participate in an employer-initiated layoff or reduction-in-force plan to qualify for unemployment insurance if the separation results from that plan. The sponsor and a member described it as a narrow fix to clarify eligibility and reduce disputes. After brief supportive testimony, the committee voted 9-0 to report the bill out with a due pass recommendation. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 2218, a workers’ compensation bill that would expand provider choice, require notice to injured workers of their right to choose a provider, limit employer steering, speed utilization review, allow more flexibility from treatment guidelines, and change rules for reopening or continuing treatment on certain claims. Supporters, including injured workers, unions, attorneys, firefighters, and a psychiatrist, argued the current system delays care and over-relies on rigid guidelines; opponents from business groups and the Department of Labor and Industries said the bill would weaken evidence-based standards, raise costs, and create uncertainty. No final action was taken in the portion shown. The committee also heard House Bill 2105, as a proposed substitute, which would require employers to notify workers after an ICE Form I-9 inspection notice or results, limit voluntary access to certain records without a subpoena or warrant, require workplace postings, and create enforcement by the Attorney General and private lawsuits. Supporters said the bill would provide due process, transparency, and protection for immigrant workers; opponents, especially small business and agricultural groups, warned of conflicts with federal law, burdensome notice requirements, and severe penalties. The hearing continued with additional testimony, and no vote was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will now start the actual hearing of, uh, We will now start the actual hearing of House Bill 1295
• When I did that, we see you and we hear you. Yeah, you're with us. You see me and you hear me. Yes.
• And for our final bill hearing, we'll reopen the hearing on Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1634
• And that will end this portion of our hearing.
• Hearing none. The third bill that we will be hearing is Substitute House Bill 2594.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three K-12 bills focused on behavioral health, literacy, and review of education mandates. On House Bill 1634, staff and Rep. Milin Tai described a framework for OSPI and educational service districts to coordinate with state and local partners on behavioral health technical assistance and training for schools, aligned with the Washington Thriving prenatal-to-25 plan. Testifiers, including students and education/behavioral health representatives, said the bill would improve coordination, early intervention, and access to supports for students and families. The bill was presented as having no fiscal note because it relies on existing funding, and testimony emphasized parent and student engagement in the framework. On House Bill 2636, staff and Rep. Skyler Rude explained that the bill creates a Public Education Review Steering Committee to identify existing policies and funding provisions for JLARC review, with the goal of determining whether they achieve intended outcomes, improve student performance, are cost-effective, and should be maintained, modified, or repealed. Supporters said the bill is intended to help reduce burdensome or ineffective requirements on school districts and free resources for students, while some members questioned how the committee would define policy and whether it could affect future mandates. A representative of the Washington State School Directors Association supported the concept as a meaningful review of unfunded mandates. The committee also heard House Bill 1295, which would require evidence-aligned literacy curriculum updates after 2027, require comprehensive K-4 literacy programs using structured literacy practices, direct PESB to revise literacy endorsement standards, require literacy-related continuing education, and direct OSPI to develop educator literacy training. Supporters, including parents, educators, students, dyslexia advocates, and district staff, argued that structured literacy is supported by research and would improve outcomes for struggling readers and students with dyslexia. One witness from the Washington Education Association supported the bill but raised concern about adding another continuing-education requirement. Testimony on the bill was extensive and largely in favor, with some discussion about whether the approach would address older students and how it would interact with existing district and ESD efforts. After public hearings, the committee moved into executive session and approved three gubernatorial appointments for confirmation recommendation. It adopted an amendment to House Bill 1796 and advanced the bill to Ways and Means, passed Engrossed House Bill 2317 to Rules, and adopted a striking amendment to Substitute House Bill 2594 before advancing it to Ways and Means. All actions were taken by voice vote, with no opposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, so ordered.
• Hearing none, public testimony is closed. We'll hear the bill pending...
• Hearing none, so ordered.
• Hearing none, so...
• Hearing none, so ordered.

Bills: SB614 , SB872 , SB1199 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1573 , SB1588 , SB1602 , SB1660 , SB1704 , SB1723 , SB1833 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2146 , SB2177 , SB2373 , SB2460 , SB2785

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair hears none. The motion is adopted.
• The Chair hears none. So ordered. Thank you.
• Chair hears none, the amendment is adopted.
• The chair hears none. The motion is adopted.
• The chair hears none, so ordered.

Bills: HB1520 , HB1545 , HJR110 , HJR203 , HB245 , HB1465 , HB1482 , HB294 , HB793 , HB809 , HB3928 , HB334 , HB2037 , HB1973 , HB285 , HB4341 , HB4264 , HB 1043 , HB837 , HB 1234 , HB 1193 , HB 1194 , HB1646 , HB1729 , HB2498 , HB1314 , HB2295 , HB1353 , HB1531 , HB1988 , HB5398 , HB3960 , HB3923 , HB1407 , HB1764 , HB2221 , HB2214 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2213 , HB5008 , HB5092 , HB3421 , HB3663 , HB3748 , HB3800 , HB3756 , HB2613 , HB3782 , HB5246 , HB4344 , HB4044 , HB4066 , HB2702 , HB2807 , HB2869 , HB2898 , HB3181 , HB3250 , HB4153 , HB2091 , HB2115 , HB2542 , HB2768 , HB3349 , HB3352 , HB4406 , HB1593 , HB1899 , HB3133 , HB4432 , HB4960 , HB3214 , HB3915 , HB3508 , HB2145 , SB304 , SB608 , SB2312 , SB494 , SB530 , HB45 , HB2520 , HB35 , HB47 , HB318 , HB349 , HB554 , HB1359 , HB1373 , HB2254 , HB2259 , HB2853 , HB3073 , HB3088 , HB353 , HB355 , HB786 , HB762 , HB705 , HB932 , HB849 , HB 1119 , HB3041 , HB713 , HB3104 , HB3970 , HB4042 , HB4490 , HB1731 , HB2607 , HB3689 , HB1788 , HB1612 , HB138 , HB15 , HB1971 , HB1338 , HB2989 , HB267 , HB 1201 , HB2954 , HB5265 , HB1804 , HB5061 , HB1520 , HB1545 , HJR110 , HJR203 , HB1887 , HB1914 , HB2402 , HB2306 , HB1809 , HB2350 , HB3000 , HB3237 , HB3326 , HB3211 , HB 1056 , HB2081 , HB2187 , HB3092 , HB3308 , HB3526 , HB3750 , HB3527 , HB4219 , HB4230 , HB4290 , HB5238 , HB4804 , HB4749 , HB245 , HB1465 , HB1482 , HB294 , HB793 , HB809 , HB3928 , HB334 , HB2037 , HB1973 , HB285 , HB4341 , HB4264 , HB 1043 , HB837 , HB 1234 , HB 1193 , HB 1194 , HB1646 , HB1729 , HB2498 , HB1314 , HB2295 , HB1353 , HB1531 , HB1988 , HB5398 , HB3960 , HB3923 , HB1407 , HB1764 , HB2221 , HB2214 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2213 , HB5008 , HB5092 , HB3421 , HB3663 , HB3748 , HB3800 , HB3756 , HB2613 , HB3782 , HB5246 , HB4344 , HB4044 , HB4066 , HB2702 , HB2807 , HB2869 , HB2898 , HB3181 , HB3250 , HB4153 , HB2091 , HB2115 , HB2542 , HB2768 , HB3349 , HB3352 , HB4406 , HB1593 , HB1899 , HB3133 , HB4432 , HB4960 , HB3214 , HB3915 , HB3508 , HB2145 , HCR6 , HCR12 , HCR34 , HCR50 , HCR55 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR72 , HCR74 , HCR75 , HCR78 , HCR80 , HCR93 , HCR100 , HCR107 , HCR116 , HCR117 , HCR90

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• This hearing is the fifth of several hearings on 2026 measures.
• some key elements of today's hearing.
• Are there witnesses in opposition in the hearing room?
• Thank you for your time today hearing ACA 18.
• hearings that we've had in the past many months.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OK, thank you for, uh, uh, holding this hearing, Mr. Chair.
• is really just, and, and we're all for public hearings.
• That's what's really at play here with a lot of these special hearings.
• The county that's under 1.2 million doesn't have to hold the hearing at all.
• No, they still have to hold the hearing.

Bills: HB164

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: HB 164, HB164, Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, Hill Country floods, July 2025 floods, flood recovery, disaster relief, flood reimbursement, reconstruction grants, resiliency standards, floodplain, base flood elevation, FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, insurance denial, property damage, tenant assistance, rental property

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, we can't hear you. Oh, we can't hear you. Nice background, though. It's got good colors.
• Thank you for hearing me.
• Can you hear me? I'm here. Can you hear me? I think I've got my mic and my picture.
• Hi, we can't hear you. We can see you, but we can't hear you.
• Can you hear me? We can hear you. Can you hear me? We can hear you. Terrific. I am Dr.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a lengthy hybrid hearing of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, with testimony spanning local board training, animal welfare and enforcement, municipal charters, water district dissolution, and other home rule matters. Chairs Rausch and Lewis set strict time limits because of the large number of speakers and explained that written testimony would also be accepted. Members heard from local officials, advocates, municipal employees, and residents, with many bills receiving broad support from municipal and advocacy witnesses. Several speakers supported bills requiring or expanding training for local boards and commissions, including pre-service training for planning, zoning, and other land use boards. Supporters said training would help volunteers understand complex laws, improve consistency, reduce legal challenges, and speed up housing and development decisions. Related testimony also backed a bill to modernize historic district commissions and another to allow associate planning board members to serve more broadly when needed to maintain quorums. A major portion of the hearing focused on animal legislation. Witnesses supported bills to expand citations for cruel conditions beyond dogs, update dangerous dog procedures, improve animal health inspections and breeder oversight, strengthen tethering rules, and protect pet consumers. Animal control officers, humane organizations, and some victims of dog attacks described enforcement gaps and the need for clearer standards, while several dog trainers and the American Kennel Club opposed parts of the dangerous dog bill and tethering restrictions, arguing they would limit humane training tools and professional discretion. The committee also heard strong support for a bill to create a statewide pet shop and consumer protection framework. The committee also heard testimony on several local home rule petitions. Medford officials and residents strongly supported a new city charter that would replace the current at-large council with ward-based representation and periodic charter review. Wayland representatives supported a bill to preserve the library’s Millennium Fund as intended, Cambridge officials backed creation of an employment and job training trust, and Carver officials supported dissolving the North Carver Water District due to compliance and financial problems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair repeatedly invited written testimony and follow-up materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are now going to hear public hearing on Senate Bill 5880.
• So we're going to open up the public hearing on the last Senate Bill 5865, and we will hear from Kevin
• We’re now going to hear from James McMahon, and after he’s done, we’ll go to remote testimony and hear
• We're going to hear from Ramona Brandes.
• Did anybody hear any of that? Yes, I can hear you now. Okay. Thank you, Senator, or Chair Dhingra.

Summary: The committee began with introductions and then heard Senate Bill 5865, which would repeal statutory garnishment answer forms and require use of Washington Pattern Forms Committee forms instead. Staff, the prime sponsor, and judges’ association witnesses said the bill is a technical fix that would make garnishment calculations more accurate and efficient without changing substantive law. A collectors’ association witness said the current statutory form can be used if needed until new forms are available and raised concerns about the timeliness of pattern form updates, but was open to working on language. The public hearing on SB 5865 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 5880, which would allow blood and breath toxicology results to be admissible if tested by an ISO/IEC 17025-certified or accredited forensic lab. The sponsor and supporters, including the Seattle city attorney and traffic safety experts, described severe backlogs at the state toxicology lab, with some DUI blood results taking many months or longer and cases expiring before charges can be filed. Counties, prosecutors, sheriffs, and defense representatives generally agreed the backlog is a serious problem, but several warned the bill could shift costs to local governments, create uneven access to private testing, and raise due process concerns unless discovery cooperation is required. The committee then closed the hearing on SB 5880. Senate Bill 5912 would reinstate the indigent defense task force to study Washington’s public defense system and report recommendations by 2028. Supporters from counties, cities, public defense offices, and tribal interests said the statewide shortage of defense attorneys and rising costs are straining local budgets and delaying access to counsel, especially in rural and eastern Washington. Some witnesses urged the bill be amended to add more stakeholder representation, including clients and practitioners, and cautioned that the task force should not delay immediate action on funding and caseload standards. The hearing on SB 5912 was then closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5837, a broad update to guardianship, conservatorship, and protective arrangement procedures. The bill would lower the minimum age for a proposed guardian from 21 to 18, expand notice options, clarify appointment of counsel, and streamline service and hearing procedures. Testimony was largely supportive, especially from kinship caregivers, legal aid, and estate-law practitioners who said the bill would reduce costly publication requirements and improve access to justice, though some witnesses requested amendments on notice, waiver language, emergency procedures, and counsel provisions. The committee reported 40 pro and 70 con sign-ins on the bill, then moved on. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 5855, which would prohibit law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from wearing facial coverings during public interactions except in limited circumstances such as undercover work, SWAT operations, or health and safety needs. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to increase transparency, accountability, and trust, especially for immigrant and marginalized communities, while opponents argued it could endanger officers, conflict with federal authority, and is tied to ongoing litigation over similar California legislation. Testimony was sharply divided, with some witnesses emphasizing public fear and trauma from masked officers and others arguing the bill would make officers more vulnerable and create constitutional problems. The hearing continued with additional public testimony after the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hear this is the best committee where every RS is guaranteed a hearing.
• Once again, a great question for the hearing, and I can find that out.
• Okay, remember this is an introduction, not a full hearing. Yeah.
• How come you won't hear this? And how come you won't hear that?
• How come you won't hear this? And how come you won't hear that?

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee heard several RS introductions and one Senate bill. RS 33412, the “Merit-based Health Care Act,” would apply merit-based standards to Medicaid-funded health care and was introduced after questions about whether it would affect existing contracts and how it would interact with Medicaid’s voluntary participation. RS 32997 C2 proposed changes to child abandonment investigations and social worker training, including autism and introversion training and new reporting limits; members raised concerns about penalties, the scope of the training, and whether the bill could create conflicts in reporting duties. After debate, the committee voted 9-6 to return RS 32997 C2 to the sponsor. RS 33561, a prompt-pay insurance bill, would redefine claims processing timelines, add good-faith standards, give the Department of Insurance more complaint-handling authority, and require transparency about AI use; it was introduced without objection. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1314, which would eliminate regional director positions, regional behavioral health boards, and the Board of Health and Welfare to reduce state spending by about $410,000. Supporters said the changes reflect the state’s move to a Behavioral Health Council and managed care structure and would remove an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy. Opponents warned that the regional behavioral health boards provide important local input and coordination, especially for mental health services, and said they had not been consulted before the bill advanced. Despite those concerns, the committee voted to send SB 1314 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none and hearing no negative debate, the debate is closed.
• Hearing none and hearing no negative debate. Debate is closed. Question is on House Bill 684.
• Hearing none, hearing no negative debate. Debate is closed. Question is on House Bill 684.
• Hearing none and hearing no negative debate, debate is closed. Question is on House Bill 560.
• Hearing none, so ordered.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing and seeing none, staff will announce the vote. Mr.
• Hearing and seeing none, staff will announce the vote. Mr.
• Hearing and seeing none, staff will announce the vote. Mr.
• Hearing and seeing none, staff will announce a vote. Mr.
• Hearing and seeing none, staff will announce the vote.

Bills: SB5877

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: anesthesiology, medical personnel, surcharges, licensing, healthcare regulations, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I hear you. I hear you. Thank you.
• At that same hearing, Ms.
• At that same hearing, Ms.
• Hearing none, the motion is adopted.
• Hearing none, the motion is adopted.

Bills: SB863 , SB1190 , SB1261 , SB1413 , SB1624 , SB1662 , SB1663 , SB1855 , SB1967 , SB2124 , SB2204 , SB1623

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, water loss, municipally owned utilities, Texas Water Development Board, administrative penalties, water audit, water infrastructure, water supply, state water plan, water management strategies, water financing, municipal bonds, revenue bonds, public debt, obligations, TWDB

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs heard several water-related bills, with testimony focused on drinking water quality, groundwater contamination notice, flood infrastructure funding, water rights conservation, and utility service areas. SB 1662 would limit TCEQ’s advance notice to public water systems to no more than 24 hours before testing after a consumer complaint, to reduce the chance of temporary treatment affecting results. SB 1663 would allow TCEQ to notify private well owners, groundwater conservation districts, and nearby residents by direct means about known groundwater contamination, rather than relying mainly on first-class mail and annual reporting. SB 2124 would move the deadline for publishing the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee’s annual report from April 1 to June 1. Witnesses on the first two bills described long-running water quality problems and delayed notice in their communities and supported the measures. No opposition was recorded, and each bill was left pending for a later vote. The committee also heard SB 1967, which would expand eligibility for Flood Infrastructure Fund financing to multipurpose projects that both reduce flooding and create water supply. Senator Hinojosa and Hidalgo County representatives described the Delta Reclamation Project as a shovel-ready example that would capture flood and drainage water, treat it, and produce new potable supply while also providing detention and flood mitigation. A Sierra Club witness also supported the bill, saying such projects could help manage floodwaters and reduce polluted discharges to bays and estuaries. The bill was left pending. A lengthy and divided discussion followed on SB 1413, which would expand the streamlined expedited release process for landowners seeking removal from a water or sewer CCN in additional counties. Senator Nichols said the bill was a property-rights measure aimed at legacy monopolies and bad actors who use CCNs to hold landowners hostage, while supporters described cases where developers could not get timely service, including fire flow, or were asked to fund infrastructure without reasonable recoupment. Opponents from rural water corporations and utility associations argued the bill would undermine investment in water infrastructure, strand debt, and weaken the return on planned expansion. PUC and TCEQ resource witnesses explained that compensation is handled case by case through appraisal and can include stranded costs, planning, design, construction, and some legal fees, but members noted the statute is unclear and discussed possible committee substitute language. Public testimony was closed with the bill left pending. Later, SB 1624 would allow the Texas Water Trust within the Texas Water Bank to hold donated water rights for conservation purposes and protect them from use-it-or-lose-it cancellation, and SB 863 would address Edwards Aquifer utilities that straddle the aquifer boundary by allowing them to continue using Edwards water within their certificated areas under specified conditions. Both bills were laid out, received no public opposition in the hearing, and were left pending.