Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, TDHCA Our school A-F ratings for nearby general enrollment public schools serve as a metric
• It would prohibit TDHCA from considering school ratings for.
• With school choice, children are no longer solely tied to their neighborhood school, making rigid geographic
• Take for example Burnett Middle School in Austin.
• My wife attended a middle school that now has an F rating.

Bills: HB22, SB250, SB375, SB536, SB845, SB1633, SB1944, SB1957, SB2081, SB2137, SB2262, SB2299, SB2419, SB2452, SB2522, SB2549, SB2594, SB2605, SB2631, SB2639, SB2675, SB3029, SJR60, HB22, HB1392, HB2525

Keywords: emergency communication, broadband, funding, natural disasters, technology, HB 22, Texas broadband development office, comptroller, emergency communications, early warning systems, disaster alerts, natural disaster notifications, interoperable communications, interoperable emergency radio, public safety communications, 9-1-1, next generation 9-1-1, NG911, broadband grants, low-interest loans

Transcript Highlights:

• A report from the U of M Humphrey School A report from the U of M Humphrey School of<00:04:40.480
• Minnesota has certainly not been immune to these national trends.
• Minnesota has certainly not been immune Minnesota has certainly not been immune to<00:10:19.240>
• I teach business law at the University of Minnesota Law School and have also taught at St.
• Thomas Law School as well.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , on providing school nursing support and psychiatric support in the schools telemedically.
• Actually, all of our inpatients receive school through Norman public schools.
• And the kids actually receive school services through Norman public schools on site at JD McCarty center
• And we had some money around the immunization program, COVID immunization program, that was cut.
• The legislature provided startup funding for a polytechnic school for OU and a polytechnic school for

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's North Dakota, but we're not immune to anything that's going on nationally.
• It's North Dakota, but we're not immune to anything that's going on nationally.
• We did a tour of a grade school the other day, just one of our ICAC guys did, just to see who had a phone
• We did a tour of a grade school the other day, just one of our ICAC guys did, just to see who had a phone
• A little bit of LSD might make a hit or two in a school sometimes.

Summary: The committee met as the Commerce and Legal Services Division and first approved the minutes, then received a Legislative Council overview of the Attorney General’s current budget status and a blue-sheet summary of the AG’s base budget for the next biennium. Staff highlighted compliance with legislative intent items, including FTE changes, one-time funding updates, litigation pool spending, opioid settlement receipts, and continuing appropriations. Members asked about specific funds such as the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund and the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and staff explained the statutory basis and status of those items. The Attorney General’s office then presented an extensive overview of its divisions and budget pressures. Chief Deputy Attorney General Clare Ness described the office’s 14 divisions, the role of the office in defending the state and recouping funds, and concerns about attorney pay, recruitment, and retention. Members discussed whether attorney salaries should be benchmarked across state government and whether more legal work could be centralized in the AG’s office. The office also described challenges with the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, leased office space, and the criminal justice information systems used to connect law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts. The Crime Laboratory director gave a detailed update on space and infrastructure problems, saying the current lab is overcrowded and outdated, with safety, workflow, air-handling, glycol leak, alarm, and maintenance issues that can delay casework and risk evidence integrity. She said a 2024 study projected a need for a much larger facility and that the preferred option would be a new building on the current health department site, at an estimated cost of roughly $40 million to $45 million. She also reported that backlogs have improved significantly in DNA, firearms, fingerprint, and drug cases, though toxicology had recently developed a small backlog after an air compressor failure. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, gaming division, and BCI also provided updates. MFCU’s new director said the unit is federally funded 75/25, focuses on fraud, abuse, and neglect, and is seeking two attorney hires while continuing to work with federal partners on cases and recertification. Gaming staff reported continued growth in charitable gaming and electronic pull-tab activity, with concerns about site competition, large trust balances, possible ineligible expenditures, and the need for more scrutiny as revenues have grown. BCI outlined its staffing, drug task forces, ICAC work, and the Missing Indigenous Person Task Force, which is using its $250,000 appropriation to help tribal nations develop emergency response plans and purchase alerting tools such as IPAWS. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The references to the budget are changed to Independent School Districts, which are exempted from demonstrating
• department head and professor of physics, as well as professor of chemistry and biochemistry in the School
• The issue we have primarily is on the immunity. side and that the hurdle to succeed if a third party
• In this type of immunity provided for utilities in this situation, as has happened in other states, is
• House Bill 1732 would prohibit persons from obtaining a license for a massage establishment, massage school

Bills: HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213, HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• I grew up in a small conservative town in California and went to a high school where I could count the
• As the only out trans person at my high school, I didn't have many friends.
• As the only outtrans person at my high school, I didn't have many friends.
• But I adapted to the situation the same way that I learned which parts of my school campus to avoid.
• Those needs in clinics, schools, or families.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• degree, Jonas plans to earn a master's in urban and regional planning at FSU and then attend law school
• Plans to graduate and attend law school, member of Phi Alpha Delta fraternity.
• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1470, a bill to be entitled an act relating to school safety.
• This is the school safety package that we passed off the floor.
• before and 30 minutes after a school day begins or ends.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing interns, pages, a retiring sergeant-at-arms employee, and advocates visiting for a Prader-Willi Syndrome awareness resolution. Leaders also noted ongoing budget talks with the House and said senators should not plan to be in next week while negotiations continue. The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for House Bill 12.5, a citizen-initiative elections bill. Sponsors said it was intended to address petition fraud and protect the integrity of the constitutional amendment process, citing investigations, arrests, and fraudulent petition activity tied to recent initiatives. Opponents argued the bill would make it much harder and more expensive for citizens to place amendments on the ballot, chill volunteer participation, and effectively favor wealthy or corporate interests. After extensive debate, the bill passed 28-10. The Senate then moved through a series of education bills, including measures on Bright Futures, Gold Seal, Florida ABLE, dual enrollment, educator preparation, and broader education policy, all of which passed unanimously. After a recess, the chamber took up House messages and concurred in amendments to bills on stem cell therapy, student athlete ECGs, cardiac emergency response plans, and school safety. Those measures also passed with broad support, with the school safety bill drawing some questions about the Guardian program and child care facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• I may back up and say this bill is relating to the immunity for ringside positions assigned to combative
• HB 5506 will provide legal immunity to ringside physicians assigned to combative sports events, shielding
• This immunity does not extend to actions involving gross negligence.

Bills: HB 1301, HB2278, HB2776, HB2820, HB3848, HB3920, HB4172, HB4215, HB4284, HB4285, HB4463, HB4517, HB4690, HB4765, HB4766, HB4767, HB4768, HB4769, HB4773, HB4830, HB5506

Keywords: alcohol, beverages, winery permit, restaurant, malt beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, alcohol production, home brewing, family use, craft beverages, massage therapy, licensing, criminal offenses, sexually oriented businesses, public safety, bingo, charitable gaming, operating capital, regulation, funding

Summary: The Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures met with a quorum present, corrected the minutes from April 8, and then took up a long list of pending bills, most of which were reported favorably or left pending after hearing testimony. Early action included HB 1764 (accounting practice for certain out-of-state CPAs), HB 1788 (continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists on recognizing and assisting victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking), HB 2204 (land surveyor regulation), HB 2885 (local option elections on alcohol sales), HB 2996 (gambling offense definitions and prosecution), HB 3250 (real estate appraisals and appraisal management companies), HB 3352 (driver education on work zones), HB 3385 (farm winery permit), HB 3756 (powers of certain nonresident sellers’ permit holders who also hold a winery permit), HB 3816 (cruelty to livestock animals), HB 3913 (real estate licensing), and HB 3928 (electronic notice of towed vehicles), all of which were advanced with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Several of these bills were reported with committee substitutes, and some were also sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars. The committee then heard testimony on HB 2278, which would legalize limited home distilling of spirits for personal or family use and add honey as an approved ingredient; supporters framed it as a consistency and freedom issue, and the bill was left pending. HB 3920, a TDLR workforce/CTE bill, and HB 1301, which would allow beer or malt beverages to be sold at certain wineries with on-site restaurants, were also laid out and left pending after discussion. HB 2776, aimed at tightening massage therapy licensing restrictions for people convicted of sexual and trafficking-related offenses and strengthening TDLR enforcement, and HB 3848, which would allow electronic filing of elevator and escalator inspection reports, were both heard and left pending as well. A major portion of the meeting focused on alcohol-related bills. HB 4215 would place delivery network companies under a statewide TDLR regulatory framework; Favor Delivery supported it, and it was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. HB 4172 and HB 2820 would raise bingo reserve limits and update charitable bingo rules; supporters from veterans and nonprofit groups argued the changes would help charities, but both bills were left pending after the substitutes were withdrawn. HB 4463, a broadly supported bill allowing contract brewing and alternating brewery proprietorships, was also left pending. HB 4284 would remove the “excessive discount” prohibition in alcohol sales, HB 4285 would allow airlines to store alcohol within five miles of an airport in the same county, HB 4517 would create a complaint process for Texas distillers not paid by wholesalers, and HB 4773 would let breweries and brewpubs transport their own beer between facilities; HB 4773 drew the most debate, with supporters citing efficiency and opponents warning about unintended consequences and possible effects on the three-tier system, but it too was left pending. The committee also heard and left pending a series of TDLR cleanup bills and other measures, including HB 4765 through HB 4769, HB 4830 on service contracts for lease vehicles, HB 5506 giving civil immunity to ringside physicians at combative sports events, and HB 4690 on gasoline vapor pressure compliance. The meeting ended after all business was completed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• in secondary schools and enroll in their in secondary schools and enroll in their community<00:49:37.520
• You cannot use a public school skin.
• And if a school district crosses it.
• self-segregating from the public schools self-segregating from the public schools for<01:34:49.199
• <02:11:40.320> that some kids showing up to school that some kids showing up to school that

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a specific school?
• And it will happen at our schools and with your children too.
• It's billed directly to cities, counties, schools, and other entities.
• After graduating high school, I enrolled at Texas State University, a public university.
• My tax dollars should fund public schools, not be drained by your cannery.

Bills: HB7, SB 8, HB7, SB 8

Keywords: abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• His father actually hired my mother to be the principal at C Elementary School in the...
• Principal at C Elementary School in the turn of integration.
• I graduated from our dental school here, right here in Alabama.
• In school, we're trained to put our patients first.
• school teachers, their retirees, and their dependents.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Casey Gupta, and I'm a high school student in San Diego County.
• As a high school student, I want to grow up in a state where biking to school and around my community
• The legislature should not be immunizing anybody for their noncompliance.
• In high school, I worked with the CHP to help reduce the Every 15 Minutes PSA for my school to protect
• In high school, I worked with the CHP to help reduce the Every 15 Minutes PSA for my school to protect

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on active transportation, transit, road safety, and local enforcement. SB 569 would restrict removal or downgrading of bikeways built with state General Fund dollars for at least 20 years, require public hearings before major changes, and was supported by bicycle advocates and some local and environmental groups. The City of Encinitas opposed the bill, arguing it could limit needed safety fixes and should apply only to future projects; committee members discussed whether the bill still allowed safety-based modifications. The bill passed on a due pass vote to Appropriations. SB 741 would streamline the Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program by reducing administrative burden and giving transit agencies more flexibility to use funds for service improvements, fare programs, and other transit needs while maintaining oversight and disadvantaged community requirements. Transit agencies and advocacy groups supported the measure, saying it would help agencies respond to post-pandemic ridership and financial challenges. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended vote to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1167, which would tighten consumer protections by clarifying that high-powered e-motos and similar motor vehicles are not e-bikes, requiring clearer disclosures and labels, and improving crash reporting. Supporters said the bill would reduce confusion and improve safety for riders, pedestrians, and parents; the Motorcycle Industry Council opposed unless amended, arguing the term “e-bike” is used broadly and the bill could affect existing businesses. The bill passed to Appropriations. Later, SB 953, dealing with vehicular manslaughter cases dismissed through misdemeanor diversion, would add DMV points so fatal conduct remains reflected on driving records; the bill was supported by the victim’s family and safety advocates and passed to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 1218, which would let local agencies boot vehicles tied to repeated unpaid illegal dumping citations instead of using DMV enforcement. Oakland officials and community groups supported the bill as a needed deterrent, while the ACLU opposed it as punitive debt collection without a sufficient nexus to the vehicle. The bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, SB 739 would revise the Clean Miles Standard for rideshare companies by allowing CARB and CPUC to adjust electric vehicle mileage targets in light of current market conditions; Uber and Lyft supported the flexibility, while clean air advocates began raising concerns about weakening climate goals as the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:26:40.920> from not provide any immunity from not provide any immunity from deportation
• Richardson School of Law, Refugee and Richardson School of Law, Refugee and Immigration<01:29:50.800>
• And if we go old school, I think that's the solution, the answer.
• And if we go like if you're in school.
• the solution, old school, I think that's the solution, the<01:36:27.680> answer.

Bills: SB2041

Keywords: land court, real property, legal documents, bureau of conveyances, judicial confirmation, property registration, working group, Hawaii Revised Statutes, reform, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard SB 2041, which would repeal the Land Court, transfer its functions to the Bureau of Conveyances, and create a working group to recommend implementation. DLNR and Judiciary stood on their written testimony, while Realtors supported the bill and one testifier raised concerns about the loss of judicial authority, title disputes, adverse possession, and possible effects on Kuleana lands. Members questioned whether property could be deregistered and what the legal consequences would be, and the Bureau of Conveyances said deregistration is already available but burdensome. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, and the measure was adopted by both committees. The Judiciary Committee then heard SB 2247, which restricts certain governor-appointed, Senate-confirmed executive branch employees from participating in campaign fundraising. The State Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission supported the bill as a way to curb pay-to-play concerns and the appearance of undue influence, and several advocacy and civic groups also testified in support, with one person opposing. The committee agreed to amend the bill so the restrictions apply only after confirmation and continue until the person leaves the covered position. The committee voted to pass SB 2247 with amendments. Finally, the Judiciary Committee heard SB 2143, which would make the Attorney General the interim Chief Election Officer if that office becomes vacant until the Elections Commission appoints a replacement. Supporters argued the bill would provide continuity, prevent delays in certifying election results, and protect election integrity; opponents argued it would politicize the office, create a conflict of interest, and was unnecessary because current law already provides a process for filling vacancies. Testimony was extensive and sharply divided, with many speakers on both sides. The transcript provided does not include a final vote or action on SB 2143.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the decades, the YMCA has helped shape American life in meaningful ways, pioneering night schools
• Has helped shape American life in meaningful ways, pioneering night schools and English language programs
• 170 years as support for hundreds of communities across the state, providing child care and after-school
• The state providing child care and after-school programs for working families, swim lessons, water safety
• These are children in our communities, in our schools, and our families suffering in silence.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the decades, the YMCA has helped shape American life in meaningful ways, pioneering night schools
• Has helped shape American life in meaningful ways, pioneering night schools and English language programs
• 170 years as support for hundreds of communities across the state, providing child care and after-school
• The state providing childcare and after-school programs for working families, swim lessons, water safety
• These are children in our communities, in our schools, and our families suffering in silence.

Summary: The Senate convened with a roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then recognized the YMCA’s 175th anniversary through floor remarks highlighting its long history of community service, youth programs, child care, and civic engagement. The body then moved through routine messages and appointments, confirming three gubernatorial appointments: former Judge Frank Darnell Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Edgar to the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission. On third reading, senators debated and adopted Senate Joint Resolution 12, which opposes the federal offshore oil and gas leasing proposal off California and calls for California to be removed from the plan and for stronger environmental review and public participation. Supporters emphasized coastal protection and climate goals, while opponents argued the state faces energy supply and affordability problems and needs more domestic production. The resolution passed by roll call. The Senate also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 118, urging full release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files to promote transparency and accountability for survivors, and Senate Resolution 99, declaring April 21, 2026, California Agriculture Day and recognizing the state’s agricultural production, farmworkers, and climate-smart practices. The final major item was Senate Resolution 100, designating April 16, 2026, as Breaking the Silence Day of Awareness to raise awareness of child sexual abuse, support survivors, and expand prevention and mandated reporter training. The author and supporters spoke about the prevalence of abuse, the importance of reporting, and survivor support; the resolution was adopted unanimously. The Senate then lifted the calls and confirmed the earlier appointments, adopted the consent calendar, announced upcoming budget subcommittee meetings, and adjourned in memory of Rob Trice and Alwyn Ben Holman. The session ended with notice that the next floor session would be Monday, April 27, 2026, with Denim Day observed that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• One estimate is perhaps $7 billion per year in our public school system.
• In fact, you may even be federally precluded from asking immigration status in our public schools, and
• schools, and the state-level SEAs like TEA from requesting this type of data.
• I think, number two, U.S. public schools, they'll tell you how many immigrants they have that are not
• I mean, I can talk to any of my schools down in the Rio Grande Valley, and they'll know.

Bills: SB825

Keywords: illegal immigration, economic impact, environmental impact, financial impact, annual study, Texas, government report

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security heard testimony on Senate Bill 825 by Senator Middleton, as substituted, which would require an annual or biennial study of the economic, environmental, and financial impacts of illegal immigration in Texas. Middleton said the bill is intended to provide lawmakers with comprehensive data on costs to law enforcement, health care, education, infrastructure, and taxpayers, and to support possible federal reimbursement claims. Several senators, including Hinojosa and Eckhardt, agreed that a study is needed but raised concerns about bias, the scope of the study, and whether the Comptroller’s Office rather than the governor’s office should conduct it. Middleton argued the governor’s office was the best coordinating entity because it could direct multiple agencies to provide data, while Hinojosa and others emphasized the Comptroller’s expertise and prior 2006 study. Public testimony was generally supportive of the idea of a study but critical of the bill’s framing. Sarah Cruz of the ACLU of Texas said the study should be a full cost-benefit analysis and warned that focusing only on costs could create an anti-immigrant narrative. Danny Woodward of the Texas Civil Rights Project also supported the concept but recommended moving the study to the Comptroller or, alternatively, creating a neutral commission. Jaime Pointe of Every Texan likewise supported updating the 2006 analysis and said state agencies should be able to cooperate with a governor-led study. Resource witnesses from the governor’s office, HHSC, TEA, OCA, TDCJ, and DPS explained that data collection would be uneven across agencies. HHSC and TEA said they often do not collect immigration status and, in TEA’s case, federal law limits schools from requesting such information; OCA and TDCJ said they could provide only partial or indirect data unless new reporting requirements were added. DPS said it already has Operation Lone Star data but would need to collect additional information if tasked with the broader study. The chair asked the governor’s office to provide a follow-up answer on separation-of-powers and related authority questions by the following Tuesday, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair without taking a vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the grants went to a private outdoor nature school, and the owner of that school used some of
• <01:07:38.480> and<01:07:38.680> the private outdoor nature school and the private
• > the owner of that school used some of the owner of that school used some of the funds<01:07:
• You can think first of all about when folks are finishing high school, for example.
• You can think first of all about when folks are finishing high school, for example.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it may be a school provider calling and saying the child is coming to school dirty and then it may
• So it may be a school provider calling and saying the child is coming to school dirty and then it may
• So it may be a school provider calling and saying the child is coming to school dirty and then it may
• :22:06.320> or about school professionals or about school professionals or pediatricians<01:22
• And there also is civil immunity and criminal immunity for those who report in what's called good faith

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , special education schools, charter schools, and traditional public schools.
• free school meals.
• and out-of-school time.
• So the school is in real trouble. We're talking about losing after-school sports.
• Third, rural school aid.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session held in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 education and local aid budget, with remarks from legislative co-chairs, local officials, and education agency leaders. Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero emphasized Lawrence’s high-need student population, the importance of Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, and the impact of state aid on schools serving many English learners and low-income families. Carrero highlighted Lawrence High School programs such as early college, dual degrees, career pathways, and early childhood classrooms embedded in the high school, while lawmakers introduced themselves and noted the importance of the hearing to their districts. Acting Secretary of Education Amy Kershaw, Commissioner of Higher Education Noi Ortega, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez, and Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw outlined the administration’s FY27 priorities. They described investments in literacy initiatives, universal school meals, student mental health, early college and career pathways, higher education affordability, community college and university student-success supports, preschool expansion, child care subsidies, and workforce supports for early educators. The commissioners also discussed federal funding threats, equity gaps, and the administration’s efforts to improve outcomes for Black and brown students, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Members questioned the panel about the local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to revisit Chapter 70 funding to better address rising costs such as special education, transportation, and health care. Officials said the local contribution study report is expected by the end of June, with a draft to be shared after data analysis and public comment. Commissioner Martinez said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but more work is needed, and he pointed to a proposed Accelerating Achievement Initiative to support the highest-need schools. Senator Oliveira also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities and asked about partnerships with libraries to support literacy, prompting discussion of broader early literacy collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• permanent school fund and the school permanent school fund and the school trust<00:06:00.880>
• school fund. school fund.
• the Minnesota's permanent school fund. the Minnesota's permanent school fund.
• school or these types of school school or these types of school districts<01:14:50.000> instead
• schools. That is the objective. schools. That is the objective.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all