Transcript Highlights:

• At TPPF, I helped author a comprehensive research paper titled "Social Media Is a Harmful Addictive Product
• Questions as to our research on this. Thank you both for your testimony.
• The Wall Street Journal reported that researchers from the Center for Countering Digital Hate set up
• I think the research comes from the social media companies themselves.
• So when it comes to researching programs, of course, they can still look at the websites, but they will

Bills: HB186, HB201, HB229, HB796, HB1506, HB2702, HB2885, HB3225, HB3909, HB4285, HB5138

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority

Transcript Highlights:

• At TPF, I helped author a comprehensive research paper titled Social Media Is a Harmful, Addictive Product
• I'm happy to answer any questions as to our research on this. Thank you both for your testimony.
• Our research concludes emphatically that the harms far outweigh the good.
• , for your research reports?
• I think the research comes from the social media companies themselves.

Bills: HB186, HB201, HB229, HB796, HB1506, HB2702, HB2885, HB3225, HB3909, HB4285, HB5138

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 186, which would require social media platforms to verify users are 18 or older before allowing account creation. Invited witnesses in support, including Mary Elizabeth Castle and David Dunmoyer, argued the bill would protect children from harmful algorithms, addictive design, bullying, sexual exploitation, and mental health harms, and emphasized parental rights and the idea that minors should not enter binding contracts with platforms. Committee members questioned them about how algorithms work, whether parents could realistically monitor content, and whether the bill would still allow educational use; the witnesses said the bill was narrowly aimed at harmful social media use and not educational content. Public testimony on HB 186 was largely in opposition, though several student witnesses said they supported the bill’s goals but wanted the age lowered to 16 or the bill amended to allow parental consent or joint accounts. Opponents argued the bill would be ineffective because teens could bypass age checks, would cut off access to educational tools, school communications, recruiting and NIL opportunities, and would burden free speech and privacy. Some witnesses also said social media helps teens with mental health, community, and creative or professional opportunities, while others warned the bill could disproportionately harm disabled and marginalized users. After public testimony closed, HB 186 was left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 5138, which Chairman Hughes said would respond to a court ruling limiting the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute election crimes unless invited by local prosecutors by changing the statute to require AG prosecution. Public testimony on HB 5138 was brief and opposed by at least one witness who argued it would further erode local control and expand state preemption. The bill was left pending after testimony. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3225, a library bill aimed at keeping sexually explicit books and materials out of children’s sections in municipal libraries and requiring age verification for checkout, including digital access, with parental consent and other revisions added in the House. Supporters said the bill would protect children from explicit material and keep such content in adult sections, while opponents argued it would amount to censorship, be costly and difficult to implement, and could be used to target LGBTQ+ or other marginalized content. Library workers, parents, students, and advocates testified that existing library sections already separate age-appropriate materials and that the bill could reduce access to books, burden libraries, and infringe on parental choice and free expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• There has been a statewide bipartisan concern to improve the integrity and transparency of the post-election
• Furthermore, HB3709 will enhance integrity, transparency, and the ability to prevent voter fraud.
• The future of election integrity is free.
• For this bill, I think we need stronger penalties when it comes to election integrity.
• How do we make the election have good integrity? Honest?

Bills: HB569, HB766, HB1638, HB2316, HB2773, HB2785, HB3113, HB3709, HB3775, HB4275

Keywords: early voting, ballot correction, voting rights, election integrity, mail-in voting, voter notification, HB 766, precinct chair, precinct chair candidate, ballot application, Texas Election Code, Section 172.021, election administration, candidate filing, party precinct chair, county party, political party office, email address, telephone number, confidential candidate information

Transcript Highlights:

• Research and run it past the Secretary of State.
• It covers speech even when it would do no actual harm to the integrity of an election.
• To go research that.
• Every time I see something questionable, I go research and find out if it's true.
• Research that. They did the same thing to Ted Brown this last election.

Bills: HB304, HB401, HB556, HB1475, HB1489, HB2259, HB2424, HB2773, HB2811, HB3323, HB304

Keywords: voter ID, citizenship proof, provisional ballot, election security, Texas, voting rights, deep fakes, misleading videos, election integrity, criminal offense, digital misinformation, deep fake, political manipulation, misinformation, artificial media, political influence, artificially generated media, election influence, Texas Election Code, healthcare reform

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, I thought if they decline it goes to the public integrity.
• I'm sorry, yeah, it goes to the Public Integrity Unit.
• be referred to the Public Integrity Unit?
• integrity, do their job.
• Unfortunately, I have not done that research on California.

Bills: HB512, HB2248, HB2679, HB2832, HB3112, HB3368, HB3490, HB3512, HB3623, HB3666, HB3700, HB3711, HB3770, HB3963

Keywords: grievance procedures, state agency, employee rights, workplace regulations, employment law, employees, employment actions, appeal, state employees, workplace rights, disciplinary actions, employment conditions, employment disputes, job protections, public information, transparency, government accountability, information access, notification requirements, federal funding

Bills: SB197, HB140, SB214, HB214, HB147, HB270, SB73

Keywords: food trucks, mobile vendors, health inspection, fire safety, state law, regulation, food service, business license, subdivision, transfer of land, immediate family, exemption period, county regulations, Sweet Home Alabama Tourism Investment Act, tourism rebate, tax rebate, sales tax rebate, lodging tax rebate, transactional taxes, tourism development

Transcript Highlights:

• If there aren't any questions, I believe there's a research or a material witness here from the agency
• Research your question. Yes.
• At Texas Tech, we are actively conducting teaching, learning, earning research in quantum.
• It will provide unparalleled opportunities for education, research, and research. workforce development
• All were born from the integrated circuit.

Bills: HB3146, HB3719, HB3895, HB3923, HB4748, HB4751, HB4936, HB4952, HB4990, HB4991, HB5061, HB5196, HB5238, HB5246, HB5487

Keywords: State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative hearings, contested case, contested case hearing, administrative law judge, ALJ, final decision, proposed decision, agency hearing, hearing continuance, rescheduling, Texas administrative law, Government Code Chapter 2001, workers' compensation, Department of Human Resources, Texas Labor Code, Transportation Code, Agriculture Code, Insurance Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members, my name is Duncan Spilsbury, research analyst for the Appropriations Committee.
• I'm a research intern, and I'm on the appropriations staff. Thank you. My superstar, Jackie.
• Chair, members, Corbyn Wright, research analyst for the ENRU and Laura committees.
• Corbyn Wright, research analyst for the ENRU and Laura Committees, says House Bill 2056 appropriates
• And so I think that there could be better integration of both of those kinds of reporting.

Bills: HB2056, HB2202, HB2207, HB2224, HB2303, HB2344, HB2532, HB2759, HB2798

Keywords: brackish water, groundwater, desalination, water resources, feasibility study, environmental impact, dementia care, telementoring, healthcare education, rural communities, grant funding, braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion, produce incentive, agriculture, economic support, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• We do research through Sustainable Agriculture demonstration grants or the crop research grants, and
• We do research through Sustainable Agriculture demonstration grants or the crop research grants, and
• We do research through Sustainable Agriculture demonstration grants or the crop research grants, and
• We do research through Sustainable Agriculture demonstration grants or the crop research grants, and
• We do research through Sustainable Agriculture demonstration grants or the crop research grants, and

Bills: HF770, HF857, HF38, HF1500, HF43

Keywords: HF770, Rural Finance Authority, RFA, capital investment, state bonds, general obligation bonds, bonding bill, agricultural loans, farm loans, beginning farmer, new farmer, seller-sponsored loans, loan restructuring, agricultural improvement loans, livestock expansion, modernization loans, rural development, Minnesota agriculture, farm credit, chapter 41B

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk will read: An act relating to protecting the integrity of last line constitute a new chapter in
• These findings should raise concerns for anyone who values accountability and program integrity.
• These findings should raise concerns for anyone who values accountability and program integrity.
• And the entities that were vertically integrated below them.
• below them. and the entities that were vertically integrated below them.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB6044, SB6132, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258, HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB5420, SB5868, SB6044, SB6132, SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Summary: The House took up and passed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292, which modifies the paid family and medical leave program. Supporters said the bill uses an actuarial model to set rates and establishes a four-month reserve to improve program stability. The bill advanced to third reading without amendments and passed 95-1. The House then considered Substitute Senate Bill 5841, related to completion of course and financial aid information. The House adopted Amendment 2140, which adds a financial aid calculator and requires follow-up when students indicate they have completed a financial aid form in their high school and beyond plan. After that amendment and the Education Committee amendment were adopted, the bill passed 92-4. Members supporting it said it would help students understand and access financial aid, while one opponent argued schools should not be inserted into family FAFSA decisions. The most extensive debate was on Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5981, concerning the 340B drug pricing program and contract pharmacies. Numerous amendments were offered to limit the program’s expansion, direct more revenue to patient care or low-income patients, restrict contract pharmacies, add reporting, delay implementation pending court cases, or narrow participation by hospitals and PBMs; most were rejected, and one amendment was ruled beyond the scope of the bill. Supporters of the bill argued it would help safety-net providers, rural hospitals, and FQHCs, while opponents warned it would mainly benefit large hospital systems, create administrative burdens, and likely face litigation. The House adopted the Health Care and Wellness Committee amendment and then passed the bill 67-30. After those actions, the House received messages from the Senate, including passage of Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1210 and the Governor’s signing of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 252. The chamber then moved to House Bill 2487, a tax bill, where several amendments were withdrawn and additional amendments were debated, including one clarifying the definition of taxpayers and another creating a three-year repayment schedule and changes to the advanced computing surcharge.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk will read: An act relating to the Boston Regulated Sports Wagering Integrity Act.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB6044, SB6132, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258, HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB5420, SB5868, SB6044, SB6132, SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Summary: The House received messages that the Senate had passed House Bills 2104 and 19883, and that the President had signed Substitute House Bill 1570. It also referred committee reports without objection. A motion to relieve the Rules Committee of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6346 and Engrossed Senate Bill 6347 failed on a 48-38 vote after debate over the bills’ fiscal impact and constitutionality. The House then took up Engrossed Senate Bill 6246, dealing with emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries and the Climate Commitment Act. Several amendments were offered, including proposals to permanently exempt these industries or to limit Ecology’s authority over closed facilities, but those amendments were rejected. A striking amendment that reflected stakeholder negotiations and added reporting and other changes was adopted 56-31, and the bill then passed 57-38. The House also passed Engrossed Senate Bill 5068, narrowing the bill to certain corrections officers and deputy prosecutors and aligning state hiring rules with federal work authorization; it passed 62-33. Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5847, concerning access to medical care and workers’ compensation, drew extensive amendment debate. The House adopted amendments creating a 25-mile provider-access standard, adding quarterly reporting to the Workers’ Comp Advisory Committee, and other changes, while rejecting a pilot-project amendment and a self-insurance amendment; a point of order was sustained against an amendment on legislative privilege as outside the bill’s scope. The bill then passed 67-28. The House also passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6194, which allows higher reimbursement for Astria Toppenish Hospital, and Senate Bill 6132, which supports rail funding for the Port of Moses Lake; both passed unanimously. Later, the House passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6113, a technical tax-law correction bill, by 92-4; Substitute Senate Bill 5520, creating a compensation process for the wrongly convicted, by 72-23 after rejecting a stricter “actual innocence” amendment; Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6162, reforming property tax exemptions for seniors, disabled persons, veterans, and some small businesses, by 93-2; and Senate Bill 6137, allowing in-state collegiate sports wagering with added athlete-protection provisions, by the required three-fifths margin of 70-26. The House then began consideration of additional bills, including Second Substitute Senate Bill 5880 on toxicology testing, with debate starting on an amendment to address discovery and subpoena requests.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB6044, SB6132, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258, HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB5420, SB5868, SB6044, SB6132, SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Summary: The House was called to order, the roll was taken, and a quorum was announced present. The chamber then escorted the flags, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard an opening prayer focused on righteousness, revival, and guidance for the legislative body. The minutes of the previous day were approved without objection. After routine announcements, Representative Cortes stated that the Democrats would caucus immediately, and Representative Barto said the Republicans would caucus in five minutes. The House then went at ease for caucus. No bills, motions, or votes on legislation were taken in this segment.

Bills: SCR184, SCR169, SCR47, SCR57, SCR170, SCR163, SCR189

Keywords: SCR184, Senate Concurrent Resolution 184, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, HCRC, civil rights, anti-discrimination, algorithmic decision making, automated decision making, artificial intelligence, AI bias, machine learning, employment screening, tenant screening, housing discrimination, credit decisions, lending discrimination, public benefits eligibility, state services, equal opportunity, algorithmic discrimination

Summary: The committee met in Room 430 on April 17 at 8:30 a.m. and heard several resolutions focused on Hawaii’s sister-state and international relationships. Measures discussed included SCR 184, SCR 169 SD1, SCR 47, SCR 57 SD1, SCR 170 SD1, and SCR 163 SD1. Testimony generally supported expanding or formalizing ties with Japanese prefectures and other partners, including Yamaguchi, Okayama, and Aotearoa/New Zealand, as well as maintaining the Hawaii-Taiwan relationship. DBED’s Dennis Ling explained that sister-state agreements provide a framework for broader government, nonprofit, and private-sector relationships, and cited existing exchanges in transportation, health, education, culinary rice development, biosecurity, and food innovation. Catherine Stanway of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife supported the Aotearoa measure for predator control, biosecurity, and conservation cooperation. Jerry Chang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office testified in support of the Taiwan resolution, noting 33 years of sister-state ties and ongoing cooperation in education, culture, economy, and disaster management. One witness raised a concern about language in SCR 57 SD1 related to double taxation, saying that portion did not relate to the sister-state relationship, but the committee chose not to amend the measure to avoid possible delay or conference issues. A committee member also asked about how sister-state relationships work and whether other states have similar country-level arrangements; Ling said Hawaii has an MOU with Israel and mentioned Singapore as another possible partner, while noting that such arrangements often depend on the governor and are not standardized across states. After testimony, the committee voted to recommend passage of all measures as is. SCR 184, SCR 169 SD1, SCR 47, SCR 57 SD1, SCR 170 SD1, and SCR 163 SD1 were all adopted by the committee without amendments. Some members were excused during the hearing, and the meeting adjourned after the final vote.

Bills: HR9, HR15, HB202, HB206, HB338, HB379, HB547, HB691, HB843, HB861, HB908

Keywords: human rights, individual liberties, Magna Carta, constitutionalism, free speech, voter identification, election integrity, federal elections, public confidence, election security, SAVE America Act, Louisiana, election fraud, job advertisement, salary transparency, civil service, employment notification, applicant rights, legislative attendance, task force

Transcript Highlights:

• This has caused frustration and raised concerns about inconsistencies in election integrity and voter
• It balances voter rights with reasonable standards for maintaining election integrity.
• It's something that's integral... ...in my practice, but we always allow the things that are objective
• It's a proactive measure to protect the integrity of all Texas elections.
• Members, let's honor the life work of John Lewis and not cast shame upon his integrous legacy.

Bills: HB2442, HB3697, HB4288, HB5256, HB5337, HB5362, HJR161

Keywords: HB 2442, Texas Election Code, Election Code Section 84.001, early voting, ballot by mail, mail ballot, absentee voting, runoff election, primary runoff, general runoff, voter application, election administration, county election officials, opt-out, voter choice, mail voting, ballot application, voting by mail, Election Code, size requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• Nutrition education is integral, is an integral part of our work, especially in our partnerships with
• We appreciate and, and acknowledge this bill's effort to integrate nutrition into healthcare solutions
• But again, that's why I'm saying we need to make sure that we're looking to quality research into to
• It's not all quality research and so what we, or quality information.
• The research to determine whether it's cost-efficient and cost-effective and medically appropriate is

Bills: HB 26, HB 140, HB 141, HB 142, HB 215

Keywords: Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, child abuse investigations, child neglect, child exploitation, advisory committee, Family and Protective Services Council, council abolition, foster care, due process, investigative procedures, child welfare, parental rights, family preservation services

Bills: HB3976, HB3000, HB3001, HB3003, HB3004, HB3066, HB3904, HB3644, HB1687, HB3920

Keywords: rural hospitals, small hospitals, grant program, healthcare funding, Oklahoma health department, cosmetology, barbering, massage therapy, State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, Service Oklahoma, license renewal, license reinstatement, licensing fees, sunset extension, board membership, human trafficking, victim services, beauty school, barber school, esthetics

Bills: HB3976, HB3000, HB3001, HB3003, HB3004, HB3066, HB3904, HB3644, HB1687, HB3920

Keywords: rural hospitals, small hospitals, grant program, healthcare funding, Oklahoma health department, cosmetology, barbering, massage therapy, State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, Service Oklahoma, license renewal, license reinstatement, licensing fees, sunset extension, board membership, human trafficking, victim services, beauty school, barber school, esthetics

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met to consider several House bills, beginning with a series of sunset extensions for professional licensing and review boards. House Bill 3000 extended the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering to 2031 after brief questions about prior executive-branch efforts to improve board transparency; House Bill 3001 extended the Child Death Review Board to 2031; House Bill 3003 extended the Board of Chiropractic Examiners to 2031; and House Bill 3004 extended the Board of Examiners in Optometry to 2031. Each of these bills advanced on unanimous 9-0 votes. The committee also advanced House Bill 366, which creates a revolving fund at the Health Care Workforce Training Commission to receive rural health transformation funds. Members asked about the timing and distribution of the funds, but no timeline was available. House Bill 3904 changed prenatal delivery and postpartum services from a global payment model to individualized payments, with supporters saying it would improve access to local and rural prenatal care and could help hospitals qualify for birth-friendly designations and related funding. That bill also passed 9-0. Two health-related policy bills were amended in committee and advanced. House Bill 3644, the Blake Burgess Act, requires certain hospitals to adopt policies to prevent venous thromboembolism; members asked whether the required report would be public, and the author said that was the intent. House Bill 1687, the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act, replaces older advance directive and health care agent laws with a single framework for end-of-life decision-making, with committee substitute changes adding safeguards and clarifying surrogate authority. House Bill 3920 created a sales tax exemption for LifeShare Network, matching an exemption already given to the Oklahoma Blood Institute, and it also passed after supportive testimony. All measures considered were reported out favorably, and the committee adjourned after announcing it would meet again the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• And where we're getting our research numbers from on morbidity and those kinds of things.
• I did a lot of research.
• And after that, what happens is that we have a community that is integrated, working to put together
• But later, my dad did some research, finding that medical affirmation, and thereby social affirmation
• It is supported by decades of research in child development and mental health.

Bills: HB1106, HB3284, HB541, HB713, HB1403, HB1586, HB1942, HB2070, HB2844, HB2851, HB3151, HB3749, HB3940, HB3963, HB4454, HB4466, HB4795, HB5154, HB5394, SB1357, HB1052, HB4099, HB4638, HB5147

Keywords: child abuse, neglect, gender identity, sexual orientation, child welfare, marriage, family, Texas Commission, family welfare, marriage support, stability, premarital education, child development, strong families, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services, insurance regulation, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3963 establishes an early childhood integrated data system, e-CIDS, to improve government
• By integrating the existing data...
• It emphasizes integrating our data systems so we can all make better, more informed decisions.
• I did my research and went to a facility that was American-owned.
• There's been a lot of research on that. Right, Mr. Brown? Yes, that's absolutely correct.

Bills: HB1106, HB3284, HB541, HB713, HB1403, HB1586, HB1942, HB2070, HB2844, HB2851, HB3151, HB3749, HB3940, HB3963, HB4454, HB4466, HB4795, HB5154, HB5394, SB1357, HB1052, HB4099, HB4638, HB5147

Keywords: child abuse, neglect, gender identity, sexual orientation, child welfare, marriage, family, Texas Commission, family welfare, marriage support, stability, premarital education, child development, strong families, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services, insurance regulation, maternal health