Transcript Highlights:

• public institutions of higher education, including review of curriculum and certain degree and certificate
• Some degrees and certification programs lack workforce relevance and have low enrollment.
• SB 227 by West relating to the application review process for certain delayed birth certificates.
• So obtaining a birth certificate can be a complex process when the applications can be denied for a minor
• So members, let's help Texas seniors easily access their birth certificates and renew their driver's

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, heard an invocation and pledges, and approved several routine motions, including excuses for absent members, permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, and postponements of some bills. The chamber also received a Senate message listing measures passed by the Senate and adopted a memorial resolution honoring the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, with remarks entered into the House Journal after a moment of silence. The House then took up a long third-reading calendar and passed a series of Senate bills on topics including criminal justice and corrections sunset provisions (SB 2405, 2406, 2407), election equipment testing (SB 2166), electric grid reliability and attack-preparedness exercises (SB 2148), firefighter collective bargaining (SB 777), DFPS and foster care procedures (SB 1141 and SB 1398), Medicare durable medical equipment billing (SB 1330), property tax administration (SB 1453), probate cleanup and record transfers (SB 1448 and SB 1839), mental health filing procedures (SB 53), school residency for children in safety placements (SB 226), diabetes-related amputation study (SB 1677), rapid DNA analysis (SB 1723), utility rate transparency and capacity cost recovery (SB 1664 and SB 1856), community supervision eligibility (SB 552 postponed), and other measures. Several bills passed with broad support, while others drew notable opposition and narrower margins, including SB 777, SB 2137, SB 2111, SB 1677, SB 1936, SB 1453, and SB 38. Two bills drew especially extensive debate. SB 2148, dealing with electricity supply chain reliability and tabletop exercises for critical facilities, was discussed as a grid-security measure aimed at coordinating utilities, law enforcement, ERCOT, and the PUC in the event of physical attacks; it passed unanimously. SB 1936, changing how LSD is measured for criminal prosecution from dosage-based to weight-based calculations, prompted extended discussion about lab consistency, carrier mediums, and fairness in charging, with supporters saying it would help crime labs and law enforcement and opponents warning it could distort penalties depending on the medium used; it passed 108-26. The House also passed SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, after questions about overlap with TDEM and the cost of adding personnel. Late in the day, the House debated SB 38 on eviction procedures, with supporters saying it targeted squatters and streamlined removal of unauthorized occupants, and opponents arguing it would make evictions too easy and worsen homelessness; it passed 85-44. The chamber also began debate on SB 37, a major higher-education governance bill that would expand governing-board oversight of curriculum, hiring, and faculty senates; members raised concerns about academic freedom, faculty governance, and the impact on humanities programs, and debate was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Suan, just so we're all super clear on the record, so the certification starts on line 17.22%.
• Suan, just so we're all super clear on the record, so the certification starts on line 17.22%.
• You know, I think I have some general questions about, like, what does a certification look like with
• look like with mde does a certification look like with mde what<01:19:32.360> is<01:19:32.480
• standards up and the certification standards up and the certification through<01:21:37.520> mde

Bills: HF1, HF779, HF1034

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• There are several economic development certification programs, I guess, around the country that our employees
• programs I guess around uh certification programs I guess around the<00:04:26.320> country<00
• You know, do not get a certificate unless you're working 25 hours a week, right?
• But I do know that... that in in order to award them a that in in order to award them a certificate.
• certificate. certificate.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 28 January, 2026; 8:15 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation from the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), including its consolidated tourism and agency request. MDA said it has had strong recent results, citing about $65 billion in capital investment since 2020, roughly 25,000 jobs, record tourism, clean audits, and oversubscribed incentive programs. For FY27, the agency requested $26.4 million in general funds, level special-fund operating support, restoration of eight pins reduced in the LBR process, and several general-fund increases for a career ladder, a new HR system, training, and operating costs. MDA also discussed a $1.25 million request for America 250 activities, including a Mississippi event and participation in the National Mall “Great America State Fair,” plus an energy accelerator program tied to the governor’s energy initiative and a broader three-tier energy preparedness strategy. MDA also explained its incentive refill requests, saying it was not seeking additional funding for the ACE grant program this year and had shifted that support toward the governor’s port/rail/road investment fund and energy-ready sites. The agency highlighted a renewed request to restart funding for the small municipal and limited population counties grant program, which it said had previously helped smaller communities with water, sewer, downtown, and other projects. On tourism, MDA presented a breakout showing what the budget would look like if tourism were separated into its own department; officials said the current tourism budget within MDA is about $5.7 million in general funds and $7.9 million total, and estimated about $1.3 million in additional cost would be needed to stand up a separate tourism agency. A significant portion of the discussion focused on criticism from Senator Wiggins that MDA has not delivered enough economic development for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He argued that constituents believe MDA does little for the coast and objected to the agency’s role in the GCRF and coastal projects, saying the coast has not seen meaningful results in years. MDA officials responded that complaints about uneven distribution are common across the state, that MDA works with local economic development partners rather than dictating project locations, and that it has helped support major coastal projects such as Relativity Space, Lockheed Martin expansions, PCC Gulf Chem, BWC Terminals, and AWS. The exchange also touched on the Port of Pascagoula and local leadership disputes, with both sides disagreeing over whether the port and the coast have been adequately supported. No votes or formal actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some degrees and certification programs lack workforce relevance and have low enrollment.
• changes to general education curriculum or minor certificate program offerings.
• So I know in the language in the bill it says to require minor degrees and certificate programs that
• SB227 by West relating to the application review process for certain delayed birth certificates.
• Obtaining a birth certificate can be a complex process when the applications can be denied over minor

Bills: SB37, SJR84, SJR87, SJR27, SB8, SB10, SB227, SB261, SB15, SB12, SB25, SB57, SB127, SB293, SB441, SB3059, SB512, SB241, SB1718, SB140, SB2055, SB2075, SB2018, SB1534, SB1567, SB785, SB1233, SB1580, SB1663, SB413, SB447, SB519, SB467, SB1579, SB1191, SB1021, SB1838, SB2807, SB2835, SB546, SB2121, SB2167, SB2035, SB2024, SB1032, SB1049, SB1266, SB1400, SB1302, SB401, SB1596, SB1281, SB1242, SB1343, SB310, SB1346, SB2753, SB2703, SB2221, SB1719, SB2177, SB800, SB790, SB748, SB571, SB1957, SB1923, SB1896, SB1760, SB1335, SB2368, SB2477, SB2587, SB2972, SB2986, SB2965, SB1563, SB1467, SB1164, SB1137, SB614, SB705, SB961, SB918, SB955, SB869, SB850, SB863, SB1610, SB1055, SB2206, SB457, SB2337, SB1362, SCR9, SB2405, SB2406, SB2407, SB2166, SB2148, SB535, SB777, SB827, SB1141, SB1330, SB1352, SB1664, SB1862, SB1936, SB1453, SB1448, SB1398, SB2137, SB2111, SB53, SB226, SB1677, SB1723, SB1839, SB36, SB38, SB815, SB1856, SB552, SB646, SB37, SJR84, SJR87, SJR27, SB8, SB10, SB227, SB261, SB15, SB12, SB25, SB57, SB127, SB293, SB441, SB3059, SB512, SB241, SB1718, SB140, SB2055, SB2075, SB2018, SB1534, SB1567, SB785, SB1233, SB1580, SB1663, SB413, SB447, SB519, SB467, SB1579, SB1191, SB1021, SB1838, SB2807, SB2835, SB546, SB2121, SB2167, SB2035, SB2024, SB1032, SB1049, SB1266, SB1400, SB1302, SB401, SB1596, SB1281, SB1242, SB1343, SB310, SB1346, SB2753, SB2703, SB2221, SB1719, SB2177, SB800, SB790, SB748, SB571, SB1957, SB1923, SB1896, SB1760, SB1335, SB2368, SB2477, SB2587, SB2972, SB2986, SB2965, SB1563, SB1467, SB1164, SB1137, SB614, SB705, SB961, SB918, SB955, SB869, SB850, SB863, SB1610, SB1055, SB2206, SB457, SB2337, SB1362, SCR9, HB5560, HB762, HB 107, HB 114, HB300, HB138, HB4386, HB2495, HB581, HB3348, HB5323

Keywords: higher education, curriculum review, governing board, faculty council, ombudsman, tax exemption, property tax, homestead, fire damage, constitutional amendment, bail reform, criminal justice, felony offenses, public safety, judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, immigration enforcement, ICE agreements

Transcript Highlights:

• the Minnesota Public Housing Association, and they hire our folks because they come with OSHA certification
• :02.280> OSHA folks as because they come with OSHA folks as because they come with OSHA certification
• 04.200> ready<00:42:04.480> to<00:42:04.640> be<00:42:04.839> able certification
• and are ready to be able certification and are ready to be able to<00:42:05.359> help<00:42:05.640
• I was able to pass the workforce curriculum and gain my full hand certificate as well as interact with

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's gonna be a condition in the statute of the division issuing a certificate of completion of injection
• They get that bond retired once we sign the Certificate of Completion of Injection Operations.
• So that liability, when it comes to the state at the end of the issuance of that certificate, that's
• That certificate gets issued.
• All of that has to happen; only then do we go through that certificate of closure process.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ten, amend DCCA's testimony to clarify that the requirements for CPR and NRP certification shall be valid
• at the time of licensure, and the licensee shall be responsible for maintaining current certificates
• shall be valid at the time certification shall be valid at the time of<03:50:19.199> lure<03:
• <03:50:48.159> is<03:50:48.439> ground<03:50:49.279> for and NRP certifications
• is ground for and NRP certifications is ground for refusal<03:50:50.199> to<03:50:50.439>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the request is also to support our waiver initiatives, such as credentialing or certification for
• <00:33:58.840> for credentialing or certification for credentialing or certification for direct
• so this is a strategy to certification so this is a strategy to uh<00:34:14.200> to<00:34:14.440
• I mentioned the career pathways and DSP certification initiative that we have that we're extremely excited
• about because, again, it is a national certification.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services held an informational briefing on the Developmental Disabilities Council and related agencies. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities outlined its 2025 legislative priorities, including a pilot project for guardian ad litem and capacity evaluations in guardianship/conservatorship cases, a supported decision-making bill, a health disparities study for people with disabilities, an ABLE savings outreach/staffing measure, a Medicaid buy-in proposal, an adult changing tables equity bill, and a resolution on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Council representatives emphasized that supported decision-making would complement tools like powers of attorney and medical releases, and that the health disparities study would help identify unmet needs by ZIP code and improve state data on the intellectual and developmental disability population. The Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawaii described its role as the research and training arm within the DD system, working with the DD Council and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center. It reported activities such as interdisciplinary training, community education, technical assistance, research collaborations, the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity, publications, telehealth, ECHO Autism, and counseling for Maui fire survivors. The center said it leveraged about $16 million in outside funding last year and highlighted goals focused on workforce development, community capacity, research with direct participation from people with disabilities, and accessible dissemination of information. The Hawaii Disability Rights Center, the state’s protection and advocacy agency, supported the Council’s priorities, especially supported decision-making, which it said could help some people avoid guardianship while preserving liberty and reducing state resource use. The center also raised concerns about the DD system budget and urged legislators to review whether the Developmental Disabilities Division is requesting enough funding, noting possible backsliding in services and eligibility. The Developmental Disabilities Division of the Department of Health then outlined its statewide waiver program serving just over 3,500 people, its service array, and its budget request for increased waiver funding, a federal initiatives coordinator, and IT upgrades to comply with the new HCBS access rule; no votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• states that meet our standards would automatically qualify for a New Hampshire school bus driver certificate
• This would not require other states to reciprocate by recognizing New Hampshire certification.
• It adds an exemption from<00:19:15.360> certificate<00:19:15.840> of<00:19:15.919> title
• <00:19:16.320> requirements It adds an exemption from certificate of title requirements for
• , you know, certificate of title, bill<00:27:20.320> of<00:27:20.559> sale<00:27:20.720

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Copies of driver's licenses or birth certificates and have all of these files for each of these.
• instance like MEC or uh means like that that attorneys already use in their daily practice, the certificate
• Um, if you are homeschooling your child, you have to complete a certificate of homeschool enrollment
• So, now it's by August 15th, they have to complete that certificate of homeschooling. >> What line is
• can find that section, counselor. counselor. >> Looking at section 1006, I think is where it's certificate

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 1 April, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise as a student pilot working toward my private pilot certificate in remembrance of a beloved individual
• She grew up attending all-black segregated schools in Charlottesville and obtained her nursing certificate
• , after a second summons, then the DMV will be mandated to refuse to renew vehicle registration certificate
• this category, House Bill 1523, which relates to certified violence prevention professionals, certification
• House Bill 1523, which relates to certified violence prevention professionals certification.

Keywords: March 11, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill has evolved from a bill that had a threshold of $1,500 certificates, 1,500 of them about.
• The amendment that's before you makes it 100% income based and pushes all the certificates to people
• certificates, 1,500 of them about. certificates, 1,500 of them about.
• um<00:03:45.360> uh toward all them all the um uh toward all them all the um uh certificates
• to people with a certificates to people with a disability.<00:03:48.000> The<00:03:48.159>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 25 allows or modifies the voter certificate that is signed by voters to attest to their eligibility
• to vote at election, to provide for their certification that they maintain residence at either the address
• c><00:08:26.879> the<00:08:27.000> voter<00:08:27.800> uh<00:08:27.919> certificate
• modifies the the voter uh certificate modifies the the voter uh certificate that<00:08:28.560>
• <00:08:34.320> that provide for their certification that provide for their certification that

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , documentation and filing requirements, assessments, treatment planning, mental health clinic certification
• the next chapter is certification the next chapter is chapter chapter chapter 252<00:33:54.240> services
• mental assessments treatment planning mental health<00:38:04.000> clinic<00:38:04.319> certification
• <00:38:05.000> and<00:38:05.160> service health clinic certification and service health
• clinic certification and service specific specific specific requirements<00:38:09.079> chapter

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Um, HB 289 proposes to remove the date of disposition as a required field on a death certificate
• <00:38:45.359> And<00:38:45.599> it death certificate in Alabama.
• And it death certificate in Alabama.
• Additionally, the date of disposition is not required on a U.S. death certificate and it is not included
• Additionally, the date of disposition is not required on a U.S. death certificate and it is not included

Bills: HB161, HB146, HB289, HB290, HB31, HB146, HB289, HB290, HB31

Keywords: consumer protection, app store, age verification, parental consent, data protection, minors, HB146, ivermectin, pharmacist, standing order, prescription drug, non-patient-specific order, dispensing, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, licensed health care provider, pharmacy board, medical licensure, disciplinary action, drug access

Transcript Highlights:

• on the documents as to whether or not they should, in fact, be able to get their delayed birth certificate
• on the documents as to whether or not they should, in fact, be able to get their delayed birth certificate
• I mean, the constituency behind this particular bill are people who can't get their birth certificate
• There are numerous reasons one needs a birth certificate, from passports to driver's licenses, to proving
• There are numerous reasons one needs a birth certificate, from passports to driver's licenses, to proving

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with several members initially absent, then later established a quorum. The committee heard multiple bills, with most testimony focusing on access to care, insurance practices, senior safety, and health care worker protections. Several bills were laid out with committee substitutes, and public testimony was limited to two minutes per witness. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with no final votes taken in the portion provided. Senate Bill 2069 would create a work group to study the feasibility of a statewide acute psychiatric bed registry; the substitute shifts appointment authority to the Health and Human Services Commissioner and extends reporting and sunset dates. Senate Bill 463 would expand workplace violence protections to additional hospice, home and community support, intermediate care, and state-supported living center settings. Senate Bill 1283 would require background checks and transparency measures for senior retirement communities after testimony about the Dallas-area serial killings of elderly residents. Senate Bill 1784 would require 60 days’ written notice before medical debt is sent to collections. Senate Bill 527 would require medical insurance coverage for general anesthesia for medically necessary pediatric dental procedures for children under 13 with qualifying conditions; pediatric dentists testified that denials delay needed care. A major portion of the meeting centered on prior authorization. Senate Bill 1380 would eliminate prior authorization for a broad list of services, including emergency, primary, mental health, substance use, chemotherapy, preventive, pediatric hospice, and certain chronic-condition care. Physicians and hospice advocates supported the bill, describing delays, administrative burden, and patient harm, while health plans opposed blanket exemptions and argued prior authorization helps prevent unnecessary care and control costs. Relatedly, Senate Bill 547 would require insurers to report gold-card prior authorization exemptions to TDI and create a centralized database and annual report; TMA supported better tracking, while health plans warned of duplicative reporting and administrative cost. Senate Bill 407 would require health care facilities to honor conscience- and religion-based vaccine exemptions for employees, with testimony from a physician and vaccine-choice advocate supporting the bill. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1383, which would regulate senior living referral agencies, allow more flexible compensation structures, and add disclosure and consumer protections; an out-of-state referral company and A Place for Mom supported it. Senate Bill 1511 would allow freestanding emergency centers to provide outpatient services in addition to emergency care, with consumer protections such as estimates, limits on facility fees, and restrictions on balance billing. The chair repeatedly announced that bills were being left pending after testimony, and no final committee action or recorded votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• A profession may require you to have a certification, license, training.
• That's part of the certificate.
• That's part of the certificate.
• That's part of the certificate.
• That's part of the certificate.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard a series of bills, beginning with HB 759, which would lower Florida’s minimum age to purchase or transfer firearms from 21 to 18. The bill drew strong opposition from gun-violence prevention groups, Parkland survivors and families, and several members who argued the current law was enacted after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting and should not be reversed. Supporters, including gun-rights advocates and some members, argued 18-year-olds are legal adults who serve in the military, vote, and should have full Second Amendment rights. After debate, the committee voted 13-5 to report HB 759 favorably. The committee then unanimously approved HB 431, extending Level 2 background screening requirements for youth athletic coaches through July 1, 2026, and HB 231, which keeps certain medical examiner information confidential, both with little opposition. It also approved HB 663, increasing penalties for unlawfully using tracking devices or apps in furtherance of dangerous crimes, after adopting a technical amendment, and HB 845, which clarifies the intake process for Veterans Treatment Court and removes Veterans Hall of Fame language from the bill. Each of those measures passed without recorded opposition. Members also approved PCS for HB 255, known as Dexter’s Law, which creates a sentencing multiplier for aggravated animal cruelty cases. The bill was presented as a response to a high-profile dog abuse case and was supported by animal welfare and law enforcement groups; members cited animal cruelty as a predictor of broader violence. The committee then approved HB 1021, allowing active law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons at sporting events, after debate over identification, venue procedures, and whether the bill should extend more broadly; it passed 16-1. Finally, HB 653, adding aggravating factors for capital felonies involving the assassination or attempted assassination of a head of state, was reported favorably after brief discussion about federal penalties and deterrence. The transcript ends as the committee begins hearing HB 6025, a repeal bill related to emergency restrictions on firearms during local states of emergency, but the discussion is cut off before action is taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, only about 48% of working-age Texans have certificates or degrees beyond high school diplomas.
• We collected the certification information from the universities and university systems.
• We collected the certification information from the universities and university systems.
• Plus, obviously, those we're stacking those into not just the trade or effectively a certification, but
• Plus, obviously, those we're stacking those into not just the trade or effectively a certification, but

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are things we do now and if that's what's required for certification for DRRA, then that would
• now and if that's what's<02:14:07.199> required<02:14:07.520> for<02:14:07.840> certification
• <02:14:08.480> for what's required for certification for what's required for certification
• appropriations in light of my comments, I'm going to assume that the intention is the more narrow certification
• appropriations in light of my comments, I'm going to assume that the intention is the more narrow certification

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ..about overlays and adequate grace periods for cities through no fault of their own that lose certification
• So, as I said, we received certification from state HCD.
• HCD's certification of this misbehavior does not make it right and, more importantly, does not make it
• inconsistent with state law that it overcame the presumption of validity that normally follows HCD certification
• HCD's certification of this misbehavior does not make it right and more importantly does not make it

Keywords: 988, house, all