Transcript Highlights:

• The similar language is on page 5, lines 22 and 23, and it's in a different section of Century Code,
• By adopting this policy, the Rural... To fully implement the program.
• Madam President, I move the adoption of the amendment. Do I have to read the number?
• Provide a transfer to amend and reenact Section 6-09-47 of the North Dakota Century Code relating to
• If we don't crack the code for EOR in short order Existential crisis.

Bills: SB2401, SB2402, SB2403, SB2404

Keywords: SB 2401, North Dakota, Century Code, occupational therapy, occupational therapy board, criminal history record check, background check, licensee investigation, physician continuing education, medical license renewal, nutrition education, metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, health occupation boards, medical board, licensure fee, audit response, disciplinary action, Title 43, board of medicine

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up second reading and final passage of several House bills related to the Rural Health Transformation Program and other matters. House Bill 1621, requiring the presidential fitness test in school physical education with exceptions and a delayed effective date, passed 43-3. House Bill 1623, appropriating federal rural health transformation grant funds and creating a related loan program and reporting structure, passed 46-0 after extensive debate about using the federal money for community health, infrastructure, and sustainability. House Bill 1622, joining the physician assistant licensure compact, also passed unanimously 46-0. House Bill 1625, authorizing the Ray Richards Golf Course land sale to support a Grand Forks transportation project and golf course improvements, passed 46-0. House Bill 1626, clarifying that the primary residence credit is applied after the early payment discount so taxpayers receive the full $1,600 benefit, passed 40-6.

Transcript Highlights:

• Administrative assistant to the minority leader, Kathy Wachter.
• Madam President, I'd move that report be adopted. Is there any discussion?
• The proposed amendment has been adopted.
• The proposed amendment has been adopted.
• The proposed amendment has been adopted.

Bills: SB2401, SB2402, SB2403, SB2404

Keywords: SB 2401, North Dakota, Century Code, occupational therapy, occupational therapy board, criminal history record check, background check, licensee investigation, physician continuing education, medical license renewal, nutrition education, metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, health occupation boards, medical board, licensure fee, audit response, disciplinary action, Title 43, board of medicine

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. It adopted the procedural employment committee report naming Senate staff for the special session. The chamber then took up several health-care and appropriations measures, first adopting amendments to Senate Bills 2401, 2402, and 2403 before moving them to final passage. Senate Bill 2401 passed 44-2 and requires physicians to complete at least one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health, part of a broader rural health care package. Senate Bill 2402 passed 46-0 after major amendments negotiated between the medical and pharmacy boards; as amended, it expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution in limited areas while excluding categories such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, chemotherapy agents, Schedule II drugs, biological products, and narrow therapeutic index drugs. Supporters said it would improve rural access and help secure rural health transformation funding, while questions focused on how pharmacist competence would be measured and enforced. Senate Bill 2403, also passed 46-0, creates a short-term medical facility emergency operating loan program through the Bank of North Dakota, reduced by amendment from $10 million to $5 million, to help a financially distressed rural hospital. Senators discussed the hospital’s mismanagement, the need for a bridge loan, and safeguards including a limited application window and expiration in 2027. Senate Bill 2404 passed 46-0 and provides supplemental appropriations to the Information Technology Department for ADA-related website accessibility compliance and to the Public Service Commission for additional legal costs in federal energy-rate litigation. The Senate then made announcements about a Highway Patrol safety presentation and filing deadlines, excused an absent member, and adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, the question is on the adoption of the report of the procedural committee.
• The report is adopted. Continuing on, the seventh order of business. The report is adopted.
• Madam President, I would move that that report be adopted. Is there any discussion?
• The report is adopted. Continuing on the seventh order, The report is adopted.
• Madam President, I'd move that report be adopted. Is there any discussion?

Bills: SB2401, SB2402, SB2403, SB2404

Keywords: SB 2401, North Dakota, Century Code, occupational therapy, occupational therapy board, criminal history record check, background check, licensee investigation, physician continuing education, medical license renewal, nutrition education, metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, health occupation boards, medical board, licensure fee, audit response, disciplinary action, Title 43, board of medicine

Summary: The Senate convened in special session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call establishing a quorum of 45 members present and two absent. The chamber received certification from the Secretary of State and the governor’s executive order calling the special session to address funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program and to act quickly to accept and appropriate federal funds. The main action was adoption of the procedural rules for the extraordinary session. Senator Klein explained the proposed rule changes, which were designed to speed up consideration of bills during the short session, including limits on bill introduction, same-day second reading and final passage, elimination of standing committees for the session, creation of a Joint Policy Committee and Joint Appropriations Committee, and authorization for remote testimony and limited remote participation. The procedural committee’s report on these rules was adopted without opposition. The Senate also adopted reports naming members to the Joint Policy Committee and Joint Appropriations Committee. Announcements noted that the Senate Employment Committee, Joint Policy Committee, and Joint Appropriations Committee would meet later that morning, that the Senate would not reconvene at 4 p.m., and that a Highway Patrol presentation on legislator safety would be held. The Senate then moved through the listed orders of business and recessed, planning to meet in joint session with the House before adjourning until Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Health Services to coordinate with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish and adopt
• The president of our institution shall review minor degrees and certificate programs once every five
• It also calls for the president to review minor degrees and certificates every five years.
• And we had a recent experience with low-producing minors in degree programs.
• I'm afraid to say anything about viewpoints, much less the mistreatment of minority groups.

Bills: HB2476, HB2893, HB4848, HB5062, SB37, SB60, HB2860, HB4930, SB646, SB 37

Keywords: living expenses, higher education, student support, homeless students, financial aid, grant program, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, workforce development, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, competency-based education, baccalaureate degree, cost of attendance, dual credit, computer science, course credit, foreign language requirement, curriculum review, governing board, faculty council

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair moves that the substitute to HB5033 be adopted. Is there any objection?
• There being no objection, the substitute is adopted.
• The chair moves that the substitute to HB3071 be adopted. Is there any objection?
• There being no objection, the substitute is adopted.
• Did the trend line change after the adoption and normalization of the program?

Bills: HB1730, HB1823, HB2048, HB2266, HB2440, HB3333, HB4086, HB4271, HB4413, HB4839, HB4841, HB5151

Keywords: PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, forever chemicals, public health study, environmental regulation, drinking water, groundwater, surface water, food packaging, chemical exposure, firefighters, chemical manufacturing workers, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, Railroad Commission of Texas, Department of State Health Services, University of Houston, occupational exposure, contaminants

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, in the bill, it states that the TDI commissioner shall adopt... ...to act as an umpire and appraiser
• Yes, the commissioner knows how to adopt these rules. She's done this for TWIA.

Bills: HB345, HB721, HB2580, SB815, HB3057, HB4603, HB3233, SB495, HB3863, HB3914, HB4570, HB5099, HB5173, SB458

Keywords: insurance, appraisal process, disputed losses, residential property, policyholder rights, insurer obligations, natural disasters, appraisal expenses, umpire selection, policyholder, insurer, umpire, claims management, health care, cost disclosure, benefit plan, administrators, traumatic brain injury, health benefit plans, insurance coverage

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, the substitute is adopted.
• Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute?
• Chair hears none, the substitute is adopted.
• You put in what you're shopping for or the code that's associated with it and your zip code, and it spits
• They all have different rates for different CPT codes. ...DRG codes and other things related to that.

Bills: HB345, HB721, HB2580, SB815, HB3057, HB4603, HB3233, SB495, HB3863, HB3914, HB4570, HB5099, HB5173, SB458

Keywords: insurance, appraisal process, disputed losses, residential property, policyholder rights, insurer obligations, natural disasters, appraisal expenses, umpire selection, policyholder, insurer, umpire, claims management, health care, cost disclosure, benefit plan, administrators, traumatic brain injury, health benefit plans, insurance coverage

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Louderback, this is all part of government code 411, so if we...
• It's in the Texas Penal Code. Thank you, Chairman and members.
• Regardless of the nature of the offense, under Section 4604A of the Penal Code, any person convicted.
• I also would not have applied to stalking under Penal Code 42.0702.
• The general zero tolerance policy we have in the education code allows them to prohibit weapons.

Bills: HB259, HB 1128, HB1337, HB1506, HB1794, HB2215, HB2470, HB2771, HB2882, HB2993, HB3053, HB3428, HB3669, HB3789, HB3924, HB4201, HB4675, HB259

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, patient rights, medical expenses, access to care, affordability, legislation, firearms, penal code, regulation, short-barrel firearms, ammunition, gun control, public safety, Texas law, short-barrel, law enforcement, election judges, concealed handgun, polling places

Transcript Highlights:

• In February of this year, a minor brought a gun to Winsboro High School.
• All of it is currently protected under Chapter 9 of the Penal Code.
• Let's bring our code into compliance with the Constitution and the courts. Let's ensure that...
• This is just going to get our Texas code in line with what's already happening.
• House Bill 4675 would add a subsection to the Texas Penal Code.

Bills: HB259, HB259, HB 1128, HB1337, HB1506, HB1794, HB2215, HB2470, HB2771, HB2882, HB2993, HB3053, HB3428, HB3669, HB3789, HB3924, HB4201, HB4675

Keywords: redistricting, Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission, Texas Legislature, elections, district boundaries, voter representation, healthcare, insurance, patient rights, medical expenses, access to care, affordability, legislation, firearms, penal code, regulation, short-barrel firearms, ammunition, gun control, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, motion adopted.
• Move adoption of SR 122. Thank you members. Is there objection to the adoption of the resolution?
• I move adoption. Is there objection to the adoption of the resolution?
• If not, I move for adoption. There is none. The resolution is adopted. Thank you. Thank you.
• President I move adoption. I move adoption of the resolution. Secretary will call the roll.

Bills: SB 26, SJR 36, SB 26, SB 616, SB 565, SB 384, SB 28, SR 109, SR 122, SR 126, SR 130, SR 136, SR 137, SR 141, SR 142, SCR 20

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension, utility consolidation, regionalization, water supply, sewer

Summary: The meeting was marked by significant resolutions recognizing various contributions to Texas and celebrating community initiatives. Key discussions included the adoption of resolutions commemorating Texas Hispanic Judges Day and highlighting the 100th anniversary of Memorial Park. Senators expressed appreciation for the judges' dedication and legacy, with notable mentions of individual judges and their impact on the community and legal landscape in Texas. The Senate also honored students and organizations contributing positively to their communities, showcasing the interconnectedness of public service and the legislative process.

Transcript Highlights:

• The only four states that don't license public adjusters are Alabama, Arkansas, Alaska, and South Dakota
• why they've been able to keep licensing out in states like the few states they have, Arkansas and Alabama
• Do you know that the premiums in Alabama and Arkansas, which are the two states in the South that do
• If adopted, Senate Bill 780 would increase the cost of disability income coverage.
• mental health or nervous conditions are a consumer choice that would be eliminated if this bill were adopted

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on a wide range of insurance-related bills. Topics included public adjusters (H. 1100/S. 785), electronic cancellation notices (H. 1123/S. 701), insurance rebates and loss-mitigation devices (H. 1233), flood hazard determinations (H. 1087 and related flood bills), organ donor insurance protections (H. 1248/S. 727), mental health parity in disability policies (S. 780), motor vehicle service contracts (H. 1139/S. 812), modernization of business-to-business insurance transactions (H. 1105), and a bill changing the GIC withdrawal notice deadline (H. 1150). Committee chairs set a three-minute testimony limit and heard from legislators, industry representatives, advocates, and affected consumers. Testimony on public adjusters was sharply divided. Insurance agents and property-casualty industry representatives argued that bills barring insurers from prohibiting public adjusters would interfere with policy terms, while public adjusters and several consumers described cases where adjusters helped secure substantially higher settlements and said some surplus lines policies already contain anti-public-adjuster endorsements. On electronic notices, the insurance industry supported consumer opt-in email communications, while agents warned that email-only cancellation notices could cause consumers to miss cancellations. On rebates/loss mitigation, insurers supported allowing risk-mitigation devices outside the policy to encourage innovation, while agents opposed the bill as an improper inducement. Flood-related bills drew opposition from insurers who said flood determinations are complex and federally governed. The committee also heard strong support for organ donor protections from a kidney transplant recipient and the American Kidney Fund, who said the bill would prevent insurance discrimination against living donors and could encourage more donations. On disability parity, a disability insurance specialist opposed S. 780, arguing that mental health limitations are a consumer choice that helps keep coverage affordable, while the bill’s sponsor said it would prevent unequal limits on behavioral health claims. The committee also heard support for H. 1139/S. 812 from the service contract industry, and support for H. 1105 from APCIA as a modernization measure for specialty commercial lines. No votes were taken; after testimony concluded, the chairs closed the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dear Lord, we thank you for this day and for the opportunity to serve the people of Alabama.
• For the opportunity to serve the people of Alabama.
• Bryant will be representing the Alabama Firefighters Personnel Standards and Education Commission.
• I have been volunteering in the fire service in Alabama for a little over 20 years.
• Dylan Turk, who will be representing the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think it would be a very simple fix to update the language, but the language in the Children's Code
• from understanding if this is one of those holes in the system for us to hold folks accountable, minors
• These are minors. It's wild to me that this can be on Snap.
• from being able to review the findings in a lot of these evaluations, especially because they're minors
• They know that in the children's court and under the children's code, they are not likely to. receive

Transcript Highlights:

• Move that the committee adopt the LFC recommendation.
• Is there any opposition to adopting that motion? Not seeing any, we've adopted that.
• Seeing none, that's adopted. Thank you.
• District, Agency Code 239, page in Volume 2 is page 31.
• A minor mistake we made on our little handout.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an age-old problem in Alabama. Transportation may be the biggest problem.
• . ...differences across the state of Alabama.
• It would mirror the Alabama Department of Labor's workforce regions, which I think would probably be
• Do we have any kind of state models outside of Alabama? Commissioner, you said we've tried, right?
• It has been mentioned here today that the Alabama 211 system is very good.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those 3 companies were very early adopters back 13 years or so ago on CNG and are running most of their
• We have also Gulfstream natural gas that comes from Mississippi and Alabama underneath the Gulf of Mexico
• recently Bill Transmission pipeline, interstate transmission 0.1, Florida, and it comes all the way from Alabama
• lettering, different storage points along the Gulf Coast, ultimately from Texas all the way through Alabama
• So everything has to come from the Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi and Alabama areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Should you disrupt this congressional hearing, you will be removed pursuant to DC Code 221307.
• Under the code, we can ban you from attending future hearings for one year.
• But NYU has explicitly changed their code of conduct and it says if you are going to use coded language
• It's not a speech code.
• It's not a speech code at all.

Transcript Highlights:

• their land, their water, their families, the safety of this relatively new project to the state of Alabama
• land, their water, their families, and the safety of this relatively new project to the state of Alabama
• State of Alabama will only amendment.
• State of Alabama will only come<00:06:23.120> to<00:06:23.280> the<00:06:23.520> county
• And there's not been one of these projects in Alabama yet. capture line in Mississippi.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 4565.” 50, United States Code 4565.
• 4565. 50, United States Code 4565.
• So a yes is to adopt the amendment and a no is to not adopt the amendment. Thank you. Okay.
• I think that the amendments adopted were good. All right.
• Seeing none, the amendments are adopted, so now we're all official. We do have a question.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 399 by Senator Bass, which would create the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to review and potentially block certain gifts, contracts, academic partnerships, and research partnerships involving foreign adversary sources. Bass said the bill is intended to protect university research, intellectual property, and students from foreign influence, and would also require public disclosure of certain foreign-linked arrangements and a plan to eliminate foreign-adversary-linked software. Supporters from State Armor argued Louisiana universities have been vulnerable to Chinese Communist Party influence and intellectual property theft. Representatives from Tulane University and Lenovo raised concerns that the bill could create duplicative review, delay research, raise costs, and sweep in legitimate private or multinational entities; a proposed amendment to exempt entities operating under a CFIUS national security agreement failed 4-8. After debate, the committee moved SB 399 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 310 by Senator Cloud, presented by Representative Carlson, which would require public school and college health centers to display information about pregnancy resources available in Louisiana. Supporters from Louisiana Right to Life said the bill would help connect pregnant students with existing state and private assistance programs, while the ACLU submitted a red card in opposition without speaking. The bill was moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced House Resolution 171 by Representative Turner, which calls for a study of the workforce-oriented TOPS Tech and M.J. Foster programs, with business and workforce groups supporting the study as a way to measure outcomes and return on investment; it was moved favorably. Next, the committee took up House Bill 1084 by Representative Turner, a tuition autonomy bill for public post-secondary institutions. An amendment was adopted to add a conceptual framework for tuition-setting considerations, but the bill would still remove the existing 10% over two years cap and allow institutions to set tuition more freely. Turner argued universities need more flexibility because state funding has declined and campuses face deferred maintenance and operating pressures. Several members, especially Representative Carlson, warned that higher tuition could reduce access and that the bill did not address broader structural problems in higher education. Despite those concerns, HB 1084 was moved favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews, which would let families apply for child care assistance through CCAP once pregnancy is known, rather than waiting until after birth, to help move them up the waiting list. An amendment was adopted to have BESE, rather than the department, handle rulemaking and to allow the House and Senate education committees to approve the implementation process. The bill was then discussed as a way to help parents return to work sooner, and the hearing continued with questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any opposition to adopting H.A.F.C.
• Seeing none, we've adopted that.
• Everything else is existing language in the public school code.
• Okay, any opposition to adopting this? Okay, we've adopted the HASC substitute.
• We have Arkansas, Alabama, Oregon.

Bills: HB253, HB153, HB255, HB287, HB371, SB151, HB8, SB177

Keywords: distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete