Transcript Highlights:

• for allowing me to lay out house bill to a one before you today house bill to a one updates the definitions
• The standard definition...
• That was the historical definition of the term, but it's now more widely. applied and exactly where you
• 35 36 trying to get pregnant most you know would you consider that a high-risk pregnancy by our definition
• Definitely male factor is a significant part of it. OK. All right. Thank you. That was my question.

Bills: HB201, HB272, HB618, HB 1094, HB 1142, HB201, HB272

Keywords: financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, credit card fraud, debit card fraud, prosecution, illegal possession, state law, HB 618, Texas insurance code, IVF, in vitro fertilization, fertility treatment, infertility coverage, government employee health benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• And state agencies in the definition of authority, clarifying the definition of right-of-way.
• Procedures, providing a definition for harm to self and harm to others in the Mental Health and Developmental
• Representative Dixon, and Representative Hernandez, an act relating to economic development, revising definitions
• Definitions in the Medical Practice Act, making an appropriation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And here 18 years later, across the rotunda and the other chamber, where the carpet is definitely greener
• And here 18 years later, across the rotunda and the other chamber, where the carpet is definitely greener
• And that's the definition that applies to...
• Senator Parker, it's friendly, and that's the definition that applies to Senator Brandon Creighton.
• Senator Creighton reminds me of what Texas is all about, the definition: friendly.

Summary: The Texas Senate convened for the opening of the 89th Legislature with an invocation, roll call, and certification of the newly elected senators by the Secretary of State. Senators-elect were then administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, formally seating the new members. Governor Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott addressed the chamber, congratulating members and emphasizing priorities such as border security, education, energy, foster care, and school choice, while Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick highlighted the Senate’s bipartisan culture and the work ahead. The chamber then held its organizational business, including the election of Senator Brandon Creighton as President Pro Tempore. Senator Parker nominated Creighton and Senator Bettencourt seconded the nomination, both praising his background, legislative record, and leadership. The Senate voted by standing vote to elect Creighton, who was then escorted to the dais and sworn in. In his remarks, Creighton reflected on his family, his time as a Senate messenger, and his priorities for the session, including Texas sovereignty, economic opportunity, education, and conservative policy goals. The only formal legislative action taken was adoption of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7, granting permission for the Legislature to adjourn for more than three days during the specified period. The resolution passed by a roll call vote of 31 ayes and no nays. The Senate then adopted a motion to recess until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, after a caucus meeting earlier that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, there's no data on that, but I can assure you that there are people who definitely transfer ESA
• activity as a class one misdemeanor or class six felony depending on the circumstances and outlines definitions
• It has a whole bunch of definitions, which I won't go through right now unless you want to.
• It adds a whole bunch of new definitions.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> This amendment just clarifies the definition of a covered platform.
• law already treats digital goods consistently with physical goods by including them within the definition
• The ayes definitely have that one. And Mr. Majority Leader. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• The ayes definitely have that one. And Mr. Majority Leader. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment number six removes certain definitions of arbitrary assessments.
• I'm definitely okay with that. Okay, we'll think about it.
• If you have some suggestions, I am definitely open to those. ...or comments that you have about the bill
• If you have some suggestions, I am definitely open to those.

Bills: HB1039, SB423, SB436

Keywords: local sales tax, local use tax, sales and use tax, tax audit, local collector, tax collector, prescriptive period, prescription waiver, interest suspension, delinquency penalties, estimated assessment, arbitrary assessment, certified mail notice, audit notice, taxpayer rights, installment agreement, Louisiana tax law, Title 47, revenue collection, tax administration

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on May 5, 2026, and first considered Senate Bill 436 by Senator Cloud, which revises how annual aviation fuel estimates are calculated for the Aviation Trust Fund. Senator Cloud explained that the fund supports airport and aviation projects and has been supplemented in recent years with general fund dollars because the estimated balance has remained stagnant. The committee adopted amendments allowing DOTD’s Office of Multimodal Commerce to use federal and other public data sources, requiring Revenue to provide annual aviation fuel sales tax collections data, and making a technical change. After a brief question about existing airport disclosure requirements, the bill was reported as amended with support cards entered into the record. The committee then took up House Bill 1039 by Representative Desotel, dealing with local sales and use tax audit procedures. The bill was presented as a fairness and transparency measure for audits, but members and the author discussed substantial amendments that would remove or modify several provisions. The committee adopted the amendments except for Amendment 4, which would have required private auditing firms contracting with taxing authorities to be domiciled in Louisiana; that language was set aside for further work after concerns it could affect audits conducted outside Louisiana. Members also discussed provisions on waiving prescription periods, suspending interest and penalties by agreement, and concerns about multiple parishes auditing the same business at once. The bill was reported as amended, with several support cards and informational cards entered. Senate Bill 423 was voluntarily deferred, and there was no other business before the committee. The meeting adjourned after a motion to adjourn was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment number six removes certain definitions of arbitrary assessments.
• I'm definitely okay with that. Okay, we'll think about it.
• If you have some suggestions, I am definitely open to those.”
• If you have some suggestions, I am definitely open to those.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on May 5, 2026, and first considered Senate Bill 436 by Senator Cloud, which revises how annual aviation fuel estimates are calculated for the Aviation Trust Fund. Senator Cloud explained that the fund supports airport and aviation projects and is used to draw down federal matching dollars, but its credited amount has remained flat for years despite changing fuel sales. The committee adopted a set of amendments allowing DOTD’s Office of Multimodal Commerce to use federal and other public data sources, requiring annual sales tax collection reports from the Department of Revenue, and making a technical change. The bill was then reported favorably as amended, with several supporters’ cards entered into the record. The committee next took up House Bill 1039 by Representative Desotel, dealing with local sales and use tax audit procedures. Desotel said the bill was intended to improve fairness, transparency, and consistency in local audits, especially where businesses face multiple simultaneous audits by different parishes. A nine-amendment set was offered; after discussion, the committee adopted all amendments except Amendment 4, which would have required private auditing firms to be domiciled in Louisiana, and authorized staff to make technical changes. Members raised concerns about whether the bill could unintentionally encourage delays in audits and about whether audits in one parish could trigger audits in others. Desotel said the goal was to add guardrails without harming parish taxing authority, and the bill was reported as amended. Several witnesses and committee members spoke in support of stronger limits on repeated parish audits, describing the burden on businesses and the need for a more uniform process. Support cards were read into the record from multiple individuals and organizations, including the Louisiana Retailers Association and NFIB. Senate Bill 423 was then voluntarily deferred, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• All we do is change a definition of institution to facility. >> yes. >> yes.
• do<00:04:34.720> is<00:04:34.960> change<00:04:35.199> a<00:04:35.440> definition
• <00:04:35.840> of<00:04:36.000> institution do is change a definition of institution
• do is change a definition of institution to<00:04:36.800> facility<00:04:37.520> and<00

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:28 - Discussion of 26RS HB 393 03:05 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 393 04:11 - Discussion of 26RS HB 385 04:44 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 385 05:44 - Discussion of 26RS HB 388 06:39 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 388 08:00 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and heard three bills. House Bill 393, sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Raymer with testimony from Mackenzie Wallace of the Alzheimer’s Association, would clean up statutes governing the Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders council, add another caregiver seat, and require the council to develop and distribute an early detection/diagnosis toolkit for health care providers. Wallace said the bill mainly resolves duplicative language and conflicting deadlines and aligns the statute with current Office of Dementia Services work. The committee took a motion and second, asked no questions, and passed the bill with favorable expression. House Bill 385, sponsored by Rep. Marianne Proctor, was described as a simple cleanup bill changing a statutory definition from “institution” to “facility.” The committee moved and seconded the bill, asked no questions, and approved it with favorable expression. House Bill 388, sponsored by Rep. Robert Duval, was presented as a cleanup bill for Casper requested by the OIG office and related to prescription drugs; Duval noted it had previously passed the House 90-4. The committee again took a motion and second, had no substantive discussion, and passed the bill with favorable expression, with one member briefly registering a vote after the roll call. At the close of the meeting, the chair noted that consensus had been reached on all three bills in advance and that a lot of work had gone into them. The committee announced its next meeting for February 5 at noon in Annex Room 149 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would expand that definition of blight to include vacant or underused properties in the cities
• This bill would expand that definition of blight to include vacant or underused properties in the cities
• Um, in case folks are wondering where that definition came from, the definition of inappropriately used

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to another committee or to the general register, that they have agreement on the language, the definitions
• 01.120> the agreement on the language and what the agreement on the language and what the definitions
• <00:08:03.039> So<00:08:03.199> I definitions are and how it's done.
• So I definitions are and how it's done.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 1239, authored by Representative Wam and presented by Legislative Auditor Judy Randall, would align reporting requirements for suspected theft, embezzlement, unlawful use of public funds, and similar misconduct by public employees and officers with existing language used for reporting to the state auditor. Randall said the bill is intended as a cleanup measure to clarify that such matters should be reported promptly to law enforcement and to the legislative auditor, and to remove language that she said had sometimes been used to delay reporting. Committee members raised concerns about the bill’s reference to “law enforcement,” saying the term is broad and could create confusion about where reports should go. They questioned whether reports should go to local police, the BCA, or another entity, and suggested that the current process may already work adequately. Randall responded that she was open to further discussion and said delays in reporting to law enforcement have been problematic. The author emphasized that the bill mirrors existing state auditor language and said any changes should remain consistent across both auditors’ reporting statutes. The chair said the committee should resolve the language and definitions before the bill moves further and preferred to address it in the policy omnibus bill. By agreement, House File 1239 was laid over for possible inclusion rather than advanced out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3476 by Trucks Clear, relating to the definition of population for the purpose of the rural sheriff's
• HB 3478 by Law, relating to the definitions of child abuse and neglect and the temporary emergency jurisdiction
• procedures, referred to the Subcommittee on Family and Fiduciary Relationships. trucks clear relating to definition
• contempt of court refer the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, HB 3478 by law relating to the definitions

Summary: The House met briefly to read a large number of first-reading bills, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions and refer them to the appropriate committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public health, education, criminal justice, taxation, transportation, water and natural resources, elections, housing, veterans issues, local government, and constitutional amendments. Several bills focused on school policy, health care regulation, property tax and sales tax changes, criminal penalties, and local or state agency authority. Among the notable items were proposals on name and sex changes on birth records, college admissions inquiries into criminal history, foster care contractor liability, school nutrition and assessment policy, election procedures, homestead and franchise tax exemptions, public retirement system reporting, and numerous transportation and infrastructure measures. The House also received resolutions designating local honors and observances, including Brownsville as the bicycling capital of the Rio Grande Valley, Port Aransas as the fishing capital of Texas, and Selena Quintanilla Perez Day. Some measures proposed constitutional amendments on legislative procedure, homestead taxation, and election-law enforcement authority. No debate or testimony occurred in this segment; the action was limited to first reading and referral. The session also referred several resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars. At the end of the proceedings, the House adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• T's not a Republican, but he's definitely the most cited by Republicans of the minister of justices I
• 05:25.039> he's nature T's not a republican but he's nature T's not a republican but he's definitely
• c> most<00:05:26.240> cited<00:05:26.720> by<00:05:26.919> Republicans definitely
• the most cited by Republicans definitely the most cited by Republicans of<00:05:27.560> the<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Pages 9 through 13 kind of repeals the AMTSEP language, but on pages 3 through 5, the definition of acute
• And then the new definitions on pages 3 through 5 are the new definitions of acute teacher shortages
• So, this is a fluid type definition. It changes as the needs require. Yeah.

Bills: HB226, HB24, HB309, HB315, HB272, HB24, HB226, HB309, HB315, HB272

Keywords: HB226, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax, property tax relief, widow, widower, unremarried spouse, surviving spouse, senior exemption, elderly, disabled, permanently and totally disabled, blind taxpayer, deed ownership, principal residence, school tax, county tax, municipal tax, Alabama Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• product or manufactured hemp product should be subject only to federal restrictions, and amends the definition
• restrictions and subject only to Federal restrictions and amends<00:03:29.840> the<00:03:29.959> definition
• of<00:03:30.599> hemp<00:03:30.879> biomass<00:03:31.400> to amends the definition
• of hemp biomass to amends the definition of hemp biomass to include<00:03:31.920> stocks<00:03

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee met on February 12 in Room 224 and via videoconference to consider several measures. First, it heard Senate Bill 547 on water conservation, which would create an income tax credit for gray water recycling systems and atmospheric water generators, along with a rebate program and building code standards. The chair recommended passing the bill with amendments from DOA and the Department of Health and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050; the recommendation was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1633, a Green Building tax credit measure tied to the use of Hawaii-grown hemp in primary structures, and also addressing hemp and cannabinoid product regulation, including age limits, packaging requirements, THC limits, and a separate hemp program within the Department of Health. The chair recommended passing the bill with DOA amendments and a further amendment allowing hemp processors to sell certain edible or beverage cannabinoid products with limited THC content, plus a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050. The motion passed with five votes in favor. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 391 on recycling, which would expand the Electronic Device Recycling and Recovery Act to cover certain lithium-ion batteries and require manufacturers to ensure their safe collection and recycling. The chair instead recommended amending the bill into a working group under the Hawaii State Energy Office to study battery end-of-life management, costs, safety, environmental impacts, in-state versus out-of-state recycling options, and related feasibility questions, with a report due before the 2026 regular session and dissolution on June 30, 2026. That amended approach was adopted unanimously, and the hearing concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• it definitely it definitely I<01:57:42.480> mean<01:57:42.639> look,<01:57:42.880>
• This is definitely not a zero-cost program.
• And so we are we definitely entirely.
• So, I guess that's the purpose of them because you definitely have the correlation if not causation.
• you definitely have the correlation<04:49:42.560> if<04:49:42.798> not<04:49:43.040>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• definition of livestock. Okay. definition of livestock. Okay.
• <02:08:56.000> for creates a specific definition for creates a specific definition for residential
• He said he is definitely seeing the advantage and the need for having a definition here for what a livestock
• Again, no definition of what exemption.
• Um, definition of a farmer seems logical. What about definition of a guard dog?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee held an open work session on HB 1766-FN, a bill addressing cruelty to livestock, and focused on proposed language changes from the Department of Agriculture. Assistant State Veterinarian Nathan Harvey, speaking for the commissioner, explained concerns about the term “imminent danger,” arguing that the bill should allow seizure based on probable cause when an animal is starving or has a life-threatening condition, rather than tying action too closely to whether the owner is arrested. The department also proposed language on “extreme suffering” that would require euthanasia if the cost of treatment would exceed the allowable reimbursement amount under AGR rules, though members immediately raised concerns about using a dollar limit to require euthanasia. The department further suggested clarifying who may participate in investigations by allowing the state veterinarian or a designate, and noted that the current draft could be read too narrowly. Members discussed the $5,000 emergency care cap in the rules, with Josh Marshall confirming it is an aggregate emergency veterinary care limit. Several legislators said they were uncomfortable changing the bill from “may” to “shall” euthanize, arguing that treatment costs vary widely by species and condition and that a fixed monetary threshold could be too rigid. Representative Bixby also raised a separate concern that the bill’s language may be broader than intended and could apply to all animals rather than livestock only. The department agreed the bill should be limited to livestock and suggested using existing statutory definitions or adding a new section to make that clear. The discussion also turned to humane societies and other organizations that might investigate complaints or board seized animals. A representative from a humane organization said the groups with expertise in care often also have expertise useful to investigations, and that removing them entirely could be impractical because only a few facilities in the state can provide boarding. Members and witnesses explored alternative language that would allow for-profit and nonprofit organizations to participate in either the investigation or the care of livestock, but not both, to avoid conflicts of interest while preserving needed expertise. No votes were taken; the work session ended with agreement to consult the Office of Legislative Services and the department to refine the bill before the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Yeah,<01:03:02.400> definitely.<01:03:03.119> Definitely.
• <01:03:03.599> But >> Yeah, definitely. Definitely. But >> Yeah, definitely.
• Definitely.
• Right now, we are definitely on track.
• on seats. right now we are definitely on track.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will definitely have more questions for you later on. >> Oh, I'm sorry.
• definitely two different things. definitely two different things.
• ><01:44:48.719> for<01:44:48.960> residency definition of a test for residency definition
• <01:45:04.719> that appeal process and the definition that appeal process and the definition
• to build more supply which is definitely to build more supply which is definitely something<01:50

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that we're talking about the definition that we're talking about the definition is<05:03:40.160>
• <05:35:19.240> of this bill amends the HUD definition of this bill amends the HUD definition
• veteran of benefits from this definition veteran of benefits from this definition it's<05:35:42.958
• code excludes them from that definition code excludes them from that definition of<05:36:05.240>
• <07:47:15.478> of that is a definition of that is a definition of freedom<07:47:17.200>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 10, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And on the first page, you will see the definition of, quote unquote, gifted students in Roman S.
• I know of uh so um in that definition I know of uh so um in that definition you<03:26:21.000> can<
• <03:34:58.239> and<03:34:58.560> what could um about uh definitions and what could
• They said they looked at the twice-exceptional category and saw one definition that says a disability
• <03:36:59.520> answer I would hate to put a definitive answer I would hate to put a definitive

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 193, which limits the maximum credits per course eligible for the Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Program. Representative Ladd said the bill clarifies that eligible courses may not exceed four credits and was requested by the community college system. Representative Earth offered an amendment to make the bill effective on passage, which the committee adopted 18-0. The committee then approved HB 193 as amended by an 18-0 OTPA vote and placed it on the consent calendar. The committee next retained HB 295, concerning School Building Aid program funds, after Representative Spillsbury said the building aid bills were complex and needed more work. The motion to retain passed 18-0, with the chair explaining that retained bills can be revisited later and that related language could be moved among building aid bills. HB 354 was not acted on because the chair said the Department of Education and others had suggested possible changes that should be worked out first. HB 366, another school building aid bill, was also retained 18-0 for the same reasons as HB 295. The committee then considered HB 494, which funds the math learning communities program. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program, reducing the proposed increase by a net $50,000 and keeping funding at current levels for the biennium. After discussion about budget pressures and the program’s role in supporting math instruction and professional development, the amendment passed 18-0, and the bill as amended was approved 18-0 and placed on consent. Finally, the committee took up HB 515, which would repeal charter public school eligibility for state school building aid. Representative Popovici-Muller moved inexpedient to legislate, arguing charter schools should not be treated differently from other public schools, while Representatives Luno and Damon opposed the motion, saying charter schools differ in governance and financial risk and should not receive limited state building aid. The motion failed 10-8, so HB 515 was sent to the regular calendar. The committee assigned Representative Damon to the minority report and Representative Popovici-Muller to the majority report, with a noon deadline the next day. The committee then began HB 716, an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program. Representative Ladd described the program as a successful affordability measure that saves families money and supports college access. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program at current levels, reducing the proposed increase by $500,000 in each year of the biennium. Shannon Reed of the Community College System said the change could limit enrollment or the number of funded courses, though students could still take additional courses at their own expense. Representative Ladd explained the program’s tuition structure and said the funding would help meet demand; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 716.