Transcript Highlights:

• If private schools don't have to do that as it stands right now, I think it again kind of affirms one
• So I do understand the difficulty in finding the website.
• I told them at that time that I would continue to work to try to find some sort of solution that might
• Many of you are familiar with the Auditor General’s audit findings on that in January of this year.
• Many of you are familiar with the Honor General's audit findings on that in January of this year.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee began with brief announcements and thanks to staff and members as this was described as the last regular House Education Committee meeting of the 57th Legislature. Chad Heinrich of the University of Phoenix invited members to an upcoming lunch-and-learn on artificial intelligence and education. The chair and ranking member both offered closing remarks recognizing staff, pages, and public testimony over the session. The committee then heard SB 1497, which requires school districts with at least 300 employees and a self-insurance program to seek quotes for health coverage and related services at least every four years, with some exceptions for certain self-insurance arrangements. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to increase competition, transparency, and better benefits for school employees. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed 10-0 with a due pass recommendation. Members next considered SB 1711, which directs the State Board of Education to compile age-appropriate resources on preventing and recognizing inappropriate contact, including sexual conduct, and requires schools to make those resources available to students and parents. Supporters said it would provide vetted, voluntary resources without mandating curriculum; opponents argued it was too limited and should include more robust, trauma-informed, age-appropriate sex education and accessibility requirements. The bill passed 7-3. SB 1798, creating a FAFSA awareness program and school designation for schools that promote FAFSA completion, also passed after testimony from a college student and the Arizona Board of Regents in support; the vote was 8-2. The committee also heard SB 1143, which requires schools to submit federal civil rights data collection information to ADE and directs ADE to publish an annual school safety report. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure for parents and policymakers, while opponents said it was duplicative, could be misused, and should apply to private schools as well. It passed 7-3. Finally, SB 1684, as amended, creates a private right of action against public schools for serious physical injury caused by bullying after a prior report and a negligent failure to respond; an amendment narrowed the bill to on-campus or school-sponsored events and removed verbal reports from the definition of prior report. Trial lawyers and the ACLU opposed it, warning about litigation and zero-tolerance discipline, while supporters said it would hold schools accountable for serious bullying. The amended bill passed 6-3.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also allows us, if we find it advisable, we'll see how...
• Deputy Secretary of Voloshin is finding that right now.
• We played hide-and-seek trying to find a hearing, trying to find where the hearing was, when the hearing
• Can I just find support, Chair? Yes, please go ahead.
• The chapter that governs entities like Affirm caps any interest rate at 40%.

Bills: AB49, AB169, AB188, AB284, AB296, AB306, AB356, AB366, AB467, AB499, AB515, AB540, AB542, AB595

Keywords: educational personnel, teacher licensing, reciprocal licensure, provisional teaching, school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, state education standards, health insurance, speech-language pathology, stuttering, rehabilitative services, habilitative services, coverage requirements, health plans, retired public employees, subsidy, Medicare, health reimbursement arrangement, Public Employees' Benefits Program

Transcript Highlights:

• You want to try to find all the fees you possibly can to try to make up for things that we just don't
• You want to try to find all the fees you possibly can to try to, you know, make up for things that we
• Not until we find a way to make multifamily development more effective, not taking eight, 10 years for
• I'm proud to present AB 906, legislation designed to strengthen and clarify California's affirmatively
• Smaller counties often find it challenging to attract residents to serve on committees and commissions

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of housing, water, and local finance bills, with the chair repeatedly reminding attendees about hearing rules and noting that several measures were being heard without a quorum at first. Early items included AB 407, which would broaden eligibility for state-run loan and financing programs to help small businesses fund environmental, seismic, and ADA upgrades, and AB 93, which would require data centers to estimate and report water use and follow state best practices. AB 93 drew support from water advocates and local government groups, while the Data Center Coalition opposed it, arguing the bill could be overly restrictive, difficult to retrofit, and raise trade secret or security concerns. The committee also heard AB 650 on housing element review, AB 1044 on creating a new Tulare County groundwater sustainability agency, and AB 523 on allowing proxy voting for single-representative member agencies on the Metropolitan Water District board; all drew broad support from local agencies and related stakeholders and no recorded opposition in the room. Several housing bills were presented as part of a broader fast-track housing package. AB 507 would streamline adaptive reuse of office buildings into housing, especially in downtowns with high vacancy; supporters said it would revive urban cores and help meet housing and climate goals, while the League of California Cities and a few cities opposed it unless amended, citing concerns about one-size-fits-all by-right approval and fee limitations. AB 1294 would create a universal housing application and limit early application requirements; it drew strong support from housing and business groups, with the American Planning Association and League of California Cities seeking more flexibility and input. AB 610 would require local governments to disclose housing constraints in their housing elements and limit new constraints after certification for three years unless disclosed; supporters said it would improve transparency and certainty, while opponents warned it could chill legitimate local policy choices and inclusionary housing requirements. Both AB 610 and AB 698, which would require analysis of the housing and property tax impacts of proposed transfer taxes, were moved out of committee on 7-0 votes after discussion and amendments. The committee also heard AB 1112, which would repeal an outdated Riverside County property tax provision affecting Rancho Mirage; the city argued it was the only qualifying no-low property tax city not receiving the standard minimum and sought equal treatment. After quorum was established, the bill was passed 6-0 with amendments and sent to Appropriations. AB 1021, heard later, would make it easier for school districts and other local education agencies to build employee housing, with the author citing teacher recruitment and retention problems and support from education stakeholders. Throughout the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance housing production, local fiscal tools, and infrastructure needs, and several authors accepted committee amendments and committed to continued negotiations with opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• itself into other areas here it finds itself into other areas through<00:26:19.880> um<00:26:
• And our concern is that we might then find ourselves back in a situation where we were in 2016, where
• So if you can find that and let our office know, we'd be happy to. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• <00:47:05.319> that would as well so if you can find that would as well so if you can find
• I have 18 people who want to ask you questions; they all know where to find you, Mr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They're trying to find child care.
• They're trying to find child care.
• They're trying to find child care.
• They're trying to find child care.
• They're trying to find child care.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I find it astonishing that we continue to try to do things such as this through a trailer bill process
• Additionally, AB 2098 affirms that employers will not be required to grant leave if business necessity
• But we looked into it a little bit more closely, and it finds a weird kind of gap in the law where it's
• The one exception where an employer can ask the employee to potentially reschedule or find a different
• The one exception where an employer can ask the employee to potentially reschedule or find a different

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met without a quorum at first, then later established one and heard several bills. The main discussion centered on AB 1795, which would create statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating wildfire smoke damage in homes. The author and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara argued the bill would provide science-based, health-driven rules and clearer claims handling for wildfire survivors. Consumer groups and insurers generally supported the goal but sought further amendments, warning about cost, scope, and possible conflicts with existing standards; fire survivors urged stronger protections and broader coverage. The committee ultimately voted to pass AB 1795 as amended to Appropriations, with members later adding their votes on call. The committee also heard AB 1576 on the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund, which the author said would reduce litigation and employer assessments while preserving protections for previously disabled workers. Supporters said the bill was a needed reform, while business, public entity, and insurance opponents argued it did not address the fund’s structural problems and that a trailer bill would be a better fix. AB 1576 was passed to Appropriations on a split vote, also held open for later additions. AB 1931, creating a limited lines license for utilities to offer home protection products, drew broad support and no opposition in the room; it passed to Appropriations. AB 2361, dealing with peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing platform liability, passed as amended to Appropriations after supporters said it would align liability with fault and opponents warned it could reduce accountability for serious injuries. The committee also heard AB 2098, which would require employers to allow leave for workers’ compensation medical appointments during work hours, subject to notice and business-necessity limits. Labor supporters said workers should not have to choose between treatment and their jobs, while employer and insurance groups sought narrower standards and objected to some language. AB 2098 passed to Appropriations. The consent calendar, including AB 2054, AB 2061, AB 2292, and AB 2724, was also approved and sent to Appropriations. Members repeatedly added votes after the roll was held open, and the committee adjourned after all items were processed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will not be able to take your testimony until you have filled out the electronic witness affirmation
• It was hard to find my special blood, but my mom found it.
• So again, we go and find blood when it's needed for all Texans. Thank you. Thank you. This is B.J.
• what I mean by rare is like one in 1,000, where you can screen 1,000 donors, and you're only going to find
• And we found that physicians were essentially being sort of... patients were doctor shopping. ...to find

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that if I hear you say the words, 'kill yourself,' then I'll find the courage to actually go
• standpoint, and also from the standpoint of whether or not a defendant would be able to raise applicable affirmative
• Studies back this up, with one study finding nearly one in five being unable to find the delete option
• One, I find that maybe a little bit overkill, and I'll use the word 'annoying.'
• just a very much more clear opportunity for people to go and they don't have to dig deep to try and find

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard several bills on AI, social media, rental cars, and account deletion. AB 316 by Assemblymember Krell would bar defendants from avoiding liability by claiming an AI system autonomously caused harm. Supporters argued it would preserve accountability as AI grows more powerful, especially in cases involving children, while opponents said existing tort law already covers these issues and warned the bill could create uncertainty and overbroad liability. The bill passed the committee 8-1. AB 656 by Assemblymember Schiavo, sponsored by Consumer Federation of California, would make it easier for users to delete social media accounts and personal information, with amendments shifting the deletion prompt into settings rather than on every screen. Supporters said platforms use dark patterns and make deletion unnecessarily difficult; opponents raised concerns about unintended deletions and possible conflicts with existing privacy law, though the author said the bill was being aligned with CCPA. The bill passed 9-0. The committee also approved the consent calendar. AB 1197 by Assemblymember Calderon would address rental car theft and misuse by allowing limited geofencing in specific situations and revising rules around renter liability when keys are returned and a police report is filed. Rental car companies and other supporters said the bill would help recover stolen or abandoned vehicles, while an opponent warned about privacy and possible consumer harms in edge cases. The bill passed 11-0. AB 1374 by Assemblymember Berman would require more upfront disclosure of the total price of rental cars, including mandatory fees, to curb hidden charges; supporters said consumers still face surprise costs, while opponents argued current law already requires disclosure and that the bill’s new wording could invite litigation. It passed 13-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• The simulations in the paper, which are based on very standard econometric findings on the impacts of
• these incentives on investment, find that enacting the R&D tax credit for new investment in research
• Jason Hood, Andrea Sparks, and Joshua Siddeo, and you can have seats on either side or if you can find
• a place. ...and Joshua Siddeo, and you can have seats on either side or if you can find a place.
• I did find the place. It's New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard several tax and economic development bills. SB 935 would exempt counties from the motor fuels tax on fuel used exclusively in county vehicles; Sen. Hall and Cass County Judge Travis Ransom argued it would save counties money without changing fund allocations, and the bill was left pending while the committee waited for the House version. SB 2206 would extend and revise Texas’s research and development incentives by tying the franchise tax credit more closely to federal law and changing the program’s effective date; supporters from business, manufacturing, and tax policy groups said it would protect innovation jobs and help startups, while the Comptroller’s office explained the fiscal note and said the committee substitute was no longer needed. The committee later withdrew the substitute and left the bill pending before ultimately voting it out favorably. The committee also heard SB 2020, which would repeal the “rehab tax” on nonresidential remodeling. Sen. Campbell said a large fiscal note led him to delay a full presentation, but builders, architects, and contractors testified that the tax raises remodeling costs, complicates audits, and discourages reuse and reinvestment in existing buildings. The bill was left pending. SB 2018 would create a two-year “strong families” tax credit for businesses donating to nonprofits that provide family support services; supporters from Family First, Buckner International, and Texas Baptist said it would strengthen families, father engagement, and upstream prevention, while the author said the Comptroller and HHSC were still working on administration details. That bill was also left pending. After a quorum was established, the committee heard and later reported several bills favorably. SB 1030 would exempt certain aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul parts from sales tax for general aviation; industry, airport, and local economic development witnesses said it would keep high-wage aviation work in Texas and improve competitiveness with neighboring states, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 214 would create a temporary sales tax holiday for qualifying residential HVAC systems; it was laid out and left pending. SB 1901 would make administrative and ethics changes to the Opioid Abatement Fund Council, including staggered terms, conflict rules, and fund reallocation procedures; it was reported favorably. SB 266 would repeal the Texas Research Incentive Program and use the appropriation to address the existing backlog of unmatched donations; the chair and Sen. Paxton said the state should honor past commitments, and the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• As has been mentioned, I am really dedicated and committed to working with law enforcement to find a
• department has an affirmative department has an affirmative requirement<00:53:19.960> of<
• our community and save cities and counties time and resources that were previously spent trying to find
• c><01:35:47.440> spent<01:35:48.080> trying<01:35:48.320> to<01:35:48.440> find
• were previously spent trying to find were previously spent trying to find solutions<01:35:49.239

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I got concerned because I could not find these two horses.
• The vote is seven affirmative, two noes. You have a do pass from this committee.
• My county has been trying for several years to find a way to compost our food waste.
• I hope the study will help find a solution.
• But we could find out, unless Mr. Hershner's. Yeah.

Bills: SB38, SB46, SB18

Keywords: SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, SB46, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, compost feedstock, waste characterization study

Transcript Highlights:

• We find that unacceptable. Thank you very much.
• We find that unacceptable.
• We find that unacceptable. Thank you very much.
• We find that unacceptable. Thank you very much.
• We find that unacceptable. Thank you very much. Mr. Bernstein and Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Builders may find out about an on-site or off-site improvement late in the process, adding unforeseen
• to come back to the Capitol and hang out with me and try to bring the most popular person I could find
• And we need to find that common ground that we have vulnerable community members.
• How do we not take this issue and find a different solution for it depending on who is in office and
• And our findings, rooted in the lived experiences of homeowners, show exactly why this bill is needed

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, it affirms a basic principle of dignity and common sense in the workplace.
• /c><00:02:28.879> same<00:02:29.120> time,<00:02:29.760> it<00:02:30.000> affirms
• At the same time, it affirms a seating.
• At the same time, it affirms a basic<00:02:31.040> principle<00:02:31.360> of<00:02:31.520
• this competitive, would not find this available, meaning that we would actually detriment all of our

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You might find it peculiar for a solar advocacy organization to be commenting on this bill, as it is
• We find ourselves at a historical crossroads.
• a<01:58:44.920> historical We find ourselves at a historical We find ourselves at a historical
• We have an oral amendment, Senator Xiong, that I think you'll all find friendly.
• Xiong, that I think you'll all find Xiong, that I think you'll all find friendly.<02:02:00.680><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's a button I'm going to find, or you've already done that for me, haven't you?
• <00:51:09.079> or go and there's a button I'm G to find or go and there's a button I'm G to
• find or you've<00:51:09.440> already<00:51:09.599> done<00:51:09.839> that<00:51
• Do you find it confusing if two different statutes use the term electioneering and have different...
• attorney attorney Tom Clawson affirmed attorney attorney Tom Clawson affirmed that<01:24:01.440>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Election Law Committee held an orientation and then opened a public hearing on House Bill 67-FN-A, which would make permanent the use of accessible voting machines in local elections and provide funding for additional systems. The chair outlined committee procedures, noting a heavy workload of roughly 70 to 80 bills, mostly Tuesday meetings, likely time limits on testimony, and a default of executive session unless a bill is specifically noticed. Members and staff were introduced, and the Secretary of State’s office described its election-related responsibilities, including voter registration, cybersecurity, ballot-counting equipment, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) program. Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary Aon Hennessy explained the current pilot program created by last year’s law, which requires accessible voting systems for local elections and allows the state to share machines with municipalities during the first half of 2025. They said the office has made hardware available, but towns have raised concerns about the speed of implementation and the cost of programming each election, especially for towns with multiple ballot questions. Scanlan said the state is also vetting longer-term options, including devices that could remain in polling places year-round, and suggested the committee consider delaying the bill’s effective date to January 1, 2026 to better align with implementation needs. Hennessy said the current state devices are older and complicated to reset for each election, and estimated programming costs could be about $600 for a small single-election ballot and much higher for towns with multiple elections. Supporters of the bill emphasized the importance of accessible voting for people with disabilities. Representative Robert Wy said the measure builds on 2024 law and would move the pilot into a permanent agreement, citing ADA concerns and prior testimony about discriminatory voting experiences. Fred Forier, a legally blind voter from Exeter, testified that accessible voting systems allow him to vote privately and independently and urged support for the bill. Committee members asked about the gap if the pilot ends before a permanent system is in place and about the cost range for programming. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee moved on after public testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Garcia: Thank you, President and Senators, we are here today to affirm that Florida's atmosphere
• These reports must be submitted to the Department of Transportation which will forward the findings to
• These findings are based on research and reports you can find.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is the bill by Representative Patterson that removes certain affirmative defenses.
• So the word, I think, that I heard you say that I think this bill is trying to do is find that balance
• The committee substitute to House Bill 246... reflects the findings from that review and my office's
• Where losses are too significant to ignore but not covered by insurance, a rancher might find their fences

Bills: HB246, HB796, HB 1056, HB1544, HB1846, HB2001, HB2618, HB2625, HB2869, HB2898, HB3069, HB3114, HB3157, HB3228, HJR98, HB246

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information

Transcript Highlights:

• But until there's a plan on the table for this, it's something we could do at Greenville if we could find
• A GLP1 doctor can, in the state of Mississippi, the medical board is already finding and speaking with
• So the proposed legislation affirms the ombudsman's authority to oversee representatives of the office
• So the proposed legislation affirms<01:28:08.560> the<01:28:08.880> unbudsman's<01:28:09.760
• > authority<01:28:10.159> to affirms the unbudsman's authority to affirms the unbudsman's

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up several bills described as vehicles to keep options open for pending rural health issues, especially the rural health transformation fund and the Greenwood Hospital situation. The chair explained that Greenwood Hospital is struggling financially and operationally, including a Medicaid overpayment dispute in which Medicaid planned to recoup $2 million from a December payment, threatening payroll and continued operation. The committee discussed a proposed committee substitute that would delay recoupment until May 1 and preserve legislative flexibility to help Greenwood if a workable plan emerges. The committee adopted motions for title sufficiency and due pass on the block of bills, including the committee substitute and reverse repealer provisions. The committee then turned to two certificate-of-need bills. One bill, 2474, was presented as a rural hospitals measure that would let certain rural hospitals obtain certificates of need for services such as outpatient dialysis units, ambulatory surgical facilities, and geriatric psychiatric units, with definitions aimed largely at Delta and other rural counties. The chair also included a provision making the state health officer’s licensing decision final and not subject to judicial review, with only a short reconsideration process available. Senator Hill objected, arguing the bill concentrated too much power in the health department, eliminated meaningful court review, and unfairly picked winners and losers instead of letting the market work. The chair responded that the goal was to reduce costly, repetitive litigation and preserve access to care in areas where hospitals struggle financially. The committee then considered Senator Blackwell’s broader CO bill, which would address appeals and litigation more generally by shifting costs to the losing party in CO disputes. A reverse repealer was adopted first, and the chair explained that the bill was intended to reduce endless and expensive appeals while still allowing a limited opportunity for reconsideration. Senators Hill and others raised concerns about limiting judicial review and expanding health department power, while the chair said many states have no judicial review in this area and that the committee was exploring the issue further. The chair said he had asked several members to study the matter and contact the National Council of State Legislatures. The committee ultimately adopted the motions on the bills and amendments by voice vote, with the ayes prevailing each time.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we find is that there's always a gap that exists between the services we receive and the quality
• But **HF 3117** is, in my opinion, an exciting exception to that rule that should find support on both
• So I just want to reiterate that point: If we don't do things like this and find ways to tax industries
• They're not doing this just to allow you to, I guess, date or find people online in these profiles.
• To the general fund, we should find a way to regulate this from the use of their data.