Transcript Highlights:

• In the meantime, we'll take a brief pause while we text people angrily to get them to come to the hearing
• In the meantime, we'll take a brief pause while we text people angrily to get them to come to the hearing
• My consultant sent me some texts of some of your murals that I don't think I've seen, so I'm going to

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a lengthy agenda of Senate bills, with most measures ultimately advancing on party-line or broad bipartisan votes after substantial testimony and several amendments. Early in the hearing, SB 418 by Sen. Menjivar was presented as a health access bill to codify ACA nondiscrimination protections in state law and require coverage for up to a 12-month supply of medically approved hormone therapy; supporters framed it as protecting continuity of care amid federal threats, while there was no opposition testimony. The committee later also took up SB 456, which would exempt muralists from contractor licensing requirements for commissioned fine art murals; supporters said recent enforcement had chilled mural projects and harmed artists and communities, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 641, part of the wildfire response package, and SB 774, a sunset review bill for the Department of Real Estate and Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers, also advanced with support and no opposition. SB 775 and SB 776, sunset extensions for the behavioral sciences, psychology, and optometry boards, passed after witnesses described technical changes and the need to keep the boards operating. SB 777, dealing with abandoned cemeteries, drew testimony from local governments, industry, and counties; after amendments removed a local takeover mandate and shifted the bill toward a stakeholder working group and study process, opposition softened or was withdrawn and the bill moved forward to Local Government. SB 790, on interstate reciprocity for online higher education, generated the most debate, with supporters arguing California students and institutions need stronger consumer protections and access to the national reciprocity framework, while opponents said the bill’s terms conflicted with the existing compact; it passed as amended to Appropriations after committee members emphasized continued work on student protections. The consent calendar, including SB 389 and SB 861, was also approved, and the committee adjourned after additional vote changes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:27.760> know<00:20:28.000> that<00:20:28.880> the<00:20:29.120> text
• Um, and we know that the text centers.
• Um, and we know that the text that<00:20:29.679> Senator<00:20:30.080> Russ<00:20:30.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I can also get you that information pretty quickly by just texting R.
• So can I just ask, from your perspective, when you were bolding certain text or not bolding others, what
• ‘co-occurring’ is hyphenated in the first line, and it’s not hyphenated in the second line in blue text

Summary: The committee met for its final session before submitting a report to the governor and legislature, with introductions from state officials, legislators, advocates, providers, and facilitators. Staff explained that the meeting would focus on finalizing the committee’s strategic priorities and recommendations for a five-year behavioral health plan centered on prevention, early intervention, and community-based services. Members reviewed the draft overarching priorities, including the need for a statewide behavioral health vision and an executive-level role to coordinate behavioral health across agencies, and discussed how those priorities should reflect people with lived experience, families, and community voice. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the draft recommendations and how they should be organized and worded. Members raised concerns that the document was too aspirational and not specific enough, and several suggested moving more detailed actions under the broader priorities rather than leaving them in a separate section. There was also discussion about the use of the term “evidence-based,” with tribal representatives and others asking for language that also recognizes practice-based evidence, promising practices, cultural specificity, and flexibility in funding and implementation. Members also discussed clarifying “early intervention,” adding examples such as universal screening, outpatient access, primary care integration, and home visiting, and ensuring the plan reflects accountability and community feedback. Other edits included clarifying credentialing recommendations to distinguish between licensure and payer credentialing, adding mentorship as a workforce retention strategy, and broadening Medicaid-centric language to include carriers and insurers more generally. Staff noted the report would be revised and sent back out for review by May 22, with comments due by May 27, in order to meet the June 1 submission deadline. No public comment was offered, and the meeting ended with thanks to members and facilitators for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're still going through the text. I'll walk through each article of the bill, but I'll...
• We're still going through the text.
• I was going to ask for Norman, would you mind texting somebody to see?

Bills: HB2

Keywords: disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee met to consider HB 2, the major school finance bill, with the chair explaining that the committee substitute would provide about $8 billion in new public education funding. The bill was described as including permanent teacher compensation increases, expanded teacher incentive allotment funding, support for early literacy and numeracy, teacher certification and residency pathways, special education funding, career and technical education, school safety dollars, and facilities support for charter schools. The committee adopted the committee substitute without objection after roll was called and a quorum was present. Members questioned the bill’s structure, especially the balance between across-the-board teacher pay and the teacher incentive allotment, the treatment of uncertified teachers, and differences in requirements between traditional public schools and charter schools. Senator Menendez and Senator West raised concerns about equity, charter-school parity, facilities funding, inflation, and whether the bill should include more support for fine arts and extracurricular programs. The chair responded that the bill was designed to direct most new money to traditional public schools while also preserving flexibility and that charter-school and public-school alignment would need further work. Invited witnesses Dr. Imelda De La Rosa and Val Acri testified in support of the bill, emphasizing that the Teacher Incentive Allotment helps recruit and retain teachers in rural districts and supports mentorship and certification pathways. Public witnesses also supported the bill but urged more funding for fine arts, local flexibility, and full restoration of House-proposed funding levels. Dr. Josh Jones supported year-long teacher residencies, Dr. Philip Morgan asked for more local control and restoration of fine arts funding, Rich Saina supported the bill but warned about hold-harmless reductions, and Dr. Greg Poole supported the bill while asking for flexibility for high-performing districts that already pay high salaries. After the invited testimony and some public testimony, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair so members could attend the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Through our nationally recognized Safe Cyclist program developed in partnership with Texas DPS, Text,
• Kyle Madson OK, make an announcement, text off.
• And while major highways, which are state-owned, owned by Text, not the local municipalities, um, they

Bills: HB 535, HB 2120, HB 2822, HB 3243, HB 3457, HB 3544, HB 4089, HB 4192, HB 4669, HB 4868, HB 4955, HB 5253, HB 5669, SB 1371, SB 1919, SB 2001

Keywords: motor vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle, traffic safety, municipality, criminal offense, pedestrian safety, traffic regulations, municipal law, bicycle regulations, motor vehicle passing, traffic law, municipalities, bicycle operation, traffic laws, municipal regulations, port commission, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, San Patricio County

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that in the text of the bill? I'm not looking at that. That's, that portion is in the writer.
• But also, uh, if you read the text, I've, I've asked the commission to consider what the various federal
• a lot of the things we do here, we come up with scenarios and sort of run the scenario through the text

Transcript Highlights:

• to maybe the time frame that you heard from from whoever whatever you spoke with with the with with text
• construction on State Highway 225 and that 225 was like 20 years figures out, because you're just, let's say, text
• This really puts us in a unique position to go to text out of Federal Highway Administration and say

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe the bill restricts innovation and sends the wrong message to new businesses.
• I believe the bill restricts innovation and sends the wrong message to new businesses.
• I have shared before you copies of a letter that includes the full existing text of RSA 171-A:33.
• <02:37:41.520> of that includes the full existing text of that includes the full existing
• text of RSA<02:37:42.720> 171A33.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Beginning January 1, 2027, this measure requires all state agencies to make the full text of their rules
• > their<02:36:32.960> rules<02:36:33.359> available<02:36:33.720> on full text
• of their rules available on full text of their rules available on the<02:36:33.960> website<02
• We only received one testimony on this, and I've gotten messages that there are others that wanted to
• We only received one testimony on this, and I've gotten messages that there are others that wanted to

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on March 13, 2025, and took up several firearms and fireworks measures. On SB 227, which would create an illegal fireworks enforcement division in the Department of Law Enforcement and appropriate funds, DLE supported the bill, saying fireworks enforcement has become a full-time job requiring dedicated staff rather than a collateral-duty task force. Members discussed whether the bill and the related task force bill were both needed; DLE said yes, explaining that the new division would provide full-time state employees while the task force funding covers interagency costs such as transportation, storage, overtime, and personnel. Testimony on SB 227 was reported as 12 in support and 6 in opposition. On SB 222, which would fund the illegal fireworks task force and extend its sunset to June 30, 2030, DLE and the Honolulu Police Department supported the measure, emphasizing continued enforcement pressure and interagency coordination. An opponent from the Libertarian Party of Hawaii argued the bill was a waste of time, criticized fireworks prohibition as cultural overreach, and performed a song in opposition. Representative Shimizu asked about results from the extra enforcement effort, and DLE said enforcement has driven up street prices and made investors think twice, which they described as a goal of pricing people out of the market. The chair reported 13 testimonies in support and 6 in opposition. The committee then heard SB 1324, a more comprehensive fireworks bill that would revise definitions and penalties, create first- and second-degree fireworks offenses, add infractions, and increase penalties for serious injury or death. DLE and the Attorney General strongly supported it, saying the bill would improve enforcement, address black-market activity, and help prosecutors when fireworks have already exploded and evidence is destroyed. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing existing laws already punish these offenses and that the real issue is enforcement; the office also raised constitutional concerns about the bill’s concurrent civil infraction and criminal trial process. Honolulu Police supported the bill, while the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office said the alternative definitions would help in cases involving exploded versus seized fireworks. The chair noted 17 testimonies in support, 7 in opposition, and 3 comments, and members discussed whether the bill could be amended to address the public defender’s concerns. The committee also began hearing SB 308, which would expand the state’s magazine-capacity restrictions to firearms with detachable magazines over 30 rounds, with a grandfathering provision for certain magazines obtained before January 1, 2026. DLE supported the bill as a fair balance that would grandfather existing magazines while preventing new high-capacity acquisitions. Opposition testimony from Jerry Yuan of the Pool, Oil, Rifle, and Pistol Club argued the proposal was another shifting restriction and opposed magazine bans generally. The hearing continued with additional testimony not fully captured in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:28.400> that<00:25:28.720> it's button to send a clear message that it's button
• to send a clear message that it's time<00:25:29.760> to<00:25:30.080> put<00:25:30.640
• We had text.
• We had<00:28:15.120> text.
• build reports receiving message build reports receiving message informing<06:25:36.320> committees

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• remove the core universal access accommodations meant to be accessible to all, tools such as speech-to-text
• temporary bridge for a kindergartner who needs help. meant to be accessible to all tool, such as speech to text

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is almost the entire text of the bill. Tremendous.
• Yeah, I just got a text. Maybe they left already, but they were recognized.

Bills: S0564, S1062, S1340, S1646, S1718

Keywords: student volunteers, polling locations, election administration, community service, Florida statutes, speech education, debate, high school, Florida Debate Initiative, civics, competitive teams, student participation, educational advancement, dyslexia, dyscalculia, education, screening, intervention, student support, educational facilities

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 met with a quorum present and heard several education-related bills. The committee first considered CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, which would create a Speech and Debate Hall of Fame, designate Speech and Debate Week, authorize a teacher endorsement, require FLVS to establish an institute for speech and debate, direct development of related coursework and credentials, and require annual district reporting. Supporters, including a parent and representatives of the Florida Debate Initiative and school groups, emphasized the academic and civic benefits of debate and the need for funding for travel and training. The committee adopted a delete-all amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard and reported favorably SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, with testimony from an Orange County principal and others supporting a proposal to let educators bank professional learning hours, and SB 1646 on educational facilities, which revises how facility funding is calculated and prioritized, including safety and planning considerations. The committee then took up CS/SB 564 on student volunteers at polling locations. An amendment clarified that high school students who are registered or pre-registered to vote may volunteer at polling places and count the service toward graduation or postsecondary financial aid requirements. Testimony from a county supervisor of elections and civic groups supported the bill as a way to engage students in elections and expand volunteer opportunities, while clarifying it would not conflict with existing election funding rules. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1340 on coordinated screening and progress monitoring, which requires school districts to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia and dyscalculia, place identified students on support plans, and use evidence-based interventions, with State Board of Education rulemaking to implement the process. The sponsor and a supporting parent group stressed early identification and intervention. The committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of Laila Collins to the State Board of Education, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're a little short because they're finding that with text, that program.
• They're a little short because they're finding that with texting and other methods now that people communicate

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to work on three remaining policy bills. On HB 2225, members discussed an amendment reducing the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund housing grant program from $50 million to $30 million, lowering the maximum grant amount, and clarifying that existing lots can qualify after a certificate of occupancy is issued so the program can help communities like Watford City and Williston use prepared lots. Members also discussed the matching requirements, tribal eligibility, and how Commerce would score applications to ensure the money lowers lot costs rather than being absorbed by political subdivisions. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed 22-0, and Representative Murphy was assigned to carry the bill. The committee then took up SB 2200, which funds the 988 crisis hotline. After discussion, members agreed to strip out the proposed phone-line charge approach and instead provide a $500,000 appropriation from the Community Health Care Trust Fund, consistent with the Senate version, to supplement existing funding for increased staffing and texting-related demand. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed 22-0, and Representative Nelson will carry the bill. Finally, the committee considered SB 2342, which creates a value-added milk processing facility incentive program. The amendment reduced the proposed line of credit from $10 million to $5 million, with the program intended to support dairy-related processing infrastructure such as utilities, roads, water, wastewater, and rail access. Members noted the program would be administered through the Agriculture Diversification and Development Committee, could potentially support one or multiple facilities, and sunsets June 30, 2027. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed 22-0, and Representative Brandenburg will carry the bill. The committee then adjourned, planning to reconvene the next morning to take up additional bills and budget adjustments.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is actually wording that was put in there by the OSL lawyer, and that was not in the original text
• c><03:50:40.120> in<03:50:40.239> the<03:50:40.439> original<03:50:41.359> text
• <03:50:42.080> do<03:50:42.199> you that was not in the original text do you that was
• not in the original text do you remember<03:50:42.800> what<03:50:42.920> your<03:50:43.120

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And um my brilliant LA who has been working on this issue, Alex Wheeler over here, um texted me and said
• very much. >> And then with that, we'll go to our bill authors and our co-vice chairs, which someone texted
• and<00:42:19.839> said<00:42:20.000> maybe<00:42:20.240> we here, um texted
• me and said maybe we here, um texted me and said maybe we could<00:42:20.560> add<00:42:20.720
• me and said that if you someone texted me and said that if you have<00:42:49.040> co-<00:42:49.200

Bills: HF3604, HF2236, HF3709, HF3766, HF2400

Keywords: bulk fuel, nonoxygenated gasoline, environment, exemption criteria, transportation, HF2236, Minnesota commerce, obsolete language, statutory cleanup, retail installment contract, consumer credit, vehicle financing, auto loans, retail buyer, retail seller, delinquency charge, collection fee, attorney fees, assignment notice, payment receipt

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 26, after correcting the header date to Thursday, February 26. It then took up House File 36004, as amended by the author’s technical A1 amendment. Representative Van Binsbergen described the bill as a change to statute governing bulk delivery of nonoxygenated fuel, especially for boats and other watercraft, to allow direct delivery to vehicles rather than requiring transport of fuel in containers or removal of boats from the water. Members generally supported the concept, citing convenience for lake users, reduced travel and potential invasive species spread, and fewer spill risks, but the chair said the bill would be laid over pending additional clarification from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and other agencies. House File 2236 was then introduced as a vehicle bill for possible future omnibus use and laid over without testimony or opposition. The committee also heard House File 3709, which would allow Minnesota banks and credit unions to offer custodial accounts for digital assets such as cryptocurrency. The authors framed the bill as a consumer-protection and competitiveness measure that would let local institutions keep pace with customer demand and prevent Minnesotans from relying on out-of-state or offshore providers. Testimony from the Department of Commerce and credit union representatives supported the bill, saying it would level the playing field, keep digital assets under Minnesota oversight, and help local institutions remain relevant; one witness said significant liquidity had been leaving local communities for outside exchanges. Questions from members focused on whether the accounts would be NCUA-insured, how the bill related to unclaimed property, and whether the policy goal was consumer protection or simply preserving bank relevance. Several members expressed support but also cautioned about crypto volatility, scams, and the need to avoid turning credit unions into exchanges. The discussion ended without a final vote in the excerpt, with the bill still under committee consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• But<02:12:29.920> that<02:12:30.159> the<02:12:30.320> message<02:12:30.639>
• is clear that we're But that the message is clear that we're spending<02:12:32.560> that<02:12
• Okay, that message or that footnote fails.
• Okay,<05:11:33.920> that<05:11:34.160> message<05:11:34.560> or<05:11:34.798>
• that<05:11:35.680> footnote Okay, that message or that footnote Okay, that message or that

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It sent a clear message that because I had been homeschooled under a system with minimal accountability
• The amendment and in the red text, especially A4, Roman numeral 5, uh, A there, provision A under Roman
• And particularly now, not in the amendment but in the red text, uh Roman numeral 7 creates a strong civil
• but<02:22:22.560> in<02:22:22.800> the<02:22:22.960> red<02:22:23.359> text
• <02:22:24.319> uh the amendment but in the red text uh the amendment but in the red text uh

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on line 12, this line replaces in the original bill a period that was described as 60 days with new text
• described as 60 days a period that was described as 60 days with<04:34:37.359> new<04:34:37.600> text
• 39.279> a<04:34:39.600> period<04:34:39.920> not<04:34:40.160> to with new text
• that says a period not to with new text that says a period not to exceed<04:34:41.520> 180<04
• :50.080> department<05:18:50.400> of<05:18:50.638> energy The one very clear message

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Spell texted me and said she was coming. Okay, this says defer.
• Representative Spell texted me and said she was coming. Okay, this says defer.
• Representative Spell texted me said she was coming. Okay, this says defer.
• Representative Spell texted me said she was coming. Okay, this says defer.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 13 with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee first heard HB 971, which would equalize Medicaid reimbursement rates between independent clinics and hospital-owned rural health clinics; supporters said independent clinics are disadvantaged by a large payment disparity, and the bill was reported favorable without objection. The committee also recognized visiting Alpha Phi Alpha members and other guests during personal privilege remarks. Members then considered HB 414, which would bar hiring certain health care workers and direct support professionals with serious disqualifying convictions from other states and address background-check issues for therapeutic group homes. After adopting three amendment sets, the bill was reported as amended. HB 740, creating an independent review process for Medicaid behavioral health claim disputes in the coordinated system of care, was amended to clarify applicability and CSOC definitions and then reported as amended. HB 288, which would place the term “miscarriage” alongside “spontaneous abortion” in medical documentation, drew emotional testimony from affected parents and advocates; the committee reported it favorable. The committee also advanced several more bills: HB 405, updating the name of the national acupuncture certifying body, was reported favorable; HB 786, prohibiting extrapolation in certain managed-care claims recoupments, was reported favorable; HB 1095, allowing alternative backup power sources for nursing homes, was reported favorable; HB 403, raising the cottage food gross-sales cap, was amended from $50,000 to $150,000 and then reported favorable; HB 930, modernizing cosmetic-product regulation and creating a small-producer exemption, was reported favorable; HB 557, defining long-term pharmacies for policy purposes, was reported favorable; HB 779, on expedited partner therapy for sexually transmitted diseases, was reported favorable; HB 915, setting utilization-management timelines and standards, was reported favorable; HB 546, expanding criteria for peace officers to take someone into protective custody during a mental health crisis, was reported favorable; HB 796, creating a chiropractic preceptorship program, was reported favorable; and HB 933, authorizing commemorative birth certificates, was reported favorable. The final major item was HB 1041, a “no-mandate” bill barring discrimination based on medical intervention status. The sponsor and Surgeon General said it was aimed at healthy, asymptomatic individuals and not at public health quarantine powers, but Senator Boudreaux objected to exemptions for schools and hospitals and offered an amendment to restore broader coverage. That amendment failed on a roll-call vote, and the bill remained under discussion as the transcript ended, with no final committee disposition shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's been texting with the committee, very friendly conversations and very knowledgeable and stayed up
• I got a lot of things out of the way, but the one question that I'd texted with him this morning was
• And I'm going to ask somebody to text Representative Vamaday and let her know we're about to handle her
• Okay, and I'm going to ask somebody to text Representative Vamaday and let her know we're about to handle

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on April 23 with a quorum present and first deferred HB 1142. The committee then heard HB 1187, which would direct any excess Louisiana Citizens emergency assessment funds, after related debt is paid, toward the Louisiana Fortified Homes Program or future Citizens debt. Representative Sawyer and Commissioner Tim Temple said the bill would likely redirect about $50 million in one-time surplus funds and would help expand a popular roof-mitigation program that has already awarded more than 4,600 fortified roofs. The bill drew support from several witnesses and was reported as amended without objection. Next, HB 1210, dealing with insurance claim disputes and a pre-suit review process for Louisiana Citizens claims, was discussed. Representative Dana Henry said he was voluntarily deferring the bill and instead pursuing a study resolution after hearing concerns from members and stakeholders. Department and Citizens officials said the proposal was modeled on Florida’s process and could help resolve disputes faster and cheaper, but the bill was ultimately voluntarily deferred after testimony and some opposition cards were noted. The committee then took up HB 1199, which requires coverage for genetic testing and treatment related to SCN2A-associated disorders. Representative Jordan and the Diedon family gave emotional testimony about their daughter Emily’s diagnosis and the importance of timely genetic testing. The bill was amended to require that testing be ordered by a provider and deemed medically necessary by the health plan, with discussion about whether a neurologist should be involved; members said that issue could be refined later. HB 1199 was reported as amended. Finally, the committee considered HB 880, the Louisiana Artificial Intelligence Insurance Fairness Act, which would regulate AI use in underwriting, rating, and claims. After a lengthy discussion about state insurance regulation, McCarran-Ferguson, and concerns that the bill could jeopardize federal broadband funding, Representative Jordan voluntarily deferred HB 880, and HB 920 was also deferred. The committee then heard HB 1221, which would limit the policy data collected for the Louisiana Fortified Program Fund. Former Representative Bowler argued the bill was needed to protect policyholder privacy, while the Department of Insurance and Commissioner Temple said the data is needed for surplus-lines premium tax audits, fraud detection, and consumer assistance after disasters. The discussion continued with questions about what data would be visible and how it would be used, but the transcript ends before a final action on HB 1221 is shown.