Transcript Highlights:

• Turn to open for invited testimony.
• The chair now opens up for public testimony. The chair calls Walter...
• The courthouse is open approximately 250 days out of the year.
• We have a... we're now open for invited testimony.
• Invited testimony is now open. Hi, my name is Jen Mudge.

Bills: SB330 , SB663 , SB1020 , SB1152 , SB1164 , SB1896 , SB2111 , SB2196 , SB2383 , SB2581 , SB2797 , SB2798 , SB2371

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: county funding, prosecutors' offices, elections, law enforcement, local government, community supervision, budget approval, corrections department, strategic plan, judicial oversight, SB 1020, Texas, personal bond office, pretrial release, electronic monitoring, GPS monitoring, global positioning system, bond conditions, probation, parole

Summary: The committee heard several criminal justice bills, with testimony largely focused on public safety, court procedures, and local criminal justice administration. SB 2371 would expand mandatory skimmer-reporting requirements from gas pumps to ATMs, point-of-sale systems, and virtual currency kiosks, with the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center saying centralized reporting would improve investigations, preserve evidence, and help identify organized criminal groups. SB 2581 would repeal a special law governing commissary funds in certain large counties; the sponsor and the Sheriff’s Association said it would restore parity with other counties while keeping spending subject to audit and inmate-benefit limits. Both bills were laid out and left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them at the hearing. The committee also heard SB 330, which would require voter approval before counties over a certain size reduce prosecutor funding, similar to an existing law for law enforcement budgets. Supporters argued prosecutors are essential to public safety and need stable funding, while an opponent from the Texas Civil Rights Project said the bill would restrict local budget flexibility and impose costly elections. SB 663 would remove district judges’ approval role for community supervision and corrections department budgets, replacing it with judge review after TDCJ-CJAD approval; probation officials said the change would reduce delays and confusion without reducing judicial oversight. SB 1020 would require more immediate sharing of ankle-monitor violation information and clarify that such records are not judicial work product; the Harris County DA’s office and Crime Stoppers supported it, citing inconsistent local practices and delays that can hinder prosecutions. The committee then took up SB 1164 on emergency detention and court-ordered mental health services. The bill, from the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health, would update emergency detention forms, clarify officer duties, allow filings in the county where a person is apprehended or located, and add a factor related to a person’s inability to recognize symptoms or appreciate treatment risks. Supporters included family members, law enforcement, and mental health and judicial witnesses who described cases where earlier intervention might have prevented tragedy; opponents warned the broader language could be misused and emphasized due process and the need for dangerousness to remain the standard. SB 2111 on indigent defense would expand access to counsel at first hearings, strengthen managed assigned counsel programs, create internships and fellowships, and adjust other defense-related procedures; the Texas Indigent Defense Commission and county defense program leaders supported it, while the committee substitute removed some provisions to reduce fiscal impact. Finally, SB 2383 would let recently retired DPS officers return to work in limited roles to help address staffing shortages, and SB 2797 would create reciprocal discovery requirements for criminal cases; prosecutors and some committee members said it would reduce trial surprise and improve truth-seeking, while others questioned whether the bill fully matched the state’s disclosure obligations and whether it could burden defense rights. Several bills were left pending after testimony, and the committee established a quorum later in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The system is now open. The Senate will now proceed to vote.
• The system is now open. The Senate will now proceed to vote.
• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.
• You pass Senate Bill 1051, signed in open session.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call showing 27 present, and approval of the prior journal. Members then introduced guests, including representatives of the Arizona Fair Association, Mohave County fair staff, a constituent guest, a physician candidate shadowing a senator, Father David Myers, and the Doctor of the Day. The chamber also received messages and read a long list of bills placed on second reading. The Committee of the Whole considered three measures. SB 1268, a veterans property tax exemption cleanup bill, was explained as clarifying that the exemption applies to a veteran’s primary residence and, if jointly owned, still counts as 100 percent; it received a do pass recommendation. SB 1051, requiring hospitals to collect and report patient immigration-status information for accounting purposes, drew extensive debate. Supporters said it would improve accountability for hospital spending and taxpayer costs, while opponents argued it would intimidate patients, discourage care, burden hospitals, and target immigrants unfairly. Despite repeated points of order and appeals over germaneness and remarks, the bill advanced on a 16-13 vote. SB 1316, creating a rural health transformation fund process with public hearings and JLBC involvement, was presented as a transparency measure for roughly $167 million in federal rural health funds; supporters favored legislative input, while opponents said it added bureaucracy and could delay care. It advanced 17-13. The Committee of the Whole reported all three bills do pass, and the Senate adopted the report. HB 2792 was substituted for SB 1268 as an identical measure and passed with the emergency clause by a 29-1 vote. SB 1123 and SB 1145 also passed, and SB 1125, dealing with child safety and communication with tribal nations regarding group homes, passed unanimously 30-0. SB 1316 passed 17-13, and SB 1051 passed 17-13 after a lengthy floor debate in which supporters framed it as a fiscal/accountability measure and opponents called it harmful, anti-immigrant, and likely to deter medical care. The Senate then announced committee meetings for the next day and adjourned until Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this slide speaks to what we would say are our primary or major supporting partners.
• </c><00:08:00.000><c> Um</c> primary or major supporting partners.
• Um primary or major supporting partners.
• The primary concern today is a Texas.
• </c><01:04:51.200><c> up</c> in Lecher County where they opened up in Lecher County where they opened

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met to adopt the minutes of the second meeting by voice vote, then heard an update focused on disaster preparedness, resiliency, response, and coordination among state agencies and partners. The chair emphasized avoiding duplication of resources and highlighted the importance of agriculture-related response issues, including animal evacuation, feed distribution, and the role of extension services during disasters. The Department for Public Health was invited to explain its role in emergency planning and response. Public Health described its Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch as the lead coordinating agency for Emergency Support Function 8, covering health and medical services under Kentucky’s emergency operations framework. Testimony outlined its broad responsibilities, including support for hospitals, morgues, local health departments, behavioral health, crisis counseling, suspicious package testing, disease outbreaks, and coordination with emergency management, EMS, transportation, and nonprofit and private partners. Officials also described the agency’s risk-assessment process, training and exercise programs, and deployed assets such as PPE caches, deployable communications, a federal medical station, a mobile treatment center, and alternate care support used in events like the eastern Kentucky floods and COVID-19. The agency also discussed funding through federal cooperative agreements for public health emergency preparedness and hospital preparedness, noting that these programs have evolved since 9/11 and have been shaped by major disasters and emerging threats. Officials said Kentucky’s funding has declined over time and that current awards are partially funded for the first time in the program’s history. They expressed support for efficiency if federal programs are consolidated, but cautioned that combining programs could risk further funding losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Line four, before "physician," insert "primary care." And then on page five, no.
• There are over 6,300 job openings for nurses right now.
• Yes, those were the primary drivers of their organizing. That was at St.
• She applied for an externship that had 40 positions open. Thank you. Your time is up.
• But alcohol isn't the primary contributing factor.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Rich, so the primary concern you're raising is that someone's going to buy a parcel of land, put a primary
• I think that this could really open the door... Mr.
• I think that this could really open the door... And I think you're right.
• I think that this could really open the door to more skepticism on ADUs.
• So thank you for your time today, and I am open to any questions. Thank you for your testimony.

Bills: HB2211 , HB2229 , HB2389 , HB2403 , HB2445 , HB2502 , HB2620 , HB2813 , HB2872 , HB2889 , HB2960 , HB4028 , HCR2007

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: contractors, subcontractors, resident preference, public contracts, materials supply, Arizona Revised Statutes, local businesses, pregnancy resource center, pregnancy center, crisis pregnancy center, DHS, Arizona Department of Health Services, state appropriation, general fund, nonprofit grant, women's health, maternal health, reproductive health, abortion funding, pro-life

Transcript Highlights:

• We will open up testimony in support of Senate Bill 300.
• We will open up testimony and support of Senate Bill 300.
• [00:15:50.000] The public line is open and working.
• The public line is open and working.
• And we'll open up testimony in support of Senate Bill 504.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you want the government to be responsive to the citizens and open the way they're supposed to, we
• I watched opening day of the legislature, and everything Coach Smith said is what this bill represents
• This came about afterwards, as we were talking about the primary and sort of implications to that.
• Chair, one more question, Senator Mesnard: in your opening statement, you mentioned when we move from
• Chairman, would you be open to... sure. Okay, thank you. Mr.

Committee: House Government

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The open enrollment period in 2027 is shortened to nine weeks.
• They'll have to sign up every year for the same plan during open enrollment.
• The open enrollment period in 2027 is shortened to nine weeks.
• They'll have to sign up every year for the same plan during open enrollment.
• First, there are two primary changes to benefits.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session to review how H.R. 1 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) could affect Washington’s Medicaid, long-term care, developmental disabilities, and food assistance programs, with a focus on implementation challenges, fiscal impacts, and likely coverage losses. Staff and agency officials explained Washington’s Medicaid financing structure, eligibility categories, caseload trends, and the role of the Health Care Authority and DSHS in administering Apple Health and related services. They also described how Medicaid expansion increased access to behavioral health services and how H.R. 1’s provisions are expected to affect the expansion population most directly. Health Care Authority and DSHS officials outlined several major H.R. 1 changes: new work and community engagement requirements for the Medicaid expansion population, six-month redeterminations instead of annual renewals, changes to immigrant eligibility, limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments, new cost-sharing requirements, reduced retroactive coverage, and changes affecting long-term care eligibility. They said Washington is still awaiting federal guidance on many details, but estimated that about 620,000 Apple Health expansion enrollees could be subject to work requirements, that roughly 30,000 immigrants could lose Medicaid eligibility under the new definition of qualified alien, and that some long-term care and developmental disability clients could be indirectly affected. Officials also said the state is working with other agencies to build shared verification systems and may seek a delay waiver, though they do not expect broad federal flexibility. The committee also heard that H.R. 1 immediately blocks Medicaid reimbursement for Planned Parenthood services for one year, with the state planning to backfill about $11 million to preserve access. In addition, officials warned that the law could reduce federal Medicaid revenue by billions over time and strain hospitals and emergency rooms as more people become uninsured. They noted that Washington’s rural health transformation grant application is due November 5 and could bring some funding, but not to offset coverage losses. No votes were taken; the session was informational only. The committee then heard a separate presentation on food assistance, where staff and DSHS described H.R. 1’s SNAP changes, including expanded work requirements, immigrant eligibility restrictions, higher state administrative costs, and a possible future state share of benefit costs tied to payment error rates. DSHS estimated a four-year fiscal impact of about $750 million for food assistance changes and said the state is working on system and policy changes across agencies before the new requirements take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the portals was frozen initially during the day but opened up throughout the day.
• </c> like let's just keep everything open like let's just keep everything open what<00:54:13.319><c>
• goal, because that is always our primary goal.
• </c><01:27:11.920><c> goal</c> reunification is the primary goal reunification is the primary goal because
• </c><01:27:13.600><c> goal</c> because that is always our primary goal because that is always our primary

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll now open it up to anyone else in the room that would like to express their opposition.
• That is not our primary concern.
• Now, I would love to open up to the audience.
• And we will keep the roll open for another. We will keep the roll open until 4:30.
• We're going to open up the roll and start with the consent calendar. Consent calendar.

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The committee heard SB 1422, which would restore Medi-Cal access for income-eligible undocumented adults beginning January 1, 2027. Senator Durazo and county, labor, health, immigrant-rights, and provider supporters argued the current enrollment freeze shifts costs to counties and hospitals, worsens preventive care, and increases expensive emergency treatment. No opposition testified. Several senators voiced support but also raised concerns about funding and the need for new revenue sources; the chair said she supported the concept and would continue working on financing, but the bill was not voted on because quorum was lost. The committee also heard SB 1023 on PrEP access, SB 1071 on amending death certificates after a homicide finding, SB 1057 on conviction-history review for CNA and home health aide certification, and SB 1088 on advance care planning and POLST/DNR updates. SB 1023’s author and supporters said requiring pharmacy-benefit coverage for injectable PrEP would reduce administrative barriers and improve access, while health plans opposed it as an improper benefit-design mandate; members sought clarification about how the billing pathway would work. SB 1071 drew strong support from victims’ families, law enforcement, and prosecutors who said death certificates should reflect later legal homicide findings, while coroners opposed it as blurring medical and legal determinations and risking data integrity. SB 1057 was presented as a fair-chance workforce measure to expand caregiving jobs for rehabilitated people with records, with no opposition heard. SB 1088 would modernize POLST/DNR rules, including electronic signatures, out-of-state recognition, and clearer signer authority; supporters backed the changes, while clinical nurse specialists opposed the bill for not including them as authorized signers. After quorum was established, the committee took up SB 869, which would require large chain restaurants to display an added-sugar icon next to beverages exceeding half the daily recommended sugar limit. Senator Weber Pierson and supporters from the American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association framed the bill as a transparency measure to help consumers make informed choices and reduce chronic disease risk. The senator responded to opposition concerns by saying existing nutrition information is often hard to find and that the icon would not unduly crowd menus. The hearing continued with testimony on the bill after quorum was reached, but no final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll now open it up to anyone else in the room that would like to express your opposition.
• That is not our primary concern.
• Now, I would love to open up to the audience.
• We will keep the roll open until 4:30. We will lift the call on 5:30.
• We're going to open up the roll and start with the consent calendar. Consent calendar.

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The hearing room is open for attendance. All are encouraged to watch from the live stream.
• Any additional folks wish to, or anyone wish to express opposition, either primary or me-to's.
• Any additional folks wish to, or anyone wish to express opposition, either primary or me-to's.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on September 10, 2025, with one bill on the agenda: SB 733 by Senator Rahab. The author described the measure as a cleanup bill that clarifies implementation of SB 464, which gave sexual assault survivors the right to opt out of testing their sexual assault kits. The bill was presented as providing clearer procedures for practitioners and investigating agencies, especially when a survivor is undecided about whether to have a kit tested. The California Department of Justice testified in a neutral position and said it was available to answer technical questions. The California Association of Crime Lab Directors also took a neutral position, thanking the author and committee staff for amendments that preserved efficiencies in the transfer and handling of kits while clarifying whether kits should be tested. No opposition was voiced. The committee then moved the bill, and SB 733 was passed out of committee on a roll call vote with an A recommendation. The meeting then adjourned after no further public comment or additional business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to open up House Bill 2322 with a briefing from Tracy Taylor.
• As such, we are the primary supply. Pierce County, Washington.
• I'm going to open a hearing on House Bill 2590 with a briefing from Serena Dolly. Thank you.
• We are going to open the hearing on House Bill 2655 with a staff briefing from John Burnetsky.
• We will open the hearing on House Bill 2655 with a staff briefing from John Bernitsky.

Summary: The committee heard several public hearings on tax and housing-related bills. HB 2451 on local tax increment financing was briefed as a negotiated trailer bill adding new limits and consultation requirements for increment areas, including restrictions on using areas that already have needed public improvements, earlier sunset rules, more detailed project analysis, and stronger notice, mediation, and arbitration procedures for affected taxing districts. Supporters from cities, ports, and fire districts said the bill rebalances the process and protects impacted jurisdictions; the hearing then closed. HB 2322 would change the alternative jet fuel tax incentive program by replacing the current production-capacity trigger with a fixed effective period beginning in 2031 and ending in 2046, while clarifying carbon-intensity requirements. The sponsor said the change adds certainty and supports cleaner aviation fuel. A refinery representative supported the program but asked for clarification to include Pierce County or define “blender,” while a climate-health opponent argued the bill subsidizes continued fossil-fuel combustion and should be rejected. HB 2590 would revise the limited equity cooperative definition and exempt such cooperatives from WUCIOA unless they opt in, while preserving the property-tax exemption requirements; supporters said it would reduce red tape and better fit cooperative housing, while members raised concerns about unintended restrictive membership rules and asked for fair-housing guardrails. HB 2655 would create a new sales and use tax exemption for construction and equipment at certain new data centers in eastern Washington, subject to labor, wage, apprenticeship, employment, and sustainability requirements. Supporters framed it as a jobs and clean-energy opportunity tied to hydrogen development and regional competitiveness, while opponents said it was a subsidy for large corporations and could strain water, power, and public revenues. The committee then moved to executive action and advanced HB 1983, the second substitute for HB 1974, the substitute for HB 2334, HB 2367, and the substitute for HB 2650, all with due pass recommendations. Amendments were adopted on HB 1974 and rejected on HB 2367; the other bills were advanced without amendment. Votes were recorded on each measure, with HB 1974 passing 10-4, HB 2334 passing 13-1, HB 2367 passing 11-3, and HB 2650 passing 14-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• So as you can see, they have three primary projects in Idaho.
• You can see kind of top center left is the open pit.
• There remain four existing open pits from Pegasus.
• There remain four existing open pits from Pegasus.
• It's a conventional open-pit run-of-mine, which means it's not crushed.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It being 10 o'clock, I hereby, uh, I'm going to open the executive session.
• And with that, I'm going to open the executive session on SB 15.
• </c><00:24:13.120><c> for</c> the amendment and we're open for the amendment and we're open for discussion
• We heard from uh the testimony uh at the hearing that those who are ... uh for for two primary reasons
• I open executive session on HB session.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, debate is open. Is there further debate?
• President, debate is open. Is there further debate?
• Debate is open. Is there further debate?
• President, the debate is open. Is there further debate?
• Debate is open. Is there further debate?

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:29.279><c> care</c><00:26:29.600><c> physician,</c> primary care physician, primary care physician
• This is &gt;&gt; Did you say primary? I'm sorry.
• So it's pretty wide open in terms of what you do.
• Those are the three primary logic gates.
• Those are the three primary logic not.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The system is now open to the Senate for an opposite vote.
• Signed in open session.
• The system is now open to the Senate for an opposite vote.
• Signed in open session.
• The system is now open to the Senate for a vote.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll open a public hearing, and so we're going to open a public hearing while doing revenue projections
• </c> whether the first in the nation primary whether the first in the nation primary had<00:39:40.079
• So, comparing years with the primary and without the primary for those months surrounding the primary
• ,</c> uh if again if a business is open, uh if again if a business is open, they've<02:18:25.599><c>
• opening opening of<02:20:57.399><c> any</c><02:20:58.399><c> kind</c><02:20:58.640><c> of</c><02:20:

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll open up to... I'll save my questions. Representative Lowe, go ahead. Hi.
• So that is the primary reason right now.
• We are the primary law enforcement agency in that area.
• One of the primary duties of our county attorney is to represent the county and department officials
• That is the primary goal of the hospital district.

Bills: HB240 , HB2097 , HB2731 , HB3087 , HB3234 , HB3319 , HB3394 , HB3687 , HB4105 , HB4205 , HB4350 , HB4462 , HB4642 , HB4801 , HB5403

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code

Summary: The subcommittee on county and regional government heard a long agenda of county-related bills, with most measures left pending after testimony. HB 2097, by Rep. Martinez, would let counties that opt in use an independent hearing examiner instead of a civil service commission for certain deputy sheriff discipline appeals; the bill drew support from CLEET’s Robert Leonard, who said it would be fairer and faster, and it was left pending. HB 4642, by Rep. Gonzalez, would require counties that contract with out-of-state jail facilities to include Texas jail-standard protections and oversight; Gonzalez, detainee Jess Hampton, his wife, Texas Jail Project’s Krish Kundu, and TCJS director Brandon Wood all discussed deaths and poor conditions in Louisiana facilities, staffing shortages, and the need for guardrails and data collection. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4350, by Rep. Capriglione, allowing peace officers to request redaction of personal information from online real property records. Supporters said officers face targeted threats and should have protections similar to judges; a title industry witness warned about preserving the integrity of land records. The bill was left pending. HB 3687, by Rep. Harless, would require county fire marshals in counties over 100,000 to meet training and certification standards within set timeframes; Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen supported professionalization, and the bill was left pending. HB 4105 would let very large counties give a local-bid preference for construction and infrastructure contracts, and HB 4205 would require pay parity for similar law enforcement ranks within large counties; both were supported by Harris County officials and constables and left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 5403, which would repeal a special rule limiting Dallas and Tarrant county sheriffs’ control over commissary funds; the author said it would remove an outdated population bracket, and the bill was left pending. HB 4462 would require large counties to allow elected officials named in civil suits to seek outside counsel and have a role in settlement decisions; supporters argued county attorneys and commissioners court can have conflicts of interest, while questions focused on who qualifies and whether the bill could complicate settlements. The bill was left pending. Finally, HB 240, by Rep. Swanson, would restore a five-member quorum requirement for Harris County tax levies, effectively preventing tax action without all commissioners present and defaulting to the no-new-revenue rate if quorum is not met; urban counties opposed it as a potential budget obstruction, while supporters said it protects taxpayers and representation. That bill was also left pending. The transcript ends as the committee begins HB 3319, which would create a civil service system for constable department employees in large counties, but the discussion is cut off before testimony or action.