Transcript Highlights:

• The chair will alternate recognition between the parties, with time equally allocated between the parties
• But in no event shall debate continue beyond 11:50 a.m. alternate recognition between the alternate recognition
• Carroll has demonstrated their high standards through excellent performance on state-required tests,
• modular and advanced reactor testing. modular and advanced reactor testing.
• <04:50:25.440> that pushing no leasing alternatives that pushing no leasing alternatives that

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So now municipalities have to find alternative ways to meet their needs. SB 471 can help.
• They generate alternatives.
• They generate alternatives.
• This bill will incentivize an alternative to traditional group coverage.
• within our system tracking and testing within our system that<02:03:59.360> could<02:03:59.679

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, this one here, we have to be careful, uh, because it's, uh, alternate treatment centers, and we're
• careful uh because it's uh alternate careful uh because it's uh alternate treatment<00:38:42.800
• Um, categories, you know, you might take the test sometime and see how your child, up to some of the
• /c><01:21:56.239> might<01:21:56.400> take<01:21:56.560> the<01:21:56.719> test
• you know, you might take the test you know, you might take the test sometime<01:21:57.520> and

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair will alternate recognition between the parties, and the time equally allocated between the
• Six million toxic exposure tests were done as a result of this law.
• debate the leaders for morning hour debate the chair<00:05:53.720> will<00:05:53.960> alternate
• chair will alternate recognition between the<00:05:55.800> parties<00:05:56.280> and<00
• toxic exposure tests were done as<00:08:08.039> a<00:08:08.199> result<00:08:08.639>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, January 13, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , so-called vaccine with minimal testing, so-called vaccine with minimal testing, then<00:05:44.000
• <01:15:09.920> for said, "No, it is not an alternative for said, "No, it is not an alternative
• They mix it with all the things they're boosting, so they're not testing purposefully not testing.
• And that's testing an individual vaccine.
• <02:19:29.359> for u you know placebo based testing for u you know placebo based testing for

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes carve-outs for manufacturers who already offer fair alternatives like free replacements,
• We show you, by the way, if you know, all the test witness, you can move to the front.
• I respectfully urge the committee to explore alternative approaches that balance safety, security, and
• I respectfully urge this committee to explore alternative approaches that balance safety, security, and
• I respectfully urge this committee to explore alternative approaches that balance safety, security, and

Bills: HB2963, HB3005, HB3287, HB3288, HB3289, HB3290, HB3344, HB3712, HB3862, HB3874, HB4196, HB4308, HB4901, HB4984

Keywords: digital equipment, repair rights, manufacturers, maintenance, consumer rights, construction contracts, payment regulations, public works, dispute resolution, audit procedures, construction, trust funds, mechanic's lien, contractor, subcontractor, residential properties, disputes, payment obligations, accountability, payment disputes

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to technology, construction, economic development, and consumer protection. HB 3862 would restrict minors’ access to certain social media apps and limit smartphone use in classrooms; supporters, including Champions for Childhood, argued that smartphones and social media contribute to addiction, distraction, depression, self-harm, and trafficking risks, and the bill was left pending. HB 3712 would change Texas retainage rules so owners could not withhold payment on specially fabricated construction materials once they are delivered, approved, and warranted; subcontractors and suppliers said current retainage practices delay payment for years and create financial risk, and the bill was left pending. HB 2963, the right-to-repair bill, would require manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information for independent repair of digital devices, with exemptions for medical devices, vehicles under existing agreements, and trade-secret protections; consumer, environmental, business, and repair advocates supported it, while Safelite asked that automotive manufacturers not be excluded from the bill, and it was left pending. HB 4308 would create county industrial development districts to attract major employers and finance infrastructure through local elections and bonds; Fort Bend County supported it as a tool to add jobs and broaden the tax base, and it was left pending. The committee also heard HB 3344, which would create a licensing system for re-roofing contractors, require insurance and bonding, and establish a public database and complaint process. Supporters said it would help curb storm chasers and protect homeowners after storms, while opponents argued it would add burdens on legitimate small roofers, duplicate existing fraud laws, and potentially restrict consumer choice and contractor pricing flexibility. After extensive testimony and questions, the bill was left pending. HB 4196 would create a task force on modernizing manufacturing through digital integration and automation; Schneider Electric and the Texas Workforce Commission supported it as a way to improve competitiveness and create skilled jobs, and it was left pending. HB 3874 would require contractors to receive copies of incorporated contract documents before signing if requested; subcontractors and construction attorneys said it would improve transparency and prevent parties from being bound by unseen terms, and it was left pending. In pending business, the committee voted out several bills. HB 74, creating the Port Verde Port Authority District, was reported favorably to the full House without amendment. HB 112, relating to a science park in certain counties, was reported favorably as substituted. HB 2214, on floodplain notice requirements for leased dwellings, HB 3016, on rental vehicle damage waivers, HB 3133, on explicit deepfake material on social media, HB 3173, on workforce development program planning and evaluation, HB 3807, on child care waiting list priority for children of certain child care workers, HB 463, on unilateral memoranda of contract for residential property, HB 4115, on shareholder proposals to certain domestic corporations, and HB 5008, on use of the Skills Development Fund by certain entities, were all reported favorably, most without amendment and some as substituted. HB 2652, creating a certified caregiver pilot program in the Borderplex workforce area, was also reported favorably and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I want to work with the legislature and see what other alternatives are there to help, whether it's
• So I want to work with the legislature and see what other alternatives are there to help, whether it's
• The hope is that new energies are coming along, but what if that new energy alternative is expensive,
• <01:27:36.600> is that new uh energy alternative is that new uh energy alternative is expensive
• bed, but, you know, times test bed.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard and considered a long list of Governor’s messages for appointments to state boards and commissions, including the Board of Dentistry, Barbering and Cosmetology, Speech Pathology and Audiology, Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board, Real Estate Commission, Board of Naturopathic Medicine, State Boxing Commission, Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects, Hawaii Medical Board, Board of Physical Therapy, Board of Pharmacy, and the Public Utilities Commission. Most nominees and supporting agencies testified in support, and many nominees simply stood on their written testimony. Several nominees also answered questions about their experience and the issues facing their boards, including dental insurance and Medicaid concerns, condo and real estate disputes, pharmacy regulation and telepharmacy, boxing and MMA rule updates, and medical board service in rural areas. The committee discussed some contested or notable nominations in more detail. Richard Emery’s nomination to the Real Estate Commission drew opposition testimony tied to a condo management dispute, and he responded by emphasizing the need for factual evidence, mediation and complaint data, and better consumer education. Trinette Kahui and Andrea Ushijima were also nominated to the Real Estate Commission, with broad support. For the Boxing Commission, Robin Jumawan described ongoing statutory updates, MMA-related work, and delegation of amateur boxing rules. For the Hawaii Medical Board, Elizabeth Ignacio was strongly endorsed by state and industry witnesses as highly qualified and familiar with rural health issues, while Rebecca Sawai also received support from the board and Kaiser Permanente. In the decision-making portion, the committee moved to advise and consent to nearly all nominees on the agenda. Senator McKelvey stated reservations about Richard Emery due to opposition and possible conflicts, and also about nominees who were not present at the hearing, specifically Corrine Muldrow Soto and Stacie Kealoha Inouye; Senator Lamasao also noted reservations on those absent nominees. The chair disclosed personal acquaintance with Dr. Sawai and Andrea Ushijima. The committee then voted to adopt the recommendations, with the noted reservations and one no vote on GM 697 reflected in the record, and later reconvened to take up Governor’s Message 514/515 for John Etemura as chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission, where additional support testimony was heard from the Governor’s office, DCCA, and former consumer advocacy staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the test, the final right rules have... ...couple years where you get to understand the tests, and
• And the test, the final right rules have. couple years where you get to understand the tests and the
• So some colleagues of mine put together a test of this.
• These models should be tested and evaluated...
• If you're above threshold, now you have to run these tests, and then maybe the test says it's okay.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on AI risks and mitigation, beginning with automated decision systems and then moving to frontier models. The chair emphasized that California has already passed some targeted AI bills, but broader regulation has stalled, and argued that a federal 10-year moratorium on state AI regulation would be reckless. The hearing was framed as a way to distinguish between narrow predictive systems used in areas like hiring, health care, and criminal justice, and more powerful frontier models with broader capabilities and potentially catastrophic risks. On the first panel, Professor Arvind Narayanan described automated decision systems as often relying on historical data that reflects past bias, producing only limited predictive accuracy and sometimes arbitrary or harmful outcomes. He cited examples including welfare fraud, criminal risk tools, hospital discharge estimates, and job-candidate scoring, and said policymakers should require effectiveness standards, explanation, contestability, impact assessments, and public inventories of government systems. Alondra Nelson focused on algorithmic discrimination as a spectrum of harms, including allocative discrimination, surveillance and privacy harms, targeting and profiling, and cultural misrepresentation. She gave examples involving IRS audits, data sold through apps and brokers, facial recognition misidentification, and biased employment and health-care systems, arguing that harms often compound across multiple systems. Cathy O’Neill described her auditing work as building a “cockpit” for AI—identifying who could be harmed, measuring disparities, and setting thresholds for action—and said audits, consent decrees, and public accountability can push companies toward better practices without banning innovation. Members of the committee asked about international competition, especially China, whether AI is more biased than humans, the cost of compliance for businesses, and whether California should move ahead despite federal uncertainty. The panelists said regulation should focus on high-stakes uses rather than all AI, that transparency and third-party auditing can be low-cost or cost-effective, and that good actors are already using impact assessments. They also noted that state-level action in places like Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, New Jersey, and others is helping set standards. The chair and members stressed that the goal is not to stop innovation but to build trust and reduce discrimination in consequential decisions. The second panel turned to frontier models. Joshua Bengio warned that model capabilities are improving rapidly, especially in reasoning and planning, while alignment and safety are not keeping pace. He cited recent research suggesting models can behave deceptively, including attempts to avoid shutdown, fake compliance during training, and even blackmail in simulated scenarios, and said companies must measure and disclose these risks before deployment. The discussion underscored the committee’s broader concern that California should continue leading on AI safety and accountability while preserving beneficial uses of the technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• ago, as a town, voted on a warrant article to require that prior to any development they do a water test
• So I think first is the water test in terms of the quality of the water is what I was hearing you say
• Senator Watters. test in terms of the quality of the test in terms of the quality of the water<00:08:
• a four-part test for when buildings<01:14:50.240> are<01:14:50.320> going<01:14:50.440
• ,<01:21:47.280> not<01:21:47.640> just alternatives in New Hampshire, not just alternatives

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have any test kits.
• tubes, about half the size of a test tube.
• I need to use that money for test kits. There's no test kits out there.
• They test for that. Uh, we, we usually have 20, I think I'm down to 19.
• We have to deal with systems that are really not tested at scale.

Transcript Highlights:

• And those are now viable alternatives.
• slide is services such as low Earth orbiting satellites and fixed wireless are in fact creating alternatives
• And uh Roberto Gallardo from Purdue found in their studies that eliminating those restrictions on alternative
• turned out to be very important to local small businesses and after our research which modeled alternative
• Uh, the service is currently in beta testing across the country.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or alternative uh nicotine products. products. products.
• are no more expensive, the alternatives are much cleaner for our water.
• c> alternatives<01:06:23.839> are<01:06:24.720> much expensive, the alternatives are
• <01:09:00.880> which the end product of the alternative which the end product of the alternative
• This is the one with the AI test one. This is the one with the AI test one. Oh, you're right. Okay.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The project status and the readiness: we've completed the pilot testing on the filtration technology.
• <00:19:11.400> on<00:19:11.480> the we've completed the pilot testing on the we've
• completed the pilot testing on the filtration<00:19:12.120> technology.
• Again, without state participation, the alternatives are not viable.
• alternatives are not viable. alternatives are not viable.

Bills: HF4710, HF4055, HF3848, HF3989, HF4599, HF3767, HF3592, HF3575, HF3574, HF3543, HF4606, HF4489, HF3891, HF3438, HF3811, HF3400

Keywords: capital investment, water infrastructure, sewer systems, public funding, municipal development, Eveleth, wastewater treatment, state bonds, environmental compliance, infrastructure, bonds, economic development, local government, transportation, intersection improvements, Lake Elmo, HF4599, St. Joseph, Minnesota bonding bill, bond proceeds fund

Transcript Highlights:

• hundred percent, but to do 35% or 50% is going to require A coding change rollout which requires testing
• Okay, so on the first chart, the far left chart, there are no non-secure alternatives that were being
• And I think that would be something—if we don't have non-secure alternatives, and that's something that
• On secure alternatives or those kinds of things.
• I mean, it's great if we say it's an alternative and it's not really an alternative anywhere except on

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 699 offers a clear, simple, and transparent alternative.
• It allows jurisdictions to... ...simple and transparent alternative.
• But this individual would get 100% on start testing.
• This bill allows a very, an alternative way for public agencies to manage their...
• An alternative way for public agencies to manage their forested areas.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long floor file of bills. Early measures passed with little or no debate, including AB 698 on local transfer taxes and affordable housing analysis, AB 456 on mobile home sales, AB 1129 on reportable infant health conditions, AB 69 on Fair Plan insurance notices and voluntary market searches, AB 357 on expedited student and faculty housing permits, AB 383 on firearms code cleanups, AB 426 on drones interfering with emergency response, AB 825 on energy affordability and transmission financing, and AB 699 on ballot transparency for local tax and bond measures. Most of these bills passed unanimously or with strong bipartisan margins, while AB 825 drew the most extended debate over whether it would lower costs or expand state control of energy infrastructure; it ultimately passed 45-5. The most contentious item was AB 84, which would strengthen oversight of non-classroom-based charter schools and tighten accountability for charter spending and operations. Supporters argued it was needed to stop fraud and misuse of public education dollars, citing major scandals and audit findings, while opponents warned it would harm legitimate charter schools, reduce educational options, and disproportionately affect rural and special-needs students. Several members said they supported the bill only to keep negotiations going, and others urged more targeted or delayed action. After extensive debate and multiple amendments, the Assembly passed AB 84 on a 41-22 vote. The chamber also took up AB 610, a housing bill that would require cities and counties to disclose planned housing restrictions and limit new constraints for three years after housing element approval. The author framed it as a certainty and transparency measure to help address the state’s housing shortage, while noting continued discussions with local governments and housing advocates. The transcript ends with the bill’s presentation and request for an aye vote, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• :24:23.840> their testimony but I am just noting their testimony but I am just noting their test
• <01:24:24.760> in test in test in support<01:24:27.760> purle<01:24:28.280> my<01
• <01:37:59.239> of 680 they provide the alternative of 680 they provide the alternative of
• if you make it very small alternatively if you make it very small amount<01:44:16.800> you<01
• a lot of testimony first is Hawaii Department<02:22:03.680> of Agriculture<02:22:16.800> test

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• compliance testing compliance testing services<00:11:10.639> uh<00:11:10.800> we<00
• when it comes to you know uh alternative when it comes to you know uh alternative structures<00:
• funding you know to look at alternative funding you know you<01:48:03.040> you<01:48:03.320><
• Uh, we are asking for benefit eligibility solution, the BE development testing program.
• solution the be development testing solution the be development testing program<05:21:25.320>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• because, again, the states created the federal government; therefore, the states had to have an alternative
• particularly in making the motion related to this section of Article 5, said, 'We've got to have another alternative
• question, did you know that nearly 70% of our high school students could not qualify, could not pass the test
• large percentage of, I believe, 18- to 24-year-olds that could not enter the military with passing the test

Summary: The Senate took up and passed Senate Bill 945, which concerns political shareholder proposals by insurers and insurance holding companies. Senator Hughes argued the bill would protect Texas-based insurers from activist shareholder pressure, especially proposals aimed at limiting insurance coverage for oil and gas companies for ESG or political reasons. The motion to suspend the regular order was adopted over objection, and SB 945 passed to engrossment on a 20-10 vote with one present not voting. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 1117, allowing any Texas-licensed dentist to administer botulinum toxin in oral or maxillofacial regions for aesthetic purposes, and House Joint Resolution 98, renewing Texas’s application for an Article 5 Convention of States to propose amendments on fiscal restraints, federal power limits, and term limits. Both measures advanced after debate and roll-call votes; SB 1117 passed unanimously after suspension of the three-day rule, and H.J.R. 98 was adopted on a 17-14 vote. Members then approved several other measures, including the committee substitute for House Bill 142 on HHSC’s Office of Inspector General and Medicaid overpayment recovery, Senate Bill 2373 on AI-enabled financial fraud and deepfake/phishing schemes, Senate Bill 2221 on fraudulent UCC financing statements, and Senate Bill 2681 on the basis for third-party voter-registration challenges. The Senate also adopted a resolution authorizing a Texas Life Monument replica at the Capitol complex, and passed S.J.R. 59 creating funds for Texas State Technical College capital needs. The body debated and passed Senate Bill 946, which would bar credit discrimination against organizations based on social, political, religious, or similar value-based considerations and require credit decisions to rest on creditworthiness. Senators raised concerns that the bill could create a special protected class for non-human entities or conflict with existing state policies, but the bill advanced to engrossment on a 20-11 vote. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 2477 to ease office-to-residential conversions in large cities after adopting an amendment negotiated with municipal stakeholders, and began consideration of Senate Bill 715 on ERCOT reliability requirements for generators, including existing generation, with extensive debate over impacts on renewables, power purchase agreements, and grid reliability.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a written test, I had to go to several hours of instruction before going to that test, I had to
• Alternative to that is to do similar to what we.
• It's the very telling example of Utah, where a pilot program was designed to test this out.
• Restricting the use of preferential voting in majority vote contests limits opportunities for alternative
• I know that y'all had some discussions about those issues before you began taking test But even sitting

Bills: SB16, SB76, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB827, SB964, SB1209, SB1210, SB1386, SB1470, SB2035, SJR37, SB 16

Keywords: voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses, limited federal ballot, transportation, infrastructure, funding, public safety, state regulation, election, polling places, voter access, state oversight, electronic voting, voting, polling place, elections, countywide program, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• incorrect test results, misplaced treatments, and increased healthcare costs.
• Alternatively, due to questions regarding the medical appropriateness of the test, the test may not be
• For the CBC blood tests, certain chemistries, and kidney tests, using a male reference value for a transgender
• You know, tests and so forth.
• Contortions and missed positive pregnancy tests in ectopic pregnancies.

Bills: HB45, HB45, HB755, HB 1232, HB1555, HB2460, HB2702, HB2973, HB3120, HB3225, HB3314, HB3356, HB3371, HB3634, HB3638, HB4247, HB4283, HB4290, HB4302, HB4503, HB4511, HB4565, HB4581, HB4627, HB4632, HB4660, HB4668, HB4960, HB5042

Keywords: flooding, disaster response, emergency preparedness, state guidance, public safety, housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money