Transcript Highlights:

• Same with the judicial, whether you want to have the AG go after employees of the judicial branch.
• misdemeanor DUI this summer, when I read this bill it sounds like the Speaker could refer me to the AG
• Representative Matthias: The Speaker could refer me to the AG because I broke the law.
• Representative Scott: Idaho Code 27-502 currently allows the lawful possession, purchase, and sale in
• And the first responders on the scene, I live in an ag area in Kenney County.

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:54.120><c> when</c> was prompted uh to put in her age when was prompted uh to put in her age
• </c> It appears as though she intentionally put in an adult age, so she vaulted the age gate and pursued
• It was sort of alluded to in terms of age verification.
• And AG Lopez, she strongly people.
• </c> is the one who procures and purchases is the one who procures and purchases those<01:29:55.840><

Transcript Highlights:

• That's in addition to investments in business as a real property that could end up including purchase
• So that's a little concerning. actions both in purchases and investments.
• I think the investor or purchaser is not going to be on the hook.
• Purchases are going to be ag until the days you take the cows off to start developing it.
• But building upon that, in this day and age, where you may have a donor.

Bills: HB256 , HB1308 , HB1554 , HB1743 , HB2308 , HB2351 , HB2858 , HB3676 , HB3784 , HB4312 , HB4552 , HB4823 , HB4852 , HB5007 , HB5010 , HB5520 , HB5524 , HCR19 , HB256 , HCR19

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• example of Jessica, who's a first-time homeowner at our Yarrow Cottages project, who was able to purchase
• For those of us who came of age in the shadow of foreclosure signs, we knew—I don't know.
• We know this is an extremely low unemployment rate for people ages 18 to 25 years.
• We know this is an extremely low unemployment rate for people ages 18 to 25 years of age.
• Our city's aging wastewater treatment plant saw a catastrophic failure last year and is in desperate

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held its first meeting of the 2026 session to hear Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental capital budget from OFM. Budget staff said the proposal uses nearly all of the roughly $400 million in available bond capacity, leaving about $5.4 million unused, and includes additional funding from the Common School Construction account, the Climate Commitment Account, and federal funds. OFM described housing as the largest priority, with $237 million total, including $225 million for the Housing Trust Fund for affordable rental housing, homeownership, preservation, and manufactured home community acquisition; it also highlighted urgent state facility needs, climate and clean energy investments, natural resource projects, and education funding for school seismic safety, small district and tribal compact school modernization, lead pipe remediation, and higher education preservation projects. Committee members asked about the timing of housing production, and OFM said the proposed supplemental projects would not be completed within the biennium. Public testimony in the housing section strongly supported the governor’s housing investments, especially the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and homeownership programs, while several speakers asked for larger appropriations for workforce housing, community land trusts, right-to-counsel, and specific local projects such as Thrive Center Tacoma, Alliance Place, Casa Mia, and Native and immigrant community facilities. One testifier criticized overall state tax policy, but the chair clarified that the capital budget is bonded and does not directly raise taxes. Testimony on K-12 education generally supported the proposed funding for small school modernization, seismic safety, and Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools lead remediation, with rural districts emphasizing the importance of planning and construction grants for aging facilities. Higher education witnesses supported preservation and deferred maintenance funding but asked for additional support for projects at Cascadia College, WSU Spokane, UW’s decarbonization work, and other campus infrastructure needs. Natural resources testimony backed Salmon Recovery Funding Board and community forest investments, while asking for more funding for ranked RCO projects. In the final section, local governments and utilities opposed a proposed $75 million transfer from the Public Works Assistance account to the operating budget, warning it would reduce infrastructure lending capacity; other speakers supported the Washington State Green Bank, public works financing, and several local economic development and utility projects. No votes or formal committee action were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is primarily due to purchases that were expenses brought into FY26 that are no longer needed in
• They're using ag to clean up the mess that's caused by the storms. So...
• It's every state in the union that didn't make ag crops financially this year.
• He has ag commissioners; we're traveling and doing that as well.
• But it's for purchase and maintenance of equipment only. It is not for operations or for salaries.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• A person who is indigent may purchase items at the commissary such as hygiene products, over-the-counter
• mail envelopes, and the trust accounting system will create a debt for the entire amount of the purchase
• Sadly, we say not everyone in custody has the family support nor the means to purchase basic hygienic
• any money sent over $25. $25 is just not enough to meet most hygienic needs, notwithstanding the purchase
• and may have stayed there for decades or their entire lives, but today very few youth under the age

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard several House bills. Substitute House Bill 2539 would raise the indigent inmate account threshold from $25 to $100, allowing incarcerated people to retain more money for commissary items like hygiene products, postage, and medications before deductions for legal financial obligations, child support, and other debts. Representative Street said the bill is meant to better cover essentials without stopping debt repayment. Testifiers from Civil Survival, incarcerated people, and family advocates supported the bill, describing current commissary prices, low prison wages, and the burden on families. The committee also heard that the Department of Corrections expects some indeterminate implementation costs and IT expenses. No vote was taken. House Bill 2510 would require the Department of Corrections to supervise anyone sentenced to community custody for stalking, regardless of risk classification. Representative Burnett said the bill is intended to protect victims and give them peace of mind. Staff explained that the bill is narrower than a related measure heard earlier because it applies only to people sentenced to community custody, typically at the superior court level. Victim advocates and survivors testified in strong support, describing stalking cases that escalated to severe threats and violence and arguing that mandatory supervision could prevent future harm. The hearing was closed without action. The committee also heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2319 and Substitute House Bill 2350, both concerning residential habilitation centers. HB 2319 would rename Fircrest School and Rainier School to remove the word “school” and better reflect their current role as residential habilitation centers; supporters said the old terminology is outdated and confusing, while the sponsor said the bill is a clarification only and does not change services or funding. HB 2350 would require DSHS to notify residents, guardians, and other designated people when an RHC falls out of compliance with federal CMS requirements, and to post plain-language notices at the facility. Supporters from Disability Rights Washington, The Arc, and self-advocates said the bill would improve transparency and accountability. The committee closed public hearing on both bills, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This section will go into effect for sales and purchases made after June 30th, 2026.
• This section will go into effect for sales and purchases made after June 30th, 2026.
• This section will go into effect for sales and purchases made after June 30th, 2026.
• This section will go into effect for sales and purchases made after June 30th, 2026.
• This section will go into effect for sales and purchases made after June 30th, 2026.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the median age of buying your first home in the state of Minnesota.
• of buying and purchasing that first-time home. home. home.
• </c> to the first time we purchased a home. to the first time we purchased a home.
• Kenk is um aging that before. But Mr.
• </c> we've met the family that have aging we've met the family that have aging grandparents<00:44:17.440

Transcript Highlights:

• So the first $500 is still exempt if you buy more than a $500 purchase.
• Gold has been shown to retain its purchasing power over time.
• power of the dollar, gold has retained that purchasing power quite well over time.
• Is there a way for people to protect their purchasing power and use gold in the economy?
• And so it's maintained its purchasing power.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The committee first took up SB 794, as amended by a late-filed strike-all, which would require a human being to make insurance claim denial decisions and prohibit artificial intelligence from being the sole basis for a denial. The sponsor said the bill was intended to preserve human oversight while allowing innovation in claims processing. Public testimony included support from the Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate and the Florida Medical Association, along with one speaker urging additional protections for homeowners. The committee adopted the strike-all and reported SB 794 favorably with committee substitutes. Members then heard SB 134, which removes the $500 threshold on the sales tax exemption for bullion, making sales of gold, silver, and platinum bullion fully exempt and eliminating certain dealer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the change would reduce a regressive tax and help consumers preserve savings; the sponsor estimated a revenue impact of about $300,000. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a strike-all on SB 888, which directs the Office of Insurance Regulation to create a more consumer-friendly homeowners insurance website with premium comparison information, market data, rate filing access, and educational resources. The sponsor and Leader Boyd said the goal was to improve transparency and help consumers navigate a stabilizing market. SB 888 was reported favorably with committee substitutes. The final bill heard was SB 1578, covering mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screenings. The sponsor said it would expand coverage requirements in ACA plans and private insurance policies, including annual mammograms for women ages 40 to 50 and supplemental screening coverage, while noting Medicaid already provides these services. The Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate waived in support, and the bill was reported favorably. After the bills, the committee held a lengthy panel discussion on gold and silver as legal tender and transactional money, with testimony from officials from Utah and Florida, industry representatives, and advocacy groups. Panelists discussed constitutional authority, consumer protections, depository oversight, taxation issues, and possible transactional platforms for precious metals. No further action was taken after the discussion, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• An employer need only post the poster developed by the AG to notify workers of the requirements in the
• An employer need only use the AG model notice to notify workers of an upcoming I-9 audit and can attach
• own notice if it meets the same requirements, but is otherwise considered compliant if they use the AG
• Instead, the AG must publish guidance on employers' rights to refuse to consent to these searches.
• The proposed substitute adds a provision requiring the AG to conduct outreach to businesses, employers

Bills: HB2479 , HB2091 , HB2105 , HB2107 , HB2151 , HB2190 , HB2191 , HB2218 , HB2243 , HB2303 , HB2345

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: unpaid wages, wage theft, wage recovery, labor standards, Department of Labor and Industries, L&I, worker protection, low-wage workers, back pay, interest on wages, civil penalties, retaliation, immigration status coercion, gig workers, transportation network companies, rideshare drivers, app-based drivers, employment law, wage complaint, payroll enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• I have two more here with Aging and Adult Services.
• Seniors want to age in their homes and in their communities.
• friends when our science friends are looking to bring some ag in.
• I take kids from six weeks to age five.
• , and the number one cause of death for kids age 1 to 5.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several budget requests tied to health and human services. Louisiana Children’s Advocacy Centers asked for continued support and a supplemental appropriation of $1.173 million for infrastructure and standardization, explaining that the money would expand use of the Guardify digital evidence system, improve chain of custody, and reduce reliance on DVDs. Baton Rouge and statewide CAC leaders said prior funding helped eliminate a therapy wait list and speed services for abused children. Members asked detailed questions about the digital system, MDT coordination, and how the request related to SB 237, which would strengthen multidisciplinary review of child abuse cases. The Alzheimer’s Association sought $824,000 to sustain the dementia care specialist program, saying it helps families navigate services, keep loved ones at home longer, and reduce Medicaid costs. AARP and the Live at Home Coalition also testified for 750 additional Community Choice waiver slots at a state cost of $3.3 million, arguing that home- and community-based care is cheaper than nursing homes and that the current wait list is more than 11,000 people. Legislators discussed the size of the need, the state’s long-term care spending mix, and whether more support should go to family caregivers and community-based options. Testimony also focused on disability support services, substance use treatment, and developmental disability provider rates. A parent and direct support worker described the Children’s Choice waiver’s 20-hour cap and low pay, saying it makes it hard to retain caregivers and meet the needs of medically fragile children. Odyssey House and O’Brien House asked for higher Medicaid reimbursement rates under ASAM 4, warned that removal of room-and-board payments and weak Medicaid eligibility pathways are reducing access, and called for more oversight of sober living homes; members questioned outcomes data, length of stay, and links to homelessness. Finally, the Arc of Louisiana said the LDH rate study confirmed underfunding and supported a $53.6 million increase in state general funds, with local ARC leaders describing the services they provide and the need for higher direct support professional wages.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:53.040><c> from</c> and Zoning has to be purchased from and Zoning has to be purchased from
• In fact, our average purchase price of a home went up 60% in this past year.
• In fact, our average purchase price of a home went up 60% in this past year.
• In fact, our average purchase price of a home went up 60% in this past year.
• </c> $455,000 in fact our average purchase $455,000 in fact our average purchase price<00:48:54.400><

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Decisions on generation, power purchases, demand response, and efficiency programs.
• To by stakeholders that protects co-ops' authority to choose generation and power, purchase power based
• just the concern about undermining local planning efforts by requiring that local governments treat ag
• participation by not allowing local governments to require public hearings for developments in those ag
• These ag enclaves have to be in either an urban service area or an urban growth boundary.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 10 years to complete those purchases.
• We can do that through purchasing agricultural water rights, and probably the bulk of that depletions
• reduction will come through purchasing agricultural water rights.
• There is no miracle-calculated index delivery to the auto week age.
• But this does not change anything about what's happening above the auto week age. Thank you.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And having the ability to purchase what I need on the spot.
• I understand that we purchased two additional...
• Many agencies purchase equipment tailored solely to their local city systems due to budget constraints
• Police officers receive extensive firearms training and are required to regularly...
• What is the age of... let me ask it this way: Can I buy that P25 with a stripped-down version today,

Committee: House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> most programs require a purchase most programs require a purchase agreement<00:15:36.959><c> to<
• </c> down payment assistance fund to purchase down payment assistance fund to purchase the<00:19:16.240
• To me, that threshold, we also provide one-on-one pre-purchase counseling as well.
• To me, that threshold, we also provide one-on-one pre-purchase counseling as well.
• Please introduce yourself and proceed. table for us and purchasing um our table for us and purchasing

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:01.039><c> um</c> deals with uh limits for purchasing um deals with uh limits for purchasing
• ><c> and</c> purchase, installation, maintenance, and purchase, installation, maintenance, and so<00:
• </c> unfortunately, we live in a day and age unfortunately, we live in a day and age where<00:36:05.200
• It's an unfortunate reality of the digital age in which we live.
• </c> comfort and in the age in which we live. comfort and in the age in which we live.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• years of age.
• Aging. Aging. &gt;&gt; Hi,<00:56:41.280><c> good</c><00:56:41.440><c> morning.
• and aging.
• </c> for an aging population. for an aging population.
• </c><01:16:33.760><c> but</c> it in the age well and age plan, but it in the age well and age plan, but

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call and approval of the prior meeting minutes, with one member abstaining because of absence and one member opposing. The main informational items were a Department of Health and Human Services update on the rural health transformation grant and a public health briefing on vaccines, followed by a quarterly budget and staffing update and an annual report from the Permanent Subcommittee on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias. Commissioner Lori Weaver reported that the department submitted the rural health transformation grant application on November 4, described it as reflecting input from communities and providers statewide, and said CMS review and budget negotiations would follow before final approval on December 31. She said the grant could support hiring as long as administrative costs stay within the 10% cap, and that the governor’s office will oversee administration with HHS. Ian Watt then testified that New Hampshire remains committed to vaccine access, including through the universal purchase program and annual respiratory virus guidance for flu, RSV, and COVID-19. He said the state continues to use evidence-based review for vaccine policy, noted the CDC’s change regarding the combined MMRV vaccine for the first dose in young children, and said New Hampshire’s school vaccine mandates remain at nine for schoolchildren and 10 for child care, with statutory exemptions still in place. Department staff also said there have been no supply or funding problems affecting childhood vaccine access. Nathan White, the department’s CFO, reviewed the DHHS budget and vacancy trends. He said DHHS makes up a large share of the state budget, that about 31% of its budget is general funds subject to lapse, and that lapse projections are difficult because much of the budget is driven by utilization rather than personnel. He reported current projected general fund lapse of just under $20 million, compared with about $39 million in the statewide surplus statement, and explained that only about a third of DHHS general funds can actually lapse because of statutory restrictions. He also said the department has about 400 unfunded positions, contributing to roughly a $30 million general fund reduction across the biennium, and that the hiring freeze has pushed vacancy trends upward while critical direct-care positions are being prioritized. The Alzheimer’s subcommittee reported six meetings this year, presentations on state services, silver alerts, brain health awareness, and palliative/hospice care, and work toward a new state Alzheimer’s plan. The subcommittee is developing a needs-assessment survey for people living with dementia, caregivers, and service providers, with the goal of using the results and other data sources to inform the plan. Its recommendations focus on integrating Alzheimer’s and dementia materials into chronic disease and aging outreach, embedding brain health into systems of care, adding cognitive health measures to BRFSS, and continuing partnerships with statewide organizations. Members also discussed recent research and prevention efforts, and the committee noted that a separate bill is being pursued to include Alzheimer’s and dementia in existing public health awareness campaigns.

Transcript Highlights:

• The technical changes requested will align terms with current data privacy statutes, add clarity to AG
• The technical changes requested will align terms with current data privacy statutes, add clarity to AG
• I've purchased three used vehicles in Texas since 2020 with my son.
• During one purchase, a $1,000 fee for outside financing was listed.
• And again, the price of a vehicle—your first purchase of a vehicle and the purchase of a vehicle today—there's

Bills: HB12 , HB149 , HB 12 , HB149 , SB229 , SB1361 , SB1749 , SB1897 , SB2113 , SB2566 , SB2677 , SB1652 , SB2327 , SB2344 , SB2696

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard testimony on HB 149, the Artificial Intelligence Governance Act. Senator Schwertner described the bill as an outcomes-based AI framework that would require disclosure when people interact with AI, prohibit manipulative or social-scoring systems, address biometric capture, discrimination, and deepfake child exploitation, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. It would also create an AI Sandbox and AI Council. Witnesses from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a Houston attorney, TechNet, and the Texas Association of Business strongly supported the bill, praising its stakeholder process and pro-innovation approach, while Texas Appleseed suggested regulators should have more examination authority over sandbox participants. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard SB 229, which would prohibit motor vehicle dealers from conditioning a sale on dealer-offered financing or charging more because a buyer uses outside financing or cash. Senator West said the bill is meant to stop forced financing and bait-and-switch pricing, and he noted the bill passed the committee and Senate in the prior session. The Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposed the bill, arguing it would force dealers to accept any third-party lender or cash transaction on terms they cannot control. The Texas Credit Union Association supported the bill, saying consumers should be able to choose outside financing without hidden fees or pressure. After questions about cash purchases and dealer practices, the bill was left pending. The committee also took up SB 2566, which would clarify legislators’ access to information from executive agencies, including confidential information, by setting response deadlines, limiting confidentiality agreements to statutory terms, requiring a standard AG form, and creating a complaint and penalty process for noncompliance. No witnesses testified, and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 1749, as substituted, would let certain court-related employees and judicial conduct commission personnel keep personal information such as home addresses and phone numbers confidential, with work addresses used in place of home addresses for certain purposes. District clerk and judicial conduct commission witnesses described threats and harassment as the reason for the bill, and a court administration witness answered questions about how the address protections would work with voter registration and precinct records. That bill was also left pending, and the committee recessed without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because the stress of the elderly is due to the aging process.
• So at 82 years of age, I've seen this distress. I've lived it, and some of you...
• I'm just hoping all of us can come here at age 82 and make a cogent testimony like you just did.
• I think the explanation is related to the authority of appraisal for the initial purchase, finance, purchase
• An AG opinion was sought to seek clarification.

Bills: SB467 , SB325 , SB867 , SB994 , SB1052 , SB1237 , SB1449 , SB1531 , SB2063 , SB2172 , SB2173 , SB2520 , SB2529 , SB2538 , SB2541 , SJR46 , SJR84

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: SB 467, Texas property tax, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, residence homestead, fire damage, house fire, destroyed home, temporary tax relief, appraisal district, chief appraiser, local taxing unit, tax rollback, tax refund, Tax Code Chapter 11, prorated exemption, homestead improvement, disaster relief, property tax exemption, residential property

Summary: The committee heard several local government and property tax bills, with most testimony focused on appraisal disputes, tax administration, and development rules. Senate Bill 1052 by Senator Hinojosa would address coastal county appraisal litigation by requiring property owners in certain large-value disputes to report an uncontested taxable value while appeals are pending, so taxing units can base truth-in-taxation calculations on more realistic revenue. Nueces County, Del Mar College, and Corpus Christi ISD testified in support, describing major budget shortfalls caused by refinery valuation disputes; the committee substitute narrowed and clarified the bill’s scope. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1052 was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1531, which would require local tax collectors to accept common electronic property tax payments such as credit cards, debit cards, and e-checks. Witnesses supported modernizing payment options and the committee substitute removed ACH/electronic funds transfer language to avoid bank-account disclosure concerns. Public testimony closed and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 325, by Senator Perry, would restore platting and groundwater-certification requirements that were unintentionally weakened by prior legislation; supporters from county government, water groups, and builders’ representatives debated whether the real issue was groundwater protection or road standards for private roads. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony and no vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 994 and SJR 46, which would exempt certain livestock feed inventory from property tax and provide the constitutional amendment needed for that change. Feed store and Farm Bureau witnesses supported the measure as relief for seasonal inventory taxes, and the bills were left pending. Senator Paxton presented SB 467 and SJR 84 to create a temporary property tax exemption for homes completely destroyed by fire, with refunds or corrected bills based on the date of loss; both were left pending. SB 1237 would clarify charitable property tax exemptions for senior housing and retirement communities, with testimony from Catholic and Baptist retirement organizations and a resident describing rising costs and exemption revocations; it was also left pending. The committee later voted 6-0 to report SB 2073, a pending bill on appraisal district authority to purchase or finance real property, and recommended it for the local and uncontested calendar. Finally, the committee heard SB 2172, SB 2173, and SB 2063, all related to property tax administration. SB 2172 would limit when appraisal districts can require homeowners to reapply for homestead exemptions, requiring a specific reason and written notice; SB 2173 would protect new homeowners from surprise tax liabilities caused by prior owners’ erroneous homestead exemptions, with testimony describing large back-assessment bills; both were left pending. SB 2063 would bar appraisal districts from using market-value evidence in unequal appraisal protests, and testimony sharply divided between taxpayer advocates, who said market data improperly overwhelms equity claims, and appraisal district representatives, who argued market value is inherently tied to equal-and-uniform taxation and cited a recent Texas Supreme Court decision; the bill was left pending after testimony.