Transcript Highlights:

• We will proceed to testimony. Thank you, Mr. Moore.
• And that's why the testimony is so important and good.
• We'll proceed to testimony. Thank you.
• Yeah, probably because he wrote the testimony and all.
• Thank you so much for your testimony.

Bills: HB304, HB401, HB556, HB1475, HB1489, HB2259, HB2424, HB2773, HB2811, HB3323, HB304

Keywords: voter ID, citizenship proof, provisional ballot, election security, Texas, voting rights, deep fakes, misleading videos, election integrity, criminal offense, digital misinformation, deep fake, political manipulation, misinformation, artificial media, political influence, artificially generated media, election influence, Texas Election Code, healthcare reform

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:00.800> Uh<00:03:01.120> Randy your testimony. Uh Randy your testimony.
• And now we'll go to testimony. I have Eric Brun and Dan Reed.
• > committee<00:20:02.280> hearings, testimony in other committee hearings, testimony in
• Thank you for your testimony. Senator Abeler. Well, thank you, Madam Chair.
• for the record and begin your testimony. for the record and begin your testimony.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Excellent testimony.
• I'm sorry, there should be no interruption during testimony. Please wait until after testimony.
• testimony wait till after testimony testimony wait till after testimony please<00:20:38.000>
• <00:38:42.079> on LA to give his testimony on LA to give his testimony on 539<00:38:45.200
• thank you for your testimony thank you for your testimony representative<05:16:22.200> McFarland

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you very much for your testimony. Thank you very much for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you both for your testimony. Thank you both for your testimony.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several insurance-related bills. SB 1209 by Senator Allen, sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, would give the Department of Insurance stronger enforcement tools when insurers fail to implement corrective actions identified in market conduct or financial examinations. Supporters said the bill would close gaps that allow repeated violations, improve solvency oversight, and protect policyholders; opponents argued CDI already has broad authority and raised concerns about duplicative penalties, due process, and the bill’s scope. Members discussed amendments to limit the bill to legal violations rather than recommendations, apply penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarify accounting language. The committee voted to send SB 1209 to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call after a roll vote that included one no vote from Senator Niello. The committee also considered SB 1301, which would require more detailed non-renewal notices for residential property insurance, give policyholders time and information to address correctable issues, and restrict certain non-renewal reasons such as claims below deductible or not covered by the policy. Support came from homeowners, fire survivors, and consumer groups who said notices are often vague and leave families unable to keep coverage; insurers opposed the bill, warning that California’s notice period is already among the longest in the country and that the bill could worsen availability and add burdensome reporting requirements. The author said he was willing to reduce the notice period from 180 days to about three months and work on a mitigation-based process. The committee passed the bill to Appropriations, with Senator Niello voting no and the item placed on call. SB 1026 by Senator Gonzalez would tighten regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing the Department of Insurance to suspend or revoke licenses without a criminal conviction, adding conduct restrictions, and requiring continuous liability coverage and proper appointment notices. Supporters, including Commissioner Lara, said the bill addresses serious misconduct and loopholes that have led to unsafe conduct and weak oversight. Bail industry representatives and crime victims’ advocates opposed the measure, arguing that the required insurance coverage is unavailable or unlawful as written, that the bill would be hard to comply with, and that it could reduce the number of recovery agents and delay justice. The committee moved SB 1026 to Appropriations, with Senator Niello voting no and the bill placed on call. The committee then heard SB 982 by Senator Wiener, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, which would authorize the Attorney General to sue fossil fuel companies to recover costs tied to climate disasters and insurance losses, with supporters framing it as a way to shift some climate-related costs away from policyholders and taxpayers. The author said amendments would remove retroactivity and delay liability until 2032, while supporters from flood and wildfire survivor groups and climate organizations said the bill would help fund recovery and stabilize insurance costs. Opponents from industry and building trades argued the bill was legally vulnerable, would create a de facto tax or liability scheme, and could harm jobs, energy production, and affordability. Testimony on SB 982 was extensive, but the transcript ends before any committee vote or final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Johnny Ross.
• Let's hear her testimony. I'm going to read it verbatim.
• Thank you for your testimony. Any discussion?
• Appreciate your testimony.

Bills: HB2176, HB2333, HB2435, HB2447, HB2617, HB2683, HB2686, HB2725, HB2726, HB2906, HB2953, HB2958

Keywords: health care, licensure, complaints, investigation, safety, patient care, regulatory compliance, prosthetics, orthotics, health insurance, Medicare, medical necessity, disability rights, coverage, reimbursement, internationally trained physicians, medical board, clinical training, provisional license, healthcare workforce

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several health care bills. HB 2726 would require Access contractors to cover diagnosis and treatment of mild obstructive sleep apnea, including a new prescription tongue-stimulation device; supporters said it offers an effective, less burdensome alternative to CPAP and could improve adherence and outcomes, while Access was neutral and raised concerns about cost and bypassing its normal clinical review. The committee adopted the Bliss amendment and then approved HB 2726 as amended on an 8-4 due-pass vote. HB 2435 would create a pathway for internationally trained physicians to receive a provisional Arizona medical license, with a later amendment adding a four-year supervised rural practice requirement and automatic conversion to a full license if criteria are met. Supporters argued it would help address severe physician shortages in rural and underserved areas, especially for cardiology and other specialties, and several doctors testified about their experience and the need for more access. Opponents, including the Arizona Medical Board, said the state already has a case-by-case licensure process for foreign-trained physicians and warned the bill could weaken safeguards and allow insufficiently vetted applicants. After adopting the amendment, the committee approved HB 2435 as amended on a due-pass recommendation. HB 2958 would require Access to cover comprehensive dental care for pregnant women age 21 and older, with a $500,000 pilot program and reporting requirements. The sponsor and public health advocates said preventive dental care during pregnancy can reduce infections and improve maternal and infant outcomes, and the bill drew broad support from health and advocacy groups. The committee passed HB 2958 on an 11-1 due-pass vote. The committee also approved HB 2176, which changes criteria and timelines for health care institution licensing complaints and informal dispute resolution, with supporters saying it would improve transparency and predictability for hospitals while preserving enforcement authority. Finally, the committee heard HB 2447, which would bar insurers from paying certified registered nurse anesthetists less than physicians for the same anesthesia service; opponents argued it would interfere with contract negotiations and raise costs, while supporters said insurer reimbursement cuts are harming rural access and shifting costs to hospitals. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 2447, before any committee vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The department stands on its written testimony in support of this measure. Ms.
• <00:02:34.560> in stands on its written testimony in stands on its written testimony in support
• The department stands on its written testimony in support of this measure. Mr.
• testimony in support of this measure. testimony in support of this measure.
• The department stands on its written testimony in support of this measure.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education heard several advice-and-consent nominations to the School Facilities Authority. For GM779, Shelley Pa was introduced as a nominee for a term ending June 30, 2029. The Department of Education supported her nomination, citing her large-scale operations and stakeholder-engagement experience. In her testimony, Pa said she retired from community policing, wanted to give back to teachers and students, and believed her strengths were collaboration, listening to community input, and helping balance differing priorities. Committee members questioned her about the construction and infrastructure focus of the board, her lack of direct construction experience, and how she would handle disagreements and budget limits; she responded that she would rely on collaboration, ask questions, and keep decisions centered on students, teachers, and the community while staying within budget. The committee then heard GM777 and GM778 for Robert Davis, with terms ending June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2029. Davis described more than 30 years with the Department of Education, including roles as teacher, coach, counselor, vice principal, principal, and complex area superintendent, and said he had worked on major facilities projects and managed pandemic-era funding. He emphasized communication, transparency, and trust, and explained that his experience on the Early Learning Board helped him understand how to set policy, identify schools for pre-K, and use data and community factors in decision-making. Members asked how he would handle SFA’s growing pains, the need to balance DOE wishes with practical and budgetary limits, and the board’s role when the legislature controls funding; Davis said the board must keep communication open, include the right people, and make sensible decisions that move projects forward without stalling. For GM780, nominee Michael Unbasami was introduced for a term ending June 30, 2029. The Department of Education supported him, highlighting over five decades of public service and experience in facilities management, finance, and legislative affairs. Unbasami said he had recently retired after 31 years as associate vice president for administrative affairs for the community colleges and had extensive experience with facilities planning, construction, renovation, repairs, and working within budgets. He stated that the DOE should be treated as the SFA’s client because it knows student, teacher, and facility needs best, while SFA’s role is to implement construction work and collaborate on priorities. Committee members pressed him on how to balance DOE requests with practical project delivery, especially for teacher housing and other non-classroom needs, and he said the legislature funds the work, SFA must keep projects moving, and the workflow should involve collaboration but also realistic decisions that fit the budget and avoid delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• We submitted written testimony, so I'll just be very brief.
• their testimony. Very much appreciated. their testimony. Very much appreciated.
• testimony when you're ready. testimony when you're ready.
• I know I'm repetitive on some of the testimony, but sorry.
• some of the testimony, but sorry. some of the testimony, but sorry.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Great, thank you for your testimony. We do have a couple of questions.
• I appreciate your testimony. We do have a couple of questions.
• Thank you, Chair, and thank you all for your testimony.
• Thank you very much, and I appreciate your testimony.
• sponsor and work on some more testimony sponsor and work on some more testimony is<01:03:43.559>

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:35 SB 22 Discussion 00:01:20 SB 22 Vote 00:11:45 SB 100 Discussion 00:15:07 SB 100 Vote 00:38:53 SB 88 Discussion Only 00:42:11 Adjournment 01:03:52, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on February 18, 2025, and first took up Senate Bill 22 by Senator Reginald Thomas, which was presented as a cleanup measure following prior cosmetology reforms and a Legislative Oversight and Investigations report. The bill would allow cosmetologists to retake exams multiple times with a one-month wait, authorize the Board of Cosmetology to immediately close facilities that intentionally use unlicensed workers while preserving due process, give the board flexibility to hire an executive director based on qualifications rather than licensure, and recognize certain out-of-state or territorial cosmetology licenses. Board officials said the changes were intended to improve fairness, equality, and administrative due process. Senators asked about retesting fees and whether partial retests could dilute standards; Thomas clarified that the exam is cumulative and must be retaken in full. The committee approved SB 22 with all favorable votes, and Senator Meredith explained his support as a workforce and fairness issue. The committee then heard Senate Bill 100 by Senator Jimmy Higdon, as substituted, concerning tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product retail licensing and enforcement. Youth advocates from the University of Kentucky testified in support, describing youth nicotine use as a public health crisis and urging stronger enforcement, annual compliance checks, retailer licensing, and tougher penalties for illegal sales to minors. Higdon said the bill would create a Division of Tobacco, Nicotine, and Vapor Products Licensing within ABC, require licenses for retailers, authorize inspections and confiscation of contraband, impose escalating criminal and civil penalties for unlicensed sales and sales to minors, publish a list of licensed retailers, and dedicate fine revenue to enforcement and youth education. He said the measure targeted bad actors rather than responsible retailers. A retailer witness also supported licensing but raised concerns about contradictory product definitions that could sweep in hemp and medical marijuana vapor products, and asked that the bill be delayed until after an expected Supreme Court decision affecting federal vapor-product rules. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 100, before any committee vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cindy, if you would introduce yourself for the committee and proceed with your testimony.
• Cunningham, for your testimony today.
• <00:25:23.600> today cuningham for uh um your testimony today cuningham for uh um your testimony
• think that you have uh some testimony think that you have uh some testimony that<00:26:06.919>
• would like to uh share the testimony would like to uh share the testimony that<00:26:54.559>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Children and Families Committee met with a quorum, approved the January 21, 2025 minutes, and then focused on child care shortages and the pressures facing family child care providers across Minnesota, especially in Greater Minnesota. Chairing members noted the issue affects both rural and metro areas and introduced testimony from Cindy Cunningham, a St. Paul family child care provider and public policy chair for the State Association for Family Child Care. Cunningham argued that family child care is in crisis despite state investments, saying provider numbers continue to decline and that the system is not working. She raised concerns about food reimbursement tiers, special licenses that may not qualify for the family child care food program, the need for supplemental support for lower-tier programs, and the burden of upfront grant spending and delayed reimbursement. She also said providers receive little financial benefit for their own children in care and described a recent DHS decision affecting supervision of providers’ own children as an example of poor communication. Her broader message was that unclear, inconsistent, and poorly implemented licensing rules are driving providers out of the field. She recommended implementing the Office of the Legislative Auditor’s recommendations, improving DHS communication with both licensors and providers, updating public guidance and training materials, and considering more direct county funding and support for family child care. She also suggested reevaluating support for certified centers and other state-funded programs that she said operate under different standards. Committee members thanked her for the detailed testimony and said they wanted to follow up with her. The committee then moved on to letters and additional testimony from providers around the state, with members emphasizing the goal of identifying specific regulations that are hindering child care startup and continuation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, public testimony was closed.
• Seeing none, public testimony was closed.
• Seeing none, public testimony was closed.
• Seeing none, public testimony was closed.
• <00:48:05.480> is testify seeing none public testimony is testify seeing none public testimony

Bills: HF1662, HF2115, HF2159, HF1095, HF2160

Keywords: veterans, veterans affairs, State Soldiers Assistance Program, Veterans Stable Housing Initiative, MAXIS, human services data, data sharing, eligibility verification, informed consent, private data, benefits coordination, veteran housing, veteran assistance, Department of Human Services, Children Youth and Families, state benefits, federal benefits, privacy, public assistance, human services

Transcript Highlights:

• testimony that I'm going to pass out testimony that I'm going to pass out thank<01:05:54.799> you<
• haven't touched on that in my testimony haven't touched on that in my testimony other<02:38:00.600
• You have a full written testimony.
• <03:45:12.239> we job um and since it's her testimony we job um and since it's her testimony
• <04:03:23.720> that integrity of those testimonies that integrity of those testimonies that

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 702, which would change how extra or special duty pay for retired police officers is treated for retirement and work-limit purposes. Supporters argued the bill would let retirees work more special-duty hours, helping municipalities fill traffic-detail and similar assignments without added state cost, and said it would not prohibit retirees from working but would simply stop those hours from counting toward the return-to-work threshold. Opponents argued the change would be inconsistent with the retirement system’s 2011 reforms, could increase pension liabilities, and would treat the same compensation differently for active employees and retirees. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect current and future retirees, the role of municipalities, and whether the policy amounted to “policing for profit.” The subcommittee ultimately voted 3-2 to recommend inexpedient to legislate (ITL) on HB 702, sending it to the full committee with that recommendation. The committee then discussed House Bill 581, which would create a Group Three retirement plan for new state employees hired after the bill’s effective date. The chair outlined a housekeeping amendment to delay implementation, moving the effective date to January 1, 2026, and noted a sponsor amendment addressing health insurance group inclusion and medical and surgical benefits so those benefits would not be put at risk for the new group. Testimony and discussion focused on the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution, with supporters citing Michigan examples and arguing the bill would help recruit and retain employees while giving them more flexibility. Opponents said the change could weaken retirement security and increase unfunded liability, though supporters responded that the bill still requires employer contributions toward accrued liability and is intended to keep the state on track to pay off its unfunded liability by 2039. The transcript ends with continued discussion of the bill and no final vote shown on HB 581.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any public testimony on the amendment? Members wishing to debate on the—sorry.
• Is there any public testimony on the bill as amended? Matthew?
• Any public testimony on the amendment? Members, any debate on the amendment?
• That concludes public testimony members. Any debate?
• We do have one public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are no other questions; we'll open public testimony. Who is here to testify?
• I have some written testimony.
• I'm looking at your testimony, and as usual, it's very complete.
• Howard Ramblett, you may start your testimony.
• If not, public testimony is closed.

Bills: SB3, SB 3

Keywords: disaster relief, emergency funding, flood management, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:48.920> both<00:16:49.200> in<00:16:49.360> the testimony both in the testimony
• on on this where there was testimony on on this where there was written<01:43:31.000> testimony
• So, we did take some testimony from insurance companies originally when we took testimony on this bill
• testimony from take any testimony from uh<01:44:25.960> any<01:44:26.360> insurance<01
• <01:47:16.240> on the Senate did not take testimony on the Senate did not take testimony on

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll open this up to public testimony. We'll open this up to public testimony.
• Okay, thank you for testimony. Okay, thank you for testimony.
• Further testimony. Anybody online? All right. Well, that will close public testimony.
• Appreciate your<01:02:34.640> testimony. your testimony. your testimony.
• Appreciate that testimony. Further testimony here in the room? Anybody online? Okay.

Bills: SF0050, SF0068, SF0084, HB0087, HB0029, HB0061, HB0090

Keywords: groundwater, water resource management, state engineer, aquifer study, corrective controls, monitoring wells, public reporting, irrigation, water management, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, water conservation, Colorado River, drought, water rights, voluntary program, interstate agreements, water development

Transcript Highlights:

• For public testimony, there are a few key witnesses.
• For everyone else in the public testimony, there will be given up to two minutes for that testimony,
• Appreciate your testimony.
• Your testimony is very powerful.
• Thank you for your testimony. You looked specifically at me.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you'd identify yourself for the record, please present your testimony.
• If you'd identify yourself for the record, we're happy to have your testimony.
• Um, thank you, Senator Nelson, or—questions before we proceed to the testimony?
• We welcome your testimony.
• Shel, welcome to the committee, and we're pleased to have your testimony.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have public testimony.
• Seeing no more public testimony members.
• We do have public testimony.
• But I appreciate that testimony. Let me see. Get get back on track because it's so real.
• We have an questions members. >> We have public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you very much for your testimony. Thank you very much for your testimony.
• Thank you very much for your testimony.
• Thank you very much for your testimony. Thank you very much for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• ,<00:54:08.080> I But when I listen to the testimony, I But when I listen to the testimony

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:48.560> as So uh director Nash have testimony as So uh director Nash have testimony
• Thank you. >> Thank you very much for your testimony. >> Thank you very much for your testimony.
• State your name for the record. testifier one by one to the testimony testifier one by one to the testimony
• wish to submit the following testimony wish to submit the following testimony regarding<01:41:38.480
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank everybody for your testimony.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all