Transcript Highlights:

• Park, providing river trips, backcountry whitewater rafting trips, multi-day trips to the general public
• I'm the senior public policy manager with Lyft.

Bills: HB2010 , HB2192 , HB2199 , HB2279 , HB2310 , HB2459 , HB2501 , HB2555 , HB2690 , HB2693

Committees: House Commerce , House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Keywords: digital goods, advertising, ownership, license, consumer protection, refund policies, streaming services, minors, content creators, online platforms, compensation, trust accounts, child protection, video content, privacy, employment, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, landlord tenant laws, tenant rights

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go ahead and start off with public hearings on three bills.
• And we'll go ahead and close public testimony on House Bill 2283 and open public testimony in House Bill
• And I will invite you to please hear from the public testimony.
• And I will invite you to please hear from the public testimony.
• So that concludes public testimony on all the bills.

Bills: HB2261 , HB2283 , HB2425 , HB2110 , HB2113 , HB2122 , HB2152

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: healthcare, transparency, patient communication, credentials, professional standards, medical loss ratio, insurance, health plans, cost management, nursing delegation, registered nurse, RN, home care aide, nursing assistant, certified nursing assistant, CNA, medical assistant, home health, hospice, community-based care

Transcript Highlights:

• admin, and now this is my third year as an assistant analyst for the Health and Human Services and Public
• I didn't know that it would resonate to the degree it did with the general public.
• It has already been accepted for publication.
• It has already been accepted for publication.
• It is a guiding document. been accepted for publication.

Bills: SB1001 , SB1011 , SB1016 , SB1052 , SB1072 , SB1100 , SB1112 , SB1113 , SB1116 , SB1118 , SB1120 , SB1121 , SB1122 , SB1123 , SB1124 , SB1125

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Keywords: appropriation, economic security, blind individuals, older adults, state funding, medical examiners, sudden infant death, autopsy protocols, forensic pathology, public health, religious exemption, employment practices, COVID-19 vaccination, accommodation, discrimination, assisted living, health care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, physician orders, informed consent

Transcript Highlights:

• This initiative serves a public purpose by seeking to facilitate economic growth, improve transportation
• The Transportation Planning Committee can be seen online if you're interested in submitting public comments
• This initiative serves a public purpose by seeking to facilitate economic growth, improve transportation
• costs to users, especially in booming metro areas, is a recipe for endless traffic and spiraling public
• This would extend the tolls by a public vote every five years, so in our view, it's not really a toll

Bills: HB483 , HB3345 , HB3643 , HB3821 , HB3849 , HB4472 , HB4523 , HB4524 , HB5346 , HB5347 , HB5376

Committee: House S/C on Transportation Funding

Keywords: high-speed rail, Texas Department of Transportation, TxDOT, public-private partnership, comprehensive development agreement, CDA, Interstate 35, I-35 corridor, Dallas, Waco, Austin, San Antonio, intercity passenger rail, rail infrastructure, private entity, transportation infrastructure, rail corridor, passenger rail, infrastructure finance, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• And third, it requires annual public disclosure of each city's estimated exit fee.
• I stand before you today as a proud... of native Austinite who began my career in public transit right
• potential negative consequences of House Bill 3643 and to support the continued stability and growth of public
• These public officials have no way to communicate with their voters that. what the other options are,

Bills: HB483 , HB3345 , HB3643 , HB3821 , HB3849 , HB4472 , HB4523 , HB4524 , HB5346 , HB5347 , HB5376

Committee: House S/C on Transportation Funding

Keywords: high-speed rail, Texas Department of Transportation, TxDOT, public-private partnership, comprehensive development agreement, CDA, Interstate 35, I-35 corridor, Dallas, Waco, Austin, San Antonio, intercity passenger rail, rail infrastructure, private entity, transportation infrastructure, rail corridor, passenger rail, infrastructure finance, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• These comments are left by the public on each agenda item in our hearings.
• Comments are open until the end of the public testimony period.
• I just want to— Inform the public that registration has now been closed.
• That concludes our public testimony.
• All right, members, we're going to go to public testimony.

Bills: HB2442 , HB3697 , HB4288 , HB5256 , HB5337 , HB5362 , HJR161

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: HB 2442, Texas Election Code, Election Code Section 84.001, early voting, ballot by mail, mail ballot, absentee voting, runoff election, primary runoff, general runoff, voter application, election administration, county election officials, opt-out, voter choice, mail voting, ballot application, voting by mail, Election Code, size requirements

Bills: HB1550 , HB1592 , HB1964 , HB2002 , HB2063 , HB2118 , HB2128 , HB2669 , HB2765

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: veterinary, regulation, licensing, practices, board, administration, facilities, pest control, wildlife management, agriculture, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, HB 1964, Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 251, agricultural operations, farmers, ranchers, livestock

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently the plans ensuring our public servants lack coverage for IVF treatment.
• I urge you to pass. this bill to support our public servants and affirm our commitment to supporting
• So public's a lot of your public schools.
• As someone who's been really public about... my infertility journey, this bill means a lot to me.
• We believe that those public service should be availed of the same state-level protections that exist

Bills: HB201 , HB272 , HB618 , HB 1094 , HB 1142 , HB201 , HB272

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, credit card fraud, debit card fraud, prosecution, illegal possession, state law, HB 618, Texas insurance code, IVF, in vitro fertilization, fertility treatment, infertility coverage, government employee health benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• Payers to pay after they got that issue resolved and the office opened back up to the public.
• Ray Langenberg, special counsel for the Compton District Court of Public Accounts.
• Thank you again for your public service. Thank you, Mr. Kelly. Thank you so much.
• I represent both public and private sector entities.
• It's the street degradation that happens as the trucks deliver. It's the air quality.

Bills: HB134 , HB135 , HB 1109 , HB 1243 , HB1392 , HB1399 , HJR99 , HB134 , HB135

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, local tax, municipal tax, county tax, tax sourcing, place of business, principal business location, small business, retailer, marketplace seller, economic development agreement, Chapter 321, Chapter 323, Tax Code, Texas Comptroller, local sales and use tax, tax jurisdiction, order consummation, ship-to location

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a Public Safety amendment. Mr.
• street.
• education, public roads, and public safety to make the millions that paid for the home.
• It's all about street design as well.
• So I think this is bad public policy, and I vote no.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> is streets and bridges. is streets and bridges.
• </c><01:04:01.360><c> and</c> um to repair and improve streets and um to repair and improve streets and
• </c><01:15:22.000><c> testimony</c><01:15:23.280><c> and</c> um, public testimony and um, public testimony
• </c> uh, we really didn't have any public uh, we really didn't have any public testimony.<01:17:56.680
• So, So, So, um, um, um, uh, uh, uh, public,<01:18:08.200><c> um,</c> public, um, public, um, in-person

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• We go into close session, we have a public portion, and we have a close session.
• , we have a public portion, and we<00:04:31.919><c> have</c><00:04:32.000><c> a</c><00:04:32.320><c>
• So, it's just creating, as Miss Guy said, options for our public employees to, um, to find the right
• People going to the streets with ineffective and irresponsible leadership in this state.
• </c> sent back or released on the streets sent back or released on the streets somewhere<00:48:56.640

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Their contributions to the public service, science, and...
• Their contributions to public service, science, medicine, education, and the arts reflect the best of
• There are entrepreneurs, educators, health care professionals, and public servants.
• In the 1950s, the area was redeveloped and Pachapa Avenue was renamed Commerce Street.
• I'm going to invite you to our reception after the session at the seventh floor public area.

Transcript Highlights:

• We invite increasing public and private partnerships.
• We know what's going on on those streets.
• And then possibly wandering or falling into the street.
• Clock could help identify areas, because not every street has those rail lines. or those bus lines on
• On our website, available to the public, the type of mitigation projects that we have in place.

Transcript Highlights:

• PROPOSING STREET NAMING AND STREET NUMBERS THAN HAVING SOME PERIOD OF TIME TO REVIEW THAT AND SIGN OFF
• WE DO HAVE A FEW PUBLIC APPEARANCE FORMS.
• COLTON FROM THE FLORIDA CHAMBER WAIVING WE DO HAVE A FEW PUBLIC APPEARANCE FORMS.
• IT CUTS OUT LOCAL VOICES AND PUTS PRIVATE INTERESTS AHEAD OF THE PUBLIC GOOD.
• YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> ON THE PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR FEET QUALITY FOR TOPIC WE OPPOSE THIS BILL.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to limit the number of illegal firearms on our streets.
• He's with the Department of Public Safety. He's with the Department of Public Safety.
• safety in our streets.
• So I... ...public safety in our streets.
• It's hard to do statewide public policy on something that used to be a... ...to do statewide public policy

Bills: SB3 , HB70 , HB49 , HB60 , HB151 , HB164 , SB17 , SB35 , SB164

Committee: Senate House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 35, which would create one additional judgeship in the First Judicial District. Senator Trujillo and Chief Judge Bichai explained that the position had been approved through the judiciary’s unified budget process based on caseload and weighted-caseload needs. Members asked about how the new judge would be appointed, election timing, and courthouse space; the judge said the district would make room temporarily and that technology had helped with courtroom efficiency. One member of the public testified in opposition, alleging questionable case-assignment practices in the district court. The committee then voted do pass on SB 35 to the Finance Committee without objection. The committee then heard Senate Bill 17, the Stop Illegal Gun Trade Act, with extensive testimony on both sides. Supporters, including the sponsors, gun-violence survivors, prosecutors, law enforcement, city representatives, educators, and advocacy groups, argued that the bill would address a retail-to-criminal pipeline by requiring gun dealers to secure inventory, train employees, track sales, report suspicious activity, and restrict future sales of certain military-style firearms and large-capacity magazines. They cited gun violence statistics, local homicides, and the impact on children and schools. Opponents, including NRA and industry representatives, sheriffs, ranchers, dealers, and other citizens, argued the bill would violate the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments, create a de facto registry, impose costly burdens on lawful businesses, and fail to stop criminals. Several opponents also raised concerns about litigation costs and the effect on rural gun owners. Committee members then questioned the sponsors and debated the bill’s definitions, recordkeeping, confidentiality, and dealer requirements. Senator Duhigg offered and the committee adopted several amendments, including removing narrow loss-language tied to fire/theft/flood, changing backup timing language back to the federal standard, and revising the confidentiality/IPRA language to protect names and personal identifying information of transferees. The sponsors said the bill was intended to align with or build on federal standards in some areas while adding state-level dealer oversight. The chair allowed extended amendment discussion and indicated the committee would continue working through the substitute bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think Wall Street really clearly set the tone on this thing early.
• And the operators follow Wall Street. And there's no big ramp up.
• That includes interior and exterior public seating improvements.
• And the public fence would be open, you know, business hours and for events and things like that.
• This facility will be for personnel only and will not be open to the public.

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes before hearing a series of informational updates. The Petroleum Council reported that North Dakota oil production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with activity shifting northward in the Bakken as technology improves and three- and four-mile laterals boost well performance. The presentation also discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, the importance of pipelines and other linear infrastructure, and enhanced oil recovery pilot projects supported by state and federal funding. Members asked questions about gas production taxes, natural gas liquids, and the outlook for drilling rigs and future production. The Office of State Tax Commissioner then reviewed the federal “big beautiful bill” and its estimated effect on North Dakota individual and business income tax collections. Staff explained that most of the individual income tax impact comes from the permanent increase in the standard deduction, while temporary provisions such as senior deductions, tip and overtime exclusions, and auto loan interest deductions have smaller or limited-term effects. They also noted that business tax changes, especially depreciation and expensing provisions, create a larger near-term cash impact, and that some FY25 collections likely reflected one-time oil field transactions that may have inflated the baseline used in earlier estimates. OMB provided updates on major capital projects and facility funding. For Capitol grounds improvements, officials described plans for 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding upgrades, public seating, lighting, tree management, and possible restroom and lobby reconfiguration, while also noting the governor’s residence security project and the discovery of human remains on the Capitol grounds. OMB and its consultants also reported on the state facility maintenance fund, including window replacement, boiler work, roof and foundation repairs, and a new facility conditions assessment covering more state buildings. Updates were also given on the new state hospital in Jamestown, the Minot state office building, and the use of federal state fiscal recovery funds, including possible future reallocations to the Department of Corrections. Finally, Legislative Council staff summarized the interim compliance report on legislative intent and trust fund activity, highlighting the status of lines of credit, Bank of North Dakota profit transfers, the statewide litigation pool, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, corrections planning, HHS program updates, and a likely future general fund request for the unemployment insurance modernization project. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational, with members asking clarifying questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• for public benefits, but under<00:24:55.640><c> this</c><00:24:55.800><c> administration,</c><00:24:
• and go across the street.
• I didn't know where I was the street. I didn't know where I was going. going. going.
• The bill is recommended to pass and referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.
• </c> and Public Safety. and Public Safety.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:01:58.240><c> that</c><00:01:58.479><c> the</c> public uh nomination CA that the public uh nomination
• Born and raised at 57 Y Street, Lahaina.
• </c> born and raised 57 Y street born and raised 57 Y street LA.<00:36:34.560><c> My</c><00:36:34.800
• It is not and was never intended to be a public ground. It was never public till 1947.
• It is not and was never intended to be a public ground. It was never public till 1947.

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard multiple gubernatorial nominations to island burial councils, with testimony focused on the importance of filling vacancies so the councils can reach quorum and fulfill their kuleana to protect iwi kūpuna and burial sites. For GM 674, Kavuna Khalipi was introduced as OHA’s nominee for the Molokaʻi burial council, with OHA, SHPD, and several community members testifying in support and describing her cultural grounding, community service, and experience in mālama ʻāina. Testifiers also stressed that burial councils are essential for protecting ancestral remains and that prolonged vacancies have left sacred sites vulnerable. Khalipi herself said she was honored to serve but expressed concern about accepting the appointment without quorum, saying she did not want to waste a term if the council could not function effectively. The chair explained the Senate advice-and-consent process and the consequences of inaction, and after discussion Khalipi asked to pull her nomination from the committee. The chair then deferred decision-making on GM 674 until April 10 at 1 p.m. to clarify the process and avoid unintended rejection. The committee then heard testimony on GM 676, Dane Maxwell for the Maui and Lānaʻi burial council, GM 677, Noani Parisa, GM 678, Caroline Hartman, and GM 679, Benedict Duman. Supporters, including SHPD and OHA, highlighted each nominee’s cultural knowledge, preservation work, genealogy, and experience with burial or historic preservation matters. Testimony repeatedly linked the nominations to the need for functioning burial councils, especially in light of the 2023 Maui fires and long-standing vacancies. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; the chair indicated votes would be taken at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's not a surprise to the public members. ...suite to be watching over it.
• So it's not a surprise to the public members when they're choosing that these are really student care
• require street lights.
• They should be knowable to both the public, to the applicant, and to the city.
• Never mind, we want a bridge built down the street.' And your example, the street lights.

Summary: The Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then heard several bills. SB 1668, dealing with funeral and disposition timelines and related requirements for unborn children and minors, drew emotional testimony from funeral industry representatives and a parent about burdensome deadlines and problems obtaining signatures from an ex-partner; it also drew opposition over language referencing abortion clinics and reproductive freedom. The committee adopted a due-pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote. SB 1286, on veterinary telemedicine prescription limits, was amended to shorten non-antimicrobial prescriptions to 30 days and allow antimicrobial prescriptions for up to 14 days without an in-person exam; veterinarians and industry representatives were neutral with caution or supportive, while opponents warned about overprescribing and inadequate diagnosis. The amended bill passed 4-3. The committee then passed SB 1235, joining the emergency services personnel licensure interstate compact, on a 7-0 vote, with the sponsor describing it as a reciprocity measure for EMTs and paramedics. SB 1446, which changes dialysis social worker documentation from monthly to quarterly to match federal and most state practice, also passed unanimously after support from DaVita. SB 1515, an Industrial Commission cleanup bill that renames positions, removes obsolete private employment office oversight language, and shifts publication of fee schedules online, was amended and passed 7-0. SB 1678, concerning documentation and oversight in health care institutions and group homes for vulnerable adults, was amended to remove a patient-form requirement and instead require DHS investigation when EMS personnel complain that a DNR was not provided; providers moved to neutral or support after the amendment, and the bill passed 6-0 with one not voting. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1747, which would require social media platforms to terminate accounts for minors under 14 and certain 14- and 15-year-olds without parental consent and impose age-verification and harmful-content restrictions. Opponents from NetChoice, TechNet, and Meta raised privacy, security, and constitutional concerns and argued for app-store-based parental controls instead, while a parents’ advocate supported the bill as a starting point for child safety. The transcript ends during that hearing without a final committee action on SB 1747.