Transcript Highlights:

• to Senate file 3197 as amended. amended. amended.
• Senate file members.
• ,</c><00:50:56.599><c> lawsuits</c> certainly end up in court, lawsuits certainly end up in court, lawsuits
• </c> uh deficit creator by a court action? uh deficit creator by a court action?
• </c> file 3197 as amended will be laid over. file 3197 as amended will be laid over.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, so this requires that they file a report. What is the need for the report?
• And when they're not, that goes to civil court. So I don't think that it's not.
• Take that to— that goes to civil court. So I don't think that it's not.
• House Bill 3530 does have a policy recommendation on, filed on February 4th.
• There's only so many files you can keep on site.

Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee considered a series of bills, beginning with House Bill 4422 and House Bill 4423, which strengthen immigration status verification for public assistance programs, including SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid. Supporters said the measures would improve eligibility checks through the SAVE system, reduce fraud, and help address Oklahoma’s high error rate in benefit programs. Members raised concerns about whether the bills could discourage eligible children or mixed-status families from seeking services, but the author said the bills were intended to target ineligible applicants and would not affect eligible U.S.-citizen children. Both bills were reported out with due pass recommendations by 8-3 votes. The committee also advanced House Bill 3834, which would create a state-backed vehicle to support ibogaine research for conditions such as PTSD, alcoholism, and opioid addiction, with private matching funds and potential state royalties if a product is commercialized. House Bill 2947 would allow Medicaid billing for mental health therapist interns working under supervision, with an estimated fiscal impact discussed in the hundreds of thousands of dollars rather than millions; it passed 11-0. House Bill 2964 would remove the mandatory fee for copies of medical records requested by attorneys, insurers, or subpoenas, while still allowing providers to charge at their discretion; it also passed unanimously. Several marijuana-related bills were heard. House Bill 3143 would extend the current moratorium on new marijuana grow licenses, and House Bill 3144 would cap the number of licenses if the moratorium is later lifted. Supporters argued the limits would help law enforcement and regulators control illegal activity and reduce black-market diversion, while critics questioned whether the issue was really license count or agency resources. Both bills were reported out, 9-2 and 8-2 respectively. House Bill 3519 would replace a failed bond approach for cleaning up abandoned grows with a fee-based revolving fund, and House Bill 3522 would require the ABLE Commission to report disciplinary actions annually; both passed 10-0. House Bill 3530 would give ABLE-regulated businesses 10 days to produce requested records, and House Bill 4300 would align DHS child care worker background-check statutes with federal law; both were reported out unanimously. The committee also laid over several other bills before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a letter from the Court of Appeals. It's for $30,000 in spending authority.
• It is supported by tuition fees and insurance reimbursements.
• This is the Administrative Office of the Courts. It's for $170,000.
• This is the Administrative Office of the Courts. It's for $170,000.
• These are filed for committee information. Members, any questions?

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard a series of appropriation requests and contract reviews across multiple sections. In Section B, members approved temporary appropriations for the Court of Appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics, and Insurance-related payments and refunds. Section C ARPA requests from DHS were approved to return unused federal funds. Section D infrastructure-related appropriations, including wildfire preparedness, broadband BEAD funding, forestry support, recycling, and oil and gas sample preservation, were approved after questions about broadband audit controls and performance safeguards. Section E DHS reallocations were approved, including large transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical to private and public nursing home lines, along with smaller transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services; members asked about the source and purpose of the medical services transfer. Sections F and G were reviewed, covering cash fund requests, federal grants, and miscellaneous grants, including community college storm repairs, corrections commissary and maintenance, 911 enhancements, maternal health, disability determinations, state police equipment, digital newspaper archiving, and CDL data improvements. In Section H, the committee reviewed pay plan appropriations and performance fund transfers tied to the new Class and Comp pay plan. Section I reviewed three methods of finance for UA Little Rock, UAMS, and the University of Arkansas system. In Section J, the committee reviewed discretionary grants, including a $1.4 million HIV services grant and nine tobacco prevention subgrants through UAPB. Members questioned the effectiveness, metrics, and addresses of some tobacco-cessation arts-based grantees, especially Arts Absolutely Inc.; after discussion, Representative Kavanaugh moved to expunge the vote on J2 and refer it back for review at a later ALC meeting, and that motion passed. J3, a Department of Energy and Environment grant for propane safety training and e-waste recycling services, was then reviewed. The committee also reviewed contracts in Section K. K-1 ratified emergency management nuclear planning work performed during a transition between agencies. K-2 construction contracts included architectural and engineering services for corrections, National Park College signage, a Razorback Road parking facility, and UAMS cyclotron installation. K-3 intergovernmental contracts covered health, education, autism waiver, stroke, newborn screening, Medicaid evidence review, and radiation testing services. K-4 out-of-state contracts included staffing, IT, tobacco prevention, audit, marketing, planetarium, recruitment, and janitorial services; Senator Irvin noted one contract appeared to belong in the out-of-state list rather than intergovernmental. K-5 in-state contracts covered staffing, cleaning, re-entry and treatment services, foster care and disability services, hearing officers, asbestos abatement, campus IT support, and janitorial work. The meeting ended after a brief personal update from Senator Irvin about tornado damage in Stone County and thanks to members for their concern, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because the courts are reaching conflicting conclusions about how water... ...critical because the courts
• I recognize that the Supreme Court has granted review in Dreher.
• The California Supreme Court has already looked at it.
• If the Supreme Court upholds Dreyer, then this bill is not necessary because Dreyer is law.
• And so when those claims were filed, we have outstanding money from 2000 to 2014.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a bill filed in the House... There's a legislative process that can take time.
• It was a late file.
• They also have the ability to go in and visit any place where animals are kept for a fee.
• They also have the ability to go in and visit any place where animals are kept for a fee.
• We were the first in the country when I filed it, and we were one of the last.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• Court, Favorable with two District Court, Favorable with two amendments. amendments. amendments.
• </c><01:17:15.600><c> Mary's</c> circuit court judge from St. Mary's circuit court judge from St.
• determined by the district court.
• We have the cross-file of this.
• </c> alcoholic beverage fees. alcoholic beverage fees.

Transcript Highlights:

• The appellate court should just do appellate court things, whether it's the Eastern, Southern, or Western
• I mean, you can't just file anywhere.
• Because if that's what we're doing, that's not how our court system should work.
• I've tried cases in both Court of Appeals, Supreme Court, and the Western District and Southern District
• I've tried cases in both Court of Appeals, Supreme Court, and the Western District and Southern District

Committees: House Judiciary , House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we are opposed to this bill as filed, but committed to work to resolve any problems.
• The Governor's veto message was on the bill that was filed last year. What his statement was...
• I'm a Texas lawyer; obviously, I have nothing against Texas courts or Texas law.
• and a court that you're familiar with, a court that has experience dealing with your types of claims
• I've certainly read the bill as filed. I think you're asking about the committee's substitute.

Bills: HB139 , HB1818 , HB1942 , HB1959 , HB2221 , HB2254 , HB2563 , HB2067 , HB2275 , HB3211 , HB139

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• File item 9, we will pass and retain. Reconsideration, file items 10 through 12.
• That brings us to the Assembly Third Reading File. File items 13 through 95.
• Pass and retain on file. File item 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21.
• If a failure-to-maintain lawsuit has no merit and the court dismisses the case, the attorney who filed
• file and brings us to the Senate third reading file.

Transcript Highlights:

• The secretary will read the House file number. >> House File 2433.
• </c> the Senate file numbers. the Senate file numbers.
• </c> >> House File 2433. >> The House file has been given its second reading.
• Senate File 4067.
• fee.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and this will allow the department to set those fees.
• , adding other fees, and building permits.
• And then we know we need more housing, but yet we add more fees, more fees to the title filing.
• They were going to court. They were pleading it down.
• We want the courts to consider the impact of their decision-making.

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB5520 , SB6016 , SB5890 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5536 , SB5879 , SB5899 , SB6190 , SB6086 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5924 , SB6134 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB6302 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5970 , SB5609 , SB5827 , SB5862 , SB5880 , SB5901 , SB5943 , SB5971 , SB5975 , SB5981 , SB5988 , SB6097 , SJM8016 , SB5496 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB6194 , SB5909 , SB5868 , SB6026 , SB6044 , SB6239 , SB5923 , SB6045 , SB6106 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5968 , SB5489 , SB5762 , SB5832 , SB5847 , SB5963 , SB5969 , SB6027 , SB6032 , SB6049 , SB6066 , SB6079 , SB6082 , SB6113 , SB6114 , SB6160 , SB6162 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6289 , SB6309 , SB6319 , SB6347 , SB6308 , SB6200 , SB6080 , SB5911 , SJM8014 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB5828 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB6346 , SB6262 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB6244 , SB5961

Summary: The Senate opened with the usual ceremonial items, approved the previous day’s journal, received House messages, and introduced several bills. It also adopted Senate Resolution 868 honoring April as National Donate Life Month. Senators Gaynor and Dozier spoke in support, sharing personal stories about organ donation and transplant recipients, and the resolution was adopted by voice vote. The chamber also recognized guests in the gallery connected to those stories. The Senate then confirmed several gubernatorial appointments, including Colin L. Bannister to the Workforce Education, Investment, Accountability, and Oversight Board, Amina Hussein to the Washington State University Board of Regents, and Ramatou-Libah to the Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees. Each confirmation passed with broad support after brief remarks from Senator Schoesler, and several senators were excused from voting. The Senate also acknowledged MLA Jody Tour of British Columbia and a personal privilege recognition for Senator Leis receiving Finland’s Order of the Lion. On legislation, the Senate passed Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6026, dealing with residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones, after adopting and rejecting several amendments that narrowed or clarified exemptions and local-control provisions. Senators argued both for housing supply and for preserving local planning flexibility. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 6106 on layoff notifications and worker information protections, Senate Bill 5890 on speeding and reckless driving standards, Senate Bill 5536 on equitable distribution of real property in divorce, and Substitute Senate Bill 6097 allowing federally recognized tribes to participate in the Conservation Futures Program. Senate Bill 5988, authorizing fee authority for Department of Health accreditation services for opioid treatment programs, passed after a close vote with one nay. The meeting ended with the Senate standing at ease for caucus and lunch.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have seen, I have small business members that have been taken to court as a result of a data breach
• If a violation is determined by the Attorney General, the AG... could bring action in court.
• The difference this time is that while it's being debated in court, the state can withhold...
• a lawsuit or gets the AG to file a lawsuit, and then it puts you in this bind.
• And I don't know if it's because of the revenue cap, but we've got impact fees.

Bills: SB324 , SB1978 , SB2139 , SB2401 , SB2587 , SB2610 , SB2858 , SB3016

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• continue to have folks that are constantly competing with us to take those fees.
• I'm Chris Renaud, Chief Staff Attorney with the Court of Chancery.
• to audiences other than the court itself.
• its e-filing vendor to explore the possibility of automating that process.
• We're not trying to codify that and change the courts.

Bills: SB268 , SB306 , SB264 , SB312

Committee: House Administration

Summary: The House Administration Committee met to consider a series of resolutions and bills covering arts districts, child care background checks, federal worker relief, health care reform, court transparency, school tax reassessment, municipal charter changes, constitutional amendment procedures, data center nondisclosure agreements, state employee benefits governance, and lieutenant governor vacancies. Members also noted that House Concurrent Resolution 12 had been removed from the agenda and that public comment would be limited to one minute per speaker. The committee released SCR 167 to study arts, culture, and creative districts in Delaware; HB 438 to close a loophole in the child care service letter requirement; SB 268 to provide interest-free loans, free transit, and tax deferrals for federal workers during shutdowns; SS2 for SB 1 to expand and permanently strengthen primary care investment while also addressing hospital cost growth; HCR 147 to request a Court of Chancery report on audio recordings and automated case assignment; SB 322 to replace the current post-reassessment 10% school revenue increase authority with a 2% annual increase option under safeguards; SB 306 to amend the Rehoboth Beach charter; HB 440 to require voter approval for constitutional amendments after legislative approval; SB 312 to bar nondisclosure agreements for large data center projects; SS1 for SB 289 to change State Employee Benefits Committee governance; and SB 264 to require a special election to fill a lieutenant governor vacancy. Testimony was mixed on several measures. Arts, child care, federal worker relief, primary care, court transparency, data center transparency, and the lieutenant governor vacancy bill drew mostly supportive testimony, while SB 322 and SB 306 drew both support and opposition, especially over tax impacts and the proposed spouse/partner restriction in Rehoboth Beach. HB 440 prompted debate over whether 55% voter approval was the right threshold for constitutional amendments, and SB 312 was supported as a transparency measure by residents affected by prior data center NDAs. All of the listed measures were released from committee by roll call vote, with some members voting no on HB 440, SB 306, SB 312, SS1 for SB 289, and SB 264.

Transcript Highlights:

• What does a 4% fee rate mean? He asked. That's also, it turns out, a 45% APR.
• The lender and contractor have a financial relationship, even through hidden dealer fees.
• It adds transparency around hidden dealer fees and extends the cancellation period so consumers have
• Filing statements from multiple lenders, Mr.
• This is a fee that is technically paid by the installer, but in.

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• What we've had to do, as I've stated, is raise the fees that are paid to the Supreme Court, the Chancery
• Section four covers the Chancery Court. Section three covers the Supreme Court filing fees.
• <03:51:35.000><c> filing</c><03:51:35.440><c> fees.
• </c><03:51:36.360><c> Section</c><03:51:37.080><c> four</c><03:51:37.440><c> covers</c> Court filing
• Section four covers Court filing fees.

Transcript Highlights:

• File.
• File.
• File.
• File. Beginning on page Standards Board. File.
• File. On beginning on page amended. File.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to move House File<00:01:44.320><c> 44438.</c> File 44438. File 44438.
• </c><00:15:57.759><c> Court</c> the district court and the Supreme Court the district court and the Supreme
• </c> court case. court case.
• Next bill on the agenda today is Senate File 3402. Is that really Senate file?
• </c> Next up, uh, House File 84. Next up, uh, House File 84.

Bills: HF4438 , HF4467 , HF4379 , SF3402 , HF4349 , HF4064 , HF84 , HF85 , HF3804

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2773, International Criminal Court — Federalism.
• HB 2827, groundwater withdrawal fee penalty.
• As per request of the courts. Okay, excellent.
• Supreme Court in Meyer v.
• Supreme Court in Meyer v.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and Representative, this is a non-, this is outside of a court system. So, Mr.
• Don't we already have a process through the courts where people can seek compensation and justice?
• Quick question: Are there any caps on attorney fees on this anywhere? Mr.
• Was a case not filed in that case? And why was the language as it is? Mr.
• We have not spelled out any sort of fees. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Would you be open to that?

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 97, which would appropriate funding to the Department of Health for updated shaken baby syndrome, now called abusive head trauma, prevention training and educational materials, including baby models used in demonstrations. Testimony from the sponsor and the New Mexico Injury and Violence Prevention Coalition supported the bill and emphasized that the materials had not been updated since 2016. Members noted the budget already included about $167,000 for this purpose, and the bill was tabled without opposition. The committee then heard House Bill 280, creating a Youth Internship Pilot Project to support paid internships for youth as a workforce development tool. Supporters from New Mexico Voices for Children said the bill would provide mentorship and relevant work-based learning, while members questioned what occupations would qualify, whether the program would focus on trades and high-demand jobs, and how schools, employers, and Workforce Solutions would participate. The bill was tabled, with Representatives Duncan and Pettigrew recorded in opposition. The main item of the meeting was House Bill 151, as substituted by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. The bill would create a compensation fund and commission for survivors of childhood sexual abuse involving public entities, while also allowing a three-year lookback window for claims and preserving private civil claims for private entities. The sponsor explained that the substitute removed a forward-looking statute-of-limitations change, set a $700,000 cap tied to the Tort Claims Act, used an administrative eligibility process with a "more likely than not" standard, and included reporting, confidentiality, and referral provisions. Supporters described the measure as a survivor-centered way to provide compensation while limiting state exposure, but members raised concerns about attorney fees, fund solvency, private versus public liability, rural impacts, and whether the state should pay for claims involving public institutions. After public testimony in support, the committee adopted the substitute but then voted on the bill itself and ended in an 8-8 tie, so the measure remained in committee and was not advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• um what the first circuit those courts um what the first circuit court<01:05:22.559><c> of</c><01:05
• </c> uh as I mentioned because of court uh as I mentioned because of court decisions<01:18:45.280><c>
• </c> off of those application fees off of those application fees &gt;&gt; off<01:32:09.040><c> the</c
• </c> &gt;&gt; off the off the total application fees &gt;&gt; off the off the total application fees
• The application fee was $10,000.

Committee: Joint Agriculture