Transcript Highlights:

• That first amendment is adopted. Then we have an amendment.
• Seeing none, that amendment's adopted. I'm sorry I forgot to call on you, Senator.

Bills: SB159, SB159

Keywords: sales tax exemption, use tax exemption, diapers, baby supplies, baby formula, baby bottles, baby wipes, breast pump, breast milk pumping equipment, lactation, nursing bra, nursing pads, maternity wear, pregnancy clothing, postpartum clothing, menstrual products, tampons, sanitary napkins, panty liners, menstrual cups

Bills: HB472, HB542

Keywords: state employees, meal allowance, per diem, travel expenses, Alabama law, HB542, district attorney, prosecutor, supernumerary district attorney, Employees' Retirement System, ERS, Alabama retirement, public employee retirement, pension, retirement benefits, post-retirement employment, salary cap, dual participation, double dipping, District Attorneys' Plan

Transcript Highlights:

• If you live here and you're raising your children here, and you've chosen Alabama to be your state...
• You've chosen Alabama to be your state. By God, Public Safety should be number one in my cities.
• I'm Baker Allen, director of governmental affairs for the Alabama League of Municipalities.
• Alabama League of Municipalities.

Bills: SB82, SB78, SB4, SB6, SB62, SB66, SB77, SB63, SB79, SB53, SB55, HB14

Keywords: inhalants, butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, amyl nitrite, possession, sale, misdemeanor, felony, criminal penalties, public health, school safety, resource officers, law enforcement, public schools, private schools, liability insurance, contracting, library governance, board appointment, library diversity

Transcript Highlights:

• It would amend the Texas Finance Code by adding a section to prohibit motor vehicle sellers from conditioning

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

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing

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:

• It was 30 years later before all. 50 states had adopted it.
• And in 20 years, only 18 states have adopted it.
• By a state, no state being allowed to adopt any laws. Thank you, members.
• As Representative Manuel pointed out earlier, it's been adopted by 18 states.
• APT codes like MNT does.

Bills: HB26, HB140, HB141, HB142, HB215, HB26, HB140, HB141, HB142, HB215

Keywords: Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, child abuse investigations, child neglect, child exploitation, advisory committee, Family and Protective Services Council, council abolition, foster care, due process, investigative procedures, child welfare, parental rights, family preservation services

Transcript Highlights:

• slip forward and go to tab two, and we're going to talk about SB 1594, veteran benefit payments to minor
• existing assistance, but rather are set aside for post-secondary education or aftercare services when the minor
• There are no amendments, sir. ...set aside for post-secondary education or aftercare services when the minor
• The amendment is adopted. So, back on the bill as amended.
• Seeing no objection, the motion is adopted. Is there any other business?

Bills: S1182, S1594

Keywords: veterans, military spouses, business incentives, tax exemptions, economic development, veteran benefits, minor clients, financial assistance, education services, Department of Children and Families, Department of Health

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and took up two bills. SB 1594, by Senator Gates, would change how veterans’ benefits received on behalf of foster youth are handled so the funds are not used to offset foster care costs, but instead are preserved for post-secondary education or aftercare services when the youth leaves foster care. The bill drew one supportive appearance from Victoria Zep of Family Support Services, had no debate, and was reported favorably by a unanimous roll call vote. Senator Sharief later asked to be recorded as a yes vote on the bill. The committee then considered SB 1182, by Senator Jones, which creates the Florida Veterans and Military Spouses Business Development Act to provide fee relief and tax incentives for veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses. The committee adopted Jones’s strike-all amendment, which added information-sharing and verification provisions, refined the tax exemptions, and broadened eligibility for fee waivers and sales tax relief. After no questions or debate, the amended bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote. The committee also held a confirmation hearing for three appointees—Matthew Bacchano, Tim Thomas, and Belinda Kaiser—and recommended confirmation on all three in one vote. The meeting concluded with several members offering remarks praising Chair Wright’s long service and leadership on veterans’ issues, followed by adjournment.

Bills: SB233, SB233

Keywords: ad valorem, taxation, local governance, advisory committee, Alabama Department of Revenue, eluding officers, law enforcement, penalties, public safety, criminal justice, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do want to commend the Alabama reading initiative though, because they have been out for a year presenting
• All right, all those in favor of adopting the amendment say "Aye." Any opposed?
• With that, then the amendment has been adopted. Madam Chair, thank you.

Bills: HB332, HB166, SB336, HB447, HB244

Keywords: education policy, wireless communication devices, internet safety, social media, mental health, gender identity, sexual orientation, public schools, classroom instruction, Alabama, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Securities Commission's playbook, their handbook, whatever you want to call it, and we're adding a new code
• Can we adopt the sub first? Yes. So, in? Can we adopt the sub first? Yes.

Bills: HB297, HB587

Keywords: cash transactions, money transmission, regulatory compliance, criminal penalties, Alabama Securities Commission, information technology, auditors, financial institutions, cybersecurity, certifications, state regulations, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It brings it up to modern day and in fact the board that governs it is the Alabama Space Science Exhibit
• So this bill brings it up to code, updates a lot of things in the language that we need to have to bring
• I think it just changes the name and updates... ...it changes the name and updates some of the code language
• The name of the governing body would change from the Alabama Space and Science Exhibit Commission to
• There’s one minor correction that the Revenue Department wanted to put in there as well.

Bills: HB159

Keywords: U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, public facilities, space exploration, education programs, bond issuance, Governor involvement, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Engineers go to the building code, follow the wood table stuff, and copy... ...code, and they copy this
• This bill creates a one-size-fits-all approach to building codes in Alabama.
• When we talk about building codes, they are produced by the International Code Council.
• So we have the International Building Code and the International Residential Code.
• we have adopted that regulate codes up to 140 mph and above.

Bills: HB324, HB252, SB80, HB241

Keywords: sheriffs, term of office, Alabama law, local government, election, residential construction, architectural approval, engineering approval, home building, single family residences, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do I have a motion to adopt the sub? Move that we adopt the sub. All right.
• Alabama. Okay. So, what happened? Alabama. Okay. So, what happened?
• of Alabama. of Alabama.
• While we seem very big in Alabama, we do have about 1.9 million subscribers here in Alabama.
• This bill has Alabama focused.

Bills: HB55, SB15, SB247

Keywords: fishing, licensing, jubilee, Marine life, Alabama, regulations, sex offenders, employment restrictions, first responders, public safety, juvenile offenders, local laws, registration requirements, picketing, protesting, residential protest, noise amplification, amplified sound, residential picketing, harassment

Transcript Highlights:

• Previously, we were only notified when an Alabama citizen died in the state of Alabama.
• Another issue is that they were taking the information of minors in the state of Alabama.
• The server is located in Alabama, specifically with the Alabama government servers.
• The driver's license on it says Alabama. The driver's license on it says Alabama driver's license.
• My point is just from a practical standpoint, people don't see the Alabama code.

Bills: HB479, HB480

Keywords: voting, elections, voter registration, voter rolls, list maintenance, address change, change of address, ERIC, Electronic Registration Information Center, AVID, Alabama Voter Integrity Database, Secretary of State, board of registrars, inactive voter, voter purge, duplicate registration, cross-state voter matching, National Change of Address, NCOA, driver license data

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd move adoption of the amendment. >> We have a motion and a second on the amendment.
• >> Seeing no objection, the amendment is adopted. Now on the bill.

Bills: HB166, HB487, SB130, SB181, HB166, HB487, SB130, SB181

Keywords: education policy, wireless communication devices, internet safety, social media, mental health, HB487, Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program, veterans, disabled veterans, dependents, spouse benefits, widow benefits, children of veterans, tuition assistance, education benefits, scholarship, college aid, undergraduate tuition, private school reimbursement, books and fees

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh Alabama with the climate as it is.
• certificate and developed by the Alabama certificate and developed by the Alabama Department<00:
• the case in the state of Alabama, is that correct?
• the case in the state of do not adopt the case in the state of Alabama<00:47:49.040> is<00:47
• :49.200> that<00:47:49.280> correct Alabama is that correct Alabama is that correct >

Bills: HB88, HB314, SB46, HB332, HB86, HB363, HB88, HB314, SB46, HB332, HB86, HB363

Keywords: driver license, English examinations, language requirement, immigration, testing standards, motor vehicles, window tint, law enforcement, prosecutors, vehicle regulations, medical condition, communication, first responder, invisible disabilities, anaphylaxis, day care centers, training, child safety, healthcare, parole

Transcript Highlights:

• Friends of the Alabama Archives. I'd Friends of the Alabama Archives.
• African-American community in Alabama. African-American community in Alabama.
• Alabama. Alabama.
• Members, let me say this about our camps in Alabama. We have great camps in Alabama.
• Nuremberg code. Nuremberg code.

Bills: SB174, SB39, SB40, SB206, SB200, HB169, HB345, HB381, HB25

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, board governance, occupational licensing, Sunset Law, public accountability, training requirements, SB40, Houston/Hunter Act, firearm hold agreement, gun storage, temporary firearm storage, firearms dealer, federal firearms licensee, FFL, civil immunity, gun owner

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:46.000> Ellie Alabama. Ellie, would you stand? Ellie Alabama.
• Alabama, $2,974,000.
• The sub is adopted. The sub is adopted.
• Amendments adopted. So now >> All opposed. Amendments adopted.
• We We need to adopt the sub. Let's see. We We need to adopt the sub.

Bills: HB235, HB236, HB565, HB237, HB238, HB239, HB240, HB241, HB242, HB235, HB236, HB565, HB237, HB238, HB239, HB240, HB241, HB242

Keywords: social media, age verification, minors, under 16, children online safety, online privacy, platform regulation, deceptive trade practice, Attorney General, civil penalties, punitive damages, consumer protection, account creation, algorithmic feeds, internet safety, youth social media, HB236, Baldwin County, Board of Equalization, per diem

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is adopted. We are back on the bill as amended. Any more discussion?
• Is there any opposition using previous roles on adopting the substitute?
• I move for adoption of the amendment. I move for adoption of the amendment.
• Got a motion for adoption of the amendment, seconded by Senator Bell.
• Hearing none, the amendment is adopted. Let's go back to the bill as amended.

Bills: SB210, SB292, HB360, HB233, HB66, HB356, HB164, HB238, HB209, SB223, HB307, SB210, SB292, HB360, HB233, HB66, HB356, HB164, HB238, HB209, SB223, HB307

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, education oversight, subpoena authority, investigation, State Superintendent, school misconduct, drug courts, accountability, veterans, mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation, criminal justice, court intervention, terrorist threat, terroristic threat

Bills: SB297, HB562

Keywords: water resources, division chief, state governance, Alabama law, exempt service, State Auditor, property investigations, loss and theft, state property, property inventory control, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is adopted.
• Motion is adopted. Bon Appetit!
• Is there objection to the adoption of the resolution? Chair hears none. Motions adopted.
• Is there an objection to the adoption of the resolution? Chair hears none. Resolution is adopted.
• The resolution is adopted. Adopted. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you.

Bills: SJR34, SB10, SB18, SB19, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB480, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB767, SB790

Keywords: parental rights, parents, children, custody, care and control, upbringing, family law, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, child welfare, education policy, medical decisions, parental authority, primary decision makers, family autonomy, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display, First Amendment