Transcript Highlights:

• HB 4585 by Spiller relating to the submission, payment, and audit of certain claims for and utilization
• Insurance claims are for the Committee on Insurance.
• AP 4693 by Lopeza came in relating the assistance of veterans benefits to claim for the Subcommittee
• HB 4943 by Alders relating to the property owner claims.
• HB 5036 by Dyson relating to the arbitration of certain out of network health benefit plan claims are

Transcript Highlights:

• But the underlying bill doesn't say it excludes all veterans' compensation claims, as those veterans'
• updated the estate tax back in 2025, we looked at both rates, exemptions, and CPI to make sure that we adjusted
• all three of those in coordination, really looking at what fiscal... ...adjusted all three of those
• And because of a mere technicality, it didn't get adjusted for probably about seven years, I believe

Summary: House Finance met in executive session on March 2 and reviewed a series of tax and property-tax bills. Staff described measures including removing acreage limits for nonprofit public assembly hall property tax exemptions (ESSB 5252), extending timber tax distributions to certain school districts (SB 5994), expanding housing-related local sales tax uses (SB 6027), updating Department of Revenue tax administration provisions (ESSB 6113), consolidating the state property tax levy and expanding senior/disabled exemptions (ESSB 6162), extending disaster-related property tax relief (SB 6343), rolling back 2025 estate tax changes (SB 6347), adding tribes to the Conservation Futures Program (SB 6097), and extending a hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products (SB 6244). Members also discussed several amendments, including changes to rental assistance, library and school tax treatment, veterans’ income definitions and application assistance, estate-tax exemption and CPI language, and reporting requirements for conservation futures land acquisitions. The committee adopted some amendments and rejected others. HRA 440 was adopted to allow rental assistance as an eligible use of the local sales tax revenue for all jurisdictions rather than only Snohomish County. On ESSB 6113, the committee adopted the striking amendment H-3718.2 but rejected amendments to exempt investigative services, live presentations for schools and nonprofits, and library-related exemptions. On ESSB 6162, amendments to modernize veterans’ benefit language, require DOR application assistance, and lower the levy rate were all rejected. On SB 6347, the committee adopted an amendment restoring the estate tax exclusion amount to 2.193 million and changing the CPI reference, while the broader bill was later reported out as amended. On SB 6097, an amendment requiring county reporting on conservation futures acquisitions was rejected. The committee then voted to report several bills out with do pass recommendations: ESSB 5252, SB 5994, ESSB 6027 as amended, ESSB 6113 as amended, ESSB 6162, SB 6343, SB 6097, and SB 6244. SB 6347 was reported out with a do pass as amended recommendation after the adopted amendment. Members generally framed the bills as providing tax relief, clarifying tax administration, supporting housing and schools, or extending existing exemptions, while some members raised concerns about fiscal impact, tax burden shifts, and the need for more accountability or broader policy changes. The meeting concluded with thanks to staff and adjournment.

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• I'll also share with you that I'm not going to claim to be the best at everything up here.
• on the committee, if there's something that you see that you would like to see us take on or maybe adjust
• And so at the Office of Tourism, we have adjusted our marketing strategy within the last really three
• years, but it continues to adjust to this day.

Keywords: 1182, all

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• often. ...within Health and Welfare themselves on, but they move contracts quite often, and we just adjust
• board for all agencies, and they were to find out or figure out where they needed to make those adjustments
• believe, in SNAP, if you have assets, you know, but if you go on Medicaid, I think if you make any claims
• it would be worthwhile to put in something that required Health and Welfare to do an asset-based adjustment

Summary: The committee heard reports from the Senate and House Health and Welfare chairs on budget pressures, especially Medicaid and related programs. Senator Julie Van Orden said her committee supported closer legislative scrutiny of Health and Welfare spending, opposed moving 988 crisis services into the behavioral health managed care contract at this time, and favored more targeted reductions rather than broad across-the-board cuts. Representative John Van der Woude said the House committee was advancing a bill to hold back about $21 million in residential habilitation funding, paired with audits and oversight to ensure proper use of the money. He also raised concerns about rural health funding, provider rate reductions, and the need to consider restoring rates if revenues improve. Members questioned the chairs about whether changes to 988 or Medicaid expansion would be policy decisions, and about possible intent language, work requirements, and asset tests for Medicaid expansion. Van der Woude said he was drafting a bill to let Medicaid expansion expire and restart with work requirements, an enrollment cap, and possible asset-based verification, and said he hoped to bring it this session. Several members debated the balance between cost-cutting and maintaining services, including dental coverage and developmental disability services, with some warning that cuts could harm vulnerable people and others emphasizing personal responsibility and fiscal restraint. The committee then heard from House Agriculture Committee Chair Gerald Raymond, who reviewed the agriculture budget and emphasized the importance of dedicated funds, invasive species prevention, and water infrastructure funding. He described ongoing spending for quagga mussel prevention, Mormon cricket and Japanese beetle control, and cereal crop fungus response, and urged continued support for boat inspection check stations because prevention is cheaper than treatment. He also said the University of Idaho CAFÉ project was nearing completion and noted that his committee had not yet discussed the recent 2% cuts affecting check stations. No formal votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair announced the committee would move into daily budget-setting workgroups, with the next meeting scheduled for 7:15 a.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• post facto costs stemming from infrastructure wreckage, reduced real estate valuation, insurance claims
• the economic and tax environment for these systems in other states, and make recommendations about adjusting
• the economic and tax environment for these systems in other states, and make recommendations about adjusting
• We've adjusted most of those dials.

Bills: HB1960, HB2194, HB2089

Keywords: HB1960, renewable energy, clean energy, solar, wind, battery storage, energy storage, excise tax, property tax exemption, local investment, county revenue sharing, local taxing districts, school districts, Department of Revenue, Department of Commerce, model ordinance, siting, permitting, tribal consultation, tribal capacity grants

Transcript Highlights:

• Here's my concern with the bill: because it's already law, you're making some adjustments in the penalty
• And if there's a claim...
• SB 1891 would clarify the definition in Texas Water Code Chapter 13 to include these options and adjust
• The industry, as well as our members and customers, would benefit from these adjustments.

Bills: SB243, SB1586, SB1891, SB1959, SB2159, SB2568

Keywords: migrant labor housing, migrant housing, farmworker housing, migrant agricultural worker, agricultural labor, farm labor contractor, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, TDHCA, civil penalty, housing code enforcement, sanitation, occupancy standards, retaliation, worker complaint, language access, Spanish-language outreach, H-2A visa, temporary agricultural workers, unlicensed housing, rural housing

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• </c><00:14:19.759><c> to</c> discussion on how to make adjustments to discussion on how to make adjustments
• For the part that you mentioned specifically there, we made an adjustment when treating substance use
• </c><00:31:12.399><c> when</c><00:31:12.559><c> treating</c> we made an adjustment when treating we made
• an adjustment when treating substance<00:31:13.240><c> use</c><00:31:13.720><c> disorders</c><00:31:
• for that so the location of the claim for that so the location of the<00:36:41.720><c> Doctor</c><00

Keywords: 1183, house

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• Um, and it also adjusts how the ballot measures are brought by the district.
• Uh 175 actual claim costs in the past.
• Also, Senators Lundeen and Mabrey concerning adjustments to transportation funding.
• </c> claiming they had fixed the problem. claiming they had fixed the problem.
• Call it a fee, call it a program, call it an adjustment. The reality is the same.

Keywords: 981, all

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• Lastly, the joint resolution adjusts the authority of the Commission and Texas Supreme Court to more
• Nothing in this... ...the bill does not provide any lawsuit or claim for harm to a mom.
• These pills are not safe or simple, despite what the abortion activists claim.
• The abortion industry claims they offer compassionate care, but these pills are dangerous.
• Individuals cannot bring a public nuisance claim.

Bills: SB31, SB33, SB510, SB871, SB1868, SB2024, SB2166, SB2309, SB2880, SJR27, SJR39, SJR40, SB 31, SB 33

Keywords: SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, currently the PUC has the discretion to approve a multi-year auto adjustment.
• Reneging on these promises by adjusting tax brackets and deductions isn't the way forward.
• Reneging on these<05:45:58.000><c> promises</c><05:45:59.080><c> by</c><05:45:59.240><c> adjusting</c
• c> the</c><05:48:22.960><c> savings</c> However, the claim that the savings However, the claim that the
• This included incremental adjustments to the standard deduction and income brackets over 7 years.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, that the department could answer, but I know that it's adjusted every year.
• It gets adjusted every year, I think, along with the federal poverty limits. >> Thank you.
• </c><00:09:14.320><c> every</c> but I know that it's adjusted every but I know that it's adjusted every
• </c><00:09:27.360><c> Gets</c><00:09:27.760><c> adjusted</c> So, it's gone up $200.
• Gets adjusted So, it's gone up $200.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

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• </c> had a kind of Border carbon adjustment had a kind of Border carbon adjustment and<01:04:10.640><
• Countries' prices are rising, and border carbon adjustments are starting next year.
• </c> the Border carbon adjustment the Border carbon adjustment and<01:16:55.560><c> so</c><01:16:55.920
• </c> responsive to member needs as they claim responsive to member needs as they claim they<03:08:46.000
• </c> there are discussions about adjustments there are discussions about adjustments but<04:51:54.558

Keywords: 1189, house, all

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• police, county sheriffs, and Washington Department official wildlife officers are not liable for a claim
• impracticable for police agencies to hire, they would not be subject to employment discrimination claims
• Do any members wish to change or adjust their votes?
• Do any members wish to change or adjust their votes?
• Any members wish to change or adjust your votes?

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met on February 23, 2026, with a compressed schedule and limited testimony time. Members first heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 5974, which would set eligibility standards for sheriffs, police chiefs, and marshals, require background checks for sheriff candidates through the Washington State Patrol, regulate volunteers and youth cadets, and create a vacancy in office if an elected law enforcement official is finally decertified or fails statutory eligibility requirements. Supporters, including Senator Lovick and several advocacy groups, said the bill promotes accountability and professionalism. Opponents, including the sheriffs of Walla Walla and Spokane counties, argued it imposes unfunded mandates, conflicts with voter sovereignty and recall procedures, and could create problems for rural counties and volunteer use. The committee later took executive action and reported the bill out with a do pass as amended recommendation, 6-2 with one excused. In executive session, the committee also acted on Engrossed Senate Bill 5068, which expands law enforcement hiring eligibility to people legally authorized to work in the United States. A striking amendment clarified that agencies are not liable for employment discrimination claims if hiring is impracticable, allowed applicants who cannot yet possess weapons to apply if they can possess them when hired, and made technical changes. Representative Burnett raised concerns about background investigations, foreign-country vetting, oath of office, and firearm issues, but the committee adopted the striker and then reported the bill out as amended on a 6-2 vote with one excused. The committee also considered Substitute Senate Bill 5855, which prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public except in specified circumstances and creates a civil cause of action. Amendments added an intent section, expanded exceptions for health and safety equipment under OSHA/WISHA, and proposed stronger prosecutorial language, though two amendments were rejected. The bill was then reported out as amended on a 6-2 vote with one excused. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. Engrossed Senate Bill 5890 would expand reckless driving to include driving more than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, and 20 miles per hour over in active construction zones when workers are present; law enforcement, prosecutors, traffic safety officials, and construction industry representatives testified in support. Substitute Senate Bill 5936, a Uniform Law Commission proposal on human trafficking, would allow prosecution of businesses that knowingly engage in or profit from trafficking, strengthen victim confidentiality, and improve U and T visa certification procedures; testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with one witness urging caution about unintended consequences for businesses that report trafficking. Finally, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6070 would expand missing-person response tools by allowing certain surveillance devices to be used for community caretaking to locate missing endangered persons, create Ebony and Purple Alerts, transfer the missing persons website to the State Patrol, and add a public records exemption. Testimony strongly supported the alert provisions, especially for people with disabilities, while one privacy advocate objected to the surveillance provisions as an overreach.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment is a technical fix to the community supervision funding formula adjustment, and it simply
• Um, that motion prevails and the A6 amendment is adopted. supervision funding formula adjustment supervision
• funding formula adjustment and<00:04:50.880><c> it</c><00:04:51.120><c> simply</c><00:04:51.440><c>
• however, has been that it makes it exceedingly difficult to have pre-lawsuit attempts to resolve the claims
• however, has been that it makes it exceedingly difficult to have pre-lawsuit attempts to resolve the claims

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 9 attempts to adjust for this disparity by creating an exemption across commercial enterprises
• layman's terms, in the, uh, uh, truth in taxation laws, I mean, when, when the, when the formula is adjusted
• homestead exemption, for instance, each person gets one, and you have to swear, you know, when you claim
• know how much actual like monitoring there is between counties to ensure that each person is only claiming
• They and other small business owners like us would benefit greatly from this adjustment.

Bills: HB8, HB9, HJR1, HB 22

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

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• If we cut funding, we're not making a small adjustment.
• Second is a spreadsheet outlining the funding adjustments contained in the amendment.
• contained in the funding adjustments contained in the amendment. amendment. amendment.
• of discrimination and have them claims of discrimination and have them efficiently<05:11:46.240><c>
• , the commission could also claims, the commission could also generate<05:13:15.520><c> an</c><05:13:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

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• Fifth, better claims management.
• identify common issues that lead to disputes. can improve claims management processes, can improve claims
• , such as individual claims that individuals might have against daycares, products liability claims,
• , including individual claims that individuals might have against daycares and products liability claims
• c> are</c><02:21:55.920><c> made</c> YDC claims because YDC claims are made YDC claims because YDC claims

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

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• </c><01:27:30.440><c> at</c> today because he is taking a claim at today because he is taking a claim
• </c> and they want to help you file a claim and they want to help you file a claim and<01:28:50.800><
• </c> want to help veterans do their claims want to help veterans do their claims get<01:35:16.560><c>
• </c> trauma claim with the VA and a PTS claim trauma claim with the VA and a PTS claim with<01:39:53.880
• claim is paid uh claim years after the claim is paid uh we<01:48:38.880><c> get</c><01:48:39.119><c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

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• Of course, any adjustment, you really have to make sure that it's beneficial to the participants that
• of the fees had been adjusted since it was established.
• of the fees had been adjusted since it was established.
• And DOCR also indicated that it uses its discretion to adjust that date as it sees fit.
• was mentioned during the last. to adjust that date as it sees fit.

Keywords: 908, all

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• a guardrail, if you will, to make sure that 20 or 30 percent or however we needed to make that adjustment
• was dedicated to going to areas that are... ...make that adjustment, was dedicated to going to areas
• costs the state $0 in the fiscal year 2027 because the fiscal note confirms that credits are not claimed

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development heard House Bill 3359, presented by Rep. Travis Wilson on behalf of Rep. Riggs. The bill would create a state income tax credit for donations to registered school robotics/STEAM programs, including cash, equipment, software, materials, and certain employee volunteer hours. The proposal was described as a 20% credit, capped at $10 million annually beginning in tax year 2027, with a six-year sunset. Committee members raised questions about whether the credit applies to individuals or businesses, how volunteer hours would be valued, whether the bill should be limited to qualified coaches or employees rather than parents or general volunteers, which state agency would administer reporting, and whether the 20% rate should be higher. Rep. Wilson said he was open to clarifying amendments and noted the bill sponsor would need to weigh changes. The bill’s student author and witness, Sarah Waldron, a Westminster Christian Academy senior and robotics team CEO, testified in support. She said the bill was intended to help Missouri schools, especially under-resourced ones, access funding for robotics programs and argued that the credit would leverage private donations into student opportunities and workforce development. She clarified that the volunteer-hour provision was meant for business employees, not individual volunteers, and said she had drafted an amendment to provide higher credits for schools with higher free-and-reduced-lunch percentages. Several committee members praised her work and discussed the need to target aid toward schools with fewer resources. Arne C. A.C. Dinoff, State Public Advocate, testified in opposition. He praised the student’s initiative but argued the state could not afford another tax credit given budget deficits and said volunteerism should not be tied to a fiscal reward. He also questioned the fiscal note and said robotics support should be handled locally rather than through a state tax credit. No vote was taken, and the chair concluded the hearing after testimony.