Transcript Highlights:

• It will reference code 5B-1C-1, and it will enable and require the Secretary of Commerce to participate
• This bill references code 49-2-15a.
• It creates new code, and this would ensure virtual instruction for foster students while they're in temporary
• This adds the section of code that requires that the children will receive their education through virtual

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• enforcement agencies regarding adoption of a written policy prohibiting racial profiling under Arkansas Code
• Under Arkansas Code 12-12-14.03, ALA provided the Attorney General a copy of each law enforcement agency's
• of law enforcement agencies we believe failed to comply with the requirements outlined in Arkansas Code
• The Attorney General has indicated that he has notified the 100,000... under Arkansas Code 121214.03.
• of law enforcement agencies we believe failed to comply with the requirements outlined in Arkansas Code

Summary: The committee met with prayer and approved the January minutes, then heard a series of Arkansas Legislative Audit reports. Reports with findings were presented for the Department of Human Services, Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Department of Corrections, and Department of Veterans Affairs, along with a special report on law enforcement racial profiling policy compliance. Several reports without findings were also filed without objection. For DHS, auditors reported apparent thefts involving false benefit claims in disaster nutrition assistance and Medicaid, a nearly $610,000 altered warrant cashed by a California auto body shop, and multiple asset-control issues, including missing equipment, inventory discrepancies, and improper sales tax paid on exempt vehicle purchases. Members questioned DHS about the warrant fraud and whether other agencies or California officials had been notified. For Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, auditors cited missing museum receipts and problems with change funds at Daisy State Park and War Memorial Stadium; department officials said they are considering cashless payment options and provided an update on the museum loss investigation. For Corrections, auditors reported unauthorized personal fuel-card purchases totaling about $4,500 and a delayed disaster recovery test for critical IT systems. Department officials said staffing has been increased for fuel-card oversight and that a full production disaster recovery test is scheduled soon. For Veterans Affairs, auditors found improper pay for employees who were not working, duplicate vendor payment, and numerous overtime approvals that were not properly authorized; the department said it has tightened overtime approval procedures. The special report said only 203 of 383 law enforcement agencies had responded regarding racial profiling policies, and the Attorney General had notified the remaining agencies that they were not in compliance. The committee requested a list of nonresponding agencies and adjourned, with the next meeting scheduled for March 12.

Transcript Highlights:

• We work monthly with GSD and do it staff to make sure that all new moves are coded such that they can
• Connected and share uh with the location coding efforts.
• Uh, so we do that on a regular basis and provide new codes for any new locations where agencies have
• Uh, we are also working with GST staff on a regular basis to assign new building and site codes when
• you for your consideration would be the first under the contract, and pursuant to the procurement code

Transcript Highlights:

• year, and this is the code as it was last year.
• Again, at 1:51 a.m., this is the Code Red weather warning.
• Again, at 1:51 a.m., this is the Code Red weather warning sent to Edward Eastland's phone.
• There is a camper-counselor ratio in the administrative code.
• Well, the administrative code does require age requirements. It's a little bit vague.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He says there is an interconnectedness between the code of criminal procedure and the government code
• You're reading that piece of code. I'm not. Okay.
• I'm not aware of that particular is of that piece of code. I'm not talking. the case, sir.
• I'm not aware of that particular is of that piece of the code.
• You're reading that piece of code. I'm not. Okay.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, heard the invocation and pledges, and then took up a series of memorial resolutions and recognitions. Members adopted memorial resolutions honoring former President Jimmy Carter and Dr. Alice Gail Hudgens, with remarks highlighting their public service and community impact, and adopted resolutions recognizing Victoria College’s 100th anniversary and May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. The chamber also recognized Texas A&M system interns and later granted permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. The House then moved through a long third-reading calendar, passing a number of bills on wide margins. Measures approved included SB 304 on municipal court jurisdiction over nuisance abatement ordinances, SB 608 on reporting evidence collection kits, SB 2312 creating a Texas Advisory Committee on Geopolitical Conflict, SB 494 creating a petroleum theft task force, SB 530 on postsecondary accreditation, HB 45 giving the Attorney General a role in prosecuting human trafficking cases, HB 35 on peer support for first responders, HB 47 and HB 3073 on sexual assault policy and prosecution, HB 318 and HB 3000 creating rural sheriff and ambulance grant programs, HB 554 on Juneteenth fireworks sales with county opt-in authority restored, HB 705 and HB 932 joining licensure compacts for cosmetology and occupational therapy, HB 849 allowing county park boards to meet by video conference, HB 1119 on mental health bed reporting, HB 3041 on students with nontraditional secondary education, HB 713 on maternal mortality review reporting, HB 3104 on Webb County bailiff appointments, HB 3970 on electricity planning for large loads, HB 4042 on Railroad Commission safety provisions for gas distribution pipelines, HB 4490 protecting next-of-kin information, HB 1731 on the physician assistant compact, HB 2607 on Walker County Hospital District governance, HB 3689 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association funding, HB 1788 on continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists about abuse and trafficking, HB 1612 on hospital direct payments for uninsured patients, and HB 138 on health impact cost and coverage analysis. Several bills drew extended debate or amendments. HB 353, creating a trespass offense near schools and daycares, prompted questions about constitutional concerns and property rights before passing. HB 3211 on optometrists in managed care plans received a perfecting amendment and a Medicaid-related amendment setting a minimum payment level. HB 1056 on gold and silver specie and a state-based currency prompted detailed questioning about its mechanics and fees, followed by a point of order challenging the caption. The House also adopted or postponed a number of items, including postponing HB 2520 and HB 1359 until later in the calendar before later passing both, and laying several bills on the table subject to call. Many measures passed overwhelmingly, while a few, including HB 3326 on loan forgiveness for adjunct professors and HB 3237 on energy consumption goals, passed with narrower margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh to further provide for the the code uh to further provide for the the code uh to further provide
• code language the current existing code code language the current existing code code language the current
• of Alabama 1975 to through 44 code of Alabama 1975 to through 44 code of Alabama 1975 to authoriz authorize
• of Alabama 1975 oh that 1520a d44 code of Alabama 1975 oh that 1520a d44 code of Alabama 1975 oh that
• section so so that's a specific code section so so that's a specific code section so with that explanation

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would that be a better head within some teammates if they deal with the landlord tenant code?
• tenant code improvements to increase<00:50:19.359> the<00:50:19.599> supply<00:50:19.839
• Um I I can't speak for tenant code?
• This is requesting the Attorney General to convene the working group on the landlord tenant code.
• Members, the recommendation is to code.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: At a joint Senate hearing on SCR 198 and SR 178, the committees considered resolutions urging Hawaii insurers and the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to seek subrogation claims against polluters linked to worsening climate impacts and higher insurance costs. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with 47 written testimonies in support and additional oral support from former Honolulu chief resilience officer Josh Tamro. The committees recommended passage with amendments, narrowing the language to refer specifically to polluters who knowingly engaged in misleading and deceptive practices about the connection between their products and climate change, along with technical non-substantive edits. Both committees adopted the amended resolutions by vote. At a separate joint hearing on STR 226 and SR 201, which urged changes to Medicaid 1915 home and community-based services waiver eligibility criteria, supporters argued the current rules and administrative guidance were inconsistent and left some people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those with mental health dual diagnoses, without proper access. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the intent but noted factual issues and said a memo from the department addressed only part of the problem, not the mental health-related concerns. After discussion, the chair concluded the resolution was not the best vehicle and deferred it, suggesting a more comprehensive bill would be needed. The Commerce and Consumer Protection committee also took up HB 799 HD2 SD1 on healthcare and recommended passage with amendments, including striking a written transfer-agreement requirement, shortening the sunset to June 30, 2028, removing a related timeline, and making technical corrections. In another joint hearing, SCR 222 and SR 197, which would have urged towing companies to have on-site ATMs for vehicle owners, drew opposition from the Office of Consumer Protection, which said Act 60 already requires credit and debit card acceptance and that ATMs could let companies evade the law. Members noted ongoing complaints and weak enforcement, and the chair recommended turning the issue into a task force for further study, with decision-making deferred because of quorum issues. The committee also heard several other resolutions: STR 57 and SR 41, urging Congress to create a national reinsurance program, received only supportive testimony; STR 70 and SR 54, calling for a pharmacy reimbursement working group, also drew support; and STR 123, proposing an attorney general-led landlord-tenant working group, received comments from the Attorney General’s Office suggesting a more appropriate lead agency and noting the Legislative Reference Bureau may be better suited to assist. No final adverse action was taken on those measures during the hearing segment described.

Transcript Highlights:

• all of the cases are appealable to the city courts in the same manner as cases are appealable in the Code
• of evidence and code of civil procedure, warrants further study.
• of evidence and code of civil procedure warrant further study.
• In the JP court, they're going to use the relaxed standards which are in the Code of Civil Procedure
• of Evidence or the Code of Civil Procedure.

Bills: HR2, HR37, HR61, HCR11, HCR64, HB89, HB183, HB341, HB371, HB451, HB480, HB520, HB541, HB579, HB597, HB816, HB1004, HB1064, HB1165, SB44

Keywords: transparency, accountability, Justice Department, FBI, Jeffrey Epstein, victim protection, investigation, public trust, HR37, House Resolution 37, Honduras veterans, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, military medal, veteran recognition, Congress memorialization, U.S. veterans, foreign deployment, 1981 to 1992, military service awards, combat support

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 1165, which was converted into a substitute bill to reorganize the Avoyelles Parish court system by creating two city courts, one for Marksville and one for Bunkie, and expanding their jurisdiction parishwide, including small claims and certain misdemeanor, civil, and juvenile matters. The sponsor and supporting judges said the change would better use existing courts and improve access to justice, while the district attorney opposed it, arguing it would not help the criminal docket, could create staffing and constitutional issues, and needed more study. After questions about voting districts, appellate procedure, and minority vote dilution, the committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 1064 creating a domestic violence intervention court pilot program in the 19th Judicial District, with testimony from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and the YWCA describing a specialty court model focused on accountability, victim services, and wraparound support. The bill was reported favorably. House Bill 341, clarifying law enforcement officer rights during administrative investigations, was amended to specify administrative matters and reported with amendments. House Concurrent Resolution 64, as amended, expanded a study of behavioral health courts to include additional parishes and a later reporting deadline, and was reported favorably. House Bill 579, the sexual assault survivor bill of rights, was amended to strengthen notice, confidentiality, and funding provisions and then reported favorably. Later, House Bill 1004, which would have raised the jurisdictional threshold for justice of the peace courts from $5,000 to $7,500, drew significant opposition from city court judges who warned of unintended consequences, including different evidentiary standards, possible attorney-representation issues for entities, and added burdens on district courts. Supporters framed it as an inflation adjustment and access-to-justice measure, but after debate the committee voted 5-11 to defer the bill. House Bill 183, limiting courthouse cell phone bans in fee-payment areas, was amended and then failed on a 7-7 tie with the chair voting no. The committee also reported favorably House Bill 451 on ATC hearing notices, House Bill 541 on micro distillers via substitute, Senate Bill 44 on tactical medical professionals’ firearms, House Resolution 37 honoring veterans who served in Honduras, and House Bill 89 requiring a district attorney office to pay certain retirees’ health premiums from its own funds. Several other bills were voluntarily deferred, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• single fee with you today, but all of the fees that we charge are dictated by North Dakota Century Code
• And you can see the two pieces of code listed there.
• We split the spreadsheet... ...pieces of code listed there.
• State fleet provides vehicles to every agency and institution in the state via Century Code 24.2-3-3.
• The rental rates are also established according to Century Code.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that code or is that rule? I believe that that is in rule, I think.
• I don't recall that being in code any place.
• And so I'm trying to figure out how to distinguish between code and rule.
• It's because we can't, because it's currently in state code, state law.
• And so we have followed state law for three years in state code.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am concerned about the building part, about the building codes and international building codes and
• , because what I found is that once you start trying to do something that has to do with all these codes
• international building codes and what international building codes and what this<00:08:45.040> is<
• do<00:08:51.160> with<00:08:51.320> all<00:08:51.480> these<00:08:51.720> codes
• , I'm not sure do with all these codes, I'm not sure you're<00:08:53.240> going<00:08:53.360><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection met for its first meeting of the 2026 session, took roll, established a quorum, and heard three bills. The chair reviewed committee procedures, including deadlines for amendments, cell phone etiquette, and sign-in rules for testimony. Senator Clemons was welcomed as a new member, and the committee later noted that Senator Berg had arrived late and wanted his vote recorded on Senate Bills 11 and 13. Senate Bill 11, sponsored by Senator Meredith, would create a pilot rebate program for residential safe rooms in response to increased tornado activity. The bill would reimburse homeowners for 50% of construction and installation costs up to $5,000, require FEMA and code compliance, and allow safe rooms to be used by neighbors during emergencies. Members asked about cost, oversight, and capacity; the sponsor said the bill was not seeking an appropriation this session and would be administered by Kentucky Emergency Management. The committee voted unanimously to pass the bill favorably. Senate Bill 13, sponsored by Senator Deneen, would allow military installations to have an ex-officio, nonvoting representative on local planning and zoning bodies to raise national security concerns before zoning decisions are made near bases. Members spoke in support, emphasizing protection of military installations and surrounding land. The committee voted unanimously to pass the bill favorably. Senator Deneen also presented Senate Bill 42, which would require law enforcement to submit missing-person cases to Kentucky State Police for entry into the national database within 30 days for minors and 60 days for adults. Supporters said it could help in cases where children are missing but do not trigger an Amber Alert. After discussion about timing and law enforcement workload, the committee again voted unanimously to pass the bill favorably. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced a later Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee presentation on Kentucky’s veteran centers, to be held in the same room after adjournment of both chambers, and then the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It says there's a disability penalty in code 48.051A that is causing schools.
• Um, uh, is, is governed by chapter 37 of the Education code.
• And do private schools follow the Texas Education code?
• reporting, uh, actually, now I'm saying that, that might be in the family code.
• I can't remember if it's in the Family code or the education code, but there are, there are laws that

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, there's a code red.
• But no code red was issued, correct? No, there was a code red issued, I believe, to look about 501.
• They did not send the code red. No, ma'am.
• So, going forward, under the health and human services codes, I believe it is, safety codes, that's where
• It's probably similar to code red.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• even if there are codes even if there are codes available<02:20:17.200> so<02:20:18.120><
• functional support services and how there aren't appropriate CPT or HIPC codes for that.
• functional support services and how there aren't appropriate CPT or HIPC codes for that.
• CPT or HIPC codes for that.
• functional support services and how there aren't appropriate CPT or HIPC codes for that.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Let's go ahead and move to bar Code 7, 7, 7, 2, 7, 2, >> Okay. Lets place you're recognized.
• All would be okay if I went ahead and explained the strike on the differences that that would be bar code
• And those found in state requirements for education facilities of the Florida building code prohibits
• exemption or conditional use approval to being allow will use under the government's land development code
• Lucie, for example, that's established by class size, which you all do established by the fire code and

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Which is currently in the books, it's 3251 of the penal code.
• written to address a high-tech crime that is relatively new and not adequately addressed in the penal code
• The scratch off material covering the activation code is then removed.
• As a new law, this will land in Chapter 32 of the Penal Code, automatically making this crime a predicate
• Most people don't realize that the Texas penal code compared to most states and the feds is quite the

Transcript Highlights:

• This clarification law is consistent with the current tax code applicable to broadcasting and live and
• So whether that is the health and safety code related to mental health supports or that is the um.
• statutory deadlines and persistent or willful violations of bail proceedings under Article 17. 15 of Code
• SB 293 in part adds persistent or willful violation of Article 1715 Code of Criminal Procedure to the
• and uniform way to measure whether a judge persistently or willfully violated Article 1715 of the code

Transcript Highlights:

• not paying for issues with the CPT codes not paying for our<01:30:40.840> health-related<01:30
• that is needed for a school in this case, how is it determined what code is used?
• <01:31:21.760> and bill and and required CPT codes and bill and and required CPT codes and
• that is needed for a school a new code that is needed for a school in<01:31:47.840> this<01:31
• Like, what's that process code is used? Like, what's that process look<01:31:52.840> like?

Bills: HF3526, HF3375, HF3469

Keywords: home care, licensing, fines, advisory council, grant program, client safety, healthcare regulation, HF3375, Minnesota disability waiver, waiver rate system, human services, individualized home supports, individualized home supports with training, individualized home supports with family training, positive support services, employment support services, employment development services, employment exploration services, billing limits, service authorization year

Transcript Highlights:

• State Fire Code has a number of access requirements; it's Chapter 18.
• <01:05:00.079> State<01:05:00.319> Fire<01:05:00.599> code<01:05:00.880> has<
• /c><01:05:00.960> a<01:05:01.079> number<01:05:01.319> of code State Fire code has
• a number of code State Fire code has a number of access<01:05:01.920> requirements<01:05:02.440
• Also, the threshold for congregate living zoning ordinances typically aligns with the state fire code

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and Administrative Code.
• Expenditures were coded to the promotion fund as a matter of routine practice.
• The administrative code is clear.
• , the Restatement of Contracts, the Model Penal Code, the model codes that should follow, they say here's
• The Restatement of Contracts, the Model Penal Code, the model codes that they say should follow.

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence honoring a deceased member, then approved the April minutes. The first major presentation was from Chelsea Florey of Child and Family Services on the Diversion Task Force and related grant programs created with one-time funding from HB 1012. She reported that five of six proposals were funded, with youth diversion services operating in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and a Red River Children’s Advocacy Center program focused on problematic sexualized behavior. Members discussed barriers such as staffing shortages, voluntary family engagement, service fatigue, and the need for better coordination, broader outreach, and possible changes to diversion eligibility rules so low-level cases can remain in diversion longer. Several legislators pressed for more practical system changes and clearer service navigation, while Florey said the task force is trying to build a service array or hub and is leaning on the Children’s Cabinet for broader recommendations. The committee then heard from North Dakota Lottery Director Thomas Lawler, who gave an operational overview and biennium report. He described the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, Pick and Click subscriptions, Players Club membership, and revenue distribution. For the 2023-25 biennium, about $67 million in tickets were purchased, with roughly $16.2 million transferred overall, including money for the general fund, drug task force grants, and compulsive gambling prevention and treatment. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether the amount is set by statute. A lengthy presentation followed from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on criminal justice data connectivity and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that North Dakota’s jail, court, HHS, and correctional systems use multiple separate databases that do not communicate in real time, requiring manual cross-checks and staff communication. He said the department is exploring a centralized hub or other integration approach, but noted challenges with identifiers, vendor contracts, confidentiality, and cost. Robin Schmolenberger then updated the committee on a Medicaid data-sharing project with HHS, saying monthly application assistance is now occurring in correctional facilities and that automated bi-directional data exchange is expected in late 2026 to help suspend and reactivate Medicaid coverage and identify former foster care youth. Members also discussed parole, probation, transitional housing, and the need for better real-time notifications and clearer data definitions. The committee also received an update from county representatives on the 24/7 sobriety program, including a recent attorney general opinion that if a court waives 24/7 fees, sheriffs may use the cheaper twice-daily breath test or urine testing instead of SCRAM bracelets or drug patches. Finally, Bruce Johnson of the Racing Commission presented on an audit report, acknowledging serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, grant documentation failures, a breeders fund eligibility reversal, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has already changed its procedures by tracking fund limits monthly, requiring grant applications and itemized reports, enforcing breeders fund rules as written, and routing purchases through procurement with written contracts. The committee asked follow-up questions throughout but took no formal votes on these presentations.