Transcript Highlights:

• It's called shedding a cast, and I've never given birth, so I didn't know what was happening.
• One is called the mother's worksheet, and for any of us who have had a baby, you may be familiar with
• the mother's worksheet and for called the mother's worksheet and for any<01:39:53.480> of<01:
• <01:40:55.000> the from the facility via What's called the from the facility via What's called
• by way of the tanif block by way of the tanif block grant<02:08:34.079> okay<02:08:34.360

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs heard testimony on House Bill 606, as amended, a bill aimed at preventing physicians from denying medically necessary sterilizing or fertility-affecting treatment based on a patient’s age, number of children, marital status, or a doctor’s speculation about future reproductive intentions. Representative Ellen Reed, the sponsor, described the bill as a response to her own long experience with PCOS, heavy bleeding, and repeated refusals by doctors to perform a hysterectomy despite her clear wishes. She said the amendment narrows the bill to medically necessary care, adds definitions for “medical condition” and “appropriate reproductive care,” and removes earlier provisions about voluntary sterilization referrals. She also said the bill does not target religious objections, and that doctors could still refuse for medical, payment, or existing religious reasons not addressed by the bill. Committee members asked about religious freedom, informed consent versus waivers, and the scope of the new definitions. Reed responded that religion was not added to the list of prohibited reasons for denial, and that the amendment is intended to protect doctors when patients sign informed consent or waivers. She explained that “appropriate reproductive care” includes procedures such as hysterectomy, oophorectomy, orchiectomy, salpingectomy, and endometrial ablation, and that the bill now focuses on medically necessary treatment rather than elective sterilization. She said the change was intended to make the proposal narrower and more tailored after earlier concerns. Several witnesses supported the bill with personal accounts of being denied hysterectomies or other procedures despite serious symptoms. Representative Lauren Selig described a decade-long effort to obtain a hysterectomy after years of cycle problems and migraines, saying doctors dismissed her concerns and treated her symptoms as normal. Jade Flad also testified in support, saying she had long been told to simply endure her cycle problems and noted that her husband was offered a vasectomy without similar barriers. The sponsor said online support was strong and that there was little or no written opposition testimony. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are now calling this hearing to order.
• is the responsibility of individuals registered to testify to be prepared to speak when they are called
• When all pre-registered individuals have been called to testify, the chairs will then call any individuals
• Clause 15 delegates to Congress the power to call forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union,
• Department of Defense, now called Department of War.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hybrid public hearing on seven House bills and seven Senate bills related to the Massachusetts National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserves. Opening remarks covered hearing procedures, livestreaming, testimony limits, and expected reporting dates, and chairs noted the committee’s focus on Guard and Reserve issues. Testimony then moved through several bills, including S. 2465 to expand the National Guard welcome-home veterans bonus to all deployed Guard members regardless of residency, H. 3876/S. 2462 to authorize military-style headstones for long-serving or deceased Guard members, and S. 2482/H. 3833 to establish a Massachusetts National Guard Museum in Salem. Supporters of the bonus and headstone bills argued they would correct inequities and better honor service; Senator Lovely described the museum proposal as a way to preserve the Guard’s history in Salem and potentially support federal funding for the project. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 3829/S. 2471, the “Defend the Guard” proposal that would bar Massachusetts National Guard deployments into active combat absent a formal congressional declaration of war. Supporters argued the bill would restore constitutional war powers, reduce repeated undeclared deployments, and protect Guard members’ mental health and state readiness. Opponents, including retired Guard leaders and current service members, warned it could conflict with federal law and Title 10 authority, undermine federal funding and training, and harm readiness, force structure, and unique Guard capabilities. Committee members repeatedly questioned the bill’s legal authority, constitutional basis, and practical effects under the Supremacy Clause and Title 10, and several witnesses were asked to submit additional written legal support. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3831, which would extend Chapter 115 benefits to currently serving Guard and Reserve members who do not meet federal veteran-status thresholds, and on related proposals to clarify Guard command structure and the duties of the Adjutant General. Supporters said these changes would improve access to benefits, reduce confusion in the chain of command, and strengthen discipline and responsiveness. Separately, the National Guard Association of Massachusetts backed H. 3860/S. 2458, the Guard Enlistment Enhancement Program, as a recruiting tool, while opposing the Defend the Guard bills. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a non-profit arm called the...
• If they are late, they will receive calls right away.
• They have a large call group that works on those calls and has been doing those calls.
• The manager calls the capital when they have investments to make, so they call it down over time.
• It was before the internet came along to manage call volume and data.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk call the roll.
• The clerk will call the roll.
• The clerk will call the roll. Senator Hall. Thank you.
• Chair called Stacy Allen, Arif Panjou, and Emily French.
• So I’ll call up Tamara Smith, Office of Attorney General.

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up several pending and uncontested bills. It favorably reported SB 1405, SB 1762, SB 1977, SB 2077, SB 2148, and SB 1968, and also moved SB 2321 to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard SB 819, which would change how the Public Utility Commission reviews proposed utility-scale solar and related interconnection projects. The committee substitute would shift the default so interconnection is allowed unless the PUC affirmatively prohibits it within 180 days, limit denial to cases where harm substantially outweighs benefits, remove public meeting requirements, retain setback and financial assurance provisions, add optional application materials such as national security and environmental information, and restore local control over county tax abatements. The substitute was adopted and SB 819 was favorably reported to the full Senate on a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 231, focused on CenterPoint’s use of large emergency generators after Hurricane Beryl. Senator King explained that the original bill was intended to prevent customers from being charged for non-mobile generators that were leased at great cost and did not match the bill’s emergency-response purpose. CenterPoint’s Jason Ryan apologized for the company’s communication failures and said the company would make customers whole through a combination of rate reductions, foregone storm-cost recovery, and a donation of the 15 large generators to ERCOT for about two years to address a San Antonio-area reliability issue, with the company absorbing the associated costs. PUC Executive Director Connie Corona said the commission could enforce the agreement through its contested-case process. Public testimony included consumer and reliability advocates, one of whom argued utility-scale microgrids should be preserved as a policy option. SB 231 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 986, which would create an alternative process for routine Public Information Act requests so local governments can make initial redactions without sending every routine exception to the Attorney General, while preserving an appeal path and training requirements. Supporters said it would reduce backlog and speed access to records; opponents argued it would shift the burden to requesters and encourage delay. The AG’s office testified that the process could improve efficiency and still fit within current timelines if used promptly. SB 986 was left pending. Finally, SB 584 was briefly laid out to require consumer reporting agencies that buy data from others to ensure the information complies with Texas law on excluded items such as bankruptcies, judgments, and tax liens, and SB 600 was heard on heir property. SB 600’s substitute would strengthen notice, require an attorney ad litem, add an heir’s bill of rights, allow settlement conferences, and require fair-market-value sales protections; supporters said it would curb predatory partition practices, while opponents warned some provisions could burden or diminish minority heirs’ property rights. SB 584 and SB 600 were left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• A roll call has been requested; seeing 15 hands, there will be a roll call.
• The roll call has been requested. Seeing 15 hands, there will be a roll call.
• I'd like to request a roll call, please. The roll call has been requested.
• A roll call has been requested. Seeing 15 hands, there will be a roll call.
• There will be a roll call. The ruling of the Speaker stands. There will be a roll call.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A roll call will be taken when we get more members here. But we'll go ahead. Start.
• Clerk, call the roll. So that. The clerk will not call the roll.
• Last call, is there anyone who would like to testify for or against Senate Bill 249?
• We do have some witnesses, and I will call... Some of those witnesses up now.
• Chairman Nichols, that's a phone call I just can't make again.

Bills: SB249, SB546, SB744, SB927, SB1227, SB1229, SB1353, SB1365, SB1366, SB1394, SB1464, SB1709, SB1729, SB1733, SB1744, SB1745, SB1746, SB1772, SB1816, SB1841, SB1939

Keywords: memorial markers, law enforcement, officer memorials, killed in the line of duty, highway signage, school bus, school district, student transportation, child safety, seat belts, three-point seat belt, two-point seat belt, bus retrofit, bus warranty, Texas Education Agency, TEA, transportation code, school activity bus, multifunction school activity bus, school-chartered bus

Transcript Highlights:

• call home. call home. >> Thank<00:10:07.920> you. >> Thank you.
• called home on the east side of St. called home on the east side of St.
• A roll call has been called for.
• A roll call has<01:00:34.799> been<01:00:34.880> called<01:00:35.200> for.
• roll call for us, please. roll call for us, please. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3435 was moved before the committee and, after an author’s DE1 amendment was offered and adopted, the bill was sent to the general register. The bill, as described by Co-Chair Jordan, would limit immigration enforcement on school grounds unless agents present a judicial warrant, identification, and notify school leadership; supporters said it is intended to create clear separation between ICE/DHS activity and schools while preserving local law enforcement responses to other emergencies. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support of the bill. School leaders, teachers, union representatives, and Education Minnesota’s general counsel argued that immigration enforcement near schools has caused fear, absenteeism, disrupted operations, and serious mental health harms for students and staff. Several witnesses described students carrying passports or birth certificates, families keeping children home, and schools shifting large numbers of students to virtual learning. Speakers from districts in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota said the presence of ICE or federal agents near schools and bus stops has undermined attendance, trust, and the ability to teach and learn. Witnesses also emphasized that the bill would provide needed clarity for educators and administrators about how to respond if federal agents come to school property. Some speakers framed the issue as protecting all children and families, including immigrant and refugee communities, and said schools should remain safe, stable places focused on education rather than immigration enforcement. No opposition testimony or committee vote beyond adoption of the DE1 amendment and the motion to place the bill on the general register was shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Secretary, will you please call the roll? Thank you, Madam Vice Chair.
• If you need to receive a phone call, please step out of the committee room.
• It's not called a research security council.
• It's called United Front. And so it's very hard to engage with them.
• As a little housekeeping, I was supposed to call for adoption of the amendments before calling on green

Bills: HR171, HCR49, HB632, HB1084, SB310, SB351, SB399

Keywords: HR171, House Resolution 171, M.J. Foster Promise Program, TOPS-Tech, TOPS Tech Award, Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, Louisiana Community and Technical College System, LCATCS, financial aid, scholarship, workforce development, career training, technical education, vocational education, postsecondary credential, associate degree, industry-based credential, high-demand jobs, high-wage occupations

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to call this meeting to order.
• The good news is our PERM rate, we call it, is less than 1%.
• I call them both. I distinguish between the two.
• It's well, I'll call it an emerging option. They call it practice-ready assessment.
• I'm expecting a call any second.

Summary: The committee first received an update on the effects of HR1 and related federal Medicaid and marketplace changes from Governor’s Office and Health Care Authority staff. Presenters said the most immediate coverage losses are expected in the individual market beginning in January, with premium increases and an estimated 80,000 people potentially unable to afford coverage. They warned that larger Medicaid impacts will follow over the next year and beyond, including tighter eligibility checks, work requirements, reduced retroactive coverage, limits on state-directed payments and provider taxes, new cost-sharing, and changes affecting certain non-citizen adults. They also said the state plans to seek a waiver or extension for work requirements and will continue to analyze impacts, including on rural providers and Planned Parenthood-related services. Members asked about the effect on nursing homes, rural hospitals, and how the state can help providers and enrollees navigate the new requirements; staff said timelines and a state-specific implementation chart are being developed. The committee then heard a report on the International Medical Graduate Work Group and Washington’s efforts to create pathways for internationally trained physicians. Testimony described the clinical experience license, the clinical evaluation assessment tool, grant funding for IMG support organizations, and a new hardship waiver process enacted this year. National presenters said many states have adopted similar pathways because of physician shortages, but Washington and Tennessee are among the few states that have actually issued licenses so far. They recommended clear guardrails, an employment offer before application, ECFMG certification, supervised practice, and data collection to avoid exploitation and protect patients. Members asked about state-to-state variation, retention of IMGs, and whether Washington should pursue dedicated residency or preceptorship options; presenters said the key next step is moving successful participants from supervised experience to a durable long-term license. The final topic was implementation of Washington’s Apple Health doula benefit and the statewide doula hub and referral system. Senator T’wina Nobles highlighted the state’s $3,500 per-birth Medicaid reimbursement rate for doulas and the importance of the hub for referrals, training, and billing. Health Care Authority staff said the benefit launched January 1, 2025, and covers prenatal intake, labor and delivery, postpartum visits, and telehealth-supported services. They reported 336 state-certified doulas, 134 enrolled in Apple Health, 287 unique clients served, and 641 claims paid so far. Testimony emphasized doulas’ role in improving birth outcomes, reducing unnecessary interventions, and addressing racial disparities in maternal health, while noting that implementation is still early and ongoing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Pat Block, a registered lobbyist with Otero Consulting.
• Of course, we probably get the calls where it's not working.
• Calling the cops is traumatic for them.
• I was dismayed that we were even calling these Office days, and that we weren't calling them what they
• So they give what we call elements.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One is called "AIM Pathways to Proficient Reading," and the other is called "Reading Apprenticeship."
• We have a social-emotional learning survey called Panerai.
• And then just some call-outs here.
• We apply a business rule called full academic year.
• So we apply something called full academic year.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the roll. Dr. Jones, Dr.
• At this time, I will call the meeting to order.
• The chair calls up Carolyn Roberts.
• At this time, the chair calls up Andrea Sparks.
• At this time, the Chair calls up Mark Hogberg. Good morning.

Bills: SB663, SB958

Keywords: community supervision, budget approval, corrections department, strategic plan, judicial oversight, SB 958, Texas Government Code, nondisclosure, order of nondisclosure, criminal history record information, trafficking of persons, human trafficking, compelling prostitution, survivor rights, record sealing, expunction, deferred adjudication, prostitution, controlled substances, theft

Transcript Highlights:

• I get lots of calls from newspapers and others.
• On slide 12, I do want to just call out...
• Because I know that I hear, I take their phone calls.
• And I anticipate that the feds may be looking at block grants.
• Having been on calls with my counterparts in other states, they are terrified.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the roll.
• This time the chair calls up Carolyn Roberts.
• OK, this time the chair calls up Andrea Sparks.
• The clerk will call the roll, please. Hi Jones.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chair, Vice Chair Jones. Dr.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we could call roll.
• We uh affectionately call it EJ for short, and the e-filing solution is called File and Serve, and we
• call it FNS for short.
• We uh affectionately call it EJ justice.
• <01:03:44.559> it is called file and serve and we call it is called file and serve and we

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary met without a quorum and heard an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on the judicial branch budget. AOC Director Zach Ramsey and budget director Carol Henderson outlined the branch’s current funding structure, noting that fiscal year 2026 general fund support is about 2.77% of the state general fund, below the National Center for State Courts’ typical 2% to 4% range. They emphasized Kentucky’s unusual responsibility for courthouse facilities, with the judicial branch directly involved in construction, maintenance, and operations across 229 facilities in all 120 counties. AOC said nearly 91% of its general fund is spent on personnel and other non-discretionary costs, and that the branch has long relied on agency revenue, restricted fund carryforwards, and vacancy credits to balance court operations. Members were told that Senate Bill 25 required a $34.5 million transfer into a reserve account, part of which was used to purchase the Chamberlain Avenue building in Frankfort. AOC reported that only $11.9 million remains in restricted funds, while it projects needing about $13.5 million to cover fiscal year 2026 obligations, not including roughly $9 million in flood-related remediation costs for Hardin and Franklin counties, much of which it expects to recover through insurance and FEMA. Looking ahead to the next biennium, AOC said it will seek full funding of court operations at $341 million annually, a $13.5 million increase to bring current services into the base appropriation rather than relying on reserves. It also previewed additional requests, including a 15% across-the-board pay parity plan for Kentucky Court of Justice personnel, replacement of declining master commissioner fee revenue tied to 141 deputy circuit court clerk positions, funding for technology subscription and case management system costs, JAV audiovisual system upgrades, AEDs and medical kits for courthouses, and other staffing and operational needs. Senator Funky Frommeyer asked whether the 15% salary proposal was included in the $13.5 million increase; AOC said it was not, and that it would be an additional request. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Secretary, will you please call the roll? Chairman Ferman? Here. Present.
• And I'm tempted to call Mr.
• Gag clauses, which have been put in PBM's contracts, directly blocked cost-saving information from reaching
• Gag clauses, which have been put in PBM's contracts, directly blocked cost-saving information from reaching
• We've got an objection from Representative Freeman, so I'm going to ask Madam Secretary to call the roll

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on April 29 with a quorum present and considered several insurance- and health care-related bills. SB 192, concerning dental reimbursement and payment methods, was amended to clarify opt-in for electronic acceptance and then reported as amended. SB 84, which expands prostate cancer screening coverage for men over 40 and bars cost-sharing, was also amended and reported as amended after testimony from the American Cancer Society supporting earlier detection and reduced out-of-pocket barriers. SB 275, dealing with reimbursement and network access for certified registered nurse anesthetists, was reported favorably with broad support from nurse anesthetists, hospitals, and related groups. SB 169, a biomarker testing cleanup bill, was amended to clarify legislative intent and reported as amended. The committee spent substantial time on two major drug-pricing bills. SB 401 would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to study selected prescription drug prices, collect manufacturer and related pricing data, and report findings to the legislature; amendments narrowed the scope, addressed confidentiality, and delayed implementation. Supporters said it would provide transparency similar to Texas and help lawmakers understand drug pricing, while opponents warned about government overreach and confidentiality concerns. SB 387, the companion PBM reform bill, would restrict PBM compensation to flat fees and performance bonuses, require rebate pass-throughs, limit formulary practices, expand audit and reporting requirements, and create enforcement mechanisms; it was amended to delay implementation, refine definitions, and address ERISA-related concerns. Supporters argued it would curb PBM abuses and lower drug costs, while opponents from the Pelican Institute and PCMA said it would interfere with private contracts, reduce flexibility, and could raise premiums. After a roll call vote, SB 387 was reported with amendments. The committee also took up SB 241, which requires certain insurance adjusters and appraisers to include license numbers in written communications. After amendments narrowing the requirement to individual claims and public adjusters, the bill was reported as amended. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly raised concerns about unintended consequences, especially for cities, school boards, and other non-ERISA plans, and sponsors said they would continue working on the drug-pricing bills before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chief Clerk, will you please call the roll. >> Convening roll call for the 11th day, February 21st, 2026
• Chief Clerk, please call the roll. The roll call proceeded with members being called.
• It doesn't call you.
• It doesn't call you. Um so otherwise. It doesn't call you.
• beck and call of leadership. beck and call of leadership.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
• An incident is a call out to a scene.
• Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
• Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
• All right, calling all final members to the office.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, call the roll. Nichols. Aye. West. Aye. Bettencourt. Hagenbue.
• Clerk, call the roll. West. Betancourt. Hagenbue. Hinojosa. Johnson. King. Miles. Perry.
• Before I call the roll. West. Betancourt. Hagenbue. Hinojosa. Johnson. King. Miles. Perry.
• Clerk will call the roll. Nichols? Aye. West? Aye. Betancourt? Hagenbue? Aye. Hinojosa? Aye.
• It would be very unusual to call you all for that, but I've enjoyed working with all of you.

Bills: HB227

Keywords: HB227, kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, kratom products, kratom processor, kratom retailer, controlled substances, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Health and Safety Code, Penalty Group 1, tianeptine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine, synthetic kratom, kratom alkaloids, adulterated products, product testing, lab testing, ISO 17025, labeling requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• Miss Ogden, [clears throat], if you'll call the roll. Senator Bell here.
• There's been a public hearing that's been called on that.
• But the guide also call and I get it.
• What we found out was two days later, Palm Bay County, Florida, called.
• This is what I have called the virtual parole bill.

Bills: HB348, HB106, HB347, HB54, SB118, SB167, SB195, HB260, HB263, HB328, HB348, HB106, HB347, HB54, SB118, SB167, SB195, HB260, HB263, HB328

Keywords: bail reform, illegal aliens, violent offenses, pretrial detention, flight risk, court hearings, doxing, personal identifying information, harassment, online safety, law enforcement, public servants, penalties, consumer protection, illicit material, private rights, digital privacy, nonconsensual distribution, incarceration, pregnancy