Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development will Now come to order.
• We always say economic development is a team sport in Texas.
• how they developed them.
• develop these locations.
• I'm the Workforce Development Director.

Bills: HB 112, HB199, HB621, HB1349, HB2214, HB3466, HB3698, HB3699, HCR9, HB112, HB199, HCR9

Keywords: science park district, economic development, technology innovation, higher education collaboration, infrastructure development, Texas Economic Development Office, workforce development, unemployment benefits, state average unemployment rate, benefit year, economic support, Texas Workforce Commission, property owners' association, free speech, assembly rights, government officials, political candidates, floodplain, landlord, tenant

Transcript Highlights:

• Properties will have to be developed in line with their surroundings, extending the existing urban fabric
• Developers must establish consistency with concurrency requirements.
• administratively require compliance with architectural design regulations for comparable residential development
• Based on population requirements, only properties in three counties would qualify for development pursuant
• It deems an enclave's development as compatible, just flat-out compatible.

Bills: S0212, S0218, S0442, S0460, S0532, S0554, S0644, S0686, S0692, S1054, S1106, S1128, S1134, S1138, S1338, S1434, S1506, S1620, S1748

Keywords: sexual offender, sexual predator, sex offender registry, child protection, residency restriction, loitering, proximity restriction, public swimming pool, school safety, child care facility, day care center, park, playground, conditional release, probation, community control, warrantless arrest, background check, registry screening, minor victims

Summary: The committee first considered SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all amendment narrowed eligibility criteria, including environmental and adjacency requirements, density and intensity limits, and exclusions for certain lands and military areas. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill then passed favorably on an 8-0 vote, with testimony both for and against from advocacy groups. Members then heard several bills related to criminal justice, land use, and local government operations. SB 212 on sexual offenders and sexual predators was amended to add public swimming pools and related restricted-location provisions; the committee heard extensive opposition testimony arguing the bill lacked empirical support and could worsen homelessness and burden families, while supporters said it would reduce temptation and improve safety. The amended bill passed 8-1. SB 686 on agricultural enclaves also received a strike-all amendment clarifying development allowances near interstates and protected-area non-preemption; after opposition from a county Republican committee and support from housing and business groups, it passed 10-0. SB 554 updating nonprofit corporation law, SB 1338 on charitable giving and endowment restrictions, SB 532 on court fee retention by clerks, and SB 218 on land use regulations after hurricanes all passed favorably, each with little or no opposition. The committee also approved SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability after debate over whether the bill created enough compliance incentives and whether its liability presumption should apply retroactively; supporters said it would encourage adoption of cybersecurity frameworks, while opponents warned it could weaken local standards and create litigation issues. The bill passed 9-2. SB 1138 on qualified contractors was amended to preserve local government authority while allowing licensed professionals to conduct limited pre-application reviews, and it passed 11-0. Finally, SJR 1104 on religious expression in public schools passed 8-3 after extensive public testimony and debate, with supporters saying it would enshrine existing protections in the Constitution and opponents warning it would favor majority religions and increase bullying and litigation. The committee then took up SB 1106 on requiring state agencies and instructional materials to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” with the sponsor arguing it reflected historical truth and opponents saying it erased Palestinian identity and inserted the state into an international naming dispute; the transcript ends during public testimony on that bill before any vote is shown.

Bills: SB1239, SB1732

Keywords: Service Oklahoma, apportionment, state revenue, funding, vehicle registration, professional licensing, licensing fees, home inspection, home inspector, Construction Industries Board, CIB, contractor license, journeyman license, apprentice registration, alarm endorsement, code inspector, electrical license, plumbing license, mechanical license, permit fees

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, students, parents, and law enforcement professionals who encounter these dangers on a daily
• basis, In addition, students, parents, and law enforcement professionals who encounter these dangers
• We do appreciate a lot of the developments that have occurred with the bill.
• Embryos may not ultimately begin to develop. An egg might not ultimately be fertilized.
• Todd Inglesby, representing Professional Firefighters of Nevada and OnTAP?

Bills: AB52, AB76, AB163, AB388, AB483

Keywords: health insurance, claims process, insurance regulation, admin penalties, healthcare access, cannabis, cannabis establishment, medical cannabis, adult-use cannabis, advertising regulations, packaging requirements, unlicensed cannabis activities, state prosecution, confidentiality, Cannabis Compliance Board, disciplinary proceedings, mental health, counseling, interstate practice, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• But I still feel like it's unfair to force somebody who's been a registered professional for going on
• Speaker for championing this bill that will allow me to. to continue to serve as a registered professional

Bills: HB 11, HB491, HB837, HB1562, HB1732, HB1757, HB1888, HB2286

Keywords: licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, massage therapy, civil penalties, human trafficking, public safety, law enforcement, student permit, occupational regulation, education, occupations code, criminal history, HB 2286, interior designers, certificate of registration, renewal, Texas Board of Architectural Examiners

Transcript Highlights:

• to own the property or to participate in a development to get incentives, and uh I think it's a good
• uh to get incentives and uh development uh to get incentives and uh I<00:21:12.559> think<00:
• Calculation consists of any payment, fee, or charge paid directly or indirectly to a project developer
• Calculation consists of any payment, fee, or charge paid directly or indirectly to a project developer
• Calculation consists of any payment, fee, or charge paid directly or indirectly to a project developer

Bills: HB178, HB124, HB96, HB250, SB289, SB317, HB359, HB178, HB124, HB96, HB250, SB289, SB317, HB359

Keywords: HB178, Ten Commandments, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama, school display, religious display, Bible, Judeo-Christian, Establishment Clause, church-state separation, religion in schools, founding documents, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Northwest Ordinance, social studies, civics, history curriculum

Transcript Highlights:

• So she's already moving forward with existing staff to develop a business plan.
• It's required to be developed.
• DCF was part of the development of this legislation. It is an ACA and DCF bill.
• ... ...and municipal commuter rail funding partners with tourism development tax revenue.
• by Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee.

Bills: S0006, S0026, S0206, S0532, S0576, S1012, S1110, S1178, S1192, S1758, S1760, S7046, S7048

Keywords: child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, special education, exceptional student education, ESE, teacher preparation, educator certification, micro-credential, loan forgiveness, student loan repayment

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met and considered a large agenda of bills, reporting several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and the estate of Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, which was approved for $3.8 million. The committee also passed a cybersecurity internships bill creating a Department of Commerce program with Cyber Florida, and SB 532, which lets clerks of court retain the full amount of certain excess revenue and clarifies foreclosure-sale procedures. Veterans housing measures, CS for CS for SB 1602 and SB 1604, were approved to create a pilot program and a related trust fund for vacancy relief and risk mitigation for veteran housing. The committee also favorably reported SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics, with emotional testimony from a student and family describing the high cost and importance of activity-specific prosthetics. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 1012 after adopting an amendment that removed inmate emergency and specialty medical service compensation provisions while retaining changes to the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund. Another bill, CS for CS for SB 1614, was narrowed by a delete-all amendment to focus on limiting the use of excess fees for new building construction by local governments. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate, with some support testimony submitted in writing or waived. The most extensive discussion centered on CS for CS for SB 17, a major Medicaid and public assistance overhaul. The bill would create a Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Oversight, allow the Legislature to retain its own actuary, tighten Medicaid program oversight, update encounter-data reporting, set performance standards for managed care plans, revise pharmacy benefit manager rules, and require DCF to implement SNAP fraud-reduction and payment-accuracy reforms, including photo IDs on EBT cards and updated work requirements. It also would direct agencies to seek federal waivers for Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults and expanded behavioral health services. After lengthy questioning and testimony, the committee adopted amendments adding a transitional medical benefits glide path for people who gain employment and later lose Medicaid eligibility, and exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would improve accountability, reduce fraud, and save money, while opponents warned it would create administrative burdens, increase paperwork, and cause eligible people to lose coverage or food assistance. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the DCCA's three proposed developments. >> Thank you.
• Department of Human Resources Development<00:09:43.680> and<00:09:43.839> support Development
• and support Development and support with<00:09:45.519> the<00:09:45.760> testimony<00:
• Department of Human Resources Development<00:20:53.760> in<00:20:54.080> support.
• development to become teachers.

Bills: HB1946, HB1515, HB1514, HB1648, HB1644, HB1619, HB1571, HB1810, HB2475, HB1645, HB2301, HB1889, HB1840

Keywords: time shares, registration, renewal, real estate, Hawaii, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, workers' compensation, functional capacity examination, occupational therapy, physical therapy, employer responsibilities, injured workers, medical stabilization, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, nonprescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, healthcare providers

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 26, 2026, and heard several bills, mostly in the areas of workers’ compensation and consumer protection. HB 1946 HD1 on timeshare registration renewal drew support from DCCA’s timeshare program and major industry groups including Hilton Grand Vacations, the American Resort Development Association, and Marriott Vacations Worldwide, with no opposition noted. HB 1515 HD1, which would allow an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination without employer permission, was supported by DLIR and the Department of Human Resources Development and had no other in-person testimony; the bill was then moved on without questions. The committee spent substantial time on HB 1514 HD1, which would streamline workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation by clarifying provider selection and requiring vocational plans within 90 days. DLIR supported the intent but asked for amendments, saying the 90-day deadline was too rigid given case-by-case complexity, limited staffing, and the need for coordination among injured workers, employers, and counselors; members discussed possible extensions and whether a 120-day timeline or other flexibility would be better. Testimony on the bill included one individual in support and seven in opposition. HB 1648 HD1, concerning workers’ compensation and physician dispensing of non-prescription drugs, drew support from DHRD and comments from DLIR and industry witnesses. DLIR said the bill should be narrowed so it does not restrict medically necessary over-the-counter medications or oral guidance from providers, while Aloha Billing Company and Solera Integrated Medical Solutions urged tighter limits on physician dispensing and raised concerns about pricing abuse through average wholesale price. Members discussed clarifying the bill’s language so it targets written prescriptions rather than oral advice. HB 1644 HD1, requiring a standardized disclosure form for residential solar contracts, received support from the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative, while DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection supported the consumer-protection goal but proposed stronger remedies, including a three-day cancellation right, voidability for missing disclosures, and possible lender liability; members questioned how those remedies should apply to lenders, and no vote was taken on the measures in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4115 raises the professional development cap from 150 to a maximum up to a.
• development that may not be.
• Summer to go with a fine tooth comb over all the professional development that we require.
• My question to you is, can you explain the role professional librarians play in deciding?
• And that's my Understanding is that's why we really honed in on this development of local control with

Bills: HB4359, HB4115, HB3467, HB2978, HB3026, HB3032

Keywords: statewide assessments, student testing, testing window, end-of-year testing, Oklahoma Academic Standards, Oklahoma School Testing Program, State Board of Education, grade 3-8, alternate assessment, students with disabilities, special education, cognitive disabilities, assessment calendar, school year calendar, education accountability, academic standards, math intervention, advanced mathematics, course placement, college and career readiness

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your consideration. professionals are better equipped to professionals are better equipped
• HF encouraging professional engagement.
• That means that we youth development.
• <00:50:11.040> and process of growth and development and process of growth and development
• from overriding medical professionals. from overriding medical professionals.

Bills: HF357, HF3389, HF1434, HF2500, HF1606

Keywords: HF357, hasenpfeffer, card games, social skill game, Minnesota gambling law, tournament, contest, prize limit, low-stakes gaming, card game exemption, gambling exemption, cribbage, bridge, euchre, pinochle, Texas hold'em, whist, skat, sheepshead, gin

Transcript Highlights:

• Developers and and reduce supply.
• or development they're in?
• unless requested by the developer. unless requested by the developer.
• or development they're in?
• . development. development.

Bills: HF2614, HF3587, HF3589, HF3588

Keywords: homeowners associations, local government, building permits, housing policy, residential development, voter access, polling place, elections, ballot, unexpected needs, election judge, public information, political parties, transparency, 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 2614, a bill aimed at preventing local governments from requiring or effectively mandating homeowners associations (HOAs) as a condition of residential development approval. The committee first approved the February 25 minutes, then adopted the DE1 amendment to HF 2614 before hearing the bill. The authors said the measure is a bipartisan piece of a larger HOA reform effort and that the language was negotiated with the League of Minnesota Cities and other stakeholders; they emphasized that developers could still choose to create HOAs, but cities and counties could not require them. Testimony in support came from Housing First Minnesota and the Minnesota Homeownership Center. Supporters argued that unnecessary HOAs raise housing costs, reduce affordability, and are often used to shift public infrastructure costs onto homeowners. They said HOAs remain appropriate for shared-wall housing, shared amenities, and other situations where common property is truly needed, but should not be imposed for single-family developments or minor features. Several members shared examples of HOA overreach and asked for clarification on how the bill would work, including whether developers could still request neighborhood signs or other features; staff and the authors said that would still be possible if the developer requested it rather than the local government requiring it. A significant portion of the discussion focused on stormwater ponds and other infrastructure. One member said the bill should not prevent cities from requiring stormwater facilities because maintenance costs and water-quality responsibilities can be substantial and should not be shifted to all taxpayers. The authors responded that the amendment language was intended to balance concerns about unnecessary HOA mandates with the need to address maintenance, noting that some maintenance responsibilities could remain with cities or be handled through developer agreements. A member requested a roll call on the bill, but the transcript does not include a final vote or disposition beyond the discussion and amendment adoption.

Bills: S0502, S1182, S1514

Keywords: military jurisdiction, delinquency, concurrent jurisdiction, federal law, state law, veterans, military spouses, business incentives, tax exemptions, economic development, public records, trade secrets, Space Florida, confidentiality, open meetings

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and took up two bills. Senator Burgess presented SB 1514, a public records measure tied to Space Florida that exempts Board of Space Florida meetings from public records requirements when trade secrets are discussed. He said the exemption was needed to protect sensitive business information and support Space Florida’s mission. The bill drew no questions or debate, and it was reported favorably by a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then considered CS for SB 502, sponsored by Senator Wright, which would provide concurrent state and federal legislative jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses on U.S. military installations in Florida when federal jurisdiction is waived and the conduct is also a state crime. Senator Wright argued the change would allow juveniles to be handled in the state juvenile justice system rather than federal court, which he said is better suited for rehabilitation. The bill also had no questions or debate and was reported favorably by unanimous vote. After the bills, the committee recognized representatives from a Pasco County veterans wellness group and their therapy dog, Grit, for their work with veterans. The committee then adjourned without objection.

Bills: SB253, SB317

Keywords: massage therapy, licensing board, public safety, criminal background check, temporary permit, emergency order, Alabama Innovation Corporation, board of directors, staggered terms, economic development, entrepreneurship, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows a municipality to find or develop a proposal for a penalty equal to the state statute.
• Members, I want to thank everybody for your punctuality and for your professionalism during the meeting

Bills: SB1519, SB1775, SB1900, SB1948, SB2080

Keywords: municipal zoning, home-based businesses, no-impact businesses, local government, regulation, short-term rentals, municipal ordinance, municipal court, court of record, court not of record, city penalties, fine limits, penalty cap, ordinance enforcement, state statute, traffic offenses, speeding, parking, DUI, DWI

Bills: SB45, SB73, SB169, HB243, SB177

Keywords: athlete agents, commission, state regulation, Alabama, higher education, athletics, membership diversity, catastrophe savings account, catastrophe fund, storm savings, disaster savings, hurricane, windstorm, floodwaters, hail, tornado, property insurance, homeowners insurance, insurance deductible, FORTIFIED

Transcript Highlights:

• , and adding a new subsection on page three to require that the units are in a transit-oriented development

Bills: SB99, SB585, SB2060, SB2069, SB2110, SB2115, SB2152, SB2211, SB2259, SB2315, SB2342, SB2382, SB2442, SB2446, SB2485, SB2544, SB2577, SB2580, SB2861, SB2919, SB3326

Keywords: SB99, Hawaii, Employees' Retirement System, ERS, retirant, retiree rehiring, reemployment after retirement, retirement benefits, benefit suspension, school resource officer, SRO, public school safety, Department of Law Enforcement, DLE, labor shortage, difficult-to-fill position, teacher shortage, charter school, mentor teacher, vacancy rate

Summary: The Committee on Ways and Means met for decision-making only and adopted recommendations on a long list of Senate bills, with no oral testimony taken. Early actions included SB 99 to pass unamended, SB 585 to pass with a date correction to 2015, SB 2060 to pass with amendments involving public project lists, legislative approval for fund transfers, and removal of certain appropriations, and SB 2069 to pass with amendments extending a sunset date and requiring transit-oriented development zoning. The committee also advanced several other measures, including SB 2110, SB 215, SB 2259, SB 2382, SB 2442, and SB 2485 unamended, while SB 2152, SB 2315, SB 2446, SB 2919, SB 2577, SB 2580, and SB 2861 were moved with various amendments, mostly date changes, appropriation blanks, or technical clarifications. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 2211, where Department of Human Services officials explained how the department was covering costs by using restricted funds and shifting Med-QUEST funding, and noted a need for $14 million plus support for $16.5 million in ACA enhanced tax credit subsidies. The chair indicated the bill would move forward with amendments, including blanking the appropriation pending more information on lapses, and the recommendation was adopted. SB 2544 was also amended to remove a specific appropriation and replace it with a blank cap on funds from DUR, and SB 2342 was amended to require projects to be in transit-oriented development zones and to reflect prior committee concurrence. The most extended debate was on SB 3326, which would address utility restructuring. One senator opposed the bill, arguing it could raise rates, worsen reliability issues, and disrupt an existing utility without a clear plan, especially given island-specific conditions. Supporters argued the bill would separate generation from transmission and distribution, create competition, protect union jobs, and respond to aging infrastructure and financial weakness in the utility sector. After recesses and discussion of the Public Utilities Commission’s role, the chair changed the recommendation from pass unamended to pass with amendments requiring the PUC to conduct a study, provide an interim report before the next session, and a final report the following session. That amended recommendation was adopted, and the meeting then adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• You look at Geotech, professional geologist. Birmingham, Leeds, Auburn, Tuscaloosa...

Bills: HB25, HB108, HB109, HB111, HB112, HB113, HB117, HB118, HB119, HB120, HB121, HB122, HB124, HB126, HB127, HB128, HB129, HB130, HB131, HB25

Keywords: emergency services, 911, local districts, joint operations, contracting, HB108, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset reauthorization, board continuation, speech-language pathology, audiology, licensing board, professional regulation, healthcare regulation, occupational licensing, speech therapist, speech pathologist, audiologist, Sunset Committee, Code of Alabama 1975

Transcript Highlights:

• Ma'am, and so that's the goal, not to upset anybody's rule-making authority, any of the professionals
• What is a day in the life of the people over at Workforce Development as far as their administration
• Right, so if someone is coming in applying for a new license, they would apply to Workforce Development
• Of Workforce Development and the other question that I had last year: how do you deal with the fact that
• It would honestly take a professional in all of those areas.

Bills: SB174, SB180, HB196, HB25, SB193, HB25

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, media monitoring, government contracts, state agencies, local agencies, media regulations, transparency, juvenile detention, county management, legal procedures, juvenile justice, county commission, supervision, administration, emergency services, 911

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the meeting of the Senate Committee on Ag, Forestry, and Rural Development.
• It was done professionally.
• And what I mean by that is there's an economic development aspect to what you guys do, right? Yes.
• It has implications that put us in a situation we don't want to be in, and with the development that
• our state is looking at across the sectors, not only in ag, but in economic development and that end

Bills: HCR77, HB81, HB512, HB663, HB717, HB1194

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2B program, H-2A program, labor shortage, temporary workers, Louisiana economy, HCR77, crawfish industry, H-2B visa, seasonal labor, agriculture, immigration, arborist, property disputes, tree trimming, neighborhood, landowner rights, Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District, board of commissioners

Transcript Highlights:

• It also creates the Oklahoma National Laboratory Development so that the state has a formal process for
• conducted shows that there is a very causal negative effect on the social, emotional, and physical development
• The line I've where you're adding language in says establish a working group to develop standards.
• So what we're asking is for the Oklahoma Broadband Office to develop a plan, kind of their window plan
• The office shall develop a comprehensive plan, bring it to the board.

Bills: HB1782, HB2293, HB3176, HB3544, HB3546, HB3619, HB4358

Keywords: artificial intelligence, education reform, innovation, funding, advisory council, broadband, Oklahoma Broadband Office, broadband access, statewide broadband plan, internet connectivity, grant programs, expansion council, termination plan, Oklahoma, Gas Hub, national laboratory, public-private partnerships, aerospace, high-performance computing, economic development