Transcript Highlights:

• This would Align our election dates to be similar to how Texas is structured.
• And also, life insurers and life insurance are not the same.
• Most of them are required to do so due to their insurance and certification, unfortunately.
• So this is clearly defining that our statutes and our administrative code are in alignment with one another
• of Oklahoma is putting out are actual, factual, and in complete alignment with our administrative code

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Texas produces nearly 65 specialty crops, we have no doubt about it. insurance programs for three,
• My work on the farm and in crop insurance requires a similar focus.
• And in Texas, the AYO. is I believe it's $15.87 an hour.
• We've got to fix crop insurance.
• We were, we want the insurance and there is minimal insurance and we asked USDA to be able to get more

Keywords: agriculture, avian flu, bipartisan farm bill, economic challenges, poultry, dairy, specialty crops

Summary: The committee meeting focused on crucial discussions surrounding the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, particularly concerning avian flu and its impact on poultry and dairy producers. Members provided insights into the economic struggles within the industry, emphasizing the need for a new bipartisan farm bill that addresses the diverse needs of specialty crop and livestock producers. Witnesses from various agricultural sectors spoke about their experiences, illustrating the high costs, regulatory burdens, and emerging diseases that threaten their operations. The meeting underscored a commitment to exploring solutions that will help maintain market stability and ensure food security.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas is a safer place, and what we have may be our final list of bills.
• I’m Amy Cook, the Executive Director of the Texas Racing Commission.
• Texas, You, too, are part of this transformation.
• I represent Safe Alliance in Austin, Texas.
• That's Tyler, Texas, out in Northeast Texas. I'm against the bill as proposed to be substituted.

Bills: HB75, HB108

Keywords: building standards, youth camps, floodplains, safety regulations, environmental policies, drainage utilities, flood management, land use regulation, county authority, drainage fees

Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice and public safety bills, with most measures focused on tougher penalties, victim protections, and procedural changes. Bills discussed included HB 75, requiring magistrates to make written findings when denying probable cause despite believing an arrestee committed an offense; HB 413, limiting pretrial detention so it cannot exceed the maximum jail term for the charged offense, with competency-related exceptions; HB 1422, expanding sexual assault survivor protections and increasing penalties for certain sexual offenses and voyeurism; HB 2073, increasing penalties for violating protective orders or bond conditions while armed; HB 2593, raising indecent assault penalties against elderly or disabled victims; HB 108, enhancing punishment when body armor is used during violent crimes; HB 3816, expanding cruelty-to-livestock offenses to include unlawful controlled-substance administration; HB 2854, requiring parole officers to notify hospitals or law enforcement when violent parolees visit hospital premises; HB 1871, increasing punishment for attempted capital murder of a peace officer and making such offenders ineligible for parole; HB 3463, clarifying notice methods in theft-of-service cases; HB 2348, allowing video-recorded depositions of elderly or disabled witnesses; HB 2594, expanding venue options for cybercrime and digital theft prosecutions; HB 2761, clarifying that children cannot be deemed to consent to prostitution-related offenses; HB 3185, authorizing administrative subpoenas in cybercrime investigations; HB 2017, increasing penalties for certain intoxication manslaughter cases involving undocumented immigrants with prior DWI convictions; HB 2306, making certain trafficking offenses ineligible for parole; HB 1607, allowing a rear-only license plate when a vehicle lacks a front bracket; HB 1828, creating a legislative leave pool for TDCJ correctional officers; and HB 3664, requiring prospective grand jurors to complete training and proposing additional changes to grand jury procedure in a future substitute. The committee also took up HB 3073, the Summer Willis Act, which would clarify consent in sexual assault law and address intoxication-related incapacity; the committee substitute narrowed the language to situations where the perpetrator knows the other person cannot consent because of intoxication or impairment, while removing withdrawal-of-consent and “reasonably should know” language from the House version. Several bills were laid out with committee substitutes adopted, including HB 3463, HB 2594, HB 3073, and HB 3073’s substitute, and most bills were left pending after no invited or public testimony or after hearing testimony. Public testimony was especially extensive on HB 3073, with survivors, advocates, and prosecutors supporting broader consent language, while some prosecutors said the substitute was an improvement but still favored the House version’s broader protections. HB 3664 drew significant opposition from district attorneys, who argued that mandatory transcription or recording of grand jury testimony would be costly, chill grand juror questioning, and complicate timely presentations; concerns were also raised about new-evidence requirements and grand jury shopping. No final votes were taken on the bills discussed in the transcript, and the committee recessed partway through to return to the floor before continuing its hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Importantly, HB 4144 does not replace health insurance.
• The insurance pool had no money, which we found out later.
• , along with many other critical items for the people of Texas.
• I'm the advocacy and policy director at Texas Parent to Parent.
• I'm Ray Hemel, representing the Texas Public Employees Association.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I begged our chair of insurance in the Assembly to hustle over because that was our last bill, so everyone's
• I begged our chair of insurance in the Assembly to hustle over because that was our last bill, so everyone's
• Our businesses pay nearly triple what their counterparts pay in states like Texas, more than 170% above
• federal and state funds and connecting every Californian to the internet, regardless of their zip code
• Connecting every Californian to the internet regardless of their zip code and income.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they're looking at making changes in a significant way to mandatory spending as well as the the tax code
• downturn or recession, you would see that federal funds amount increase because of unemployment insurance
• It's a commercial insurance company that state governments contract with to manage the benefits of um
• California has the highest error rates, then followed by Louisiana, Texas, Oregon, and Alabama.
• That's how we know that potentially California and Texas might be on the same hook for 25%, which is

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2320 amends the Penal Code to...
• Under the Family Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, or any other order from a state that's related
• We don't have one in Texas, so we can't really say what it is going to look like in Texas.
• Senate Bill 1379 amends Section 32.21 of the Texas Penal Code by increasing the penalty for forgery from
• National Bank of Texas.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up we have HB 511, public records code inspector body cameras.
• Labriola was referring to was a registered sex offender in Houston, Texas who was part of Drag Queen
• They're asking that insurance rates and taxes be regulated so that they can afford them.
• What it prohibits is employers enforcing specific speech codes and ideological viewpoints on employees
• It provides that violations of the election code can be prosecuted as racketeering activity under the

Transcript Highlights:

• She's on Zoom now with us because one moved to Texas, but we've been involved from the beginning at the
• at a point when something is strained, the capacity is strained, does not preclude later that the insurance
• However, only Solomon's record was coded with Y59.0, which means viral vaccines.
• and yet the CDC, when it goes through their software, transacts and acts, it's supposed to spit out code
• certified on the records as having died from the vaccine, and it was hidden by removing the Y59.0 code

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management held a hearing on several emergency management bills, with most of the testimony focused on Senate Bill 539, which would prohibit COVID-19 mRNA vaccination or gene-altering procedures as a condition of entry, employment, school attendance, or access to public venues. Senator Durant and many public witnesses supported the bill, arguing that COVID-era mandates were coercive, ineffective, and harmful, and that the state should not require proof of vaccination in future emergencies. One witness, Joanne Tuller, testified in opposition, saying the government should retain authority to impose public health measures in emergencies and warning against permanently limiting that power based on the COVID experience. The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 540, concerning the prevention of radioactive material discharge, with a Sierra Club representative and local residents opposing Holtec’s disposal of wastewater from the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant and citing health, environmental, and economic concerns in Plymouth and nearby communities. Senator Driscoll testified in support of Senate Bills 537 and 538, describing them as measures to strengthen the Commonwealth’s strategic preparedness stockpile and to create a framework for emergency response during surges in hospitalizations, including temporary waivers of prior authorization when hospitals are over capacity. In addition, Dr. Jennifer Carlson testified in support of H.885, a resolve creating a special commission on the field of emergency management, arguing that the profession should be more fully professionalized and staffed by dedicated experts rather than part-time “second hat” officials. Several other bills on the docket, including H.883 and H.84, had no sign-ups. The chair closed each bill’s testimony section as the list was exhausted, and the hearing was adjourned without any votes taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• It amends section 22.002 of the government code to allow the Texas Supreme Court to issue writs that
• I welcome you to the Texas Capitol.
• Such an important thing for Texas. Texas can lead the country in this area. that.
• Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
• These concerns, by mending the Texas Business and Commerce Code, place guardrails around non-competitors

Keywords: legislation, Senate Joint Resolution 40, Senate Bill 871, constitutional amendment, emergency powers, governor authority, legislative oversight

Summary: The meeting focused on several crucial pieces of legislation, notably Senate Joint Resolution 40, which proposed a constitutional amendment to clarify the powers of the governor, the legislature, and the Supreme Court during emergencies. Senator Birdwell presented the resolution, emphasizing the need for legislative involvement during prolonged crises. It garnered broad support, passing with 29 votes in favor and only 1 against. Following this, Senate Bill 871, considered the enabling legislation, was also moved for discussion, with the aim of reinforcing the legislature's authority during emergencies while establishing clear guidelines for the governor's powers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas.
• Texas We show you registers Molly Boyles, director of Public Policy, Texas Council on Family Violence
• Senate Bill 1379 amends section 32.21 of the Texas Penal Code by increasing the penalty for forgery from
• , First National Bank of Texas.
• The Supreme or Texas has.

Transcript Highlights:

• Emily is a Emily is a proud insurance agent who works for State Farm, and I had the opportunity to walk
• This is obviously insurance that And fought very hard to have them cover.
• My home insurance, $6,500. My taxes, $4,500. My insurance, my medical insurance, another $20,000.
• My home insurance, $6,500. My taxes, $4,500. My insurance, my medical insurance, another $20,000.
• My insurance, my medical insurance, another $20,000.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a series of guest introductions and proclamations, including recognition of Dr. Eric Osowski as Doctor of the Day, Donate Life Day participants, State Farm Day guests, and proclamations honoring Ganado Unified School District and Chinle Unified School District for academic and cultural achievements. The chamber also handled routine business such as committee assignments, Senate messages, and motions to adjourn and to refer bills to additional Committee of the Whole consideration. The main floor action centered on several bills and a concurrent resolution. HB 2093 was amended to restore mental health instruction while removing social-emotional learning, and HB 2229 was amended after debate over abortion-related language and public funding restrictions; both received do-pass recommendations. HB 2429, HB 2950, and HB 4136 also received do-pass recommendations after floor amendments, with HB 2950 amended to make tourism improvement areas voluntary and add notice requirements. HB 4001 advanced after extensive debate over regulating alternative nicotine products, with supporters arguing it would help curb youth vaping and opponents urging taxation and stronger public-health provisions. HB 4030 and HCR 2052, both focused on limiting municipal tax and fee increases tied to affordability, inflation, and utility costs, were heavily amended and advanced after debate over local control, data centers, water costs, and the scope of the amendments. The House also took up procedural challenges, including a failed appeal of the chair’s ruling that a health-care claims amendment to HCR 2052 was out of order under the single-subject rule. On final adoption of the Committee of the Whole report, the House ordered HB 4001 and HB 4030 and HCR 2052, as amended, to engrossing and signing. In third reading, HB 2170 passed 36-16, HB 2380 passed 31-21, HB 2389 passed 31-21, HB 2784 passed 31-21, and HB 2902 passed 31-21, while HB 2388 failed 23-29. The transcript ends as the House was moving on to HB 294.

Transcript Highlights:

• Local Government Code.
• Texas simply must have sufficient housing to meet workforce demands.
• Uh, I'm a home builder in Houston, Texas.
• We believe it's not market-based and it's not Texas.
• As we all know, Texas faces a critical shortage.

Transcript Highlights:

• I-14's expansion to Georgia of Texas.
• it shall be in order to consider in the House the bill H.R. 1041 to amend Title 38, United States Code
• Code parental rights.
• <03:25:56.000> Code<03:25:56.319> parental and continues to this day.
• Code parental and continues to this day.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For many health center staff, they cannot bill. insurance for their time, representing the bulk of staff
• patient-centered pregnancy options, counseling, cancer screenings, and more, no matter your income, insurance
• status, or zip code.
• All of the outcomes in places, a state like Texas where they successfully defunded Planned Parenthood
• an attack... on children, an attack on anybody who just doesn't have the money to go have health insurance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Patients rack up insurance premiums, co-pays, co-insurance, travel, and other out-of-pocket costs.
• self-insured.
• You've got to insure fair treatment by the commercial insurers with that. That's an easy win.
• You've got to insure fair treatment by the commercial insurers with that.
• , and private insurance.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket focused on primary care, workforce development, and medical debt. Chairs Cindy Friedman and John Lawn outlined hearing procedures and noted that testimony would be taken on 17 matters. The committee first heard testimony on bills to establish a community health center nurse practitioner residency program and to strengthen mental health centers. Senator Keenan, Rep. Keefe, and health center leaders described the Worcester nurse practitioner residency as a successful pipeline and retention strategy, citing workforce shortages, training needs in community health centers, and the cost of the program. Rep. O’Day also supported the mental health centers bill, saying it would raise payment rates, improve reimbursement for behavioral health services, and help clinics retain staff and expand access. The committee then took testimony on bills to address medical debt through hospital financial assistance reform. The Attorney General’s Office, Health Care for All, Health Law Advocates, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and individual patients supported the measure, arguing that hospital financial assistance policies are inconsistent, hard to find, and difficult to navigate. Witnesses said the bill would standardize eligibility criteria, create a uniform application, improve notice requirements, and expand access to discounted care up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Several personal stories described medical bills being sent to collections, confusion over insurance billing, and the burden of debt on low-income and chronically ill patients. Committee members asked about hospital concerns, the role of the health safety net, and whether the bill addressed root causes of medical debt; testimony emphasized that the proposal was meant to improve transparency and access rather than replace broader insurance reforms. The hearing also focused heavily on “Primary Care for You” legislation, H. 1370 and S. 867, which would increase primary care investment and create a new payment model. Rep. Haggerty, physicians, a patient, community health center leaders, and the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers described a primary care crisis marked by low reimbursement, staffing shortages, long waits, burnout, and difficulty recruiting clinicians. Supporters said the bills would shift spending toward preventive, team-based care, improve access and equity, and reduce long-term costs. The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans said it was directionally supportive of increased primary care investment but warned that any new spending must stay within the cost growth benchmark and preserve existing contracting structures. The hearing ended with additional testimony on a community health center workforce and loan repayment grant bill from Rep. Stanley, and with further discussion from Dr. Alan Garo about the need for payment reform in primary care.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I did some research in 1989, Supreme Court decision of Texas v. Johnson.
• sure you probably are aware of it, where the individual was arrested and charged with violating a Texas
• It does not help Floridians struggling with insurance and housing affordability.
• So we'll take up amendment bar code number 844936 by Senator Trumbull.
• So, under the current code, if you're going to make a code change, you have to submit that to DFS.

Summary: The committee took up several claims bills and tax-related measures. It reported favorably SB 20, providing $400,000 in relief to J.N., a minor injured on a Hillsborough County sidewalk, and SB 14, providing $1.7 million to the estate of Pineal Januier after a drowning at a Miami Beach youth center pool. It also approved SB 674, which would let property appraisers, like tax collectors, budget for hiring and retention bonuses with Department of Revenue approval. In each claims bill, the sponsor described the underlying incident, the settlement amount, and the remaining payment sought under sovereign immunity limits; there was no opposition on the claims bills. The bonus bill drew support from property appraisers who said it would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new appropriations. The committee then considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, which would create a new homestead-like property tax benefit for owners who lease a non-homestead property for more than six months as residential rental housing. Supporters said it was intended to encourage more affordable rental housing by extending a $50,000 exemption and Save Our Homes-style assessment cap to qualifying properties. County and city representatives, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Association of Counties opposed the proposal, warning of major revenue losses, reduced public safety funding, and tax shifts to other property owners and businesses. Several senators also raised concerns about density, parking, and whether landlords would actually pass savings on to renters. Despite the opposition, both the constitutional amendment and the implementing bill were reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS SB 268, as amended to include congressional members, creating a public-records exemption related to certain residential information for elected officials. The First Amendment Foundation opposed it, arguing the bill lacked a sufficient public purpose and could hinder transparency, while senators supporting it cited real threats and harassment against themselves and their families. SB 100, which bans government display of flags representing political viewpoints and allows active or retired military members to use reasonable force to stop desecration of the U.S. flag, also passed after extensive debate. Opponents argued it was vague, unconstitutional, and aimed at pride and other identity-related flags; supporters said government buildings should not display political messages and that the bill protects neutrality. Finally, the committee approved CS/SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval every eight years for local discretionary taxes such as tourist development taxes and local option taxes, with exceptions for pledged bond revenues. Cities, counties, tourism groups, and the restaurant/lodging industry opposed it, saying it would create uncertainty, threaten tourism and infrastructure funding, and complicate long-term planning; Senator Sharief and others said the measure would disrupt existing surtax-backed projects and revenue streams.

Transcript Highlights:

• In response to Texas, you know, California does it if Texas does it.
• It's to silence the voices of the people in Texas. Aren't you proud to be in Texas?
• I am a Texas...
• Stand up for Texas.
• For Texas, your service to Texas, and for this opportunity to speak.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas is coming to the forefront now because Texas is deploying billions to close the digital divide.
• rates under Texas Utility Code 54.204(c).
• As stated in Texas Utility Code 54.204(d), the regulatory commission decides these disputes when they
• Across the state of Texas.
• Water Code.

Bills: HB3445, HB3448

Keywords: telecommunications, electric cooperative, rights-of-way, infrastructure, provider access, right-of-way, pole attachment, regulatory access, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on the office or the practice, which, for safety concerns—especially what we're seeing happening in Texas
• you know, for example... ...for example, in the Maggie Carpenter prosecution and civil actions, the Texas
• We haven't done the same with insurance companies, so it'd be really interesting for us, I think, as
• States like Texas and Florida have already weaponized their PMP data.
• Alongside our state and national partners, including Code for America, the Clean Slate Initiative has

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on several Judiciary bills, with the largest portion focused on S. 1178/H. 2052 to reduce mass incarceration and end life without parole. People incarcerated at MCI Framingham, MCI Norfolk, and NCCI Gardner described personal growth, rehabilitation, restorative justice work, family separation, and the belief that parole eligibility after long sentences would better reflect public safety and human development. Speakers emphasized that life without parole removes hope and can undermine rehabilitation, while supporters argued that many lifers are older, less likely to reoffend, and could contribute positively if given a chance at parole review. Committee members did not take votes during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1139 to restore the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims involving tobacco use, with Sen. Keenan explaining that a recent SJC decision had cut off claims where the injured person did not sue within three years before death. He said the bill would restore families’ ability to seek redress in cases involving long-latency tobacco harms like COPD. Another major topic was S. 1205, which would add abusive litigation to the definition of coercive control in domestic violence law; Sen. Michael Moore said the bill would stop abusers from using repeated court filings to harass and financially burden survivors. The committee also took up S. 1114 on automatic record sealing, with Sen. Friedman and others arguing that the current petition-based process is slow, burdensome, and disproportionately harms people with criminal records, especially Black and Latino residents. Testimony also supported H. 1965/S. 1132 on compensation for wrongful conviction, with advocates and sponsors describing a faster administrative claims process, transitional support, and higher compensation without the current cap. Sen. Payano testified for S. 1241 to expand educational programming for incarcerated emerging adults, saying education reduces recidivism and improves reentry outcomes. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on S. 2522, an update to Massachusetts’ shield law for reproductive and gender-affirming care. Sen. Friedman, the Attorney General’s office, and DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said the bill is needed to strengthen protections against out-of-state legal attacks, protect patient and provider data, clarify enforcement authority, and add a state-level EMTALA-style emergency care requirement. Committee members asked detailed questions about prescription labeling, the prescription monitoring program, attorney discipline, custody and full faith and credit issues, and whether the bill’s enforcement language could create unintended limits or conflicts. The Attorney General’s office said it would provide follow-up written testimony on several technical questions.