Transcript Highlights:

• In 2025, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill No. 149, the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence
• code a little bit too.
• code a little bit too.
• Texas, although as a percentage, Texas is projected to be kind of similar to North Dakota.
• Texas, although as a percentage, Texas is projected to be kind of similar to North the Texas, although

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, established a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from Majority Leader Hogue and the chair about the committee’s charge. Members said the goal was to build a factual foundation on AI, hear from experts and stakeholders, and develop practical North Dakota-focused recommendations rather than simply produce a large volume of bills. Legislative Council also reviewed interim committee rules and procedures before the informational presentations began. Staff and NCSL presenters then gave overviews of AI concepts and the state and federal policy landscape. The background memo and presentations covered AI categories and terms, state laws in areas such as consumer protection, algorithmic discrimination, deepfakes, chatbots, children’s safety, health, education, and government use, as well as data center siting and economic impacts. NCSL described a growing number of AI bills introduced and enacted across the states, with comprehensive laws in places like Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois, and noted recurring issues around transparency, privacy, liability, and protections for minors. A major focus of the discussion was federal preemption and the tension between state regulation and national AI policy. NCSL said a recent White House executive order and related federal framework seek a light-touch, innovation-friendly national standard, with possible challenges to state laws and possible funding conditions tied to compliance, though no broad federal preemption has yet been enacted. Members asked about Commerce Clause concerns, industry pushback, oversight models, and whether AI policy is bipartisan; presenters said the issue cuts across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfake restrictions but more disagreement on broader regulatory approaches. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting, and the committee recessed briefly for technical issues during the second presentation.

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• We are also the home of Texas A&M.
• Bureau, Texas Realtors, Texas Land and Mineral Owners Association, and the Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers
• The Texas and U.S. Constitution is not limited to just South Texas when we do this work.
• The contents of the bill rights are prescribed by the Legislature and Texas Government Code Section 402.031
• and Chapter 21 of the Texas Property Code.

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• Who believes that the Texas legislature and the Texas Senate.
• This is bigger than Texas. This is bigger than Texas.
• And I am so proud of the Texas Democrats here and the Texas House and the Texas Senate who are leading
• here in Texas.
• Texas.

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• And yet, in Texas, Texas is being reimbursed $17,346 for that same patient.
• Because in Arkansas insurance, ...an Arkansas insurance premium paid for by an employer and an employee
• So we understand the cost of providing insurance for our employees too.
• So we understand the cost of providing insurance for our employees too.
• get their insurance, quote, unquote, from that hospital.

Summary: The subcommittee met to review Department of Human Services hospital payments in Arkansas Medicaid, with DHS Secretary Janet Mann and Deputy Secretary Misty Eubanks presenting first, followed by Arkansas Hospital Association Executive Vice President Jody Ann Tritt and a brief comment from Arkansas Children’s. DHS outlined the main hospital payment streams: fee-for-service per diem payments, upper payment limit (UPL) supplemental payments, cost settlements, and smaller payments such as graduate medical education and disproportionate share hospital funds. Members asked for plain-language explanations of cost settlements, why per diem rates vary by hospital type, and why UPL applies to private hospitals. DHS said cost settlements and UPL are mechanisms to help offset Medicaid underpayment, with SFY 2025 hospital payments totaling hundreds of millions of dollars and no general revenue used for supplemental payments beyond the state share funded through hospital assessments and related financing structures. Committee members focused heavily on whether Arkansas hospitals are adequately reimbursed and why rural hospitals struggle. Tritt explained that critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, PPS hospitals, and specialty hospitals operate under different federal and state rules, and said lower per diem rates for some facilities help with cash flow and later cost settlement adjustments. She said Arkansas hospitals are under financial strain, citing a negative patient services margin statewide and noting that Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial payers all contribute to the problem. She also said the association had just authorized a statewide survey of hospital finances and costs, which she expected would take about a year to complete. A major theme was commercial insurance reimbursement. Tritt argued Arkansas hospitals are paid far less than hospitals in neighboring states even though premiums are similar, and said administrative burdens, prior authorizations, and denials add to the problem. She said hospitals receive about 52 to 53 cents on the dollar for Medicaid costs without UPL and about 78 cents with UPL, still below cost. Members also discussed Medicare wage index issues, Medicare Advantage, and whether hospitals could use technology or alternative arrangements to improve finances. No votes were taken on the hospital presentation. At the end of the meeting, DHS provided a brief update on Living Choices and assisted living reimbursement. Officials said one assisted living facility, Pillars of the Community in Crossett, had announced closure, with nine waiver clients being transitioned to other settings. DHS said the current cost reporting period was underway and that a new rate study could be ready for review before the end of the fiscal year if reports were submitted on time. Members also asked about the broader waiver plan, and DHS said the next waiver iteration would likely be brought back to the committee in the summer.

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• So, but I understand Texas has, and I still have yet to research the Texas system, but I understand Texas
• So, but I understand Texas has, and I still have yet to research the Texas system, but I understand Texas
• So, but I understand Texas has and >> Okay.
• I I still have yet to research the Texas I I still have yet to research the Texas system,<00:13:
• experience that something based on Texas experience that something is<00:13:55.839> possible.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Committee to Study Long-Term Managed Care approved the prior meeting minutes as amended after correcting the first paragraph. The chair then outlined the committee’s plan to produce a preliminary report by October 1, with additional meetings to follow, since some questions remain about the federal One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) and its effects on Medicaid financing and managed care. The main discussion focused on New Hampshire nursing home funding and how ProShare and MQUIP work. Members reviewed Medicaid rates, supplemental payments, intergovernmental transfers, and the role of federal matching funds. The chair and Mr. Litman concluded that OB3’s phase-down of payments above the Medicare rate likely would not directly eliminate ProShare or MQUIP in New Hampshire, but uncertainty remains about intergovernmental transfers and about how these payments would function if the state moved nursing facilities into managed care. Mr. Litman said managed care would likely require waivers for supplemental payments, and Texas was cited as an example of a state operating under such waivers. The committee also discussed dual eligibles, DNIP, PACE, and the possibility of carving out HCBS from nursing facility services. DHS said its managed care contract would allow the state to use MCOs for DNIP, with the goal of better coordination between Medicaid and Medicare, while PACE would likely require more study and might be more feasible in populated counties. Members also reviewed OB3’s new presumptive eligibility provisions and a state waiver request modeled on Washington’s approach, plus a separate grant for transitioning people from facilities back to the community. The rural health transformation fund was discussed as a possible source for workforce, telehealth, mobile integrated health, and other support investments, but not for direct construction or major building renovation. County representatives emphasized that any county role in PACE or DNIP would require significant vetting, infrastructure, capital investment, and a realistic timeline. The meeting ended with the chair saying the draft report would outline issues and possible alternatives, but not recommendations yet, and the committee adjourned without taking further action.

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• And the blessed state of Texas.
• Honor the Texas flag.
• It is a unique fact that both his father and son were Texas state reps, his father being a Texas state
• Next time you're in the great piney woods of Texas, stop by Palestine and come ride the Texas State Railroad
• other areas of the code that impact my profession.

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• They're both amending this section 153 of the family code.
• Of Austin, Texas. Good morning. Uh, good afternoon.
• Approximately 42% of all births in Texas are to unwed mothers.
• In keeping with this principle, Texas Family Code Chapter 153 requires courts to prioritize the best
• As you know, the Texas Estates Code uses the term certificate in a way that creates some unnecessary

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• Currently, local government code mandates that counties manage surplus or salvage property, including
• The county judges and commissioners Association of Texas are in support of this bill.
• to, uh, basically bypass the requirement to auction these, which, uh, chapter 263 local government code
• It's the way the state of Texas does it.
• state of Texas uses every biennial whenever they set their budget or y'all set your budget.

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• recognizes the gentleman from Texas, Mr. recognizes the gentleman from Texas, Mr.
• health insurance unaffordable.
• health insurance unaffordable.
• health insurance unaffordable. health insurance unaffordable.
• of Americans afford health insurance. of Americans afford health insurance.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

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• of Texas veterans and their families — and after that, the nation.
• Texas will lead the way. Hi, everyone.
• One Texas applicant writes: 'I have tried and failed again and again to get better.
• Texas is the greatest and most patriotic state in this entire nation.
• God bless you and God bless Texas. Let's win it. Five minutes? Q and A, five minutes.

Summary: The meeting was a Texas Capitol press event in support of House Bill 3717, which would advance ibogaine research and create a public-private pathway to move the treatment toward FDA approval. Speakers included Brian Hubbard of the American Ibogaine Initiative, Rep. Cody Harris, and VETS co-founders Marcus and Amber Capone. They framed the bill as a chance for Texas to lead on treatment for opioid use disorder, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other “diseases of despair,” especially among veterans and their families. Testimony focused heavily on the veteran suicide crisis and personal stories of loss and recovery. Marcus Capone described his Navy SEAL service and said conventional treatments had not been enough for many veterans, while Amber Capone cited VETS’ support for roughly 1,000 veterans and a Stanford collaboration that she said showed large reductions in PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicidality after ibogaine treatment. Supporters also argued ibogaine may have broader applications, including for other substance use disorders and some neurological conditions, and emphasized the need for research, supervised clinical use, and insurance coverage. No formal committee vote or legislative action was taken in the transcript. The event ended with a brief Q&A and a call for Texas legislators to support HB 3717 and help move the bill forward.

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• Administrative Code regarding what was required last year.
• year, and this is the code as it was last year.
• Your testimony leads me to, you should put up a slide with the Texas Administrative Code 265, if I'm
• You know, I live in Houston, Texas.
• Administrative Code that applied at the time.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

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• Gentlemen from Texas. Introduction of a special guest, Mr. Speaker. Proceed, gentlemen. Mr.
• Shannon County, but they're also some there from the largest county in the state of Missouri, from Texas
• Yes, it was in the insurance committee.
• It was an insurance and commerce bill.
• We worked with the Department of Insurance and Commerce, and we also worked with many other stakeholders

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the higher education policy analyst at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
• The bill amends the Texas Education Code by establishing the Texas Higher Education Accrediting Commission
• labor market demands, as identified by the Texas Workforce Commission.
• Byerley, you work for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, correct? That is correct.
• It simply replaces the outdated term ACT plan with pre-ACT across the education code.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard several bills and took no final votes, leaving each measure pending. The first major item, SB 1322 by Senator Hagenbuch, would create a Texas Higher Education Accrediting Commission to evaluate and approve accrediting agencies for public colleges and universities using outcome-based metrics such as retention, graduation, employment, debt, and repayment. Supporters, including Kate Byerley of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, argued the bill would add competition and align accreditation with Texas workforce needs; Senator Menendez questioned the need for a new bureaucracy and noted the $3.6 million fiscal note, suggesting existing reporting and oversight structures could serve the same purpose. The committee then heard SB 1998, which would establish a pediatric subspecialty preceptorship program to encourage medical students to enter pediatric subspecialties. Dr. Lauren Gamble testified in strong support, saying the program would help address shortages and improve access for children, especially in rural and underserved areas. SB 2788, authored by Senator Menendez, would add the PSAT as an accepted assessment for dual credit and Texas Success Initiative purposes; Priscilla Camacho of Alamo Colleges supported the bill, citing strong student outcomes and widespread use of the PSAT as a readiness indicator. Senator Creighton laid out SB 2076, which would remove or modify certain Capitol view corridor restrictions affecting the UT Austin Academic Medical Center project, including the planned specialty hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center expansion. He said the existing corridors are outdated and limit development. The committee also heard SB 1418, a cleanup bill replacing outdated references to ACT Plan with Pre-ACT and removing obsolete SAT subject test language. After brief testimony and no opposition on the later bills, the committee closed public testimony and left SB 1322, SB 1998, SB 2788, SB 2076, and SB 1418 pending before recessing for the floor session.

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• Texas.
• Texas state schools.
• Texas public school.
• Texas public school.
• We all recognize the state of Texas is the state of Texas is a state.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits. The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation. Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.

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• Texas is doing that.
• If you look at where Elon Musk has gone into Texas...
• Texas this year.
• New Mexico's building codes have not been modernized.
• , restrictive building codes, and difficult permitting.

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• I recognize the amendment is coded A12.
• The amendment is coded A13.
• and insurance fraud questions.
• and insurance fraud questions.
• Thank you, Madam Speaker. and have had exposure in the insurance and have had exposure in the insurance

Keywords: 1183, house

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• Texas is overheated and.
• Texas and California, I think New York is up there, but Texas and California are the biggest ones.
• Texas and California, I think New York is up there, but Texas and California are the biggest ones.
• Texas and California, I think New York is up there, but Texas and California are the biggest ones.
• Texas and California, I think New York is up there, but Texas and California are the biggest ones.

Summary: The committee held a study on the potential effects of living wage or minimum wage laws in Oklahoma, with the chair emphasizing that the discussion was not intended to advocate for or against State Question 832. The first panel focused on economic and workforce impacts. An Oklahoma Department of Commerce representative argued that living wage calculations vary by region and household type, that Oklahoma’s average wages are already near or above many living-wage estimates, and that higher mandated wages could lead employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, automate, or avoid expansion, especially in rural areas where childcare, healthcare, broadband, and infrastructure constraints also affect labor participation. Committee members asked about wage distributions, rural cost differences, training pathways, and whether higher wages might draw workers or businesses out of state; the witness said many low-wage workers move up over time and that Oklahoma has seen net in-migration. A State Chamber Research Foundation witness then testified that a $15 statewide wage floor would raise payroll costs substantially, especially for small rural employers, and cited examples from California and Seattle to argue that higher wages can reduce hours, jobs, and benefits while increasing consumer prices. She suggested alternatives such as expanding the state earned income tax credit and promoting upskilling through existing education and training programs. A Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry representative described Missouri’s recent voter-approved minimum wage increase to $13.75, rising to $15, along with paid sick leave provisions. She said the chamber opposed the measure because it would raise business costs, hurt rural communities and youth employment, and force some employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, or close. She cited examples from Missouri businesses facing significant added costs and warned that a future ballot initiative could create a patchwork of local minimum wages. In response to questions, she said Missouri’s law did not distinguish by age or industry, that businesses had raised concerns about union contracts and compliance, and that the chamber viewed the measure as harmful to competitiveness. Peter Hansen of NFIB presented the final major testimony, summarizing an NFIB study projecting that a higher Oklahoma minimum wage would produce some short-term GDP gains but longer-term losses, with GDP turning negative by the early 2030s and job losses growing over time. He said businesses respond to higher wage mandates by raising prices, trimming jobs, converting full-time positions to part-time, reducing benefits, and shifting investment toward automation or other capital. He argued that the burden falls most heavily on vulnerable workers such as young or marginal employees, who are less likely to be hired when labor costs rise. In questioning, he acknowledged that higher wages can improve pay for some workers and may have some short-term positive effects, but maintained that the long-term employment and investment effects are negative. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we all had to take Texas history in seventh grade, right, and learn about going to Texas. .
• It is a reflection of modern Texas.
• redistrict Texas.
• I am a resident of Texas, in House District 148, Texas Senate 115, and U.S.
• Solomons, "He's pushing Texas.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

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• of Texas.
• Texas is very unique.
• , certainly rural Texas, uh, economic development.
• CODA is a multi-purpose venue located in Del Valley, Texas.
• from outside the state of Texas.

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• It adds three new codes: the Elections Code, the Penal Code, and the Health Senator Creighton: and Safety
• Code.
• It is so unsafe to be pregnant in Texas.
• But I, I just don't want the Texas legislature to be that tool.
• , you're stuck in Texas court where there is no recourse.