Transcript Highlights:

• Americans strongly feel that the tax code is built in favor of the wealthy.
• need certainty, parity, and simplicity in the tax code.
• That's more than 8,000 in just Texas 24, my district alone. So, Mr.
• But I believe a tax code that benefits our small businesses is a tax code that pays also for the essential
• You also testified to the need to close a series of loopholes. in our tax code.

Keywords: joint hearing, small business, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, economic recovery, tax relief, job creation

Summary: In this joint hearing of the House Committee on Small Business and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the primary focus was on the importance of making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) permanent. The chair emphasized that small businesses are crucial for the nation's economic recovery, especially in the wake of current federal policies perceived as detrimental. Witnesses shared their experiences and highlighted how the tax cuts facilitated job creation and business expansion, stressing the need for continued support through ongoing tax relief measures. The meeting included discussions about the economic implications of the TCJA's potential expiration, with members voicing their concerns regarding how this could impact small businesses and the broader economy.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are proud to be co-hosting this event with the ARC of Texas, the Texas Council of Administrators on
• Special Education, the Autism Society of Texas, the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, Texas Parent
• And help to access my awesome electives. Go Westwood Fine Arts department.
• Please give a cheer if this is what you want for all Texas kids. Thank you.
• That is not the case for so many districts across Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• When it detected a non-coded ink cartridge, it refused to work.
• We've seen Texas be a leader on this across all these areas.
• for use in the state of Texas, so states can kind of get in front of this.
• The state of Texas is investigating that battery system for allowing remote access into the Texas grid
• Texas has got a $500 million war chest to do infrastructure and investment.

Bills: HB2121, HB2134, HB2451, HB2700

Keywords: modification, electronic equipment, consumer rights, OEM restrictions, civil penalties, intellectual property, critical infrastructure, foreign adversaries, China, communications, security, Arizona Space Commission, strategic plan, aerospace, economic development, space industry, education, workforce training, assistive technology, disability services

Transcript Highlights:

• To the God of central Texas. To the God of West Texas. To the God who rule Texas.
• To keep Texas one under guard. Amen. All right.
• Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to be in Texas.
• Texas NHRO collaborates and supports and promotes the 431 public housing agencies of Texas which provide
• Texas NAHRO has worked tirelessly to give Texas families secure, comfortable places call home, and in

Transcript Highlights:

• He's moved back to Texas.
• He's moved back to Texas.
• He's moved back to Texas.
• He's moved back to Texas.
• He's he's moved back to Texas. So, here. He's he's moved back to Texas.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• West Texas, to the God of rural Texas, to the God of urban Texas.
• Great Texas NAHRO Day at the State Capitol. For 49 years.
• Texas NHRO collaborates.
• Texas NAHRO has worked tirelessly to give Texas families secure, comfortable places to call home, and
• The Housing Authority and Texas NHRO President, Ms.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're just people that got elected. People said, hey... We're just people that got elected.
• who was most excited about me getting elected was my youngest brother.
• Have we received two-thirds of those elected to and constituting the House?
• I have received two-thirds of those elected to and constituting the House.
• And we've seen a majority vote of those elected and constituted in the House.

Bills: HR1055, SB2170, SB1833, SB1198, HR1056, SB1730, SB563, SB1379, SB1645, SB2155, SB1280, SB1455, SB1456, SB1461, SB1457, SB1463, SB1465, SB1466, SB1344, SB1309, HR1054, SB2159, SB1948, HB1371, SB1365, SB1976, SB1975, SB2026, SB1565, SB1621, SB237, SB933, SB1427, SB1642, SB171, SB1873, SB2067, SB1623, SB1771, SB1805, SB1826, SB2072, SB444, SB2184, SB1966, SB1812, SB2117, SB2135, SB330, SB1239, SB1428, SB1531, SB1484, SB1405, SB3

Keywords: Oklahoma Agriculture Day, agriculture, farmers, ranchers, agribusiness, food production, wheat, cattle, beef, dairy, soybeans, cotton, poultry, pork, rye, rural economy, urban-rural, trade, commodity production, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture

Summary: The House convened under quorum call and began with several recognitions and presentations, including visits from Comanche County 4-H, the Muskogee Police Department officers who completed EMT training, the March of Dimes, and Ag Day honorees, including the Ag Hall of Fame recipient Ron Justice. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 1054 designating April 2026 as Library Month, with a special presentation honoring library leaders and advocates for their work on the first Library Day at the Capitol. The House then considered and passed a series of bills, mostly on broad bipartisan votes, covering state symbols, fireworks sales, oil and gas royalty protections, AP exam access, veteran records access for grandchildren, Medicaid support for a food-is-medicine grant, law library representation, controlled substances, public health, state security staffing, financial exploitation protections, credit union modernization, workforce data, staffing contracts, enterprise zone incentives, conveyance/title theft protections, hospice narcotics disposal, duplicate statute cleanup, and memorial highway/bridge designations. One major bill, SB 237 on eliminating the solar and battery storage manufacturing tax exemption, was laid over after discussion and questions about tax policy and local incentives. Several measures drew brief explanation and questions, including SB 2159 on state symbols and wheat, SB 1948 on fireworks sales, HB 1371 on oil and gas royalty payments and bankruptcy protections, SB 1975 on AP testing locations, SB 2026 on access to veterans’ discharge papers, SB 1565 on food-is-medicine Medicaid support, SB 1642 on splitting short opioid prescriptions, and SB 933 creating a right-to-try pathway for individualized treatment. Most of these bills passed with little or no debate, and several emergency clauses also passed by the required two-thirds vote. Not all measures advanced: SB 1771, expanding Workforce Commission data authority, failed on a 27-46 vote, and the House later gave notice of intent to reconsider. SB 1365 was reconsidered and then passed, but its emergency clause failed. The session also featured an extended personal privilege speech by Rep. Scott Fetgatter marking his departure, in which he thanked colleagues and staff and reflected on his tenure and legislative work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously Texas Department of Ag.
• The Texas Animal Health Commission continues to work with Texas Parks and Wildlife both individually
• Animal Health Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife Service, Texas A&M, AgriLife, Texas Tech University
• Administrative Code.
• and our Texas Texas livestock marketing Texas Livestock Marketing Legislative Advisory Group provides

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, a grant program for school district local accountability plans and actions challenging the Texas
• This bill relates to a school psychologist licensed under the Occupations Code.
• There's just individual language where there's one research security officer for Texas Southern, one
• for council member four in Texas, and universal system.
• Members, the bill relates to student union building fees at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a quorum and considered a long agenda of education-related bills, mostly from the House and several taken up in lieu of Senate measures. Early action included House Bill 27 on personal financial literacy for high school students, which was reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also advanced House Bill 4 on public school accountability and assessment, House Bill 4687 on liability and immunity for certain charter school campuses or programs, House Bill 2598 on school psychologists, House Bill 3629 barring registered sex offenders from serving on ISD boards, House Bill 824 adding civics instruction to high school government curriculum, and House Bill 4236 creating a task force to review the comptroller’s school district property value study. Most of these bills were reported out unanimously or near-unanimously and several were certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard and advanced higher education and school governance measures, including House Bill 127 on protecting public higher education from foreign adversaries and trade secret theft; members adopted a committee substitute after explanation that it revised the Research Security Council, clarified definitions, adjusted gift restrictions, and removed redundant procurement language. House Bill 4361 on timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education, House Bill 1868 on studying dual credit funding and workforce capacity, House Bill 718 on restricting certain private partnerships for student housing, House Bill 4848 on competency-based/work-based/degree programs at public institutions, House Bill 2853 on student union building fees at UTEP, House Bill 100 on instructional materials adoption, and House Bill 2243 creating the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention were also reported favorably, with House Bill 2853 drawing one no vote. One bill was held pending further clarification: House Bill 1105, concerning tuition and lab fee exemptions for certain paramedics, after a member raised questions about whether the exemption already exists and whether the bill merely clarifies coverage for EMS first responders. The committee also discussed House Bill 100 as a companion to Senate Bill 451 and noted that House Bill 27 and House Bill 127 were being used in lieu of Senate bills. Overall, the committee reported most measures favorably, often by unanimous vote, and several were placed on the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• entity to construct, expand, or operate mental health inpatient facilities authorized by the government code
• the commissioners to seek input on appointments from the chairs of the jurisdictional committees in Texas
• House and the Texas Senate.
• provision of food and water and aligns the definition of senior retirement community with the rest of the code

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• entity to construct, expand, or operate mental health inpatient facilities authorized by the government code
• commissioners to seek input on appointments from the chairs of the jurisdictional committees in the Texas
• House and the Texas Senate.
• and water, and aligns the definition of senior retirement community with the rest Senator Cook: Of code

Transcript Highlights:

• Hope the story of Pome Trot in Texas Hope the story of Pome Trot in Texas where<01:42:40.800>
• I guess I'm not the election law expert on this.
• Would School Boards print their ballots for their school elections?
• Would school boards print their ballots for their school elections?
• <04:41:56.958> within but you can create certain codes within but you can create certain codes

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 662, which would require public schools to include discussion of abortion procedures and show specified videos in health education classes. The prime sponsor argued the bill would ensure students receive medically accurate, age-appropriate, and nonpolitical information about abortion, saying the topic is important for informed decision-making and should be taught consistently statewide. He said the videos were intended for grades 9-12, that parents could opt out, and that the requirement was meant to supplement, not sway, students’ views. He also acknowledged the bill could be seen as limiting local control over curriculum and said the intent was to prevent the topic from being missed due to scheduling disruptions. Committee members questioned the sponsor about local control, the need for a video mandate, the source of his statistics, whether the bill could be biased or inflammatory, and whether the requirement should apply every year in high school. The sponsor said the videos were only a starting point, could be replaced by others, and were meant to be informational. He also said the bill was not intended to influence students’ decisions about abortion. Several supporters testified in favor, including representatives of New Hampshire Right to Life and others who said students should be told the “truth” about abortion and its consequences. They emphasized graphic or emotionally difficult aspects of abortion and argued that young people need this information to make informed choices. Opponents and skeptical witnesses raised concerns about prescribing curriculum, eroding local control, and the appropriateness of the material for younger high school students. The New Hampshire School Administrators Association said the bill was overly prescriptive, that health education standards are already set by the State Board of Education, and that the topics in the bill are not part of the current standards. That witness recommended the committee consider retaining the bill for further work or making it less prescriptive. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Code 84615 has been adopted.
• I'm Benjamin Meg, CEO of Bayou City Hemp Company based in Houston, Texas.
• successful in doing that my freshman year, and so much so, Representative Robinson asked me to prime code
• This HJR will go before the voters at the 2026 general election, and if approved, would first apply to

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard a lengthy agenda of bills, with the chair limiting public testimony to about one minute per speaker. Early action included passage of HB 203, which allows certain counties to opt back into transportation concurrency, as amended to narrow the bill to small counties. The committee also favorably reported CS/HB 43, allowing renters to reuse tenant screening reports for 30 days, and HB 897, a timeshare-related strike-all that clarified timeshare governance provisions and annual board meeting requirements. The committee then approved HJR 1,215, proposing a constitutional amendment to eliminate tangible personal property tax for farmers and agricultural businesses, with support from agriculture and business groups. A major portion of the meeting focused on the committee’s hemp package. Members discussed the committee bill PCB for HAT-25-01, which would create a regulatory framework for hemp-derived intoxicating products, including licensing, packaging and labeling restrictions, testing, and sales limitations. Testimony was mixed: industry representatives and distributors generally supported regulation but urged changes on branding, packaging, milligram limits, and sales locations; convenience store and petroleum marketers opposed restrictions that would exclude gas stations; and consumer-safety and addiction advocates supported tighter controls, including bans on synthetics, online sales, and child-appealing packaging. The committee also heard and approved PCB for HAT-25-02, a companion tax bill imposing excise taxes on hemp consumables and beverages, despite concerns raised about possible triple taxation and higher compliance costs. The committee next passed HB 211, expanding the definition of farm products to include edible and non-edible plants and clarifying agricultural preemption on bona fide farm operations. It also favorably reported PCS for HB 561, creating a chief manufacturing officer role within the Department of Commerce, a workforce development grant program, a voluntary manufacturing promotion campaign, and required reporting, along with PCS for HB 563, which adds an annual fee of up to $100 for participants in the promotional campaign. Both manufacturing bills drew broad support from industry and economic development groups. Finally, the committee took up HJR 1257 and its conforming bill HB 1259, which would create property tax benefits for long-term rental properties owned by Floridians with a separate homestead. Supporters argued the measure would encourage long-term rentals and investment in Florida, while opponents from counties and cities warned it would shift tax burdens and reduce local revenue. After debate, the joint resolution passed 9-4 and the implementing bill also passed 9-4, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, guests in the gallery, please join me in the pledge to our US and Texas flags.
• Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state.
• It is my honor to recognize Annette Areobo as our Miss Texas 2024.
• It is one of the best returns on investment our state of Texas could ever make.
• Incorporated in 1856, Athens is a true treasure of Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• You also said that Arizona, Colorado, and Texas do not have the PCF.
• Arizona actually does not have a cap, and Texas has a cap of 250,000.
• New Mexico is a PCF provider, and Arizona, Colorado, and Texas are not.
• of Colorado and Texas on here.
• So, in courtesy and code, they decided the verdict was. $40 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• We toured all along the border into Texas, all across New Mexico, and had several stops there.
• So then this year, there were five kids kidnapped in Texas, and they picked them up on a license plate
• Of course, others have already mentioned the five children kidnapped in Texas, again found because of
• And so to achieve the vesting period, staying at eight years, you run for election two times.
• And then we'll get to the election part, which I may not agree with you on that part, but I.

Transcript Highlights:

• It wasn't to that extent, but that is why you're seeing massive data center deals in Texas now and in
• But they're moving forward with gas utilization projects quickly in Texas.
• The rigs have gotten, they left here, unfortunately, and they all went to Texas.
• You are seeing some activity in Texas, in the Eagle Ford a little bit.
• Oxy is a big, big oil player in Texas. They came up here to share some of their information.

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes before hearing a series of informational updates. The Petroleum Council reported that North Dakota oil production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with activity shifting northward in the Bakken as technology improves and three- and four-mile laterals boost well performance. The presentation also discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, the importance of pipelines and other linear infrastructure, and enhanced oil recovery pilot projects supported by state and federal funding. Members asked questions about gas production taxes, natural gas liquids, and the outlook for drilling rigs and future production. The Office of State Tax Commissioner then reviewed the federal “big beautiful bill” and its estimated effect on North Dakota individual and business income tax collections. Staff explained that most of the individual income tax impact comes from the permanent increase in the standard deduction, while temporary provisions such as senior deductions, tip and overtime exclusions, and auto loan interest deductions have smaller or limited-term effects. They also noted that business tax changes, especially depreciation and expensing provisions, create a larger near-term cash impact, and that some FY25 collections likely reflected one-time oil field transactions that may have inflated the baseline used in earlier estimates. OMB provided updates on major capital projects and facility funding. For Capitol grounds improvements, officials described plans for 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding upgrades, public seating, lighting, tree management, and possible restroom and lobby reconfiguration, while also noting the governor’s residence security project and the discovery of human remains on the Capitol grounds. OMB and its consultants also reported on the state facility maintenance fund, including window replacement, boiler work, roof and foundation repairs, and a new facility conditions assessment covering more state buildings. Updates were also given on the new state hospital in Jamestown, the Minot state office building, and the use of federal state fiscal recovery funds, including possible future reallocations to the Department of Corrections. Finally, Legislative Council staff summarized the interim compliance report on legislative intent and trust fund activity, highlighting the status of lines of credit, Bank of North Dakota profit transfers, the statewide litigation pool, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, corrections planning, HHS program updates, and a likely future general fund request for the unemployment insurance modernization project. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational, with members asking clarifying questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm State Representative Gina Hinojosa, and I represent Central Austin in the Texas House.
• We have a teacher exodus in Texas. We have a teacher exodus in Texas.
• I actually live in rural Texas. I drove ...in a crisis. I actually live in rural Texas.
• So Texas schools need to be... ...funded at $10 per student and $15,000 per campus.
• We have passed out a graph that shows the increase in the Texas Education Agency budget.

Keywords: education funding, House Bill 5419, zero-based budgeting, public testimony, school safety, special education

Summary: State Representative Gina Hinojosa and a group of parents and education advocates testified in support of House Bill 5419, a zero-based budgeting proposal aimed at reviewing Texas Education Agency spending and redirecting more public education dollars to classrooms. Hinojosa argued that public schools are being weakened by chronic underfunding, teacher shortages, delayed special education services, and inadequate school safety funding, and said the bill would help cut bureaucracy, vendor contracts, and other non-classroom spending in favor of teacher pay, safety, and special education. Several witnesses, including self-identified Republicans and former GOP officials, backed the bill as a good-government measure and said they were crossing party lines because public schools need more direct investment. They criticized TEA growth, vendor contracts, public-private partnerships, and what they described as unfunded mandates from the state, including school safety requirements. One witness said rural districts are being forced into four-day school weeks, while others cited campus closures, deferred maintenance, and local tax increases tied to state funding shortfalls and recapture payments. The discussion also focused on the need for a systematic review of TEA spending and the lack of a sunset review for the agency since before 2005. Hinojosa and others said increasing the basic allotment would help districts, reduce recapture pressures, and prevent local tax hikes. The exchange was primarily a public hearing and advocacy session; no vote or formal committee action was described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Electives, electives.
• And so this stuff is all good as an elective for you, and you run out of electives.
• You're a freshman in software, and you can't pick electives because now you're done with your electives
• But it is not something that they can just flash a QR code on their app.
• These are outlined in the New Mexico Administrative Code.

Transcript Highlights:

• election.
• election.
• <00:29:00.640> any have a direct impact on elections any have a direct impact on elections
• up yeah under house file 550 electeds up yeah under house file 550 electeds can<00:35:37.160>
• founding generation set up elections founding generation set up elections every<00:47:39.119>

Keywords: 1183, house