Transcript Highlights:

• We are a member of TEX21, which is a transportation advocacy group, and they are also in favor of this
• This bill ties the tax credit more closely to the federal R&D credit under Section 41 of the Internal
• Revenue Code, reducing administrative burdens for both taxpayers and the comptroller.
• Senate Bill 1030 removes a significant obstacle in the tax code to allow further expansion of the Texas
• The McKinney National Airport is a key component of Texas's transportation system.

Bills: SB214 , SB935 , SB1030 , SB1901 , SB2018 , SB2020 , SB2066 , SB2206

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see a similar section like this for all of the agency compliance reports.
• For example, we have glycol being transported through tubes in the lab, and it leaks.
• We've got 10 in our audit section, three in the tax return section, three in investigations, and then
• So we'll need to take a vote to approve, to write up a summary for the budget section.
• And have a great day. take a vote to approve, to write up a summary for the budget section.

Summary: The committee met to review the Attorney General’s budget and related agency operations, beginning with Legislative Council staff walking members through compliance reports and a blue-sheet base budget document. Staff highlighted current-biennium items such as FTE changes, one-time appropriations, litigation funding, opioid settlement receipts, continuing appropriations, and major special and federal funds. Members asked for clarification on items including the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund, the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant funding. Assistant Attorney General Clare Ness then gave an overview of the office’s structure, staffing, and budget pressures. She emphasized the office’s broad statutory duties, the value of its legal services to state and local government, and concerns about attorney pay lagging behind other agencies. Members discussed whether attorney compensation should be benchmarked more consistently across state government and whether some legal work could be consolidated within the AG’s office. Ness also addressed questions about AG opinion turnaround times, boards-and-commissions training, the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, office leases, and the state’s criminal justice information systems. The crime lab presentation drew significant attention. Director Jennifer Penner described severe space, safety, and infrastructure problems at the current lab, including cramped work areas, glycol leaks, outdated fire and burglar alarms, air-handling limits, and equipment failures that have delayed toxicology work. She said the 2024 study projected a much larger facility would be needed and that the preferred location would be near the current health department site, but in a new building. Members asked about possible evidence risks, backlog status, and whether the proposed building would solve the current problems; Penner said it would and noted backlogs have improved overall, though some delays remain. The committee also heard from the new Medicaid Fraud Control Unit director, who described the unit’s civil and criminal work, federal-state funding split, and examples of fraud such as billing for services not provided or upcoding. The gaming division reported continued growth in charitable gaming and e-tabs, with members expressing concern about large trust-account balances, site competition, and possible misuse of proceeds. Finally, BCI outlined its caseload, cybercrime work, missing Indigenous persons task force, and the surge in CSAM cyber tips; members asked about AI-generated CSAM, and the AG’s office noted that last session’s law increased penalties and expressly allowed AI-generated CSAM to be prosecuted like other CSAM. No formal votes or actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Omer and Fargo 60 days to reach compliance with municipal accounting law, as required under Arkansas Code
• Did she code something wrong? Did she miss a number? Did she, you know, what happened with that?
• Did she code something wrong? Did she miss a number? Did she, you know, what happened with that?
• meeting, but did not adopt a formal resolution to authorize this increase as required by Arkansas Code
• Just a quick question on the audit report, second page, middle section.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A5. The chair recognizes the author of the A5 amendment.
• </c><01:14:52.719><c> and</c> at some point produces transports and at some point produces transports
• </c> on that then uh another section on that then uh another section Minnesota<01:19:34.400><c> statute
• </c> that and finally members um in section that and finally members um in section uh<01:20:28.719><c
• The bill is being referred to the Committee on Transportation Finance and Policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section House rule number three adopted.
• These will be consistent with what code.
• So, if you just read the bill, we go into one section of law and then we go into the other section of
• ><c> law</c><01:26:33.040><c> and</c> go into the other section of law and go into the other section
• And it talks about, notwithstanding Article 3, Section 36, or Article 16, Sections 1, 2, and 6 of the

Transcript Highlights:

• Funds can upgrade roads like these, slashing transport costs and boosting local economies.
• Currently, the government code requires that the Director of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission
• grants today, so it would entail having... ...to bring on extra personnel, so moving it to the grants section
• to build a meteorological evaluation tower. ...tower to be provided to the Texas Department of Transportation
• I'm the Director of the Aviation Division for the Texas Department of Transportation.

Bills: HB2564 , HB2760 , HB2765 , HB2898 , HB3260 , HB3800 , HB4341 , HB4396 , HB5195

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• What does this alternative transport look like?” “What does this alternative transport look like?
• “And they’re just simply needing a transport, a medical transport from one facility to another.
• Isaacson, to your knowledge, are any of these transporters well trained for this kind of transport?
• In-facility transport, we've got companies like Comtrans that do transportation, ambulance companies.
• I says this section does not require pharmacist to provide the services authorized by this section.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2433, which would require insurers offering Medicare supplement policies to people 65 and older to also offer them to Medicare beneficiaries under 65 with ALS or end-stage renal disease, with enrollment periods and premium protections tied to 65-year-old rates. Supporters, including dialysis and ALS advocates, said the bill would help a small population facing high out-of-pocket costs and could improve access to transplants and care; opponents argued it would shift costs onto older seniors and raise Medigap premiums. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 12-0 vote. The committee also heard House Bill 2593, appropriating $1.5 million to the University of Arizona for the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line. The sponsor and physicians testified that the line helps obstetric and pediatric providers quickly consult on perinatal depression, postpartum psychosis, suicidality, and other mental health crises, improving outcomes for mothers, children, and families and reducing costly emergency and crisis care. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 10-1 vote. House Concurrent Resolution 2013, proclaiming June 2026 as Celebrate Life Month, drew emotional testimony from a young woman with spina bifida and another speaker supporting the sanctity of life. Some members objected that the state should focus on practical supports such as paid leave, child care, and health care access, while others supported the resolution as a statement of human dignity. The resolution passed the committee 7-5. The committee then approved House Bill 4010, creating a Board of Genetic Counselors and licensure standards, after testimony from genetic counselors and a patient advocate about the need for qualified counseling and better access; it passed 11-1. Later, the committee approved House Bill 2196, which would require pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse non-affiliated pharmacies at least their acquisition cost and pay a dispensing fee, and establish an appeals process. Independent pharmacists and their coalition said PBM practices are driving closures and unfairly favor affiliated pharmacies, while PBM and employer representatives warned of major cost increases and said the bill would interfere with private contracts; the bill passed 11-1. The committee also adopted a strike-everything amendment to House Bill 2182 requiring insurers and health plans to report claims denial and prior authorization data to DIFI, and then gave the amended bill a 12-0 do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2189, directing the Board of Nursing to update rules for licensed health aides and collect annual data, with the sponsor and board staff saying it would help implement routine ventilator care in the home; it passed 12-0. The committee then began hearing House Bill 2404, a strike-everything amendment on inter-facility transports for behavioral health patients, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• While there are some sections of this bill that have been transferred to another bill that you may see
• And unfortunately, if you turn to Section 1526.1(b), it is reinserted in this bill.
• Also in subdivision D of that same section, the provision says where the person resides or transacted
• SB 978 directs the CPUC to create a special rate structure for large-load data centers and hard-codes
• and any disclosure of current or past violations of this code.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on workplace technology, labor protections, and data center oversight. SB 947, the No Robo Bosses Act of 2026, would require human review before automated systems are used in discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions and would ban predictive behavior analysis in the workplace. Labor groups, worker advocates, and privacy organizations supported the bill, arguing AI can be biased and should not make life-changing employment decisions without human judgment. Business groups opposed it, saying it was broader than prior versions, could interfere with workplace safety tools, and should not include a private right of action or cover independent contractors. After discussion about due process and accountability, the bill passed the committee 3-1 and was sent to the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection. SB 978, the Data Center Community Accountability Act, would require data centers to pay upfront for new transmission or distribution infrastructure, create a separate rate structure so costs are not shifted to other ratepayers, and include skilled-and-trained labor standards for construction. Supporters said the bill would protect ratepayers, create good construction jobs, and encourage zero-carbon energy development. Opponents, including the Data Center Coalition and Silicon Valley Leadership Group, argued the CPUC already has ongoing proceedings on these issues and warned the bill could single out one industry and discourage investment. The committee members emphasized labor standards and community concerns, and the bill passed 3-0 to the Senate Committee on Appropriations. SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, would expand WARN-style notice requirements for layoffs caused by AI or automation, require reporting to workers, local government, and EDD, and give displaced workers first consideration for other openings. Supporters said the bill responds to rapid AI-driven layoffs and would provide needed transparency and data. Opponents said the definitions were too broad, the notice requirements too burdensome, and the bill conflicted with existing WARN law; they also objected to the private right of action and inclusion of independent contractors. The committee discussed amendments clarifying that an employee may still be discharged for reasonable and substantiated cause during the notice period. The bill passed 3-1 to the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection. The committee also approved SB 1032, which would create a licensing and regulatory framework for temporary staffing agencies, and SB 1046, which would direct Cal/OSHA to develop standards to protect lifeguards and park rangers from transboundary pollution in the Tijuana River Valley. SB 1032 drew support from labor and enforcement advocates who said it would help stop staffing fraud, while staffing firms argued the bill was vague and could burden legitimate small businesses; it passed 3-1 to the Senate Committee on Judiciary. SB 1046 was supported by park workers and community groups describing health impacts from pollution and passed 4-0 to the Senate Committee on Appropriations. The committee also took up a consent item, which passed 4-0, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• While there are some sections of this bill that have been transferred to another bill that you may see
• And unfortunately, if you turn to Section 1526.1(b), it is reinserted in this bill.
• SB 978 directs the CPUC to create a special rate structure for large-load data centers and hard-codes
• An example of this is Section 2203, which states any open litigation, liens, fines, taxes, past due,
• and any disclosure of current or past violations of this code.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections one and two of this bill clarify that the supervision of an SLPA working in a school setting
• Sections one and two of this bill clarify that the supervision of an SLPA working in a school setting
• Some of these barriers include housing that meets licensing standards, transportation, mental health,
• <00:42:53.319><c> mental</c><00:42:53.680><c> health</c><00:42:54.119><c> chemical</c> Transportation
• mental health chemical Transportation mental health chemical health<00:42:54.920><c> care</c><00:42:

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would like a special section dedicated to the Highwaymen. Any other debate?
• And I would like a special section dedicated to the Highwaymen. Any other debate?
• And I would like a special section dedicated to the highwayman. Any other debate?
• Those are the two sections of the bill, the two purposes of the bill.
• He was placed into a police van for transport without restraint.

Summary: The Committee on Rules met and first approved several open-government sunset repeal bills and related measures. SB 7024 and SB 7026, both sponsored by Senator Mayfield, were explained as consolidating and extending public records/public meetings exemptions for cybersecurity information and trade secrets held by agencies; both were reported favorably. SB 7020, sponsored by Senator Trumbull, reenacted an aquaculture records exemption for records held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and was also reported favorably. Later, the committee approved SB 14 and SB 24, claims bills for relief involving Miami-Dade County, and SB 16, a claims bill for Heriberto Sanchez Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg; all were reported favorably without opposition. The committee also approved CS for SB 806, a consumer right-to-repair bill creating portable wireless device and agricultural equipment repair acts, despite opposition from several industry groups, and reported it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Article I, Section 8 gives Congress, not the president, the power to declare war.
• So Title 10, Section 12301 demands that Congress declare war before going to war.
• Under United States Code Title 10, Section 301, as an example, in time of war or national emergency,
• Under United States Code Title 10, Section 301, as an example, in time of war or national emergency,
• It's a very short section of Title 10; it's about a page.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Governed by Chapter 37 of the Education Code.
• code because I do think it is both confusing and partially requires � principles to have law degrees
• And do private schools follow the Texas Education Code?
• The, so there are pieces of the Education Code. that apply to private schools.
• I can't remember if it's in the family code or the education code, but there are laws that apply to private

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission to incorporate certain standards for temporary door locking devices into the Florida Building Code
• that the bill only applies if the property is near a main line, defined as a pipe or conduit that transports
• wastewater or transports potable water to a lateral line serving municipal properties.
• can't use Chapter 720 to impose mandatory membership by ownership without complying with all the sections
• Even more troubling, under Article X, Section 7 of a 2015 amendment in our HOA CC&Rs, this non-HOA entity

Bills: S0936 , S1724 , S1014 , S1498

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up four bills. First, it considered SB 1724 on municipal utility services. Senator Martin offered a late-filed delete-everything amendment that would require annual customer meetings for extraterritorial utility customers, cap use of gross utility revenues for general government at 10%, eliminate a 25% surcharge on customers outside city limits, reduce the rate differential cap from 50% to 25%, remove municipal natural gas utilities from the bill, and preserve certain existing bond-related surcharges until debt is retired or refinanced. The League of Cities raised implementation concerns about the July 1, 2026 effective date and the need for rate studies and budget adjustments. The amendment was adopted and the committee reported CS/SB 1724 favorably. The committee then heard SB 936 on temporary door locking devices from Senator McLean. The bill would define temporary door locking devices, allow them to be installed at any height, require the Florida Building Commission to add standards to the Florida Building Code, and require their use to be incorporated into safety plans, drills, and training. With no opposition or amendments, SB 936 was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 1014 by Senator Mayfield, which would prohibit municipalities from refusing water or wastewater service solely because a property owner will not annex, and would require service expansion when a property is near a municipal main line, not served by another utility, and the utility has capacity. A committee amendment narrowed the bill to properties near a main line and reduced the distance threshold from 2,000 meters to one-half mile. The Florida League of Cities opposed the bill as amended, citing concerns about property size, annexation conflicts, enclave creation, and possible revenue impacts, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1498 on community associations from Chair Bradley. A strike-all amendment revised technical provisions on video conference recordings, turnover inspection reports, SIRS references, and electronic voting, and added two major policy changes: requiring associations to provide records to law enforcement and prosecutors and creating a second-degree misdemeanor for willful refusal, and prohibiting mandatory club or amenity fee schemes controlled by developers or third parties that generate profit beyond proportional expenses. Testimony in support described homeowner disputes involving concentrated board control, lack of transparency, and mandatory fees in communities such as Rosedale. The amendment was adopted and CS/SB 1498 was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, Senator Bracey Davis asked to be recorded voting in the affirmative on tabs 1, 2, and 3, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section one gives Management Council some flexibility authority. I'm sorry, that's section two.
• ><c> the</c><00:35:02.160><c> various</c> Section two goes into the various Section two goes into the
• ><c> into</c><00:40:37.760><c> major</c> Section three we move into major Section three we move into
• </c> children's section on page 4 line seven. children's section on page 4 line seven.
• </c> provisions of the Wyoming election code. provisions of the Wyoming election code.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will you commit to addressing that in the Transportation Committee? Absolutely.
• So I understand, as you mentioned, Senator, this is going to go to Transportation.
• Let me briefly say that having served on transportation in the U.S.
• There's all different methods they use to produce that gas and also transport that gas.
• Motion is due pass as amended to Transportation Committee. Chair voting aye.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The committee first heard SB 14, which would direct state agencies to reduce single-use plastics and improve recycling and composting practices in state facilities. The author described the bill as a way for California to lead on waste reduction, with goals such as more reusable foodware, less paper purchasing, better employee education on sorting waste, and stronger recycled-content requirements for state purchases of plastic bottles. Support came from composting and waste-management representatives, while manufacturers and bottled-water interests removed their opposition after amendments narrowed the bill; the measure received a due pass recommendation to Governmental Organization on a unanimous roll call of members voting. The committee then took up SB 326, a wildfire-risk bill that would create a framework for Cal Fire to evaluate wildfire mitigation investments and accelerate implementation of Zone Zero building standards in very high fire hazard areas. The author and a Stanford wildfire policy expert argued the bill would help prioritize the most effective fuels-management and defensible-space actions, while local government and insurance representatives voiced support. With no opposition, the bill was passed as amended to Appropriations on a unanimous vote. Next, the committee considered SB 34, dealing with the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The author said the bill was narrowed by amendments to preserve port competitiveness while requiring the district to account for factors outside the ports’ control, avoid cargo-throughput caps, and focus on stakeholder collaboration and electrification planning. Supporters included labor, business, and port-related groups, while environmental organizations, community advocates, and the AQMD opposed it, arguing it would weaken local air-quality efforts and set a bad precedent. After extensive debate over precedent, automation, cargo limits, and federal preemption, the bill passed as amended to Transportation on a roll call with some members voting no and others not voting. The committee also heard SB 279, which would expand composting flexibility for agricultural operations and small community composters. The author and supporters said the bill would help farmers manage orchard and vineyard removals after the agricultural burning ban, increase local composting capacity, and keep more organic material out of landfills. Commercial composting interests opposed the measure, warning it could create permitting inequities, undercut existing facilities, and allow too much food waste at small sites. Despite those concerns, the bill passed to Appropriations on a roll call vote. The transcript ended as the committee began discussion of SB 613 on upstream methane emissions and data collection for imported oil and gas, with the author noting there was no opposition to that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bar code 898007. Remove lines 5 through 22 of the amendment and insert an amendment.
• Promoting and handing out improper solicitations is a violation of the honor code.
• employ when there's student conduct that is in violation of their honor code.
• There's a section that's specific to counties. There's another section specific to cities.
• My amendment deletes section four of the original bill. Questions of the sponsor?

Transcript Highlights:

• The statutes go on to define what a foreign law is, which means any law, rule, legal code, or system
• Speaker, I move that in compliance with Article 4, Part 2, Section 9 of the Constitution of Arizona,
• Amending sections 32-1213, 32-1231, and 32-1237, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to dentistry.
• Amending sections 32-1213, 32-1231, and 32-1237, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to dentistry.
• Senate Bill 1172, amending Title 41, Chapter 14, Article 1A, arrest, relating to Section 41-1971 and

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a proclamation honoring the East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Members also welcomed the Doctor of the Day and several guest groups, including Alzheimer’s Association advocates. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several Senate bills. In Committee of the Whole, the House advanced SB 1037, SB 1233, SB 1290, and SB 1445, adopting committee amendments where offered and giving each a do pass recommendation; SB 1814 was retained. Members discussed SB 1055, which would require reporting certain unlawfully present individuals arrested for crimes to federal immigration authorities, with Democrats raising concerns about profiling and civil liberties and Republicans arguing it simply enforces federal law; it also received a do pass recommendation. SB 1274, relating to transportation and infrastructure, was amended and recommended do pass, SB 1502 also advanced, and SB 1573, concerning foreign or religious sectarian law in state courts, prompted debate over whether it was necessary or duplicative but was likewise recommended do pass. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and the measures were assigned accordingly. The House then took up third-reading votes. SB 1168 and SB 1172 passed overwhelmingly, SB 1290 passed after debate about HOA meeting openness, SB 1221 passed on a 32-24 vote after supporters said it would improve tax transparency, and SB 1400 passed 47-9 despite concerns about peer support and counseling protections. SB 1214, a medical practice bill involving stem cell regenerative therapies, failed 25-31 after some members said they were not comfortable with the measure; afterward, a motion to reconsider its failure was adopted, placing it back on the third-reading calendar. The House also granted the Senate permission to adjourn until April 27, and then adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• That code, the Uniform Commercial Code, implicates banking.
• The Uniform Commercial lines that code The Uniform Commercial Code<00:04:16.479><c> implicates</c><00
• The Iron Range has, instead of mile-square sections, triangular sections, and it has rhombuses and it
• </c><01:17:10.000><c> section</c><01:17:10.360><c> five</c> years uh the final section section five years
• uh the final section section five of<01:17:10.639><c> the</c><01:17:10.719><c> bill</c><01:17:11.000

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, same as if Senator Nichols didn't bring up transportation.
• These are all outlined in Article 9, Section 17.15 of the bill.
• Courts, and we have this body again has passed legislation HB 3474 now government code section 22 3015
• This section lists items that are not included.
• That concludes this section.

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards