Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I reserve the right to close. Very good. Thank you, Vice Chair Jones.
• I'm happy to answer any questions, and I reserve the right to close. Very good.
• With that, I'm open for questions, and I respectfully reserve the right to close it.
• Otherwise, I respectfully reserve the right to close.
• With that, uh, I will take any questions and reserve the right to close. Right.

Bills: SB 4, SB 23, SJR 2

Keywords: redistricting, election, Texas legislature, district composition, political representation, congressional redistricting, Texas House of Representatives, U.S. House, Congressional districts, district map, district boundaries, gerrymandering, voting rights, election law, apportionment, representation, special committee, PLANC2308, redistricting plan, elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I reserve the right to close. Very good. Thank you, Vice Chair Jones.
• I'm happy to answer any questions, and I reserve the right to close.
• Chairman and members, I'd like to reserve the right to close and have...
• Otherwise, I respectfully reserve the right to close.
• With that, I will take any questions and reserve the right to close.

Bills: HB485, HB1367, HB1370, HB1827, HB1879, HB2032, HB2133, HB2357, HB3581, HB3830, HB4060, HB4085, HB4270, HB4979, HB5217, HB5268, HB5478, HJR96, HJR97, HJR119, HJR195, HJR209, SB4, SB23, SJR2, SJR85, SB 4, SB 23, SJR 2

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, access, affordability, public health, emergency services district, sales tax, gas and electricity, residential use, tax exemption, emergency services, gas, electricity, HB 485, ESD, use tax, residential utilities, utility tax, local option tax, Texas Health and Safety Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I'd like to continue the practice of reserving questions until the end of each testimony today
• The chair will reserve your right to close. Thank you. Chair now calls Zion Amara for self.
• The chair reserves your right to close.
• Chair will reserve your right.
• We'll reserve your right to close. And the chair now calls Bart Bevers with the City of Dallas.

Bills: HB158

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivision, government spending, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll reserve your right to close. Uh, Chair calls Sumaninna.
• I would also like to reserve my right to close. Yeah, you certainly have that.
• I have reservations. Yeah, no, and I, I fully understand those.
• I, I think those are fair reservations.
• We'll reserve your right to close. chair calls. Sarah Bailey.

Bills: HB46

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, we'll reserve your right to close. We've got one person.
• We'll reserve your right to close.
• I would also like to reserve my right to close. Yes, you certainly have that.
• And so I have reservations. I fully understand those. I think those are fair reservations.
• We'll reserve your right to close.

Bills: HB514, HB1652, HB2117, HB2298, HB3269, HB46, HB46

Keywords: maternal health, maternal care, pregnancy, labor and delivery, postpartum, doula, birth worker, midwife, obstetric care, women's health, rural health, health workforce, workforce development, trauma-informed care, public outreach campaign, health equity, minority health, underserved communities, Texas Department of State Health Services, HHSC

Transcript Highlights:

• Ashby, I'm happy to answer any questions and reserve the right to close.
• Representative Garibald, reserve your right to close. I reserve my right to close.
• We'll respectfully reserve your right to close. You do have a couple of witnesses. Yes, sir.
• I reserve the right to close the bill, but let me ask you this question.
• All right, Chair Machine, we'll reserve your right to close. Thank you, sir. Thank you.

Bills: HB295, HB824, HB1579, HB1581, HB2189, HB295

Keywords: bullying, antisemitism, school policies, school discipline, education, education policy, Texas Education Code, hate speech, student rights, civics education, high school curriculum, government, voting process, elected officials, Texas Seal of Biliteracy, biliteracy, bilingual education, multilingual, language proficiency, high school diploma

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, this bill will prohibit the third-party sale of restaurant reservations without the restaurant's
• reservations.
• These third-party reservations make it difficult for consumers to find available reservations at popular
• When they sell the reservation, they sometimes do not cancel it.
• When they sell the reservation, they sometimes do not cancel it, and then the restaurant is left with

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee heard and favorably reported several bills. SB 1672 removed duplicative state provisions related to labor pools; CS/SB 940 prohibited third-party sale of restaurant reservations without the restaurant’s consent; and CS/SB 1820 made changes to motor vehicle manufacturer and dealer franchise law, including disclosure of performance measures, anti-retaliation protections, and limits on franchise termination or nonrenewal. The committee also approved CS/SB 324, creating a revolving loan program to help small businesses affected by prolonged public works construction, and SB 936, which creates a recurring three-year study of the effects of AI, robotics, and automation on Florida’s workforce and economy. SB 1322, the Florida Rural Jobs Act, was amended and reported favorably to encourage private investment in rural small businesses through a state tax credit program. The committee also reported favorably on CS/SB 910, which regulates for-profit veterans’ benefit assistance services, and CS/SB 656, which extends protections from extraordinary collection actions to all bill-of-care payment actions by hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. The committee spent substantial time on CS/SB 1264, a broad Department of Commerce agency bill. The strike-all amendment added or revised provisions on Secure Florida, the RISE venture capital tax credit program, data center tax exemptions, business development classifications, military land transfers, and other economic development matters, while also repealing regional planning councils from statute. That repeal drew extensive opposition from local officials and regional council representatives, who argued the councils are important for emergency management, grant writing, planning, and support for small and rural communities. Supporters of the amendment said the councils could continue locally without state statutory involvement. After debate, the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, though Senators Davis and Smith voted no. The committee also considered CS/SB 1238, which would tighten reemployment assistance rules by disqualifying claimants who fail to meet job-search requirements or refuse work, and by adding verification and reporting requirements. Supporters framed it as adding guardrails and preventing fraud, while opponents argued Florida’s unemployment system is already difficult to access and that the bill would add unnecessary barriers and costs. Despite opposition from labor and advocacy groups, the bill was reported favorably, with Senators Smith and Arrington voting no. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of Alexis Yarborough and John Gilbert to the Board of Supervisors of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

Transcript Highlights:

• Otherwise, I respectfully reserve the right to close. Thank you, Chairman Meyer.
• Okay, you've reserved your right to close. Yes, sir. We've got a few witnesses.
• You've reserved your right to close. Let me call the panel back up.
• With that, I'm happy to answer any questions and respectfully reserve my right to vote.
• Chairman Beall has reserved his right to close. We're going to reopen testimony. Mr.

Bills: HB32, HB15, HB171, HB421, HB581, HB644, HB745, HB349, HB917, HB204, HB923, HB15, HB171, HB204

Keywords: eviction, landlord rights, tenant rights, justice court, property law, court procedures, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, deep fake, digital impersonation, age verification, private cause of action, explicit content, consumer protection, HB 581

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, I feel like it's deserving of moving it forward, so I will support it, but I do have reservations
• > do</c><00:34:59.040><c> have</c> will support it but I do have will support it but I do have reservations
• as I stated um so um that reservations as I stated um so um that that<00:35:04.760><c> is</c><00:35:
• Representative Shimizu with reservations. Representative Souza aye. Thank you.
• </c> representative Shimizu with reservations representative Shimizu with reservations and<00:36:20.240

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Committee on Water and Land heard HB 504, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by imposing a $20 nightly charge on stays booked with points, miles, or other rewards-program benefits, with revenues dedicated to DLNR for natural resource protection, management, and restoration. Supporters said Hawaiʻi faces major environmental funding shortfalls and that visitors should help pay for the lands and waters they enjoy. Testimony in support came from DLNR, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Care for Now Coalition, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Hawaiʻi Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Kuaʻulu, Mālama Puka, Resources Legacy Fund, and others, many citing visitor polling showing strong support for an environmental stewardship fee and the need for a dedicated funding source and community grants. Opposition or caution focused mainly on implementation and the tax structure. The Department of Taxation said the surcharge would create administrative difficulties because it would be hard to verify the value of points, miles, and similar bookings, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi said it supported the policy goal but not the funding source, warning that tourists have limited budgets and may choose other destinations. Some members also raised concerns about the $20 rate and administrative complexity, while others said the concept was creative but needed refinement. After discussion, the chair recommended passing HB 504 as HD1 with amendments, including noting DoTax’s concerns and changing the effective date for the surcharge to January 1, 2027. Both committees adopted the recommendation and passed the bill with amendments; one member in Water and Land voted with reservations, and several members were excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• the authority's ability to pay its stadium bond obligations, but that it used some monies in its reserves
• because Enabling the authority to establish a statutorily required cash reserve for future operating
• In fact, in fiscal year 2025, it exceeded the cash reserve requirement by approximately $17.5 million
• , and removal of the stadium, and reported it will prioritize accumulating cash reserves.
• Of the stadium, and reported it will prioritize accumulating cash reserves instead of using money in

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, we'll reserve your right to close.
• If there are no questions, I'll reserve my right to close.
• We're going to reserve your right to close.
• We'll go ahead and reserve your right to closing.
• If not, I reserve the opportunity to close. Members, any questions?”

Bills: HB48, HB66, HB68, HB71, HB75, HB164, HB171, HB254, SB3, SB18, HB123, HB149, HB117

Keywords: HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert, Silver Alert, Blue Alert, missing persons alerts, accessible alerts, hearing impaired

Summary: The committee met in special session to hear a series of flood, preparedness, and youth-camp safety bills, with members repeatedly noting that many of the measures were intended as planning, warning, or authority-clarifying bills rather than direct spending bills. House Bill 254 would expand eligibility for the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program to include Kerr County and 18 other flood-affected counties by raising the GDP cap and lowering the poverty threshold; it drew no opposition and was left pending. House Bill 68 would direct a study of flood mitigation in flatland areas, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, to develop cost-effective drainage and infrastructure recommendations; local officials and advocates supported it, and it was also left pending. The committee then heard several youth camp bills tied to the recent Hill Country flooding. House Bill 75 would impose flood-aware building and site standards for youth camps near floodplains, and House Bill 71 would require camps and youth activity entities to submit emergency preparedness plans to TDEM, coordinate with local responders, and maintain readiness protocols; both bills were supported by safety advocates and camp representatives, and both were left pending. House Bill 171 would require campgrounds near flood-prone waters to give written flood-risk notice to campers and obtain signed acknowledgment; it was presented as informed consent and left pending. Testimony on these bills emphasized Camp Mystic and other recent flood tragedies, with some witnesses urging broader building-code and floodplain reforms. The committee also heard House Bill 117, which would let counties regulate impervious cover for flood mitigation in unincorporated areas. Supporters, including county officials, environmental groups, and residents, argued that rapid development in the Hill Country and other growing areas is worsening runoff and downstream flooding; opponents from the builders’ association said counties already have substantial authority and warned about overreach into rural property use. After extensive testimony, the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 18 would streamline permitting for certain flood control districts to repair dams and reservoirs and build small holding areas, and it was left pending after supportive testimony from Plum Creek Conservation District. Senate Bill 3 would create a state-backed outdoor flood warning siren program for identified flood-prone areas, funded through a grant program; witnesses generally supported it, though some cautioned that sirens are not sufficient by themselves and may not be heard indoors or in overnight storms. It too was left pending. The committee also began hearing House Bill 149 on public-safety radio interoperability, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s full testimony or action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Army and Army Reserve. Army and Army Reserve.
• Gentleman from Michigan reserves. time. Gentleman from Michigan reserves.
• So, I'll reserve my time until closing. >> The gentleman reserves.
• &gt;&gt; I<02:33:08.319><c> reserve.</c> &gt;&gt; I reserve. &gt;&gt; I reserve.
• </c> reserve the balance of my time. reserve the balance of my time.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I reserve the balance of my time. >> The gentleman reserves.
• </c> &gt;&gt; and we reserve. Thank you, Mr. &gt;&gt; and we reserve. Thank you, Mr.
• And we will reserve.
• And we will reserve. reserve. reserve.
• We reserve the balance. The gentleman from North Carolina reserves.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, September 11, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that 100% reserve is what provides them with the financial stability.
• And that 100% reserve is what provides them with the financial stability.
• It still requires a 100% reserve bank.
• </c> we had not just a 100% reserve we had not just a 100% reserve requirement<00:23:09.840><c> of</c
• So you don't have the reserve bank.

Bills: HB0116, HB0056

Keywords: water rights, beneficial use, industrial production, hydrogen, applications, public welfare, carbon capture, energy standards, public utilities, environmental regulation, state law, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have some reserved slots that are reserved for individuals who maybe leave the waiver program for
• We do have some reserved slots that are reserved for individuals who maybe leave the waiver program for
• We do have some reserved slots that are reserved for individuals who maybe leave the waiver program for
• </c><00:08:58.560><c> slots</c> receiving we do have some reserved slots receiving we do have some reserved
• </c><00:09:02.560><c> for</c> um and I that that are reserved for um and I that that are reserved for

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met with a quorum still coming together and first handled roll call and minutes. The main presentation came from the Department for Medicaid Services, with Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Beckle giving an overview of Kentucky Medicaid, its federal-state financing structure, and the department’s 1915(c) home- and community-based waiver programs. They explained FMAP funding levels for traditional Medicaid, administration, IT, expansion adults, and CHIP, and noted the size of the program, including more than 600,000 Kentucky children eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, about 485,000 expansion adults, over 69,000 enrolled providers, and $18.5 billion in 2024 expenditures. A major focus was the waiver system, including the acquired brain injury waivers, model waiver, independence waiver, Michelle P. waiver, and Supports for Community Living waiver. The department said these waivers are intended to keep people with physical or developmental disabilities in home and community settings rather than facilities, and that many services are not covered by Medicare or commercial insurance. Officials described participant-directed services, interagency administration, and eligibility rules, including that some waiver programs use the child’s income only rather than family income. They also reported an unduplicated waiver wait list of 13,930 people and said the General Assembly had added waiver slots in the last budget, including 650 ABI slots and 1,275 more to be allocated July 1, 2025. The department also discussed a waiver rate study conducted by Guidehouse, explaining that CMS requires a defensible rate methodology because there is no Medicare or commercial benchmark for many waiver services. They said the study used cost and wage surveys, provider and stakeholder input, and aimed to improve transparency, provider stability, and rate parity. Officials reviewed prior COVID-era Appendix K rate increases and budget-driven increases, and said the budget ultimately funded rates at about 70% of the benchmark study, while preserving higher existing rates where needed so no provider would be cut. They highlighted larger differences in behavioral support and case management rates, and said a public report is available. Members asked several questions about the potential impact of federal FMAP changes, especially possible reductions in the enhanced match for expansion adults and Medicaid IT/admin activities. DMS said any FMAP reduction would require more state general fund dollars, estimating about $75 million for each 1% drop in the expansion match, while impacts on administrative IT funding would depend on the systems being built or implemented in a given year. Members also pressed for clarification on waiver wait-list procedures, funded versus filled slots, and what happens when someone on the wait list is later found ineligible. DMS said people on the wait list may not yet have been assessed, can be reevaluated if conditions change, and are still eligible for regular Medicaid state-plan services if they qualify, even if they are waiting for waiver services.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the uh trustee of reserve funds.
• </c><01:28:36.719><c> an</c> speculation of we need to uh reserve an speculation of we need to uh reserve
• </c> funds are properly reserved funds are properly reserved uh<01:49:58.960><c> and</c><01:49:59.199
• </c><02:12:59.280><c> fund</c> whether it be one capital reserve fund whether it be one capital reserve
• </c> county can set aside in capital reserves county can set aside in capital reserves in<02:36:18.800

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any members with reservations? Thank you, Chair. Your recommendation is adopted.
• Any members with reservations? Thank you, Chair.
• </c> voting no any members with reservations voting no any members with reservations thank<02:04:03.480
• </c> voting no any members with reservations voting no any members with reservations thank<02:05:00.040
• Any members with reservations? Thank you, Chair. Recommendation is adopted.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Bachman Hall and heard testimony on several UH-related bills. HB 542 would expand the Hawaiʻi Promise Program to provide unmet-need scholarships at four-year UH campuses. UH system officials, the UH Student Caucus, and a Honolulu Community College student testified in support, emphasizing college affordability, student retention, and workforce needs. Committee members asked about current program data, eligibility, transfer patterns, and cost; UH said it had data available, noted about 10% of current Hawaiʻi Promise students transfer to four-year campuses, and estimated the full expansion would cost about $12 million. UH also suggested a possible alternative of focusing on transfer opportunities from two-year to four-year campuses. The committee then heard HB 840, which concerns athletics appropriations for UH. UH Mānoa and UH Hilo supported the bill. UH officials said the funding would help cover recurring athletics operating costs, women’s sports travel and recruiting, Austin Awards, and a new nutrition fueling station, while Hilo said the money would help with travel, per diem, and conference-related costs. Members asked about the history of the athletics funding, the difference between Austin Awards and special talent waivers, NIL planning, and whether the appropriation should be restored to the base budget. UH explained that a $4 million athletics appropriation was originally made in 2018 or 2019, later removed from the base, and has been reappropriated annually since then. Finally, the committee heard HB 842, which would fund three additional permanent mental health practitioner positions at UH Mānoa’s Counseling and Student Development Center. UH supported the bill, and Academic Labor United and a high school student testified in favor, citing student stress, overwork, and the need for more counseling access. In questions, members discussed the current counselor-to-student ratio, recruitment challenges in a tight labor market, and strategies for hiring, including looking at candidates on soft-money grants who may be seeking stable employment. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any members present wishing to vote no with reservations?
• present wishing to vote<00:19:33.520><c> no</c><00:19:33.840><c> with</c> vote no with vote no with reservations
• <00:19:35.919><c> Seeing</c><00:19:36.240><c> none,</c><00:19:36.480><c> chair</c> reservations?
• Seeing none, chair reservations?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Transportation met on Thursday, April 17 at 10:00 a.m. with a short agenda focused on two resolutions. STR 32 requested that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation work with the Department of Transportation to use inmate work furlough programs for state roadway and highway maintenance. Testimony was received in support from the Department of Transportation, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and an individual, Frank Schultz. No one testified in opposition or with reservations. The committee also heard STR 117 SD1 HD1, which urged the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee to collaborate with the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, and the County of Hawaii to inventory bus stops on Hawaii Island used by children traveling to school and to develop safety improvements at those locations. Testimony in support came from the Department of Transportation, the Department of Education, and Frank Schultz. Again, there was no opposition or additional public testimony. After taking the measures up, the committee voted to pass both resolutions unamended as is. The chair’s recommendations were adopted, with some members excused from the vote on STR 32. Before adjournment, the chair noted this was the last traditional transportation committee hearing of the session, thanked staff, members, and advocates, and said the committee would move into conference on nearly 45 transportation measures. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any reservations? A no vote on GM 544 for Senators Awa and DeCorte. Any other no votes?
• <00:04:08.000><c> Any</c><00:04:08.319><c> reservations?
• Any reservations? A no vote on consent? Any reservations?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE MONEY WOULD BE SET ASIDE IN RESERVE AND LEFT ALONE.
• BEAUTIFUL BILL AND OF THE ECONOMY THAT THIS MIGHT NOT BE A GOOD TIME TO PUT SO MUCH MONEY AWAY INTO RESERVES
• THE PRESIDING OFFICERS AS A WAY TO ADDRESS LESS SPENDING AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ADEQUATE RESERVES
• REVENUE IT IS LIKE THE CHECKING ACCOUNT AND THEN WE HAVE A SAVINGS ACCOUNT WHICH ARE ALL THE VARIOUS RESERVES
• HELP YOU WITH YOUR BIGGEST ECONOMIC NEED WE HAVE SO MUCH EXCESS MONEY WE WILL PUT IT AWAY AND MORE RESERVES

Keywords: 999, senate, all