Transcript Highlights:

• In Bellevue, we subscribe to this idea that we are one city.
• In Bellevue, we subscribe to this idea that we are one city.
• After I left that organization, I sat on the Pike Place Market Preservation Development Authority for
• Community land trusts, if you can go to the next slide, are organizations, nonprofit organizations that
• The organization I work for is located at a $625,000 median home price that requires 250% of area median

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard presentations on a range of housing finance, permitting, and affordability tools. Chattanooga described its affordable housing PILOT program, which uses a per-unit property tax abatement tied to the rent loss from providing affordable units, with a 15-year term and annual compliance monitoring. Committee members asked about the program’s structure, whether it had been used elsewhere, and who was participating; the presenter said the first mixed-income project would bring 278 units with 42 affordable units and that the model was attracting private market-rate developers. Shoreline then described its MFTE and inclusionary zoning approach, emphasizing that longer tax exemption periods and station-area zoning changes had helped spur development, with most current pipeline projects concentrated near light rail stations. The committee also heard from the Municipal Research Services Center and the Department of Commerce on tax increment financing, proportional impact fees, and permit timelines. Commerce explained that TIF can fund public improvements such as roads, utilities, broadband, and some affordable housing or child care facilities, while proportional impact fee guidance is intended to help jurisdictions charge fees more closely aligned with actual project impacts. On permit timelines, Commerce presented its first annual report under recent law changes, using 2024 as a baseline year and noting that reported timelines were generally longer than statutory goals; members asked about outliers, paper versus electronic processing, and whether back-and-forth between applicants and staff was driving delays. Commerce said it would follow up with more data, including on CHIP funding and permit reform practices. Several local governments then shared permitting process improvements. Auburn reported relatively short review cycles and described its move to fully electronic permitting, internal performance standards, and a stock plan program that speeds review for repeated home designs. Bellevue described an AI permitting pilot with a local startup to help with pre-application questions, document triage, and plan review, aiming to reduce incomplete applications and revision cycles. Seattle presented a pilot for accessory dwelling unit co-development in which a mission-driven partner would help homeowners split lots, finance, build, and manage ADUs, with the homeowner eventually buying out the partner and retaining ownership; committee members asked about rent setting, management fees, and default risk, and staff said they would follow up. The committee also heard brief overviews of community land trusts and limited equity cooperatives as permanent affordability models, with presenters urging continued state and local funding support and policy recognition for these approaches.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, if a religious organization wanted to participate in a meaningful way, they would be treated
• The Grandy Gazette is a newspaper I started two years ago, and I ran a poll with my subscribers.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you know, given the potential $10 million hit on the budget if this gets fully subscribed in the
• </c><00:23:03.440><c> in</c><00:23:03.679><c> the</c> if this gets fully subscribed in the if this gets
• fully subscribed in the first<00:23:04.080><c> year,</c><00:23:05.440><c> um,</c><00:23:06.559><c> and
• ,</c><01:30:12.719><c> they</c><01:30:13.600><c> do</c><01:30:13.760><c> a</c> they're over subscribed
• , they do a they're over subscribed, they do a program program program and<01:30:16.080><c> this</c><

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• he's someone who, you know, sometimes people look up to different young people, and I don't really subscribe
• I rise today in support of my resolution proclaiming February 21-28 as National FFA Organization Week
• ORGANIZATION WEEK IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
• Organizations that we have supported here in our Chamber and beyond, like Swipe Out Hunger, which has
• Organizations that we have supported here in our Chamber and beyond, like Swipe Out Hunger, which has

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior Journal, and then handled several introductions and resolutions. Senator Bailey introduced Jayson Fefami, described as the Bronx-based creator of the “quarter zip” trend, and the chamber welcomed him with applause. Senator Cooney presented a privileged resolution memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim July 1, 2026, as Canada Day in New York, emphasizing the state’s economic, cultural, and border ties with Canada; the resolution was adopted. Senator Hinchey also spoke on a previously adopted resolution designating February 21-28, 2026, as National FFA Organization Week, with Senator Helming and visiting FFA students and advisers offering remarks in support of agricultural education and youth leadership. The Senate then took up the calendar and passed a series of bills, including measures related to a fiscal task force, environmental conservation, urban development, education, workers’ compensation, elder law, real property, general business, state finance, insurance, tenant protection, and public health. Several bills passed unanimously, while others drew limited opposition; for example, the Environmental Conservation and Education measures had a handful of negative votes, and the real property bill drew more substantial opposition. Senator Webb explained her vote on a bill addressing college student food insecurity by exempting certain meal-share donations from sales tax, saying students should not have to choose between class and hunger. Senator Palumbo also explained his vote on the kratom labeling bill, supporting the measure while urging future action on the synthetic opioid 7-OH. The chamber also discharged several identical Assembly bills from Rules and substituted Senate versions earlier in the day, and later passed those measures on the floor. At the end of the session, the Senate completed the calendar, reported no further business, and adjourned until Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we could, I assume that you're all well, you are from the same organization, maybe have the same message
• Hospitals are subscribing to this on a voluntary basis because they know that patients who are a captive
• to this is a voluntary basis subscribing to this is a voluntary basis because<00:08:09.360><c> they<
• we are in conversation<00:14:39.600><c> with</c><00:14:39.839><c> several</c><00:14:40.160><c> organizations
• </c> conversation with several organizations conversation with several organizations who<00:14:41.040

Summary: The committee first handled several referred administrative regulations, including a package from the Board of Respiratory Care described as a substantive housekeeping update to its regulations and incorporated materials. There were no questions from members, and the committee also heard from the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, which was present in case questions arose but did not require action. Members then took up an amendment to the state health plan for facilities and services, specifically 900 KAR 5:02. Wesley Duke explained that a previously proposed criteria related to mega-voltage requirements, originally suggested by the Kentucky Hospital Association, was now being removed because the association no longer considered it necessary. The committee moved to accept the agency amendment, with a motion and second, and approved it without opposition. The committee next considered Senate Joint Resolution 23, a “food is medicine” resolution sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer. Supporters from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Hospital Association described the initiative as a voluntary, statewide effort already adopted by 52 hospitals, aimed at improving patient health while supporting Kentucky farmers and local food systems. Members discussed access to healthy food, grocery-store availability, school nutrition, and the need to reduce barriers to local procurement; the resolution was adopted unanimously after a roll call vote, with one senator briefly explaining a late vote due to weather. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 12, which would allow mid-level practitioners to serve as the leader of a Level IV trauma center under physician direction. The sponsor and witnesses from Appalachian Regional Healthcare argued the change would help address rural trauma-care shortages, align with national standards, and improve access without changing scope of practice or other trauma-center requirements. Several members raised questions and comments about rural access, liability, costs, and the broader health impacts, but no vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cancellation should be available through the same method used to subscribe.
• If you subscribe online, you should be able to cancel online.

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee met on May 6, 2026, with five members present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee first heard HB 750, a “click-to-cancel” consumer protection bill requiring subscription cancellations to be as easy as sign-up and to be available through the same method used to subscribe. An amendment was adopted, testimony included support from labor and consumer advocates and opposition from some business groups, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up SB 414, which was narrowed to cap interest on medical debt at 3%. After reconsidering and replacing prior amendments, the committee adopted the new amendment set and reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 799, concerning inspection licensing for elevators, escalators, and boilers, was presented by the State Fire Marshal and reported favorably with little discussion. The longest discussion centered on HB 953, a major plumbing workforce and licensing reform bill. The bill was amended substantially: the original proposal to move plumbing oversight to the Contractors Board was removed, the plumbing board remained in place, apprenticeship and journeyman/master plumber hour requirements were revised, penalties and reporting requirements were added, and language was included to support workforce development and reentry training. The committee heard both support and opposition, including clarification from the State Plumbing Board that it already has an appeals process through the courts, and HB 953 was reported favorably as amended. Finally, HB 220, the “PROTECT Act,” was heard to require covered online platforms to maintain a clear and usable mechanism for reporting child sexual abuse material and exploitation. An amendment was adopted to account for platforms that require registration to access content, testimony was supportive, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 952 was deferred, and HB 827, a related plumbing workforce bill, was amended to align more closely with HB 953 but then failed a motion to defer by roll call vote, allowing it to remain pending. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• organization. And I'm curious to know organization.
• ><c> any</c> Christian-based organization, but any Christian-based organization, but any religion<01:
• </c> you have um subscribed to Angel Studios. you have um subscribed to Angel Studios.
• </c> collection for all these organizations. collection for all these organizations.
• </c> religious organizations religious organizations in<04:27:16.319><c> religious</c><04:27:17.040><

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• resource centers and prohibits monies from being distributed to hospitals or abortion clinics or any organization
• resource centers and prohibits monies from being distributed to hospitals or abortion clinics or any organization
• Funds are restricted by statute, private control via nonprofit destination marketing organizations, and
• Private control via non-profit destination marketing organizations, and expansion requires a new supermajority
• from imposing cost-sharing requirements for diagnostic prostate cancer screenings for higher-risk subscribers

Summary: The meeting was a caucus-style review of two packets of bills, with staff reading summaries and members briefly explaining several measures. Topics included appropriations for pregnancy resource centers, home- and community-based services for the elderly and people with disabilities, veteran specialty courts, child care grants and infrastructure, language acquisition services for deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers, ambulance service regulation, short-term rental rules, tourism improvement areas, manufactured home installer licensure, CPR/AED training in schools, veterans’ park fee exemptions, and multiple child welfare and family-court bills. Several Senate bills were also reviewed, including optometry standards, behavior analyst licensure transfer, virtual mental health hearings, and assisted-living residency rules. Members speaking for bills emphasized themes such as supporting aging in place, improving rural ambulance access and reporting, protecting children in DCS cases, preventing poverty alone from being treated as neglect, and expanding access to health screenings and services. Other sponsors described measures to help veterans, strengthen school safety, and create local funding or improvement mechanisms for tourism and child care. Some bills were described as technical or administrative changes, such as post-nuptial agreement rules, tax lien procedures, and local government contract posting requirements. No formal votes were taken in the transcript excerpt, but many bills were noted as being on the consent calendar or third-read consent calendar, while a few had been removed from consent or were not yet on a calendar. The meeting concluded after the final bill on the second packet, HB 4025, was summarized as creating a study committee on gasoline and petroleum refinery feasibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• resource centers and prohibits monies from being distributed to hospitals or abortion clinics or any organization
• resource centers and prohibits monies from being distributed to hospitals or abortion clinics or any organization
• Funds are restricted by statute, private control via nonprofit destination marketing organizations, and
• Private control via non-profit destination marketing organizations, and expansion requires a new supermajority
• from imposing cost-sharing requirements for diagnostic prostate cancer screenings for higher-risk subscribers

Summary: The meeting reviewed two caucus packets covering a wide range of bills, with most items described by staff and then passed over without questions. Topics included appropriations for pregnancy resource centers, home- and community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities, veteran specialty courts, child care grants and infrastructure, emergency shelter grants, language acquisition services for deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers, and uranium contamination monitoring. Other measures addressed utility plant replacement, local government investment pools, task-order contract posting, ambulance reporting and certificate-of-necessity changes, short-term rental regulation, tuition waivers for dependents of disabled veterans, memorial authorization, manufactured home installer licensing, CPR/AED training in schools, national park fee exemptions for military members and veterans, and a tourism improvement area funded by lodging businesses. Several bills focused on child welfare and family law, including expanded kinship placement notification, a neglect definition change tied to poverty, evidence rules in custody and dependency matters, DCS investigations when a protective parent is involved, and parenting-time supervision requirements. Health-related bills included midwife practice changes, controlled substance monitoring program updates, interstate EMS licensure, prostate cancer screening coverage, sleep apnea coverage, and resident electronic monitoring in care facilities. Judiciary and property-related bills included enhanced trespass penalties, post-nuptial agreement rules, tax lien excess proceeds procedures, and unlawful entry into residences occupied by vulnerable adults. A few members briefly explained or defended selected bills, including the child protection measures, the CPR training requirement, the ambulance reporting bill, the tourism improvement area bill, and the bill moving inter-facility transports away from police. The sponsor of HB 2950 emphasized it was a voluntary, opt-in lodging assessment with local approval and statutory guardrails. No roll-call votes were described in the transcript, and most bills were noted as being on consent or third-read consent calendars, with several removed from consent or not yet on a calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> organization, if that makes sense. organization, if that makes sense.
• And so, Representative, I fully subscribe to that view of the world, which is we should try to put the
• And so, Representative, I fully subscribe<00:42:34.360><c> to</c><00:42:34.480><c> that</c><00:42:34.680
• ><c> view</c><00:42:34.880><c> of</c><00:42:34.960><c> the</c><00:42:35.040><c> world,</c> subscribe
• </c> It's a it's a big organization. It's a it's a big organization.

Transcript Highlights:

• In recent months, organizations like the Greater Twin Cities United Way, Homeline, and Legal Aid have
• In recent<00:03:09.680><c> months,</c><00:03:10.159><c> organizations</c><00:03:10.800><c> like</c><00
• :03:10.959><c> the</c> recent months, organizations like the recent months, organizations like the Greater
• to something that I shouldn't subscribed to something that I shouldn't have,<00:27:10.480><c> I</c><
• And when we talk about the word may, we know that there can be some new organizations that maybe haven't

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Continuing the day-to-day work that the organization is doing to deliver today, with the analysis of
• one of its primary roles is organization one of its primary roles is to<00:36:21.920><c> allocate</c
• </c><00:52:47.319><c> which</c><00:52:47.440><c> we</c> uh signed by 13 organizations which we uh signed
• by 13 organizations which we included<00:52:47.920><c> in</c><00:52:48.040><c> your</c><00:52:48.240
• </c> municipalities and other organizations municipalities and other organizations and<01:03:10.960><

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• still hold the paper, I read mine on my iPad or my phone, but I still read the paper, and I still subscribe
• I still read the paper and subscribe to a lot of them.

Bills: SB36 , SB39 , SB40 , SB12 , SB29 , SB121 , SB131 , SB12

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: competitive bidding, procurement, disclosure statements, state contracts, contract protest, board governance, occupational licensing, Sunset Law, public accountability, training requirements, SB40, Houston/Hunter Act, firearm hold agreement, gun storage, temporary firearm storage, firearms dealer, federal firearms licensee, FFL, civil immunity, gun owner

Transcript Highlights:

• incentives designed to create fair costs to small employers and their employees based on the number of subscribers
• staying within the merged market as opposed to leaving for self-insurance or professional employment organization
• Without insulin, blood sugar rises quickly, the blood becomes acidic, and the brain and other organs
• Unfortunately, it's not treatable by chemo or radiation, just removal of organs.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a hearing with Chair Jamie Murphy and Senate co-chair Senator Feeney presiding. Members asked witnesses to keep testimony to three minutes and noted that written testimony could still be submitted. The committee heard testimony on several health insurance and pharmacy-related bills, including a proposal to allow controlled prescriptions to be transferred between pharmacies within the same chain, legislation affecting health savings account (HSA)-compatible plans and future insurance mandates, a bill on small business health insurance incentives, and H. 1212 on emergency insulin access. Several parents and patients testified in support of emergency insulin access, describing severe diabetes emergencies, diabetic ketoacidosis, prescription delays, and the need for pharmacists to dispense insulin in urgent situations when doctors or insurers are unavailable. A parent also described the burden of repeatedly obtaining new prescriptions for ADHD medication when pharmacies are out of stock. Witnesses supporting the HSA bill argued that state coverage mandates can unintentionally disqualify HSA-qualified plans and that the bill would preserve tax advantages for enrollees while avoiding repeated legislative fixes. A representative of the Retailers Association supported the small business health insurance incentives bill, saying it could help retain small employers in the merged market by allowing carriers to offer financial incentives tied to cooperative purchasing and utilization efforts. One witness, Kathleen Demarest, testified against a co-pay assistance restriction, saying a state rule had unexpectedly cut off her drug assistance before a generic was actually available, leaving her with very high out-of-pocket costs. Committee members asked a few clarifying questions about HSAs, insulin dispensing, and school support for diabetes care. After all scheduled witnesses had testified and no additional testimony was offered, the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• or benefit would therefore be underneath the workers' compensation of which these entities would subscribe
• There are other organizations, but ours would be specifically related to the medical fee dispute.
• We are a statewide organization where we have deep roots.
• As this organization is committed to empowering young people, particularly between the ages...
• CEO for the Texas Network of Youth Services. of Youth Services, a statewide network of over 100 organizations

Bills: HB669 , HB 1306 , HB3173 , HB3807

Committee: House S/C on Workforce

Keywords: healthcare, Medicare, insurance, financial assistance, families, wage theft, employers, penalties, Texas Workforce Commission, employee rights, employer database, worker rights, death investigation, emergency services, medical benefits, exposure claims, public safety, workforce development, TWC, youth workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• CTWC is a nonprofit organization. We represent thousands of...
• and other organizations.
• It's difficult because some of these organizations are religious, and some are secular.
• Senate Bill 1237 is critical for enabling our organizations to continue to provide senior Texans with
• In the current statute, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations like Buckner are Exempt from property taxes

Bills: SB467 , SB325 , SB867 , SB994 , SB1052 , SB1237 , SB1449 , SB1531 , SB2063 , SB2172 , SB2173 , SB2520 , SB2529 , SB2538 , SB2541 , SJR46 , SJR84

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: SB 467, Texas property tax, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, residence homestead, fire damage, house fire, destroyed home, temporary tax relief, appraisal district, chief appraiser, local taxing unit, tax rollback, tax refund, Tax Code Chapter 11, prorated exemption, homestead improvement, disaster relief, property tax exemption, residential property

Summary: The committee heard several local government and property tax bills, with most testimony focused on appraisal disputes, tax administration, and development rules. Senate Bill 1052 by Senator Hinojosa would address coastal county appraisal litigation by requiring property owners in certain large-value disputes to report an uncontested taxable value while appeals are pending, so taxing units can base truth-in-taxation calculations on more realistic revenue. Nueces County, Del Mar College, and Corpus Christi ISD testified in support, describing major budget shortfalls caused by refinery valuation disputes; the committee substitute narrowed and clarified the bill’s scope. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1052 was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1531, which would require local tax collectors to accept common electronic property tax payments such as credit cards, debit cards, and e-checks. Witnesses supported modernizing payment options and the committee substitute removed ACH/electronic funds transfer language to avoid bank-account disclosure concerns. Public testimony closed and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 325, by Senator Perry, would restore platting and groundwater-certification requirements that were unintentionally weakened by prior legislation; supporters from county government, water groups, and builders’ representatives debated whether the real issue was groundwater protection or road standards for private roads. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony and no vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 994 and SJR 46, which would exempt certain livestock feed inventory from property tax and provide the constitutional amendment needed for that change. Feed store and Farm Bureau witnesses supported the measure as relief for seasonal inventory taxes, and the bills were left pending. Senator Paxton presented SB 467 and SJR 84 to create a temporary property tax exemption for homes completely destroyed by fire, with refunds or corrected bills based on the date of loss; both were left pending. SB 1237 would clarify charitable property tax exemptions for senior housing and retirement communities, with testimony from Catholic and Baptist retirement organizations and a resident describing rising costs and exemption revocations; it was also left pending. The committee later voted 6-0 to report SB 2073, a pending bill on appraisal district authority to purchase or finance real property, and recommended it for the local and uncontested calendar. Finally, the committee heard SB 2172, SB 2173, and SB 2063, all related to property tax administration. SB 2172 would limit when appraisal districts can require homeowners to reapply for homestead exemptions, requiring a specific reason and written notice; SB 2173 would protect new homeowners from surprise tax liabilities caused by prior owners’ erroneous homestead exemptions, with testimony describing large back-assessment bills; both were left pending. SB 2063 would bar appraisal districts from using market-value evidence in unequal appraisal protests, and testimony sharply divided between taxpayer advocates, who said market data improperly overwhelms equity claims, and appraisal district representatives, who argued market value is inherently tied to equal-and-uniform taxation and cited a recent Texas Supreme Court decision; the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, in your left, under the top gallery, I have a few organizations. I have C.C.
• There are 20 legislators in Missouri who are former members of this organization.
• There are 20 legislators in Missouri who are former members of this organization.
• Our organization was founded right here in Missouri almost 100 years ago.
• I now ask that you organize the gentleman from Taney for a...

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal, and a long series of special guest introductions recognizing interns, community leaders, FFA officers, library advocates, park and recreation professionals, and others. Members also used points of personal privilege to honor Black History Month and the legacy of William Clay Sr. The chamber then moved into first reading of several bills, including measures on University of Missouri curators, personal property assessment lists, and state department spending. The main floor action centered on House Bill 1757, which would require universal screening of third-graders for gifted education using flexible screening methods and would help ensure students who qualify are identified regardless of zip code or family resources. Supporters argued the bill would close gaps in gifted identification and expand access, while questions focused on funding, screening methods, and whether the bill would create an unfunded mandate. The House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. Members then debated the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, presented as House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1667 and 2294. Supporters said the bill would require medical care for infants who survive an abortion attempt and impose civil and criminal penalties for knowingly harming such a child. Opponents argued the bill was duplicative of existing law, could criminalize medical providers, and would worsen Missouri’s maternal care shortages. The debate included extended questioning about the bill’s standards, scope, and enforcement, but no final vote on the born-alive measure was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, a long time ago I somehow subscribed to the status of the flag.
• Yep. ago I somehow subscribed to the status ago I somehow subscribed to the status of<01:01:09.040><c
• of State in following the lobbyist process that a bunch of other organizations do.
• of other organizations and NHMA already of other organizations and NHMA already has<01:43:54.320><c>
• So it bunch of other organizations do.

Committee: House Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• So for socioeconomic, your destination marketing groups or organizations will be engaged.
• So for socioeconomics, your destination marketing groups or organizations will be engaged.
• that is Mark Lion, who also was a part of the previous task force that was undertaken. be overs subscribed
• , but we're going to be overs subscribed, but we're going to do<00:16:57.440><c> good</c><00:16:57.680

Bills: HB0015 , HB0017 , HB0019

Committee: Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• They also have to file yearly audits with us or smaller organization of a new affirmations of how they
• You know, we also subscribe to the state and federal vital records of a files again every week.
• , visit Florida, being one of those great supporting organizations to ensure that we are looking as a
• According to the Edr report, visit Florida more than breaks, even making our organization one of the
• Just what kind of summarize the structure of the organization for you today.