Transcript Highlights:

• Yet when I went to the State Insurance website, there were two buttons: are you insured or are you not
• insured?
• you could to an insured person than you could to an insured Health<00:48:38.319> um<00:48:38.559
• have been dealt with with the insurance have been dealt with with the insurance department<00:49
• <04:19:19.199> Insurance<04:19:20.040> social Insurance All State Insurance social

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first dealt with a brew pub license bill and corrected some sponsor/subcommittee roster confusion before voting to pass it without discussion. The main item of debate was a bill allowing patrons to take purchased alcoholic beverages into restrooms. The bill sponsor argued the current ban is outdated, rarely enforced, and can leave patrons vulnerable if they set drinks down and leave them unattended; he said establishments could still post their own rules if they wished. Liquor enforcement officials said they were neutral overall, noting both the risk of drinks being left unattended and the practical concerns of underage drinking, over-service, and restroom monitoring. Testimony split between those who saw the law as a non-issue and those who viewed it as a safety measure. One member said he had never seen anyone take alcohol into a restroom and opposed changing the law, while others cited drink-spiking concerns and suggested alternatives such as safe zones behind bars, drink covers, and alert apps. Industry representatives said many operators would prefer to keep the law as-is because it helps with policing drinking in their establishments, though they acknowledged the motivation behind the bill. Several members also raised drafting concerns, saying the wording was confusing about whether the rule applied to patrons or establishments. The committee ultimately voted 5-2 to recommend the bill ought to pass. Afterward, members discussed amending the language to clarify that establishments could still prohibit the practice, but one member suggested a simpler fix would be to strike the word “restroom” from the prohibition entirely. The committee then unanimously voted to reconsider its action so the language could be revised later, and the amendment discussion was left for a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas.
• <00:47:59.280> Texas.
• Texas. The state put it in perspective. Texas.
• Lawson talked about Texas.
• Um I do urge the committee Texas.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1552, which would make the attorney general the interim chief election officer if that office becomes vacant until the Elections Commission appoints a replacement. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, saying it could create a conflict of interest if the attorney general were both the state’s lawyer and the chief elections officer in any related litigation. The League of Women Voters supported having some interim backup for the office, but said it was not necessarily advocating that the attorney general fill the role. Several other testifiers, including the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, opposed the bill, arguing the current law already provides for a prompt commission appointment and warning about partisan bias and concentration of power. Supporters, including Indivisible Hawaii, said an interim mechanism is needed to ensure election certification in a crisis. The chair also asked whether any statutory acting capacity already exists, and the attorney general said none was known. The committee then took up House Bill 2125, which would bar corporations operating under state law from engaging in election activity. The attorney general opposed the bill, citing Citizens United and arguing that corporations have First Amendment-protected political speech rights and that the bill would likely be unconstitutional. Indivisible Hawaii supported the measure, saying it would keep elections focused on the will of the people rather than corporate influence. Libertarian Party testimony was mixed: one witness supported the goal of reducing corruption but warned the bill could suppress organized dissent and sweep too broadly by treating many associations as corporations. The bill’s introducer asked whether the legislature could still enact it as a policy matter, but the attorney general maintained federal constitutional law would control. No vote was taken on either bill during the portion of the hearing provided. The committee also heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment, which would set procedures and compensation for people whose convictions are reversed or vacated on grounds consistent with innocence and whose charges are dismissed. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supported the bill’s intent but objected to language assigning it responsibility for helping released individuals secure housing, identification, health coverage, and other reentry needs, saying it no longer has jurisdiction after release and suggesting the courts or a community-based contractor handle that role. The Office of the Public Defender strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the harm of wrongful conviction and the need for compensation, case management, and medical coverage after release. No action or vote was reported on this measure in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no state insurance. What is this?'
• So it's not cheap insurance. Audits.
• So it's not cheap insurance. Audits.
• Texas has actual gold and a special fund for them.
• Texas has actual gold and a special fund for them.

Bills: HB12, HB42, HB205, HB222, HB324, HB325, HB350, HB416, HB482, HB610, HB749, HB797, HB807, HB821, HB979, HB992, HB1193

Keywords: survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, phased retirement, Teachers Retirement System, faculty retention, administrative fees, public postsecondary education, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, judicial salaries, judges, judiciary compensation, cost of living adjustment, COLA

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 21, 2026, and advanced a series of bills, many with amendments to address fiscal concerns. Early actions included HB 350, which would extend the French immersion school Ecole Pointe-au-Chien from fourth through eighth grade; members emphasized the importance of preserving French language and culture in Terrebonne Parish, adopted an amendment making the bill subject to appropriation, and reported it favorably as amended. HB 749, dealing with the Louisiana Tuition Trust Authority’s administration of ABLE, START, and START K-12 savings programs after the LOSFA cyber incident, was amended to make provisions effective upon contract execution and then reported favorably. HB 979, which raises the survivor benefit for law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty from $250,000 to $350,000, drew support from the governor’s office and law enforcement groups; members discussed fiscal impacts and inflation, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also advanced HB 42 creating a phased retirement option for public postsecondary employees in the Teachers’ Retirement System, and HB 12 extending survivor benefits to reserve officers killed in the line of duty, both reported favorably after supportive testimony from law enforcement representatives. The committee then took up HB 324 on judicial salaries. Chairwoman Villio proposed making the 2024 and 2025 supplement stipend permanent and adding COLAs, but Vice Chairman Zeringue offered an amendment to remove future COLAs after members clarified which year’s increase was already funded in the judiciary budget. After discussion about long-term state obligations and judicial compensation levels, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 205, which revises compensation for election commissioners, generated extensive testimony from clerks of court and the Secretary of State about staffing shortages, 19 years without a raise, and the need to recruit and retain poll workers; the bill was amended to allow local governing authorities to supplement pay by up to $100 per election and was reported favorably. Members also approved HB 325, which revises TOPS Tech eligibility and, through amendment, allows part-time students to qualify beginning in 2026-2027 using excess TOPS funds; HB 807, creating a Workforce Instructor Capacity Investment Program to help recruit technical instructors; and HB 222, requiring Medicaid coverage for dental procedures needed before certain medical treatments, with supporters arguing it could prevent more expensive emergency care. Later, the committee reported favorably HB 992, requiring student identification numbers for children in certain early childhood programs, after the Department of Education said it could implement the change without additional staff or cost. HB 821, moving the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Administration, was amended with technical changes and reported favorably as amended. Finally, HB 797, creating the Bayou Gold Program to certify certain gold storage and custody standards, was amended to move the program into Title 51 and to tie standards to recognized industry benchmarks such as COMEX and the London Bullion Market Association; the bill drew at least one opponent after an initial supportive presentation and was still under consideration when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment reflects as well, the appropriate code section.
• amendment reflects as well, the appropriate code section.
• 61-7-4(e) of this code.
• It's in code section itself is 61-7-7, subparagraph C, new subdivision 5.
• 61-7-4(e) of this code.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cryptic language, in times where it seems like coded speak, any other criminal activity? Thank you.
• Code speak, any other criminal activity, case evidence, which in that box was anything that was kind
• This is a search that will find words and code words for things that, as you read through some of these
• That's where I would just—those would just get hard-coded in.
• Insurance is going to cover them. Nobody wants them back. They're already broken.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Utility Commission of Texas, also known as PUC.
• total amount to the Texas Energy Fund to ten billion dollars.
• of dates regarding the Texas Energy Fund.
• Lastly, item four, the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor, Texas Nuclear Energy Fund.
• The Texas Energy Fund is a program that's currently underway by the state of Texas.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please pass House Bill 2765 to bolster our rural economies, protect Texas landowners, and sustain Texas
• Currently, the government code requires that the director of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission
• This established the Texas Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Program at the Texas Workforce Commission
• , Texas manufacturers.
• I represent the Texas Nurses Association.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Administration is electronic public comment process for all Texans. be posted on the Texas
• Legislative Information System, also known as TLIS, Texas Legislative Metro Online, which is known as
• Commissioner of Higher Education, Texas Higher Education of Education, Texas Education Agency, and Mr
• Representing the public for the Texas Workforce Commission to please come forward and in order to testify
• Texas. And we have then used this as a tool to help people understand the relative.

Keywords: administrative matters, public testimony, committee schedules, legislation, collaboration

Summary: The committee meeting focused on several administrative matters, alongside public comments and expert testimonies regarding the proposed legislation. Representative Shaheen highlighted concerns regarding the parameters for public comment, ensuring that only embodied testimonies would be allowed during this session. The meeting was well-attended, and members frequently moved in and out due to overlapping committee schedules. The atmosphere was one of collaboration, underscored by a strong presence of both committee members and the public.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A12.
• The amendment is coded A12.
• insurance exponentially increasing. insurance exponentially increasing.
• insurance related fraud. insurance related fraud.
• . insurance. insurance.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Chairman and Senator West, I'm pleased to present Senate Bill 2847, which amends the Education Code
• Greater flexibility and structure of core curricula for bachelor's degree programs in Texas.
• Last session, the Texas Legislature passed historic reforms to community college funding and education
• SB 2847 simply seeks to afford our Texas public four-year universities the same opportunity to seek a
• Sarah Keaton with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard two bills. SB 2847, by Senator Hagenbuch, would give Texas public four-year universities the same option community colleges already have to seek approval from the Higher Education Coordinating Board for core curricula of fewer than 42 semester credit hours. Hagenbuch said the bill is intended to add flexibility, support career-focused programs, and help students finish degrees faster. There was no public testimony, and the bill was left pending. The committee then heard SB 3039, by Senator West, which addresses transferability and credit loss for students moving from community colleges to four-year institutions. West said the bill responds to ongoing problems with rejected transfer credits and seeks better data, study, and recommendations from the Coordinating Board. Deputy Commissioner Sarah Keaton testified that transfer remains a major policy issue, that reporting requirements from SB 25 have improved data collection, and that the main reasons credits do not transfer are grades and degree applicability. She also described the Texas Direct degree program and field-of-study curricula designed to transfer as blocks. Members discussed the cost of lost credits, the need for better communication to students, and concerns that some institutions still reject credits or require duplicate coursework. No public witnesses signed up on SB 3039, and it was left pending subject to the call of the chair. A quorum was later established, the agenda was completed, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm on the Texas side. I pledge allegiance to the state of Texas, one state under God.
• Cody Johnson a big Texas Welcome to the Texas House. Thank you. Thank you. Mr.
• Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. and Lubbock Christian University
• Texas FFA.
• Members, I ask you to join me in welcoming the Northeast Texas Regional Alliance. to the Texas House,

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of the Texas flag, I pledge allegiance to the flag of Texas, one state under God.
• Cody Johnson a big Texas Welcome to the Texas House. Thank you. Thank you. Mr.
• Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. and Lubbock Christian University
• Texas FFA.
• Texas Advocacy Day.

Keywords: legislation, testimonies, committee meeting, public interest, bills

Summary: The committee meeting was conducted with several discussions surrounding various proposed bills, addressing both public interests and legislative concerns. Specific bills were presented, and members debated the implications of each, emphasizing their potential impact on the community and state regulations. Notably, several testimonies were heard from stakeholders, which enriched the conversation and provided different perspectives on the bills being reviewed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in order to know what those codes mean, we have to get code books from DOC.
• The QR code is simply going to be on the back.
• We got this idea from my neighboring state of Texas, which has been doing this since 2009.
• We got this idea from my neighboring state of Texas, which has been doing this since 2009.
• The Texas Lottery has contributed more than $296 million to veteran programs in the state of Texas.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Colorado, Texas, and Massachusetts all have a variety of versions of...
• Colorado, Texas, and Massachusetts all have a variety of versions of this.
• The Texas Education Code outlines that kindergarten and first grade students must be screened at the
• And in Texas... Not be before September so that they can have that initial exposure to reading.
• And in Texas for grade one, it's no later than January, so it falls along the same timeline for that

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on dual enrollment, reading difficulty screeners, special education, school facilities, and Commission on Teacher Credentialing programs. On dual enrollment, the Department of Finance described a $100 million one-time Proposition 98 investment to expand the Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant Program, along with changes to make regional occupational centers eligible, add funding for justice-involved youth, prioritize higher-need LEAs, support teacher professional development, and reduce daily instructional minute requirements for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the new funding as not clearly addressing implementation barriers, while CDE supported the proposal and suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Committee members and public commenters generally supported the expansion, with some asking for technical assistance and broader access, including adult dual enrollment. The committee also reviewed a $40 million one-time Proposition 98 proposal for reading difficulty screener implementation and related trailer bill language that would require screening after 91 school days for kindergarten and 46 school days for grades 1-2. Finance said the timing was intended to reduce over-identification and align with evidence from preliminary data; the LAO recommended rejecting the funding and redirecting it to a discretionary block grant. CDE supported the funding and the general approach but acknowledged the need for local support and training. Several committee members and public witnesses raised concerns that the proposed timing restrictions were too rigid and could delay early intervention, while others supported the delay as a way to improve accuracy and avoid misidentification. For special education, Finance proposed ongoing Proposition 98 increases to adjust for COLA and enrollment changes and to raise the statewide special education base rate to $99 per ADA, equalizing rates across SELPAs. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be funded for less than the Governor’s figure. CDE and multiple local education representatives strongly supported the increase, citing rising special education enrollment, cost pressures, and large local funding gaps. The committee also heard a brief overview of the school facilities proposal, which continues $1.5 billion in Proposition 2 bond funding for the School Facility Program; OPSC reported significant remaining bond authority but also substantial pending demand, and explained that natural disaster school rebuilding draws from the broader new construction and modernization pools. Finally, the committee reviewed Commission on Teacher Credentialing proposals, including the already-funded $300 million Student Teacher Stipend Program, new state operations resources for misconduct investigations and grant administration, and a $250 million one-time continuation of the Teacher Residency Grant Program. CTC said its grants management system is ready and that it expects better data tracking; public testimony broadly supported the educator workforce investments and urged continued funding for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and additional support for rural and leadership pipeline programs. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have invited testimony beginning with the Texas Secretary of State, Texas Department of Public Safety
• , the Texas Association of Election Administrators, the County and District Clerks Association of Texas
• ... and outside the state of Texas.
• Those four pieces, they have their new Texas by Texas account, basically. right where you can go in and
• by the Texas Secretary of State.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• acknowledge the tragedies and struggles of so many in Ruidoso and Lincoln County, and also in the Texas
• I took a sidestep into Texas for a number of years, but could not be happier.
• Service ever at a pediatrician's office was at a DNP back in San Marcos, Texas.
• Because it looks like within another year or two, computer coding is going to be done by AI, and yet
• First of all, in terms of the museum, can you assure me that it will be ADA accessible and up to code

Transcript Highlights:

• We have some kids who don't have insurance.
• Then you have the Self-Insurance Fund.
• Ninety-five cities came together to say we want to pool our insurance and insure ourselves, and so we
• We insure it or re-insure it to make sure whatever is damaged, we can give them the resources to get
• ; we call it an SIR, self-insured retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• code of Alabama 1975 and section 28113 code of Alabama 1975 and section 28113 code of Alabama 1975 as
• of Alabama 1975. title 8 code of Alabama 1975. title 8 code of Alabama 1975.
• codes. currently authorized in state codes.
• I like some Texas barbecue. Texas Texas. I like some Texas barbecue. Texas Texas.
• And that's the code the code the code definition. A license, and we talked definition.

Keywords: 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a Texas.
• of the Texas Cable Association Board of Directors, and Julia Harvey, Texas Electric Cooperatives.
• Uh, Texas has not done so.
• the Texas Broadband Association.
• timeline for Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item one discusses the Texas Energy Fund.
• to the Texas Energy Fund to $10 billion.
• Lastly, item 4, the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor, um, Texas Nuclear Energy Fund and Texas Nuclear Energy
• So the Texas Energy Fund.
• The Texas Energy Fund is a program that that's currently underway by the state of Texas, but expanding