Transcript Highlights:

• , not taking from it. ...from the system.
• One is sort of a build-out of the electronic filing system itself.
• I'm here today to ask you to vote no on House Bill 1554.
• So that is bogging down the system a bit, right?
• So, I respectfully ask the committee to vote against this bill.

Bills: HB256, HCR19, HB256, HB1308, HB1554, HB1743, HB2308, HB2351, HB2858, HB3676, HB3784, HB4312, HB4552, HB4823, HB4852, HB5007, HB5010, HB5520, HB5524, HCR19

Keywords: severe weather, adaptation plan, vulnerability assessment, environmental protection, state agencies, federal agents, transparency, law enforcement, identification, public trust, immigration enforcement, HCR 19, Texas concurrent resolution, federal immigration enforcement, masked agents, facial coverings, visible identification, uniforms, badges, name tags

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not going to vote for nominees until this is reversed.
• I'm going to vote for her. I'm also a close call.
• I'm going to vote for her because I told her I was going to vote for her, and my word is my bond.
• On another, she apparently didn't vote.
• There being no further debate, we'll proceed to a vote. Are we satisfied with the voice vote?

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Marzian: I'm going to vote no. Can I explain my vote, Mr. Chair?
• Representative Marzian: I'm going to vote no. Can I explain my vote, Mr. Chair?
• Representative Marzian: I'm going to vote no. Can I explain my vote, Mr. Chair?
• Representative Marzian: I'm going to vote no. Can I explain my vote, Mr. Chair?
• Chair, may I explain my vote? I'm going to vote no on this one.

Keywords: Consideration of HB 373 02:30 Consideration of HB 455 10:05, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with opening prayer, pledge, and procedural reminders, then took up two election-related bills. House Bill 373, sponsored by Rep. Wade Williams, would modernize campaign finance law to allow campaign funds to pay for reasonable security measures for state candidates, officeholders, their families, and campaign or office staff. Williams said the bill uses campaign funds only, not state dollars, and is modeled on recently changed federal language. Members discussed whether the coverage included all state officeholders and close family members, and supporters cited increasing threats and harassment toward public officials; one member opposed the bill, warning about possible misuse and fraud. The bill passed with favorable expression. The committee then heard House Bill 455, sponsored by Rep. Patrick Flannery, which creates an Office of Election Investigations and Security within the Attorney General’s office. Flannery said the bill would codify existing practices, establish a complaint and allegation review process, create a voter fraud hotline, and provide for investigations, referrals, and legislative oversight. Members asked about cost and whether the office duplicated existing functions such as the Public Integrity Office; Flannery responded that the bill creates a statutorily defined office and is intended to make the process less dependent on who holds the office. Supporters said the measure could improve transparency and voter trust, while opponents argued it duplicates existing agencies, could increase government size and cost, and might expose people to harassment or retaliation. The bill also passed with favorable expression, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I vote on your budget. state legislator. I vote on your budget.
• perhaps the community college system perhaps the community college system would<00:20:50.880>
• System.
• votes. I got 94. votes. I got 94.
• >> I almost want to vote on something. You >> I almost want to vote on something.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes from its May 29 meeting and then received an informational update from the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing about the state’s ASL interpreter pipeline. Representative Woods and Associate Commissioner Ann Landry explained that the American Sign Language program at UNH Manchester, the nation’s first fully accredited program, is facing viability concerns because high tuition has left only two of a potential 20 students committed so far. They warned that if enrollment does not recover, the program could face a teachout and eventually be lost, which they said would be detrimental because many state services and legal proceedings require qualified interpreters. Members discussed possible alternatives, including whether community colleges could help, and asked for follow-up research and contact information for UNH officials. The committee also heard that interpreter demand across DHHS continues to rise and that the department must ensure compliance with civil rights and service-access requirements. The committee then turned to Medicaid policy changes tied to Senate Bill 134 and a new federal interim final rule on Medicaid community engagement, or work, requirements. DHHS officials Olivia May and Ann Landry explained that the state law and federal rule align in many areas, but the committee still needed to decide how to implement several remaining policy choices. The department recommended adopting all four short-term hardship exceptions because the federal rule requires states to take them all or none: inpatient or institutional care, federally declared emergencies, high-unemployment areas, and extensive out-of-state travel for serious medical care. Members generally supported the exceptions but raised concerns about how they would be defined and applied, especially the emergency and medical-travel categories. Several legislators asked for more clarity on terms like “extensively” and “serious or complex medical care,” and DHHS said the federal rule does not rigidly define them, though the state could refine implementation through rulemaking if authorized. The department also said the emergency exception would apply only to federally declared emergencies, not state declarations, and would be tied to the emergency event itself. No final vote on the Medicaid policy was recorded in the portion provided, but the discussion indicated the committee was reviewing the remaining decisions needed to implement Senate Bill 134 under the new federal framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• four commissioners have the same vote as each other.
• Commissioners have the same vote as each other.
• So we have three hospital systems.
• So we have three hospital systems.
• Let grace, facts, and humanity guide your vote. Please vote no on House Bill 387.

Bills: HB240, HB2097, HB2731, HB3087, HB3234, HB3319, HB3394, HB3687, HB4105, HB4205, HB4350, HB4462, HB4642, HB4801, HB5403

Keywords: quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code

Summary: The subcommittee on county and regional government heard a long agenda of county-related bills, with most measures left pending after testimony. HB 2097, by Rep. Martinez, would let counties that opt in use an independent hearing examiner instead of a civil service commission for certain deputy sheriff discipline appeals; the bill drew support from CLEET’s Robert Leonard, who said it would be fairer and faster, and it was left pending. HB 4642, by Rep. Gonzalez, would require counties that contract with out-of-state jail facilities to include Texas jail-standard protections and oversight; Gonzalez, detainee Jess Hampton, his wife, Texas Jail Project’s Krish Kundu, and TCJS director Brandon Wood all discussed deaths and poor conditions in Louisiana facilities, staffing shortages, and the need for guardrails and data collection. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4350, by Rep. Capriglione, allowing peace officers to request redaction of personal information from online real property records. Supporters said officers face targeted threats and should have protections similar to judges; a title industry witness warned about preserving the integrity of land records. The bill was left pending. HB 3687, by Rep. Harless, would require county fire marshals in counties over 100,000 to meet training and certification standards within set timeframes; Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen supported professionalization, and the bill was left pending. HB 4105 would let very large counties give a local-bid preference for construction and infrastructure contracts, and HB 4205 would require pay parity for similar law enforcement ranks within large counties; both were supported by Harris County officials and constables and left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 5403, which would repeal a special rule limiting Dallas and Tarrant county sheriffs’ control over commissary funds; the author said it would remove an outdated population bracket, and the bill was left pending. HB 4462 would require large counties to allow elected officials named in civil suits to seek outside counsel and have a role in settlement decisions; supporters argued county attorneys and commissioners court can have conflicts of interest, while questions focused on who qualifies and whether the bill could complicate settlements. The bill was left pending. Finally, HB 240, by Rep. Swanson, would restore a five-member quorum requirement for Harris County tax levies, effectively preventing tax action without all commissioners present and defaulting to the no-new-revenue rate if quorum is not met; urban counties opposed it as a potential budget obstruction, while supporters said it protects taxpayers and representation. That bill was also left pending. The transcript ends as the committee begins HB 3319, which would create a civil service system for constable department employees in large counties, but the discussion is cut off before testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• complete view of dental system complete view of dental system performance,<00:05:00.479> goals
• The current system.
• you to vote no. Thank you, Mr. Chair. you to vote no. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• vote no on the amendment. vote no on the amendment. Thank<00:38:39.520> you.
• voting for the amendment. voting for the amendment. Representative<00:41:53.640> Rinsky.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• WHAT THE SYSTEM DID FOR MY FAMILY I COULD NEVER PUT A VALUE ON.
• TO YOUR POINT UNIVERSITY SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY. >> I WANT TO SAY THAT FLORIDA SYSTEM HAS HANDLED ANTI-SEMITISM
• BY YOUR VOTE SENATE BILL 114 WILL BE REPORTED FAVORABLY.
• THIS ADDED 11.5 MILLION IN LOST REVENUE OVER THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.
• BY YOUR VOTE CS FOR SB 1624 WILL BE REPORTED FAVORABLY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The criminal legal system, the criminal justice system in Texas, hasn't always done that well in the
• HB 2984 gives our system the clarity it needs. HB 2984 gives our system the clarity it needs.
• So there's a JP system, and I'm not going to stand up here and tell you I'm an expert on the JP system
• If y'all can hang tight, we'll hopefully vote. We've got two more bills to vote on. Mr.
• I need to do a couple of votes. We've got two votes left, actually.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2777 by Representative Rose, which would bar the death penalty for defendants who can prove by clear and convincing evidence that they had schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and active psychotic symptoms at the time of the offense. Rose said the bill would still hold defendants accountable through life without parole, would save money by avoiding lengthy capital litigation, and would address cases where severe mental illness was not adequately considered. Supporters from NAMI Texas, the Catholic bishops, and a forensic psychologist said the bill is narrowly tailored, consistent with neuroscience and moral principles, and would prevent executions of people whose psychosis substantially impaired reality testing. Committee members questioned how the bill interacts with existing competency and insanity law, whether the diagnosis is sufficiently defined, and whether the statute requires active psychosis at the time of the offense. An opponent argued the death penalty should remain available for juries to decide in all cases. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 1221 by Representative Lozano, which would raise the cap on pretrial intervention program fees from $500 to $1,200. Lozano and a district attorney witness said the increase is needed because program costs have risen and the fees help make diversion programs self-sustaining, allowing first-time or low-level offenders to complete rehabilitation and potentially obtain expunction. Opponents from the Texas Fair Defense Project argued the higher fee could make diversion unaffordable for indigent defendants and undermine an important alternative to incarceration, especially where related supervision and monitoring costs already add up. Members discussed whether the fee applies only to PTI participants, how payment plans and waivers work, and whether ability to pay should be addressed more explicitly. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1738 by Representative Jones, which would repeal Penal Code Section 21.06 and related Health and Safety Code references concerning homosexual conduct. Jones said the law is unconstitutional under Lawrence v. Texas, remains harmful on the books, and has led to confusion and unnecessary costs even though it is unenforceable. Supporters said the bill simply removes outdated language and protects civil liberties, while opponents from Texas Values argued the statute still serves as a statement that homosexual conduct is unacceptable and should remain as a warning, even if unenforceable. Members debated whether the law’s remaining language is merely symbolic or still harmful, and whether other criminal statutes already cover conduct such as prostitution, incest, and offenses involving minors. The bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vote. I'll curve favor. There's you vote 'aye' if you pose the measure vote 'nay'.
• Are there those wishing to vote or change your vote to close?
• Vote now. If you favor the measure, vote 'a'. If you oppose the measure, vote 'nay'.
• Are there those wishing to vote or change your vote? Print close.
• I urge your yes vote. Members, that concludes debate. Vote now.

Bills: SB1636, SB1584, SB1730, SB1255, SB1627, SB137, SB2062, SB1470, SB1284, SB1632, SB1594, SB2045, SB1251, SB1884, SB1250, SB1630, SB1262, SB1374, SB1292, SB1432, SB1199, SB1790, SB1481, SB1614, SB1734, SB1437, SB1489, SB1718, SB1778, SB1327, SB1372, SB1403, SB1937, SB277, SB2131, SB1749, SB1348, SB1469, SB2018, SB1931, SB1530, SB2155, SB2030, SB1926, SB2170, SB2151, SB2166, SB1213, SB1381, SB1824, SB1876, SB1728, SB1582, SB1286, SB1386, SB1708, SB1618, SB2106, SB1471, SB2139, SB2154, SB1619, SCR15, HB2786, HB2787, SB1525, SB2011, SB2159

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, sexual assault, evidence kits, DNA testing

Transcript Highlights:

• Out with Republicans not voting.
• Out with Republicans not voting.
• That's out with Republicans not voting.
• It's not voting.
• Republicans not voting.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's effectively a super-voting right.
• And the belief that it is the most transparent. legal system on Earth.
• Costs millions of dollars, but the system works.
• They just rely on the system. And so, you've got to make sure the system works.
• We've got to change the system. Okay. Mr. Eichenbaum? Yeah.

Keywords: Chinese Communist Party, retirement security, investment risks, SEC enforcement, Bipartisan action

Summary: The meeting primarily addressed concerns regarding the impact of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on American investments and the financial security of retirees. The chair discussed legislation aimed at ensuring the protection of American investors against the risks posed by Chinese companies. There was a consensus among the members regarding the necessity to enforce existing policies that require compliance from foreign companies wishing to trade on American exchanges. The discussion included testimony from various stakeholders highlighting the urgent need to limit exposure to the CCP in retirement portfolios. Additionally, there were calls for increased accountability of regulatory bodies such as the SEC to better shield American investors from potential loss.

Transcript Highlights:

• The members will vote. Clerk, lock the recorded votes: 98 yes, 0 no.
• The members will vote. ...Clerk, lock the machine. The vote is 103 ayes.
• The members will vote. Clerk, lock the machine, record the votes. ...vote.
• Vote clim recorded: votes 86 I, 5 N, 9. Vote clim recorded: votes 86 I, 5 N, 9.
• The members will vote. Clerk, call the roll. Vote 10... ...vote. Clerk, call the roll. Vote 10.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• vote is 15 to three motion vote is 15 to three motion passes<00:20:34.520> okay<00:20:35.159><
• amendment, which is the vote that we're reconsidering, and then all vote no."
• > no reconsidering and then all vote no reconsidering and then all vote no that's<00:23:17.760
• We just voted to send that out.
• The vote is 10 to 8.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Great.
• Respectfully ask for your aye vote. Great.
• Tungapai not voting. Next up we have And that is out on a roll call, with Mr. Tungapah not voting.
• Respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• Taw not voting. And with that, I'd like to... B-roll call with Mr. Tungapaw and Mr. Taw not voting.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 22, 2026, with a quorum present and first took up a large consent calendar. It moved a set of bills to the Assembly Floor consent calendar by unanimous vote, including AB 1773, 1785, 1828, 1873, 1918, 2001, 2085, 2173, 2412, 2536, 2644, and 2781, and separately approved another group of unanimous bills not eligible for floor consent, including AB 1544, 1555, 1614, 1621, 1637, 1704, 1816, 1933, 2529, 2559, 2663, and 2731. The committee then heard several individual bills, with each author describing the measure and witnesses generally testifying in support; no organized opposition was recorded on the bills discussed. Among the measures heard, AB 2393 would create fixed statutory damages for certain false imprisonment and arrest claims, while exempting peace officers, custodial officers, and public entities. AB 1697 would delay implementation of a recently enacted prohibition on employment contracts that require workers to repay employer debts if they leave a job, and AB 2534 would extend Domestic Violence Prevention Act restraining order protections to attempted forced marriages and survivors of forced marriages. AB 1608 would strengthen the High-Speed Rail Inspector General’s office by adding staffing and contracting authority, requiring public reports, and allowing limited temporary confidentiality for sensitive information; the bill drew questions from members about transparency and whether information could be withheld, but the author and Inspector General said the measure would increase accountability and only allow narrow, time-limited confidentiality. The committee also approved AB 1916, which would allow American Sign Language interpreters to participate in the same collective bargaining process as other certified court interpreters, and AB 1803, which would require anti-hate speech training as part of workplace harassment prevention training for employers with five or more employees. AB 1821 would change Public Records Act response timelines from calendar days to business days, with local government sponsors arguing it would better reflect actual processing time for broad and complex requests without reducing access. AB 1919 would establish election procedures to let voters decide the future of Santa Cruz Metro service funding after a one-time grant expires. Each of these bills was moved forward on due pass votes, with some members not voting on certain measures. The committee then approved a long suspense file, and the remaining suspense bills were deemed approved without further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Respectfully ask for your aye vote. That is on call.
• I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Great.
• Respectfully ask for your aye vote. Great.
• Respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• Taw not voting. And with that, I'd like to...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we do not have a quorum at this point, so we will defer voting on consent.
• And this will be problematic as we do grow out our EV system and EV batteries then reach their end of
• And we, you know, and again, we've got, we had, it's why you got Ford here asking for you to vote for
• No vote. Bauer-Kahan? Aye. Bauer-Kahan, aye. Castillo. Lee. McKinner? Aye. McKinner, aye. Pappin?
• That has the vote to get out. We will leave it open for absent team members. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard SB 615 by Senator Allen, which would create a Department of Toxic Substances Control program for end-of-life electric vehicle battery management. The bill is intended to promote reuse, repurposing, recycling, tracking, and responsible handling of EV batteries, with producer responsibility and certification of recyclers as key features. Supporters, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, California State Association of Counties, automakers, recyclers, and environmental groups, said the measure would help prevent hazardous waste problems, reduce illegal dumping, and prepare for a coming wave of battery retirements. Opponents, including Tesla, Rivian, the California Chamber of Commerce, and others, raised concerns about liability, burdens on smaller entities, and the bill’s structure, while some groups supported it if amended. Committee members discussed the current low recycling rate for EV batteries, the difference between reuse, repurpose, and recycling, and whether the bill appropriately places responsibility on producers rather than consumers. The author said the bill builds on prior work and stakeholder input and is designed to create a workable system without overburdening DTSC. After quorum was established, the committee voted SB 615 out on a 5-1 vote, with one member voting no. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing SB 39, SB 454, SB 724, and SCR 3, and those measures were approved. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And after hearing the bill, we'll have public comment prior to voting.
• Californians voted for this measure expecting results.
• Thank you to our pro tem, and I'm happy to be voting aye on this.
• investment into the system?
• That bill has 12 votes. I, four votes, no. That bill has 12 votes, 4 no votes. The measure passes.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators by your vote show that Senate Bill 480, is approved as amended senators.
• Are please call the roll. >> Yes, senators by your vote show that Senate bill 1226 reported favorably
• I am speaking in favor of this bill, but I do ask to look into the Medicaid system.
• Are 20 alarm systems. You're 20. I'm gonna call unit heads. Total. Correct? Or less?
• By your vote.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Four votes. All right, that has four votes, and we'll leave that open for members to add on.
• Four votes. All four votes. We'll leave that open for members to add on.
• Four votes. All right, that has four votes.
• Four votes. We'll leave that open for members to add on.
• Four votes. Great. That has four votes. We'll leave that open for members to add on.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules first took up several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Rick Simpson to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Trinidad Solis, M.D., and Gerald Talbert, M.D., to the Medical Board of California. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments, with roll calls on each item showing unanimous support from members present and the items left open for additional votes before final tallying. The main public business was the confirmation hearing for George Cardona, J.D., for a second term as Chief Trial Counsel of the State Bar of California. Cardona described reforms made since taking office, including new conflict-of-interest and gift rules, stronger investigative requirements, efforts to reduce backlog and improve efficiency, and monitoring of discipline disparities identified in prior studies. Senators questioned him about safeguards after the Girardi matter, the John Eastman discipline case, racial and ethnic disparities in attorney discipline, unauthorized practice of law by notarios, staffing shortages, and the use of AI in filings. Public witnesses from the State Bar, SEIU Local 1000, and others spoke in support. The committee voted 3-0 to advance Cardona’s appointment to the full Senate. The committee then heard Laura Enderton Speed, J.D., for Executive Director of the State Bar. She said her priorities would be restoring public trust, improving the discipline system, addressing the February 2025 bar exam problems, and strengthening fiscal stability and internal controls. Members asked about the State Bar’s structural budget deficit, the remote administration failures in the February exam, safeguards against undisclosed gifts and conflicts, and the status of audits and investigations. Supporters from the State Bar, the civil defense bar, SEIU Local 1000, and a longtime colleague testified in favor. The committee approved her appointment 5-0 to move to the full Senate. At the end of the meeting, members also approved the remaining governor’s appointments and procedural items, and the chair thanked Senator Jones for his service on the committee before adjourning the public portion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please vote yes on this.
• File item 1, 3 voting aye, 3 voting no, 1 not voting. That matter does not carry.
• Six voting aye, one not voting. That matter is out. File item number six, AB 864.
• Six voting aye, one not voting. That matter's out.
• Six voting aye, one not voting. That matter's out.

Keywords: 988, house, all