Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will close the roll. There are 68 co-authors added.
• Costs aligning more closely with federal graduate loan limits.
• Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes 64, noes 6.
• Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes 57, noes.
• Clerk will close the roll. There are 69 co-authors added.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Primary and secondary education not addressed.
• </c><00:15:38.720><c> and</c> from Kenton 63 regarding primary and from Kenton 63 regarding primary and
• And because this services close to home.
• Uh, Medicaid may or may not be close.
• And I know I've said something close.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into committee and floor reports. Several measures received favorable committee reports and were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar, including Current Resolution 9, Senate Joint Resolution 23, House Bill 145, House Bill 567, and House Bill 506 with House Committee Substitute 1. The chamber also noted that House Bills 500 and 504 had already received two readings and were sent to the Rules Committee before House Bill 500 was brought up for final consideration. Most of the discussion focused on House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill. Members described it as a “good first draft” and emphasized a budget process they said was more transparent than in prior years. The bill was presented as a restrained two-year operating budget with spending growth kept at a little under 2% annually, while setting aside about 2% of projected revenues, or roughly $614 million, in the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future needs. The budget also used base reductions in some areas while exempting others such as Medicaid benefits, SEEK, corrections, behavioral health, and veterans programs. Subcommittee chairs then outlined major spending areas. Education provisions included a 2% annual increase in base SEEK funding, transportation funding held flat, equalization for recallable nickel funding, continued retirement contributions, and major support for postsecondary access, dual credit, asset preservation, and workforce training. Health and family services provisions held Medicaid steady while adding waiver slots, behavioral health and substance use support, public health investments, and funding for rural health and laboratory capacity. Other sections covered personnel and pensions, veterans services, infrastructure, public safety, economic development, tourism, and environmental projects. The only recorded action on the floor was adoption of House Committee Substitute 1 to House Bill 500, followed by a motion for final passage of the bill as amended. The transcript ends as discussion on final passage begins, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I thank you, and I close. Thank you, Dean Thompson.
• Representative Johnson will now close on her bill.
• We'll close on this bill. Thank you.
• Compost close on the bill. Thank you, Chairman.
• Request the right to close. All right, what's that? I request the right to close. Yeah.

Bills: HB231 , HB231 , HB475 , HB488 , HB632 , HB821 , HB1786 , HB1955 , HB2036 , HB2060 , HB2659 , HB2677

Committee: House S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Keywords: HB 231, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, permit exemption, dam, reservoir, erosion control, flood control, floodwater control, sediment control, watershed protection, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, local sponsor, water appropriation, small dam, water diversion, maintenance, rehabilitation

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got, um, gosh, close to 40 years of health care experience, long-term care industry, and population
• I've got um gosh,<00:06:13.720><c> close</c><00:06:14.000><c> to</c><00:06:14.400><c> 40</c><00:06:14.680
• ><c> years</c><00:06:15.040><c> of</c><00:06:15.160><c> health</c><00:06:15.400><c> care</c> gosh, close
• to 40 years of health care gosh, close to 40 years of health care experience,<00:06:16.840><c> long-term
• care providers we have out primary care providers we have out through<00:18:23.160><c> all</c><00:18

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting to discuss creating a Healthcare Transparency Dashboard focused largely on Kentucky Medicaid. Members introduced themselves and described their interest in using data transparency to improve policy, access to care, and program efficiency. The co-chairs said the dashboard should begin with a basic framework and expand over time, with a mission centered on collaboratively designing and maintaining a secure, data-driven dashboard housed with the Legislative Research Commission. Discussion focused on what should be measured and how data should be organized. Members agreed the dashboard should segment Medicaid populations rather than aggregate them, with separate attention to aged and disabled enrollees, expansion adults, and children. Suggested measures included emergency department utilization and follow-up, cancer screenings, child and adolescent well visits, adult well visits, postpartum care, newborn screenings and follow-ups, hospitalization and readmission rates, pharmacy, behavioral health, and claims data. Several members emphasized the need to include demographic and geographic information, while noting some items such as education may not be readily available in Medicaid data and that HIPAA and access issues will affect how detailed the public-facing dashboard can be. Members also discussed existing data sources and warned against duplicating work already being done by the cabinet, the Office of Data Analytics, CMS scorecards, and university Medicaid directed payment reporting. The group was encouraged to review the Medicaid and CHIP scorecard, which includes quality, administrative, and program characteristic measures, as a possible model. No formal votes were taken, but the subcommittee agreed to continue refining the mission statement, identify priority metrics, and consider benchmarking, outcomes, data-sharing, and technical platform issues before the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• VA-accredited CVSOs, claims agents, and attorneys are the primary means for veterans to receive assistance
• means for veterans to receive primary means for veterans to receive assistance<00:25:20.000><c> when
• Many are underemployed or unemployed, and they are dependent upon SSDI as their primary source of income
• advocates, we also included another provision which configures the disclosure requirements at the close
• </c> requirements at the close of the bill. requirements at the close of the bill.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I to close? Yes, sir, I close. OK, thank you. The bill will be left pending.
• So, um, We're closed out. OK. Good. The what?
• A couple of things in closing.
• I just wanna make sure we close any gaps.
• If not, the chair recognizes, uh, Representative Burdell to close on the bill. With that, I close.

Bills: HB316

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, affordable care act, medical assistance, federal funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Am I to close? Yes, sir. I close. Okay, thank you so much. The bill will be left pending.
• A couple of things in closing.
• This is modeled very closely after...
• If not, the Chair recognizes Representative Burdell to close on the bill. With that, I close.
• If not, the Chair recognizes Representative Burdell to close on the bill. With that, I close.

Bills: HB316 , HB353 , HB 1160 , HB1414 , HB1422 , HB1443 , HB1713 , HB1789 , HB1902 , HB2073 , HB2666 , HB2695 , HB316

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: motor fuel, criminal offense, metering device, organized crime, Texas Penal Code, trespassing, school safety, day-care centers, education, trespass, public safety, utility employees, criminal penalties, assault, harassment, public duties, safety, law enforcement, driving offenses, license regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• I.E., a $200,000 building, the permit fee was really close.
• I.E., a $200,000 building, the permit fee was really close.
• I.E., a $200,000 building, the permit fee was really close.
• I.E., a $200,000 building, the permit fee was really close.
• So I just close with, again, thanks for the discussion.

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> One of the things though I want to ask specifically, and I probably would have kept my mouth closed
• and I probably would have kept<00:23:26.159><c> my</c><00:23:26.320><c> mouth</c><00:23:26.640><c> closed
• if</c><00:23:27.039><c> it</c><00:23:27.200><c> hadn't</c><00:23:27.360><c> been</c> kept my mouth closed
• if it hadn't been kept my mouth closed if it hadn't been for<00:23:27.679><c> this,</c><00:23:29.039
• the bill and such, and that is that, uh, so this goes beyond, although sexual risk avoidance is a primary

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's your job, your primary job.
• </c><00:12:56.279><c> job</c> you do that's your job your primary job you do that's your job your primary
• </c> oh yes we we do track Al after closing oh yes we we do track Al after closing how<00:14:30.800><
• Two of those projects are closed; one of those projects is closed and under construction.
• Projects that we were anticipating closing this year moved into getting closed this year, but they're

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was going to do it in my close, but I'm... Okay, that's fine.
• They just need us to, like, just close the deal.
• And with that, would you like to close? Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Okay, I'll close then.
• You can close. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee opened its first Senate Housing hearing of 2026 by taking up several two-year bills and bond measures. SB 222 by Senator Wiener, the Heat Pump Access Act, would streamline permitting for heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems, allow video/phone participation by contractors during inspections, and limit HOA barriers. Supporters said the bill would cut costs, speed replacements, reduce pollution, and help Californians lower energy bills; the League of California Cities opposed unless amended, citing concerns about a permit fee cap and virtual inspections. After questions about fees, inspection liability, HOA authority, and electrical panel upgrades, the bill passed 10-0 to Senate Local Government. The committee then considered SB 677, a follow-up to SB 79. The author announced the bill would be narrowed to two definition changes and that broader SB 79 cleanup would come in a new bill later in 2026. Testimony reflected both support and concern: some local governments and counties said more clarity was needed on implementation, transit-related definitions, and timing, while housing and transit advocates supported the cleanup and the removal of the ferry-stop provision. The committee approved the amended bill 10-1 to Local Government. SB 417, the Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, proposed a $10 billion general obligation bond for affordable rental housing, supportive housing, homeownership, and preservation. Supporters argued that state housing funds had been exhausted, that thousands of shovel-ready units were waiting for financing, and that the bond would leverage federal tax credits and create jobs. Opponents, including Habitat for Humanity, asked for a dedicated CalHome set-aside for homeownership. Members debated state debt levels, bond repayment, and whether the state should rely more on direct appropriations, but the bill passed 8-1 to Appropriations. The committee also began hearing SB 492, the Youth Housing and Youth Center bond, which the author said was intended to be folded into a larger housing bond package. The bill would authorize bonds for youth housing and youth centers for transition-age youth up to age 25, with the author arguing that early intervention could prevent future homelessness. The transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on SB 492.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was going to do it in my close, but I'm... Okay, that's fine.
• They just need us to, like, just close the deal.
• And with that, would you like to close? Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Okay, I'll close then.
• You can close. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee opened its first Senate Housing hearing of 2026 by establishing quorum and explaining that several two-year bills and bond measures would be heard, with witnesses limited to two minutes and “me too” testimony grouped together. The first bill, SB 222 by Senator Wiener, would streamline permitting for heat pumps, water heaters, and HVAC installations and limit HOA barriers. Supporters said it would lower costs, speed replacements, reduce pollution, and help Californians switch to efficient electric appliances. The League of California Cities opposed unless amended, raising concerns about a permit-fee cap and the feasibility of virtual inspections. Committee members largely supported the policy but flagged fee recovery, inspection liability, HOA authority, and possible electrical panel upgrade costs; the bill passed to Local Government on a roll call vote. The committee then heard SB 677, also by Senator Wiener, which was narrowed to two remaining changes related to commuter rail definitions and mobile home exemption language, with a separate future cleanup bill for SB 79 promised later in the session. Local governments and counties said the amended bill still needed clearer definitions and implementation guidance, while several groups shifted to support after the amendments. The committee approved the bill 10-1 and sent it to Local Government. Next, SB 417 by Senator Cabaldon proposed a $10 billion 2026 affordable housing bond to fund construction, preservation, rehabilitation, supportive housing, and homeownership opportunities. Supporters emphasized the need to replace exhausted housing funds, leverage federal tax credits, and keep shovel-ready projects moving; opponents and some members raised concerns about state debt, the lack of a dedicated CalHome share, and whether the bond should include more homeownership or higher-education allocations. After extensive debate over bond indebtedness and housing need, the bill passed to Appropriations on an 8-1 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 492, a youth housing and youth center bond proposal. Senator Reyes described it as a way to fund transitional housing and youth centers for transition-age youth up to age 25, arguing that early intervention could prevent future homelessness and reduce long-term public costs. Witnesses from Covenant House California and the California Coalition for Youth supported the measure, citing the needs of foster youth and homeless young people, the benefits of transitional housing, and the high success rate of youth exiting to stable housing. The transcript cuts off during additional testimony, so no final action on SB 492 is shown in the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not about if they're going to close; it's about when.
• So I mean, the refinery is closing, but they're using the tanks to import.
• If refineries continue to close, it will worsen the affordability crisis.
• In summary, California must have a robust plan for when refineries close.
• Should a refinery close, the owner doesn't get to walk away.

Summary: The Senate Environmental Quality Committee held an informational hearing on the environmental impacts and policy considerations surrounding refinery closures. Chair Blakespear framed the hearing as part of California’s broader transition away from fossil fuels, emphasizing the need for proactive planning so communities, workers, and local governments are not caught off guard. Vice Chair Gunda argued that the state has long signaled a future away from oil, while also warning that closures can create supply instability, higher prices, and infrastructure stress if not managed carefully. Senators also raised concerns about consumer costs, supply reliability, the role of imports, and whether California’s climate policies are contributing to refinery disinvestment. The first panel included the California Energy Commission, CARB, and the State Water Resources Control Board. Gunda described California as being in a “mid-transition,” with gasoline demand gradually declining, zero-emission vehicle adoption rising, and refinery capacity shrinking through both conversions to renewable fuels and outright closures. He said the state needs a coordinated strategy that balances near-term supply stability with long-term decarbonization, and noted that refinery closures can shift liabilities onto pipelines, terminals, and potentially the state. CARB’s Matthew Boutill said the agency’s focus is reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases, and that state policies are already driving billions in annual investment in alternative fuels, EV infrastructure, and refinery conversions. Water Board representative Annalisa Kihara explained the cleanup authorities used at refinery sites, including investigation, remediation, and enforcement tools, and said decommissioning often reveals previously inaccessible contamination and may require new monitoring wells and additional site assessment. Committee members pressed the panel on whether the state has enough information to plan for land reuse and cleanup costs, whether current tools are adequate, and whether more legislative direction is needed. Gunda said there are still gaps in information and transparency, especially around liability and long-term community planning. Kihara said the Water Boards can require more data, cleanup, and timelines, but that refinery remediation is highly site-specific and can take tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Senators Menjivar, Stern, and Hurtado questioned demand trends, the pace of refinery closures versus demand decline, the role of imports and the Jones Act, and whether California should consider options such as state ownership or broader ecosystem planning. The panel generally agreed that closures are likely to continue and that the state should plan proactively rather than reactively. A second panel presented recent research on refinery closures. Emily Grubert said closure costs and remediation obligations are often underestimated and that California should better define end-of-life obligations and financial assurance requirements. Tham Herschbach outlined five drivers of refinery closures: declining California crude production, falling in-state gasoline demand, the shift toward renewable diesel and other alternative fuels, global refinery consolidation, and the growing availability of imported gasoline. Anne Alexander focused on community impacts, using the Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery closure as a case study, and said refinery sites are often heavily contaminated, cleanup can take a decade or more, and communities are often left without clear information because refineries have little end-of-life planning or financial assurance requirements. No votes or formal actions were taken at the informational hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think it's imperative on us to be able to close this loophole. And so with that, Mr.
• And they can also work really closely with the retailers to make sure that they can try to find compliance
• And we do work really closely with law enforcement because we have become, I think, somewhat of the de
• Representative Church, do you want to step up and close? Yeah, just briefly.
• We've got a lot of freedom within the framework, but you can see these are kind of our three primary

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 771, which would create a licensing and inspection framework for retail hemp products and give the Idaho State Department of Agriculture authority to test products for THC. Representative Shirts said the bill was still being worked on and asked that it be held at the call of the chair. Testimony from the Idaho Farm Bureau, Boise Police Department, and the Idaho Retailers Association generally supported the goal of closing loopholes and ensuring products sold as CBD are actually THC-free, while also raising concerns about the bill’s scope and the need to narrow it so it would not unintentionally cover non-consumable hemp items such as shampoos, clothing, rope, and other retail goods. Committee members also asked about THC thresholds and enforcement, and ISDA Director Chanel T. Walt explained existing hemp and controlled-substances definitions and said the proposal would shift routine oversight from law enforcement to an administrative licensing process. The committee then voted to hold HB 771 in committee at the call of the chair. The committee next took up House Bill 772, which would clarify when hemp producers do not commit a negligent violation if their crop exceeds the THC limit under certain conditions. Representative Shirts said the bill would align Idaho’s rules with federal standards and would not change the 0.3% THC limit, but would define a negligent violation for grain or fiber hemp when the producer made a reasonable effort to comply and the crop did not exceed 1% THC. Braden Jensen of the Idaho Farm Bureau supported the bill, explaining that it would protect growers from losing licenses over THC spikes caused by heat stress or other factors outside their control. The committee voted unanimously to send HB 772 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. After the hemp bills, the committee received an informational presentation from Dairy West and the Idaho Dairy Products Commission. Dairy West CEO Steve Seppi described the organization’s regional structure, funding through producer assessments, board governance, and programs focused on marketing, research, nutrition, exports, and industry relations across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Utah. He highlighted Idaho’s large dairy sector, continued growth in production and processing investment, and efforts to promote dairy consumption and innovation. Chairman Don Galswick added comments about the value of Dairy West’s work in countering plant-based protein competition and supporting the industry’s sustainability message. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the minutes from February 26, 2026, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a huge investment for our state, but we are not even close to fulfilling that 10,000-slot
• Washington's Association for the Education of Young Children partners closely with colleges to support
• Now, HB 2438 closes that gap.
• Vice Chair, now it's so close. Yes. Pardon the 11th-hour question here.
• To close us out here, Kaylee DeMayo. Hello, thank you for having me.

Bills: HB2438 , HB2422 , HB2525 , HB2586 , HB2337 , HB2311 , HB2286 , HB2324 , HB2363 , HB2098 , HB2088

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Keywords: education, scholarship, early childhood, funding, higher education, early education, support, degree seekers, private security, security guard, armed security guard, security company, licensing fees, license renewal, endorsement fee, fingerprints, background check, workforce retention, low-wage workers, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank all the stakeholders for working closely together with me on this.
• We'll go ahead and close and conclude public testimony on House Bill 2384 and we'll move on to public
• Our primary concern is the implementation timeline.
• Our primary concern is the implementation timeline.
• We'll go ahead and close public testimony on House Bill 2402, and we'll reopen public testimony on House

Bills: HB2384 , HB2402 , HB2505 , HB1904 , HB2145 , HB2182 , HB2211 , HB2242 , HB2247 , HB2329 , HB2339

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: continuing care retirement community, CCRC, life plan community, senior housing, retirement community, long-term care, assisted living, nursing home, actuarial analysis, solvency, financial oversight, resident contracts, entrance fee, disclosure statement, registration, insurance commissioner, DSHS, consumer protection, elder care, aging services

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Leek, you're recognized close on the bill. I'll waive close.
• We're closing out last year because we have time to close out and make sure everything lined up.
• anything, probably in some counties, when I was at Leon County, we probably wound up—we were pretty close
• While cities do it, it names us as a primary responsibility, and we have a lot of cities that participate
• Ad valorem is the primary engine for my general fund.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs convened with a quorum and took up SB 308, a bill related to the Florida Museum of Black History. The bill would establish a Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and direct it to work with a supporting nonprofit foundation, while also requiring the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners to provide administrative assistance and staffing until planning, design, and engineering are complete. With no appearance forms or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The remainder of the meeting was an informational briefing from the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities on local government budgeting practices. Presenters explained how counties and cities develop budgets, the legal framework governing property taxes and other revenues, the distinction between restricted and unrestricted funds, and the role of constitutional officers, public safety, debt, pensions, and capital planning. They emphasized that most local revenues are restricted by law, that general funds are the main discretionary source, and that local governments must balance annual budgets while meeting mandated service levels. The presenters also discussed how property taxes, fees, local option taxes, and state-shared revenues support local services, and they highlighted the fiscal pressures created by public safety, emergency management, infrastructure, and retirement costs. Members asked questions about the share of local revenue that is unrestricted and the implications for any proposal to eliminate property taxes. The presenters responded that only a portion of county and municipal revenue is flexible, with much of it dedicated to specific purposes by law.

Transcript Highlights:

• A successful candidate will close up shop, right?
• Our primary concern is the fact that we have seven late reports, and that's what's troubling us.
• And in August, is when you had the consultant close down the PAC for you?
• Sir, we did not close down the PAC.
• Obviously, the office was closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the past 10 years, many vets within a 25-mile radius of Purim have retired or closed their practices
• For instance, in our town, Minnesota, the vet clinic closed because she preferred practicing medicine
• Similarly, in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, A vet clinic closed in Pelican Rapids.
• Yes, we work with them very closely.
• The ones that just closed in the last three years, I worked with them one-on-one.

Committee: House Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• It is essential to maintain the VA as the primary provider. and coordinator of Veterans health care.
• In closing, Congress and VA must work together to resolve existing issues impacting veterans' health
• We work closely with them, but I think that's the absence.
• We're going to continue to work closely with warriors to hear their experience throughout the system
• So, you have a provider, a primary care provider, say, at the VA that may have sent a patient out to

Committee: Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs