Transcript Highlights:

• This is Chapter 2007 of the Government Code, commonly cited as the Private Real Property Rights Preservation
• And so by amending existing law, Chapter 2007 of the Government Code, to apply to municipal action specifically
• 253 of the Transportation Code... ...say in statute already, Chapter 253 of the Transportation Code,
• , Utility Code, Texas Local Government Code, and many different chapters within the code.
• Under Chapter 395, Local Government Code, cities can only levy these fees for water, wastewater, drainage

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Summary: The committee met to monitor implementation of several housing-related bills from the 89th session, with the chair emphasizing Texas’s housing shortage and the need to review land-use laws. For House Bill 24, witnesses from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Reason Foundation, a church-affordable housing project, Habitat for Humanity, developers, and housing advocates said the bill’s higher protest threshold and simpler council override had reduced procedural barriers to rezoning, helped projects move forward, and supported lower rents and more multifamily development. Public testimony largely praised HB 24 as working as intended, and the chair noted it had passed the committee 6-1, the House 83-56, and the Senate unanimously. The committee then heard testimony on Senate Bill 1567, which preempted certain municipal occupancy limits based on unrelated-adult restrictions. Supporters, including Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Realtors, Texans for Housing, and Texas A&M student leaders, said the law improved clarity, reduced arbitrary local limits, and helped students and property owners use existing housing more efficiently. Opponents from College Station and Bryan-College Station neighborhood groups argued the law has encouraged investor purchases, tear-downs, and “stealth dorms,” displaced working-class residents, and harmed family homeownership. The chair noted SB 1567 had passed the committee 5-1, the House 101-19, and the Senate 30-1. The committee also reviewed Senate Bill 15, which reduced minimum lot sizes in covered jurisdictions. Ed Pinto of AEI said the law had already led to thousands of new small lots and lower-cost starter homes, while recommending expansion to more counties and broader application to attached housing. Other witnesses from builders, Pew, and housing advocates said smaller lots can increase affordability, but some cities, such as College Station and Grand Prairie, were adding local standards that could blunt the bill’s effect. City representatives from El Paso described how they implemented the law by reducing lot sizes and widths, while urging broader applicability to more of the city. The chair said SB 15 had passed the committee 7-0, the House 86-43, and the Senate 24-7. Finally, the committee began hearing testimony on Senate Bill 840, a by-right multifamily redevelopment measure. City officials from Garland and Plano described how they had updated local standards to comply while preserving design and setback rules, and said the bill could help redevelop built-out commercial corridors and add housing without expanding city footprints. The transcript ended as the committee continued taking testimony on SB 840.

Transcript Highlights:

• My client has, including scales, including, you know, safety officers, QR codes on their transport documents
• , but in doing so, we must ensure that enforcement mechanisms do not unintentionally restrict or penalize
• That's still within the law of of the Texas tax code on the 162 on the motor fuel tax code so this.
• That's totally fine within the tax code, but that's correct, sir.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill amends Chapter 634, the Florida Statutes, which regulates auto, home, and service warranties
• this bill provides technical clarifications and changes to several provisions of the Florida Trust Code
• of uncertainty among practitioners and to provide consistency with the application of the probate code
• Third, it reconciles a difference between the probate code and trust code by providing that ademption
• The last bill on our agenda, Tab 9, SB 7006, on public records and meetings, NG911 systems, by Reg Industries

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met and considered a series of bills, beginning with CS/CS/SB 282 on home and service warranty association financial requirements. The bill would allow more than one collateral liability insurance policy to back a warranty license and make related financial requirement changes; an amendment clarifying policy options was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 280 on candidate qualification, which creates an enforceable requirement and private right of action for party-affiliation qualification rules, and SB 7004, an open government sunset review bill that continues a public records exemption related to housing assistance program applicants or participants after disasters. The committee then took up several member bills. CS/CS/CS/SB 88 would create an opt-in framework for local governments to allow utility terrain vehicles on certain roads, with safety requirements and insurance clarification added by amendment; supporters emphasized local transportation benefits and law enforcement tools, while several senators raised concerns about misuse in urban areas, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 106 would allow substitute service through the same electronic platform used by scammers in vulnerable adult exploitation cases, with a 30-day hold clarified by amendment; it received support from elder law and advocacy groups and was reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 262 made technical changes to the Florida Trust Code, including decanting, trustee actions, ademption by satisfaction, and homestead/community property trust treatment, and was also reported favorably. Additional bills approved included SB 402, which updates the unlawful use of uniforms, medals, or insignia statute by referring to armed forces as defined elsewhere in law; SB 700, which continues the public records exemption for site-specific location information for threatened and endangered species; and SB 7006, which preserves public records and meeting exemptions for building plans and related documents depicting 911, E911, and public safety radio communication infrastructure, including next-generation 911 systems. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on certain bills, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• A child's safety should never depend on their zip code or how well their parents know the system.
• Many minutes go by until the school nurse comes by. 9-1-1 is called. Police come.
• The American Red Cross and I serve as the Executive Director for the Northeast Chapter.
• Training still depends on zip code.
• Training still depends on zip code because there is no statewide mandate.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with the chairs emphasizing time limits, written testimony, and grouping similar measures together. Early testimony focused on opioid use disorder education in schools (S.382), with Senator Keenan arguing that students should be taught about the risks of substance use disorder and naloxone use as part of health curricula. Representative DeCost also briefly introduced H.551, a narrow bill concerning parent rights for children in third grade and younger. Several bills were then closed without testimony, including measures on type 1 diabetes informational materials and other diabetes-related proposals. A major portion of the hearing centered on school health and emergency response bills. Supporters of H.652/S.342 on diabetes management in schools described inconsistent district practices and urged clearer standards so students can receive care in classrooms rather than being sent out of instruction. Bills on epinephrine access and seizure disorders drew extensive testimony: advocates for stock epinephrine in schools argued that unassigned epinephrine can save lives and should be funded in a cost-neutral way, while a pediatrician opposed one version as an unfunded mandate. For seizure-safe schools (S.422/H.635), students, parents, educators, and advocates described missed or delayed responses to seizures, stigma, and the need for staff training, seizure action plans, and emergency medication protocols. A separate bill, H.645, allowing anti-seizure medication on school buses, was supported by a parent and student who said current law forces costly and restrictive transportation arrangements. The committee also heard testimony on youth skin health bills (S.334/H.600/H.619), which would let students carry and apply sunscreen at school and camp without a physician’s note. Supporters from melanoma prevention, dermatology, and industry groups said the bills would remove unnecessary barriers and promote sun-safe habits, while one witness cautioned about drafting details and unintended consequences. The hearing then moved to CPR/AED education for graduation (S.456), where Senator Tarr, a student advocate, and the Red Cross all supported requiring hands-on CPR certification for high school students. Finally, the committee took testimony on healthy school lunches (H.539/S.401): supporters from the Healthy School Lunch Coalition and school food directors backed stronger nutrition standards and a standing advisory council, while Consumer Brands Association witnesses opposed the bill as too vague and potentially disruptive. A nutrition scientist also warned about unintended restrictions on medically necessary or innovative foods. The chairs closed the hearing on the healthy lunch bills and then opened testimony on universal school meals for virtual schools (H.700), with Superintendent Patrick Latuka supporting access for students in Commonwealth virtual schools who currently receive no meal support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, can you address our error code for the state of New Mexico? Sorry, Mr.
• If you get a warning, you will only get a warning if you have a 575 area code.
• And folks in Chaparral often have 915, have El Paso area codes.
• I'm going to go to page 3 here, lines 7 through 9.
• So we will have Health and Human Services in room 317 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are all outlined in Article 9, Section 17.15 of the bill.
• And for example, an assault category will have five or six different penal code offenses in it.
• We have to be starting tomorrow at 9 a.m.
• So we'll see tomorrow at 9 a.m. I'm just in recess. Yeah.
• So we'll see tomorrow at 9 a.m. I'm just in recess. Yeah.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee held its first hearing of the 89th regular session, adopted nearly identical committee rules from the previous legislature by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the budget framework, emphasizing conservative spending, a $332.9 billion all-funds budget, and major priorities including property tax relief, public education, border security, health and human services, transportation, energy, and water infrastructure. She also introduced committee and leadership staff and described the hearing schedule and public testimony procedures. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending, including a $23.8 billion ending balance, but warned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid using temporary spikes for ongoing commitments. Senators questioned him extensively about the Economic Stabilization Fund cap, sales tax trends, inflation, and whether the state should consider raising the cap or using severance-tax revenues differently. Hager said the Rainy Day Fund is expected to hit its cap, which would leave more severance-tax revenue in general revenue, and he stressed that infrastructure needs remain significant. The Legislative Budget Board then gave a detailed overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major components. LBB staff explained that the bill includes continued funding for the Foundation School Program, $850 million for the Texas State Technical College endowment, $1.3 billion for the Texas University Fund, $6.5 billion for border security, salary increases for correctional officers and state troopers, $3 billion for dementia research, higher community attendant wages, expanded community-based care, $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, and funding to clear volunteer fire department grant backlogs. They also outlined supplemental priorities such as water infrastructure, retirement legacy payments, rail grade separations, wildfire aircraft, and emergency facilities, and said the current controlling budget limit is the tax spending limit. A major portion of the hearing focused on property tax relief. LBB explained that prior-session relief grew from an expected $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher-than-anticipated property values and interactions among hold-harmless provisions, and that SB 1 continues and expands relief with $51 billion in total property tax relief, including $3 billion more for compression, $3 billion to raise the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, and a $500 million placeholder for business tax relief. Senators discussed the automatic nature of some of these costs, the effect of the non-homestead circuit breaker, the role of federal COVID funds, and the need to maintain school finance commitments if the state continues to compress school tax rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• That means the agency can take what the basic law of the chapter and interpret it however they feel like
• , this um it's never as this chapter, this um it's never as broad<00:44:17.280> as<00:44:17.359
• um penalization provisions in RSA<01:37:50.239> 273.
• Section 7 on ergonomic factors, Section 9 on effective communications, and Section 10 on data security
• third party revising the diagnosis code third party revising the diagnosis code or<04:32:02.239>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Denver chapter of Jack and Jill of America was incorporated in 1955.
• of the merits of committee consideration, recommends the following: House Bill 1200 and Senate Bill 9
• So, it's really imperative on the government to not penalize the citizens for its decisions.
• The government is going to continue to penalize the citizens for poor decisions.
• So now we have a disparity in taxation instead of, so now we're using the tax code not only to penalize

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I, I'm asking because you have this provision in the code, does the code also make provision for these
• There's nothing in chapter 127 that's specific. says that because Chapter 66 or other provisions of the
• nothing in Chapter 127 that explicitly says that.
• OK, it's already defined in the code.
• I think what's in the code is very adequate.

Bills: HB304

Keywords: franchise tax credit, food desert, grocery store, healthy corner store, nutrition assistance, economic development, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• The National Fire Protection Association's Hydrogen Technologies Code is an amendment to the National
• Fire Protection Association's Hydrogen Technologies Code and provides ongoing training to local fire
• The maps inform building codes, as you mentioned, insurance rates, and evacuation.
• 1-1 dispatcher, 9-1-1 advisory board on there?
• Smith regarding 9-1-1. Sure, absolutely. Thank you. Well noted. Thank you very much.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The original Senate Bill 58 was drafted incorrectly into the wrong chapter of law.
• There's similar statutes throughout the New Hampshire criminal code that establish venue.
• To me, violations, I think of the motor vehicle code.
• Violations, I think of the motor vehicle code.
• RSA 526 used to be under New Hampshire laws chapter 192.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That was just chapter last year in 2024 something built 2387.
• HCD chaptered legislation. So I'm going to cover this one as well. All right, great. Thank you.
• For this chapter of legislation, HCD is requesting $7 million. $1.8 million in general fund in 25-26,
• The federal program has two sides, the 9% program, the 4% program, the 9% program has always been an
• Own state tax credit program to help augment the amount of production we can do using the 9% program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's 9:15, and we're going to open the Senate hearing.
• On the first page, lines<00:28:02.080> 9<00:28:02.320> to<00:28:02.480> 9<00:28:
• <00:28:04.320> It<00:28:04.559> talks<00:28:04.720> about lines 9 to 9 to 11
• It talks about lines 9 to 9 to 11. Yes.
• <01:45:57.840> and that they have a different chapter and that they have a different chapter

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 45<00:04:28.680> we're hearing is scheduled uh at 9:45 we're hearing is scheduled uh at 9:
• <01:54:56.880> may unclear because the procedure codes may unclear because the procedure codes
• are no names they're not even zip codes are no names they're not even zip codes uh<02:28:59.920>
• <02:29:59.680> 3 chapter 3 chapter 3 329<02:30:01.720> ideally<02:30:02.160> inserting
• <02:31:08.359> currently thing um that that chapter currently thing um that that chapter currently

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up we have HB 511, public records code inspector body cameras.
• Representative Plankin: So this amendment, this section of law was originally in Chapter 110.
• We moved it to Chapter 112 to line up with the Senate, and it's now better relating to public employees
• What it prohibits is employers enforcing specific speech codes and ideological viewpoints on employees
• It provides that violations of the election code can be prosecuted as racketeering activity under the

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill updates and modernizes Florida's probate code by clarifying when a curator may be appointed
• Senators will now move to tab 9 and take up C.S. for Senate Bill 538 on extracurricular activities by
• In 1987, Hamas was created by the Muslim Brotherhood chapter in Gaza.
• In 1988, the International Muslim Brotherhood sent out orders to all of its chapters to support this
• .. ...because it is one of the most frequent religious codes evaluated in our courts.

Bills: S0002, S0006, S0018, S0026, S0028, S0050, S0178, S0326, S0538, S0786, S1004, S1096, S1178, S1366, S1632, S1634

Keywords: negligence, settlement, appropriation, highway safety, damages, law enforcement, child welfare, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, compensation, law enforcement accountability, personal injury, motorcycle accident, Department of Transportation, legal claim, police negligence, monetary compensation, civil rights, city liability, veterans

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills, most of them claims or civil-law measures, and reported each favorably. Among the bills approved were SB 326 on curators of estates, SB 1096 clarifying filing deadlines under the Florida Civil Rights Act, SB 28 and SB 26 on claims against the City of Lakeland and the estate of Mark Legata, SB 6 involving a DCF-related claim for Layla Estrada/Sapphire Williams, SB 786 creating a nonjudicial process for closing trusts, SB 18 and SB 2 on claims involving the estate of McKenzie Navarre and Daniel Mosley, and SB 50 expanding veterans’ courts statewide. The committee also approved SB 538 on extracurricular activities, SB 1004 on pet sales and financing disclosures, and SB 1366, the sovereign immunity bill, which was presented as a starting point for negotiations with the House over higher claims caps and related provisions. Most of these bills were explained by sponsors as clarifying existing law, modernizing procedures, or resolving uncontested claims, and several had support from affected organizations or individuals; some also drew opposition or concerns from speakers, especially on trust notice issues, sovereign immunity, and the scope of the extracurricular and pet-sale bills. Several bills were amended before passage. SB 326 was narrowed by removing a section and changing reporting language for curators. SB 786 received a technical clarification amendment, while SB 18 removed an unneeded Medicaid-related section. SB 50 on veterans’ courts drew broad support from veterans’ groups and criminal-justice organizations. SB 538 on extracurricular activities was amended multiple times to address home education eligibility, activity fees for homeschool participants, technical cross-references, and compensation for extracurricular sponsors. SB 1004 was supported by animal-welfare advocates and consumer-protection interests. SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools was amended to limit the bill to head coaches, require personal funds, and allow similar bylaws by other athletic associations; it passed after discussion of a Miami Northwestern coaching controversy. The committee also took up two major policy bills with substantial testimony and questions. SB 1178 on foreign influence would create a state framework for foreign-agent registration, restrict gifts and contracts tied to foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, limit certain sister-city and university linkage activities, and increase penalties for crimes committed to benefit foreign governments or terrorist groups; supporters framed it as a national-security and transparency measure, while the sponsor withdrew one amendment before passage. SB 1632 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles generated the most extended questioning, especially about its domestic-terrorism designation process, references to Sharia law, notice and due-process protections, and potential effects on students and speech; supporters argued it targets conduct, not belief, while opponents warned it could chill protected activity and unfairly target Muslim communities. The committee heard many public speakers on both sides, but no floor debate followed before the bill was moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a bill that goes into 33-109-9, which is the statute related to the use of dogs.
• And anyone in here who is a hunter knows all about the ethics and the code that we carry with us out
• 35 that we could lean on for in chapter 35 that we could lean on for that<01:10:34.640> as<01
• >> So,<01:10:41.199> director,<01:10:41.679> chapter<01:10:42.239> 35,
• And then Senate Joint Resolution 9, And then Senate Joint Resolution 9, keeping<01:25:52.800>

Bills: SF0025, SF0027, SF0043, SF0066

Keywords: landowner licenses, hunting, wildlife management, quota hunt areas, game and fish commission, game management, hunting regulations, black bear, tracking dogs, wildlife conservation, conservation, contracting, supervisor, funding, districts, hunting licenses, donated licenses, life-threatening illness, vision impairment, nonprofit organizations

Transcript Highlights:

• finance chapter 115, the Paid Family and Medical Leave mandate under 2023 chapter 59, the earned sick
• finance chapter 115, the Paid Family and Medical Leave mandate under 2023 chapter 59, the earned sick
• finance chapter 115, the Paid Family and Medical Leave mandate under 2023 chapter 59, the earned sick
• during the 2023-24 biennium. 2023 education Omnibus chapter 2023 education Omnibus chapter 55<01:34:
• and Families Omnibus chapter Children and Families Omnibus chapter 115<01:34:46.360> the<01:34

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee approved the minutes from January 21, 2025, and then heard testimony from several school superintendents about the financial and operational impact of recent education-related mandates. Chair Bennett framed the hearing as an opportunity to hear from districts about the effects of more than 65 new mandates and restrictions adopted in recent years. The first witnesses were Corey McIntyre of Anoka-Hennepin, Michael Thomas of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, and David Law of Minnetonka Public Schools. The superintendents said districts are facing rising costs, flat or declining enrollment, the end of federal pandemic aid, and mandates they described as unfunded or underfunded. McIntyre cited major budget cuts in Anoka-Hennepin, including reductions in central office staff, and said the district faces continuing shortfalls tied to special education, multilingual learner costs, unemployment claims, paid leave, transportation, literacy materials, and the K-3 discipline statute. Thomas said Prior Lake-Savage is balancing growing student needs against limited revenue, and argued that mandates such as REACT and other requirements should be delayed or better funded so districts can implement them with fidelity. Law said the concerns are statewide, not just metro-based, and criticized the accumulation of expectations around food service, mental health, sick and safe time, unemployment, and family leave without corresponding resources. Several witnesses emphasized that school budgets are heavily committed to staff costs and that new obligations create administrative burdens as well as direct expenses. They urged lawmakers to reduce, delay, or better fund mandates, adjust timelines, and provide more flexibility in local revenue tools and equalization aid. No votes were taken on legislation during this portion of the meeting beyond approval of the prior day’s minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• resilience is so critical to our national security that Congress has mandated in 10 United States Code
• The proposed amendment in Senate Bill 2232 would amend Section 1A of Chapter 164 of the General Laws
• For that reason, the Town of Lexington supports Section 8 and Section 9 of House Bill 3520 and Senate
• Chapter 164 be amended to address the cap. We would also request that M.G.L.
• to the electrical code.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused broadly on solar policy and several related bills, especially S. 2269, S. 2270, H. 3520, H. 3521, and related measures on distributed energy resources, municipal solar caps, permitting reform, and tax credits. Testimony from the Air Force supported S. 2232, which would exempt federal military installations from renewable energy production caps and net metering limits to support energy resilience at bases like Hanscom. Most other witnesses argued that Massachusetts needs to speed up rooftop, municipal, and community solar deployment to address high electricity prices, federal tax credit rollbacks, grid reliability, and climate goals. A major theme was streamlining permitting through automated or “smart” solar permitting, including a statewide platform managed by DOER. Permit Power, SEIA, Vote Solar, 350 Mass, and others said current local permitting is fragmented and costly, and that instant permitting could reduce soft costs and speed installations. Several witnesses also urged changes to interconnection rules, including flexible interconnection, remote inspections, and faster utility approval timelines. Some speakers raised concerns about small towns lacking staff to meet short deadlines and suggested a state-hosted platform to reduce the burden on municipalities. Another major topic was lifting caps on solar deployment. Municipal officials from Lexington and Cambridge said the 10-megawatt municipal cap and regional caps are blocking shovel-ready projects and should be removed, including for behind-the-meter municipal solar and MBTA-community housing. Other witnesses described additional limits on project size, net metering, and residential tax credits, and called for making the state residential solar credit refundable and larger. Several speakers also supported virtual power plants, distributed energy resource targets, solar canopies, microgrids, and expanded access for affordable housing, tenants, and low- and moderate-income customers. No votes were taken. Committee members asked questions about permitting timelines, grid modernization, the rationale for caps, balcony solar, and interconnection delays, and witnesses said they would follow up with additional information where needed. The hearing ended with broad support from industry, municipal, environmental, and advocacy groups for advancing the solar and distributed energy bills, while some witnesses opposed provisions they viewed as overly restrictive, such as mandatory SMART participation for all solar projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we get about $9 billion in federal revenue, uh, for Medicaid, and then we spend about 1.5 $1.6 billion
• And then Chapter 113, which was Senate Bill 88, established the Medicaid Trust Fund.
• Senator, Madam Chair, Eric, I think that we struck, if you look at uh Chapter 113, the Medicaid Trust
• Um, so, so just out of curiosity, I'm, are there ICD-9 codes specifically for alcohol or versus, I mean
• And so, sometimes folks are really pushing to do 8% growth, 9% growth across the board.