Transcript Highlights:

• requiring the Construction Industries Commission and the Construction Industries Division of the Regulation
• questionable), and Hockman-Vejo (questionable), an act relating to health, amending sections of the Nursing
• Practice Act to clarify the scope of practice for different categories of licensed nurses regarding
• House Bill 178 expands the powers and duties of the Board of Nursing, modifies the administration of

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that nursing staff is a huge part of making the entire system work better.
• We know that nursing staff ratios improve patient outcomes.
• That's the reason there's now a whole bunch of regulation around oil drilling because of the Exxon Valdez
• Insurance companies are horribly regulated in this country.
• think the medical community will embrace because we're at a significant disadvantage in Doctors and nurses

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Licensed doctors, and in limited cases, nurse practitioners and physician's assistants can actually write
• We have a doctor in my area who treated his 39 patients at a nursing home with these types of drugs.
• Let's be clear: in Texas, only doctors, in limited cases, and in limited cases, nurses, practitioners
• When regulators block innovation and restrict access to safe, affordable treatments, they put bureaucracy
• They're going to review compliance with state and federal regulations, and they're going to have a report

Bills: HB25 , HB48 , HB149 , HB254 , HB26 , HB192 , HCR3 , HCR4 , HCR5 , HCR6 , HCR8 , HCR14 , HCR16 , HR1 , HR2 , HR3 , HR4 , HR6 , HR7 , HR8 , HR9 , HR12 , HR11 , HR13 , HR14 , HR15 , HR16 , HR20 , HR22 , HR23 , HR24 , HR25 , HR26 , HR27 , HR28 , HR29 , HR30 , HR31 , HR32 , HR33 , HR45 , HR48 , HR49 , HR51 , HR52 , HR55 , HR56 , HR57 , HR59 , HR60 , HR61 , HR62 , HR63 , HR64 , HR65 , HR66 , HR70 , HR71 , HR72 , HR74 , HCR2 , HCR7 , HR10 , HR21 , HR35 , HR36 , HR37 , HR38 , HR39 , HR40 , HR42 , HR43 , HR44 , HR46 , HR47 , HR50 , HR53 , HR54 , HR67 , HR69 , HR75 , HCR5 , HCR6 , HCR8 , HCR14 , HCR16 , HR1 , HR3 , HR4 , HR6 , HR7 , HR8 , HR9 , HR12 , HR11 , HR13 , HR14 , HR15 , HR16 , HR20 , HR22 , HR23 , HR24 , HR25 , HR26 , HR27 , HR28 , HR29 , HR30 , HR31 , HR32 , HR33 , HR45 , HR48 , HR49 , HR51 , HR52 , HR55 , HR56 , HR57 , HR59 , HR60 , HR61 , HR62 , HR63 , HR64 , HR65 , HR66 , HR70 , HR71 , HR72 , HR74 , HCR7 , HR10 , HR21 , HR35 , HR36 , HR37 , HR38 , HR39 , HR40 , HR42 , HR43 , HR44 , HR46 , HR47 , HR50 , HR53 , HR54 , HR67 , HR69 , HB25 , HB48 , HB149 , HB254 , HB26 , HB192

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access, HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert

Transcript Highlights:

• Jeff Smith: We are a national research and advocacy group working to enact a comprehensive set of regulations
• , and now there's the opportunity and the time to put Jeff Smith: comprehensive, more effective regulation
• We want regulation and we welcome it, and that is why we support regulatory frameworks such as HB 1205
• It weaponizes the Attorney General's office to harass doctors, nurses, and anyone who provides care to
• A nurse drawing blood, or pharmacist, or counselor providing therapy could be targeted if the Attorney

Transcript Highlights:

• So after the 2000 election, there were regulations put in place as to when your office could report results
• So after the 2000 election, there were regulations put in place as to when your office could report results
• so as not regulations put in place as to when your office could report results so as not to influence
• This last election cycle had a constituent come to me, and their mother was in a nursing home, and they
• This last election cycle had a constituent come to me, and their mother was in a nursing home, and they

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met to hear a lengthy presentation from Secretary of State Cord Byrd on Florida election administration, with a focus on how elections are handled during natural disasters, election security, and preparations for the 2026 cycle. Byrd described Florida’s response to hurricanes in 2022 and 2024, saying the state works directly with county supervisors of elections to tailor executive orders to local conditions, add or relocate polling sites, extend deadlines, and help displaced voters and emergency workers cast ballots. Members from affected areas echoed that local supervisors had managed storm disruptions well and that turnout remained strong despite major damage. A large portion of the meeting covered election integrity and security. Byrd emphasized Florida’s use of paper ballots, pre-election logic and accuracy testing, post-election audits, public canvassing, standardized voter-intent rules, and strict vote-by-mail request and signature-match requirements. He said the Department of State’s Office of Election Crimes and Security investigates complaints and refers matters to law enforcement, and that Florida has expanded access to the federal SAVE database to verify citizenship. Members asked about threats to election workers, staffing vacancies, cybersecurity, ballot design, vote-by-mail address changes, and how the state coordinates with county supervisors, emergency management, and other agencies. Several members raised questions about voter eligibility and returning citizens, and Byrd said the department provides free information to help people determine whether their rights have been restored, while noting that court and clerk reporting practices still create challenges. He also said the department is considering additional legislative proposals, including more safeguards tied to driver’s license and citizenship verification and a possible statewide 100% audit of races before certification. The meeting ended with the chair encouraging members to visit supervisors of elections offices and submit specific ideas for future elections legislation; no votes were taken and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the president and founder of Protecting Texas Children, and I'm also a nurse with 10 years of experience
• Last year, I was a nurse... whistleblower who came forward from Texas Children's Hospital after witnessing
• Where is the line for regulating clothing?
• It is frankly silly to attempt to regulate something as subjective as expression.
• Texas teachers shouldn't have to become lawyers to comply with these regulations.

Bills: HB1325 , HB1655 , HB3312 , HB5526 , SB13 , SB57 , SB207 , HB441 , HB591 , HB5019 , SB27 , SB843 , SB 13 , SB 27 , SB 57

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: student transfer, public servants, education code, peace officer, servicemember, judicial officer, school security, volunteer program, retired law enforcement, veterans, public safety, school safety, criminal background check, school libraries, library advisory councils, parental rights, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, emergency operations plan

Transcript Highlights:

• But as the law is written, it does not recognize the root problem and continues a harmful regulation
• of Florida's most vulnerable, primarily the infirm elderly living in assisted living facilities, nursing
• Under federal law, crimes in nursing homes must be reported.
• One clarifies drones that are commercial and working within the FAA regulations are not included in the
• This bill does not change how the industry operates, does not add new regulations, and does not impose

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee considered a long agenda of criminal justice, public safety, and related bills. Early measures included HB 1171, tolling the statute of limitations for failure to make mandatory child abuse reports, and HB 1403, expanding school safety provisions by allowing child care facilities in the guardian program and clarifying perimeter and door-security rules; both passed unanimously, with HB 1403 adopted as amended. The committee also approved HB 1099, giving law enforcement discretion in arrests involving elderly or medically vulnerable individuals in facilities; HB 1121, strengthening restrictions on misuse of unmanned aircraft systems; HB 1525, creating penalties for impersonating rideshare drivers and clarifying transportation-disadvantaged access; and PCS for HB 687, increasing penalties for repeat DUI/vehicular homicide offenses known as “Trenton’s Law.” Members then advanced HB 847 to create an FDLE grant program for expedited DNA testing, PCS for HB 757 to prohibit altered sexual depictions of identifiable persons and create a civil remedy, and HB 1415 to repeal an obsolete Broward County narcotics enforcement unit. The committee also heard and approved HB 1207, the Tristan Murphy Act, which expands mental health diversion grants, creates a model diversion process, and establishes a behavioral healthcare data repository; testimony from the bill’s namesake’s mother and law enforcement emphasized the need for treatment over incarceration. HB 1351 updated sexual offender/predator registration rules, and HB 1479 created a public records exemption for domestic violence lethality assessment forms; both passed without opposition. Later, the committee approved PCS for HB 1283, making sex trafficking of children under 12 or mentally incapacitated persons a capital felony, despite constitutional concerns raised in debate; the bill passed 13-2. PCS for HB 781, addressing cyber intimidation by publication (doxing), also passed unanimously after supporters described it as a needed tool against online harassment. Finally, CSHB 139 authorized pawnbrokers to use digital transaction forms, and PCS for HB 107 created and enhanced penalties for fraudulent use of gift cards. Most bills were reported favorably, many unanimously, and several were amended before passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allowing... states to regulate their methadone treatment without undue federal restriction could lead
• care must be strengthened by levying civil penalties for parity violations and incentivizing state regulators
• We don't want to have bureaucracy getting in the way or... you know, regulations in that specific way
• in and of itself is a challenge and so, you know, it requires the team. based effort between the nurses
• But more of those physicians and physician's assistants, nurse practitioners to treat more elderly with

Committee: Senate Aging (Special) Committee

Keywords: opioid crisis, overdose, naloxone, drug trafficking, law enforcement, treatment, prevention, older adults, Medicaid expansion

Summary: The meeting convened to address the dire opioid crisis affecting communities nationwide, with a particular focus on the alarming rise of opioid use disorder among older adults. Key testimonies highlighted the critical need for a comprehensive approach that encompasses prevention, treatment, and strict law enforcement actions against drug traffickers. Sheriff Dennis Lima from Seminole County outlined successful strategies implemented in Florida, including increased access to naloxone and legislative changes to hold drug dealers accountable for overdoses. Various members expressed a united front on tackling this multifaceted issue, advocating for the expansion of Medicaid and better access to treatment as essential steps to curbing the epidemic.

Transcript Highlights:

• , nurse practitioners, or physician assistants, and aligns with the local public health medical consultant
• </c> federal regulations. federal regulations. uh<01:14:34.719><c> it</c><01:14:34.960><c> it's</c><01
• to their third year in college and going this is not really what I want to do and they end up in nursing
• to their third year in college and going this is not really what I want to do and they end up in nursing
• which has happened to many of in nursing which has happened to many of these<01:35:32.480><c> people

Bills: HF4438 , HF4467 , HF4379 , SF3402 , HF4349 , HF4064 , HF84 , HF85 , HF3804

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, WIC, community health, licensing, speech-language pathology, audiology, contract term limits, healthcare services, provider enrollment, disenrollment, premium payments, medical assistance, substance use disorders, mental health, children's mental health, early childhood, early intervention, consultation grants, Head Start, child care

Transcript Highlights:

• We need regulation and thoughtful regulation.
• We need to regulate.
• I mean, I'm an anti-regulation type person.
• Hanna with the California Nurses Association.
• Hanna with the California Nurses Association.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 56, which would require social media platforms to display a warning label about potential mental health harms from prolonged use, with amendments shortening the initial warning and allowing immediate access to the platform. The author and supporters, including a parent who lost a daughter to suicide and a therapist, argued that social media contributes to teen anxiety, self-harm, and other harms and that families need clearer public health information. Opponents from tech and civil liberties groups argued the bill would be ineffective, burdensome, and likely unconstitutional, saying it would create warning fatigue and should be replaced by more targeted tools and digital literacy measures. Several members discussed emergency access concerns, language access, and whether the warning should be more actionable; the bill was moved on a 9-0 vote to the Judiciary Committee. The committee then took up AB 358, which would amend CalECPA to allow law enforcement, with the victim’s consent, to inspect certain abandoned tracking or surveillance devices found in a victim’s home, vehicle, or personal property without first obtaining a warrant. The author and a San Diego prosecutor said the bill is narrowly tailored to devices used solely for spying and is intended to help stalking and domestic violence survivors act quickly before evidence is lost. Opponents from EFF and the ACLU warned the bill would weaken warrant protections, create a loophole around CalECPA, and reduce transparency and accountability. Members debated Fourth Amendment issues, abandonment, and the practical need for rapid access; the bill passed the committee on a 9-0 vote to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1137, which builds on last year’s CSAM reporting law by allowing any user to report child sexual abuse material, requiring clearer reporting mechanisms, adding human review in some cases, and mandating third-party audits and public reporting. Supporters, including survivor advocates and a parent of a child victim, said the bill would reduce the burden on survivors and improve removal of abusive content. Tech industry opponents said they support the goal but objected to the human-review mandate, public audit disclosures, and enforcement provisions, arguing they could create security risks and compliance burdens. Members generally supported the bill’s intent but raised questions about audit frequency and human review; the bill was moved on call with seven votes at the time of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill extends the skilled nursing facility quality assurance fee for one year until December 31,
• the state to draw down additional federal funds to support reimbursement rate increases to skilled nursing
• bill, which would destabilize access for seniors and persons with disabilities to our state skilled nursing
• Senate Bill 97 by Senator Grayson, an act relating to financial regulation, and declaring the urgency
• Help keep people on Medi-Cal and CalFresh with new regulations.

Summary: The Senate session opened with a roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long series of floor recognitions and votes. Members spent substantial time honoring the Los Angeles Dodgers, celebrating their back-to-back World Series championship and highlighting the team’s history, community role, and connections to Jackie Robinson, Fernando Valenzuela, Vin Scully, and Jaime Jarrín. Senators also recognized summer interns and welcomed members of Kappa Alpha Psi’s Kappa League and Guide Right program to the floor. The chamber then took up several measures, beginning with AB 182 on ballot order and proposition numbering for the 2026 statewide ballot, which passed 38-8 after debate over whether placing legislatively referred measures first was fair. SR 113, commemorating the International Day of Peace and honoring Dr. Yongshik Cho’s role in proposing it, passed unanimously after supportive remarks about peace, education, and California’s diversity. The Senate also adopted SJR 16 urging Congress to restore commercial driver’s licenses for affected California truck drivers, and SCR 185 designating Probation Services Week. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to budget trailer bills. The Senate concurred in Assembly amendments to AB 112, AB 150, AB 152, AB 181, and AB 179, covering Medi-Cal, child care, human services, education governance, and housing. It also passed or concurred in SB 168, SB 169, SB 170, SB 171, SB 172, SB 174, SB 177, and SB 180, addressing public resources and energy, transportation, executive branch reorganization, labor, state government, courts, Medi-Cal financing, and taxation. Several of these drew opposition centered on energy costs, transparency, business impacts, or the proposed “fair share” approach to Medi-Cal costs for large corporations, but most measures passed on party-line or near-party-line votes. The Senate also confirmed three California Horse Racing Board appointments and ended with adjournment motions, including a request to adjourn in memory of Francis Lydia Limos of American Canyon.

Transcript Highlights:

• and also the Specialized Products Division over the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, which regulates
• You know, regardless of the jurisdiction where we've got to regulate at least a partial legal market,
• But I just don't see that as a terribly viable way of regulating kratom at this time, because there's
• They are 24/7 community centers, staffed by therapists, nursing staff, and peer counselors.
• They are 24/7 community centers, staffed by therapists, nursing staff, and peer counselors, and they

Committee: Joint Health and Human Services Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee, I'd just like to welcome the Boise State nursing students who are here in our front row.
• provisions relating to the termination of admission agreements into Section 217, and requirements for nursing
• And so this is our best attempt at reducing the quantity of regulation as directed by the legislature

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Marshall Stevenson, Vice President of Nursing and Ricardo Medrano, ECMO specialist, and in the
• to the location and operation of certain concrete batch plans for the committee on environmental regulation
• the state and the preparedness of the state to address those issues. committee on environmental regulations
• polyfluoracryl substances creating a criminal offense, refer to the committee. on environmental regulation
• Further, the Committee on Public Education, HB 1685 by Oliverson, relating to the licensing regulation

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of virtual currency kiosk the regulation of virtual currency kiosk business. business. business.
• This will not remove any of the local government regulations, just simply defines it.
• regulations, just simply defines<00:18:54.880><c> it.
• This will not remove any of the local government regulations, just simply defines it.
• :22:02.840><c> farmers,</c> nurses, doctors, mechanics, farmers, nurses, doctors, mechanics, farmers,

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened, opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 96 members present, excused absent members, and approved the journal from March 4, 2026. The chamber also received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 50 and 191 and requested concurrence. Several bills were reported for second reading and committee action, including measures on schools, barbering, virtual currency kiosks, eminent domain, DUI, fire protection, school district reporting, teacher certification, legal representation, cost and fee reporting, dentistry, credit insurance, harmful practices, elections, child welfare, health data, Medicaid directed payments, workplace violence in health care, utilities, solid waste, carbon sequestration, and coal/energy affordability. House Bill 534 was sent to the Rules Committee after receiving prior readings, and House Bill 600 was brought up for third reading and passage. House Bill 600, relating to the collection of delinquent tax bills, was explained as allowing counties to use a consolidated procedure to collect multiple delinquent tax cases more efficiently, requiring county attorney contracts with the Department of Revenue to include that option, and extending to counties some property-tax collection tools already used by cities for delinquent and dilapidated properties. A member from Jefferson raised concerns that the bill could allow foreclosure on occupied properties and warned about potential harm to elderly or low-income homeowners; the sponsor responded that the bill was not intended to remove anyone from their property. The House passed HB 600 by a vote of 82-11, and a clincher was applied. House Bill 662, concerning regulation of low-voltage battery-charged security fences by local governments, was described as a business-friendly measure supported by the Chamber of Commerce and affected industries, intended to define the fences and reduce regulatory uncertainty in commercial and industrial zones without removing local regulation. It passed unanimously, 96-0, and a clincher was applied. House Bill 364, relating to benefits for Kentucky National Guard members, was amended by House Floor Amendment 1 to define Commonwealth emergency pay and hazardous duty for Guard members on state active duty during emergencies. Supporters emphasized compensation for Guard members responding to disasters and emergencies, and members cited recent flood and crash responses as examples of their service. The bill passed 96-0, and a clincher was applied. House Bill 534, an elections bill, was taken up with House Committee Substitute 2 adopted. The sponsor said the bill was the product of work by the Secretary of State, the Board of Elections, county clerks, KREF, and others, and was intended to strengthen election laws. Debate focused on a provision that would remove from voter rolls individuals convicted of felonies even while appeals are pending; one member argued this would disenfranchise people before appeals are resolved and sought to offer an amendment, but a motion to suspend the rules for that amendment failed with only 18 votes in favor. Another member said the substitute was the best version of the bill and indicated he would offer amendments, including changes to the felony-appeal language and campaign finance timing, while also seeking to remove a section requiring federal cooperation. The transcript cuts off during that discussion, before final action on HB 534 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, children who develop self-regulation and motivation are more likely to succeed academically
• For example, children who develop self-regulation and motivation are more likely to succeed academically
• </c><00:09:00.480><c> and</c> children who develop self-regulation and children who develop self-regulation
• assistants, to nurses, to doctors, no matter where they are working 24-hour shift work, to be on call
• assistants, to nurses, to doctors, no matter where they are working 24-hour shift work, to be on call

Bills: HF2582 , HF2266 , HF2518 , HF2039 , HF1941

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: child care, grants, appropriation, workforce development, families, YWCA Minneapolis, job training, child development, economic assistance, WomenVenture, economic development, entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs, business training, financial support, youth programs, funding, employment, Minnesota, American Indian

Transcript Highlights:

• We should act on HF 296 to create a regulated, supervised access pilot program to treat severe mental
• This bill creates a small, highly regulated program with a maximum of 1,000 patients and a maximum of
• In both Oregon and Colorado, regulated psilocybin programs already exist.
• Licensure and both Oregon and Colorado were regulated. Psilocybin programs already exist.
• That's exactly why a regulated framework matters.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, we often talk about legacy, whether through legislation or regulation, but there is a greater
• Speaker, BOI discovered a timing issue since the federal regulations require applications to be filed
• House Bill 711 relates to local regulation of solar facilities, special exceptions.
• jails be placed on home electronic incarceration when possible. ...that pregnant, postpartum, and nursing
• House Bill 1165 would require the Board of Education to amend its regulations relating to the qualifications

Keywords: April 22, 2026 - Reconvened Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the risks of these toxins, this amendment would provide a local option to allow municipalities to regulate
• The statute says to that regulated entity that there is a heightened sense of having to be regulated,
• And all you have to do is walk out of the chamber here, just behind this wall, look out over Nurses Hall
• , and above Nurses Hall you'll see your murals.
• However, it would give EEA the authority to regulate non-essential outdoor watering.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Lifesavers is one of the companies that is under the KCPE and dual regulation of KBEEMS.
• </c> regulation of KBEEMS. regulation of KBEEMS.
• We're not dealing with 100 to 200 students, as far as nursing, that type of thing.
• We're not dealing with 100 to 200 students, as far as nursing, that type of thing.
• So yes, that that's currently in current regulation under the Board of EMS.

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Keywords: 958, all