Video & Transcript : 'Washington State Energy Code' :
Page 206 of 500
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House of Representitives Mar 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- State your full name.
- State your full name.
- Jacob was from Washington State, where he owned a famous bagel shop.
- water belonging to the state to be used outside the state.
- water belonging to the state to be used outside the state.
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, received and accepted multiple resignation notices from members representing Districts 37, 39, 60, 69, 97, and 100, and then recognized the election and qualification of the members-elect who filled those vacancies: Doyle Boudreau, Reese Broussard, Chasity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray. Each member-elect was sworn in, and the House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session.
The chamber then handled a large number of procedural actions related to prefiled legislation. By motion and without objection, the House suspended rules to refer prefile bills to committee and introduced a broad slate of House bills and resolutions. Topics included the state budget and appropriations, retirement system changes, carbon capture and sequestration, criminal justice and bail, public safety, education, health care, local government matters, transportation, and several memorial or commemorative resolutions. Several resolutions and bills were noted as lying over, and some prefiled bills were withdrawn from the files.
The House also received a Senate message that SCR 1 had been adopted, and the resolution was taken up without objection. The chamber then recessed for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s address and a presentation honoring Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister with the Distinguished Flying Cross. In his remarks, Governor Jeff Landry highlighted his administration’s priorities, including education, tax reform, workforce development, health and nutrition, insurance reform, transportation infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and criminal justice reform, while urging support for his agenda and several related bills and constitutional amendments.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Born on January 24, 1938, in Aberdeen, Washington, she spent a happy childhood in Washington state, where
- Born on January 24, 1938, in Aberdeen, Washington, she spent a happy childhood in Washington state, where
- Born on January 24, 1938, in Aberdeen, Washington, she spent a happy childhood in Washington state, where
- Born on January 24, 1938, in Aberdeen, Washington, she spent a happy childhood in Washington state, where
- Born on January 24, 1938, in Aberdeen, Washington, she spent a happy childhood in Washington state, where
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Jul 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- in the state.
- SB 86 is essential for ensuring that California is not just a state for clean energy research and innovation
- , but also a state for clean energy manufacturing and quality job creation.
- Washington, D.C.
- sector in the state.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills focused on transit funding, veterans’ tax relief, clean energy incentives, housing development costs, and tax conformity. SB 63 would authorize a Bay Area regional sales tax measure for transit agencies facing fiscal shortfalls; supporters said it was needed to avoid major service cuts, while the California Taxpayers Association opposed it on Proposition 13/218 concerns. SB 56 would exclude veterans’ disability compensation from income calculations for the disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, and SB 296 would expand property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses; both drew broad veterans’ support. SB 86 would extend and expand the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority sales and use tax exemption program, including fusion energy, and SB 302 would conform state tax law to federal clean energy credit monetization provisions; both were backed by industry, labor, and clean energy advocates. SB 328 would cap Department of Toxic Substances Control fees on contaminated-soil remediation for infill and master-planned housing projects, with housing groups arguing the current fee structure can make projects infeasible. SB 711 would update California’s tax conformity date to January 1, 2025 to reduce complexity and inconsistencies with federal law, and was supported by tax professionals and business groups.
Several bills were held or sent to suspense, while others advanced with amendments. After quorum was established, SB 63 passed the committee 4-2 and SB 86, SB 302, SB 328, and SB 711 were referred to suspense, with SB 86 and SB 302 later approved out of suspense with amendments. SB 56 was held in committee, SB 296 was made a two-year bill, and SB 284 and SB 723 were held. The committee also approved a number of additional suspense-file bills, including SB 293, SB 359, SB 419, SB 587, SB 603, SB 663, SB 710, and SB 785, while SB 591 was approved with amendments and SB 353 was made a two-year bill. The hearing concluded with the committee adjournment after final roll calls and bill actions.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Russell Vought, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Jan 22nd, 2025
Senate Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- We're energy independent.
- One state tried it, Arkansas.
- I do not know a single person in Washington or outside Washington.
- You were not talking about state employees? I have no experience with the state.
- So, biofuels are important to my state of Nebraska. We're an agricultural state.
Committee:
Senate Senate Budget
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Ways & Means Jan 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- statewide to create permanently affordable homeownership in Washington State.
- We serve those, including those 29 tribes in Washington State.
- Connor Haggerty, with Washington State University, here today, signed in other.
- Those are a big deal for salmon recovery in the state of Washington.
- Those are a big deal for salmon recovery in the state of Washington.
Summary:
The Ways and Means Committee held its first meeting of the 2026 session to hear Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental capital budget from OFM. Budget staff said the proposal uses nearly all of the roughly $400 million in available bond capacity, leaving about $5.4 million unused, and includes additional funding from the Common School Construction account, the Climate Commitment Account, and federal funds. OFM described housing as the largest priority, with $237 million total, including $225 million for the Housing Trust Fund for affordable rental housing, homeownership, preservation, and manufactured home community acquisition; it also highlighted urgent state facility needs, climate and clean energy investments, natural resource projects, and education funding for school seismic safety, small district and tribal compact school modernization, lead pipe remediation, and higher education preservation projects.
Committee members asked about the timing of housing production, and OFM said the proposed supplemental projects would not be completed within the biennium. Public testimony in the housing section strongly supported the governor’s housing investments, especially the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and homeownership programs, while several speakers asked for larger appropriations for workforce housing, community land trusts, right-to-counsel, and specific local projects such as Thrive Center Tacoma, Alliance Place, Casa Mia, and Native and immigrant community facilities. One testifier criticized overall state tax policy, but the chair clarified that the capital budget is bonded and does not directly raise taxes.
Testimony on K-12 education generally supported the proposed funding for small school modernization, seismic safety, and Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools lead remediation, with rural districts emphasizing the importance of planning and construction grants for aging facilities. Higher education witnesses supported preservation and deferred maintenance funding but asked for additional support for projects at Cascadia College, WSU Spokane, UW’s decarbonization work, and other campus infrastructure needs. Natural resources testimony backed Salmon Recovery Funding Board and community forest investments, while asking for more funding for ranked RCO projects. In the final section, local governments and utilities opposed a proposed $75 million transfer from the Public Works Assistance account to the operating budget, warning it would reduce infrastructure lending capacity; other speakers supported the Washington State Green Bank, public works financing, and several local economic development and utility projects. No votes or formal committee action were taken at the meeting.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Dec 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- and certainly is part of Washington State.
- I've also added at the bottom the state, the total Washington state ALE FTE as of November, to give you
- And it sets us up to be successful in any other state audit that might come through Washington State.
- We're held to the same standards as the schools in Washington state.
- They're otherwise going to do a Washington State homeschool diploma.
Summary:
The committee met to hear an overview of Washington’s alternative learning experience (ALE) programs and then an update on artificial intelligence in schools. OSPI’s Anissa Sherritt explained that ALE is a course-level funding designation for instruction that occurs partly or wholly away from the traditional seat-time model, with online, site-based, and remote course types. She emphasized that ALE is still basic education, subject to the same public school requirements, and that OSPI provides technical assistance, annual reporting review, and program reviews. Representatives from several programs described different models: Washington Virtual Academy (a large online ALE operated through Omak School District and partnered with for-profit Stride), Columbia Virtual Academy in Valley School District (a district-run, nonprofit online/remote program), Pearl in Quilcene (a K-8 remote parent partnership program), and River Home Link in Battleground (a site-based hybrid program). They discussed student supports, special education, enrichment, family choice, transportation, and how they measure outcomes. Members asked for follow-up information on funding, demographics, racial and ethnic data, multilingual learners, and post-graduation outcomes, and OSPI agreed to provide additional data where available.
The committee then heard from OSPI and several districts about AI guidance and implementation. OSPI’s Holly Ryan Calloway described the agency’s human-centered AI framework, three guidance documents for schools, statewide professional learning, an AI innovation summit, and new AI literacy and informatics course frameworks and CIP codes. Quincy School District described a multi-year effort to integrate AI by centering student needs, creating district policy and classroom guidance, and training teachers to use AI responsibly while building an AI readiness plan from elementary through high school. Peninsula School District described its AI action research team, teacher professional learning, and classroom uses of generative AI to support science instruction, communication, and prompt engineering, while stressing that AI should enhance rather than replace learning. Members raised questions about privacy, energy and water use, prompt engineering, workforce and university connections, and the need for clear standards and ongoing educator training. No votes were taken.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, September 2, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Washington is recognized. Washington is recognized.
- Speaker, and I thank my friend from Washington State and Chairman Mast for supporting the legislation
- Washington, Mr. Bumgardner, and the Washington, Mr.
- Washington. Washington.
- Whereas such actions constitute a violation of section 111A1 of title 18, United States Code, related
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Ways & Means Jan 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a 3% reduction for the University of Washington and Washington State University, and I believe
- behalf of school leaders across Washington State.
- State Nurses Association and the School Nurse Organization of Washington with Washington State Nurses
- across Washington State.
- I represent the Washington State Association of Counties.
Summary:
The Senate Ways and Means Committee heard an overview from OFM Director Katie Chapman See on Governor Ferguson’s 2026 supplemental budget proposal. She said the budget was built in response to higher caseloads and inflation, a roughly $390 million revenue forecast drop, new federal costs tied to H.R. 1, and a relatively small ending fund balance. The proposal would increase near general fund spending by about $1.1 billion and solve an estimated $2.3 billion two-year gap through about $800 million in reductions, revenue shifts and tax preference changes, use of other funds, and about $1 billion from the budget stabilization account. She also noted the budget is balanced over two years but not fully over four years under the state’s outlook rules.
Chapman See highlighted reductions in Working Connections Child Care, including a soft cap on enrollment and holding subsidy rates at the 75th percentile, delays to long-term care and developmental disability-related changes, and across-the-board reductions to higher education and administrative spending. She also described investments in wildfire suppression and preparedness, affordability programs like utility rebates and home energy assistance, housing-related planning and permitting support, One Washington IT replacement, behavioral health workforce programs, and continued support for some K-12 initiatives such as ninth grade success and homeless student stability. In response to questions, she said some proposed cuts were based on the governor’s subjective judgment about what was critically necessary, that current child care enrollees would not be cut off immediately, and that the budget would maintain services for about 500 highest-acuity Medicaid clients who lost eligibility under federal changes.
Public testimony was largely critical of the proposed cuts in K-12, early learning, and higher education. School officials, educators, nurses, and advocacy groups opposed reductions to Transition to Kindergarten, Local Effort Assistance, Running Start, MSOC, school leadership and support grants, and higher education funding, arguing the cuts would worsen existing funding gaps and harm student outcomes. Several witnesses supported restoring or maintaining funding for ninth grade success, Treehouse’s foster youth graduation program, homeless student stability, and Science on Wheels. In early learning, child care providers and advocates opposed the Working Connections cap and subsidy-rate reduction, warning it would reduce access and destabilize providers. In higher education, campus leaders and labor representatives opposed across-the-board cuts and fund shifts, while some institutions and advocates supported targeted investments such as behavioral health workforce programs and DigiPen aid restoration. In human services, Planned Parenthood advocates praised restored abortion access funding and Medicaid reimbursements. The committee took no votes or final action in the transcript provided.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 5th, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We are absolutely not protected by the current water code.
- These are the people that are not currently considered under the Water Code.
- The state has paid all of the... to come in, and they get money and everything.
- than the state of Rhode Island does, obviously.
- As Judge Whitmire stated, our county is growing.
Committee:
Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Keywords:
agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- You'll state your name and whether you're for or against the bill.
- State your name for the record and who you represent.
- As the homeschool advocacy organization for the state of Texas, we work with state and federal agencies
- State by familiarizing these schools with HB547.
- It’s all over; they allow them in this way in this state and in a little different way in that state,
Bills:
SB2920 , SB2929 , SB2398 , SB865 , SB401 , SB2619 , SB2927 , SB1395 , SB1972 , SB2540 , SB1635 , SB1581 , SB2008
Committee:
Senate Education
Keywords:
steroids, student athletes, athletic competition, University Interscholastic League, medical purpose, gender transition, school athletics, spectator conduct, referees, ejection policy, extracurricular activities, concussion, brain injury, school policy, academic accommodations, student welfare, cardiac arrest, emergency response, CPR training, automated external defibrillators
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- the state to pay anything.
- These bills do not create new state expenditures.
- This bill relates to the view of the state capitol.
- that state oversight would be strictly temporary.
- Pruneda, state your name for the record. You'll have four minutes.
Bills:
SB2920 , SB2929 , SB2398 , SB865 , SB401 , SB2619 , SB2927 , SB1395 , SB1972 , SB2540 , SB1635 , SB1581 , SB2008
Committee:
Senate Education
Keywords:
steroids, student athletes, athletic competition, University Interscholastic League, medical purpose, gender transition, school athletics, spectator conduct, referees, ejection policy, extracurricular activities, concussion, brain injury, school policy, academic accommodations, student welfare, cardiac arrest, emergency response, CPR training, automated external defibrillators
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/27/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:04:39.400><c> many</c> and older and 30 plus States many and older and 30 plus States many members
- pace is currently offered in 33 states pace is currently offered in 33 States<00:10:37.120><c> and</
- </c> life safety code life safety code standards<00:25:39.240><c> so</c><00:25:39.679><c> some</c><00
- </c><00:57:43.039><c> to</c> so as representative Hansen stated to so as representative Hansen stated
- As many of you know, there are already comprehensive state, county, and fire code oversight mechanisms
Committee:
House Human Services Finance and Policy
Keywords:
PACE, elderly, Medicaid, health services, long-term care, community-based services, support person, healthcare, patient rights, assisted living, community support, caregiver respite, financial eligibility, Minnesota Statutes, HF1477, residential program licensing, community residential setting, small group home, licensed capacity six or fewer, rental licensing
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House State Government Committee Mar 19th, 2025
State Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Picture at least going to Okay, it's time to call the state government meeting to order.
- I'd like to welcome everyone to the state government committee meeting.
- Um, HB425 pertains to the wonderful mental health entities that operate around our state.
- As every one of us in our... our state.
- Right now, if you wreck your car in another state, let me back up.
Committee:
House State Government
Keywords:
homelessness, homeless individuals, unsheltered, transient, shelter, encampment, street outreach, relocation, displacement, law enforcement, municipal government, county government, local government, interjurisdictional transport, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalties, public safety, social services, Alabama Code 15-20A-4, environmental regulation
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We would love to have something here in the state of Texas.
- This is an opportunity we don't want to miss in our state.
- That's bigger than 13 states.
- It's active in seven regions in the state at this point.
- It wasn't required for the state contract.
Committee:
House Human Services
Keywords:
commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening, validated screening tool, evidence-informed tool, conservatorship, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, trafficking prevention, Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Republican Leaders Media Availability Feb 10th, 2026 at 09:15 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Next, we'll go to Jerry Cornfield of Washington State Standard. Good morning.
- This isn't about. top of all of the other taxes that we continue to have in the state of Washington.
- Next, we'll go to Jerry Cornfield of Washington State Standard.
- Jerry Cornfield of Washington State Standard. Good morning. Thanks for the question.
- All these things are bad for the state of Washington. We can continue to fight against them.
Summary:
House and Senate Republican leaders held a press event to preview the final weeks of the legislative session and criticize several Democratic proposals. Their main focus was a proposed income tax on high earners, which they said is really an income tax that could later be expanded, and which drew what they described as record opposition in public sign-ins and testimony. They also objected to other fiscal bills they said would raise costs for food, agriculture, health care, energy, labor, and consumer goods, and they argued these measures would worsen affordability and encourage people and businesses to leave Washington.
The caucus also highlighted bills they opposed on policy grounds, including measures affecting local authority over camping bans and housing permitting, an anti-initiative bill they called anti-voter, and a bill on sheriff background checks. They said they supported or were pleased to see movement on some Republican-backed measures, including tax exemptions for diapers, prepared foods, and certain licensing and continuing-education costs, as well as a repeal of last year’s services tax. They also said the Senate’s move to roll back the estate tax was a partial step in the right direction, though not enough to offset the proposed income tax.
A major portion of the event centered on child welfare and the Keeping Families Together Act. Republicans criticized a House bill they said only partially addresses the “imminent harm” standard and does not adequately protect children in drug-affected homes, citing recent fatalities and critical incidents. They said they will keep pushing for changes and also mentioned support for adding fentanyl to the child endangerment statute. In closing, they said they would continue floor fights over the next week, and House Republicans announced they will issue their own media credentials to promote press access in Olympia.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, March 6, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:56:18.440><c> code</c> chapter 8 of Title 5 United States code chapter 8 of Title 5 United States
- , 8 United States Code 1182(f); and section 301 of title 3, United States Code.
- ><c> section</c> United States code 1601 at secc section United States code 1601 at secc section 212f
- States code 1182 f Act of 1952 8 United States code 1182 f in<04:23:12.960><c> section</c><04:23:13.279
- ><04:26:49.840><c> international</c> States code 1621 and the international States code 1621 and the
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Education Dec 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- , and outcomes in CTE education in Washington State.
- They are a professional development organization for all the shop teachers in Washington State.
- Ann Lusman. for all the shop teachers in Washington State.
- I'm a volunteer to oversee... 300-plus shop teachers in the state of Washington.
- The largest maritime employer in Washington State would be the U.S. Navy.
Summary:
The House Education Committee received status updates on career and technical education (CTE), including OSPI’s work under 2024 legislation on allied health pathways and a statewide CTE task force, an update from Core Plus Maritime, and findings from an Education Northwest longitudinal study of Washington CTE access and outcomes. OSPI described development of allied health guidance such as a home care aide to nursing assistant bridge, model curricula, updated course equivalency frameworks, and coordination with health agencies and employers. It also reviewed Core Plus framework work, task force expansion under later legislation, and the timeline for recommendations due in November 2026. Committee members asked about health profession outreach, equitable access for rural districts, data updates, and employer support for local programs; OSPI said it continues to work with agency and industry partners and that local labor-market alignment varies by region.
Core Plus Maritime presenters described expanding maritime career exploration into middle school through low-cost ROV curriculum, student visits to ferries and vessels, Sea Scouts partnerships, and ship-based safety and welding experiences. Industry representatives from the Northwest Marine Trade Association, American Seafoods, and Vigor Marine Group emphasized the maritime sector’s economic importance, aging workforce, and need for hands-on training to build the pipeline for family-wage jobs. A teacher from South Kitsap High School said the program gives students a clear pathway and has helped connect them to careers in shipyards, fishing, and related trades. Vigor also noted support for a student welding competition and equipment donations for a Rainier Beach shop.
Dr. Sam Riggs of Education Northwest presented a longitudinal study using state data from 2013-14 through 2023-24. The study found CTE access has been relatively steady statewide, but offerings vary by school size, locale, and income, with rural and lower-income schools generally offering fewer pathways. Participation is high: nearly all students earn at least some CTE credit, and more students are accumulating multiple credits over time, though fewer go deep within a single pathway. Students who earned more CTE credits, especially within pathways such as agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and construction, were more likely to graduate on time and later had stronger postsecondary certificate attainment and earnings. Riggs recommended addressing local barriers to participation, considering whether the CTE graduation requirement should better encourage depth while preserving flexibility, and aligning offerings more closely with labor-market needs. Committee members asked about COVID-era trends, student motivation, early workforce entry, delivery settings such as skill centers, and how to interpret the comparison groups used in the analysis.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, April 20, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Both sons earned all-state recognition.
- BOTH SONS EARNED ALL STATE RECOGNITION.
- law, including section 232(c)(2) of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as Amended. 19 United States Code
- After considering the Secretary's report, the factors in section 232(d)(19), United States Code 1862(
- As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, he was a leader on such issues as health care, energy
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- 22,000 electrical workers in the state of Washington.
- Thank you. approximately 22,000 electrical workers in the state of Washington.
- State Association for Justice, and John Traynor from the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
- State Labor Council, and Christine Malmo from the Washington State Nurses Association.
- I work for the Washington State Labor Council.
Summary:
The committee held public hearings on several Labor and Workplace Standards bills. HB 2492 would require building and construction apprenticeship programs, beginning in 2027, to include two hours of behavioral health and wellness training covering topics such as suicide prevention, substance use disorder, recognizing distress, peer support, and connecting to resources. The prime sponsor and many labor, apprenticeship, and contractor witnesses supported the bill, describing high suicide and overdose rates in construction and sharing personal stories about losses and struggles in the trades. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing.
The committee then heard HB 2405, a Department of Labor and Industries request bill creating a pilot to allow earlier treatment for PTSD claims in workers’ compensation, including up to 11 treatment sessions before claim adjudication and limited follow-up treatment after closure. L&I and NFIB supported the measure as a way to speed treatment and reduce barriers, while one legal advocate supported it but raised technical concerns about pre-claim treatment and urged more focus on workplace prevention; another witness cautioned against emphasizing psychiatric drug treatment. The bill was heard only; no action was taken.
HB 2406 would expand L&I’s ability to send notices electronically, with opt-in/opt-out provisions and some changes to timing rules for workers’ compensation and WISHA notices. L&I supported the bill as a modernization measure, while labor and workers’ advocates opposed changes affecting workers’ compensation notices, arguing that email should not become the default for vulnerable workers who may miss deadlines. HB 2478 would give L&I discretion, rather than a mandate, to investigate wage complaints and allow penalties when the department initiates an investigation; L&I supported it as a more efficient enforcement tool, and the committee discussed how complaints would still be handled and communicated. Finally, HB 2471 would create a state collective bargaining framework for private-sector workers if federal labor law or the NLRB no longer covers them. Supporters said it would preserve organizing and dispute-resolution rights if federal protections fail, while agricultural employers and NFIB opposed it, arguing it would inappropriately apply to agriculture and small businesses, could disrupt perishable harvests, and should rely on secret-ballot elections rather than card check. No votes were taken on any of the bills in the hearing.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- On this exact resolution, there are 18 other states. Eighteen other states.
- So the Senator's job was to go to Washington, as appointed by the legislature, to protect the state from
- So the Senator's job was to go to Washington, as appointed by the legislature, to protect the state from
- So he... ...about the grid in his State of the State speech? I did.
- We checked in with energy and we said they build gas plants, energy? Yes.
Summary:
The Senate took up and passed Senate Bill 945, which concerns political shareholder proposals by insurers and insurance holding companies. Senator Hughes argued the bill would protect Texas-based insurers from activist shareholder pressure, especially proposals aimed at limiting insurance coverage for oil and gas companies for ESG or political reasons. The motion to suspend the regular order was adopted over objection, and SB 945 passed to engrossment on a 20-10 vote with one present not voting.
The chamber also passed Senate Bill 1117, allowing any Texas-licensed dentist to administer botulinum toxin in oral or maxillofacial regions for aesthetic purposes, and House Joint Resolution 98, renewing Texas’s application for an Article 5 Convention of States to propose amendments on fiscal restraints, federal power limits, and term limits. Both measures advanced after debate and roll-call votes; SB 1117 passed unanimously after suspension of the three-day rule, and H.J.R. 98 was adopted on a 17-14 vote.
Members then approved several other measures, including the committee substitute for House Bill 142 on HHSC’s Office of Inspector General and Medicaid overpayment recovery, Senate Bill 2373 on AI-enabled financial fraud and deepfake/phishing schemes, Senate Bill 2221 on fraudulent UCC financing statements, and Senate Bill 2681 on the basis for third-party voter-registration challenges. The Senate also adopted a resolution authorizing a Texas Life Monument replica at the Capitol complex, and passed S.J.R. 59 creating funds for Texas State Technical College capital needs.
The body debated and passed Senate Bill 946, which would bar credit discrimination against organizations based on social, political, religious, or similar value-based considerations and require credit decisions to rest on creditworthiness. Senators raised concerns that the bill could create a special protected class for non-human entities or conflict with existing state policies, but the bill advanced to engrossment on a 20-11 vote. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 2477 to ease office-to-residential conversions in large cities after adopting an amendment negotiated with municipal stakeholders, and began consideration of Senate Bill 715 on ERCOT reliability requirements for generators, including existing generation, with extensive debate over impacts on renewables, power purchase agreements, and grid reliability.