Transcript Highlights:

• , and I've spent the last 15 years working at the intersection of energy technology, policy, and finance
• So, thinking it is open to other new technologies as well, but thinking about nuclear, it's what...
• Under current statute, the working papers and electronic communications—for example, emails and team
• An exception for these working papers and electronic communications, like draft notes, currently does
• Commission under the current SOAH working papers and electronic communications exemption from public

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And speaking of which, I understand it goes without saying that no technology holds...
• Those are communities we shouldn't be talking down to.
• Those are communities we shouldn't be talking past.
• And thank you for applauding them: the community groups and the business owners.
• More to turbocharge the efforts to rebuild these communities.

Summary: The joint convention convened to receive Governor Gavin Newsom’s final State of the State address, with legislative leaders introducing the Governor and welcoming constitutional officers, judges, and other guests. The proceedings opened with a moment of silence honoring Renee Nicole Good and other immigrants affected by detention and due process concerns. After introductory remarks from the Speaker, Senate President pro Tem Monique Limón, and Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Governor Newsom delivered a wide-ranging address reflecting on his administration and California’s response to recent crises. The Governor highlighted California’s economic performance, tax structure, minimum wage increases, education funding, child care and school meal investments, housing reforms, apprenticeships, infrastructure projects, clean energy progress, and efforts on homelessness, mental health, and public safety. He also discussed state action on artificial intelligence regulation, climate resilience, insurance reform, and wildfire recovery, while sharply criticizing the federal government and President Trump on immigration, health care, food aid, disaster response, and other issues. He announced that his upcoming budget would include major education spending, a five-year extension of the CalCompete tax credit, additional community school funding, a rebuilding fund for fire survivors, and other policy proposals. At the close of the address, the Legislature formally ordered the Governor’s State of the State speech printed in the journal as a special appendix. The joint convention then adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> technology if you guys have questions. technology if you guys have questions.
• </c> programs to our communities. Ask them. programs to our communities. Ask them.
• </c> the CC's the community? the CC's the community?
• </c> community colleges. community colleges.
• </c> community colleges. The million dollars. community colleges. The million dollars.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's some different things they can do as far as community volunteer service, civic engagement
• of the fundamental principles of our republican form of government, and above all, serving their communities
• to the Workforce Development Council’s enabling legislation to coordinate and promote science, technology
• , community-based organizations to promote STEM activities through in-school and out-of-school learning
• . know that that funding was going to support STEM in their local communities.

Summary: The committee first approved the March 4, 2026 minutes without objection. It then heard House Bill 712, which would create a civics seal or endorsement on high school diplomas for students who meet specified academic and civics requirements, including coursework in U.S. history and government, a civics test score, and a civics project or related activities. The sponsors described it as a voluntary recognition to encourage civic knowledge and engagement, and testimony from the Idaho Family Policy Center and Dr. Samuel Lair supported the bill as a way to promote citizenship and public service. Committee members asked about how the coursework requirement is defined and whether the seal could be earned alongside other diploma endorsements; the Department of Education clarified that the required coursework is two credits each in U.S. history and American government. The committee voted to send HB 712 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 761, which would consolidate the Idaho STEM Action Center into the Workforce Development Council. Senator Lent and Workforce Development Council/STEM Action Center Director Wendy Seacrest explained that the merger is intended to streamline operations, reduce administrative overlap, and better connect STEM education with workforce development. Seacrest said the combined structure would continue most STEM programs, including teacher professional development, community partnerships, and career awareness efforts, while tying them more closely to careers and workforce needs. She also said the consolidation would save more than $300,000 annually and eliminate two staff positions, and that private donations and foundation support would still be available, including direct support to local districts or organizations and a 50% match requirement for new programs. With no public testimony against the bill, the committee voted to send HB 761 to the floor with a due pass recommendation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are community issues; they are New Mexico issues that we have chosen, and we've built our research
• Yeah, that's the only point I wanted to make: there's some technology where they're already claiming
• So it seems to me it's the technology we ought to be looking into. Thank you very much. Thank you.
• Mesa Lands does not have a large number, but is there in terms of community colleges, as well as others
• But I specifically want to call out Cori Bergen, who is the Santa Fe Community College CIO, and she is

Transcript Highlights:

• Strong agricultural products also benefit our rural communities.
• Commercial technology exists today to extract the components of wood and synthesize hydrocarbons for
• Pioneer Technology Companies are looking for a partnership with the state of Minnesota as they scale
• We've already seen the communities.
• So naturally I support this communities.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and our exceptional items address the ongoing growth in our workload, including both staffing and technology
• Finally, regarding technology, our requests aim to create or modernize systems that will improve transparency
• On the technology side, some of your exceptional items, um. You see, Number one was staffing.
• We did receive some funding for technology last session, especially to develop a low code development
• It, it happens in other communities where an acquiring company jacks up rates on people and you know

Transcript Highlights:

• or other tribal communities?
• Santa Clara, their Kha'p'o tribal community school, is making major... ...their Kha'p'o Tribal Community
• community... ...communities make sense, but for us sometimes being from a different community, that's
• Within tribal communities, using the Indian Education Fund, we know that a Within tribal communities,
• Some tribes are not comfortable using technology, and I don’t know that it ever will make it to technology

Summary: The committee began with a presentation on the 520 Native American Language and Culture certificate, created to let proficient tribal language and culture speakers teach in K-12 schools without a bachelor’s degree. LESC staff, PED, and HED described the certificate’s statutory basis, the role of tribes and pueblos in setting proficiency standards, and ongoing challenges such as uneven MOAs, limited professional development, rural access barriers, data gaps, and retention concerns. PED said oversight of 520 is moving from the licensure bureau to the Indian Education Division, and HED reported that the tribal education technical assistance centers authorized in 2023 are still in procurement but are expected to be awarded in early 2026. A student, Alonzo Hughes, testified about how learning Tewa from 520-certified teachers helped him understand his culture and speak with elders, and members praised the program’s role in language revitalization and asked about funding, teacher pathways, and whether similar models exist in other states. Committee members then discussed several PED rule updates. Staff reviewed an adopted rule implementing HB 54 on AEDs and cardiac emergency response plans, including staff training requirements and staggered compliance dates, and a proposed rule for school nurse licensure under HB 195 that would create a three-tier system and align nurse pay with teacher pay. They also reviewed proposed changes to the Community Schools Act rule, including a full-time community school coordinator requirement, updated grant language, and broader coalition membership criteria; PED said the broader language would not conflict with the Martinez-Yazzie work. A proposed bilingual teacher rule would standardize coursework requirements, add trans-languaging and culturally relevant curriculum competencies, and allow Native American language certification applicants to demonstrate proficiency using tribal standards. In questions, members raised concerns about AEDs being present at athletic events, the need for the amended school nurse bill to move experienced nurses directly into higher levels, and whether the community schools rule’s broader coalition language could affect current education litigation. Members also asked about funding for 520 programs, teacher residency or cohort models, and how to support advanced language instruction and sustainability. PED said the Indian Education Fund and school budgets can support some of the work, but additional strategic funding and cross-training are needed. The committee also heard that New Mexico’s 520 system is unusually robust compared with other states, and members encouraged staff to present the model at national conferences. The meeting ended with the director’s report, which noted a flat budget request of $2,024,300, staff turnover including Natasha Davalos’s departure, and appreciation for the committee’s work before adjournment for the holidays.

Transcript Highlights:

• and profiling local communities that were in and around some of the venues. ...local communities that
• our local communities.
• our local communities.
• , and 11,932 in large... ...in rural communities and 11,932 in low-wealth communities.
• Yes, so there have been reviews conducted by the Department of Technology about the current technology

Summary: The subcommittee heard an informational update from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development on the state’s Jobs First economic development strategy and related budget requests. Go-Biz described its regional planning process, priority sectors such as ag-tech, space defense, life sciences, and semiconductors, and requests including an extension of the CalCompetes tax credit, support for export promotion, additional film commission staff, innovation and emerging technology capacity, and a California brand campaign. Members questioned the campaign’s purpose, with some supporting efforts to counter misinformation about California and others warning it should not obscure regulatory and business-climate concerns. Go-Biz said the campaign would be nationally focused, could include business attraction efforts, and was intended to complement—not replace—policy work on permitting and workforce development. The item was informational only. The committee then heard from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate on the California RISE program, the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, and the Technical Assistance Program/Capital Infusion Program. CalOSBA reported that California RISE’s first round awarded $16.9 million to 61 employment social enterprises, which collectively increased revenue, secured contracts, and employed thousands of people facing barriers to work; a second round is being launched with a new administrator and expanded services. For the performing arts payroll fund, the office said all 100 awardees had been paid, but demand far exceeded available funding, and the program was oversubscribed within days. California for the Arts testified that the sector remains fragile after COVID and urged statutory changes to simplify eligibility and stretch dollars further. SBDC representatives described TAP/SIP as a statewide network supporting small businesses, capital access, and disaster recovery, emphasizing their role in underserved communities and the leverage of federal matching funds. Committee members focused on whether these programs produce durable outcomes and reach smaller or disadvantaged businesses. Questions centered on long-term job retention in California RISE, outreach to ethnic and community media in the civic media program, and whether TAP/SIP are accessible to entrepreneurs with limited capital or capacity. CalOSBA and its partners said they rely heavily on local community organizations for outreach, provide one-on-one counseling and training, and are working to collect more longitudinal data. The committee also discussed the film and television tax credit program, for which Go-Biz requested funding for three permanent positions and ongoing program support. Film Commission staff said the expanded program is tracking demographic and career-pathway data, with most productions opting into new diversity provisions, and that a formal report to the Legislature is expected in 2027. The item concluded without a vote, as the hearing was for oversight and budget discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a San Juan Community College.
• Technology and information and consulting to make sure people qualify.
• It's going to vary by community.
• Chairman, in northwest New Mexico, devastating multiple communities, especially communities that rely
• But the need that the farming communities have to provide the food supply is critical.

Transcript Highlights:

• GAMING EXPERTS AND TECHNOLOGICAL EXPERTS DON'T REALLY FULLY UNDERSTAND HOW THEY WORK BUT THEY DO KNOW
• THE PROGRAMMERS ARE NOT USING LAWFUL GAMING TECHNOLOGY.
• THE STATUTORY SCHEME ITSELF IS NOT STRINGENT ENOUGH TO REPEL THIS CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
• COMMUNITIES TRIED TO SHUT THEM DOWN. THEY PAY THE FINES AND CASH. $20,000 IN CASH.
• THIS SERIES OF COMMUNICATIONS WE SENT YESTERDAY WERE TO OVERSEES LEGAL CASINO OPERATORS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk of the House is here to communicate with our Senate. >> Madam Clerk. >> Mr.
• This board oversees critical communications infrastructure in our Commonwealth.
• infrastructure in our communications infrastructure in our Commonwealth.
• So, next thing we have is motions, petitions, resolutions, communications, and announcements.
• </c> communications, and announcements. communications, and announcements.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fentanyl continues to devastate communities across our state and nation.
• And so back then, the original fee supported a system that worked for the technology of the time.
• Spring chicken from the Mayhew District talking about technology.
• Spring chicken from the Mayhew District talking about technology.
• As you've heard me say, this is very important to a lot of communities.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the previous day’s journal by a 126-0 roll call, and then heard several points of personal privilege, including recognition of National Fentanyl Awareness Day and a moment of silence for journalist Ray Hartman. Members also introduced numerous student groups, interns, and other guests in the gallery. The chamber then took up conference committee action on House Bills 2637 and 3155, a large public safety/criminal justice package. Debate focused on juvenile justice changes, including narrowing prosecutorial authority to seek juvenile certification, provisions for juvenile detention facilities, assisted outpatient mental health treatment, cyberstalking, drone restrictions, and related sentencing and sex-offender registry provisions. The House adopted the conference committee report 124-13, passed the bill 119-18, and then adopted an emergency clause for the drone-related sections by 125-15. Members also passed Senate Bill 834, a consumer protection and mortgage-related bill covering mortgage modifications and sale-leaseback disclosures, by 139-1, and Senate Bill 937, a land transfer measure authorizing the governor to dispose of certain state properties, by 137-2-1. Senate Bill 938, which raises recording fees to support the Missouri land survey program and recorder of deeds offices, passed 121-21-2. Senate Bill 973, dealing with wholesaler disclosures and adding land bank provisions while removing a school property right-of-first-refusal section, passed 110-36. The House then moved to announcements, noted upcoming committee meetings and Kentucky Derby Hat Day, and adjourned until April 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• But as we look at other communities, south central Louisiana, St.
• So I think the technology is probably unlimited. So this is the first step.
• Technology has finally gotten to the point where we can do this.
• Technology has finally gotten to the point where we can do this.
• So we are, technology has finally gotten to the point where we can do this.

Summary: The committee met on March 30 and first took up House Resolution 1, which approves the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s annual State Integrated Coastal Protection Plan for fiscal years 2026-2027. CPRA leaders described the plan as a roughly $1.54 billion coastal investment, with most funds directed to construction and project implementation. They outlined funding sources including GOMESA, BP settlement dollars, state surplus, and new coastal sediment revenues, and reviewed major work across the coast such as marsh creation, barrier island restoration, levees, pump stations, shoreline protection, and nonstructural flood mitigation. Members asked about specific regional concerns, including the Sabine River area, the Chafalaya Basin, Bayou Sorrel, and tidal flooding in inland parishes. The committee heard public support cards and then reported H.R. 1 favorably without objection. The committee then considered House Bill 838, as substituted, dealing with vehicle inspection stickers and related inspection requirements. The bill would repeal inspection requirements for assembled vehicles, adjust inspection rules for commercial and student transportation vehicles, allow out-of-state inspections in some cases, and move toward a QR-code-based system tied to the vehicle identification number. OMV officials said the QR code would contain only the VIN and would be used by law enforcement through existing or upgraded ticketing systems, with the change taking effect January 1, 2027. Members asked about privacy, local law enforcement compatibility, unsafe vehicles, and the annual fee structure. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably via substitute. Next, the committee heard House Bill 888, also with amendments, on temporary dealer plates and temporary registration plates. Supporters said the bill cleans up last session’s temporary tag law, increases security features for print-on-demand plates, clarifies placement rules for dealer tags, extends certain temporary tag periods from five to ten days, and delays fee changes until the electronic issuance system is implemented. A question was raised about whether the new plates would be readable by license plate recognition cameras, and the sponsor said that would be checked with State Police. The committee adopted the amendment set and reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee also advanced House Bill 885, which authorizes electronic titles, electronic lien recordation, and electronic signatures for motor vehicle transactions. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the bill is intended to modernize vehicle sales, reduce duplicate paper signatures, and make the process more secure and efficient, while preserving anti-fraud protections and allowing the OMV to set rules. Members asked whether the process would be mandatory, how fraud would be handled, and how identity would be verified; the sponsor said the system would become mandatory for participating commercial entities once implemented, with security standards and good-faith protections. The committee reported the bill favorably via substitute. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 723, as amended, allowing certain two- and three-wheeled motorcycles and mopeds to proceed through a red light when sensors fail to detect them. The sponsor framed it as a safety measure to avoid riders being stranded at malfunctioning signals and to reduce rear-end collision risk. The committee also took up House Bill 882 on outdoor advertising, which would increase spacing between billboards on state highways from 150 feet to 1,000 feet, with an amendment preserving certain nonconforming signs rebuilt after acts of God. Supporters said the change would reduce billboard clutter and improve aesthetics, while opponents argued it would hurt smaller billboard owners, shift power to larger companies, and override local control. The committee adopted the amendments and continued debate on the bill, with testimony focused on its economic and local-government impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are not optional services for our community.
• There is no evidence that this exemption will bring new physicians into underserved communities.
• The only or the closest source of care for families and seniors in their communities.
• Our small three-person clinic is deeply embedded in our community.
• Jessica Roundtree, representing Community Autism Services, in strong support.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on workforce access, consumer protection, behavioral health parity, and public health safety. AB 1591 by Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez would create a podiatric medicine pipeline program to address shortages of podiatrists, especially in rural and underserved counties; it drew strong support from podiatrists and medical groups and no opposition. AB 2011 by Assembly Member Hart would codify federal mental health and substance use disorder parity standards into state law; supporters argued it would preserve access if federal enforcement weakens, while health plans and insurers opposed it as premature and potentially confusing. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Appropriations and remained on call after a roll vote with several ayes and some noes. The committee also considered AB 2311 by Assembly Member Chiavo, which would allow public health care district hospitals to directly employ physicians. Supporters said the change would help district hospitals recruit and retain doctors and stabilize care in underserved communities, while CMA and emergency physicians warned it could weaken the corporate practice of medicine protections and physician autonomy. Members raised concerns about guardrails, but the author said the bill would continue to be refined; it passed on a due pass motion to the Business and Professions Committee. AB 2030 by Assembly Member Lowenthal would prohibit sales of over-the-counter diet pills and weight-loss or muscle-building supplements to minors, with supporters citing eating disorder risks and opponents objecting to scope, age-verification, and retail requirements. The bill passed on a due pass motion to the Judiciary Committee. AB 1864 by Assembly Member Berman would require screening of gene synthesis orders to prevent misuse for bioterrorism and would authorize enforcement penalties for noncompliance. Supporters from Stanford, Encode, and the medical community said the measure would align California with federal best practices and address growing biosecurity risks, while life sciences representatives raised concerns about operational burdens and supply-chain impacts. Members discussed whether the bill should include an urgency clause and how to keep the standards current; it passed to the Judiciary Committee. AB 2457 by Assembly Member Connolly would standardize and speed up Medi-Cal managed care credentialing for physicians, and it passed to Appropriations with broad support. Finally, AB 2302, presented on behalf of Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez, would require infant formula manufacturers to test for toxic elements such as lead and arsenic and post results publicly; pediatric and disability advocates supported the measure as a transparency and infant safety bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House now advanced to the 14th order of business: presentation of petitions and communications.
• Community colleges gained, restored 2% on their 2027 budget.
• Good body, weather technology has been around since the 1950s.
• House Environment, Energy and Technology Committee will meet Monday, March 16th, 1:30 p.m., East Wing
• House Environment, Energy and Technology Committee will meet Monday, March 16th, 1:30 p.m., East Wing

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with 67 members present, approved the journal, welcomed a substitute member, and received Senate messages and committee reports. Several bills were printed, referred, or advanced, including new House bills on medical advanced healing, state affairs, solid waste, public assistance, and other topics. The House also received and processed multiple committee recommendations, including bills on health and welfare, judiciary, state affairs, and commerce, along with enrollment and transmittal of previously passed bills. On the floor, the House passed a series of measures after debate. These included House Bills 838 and 721 on budget-process and plan-review issues, House Bill 817 on a mobile cigar business permit, House Bill 752 on restroom/changing-room restrictions, House Bill 680 on recording child abuse investigative interviews, House Bill 860 on medical parental rights-related fixes, House Bill 875 on vacancy-based personnel budget calculations, House Bill 876 on the State Board of Education maintenance budget, House Bill 877 on vocational rehabilitation rent, and House Bill 795 responding to litigation concerns over House Bill 710. House Joint Memorial 18, urging Congress to prohibit unauthorized solar geoengineering over Idaho, also passed. Later, the House suspended rules to take up and pass House Bill 826 on the Honey Commission, House Bill 832 on CTE professional qualification rules, House Bill 843 on the homeowners exemption, House Bill 872 on ballot formatting for constitutional amendments and initiatives, and Senate Bills 1242, 1243, and 1283 on potato commission cleanup, soil and water conservation code cleanup, and direct sales from small producers. Senate Bill 1373, a maintenance appropriation for economic development agencies, also passed. Most measures were approved with little or no debate, though several drew discussion over budget process, education funding cuts, election administration, and restroom policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill would allow a method of communication, including electronic means, and to conduct voting at
• I had no idea that community colleges, still some of them, they weren't even attending their meetings
• I had no idea that community colleges, still some of them, they weren't even attending their meetings
• You know, I get a little nervous, and I've got a bill that I had no idea that community colleges were
• You know, I get a little nervous, and I've got a bill that I had no idea that community colleges were

Bills: SB438, SB512, SB647, SB648, SB1495, SB2121, SB2145, SB2154, SB2167, SB2184, SB2211, SB2268, SB2349, SB2443, SB2629, SB2702, SB2902

Keywords: SB 438, Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative law judge, ALJ, public information act, open records, confidentiality, privacy, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, family members, Government Code 552.117, Government Code 552.1175, Tax Code 25.025, public records, government transparency

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first voted out several pending bills. Senate Bill 1612 was reported favorably to the full Senate with objections sent to the local and contested calendar. The committee then adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported Senate Bills 2717, 1468, 1642, and 1789, with 1642 and 1789 sent to the floor. SB 2717 would create the Texas Energy Efficiency Council and add agencies to it; SB 1468 and SB 1642 were discussed as changes affecting utility and insurance-related structures; and SB 1789 would establish pole standards, with the author saying it would clarify PUC authority and create more practical statewide standards. The committee also heard an ERCOT update from Pablo Vegas, who said Texas load growth remains strong but ERCOT is adjusting its large-load forecast downward using historical delays and realization rates for data centers and other large loads. He said the adjusted forecast is still very high, but more realistic for planning, and members discussed reliability, generation timelines, demand response, and the role of Senate Bill 6 in helping model large data centers as flexible load. The committee then took testimony on a series of bills and left most pending after public comment. SB 2629 would allow condominium and property owners associations to hold meetings and vote electronically; testimony supported it as a way to improve access, though some members expressed concern about overuse of virtual meetings. SB 2702 would let nationally certified professionals test backflow prevention assemblies instead of requiring a separate TCEQ license, and was supported as a workforce and public health measure. SB 2167 would let TDLR pause new massage-establishment license applications when an applicant is subject to a human trafficking emergency order or pending SOAH case. SB 2349 would exempt short-term residential leases and certain leasebacks from floodplain disclosure requirements while allowing the notice to be included in the lease packet. SB 2121 would tighten the data broker registry law from the prior session, and SB 2443 would allow TDLR to use electronic delivery for notices and contested-case documents. Additional bills focused on consumer protection, housing, and regulatory administration. SB 2902 would help victims of coerced debt and identity theft stop collection efforts by requiring proof such as a court order or FTC report; advocates said it would protect survivors while still preventing fraud. SB 512 would bar money transmission license holders from fining users for terms-of-service violations in a way that forfeits account funds, and supporters framed it as a protection against private financial penalties. SB 2145 would allow public improvement districts and tax increment finance districts to meet virtually with at least one member physically present, while SB 2268 would give the PUC flexibility to extend Texas Energy Fund loan deadlines in certain cases. SB 1495 would create an advisory board for electric vehicle supply equipment standards, SB 2154 would extend statewide regulation to delivery network companies, SB 2184 would lower the age for pyrotechnic operator and fireworks display licenses from 21 to 18, SB 438 would expand confidentiality protections for SOAH administrative law judges, SB 2211 would treat digital products and desalinated water as industrial products to support combined energy-water projects, and SB 647 would strengthen title-theft protections by improving notice and clerk authority to reject fraudulent filings. Most of these bills were left pending after testimony, and several drew support from industry, consumer, or advocacy witnesses along with some member concerns about electronic meetings, licensing, and data accuracy.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Kimberly Works, Communications Director for the Senate Republicans.
• Instead, they're talking about — and then quietly introduced, at least to the business community last
• And yes, there was a copy of the draft income tax bill that was released to the business community.
• The business community. It wasn't actually sent to me, at least.
• I think one of the priorities for House Republicans in most of these technology bills is not wanting

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: Senate and House Republican leaders held a joint media availability focused on affordability, budget concerns, and opposition to several Democratic tax proposals. John Braun and Drew Stokesbary said Washingtonians are still struggling with the cost of food, gas, housing, child care, and health care, and argued Democrats are not advancing bills that would ease those pressures. They criticized a draft income tax proposal they said would function as a small business tax, especially because it would disallow loss carryforwards and could discourage investment in housing and other capital-intensive sectors. They also objected to a proposed tire fee and a bill they said would prevent tire sellers from telling customers about the tax. The Republicans said they planned to raise budget and tax concerns in an upcoming meeting with Governor Ferguson, and Stokesbary said he had introduced a budget-savings bill to consolidate University of Washington investment management with the State Investment Board. They also discussed a bill to make it harder to qualify citizen initiatives, calling it anti-democratic, and said they want stronger oversight and legal reforms related to DCYF and state liability in child welfare cases. Braun and Stokesbary said they were open to discussing tort reform and a civil claims process, but emphasized the underlying problem is state failure in protecting children. On health care, they said they were still reviewing a bill to eliminate interest on medical debt and a separate 340B drug-pricing proposal, warning both could have unintended effects on hospitals, patients, and drug innovation. They also said they support the idea of protecting children online and in schools, but want any social media, AI chatbot, or cell phone-related bills written carefully to avoid First Amendment problems and unintended consequences. On public safety, they expressed concern about a bill restricting police retention of automatic license plate reader data, arguing law enforcement needs such tools to solve crimes. No votes were taken, and the event ended with the Republicans reiterating their opposition to tax increases and their focus on affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Kimberly Works, Communications Director for the Senate Republicans.
• Instead, they're talking about, and then quietly introduced at least to the business community last night
• And yes, there was a copy of the draft income tax bill that was released to the business community.
• The business community. It wasn't actually sent to me, at least.
• might think about the most, we also need not catch up technology that nobody has a problem with that

Summary: Republican legislative leaders used the availability to focus on affordability, budget pressures, and opposition to several Democratic tax proposals. They criticized a circulating draft income tax proposal as a de facto small-business tax, arguing it would hurt LLCs, S corporations, housing investment, and the broader economy. They also attacked a proposed tire fee, a possible cigarette tax increase, and other tax ideas as regressive or hidden from consumers, while saying Republicans would not support any tax increases and urging budget cuts and spending restraint instead. The leaders said they planned to raise these concerns in an upcoming meeting with Governor Ferguson, along with questions about his budget and how he reconciles prior opposition to a wealth tax with support for an income tax. They also discussed a bill to make it harder to qualify initiatives for the legislature, calling it anti-democratic, and said the majority was ignoring or undermining voter-driven policy efforts. On child welfare, they criticized DCYF oversight and supported stronger accountability, including a bill to fix the state’s “imminent harm” standard and another proposal to stop the state from collecting certain federal disability and survivor benefits from foster youth. Other topics included tort liability reform, where Republicans said the state’s repeated failures in child welfare and juvenile rehabilitation are the underlying problem, not just the cost of claims, though they were open to limited reforms such as disclosure of litigation financing. They also discussed the 340B drug pricing program, saying it is complicated and could affect hospitals, FQHCs, patients, and pharmaceutical innovation. On public safety and technology, they expressed cautious support for bills regulating kids’ social media and AI use, but stressed First Amendment concerns and the need to avoid private rights of action; they were more skeptical of a bill limiting police retention of automatic license plate reader data, saying law enforcement needs effective tools to solve crimes. No votes were taken, and the event ended with Republicans reiterating that affordability was their top priority.

Transcript Highlights:

• As technology has changed, aspects of hunting have changed quite dramatically.
• This is a simplification of technology that's already been out there, and many people are already using
• It requires best available water conservation technologies and practices.
• So actually what would be able to supply the needs of those communities in that area.
• This is just a really good example of willing participation in our community to expand a real gem.

Bills: HF647, HF2824, HF1249, HF623, HF820

Keywords: water appropriation, aquifer management, potable water, water conservation, environmental policy, fishing regulation, angling, sustainability, biodiversity, game fish, Carley State Park, Minnesota state parks, state lands, park boundary expansion, Wabasha County, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, public lands, land acquisition, park addition