Transcript Highlights:

• do, among other things, is provide direction from the state that the Veterans Advocate will be the primary
• And I think that... ...be the primary point of contact with the federal government, among other things
• I had the honor and the privilege of attending a constituent of mine, who I am very close with, at a
• The task force is the primary vehicle for sustaining and hopefully increasing federal military investment
• putting safeguards up, right, checking to see the impact that has had, to see where this goes, paying close

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its second public hearing of the 2025–26 session, with opening remarks from Chairs John Velis and Joe McGonagle outlining testimony on 20 House bills and 18 Senate bills. The hearing covered a wide range of veterans issues, including municipal veterans assistance funds, pension equity, expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate, veterans service officer staffing, disability benefits eligibility, service dogs, POW tax relief, courtesy parking spaces, women veterans and motherhood, and workforce-related licensing and employment measures. Chairs emphasized the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, and written testimony process. Several bills drew support focused on expanding services and access. Representative Arena-DeRosa spoke for bills to broaden municipal veterans assistance funds to cover housing and legal expenses and to study enhanced pension equity for veterans, citing burn pit exposure and shorter life expectancy among veterans. Senator Fattman, Representative Peas, and Veterans Advocate Bob Notch supported bills expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate to include active-duty service members and their families, arguing it would improve transition support, coordination with state agencies, and retention of military talent in Massachusetts. Representative Arriaga backed a bill to incentivize municipalities to provide full-time or regional veterans service officers and another to study the impact of combat on women veterans and motherhood. Representative Moulton/another sponsor also sought to exempt veterans’ disability payments from income calculations for other state benefits, and Representative Hong and Senator Scanlan supported a state service dog program, POW income tax relief, and courtesy retail parking spaces for veterans. Testimony also focused on workforce and claims-assistance issues. The Military Officers Association of America and James Keene urged passage of bills waiving duplicative education requirements so qualified veterans and military medics can become licensed practical nurses, arguing it would help address health care shortages and recognize military training. Brave Veterans Inc. called for a Veterans Research Trust Fund to protect data and program evaluation work during budget cuts. On claims assistance, one witness supported criminal penalties for unaccredited agents who charge veterans for VA claims help, while a private consulting firm opposed the bill, arguing it would restrict lawful speech and veterans’ choice and that existing federal and HERO Act safeguards already address abuses. The VFW strongly opposed paid claims consulting, said its accredited service officers provide free help statewide, and urged more public awareness of existing free services. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would be a new body of work for the board, and we would work closely with the Department of Health
• Our primary concern is that this flips the burden on the state.
• imagine what other survivors of sexual abuse and other gender-based violence are going through behind closed
• I'm a senior policy analyst at the Attorney General's Office and have served as the primary staff and
• I have served as the primary staff and facilitator for the sexual assault forensic examination best practices

Summary: The committee heard several public hearings on criminal justice and victim-related bills. SB 6087 would expand existing liability protections for donations of children’s items to include religious organizations and add strollers and car seats to the definition of children’s items; the sponsor said it would make it easier to donate usable baby equipment, and the Washington State Board of Health said it supported the goal but noted rulemaking and funding concerns under the original version. SB 5934 would change the standard for post-conviction DNA testing so courts must grant testing unless the state shows by clear and convincing evidence that the results could not demonstrate a likelihood of innocence; the Innocence Project and a DNA exoneree supported it as a way to reduce years of litigation, while prosecutors and sheriffs/police chiefs opposed it as a burden shift that could increase frivolous motions and strain lab and attorney resources. SB 5520 would revise Washington’s wrongful-conviction compensation law by broadening definitions, extending filing deadlines, removing the waiver requirement, and making other process changes; the sponsor and Innocence Project said it would reduce barriers and better fulfill the state’s promise to exonerees, and a DNA exoneree described years of litigation just to access compensation. The committee also heard SB 6017, which would expand victim-centered and trauma-informed protections. The bill would allow a court to appoint a representative to ask questions of victims when a defendant represents themself, extend forensic exam consent to minors 13 and older in non-fatal strangulation cases, add female genital mutilation survivors to protections similar to the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights, and reauthorize and broaden the Safe Advisory Group’s mandate. Survivors, advocates, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy strongly supported the bill, describing courtroom questioning by self-represented defendants as retraumatizing and urging broader access to services for FGM survivors; defense advocates raised constitutional concerns about limiting a pro se defendant’s right to personally question witnesses and said the bill could be vulnerable to challenge without narrower guardrails. The hearing drew extensive survivor testimony, and the chair noted 108 people signed in support and one opposed. Finally, the committee heard SB 5890, which would create an alternative reckless-driving offense for driving more than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. The sponsor, a former firefighter, framed the bill as an accountability measure aimed at preventing severe crashes caused by extreme speeding. A committee member asked about officer discretion in emergencies, and the sponsor said the bill targets excessive speed while acknowledging that some situations may still be problematic. A preliminary fiscal note had been received.

Transcript Highlights:

• Roadrunner Food Bank and Food Depot work very closely together in serving the state.
• We think we can only find in a primary care doctor.
• We need to make sure that we can have youth close to home where their parents can visit.
• But we do work closely with those domestic violence shelters that do not co-shelter.
• Red Rover typically has to close their own programming for two months out of the year.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• This would be used for $500,000 for state costs for the 2026 primary and general election.
• if it's coming out of some separate fund within the Secretary of State's office, I'd like to keep a close
• if it's coming out of some separate fund within the Secretary of State's office, I'd like to keep a close
• I'd like to keep a close eye on that. The request is not unreasonable.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Budget Committee

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the primary witnesses in opposition must have their opposition registered with the committee.
• We have been working closely with the author's office and sponsors to ensure that the SSI SSP room and
• Senator Wahab, would you like to close? I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.
• If there are no questions, Senator, would you like to close? I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Committee: House Aging and Long-Term Care

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And for many communities, agriculture is their primary economic lifeline and the center for community
• In California alone, it is estimated that over 15,000 family farms have closed in the last 13 years.
• Gary curry would you like to close on your bill.
• Thank you for your closing. We have a motion and a second. Perfect.

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, any closing comments, Chair? Um, it's a great bill, and just thank you so much for hearing it.
• </c><00:06:12.639><c> Uh</c><00:06:12.960><c> any</c><00:06:13.280><c> clo</c><00:06:13.600><c> closing
• Uh any clo closing shy. All right. Uh any clo closing comments,<00:06:14.400><c> chair?
• Representative Olsen, your closing remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the committee.
• So, our primary mission as an of you.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, closing statement?
• Would you like to close?
• Which would like to close?
• To close? Yes.
• Would you like to close?

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with the most detailed discussion focused on AB 316, AB 251, AB 474, AB 1201, AB 464, and AB 614. AB 316 would prevent AI developers or deployers from arguing in civil cases that an AI system’s alleged autonomy absolves them of responsibility. Supporters framed it as a narrow guardrail to protect families, especially children, from harms like dangerous chatbots and deepfakes; opponents, including TechNet and the Chamber of Progress, raised concerns about possible strict-liability implications. The bill was moved out of committee to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 251 would let judges lower the burden of proof in elder abuse cases when a skilled nursing facility or RCFE intentionally destroys evidence. Supporters said the measure is needed because elder abuse victims are often unable to testify and records are vulnerable to spoliation, while opponents argued existing sanctions are sufficient and warned of more litigation. The bill passed, with committee members emphasizing the vulnerability of elder abuse victims. AB 474 sought to expand nonprofit home-sharing programs, including tax incentives for low-income homeowners and changes to housing law and lodger rules. Supporters said it would help older adults and low-income Californians avoid homelessness, but several members and the California Apartment Association raised concerns about removing lodger-law protections for homeowners; the author committed to keep working on the issue. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 1201 would give courts discretion to provide family reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions, rather than applying an automatic bypass. Supporters from Starting Over Inc. described personal experiences with permanent family separation and argued the bill would give parents a fair chance when the conviction is unrelated to child safety. Some members supported the measure but questioned whether domestic violence histories should be treated differently; the author said the bill still allows courts to deny services when reunification would endanger a child. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 464 addressed sexual abuse and retaliation in state prisons by extending reporting time after release, adding 90-day monitoring after reports, barring rehiring of confirmed abusers, and strengthening reporting and anti-retaliation rules. Survivors testified about abuse, retaliation, and failures in CDCR’s response; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 614 would standardize the Government Claims Act filing deadline at one year for all claims. The author and supporters argued the current six-month deadline for injury and wrongful death claims is too short for victims to learn the process, find counsel, and gather evidence, while businesses often get a full year. A civil rights attorney and a family member of a deceased jail detainee testified in support, describing how the current deadline can block meritorious claims. The bill was presented for committee consideration as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're so very close to lottery.
• Couple of closing comments.
• The clerk will close the roll.
• <01:51:27.360><c> with</c> closely with closely with providers<01:51:29.920><c> and</c><01:51:30.159>
• The clerk will close the roll.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> why are people why are programs closing why are people why are programs closing or<00:15:47.000>
• </c> these inhome uh uh daycares closing these inhome uh uh daycares closing government<00:39:43.560>
• </c><00:40:51.839><c> and</c> trying to DBA so as not to close and trying to DBA so as not to close and
• </c><00:58:34.640><c> uh</c> otherwise I I've got a few closing uh otherwise I I've got a few closing
• is primary.

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully rise to close, and I close. Thank you, Representative Guerra.
• Seeing none, the chair calls on Senator Paul to close on his bill.
• I close and thank you all for your consideration. Thank you. I appreciate your help.
• We'll reserve your right to close. Thanks. Thank you. The chair calls Carl Iset.
• Seeing none, the chair recognizes Chairman Capriglione to close on the bill. I close. Thank you.

Bills: HCR141 , SB438 , SB1495 , SB1964 , HB 1225

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: HCR 141, House Concurrent Resolution, NASA, Houston, Space City, Johnson Space Center, Mission Control, Apollo 11, moon landing, aerospace, commercial space, space exploration, Texas Space Commission, space policy, federal resolution, memorial resolution, Congress, Washington D.C., headquarters relocation, space industry

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair recognizes Representative Bliss for closing comments. Mr.
• Any closing comments? No. My bad, opening comments.
• Representative Bress, any closing comments? Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Any closing comments? Seeing none, any further discussion?
• “You have a primary, somebody wins the primary, moves office.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we feel proud of the close partnership we have with the parties in Taos.
• I'm going to close with a funding recommendation.
• And we know the capital outlay portal is open, just to close here.
• But that is the primary economic generator that they're using to... expands here.
• Do you have any closing remarks? Thank you so much.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, public testimony is now closed.
• They closed our investigation before they even interviewed the teacher.
• With no registered public testimony, public testimony will close.
• Public testimony will close on HB 4.
• Hearing none, seeing none, public testimony is now closed.

Bills: HB4 , HB20

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2853, which would allow the UT System Board of Regents to adjust the University of Texas at El Paso student union fee above the current statutory cap, subject to student approval, to help fund a new student union building. Senator Blanco explained the bill and the committee substitute, there were no questions or witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then heard House Bill 610, which would limit severance payments for terminated independent school district superintendents to six months’ salary and benefits. Senator Paxton described large severance payouts and said the bill had passed the House overwhelmingly. There were no witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the bill was left pending. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 4623, which would waive school district immunity in certain cases involving negligent hiring, supervision, or employment of professional school employees who commit abuse or related misconduct against students. Senator Paxton and several witnesses, including survivors and parents, argued the bill was needed to address cover-ups, delayed reporting, and repeated failures to remove dangerous employees; some members raised concerns about liability caps, litigation, and how the bill would interact with the Tort Claims Act. The committee also heard from TEA staff and employee-group witnesses who discussed possible injunctions and stronger no-hire protections. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4, an accountability and assessment bill that would restore A-F ratings, change the state testing system, and replace STAAR with shorter, more instructionally useful assessments. Senator Bettencourt explained the committee substitute, including annual ratings, limits on taxpayer-funded lawsuits, and a phased-in testing redesign with beginning, middle, and end-of-year assessments. Testimony was generally supportive from education and business groups, though some witnesses favored norm-referenced testing while others emphasized criterion-referenced, TEKS-aligned assessments; one witness noted social studies assessments were restored in the bill. The hearing concluded with additional invited testimony and no final vote reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gonzalez to close on the amendment.
• Gonzalez to close on the amendment.
• Bonin to close on the bill. Move passage.
• Reynolds to close.
• Grassroots supporters are watching closely, possibly more closely than most else we've done.

Bills: SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB987 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SCR8 , SB31 , SB33 , SB3 , SB1405 , SB1948 , SB243 , SB20 , SB217 , SB264 , SB269 , SB650 , SB681 , SB528 , SB502 , SB740 , SB916 , SB995 , SB2581 , SB3031 , SB24 , SB2570 , SB1566 , SB552 , SJR1 , SB646 , SB379 , SB1171 , SB1121 , SB1120 , SB1061 , SB1036 , SB1019 , SB890 , SB11 , SB868 , SB1188 , SB1254 , SB2778 , SB2543 , SB2443 , SB1333 , SB1259 , SB1401 , SB1404 , SB2139 , SB2165 , SB2237 , SB2268 , SB1202 , SB1198 , SB1212 , SB1451 , SB1470 , SB1498 , SB965 , SB1547 , SB1667 , SB1818 , SB1902 , SB2129 , SB2078 , SB2069 , SB1737 , SB1589 , SB1318 , SB387 , SB1150 , SB1574 , SB2127 , SB3034 , SB860 , SB1278 , SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB987 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SCR5 , SCR32 , SCR8 , HB3228 , HB2802 , HB45 , HB1318 , HB5560 , HB2894 , HB4344 , HB4238 , HB2775 , HB34 , HB33 , HB 12 , HB148 , HB 130 , HB4273 , HB4850 , HB2733 , HB4783 , SB1833

Keywords: SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, that will close the public hearing on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 914.
• Seeing none, that will close the public hearing on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 914.
• Seeing none, that will close the public hearing on House Bill 3467.
• Seeing none, that will close the public hearing on House Bill 312.
• Seeing none, that will close the public hearing on House Bill 312.

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Local Government Committee first met in executive session and voted do pass on two House committee substitutes: House Bills 3283 and 3306 passed 11-1, and House Bills 1728, 2161, and 1830 passed 12-1. The committee then moved into public hearings. Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 914, dealing with septic system regulation, was presented as a measure to replace percolation testing with soil morphology testing as the baseline standard and to address a permit fee issue. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill would improve accuracy, consumer protection, and local public health administration; one witness noted the continuing-education language already exists in regulation and pointed out a minor wording change in the substitute. No opposition testified. House Bill 3467, sponsored by Representative Houseman, would allow county developmental disability boards to seek voter approval for a sales tax of up to one-half of 1% if property tax revenue is reduced or eliminated. The sponsor and multiple witnesses from county disability boards, sheltered workshops, and related associations said the bill was intended as a safeguard to preserve services, transportation, employment supports, and community-based care for people with developmental disabilities. Some members raised concerns about shifting from property tax to sales tax and the burden on low-income taxpayers, while others supported the measure as a revenue-diversification tool. No vote was taken. House Bill 312, relating to county treasurer duties and bank signature authority, drew testimony from the sponsor, county treasurers, auditors, and association representatives. Supporters said the bill clarifies that the county treasurer should have sole authority over county funds and reflects current practice, while also noting a forthcoming amendment to address what happens when a treasurer is absent. Some witnesses asked for stronger safeguards, including a bonded backup designee and clearer succession procedures, and one witness urged updating surety-bond requirements. The hearing closed with no opposition testimony and no committee action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the primary drafter of this bill, and I'm here speaking in strong support. Good morning.
• I am the primary drafter of this bill, and I'm here speaking in strong support of it.
• And if we don't have the last time, we will go ahead and close the bill on House Bill 2585.
• We could have a gap in being able to close those judgments on answers.
• They work closely with patients in a documented and hands-on patient-prescriber relationship.

Bills: HB2453 , HB2590 , HB2445 , HB2386 , HB2585

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: psychiatric pharmacists, mental health, pharmacy regulations, healthcare, pharmacological treatments, limited equity cooperatives, common interest ownership, housing, exemption, community ownership, probate, estate administration, inheritance, heir finder, heir locator, beneficiary interest, transfer of inheritance rights, probate for profit, personal representative, executor

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools are closed.<02:11:54.239><c> Families</c><02:11:54.639><c> are</c> closed.
• Families are closed.
• </c> to close and I will reserve. to close and I will reserve. Gentleman<04:34:49.920><c> reserves.
• </c> Illinois is prepared to close. Illinois is prepared to close.
• Uh, I reserve, but I am prepared to close as well. I am prepared to close.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, May 19, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That way they can live close to the community and close to their relatives and families.
• </c><00:14:01.120><c> to</c><00:14:01.240><c> the</c> a uh close to the community close to the a uh close
• to the community close to the community<00:14:01.680><c> and</c><00:14:01.800><c> close</c><00:14:02.040
• Seeing none, public testimony is closed. Questions from members?
• Seeing none, public testimony is closed.

Bills: HF1937 , HF2407 , HF1678 , HF1477 , HF2040 , HF1840 , HF257

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

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully request the roll to close. All right, we reserve your right to close.
• Was that close?
• I'm the primary caregiver.
• How close was it? Was I too close?
• I ask to close. I close. Thank you. Members, any objection? The chair hears none.

Bills: HB1455 , HB1777 , HB2101 , HB2136 , HB2609 , HB3142 , HB3552 , HB3846 , HB4155 , HB4514 , HB4879 , HB4995 , HB5014 , HB5139 , HB5228 , HB5436 , HCR40

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: mental health, jail diversion, law enforcement, reporting requirements, criminal justice, data collection, criminal justice reform, intellectual disability, mental illness, data reporting, public safety, reporting, substance abuse, sex offender, driver's license, identification, gunshot detection, unreported gunshots, municipal police, crime investigation