Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:47:20.319> of we're on the motion to reject, of we're on the motion to reject, of course
• . rejected. rejected.
• >> Members, we're on the motion to reject >> Members, we're on the motion to reject
• . reject. reject.
• , to concentrate on the motion to reject, to concentrate on the motion to reject, but<01:54:12.960

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• available online and requires all applications to contain certain contact information.
• could be rejected.
• > there the application could be rejected there the application could be rejected there was<00:24
• check or credit report if an applicant provides a certified copy...
• check or credit report if an applicant provides a certified copy.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held decision-making and hearing sessions on February 4, 2025, covering a range of bills on public funds, cremation contracts, condominium insurance, insurance protections, veterinarians, landlord-tenant issues, agriculture, sex offender licensing restrictions, and service animals. In decision-making, SB 69 on deposits of public funds was passed with a defective effective date, SB 525 on cremation service contracts was deferred for later work on a concurrent resolution, SB 805 on condominium insurance was passed with amendments incorporating Attorney General recommendations, and SB 1141 on insurance protections was passed with amendments expanding the bill to catastrophic disasters and adding insurer response and loss-run reporting requirements. All of those measures were adopted by committee votes, with some members excused. During the hearing portion, SB 493 on veterinarians drew mixed testimony: state agencies and animal welfare groups supported efforts to create a workforce development fund and scholarship/loan repayment program, while the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association opposed the bill as written, arguing the board lacked capacity to administer the program, suggesting more WICHE funding instead, and objecting to new licensing fees. SB 606 on online business registration received comments from DCCA, SB 822 on landlord-tenant injunctions drew opposition from HPD and comments from the Judiciary, and SB 825 on eviction mediation received broad support from mediation advocates, the Judiciary, and others. Other measures heard included SB 276 on false labeling of Hawaii-grown roasted coffee, SB 1293 on tenant recovery in disaster areas, SB 1369 on solvency reporting for insurers and mutual benefit societies, and SB 1373 on automatic license actions against registered sex offenders, which received support from DCCA and several licensing boards. The committee also heard SB 1493 on emotional support animals, where the Attorney General raised constitutional and enforcement concerns, while disability advocates and others supported the bill and suggested clearer enforcement and disclosure language. SB 1662 on landlord application fees was also heard with comments from Hawaii Realtors and support testimony from individuals. In the later decision-making session, SB 493 was passed with amendments removing the proposed licensing fees and blanking appropriations, while SB 606 was deferred. SB 822 was passed with amendments adopting Judiciary recommendations, adding a Judiciary-facilitated working group to review the landlord-tenant code, and setting a defective effective date of July 1, 2050.

Transcript Highlights:

• believe it is crucial for people to learn about the times we have let others down, where we have rejected
• I urge this committee to reject this bill.
• Vague language allows for disparate application. allows for the penalization of certain viewpoints over
• I urge you to reject the bill, so regardless of your political views, thank you. Thank you.
• I urge you all to reject this bill. Thank you. Right on time. Good, thank you very much.

Bills: SB2972, SB1909, SB2815, SB735, SB2233, SB800, SB1069, SB2683, SB2986, SB2058, SB2310, SB2055, SB1032

Keywords: expressive activities, freedom of speech, public forum, higher education, protests, student rights, antisemitism, public institutions, disciplinary policy, student organizations, compliance, institutional policy, disciplinary sanctions, diploma designation, institution merger, academic records, student options, Holocaust education, Holocaust Remembrance Week, genocide education

Transcript Highlights:

• That way, it's consistent application. application. application.
• applicants entering the workforce. workforce. workforce.
• , additional burdens placed on applicants, additional burdens placed on applicants, employers,<01
• If if they have a licensed applicant If if they have a licensed applicant from<01:35:28.800>
• If it's an applicant for a gas fitting license by endorsement, they're going to be rejected based on

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and consent calendar, then took up several rule items. For Department of Safety rule 2611, DMV leadership explained the rule had been under development since January but needed to be updated to reflect a new statutory change and to align the rule with RSA 266. Members discussed narrowing the rule to road-safety items rather than automobile inspection provisions, and the department said it would issue a new public notice and hold another hearing. The committee voted to grant a waiver and postpone the item until the October 15, 2026 meeting. The Board of Active Puncture Licensing item 26-47 was postponed one month at the agency’s request so it could incorporate OS feedback, with no waiver needed. The Insurance Department’s claim settlement rule 25-234 and related item 26-78 drew more extensive discussion over waiver language. Committee members objected that the proposed language gave the commissioner broad discretion to set waiver periods without clear criteria, while agency counsel argued the rule already contained standards and that the language allowed temporary waivers. After discussion about consistency, permanency, and the need for clearer documentation, the committee voted to postpone 25-234 with a waiver and to postpone 26-78. Finally, the committee considered Health and Human Services rule 2690, which sets SNAP certification periods for a pilot demonstration authorized by SB 499. Staff explained that federal changes now require the age threshold for the 36-month certification period to be 65 instead of 60, and that the agency had been directed to make the change by August 12. Agency staff said the rule needed to be updated to match federal direction, and members generally agreed. The committee discussed whether the federal citation was sufficient and whether the rule should reference the law change directly, but no final objection was raised in the portion shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I move to reject the amendments.
• Senator Barrow moves to reject the amendments to Senate Bill 283. The machines are open.
• The amendments are rejected, 37 yeas and 0 nays.
• Senator Myers moves to reject the amendments to Senate Bill 408.
• The amendment was rejected.

Bills: SR146, SCR12, HB378, HB509, HB1090, HB221, HCR85, HCR100, HCR105, HCR107, HCR114, HCR58, HB723, SB4, SB52, SB57, SB83, SB131, SB143, SB145, SB152, SB194, SB251, SB254, SB279, SB283, SB333, SB353, SB367, SB384, SB389, SB398, SB408, SB431, SB448, SB450, SB465, SB468, SB469, SB484, SB495, SB496, SB509, SB56, SCR9, SCR58, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR32, HB59, HB89, HB153, HB243, HB335, HB342, HB407, HB451, HB513, HB595, HB682, HB688, HB690, HB730, HB762, HB802, HB816, HB940, HB1003, HB1011, HB1029, HB1053, HB1058, HB1062, HB1064, HB1079, HB1084, HB1098, HB1161, HB1189, HB1203, HB1215, HB1247, HB1248, HB1251, HB1253, HB1257, HB1258, HB17, HB27, HB36, HB41, HB73, HB140, HB166, HB181, HB205, HB211, HB223, HB226, HB259, HB271, HB308, HB337, HB399, HB410, HB487, HB626, HB712, HB740, HB750, HB759, HB775, HB812, HB844, HB906, HB966, HB968, HB979, HB1006, HB1009, HB1018, HB1036, HB1038, HB1081, HB1086, HB1107, HB1112, HB1155, HB1220, HB1242, HB1252, HB1256, SB42, SB208, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB341, SB379, SB382, SB387, SB401, SB449, SB487, HB74, HB119, HB134, HB210, HB258, HB468, HB784, HB870, HB953, HB956, HB1117, HB1236, SB29, SB43, SB78, SB149, SB441, HB359

Keywords: SR146, Senate Resolution 146, Louis Thomas Nelson, Thomas Nelson, condolences, memorial resolution, tribute, obituary, public service, St. Martinville, Cade, St. Martin Parish, police juror, mayor, community center, water system, school bus driver, school board, Louisiana Senate, sympathy

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard a guest prayer by Pastor Lee Shipp, and conducted routine opening business including journal adoption, receipt of confirmation appointments, and House messages naming conferees on several Senate bill disagreements. The chamber also adopted or recognized several personal privilege resolutions and commendations, including honors for Grady Hazel, the Acadiana Veterans Hockey of Louisiana national championship team, Grambling State University’s 125th anniversary and related athletics/band centennials, the 2026 Governor’s Fellows, and a brief address by special guest Ms. Benson. Members then acted on a series of resolutions and concurrent resolutions. The Senate adopted measures creating or requesting study task forces on child permanency, medical malpractice review panels, driving school fees, the Minimum Foundation Program, and earthquake activity in north Louisiana, and it concurred in House resolutions on illegal dumping, gaming board review, behavioral health crisis center reimbursement, Medicaid incentive payment reporting, and a physician review panel study. Several condolence and commendation resolutions also passed, including those honoring Lewis Thomas Nelson and Josephine Ruth Kennedy, and the Senate adopted a resolution urging local governments to consider generator requirements for unlicensed senior and disability residential facilities. The chamber also took up House Bill 723, a motorcycle traffic-signal bill allowing certain two- and three-wheeled vehicles to proceed through malfunctioning vehicle-actuated signals under specified circumstances; after debate about safety and enforcement, it passed 33-3. The Senate then considered numerous House amendments to Senate bills, concurring in most, including bills on fluoridation/local opt-out, public assistance, nutrition, human trafficking training, bulletproof vests, adult residential care generators, cell-cultured food products, public benefits eligibility, attorney-fee limits in disciplinary proceedings, critical infrastructure protections, debit card surcharges, bank stock certificates, child welfare proceedings, digital student IDs, watershed restoration funding, innovation hubs, sports agent registration, and manufactured housing regulation. It rejected House amendments to SB 283 and SB 408 for further negotiation. The session ended with announcements for committee meetings and a recess until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge you to reject this proposed legislation and to uphold the safeguards that were put in place by
• Please reject this bill. Members, any questions? Thank you, ma'am, for your testimony.
• This legislation amends the Texas Election Code to prohibit candidates from filing applications for a
• Check with the city for applicable ordinances.
• I just looked it up on the DPS application.

Bills: HB1968, HB2279, HB2739, HB2803, HB3909, HB3918, HB4253, HB4475, HB5115, HB5430

Keywords: election services, contracting, political subdivisions, county elections, election code, voter registration, citizenship status, election law, cancellation, disqualification, Texas Election Code, voter identification, registration, election integrity, identification documents, election, watcher, polling place, removal, Texas Elections Code

Summary: The committee first voted out two previously heard Senate bills without amendment: SB 688, relating to the date of the meeting of presidential electors, and SB 914, relating to authorizing certain cities to change the date of their general election for officers. Both motions passed on 8-0 votes with one member absent. The committee then heard HB 3909, which would change the current prohibition on wireless device use from a 100-foot boundary around a voting station to only inside the room where voting is taking place, with a committee substitute also adding state-prescribed signage. The author and supporters said the change would reduce confusion and make enforcement easier for election workers, while opponents argued the existing 100-foot rule helps prevent electioneering, recording, and possible technical interference with election equipment. The bill was left pending. Members also heard HB 1968, which would repeal a provision that requires counties to provide election services to certain political subdivisions in odd-numbered years but not even-numbered years, making county-provided election services consistent across years. Supporters said it would improve consistency for smaller cities and school districts, while opponents warned it could strain county equipment and staffing during heavy election cycles. The bill was left pending. HB 2279 would require voter registrars to remove a person from the rolls if the person swears under oath during jury service that they are not a U.S. citizen; supporters said this would streamline removal of ineligible voters, while opponents raised concerns about mistaken identity and loss of due process. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 2803, which would require a presiding judge to give a poll watcher a signed statement explaining any removal from service. Supporters said this would improve documentation and accountability, and one witness asked for clarification that improper removal would remain a criminal offense; the author said he would consider a floor amendment and further discussion. The committee also heard HB 4253, which would create a more uniform voter-roll maintenance process based on inactivity, sending confirmation notices to voters who have not voted in the prior 25 months and eventually removing those who do not respond after multiple election cycles. Supporters said it would clean up outdated records and help keep voters registered where they actually live, while opponents argued it could wrongly remove eligible voters who simply do not vote regularly. HB 4253 was left pending as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:45.640> affidavit absentee ballot applications affidavit absentee ballot applications
• I will point out the applicable constitutional and statutory provisions.
• um absentee ballot application um absentee ballot application and<04:06:14.479> maybe<04:
• <04:10:06.000> the because the machine rejects the because the machine rejects the overvotes
• and they pick three the ballots rejected and they pick three the ballots rejected so<04:11:37.720

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rejection to the adoption of the committee substitute here none the committee substitute is dotted adopted
• Members, this bill relates. to including nursing school applications in a consolidated application service
• platform and submission portal known as That's my Texas future, to facilitate the awareness and application
• students into institutions. institutions of higher education using electronic common admission application
• Were there any states that have rejected it?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we do see a lot of those types of applications from gas stations, nail salons, local retail and retail
• And then, I know that there are many applicants and the process is very selective, can you kind of go
• I think that that's really important to your applicants and thank you. Any other questions?
• We suggest that the legislature consider that are rejecting the proposal, but we also do provide some
• And so based on this, we recommend that the legislature consider rejecting this program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This committee is rejecting those cuts, at least in the metro area. All right.
• This committee is<00:14:21.040> rejecting<00:14:21.520> those<00:14:21.839> cuts,
• those cuts, at least in in is rejecting those cuts, at least in in the<00:14:23.200> metro<00
• <00:24:56.960> for cost of updating um applications for cost of updating um applications for
• . applicant. applicant.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They reject it outright as this bill will be and forever will be in Minnesota.
• They reject it outright as this bill will be and forever will be in Minnesota.
• They reject it outright as this bill will be and forever will be in Minnesota.
• They reject it outright as this bill will be and forever will be in Minnesota.
• What would be extreme is its application What would be extreme is its application in<00:54:21.040

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House debated Representative Long’s motion to suspend the rules so House File 5084 could be recalled from committee, given second and third readings, and brought to final passage. The bill was described by opponents as an extreme anti-abortion measure that would create a right to life from fertilization, potentially criminalize abortions except in narrow cases, and could affect IVF, miscarriage care, and treatment of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Supporters said the bill was about protecting unborn life and giving Minnesotans the chance to decide the issue themselves through the ballot box. Several members spoke against the motion, arguing that Minnesota has already settled reproductive rights through court decisions and recent legislation, and warning that the bill would put government into deeply personal medical decisions. They cited stories from other states where women were investigated or arrested after miscarriages or self-managed abortions, and said the proposal could treat people as criminals for seeking reproductive care. One member emphasized that the bill could be especially dangerous in cases like ectopic pregnancy, where treatment delays could threaten the pregnant person’s life. Members in favor of the bill framed the issue as one of conscience, democracy, and protection of human life from conception. They said every abortion is an act of violence against a distinct human being and argued that Minnesotans should be allowed to vote on the question. Some speakers also shared personal experiences with miscarriage, infertility, premature birth, or pregnancy loss to explain why they viewed the issue as morally serious and emotionally difficult. The debate became broader and more partisan, with some members criticizing both sides for using the issue as a political weapon rather than focusing on legislative work. The transcript does not include the final vote result, but the motion was clearly under a roll call and the chamber proceeded with extended floor debate over House File 5084.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is your process there so that people aren't applying, getting rejected, applying, getting rejected
• And we completely recognize how much time and effort applicants put together in putting their applications
• So that's probably good information for our applicants.
• In addition, we're providing pre-applications consultation.
• It's putting a burden on the applicants that some applicants may not be able to fulfill, which puts our

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Only the topics that are on the applications are subject to discussion.
• that New Hampshire has in 2012, our balanced budget application.
• that New Hampshire has in 2012, our balanced budget application.
• The last plenary application was in 1929.
• <03:03:26.920> was<03:03:27.080> in last plary application was in last plary application

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That was applicable to... Election Day voting only, right? Previously?
• There is a scheme where developers are charging potential applicants $80,000 just for the possibility
• This gives districts a school year to transition out of any rejected instructional materials they may
• Additionally, the amendment adds clarifying language that the bill applies to any rejected materials
• added to the rejected material list on or after the... ...the school year in which this act applies,

Bills: SB801, SB867, SB2717, SB2919, HJR7, HB4, HB14, HB27, HB42, HB46, HB100, HB111, HB112, HB121, HB126, HB146, HB186, HB223, HB229, HB322, HB367, HB500, HB521, HB640, HB705, HB783, HB1052, HB1056, HB1105, HB1106, HB1178, HB1211, HB1234, HB1306, HB1403, HB1449, HB1506, HB1661, HB1690, HB1871, HB1960, HB2017, HB2078, HB2128, HB2240, HB2243, HB2348, HB2407, HB2512, HB2820, HB2844, HB2853, HB2854, HB2885, HB3000, HB3005, HB3053, HB3057, HB3181, HB3333, HB3372, HB3425, HB3441, HB3516, HB3749, HB3783, HB3812, HB3848, HB3923, HB3963, HB4070, HB4134, HB4157, HB4158, HB4211, HB4449, HB4623, HB4638, HB4687, HB4690, HB4748, HB4749, HB4795, HB4848, HB5093, HB5115, HB5129, HB5138, HB5294, HB5616, HB5629, HB5646, HB5661, HB5672, HB5674, HB5699, HCR40, SJR5, SJR27, SJR59, SB4, SB6, SB8, SB9, SB10, SB12, SB22, SB23, SB25, SB27, SB34, SB36, SB37, SB38, SB40, SB57, SB140, SB261, SB293, SB441, SB447, SB467, SB512, SB650, SB777, SB785, SB924, SB1188, SB1281, SB1318, SB1333, SB1398, SB1448, SB1566, SB1579, SB1621, SB1723, SB1838, SB1862, SB2167, SB2405, SB2406, SB2407, SB2878, SB3059, SB3070, SB1, SB17, SB21, SB260, SB379, SB509, SB1198, SB1405, SB1506, SB1637, SB1833, SB2155, SB2308, SB2601, SB2778, HB300, HB2011, HB2525, HB5246, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3045, SB3071, HJR7, HB5115, HB3053, HB1403, HB223, HB748, HB5652, HB3395, HB180, HB1306, HB322, HB126, HB5650, HB4894, HB1629, HB5698, HB3171, HB2694, HB5664, HB4690, HB4464, HB3623, HB2520, HB2213, HB252, HB146, HB5596, HB3619, HB5320, HB5651, HB5670, HB5665, HB5437, HB5679, HB5699, HB5661, HB5662, HB5654, HB5672, HB5656, HB3812, HB3057, HB2035, HB721, HB346, HB2512, HB5695, HB5694, HB5674, HB3185, HB2348, HB1871, HB1135, HB101, HB5666, HB5677, HB5682, HB5658, HB4144, HB3642, HB3815, HB2686, HB2012, HB1960, HB227, HB654, HB1690, HB2128, HB4158, HB4630, HB1523, HB2078, HB1973, HB3333, HB3697, HB3546, HB3225, HB3181, HB2820, HB1506, HB1234, HB640, HB521, HB229, HB186, HB119, HB4795, HB4466, HB3749, HB1106, HB4, HB4170, HB3909, HB4081, HB4145, HB4157, HB4285, HB4463, HB4995, HB5138, HB5624, HB1449, HB2598, HB3629, HB4361, HB824, HB1868, HB4848, HB2243, HB40, HB117, HB3686, HB500, HB3793, HB112, HB104, HB1056, HB42, HB3000, HB100, HB2240, HB718, HB27, HB4904, HB4202, HB2853, HB5129, HB5093, HB4765, HB4748, HB4559, HB4350, HB4214, HB3388, HB3112, HB5196, HB4211, HB3516, HB3092, HB4233, HB4687, HB705, HB1094, HB2037, HB3005, HB3848, HB1105, HB121, HB3372, HB367, HB783, HB3336, HB3441, HB4449, HB5616, HB2407, HB2854, HB3425, HB5294, HB1178, HB4623, HB14, HB3963, HB1211, HB5646, HB5629, HB3783, HB4236, HB46, HB4638, HB1052, HB4070, HB5509, HB5435, HB4134, HB3923, HB3520, HB3320, HB2517, HB2488, HB5663, HB2731, HB3073, HB2655, HB2399, HB541, HB4099, HB111, HB1532, HB3483, HB2963, HB4580, HB3748, HB713, HB632, HB426, HB4730, HB127, HB5690, HB5689, HB5655, HB3385, HB2757, HB4359, HB5381, HB20, HB123, HB549, HB5606, HB2217, HB2594, HB796, HB150, HB1057, HCR141, HCR40, HCR59, HCR76, HCR81, HCR46, HCR111, HCR83, HCR84, HJR7, HB4, HB14, HB27, HB42, HB46, HB100, HB126, HB150, HB322, HB367, HB500, HB640, HB705, HB783, HB1105, HB1178, HB1211, HB1234, HB1506, HB1690, HB1871, HB2078, HB2128, HB2240, HB2243, HB2407, HB2512, HB2853, HB2854, HB3000, HB3057, HB3181, HB3372, HB3425, HB3441, HB3749, HB3783, HB3812, HB3923, HB3963, HB4070, HB4134, HB4157, HB4211, HB4449, HB4623, HB4638, HB4687, HB4748, HB4795, HB5093, HB5129, HB5616, HB5629, HB5699, HB229, HB521, HB1056, HB1106, HB5138, SR583, SCR52, HB223, HB229, HB521, HB1056, HB1106, HB1403, HB3053, HB5115, HB5138

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• officer shall indicate the refusal to sign by checking the box on form DSMV 426 or DSMV 437, as applicable
• and by signing the form as as applicable and by signing the form as a<00:07:03.599> witness<00
• :00.720> there's<00:11:01.040> a<00:11:01.200> preliminary<00:11:01.680> rejection
• <00:11:02.320> we if there's a preliminary rejection we if there's a preliminary rejection
• um as applicable until they expire<00:22:03.520> or<00:22:03.919> repealed<00:22:04.400

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and adopted the consent calendar without objection. It then took up Department of Safety Rule 25161 on administrative license suspension forms. After discussion of a staff concern that the rule text should expressly require a defendant’s signature or refusal to sign, and the officer’s witness signature, the agency agreed to revised language. The committee voted to grant conditional approval with those edits. The committee next considered Department of Agriculture rule 192, concerning importation of bovines and domestic animals. Staff identified several issues, including an overly broad federal citation, an unclear definition of infection, a possible conflict between provisions on telephone-issued permits and documents that must be carried, and missing struck-through repeal language. Because the department had not proposed written fixes, members moved to postpone the item until next month, and the motion passed. A second Agriculture item, 25207, was discussed as a long-expired set of rules that the agency said were still needed to run its programs; the committee granted conditional approval. The Public Utilities Commission’s competitive natural gas supplier and aggregator rules prompted the most extensive debate. Staff argued the cited statutes did not clearly authorize the commission to impose fines on natural gas suppliers, while the agency responded that authority could be read from related Department of Energy transition language and general rulemaking provisions. Members discussed whether the issue reflected a statutory gap created when responsibilities were split between the Department of Energy and the commission. The committee ultimately voted to waive and postpone the item to next month so the attorneys could work out the authority question. The committee also postponed Department of Energy items 219 and 220 at the agency’s request, and it noted that the Liquor Commission’s emergency rule had been revised to reduce reporting from monthly to quarterly before being reissued, with the item also postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• liability for application. liability for application.
• So I urge the body to<00:52:07.800> reject<00:52:08.120> the<00:52:08.560> reject
• <00:52:10.160> I to reject the reject the amendment.
• I to reject the reject the amendment.
• The therefore I ask you to reject it.

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House took up the Appropriations Committee’s report on the fiscal 2027 budget, including Senate Bill 282, the budget bill, and Senate Bill 284, the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act. The floor leader described a balanced budget with a $282 million cash surplus, $2 billion in rainy day reserves, and no new fees or taxes, while highlighting funding for child care scholarships and credentials, behavioral health services in schools, Medicaid and SNAP-related outreach, DDA services, domestic violence and rape crisis services, energy assistance, local government disparity grants, and private-sector investment. Both budget measures were special ordered until Wednesday, March 25, and the House adopted the committee’s motion in each case without objection. The chamber also considered several committee reports from Economic Matters, Government, Labor, and Elections, and Health. Among the measures advanced were House Bill 1529 on a Baltimore County local commission on common ownership communities; House Bills 571, 892, 893, 994, 1120, 1166, 1351, 1362, and 883; and health-related bills including House Bills 446, 658, 698, 1015, and 1048. Most bills were amended and then given favorable reports, with the House adopting the amendments and ordering the bills printed for third reading. Several bills drew brief floor questions. House Bill 994 would create a $300 annual registration fee for travel services providers, but the sponsor said it would not add new penalties beyond existing consumer protection laws. House Bill 1166 on front license plate display clarified that a signed statement can shift responsibility to the driver when a front plate cannot be installed, while the existing $500 fine for noncompliance remained current law. House Bill 1351, dealing with disaster mitigation services and MHIC licensing, was explained as bringing those providers under home improvement licensing rules after a transition period, and was special ordered until the end of the session at a delegate’s request. House Bill 1048 on sodium and added sugar warning icons was amended to include a QR code and remove some reporting and education provisions; members also clarified that the bill still uses a 25-gram threshold and that restaurant groups did not support the bill, though it had been worked through with them.

Transcript Highlights:

• We would urge your rejection of this proposal. Thank you.
• Legislature to reject both of these proposals.
• We urge you strongly to reject this package. Thank you.
• Urging you to reject these two BCPs, or trailer bills.
• Please reject it.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• investments for each of these portfolios are appropriately aligned with their unique purpose and applicable
• digital innovation sector, we are investing around decentralized finance and AI-driven blockchain applications
• through twelve, it does allow the Comptroller to require information as well as... ...may return or reject
• Why would we have the ability to reject certain donations?
• So would you reject one because it's too big?

Bills: SB 21, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB372, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB764, SB842

Keywords: emergency alerts, weather alerts, public safety, local government, municipality, county, website posting, online notice, emergency management, disaster preparedness, evacuation, National Weather Service, NOAA, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, localized alerts, hazard warnings, severe weather, watch warning advisory, public information

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your passion, your hard work, and your practical application.
• It is to configure proven technology for this specific application.
• At first, I couldn't even get a copy of the application.
• After the audit was complete, child support sent me a copy of the application.
• I returned the application and it took three more months to receive a response.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the driver license application, the application for a duplicate driver’s license, a record...
• Is this application fees were increased.
• application<00:41:59.280> for<00:41:59.440> a application, uh the application for
• a application, uh the application for a duplicate<00:42:00.079> driver's<00:42:00.480> license
• I think what we all want is to reject the filing if it's incomplete.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee convened after briefly waiting for a quorum, approved the minutes and consent agenda, and then moved through several agency rule items. The Department of Transportation’s outdoor advertising rule filing was approved after staff noted the department had addressed substantive comments, though the rules had been expired since 2021 and the agency said it had been operating under statute. Members asked about a denied digital sign proposal, and DOT said that decision was based on statute rather than the rule. The Department of Safety’s administrative license suspension item was postponed with a waiver so the agency could submit conditional approval materials and resolve issues between its forms and rules. The Board of Architects item was conditionally approved, with the condition that the board later approve updated incorporation-by-reference materials at its April 3 meeting or the matter would return as a preliminary objection. The Department of Agriculture’s expired rules prompted extended discussion. Staff and committee members questioned why the department was seeking to adopt rules that had been expired for many years and whether the statutes already provided enough authority to operate without them. Agriculture officials said they were working through a broader modernization effort, focusing on statutes that use mandatory language and updating outdated rules to match current practices, federal standards, and current products such as apples, cider, eggs, and other agricultural commodities. They said the rules before the committee were part of that effort and recommended approval, but members remained concerned about whether some rules were unnecessary. The committee ultimately granted a waiver and postponed the agriculture item for one month so staff could review the underlying statutes and determine whether rulemaking is actually required. Under other business, the committee took up an emergency Department of Safety rule to update DMV forms to reflect statutory fee changes enacted in the 2025 budget. DMV officials said the new fees were already in effect, but the corresponding forms still showed old amounts, causing confusion for customers and elected officials who were fielding complaints. They argued the forms needed immediate updating because the affected forms are widely used, and they said the department had already tried to treat the changes as editorial before being told full rulemaking was required. The department emphasized it was trying to follow the process while avoiding continued use of incorrect fee forms, and asked the committee to allow the emergency rule to proceed.