Transcript Highlights:

• So that is a part of the case that, and I believe those damages... Witness: ...of the case, right.
• I mean, it's almost irrefutable that the damage would be heavy. It's just to what extent. Yeah.
• universities, that it's fair, that the cap works as it's intended?
• Witness: Yeah, I think it doesn't, you know, it's just that it's a cap.
• With the cap itself, the $20.5 million cap for all universities, regardless of conference affiliation

Bills: HB126, HB121

Keywords: election laws, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, voting integrity, education, property values, school districts, comptroller, funding formula

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met to hear testimony on a full agenda of education-related bills. Several measures were laid out and left pending, including HB 322 to allow JET Grant funds to be used for subscription-based and ongoing technology costs for career and technical education; HB 3062 to require fentanyl and drug-poisoning prevention instruction for entering college students; HB 121 to update school safety laws, including TEA peace officer commissions, annual renewal of certain safety exceptions, new reporting requirements, and special education behavior threat assessment changes; HB 3627 to let the State Board of Education chair employ staff; HB 5515 to curb inflated shipping and handling charges on instructional materials; HB 2674 to prohibit new state regulation of homeschool programs; HB 2310 to require a statewide strategic plan for early learning and inclusion for young children with disabilities; HB 367 to standardize documentation for excused absences due to serious illness; HB 1178 to speed certification for out-of-state educators and military spouses; and HB 1481 to expand cell phone restrictions to the full school day. Testimony was generally supportive on most bills, with some concerns raised on HB 121 about school district police departments investigating misconduct and on HB 2674 about how it would interact with the new ESA program in SB 2. HB 5515 drew support from instructional materials coordinators who described extreme shipping invoices and argued the bill would restore transparency and fiscal responsibility. HB 2310 was supported by disability advocates and early learning groups, who said a coordinated state plan would improve access and inclusion for children with disabilities. HB 367 was presented as a simple clarification to reduce confusion for medically vulnerable students and families, and HB 1178 was described by TEA as a modest pathway that would help bring experienced out-of-state teachers into Texas schools more quickly. HB 126, updating Texas’ NIL law to align with the pending House settlement and allow direct payments and pre-enrollment NIL agreements, received extensive testimony from university counsel and committee questioning about the settlement, recruiting, and future college athletics rules. HB 1481, expanding school cell phone restrictions from instructional time to the entire school day, drew strong support from parents, students, educators, and advocates who linked phones to distraction, cyberbullying, and mental health harms; one teacher asked for flexibility so phones could still be used for limited academic tasks. No bills were voted out; each measure heard was left pending subject to the call of the chair, and the committee then recessed to attend the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment expands the cap on the cost of the program.
• The bill that we sent over to the Senate established a cap of $100 million.
• Next up is House Bill 1479, which relates to punitive damages and hit-and-run drivers.
• , and property damage.
• The Senate amendment takes out the punitive damages for property damage. Mr.

Keywords: March 12, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, there's a cap on the percent of expenses that you can claim that's still stuck at a very low
• However, there's a cap on the percent of expenses that you can claim that's still stuck at a very low
• For example, if pre-K tuition for the year is $110,000, the cap on the percent means that you can only
• on the percent um however there's a cap on the percent of<00:40:39.520> expenses<00:40:40.119
• <01:34:01.920> and assess the extent of the damage and assess the extent of the damage and

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to housing, homelessness, caregiving, and tax relief. On HB 431, which appropriates funds for the CAL initiative and HHFDC, the Department of Human Services supported the bill and noted the Governor’s request for $50 million per year for HMS, the need for more permanent supportive housing, and a technical issue with establishing a special fund in session law. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions strongly supported the measure, describing it as unprecedented funding for CAL projects and linking it to goals of reducing homelessness and expanding housing inventory. Catholic Charities Hawaii, the ACLU of Hawaii, and the Reimagining Public Safety in Hawaii Coalition also supported the bill, emphasizing permanent supportive housing, diversion from jail, and public safety benefits. The chair redirected one testifier to stay on the measure when testimony drifted to another program. Written support was also noted from several organizations and agencies. The committee then heard HB 225 on squatting. DHS said it appreciated the intent and deferred to the Attorney General and task force members, while noting that outreach on public lands differs from private land, where owner consent is required. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill and wanted a voice in finding a solution. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions also said it supported the intent, while opposition from the Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands and support from one individual were noted. For HB 280, which would make the community outreach court permanent and appropriate funds, the Judiciary strongly supported the bill, describing the court as a mobile, community-based program serving vulnerable populations and connecting participants to services. The Office of the Public Defender also supported the measure, saying the program has helped people move off the streets and into stable housing and that permanent funding would allow expansion. Written support from the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition was noted. The committee then moved to HB 71, creating a refundable family caregiver tax credit, where the Department of Taxation provided comments, the Executive Office on Aging and AARP Hawaii supported the measure, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised concerns about duplication with an existing dependent care credit and the lack of incentives for cost control. The committee next heard HB 753, which would increase the applicable percentage for the household and dependent care services tax credit. Support came from the Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, AARP Hawaii, and Hawaii Children’s Action Network, while the Tax Foundation again raised technical concerns about complexity and administration but noted the bill adds guardrails against abuse. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a $42 million cap in the aggregate.
• <00:05:44.840> Obviously, million cap in the aggregate.
• Obviously, million cap in the aggregate.
• , where it would be capped at 30 million<00:59:11.640> dollars.
• <01:34:14.640> and uh in in uh helping fund the damage and uh in in uh helping fund the damage

Keywords: MS House Floor - 25 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, dispensed with the reading of the journal, and welcomed several student and FFA groups from around the state, including chapters from Tippah, Forrest, Newton, and Wheeler counties, as well as the Puckett High School student council and an AP government class from Madison-Ridgeland Academy. After announcements, the chamber moved to the Ways and Means calendar and took up a series of tax and finance measures. House Bill 327 would extend Mississippi’s existing film tax credit to television production businesses, with a $42 million aggregate cap and a requirement that qualifying production activity occur in-state. House Bill 343 would create a tax credit for employers offering private health insurance to employees, set at $400 per employee in the first year and $200 in the second, capped at $10 million. House Bill 420 would lower the age threshold for an existing full homestead exemption for honorably discharged veterans and spouses from 90 to 85; members discussed the local cost impact, but the sponsor said the state cost would be zero. House Bill 489 would exempt from income tax any capital gains from a forced sale through eminent domain, so the property owner would not owe tax on that transaction. The House also passed House Bill 715, clarifying that both perishable and non-perishable food sold to food pantries are exempt from sales tax. House Bill 1063 would adjust an alternative energy/local tax provision by allowing a fee-in-lieu rate down to 10% and adding energy storage, such as large-scale batteries, to qualifying projects. House Bill 1793, by committee substitute, would add gun safes to the state’s Second Amendment sales tax holiday. House Bill 1941 would raise the Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund’s administrative fee from 2% to 3% and authorize $5 million in bonds. House Bill 1942 would create a conduit bond mechanism under the TIF code for local development projects. House Bill 1944, by committee substitute, would expand the Children’s Promise Act tax credit program from $18 million to $40 million over three years and add a new $1 million credit for facilities serving adults with mental handicaps; members debated its effects on private schools, foster care entities, and public education funding. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, including several unanimous votes; House Bill 327 passed 115-1, House Bill 343 passed 118-0, House Bill 420 passed 120-0, House Bill 489 passed 120-0, House Bill 715 passed 120-0, House Bill 1063 passed 115-0, House Bill 1793 passed 109-3, House Bill 1941 passed 118-0, House Bill 1942 passed 116-0, and House Bill 1944 passed after extended debate. The discussion on House Bill 1944 featured questions about whether the credits favored private schools over public schools, whether schools could also receive ESA-related funds, and how much money individual institutions could receive; the sponsor said the credits are separate from tuition, are administered by DOR on a first-come, first-served basis, and do not reduce direct public school funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no caps currently.
• with no caps currently.
• There's no caps with no caps currently.
• the fee cap. the fee cap.
• loans, household loans from the fee cap. loans, household loans from the fee cap.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And because Cap-and-Trade allows the continued omissions, I think Cap-and-Trade should be a part of the
• Of course, cap and trade is really intended to reduce GHG.
• is as long as the cap is really limiting GHG emissions.
• And in particular, the cap and trade program.
• Conward referred to that as the cap gets more intense.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, there are no money damages.
• There are no money damages, but there is an injunction for future compliance.
• Defendants don't get a cap on attorney's fees.
• You've tried to cap attorney's fees. We do it in med-mal cases. You know that.
• We cap the percentage of the actual damages, which therefore limits attorney's fees to a certain degree

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB17, HB7, HB7, HB15, HB15, HB27, HB1, HB7, HB15, HB18, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB17, HB27, HB1, SB8, HCR13, SB2, SB5, SB10

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• The 10% cap. I'm correct.
• It sets a cap at 10%. Mr. Speaker, it doesn't say you must.
• , all liability caps off of this.
• So, are we lifting caps on other malpractice lawsuits? Thank you for the question.
• the amount that those damages would be.

Bills: HB4420, HB3974, HB3016, HB3062, HB3021, HB3145, HB4128, HB3131, HB3015, HB3472, HB3453, HB1638, HB4126, HB2696, HB2710, HB3552, HB3031, HB3544, HB3521, HB4490, HB4488, HB1746, HJR1069, HB4428, HB4429, HB1170, HB3538, HB4124, HB3904, HB4106, HB2999, HB3982, HJR1077, HB3464, HB2588, HB3462, HB4440, HB3674, HB3345, HJR1067, HB4326, HB4331, HB4337, HB4338, HB4359, HB4392, HB3557, HJR1076, HB4003, HB3495, HB3497, HB3501, HB3505, HB3749, HB3011, HB4336, HB4346, HJR1087, HB3240, HB3647, HB3796, HB3969, HB3972, HB3983, HB3984, HB3989, HB3383, HB3130, HB4358, HB3327, HJR1055, HB3386, HJR1089, HB3087, HB2970, HB3314, HB4129, HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:11.039> in we hit or exceed a $10 million cap in we hit or exceed a $10 million cap
• million cap, reducing the credit to 10%. million cap, reducing the credit to 10%.
• <01:23:20.400> that's mitigate some of the damage that's mitigate some of the damage that's
• of the all the the the damage of the all the the the damage >> that<01:24:38.320> was
• million dollar, you know, minimum cap. million dollar, you know, minimum cap.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They reflect the lasting emotional damage these experiences have created.
• They reflect the lasting emotional damage these experiences have created.
• In other states, they have not put any sort of cap on the payment amounts.
• And also. ...cap on the payment amounts.
• When we're talking, though, about the capped amount for damages, let's say that, Madam Chair, for any

Bills: HJR6, HJR7, HB120, HB60, HB151, HR1, HM13, SB40, SB104

Keywords: constitutional amendment, legislative sessions, veto override, New Mexico legislature, session length, legislative session, even-numbered years, New Mexico Constitution, student behavior, physical restraint, seclusion, public schools, training, de-escalation, student safety, behavior interventions, criminal offenses, peace officer, Victims of Crime Act, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• Or compensation for any damages? That's the point of time. And which is, yeah.
• Or compensation for any damages? That's the point of time. And which is, yeah.
• So will any other damages to the landlord attributable to lateness.
• cap, you're asking operators to take that additional risk.
• It started with the rent cap. Basically, moved on everything.

Summary: The committee heard several bills from Senator Umberg and Senator Allen, with testimony from supporters and opponents before roll-call votes were taken once quorum was established. SB 253, the annual State Bar fee bill, would keep fees unchanged while requiring two-year notice for substantial changes to the bar exam, including vendor changes, and returning to an older delivery method for the upcoming exam; it was presented as a response to recent State Bar problems and the February bar exam failure. SB 25, the Pre-Merger Notification Act, would require certain merger parties to provide California’s attorney general the same Hart-Scott-Rodino materials filed federally, so state antitrust review can occur in parallel with federal review; supporters said this would reduce delay and uncertainty, while members questioned whether it would add another layer of review. SB 36 would strengthen price-gouging enforcement after the January 2025 Southern California firestorms by requiring rental-listing platforms to report suspected gouging, expanding consumer and prosecutor remedies, and allowing warrants in housing-related cases; supporters said it would close loopholes, while opponents from business groups raised concerns. All three bills were later approved on roll call, with SB 36 and SB 413 placed on call before final passage and SB 253 and SB 25 moving forward on committee votes. The committee also heard SB 413, which would streamline access to juvenile case files in certain civil cases brought by or on behalf of the youth who is the subject of the file, allowing attorneys to use heavily redacted records without first petitioning the juvenile court. Supporters, including Los Angeles County counsel and county associations, said the current petition process is costly, slow, and routinely granted, creating delays in civil litigation and court congestion. Opponents, including the Youth Law Center, argued the bill would weaken longstanding juvenile confidentiality protections by bypassing judicial review and could expose sensitive information unnecessarily. After discussion about redactions, sealing, and the scope of access, the bill was passed on a do-pass-as-amended vote. Finally, Senator Wahab presented SB 436, which would extend the notice period for nonpayment of rent from three days to 14 days. Supporters, including tenant advocates, legal aid groups, and several local governments, argued the change would reduce unnecessary evictions, give renters more time to obtain assistance or a paycheck, and help prevent homelessness. Opponents, including apartment associations, property owners, and the California Association of Realtors, said the bill would burden landlords, especially small owners, and could unintentionally affect commercial leases; members also raised concerns about repeated late payment and the lack of stronger guardrails. The author said she would work on clarifying commercial coverage and safeguards, and the bill remained under discussion as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• that would restrict who may qualify, and that the net worth cap went away.
• He asked what the rationale was for taking off the net worth cap for people who might qualify for this
• that was done for farmers that damage that was done for farmers that did<00:07:44.639> not<00
• <00:10:42.959> that versions there was a net worth cap that versions there was a net worth
• was behind taking off the net worth cap was behind taking off the net worth cap for<00:10:54.320

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to be a shift from that cap rate to an AHCCCS-like cap rate, which is higher.
• But you are correct: the $8.3 million GF is the delta between the RBHA cap and this new AHCCCS-like cap
• The delta between the RBHA cap and this new AHCCCS-like cap. Madam Chair, please.
• We capped this program headcount-wise.
• A pilot and a cap.

Bills: SB1052, SB1115, SB1118, SB1120, SB1121, SB1124, SB1171, SB1172, SB1174, SB1175, SB1214, SB1233, SB1235, SB1316, SB1345, SB1372, SB1399, SB1458, SB1494, SB1496, SB1564, SB1602, SB1621, SB1628, SB1630, SB1631, SB1668, SB1672, SB1814, SB1821

Keywords: assisted living, health care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, physician orders, informed consent, AHCCCS, remote work, state agency, employment, public health, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, historic preservation, radiation protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, digging up a flow line is quite a lot of damage and requires a much bigger bond to do those
• Of course, digging up a flow line is quite a lot of damage and requires a much bigger bond to do those
• <00:14:25.839> them<00:14:26.000> and of trimming them capping them and of trimming
• them capping them and leaving<00:14:26.480> them<00:14:26.639> underground.
• and requires a much a lot of damage and requires a much bigger<00:14:33.440> bond<00:14:34.320

Bills: SJ0001

Keywords: mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, beginning with the proposal to cap provider work hours at 50 hours per week.
• the proposed cap.
• The reference to the reduction of hours I'm going to assume is related to the overtime cap.
• Also oppose the IHSS caps to overtime and travel and cuts to the undocumented population.
• The damage from delaying this work is not hypothetical.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• between the state and the county shall be immune from liability for personal injuries or property damage
• The language is too broad, and the immunity from liability for personal injuries and property damage
• could leave no recourse in cases where unsafe workmanship causes damage.
• between the state and the county shall be immune from liability for personal injuries or property damage
• <00:22:04.880> there a road and your car is damaged there a road and your car is damaged there

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard a 10 a.m. agenda covering a range of transportation, liability, harbor, and bicycle-related bills. Testimony was mixed on several measures: HB 263, which would exempt full-time college students from vehicle weight tax, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and others; HB 135, authorizing general obligation bonds to purchase property on the North Shore of Oʻahu, had support; HB 860, granting immunity to the state or county for repairs on roads with disputed jurisdiction, drew support from DOT, DLNR, and the City and County of Honolulu but opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice; and HB 996, which would abolish joint and several liability for government entities in highway-related civil actions, also drew strong opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice and support from the Attorney General’s office and DOT. The committee also heard HB 1167, an emergency appropriation for motor carrier enforcement, and HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study before reducing speed limits within 10 mph of the current limit; both had support from DOT and related groups. HB 1156 and HB 960, both related to harbor financing and capital advancement contracts, were supported by DOT, with DOT explaining that higher bond and contract ceilings were needed because project costs have increased since the limits were set decades ago. HB 142, exempting certain nonprofit community-based transportation providers from motor carrier regulation, and HB 914, creating a water carrier inflationary cost index mechanism and allowing PUC exemptions, also received support from multiple stakeholders, with the Consumer Advocacy Division noting that the inflationary adjustment issue was already active in a rate case. The committee also took testimony on several electric bicycle and micromobility bills. HB 486 would restrict where electric bicycles may operate, prohibit unsafe operation and removal of speed-limiting devices, and fund a safety education campaign; it drew opposition from the Hawaii Bicycling League and several individuals, with one supporter. HB 435 would redefine and classify electric bicycles, raise the minimum operating age, and add registration and use rules; it was supported by DOT and the Hawaii Bicycling League, with one individual opposing. HB 958 would regulate motorized bicycles and electric micromobility devices, require helmets for minors, and fund a coordinated education campaign; it drew support from the City and County of Honolulu, Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, but opposition from Moped Doctors and others, who argued the bill could harm the moped industry and that more study was needed. After testimony, the committee recessed and then reconvened for decision-making. In decision-making, the committee deferred HB 263 and HB 996. It passed HB 135, HB 860, HB 1167, HB 1259, HB 1156, and HB 960 with amendments, generally adopting HD1 versions, making technical changes, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000 for the amended measures. The chair explained that HB 263 was deferred because a blanket tax exemption for one class could create inequities and a tax credit might be a better approach. HB 996 was deferred because the chair said the state’s long-standing policy of ensuring safe roads and maintaining accountability for highway design and maintenance remained important. For HB 960, the chair said the current contract caps were too low for modern harbor projects and that higher limits would improve flexibility and efficiency. The committee also noted Representative Cochran was excused for the remaining votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• INVOLVING ONLY DAMAGED THE VEHICLE OR PROPERTY.
• OF LEAVING THE SCENE OF A CRASH WHO CAUSED OR OTHERWISE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CRASH THAT RESULTED IN DAMAGE
• OTHER PLACES THESE HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WOULD BE IN A FIRE STATION AND THEY WOULD BE UNDER IMMUNITY CAPS
• BE UNDER IMMUNITY CAPS. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OF THE SPONSOR? SENATOR BERMAN?
• I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED THREE YEARS FROM NOW WE WILL BE BACK HERE SCRAMBLING TO REVERSE THIS DAMAGE.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of those damages.
• It's based on economic damage to the state. Economic damage. But isn't there a threshold?
• , without damage to wildlife, without...
• Without health damage, without damage to wildlife, without destroying the future of our children, there
• And also, the bill has no cap. The bill has no cap.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in a heightened risk of property damage in a heightened risk of property damage and<00:21:39.280
• is not comparable to property damage. is not comparable to property damage.
• it's uh pets on site, if it's uh damage it's uh pets on site, if it's uh damage to<01:47:08.000>
• , whether it's my proposal on caps, whether it's my proposal on capping<03:37:50.399> property
• rent increases over this arbitrary cap. rent increases over this arbitrary cap.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, the Florida Labor Pool Act caps transportation charges to and from the job site at $1.50 each
• The Labor Pool Act is the only Florida law that caps fees temp agencies can charge, requires itemized
• It's very easy to sue over money damages when you're talking about people's kids.
• If you do file that frivolous claims, that the judge can put damages on you for filing those claims.
• But maybe if we can sue for damages here, we can prevent that in the future. Great bill.

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee heard and voted on four bills. HB 587 on self-storage spaces would let rental agreements include an alternate contact person and allow default notices to be published online instead of only in newspapers, while keeping existing notice timelines and servicemember protections. Newspaper and press witnesses opposed the online-notice change, arguing it could reduce public reach and transparency, especially in rural areas; the sponsor said newspapers could still be used and the bill was only adding another option. The committee adopted an amendment changing the effective date to October 1, 2025, and then reported the bill favorably 12-2. HB 6033 would repeal the Florida Labor Pool Act. The sponsor argued the act duplicates other state and federal protections, while opponents said it contains unique safeguards for day laborers, including limits on fees, transportation charges, and deductions, and a private right of action. Testimony from labor advocates and workers warned repeal would reduce protections for vulnerable workers; the sponsor and supporters said other laws already cover the issues. The committee reported the bill favorably 11-3. HB 897, dealing with timeshare plan management, was presented as a clarification of conflicts created by recent condominium legislation and would require faster records responses, more disclosure of contracts, and clearer remedies for mismanagement. Support came from industry groups, and the bill passed unanimously, 14-0. The final measure, PCS for HB 1385, created a civil remedy for parental abduction or unlawful withholding of a child in violation of a timesharing order. Family law attorneys opposed it over concerns about added litigation, child involvement, and overlap with existing remedies, while the sponsors and supporters said it would provide needed deterrence and compensation in serious cases. The committee adopted the PCS and reported it favorably 13-0.