Transcript Highlights:

• 14 states.
• The way the state structure works in Public Resources Code, the regulations that the Board sets are the
• we really use standards to assist us, but our code is the minimum for the state.
• And we would very much advocate that the code be set by the state.
• for wildland building codes as well as defensible space codes.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It will lower costs and ensure code enforcement in underserved regions.
• Thank you. to one and two family homes per the Florida building code.
• Does this get rid of the state? trying to understand the provisions.
• "Code 4-50. Oh, Senator Bernard. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
• We're a growing state. We get that. There is a middle ground.

Summary: The committee began by postponing SB 1742 on condos until the following week, then took up SB 1298 on building construction. Senator Simon said the bill would require continued education for long-licensed building professionals, clarify interagency sharing of building officials, limit residential inspectors to one- and two-family homes, revive a paid internship for residential planning examiners, modernize permit signatures, and clarify contractor responsibility when work changes hands. The bill drew supportive waivers and was reported favorably. Members then considered SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation platforms. A delete-everything amendment was adopted to target bots and unauthorized resale of restaurant reservations, while preserving direct restaurant-platform relationships and requiring consumer contact information when reservations are made through noncontractual platforms. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Booking Holdings supported the measure, and CS/SB 940 was reported favorably. SB 638 on home inspectors also passed after the sponsor explained it would raise education requirements from 120 to 200 hours, add instruction on building code, wind mitigation, four-point and insurance inspections, and require $300,000 in errors-and-omissions coverage; it was reported favorably. The committee next approved SB 960 on elevator accessibility, allowing additional shorter support rails while keeping the existing 42-inch rail requirement. SB 196 on foods containing vaccines or vaccine materials was amended to address mRNA language and cosmetics safety standards, with the committee adopting amendments and then reporting the bill favorably. SB 1418 on heated tobacco products was amended to clarify the definition of heated tobacco products and exclude other forms such as hookah; it also passed favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of a block of board and commission appointees. Finally, SB 1262 on construction contracting was amended to add contractor continuing-education topics, strengthen penalties for unlicensed activity, create a standardized disciplinary reporting system, and require timely refunds and project completion standards; it was reported favorably with support from the Florida Home Builders Association. SB 1304 on solar facilities was then approved after extensive testimony from rural county commissioners and local officials who argued that utility-scale solar on agricultural land has grown without sufficient local oversight and that decommissioning rules are needed to protect farmland and communities. The bill would repeal the current by-right treatment of solar facilities on ag land and authorize counties to adopt decommissioning ordinances; it was reported favorably after a technical amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you are working with public education and higher education.
• As the chair stated, more information can be found on Agency Code 705 in Volume 2 on page 360.
• On the state fire marshal side, we're asking for two code enforcement, one fire prevention and an IG
• And with these employees, we also support Homeland Security, our state fire marshals, fire support, code
• to really hone the craft of working you know, the procurement code and finance in the state.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > building<00:37:32.480> code<00:37:32.800> council we know the state building code
• > and the state building code council and the state building code council and we've<00:54:44.000
• > to plumbing code and states regulations to plumbing code and states regulations to get<01:38
• >> State Building Code Council. >> State Building Code Council.
• <04:24:56.000> building<04:24:56.319> code then maybe if that state building code then

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Education Code states that if a student is screened, parents must be notified if a defect is identified
• To bridge this gap in health care access, AB 677 amends the Education Code to allow homeless students
• There is precedent through the Education Code to treat small LEAs differently.
• The status of our state at this time when it comes to education.
• In a state as diverse as ours, bilingual education is a necessity.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several education bills, with AB 887 by Assemblymember Berman proposing that every school district and charter school adopt a plan so all high schools offer at least one computer science course by 2029-30. Supporters, including a teacher and student, argued California is falling behind other states and that computer science is essential for student opportunity and workforce readiness. ACSA opposed the bill, citing the shortage of qualified computer science teachers and administrative burden. The bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1390 by Assemblymember Solache, which would allow local and county school boards to raise trustee compensation above long-standing statutory minimums that have not changed in decades. Supporters said the current stipends are too low to make board service accessible to working families and younger community members. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed with five votes, with the roll left open for additional members. AB 865 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would create a $5 million, three-year grant program for dual-language immersion instructional materials, split between high-demand languages and other languages. Supporters said districts often lack standards-aligned materials in languages beyond Spanish, forcing teachers to create their own. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 857 by Assemblymember Gibson, requiring annual cultural competency training for K-12 staff, also passed 5-1 after supporters linked it to the state reparations task force report and argued it would improve trust and student outcomes. The committee additionally approved AB 677 by Assemblymember Bryan, which would make it easier for unhoused students to access school-based vision and dental screenings by allowing directory information to be used for that purpose with an opt-out process; it passed 8-0. AB 903 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, directing the Department of Education to develop best practices on education technology and digital equity, passed after amendments and with some opponents indicating they would remove opposition once the amendments were in print. Finally, AB 917 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, extending permanent-status protections to certain educators in small districts and county programs, drew significant opposition from small districts and regional occupational programs over flexibility and funding concerns; the bill still passed 5-2 with the roll held open for additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would increase annual salary schedules in the code for the base pay for state police troopers
• It would require the State Board of Education or the superintendent of the state police to determine
• It would require the State Board of Education or the superintendent of the state police to determine
• in 2022 when the Legislature completely rewrote the state code related to real estate tax lien sales
• So that would say each state institution of higher education shall create standardized campus safety

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to hear what's working with the state, what's not working with the state, and what the State of
• A tribal utilities code that mirrors what the state has in its code, but also includes the provisions
• So one of the things is that with dealing with the state representatives and with the state and the state
• We worked with North Dakota State and South Dakota State. Thank you.
• We worked with North Dakota State and South Dakota State.

Summary: The Tribal and State Relations Committee met at Standing Rock and heard extensive comments from tribal council members, state legislators, and tribal program leaders about ongoing state-tribal coordination issues. Early discussion focused on the committee’s purpose, the need for better communication, and frustration that the meeting agenda and time allotted did not include enough state department heads or program experts to address child welfare, ICWA, Medicaid, and other human services concerns. Tribal leaders emphasized that Standing Rock wants more direct, regular communication and more practical follow-through from prior meetings. A major theme was health and human services, including concerns that the state’s rural health transformation efforts and human service zone structure do not fit tribal needs, especially for a direct-service tribe that relies on federal funding and Indian Health Service. Members also raised foster care delays, housing shortages that force children off-reservation, substance abuse treatment capacity, and the need for cultural competency in child welfare and education. Other issues included missing and murdered Indigenous people, law enforcement cooperation, extradition and banishment ordinances, cross-deputization, roads, water and sewer infrastructure, census accuracy, and the need for updated lists of tribal liaisons and bills affecting tribes. Economic development and sovereignty issues were also discussed. Standing Rock leaders raised concerns about e-pull-tabs and charitable gaming, saying state regulation has reduced tribal gaming revenue and that e-tabs should be treated as Class III gaming. They also objected to county-issued fireworks and liquor permits that affect reservation communities, arguing that state and county authority often conflicts with tribal sovereignty. In response, legislators said e-tabs and charitable gaming were likely to return as legislative issues and suggested possible solutions such as restricting e-tabs near tribal lands. The committee also discussed the need for more information on tribal-related bills and for legislators to receive cultural and treaty training. Several tribal projects and programs were presented. Joseph McNeil described Sage Development Authority’s 235-megawatt wind project, which is paused because of federal permitting delays, and asked for state support to move it forward. Dave Arshambo described Wojou’s land regeneration, buffalo, food sovereignty, youth, and wellness programs. Later, Cheryl Carey of Sacred Pipe Resource Center introduced the needs of the urban Native population in Bismarck-Mandan and statewide, noting that many Native people live off-reservation and often fall through the cracks in state-tribal discussions. The committee adjourned for lunch and planned to continue with additional presentations afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill addresses this by exempting institutions of higher education... education from the 90-day notice
• The bill would state that non-profit state associations with more than 15 employees are subject to the
• Texans from diverse educational backgrounds while promoting a more inclusive and efficient state workforce
• In Texas, every state in the compact requires Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-accredited education
• In many areas, other states' continuing education requirements even exceed ours here in Texas.

Bills: HB111

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to state, agency, and higher education employees.
• Certain provisions of state law and code. Are you familiar? Is there a central depository of those?
• A state agency or institution of higher education appropriated funds by this act.
• I'm writing the bill right now to repeal both 140 and 106. and the education code for somebody who wants
• That's the Texas Education Code. He opened it up and says, what law was that? And I said, 11.15.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 95, relative to youth recreation camp cabins and the state building fire codes.
• school education for all Granite State students, which the New Hampshire courts have told us we are
• code of conduct to amends the educator code of conduct to explicitly<03:57:12.239> include<03:
• That is what the current section of the educator code of conduct prioritizes.
• c code of section of the educator c code of conduct<03:59:21.800> prioritizes.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All other support and opposition can be stated at the standing mic when called upon to simply state your
• Opposition can be stated at the standing mic when called upon to simply state your name, affiliation,
• educational and enrichment activities, it is not primarily an education bill.
• However, all language stating that the QR code or other digital disclosures would not refer that information
• into state law.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , it's just reiterated in administrative code because all of our HR stuff is in administrative code.
• One of these was people coming from out of state needing continuing education.
• There was no fiscal effect on state revenues, no takings There was no fiscal effect on state revenues
• states that production must be commingled.
• The rules do not have a fiscal impact on state revenue or state expenditures.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, state health insurance mandates only apply to certain state-regulated health plans, including
• State law will apply.
• Code.
• Bismarck State College has been approved by the State Board of Higher Education to offer programs in
• Additionally, IHS facilities bill with a revenue code and a procedure code is not required.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to review the history and current treatment of North Dakota health insurance mandates, with presentations from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Sanford Health Plan, the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and the Insurance Department. The discussion focused on how mandates apply differently to fully insured, self-funded, ACA, Medicaid, and PERS plans; how the state’s benchmark plan and federal essential health benefits affect coverage; and how the existing process requires cost-benefit analysis and, for certain measures, a PERS pilot period before broader application. Presenters also reviewed the long list of existing state mandates, including provider, beneficiary, and coverage requirements, and noted that many were enacted decades ago and have not been revisited despite changes in medical evidence and treatment options. Witnesses from the carriers argued that mandates should be reviewed periodically because some are outdated, can create unintended costs, and may not align with current medical guidance. Examples cited included PSA screening, off-label drug coverage, prior authorization rules, step therapy, and cost-sharing provisions for mental health and substance use treatment. They emphasized that carriers often cover services without a mandate when supported by clinical evidence, and that mandates can shift costs to employers and employees, especially in the fully insured small-group market. They also suggested possible policy improvements such as clearer mandate definitions, better transparency around cost-benefit analyses, a regular 10-year review of mandates, and more timely submission of proposals through the interim process. PERS and the Insurance Department highlighted a recurring tension over what counts as a mandate and when a measure triggers the state’s defrayal obligation under federal law. PERS described its interim committee process, the April 1 deadline for fiscal-impact proposals, and the limited pilot program used for certain measures, noting that only a few bills have gone through the full pilot process. The Insurance Department explained that it views new benefit mandates through the lens of the ACA benchmark plan and essential health benefits, distinguishing true new benefits, such as infertility coverage, from changes to existing benefits, such as telehealth or insulin cost-sharing caps. No votes were taken on policy changes; the meeting was informational, with members asking questions about costs, applicability, transparency, and whether a periodic mandate review should be established.

Transcript Highlights:

• Family Code 264.001 gives the state a compelling interest in protecting children from abuse, neglect,
• The Education Code 38.004 mandates schools adopt... Policies addressing sexual abuse.
• Though the bill currently points to a code that's very dispersed, your language in the education code
• It allowed the ISDs to exempt themselves from state education code, including those that require certification
• It is a cross-section of business and civic leaders across the state. and education leaders who have

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

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• code.
• number of hours for our education under the academy.
• ...training requirements for some out-of-state officers.
• So we've got an officer in other states that come here.
• No, that's actually in several other places of code.

Keywords: 964, all

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• the United States Air Force, where he worked with the military police.
• Joining us today in the gallery are students and educators. Thank you.
• Her work extended into diplomacy and education.
• Next up in the block, Senate Bill 592, to amend the Code of Virginia relating to the Board of Education
• The Senate substitute helps us clean up the language of the code.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• In the state of Texas, golf is a... ...of Texas and the impact it has on the state of Texas.
• In the state of Texas, golf is a $14.2 billion impact within the state.
• Laws Code.
• Code.
• Members, I've worked on this bill with the Commissioner of Higher Education and the Higher Education

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, an invocation, and routine business including dispensing with the previous day’s journal, receiving a House message on HB 104/HJR 34, and a gubernatorial message naming two appointees to the Texas Real Estate Commission. The chamber also adopted several resolutions recognizing Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, Golf Day in Texas, Cindy Ramos-Davidson, and the 50th anniversary of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District. Members then adopted memorial resolutions honoring fallen first responders, including Deputy Jesse Ray Perez and Deputy Melissa Pollard, and the Senate agreed to adjourn in their memory. The Senate considered and passed several bills. SB 2199 increased penalties for loading overweight vehicles transporting hazardous materials; SB 1959 adjusted permit factors for the North Texas Groundwater Conservation District; SB 1376 changed supervision rules for code enforcement officer trainees; SB 2595 created a new offense for harassing, intimidating, or threatening someone while concealing identity with a mask or similar headgear; SB 1012 authorized sale or lease of certain surplus state property in Austin; SB 2245 revised bonded title procedures; SB 2605 created a municipal housing authority asset commission; SB 3044 expanded and adjusted the board of the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District; SB 628 clarified county fire code enforcement authority through interlocal agreements; SB 2778 raised the spending threshold for emergency services district employees; SB 3039 addressed public higher education transfer issues; and SB 2523 allowed release from municipal extraterritorial jurisdiction by petition. Most of these bills were passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and final passage was completed, often by wide margins. The chamber also took up SB 1844, which would require cities to provide services before expanding taxing areas into limited-purpose jurisdictions; a floor amendment narrowed the bill, and it was passed to engrossment. SB 2284 clarified municipal and county authority over firearms, airguns, archery equipment, and related items, and was passed despite opposition. SB 2529, dealing with the vote threshold for taxing units to adopt higher tax rates or issue tax bonds, prompted extended debate over voter approval and representative decision-making; after questions, the bill was passed to engrossment and held. At the end of the session, the Senate recessed for 20 minutes and announced it would meet as the Caucus of the Whole.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need more data to fully understand the state of diabetes-related amputations in our state so that
• Finally, members, SB 871 limits the governor's ability to suspend provisions of the Penal Code, Code
• Finally, members, SB 871 limits the governor's ability to suspend provisions of the penal code, code
• we do as a state tenant.
• law and state policy.

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, received a House message that H.B. 422 had passed the House, and heard gubernatorial nominations for the Council on Sex Offender Treatment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day and several visiting groups and adopted a resolution designating June 20, 2025, as Texas Nuclear Legislative Day. Members then considered and passed several bills and resolutions, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. SB 311 passed to final passage on the Texas Supreme Court’s writ power. SB 883, on off-label prescription access for COVID-19 treatment, passed to engrossment. SB 1706, creating an Open Meetings Act exception for certain defense, military, and aerospace deliberations, passed despite concerns from Sen. Eckhardt that the bill’s use of “deliberate” could weaken open-government protections. CS SB 1677, directing a study on diabetes-related amputations, passed with support from Sen. Menendez. SB 1967 expanded flood infrastructure fund eligibility to certain multipurpose projects, and SB 1255, a cleanup bill on mold assessor and remediator regulation, passed unanimously. The Senate also approved CS SJR 40 and CS SB 871, which would change emergency and disaster law to require legislative involvement after prolonged or widespread emergencies and to limit gubernatorial suspension powers, with Sen. Eckhardt questioning whether the bill could slow urgent business closures during a disaster. Additional measures passed included SB 1426 transferring management of the First Capital State Historic Site to the Texas Historical Commission, SB 249 requiring TxDOT to fund memorial markers for fallen peace officers, SB 1592 centralizing collection of hotel occupancy taxes from accommodation intermediaries, SB 1271 allowing concurrent jurisdiction on military installations for certain juvenile matters, SB 745 creating a higher penalty for intoxication manslaughter involving multiple deaths, SB 365 shortening the academic fresh start waiting period at public colleges, and SB 1171 adjusting compensation and standards for certain Texas Juvenile Justice Department inspector general employees. CS SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, passed after questions about its relationship to federal homeland security and its focus on border security and critical infrastructure. The latter part of the session focused heavily on CS SB 38, a major eviction and squatter-related bill. Sen. Bettencourt described widespread squatter cases and argued the bill, with a Moody amendment, would clarify notice and eviction procedures while balancing property-owner and tenant rights. Sen. West said he supported addressing squatters but worried the broader eviction changes could harm vulnerable renters, especially single mothers, and said he would vote present not voting. The discussion continued with additional testimony from Sen. Kolkhorst about the need for a balanced eviction process.

Transcript Highlights:

• It comes directly from education code.
• Under existing law in the Education Code.
• of the State Board of Education and the Department.
• for discrimination cases brought under violations of the Education discrimination code.
• We already have a robust state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination. in education.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Other states in the United States and international building codes have been updated in many ways that
• in the building code.
• We do have a fire code stage that you have to be able to unlock a door in an educational facility for
• Additionally, it remains unclear whether oversight falls under the state building code, 780 CMR, or the
• 527 CMR state fire code.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on a range of public safety bills, with especially emotional testimony on the Maggie Hubbard Rental Safety Act, which would require short-term rentals to be inspected for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and require platforms or agents to verify compliance before listing. Rep. Hadley Luddy, Sen. Julian Cyr, and the Hubbard and Waldron families described the fatal Airbnb fire that killed Shannon Hubbard and her daughter Maggie in New York, saying the deaths were preventable and that the bill would save lives. Committee members expressed sympathy and support for the families’ efforts to turn their loss into legislation. The committee also heard testimony on a proposed peace officer oath (S. 1680), described by Sen. Lydia Edwards as a binding ethical standard tied to certification and recertification, with discipline and annual reporting to promote accountability and de-escalation. Rep. Tom Walsh testified for a bill requiring hotel and motel workers to be trained to recognize human trafficking and to post hotline signage, and later testimony supported a school safety data grant program to provide first responders with standardized, up-to-date school maps for emergencies. Another major topic was a bill to allow temporary door-locking devices in public buildings; supporters said the devices are removable, do not alter fire code, and could improve lockdown response during active shooter events. Additional bills discussed included measures to transfer the Office of Emergency Medical Services to EOPSS, increase penalties for unlicensed hood-system cleaning, expand membership on the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, and strengthen confidentiality for peer support and critical incident stress debriefings. Firefighters and fire chiefs also supported a bill to tighten penalties for violations of hot-work regulations, citing the 2014 Beacon Street fire that killed Lt. Walsh and Firefighter Kennedy. Law enforcement groups backed a package including a Blue Star plate and Blue Alert system for fallen officers’ families, stronger move-over penalties, and a memorial fund, while the State Police Association supported the move-over provisions but asked for further work on the special state police officer bill before final action. No votes were taken during the hearing.