Transcript Highlights:

• So the process, the regional flood planning process, is very similar to the bottom-up regional water
• The process is consistent statewide and allows for public input processes for both the development of
• So that's a longer process, takes some time.
• But it wasn't really part of the process.
• They've talked to our planners during that process.

Summary: The House Committee on Natural Resources met to focus on flooding issues across Texas, with particular attention to South Texas and the recent catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. Chair Harris and Vice Chair Martinez emphasized that flooding is a statewide problem requiring continued legislative attention. The committee heard invited testimony from Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes and Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 General Manager Raul Sassine, who described the March flood event in Hidalgo County, including more than 20 inches of rain, six deaths, over $100 million in local damage, widespread road flooding, and repeated shutdowns of Interstate 2 and its frontage roads. They argued that existing drainage systems are under capacity, that TxDOT projects must account for downstream drainage impacts, and that local governments have already invested heavily in mitigation through bonds and partnerships. Fuentes and Sassine also described the county’s long-term flood mitigation and water-reuse efforts, including the Delta region water management project, which would capture stormwater, runoff, and treated effluent, reduce flooding, and create potable water supply. They said the drainage district manages about 780 miles of channels and 1,100 acres of detention facilities, has used prior Flood Infrastructure Fund and GLO grants, and has ongoing applications for additional state and federal assistance. Members discussed the need for TxDOT coordination, emergency access on frontage roads, local “skin in the game,” and the possibility of combining flood control with aquifer recharge and water supply projects. Texas Water Development Board Executive Administrator Brian McMath then presented an overview of the state’s flood planning and funding framework, including the post-Harvey legislative changes that created the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund, and the regional/state flood planning process. He summarized the first state flood plan adopted in 2024, noting that about one in six Texans live or work in known flood hazard areas and that regional plans identified 4,609 flood risk reduction solutions with an estimated cost of $54.5 billion. He also reviewed TWDB programs for flood grants, community assistance, flood insurance compliance, stream gauges, TexMesonet, flood mapping, and the TexasFlood.org viewer. Members asked about drainage fees, technical assistance, gauge placement, the relationship between flood maps and FEMA FIRMs, and whether flood mitigation funds could support aquifer storage and recovery or recharge projects; TWDB staff said such projects can be eligible if they include flood mitigation components, but direct technical assistance cannot be paid from Flood Infrastructure Fund dollars. The committee concluded by expressing interest in further study of combining flood mitigation with aquifer recharge, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that the Assembly suspend the rules to permit amendments to Assembly Bill 109 that was just brought
• I move that the Assembly suspend the rules to permit debate on amendments to reduce health care premiums
• I move that the Assembly suspend the rules to permit debate on amendments to reduce health care premiums
• . ...and workplace safety are protected through this budget process.
• They have been the heart and soul of this budget process.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe there was a section that has come out in the data segmentation area that did exempt or permit
• research and study and collection and compilation of data is so very important in our decision-making process
• Decision-making process, which is why I felt compelled to bring this forward.
• Facility fees are fees that are typically charged and were just recently permitted over the last number
• So they are still permitted under this bill to charge a facility fee for services outside of preventive

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have used these results for permitting have used these results for permitting and<00:47:08.640><
• Then in 2006, um Processed.
• processed and go into those dashboards. processed and go into those dashboards.
• how we go into reporting um processing how we go into reporting um processing all<01:02:52.960><
• :04:04.000> build<01:04:04.240> trust process is created to build trust process is created

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just as a little bit of an indicator, is the environmental process on this project.
• A large part of that process is the environmental process.
• That environmental process considers all those things, any potential displacement.
• But we also need that process. to be for an individual, but for a whole community.
• that the state agencies implement, we feel like it's a good process.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We found our Medicaid program across the board is riddled with inefficiencies and flawed processes, is
• , flawed processes, flawed processes, is<00:11:20.160> mismanaged, is mismanaged, is mismanaged
• but also in the health Medicaid process but also in the health delivery<00:18:28.400> outcomes
• Speaker, I consider this a unfriendly amendment. of a path and a process.
• So, so with of a path and a process.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from February 26, 2026. The clerk then reported several bills on second reading, including measures on state personnel, domestic violence, fish and wildlife resources, open records, workforce investment, data centers, guardians ad litem and domestic relations, along with Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 on a Medicaid pilot feasibility study and Senate Joint Resolution 23 declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state. The main floor business was House Bill 2, the Medicaid reform and appropriation bill. The sponsor described it as a response to rising Medicaid costs and federal changes, saying it would improve transparency, oversight, fraud prevention, and program operations. He said the bill would apply mainly to the Medicaid expansion population and include community engagement, cost-sharing, eligibility safeguards, stronger managed care oversight, transportation and dental delivery changes, waiver program prioritization, greater legislative access to CHFS data, a transparency dashboard, periodic auditor review, and limits on certain weight-management drug coverage. A House committee substitute was adopted, and a floor amendment on phasing in a marginal medical loss ratio requirement over four years was offered as a friendly amendment and adopted. The House then debated House Floor Amendment 1, which would have removed state-mandated co-payments and limited cost sharing to the federal minimum, while also prohibiting reporting medical debt to credit agencies. Supporters argued the amendment would protect low-income Kentuckians from barriers to care and prevent medical debt from worsening poverty. Opponents said the bill’s co-pays were intended to encourage appropriate use of care, especially to reduce non-emergency emergency room visits, and noted that providers and MCOs could waive or work around some charges. After a roll call vote, the amendment failed 20-39. After the amendment vote, the House continued discussion of the bill, with the sponsor defending the co-payment structure as a way to promote personal responsibility and sustainability while preserving access to primary care. The transcript ends during further debate on House Bill 2, and no final passage vote is shown in the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• thing and the reimbursement is processed.
• They also change companies in the middle of this process.
• So these folks are all still in process, right?
• March, you're recognized in the process. Thank you.
• I think because we have that same process apply.

Transcript Highlights:

• DLI is already required to investigate when work is performed without a permit.
• DLI is already required to investigate when work is performed without a permit.
• DLI is already required to investigate when work is performed without a permit.
• DLI is already required to investigate when work is performed without a permit.
• So permit is exactly 14 circuits by $3.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Signs are not permitted in the hearing room. Please leave all signs outside.
• Today's due process meeting will follow past practice and the agenda is as follows.
• Today's due process be dismissed.
• . process. process.
• <00:14:58.280> to Representative Hudson has a permit to Representative Hudson has a permit

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• protections and ensures that those who are doing the transaction are aware that they are receiving that processing
• customer to have choice if they want to use the debit card or cash they would Not receive this processing
• I'm fine with letting it go to oversight and just fixing it there as part of the Normal process with
• So if you don't mind, just let me do the normal process before oversight. I appreciate that.
• It allows the board to permit.

Bills: SB1623, SB2067, SB2132

Keywords: credit union, Oklahoma State Credit Union Board, membership, loans, investments, board compensation, financial regulations, financial exploitation, protected adults, financial institution, notification, temporary hold, credit card, surcharge, discounts, consumer protection, payment methods, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I haven't inquired as to the process and who all was involved in that.
• Nothing to do with HB4, nothing to do with our redistricting process.
• I knew that he was involved in the redistricting process and I called him.
• There is nothing that is not transparent in this process.
• Non-confusing process, like with hundreds of bills in our regular session.

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB4, HB1, HB3, HB20, HB22, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB4, SB2, SB5

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:

• But this is also an issue that I would think of: we need to look at processes that are going to be able
• If that holds, that would put the entirety of that entitlement process done by the end of the calendar
• We have also been making steady progress in construction and permitting. More than 70%...
• We have also been making steady progress in construction and permitting.
• Following a competitive process, CDT selected Skyline Technology Solutions to operate the network.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Existing conditions can take three to six months to process.
• There are two amendments, so before we do questions on the bill, let's do the amendatory process.
• The bill does continue local government's authority to control setbacks and permitting.
• The bill does continue local government's authority to control setbacks and permitting.
• Thank you. ...follows a process and procedure of everybody else.

Summary: The Committee on Rules took up a long agenda of bills and reported several measures favorably. Early action included CS for SB 678, allowing pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital, and SB 466, which designates St. Johns County as the site for the Florida Museum of Black History and creates a board to work with the supporting foundation and county officials. Senators and public speakers largely supported the museum bill, though some members asked about feasibility studies and long-term planning. The committee also approved CS for SB 578 on wine containers, SB 582 on penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings, CS for SB 1168 creating an aggravated offense for unlawful tracking-device use in furtherance of crimes, CS for SB 806 clarifying that only the Florida Attorney General may represent beneficiaries of Florida charitable trusts as a public official, and SB 1228 to support spring restoration efforts for Ichetucknee and Santa Fe springs. The committee then heard and favorably reported CS for CS for SB 304, which addresses child protective investigations involving infants and young children with genetic or other pre-existing medical conditions. The bill requires a qualified medical opinion before permanent removal in cases where injuries may be explained by an underlying condition, and it drew strong support from the sponsor and several speakers. Members also approved SB 1286 clarifying that ordinary unsupervised childhood activities, such as biking or playing outside, do not by themselves constitute neglect unless reckless, and SB 1318, a hands-free driving bill that renames the texting-while-driving law, expands the handheld-device prohibition, and adds penalties for handheld use in work and school zones and for certain serious crashes. The hands-free bill prompted the most debate, with supporters citing crash and fatality data and families sharing personal losses, while opponents raised concerns about enforcement, civil liberties, and potential disparate impacts on lower-income and minority drivers; the bill was still reported favorably after amendments. Additional measures reported favorably included SB 14 and SB 20, two claims bills for injuries and deaths involving local governments, and CS for SB 68, which updates health facilities authority financing rules to reflect modern hospital structures. The committee also approved CS for SB 172 on health care practitioner specialty titles and designations after adopting an amendment protecting CRNA titles; the bill generated questions about whether licensed practitioners with doctoral degrees may still use the title doctor under their practice acts. Throughout the meeting, most bills were adopted without opposition, and the committee repeatedly voted to report them favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate stripped that out during their amendment process when it came back to the House.
• <00:36:34.720> when out during their amendment process when out during their amendment process
• And part of that process is accountability. Nothing about being in prison is coddling.
• And part of that process is made whole.
• I just wanted to go over a few of the permitted uses that this funding would go towards.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 976 provides clarity and fairness in the process for parents challenging court-appointed
• It ensures due process, protects the integrity of the judicial appointments, and balances parental rights
• It was a very arduous process.
• It was a very arduous process.
• But if through the process of the electronic medical record, those...

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met to consider a full agenda of bills, moving quickly through 20 measures and several amendments. Early bills reported favorably included SB 976 on procedures for challenging court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, SB 306 on Medicaid managed care provider access outside regular business hours, and SB 584 on housing supports for foster youth and college students, which drew supportive testimony from former foster youth and was backed by members as a way to improve stability and educational opportunity. The committee also approved SB 1412 to modernize home health regulations and SB 1800 to create a Parkinson’s research consortium at USF, with members citing the need for more research and future funding opportunities. The committee adopted amendments on several bills, including technical and conforming changes to the Parkinson’s bill and other measures. The committee then advanced a series of health care and child welfare bills. SB 524 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening; SB 1156 revised the Home Health Aide Program for medically fragile children, including training, reimbursement, and work-hour flexibility; and SB 1490 reorganized services for medically fragile children by shifting program administration to AHCA and requiring a redesign plan for the Medicaid waiver. SB 1174 allowed foster home and child-caring agency licenses to be amended when a foster parent relocates, and SB 1620 implemented selected recommendations from the Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, including a new research center at USF and school-based behavioral health review requirements. SB 1568 revised e-prescribing exemptions, and SB 78 authorized certain veterans’ nursing home beds and related certificate-of-need transfers. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate or supportive testimony. Several bills prompted more extensive discussion and some opposition. CS for CS SB 1270, the Department of Health agency package, included provisions on vaccination-related patient rights, medical marijuana reporting, background screening, temporary licensure, compact participation, and sovereign immunity for volunteer dentists; it passed despite concerns from Senators Berman, Brodeur, and Harrell about vaccination language and board/voting-power provisions. CS for SB 1606 on patient access to records drew strong opposition from physicians and health information professionals over privacy, security, fines, and portal access; it was initially reported unfavorably, then reconsidered and ultimately reported favorably as a committee bill. CS for SB 1736, allowing insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives for individuals with developmental disabilities, and SB 1808, requiring timely refunds to patients, both passed. CS for SB 1842, requiring referring providers to help patients determine whether referred providers are in-network, also passed over concerns about burden on small practices. The committee also advanced SB 1354, a behavioral health oversight bill requiring audits, performance reporting, and system transparency measures for managing entities, and SB 1768, which authorizes physicians to perform certain stem cell therapies using specified products and requires informed consent; both drew supportive comments but also concerns about patient understanding and oversight. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to create presumptive Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals during redetermination, and after reconsideration it reported SB 1606 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting ended with members noting their recorded votes on select tabs and adjourning after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• predictability and credible process. predictability and credible process.
• to identify someone as a domestic abuser, criminal process, or some other judicial process resulting
• whether there's sufficient due process whether there's sufficient due process in<03:04:51.760>
• that they're waiting for the process. that they're waiting for the process.
• provides further due due process provides further due due process protections.<03:27:41.360>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a performance of the national anthem, then established a quorum and approved the previous day’s journal. Members handled routine business including second readings of several Senate files, first readings of House files 5067 through 5073, and messages from the Senate transmitting bills and requesting concurrence on House File 3437 and House File 1410. The House concurred in Senate amendments to HF 3437, a commerce bill with a technical cross-reference correction, and passed it 133-0. It also concurred in Senate amendments to HF 1410, a public safety bill on correctional officer procedures, and passed it 132-2 after members described the changes as clarifying and balanced for labor and management. The chamber then took up House File 3404, which increases penalties for impersonating a peace officer. The bill would raise the base offense from a gross misdemeanor to a felony, create aggravated offenses for impersonation involving unauthorized access, misleading orders, law-enforcement-style vehicles, or possession of a firearm, and add a duty for officers to identify themselves while protecting undercover work. Supporters, including the author and several members, tied the bill to the June 14, 2025 killings and said it was needed to restore public trust and protect both the public and legitimate law enforcement. The House passed HF 3404 134-0 after a moment of silence. The House also passed House File 3155, which closes a loophole in gift card fraud law by allowing prosecution based on the value stored on the card rather than just the plastic card itself. Supporters described organized retail crime schemes in which stolen gift cards are drained after activation and said the bill would help retailers, consumers, and law enforcement. The bill passed 134-0. Senate File 3958, which changes the deadline for a disaster assistance contingency account report from January 15 to January 31, also passed 134-0. Finally, the House considered House File 3875, the judiciary policy bill. An author’s amendment removed a section that had been unintentionally left in the bill, and members then discussed provisions allowing courts more flexibility in publishing notices, streamlining some notification requirements in dissolution cases, and making restitution orders permanent unless rescinded by court order. The transcript cuts off during discussion of the bill, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:39:46.960> for to go through a separate process for to go through a separate process for
• Well, that's maybe something you consider during the committee process.
• Are you advocating for any steps or processes to be changed in order to expedite these processes or these
• their processes their processes and<01:58:56.360> the<01:58:56.520> the<01:58:56.639
• station unit one this month the permit station unit one this month the permit covers<02:00:26.560

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill, SB 1213, it violates due process.
• Every day we hear of a new violation of due process.
• So this bill, SB 1213, it violates due process.
• Rulemaking has a process.
• We want to have a process.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paragraph D states that the permit or CVI pertaining to the transported animals needs to be either attached
• But paragraph C says that the permit may be issued by telephone or writing.
• So if the permit is issued by telephone, it doesn't seem as though D could be fulfilled, as that's an
• I do again remember the Department of Energy was created through a budget process.
• Uh and um and while we a budget process.

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:

• And then we are also, I hate to say permitting or granting, but we are approving a number of individual
• to say permitting or granting, but<00:01:29.400> we<00:01:29.600> are<00:01:29.760>
• You bring joy to this process.
• <00:36:27.359> You Um you uh bring joy to this process.
• You Um you uh bring joy to this process.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all