Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I move adoption of the committee substitute conference committee report.
• We go through those in the Veteran Affairs Committee and the House committees that were matched that.
• From there, rules are promulgated. TMB knows what those rules are, right?
• Move adoption of the conference committee report for House Bill 2516. ...of the conference committee
• Committee here in the Senate.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several recognitions and memorial resolutions, including honoring retiring Senate staffer Kelvin Bass and Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw and her staff. Members also adopted a series of local and honorary resolutions, including designating Rockport as the Redfish Capital of Texas, San Antonio as Military City, Texas, and Bridge City as the Corn Dog Capital of Texas, along with memorial and medal-of-honor resolutions for Texans and service members. The chamber also received messages from the House reporting passage of various measures and conference committee actions. The bulk of the meeting focused on conference committee reports and related procedural resolutions. The Senate adopted reports and/or out-of-bounds resolutions on SB 293, SB 1610, HB 46, HB 145, HB 1545, SB 650, SB 1660, HB 40, SB 2217, HB 119, HB 493, HB 3642, HB 2963, SB 2024, SB 2972, HB 2516, HB 2885, and SB 2753, among others. Topics included the Texas Civil Commitment Office, the T-Cup prescription program, wildfire mitigation and utility liability, sunset scheduling, alcohol ID swiping at retail and package stores, business court jurisdiction, election administration and data consistency, foreign adversary lobbying, poll watcher qualifications, road naming, right-to-repair, disguised vape pens, and campus expressive activity rules. Several measures passed with near-unanimous votes, while others drew more opposition, including SB 268 on medical board enforcement and SB 2753 on election procedures. There was extended debate on SB 268, which would shift enforcement authority for scope-of-practice complaints to specialty boards rather than the Texas Medical Board. Senators raised concerns about whether the bill would weaken the Medical Board’s ability to stop unlicensed practice of medicine, while supporters argued that specialty boards should police their own licensees and that criminal referrals remain available for unlicensed practice. The Senate also discussed SB 2972 on expressive activities at public universities, with questions about content-neutral restrictions, who counts as the university community, and whether the bill provides a mechanism to challenge campus time, place, and manner rules. Both bills ultimately passed their conference reports, and the Senate later adopted a large package of resolutions by voice vote before adjourning further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I see these rules of procedure.
• We do have new members to the committee and we will have to adopt those rules that Representative Newell
• Welcome to the House Committee on Commerce.
• I mean, look, I know he's on the committee.
• The process for that will be determined by rule.

Bills: HB207 , HB267 , HB300 , HB464 , HB618 , HB853

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: Louisiana Auctioneers Licensing Board, auctioneer licensing, professional licensing board, board membership, gubernatorial appointments, consumer members, public at large, Public Service Commission district, East Baton Rouge Parish, venue, domicile, licensure requirements, licensed auctioneer, occupational licensing, state board governance, Act 138, home inspectors, licensing, term limits, Louisiana State Board

Transcript Highlights:

• Move adoption, committee report. We have a motion to adopt the committee report.
• Move adoption, committee report. We have a motion to adopt the committee report.
• Committee.
• Committee.
• Committee.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rules.
• </c> if if that's already mentioned in rules if if that's already mentioned in rules why<00:10:43.560
• </c><00:12:15.360><c> up</c> here so I am just pulling the rule up here so I am just pulling the rule
• Don't speak for the rest of the committee. One member should not be speaking for the committee.
• So this is all in the rules.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This rule I am bringing today impacts Medicaid and CHIP.
• And the rule is clarifying that. For pregnant women.
• I have a rule today for medication-assisted treatment.
• The original rule was brought to this body in 2020.
• Are there any other questions regarding this rule? No.

Summary: The meeting opened with approval of the prior minutes and then took up two Department of Human Services rules. Mary Franklin of DHS’s Division of County Operations presented a Medicaid/CHIP rule that removes the 90-day waiting period for certain ARKids B children who lose other coverage, clarifies child support enforcement procedures for pregnant women, and updates good-cause language to say “rape or incest” rather than “forcible rape.” Members asked about how child support referrals and sanctions work during pregnancy and the postpartum period; Franklin explained that sanctions would not be imposed until after the 60-day postpartum period and that good-cause determinations can prevent sanctions in appropriate cases. The rule had no public comments and a small fiscal impact, and it was reviewed without objection. Elizabeth Pittman of DHS’s Division of Medical Services then presented a medication-assisted treatment rule. She explained that the change simply removes an expired federal end date from the state plan and updates the CMS template, while leaving existing coverage for counseling and lab services tied to substance use disorder treatment unchanged. In response to questions, she said the rule does not add new benefits or costs because the coverage was already required by federal and state law. The committee reviewed the rule without objection. The meeting also included an informational presentation from Jenna Goldman of UAMS about a culinary medicine experience for legislators, scheduled for March 16 for the Senate and March 17 for the House at the Institute on Aging in Little Rock. She described it as a food-is-medicine program where participants would learn about healthy cooking and how to apply it in communities with limited food options. Members discussed its connection to rural health and potential grant opportunities. The meeting ended with a brief visit from a Monticello sixth-grade class, who asked Capitol trivia questions before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This rule I am bringing today impacts Medicaid and CHIP.
• And the rule is clarifying that. For pregnant women.
• I have a rule today for medication-assisted treatment.
• The original rule was brought to this body in 2020.
• Are there any other questions regarding this rule? No.

Summary: The committee met briefly to approve prior minutes and then reviewed two Department of Human Services rules. The first, from the Division of County Operations, would remove the 90-day waiting period for certain ARKids B children who lose other coverage, clarify child support enforcement procedures for pregnant women and postpartum sanctions, and change the good-cause language from “forcible rape” to “rape or incest.” DHS said there were no public comments and only a small fiscal impact for system changes. The second rule, from the Division of Medical Services, updates the Medicaid state plan for medication-assisted treatment by removing an expired federal end date and adopting a new CMS template; officials said coverage does not change and there is no financial impact. Both rules were reviewed without objection. Members also heard an informational presentation from UAMS about a culinary medicine experience planned for March 16 for the Senate and March 17 for the House at the Institute on Aging in Little Rock. The program is intended to show how food can be used as medicine and to connect with the state’s rural health transformation priorities and possible grant opportunities. Members were encouraged to attend, wear comfortable shoes, and participate in the kitchen-based activity. The meeting ended with special recognition of a Monticello sixth-grade class visiting the Capitol for a scavenger hunt. A student asked several questions about the Capitol building’s materials and architecture, and members responded informally before the committee adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, thank the Senate Secretary for reminding me we will have a brief rules committee meeting immediately
• So, if you are on the rules committee, please remain in the chamber. Any further announcements?
• </c> reminding me we will have a brief rules reminding me we will have a brief rules committee<00:08:
• So, if you are on the<00:08:47.839><c> rules</c><00:08:48.160><c> committee,</c><00:08:48.560><c> please
• </c><00:08:48.800><c> remain</c><00:08:49.440><c> in</c> the rules committee, please remain in the rules

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're very successful members, and they have things going on in rules committees and other committees
• And I do understand if we have people that need to step out to go to Rules Committee, that's a very important
• I'm also on that Rules Committee, so if I have to run out after my testimony, happy to answer any questions
• I'm also on that Rules Committee, so if I have to run out after my testimony, happy to answer any questions
• So the main change here is to apply all of these rules to continuing committees, right? Yes.

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> career rule for our probation officers. career rule for our probation officers.
• Please state your government committee.
• </c> this committee to send this to finance. this committee to send this to finance.
• </c> committee. All those f in favor say I. committee. All those f in favor say I.
• </c> recommend to pass and reer to rules. recommend to pass and reer to rules.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Report of a committee.
• A report of a committee.
• The Committee on Rules of the Two Branches, acting concurrently, reports recommending that Joint Rule
• The Committee on Rules of the Two Branches is acting concurrently on several Senate petitions and reports
• committees.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a brief acknowledgment of Transgender Day of Remembrance, with remarks honoring transgender and gender non-conforming individuals and reaffirming a commitment to safety and dignity for all. The chamber then took up several Election Laws committee reports involving local validation and ratification measures, including legislation to validate the proceedings of the Millbury annual town meeting and Senate 2679, which ratifies acts and proceedings related to Plymouth town meeting and actions by Plymouth officials. The Senate ordered the Millbury bill to a third reading and likewise ordered Senate 2679 to a third reading. It also considered reports from the Committee on Rules of the Two Branches recommending suspension of Joint Rule 12 for several Senate petitions, and the Senate voted to suspend the necessary rules so the matters could be considered forthwith and referred to their respective committees. One measure was passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor for approval. After a brief recess, the Senate adopted an order to adjourn until Monday at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that the rules be suspended.
• I move that the rules be suspended.
• Senator Gildon moves that the rules be suspended.
• Senator Dhingra moves that the rules be suspended.
• I move with the rules be spent.

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of tax, economic, judicial, education, and health-related bills, often after adopting technical or clarifying amendments. Major measures included Engrossed Senate Bill 6347, which restores recent estate tax changes while preserving last year’s increase in the exclusion amount and inflation adjustment; Substitute Senate Bill 6289, directing the Department of Commerce to create a statewide economic development and competitiveness strategic plan; and Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6162, expanding and simplifying senior citizen property tax relief. Senators supporting these bills emphasized tax administration, economic growth, and relief for seniors, while opponents raised concerns about regressivity, revenue losses, and tax shifts to other taxpayers. The chamber also passed bills extending or clarifying tax preferences and fees, including Senate Bill 6244 (extending a hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products), Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6113 (technical corrections to Department of Revenue tax law guidance, after removing a disputed section on advertising tax invalidation), Senate Bill 6114 (defining “fixture” and “affixed” for real estate excise tax purposes), Senate Bill 5970 (making a senior citizen center property tax exemption permanent), Senate Bill 5832 (raising the motor vehicle arbitration fee to support the Lemon Law program), and Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6262 (expanding the vehicle weight threshold for transportation benefit district fees). Debate on these measures centered on whether they were modest administrative updates or additional burdens on taxpayers and businesses. Several non-tax bills also advanced. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6086 strengthened security for judicial officers and court personnel, with amendments clarifying terminology and adding industrial appeals judges to the definition of judicial officers. Substitute Senate Bill 5961 transferred early literacy programs, including Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Reach Out and Read, from DCYF to OSPI. Senate Bill 5868 added one superior court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties, and Substitute Senate Bill 5923 reclassified a Skagit County hospital as a critical access hospital to improve reimbursement and help it remain viable. The Senate also passed Substitute Senate Bill 5520, revising the Wrongly Convicted Persons Act to improve compensation procedures, despite debate over whether to include civil detention-related claims. Most bills passed by constitutional majorities, with a few recorded nays and one division vote on an amendment; the Senate then adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• It went through a Senate committee. Unanimously. It went through a Senate committee unanimously.
• I was surprised that the unanimousness you pointed out—House committee, House floor, Senate committee
• But in that final ruling, what they did is they ruled that it is a waste. That's their ruling.
• You were talking about they had a ruling. You're talking to specific waste ruling? Yes.
• It went to 2014 on the final rule.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee for your time and your consideration today.
• So good afternoon, Chair, members of the committee.
• And we had different rules that came before us also.
• are exempted from that rule where you know my preference is we just don't make the rule in the first
• the rules.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee for your time and your consideration today.
• So good afternoon, Chair, members of the committee.
• And we had different rules that came before us also.”
• the rules.
• We will bring it to committee members for questions or comments.

Summary: The committee first established quorum and then approved several governor’s appointments and procedural items, including appointments to the Civil Rights Council, Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, UC College of the Law, San Francisco Board of Directors, bill referrals, and floor acknowledgments. Most of these items passed unanimously, while the Civil Rights Council appointment of Indira Cameron Banks passed 3-2. The bulk of the meeting focused on confirmations to the California Air Resources Board. Supervisor Linda Hopkins and Mayor Patricia Locke Dawson, both nominated to CARB, described their backgrounds and emphasized balancing climate and air-quality goals with economic impacts, community engagement, and practical implementation. Senators raised concerns about cap-and-trade costs, leakage, warehouse and truck traffic impacts, agricultural burdens, emergency vehicle and fleet electrification challenges, natural gas appliance rules, hydrogen, nuclear energy, and the need for socioeconomic analysis. Both nominees said they favored open-door engagement, listening to affected communities, and using data and technology-neutral approaches. Public commenters largely supported both nominees, and the committee voted to advance Hopkins 4-0 and Locke Dawson 5-0 to the full Senate. The committee also heard the appointment of Andrew Rakestraw as chair of the Board of Environmental Safety. Rakestraw, who previously worked in U.S. climate and legal roles, said he would focus on transparency, accountability, fiscal stability, and community responsiveness at DTSC. Senators questioned him about DTSC reform, community engagement in places like the Hinkley/Herupah Valley and Exide cleanup areas, fee-setting and fiscal stability, the hazardous waste management plan, and coordination with the Environmental Justice Advisory Council. He said the board should go beyond brief public comment periods, engage communities directly, and ensure community concerns are reflected in outcomes. Supporters from environmental justice and waste-management groups testified in favor, no opposition was offered, and the committee moved his nomination forward to the Senate floor, with one member abstaining.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are actually rules now. There's a procedure set out in rules. Isn't that something? Yeah.
• <03:47:19.680><c> study</c><03:47:19.960><c> committee</c> committee study committee committee study
• rules during that whole time.
• And I mean, the rules are there.
• Red is where the rule got weaker. Green is where the rule got stronger.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee met in work session on several bills, beginning with HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training. Members said the bill had been sent to the Animal Protection and Licensing Subcommittee, where Representative Kuttab is expected to schedule a meeting soon to consider possible amendments based on testimony and other ideas. The committee later returned to HB 153 and confirmed a work session was planned for February 14, with discussion also including whether to explore a task force concept raised in testimony. The committee also discussed HB 215 and HB 566, both related to landfill permitting and leachate or harm/benefit reporting. Representative Gerana said he had met with the DES director and was working on amendments that would add a preliminary screening phase for determining net public benefit and expand the list of benefits beyond capacity need to include items such as economic and infrastructure benefits. HB 566 was said to be in the same posture as HB 215, and both were slated for subcommittee review the following Tuesday morning. HB 171 was also added for subcommittee discussion, with members saying the changes would be technical rather than substantive. HB 240, which removes forfeiture penalties for non-payment of dog licenses, drew support for a simple amendment changing a statutory “shall” to “may” so municipal officials would have discretion about issuing a warrant. Representative Bixby said OLS advised that this was the cleanest way to provide flexibility, and he reported that the sponsor was agreeable to the change. The committee also discussed HB 179, concerning hazardous waste accident fees, where the sponsor proposed a revised amendment imposing a $1,000-per-day penalty after 90 days of non-payment. Members raised concerns about homeowners, hobby farmers, and whether the bill could unfairly burden people who were not negligent or whose insurance claims were delayed. The sponsor and others said the intent was to recover costs from responsible parties, especially businesses, and to protect local taxpayers and fire departments from bearing the cost of damaged hazardous materials equipment. No votes were taken; the bills were left for further subcommittee work and amendment drafting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been through this committee, been through, or not through this committee, it's been through the
• It's been through this committee, been through, or not through this committee, it's been through the
• That's on rule promulgation.
• With no other business before the committee, the Committee for Insurance is now adjourned.
• With no other business before the committee, the Committee for Insurance is now adjourned.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chair and committee members.
• And if you read the rule, there is nothing in the rule that requires the utilities to pay for this.
• This is a rule that's been adopted by DEP.
• It's a rule ratification.
• Good afternoon, members of the committee.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met and first took up CS/SB 1422, as amended, which focused on coral reef protection and surface waters. The strike-all amendment redesignated coral reefs as critical natural infrastructure, emphasized their role in disaster mitigation and climate resilience, and was described as helping streamline permitting and access to federal restoration funding. Audubon Florida waived in support, and the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered SPB 7034, a rule ratification related to DEP’s minimum flows and levels recovery strategy for the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers and Priority Springs. Senators questioned the rule’s effects on consumptive use, funding, and whether utilities or taxpayers would bear costs. Several speakers from the Florida Springs Council and local river advocates opposed the rule, arguing it delays restoration and relies too heavily on a single long-term wastewater reuse project, while DEP and utility representatives supported it. The committee approved the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably, with Senator Smith voting no. Next, the committee heard CS/SB 1510, which made changes to DEP-related programs including springs basin management action plans, septic system requirements, resilience cost-share eligibility, permitting procedures, and land acquisition governance. A late-filed strike-all removed biosolids provisions and other items, and the main public concern centered on a 60-day delay before B-MAP changes take effect, which opponents said could delay springs restoration and allow conventional septic systems to be installed before new restrictions apply. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 1196, which restricts new ash-producing incinerators and waste-to-energy facilities within two miles of certain federally authorized water impoundment areas, after debate over impacts on local waste disposal options and environmental protections; and CS/SB 912, the Safe Battery Collection and Recovery Act, which creates a producer stewardship framework for battery collection and recycling, with support from industry and recycling groups citing battery fires and growing waste-stream concerns. Finally, the committee recommended confirmation of Gary Jennings to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that Substitute Senate Bill 5249 be reported without recommendation to the Rules Committee.
• With your vote, you've moved Senate Bill 5249 without recommendation to the Rules Committee, subject
• I move that substitute Senate Bill 5249 be reported without recommendation to the Rules Committee.
• Be reported without recommendation to the Rules Committee.
• I move that Substitute Senate Bill 5203 be moved without recommendation to the Rules Committee.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on January 20, 2026, hearing several bills related to retirement systems, school employee health coverage, port district pensions, environmental fee accounts, developmental disability services, legislative budget transparency, and a new Apple Health employer assessment. Early in the meeting, the committee heard SB 5834, which would make permanent a temporary expansion allowing certain retirement trust fund earnings to pay broader administrative expenses, and SB 5835, which would raise the lump-sum retirement allowance threshold for Plan 2 members from $50 to $250. Both bills were presented by Department of Retirement Systems staff and supported by the department, with questions focused on the scope of the administrative-expense language in SB 5834 and the technical nature of SB 5835. The committee then entered executive session and moved three bills without recommendation to the Rules Committee: Substitute SB 5249, allowing kit homes as emergency housing; Substitute SB 5053, allowing certain counties to include school district boundaries when forming a public facilities district; and Substitute SB 5203, directing state agencies to develop a wildlife habitat connectivity strategy and creating related accounts. After returning to public hearing, members heard SB 5883 on SEBB eligibility for school employees in their second school year of employment. Supporters, including labor representatives and individual school workers, said the bill would reduce coverage gaps and improve recruitment and retention, while school district officials and administrators argued it would create an unfunded mandate, increase costs, and add administrative burden. No action was taken on the bill. The committee also heard SB 5905, which would exclude certain port district employees from PERS if they are covered by the federal Railroad Retirement Plan or a collectively bargained defined benefit pension plan. Port representatives, labor stakeholders, and the Department of Retirement Systems described it as a narrow technical fix to avoid duplicate pension coverage and retroactive liabilities, and the bill drew support. SB 6151 would create dedicated accounts for Ecology fee revenue tied to laboratory accreditation and landfill methane work; Ecology and county representatives supported the measure as a way to reinvest fees in the programs that generate them. SB 6163 would require the Individual and Family Services waiver for developmental disability services to be budgeted at maintenance level; advocates said it would stabilize services and prevent waitlists, and no opposition was heard. The final two bills were SB 6177, which would require LEAP’s budget website to display additional budget detail such as carry-forward data, program and subprogram expenditures, and balance sheets for all public accounts, and SB 6173, which would create an Apple Health employer assessment on larger private employers with workers enrolled in Medicaid expansion coverage. SB 6177 was framed as a transparency measure, while SB 6173 drew extensive testimony both in support and opposition: supporters said it would help offset expected Medicaid losses after federal work requirements take effect and stabilize the health safety net, while opponents argued it would be an unfunded tax, create administrative and legal complications, and could discourage hiring or reduce hours. The committee heard no final votes on the public hearing bills, and staff reminded members that signature sheets would be held for 24 hours under Senate rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 848, 847, 866, and 867 have been sent to the Judiciary, Rules, and Administration Committee
• Speaker, we, your committee on Judiciary, Rules, and Administration, report that we have transmitted
• Speaker, we are the Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration.
• House Bill 939 was referred to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee for printing.
• House Bill 939, refer to the District of Rules Administration Committee for printing.

Summary: The House convened with 66 members present, approved the journal, and received messages that several House bills had been signed by the governor and that multiple Senate bills and House bills had been transmitted, enrolled, or filed. The chamber also handled committee reports, introduced new measures, and referred several bills and resolutions to committees, including House Bill 938 and House Concurrent Resolution 37. House Concurrent Resolution 37, which urged rejection of rural health transformation funds, and House Resolution 29, which would amend House Rule 18, were sent to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee for printing. On third reading, the House passed House Bill 897 on data center tax exemptions and resource-use requirements, House Bill 926 expanding community infrastructure districts to counties outside city limits, House Bill 935 consolidating the Board of Denturity with the Board of Dentistry, House Concurrent Resolution 36 supporting the Idaho Air National Guard’s transition from A-10s to F-16s, and Senate Bill 1326 as amended, a property-rights/open-fields bill limiting warrantless entry onto private land while preserving certain law-enforcement and welfare-check exceptions. House Bill 842, a property-tax and budget-limit bill revising the earlier 389 framework, failed on a 28-41 vote. House Bill 910 was returned to committee. Later, the House passed Senate Bill 1258 allowing rural distilleries to serve their own products without a restaurant requirement, Senate Bill 1387 on the State Historical Society budget, Senate Bill 1388 on Department of Correction enhancements, Senate Bill 1262 clarifying insurer investment rules, Senate Bill 1285 as amended recognizing nonpublic-school diplomas for licensing purposes, Senate Bill 1250 expanding protections for death-scene photographs, Senate Bill 1260 revising immigration-related enforcement language, Senate Bill 1311 requiring ignition-interlock vendors to notify authorities of violations, Senate Bill 1369 changing venue rules so lawsuits may be filed where an incident occurred, and Senate Bill 1303 expanding eligible uses of energy royalties to additional energy resources. Senate Bill 1382, the Fish and Game budget, failed on a 32-36 vote after debate over wolf depredation funding and federal funds. The House also considered Senate Joint Memorial 11 urging protection of public lands from mass disposal; debate focused on access, land exchanges, and the fiscal effects of federal land ownership, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, it passed with unanimous votes on the Special Committee on Rural Issues and in the Rules-Administrative
• Committee.
• I would like to wait and see what the committee rules on before we move this, but thank you for the inquiry
• That is a rule of the House, and the rule of the Senate as well.
• And I think the bill's passage through both committees, its rules and originating committee, without

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by roll call vote, 102-1. Members then used points of personal privilege and special guest introductions to recognize constituents, advocacy groups, students, school officials, physical therapy advocates, domestic violence service providers, and others. One member delivered an emotional statement about the arrest of the suspect in his sister’s 26-year-old murder case, thanking law enforcement and prosecutors involved in the cold-case investigation. The chamber then took up House Bills 2097 and 1905, a measure to expand an agriculture education pilot program into a statewide option for elementary schools. Supporters from both parties described it as a way to teach children where food comes from, connect agriculture with literacy and math, and encourage interest in farming and related careers. The House adopted the committee substitute and perfected and printed the bills. Members also considered House Bill 2167, which would codify and expand authority for Attorney General investigators and, through amendments, address House and Senate security officers and certain other state officers. Debate centered on whether the bill improperly broadened the original subject and whether it would give too much arrest power or create safety and constitutional concerns. One amendment to the amendment failed on a roll call, 62-68-1, but the House adopted the St. Charles amendment 61-43 and then perfected and printed HB 2167 as amended. Finally, the House took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2747 and 2047, a clean-slate/automatic expungement bill. Supporters said it would give people who have completed their sentences a second chance and improve access to jobs and stability; the sponsor also explained a related change limiting death-penalty sentencing in hung-jury cases so judges would not impose death in that circumstance. The House adopted an amendment requiring expungements to be shared with consumer reporting agencies, then adopted the committee substitute and perfected and printed the bill as amended. The House also announced upcoming events and then recessed until 2 p.m.