Transcript Highlights:

• Procurement requiring contributions for getting an infrastructure grant, and the statewide franchise
• fee or franchise for cable should also carry a responsibility for affordable offers and also a contribution
• Both of your organizations have been very successful in winning public benefits as part of merger agreements
• Part of merger agreements for recent mergers.
• of the affordable offers that exist today came out of negotiations for voluntary public benefit agreements

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2027, physical ability agreement. HB 2028, DWR application as administration.
• requirement; HB 2034, under the basic first aid; HB 2035, DCS kinship requirement; these, HB 2038, franchises

Summary: The House convened with prayer by Deacon Ernesto Ramirez and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Representative Rachel Keshel. The journal from January 12 was approved, and Dr. Andrew Carroll was introduced as Doctor of the Day. Members also heard a proclamation recognizing January 13 as Arizona Human Trafficking Awareness Day, with remarks highlighting the work of the Arizona Human Trafficking Survivor Coalition and the importance of survivor-led prevention and awareness efforts. The chamber then handled routine business, including messages from the Senate and two motions related to adjournment. The House agreed to grant the Senate consent to adjourn after Thursday, January 15, 2026, until Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and also requested the Senate’s consent for the House to do the same. Members observed personal remarks for former Senator Barbara Left and Representative Kyle Powell. A long list of bills and resolutions was introduced and read for first and second reading, covering topics such as elections, water policy, education, public safety, health care, agriculture, taxation, and several memorials and resolutions. No substantive debate or votes on those measures occurred in this transcript. Committee announcements were made for several meetings, and the House adjourned until 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

Bills: SJR39 , SJR47 , SB227 , SB1942 , SB1627 , SB625 , SB1716 , SB1303 , SB2180 , SB504 , SB1209 , SB1448 , SB1597 , SB1679 , SB2182 , SB2112 , SB2170 , SB2084 , SB1496 , SB1595 , SB1655 , SB1876 , SB1621 , SB1944 , SB1266 , SB2072 , SB2104 , SB1769 , SB1827

Keywords: property valuation, tax limit, homestead, income threshold, elderly, constitutional amendment, voter ID, elections, Oklahoma, proof of identity, gross production tax, ad valorem tax, property exemption, Oklahoma Tax Commission, oil and gas production, regulatory impact, economic implications, dental insurance, health care, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1170 by Enos of Hidalgo, relating to international cooperation agreements between certain
• Senate Bill 1231 by Creighton, relating to the franchise tax credit for taxable entities that purchased
• Senate Bill 1282 by Parker, relating to the authority authorizing adoption assistance agreements for
• Senate Bill 1326 by Johnson, relating to civil liability arising from a firearm hold agreement, to State

Bills: SJR36 , SJR3 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB5 , SJR52 , SJR53 , SJR54 , SJR55 , SCR18 , SCR19 , SCR22 , SB27 , SB29 , SB35 , SB1151 , SB1152 , SB1153 , SB1154 , SB1155 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1160 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1168 , SB1169 , SB1170 , SB1171 , SB1172 , SB1173 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176 , SB1177 , SB1178 , SB1179 , SB1180 , SB1181 , SB1182 , SB1183 , SB1184 , SB1185 , SB1186 , SB1187 , SB1188 , SB1189 , SB1190 , SB1191 , SB1192 , SB1193 , SB1194 , SB1195 , SB1196 , SB1197 , SB1198 , SB1199 , SB1200 , SB1201 , SB1202 , SB1203 , SB1204 , SB1205 , SB1206 , SB1207 , SB1208 , SB1209 , SB1210 , SB1211 , SB1212 , SB1213 , SB1214 , SB1215 , SB1216 , SB1217 , SB1218 , SB1219 , SB1220 , SB1221 , SB1222 , SB1223 , SB1224 , SB1225 , SB1226 , SB1227 , SB1228 , SB1229 , SB1230 , SB1231 , SB1232 , SB1233 , SB1234 , SB1235 , SB1236 , SB1237 , SB1238 , SB1239 , SB1240 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1243 , SB1244 , SB1245 , SB1246 , SB1247 , SB1248 , SB1249 , SB1250 , SB1251 , SB1252 , SB1253 , SB1254 , SB1255 , SB1256 , SB1257 , SB1258 , SB1259 , SB1260 , SB1261 , SB1262 , SB1263 , SB1264 , SB1265 , SB1266 , SB1267 , SB1268 , SB1269 , SB1270 , SB1271 , SB1272 , SB1273 , SB1274 , SB1275 , SB1276 , SB1277 , SB1278 , SB1279 , SB1280 , SB1281 , SB1282 , SB1283 , SB1284 , SB1285 , SB1286 , SB1287 , SB1288 , SB1289 , SB1290 , SB1291 , SB1292 , SB1293 , SB1294 , SB1295 , SB1296 , SB1297 , SB1298 , SB1299 , SB1300 , SB1301 , SB1302 , SB1303 , SB1304 , SB1305 , SB1306 , SB1307 , SB1308 , SB1309 , SB1310 , SB1311 , SB1312 , SB1313 , SB1314 , SB1315 , SB1316 , SB1317 , SB1318 , SB1319 , SB1320 , SB1321 , SB1322 , SB1323 , SB1324 , SB1325 , SB1326 , SB1327 , SB1328 , SB1329 , SB1330 , SB1331 , SB1332 , SB1333 , SB1334 , SB1335 , SB1336 , SB1337 , SB1338 , SB1339 , SB1340 , SB1341 , SB1342 , SB1343 , SB1344 , SB1345 , SB1621 , SJR57

Summary: The Senate met briefly to receive first-reading referrals of a large number of bills, resolutions, and joint resolutions. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public education, health care, criminal justice, business regulation, transportation, water and natural resources, local government, taxation, elections, and public information. Many of the filings were by Senators Hughes, Perry, Alvarado, Creighton, Hancock, Parker, Zaffirini, Blanco, and others, and included proposals on school safety, health records and billing, election procedures, water planning, housing and rent issues, energy and environmental regulation, and criminal penalties. The chamber also read several concurrent and joint resolutions, including measures designating state symbols and local honors, a proposed constitutional amendment related to gaming by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, a proposal concerning special-session subjects, and resolutions on fiscal restraints and retirement obligations. No debate, testimony, or substantive action on the merits of the measures occurred in this portion of the transcript; the items were simply read and referred to committees. At the close of the proceedings, the Senate adjourned pursuant to a previously adopted motion and announced it would reconvene at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 4.

Transcript Highlights:

• open the possibility that a future legislature could implement the tax. loophole that allows for a franchise
• There is currently a franchise tax on. in some cases, a business trust that sells assets for a gain.
• , and I think there's a resource witness here from the Comptroller's office, but yes, there is a franchise
• think of as a personal capital gains tax, but it would also remove effectively this other business franchise

Bills: HB195 , HB247 , HB255 , HJR2 , HJR4 , HJR6 , HJR31 , HJR34 , HB195 , HB247 , HB255 , HJR6 , HJR31 , HJR34

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: school district, ad valorem tax, local revenue, tax collection, education funding, border security, tax exemption, ad valorem, real property, infrastructure, Texas-Mexico border, ad valorem taxation, farm products, livestock, timber, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• There is not an ironclad agreement. There is not an agreement about amendments.
• There is not an ironclad<00:03:30.720><c> agreement.
• There is not an ironclad agreement.
• </c> agreement about amendments. agreement about amendments.
• </c><01:01:44.720><c> on</c> can come to true bipartisan agreement on can come to true bipartisan agreement

Bills: HF3127 , HF3816 , HF3814 , HF3815 , HF3817

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1879 by Simmons relating to franchise tax credit to entities that established a grocery store or health
• HB 1935 by Goodwin rulings to the adoption of the agreement among the states of the elected president
• suit relating to the authority of Missouri County Commissioner's Court to execute tax abatement agreements
• HB 2361 by Spiller relating to agreements between local law enforcement agencies in the United States
• City agreements between governmental entities and foreign country communities refer to the Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• definition 2025 DWR appealment agency 2026 assured water supply co-mealing 2027 physical ability agreement
• HB 2038, franchises related to definition. HB 2039, clergy priest duty, duty report.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3484 by Vandiver relating to agreements of border municipalities.
• HB 3547 by Paul relating to an exemption from the franchise tax for certain qualified space companies

Summary: The House met briefly to read a large number of first-reading bills, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions and refer them to the appropriate committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public health, education, criminal justice, taxation, transportation, water and natural resources, elections, housing, veterans issues, local government, and constitutional amendments. Several bills focused on school policy, health care regulation, property tax and sales tax changes, criminal penalties, and local or state agency authority. Among the notable items were proposals on name and sex changes on birth records, college admissions inquiries into criminal history, foster care contractor liability, school nutrition and assessment policy, election procedures, homestead and franchise tax exemptions, public retirement system reporting, and numerous transportation and infrastructure measures. The House also received resolutions designating local honors and observances, including Brownsville as the bicycling capital of the Rio Grande Valley, Port Aransas as the fishing capital of Texas, and Selena Quintanilla Perez Day. Some measures proposed constitutional amendments on legislative procedure, homestead taxation, and election-law enforcement authority. No debate or testimony occurred in this segment; the action was limited to first reading and referral. The session also referred several resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars. At the end of the proceedings, the House adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• a high risk, that they pose a substantial risk of not performing duties required under the grant agreement
• ><c> and</c><00:05:55.280><c> the</c><00:05:55.880><c> and</c><00:05:56.120><c> the</c> grant um agreement
• and the and the grant um agreement and the and the commissioner<00:05:57.480><c> is</c><00:05:58.120
• </c><01:31:06.440><c> Study</c><01:31:06.720><c> found</c> corporate franchise tax.
• Study found corporate franchise tax.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• I would think so, and I would imagine that we would have been in agreement that we may have had some
• We have a franchise program... ...But we have declined to offer our franchises in Texas because we know

Bills: HB842 , HB1907 , HB2844 , HB2892 , HB3439 , HB4211 , HB4536 , HB5111 , HB5138 , HB5182 , HB5247 , HB5269 , HB5323 , HB5435 , HJR201 , SB871 , HB3896 , SJR40

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• Rainey Pollock on behalf of the International Franchise Association, and this is on a different topic
• Two years ago, Senator Anberg passed a bill that would require the registration of franchise brokers,
• people to understand what their background is before they invest a lot of money in a particular franchise
• Before you leave, say the program again—the franchise. It's a franchise broker registration.
• So these are the brokers who, when you're selling franchises, whether it's fast food, gyms, going around

Transcript Highlights:

• c> and it states that they are not and it states that they are not irrevocable<00:11:12.120><c> franchises
• </c><00:11:12.920><c> but</c><00:11:13.120><c> are</c><00:11:13.240><c> instead</c> irrevocable franchises
• , but are instead irrevocable franchises, but are instead grants<00:11:14.200><c> of</c><00:11:14.360
• capacity online, either through the construction of a new power plant or through purchase power agreements
• ,</c><00:20:13.360><c> that</c> through purchase power agreements, that through purchase power agreements

Committee: Senate Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• have a deal: you're going to mow my grass for five years at $40 a time, and two years into that agreement
• have a deal: you're going to mow my grass for five years at $40 a time, and two years into that agreement
• have a deal: you're going to mow my grass for five years at $40 a time, and two years into that agreement
• Like, so I know franchise fees go up often and the customers aren't notified. Should we leave that?
• So the original agreement, the original contract you had was for $100.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on Wednesday, April 22, with a quorum present and heard several bills. HB 1195, relating to the Louisiana State Athletic Commission, was amended with technical changes and a fee-related amendment tied to student athlete agents, then reported favorably. Members asked about criminal penalties and whether the bill would affect prison athletic events; the author said he would follow up on those questions. HB 798, the Broadband and Cable Price Notice Act, was amended to clarify definitions, federal compliance, notice requirements, and severability, then reported favorably after extensive debate over whether providers already give adequate notice, whether a separate notice is necessary, and whether the bill would be preempted by federal law. Charter Communications testified in opposition, saying the bill was duplicative and would add costs, while the author argued it was needed to ensure clear, conspicuous notice of price increases and cancellation rights.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that was the agreement that we all came to.
• that um we And that was the agreement that um we all<00:03:07.440><c> came</c><00:03:07.959><c> to.
• ><c> uh</c><00:15:37.360><c> included</c> bargaining agreement that uh included bargaining agreement
• And so that just results in an agreement.
• That was identical in both bills, so that's an agreement.

Transcript Highlights:

• If there's a child, usually there's a third party who would be involved as well, a contractual agreement
• with some brand but the royalties are gained because of some Contractual agreement with some brand,
• So if a chamber sets this up or if a restaurant franchise sets this up or whatever, it doesn't really
• We pay a very substantial franchise fee to the National Park Service.
• The Congress and I are near agreement on sweeping welfare reform.

Bills: HB2010 , HB2192 , HB2199 , HB2279 , HB2310 , HB2459 , HB2501 , HB2555 , HB2690 , HB2693

Committees: House Commerce , House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Keywords: digital goods, advertising, ownership, license, consumer protection, refund policies, streaming services, minors, content creators, online platforms, compensation, trust accounts, child protection, video content, privacy, employment, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, landlord tenant laws, tenant rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Litigation brought the two sides to an agreement in December of 2022 between John Deere and Farm Bureau
• Litigation brought the two sides to an agreement in December of 2022 between John Deere and Farm Bureau
• Litigation brought the two sides to an agreement in December of 2022 between John Deere and Farm Bureau
• In addition to these model rules, there are also technical changes around franchise registration and
• franchise registration and authorization<00:57:06.720><c> and</c><00:57:06.880><c> authorization</c>

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• operations, and liabilities within a single LLC through designated series established by operating agreement
• I think it's going on almost five years now, against Netflix and Hulu for not paying their video franchise
• Then you open up the opportunity for the video franchise companies in this case to go to the legislature
• a separate contract with them to work at an hourly rate, and that's not part of the contingency agreement
• So saying that those things are exclusive, that you can't do the TRO unless they've signed the agreement

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1142, which would clarify the Secretary of State’s authority to issue certificates of good standing to series LLCs and make each series searchable on the Secretary of State’s website. The sponsor said the bill was needed to preserve a long-standing practice and keep Missouri business-friendly, and witnesses from the Missouri Chamber and a law firm supported it as a simple clarification. No opposition was presented, and the hearing concluded without a vote in the transcript. The committee then took up House Bill 3347, sponsored by Rep. Murphy, which had two parts: one establishing requirements for political subdivisions entering contingency-fee legal contracts, and another addressing a Kansas City ordinance restricting sales of small liquor bottles in certain areas. Supporters of the legal-contract portion argued that local governments should coordinate with the Attorney General on contingency-fee cases involving statewide issues, citing opioid, PFAS, environmental, and other multi-jurisdictional litigation as examples where attorney fees and fragmented local action created delays and inefficiencies. Opponents, including the Missouri Municipal League, Missouri Association of Counties, and private attorneys, argued the bill would add bureaucracy, delay cases, undermine local control, and potentially freeze out smaller communities; they also raised concerns about vague language, a 45-day review period, and retroactive effects on existing contracts. On the alcohol portion, industry witnesses supported the amendment, saying the Kansas City proposal was discriminatory, unsupported by data, and would hurt retailers and tax revenue. After the hearing, the committee moved into executive session and unanimously voted House Committee Substitute for Senate Bills 907, 1154, and 1272 do pass and do pass with consent, after adopting a technical substitute. The transcript then returned to HB 3347, where testimony continued on both the legal-contract and alcohol provisions, but no final committee vote on HB 3347 appears in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Along with that comes a lot of infrastructure funding agreements and a lot of burdensome reports.
• With that comes a lot of infrastructure funding agreements and a lot of burdensome reporting and tracking
• You know, again, it's more like a franchise model.
• I think there was a question around a franchise model in the list of questions.
• you walked into across the state, you would be receiving the same type of service, similar to a franchise

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The meeting focused on Arkansas’s proposed workforce system overhaul, including a combined WIOA/Perkins state plan and a package of federal waiver requests intended to consolidate workforce governance, reduce administrative costs, and redirect more funding to training and supportive services. Commerce officials said the plan would replace the current structure of 10 local workforce boards and more than 200 board members with a single statewide board and one administrative entity, while keeping local offices open and using regional business councils to preserve employer and local input. They said the state has already reduced Commerce headcount and operating costs, and that the changes would improve coordination with higher education, adult education, vocational rehabilitation, DHS, and Arkansas Industry Connect. Much of the discussion centered on the waiver package, especially the proposal to make the state board function as the local board, allow more flexible movement of funds across regions, eliminate the WIOA “last dollar” requirement for training and supportive services, create affiliate sites instead of requiring every area to maintain a comprehensive center, and relax the 14 youth program element requirement. Officials said the State Board of Workforce Development approved the waiver package 11-3 before it was submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, and that implementation would begin only after federal approval and a closeout process, likely taking up to a year. They also described plans to streamline referrals and data sharing, expand mobile and virtual services, and use a more centralized model to improve customer service and employer engagement. Members raised repeated concerns about rural representation, local control, board composition, and whether jobs and relationships would be lost if local boards were eliminated. Commerce officials responded that local offices would remain open, some current staff could be rehired by the state, and regional business councils would help ensure local employer voice. Several members also questioned how the funding was being used, citing audit findings that only about $1.8 million to $1.9 million of roughly $14 million to $15 million in federal workforce funds had gone to training and supportive services. Officials said the reorganization could increase annual training spending to roughly $6 million to $7 million by reducing overhead, one-stop operator contracts, and board administration. The committee also discussed how the changes might support workforce training facilities, apprenticeships, child care and transportation assistance, and employer-driven training in fields such as manufacturing, health care, technology, and welding. The Division of Higher Education also briefed members on Workforce Pell. Officials explained that the new federal program would extend Pell eligibility to short-term programs, but only within narrow limits, such as 150 to 599 clock hours and 8 to 15 weeks of instruction, with additional completion and employment benchmarks. They said Arkansas is working with colleges and universities to identify programs that fit the criteria and that the governor has designated the Division of Higher Education to lead implementation. No votes were taken by the committee during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Along with that comes a lot of infrastructure funding agreements and a lot of burdensome reports.
• With that comes a lot of infrastructure funding agreements and a lot of burdensome reporting and tracking
• You know, again, it's more like a franchise model.
• I think there was a question around a franchise model in the list of questions.
• Memorandums of understanding and infrastructure agreements would be executed.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE