Transcript Highlights:

• from a local district attorney in House District One to address several inconsistencies. existing code
• in the prosecutor's office being unable to turn over all evidence in the case. required by current code
• House Bill 2665 amends Family Code. to mandate that D. F. P. S.
• Complying with our duties under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 3914, which you all know is the Michael
• of our. hours in a very timely, extremely timely fashion on exactly why they feel and where in the code

Bills: HB741 , HB 1199 , HB2070 , HB2402 , HB2542 , HB2665 , HB2789 , HB3096 , HB3396 , HB3595 , HB3747 , HB4116 , HB4127

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, a unique code.
• So, I can't read a QR code.
• unique code.
• They include a QR code. That QR code can't be read by a standard QR code reader, right?
• That code is checked in and that code identifies that that ballot was returned by that voter.

Bills: HB429 , HB496 , HB640 , HB657 , HB665 , HB677 , HB952

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: Texas Election Code, elections, voting station, polling place, ballot marking, ballot reading, child accompaniment, minor, parental supervision, voter education, secretary of state, county election administrator, voter assistance, election administration, poll worker rules, ballot secrecy, HB 496, ballot option, none of the above, abstain from vote

Transcript Highlights:

• There is not a step therapy exception process in code.
• It's Code of Federal Regulations.
• Additionally, IHS facilities bill with a revenue code and a procedure code is not required.
• Either code or a combination of these codes will be allowed one time per quadrant every two years for
• And I think you can even do it by code.

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:

• effective date of July 1, 2028, and specifies that L&I will coordinate with Commerce and a State Building Code
• If the detached ADUs are subject to certain development regulations, the county has certain code enforcement
• Counties must have certain code enforcement measures in place, including a voluntary code compliance
• permit accessory dwelling units on existing parcels outside UGAs, subject to local zoning, building codes

Bills: SB6015 , SB6069 , SB6096 , SB6200 , SB6201 , SB6214 , SB6237 , SGA9280 , SGA9281

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: residential building, construction permits, housing development, planning efficiency, state regulations, affordable housing, homelessness, homeless shelter, emergency shelter, emergency housing, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, low-income housing, very low-income, extremely low-income, housing crisis, land use, zoning, local preemption

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, two, I never voted for the Code of Ethics 10.5 rules.
• Our code prohibits discrimination by real estate professionals.
• And see if it's something that is even covered by our code of conduct.
• And that is what our code of conduct addresses.
• Of our code.

Bills: SB1361 , SB2105 , SB2690 , SB2713 , SCR38 , SB2637 , SB2881

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: SB 1361, Texas disaster recovery loan, small business loan, micro-business loan, community development financial institution, CDFI, economic disaster assistance, post-disaster financing, business recovery fund, Texas Economic Development Bank, zero-interest loan, working capital, payroll support, health benefits, job retention, declared disaster, small business relief, microenterprise, franchise exclusion, private equity-backed business

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding the question on the elections, we follow the Texas election code.
• simplified complaint process specifically for disputes filed under existing provisions of the Water Code
• meters or measuring devices even though they are exempt from permitting under existing Texas water code
• burdened by district regulation that goes beyond what is authorized under Chapter 36 of the Water Code
• The committee substitute changes section 562.051 of the local government Chairman: Code to narrow the

Bills: HB3115 , HB5671 , HB5693 , SB790 , SB1055 , SB1302 , SB1504 , SB1625 , SB1663 , SB2692

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater, water wells, domestic well, livestock well, exempt well, metering device, well meter, groundwater conservation district, Special District Local Laws Code, Water Code, Section 36.117, groundwater regulation, water rights, aquifer management, municipal utility, retail public utility, groundwater export, water supply contract, election

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony on a series of water, utility, and groundwater-related bills. Early items included HB 5693, which would let Drainage District 7 hold board elections in November of odd-numbered years when a countywide election is occurring, and HB 5671, which would update the Johnson County Special Utility District by clarifying board eligibility, allowing bond issuance, and removing redundant TCEQ approval language to reduce costs and delays. Both bills were left pending after brief testimony from bill sponsors and local witnesses. The committee also heard SB 1504, which would update the Gulf Coast Authority to allow video-conference participation in meetings, and SB 1302, aimed at closing a TCEQ permitting loophole that allowed dischargers with prior denials or suspensions to reapply through an automated process without meaningful review. SB 2692 drew substantial discussion: it would change the signature threshold for outside-city-limits customers appealing municipal utility rates to the PUC by customer class. Valero supported the bill as a way to avoid requiring large-volume users to gather signatures from unrelated residential customers, while the City of Corpus Christi opposed it, arguing that lowering the threshold to one customer could trigger expensive appeals costing $500,000 to $1 million. A PUC witness said such cases are increasing and that the agency would need additional staff under the fiscal note. SB 790, creating a simplified PUC complaint process for small water and wastewater billing disputes, and SB 1663, expanding TCEQ notice requirements for nearby residents when groundwater contamination is discovered, were also heard and left pending. Additional bills included HB 3115, clarifying that the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District cannot require meters on exempt domestic or livestock wells; SB 1055, raising the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District’s production fee cap from 1 cent to 7 cents per 1,000 gallons; and SB 1625, requiring private water and wastewater utilities to report cybersecurity incidents to TCEQ and DIR. The committee then took up pending business and adopted a substitute for SB 7, which made several changes to water fund use, eminent domain coordination, and EDAP-related provisions, and voted 10-0 to report it favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute for HB 2347, a county water conservation program bill, and reported it favorably 9-1. HB 5675 and SB 2476 were each reported favorably 10-0. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Department of Motor Vehicles recently removed section 218.18.58 from the Texas Administrative Code
• intent of this bill is to include... ...Brazoria County under Chapter 644 of the Texas Transportation Code
• The Transportation Code does not allow commercial vehicles to park in residential areas overnight in
• Amending the Transportation Code with these changes would allow for a reduction of noise pollution in
• The purpose of the bill, according to the bill analysis, says it aims to amend the Transportation Code

Bills: HB341 , HB469 , HB971 , HB1624 , HB2721 , HB2959 , HB3365 , HB3731 , HB3793 , HB3861 , HB3946 , HB3966 , HB4348 , HB4401 , HB4402 , HB4924 , HB4966 , HB5563

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, commercial vehicle, safety standards, enforcement, Texas counties, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• talked with you guys a lot about mandates and there's a lot of outdated regulation in the insurance code
• Chair Holt's bill cleans it up, and it's a really good opportunity to go back into the insurance code
• This bill moves the life. and health anti-rebating statutes into a new chapter in the insurance code,
• It is because the Department of Insurance interpreted that provision of code to prevent implementing
• You're sort of going back and just trying to clean up the old outdated insurance code again here.

Bills: HB139 , HB1818 , HB1942 , HB1959 , HB2221 , HB2254 , HB2563 , HB2067 , HB2275 , HB3211 , HB139

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• Largely, the homeowner can't remedy that because there's just no more capacity in the zip code.
• It's because they're too saturated in the zip code.
• Therefore, we're just not writing in your zip code or something."
• That data did not include one data point, which was zip code level. Data on non-renewals.
• code?

Bills: HB139 , HB1818 , HB1942 , HB1959 , HB2221 , HB2254 , HB2563 , HB2067 , HB2275 , HB3211 , HB139

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• Iowa, Montana, and we're going to get a presentation from Iowa, I think, at our next meeting.
• Iowa, Montana, and we're going to get a presentation from Iowa, I think, at our next meeting.
• /c><01:47:16.560><c> our</c> presentation from Iowa, I think, at our presentation from Iowa, I think,
• </c> Iowa up to this point? Iowa up to this point?
• </c> going to bring in somebody from Iowa going to bring in somebody from Iowa who's<01:51:42.560><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• These are the code sections for it.
• </c> these are the code sections for it. these are the code sections for it.
• So, code sections brought forward.
• So, code sections brought forward.
• </c> Florida, Kentucky, Georgia, and Iowa. Florida, Kentucky, Georgia, and Iowa.

Committee: Joint Economic and Workforce Development

Bills: SB206 , HB554 , SB206

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: codification, laws, Alabama Code, Secretary of State, technical corrections, legislative acts, license plate, military, combat veterans, criminal penalty, distinctive tags, veterans benefits, advising, deceptive trade practices, accreditation, compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• a federal entity, has revised the policy for the fire and life safety in animal housing facilities code
• As Texas uses NFPA fire code standards, this mandate will most likely be adopted.
• residential farm buildings, cotton gins, livestock markets, which are defined in our agricultural code
• Can't use zoning to effectively ban HUD-code homes and restrict access to affordable housing.
• So we took that feedback and updated our zoning codes.

Bills: HB1835 , HB2561 , HB3630

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: manufactured housing, HUD-code, zoning, local government regulations, installation permits, municipal utility district, board meetings, public access, meeting location, transparency, fire prevention, agriculture, local government, fire safety, regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• Today it's my distinct honor to recognize a truly historic team, the Iowa Yellow Jackets.
• I would like to recognize the Iowa state championship football team.
• I would like to recognize the Iowa State Championship football team.
• Senate Bill 201 by Senator Morris, Code of Criminal Procedure, juvenile sentencing, provide for a hearing
• Senate Bill 475 by Senator Miller, Code of Civil Procedure, relative to service of process, service citation

Bills: HR119 , HR120 , HR121 , HR122 , HR123 , HR124 , HR125 , HR126 , HR127 , HR128 , HR129 , HR130 , HR131 , HR132 , HCR53 , HCR54 , HCR55 , HCR56 , HR115 , HR116 , HR117 , HR118 , SCR19 , SCR26 , SB102 , SB222 , SB255 , SB270 , SB273 , SB314 , SB418 , SB420 , HB21 , HB24 , HB29 , HB31 , HB39 , HB45 , HB49 , HB77 , HB136 , HB150 , HB211 , HB263 , HB273 , HB299 , HB315 , HB324 , HB376 , HB377 , HB422 , HB431 , HB444 , HB450 , HB519 , HB533 , HB538 , HB549 , HB559 , HB562 , HB663 , HB664 , HB715 , HB717 , HB805 , HB822 , HB823 , HB834 , HB864 , HB867 , HB1011 , HB1017 , HB1018 , HB1068 , HB1134 , HB1137 , HB1234 , HB1235 , HB1236 , HB310 , HCR6 , HCR19 , HCR10 , HR74 , HCR26 , HCR35 , HCR7 , HB51 , HB82 , HB143 , HB145 , HB160 , HB180 , HB192 , HB393 , HB430 , HB445 , HB506 , HB515 , HB521 , HB565 , HB590 , HB614 , HB638 , HB670 , HB672 , HB685 , HB692 , HB752 , HB773 , HB781 , HB799 , HB860 , HB874 , HB887 , HB917 , HB937 , HB956 , HB965 , HB972 , HB977 , HB982 , HB1006 , HB1010 , HB1044 , HB1072 , HB1088 , HB1179 , HB1200 , HB76 , HB132 , HB181 , HB210 , HB250 , HB265 , HB275 , HB291 , HB322 , HB342 , HB475 , HB486 , HB616 , HB635 , HB639 , HB690 , HB740 , HB757 , HB761 , HB774 , HB808 , HB855 , HB872 , HB883 , HB886 , HB903 , HB949 , HB962 , HB996 , HB1003 , HB1036 , HB1054 , HB1071 , HB1076 , HB1078 , HB1113 , HB1132 , HB1146 , HB1232 , HB1233 , HB140 , HB750 , HB911 , HB52 , HB154 , HB400 , HB463 , HB570 , HB631 , HB637 , HB870 , HB952 , HB961 , HB399 , HB868 , HB905 , HB401 , HB901 , HR20 , HB9 , HB58 , HB151 , HB193 , HB284 , HB459 , HB476 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB615 , HB682 , HB733 , HB915

Summary: The House met on April 9, 2026, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and the pledge. Members then spent much of the morning recognizing visiting groups and honoring individuals and teams, including Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Day, social workers, Black Women’s Health Initiative and My Sister’s Keeper, the Knock Knock Children’s Museum, and several championship school teams. The House also received committee reports and introduced a number of resolutions and Senate bills before moving into House bills on second reading and final passage. A large block of bills focused on taxation, procurement, transportation, public safety, and administrative modernization. The House passed measures on prompt payment for contractors, fleet vehicle registration, electronic bidding forms, cooperative purchasing by local governments, and use of federal procurement rules for buses and paratransit vehicles. Members also approved bills related to ad valorem millage rules and a constitutional amendment proposal to change legislative session dates, though that session-date measure was sent to Appropriations. Other bills passed addressed brick manufacturing and wood pellet manufacturing as economic development priorities, boiler inspection authority, the Fire Marshal’s role in child care center inspections, and the Louisiana Wallet digitized credentials program. Several public safety and social policy bills also advanced. The House passed bills increasing penalties for repeat DWI offenders with serious prior driving-related convictions, providing medical expense assistance for injured law enforcement officers and firefighters, creating a green/blue envelope program for drivers with autism or mental illness, and establishing a workplace violence measure for retail food service establishments. Members also passed bills on domestic violence, homelessness-related court programs, non-compete restrictions for interns and preceptors, pharmacy benefit managers, and health coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices. One bill on jury trial reassignment in criminal cases failed on reconsideration by a vote of 50-49 and returned to the calendar. Most of the bills considered on final passage were approved by wide margins, with several receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. A few measures were temporarily returned to the calendar or recommitted, including some domestic violence, insurance, and retirement-related bills. The House also adopted multiple amendments during debate, and several members requested co-authors on measures after passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> barriers, open new markets for Iowa barriers, open new markets for Iowa products,<00:46:04.240><
• For what purpose does the gentleman from Iowa seek recognition?
• May she always navigate with Iowa grit and return home safely. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Within the USS Iowa, tenacity of Ians.
• May she always navigate with Iowa grit and return home safely. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bills: HR283 , HB1491 , HR282 , HR164

Keywords: committee election, House of Representatives, government structure, representation, foreign affairs, disaster relief, tax deadlines, Internal Revenue Code, collection notices, government response, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, Overdraft Lending, Digital Consumer Payment Applications, financial institutions, voting registration, citizenship proof, remote voting, proxy voting, parental rights, legislative process

Transcript Highlights:

• Uniform Building Code to serve an expired term ending July 1, 2028. Thank you, Mr. Chair, members.
• carry the nomination of Michohoy from Jins, Oklahoma, as a member of the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code
• you are recognized for the nomination of Christina Selby of Duncan to the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code
• you were recognized for the nomination of Zachary Tippett of Norman to the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code
• House Bill 4203 simply directs the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission to explore guidelines that

Bills: HB4322 , HB4202 , HB4203 , HB4457 , HB3983 , HB3660 , HB3802 , HB2933 , HB2955 , HB2956 , HB3781 , HB3521 , HB3794 , HB3796 , HB3800

Committee: Senate Business and Insurance

Keywords: funeral services licensing, funeral director, embalmer, funeral director in charge, dual licensure, mortuary science, Oklahoma Funeral Board, funeral establishment, commercial embalming establishment, crematory, cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, apprenticeship, licensing requirements, professional regulation, undertaker, mortician, burial services, death care industry, workers' compensation

Bills: SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB34 , SB18 , SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 10 , SB 14 , SB 16 , SB 18 , SB 34 , SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: flooding, public safety, outdoor warning sirens, disaster preparedness, emergency response, flood warning, outdoor sirens, local government, safety measures, flood management, emergency preparedness, municipal safety, disaster response, disaster relief, emergency funding, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, hemp regulation, consumable products

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have to go with this streamlined tax code. However, maybe that's the way to go.
• , be forced to bring it up to code.
• This was actually the second legislative effort from Missouri, Iowa, and Idaho.
• Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri.
• This was actually the second legislative effort from Missouri, Iowa, and Idaho.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several procedural motions, including suspending House rules for three legislative days and replacing conference committee members on Senate Bill 2282 and SCR 4007. The chamber also recognized visiting student groups from Grafton/Pleasant Valley and Shiloh School. Later, the House agreed to several conference committee reports and moved a number of measures through final passage or final disposition. House Bill 1428, which would have created a sales tax exemption for clothing sold by thrift stores or nonprofit corporations, drew extensive debate over tax policy, revenue loss, and possible conflicts with streamlined sales tax rules. Supporters argued it would help lower-income shoppers and nonprofit thrift stores, while opponents said it created an unfair advantage and could reduce state and local revenue. The conference report was adopted, but the bill ultimately failed on final vote, 37-54. House Bill 1440, relating to cigar lounges, was amended in conference and then passed 75-17. House Bill 1460, concerning adult foster care for private-pay adults, electronic monitoring, and a legislative study, was also adopted and passed overwhelmingly, 91-1. The House then passed Senate Bill 2224, which revises gaming commission structure and gaming stamp requirements, adds Attorney General enforcement provisions, and includes a $25,000 general fund appropriation, by a vote of 88-0. Senate Bill 2327, which expands uses of the agriculture diversification and development fund and appropriates $15 million to it, passed 74-17 after a member was excused from voting due to a personal interest. Senate Bill 2267, creating a regulatory framework for on-site wastewater treatment systems and shifting licensing authority to the Department of Environmental Quality, passed 82-10, and Senate Bill 2276, addressing joint water resource boards for cross-county projects, passed 90-1. The most contentious debate centered on Senate Bill 2160, which would move the state employee health plan from grandfathered status to a non-grandfathered ACA-compliant plan and appropriate about $6.6 million for the transition. Supporters said it would give the PERS board more flexibility, expand preventive and other benefits, and potentially slow premium growth without charging employees premiums. Opponents warned it could raise out-of-pocket costs, add mandated benefits, and shift costs to employees, while also arguing the bill had not been adequately studied. After extended debate, the House passed SB 2160 by a vote of 55-37. The chamber also concurred in Senate amendments to House Bill 1318, a pesticide labeling bill, and placed it on final passage, but the transcript ends before the final vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Timothy Fitzgibbon, who is the Senior Vice President at First National Bank from West Des Moines, Iowa
• Fitzgibbon's holds a bachelor's degree from the best university, Iowa State University.
• Fitzgibbon did not go to the finest Jesuits College in Iowa Lawrence okay the Fitzgibbons I think the
• I am testifying today on behalf of the Iowa Bankers Association and First National Bank.
• Yes Senator, we're a community bank in the middle of Iowa. Thank you. Thank you Madam Chair.

Committee: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Keywords: SBA, 7A loan program, underwriting standards, loan defaults, Community Advantage Program, small business funding, testimony

Summary: The committee meeting focused on discussions regarding the SBA's 7A loan program and its implementation challenges. Members raised significant concerns about recent changes to the underwriting standards, which have been criticized for leading to an increase in loan defaults. Ranking members expressed a desire for a return to stronger guidelines to protect taxpayers and ensure the program remains a viable source for small businesses struggling to secure funding. Testimonies from community lenders highlighted their efforts to support underserved communities and stressed the importance of the Community Advantage Program.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Licensing Division the codes and Licensing Division the construction<00:22:12.440><c> codes</c><
• </c> fund the work of the construction codes fund the work of the construction codes and<00:46:40.760
• , which includes the building code itself, the mechanical code, the energy codes, accessibility, and
• includes the building code itself, the mechanical code, the energy codes, accessibility, and plumbing
• </c><00:59:22.599><c> are</c> on code adoption uh before the codes are on code adoption uh before the

Committee: Senate Labor