Transcript Highlights:

• It has a breakdown of all the votes that were cast per candidate.
• I believe the tally system that we use with Hart, candidates.
• or any other state candidate or any county candidate on the ballot.
• Candidate on the ballot.
• As a candidate, I'm on the outside looking in.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 3709, which would change the partial manual audit process so early voting could be audited by voting location rather than by randomly selected precincts. The author and several supporters said the current precinct-based process is antiquated, labor-intensive, and especially difficult in countywide voting systems and large counties. Opponents and some neutral witnesses raised concerns about whether the change would still allow an apples-to-apples audit against official precinct results, whether random selection procedures should be more clearly defined, and how ballot secrecy and mail ballots would be handled. The Secretary of State’s office said counties already use random selection methods and that the bill would largely standardize early voting audits with election-day procedures, while also noting ballot privacy issues can arise in public records requests. After testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee then took up House Bill 766, as substituted, which would require precinct chair applicants to provide an email address, phone number, or both, while making that contact information confidential. Supporters said the change would help parties and local officials contact applicants more efficiently. Opponents argued it could expose personal contact information to public records requests and harassment, and some suggested the information should instead be handled through party rules. The bill was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. House Bill 3775 followed and would set clearer timelines for when early voting ballot boards may begin opening carrier envelopes, with different start times based on county size. Supporters said the bill would address counties opening ballots too early and improve ballot security, while opponents warned it could delay defect notices and cure opportunities for mail voters and create problems in large counties that process high volumes of ballots. Testimony also focused on whether the bill referred to carrier envelopes or secrecy envelopes and on how counties like Harris County currently image and secure ballot materials. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4275, which would require countywide polling systems to have polling places in each election precinct, intended to address uneven distribution of polling locations across county commissioner precincts. Supporters said the bill would make polling place distribution fairer and more consistent, especially in Harris County, while opponents said it would undermine countywide voting, increase costs, require more equipment and staff, and reduce local flexibility. Several witnesses also raised concerns about ballot secrecy and the practical burden on large and rural counties. The bill remained under discussion as testimony continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many homeowners and I were ignored when we recommended the vacancy be filled by the next candidate with
• Although there were several candidates that applied for the open position, the one appointed was personally
• None of the other candidates were even interviewed and the appointment occurred improperly in the closed-door
• To secure and manage these holdings, a comptroller may engage a qualified custodian that employs cold
• They did not qualify as a telemarketer under Texas law because they were sending texts.

Bills: HB 1087, HB2504, HB4113, HB5144, HB5146, HB5377, HB5543, SB140, SB264, SB1244, SB1343, SB2121, HR868

Keywords: property owners, board vacancy, special election, association governance, community management, property owners' association, resale certificate, fees, real estate regulation, homeowners, HB 4113, Texas Rising Star Program, child care, child-care providers, Texas Workforce Commission, TWC, safety barriers, crash-rated bollards, bollards, playground safety

Transcript Highlights:

• FRANKLY THEY ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO DO THAT IT'S ABSURD THAT IT'S EVEN BEING CONSIDERED AND WHAT WE WOULD
• SENATE BILL 1150 ENABLES OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO RETAIN HIGHLY SKILLED AND QUALIFIED SOCIAL WORKERS BY
• POLLING ACTIVITIES RELATED TO CANDIDATES FOR ANY LOCAL STATE OR FEDERAL OFFICE BUT CONTINUES PUBLIC
• I THINK THE BASELINE IDEA IS WE WANT TO ENSURE CANDIDATE SPECIFIC POLLING DOESN'T IN ANY WAY INFLUENCE
• SO IN ALL OTHER RESPECTS ALL THOSE POLLING CAPACITIES ARE MAINTAINED ACCEPT IN CANDIDATES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the November 5th, 2024 election, for nonpartisan candidates, candidates run for the mayor of Baytown
• Because no candidate received a majority of 50% or more, the top two candidates, in Capetillo and Charles
• election was about 40%, the second candidate was about 39%, and the third candidate was about...
• I want to talk to you again as a candidate.
• fielding 17 statewide candidates.

Bills: HB376, HB817, HB 1297, HB1478, HB1661, HB1783

Keywords: HB 817, Texas Election Code, majority vote, majority threshold, ranked-choice voting, preferential voting, instant runoff voting, vote reassignment, ballot ranking, election administration, public office election, Election Code Section 2.0215, runoff elections, plurality vs majority, voting systems, education reform, budget allocation, teacher retention, student performance, accountability measures

Transcript Highlights:

• By removing discriminatory exam requirements that have been shown to fail multilingual candidates and
• candidates of color at a disproportionate rate.
• and candidates of color at disproportionate rate.
• While ASWB actively supports efforts to recruit and retain qualified social workers, eliminating the
• While ASWB actively supports efforts to recruit and retain qualified social workers, eliminating the

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hybrid hearing on a range of bills affecting children, families, disability rights, homelessness, and social services. Early testimony focused on H.215, which would support children experiencing homelessness by speeding access to child care vouchers and early intervention screenings. Boston officials, Horizons for Homeless Children, Head Start, pediatric and early education advocates, and families described delays in child care and early intervention, the developmental risks of homelessness, and the need for automatic referrals and faster access to services. Testimony also supported H.216, which would improve emergency housing assistance by restoring presumptive eligibility, reducing documentation barriers, extending shelter stays from six to nine months, and creating an ombudsperson; providers and legal advocates said current rules leave families sleeping in cars or outside and create unnecessary administrative hurdles. The committee also heard strong support for H.210, which would repeal the “Learn Fair” school attendance sanction that cuts cash assistance to families when children miss school. Advocates from legal aid, education, and anti-poverty organizations argued the policy is punitive, burdensome, and ineffective, disproportionately affecting low-income, disabled, and Hispanic/Latino families. Several speakers said chronic absenteeism should be addressed through supports such as family outreach, wraparound services, and school engagement rather than benefit cuts. Legislators and school officials from Salem also testified that their districts reduced absenteeism through supportive strategies, not sanctions. Additional testimony addressed children’s vision bills H.202 and H.166, with optometrists and researchers urging better screening, data systems, and treatment access to close achievement gaps caused by untreated vision problems. Senator Lovely also presented S.2714, proposing a study of discrimination in public accommodations for people with service animals. Later, testimony on H.279 supported changing social work licensure rules to remove exam requirements that speakers said disproportionately exclude multilingual candidates and candidates of color. The hearing also included testimony on bills related to the Judge Rotenberg Center and electric shock devices, with disability rights advocates opposing continued use of the devices and urging the committee to reject licensing or authorization for them. No votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've spoken to the three candidates that are the DA candidates right now, and all three of them support
• I've also spoken to the new judge candidates, and they support the bill.
• So I do appreciate I've also spoken to the new judge candidates, and they support the bill.
• would allow microbreweries to sell the beer they brew at any of the 12 special events permits that qualify
• It allows them to sell their product at special events, and they qualify for 12 a year, so all right.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So they'll have a public hearing where candidates are questioned and vetted, and then after that they'll
• 01.920> um they'll have a public hearing where um they'll have a public hearing where um candidates
• um<00:16:03.759> questioned<00:16:04.240> and<00:16:04.399> vetted candidates
• are um questioned and vetted candidates are um questioned and vetted and<00:16:05.199> then<00
• list, I think it would behoove qualified list, I think it would behoove the<00:18:36.400> governor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The discussion continued about nomination papers being complete for each candidate, objections and nomination
• 00:07:05.960> each paper shall be uh complete for each paper shall be uh complete for each candidate
• 06.720> together<00:07:06.960> with<00:07:07.319> the<00:07:08.319> uh candidate
• together with the uh candidate together with the uh objections<00:07:09.080> and<00:07:09.240
• as a for said ceasing to be qualified as a for said it's<00:39:19.160> just<00:39:19.319>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It could significantly lower the cost barrier for qualifying initiatives, leading to an influx of well-funded
• It is time to empower candidates to speak directly to voters. with resources they need and reduce the
• Supporters claim that this bill helps grassroots candidates, but the data actually says otherwise.
• As a result, countless candidates have emerged from historically disenfranchised communities.
• Implementing district elections would leave these voters with less ability to elect candidates of their

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposed law amends present law to provide that names of qualified candidates may be submitted to
• It provides for the qualifications of both the candidates for the board and the licensees submitting
• names of candidates and retains provisions of present law regarding citizenship and home inspection qualifications
• premises while still maintaining strong criminal background protections for principals, officers, and qualifiers
• reengrossed bill provides flexibility by allowing dealers to comply through an on-site repair facility, a qualified

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee met on May 13 with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee then heard and advanced a series of House bills, many of them described as modernization or consumer-protection measures. HB 555, as amended, expands the definition of financial exploitation under the Protection of Eligible Adults from Financial Exploitation Act, adds training and transaction-delay provisions for financial institutions, and was reported favorably after technical and substantive amendments. HB 1166 creates a disclosure form for vacant residential property transactions and was also reported favorably. HB 267, which changes how candidates for the Louisiana Board of Home Inspectors are submitted to the governor, and HB 1195, which updates rules and penalties for athletic contests, exhibitions, and sports-agent/NIL regulation, were each moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced several licensing and regulatory bills. HB 917 modernizes life safety and property protection licensing by reducing burdens on some employees and moving to a three-year license cycle; it was reported favorably. HB 1230 overhauls Louisiana’s money transmission laws, replacing older statutes with a new framework for digital payments and stronger consumer protections; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended. HB 1103, described as opening Louisiana for business in certain commerce areas, was reported favorably. HB 478 requires utility bills to clearly label and reimburse overcharges within 90 days and was reported favorably. HB 1096 gives electric cooperatives an opt-out from a prior law allowing boards to amend bylaws without member approval, and HB 921 modernizes private security licensing while restoring penalties for unlicensed activity; both were reported favorably, with HB 921 amended. HB 548 adds CPA licensure pathways to help address shortages, especially in rural areas, and was also reported favorably. Several bills drew more extensive discussion. HB 670 would promote wood pellet manufacturing and related workforce development; supporters argued it could create jobs and help manage timber waste, while an opponent warned about pollution, environmental violations, and the risks of biomass facilities. Committee members raised concerns about permitting and environmental oversight, but the bill was ultimately reported favorably, with discussion of possible follow-up with DEQ. HB 259, dealing with BEAD broadband projects, extends notice requirements before excavation, requires coordination with utility operators, and addresses damage reimbursement; an amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended. HB 848 clarifies repair obligations for ATV and golf cart sellers, aiming to ensure consumers have meaningful repair access and to level the playing field between small dealers and big-box retailers; it was reported favorably after questions about enforcement and service requirements. The committee also heard HB 672 and HB 670 as economic-development measures tied to brick manufacturing and wood pellets, respectively, and both were moved favorably. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced that remaining bills would be carried over to the following week, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Role not qualifying for the role, and um I guess it's probably a two-part question if they wouldn't qualify
• They're required to have experience that qualifies them for the conduct of administrative hearings.
• They're required to have experience that qualifies them for the conduct of administrative hearings.
• They're required to have experience that qualifies them for the conduct of administrative hearings.
• Um and I themselves would be qualified.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This would require the candidate to be accompanied by a licensed guide, offering them the opportunity
• This would require the candidate to be accompanied by a licensed guide, offering them the opportunity
• This would require the candidate to be accompanied by a licensed guide, offering them the opportunity
• This would require the candidate to be accompanied by a licensed guide, offering them the opportunity
• guide candidates to take advantage<00:19:08.840> of<00:19:09.080> this<00:19:09.320>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To the doxing point, actually, on the official side, so when we as candidates or when candidates raise
• official side so when we as candidates or<00:26:40.360> when<00:26:40.919> candidates<
• of 2023, we were able to do that to recruit a candidate, get the candidate endorsed, and collect 500
• <00:41:01.640> endorsed candidate to get the candidate endorsed candidate to get the candidate
• A clean election is financed in such a way that lack of wealth does not prevent qualified candidates

Bills: HF72, HF66, HF69, HF73

Keywords: campaign finance, state funding, political activity, nonprofits, government transparency, HF66, Minnesota second-degree murder, unintentional murder, protective order, order for protection, harassment restraining order, domestic violence, victim protection, cross-jurisdictional orders, out-of-state restraining order, tribal court order, Canadian protective order, public safety, criminal law, homicide

Transcript Highlights:

• But after TIA, we recruited a highly qualified English teacher who moved to Yorktown specifically because
• Research published in 2024 in other Texas classrooms showed that first-year candidates prepared through
• The funding found in this bill provides monies for teacher residencies that help these candidates focus
• Almost 26 years ago, I was standing in the rotunda as a state qualifier at the UIL academic contest.
• And I told him I'd qualified for the state meet.

Bills: HB2

Keywords: disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee met to consider HB 2, the major school finance bill, with the chair explaining that the committee substitute would provide about $8 billion in new public education funding. The bill was described as including permanent teacher compensation increases, expanded teacher incentive allotment funding, support for early literacy and numeracy, teacher certification and residency pathways, special education funding, career and technical education, school safety dollars, and facilities support for charter schools. The committee adopted the committee substitute without objection after roll was called and a quorum was present. Members questioned the bill’s structure, especially the balance between across-the-board teacher pay and the teacher incentive allotment, the treatment of uncertified teachers, and differences in requirements between traditional public schools and charter schools. Senator Menendez and Senator West raised concerns about equity, charter-school parity, facilities funding, inflation, and whether the bill should include more support for fine arts and extracurricular programs. The chair responded that the bill was designed to direct most new money to traditional public schools while also preserving flexibility and that charter-school and public-school alignment would need further work. Invited witnesses Dr. Imelda De La Rosa and Val Acri testified in support of the bill, emphasizing that the Teacher Incentive Allotment helps recruit and retain teachers in rural districts and supports mentorship and certification pathways. Public witnesses also supported the bill but urged more funding for fine arts, local flexibility, and full restoration of House-proposed funding levels. Dr. Josh Jones supported year-long teacher residencies, Dr. Philip Morgan asked for more local control and restoration of fine arts funding, Rich Saina supported the bill but warned about hold-harmless reductions, and Dr. Greg Poole supported the bill while asking for flexibility for high-performing districts that already pay high salaries. After the invited testimony and some public testimony, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair so members could attend the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, have you, have you had candidates? Have you done interviews? Mr. Chair, Ms.
• Caldwell, we do have candidates.
• Uh, the initial scrub that we did didn't produce any qualified people for that particular position, so
• we use to impact the vacancies, we recognized that there was an increased amount of unqualified candidates
• candidates, and I do want to do a very thank you to Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• candidates they voted for. candidates they voted for.
• general election for those candidates general election for those candidates nominees. nominees.
• allowed to the sorry um the candidate allowed to the candidates<01:48:27.600> are<01:48:27.840
• 54 elections independent candidate 54 elections independent candidate requirements.<02:10:20.719
• candidate requirements.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, evidence stays; just the qualifier is removed.
• <00:44:53.520> is evidence stays just the qualifier is evidence stays just the qualifier is
• Any student qualifying current law.
• <07:23:20.798> to primary schedule forces candidates to primary schedule forces candidates
• voter to fully vet their candidates voter to fully vet their candidates before<07:24:17.360>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 34:46.239> But<03:34:46.399> then<03:34:46.800> uh<03:34:46.960> but qualified
• But then uh but qualified to hang it.
• And that's really what it comes down to: that we can't be split between two candidates or issues.
• they're a vendor, that does not apply to this because they may work for all different kinds of candidates
• Almost all candidates, almost all issues have to rely on consulting firms.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a color guard presentation by Colorado Military Academy cadets and the pledge led by Olivia and Owen Curry. After roll call established a quorum, members approved the journal of Friday, March 6, 2026, as corrected. Several committees then announced upcoming hearings, including Agriculture, Water, and Natural Resources; State, Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs; and Finance. The chamber then took up House Joint Resolution 1020, designating March 8, 2026, as International Women’s Day in Colorado. The resolution praised women’s contributions across history and society, highlighted Colorado’s early adoption of women’s suffrage, and recognized trailblazing women in the General Assembly. Sponsors and supporters spoke at length about women’s leadership, economic and civic contributions, and the need to continue advancing equality. The resolution also drew recognition of women and advocacy organizations present in the chamber. Representative Bradley and other Republican members criticized the resolution as partisan and said Republican women were not included in drafting or sponsoring it. They argued the measure should have been more inclusive and should have better reflected women’s roles in the home and the broader bipartisan history of women’s history observances. Bradley announced she would vote no. In response, Representative Ricks said an amendment would be accepted from the minority caucus to address concerns about traditional roles of women, and he moved Amendment L002 for consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, about a third of the school's teachers qualify under the allotments.
• This framework stretches that and expands it to 50% of the teachers who will qualify in this framework
• Yes, if they're providing instruction and assistance in that classroom, they would. ...qualify.
• In our hearings, we've had many TIA-qualified teachers come in and say...
• I can share with you about a campus I have where 11 teachers have qualified for TIA.

Bills: SB26, SB 26

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, SB 26, Texas Property Code, colonia, colonias, Spanish translation, bilingual contract, real estate contract, executory contract, residential property, border county, international border, economically distressed area, consumer protection, language access, translator certified in Spanish

Transcript Highlights:

• We record the votes that each candidate received.
• We record the votes that each candidate received.
• We record the votes that each candidate received.
• We record the each candidate received.
• Uh we get calls from voters, we get calls from candidates.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all