Transcript Highlights:

• Another example: our Faribault pharmacy closed last year, close to my heart.
• to</c><00:43:40.520><c> my</c> Pharmacy closed last year close to my Pharmacy closed last year close
• </c> pharmacies these pharmacies are closing pharmacies these pharmacies are closing everywhere<00:47
• close.
• close.

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If not, the Chair recognized Chairman Bonin to close. I close. Thank you. Thank you.
• Okay, I close. Okay. I close. Thank you. Appreciate your time today. Thank you.
• Representative Schoolcraft, close. Thank you, members. I close. Thank you.
• Do you close? I close. Thank you. Thank you so much, members. Appreciate y'all.
• Okay, we will reserve your right to close. Thank you. We will reserve your right to close.

Bills: HB216

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: HB216, Texas abortion law, abortion-inducing drug, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, telemedicine, in-person exam, physician presence, out-of-state physician, reproductive healthcare, abortion regulation, Health and Safety Code, Occupations Code, consultation services, remote prescribing, pro-life, pro-choice

Summary: The Committee on Public Health met with a quorum and heard public testimony on a long agenda, with members repeatedly reminded of a two-minute limit for witnesses. Several bills were voted out favorably, including HB 2588 on cottage food, HB 1639 on cancer incidence and female firefighters, HB 2581 on a reporting form for contracted services for pregnant women, and SB 922 on electronic disclosure of certain sensitive medical information. Those measures generally passed on party-line or near-unanimous votes, while HB 216 on itemized medical statements was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also left pending HB 5141, HB 4638, HB 2035, HB 4813, HB 2264, HB 4014, and HB 3829 after hearing testimony and questions. The final item introduced in the excerpt was HB 4408 on health care market transparency and corporate consolidation, but the discussion was cut off before testimony or action was completed. A major theme of the hearing was mental health diversion and access to treatment. HB 5141, by Rep. Howard, would allow Travis County to use vacated Austin State Hospital property for a local mental health jail diversion center; law enforcement, the Travis County sheriff, county judge, and urban counties group all testified in support, describing the lack of alternatives for people in crisis and the burden on jails and emergency rooms. Members asked about eligible offenses, bed capacity, and whether the facility would serve only Travis County, and the bill was left pending. HB 2264, by Rep. Schoolcraft, would create a friends-and-family form for loved ones to provide information to providers during emergency mental health treatment; NAMI and hospital groups supported it, while one neutral witness and several members raised concerns about patient control, credibility of information, and liability protections. The bill was also left pending. The committee also heard multiple psychedelic-therapy and drug-policy bills. HB 4813 would speed Texas rescheduling of Schedule I substances if the FDA reclassifies them, with testimony focused on psilocybin and MDMA and their potential use for PTSD and depression; members questioned whether the bill was too broad and how state rescheduling works, and it was left pending. HB 4014 would direct HHSC to study psychedelic therapies, building on prior state research, and witnesses said Texas should prepare regulatory and clinical infrastructure before FDA approval; it too was left pending. HB 2035 would require parents to be informed that they may seek substance-use treatment for a child even if one facility turns them away, prompted by a constituent’s account of a fatal fentanyl overdose after receiving incorrect advice; it was left pending. HB 4638 would extend and expand the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative board and timeline, with the author saying the program is still in early implementation and needs more time, and it was left pending as well. Other bills addressed public health administration and animal welfare. HB 3829 would require a study of the animal-friendly account and its grant process for spay/neuter funding, with the author arguing that the current application and reimbursement process is too burdensome for shelters and nonprofits; no opposition was heard and the bill was left pending. HB 2581 and HB 1639 were reported favorably, while HB 216 drew discussion about enforcement of itemized medical billing and was held after the committee substitute was withdrawn. Throughout the hearing, members also discussed broader concerns about homelessness, competency restoration waitlists, jail overcrowding, and the need for more treatment options outside the criminal justice system.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're very close.
• And would you say that the primary reason for it being phased out, what would be the primary reason for
• It's pretty close.
• In close collaboration with AgriLife Extension.
• They closed this facility.

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If not, the chair recognizes Representative. to close on our bill. Thank you. I close. Thank you.
• And we'll reserve your right to close. My right to close, perfect, thank you.
• Yeah, you haven't closed on the bill, have you? Yeah, he hasn't closed, yeah. I haven't.
• He hasn't closed. Hm? He hasn't closed. So, we'll call you back up. Okay. Okay. Alright. Sorry.
• The second version, we're getting close.

Bills: HB 111 , HB1545 , HB2145 , HB2467 , HB2520 , HB4136 , HB4181 , HB4214 , HB4218 , HB4219 , HB4359 , HB4437 , HB4822 , HB111

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: Texas Public Information Act, open records, public records, government transparency, confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, governmental body, Chapter 552, public information law, nonprofit association, quasi-governmental entity, economic development, trade secrets, proprietary information, commercial financial information, Alamo restoration, local workforce board, TDCJ contract facility, civil commitment facility, water supply corporation

Transcript Highlights:

• In the 1700s, black bears were common throughout the states and were a primary food source for Native
• are there any particular wrestling techniques that you would recommend to extricate yourself from a close

Committee: House Conservation and Natural Resources

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you didn't see it, Senator Rogers dashed in here at the last second before we closed attendance.
• SB 1633, income tax attraction, primary residence. Finance.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any primary witnesses in opposition? Sure, sir, if you want to approach. I'm sorry.
• Vote, and I would invite you to close. So we've taken that all to heart.

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we are the primary stakeholders of the education policy decisions being made by lawmakers, it only
• Get close. All right, are we good? Give him some more. Come, come, come. And then we have for you.

Summary: Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) held an advocacy day at the Texas Capitol with more than 300 young Texans and allies to press lawmakers on education policy. Speakers framed the event around student visibility in policymaking and criticized recent Texas actions on school vouchers, book bans, and legislation affecting LGBTQ students and classroom content. Representative Donna Howard briefly attended and voiced support for students having a seat at the table, citing a prior effort to add a student to a school board as an example of the kind of participation SEAT is seeking. Several student speakers described how voucher expansion threatens public schools and argued that public education is being underfunded and undermined rather than failing on its own. Others focused on LGBTQ inclusion, saying bills such as SB 12 and SB 13 would erase queer students’ experiences and make schools less safe and welcoming. One speaker also condemned book bans and censorship, arguing that students need access to diverse books and honest, inclusive education to think critically and feel represented. SEAT executive director Cameron Samuels closed by describing the group’s earlier organizing against book bans and internet restrictions and by connecting that work to broader demands for public schools, student rights, and safety. The event did not include any legislative vote or formal committee action; it was an advocacy press conference aimed at influencing lawmakers during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• If not, Chairman Donald, we let you close. I close. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Hearing none, the chair recognizes Chairman Ashby to close. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Members, I close.
• We'll let you close here. The chair calls Gregory Ellis.
• Did I pronounce that correctly or close enough? Yes, sir.
• If not, Representative Ordez, you may close.

Bills: HB334 , HB583 , HB605 , HB1327 , HB1646 , HB2115 , HB2379

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, fencing, reservoirs, local government, regulation, land use, conservation capacity, property regulation, fence regulation, reservoir safety, county authority, fencing regulations, counties

Transcript Highlights:

• So the use is the primary issue.
• I mean, a book—not a primary—but a one-off or a general election in November about this using this data
• I mean a book data in a in a primary.
• I mean a book not<00:19:47.760><c> a</c><00:19:47.919><c> primary</c><00:19:48.320><c> but</c><00:19:
• but a one off or a general not a primary but a one off or a general election<00:19:51.120><c> in</c>

Bills: HB67 , HB89 , HB67 , HB89

Committee: House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections

Keywords: parental rights, drag performances, public schools, public libraries, overnight programs, gender identity, minor safety, HB89, Medicaid, pregnant women, pregnancy, prenatal care, ambulatory prenatal care, presumptive eligibility, temporary Medicaid coverage, Alabama Medicaid Agency, maternal health, low-income women, health coverage, eligibility determination

Transcript Highlights:

• But to the primary question, that is not data that MMB maintains. My sincere apologies.
• But to the primary question, that is not data that MMB maintains. >> Representative Anderson follow-up
• But to the primary question, that is not data that MMB maintains. >> Representative Anderson follow-up
• But to the primary question, that is not data that MMB maintains.
• question that is not data that primary question that is not data that MMB<00:20:44.400><c> maintains

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• qualify, the veterans' disability must be total and permanent, and the exemption applies only to their primary
• New York Assembly Bill A. 74, which aims to establish a full property tax exemption for a primary residence
• qualify, the veterans' disability must be a total and permanent and the exemption applies only to their primary
• New York Assembly Bill A74, which aims to establish a full property tax exemption for a primary residence
• This bill, which applies to their primary residence or vehicle, passed unanimously in both legislative

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 32 bills related to veterans and service members, with opening remarks from Chair Madaro and Senator Eldridge emphasizing the committee’s work on tax credits and property tax relief, including follow-up to the HERO Act of 2024. The chairs outlined hearing procedures, noted the August 23 reporting deadline for House-filed matters, and explained that testimony would focus on issues including voluntary contributions, sales tax, property tax, and economic development. No votes were taken during the hearing. Several bills drew testimony in support of expanding or simplifying veterans’ property tax benefits. Rep. Sylvia supported H. 3255 to raise the veterans’ property tax workoff cap from $1,500 to $2,000, matching the senior workoff program. Rep. Soder and Sen. Moore advocated for stronger property tax relief for disabled veterans, including H. 3245 and S. 2046, with Moore proposing a disability-based exemption and state reimbursement to municipalities. Rep. McGregor supported H. 3175, which would eliminate the need for veterans to refile annually for exemptions unless their status changes, arguing it would reduce burdens on veterans and assessors. Testimony also addressed line-of-duty death benefits and local implementation concerns. Mary Ann Cardi supported H. 3188 to clarify that surviving spouses of police and fire personnel who died in the line of duty qualify for a full real estate exemption. Chris Clark, Senator Sear, and Counselor Ludke all backed the veterans’ workoff bill, describing it as an equity fix that would align the veterans’ program with the senior program and help municipalities like Barnstable use the benefit more effectively. After hearing from all scheduled speakers and confirming no additional in-person testimony, the chairs adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas Vitalant was founded in Arizona and remains deeply rooted in the state, serving as the primary
• blood provider... ...in Arizona, remains deeply rooted in the state, serving as the primary blood provider
• The Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, and Water is assigned as primary committee for House Bill
• The Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, and Water is assigned as primary committee for House Bill
• HCR 2017, property tax isn't from primary residence, Ways and Means.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recorded attendance at 56 present, zero absent, and four excused. Members then used personal privilege to introduce guests and recognize visiting groups, including the West Valley Regional Chamber, Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics Arizona, Vitalant, and veterans and military representatives. The chamber and blood donor month proclamations were read, with Representative Bliss recognizing January as National Blood Donor Month in Arizona and Vitalant’s role in supplying most of the state’s blood supply, and Representative Aguilar declaring January 22, 2026, West Valley Regional Chamber Day. The House handled a large volume of procedural business, including reports of standing committees, first reading and referral of numerous bills and resolutions, and announcements of committee meetings. The bills covered a wide range of topics such as elections, education, housing, taxes, health care, artificial intelligence, veterans, public safety, and energy. Several measures were also withdrawn and reassigned to different committees, including referrals to the Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Innovation, Government, Public Safety and Law Enforcement, and Natural Resources, Energy, and Water. Members also made brief remarks honoring guests and community causes, including a Veterans Caucus lunch announcement focused on military-family policy and a personal remembrance by Senator Cruz. No substantive floor votes on legislation were taken beyond procedural approvals and the motion to adjourn. The House recessed and later adjourned until 1:15 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing all members present having voted, the Secretary will close the board and announce the vote.
• Seeing all members present having voted, the Secretary will close the board and announce the vote.
• Seeing all members present having voted, the Secretary will close the board and announce the vote.
• Seeing all members present having voted, the Secretary will close the board and announce the vote.
• The average age of the first-time home buyer is close to 40 years old, an all-time high. Why?

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and attendance showing a quorum. Several senators were excused, and the chamber received communications including House Concurrent Resolution 8, which was referred to the Committee on Government Operations. The Senate also took up introductions and referrals of several bills, including Senate Bills 1078-1082 and House Bills 4727, 4728, 4729, 4959, 1545, 5254, 5255, 6071, 6072, and 6073, with most being referred to committees or, for some medical-debt and consumer-protection bills, sent to the Committee of the Whole by suspension of the rules. In Committee of the Whole, the Senate considered Senate Bills 535, 536, 1011, 1041, 1042, and 1043. SB 535, 1041, 1042, and 1043 were amended, while SB 536 and 1011 were reported without amendment; all were recommended for passage. The Senate then concurred in the amendments and advanced the bills to third reading. On final passage, SB 433 passed 35-0; SB 535, 536, and 1011 each passed 35-0; and SB 1041, 1042, and 1043 each passed 20-15. Floor remarks focused on SB 1011 as a way to lower small-business health insurance premiums, and SBs 1041-1043 as anti-price-gouging measures during emergencies. Later, the Senate discharged Senate Bill 913 from the Appropriations Committee, suspended the rules, and moved it through Committee of the Whole and to final passage the same day. SB 913, which amends the Michigan Trust Fund Act, passed 20-12 with 6 excused after Senator Albert argued in opposition that it would continue $75 million annual funding to the MEDC and amount to corporate welfare. The Senate then adjourned until Tuesday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, I will now close the hearing on Senate Bill 5827.
• And with that, I will now close the hearing on Senate Bill 5827.
• At the close of quarter four in 2025, the department's ratio was 98 percent, meaning we're very close
• At the close of quarter four in 2025, the department's ratio was 98 percent, meaning we're very close
• . close of quarter four in 2025, the department's ratio was 98 percent, meaning we're very close to issuing

Summary: The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee met on January 16, 2026, and took executive action on four measures before moving to public hearings on two bills. The committee held Senate Bill 5842 for further discussion, then considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406, Senate Bill 5825, Senate Bill 5863, and Senate Bill 5840. SCR 8406 would reestablish the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health and was advanced unanimously to the Rules Committee. SB 5825, which authorizes the Washington State Leadership Board to solicit gifts, grants, and endowments, was amended with a technical change and then advanced. SB 5863, extending the moratorium on destruction of Lakeland Village records and addressing access to certain historical records, also advanced without opposition. SB 5840, which changes campaign finance expenditure reporting schedules, was amended to adjust the implementation date to January 1, 2028 and then advanced after the committee waived the amendment publishing rule due to the short session timeline. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5827, sponsored by Senator Gildon, which would allow veterans to use a pre-discharge certification to claim civil service preference before receiving a DD-214. Staff explained the bill and clarified that the underlying qualifying discharge categories would remain unchanged. Senator Gildon said the bill was prompted by a constituent who could not access preference points before leaving active duty, and the Veterans Legislative Coalition testified in strong support. The hearing record noted 40 people signed in in favor and two opposed. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 5968, sponsored by Senator Krishna Dawson, which would codify and expand the governor’s executive order on permitting and licensing timelines, require agencies to publish processing deadlines, phase in coverage of all credentials by 2030, and authorize fee refunds if deadlines are missed. The sponsor and staff said the bill is intended to improve predictability, accountability, and customer service, while agency flexibility would remain through OIRA. Support testimony came from the governor’s office, cosmetology, labor, construction trades, ports, business, and the Department of Health, all emphasizing delays’ impacts on jobs, projects, and access to care. The Department of Health reported substantial recent reductions in licensing times and said it lacked authority to issue refunds without the bill. The hearing closed with 26 people signed in, including supporters and opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was by the director to close this down. This is a director to close this down.
• They did nothing other than abruptly close the lake to fishing.
• We don't need a board being able to close down any of our natural resources, especially something that
• And I'm open to... to come in and close.
• The primary issue that has already been mentioned is about speed.

Bills: HB352 , HB366 , SB272 , SB296

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Keywords: HB352, cotton, cotton bale assessment, cotton levy, cotton producers, agriculture, forestry, Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee, per bale fee, commodity assessment, producer referendum, cotton sales tax, Alabama Code 2-8-199, cotton commission, agricultural funding, HB366, Lakyn Canine Act, police dog, K9, K-9

Transcript Highlights:

• Then the next source is motor vehicle sales tax, close to $400 million there.
• Um close to 400 million there. Um tax. Um close to 400 million there.
• very closely with local partners and local units of government.
• Um, I didn't read it every word, but I did read it pretty closely.
• Um but what I read it pretty closely.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in primary care clinics. in primary care clinics.
• </c><01:37:05.800><c> with</c> that essential work aligns closely with that essential work aligns closely
• </c><01:53:13.960><c> to</c><01:53:14.040><c> thank</c> In closing, I would like to thank In closing,
• </c> legislation that put um submerged closed legislation that put um submerged closed loop<01:58:09.120
• Just get it close to &gt;&gt; No, that's fine. Just get it close to you. you. you. &gt;&gt; Yeah.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are the primary state responsibility.
• They either closed or we have a closing schedule, and 45 awards are pending purchase agreements.
• We will keep you closely updated on that.
• Of these, 91 projects have been built. 53 are fully closed, and we're in the process of closing another
• That was the directive we had as closely as we possibly can.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, you're recognized to close. I waive close, ma'am. You've just done my close.
• I focused my practice on real estate closings, wills, trusts, and estates.
• It’s got several campuses, so it is close by. The cost is very reasonable.
• A lot of close faculty-student work.
• So I think we're in close, close agreement, Senator. Sure. Follow-up. One last.

Summary: The committee on Higher Education Appropriations heard and favorably reported two bills: SB 1570, which revives the former Project Leo program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices, and CS/SB 1376, which creates a grant program to support genetic counseling education in response to a statewide shortage of genetic counselors. Both bills drew supportive comments, with the genetic counseling bill also receiving public support from a university representative. The committee then took up a large slate of confirmations. It first approved a block of reappointments to various university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and Broward College. It then heard from numerous new appointees and some requested reappointments, many of whom emphasized workforce training, nursing, military and veteran support, dual enrollment, and local economic development as priorities for their institutions. Several nominees highlighted their personal ties to the schools and communities they would serve, including appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, UWF, FIU, the College of the Florida Keys, Valencia College, and Chipola College. Committee members repeatedly asked about nursing NCLEX pass rates, workforce alignment, and institutional growth. One reappointment, Thomas Zachary Smith to the UWF board, was pulled from the block for separate questioning about his past public comments and his role in Project 2025; he said he would serve in his personal capacity and treat all students equally. The committee also separately heard from a Florida Poly reappointment, I. Shapiro, who was questioned about prior remarks regarding race and Supreme Court nominations, and from a New College reappointment, Mark Bowerlaine, who described campus improvements and enrollment growth. The meeting ended amid ongoing confirmation processing and separate votes on the remaining nominees.