Video & Transcript Research : 'Chapter 712'
Page 253 of 322
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The changes in the committee substitute, it makes it applicable; the applicability of the chapter now
Keywords:
SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission
Summary:
The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on several bills, with most measures left pending after public testimony closed. SB 801, by Sen. Menéndez, would require DSHS and local clerks to issue birth certificates at no cost to people experiencing homelessness. The author and Maria Benavides of SA Youth said the fee and mailing requirements are major barriers to obtaining ID, housing, and work, and Benavides described clients who were able to secure housing and employment after getting birth records and IDs through her program. The bill was left pending.
The committee also heard a set of bills related to the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America naming issue: SB 1410 would require state agencies to use “Gulf of Mexico” in official documents, SB 1717 would conform state law to the federal renaming to “Gulf of America,” and SJR 63 would amend the Texas Constitution to match that change. Support testimony for the latter two emphasized alignment with federal action and the use of different geographic names by different countries. All three measures were left pending.
Members then heard SB 1200, which would require plaintiffs suing defense contractors to disclose in discovery whether they are receiving litigation funding from adversarial nations such as China, Russia, or Cuba. The author and Texans for Lawsuit Reform said the bill targets third-party litigation funding and foreign influence on lawsuits, especially those affecting defense contractors; the committee substitute narrowed the definition of defense contractor and expanded applicability to actions involving defense contractors’ activities. SB 2626, which requires continuing medical education on pregnancy-related emergencies for OB-GYN physicians and nurses, drew support from witnesses who said it would reduce confusion about Texas abortion law and improve care in emergencies. SB 506, SB 2681, SB 1862, SB 1863, and SB 2216 all focused on elections, including ballot language standards, voter registration challenges, interstate voter-roll cleanup, procedural audits, and election equipment security; testimony split between supporters who said the bills improve transparency and integrity and opponents who warned of vague standards, added costs, and possible voter disenfranchisement. Each of those bills was left pending after testimony.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Will be conducted publicly in accordance with Chapters 551 and 2001 of the Government Code.
Keywords:
occupation tax, securities, financial regulation, tax exemption, legislative amendment, capital gains tax, realized gains, unrealized gains, investment income, asset sale, capital assets, wealth tax, estate tax, trust tax, tax limitation, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, property tax, sales tax
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Banking and Insurance Mar 31st, 2025
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 20, 2025 - 11:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- This local bill codifies the Vermont Drainage District's charter under Chapter 298 and ensures that the
Summary:
The Ways and Means Committee met on March 20, 2025, and first approved HB 4025, creating the Duke Farm Stewardship District in Lee County, on a 17-0 vote. The committee then advanced HJR 1215, which proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt agricultural tangible personal property from property tax, after extended debate about the fiscal impact on counties, especially rural and fiscally constrained ones; it passed 16-1. HB 411 also passed unanimously after an amendment, extending affordable housing tax exemption treatment to certain nonprofit projects on leased land, including Habitat for Humanity projects. The committee likewise approved CS/HB 669, allowing local governments to purchase certain unrated bonds, and CS/HB 4017, codifying the Vermont Drainage District charter in Charlotte County, both without opposition.
The committee also approved HJR 1039, which would let the Legislature prevent assessed-value increases for homestead properties that are improved to mitigate flood damage, and the related implementing bill HB 1041; both passed 17-0. Public testimony on these items included some opposition to the flood-related amendment, but no floor debate changed the outcome. The final major item was CS/HB 1221 by Rep. Miller, which would require local option taxes to be renewed by voter referendum every eight years, with longer terms allowed for bonded projects. That bill drew the most extensive testimony and debate, with counties, tourism groups, and local officials warning about impacts on tourism funding, infrastructure, schools, and public safety, while supporters argued for taxpayer accountability and periodic review. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a 13-4 vote.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Education Pre-K - 12 Mar 17th, 2025
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 11, 2025 - 10:15 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Surfrider is a national ocean protection nonprofit with volunteer chapters across the country, including
Summary:
The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met and heard several bills on boating, anchoring, plastics, coastal resilience, and permitting. HB 735, expanding the Boating Improvement Program to fund boat-trailer parking at public ramps and offering a submerged land lease discount for manufacturers using environmental best practices, drew no opposition and was reported favorably. HB 371, a nature-based coastal resilience bill, was amended with a strike-all and then reported favorably with committee substitute. HB 287, allowing building or plumbing permits to move forward while septic system permits are still under review, also passed favorably after testimony from the onsite wastewater industry and a brief debate about construction delays and final occupancy certification.
The committee also took up HB 565 on auxiliary containers, which would preempt local regulation of items like bags, cups, and bottles and maintain statewide uniformity. The sponsor argued it protects consumer choice and business consistency, while environmental groups, PTA representatives, and others warned it would worsen plastic pollution, microplastics, and local cleanup burdens. Despite opposition and a 13-5 vote with several members opposed, the bill was reported favorably. Members also discussed HB 565’s policy background, including prior DEP studies and the tension between state preemption and local environmental regulation.
A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 565 in the transcript’s boating context, actually HB 565 on anchoring limitations in Biscayne Bay and other heavily impacted areas. Supporters from Miami Beach and North Bay Village said derelict and anchored vessels are harming waterways, seagrass, public safety, and enforcement efforts, while cruisers and boating groups argued the bill would displace responsible boaters and fail to solve derelict-vessel problems. The committee adopted an amendment, then reported the bill favorably with committee substitute by an 18-0 vote. The meeting concluded after all agenda items were completed and the subcommittee adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Chapter 2210 of the Texas Insurance Code directs TWIA to operate as an insurance company.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration Feb 18th, 2025
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
Senate - Health and Public Affairs Feb 3rd, 2025
Senate Health & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Jacqueline Walsh, representing the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (02/24/2026)
Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- This is codified in USC 13, chapter 1, part 124.103b1.
- This is codified in USC 13, chapter 1, part 124.103b1.
- codified<04:17:46.560>
in <04:17:46.720>USC <04:17:47.439>13, <04:17:47.760>chapter - <04:17:48.080>
1, <04:17:48.399>part codified in USC 13, chapter 1, part codified in - USC 13, chapter 1, part 124.103b1. 124.103b1. 124.103b1.
Summary:
The House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs heard HB 1790-FN, which would address involuntary admissions for certain individuals with a substance use disorder. Representative Lucy Weber introduced the bill for Representative Long, and the committee heard extensive testimony both in support of and in opposition to the proposal. Opponents, including John Burns of SOS Recovery and Jake Barry of New Futures, argued that involuntary commitment is not well supported by research, can retraumatize people, may increase overdose risk after release, and could undermine New Hampshire’s existing recovery and harm-reduction efforts. They emphasized that treatment should be voluntary, trauma-informed, and paired with housing, recovery supports, and other community-based services.
Representative Long said he was willing to accept DHHS’s request to amend the bill into a study commission, though he expressed concern that a prior state study had not led to action. He said the commission should focus on implementation details, including where people would be placed, staffing, withdrawal management, elopement prevention, length of commitment, and aftercare. He described involuntary commitment as one tool for people with severe dangerous addictions, distinct from drug court, and said it could help avoid criminal records. Committee members asked about capacity at New Hampshire Hospital and how the proposal would work in practice.
DHHS officials Katya Fox and Cynthia Pabonis testified that the bill raises major policy and fiscal concerns. They said New Hampshire’s current system has benefited from investments in naloxone, medication-assisted treatment, recovery centers, and community-based services, and that those investments have helped reduce overdose deaths. They estimated the bill would require a new 70-bed facility costing about $40 million to build and about $33.3 million annually to operate, with only a small portion offset by insurance, plus more than $600,000 in annual legal costs and additional staffing and system changes. They also said New Hampshire Hospital has 185 beds, with about 100 patients typically ready for less restrictive settings, and that housing shortages are a major bottleneck. NAMI New Hampshire also testified in opposition, saying families often want any possible treatment for loved ones but still opposed the bill. No vote or final action was taken in the hearing.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Daiw Chen Feman, who is the U.S. chapter chairman for ILFA, is unable to be here today.
- Daiw Chen Feman, who is the U.S. chapter chairman for ILFA, is unable to be here today.
- Daiw Chen Feman who is the US<01:34:55.760>
chapter <01:34:56.240>for <01:34:56.720> - for uh chairman for ILA who US chapter for uh chairman for ILA who is<01:34:58.720>
unable <01 - Daiw Chen Feman, who is the U.S. chapter chairman for ILFA, is unable to be here today.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions, May 22, 2026 - PM
Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions
Transcript Highlights:
- The Rock Notice Act would create Title 34, Chapter 30 in the Wyoming Statute.
- The Rock Notice Act would create Title The Rock Notice Act would create Title 34<00:41:59.760>
Chapter - 34 Chapter 30 in the Wyoming Statute. 34 Chapter 30 in the Wyoming Statute.
- Senator Landen moved that the committee have the NCOIL bill drafted, absent Chapter 11, and requested
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (04/15/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- IB, renaming five unclassified supervising staff attorney positions established in House Bill 2, chapter
- I'm the executive director of the National Association of Social Workers New Hampshire chapter, and I
- 34:08.639>
Workers <00:34:09.080>New <00:34:09.200>Hampshire <00:34:09.600>chapter - <00:34:10.520>
and Social Workers New Hampshire chapter and Social Workers New Hampshire chapter
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a woman familiar to this body, the Alpha Alpha Sigma Chapter Basileus, Nishana Cass.
- He says then, "Section 536 and 5-327 were added to the Maryland code in chapter 43 of the acts of 1953
- 327 were added to the Maryland<01:46:14.640>
code <01:46:15.120>in <01:46:15.280>chapter - 43<01:46:17.040>
of <01:46:17.280>the <01:46:17.520>acts Maryland code in chapter - 43 of the acts Maryland code in chapter 43 of the acts of<01:46:18.200>
1953.
Summary:
The Senate convened on March 10, 2026, established a quorum, and began with an invocation by Reverend Damien Flowers, which was journalized without objection. The chamber then recognized several guests and honorees, including Dr. Courtney Glickman for being named 2025 Play Therapist of the Year, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Dr. Sonja B. Santelises for her leadership of Baltimore City Public Schools, students shadowing legislators, Navy Alliance representatives, the Maryland Alliance for Advocacy for Sickle Cell, and Ms. Kimberly Body for her lupus advocacy. The Senate also journalized prior remarks about the 6888 regiment.
The Finance Committee report then moved several bills forward. Senate Bill 348 would allow hospitals and freestanding birthing centers to contact, rather than only call, patients after high-risk pregnancies; its amendments were adopted and the bill was ordered to third reading. Senate Bill 390 on Wicomico County liquor licenses was laid over under the rule. Senate Bill 492, addressing massage therapy advertising and prohibiting misleading sexual-service advertising, was amended and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 562, concerning pharmacist-prescriber agreements for opioid use disorder treatment, was amended and advanced. Senate Bill 773 would let pharmacists order certain vaccines, including intranasal flu vaccines, for self-administration and was advanced without amendment. Senate Bill 53, on Maryland Port Administration land acquisition notice in Anne Arundel County, was amended and advanced. Senate Bill 428 would bar cost-sharing for collaborative care model services under Medicaid and private coverage and was advanced without amendment. Senate Bill 473 would require human trafficking awareness training for for-hire and transportation network drivers; its amendments were adopted and it was sent to third reading. Senate Bill 585 would shift administration of the human relevant research fund from Health to Agriculture and was advanced. Senate Bill 606, the Easy Pass Commuter Fairness and Transparency Act, would require an MDTA report on commuter plans and unused trips; its amendment was moved as the transcript ended.
During debate on Senate Bill 917, which would expand the definition of audiology practice to include certain screenings and non-radiographic imaging, a senator questioned whether the bill would make Maryland the only state restricting a health occupation from performing Medicare-required screenings. The floor leader said the committee had heard that claim in testimony but had not verified it, and the senator moved to special order the bill for amendment, which was granted without objection. Most other bills were reported favorably, with committee amendments adopted without objection and several bills ordered printed for third reading.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, the statute I'm looking for it to say plainly what the rest of the chapter already assumes: that
- what the<00:08:22.400>
rest <00:08:22.560>of <00:08:22.720>the <00:08:22.879>chapter - <00:08:23.280>
already <00:08:23.599>assumes the rest of the chapter already assumes - the rest of the chapter already assumes that<00:08:24.800>
ownership <00:08:25.199>is < - So I wrote this bill here specifically to say nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance (01/23/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- 2026 and 2027 respectively to provide the grants for local wastewater projects as required by RSA chapter
- understanding that the municipality would receive the 20 to 30% state aid grants that are required by RSA chapter
- ><01:01:04.720>
required <01:01:05.160>by <01:01:05.319>RSA <01:01:05.839>chapter - grants that are required by RSA chapter grants that are required by RSA chapter 486<01:01:07.400
Summary:
The Finance Committee held a hearing on several bills and announced at the outset that no votes would be taken because the measures would go to divisions later. The first major bill, HB 197, would require the state to pay 7.5% of political subdivision employer pension contributions for teachers, police officers, and firefighters. Representative Mike Edgar, the prime sponsor, argued the state had repeatedly reduced and then eliminated its promised share of retirement costs, shifting the burden to municipalities and property taxpayers. He said the bill would partially restore that commitment and provide relief to local governments, businesses, and taxpayers.
Several witnesses testified in support of HB 197, including Representative John Cluder, Bradford selectman Marlene Fryer, the New Hampshire Municipal Association’s Margaret Burns, and Epping representative Mark Fone. Supporters said the bill would help with property tax pressure, school budgets, and municipal hiring, and they emphasized that much of the retirement cost reflects unfunded liability decisions made at the state level rather than by local governments. Committee members questioned whether the bill would change local incentives to control costs and how it would affect hiring and compensation. Burns said the state contribution would function as property tax relief because it offsets existing municipal expenses, and she noted the state is already on a long-term schedule to pay down the retirement system’s unfunded liability.
After closing the hearing on HB 197, the committee opened a hearing on HB 97, introduced by Representative Tom Buco. He said the bill would continue funding for delayed and deferred wastewater projects and help municipalities finance expensive wastewater infrastructure, which he tied to housing development and local debt planning. No action or votes were taken on either bill during the hearing.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/14/2026)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- That term is already well defined earlier in the same chapter.
- The second is that there is a sentence, again in the same chapter under 2077-A, a disabled person's section
- lawfully issued subpoena to any law enforcement agency that does not recognize the protection of this chapter
- > recognize the protection recognize the protection of<04:07:39.199>
this <04:07:39.439>chapter - of this chapter. of this chapter.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- The Department of Education also has two sets of rules that reference virtual education programs: Chapter
- /c><02:53:24.240>
2017 Virtual education program rules under the Department of Education's Chapter - 17.760>
department <02:56:18.080>of <02:56:18.240>education's <02:56:18.720>chapter - under department of education's chapter under department of education's chapter 8<02:56:19.200><
- ADM still applies, but the full-time designation specific to the virtual education statutes and the Chapter
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (03/31/2026)
Environment and Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:48:21.920>
Um, <00:48:22.200>and that's not a specific chapter. - Um, and that's not a specific chapter.
- that it's just on its own, but it does bring it back to paragraph one, which says nothing in this chapter
- The witness then said that paragraph one says nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize
- We have chapter 126K, which is the tobacco laws, and title 13, which is the liquor laws.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, May 1, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House Joint Resolution 78, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8
- House Joint Resolution 78 provides for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States
- Joint resolution provided for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code
- 8 of title 5, United States Code chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code of<00:57:44.240>
the - Joint resolution providing congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code,