Transcript Highlights:

• until the licensee has provided documentation of at least six months of random twice-monthly drug testing
• until the licensee has provided documentation of at least six months of random twice-monthly drug testing
• It would allow kinship providers to not have to do the blood-borne pathogen training.
• In the definition, Blood-borne pathogen training.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met on February 25 and received staff briefings on three bills. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2253, the DCYF licensing bill, was described as affecting foster care licensing, crisis residential center staffing ratios, and child care licensing. Staff reviewed multiple proposed amendments, including changes related to immediate threats to children’s safety, substance use, subsidy fraud, reporting channels, and DUI-related ineligibility, as well as a Wilson striking amendment that would remove many of those floor changes. After caucus, the chair announced she would pull ESHB 2253 from executive action for further work over the interim, and no vote was taken on the bill. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2319, which renames certain residential habilitation centers, had one amendment to rename Yakima Valley School as the Yakima Valley Residential Habilitation Center. The committee adopted the amendment despite opposition from Senators Warnick and Christian, who said constituents in Yakima did not support the change. The bill then received a do-pass recommendation and was sent to Rules, with Senators Warnick and Christian voting no. House Bill 2464, concerning incident reporting by private detention facilities to the Department of Health and local law enforcement, was also considered. Senator Christian offered six amendments, including a JLARC study, public posting and legislative sharing of reports, expanded reporting requirements, food-safety consistency, and reimbursement for compliance costs; all six amendments failed. The committee then approved the bill on a do-pass recommendation and sent it to Rules, with Senator Christian opposing and Senator Orwall supporting the measure as a human-rights and safety bill. The chair closed the meeting after noting the committee had reached the policy cutoff and thanking staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• My metabolic profile, my blood work was still not normal. So that weight.
• I have recovered my health in the sense that my blood pressure... ...is down.
• I have used less blood pressure medication. I feel great.
• These services, this particular service, MST, has been around, it's been tested, it's been around for
• Yes, and you said it may require additional testing, so would that be a diagnostic mammogram?

Bills: HB231, HB231, HB475, HB488, HB632, HB821, HB1786, HB1955, HB2036, HB2060, HB2659, HB2677

Keywords: HB 231, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, permit exemption, dam, reservoir, erosion control, flood control, floodwater control, sediment control, watershed protection, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, local sponsor, water appropriation, small dam, water diversion, maintenance, rehabilitation

Transcript Highlights:

• I just, the joy and the apprehension, we cut that pregnancy test back.
• There's also language in their bill that says blood relative.
• That's a blood relative. Is that permissible under your bill?
• This bill has stood the test of time. It has stood constitutional challenges.
• Unfortunately, Florida first-time NCLEX test takers have consistently scored...

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established, then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The chamber first took up HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands. Sponsor Rep. McClure said the bill would remove strict liability for previously mined phosphate lands if a Department of Health study is done at the owner’s request and the former mining status is recorded publicly. Opponents, including Reps. Cross, Nixon, and Eskamani, argued the bill did not provide enough notice to future buyers and renters and could create health and disclosure concerns. The bill passed 87-24. The House then passed HB 145 on suits against the government, which Rep. McFarland said updates Florida’s sovereign immunity caps for the first time since 2010, raising them to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident with future automatic increases, aligning the statute of limitations with private claims, and allowing governments to settle above the caps if they choose. He said the bill would make redress more accessible without eliminating the liability shield. The bill passed 104-7. The chamber then considered CS/HB 289 on civil liability for the wrongful death of an unborn child, a bill by Rep. Greco that would amend the Wrongful Death Act to allow parents and other survivors to bring claims for the death of an unborn child, while exempting the mother and lawful medical care provided within the standard of care. Debate centered on whether the bill could affect abortion access, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, surrogacy, and liability for doctors, friends, family members, and others. Multiple amendments were offered to narrow the bill or add carve-outs for abortion, fertility care, surrogates, perinatal professionals, rape/incest/human trafficking situations, and to require the mother’s consent before suit; sponsors and opponents argued over whether these changes would prevent frivolous lawsuits or instead create loopholes and weaken the bill. None of the amendments were adopted during the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then it makes the temporary permit valid for 45 days if the person is submitted to a test of blood
• And that is largely because blood and urine tests don't come back promptly, or not as promptly as a breath
• Uh and that is test of blood or urine.
• ><00:45:49.520><c> and</c><00:45:49.839><c> urine</c><00:45:50.000><c> tests</c> is largely because blood
• and urine tests is largely because blood and urine tests don't<00:45:50.480><c> come</c><00:45:50.640

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We could not administer blood or blood products even during an interfacility transfer.
• ><c> or</c><00:36:18.320><c> blood</c> could not administer blood or blood could not administer blood
• But, that being blood into the field.
• Sure, I like I just gave on whole blood.
• </c><02:08:08.440><c> whether</c> therapies to be able to test whether therapies to be able to test whether

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• His condition required weekly blood draws, a routine that could have felt clinical, even impersonal.
• His condition<00:05:05.840><c> required</c><00:05:06.320><c> weekly</c><00:05:06.720><c> blood</c><00
• :05:06.960><c> draws,</c><00:05:07.919><c> a</c> condition required weekly blood draws, a condition required
• weekly blood draws, a routine<00:05:08.479><c> that</c><00:05:08.639><c> could</c><00:05:08.800><c>
• Some moments test not just our skill, but our heart.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An item, a middle test, et cetera, and then a final test at the end of the year.
• A through F with a testing change where we drop the STAR test and replace it with a Texas test based
• Are we talking about the testing side or the A-F side? Testing side. Yes. There's a testing side.
• A criterion-referenced test, like the STAAR test, is like getting your blood work back from your doctor
• Tests are very helpful.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Neighbors reported a foul odor and blood seeping into the street.
• And what had occurred with these bodies that were chopped up, we're talking about blood.
• Cadavers are used in the later stages of testing as they found they could not come up with...
• It kind of came to an end because they had a real hard time finding test facilities.
• Even in aircraft crash test programs, testing airbags, seatbelts, and restraints, there was actually

Bills: SB1406, SB1681, SB2480, SB2721

Keywords: body donation, medical science, forensic science, willed body program, informed consent, boarding home, boarding home facility, adult care home, group home, assisted living, county reporting, municipal reporting, annual report, reasonable accommodation, fair housing, disability accommodation, local ordinance, permit requirement, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC

Transcript Highlights:

• It ensures that genetic testing leads to better health.
• It is no different than a blood test, a cholesterol test, or your heightened weight.
• utilizing a specific genetic testing that is connected to a diagnosis.
• And so it's something that is definitely different than a blood test, a urine test, all those other tests
• And so it's something that is definitely different than a blood test, a urine test, all those other tests

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyone else which test five, please register and come on down.
• I can give you a specific on an Apple Watch because it actually occurred with blood oxygen levels.
• You know, individuals having issues with blood oxygen levels.
• We meet that test.
• The test we don't meet in the bill is we're not building infrastructure in the Permian.

Bills: HB 106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Summary: The committee first handled pending business, including reconsidering a failed vote on SB 715 and then reporting several measures favorably. SB 1978 was reported from committee on a committee substitute, and a series of House bills — including HB 431, HB 1522, HB 1922, HB 3228, HB 3229, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 4219, HB 4238, HB 434, HB 1584, and HB 4739 — were moved out of committee, most to the local and uncontested calendar. The votes on these items were overwhelmingly or unanimously in favor, with committee substitutes adopted where applicable. The committee then heard HB 2963, a right-to-repair bill for consumer electronics. The author said the bill would require manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and documentation on fair and reasonable terms while preserving trade secrets and excluding certain categories such as medical devices, motor vehicles covered by an MOU, critical infrastructure, and commercial-only transactions. Supporters from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and Environment Texas argued it would strengthen property rights, help small businesses, and reduce e-waste. Opponents, including representatives of SafeLight Auto Glass and LKQ, said they supported right-to-repair in principle but objected to the bill’s automotive MOU exemption and broader scope, warning it could create uncertainty and leave some manufacturers and repair shops outside the framework. The bill was left pending after testimony. Members also heard HB 2467 on salary parity for State Fire Marshal investigators, HB 252 on allowing some state agencies to pay certain employees twice monthly, HB 2468 on public improvement district notice and a buyer’s right to terminate, HB 4386 on annuity contract exchanges and surrender timelines, HB 4751 creating a Texas Quantum Initiative and related fund, and HJR 175 proposing a constitutional amendment protecting Texans’ ability to use mutually agreed-upon mediums of exchange, including cash, bullion, and digital currency. Testimony on HB 4751 was largely supportive but included questions about whether the state needs a new coordinating structure and funding mechanism for quantum research and commercialization. HJR 175 drew discussion about barter, taxes, and concerns over central bank digital currency. Each of these items was left pending after hearing testimony. The committee also heard HB 2221, which would update insurance anti-rebating laws to allow more wellness and value-added services in life and health insurance, with supporters saying it would encourage healthier behavior without requiring data monitoring. Finally, the committee took up a package of utility and wildfire-related bills from Chairman King’s portfolio: HB 106, requiring oil and gas operators to maintain certain overhead electrical lines; HB 144, requiring utilities to submit pole inspection and management plans to the PUC; and HB 145, requiring wildfire mitigation plans and allowing utilities to self-insure under certain conditions. Utility, co-op, and insurance representatives generally supported the safety and resiliency goals of HB 144, while asking for clarifications and less frequent reporting; HB 145 was introduced as a broader wildfire-risk and liability measure. These bills were also left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• With a $7,500 fine and education classes on blood clots, this was not enough.
• The radiologist notified the trauma surgeon that she had blood in her abdominal cavity.
• The radiologist notified the trauma surgeon that she had blood in her abdominal cavity.
• There's been plenty of independent testing that has been done on this.
• I think there's a balancing test.

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and heard extensive debate on SB 734, which would repeal Florida’s wrongful-death medical malpractice exception that bars certain adult children and parents from recovering noneconomic damages. Senator Yarborough presented the bill as a fairness and accountability measure, while many family members testified in support, describing deaths they believed were caused by medical negligence and arguing the current law denies equal justice. Opponents, including physician and insurer representatives, warned the bill could increase malpractice exposure, premiums, defensive medicine, and physician shortages. The committee also considered two late-filed amendments: Senator Burton’s amendment would make Department of Health investigative findings admissible in court, and Senator Martin’s amendment to that amendment would broaden admissibility/discoverability to additional disciplinary and prior-adverse-incident records and insurance coverage facts. After debate, the Martin amendment was adopted, but the Burton amendment as amended failed on a roll call vote. The committee then reported SB 734 favorably without the amendment. The committee next unanimously reported CS for SB 86 favorably. That bill, by Senator Burgess, expands peer support protections for first responders to include support personnel; there was little debate and several law-enforcement-related organizations indicated support. The committee also took up SB 316 on series limited liability companies. Senator Berman explained that the bill creates rules for series LLCs in Florida, and a late-filed amendment, requested by the Secretary of State, delayed implementation by one year. The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS for CS for SB 384, which requires municipalities seeking to annex state-owned land to notify the relevant county legislative delegation when the first public hearing is advertised. Senator Burton presented the bill briefly, there was no opposition or debate, and the committee proceeded to vote on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• HOWEVER YOU STILL CAN DO A BLOOD TEST AND AN EPIPEN DOESN'T GET YOUR BLOOD AND IF THERE'S AN EMERGENCY
• EVERYTHING YOU WOULD NEED TO KNOW, HOW TO CALCULATE HOW MANY UNITS YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE, LOOKING AT YOUR BLOOD

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• J.C., on page 9, the little blood spots—I mean, what does that represent?
• That is a blood spot in that egg.
• What does a blood spot in an egg mean?
• What does a blood spot in an egg mean?
• So she's inserting that blood into that egg.

Bills: SB500, SB719, SB912, SB1232, SB1467, SB1777, SB1864, SB2023, SB2119, SB2458

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Summary: The committee first took up several pending bills and reported them favorably: SB 968, SB 636 as substituted, SB 1137, and SB 1138 as substituted. Each was advanced by roll call vote, and the committee also recommended the approved bills for the local and uncontested calendar. The chair then moved to the posted agenda and heard SB 719, a mental health bed-capacity study bill by Senator Eckhart, with a committee substitute that refined the data collection to distinguish state and non-state beds, child and adult beds, include two point-in-time counts, and capture jail diversion data. Testimony on SB 719 was largely supportive from Integral Care, NAMI Texas, and the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas, all of whom said Texas needs better data on inpatient psychiatric capacity, workforce needs, and future demand. Several witnesses described long waits for beds, especially for forensic restoration, and argued the study would help target future investments. Senator Perry and others noted the state has already made major investments in new beds and urged the bill to account for beds already coming online; the committee ultimately withdrew the substitute and left SB 719 pending after public testimony closed. The committee then heard SB 1864, which would allow small egg producers to sell ungraded eggs more broadly, including to restaurants and retailers, with the substitute increasing the weekly sales threshold and addressing sanitation and labeling. Supporters said grading is about size, not safety, and that the bill would help small farms reach new markets; opponents from the Texas Poultry Federation argued grading and candling help identify cracks and defects that can affect safety and quality. The committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. It also heard SB 1467, requiring DSHS to share death record information with hospitals for record accuracy and quality review, and SB 912, which would modernize continuing education tracking for health licensing agencies; both bills drew supportive testimony and were left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2023, which would create an HHSC grant program to help counties pay for indigent burial costs, with county representatives testifying in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• , so it's in our blood.
• are tested.
• They got through the FDA, uh, check line, but only because they weren't tested.
• Because so little of it's actually tested, a lot of it could be contaminated.
• Get testing to be better in the European Union, 50% of all shrimp are tested of the shipments that are

Transcript Highlights:

• Go forged a friendship that would soon be tested by the gravest of circumstances. Mr.
• Undergoing rigorous tests and procedures, Mr.
• Nearly half of the adults in the US have high blood pressure, which is the leading cause of heart disease
• It's staffed with experienced medical providers and equipment to test heart health with blood pressure

Transcript Highlights:

• Gould forged a friendship that would soon be tested by the gravest of circumstances. Mr.
• Terabay, his friend, stepped forward offering the gift. of life, undergoing rigorous tests and procedures
• Nearly half of the adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, which is the leading cause of heart disease
• Is staffed with experienced medical providers and equipment to test heart health with blood pressure

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Her blood pressure that day was 169 over 101. Those are dangerously high numbers.
• My physician conducted the various tests, and said, yes, based upon my numbers and my BMI, I'm going
• He had high blood pressure.
• When families lose access to preventative care like routine checkups, cancer screenings, blood tests,
• But cognitive testing demonstrated normal cognition.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:16.399><c> that</c> were alarmed at the multiple tests that were alarmed at the multiple tests
• Biomarker testing concurrent resolution.
• Uh, simply because uh there's a fecal blood test, there's colonoscopy, there's a variety of other imaging
• blood tests, there's colonoscopy, a cult blood tests, there's colonoscopy, there's<00:19:27.280><c>
• </c> that our community's time- tested that our community's time- tested practices<00:31:28.559><c> continue

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several health-related resolutions and received testimony on each. HCR 28/HR 27 would ask the Department of Health to reconvene a working group on water and air contamination and remediation tied to the Pu‘uloa Range training facility; supporters said nearby residents and the broader public may be exposed to lead and heavy metals, and that further testing and eventual relocation of the range are needed. HCR 35 would request an auditor’s report on the social and financial effects of mandatory insurance coverage for biomarker testing, and HCR 36 would request a similar report on colorectal cancer screening coverage. The Department of Health and cancer advocates supported both, saying biomarker testing helps match patients to the right treatment and that earlier colorectal screening improves outcomes; DOH also cited screening data showing lower screening rates among uninsured people. HCR 134, on limiting cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging, drew support from the Susan G. Komen Foundation and others, who said out-of-pocket costs can delay diagnosis and treatment. HCR 171, on mandatory coverage for continuous glucose monitoring, also drew support from health and disability advocates. HCR 185, on coverage for Native Hawaiian healing and cultural practitioners through federally qualified health centers, received support from Papa Ola Lōkahi and a community testifier who described the value of traditional healing and access gaps. HCR 173, urging DOH outreach and vaccination drives at schools with low vaccination rates, drew support from DOH, DOE, and public health and disability advocates, but also strong opposition from several testifiers who argued the measure was government overreach and raised concerns about vaccine safety and parental choice. Testimony on HCR 173 was the most divided, with supporters emphasizing the need to raise immunization rates to prevent outbreaks and protect vulnerable children, while opponents argued schools should not host vaccine drives and that parents should make vaccination decisions without government involvement. The Department of Health said it is already working with schools and community partners to expand school-based immunization efforts and would prioritize schools with rates under 30%. The State Health Planning and Development Agency also supported the measure, saying rates below 50% are a serious public health concern. No votes or final committee actions were announced in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• most of kindergarten because any fever I experienced meant at least two days of hospitalization and blood
• tests to rule out deadly infection.
• EMTs, firefighters, police officers, nurses, and medical staff are routinely exposed to blood-borne pathogens
• Employers currently require testing and follow-up care for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C as part
• Employers currently require testing and follow-up care for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C as part

Bills: HB2086, HB2248, HB2688

Keywords: vaccination mandates, mask requirements, public health, government entities, COVID-19, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, government regulation, vacant positions, state budget, government efficiency, employment, full-time equivalent positions, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• continued: "The cost for the physician or the pharmacy to buy a month's worth of amlodipine to treat high blood
• Hydrochlorothiazide, another medication used to treat blood pressure, is 27 cents.
• After hearing your testimony, my blood pressure went up, so I may need someone to motivate me before
• "She did get the scan, and it showed serious blockage, and she then needed a stress test.
• I had to personally call the physician, and then her test was scheduled.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on late-filed matters, chaired by Senator Paul Feeney and Representative Jamie Murphy. The committee heard testimony on several bills, including S. 2738 on rising insurance costs for manufactured home residents, S. 2739 on creating a fire cistern program, and S. 2732 on direct primary care. Members were reminded to keep testimony brief, and several legislators and local officials testified out of turn as they arrived. The hearing ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously. On S. 2738, Senator Kelly Dooner, Representative Lisa Field, Taunton Mayor Sean O’Connell, Taunton City Council President Barry Sanders, and several residents and local officials described sharp premium increases, limited carrier options, and confusion over coverage for manufactured home communities. Testifiers said many residents are seniors, veterans, or low-income households on fixed incomes, and urged creation of a special commission to study the market and recommend solutions. Some asked that residents themselves be included on the commission and suggested more immediate relief if possible. On S. 2739, fire chiefs from Hopkinton and East Hampton supported a state fund for fire cisterns, saying many communities lack municipal water or hydrants and need reliable year-round water sources for structure fires, wildfires, and newer hazards such as lithium-ion battery fires. They said cisterns improve response and can affect insurance ratings, but maintenance and installation costs are difficult for local departments to cover. The Massachusetts Insurance Federation opposed the funding mechanism, arguing that insurance assessments are being used as revenue generators and warning that the proposal would add to policy costs and trigger retaliatory taxes. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2732 from physicians and specialty groups, including Dr. Jenny Labonte, Dr. Wendy Cohen, Dr. Rica Nair, and the Massachusetts GI Association. They said the bill would allow direct primary care physicians to make referrals for HMO patients and permit in-office dispensing of medications, which they argued would improve access, continuity of care, medication adherence, and affordability. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing.