Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1228 seeks to add language to the local government code, which would allow for new municipal and county
• and litigation costs if the owner prevails in the action, thus creating a meaningful consequence to local
• it's a gated community, I'm just curious if there's a way in which they can receive a credit on their local
• manufacturer burned, and it had all kinds of toxic chemicals on fire, and we had 9 of all 9 of our local
• thing that hasn't been mentioned is that there already exists a statute in Chapter 43 of the govern, local

Bills: HB24 , HB950 , HB 1228 , HB24

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: zoning, public notice, local government, residential development, protests, municipal services, annexation, disannexation, zoning regulations, full municipal services, municipal obligations, landowner rights, service provision, groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, I'm always supportive of local communities that want to do something that you're hoping

Bills: S3044 , S3031 , S3017 , H5189 , H5246 , H5297 , H5248 , H5359

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Keywords: retirement benefits, teachers' retirement system, creditable service, public education, emergency law, sick leave bank, leave donation, personal days, vacation days, extended illness leave bank, public employee, county sheriff, Worcester County Sheriff's Office, personnel bill, employee leave, disability leave, illness leave, compassionate leave, Massachusetts public service, police recruitment

Bills: SB169 , SB1991 , SB1992 , SB1204 , SB1339 , SB182 , SB1847 , SB1360 , SB1346

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: longevity pay, state employees, Oklahoma government, salary increase, emergency declaration, capital planning, funding allocation, state budget, infrastructure, emergency measures, income tax credit, qualified project, economic development, infrastructure funding, small population areas, school employees, teachers, support personnel, support employees, public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• By way of background, local authorities and WSDOT may designate any portion of the roadway under their
• To summarize this bill, the bill authorizes local use.
• The local government fiscal note identifies an indeterminate cost.
• However, there is a fiscal note for local government.
• Local air quality improves, especially near major corridors.

Bills: SB6252 , SB6265 , SB6081

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transit support grant, free transit, fare-free transit, zero-fare policy, community college students, technical college students, public transportation, youth transit, student transportation, Washington State, Department of Transportation, local sales tax, voter-approved sales tax, equity, environmental justice, low-barrier access, bus pass, rail transit, public transit agency, transit agency grants

Transcript Highlights:

• And third, the amendment requires the local government entity of which the peace officer is an employee
• Local officers were put in really impossible conditions.
• We've seen this work with local law enforcement.
• Local, so federal law enforcement officers go to the jails to pick up the dangerous people, so they're
• I'm concerned that, with our local law enforcement, while this does seek to hopefully try to protect

Bills: HB1591 , HB2146 , HB2220 , HB2430 , HB2526 , HB2641 , HB2648

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, survivor protections, legal remedies, defendants, sexual exploitation, minors, child safety, law enforcement, victim support, criminal justice training commission, CJTC, law enforcement training, peace officer certification, decertification, corrections officer certification, tribal police certification, police accountability, police oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• Local taxing entities.
• tax revenue that local entities will collect.
• In local districts, the drop in local revenue requires the state to provide more funding to compensate
• The cost is split into a state and local share.
• appraisal districts. local appraisal districts.

Bills: HB329 , HB361 , HB546 , HB1547 , HB1745 , HB2786 , HB3235 , HB3370 , HB3575 , HJR83

Committee: House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Keywords: appraisal, property value, residential real estate, tax code, appraisal review board, property owners, property tax, homeowners, property owner rights, property appraisal, taxation, Texas Tax Code, real estate, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, market value, condemnation, tax appraisal, open-space land, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• For local government, may collaboration thrive and laws reflect the wisdom of those closest to the people
• And one of the reasons that people complain about property taxes is that so much of local revenue is
• Yeah, and so exactly on the point—if the bulk of local revenues is paid through property taxes, more
• We set up a grant program for local governments, and all I'm really saying is, look, if you have enough
• The major purpose of the Cain Amendment is to regulate activity by local governments, which is unrelated

Bills: HJR4 , HJR6 , HB195 , HB 13 , HB143 , HB135

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

Transcript Highlights:

• It also includes a supplement for pharmacy reimbursements.
• </c> um with the managed care pharmacy um with the managed care pharmacy dispensing<00:26:08.720><c>
• </c> at the Board of Pharmacy on line 609. at the Board of Pharmacy on line 609.
• </c> the State and Local has called for you. the State and Local has called for you.
• </c><01:15:51.520><c> I</c> on my way to the State and Local. I on my way to the State and Local.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The pharmacy thing really kind of blows my mind. I have to be honest with you.
• And I feel like that does a disservice to those small independent pharmacies.
• But he is, and his wife are small, they own a small independent pharmacy.
• Or what about local law enforcement?
• I mean, heck, our pharmacies, our small pharmacies, are going to shut down.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there anything that deals specifically with the local pharmacist?
• , which was our local specialty pharmacies, if they've got a contract, shouldn't be held to all these
• to, at a minimum, inform the patient of alternate pharmacy locations.
• And Barney Bishop, Small Business Pharmacies. Small Business Pharmacies.
• We've lost 1,600 pharmacies in the past year.

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a pharmacist at Carvajal Pharmacy in San Antonio.
• Pharmacy...
• If it's $20 that the pharmacy bought it for, something lower than $20, and then you charge.
• It doesn't go to the pharmacy. Just to be clear, we are not the pharmacy.
• Representative Hopper, I had my own pharmacist from a local pharmacy that would do the same thing where

Bills: HB854 , HB 1052 , HB1642 , HB2076 , HB3042 , HB3695 , HB3787 , HB4062 , HB4092 , SB213 , SB493 , SB896 , HB5519 , HB4635

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: insurance, replacement cost, homeowner's policy, renter's policy, condominium insurance, property damage, claims process, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health benefit plan, insurance coverage, out-of-state services, anxiety, pain management, contraceptive devices, women's health, medical procedures, healthcare, laboratory

Transcript Highlights:

• pharmacy is... ...if the PBM defines that the local pharmacy is somehow violated one of their made-up
• And so this helps update some of those new terms that they're using as reasons why our local pharmacies
• pharmacy is somehow violated one of their made-up tenets.
• And so this helps update some of those new terms that they're using as reasons why our local pharmacies
• And so this helps update some of those new terms that they're using as reasons why our local pharmacies

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this helps update some of those new terms that they're using as reasons why our local pharmacies
• And so this helps update some of those new terms that they're using as reasons why our local pharmacies
• Michael Cantanz, representing if the PBM defines that the local pharmacy is somehow violated one of their
• And so this helps update some of those new terms that they're using as reasons why our local pharmacies
• And so this helps update some of those new terms that they're using as reasons why our local pharmacies

Bills: S0006 , S0026 , S0206 , S0532 , S0576 , S1012 , S1110 , S1178 , S1192 , S1758 , S1760 , S7046 , S7048

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met and considered a large agenda of bills, reporting several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and the estate of Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, which was approved for $3.8 million. The committee also passed a cybersecurity internships bill creating a Department of Commerce program with Cyber Florida, and SB 532, which lets clerks of court retain the full amount of certain excess revenue and clarifies foreclosure-sale procedures. Veterans housing measures, CS for CS for SB 1602 and SB 1604, were approved to create a pilot program and a related trust fund for vacancy relief and risk mitigation for veteran housing. The committee also favorably reported SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics, with emotional testimony from a student and family describing the high cost and importance of activity-specific prosthetics. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 1012 after adopting an amendment that removed inmate emergency and specialty medical service compensation provisions while retaining changes to the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund. Another bill, CS for CS for SB 1614, was narrowed by a delete-all amendment to focus on limiting the use of excess fees for new building construction by local governments. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate, with some support testimony submitted in writing or waived. The most extensive discussion centered on CS for CS for SB 17, a major Medicaid and public assistance overhaul. The bill would create a Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Oversight, allow the Legislature to retain its own actuary, tighten Medicaid program oversight, update encounter-data reporting, set performance standards for managed care plans, revise pharmacy benefit manager rules, and require DCF to implement SNAP fraud-reduction and payment-accuracy reforms, including photo IDs on EBT cards and updated work requirements. It also would direct agencies to seek federal waivers for Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults and expanded behavioral health services. After lengthy questioning and testimony, the committee adopted amendments adding a transitional medical benefits glide path for people who gain employment and later lose Medicaid eligibility, and exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would improve accountability, reduce fraud, and save money, while opponents warned it would create administrative burdens, increase paperwork, and cause eligible people to lose coverage or food assistance. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> regular pharmacy, which is a 503A. regular pharmacy, which is a 503A.
• </c> as if they were to go to a pharmacy. as if they were to go to a pharmacy.
• </c> have any kind of local have any kind of local um um um ties. ties. ties.
• </c> local guy anyway. local guy anyway.
• </c> have here locally. have here locally.

Bills: HB2323 , HB2324 , HB1509 , HB2164 , HB2165 , HB2367 , HB2619 , HB1765 , HB2187 , HB1864 , HB1452 , HB2314 , HB1898 , HB2558 , HB2319 , HB1643 , HB2121

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard several administration bills related largely to workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. On HB 2323 HD1, which would modernize workers’ compensation notice and filing procedures, DLIR and other agencies testified in support of the original bill language but said HD1 removed key components and weakened the bill’s clarity and continuity. HB 2324 HD1, which would repeal state hoisting-machine certification requirements and the separate crane operator certificate, drew support from DLIR; members asked about whether the change would affect safety or local operators, and DLIR said OSHA-compliant certifications already exist and the union supported the change. HB 1509 HD1, which would require faster employer responses to treatment plans and impose penalties for nonresponse, received support from DLIR and others, while DHRD said it wanted an amendment. The committee also took up HB 2164 HD1 on compounded prescription drugs in workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill as a way to define compounded drugs and curb inflated pricing, but DHRD and a medical provider opposed it and asked for amendments. Testimony focused heavily on whether the definition should include 503B compounding facilities and whether physician dispensing should be limited to the first 30 days after injury. HB 2165 HD1, dealing with unemployment insurance eligibility and removing the two-year limit on recouping overpayments, was supported by DLIR but opposed by Unite Here Local 5, which argued it would make it harder for striking workers and other claimants. Members questioned the impact of changing reporting deadlines from calendar days to business days and raised concerns about future benefit offsets; DLIR said the bill was needed for federal conformity and that the committee would revisit the offset percentage and effective date. Later, the committee heard HB 2367 on pay transparency, requiring salary ranges in job postings and removing the small-employer exemption. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, Hawaii Women Lawyers, and an individual testifier supported the bill, saying pay transparency promotes fairness, trust, and pay equity; one testifier described being underpaid compared with a predecessor and said posting ranges would save applicants’ time. HB 2619 HD1, concerning homemade food products and farm kitchens, received generally supportive comments from the Department of Health, which requested an amendment to preserve flexibility in future rulemaking. HB 1765 HD1, on spear-fishing safety warnings, drew support from a safety educator and comments from DLNR; supporters said warning labels would help prevent hypoxic blackout deaths and were low-cost and easy to implement. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And one locally makes it extremely difficult.
• You go to the pharmacy.
• DSHS does not enforce what pharmacy or pharmacists do? That would also be the Board of Pharmacy.
• I took ivermectin during, under prescription, not through a local doctor or a local pharmacy, but I had
• Thank you. said they were four, are you talking about the Texas Pharmacy Association or the Texas Pharmacy

Bills: HB5141 , HB4638 , HB2264 , HB2035 , HB4813 , HB4408 , HB2684 , HB1621 , HB2300 , HB216 , HB3829 , HB4466 , HB1747 , HB2284 , HB3614 , HB2587 , HB3219 , HB3318 , HB5147 , HB4014 , HB216

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: lease, state property, public purpose, Travis County, Health and Human Services, pharmaceutical initiative, drug distribution, healthcare services, generic drugs, advanced pharmaceuticals, cost savings, mental health, patient discharge, medical records, health care professionals, substance use, family involvement, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions

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:

• </c> programs other state and local programs other state and local agencies<00:26:20.960><c> State</c
• </c> technicians more than 2,100 pharmacies technicians more than 2,100 pharmacies 1100<01:25:28.760>
• Presently, pharmacy surveyors handle both in-state pharmacy inspections and complaint investigations.
• both instate Pharmacy surveyors handle both instate Pharmacy inspections<01:31:00.639><c> and</c><01
• <c> their</c> Pharmacy where pharmacies report their Pharmacy where pharmacies report their dispensations

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Olson, so so far the total local match is $50 million.
• Out of the $50 million, that's responsible for local state.
• Those are allocated per the pharmacy census, and because we are not building new brick-and-mortar pharmacies
• However, you did graduate from pharmacy school. Yes.
• locally, and with that I am a no.

Bills: SB1041 , SB1088 , SB1118 , SB1128 , SB1168 , SB1176 , SB1189 , SB1207 , SB1250 , SB1272 , SB1274 , SB1286 , SB1428 , SB1457 , SB1461 , SB1503 , SB1519 , SB1537 , SB1582 , SB1618 , SB1654 , SB1713 , SB1827 , SCR1012 , SCR1020

Committees: House Appropriations , House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, cybersecurity, homeland security, artificial intelligence, state appropriation, VPN security, zero trust, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes

Transcript Highlights:

• There are 21 PTBAs serving 32 local transit agencies statewide.
• With respect to local codes, local governments may add additional requirements beyond what is required
• fund and operate local transportation improvements.
• to fund our local transportation projects.
• These are local commerce vehicles operating on city streets.

Bills: SB6253 , SB6311 , SB6262 , SB6335

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: public transportation, governing bodies, transit authorities, local government, community planning, pedestrian safety, construction, accessibility, public safety, urban planning, vehicle weight, transportation, fees, public infrastructure, funding, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and the same thing down there on ONO, which is kind of part of our discussion locally.

Bills: HB402 , HB402

Committee: House Urban and Rural Development

Keywords: rural impact, legislation, agriculture, school funding, transparency, data assessment, rural communities, land bank authority, property acquisition, tax-delinquent properties, real estate management, local government revenue, floodplain management, stormwater drainage, emergency powers

Transcript Highlights:

• She picks it up at her local CVS.
• That bystander can file a lawsuit for $100,000 against the pharmacist. assist and the pharmacy.
• And how do the pharmacist and the pharmacy defend themselves?
• That means providers and pharmacies. outside Texas can be sued in Texas courts for lawful conduct in
• What's going to happen to the insurance rates for pharmacies?

Bills: SB 8 , SB 1 , SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 10 , HB27 , HB7 , HB17 , HB1 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB20 , HB18 , HB7 , HB17 , HB1 , HB20 , HB18 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB1 , SR85 , SR87 , SB8 , SB5 , SB2 , SB10 , HB27