Transcript Highlights:

• Our educational programs provide relevant, necessary, and sufficient outcomes for our students and the
• What I hope to provide today are examples of practices.
• In FY 2024, there were 107 providers engaged in the program, which is an increase from 29 providers in
• FY 2023 and 38 providers in FY 2022.
• This bill provides a uniform standard to ensure fairness and alignment across the state.

Bills: SB1998 , SB646 , SB2786 , SB2076 , SB2615 , SB1961 , SB1418 , SB2647 , SB1322 , SB2788

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

Transcript Highlights:

• If you wish to give public testimony, provide written testimony, or just register your position on a
• This will provide for a state Class A misdemeanor.
• James Gray, American Cancer Society, Cancer Action Network, and we're here on the bill, um.
• Additionally, state law requires cities to provide utilities to platted and develop lots within their
• But delaying the delivery of infrastructure and services that the city is obligated to provide.

Bills: SB 32 , SB 464 , SB 996 , SB 1163 , SB 1173 , SB 1277 , SB 1452 , SB 1453 , SB 1548 , SB 1882 , SB 1883 , SB 2016

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, tax exemption, franchise tax credit, income production, personal property, SB 464, school buffer zone, tobacco retailer, vape shop, e-cigarette, vaping, nicotine, tobacco products, retail permit, comptroller, Class A misdemeanor, school proximity, youth access, public school, private school

Transcript Highlights:

• First, it would require that an uploader provide a statement certifying that any individuals depicted
• in the content provided consent to be recorded and to the sexually explicit material being uploaded,
• I could provide more examples, but I could never provide a complete list, and I don't believe any list
• You send out a text, but the provider throttles, and there's some sort of software mishap.
• It was sent out by the software provider, and there was no intention whatsoever. Right.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with the main discussion focused on AB 1705, AB 1898, AB 2076, and AB 2564. AB 1705 would require pornographic websites and uploaders to certify consent and age before sexually explicit content is posted, including AI-generated nude images, and would allow civil actions by nonconsenting individuals or minors depicted in the material. Supporters, including child advocacy, women’s groups, district attorneys, and university women’s organizations, said it would help combat nonconsensual sexual imagery and revenge pornography; there was no opposition testimony, and the bill drew favorable comments from members. AB 1898 would require employers to give workers advance notice before using AI-powered tools to surveil or manage employees, including disclosure of the purpose, data collected, decisions affected, and general locations of use. Labor groups and privacy advocates supported the measure as a transparency and worker-protection bill, while business and industry groups opposed it, arguing the definitions were too broad, the notice requirements could expose proprietary or security-sensitive information, and the private right of action could lead to litigation and overbroad compliance burdens. Members raised cybersecurity and scope concerns, and the author said the bill had already been narrowed and would continue to be refined, but the committee ultimately took a roll call and advanced the bill on a vote, leaving it on call for absent members. AB 2076 would add nitrous oxide to the list of products subject to online age verification under the Parents’ Accountability and Child Protection Act and increase penalties for large sellers that fail to comply. The author and supporters, including a parent, a deputy district attorney, narcotics officers, Children Now, labor, and the Children’s Advocacy Institute, described rising youth access, health harms, and online sales loopholes. Some opposition groups said they appreciated the amendments but remained concerned about other provisions. Members questioned the bill’s gift-card restrictions and whether they would unnecessarily limit adult purchasing choices; the author and committee staff explained the restriction was aimed at anonymous purchases of the most dangerous items. The bill passed on a 7-0 vote and was left on call for absent members. AB 2564 would prohibit “surveillance pricing,” or using personal data to set individualized prices, while preserving certain transparent discounts and loyalty programs. The author and supporters from Consumer Reports, TechEquity, labor, and privacy groups argued the bill would prevent discriminatory pricing and protect consumers from opaque data-driven price manipulation. Retail, chamber, and industry opponents said the bill was too broad, could chill legitimate discounts and promotions, created compliance and litigation risks, and contained vague definitions. Members discussed the balance between consumer protection and business concerns, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote on AB 2564.

Transcript Highlights:

• provided responses as well.
• Home health and hospice providers, side of hospice providers.
• Also looking at providers who have an atypical provider number. ...also looking at providers who have
• an atypical provider number instead of a national provider number.
• Winter testified, we also have active litigation and investigations in the dental provider network space

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to hear interim charges on higher education transparency and on preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in state government. The chair emphasized accountability for taxpayer dollars and asked witnesses to address financial reporting, audit practices, and whether more frequent or comprehensive audits would improve oversight. Legislative Budget Board staff described how public university systems and most community colleges respond to requests about internal audit practices, noting that university systems generally follow a similar annual audit timeline and that community colleges use a more varied mix of internal and external audit arrangements. Members focused on gaps in reporting, especially Texas Southern University’s missing submissions for several years and Collin County Community College’s nonresponse to the LBB survey. The State Auditor’s Office then outlined its higher education audit work, including mandatory statewide single audits, DEI compliance audits, HUB and State Use Program audits, benefits proportional audits, and discretionary audits based on risk. The auditor said the office has released 43 higher-ed audit reports since fiscal year 2021 and has two audits in progress, and explained that internal audit reports from institutions help guide future audit selection. Senators pressed the office on the lack of enforcement authority, the value of internal auditors at each institution, and whether community colleges should have more standardized reporting and audit requirements. The auditor and general counsel said the SAO can refer suspected fraud to law enforcement but cannot itself enforce findings, while several senators suggested stronger clawback authority and more robust internal audit structures. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board explained that it collects annual financial reports, sources-and-uses data, and community college finance reports, and uses them for funding formulas and other reporting. It also trains governing board members and said it has limited regulatory authority, though community colleges must certify compliance annually and can lose eligibility for state funds if they do not. Members questioned the reliability of self-attested data, the adequacy of board training, and whether a single reporting structure would be more efficient. During public testimony, a ScholarShot representative argued for clearer, student-facing financial transparency so students can see total cost of attendance and the gap they must cover before enrolling.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please feel free to come forward, Director, and we are going to allow you to provide one to two minutes
• We are aligning our organization to deliver a multimodal transportation network that connects highways
• It's something that we're very keen on providing the resources for.
• So when the right time comes, we’re happy to provide all our research and the data that we have.
• We will provide the information. Okay. That’s a very appropriate answer. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met to consider several items, beginning with gubernatorial appointments not required to appear. The committee approved multiple appointments on 3-2 and 5-0 votes, including members to the Board of Behavioral Sciences, the Contractors State License Board, and the Medical Board of California. Members also approved a bill referral item, a rule waiver request to suspend SR 55 for guests on the Senate floor during an adjourn-in-memory for former President Pro Tempore John Burton, and floor acknowledgment items, all by 5-0 vote. The committee then heard the required appearance of Dina El-Tawansy for Director of the California Department of Transportation. In her opening remarks, she emphasized Caltrans’ priorities of safety, equity, climate resilience, economic prosperity, workforce development, and multimodal transportation. Senators questioned her on a range of issues, including impacts from federal and state rules affecting immigrant truck drivers, the Highway 58 truck climbing lane project, DBE reevaluation under new federal guidance, asphalt recycling and waste disposal, climate-related damage to infrastructure, and the future of transportation funding as gas tax revenue declines. El-Tawansy said Caltrans would prioritize emergency and safety projects, continue work on the Highway 58 corridor, and help DBEs through a reevaluation process and outreach efforts. She described ongoing climate adaptation work, including vulnerability assessments, vegetation management, and corridor studies such as Route 37 and LOSSAN, and said the department is researching road user charges through pilots and national collaboration. She also discussed small-business programs, local hiring, toll lane agreement consistency, and efforts to address litter and homelessness on Caltrans property through delegated maintenance agreements and new staff positions. After public testimony from numerous transportation, construction, local government, labor, and technology organizations in support of the nominee, the committee voted 5-0 to advance El-Tawansy’s appointment to the full Senate floor for confirmation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has served as a dedicated advocate for these entrepreneurs, providing
• mentorship, resources, and a network essential to building a robust local economy.
• It will make health care providers who perform gender transition procedures on minors personally liable
• Health care providers who perform gender transition procedures on minors, which, P.S., that's already
• So this is going to provide for patient safety for these therapies with the guardrails that this bill

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a proclamation honoring the East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Members also welcomed the Doctor of the Day and several guest groups, including Alzheimer’s Association advocates. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several Senate bills. In Committee of the Whole, the House advanced SB 1037, SB 1233, SB 1290, and SB 1445, adopting committee amendments where offered and giving each a do pass recommendation; SB 1814 was retained. Members discussed SB 1055, which would require reporting certain unlawfully present individuals arrested for crimes to federal immigration authorities, with Democrats raising concerns about profiling and civil liberties and Republicans arguing it simply enforces federal law; it also received a do pass recommendation. SB 1274, relating to transportation and infrastructure, was amended and recommended do pass, SB 1502 also advanced, and SB 1573, concerning foreign or religious sectarian law in state courts, prompted debate over whether it was necessary or duplicative but was likewise recommended do pass. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and the measures were assigned accordingly. The House then took up third-reading votes. SB 1168 and SB 1172 passed overwhelmingly, SB 1290 passed after debate about HOA meeting openness, SB 1221 passed on a 32-24 vote after supporters said it would improve tax transparency, and SB 1400 passed 47-9 despite concerns about peer support and counseling protections. SB 1214, a medical practice bill involving stem cell regenerative therapies, failed 25-31 after some members said they were not comfortable with the measure; afterward, a motion to reconsider its failure was adopted, placing it back on the third-reading calendar. The House also granted the Senate permission to adjourn until April 27, and then adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has served as a dedicated advocate for these entrepreneurs, providing
• mentorship, resources, and network essential to building a robust local economy.
• It will make health care providers who perform gender transition procedures on minors, which, P.S., that's
• already illegal, personally liable. ...health care providers who perform gender transition procedures
• So this is going to provide for patient safety for these therapies with the guardrails that this bill

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I WILL ASK EACH PRESENTER TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND PROVIDE HIS OR HER REMARKS, BUT ONCE EVERYBODY
• MOTHER NATURE PROVIDES THAT CONTROL.
• AND BECAUSE WE HAVE AT LEAST THREE UNIVERSITIES HERE, STATE COLLEGE, FAMU AND FSU IT'S POSSIBLE PROVIDED
• WHICH IS DIFFERENT THAN CHATGPT OR CLAUDE, THEY'RE USED LOOKING AT WORDS AS TOKENS AND USING A NEURAL NETWORK
• I WILL SAY EVERY TIME WE BRING A NEW FARMER IN AND WE HAVE PROVIDED THE RESOURCES TO START THREE FARMERS

Transcript Highlights:

• In the event of a total network failure, which has happened but not very often, we may need to reschedule
• The meeting may need to be rescheduled in the event of a total network failure, because we are required
• something new um then the state provide something new um then the state has<00:17:36.679><c> to</c><
• </c> health nursing division providing health nursing division providing testimony<00:24:32.720><c> on
• So I just ask that it be clearly looked at to provide a wealth of information.

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on several measures. On HB 1233 relating to storm water management, the Attorney General’s office said the state may need to share costs with counties for any new inspection or regulatory program. Testifiers strongly supported the bill, including the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association and a community member who described her daughter’s death in a poorly maintained detention pond and urged statewide inspections and a comprehensive approach. A member asked the Attorney General about the cost-sharing issue, and the office said state appropriations would be needed if counties are required to take on new duties. The committee then heard HB 245 on student heat exposure safety. The Department of Education, Department of Health, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure. A physician testifying for the Climate Change and Health Working Group described children’s vulnerability to heat and cited examples from other states that adopted stronger heat guidelines after school heat deaths. The Department of Education said it could do the feasibility study without additional funding and preferred to wait for the study before deciding on equipment needs. The Attorney General’s office later testified on HB 903, authorizing schools to maintain bronchodilators, supporting the concept but warning that the bill’s definition of school was broad and that DOE may not have jurisdiction over all covered entities; it suggested changing “protocol” to “guidelines” and involving the Public Charter School Commission. On HB 1314 relating to youth mental health, the Department of Education testified in opposition, though no additional testimony was offered. The committee also heard HB 1334 on meat donation, with DLNR and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supporting the measure. HB 799 on health care drew support from HMSA and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, while the Department of Health said it supported the intent but wanted amendments, including limiting the bill to Maui, adding a sunset, and requiring a study of quality and access impacts. On HB 952 relating to Parkinson’s disease research, the Department of Health said the proposal would require additional appropriations and staffing and suggested a public-private partnership approach; the Hawaii Parkinson Association, Queen’s clinicians, and other supporters testified that a registry would help identify the number of patients and improve care. Finally, SHPDA strongly supported HB 1431 establishing an oral health task force, saying the state lacks sufficient dental oversight and that both keiki and kūpuna need better access to services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not only does the new HVAC system provide better heating for less money, it also provides the residents
• </c><01:12:15.040><c> an</c> of this bill as a way to provide an of this bill as a way to provide an
• </c><01:22:32.400><c> that's</c> off-grid electricity providers that's off-grid electricity providers
• Yes, please. the the um that co-op extension provides the the um that co-op extension provides in<01:
• </c> classes that was provided. classes that was provided.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> provider in the state. provider in the state.
• We have provided support.
• </c> We have provided support. We have provided support.
• . providers. providers.
• </c> may provide. may provide.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So in reading this bill, I just see that it's requiring providers to take an extra few minutes to provide
• it to providers and mail it and provide it to providers that<00:33:00.360><c> that</c><00:33:00.480>
• to take an extra few minutes providers to take an extra few minutes to<00:33:14.880><c> provide</c><
• </c> provider would treat um so the provider provider would treat um so the provider will<00:33:45.799
• </c><00:37:22.960><c> and</c> Medicaid you could see a provider and Medicaid you could see a provider

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• County governments provide many essential state services to constituents at the local level.
• They provide public safety, they build and maintain infrastructure, and they provide emergency services
• Licensed fuel providers and distributors receive a credit on their taxes. sales to counties.
• Texas must act now to retain our existing incentives and provide certainty for business to prevent the
• In the estimate that we provided, Senator Bettencourt.

Bills: SB214 , SB935 , SB1030 , SB1901 , SB2018 , SB2020 , SB2066 , SB2206

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: HVAC, tax exemption, energy efficiency, residential heating, installation services, Energy Star, sales tax, residential, installation, sales tax exemption, Environmental Protection Agency, temporary exemption, motor fuel tax, county exemption, diesel fuel, gasoline tax, transportation funding, SB 1030, Texas Tax Code, use tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this is the funding provided for the Environmental Natural Resources Trust Fund and the appropriations
• I know many of you are already familiar with the work that we do, but for the others, we'll provide a
• a brief overview of the we'll provide a brief overview of the LCCMR,<00:03:58.720><c> the</c><00:03:
• </c> write a detailed work plan that provides write a detailed work plan that provides descriptions<00
• and report to responsibility to provide and report to those<00:32:37.919><c> folks.

Bills: HF3426 , HF3428

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: natural resources, environment, sustainability, conservation, outdoor recreation, land acquisition, real property, trust fund, commissioner approval, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, conservation easement, land purchase, state land, public lands, property acquisition, value assessment, tax assessed value, Metropolitan Council, Board of Water and Soil Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• House section 5 and 21 provide—these are House-only sections—they provide residents of long-term care
• </c> case management service provider case management service provider training<00:22:02.640><c> and<
• , and the SUD providers.
• </c> health providers and the SUD providers. health providers and the SUD providers.
• Lastly, the Minnesota Network of Hospice and Palliative Care, representing hundreds of providers across

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:39:50.480><c> of</c> funding supports a Statewide network of funding supports a Statewide network
• That will permit us to get started. million funding was provided by the million funding was provided
• We simply provided the statistics.
• </c><03:49:21.680><c> the</c> any positions we simply provided the any positions we simply provided the
• Providers this is the survey that was Providers this is the survey that was done<04:08:42.880><c> uh<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Technology revolving fund: This fund allows the Attorney General's office to provide grants to a limited
• To be able to provide grants to some local municipalities, urban and rural.
• I think it is a very, very good service that they Provide to Oklahoma.
• It has nothing to do with the personnel or the expertise that can be provided.
• It doesn't ask law enforcement to provide services.

Bills: HB1002 , HB1250 , HB2710 , HB3008 , HB3045 , HB3086 , HB3595 , HB3678 , HB3695 , HB3831 , HB4107 , HB4408

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: stalking, victim notification, law enforcement, harassment, penalties, criminal justice, protection orders, local law enforcement, Public Safety Technology Revolving Fund, grants, state funding, law enforcement technology, Oklahoma Emergency Communications Act, emergency communications, public safety radio, statewide radio systems, land mobile radio, interoperability, Project 25, P25

Transcript Highlights:

• Domestic Violence and Victims Assistance would be administering the funding on behalf of the Idaho Network
• The fifth recommendation was to provide $5 million in one-time funding for a statewide drug awareness
• The sixth proposal was to provide $25 million in one-time funding for Medicaid claim payments in fiscal
• This annual practice was provided as a requirement in the division's appropriation for the first few
• In the program maintenance budget that was approved, that exemption is provided to them.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first heard the Joint Millennium Fund Committee’s report. The co-chairs recommended one-time or ongoing funding for several programs: $692,200 for the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund, $1 million for juvenile safety assessment centers, $3 million for child advocacy centers, $150,000 ongoing for the Upper River Youth Leadership Council Recovery Center, $5 million for a statewide drug awareness media campaign, and $25 million one-time for Medicaid claim payments in fiscal year 2027. Members asked about the Medicaid recommendation, noting prior language against using Millennium Fund dollars to offset Medicaid; the co-chairs said the current recommendation was tied to the governor’s request and intended as one-time funding, with any unused money returned to the fund. The report was accepted by unanimous consent. The committee then reviewed the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses budget. Legislative staff outlined the division’s structure, growth, fund balances, and fee-setting framework, including the requirement to keep board balances within a range tied to a five-year rolling average of expenditures. Administrator Russ Barron said the division has reduced costs, consolidated boards, and used fee increases, fee reductions, and fee holidays to bring boards into range; he also said the division had improved retention after inspector pay increases. Members questioned rising personnel costs, the use of opioid settlement funds for DEA license reimbursements, the request to remove a 10% transfer limitation, and whether cash balances should be redistributed among boards. Barron said the transfer exemption was largely a holdover and that cross-subsidizing boards would be possible but unpopular. He also explained that complaints drive enforcement, that a universal discipline bill could improve consistency, and that vehicle replacements were still needed because the fleet is aging despite possible future legislation. Finally, the committee heard the State Lottery budget. Staff reported that the lottery continues to generate dividends for schools and public buildings, with most expenditures tied to prizes and commissions. Director Andrew Arulenandum said the lottery has reduced management layers, renegotiated major contracts, and expects significant savings beginning in fiscal year 2027. Members asked about the role of lottery detectives, advertising spending, and the need for MacBooks and iMacs; the director said detectives investigate theft and other crimes involving lottery inventory, advertising effectiveness depends heavily on jackpot size, and the Apple equipment is needed for in-house design and artwork. The meeting ended with adjournment and a reminder about upcoming budget-setting work groups and future hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Founded in 1946, the Texas YMCA Youth and Government Program promotes civic engagement. by providing
• Over 80,000 students to each semester, providing high quality, high value academic. career training,
• Their mission is to provide the comprehensive education necessary to enrich. lives.
• Providers participating in the Texas Rising Star Program reimbursement rates and those providers refer
• Admitting to a requirement that public institutions of higher education provide applicants with certain

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides those protections. So it doesn't do any harm.
• </c><00:05:25.520><c> It</c><00:05:25.840><c> provides</c> sort of legal framework.
• It provides sort of legal framework. It provides those<00:05:26.639><c> protections.
• who would be providing care to a minor child even on a temporary basis.
• The bill before you provides of cases.

Bills: HF2233 , HF1999 , HF1995 , HF1614 , HF2781 , HF1775 , HF1316 , HF2127 , HF2521 , HF689 , HF2380 , HF1273

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money