Transcript Highlights:

• I see there's the addition of tribal entity in that.
• in the policy committee, I'm not entirely sure, but I would just imagine that this allows tribal entities
• builders that only built a handful of homes to actually be able to build because they would not have to cover

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to work on three remaining policy bills. On HB 2225, members discussed an amendment reducing the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund housing grant program from $50 million to $30 million, lowering the maximum grant amount, and clarifying that existing lots can qualify after a certificate of occupancy is issued so the program can help communities like Watford City and Williston use prepared lots. Members also discussed the matching requirements, tribal eligibility, and how Commerce would score applications to ensure the money lowers lot costs rather than being absorbed by political subdivisions. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed 22-0, and Representative Murphy was assigned to carry the bill. The committee then took up SB 2200, which funds the 988 crisis hotline. After discussion, members agreed to strip out the proposed phone-line charge approach and instead provide a $500,000 appropriation from the Community Health Care Trust Fund, consistent with the Senate version, to supplement existing funding for increased staffing and texting-related demand. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed 22-0, and Representative Nelson will carry the bill. Finally, the committee considered SB 2342, which creates a value-added milk processing facility incentive program. The amendment reduced the proposed line of credit from $10 million to $5 million, with the program intended to support dairy-related processing infrastructure such as utilities, roads, water, wastewater, and rail access. Members noted the program would be administered through the Agriculture Diversification and Development Committee, could potentially support one or multiple facilities, and sunsets June 30, 2027. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed 22-0, and Representative Brandenburg will carry the bill. The committee then adjourned, planning to reconvene the next morning to take up additional bills and budget adjustments.

Transcript Highlights:

• To make this as easy as possible for the taxing entity and for the taxpayer.
• We thank Representative Plisa for her for this bill and working diligently with us and other entities
• It would cover the increase in property value due to that.

Bills: HB195 , HB247 , HB255 , HJR2 , HJR4 , HJR6 , HJR31 , HJR34 , HB195 , HB247 , HB255 , HJR6 , HJR31 , HJR34

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: school district, ad valorem tax, local revenue, tax collection, education funding, border security, tax exemption, ad valorem, real property, infrastructure, Texas-Mexico border, ad valorem taxation, farm products, livestock, timber, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• I think, you know, some of these concepts are covered by that language both in the Lucero proposal as
• , corporations, and other entities of one or more people do not have constitutional rights as persons
• , corporations, and other entities of one or more people do not have constitutional rights as persons
• </c><01:29:07.080><c> constitutional</c> artificial entities constitutional artificial entities constitutional
• </c> persons only and that other entities persons only and that other entities organizations<01:30:22.840

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When somebody wants a custom plate, they pay us a certain fee and that fee not just covers your cost
• When somebody wants a custom plate, they pay us a certain fee and that fee not just covers your cost
• When somebody wants a custom plate, they pay us a certain fee and that fee not just covers your cost
• When somebody wants a custom plate, they pay us a certain fee and that fee not just covers your cost
• When somebody wants a custom plate, they pay us a certain fee and that fee not just covers your cost

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened with brief remarks honoring Harry Bean after his death on February 14, with members describing him as a larger-than-life figure, a valued colleague, and a friend whose conversations and presence will be missed. The committee then moved to vehicle title bills, beginning with HB 1421, which would change title exemptions for older motor vehicles. DMV witnesses explained the fiscal note was based on 2024 new title applications for vehicles in the affected age range and represented a high-end estimate; members discussed whether the bill would actually be revenue-neutral because reduced title revenue would be offset by reduced staffing work. There was also clarification that the bill applies to cars and regular trucks, not heavy trucks or tractor trailers, and that owners could still obtain titles if they met proof-of-ownership requirements. Members noted antique cars would largely be unaffected because they are already exempt. HB 1421 was moved on an OTP motion and passed 9-8. The committee next considered HB 1466, a related title bill narrowed to boat trailers. Members again raised concerns about lost revenue, but the sponsor and DMV witness said the fiscal note was a high-water estimate and that the bill would likely be close to a wash because the department would save on title-processing costs. The witness also explained that VIN verification, when needed, can be done by local police or a dealership, but not for every trailer title. Members discussed the low value and infrequent resale of older boat trailers, and the bill was described as a practical policy change. HB 1466 was moved OTP and passed 8-0. Finally, the committee discussed HB 1483, which would create a special ham radio operator plate with a lightning bolt symbol and call sign. The sponsor explained an amendment was needed because the bill had mistakenly referred to a House and Senate Ways and Means Committee; the fix would treat the plate under existing vanity plate law. DMV witnesses said the plate would be optional, would require legislative approval, and would function like other special decal plates, which are generally limited to nonprofit-related or legislatively authorized uses. Members asked whether the plate would generate revenue, and DMV confirmed vanity plates carry an added fee that does produce revenue. Discussion focused on the plate’s practical purpose for identifying ham operators, especially in emergencies, and on whether it might set a precedent for other special-interest plates.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that if there is a parent who is wanting to cover for that family member and not allow health
• In regards to criminal activity, this is not to provide cover for any criminal activity happening to
• I’d be open to that, but we’re seeing across…” to cover for that family member and not to cover for that
• for people who are abusing cover for people who are abusing children<00:42:33.640><c> and</c><00:42:
• <00:47:57.319><c> or</c> entity or entity or institution<00:47:59.000><c> uh</c><00:47:59.319><c> shall

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The DOC is the only state entity currently that has a 287(g) agreement with ICE.
• Yeah, the majority of the time they're covering their faces.
• Passing comprehensive consumer privacy legislation reduces the attack surface for entities like those
• Passing comprehensive consumer privacy legislation reduces the attack surface for entities like those
• We've also heard of public universities, attorney general's offices, and other entities entering 287(

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on responding to federal immigration enforcement in Massachusetts, with opening remarks from Sen. Liz Miranda and Rep. Bud Williams emphasizing fear in immigrant communities, recent ICE operations, and the need to learn from advocates and affected residents rather than debate individual bills. The hearing was organized around three topics: detention, arrests, and surveillance, with members repeatedly asking what the legislature can do to improve transparency, legal access, and oversight. On detention, Leah Hastings of Prisoners’ Legal Services said most people end up in ICE custody through contact with the criminal legal system and argued that state carceral systems are deeply intertwined with immigration enforcement. She described conditions at Plymouth County House of Correction and Burlington ICE holding as concerning, citing limited medical care, disability accommodations, solitary confinement, retaliatory transfers, and poor attorney access. Hastings said Massachusetts should reduce funding for sheriffs and the Department of Corrections, ban intergovernmental service agreements and 287(g) agreements, and invest instead in housing, treatment, and other community supports. Members also discussed ICE reimbursement, the immigrant legal defense fund, and the need for more immigration attorneys. On arrests and enforcement tactics, David Albright of JALSA said federal immigration enforcement has been expanded by major new funding and incentives, including higher payments for 287(g) and bed contracts, and he noted that most ICE detainees nationally do not have criminal records. He said Massachusetts has one 287(g) agreement with the Department of Corrections and one IGSA with Plymouth County, and that ICE also uses Burlington, Hanscom, and informal local collaboration in places such as Milford and Auburn. Danny Tampona of Neighbor to Neighbor and the LUCE Rapid Response Network described more than 10,000 hotline calls from 46 cities and towns, with arrests often involving masked agents, surveillance of workers and families, traffic stops, broken windows, and arrests at check-ins or schools; he said the network is concentrated in places including Everett, Chelsea, Lynn, New Bedford, Milford, Marlboro, Framingham, and Springfield. He urged legislation requiring clear identification for law enforcement, limits on surveillance technologies, and stronger legal defense resources. On surveillance, Joshua Dancoff of Citizens for Juvenile Justice argued that current state policies allow broad sharing of fingerprints and surveillance data with ICE, including through BRIC, the Massachusetts Fusion Center, and municipal police policies. He cited cases in Chelsea and Everett where children were taken from police custody into ICE custody and said many departments automatically share arrest fingerprints and other information with federal authorities. He recommended limiting fingerprint sharing, restricting surveillance databases and task-force participation, and curbing police and sheriff collaboration with ICE even where no formal 287(g) exists. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for more immigration lawyers, possible bar advocate-style funding for immigration defense, and legislative action to prevent further collaboration and deportation infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second is on the covered harm in Section 22610, which uses approximately caused language, which of
• The second is on the covered harm in Section 22610, which uses approximately caused language, which of
• This includes making sure that the right individual or entity gets the assets, safeguards against fraud
• Our current jurisdiction under the Unfair Practices Act is insufficient because it covers specific bad
• Our current jurisdiction under the Unfair Practices Act is insufficient because it covers specific bad

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we'll be covering all new May revision proposals for each relevant department.
• I'm going to cover a few of the items and then turn it over to my colleague, Mr. Reeder.
• We need to go back to item six real quick, so I'll cover that.
• And that is a separate entity that handles that. So that is outside of CDCR.
• And that is a separate entity that handles that. So that is outside of CDCR.

Summary: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 heard the Governor’s May Revision proposals for the judicial branch, the Board of State and Community Corrections, the Department of Justice, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Legislative Analyst’s Office opened with a warning that the state budget remains structurally imbalanced and urged the Legislature to avoid new ongoing spending unless offset by reductions elsewhere. In the judicial branch discussion, the Judicial Council highlighted language access funding, appellate court security, a backfill for the state court facilities construction fund, and an extension of the lactation room mandate; Finance supported most items but suggested reporting language on interpreter costs and reducing the General Fund backfill. Members raised concerns about judicial vacancies, long-term salary freezes, remote hearings, and the lack of progress on court staffing in some counties. For the Board of State and Community Corrections, the administration proposed $10 million one-time each for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People grant program and a human trafficking vertical prosecution grant program. The LAO said both should be weighed against other priorities and suggested the Legislature consider whether the Tribal Nations Grant Fund could support MMIP work, while Finance said it preferred General Fund support and wanted more review before any fund swap. Members strongly supported MMIP funding and asked whether ongoing support would be considered. On the human trafficking grant, Finance said BSC was a good fit because of its grant administration experience and prior vertical prosecution work, while legislators asked why the program was not placed with the Office of Emergency Services as originally contemplated in prior legislation. The Department of Justice presented antitrust litigation funding, Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse staffing, completion of organized retail criminal enterprise cases, and trailer bill language for a continuous appropriation from the Victims of Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund. The LAO supported the antitrust account use but questioned the Unfair Competition Law Fund’s ability to cover the full request without General Fund repayment, and recommended against a continuous appropriation for the restitution fund in favor of a more limited mechanism with legislative oversight. Finance said the fund would remain solvent and defended the continuous appropriation as necessary to pay victims promptly. In the CDCR portion, the largest discussion centered on the Boston Consulting Group efficiency review and sharply reduced savings estimates; LAO said the department had not fully explained the proposed position eliminations or future $100 million savings target, while Finance said the work reflected deeper analysis and ongoing efforts to find savings. Members repeatedly pressed CDCR and Finance on the gap between earlier promised savings and the revised figures. CDCR also outlined population projections showing continued declines in prison and parole populations, while LAO again urged the state to close an additional prison to save ongoing costs. The department then walked through several May Revision items, including workers’ compensation funding, a Corcoran honor housing dorm, incarcerated firefighter pay implementation, an incarcerated menopause program, mental health receiver staffing, mental health resource teams and crisis intervention teams, medical classification staffing changes, and AI note-taking for the electronic health record. LAO generally recommended limiting-term funding and more reporting for many of these proposals, while Finance defended them as necessary ongoing investments or court-ordered obligations. Members questioned the cost of workers’ compensation, the need for more prison closures, the lack of funding for women’s facility violence prevention, and the timing and transparency of the BCG savings process. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would be Department of Transportation as a potential entity that might incur some costs associated
• I would love to be able to um cover<00:18:34.240><c> the</c><00:18:34.480><c> costs</c><00:18:34.720>
• the costs if we're able to do that cover the costs if we're able to do that and<00:18:35.919><c> that's
• 19:22.320><c> potential</c> of Transportation as a a potential of Transportation as a a potential entity
• that might incur some costs entity that might incur some costs associated<00:19:25.919><c> with</c><

Bills: HF3919 , HF3791 , HF1781 , HF3908 , HF4233 , HF3966 , HF3430

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, security, protective services, state officials, Capitol complex, state patrol, public safety, legislative protection, threat assessment, transportation, electronic attestation, traffic signals, accident reporting, legislative routes, agricultural aircraft

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 375 relates to the Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act, right of first refusal, resident entities
• Law Rental Act, right of first refusal, resident entities and localities.
• It allows individuals to sue and stop unauthorized covering the Senate substitute makes it accommodate
• The following entities are comfortable with the Senate substitute: the Department of Education, SCHEV
• This is legislation that relates to law enforcement officers, restriction on wearing facial coverings

Keywords: March 11, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the cost of that uh in order to cover the cost of that uh healthcare.<00:20:27.840><c> And</c><00:20
• In comparison to the other entities at the table, these targets wouldn't have made this possible.
• In comparison to the other entities at the table, these targets wouldn't have made this possible.
• In comparison to the other entities at the table, these targets wouldn't have made this possible.
• In comparison to the other entities at the table, these targets wouldn't have made this possible.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> eligibility</c><00:26:14.320><c> is</c><00:26:15.320><c> and</c> And Specialized Care if not covered
• by and Specialized Care if not covered by government<00:26:31.799><c> uh</c><00:26:32.320><c> benefit
• We also understand that some education co-ops are processing payroll for third-party entities, raising
• <00:36:24.400><c> raising</c><00:36:24.839><c> some</c><00:36:25.040><c> additional</c> entities raising
• some additional entities raising some additional questions<00:36:26.640><c> who</c><00:36:26.800><c>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:02 Attendance Roll Call: 00:49 Approval of Minutes: 01:55 CERS Retiree Health Subsidy Proposal: 02:14 SB 58: 24:05 TRS Sick/Annual Leave Proposal: 32:53 Adjournment: 48:00, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the prior month’s minutes after a roll call established a quorum. It then heard testimony on a draft proposal from Senator Robbie Mills to increase CERS retiree health subsidies for members retiring on or after July 1, 2003. The bill would raise the non-hazardous subsidy from $14.63 to $40 per month per year of service and the hazardous-duty subsidy from $21.94 to $50, with employee contribution rates adjusted based on the health trust’s funded status. Supporters from sheriffs, firefighters, police chiefs, and the Kentucky League of Cities said the change would improve recruitment and retention, better align the subsidy with the cost of a single health plan, and preserve the system’s financial footing through shared employer-employee costs and funding triggers. Committee members asked about the fiscal impact, the effect of funding levels above 150%, and how the subsidy would work for rehired retirees or employees who later take private-sector jobs. Mills and other witnesses said preliminary actuarial work was still forthcoming, that the bill was intended to be revenue-neutral or close to it, and that the subsidy would continue to be paid monthly; they also noted existing 2008 rules for rehired retirees and said the benefit would still be available even if a retiree later had other insurance. One member suggested looking at stable accounts as an additional option for special-needs planning in a later bill. The committee then heard Senate Bill 58 from Senator Robin Webb, which would allow state employees to designate a Special Needs Trust as a beneficiary for retirement benefits. Webb said the measure would help employees provide for disabled dependents without jeopardizing SSI or Medicaid eligibility, and that the bill follows federal special-needs trust rules. He said the proposal could be revenue neutral, but actuarial analysis was still pending and KPPA had asked for electronic rather than paper transfer provisions. Members questioned whether the authority already exists, how the trust would work, and whether stable accounts should also be considered; Webb said he would follow up with additional information.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I'm going to cover a few key themes.
• Does the governmental entities offer you? any incentives to locate?
• We're also one of Texas' largest load serving entities, 3 million residential customers.
• We've had a lot of topics covered today; it's been very informative.
• So I won't cover the key steps of Batch Zero. You know how much money they're asking for.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The second area that we'll focus on is on pages 7 and 8, which covers prioritization.
• I know they don't reflect every county, but they do work and cover the majority of the population.
• So that means, so 68 new children in this are being covered. Under Mr.
• work that we did through proposed rulemaking. ...covered the move to universal and the work that we
• You know, I know there's been a wide spectrum of pieces that have been covered.

Summary: The committee heard first from LFC staff on a brief about New Mexico’s universal child care expansion. Staff said child care assistance has clear benefits for parents and families, but LFC has not found evidence in New Mexico that it improves children’s educational outcomes; they argued pre-K is the better tool for that goal. The brief highlighted four concerns with universal access: an estimated annual cost of about $849.7 million, a sharp decline in registered homes, possible crowding out of lower-income families, and reduced access for children under age two. Staff also suggested possible mitigations such as prioritizing slots for low-income and at-risk families, reinstating sliding-scale co-pays, and tying quality improvements to workforce wages. Members raised questions about the cost estimate, funding sources, provider quality, and whether the data showed actual crowding out. Several lawmakers expressed support for child care generally but concern about the fiscal impact and whether universal access would divert resources from the families most in need. Others emphasized the importance of child care for workforce participation, rural communities, and family stability, and questioned how registered homes are counted and regulated. LFC staff clarified that the cost estimate was for child care assistance only, not the entire ECECD budget, and that the data showed declines in the share of lowest-income children and infants/toddlers served, though not causation. The ECECD secretary then presented the department’s response, saying universal child care is intended to complete a cradle-to-career system and that the department has already seen strong uptake, increased capacity, and rising workforce participation. She said 6,206 families were found eligible in the first month, the share of infants and toddlers served rose, and new provider applications and licensed slots increased after the November rollout. The department also emphasized wage increases, quality improvements, and a new wage scale/career lattice, while projecting a lower near-term cost than LFC’s estimate and requesting additional funding for child care, early pre-K, home visiting, workforce systems, and capacity-building. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided; the discussion was informational and focused on questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• aware of some of the momentum to develop decision tools for local government, and there's other entities
• for the monitoring as well as the data assessment of the monitoring or is that going to be a state covered
• putting the monitors in, but we have a time commitment and time is not going to be, time won't be covered
• putting the monitors in, but we have a time commitment and time is not going to be, time won't be covered
• And with that, I know I covered a lot during the tour, but really a deep dive on oil and gas, and I'd

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of Minnkota Power Cooperative before hearing presentations on large energy consumers and related infrastructure issues. The first presentation, from the North Dakota Transmission Authority, focused on the need for better local decision-making tools for counties, townships, and planning and zoning boards facing major projects such as transmission lines, pipelines, data centers, wind, solar, and large-scale agriculture. The speaker urged more objective, data-driven analysis, noted that local officials often have limited time and resources, and said the state should support training and tools through groups like the League of Cities and the Association of Counties. Members asked about proactive outreach, data center ordinances, and how to avoid subsidizing large loads or causing reliability problems. The Division of Air Quality then discussed environmental oversight of data centers, emphasizing that North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the country and that the agency’s role is limited to air, water discharge, stormwater, and waste—not zoning or water use. The presentation explained that data centers generally have low direct emissions but may rely on diesel backup generators when the grid is unavailable, which creates air-quality concerns; the department said it is requiring air monitors at some projects to collect real-world data and guide future decisions. Members asked about generator emissions, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession, and the agency said permit applicants pay for the monitors while the state handles some QA work. The Department of Water Resources followed with an overview of North Dakota water law and data center water use. The director explained the state’s prior-appropriation system, the public-interest review for permits, and the large overall water supply available from groundwater and the Missouri River. He said most proposed data centers use closed-loop cooling systems and generally request relatively small amounts of water compared with other uses such as power plants, irrigation, and oilfield operations, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use only a tiny fraction of Missouri River flow. Questions focused on downstream impacts and comparisons to fracking water use, and the director said the state’s use is too small to materially affect downstream users. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd-Erickson testified online about data center zoning and permitting. He asked the committee to have Legislative Council gather information on how other states handle data center permitting and to keep the topic on the interim agenda. He argued that local zoning should remain local, but said counties lack the technical and legal resources to manage complex reclamation or bonding requirements and that state-level enabling legislation may be more appropriate. He also recommended eliminating tax incentives for data centers. The committee chair said staff would prepare a document on other states’ zoning and permitting approaches. After a lunch recess, the committee reconvened at the EERC, where CEO Charles Gorecki gave an overview of the center’s 75 years of work and its role in oil and gas, carbon management, and other energy technologies, highlighting enhanced oil recovery and carbon dioxide utilization as major opportunities for future production and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• you can see on line 13, digital identification is defined as electronic credentialing by a public entity
• Jumping down to line 19, a public entity shall not require any person to obtain, maintain, present, or
• back to the legislation we passed, I believe it was two days ago, Senate Bill 1316, this will be covered
• It totally got pushed under the rug and covered up. I tried to go to the Commission.
• This is so the objective of this from the very beginning was to keep government entities from showing

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and approved the journal. A lengthy pages’ recognition program followed, with lighthearted awards and remarks about the students’ backgrounds and plans. The House then received messages from the governor and Senate, including notice of signed bills and enrolled measures, and reports from standing committees on enrolled, engrossed, and printed legislation. The chamber considered several measures under suspension of the rules. House Resolution 32, relating to administrative rules review, passed 68-1. Senate Bill 1270 as amended, requiring labeling and disclosure for cell-cultured animal protein, passed 70-0. Senate Bill 1335 as amended, addressing veterinary education and requiring recipients of state-funded out-of-state vet training to return to Idaho and practice large-animal veterinary medicine, passed 54-16 after debate about the state’s veterinarian shortage and the need to recoup the state’s investment. Senate Bill 1299 as amended, barring government from requiring digital identification for access to services and preserving physical ID options, passed 70-0 after questions about whether it affected police dogs. Senate Bill 1376, an elections cleanup bill shifting some candidate filing duties to county clerks and adding verification steps, passed 64-6. The House also passed Senate Bill 1416, the appropriation for the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination, by 55-14, and Senate Bill 1417, Parks and Recreation enhancements funded by fees and federal dollars, by 69-30. House Bill 494 as amended in the Senate, on background-check cleanup for Health and Welfare, passed 69-30; House Bill 728 as amended in the Senate, on education-related transparency and continuity, passed 68-7; House Bill 703 as amended in the Senate, on land surveyor board cleanup, passed 67-0; House Bill 825 as amended in the Senate, on the America 250 license plate and Heritage Trust Fund flexibility, passed 67-2; House Bill 788 as amended in the Senate, a medical preceptorship pilot with a sunset, passed 39-30; House Resolution 33, covering committee review of several natural resources and licensing agencies, passed 68-2; House Bill 949, a net-zero trailer bill consolidating STEM Action Center and Workforce Development Council appropriations, passed 69-1; House Bill 950, appropriating $200,000 for a Medicaid managed care consultant, passed 60-10; and House Bill 951, an Attorney General enhancement bill tied to the Consumer Protection Fund and ICAC support, failed 33-37 after debate over whether the funding was truly needed. Senate Bill 1294 as amended, requiring newborn hearing-screen referrals outside hospitals while preserving parental choice, passed 37-32 after discussion of early hearing loss detection and the bill’s referral-based structure. The House also agreed to send Senate Bill 1351 to the amending order and recessed, then reconvened to take up additional messages and first-reading bills, including child protection and related measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• I assume there's a covering for ethics, just to make sure that we cross our T's correctly?
• It does need to be, it will be covered.
• And please note that the Department of Education, in terms of the sunset, includes all entities placed
• I'm not sure that they can cover every topic. And also to be a sounding board for us.
• I'm not sure that they can cover every topic.

Bills: HB28 , HB50 , HB196 , HB268 , HB271 , HB285 , HB316 , HB649 , HB807

Committee: House Education

Keywords: teacher certification, certification appeals, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Teacher Certification Appeals Council, educator licensure, teaching license, teacher licensure, appeals process, certification denial, administrative appeal, special meeting, board president, retroactive application, education board, Louisiana teachers, Department of Education, statutory entities, re-creation, termination date

Transcript Highlights:

• The second area that we'll focus on is on pages seven and eight, which cover prioritization.
• I know they don't reflect every county, but they do work and cover the majority of the population.
• So that means 68 new children in this are being covered under Mr.
• You know, I know there's been a wide spectrum of pieces that have been covered.
• Under the bold headline "State Agencies and Judicial Entities," we've kind of separated the requests

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just trying to clarify the number of people in a ticketed, covered event that the bill uses as the
• I'm just trying to clarify the number of people in a ticketed, covered event that the bill uses as the
• able to have the DMV issue a—right now I have like a decal, not a decal, like a metal thing that covers
• So one of them is it has to be owned by a person or an entity.
• So it would be either a single person, an entity. It has to be bona fide agricultural.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions and moments of silence recognizing recent tragedies and public figures, including students affected by the FSU shooting, John Thrasher, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, and conservation and youth groups visiting the chamber. The body also adopted Senate Resolution 1878 honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim and Senate Resolution 1892 recognizing Florida Wildlife Corridor Week. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, passing several bills with little or no opposition. Measures approved included child care and early learning provider regulation updates (SB 738, 37-0), false reporting/swatting penalties and cost recovery (SB 726, 38-0), health care billing and collection protections/medical debt (SB 656, 38-0), hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren (SB 650, 38-0), young adult housing support for foster and homeless students (SB 584, 38-0), the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program disclosure bill (SB 508, 37-1), trust fund interest for court-approved purposes after a debated amendment (SB 498, 28-10), transportation and traffic-safety changes including school bus camera hearings and micromobility rules (SB 462, 37-0), public records exemptions for AHCA investigators and JQC/appellate court clerks (SB 342, 34-4; SB 302, 35-3; SB 300, 35-3), municipal water and sewer utility rate fairness for Miami Gardens/North Miami Beach (SB 202/HB 11, 36-2), motor vehicle offenses involving obscured plates and impersonation (SB 44/HB 253, 36-0), trespass at large-scale ticketed events and law-enforcement-controlled sites (SB 1828/HB 1447, 35-1), patient refund of overpayments (SB 1808, 37-0), stem cell therapy standards (SB 1768, 37-0), insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives (SB 1736/HB 1567, 38-0), and pre-arranged transportation services/rideshare impersonation (SB 1696/HB 1525, 37-0). Several bills were temporarily postponed, including cardiac emergencies, chemicals and consumer products, motor vehicle manufacturers and franchise dealers, and education. Debate centered most heavily on the trust fund interest bill, with supporters arguing it would stabilize funding and better reflect market rates, and opponents warning it would sharply reduce legal aid funding and hurt access to justice. The transportation bill also drew extensive questions and amendments, including removal of a speed-limit increase, changes to school bus infraction hearing procedures, micromobility regulation, and flood-wake enforcement. The municipal water bill prompted constitutional and fairness concerns, while the public records bills were defended as necessary to protect investigators and court personnel from doxing and harassment. Most measures ultimately passed with strong bipartisan support, though the scholarship disclosure bill and trust fund interest bill drew the most visible dissent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clearly, the compact would cover that. Oh, absolutely. That's the whole intent of the bill.
• when most insurance companies do not cover services that are provided by a physician who is not. board
• one paycheck away from experiencing homelessness and 63 percent report that they would struggle to cover
• House Bill 163 would permit any entities in the state. entities to adopt a policy regarding the maintenance
• Right, but I believe this would cover.

Bills: HB713 , HB827 , HB932 , HB499 , HB510 , HB163 , HB296 , HB879 , HB913 , HB163 , HB296

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: healthcare, maternal health, reporting requirements, Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, health provider immunity, workplace violence, nurses, grant program, healthcare facilities, safety measures, safety, nursing, grants, healthcare safety, verbal abuse, physical abuse, nurse empowerment, occupational therapy, licensure, interstate practice