Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:38.440><c> um</c> Constitution which requires um Constitution which requires um exemptions
• They would not be able to do that other site plan review requirements that municipalities may require
• So as the statutes currently written, all those state and federal requirements are currently required
• So as the statutes currently written, all those state and federal requirements are currently required
• Requirements are currently required.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:59.400><c> and</c> significant um legal requirements and significant um legal requirements
• </c><00:26:37.960><c> I</c> offline some clarification required I offline some clarification required
• </c> of voting um so the law requires of voting um so the law requires agencies<00:47:17.599><c> to</
• </c> shared with them that the ja required shared with them that the ja required site<00:58:50.599><c
• </c><01:09:41.880><c> responsibilities</c> statutorily required responsibilities statutorily required

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm curious, because this seems like it has far higher verification requirements that will require a
• As you all know, the Big Beautiful Bill has allowed us to put work requirements in there.
• It provides a method of how we're going to put the work requirements in there.
• So, but you have to have a 90-day work period; that's part of the requirement in the federal work requirement
• So, but you have to have a 90-day work period; that's part of the requirement in the federal work requirement

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met and introduced several RS drafts on a range of topics. Representative Raymond presented RS 33739 on coordinating the Department of Lands and Parks and Recreation for recreational opportunities on state lands and allowing a fee to support the endowment; it was introduced unanimously. Representative Veiley’s RS 33737 on large-load electricity rates and preventing socialization of costs to other ratepayers was also introduced unanimously. Representative Van der Woude brought RS 33718 and RS 33740, both related to Medicaid oversight and Medicaid expansion work requirements. Members raised concerns about added administrative burden, costs, and potential loss of coverage; both RSs were introduced, with Representatives Rubel, Birch, and Church recorded as nays. Representative Redman’s RS 33558 would impose a five-year moratorium on new administrative rules and fee increases and shift small rule chapters into statute; it was introduced after debate over separation of powers, public participation, and agency expertise. Redman also presented RS 33724 on school recess discipline and RS 33745 on rural health funding oversight, both of which were introduced and sent to the second reading calendar. The committee also introduced RS 33679, which would authorize AI-assisted analysis in the state rule-review process. Members discussed the need for human review and safeguards, and the sponsor noted the bill requires qualified personnel to verify AI output. Finally, Representative Pickett’s RS 33742 on Idaho Digital Learning Alliance restructured IDLA, capped administrative costs, set course fees, and addressed funding duplication; a motion to return it to the sponsor failed, and the RS was introduced, with several members recorded in opposition. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill before you is engrossed third substitute House Bill 1710 relating to adding pre-clearance requirements
• The bill requires certain political subdivisions classified as covered jurisdictions to obtain pre-approval
• The amendment requires that a person challenging another voter's registration must reside in the same
• The amendment requires all state and local government statutes, codes, rules, regulations, and other
• certification requirement for contributions to candidates and political committees.

Summary: The State Government, Tribal Affairs and Elections Committee met on February 24, 2026, for what was described as its last regular meeting of the session. The committee reviewed a large slate of bills and gubernatorial appointments, with staff briefing measures on voting rights, voter registration challenges, military justice victims’ rights, terminology changes from “alien” to “non-citizen,” shared leave for hate-crime and immigration-enforcement-related absences, civil service coverage for Washington Technology Solutions security staff, language-access services, small works roster limits, deceased candidates on ballots, postgraduate degree requirements, foreign national participation in elections, public records exemptions, and personal information protections. Several amendments were discussed, including changes to voting-rights language, county-residency requirements for voter-registration challengers, and a proposal on foreign national certifications; a satirical amendment to the terminology bill referencing “extraterrestrial” was also presented and later withdrawn. After caucus, the committee moved into executive session and took action on four gubernatorial appointments, recommending confirmation for Megan Matthews, Reedy Mukapade, Kiana Daniels, and Gauri Shratria, all subject to signatures. The committee then voted out the bills, generally on unanimous voice votes, sending most to the Rules Committee and several fiscal measures to Ways and Means. Amendments were adopted on HB 1710, HB 1750, HB 1916, and HB 2123, while the amendment to HB 2632 was withdrawn. HB 2574 and HB 2637 were noted as not being moved that day. The chair and members closed by thanking staff for their work and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires that any organization engaged in activity designed to influence local or state politics or
• It requires that any organization engaged in activity designed to influence local or state politics or
• </c><00:05:32.479><c> that</c><00:05:32.720><c> any</c><00:05:32.960><c> organization</c> it requires
• It requires them to register and disclose such funding and other details.
• It requires them to register and disclose such funding and other details.

Bills: HB358 , HB358

Committee: House Ethics and Campaign Finance

Keywords: juvenile justice, detention, age of majority, jurisdiction, child welfare, foreign influence, political activity, transparency, registration, civil penalties, hostile foreign principals, state ethics, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1697, school meals, school personnel requirement.
• SB 1697, school meals, school personnel requirements.
• SB 1704, ESA children with disabilities requirements.
• SB 1769, adult immunizations reporting requirements.
• ACR 1038, public buildings accommodations requirements.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it requires the EDs to conduct training on policies and procedures for staff to understand how to
• And finally, it requires ACA to adopt rules for minimum standards for pediatric care...
• And finally, it requires ACA to adopt rules for minimum standards for pediatric care in our emergency
• This change maintains the safety requirement for background screening of visitors in these homes, but
• This change maintains the safety requirement for background screening of visitors in these homes, but

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard public testimony on concerns about changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program and the iBudget waiver, including warnings that HIV patients could lose access to medications and that direct support providers need a rate increase. Senators discussed possible alternatives such as medically needy coverage and FQHC/340B access, and a witness urged the legislature to delay implementation of the HIV-related changes and restore funding. Another witness asked for support for a modest increase for iBudget direct care providers. The committee then considered and reported favorably several bills. SB 428, by Sen. Yarborough, expands the state swimming voucher program from ages 0-4 to ages 1-7 to align with drowning-prevention guidance; it passed without opposition. CS/SB 68, by Sen. Harrell, requires hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment standards, and readiness assessments; an amendment aligning reporting dates with the House version was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. CS/SB 1718, by Sen. Grall, makes the Step Into Success foster youth pilot permanent, adjusts visitor/background screening rules for out-of-home placements, and modifies stipend provisions; it also passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 606, by Sen. Smith, which adds drowning-prevention and safe-bathing education to postpartum materials and requires hospitals and birthing centers to keep compliance records. CS/CS/SB 96, by Sen. Sharief, expands eligibility for the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program up to 400% of the federal poverty level; an amendment removed the $500,000 appropriation so funding can be handled in the budget process, and the bill passed. CS/SB 340, by Sen. Harrell, requires nursing education to include a human trafficking course before licensure, and CS/SB 1480, by Sen. Burton, creates a grandfathering process for certain health care providers in areas of critical need if federal designations change; both were reported favorably. The committee adjourned at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1163 by Hughes, relating to the circumstances under which an appraisal review board is required
• Senate Bill 1188 by Kolkhorst, relating to electronic health record requirements, to Health and Human
• Senate Bill 1193 by Nichols, relating to the applicability of sex offender registration requirements,
• Senate Bill 1196 by Birdwell, relating to the procedures and notice required before an individual's name
• Senate Bill 1200 by Kolkhorst, relating to the required disclosure of certain financial relationships

Summary: The Senate met briefly to receive first-reading referrals of a large number of bills, resolutions, and joint resolutions. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public education, health care, criminal justice, business regulation, transportation, water and natural resources, local government, taxation, elections, and public information. Many of the filings were by Senators Hughes, Perry, Alvarado, Creighton, Hancock, Parker, Zaffirini, Blanco, and others, and included proposals on school safety, health records and billing, election procedures, water planning, housing and rent issues, energy and environmental regulation, and criminal penalties. The chamber also read several concurrent and joint resolutions, including measures designating state symbols and local honors, a proposed constitutional amendment related to gaming by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, a proposal concerning special-session subjects, and resolutions on fiscal restraints and retirement obligations. No debate, testimony, or substantive action on the merits of the measures occurred in this portion of the transcript; the items were simply read and referred to committees. At the close of the proceedings, the Senate adjourned pursuant to a previously adopted motion and announced it would reconvene at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 4.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the only vote the Commission is statutorily required to take, and it requires a majority of members
• As we heard before the commission, some of the thresholds and filing requirements are very confusing.
• It's also the expenditures and gift levels that would require someone to register as a lobbyist.
• them to register to lobby and all the other various filing requirements. ...materials to help guide
• and all the other various filing requirements.

Summary: The Sunset Advisory Commission met for its final meeting of the biennium, established a quorum, approved the December 11, 2024 minutes, and then voted on recommendations for several agencies reviewed earlier in the cycle. It adopted all recommendations for the Angelina and Nettus River Authority, the Lower Nettus Valley Authority, and the Trinity River Authority of Texas, with no modifications offered for those agencies. The Commission then considered the Texas Ethics Commission. Members adopted staff recommendations with modifications, including changes to lobby compensation thresholds and rounding of inflation adjustments. The Commission also adopted a series of new recommendations addressing TEC customer service staffing, late-filing penalties, post-election reporting penalties, waiver of penalties when notice cannot be shown, review of the “substantial compliance” standard, review of the “principal purpose” definition, more prominent public posting of delinquent penalties, and clearer training and guidance on filing and lobby-registration requirements. The Commission also adopted two previously omitted Texas Department of Criminal Justice recommendations, 6.5 and 6.6. By recorded vote, the Commission unanimously forwarded all recommendations adopted during the biennium to the 89th Legislature, with nine ayes. Sunset staff then reported on implementation of 2023 Sunset recommendations, saying the State Auditor found 89% of selected management actions fully implemented and Sunset staff found 68% of statutory and related changes fully implemented, with the remainder mostly in progress. The Commission also noted receipt of a January 6 evaluation of the Texas Lottery Commission, including a study of potential regulation of lottery ticket courier companies, but no further action was taken on that item. The meeting concluded with closing remarks and a motion to recess subject to the call of the Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. requirements, eliminating vaccines, or requirements, eliminating vaccines, or discouraging
• </c><00:34:01.279><c> These</c> immunization requirements. These immunization requirements.
• :34:14.800><c> Health</c><00:34:15.040><c> and</c> requires the Department of Health and requires the
• </c> clarifies that parents are not required clarifies that parents are not required to<00:34:30.800>
• . requirement. requirement.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> third-party filers bill, which required third-party filers bill, which required authentica-<00:14
• 27.520><c> requiring</c><00:15:28.040><c> commercial</c> agents in requiring commercial agents in requiring
• , are not required to refuse recording, and are not required to provide expiration notices.
• not required to provide and are not required to provide expiration<00:48:16.640><c> notices.
• </c> office would require. office would require.

Committee: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This was driven by a federal requirement.
• that we require.
• They have to meet all the audit standards and requirements.
• We don't have a requirement on how many patients.
• He is required to have 24-hour care just for his safety.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened to discuss interim charges regarding fraud, waste, and abuse in Texas human services, particularly focusing on Medicaid and childcare programs. The meeting highlighted the importance of preventing misuse of taxpayer funds, with testimony from various stakeholders emphasizing the need for increased oversight and accountability in these programs. Key points included the alarming rise in healthcare fraud in other states, the necessity for Texas to enhance its fraud prevention measures, and the potential financial repercussions of failing to meet federal compliance standards. Several committee members expressed concerns about the impact of fraud on vulnerable populations, particularly those relying on Medicaid services. Testimonies from experts underscored the effectiveness of Texas's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in combating fraud, yet pointed out existing vulnerabilities, such as inconsistent enforcement and the need for better data sharing among agencies. The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by hospice care providers, with a significant increase in the number of hospices in Texas raising concerns about quality and oversight. The committee heard from various witnesses, including representatives from health plans and advocacy organizations, who provided insights into the complexities of managing Medicaid and the importance of maintaining program integrity. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore legislative solutions to enhance oversight and ensure that resources are directed to those in genuine need.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Minnesota High School League is required Minnesota High School League is required to<00:11:00.720
• </c> of the few states that do not require of the few states that do not require mandatory<00:26:34.720
• </c><00:30:29.120><c> all</c> 3548, legislation requiring all 3548, legislation requiring all Minnesota
• </c> institutions do require this training. institutions do require this training.
• This requires all coaches and required.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Actually, uh, is it a requirement?
• The bill currently requires counties to provide required due process, but it's unclear what additional
• My understanding is um county already requires uh a EA and but the state also requires another EA.
• <01:07:47.280><c> uh</c><01:07:47.520><c> a</c><01:07:47.760><c> EA</c> requires uh a EA requires uh
• </c> and and but the state also requires and and but the state also requires another<01:07:52.400><c>

Bills: HB1881 , HB2218 , HB1956 , HB2151 , HB1845 , HB1844 , HB2103 , HB2424 , HB1650 , HB376 , HB2599 , HB1861

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: land use, ropeway, transportation, state regulation, government exemption, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, public lands, public trust resources, community co-management, co-management agreement, community-based organization, Native Hawaiian, malama aina, ahupuaa, subsistence, cultural resources, religious practices

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 10, 2026, with Chair Mark Hashem outlining strict testimony rules and noting a time constraint because of later hearings and floor session obligations. The committee then took up several bills, hearing mostly supportive testimony on HB 1881 relating to land use, HB 2218 relating to DLNR/community management, and HB 1956 relating to freshwater waves, while HB 1845 relating to the Land Use Commission drew legal concerns and opposition. HB 2151 relating to building materials had no substantive testimony presented in the excerpt, and the committee moved through it quickly. On HB 1881, testimony focused on protecting North Shore lands from overdevelopment. A supporter described the area as valuable precisely because it remains largely undeveloped, and a member asked whether the bill’s restrictions on “finculars” would affect existing or future private residential installations; the response suggested the bill was aimed at future commercial uses and that grandfathering or personal-use exceptions might be possible, but the exact wording would need legal refinement. HB 2218 received broad support from OHA, DLNR, Kua, Sierra Club, Hui Maka Aana, the Honlay Initiative, and others, who said the measure would expand community-based co-management across DLNR divisions, build on existing park partnerships, and produce real benefits such as better stewardship, safer access, local jobs, and stronger community trust. Members asked about the bill’s five-year review structure, how multiple community groups would be handled, and whether the model could apply to ocean or nearshore areas; DLNR said the board would retain authority, agreements would be non-exclusive and subject to review, and the department was still working through how the approach would function across different divisions and marine settings. For HB 1956, the Attorney General offered technical comments, urging clearer definitions of “residing” and “freshwater way,” clearer timing for citations and arrests, and more explicit procedural safeguards and agency roles. On HB 1845, the Attorney General and Land Use Commission raised concerns that the bill could conflict with constitutional protections for important agricultural lands and could not be reconciled with existing voting requirements; the LUC also said commissioners cannot vote by proxy under sunshine law and warned that the bill could allow too few commissioners to approve major boundary changes. Members questioned how the bill would work in counties without designated important agricultural lands, and the LUC explained that Kauai is the only county to have completed the IAL process, while the broader statutory process remains county-driven and has been the subject of litigation. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• For these reasons, we respectfully require services that break cycles and lead disability.
• SB 1284 brings transparency and accountability to this issue by requiring the...
• Now, as California is saddled with the Herculean task of implementing work requirements—work requirements
• This bill requires regulations.
• This bill just looks to consider that when looking at required reserves.

Summary: The committee heard SB 1377, which would change California’s medical exemption process for school immunizations. The author and supporters argued the bill would restore physician discretion, reduce fear of audits and discipline, and help families with medically vulnerable children obtain exemptions. Opponents, including pediatric, medical, and public health groups, said the current system created by SB 276 and SB 277 is working, that valid exemptions are still being issued, and that loosening oversight could undermine immunization rates and public health. Members debated the data behind claims of a chilling effect, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the bill’s amendments, which narrowed the measure to current exemptions and added a small additional threshold. Because there was no quorum at the time, action on SB 1377 was delayed until a quorum could be present. The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and enforcement framework for large voluntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers. The author and supporters described alleged neglect and abuse in detention facilities, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and inadequate oversight, and argued the state should ensure humane conditions and accountability. The California Hospital Association expressed concern about duplicative oversight and possible overlap with existing regulation, while the author said the bill was being refined to avoid constitutional problems and duplication. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer SB 995 to Judiciary, with the roll call showing five votes and the bill placed on call. SB 1089 was also heard, proposing expanded access to GLP-1 medications for state and local government employees through CalPERS and encouraging broader affordability efforts through CalRx. The author framed the bill as a response to chronic weight disease, diabetes risk, and high costs, and described his own experience obtaining and paying for GLP-1 treatment. Supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups said GLP-1s are effective tools for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes and could reduce long-term health costs. No opposition was heard, and the committee voted do pass and re-refer the bill to Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement, with the vote placed on call. The committee also began SB 1221 on Murphy conservatorships, with supporters and opponents debating whether district attorneys should have a larger role in these proceedings and whether the bill would improve public safety or disrupt the civil mental health process; the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:15.560><c> an</c> allegation of fraud, it requires an allegation of fraud, it requires an
• ><c> providing</c> Section 21 requires anyone providing Section 21 requires anyone providing direct<00
• </c> compliance training requirements compliance training requirements contained<01:00:46.880><c> in<
• , for example, it was required.
• /c><01:12:25.160><c> multiple</c> trainings already required for multiple trainings already required

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </font> <font color="aaaaaa">Ports will not be required to </font> <font color="aaaaaa">the protected
• There's </font> <font color="aaaaaa">Ports will not be required to </font> <font color="aaaaaa">create
• It requires a </font> <font color="aaaaaa">seaport to notify the FWC of </font> <font color="aaaaaa">
• It requires a </font> <font color="aaaaaa">seaport to notify the FWC of </font> <font color="aaaaaa">
• We </font> <font color="aaaaaa">only requires 1200 feet.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are plans being required of these campuses now?
• It is transferable for your math requirement in general ed.
• However, it does not require it, right?
• But achieving this requires a skilled workforce.
• But achieving this requires a skilled workforce.

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the California Community Colleges budget proposal, including Proposition 98 funding, a 2.41% COLA for apportionments, enrollment growth funding, repayment of an apportionment deferral, and one-time investments for a student support block grant and deferred maintenance. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s package as providing significant new resources, while the LAO recommended prioritizing COLA and enrollment growth within available funds but raised concerns about some smaller proposals, including making the Healthy School Food Pathways Program ongoing and adding more funding for credit for prior learning before outcomes are known. The Chancellor’s Office supported the COLA, enrollment growth, and one-time investments, and said current projections suggest enrollment growth closer to 3%, with about $85 million to $90 million in ongoing costs if fully funded. Members focused heavily on enrollment growth, the 10% district cap, and whether the state should continue funding growth in the current year and budget year. The Chancellor’s Office said some districts, especially in the Inland Empire and Central Valley, are growing rapidly and that about seven districts are above the cap, with roughly 1,563 FTES and about $30 million in ongoing costs tied to that issue. Members also discussed hold-harmless districts and whether declining campuses should be required to produce turnaround or right-sizing plans. The Chancellor’s Office said districts are already having local conversations and that state funding provides time to adjust, but no formal plan requirement was proposed. The committee then took up common course numbering, where the Chancellor’s Office said all 115 community colleges have implemented the first phase and more than 550,000 students enrolled in the first six commonly numbered courses. The office argued that CCN improves clarity but does not yet guarantee that credits will transfer with full value across UC and CSU, because articulation is still handled campus by campus and can require more than 3,500 separate reviews. Members expressed concern that students can still be forced to retake courses such as calculus or ethnic studies even when they have the same common number, and urged the systems to develop a stronger statewide articulation mechanism tied to outcomes and transparency. The item was left open. Finally, the committee heard the Governor’s proposal to make Calbright College’s funding ongoing at $53.1 million. The LAO recommended instead transitioning Calbright to the student-centered funding formula, with one-time bridge funding in the meantime, arguing the Governor’s proposal lacks a clear enrollment-based rationale and performance expectations. Calbright’s leadership defended the college’s competency-based, flexible model for adult learners, citing more than 6,800 students served, over 2,200 certificates awarded, and wage gains for graduates; they said enrollment is expected to grow from about 7,000 students now to roughly 8,000 to 9,000 next year and around 10,000 over the next couple of years. Members pressed for clearer enrollment and funding data before deciding how Calbright should be funded going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> retention</c> It requires certain document retention It requires certain document retention enforced
• 00:04:29.720><c> go</c> These confirmation requirements shall go These confirmation requirements shall
• So, uh, with respect to actually what the bill is requiring, it doesn't actually require that data to
• So, uh, with respect to actually what the bill is requiring, it doesn't actually require that data to
• </c> different requirements as well. different requirements as well.

Committee: Senate State & Local Government

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:10 Attendance Roll Call: 00:19 HB 10 Discussion: 02:19 HB 10 Vote: 06:24 HB 139 Discussion: 08:23 HB 139 Vote: 19:50 HB 607 Discussion: 21:29 HB 607 Vote: 25:55 HB 642 Discussion: 28:15 HB 642 Vote: 32:06 Adjournment: 33:25, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, the report is required to have the cost of EV purchases, yes. Okay.
• They're required to meet those federal eligibility requirements.
• But if no other entity is requiring five digits, why would we?
• I've ever heard of someone requiring five.
• Who's requiring five? This is the association that we belong to.

Keywords: 987, senate, all