Transcript Highlights:

• In 2022, the legislature established a sales and use tax incentive program allowing cities with a population
• program, and it's a useful proof point.
• Commerce currently has a grant program that's funded things like the climate element update for the GMA
• There's been a federal program called HAF, which ended in June.
• Since those have gone away, we really want to look at our state doing a program.

Bills: SB5884 , SB5885 , SB5937 , SB5938

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: sales tax, redevelopment, economic incentive, underutilized property, infrastructure, affordable housing, religious organizations, zoning laws, land use, community development, smart access system, smart lock, residential landlord-tenant act, tenant privacy, biometric data, fingerprint, face scan, iris scan, key fob, key card

Transcript Highlights:

• Eight, we have a quorum. All right, we have a quorum.
• that used to be sort of a a kind of a u that used to be sort of a a kind of a thing.<00:19:43.600><c
• </c> fix being a civil fix, not a criminal fix being a civil fix, not a criminal fix.<00:19:51.679><c
• , which is a Class B felony, that makes it a B felony to cause an injury as a result of a DUI.
• Had a first and a second.

Bills: SB169 , SB180 , SB203 , SB87 , SB195 , SB192 , SB169 , SB180 , SB203 , SB87 , SB195 , SB192 , HB132 , HB37 , HB13 , HB54 , HB126 , HB7 , SB30 , HB188 , HB189 , HB26 , HB264 , HB288 , HB248 , HB249 , HB227 , HB228 , HB132 , HB37 , HB13 , HB54 , HB126 , HB7 , SB30 , HB188 , HB189 , HB26 , HB264 , HB288 , HB248 , HB249 , HB227 , HB228

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: Lieutenant Governor, vacancy, governor appointment, Alabama Constitution, state government, media monitoring, government contracts, state agencies, local agencies, media regulations, transparency, dental insurance, medical loss ratio, premium regulation, insurance commissioner, rebate, consumer protection, midwifery, licensed midwives, State Board of Midwifery

Bills: HR939 , HR940 , HB3383 , HB3638 , HB3628 , HR432 , SB1071 , HB3857 , HR936

Keywords: impeachment, presidential power, violence, judiciary, political climate, democracy, executive abuse, lawmakers, committee election, House of Representatives, governance, legislative process, representation, investment, private funds, economic growth, capital formation, small businesses, financial regulation, senior investors

Transcript Highlights:

• The program is not being misused, and accordingly, I will be encouraging a yes vote.
• This sets up an off-ramp for them to get into a program that can help them recover from both or one of
• That is the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program. It's a well-regulated program.
• And if the program is in a public school, Mr.
• What this bill does says if you have that program in a career or technical college or other college,

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2340 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, and approval of the previous day’s journal. It received a House message that the House had passed second engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5010, and then took up Senate Resolution 8700 honoring Yolanda Cortinas Trout Manuel for her community service, business leadership, and public service. Senator Fortunato sponsored the resolution and spoke warmly in support, and the Senate adopted it by voice vote and recognized the guest in the gallery. The chamber then confirmed Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9142, Maria Seguyenza to the Western Washington University Board of Trustees, after supportive remarks from Senators Bateman and Wilson-Clair. The Senate also passed Substitute House Bill 2248, described as a technical cleanup bill for Secretary of State corporate filings, and House Bill 2309, which removes postgraduate degree requirements for certain state jobs to broaden applicant pools. House Bill 2348 passed as a Department of Natural Resources efficiency measure allowing smaller land sales to be posted online and clarifying fair-market-value requirements. The Senate deferred Second Substitute House Bill 1128 at first, then later adopted a striking amendment and passed the bill as amended. The bill creates a child care workforce standards board to study workforce conditions and make recommendations; several proposed amendments by Senator King to add child-safety training language, add an expiration date, and narrow the board’s scope were rejected. Supporters said the board would professionalize child care work and improve wages and standards, while opponents argued it would add government and costs without solving affordability. The Senate also passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2523 on the Community Reinvestment Program, with supporters emphasizing accountability, periodic review, and an independent study, and passed Substitute House Bill 2428 to prevent unintentional lapses in life insurance policies by allowing third-party notices. Finally, the Senate passed House Bill 2340, expanding the CARES substance use disorder recovery program to nursing assistants, and Engrossed House Bill 2317, which streamlines licensing for Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program sites in certain educational settings. Most bills passed by wide margins, though Second Substitute House Bill 1128 passed with a narrower 28-19 vote. The Senate then recessed for lunch and caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• within a program agree to remain at least 500 feet And participating within a program agree to remain
• up in a wrong program.
• President, as I stated during the debate on amendments, this is a bill to end a program that is overly
• This program doesn't work. It's a violation of civil rights.
• It would require any plan developed and implemented to transition a person from this program, at a minimum

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2340 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Summary: The Senate took up a series of House bills, often suspending the rules to move measures directly to final passage after brief debate. Messages from the House reported signed bills being transmitted, and the Senate later signed several measures in open session. The chamber also excused a few members from voting on specific bills. Among the first major actions, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2508, clarifying the scope and authority of the Office of Independent Investigations, passed 44-4 after supporters described it as a technical housekeeping bill and opponents raised concerns about overlapping investigations. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408, which dedicates 20% of sales tax revenue from the two large stadiums to a community preservation and development authority in South Downtown/Pioneer Square/Chinatown International District, passed 47-1 after supporters emphasized reinvestment in historic buildings and neighborhood safety. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1500, requiring more complete resale certificates for common interest communities and homeowners associations, passed 39-9 after a successful amendment clarifying litigation language. Substitute House Bill 1570, allowing collective bargaining for certain student employees at public institutions, failed an amendment to remove the emergency clause and then passed 29-19 despite objections that it blurs student and employee roles. The chamber then debated Substitute House Bill 1390, which repeals the Community Protection Program and directs DSHS to transition participants into other developmental disability services. Numerous amendments sought to preserve restrictions, add assessments, or create liability protections, but most were rejected; the committee striking amendment updating agency names and dates was adopted. The bill passed 29-20 after a lengthy, emotional debate over whether the program protects public safety or unfairly restricts people with developmental disabilities, with supporters citing civil rights concerns and opponents warning about risks to vulnerable residents and the lack of a detailed transition plan. Other measures passed with broad support, including Substitute House Bill 2114 on defective license plates (48-0), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2471 on collective bargaining if the NLRB loses authority (31-18), House Bill 1069 on bargaining over supplemental retirement contributions for Department of Corrections employees (31-18), House Bill 2441 expanding medical premium reimbursements for surviving spouses of line-of-duty deaths (49-0), and Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1710 adding preclearance requirements under the Washington Voting Rights Act, which drew debate over local control and litigation but had not yet reached a final vote by the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a uniting effort to remind us who we really are as a nation.
• It creates the Autism Education Loan Forgiveness Program, and I'm so excited about this.
• And the program will allow individuals to receive loan forgiveness for up to five annual payments of
• Before we go to tabs 4 through 7, I do want to take a point of personal privilege and acknowledge my
• All right, let's take up tabs 4 through 7, a confirmation hearing for appointments.

Bills: S0206 , S0420 , S0556

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Keywords: autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, special education, exceptional student education, ESE, teacher preparation, educator certification, micro-credential, loan forgiveness, student loan repayment, teacher stipend, salary supplement, professional development, inclusive education, developmental disabilities, Down syndrome, behavioral disabilities, school district compensation, collective bargaining

Transcript Highlights:

• We just want to make sure that when we're doing loan programs, that they're being fully... programs that
• And it's a shortage of certified educators in identified educator programs as determined by the Alabama
• Not a question, just a comment. So, I guess more so almost in a questioning tone.
• So, the loan assistance program is being expanded to try to fulfill the need of other areas across the
• So the loan, just for my information, the loan program pays for them to get the certification.

Bills: HB226 , HB24 , HB309 , HB315 , HB272 , HB24 , HB226 , HB309 , HB315 , HB272

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: HB226, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax, property tax relief, widow, widower, unremarried spouse, surviving spouse, senior exemption, elderly, disabled, permanently and totally disabled, blind taxpayer, deed ownership, principal residence, school tax, county tax, municipal tax, Alabama Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates the Autism Education Loan Forgiveness Program for completion of a master's degree or Autism
• I participated in a master's-level program.
• We also strongly support the Autism Educator Loan Forgiveness Program as a tool to recruit and retain
• The loan forgiveness program also matters.
• They have a new student. They have a... ...with the whole ESE program there.

Bills: S0124 , S0206 , S0420

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Keywords: Florida Virtual School, FLVS, virtual school, online education, distance learning, K-12 education, public school choice, charter-like franchise, student enrollment priorities, home education, homeschool, military families, active duty military, rural schools, inner-city schools, accelerated graduation, education technology, supplemental funding, direct-support organization, foundation

Transcript Highlights:

• year through a program called the Rural Communities Investment Program.
• Under the program, a customer will have the option to be placed in a callback queue to receive a call
• Under the program, a customer will have the option to be placed in a callback queue to receive a call
• It creates the Autism Education Loan Forgiveness Program for completion of a master's degree in autism
• And that is a repayment program, a loan repayment program.

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

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, special education, exceptional student education, ESE, teacher preparation, educator certification, micro-credential, loan forgiveness, student loan repayment

Transcript Highlights:

• Universities can work with them to set up a program to get them a degree and take into account all their
• HB 2476 addresses these challenges by creating a program.
• During the last biennium, the legislature appropriated million to the loan repayment program, a substantial
• The Act maintains funding for the loan repayment program at the same levels as last year.
• And we had a recent experience with low-producing minors in degree programs.

Bills: HB2476 , HB2893 , HB4848 , HB5062 , SB37 , SB60 , HB2860 , HB4930 , SB646 , SB 37

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: living expenses, higher education, student support, homeless students, financial aid, grant program, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, workforce development, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, competency-based education, baccalaureate degree, cost of attendance, dual credit, computer science, course credit, foreign language requirement, curriculum review, governing board, faculty council

Transcript Highlights:

• this, only if it's a home equity loan.
• If I'm going to a title office to close on a home equity loan, an escrow officer doesn't have to be there
• In 2003, we had a little bit of a change where an equity loan could turn into a reverse mortgage.
• That's not in an equity loan. An equity loan is a less That's problematic. That's my opinion.
• In closing a home equity loan, it updates an antiquated, unworkable law.

Bills: HB1342 , HB2889 , HB3002 , HB3254 , HB4820 , HJR40 , HJR40

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: private activity bonds, housing, residential rental projects, low-income, affordable housing, bond measures, funding equality, political subdivisions, public communications, election fairness, debt collection, consumer rights, disclosures, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, settlement agreements, State Board of Education, group benefits program, health insurance, state employees, dependents eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• Small</c> Entrepreneur Loan Program and the Small Entrepreneur Loan Program and the Small Business<00
• c> Account</c><00:02:32.960><c> and</c> Loan Program Revolving Loan Account and Loan Program Revolving
• ><c> a</c> These programs operate through a These programs operate through a competitive<00:02:42.400
• </c> Program and Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program and Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program<00:05:21.600
• So, to begin with Youth at Work, this is a program that began in 2013 as a pilot program and was later

Bills: HF3878 , HF4131 , HF3796 , HF4097

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, consumer rights, automated decision systems, Minnesota Statutes, suitable seating, employee seating, workplace seating, occupational safety, workplace safety, labor standards, employer requirements, chair, stool

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> j- just a a a couple comments. j- just a a a couple comments.
• And you can't understand why we have a lack of affordable housing, but we have all these programs.
• /c> her monthly expenses and prepare for a her monthly expenses and prepare for a loan<00:57:56.240><
• The current base funding for this program is only a million dollars per year, but the program is oversubscribed
• The MHCR program offers a better path.

Bills: HF3279 , HF1879 , HF1417 , HF2462

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: housing, sales tax, homeownership, rent assistance, community stability, education, counseling, financial assistance, housing development, culturally appropriate services, HF1417, manufactured home parks, manufactured housing, mobile home parks, housing development fund, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, infrastructure grants, infrastructure loans, affordable housing

Bills: HB1480 , HB1781 , HB1905 , HB2018 , HB2842

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: library grants, construction, public libraries, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, community resources, livestock, rodeo, grant program, agricultural education, county fairs, funding, economic development, prescribed burn, Texas A&M Forest Service, Parks and Wildlife Department, fire safety, environmental management, agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection

Transcript Highlights:

• And the reason these people are leaving the program is because incomes are doubling within a year, tripling
• benefits to participate in a mandatory employment and training program as prescribed by federal law,
• benefits to participate in a mandatory employment and training program as prescribed by federal law,
• What this bill is asking is to make that mandatory, and that program, a mandatory employment program,
• We are a rapidly growing state. I stood here before you three years ago to start this program.

Bills: SB1017 , SB1149 , SB1162 , SB1192 , SB1249 , SB1253 , SB1331 , SB1333 , SB1334

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Keywords: informed consent, surgical procedures, healthcare professionals, patient rights, regulatory compliance, child welfare, dependency hearings, foster care, court procedures, parental rights, healthcare compliance, behavioral health technicians, licensing, monitoring, administrative burdens, basic first aid, good samaritan, medical licensing exemption, Arizona medical board, A.R.S. 32-1421

Transcript Highlights:

• So, in the interest of time, you did such a great job. We did have a motion and a second.
• ... ...the floor a day or two ago about the fact of bills and a lineup in a position to be able to be
• Uh, we got a second.
• Mackey or Connor, is there a system that we have with our schools, a program... we have a program that's
• So if a person moves around a lot or if they just moved twice...

Bills: HB315 , HB152 , HB205 , SB184 , SB209 , HB309 , SB280 , SB267

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: sales tax, local exemption, Consumer Price Index, tax holiday, clothing tax exemption, school supplies, sales tax exemption, baby supplies, baby formula, maternity clothing, menstrual hygiene products, use tax, exemption, tax conformity, tangible personal property, Alabama Department of Revenue, retail tax, consumer use tax, nonresident, religious publications

Transcript Highlights:

• host an event at which a man presenting as a woman or a woman presenting as a man.
• Parts to ban or defund public or library programs based on vague subjective criteria are not only a limit
• We shouldn't get rid of a free public reading program just because a few adults don't like it.
• My local branch, the Houston Public Library System, is hosting a. music therapy drumming program for
• Currently, there is no dedicated program to develop a skilled workforce for advanced nuclear energy.

Bills: SB34 , SB75 , SB330 , SB1535 , SB18 , SB 18 , SB 34

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• The Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, as many of you know, is a really successful program that you all
• passed in 2020. ...as many of you know, is a really successful program that you all passed in 2023 and
• On a personal note, I grew up here in Santa Fe and was fortunate enough to attend some of the programs
• They only—it’s only sort of making an appropriation of a certain dollar amount to a certain program.
• and just a better assurance that... ...and health care programs, and just a better assurance that the

Bills: HB63 , HB64 , HB184 , HB200 , HB47 , HB48 , HB2 , HB9

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: water project fund, New Mexico Finance Authority, NMFA, Water Trust Board, water infrastructure, wastewater, drinking water, flood prevention, watershed restoration, water storage, conveyance, delivery, water treatment, recycling, reuse, municipal infrastructure, local government finance, capital outlay, grants, loans

Transcript Highlights:

• A question as to whether this particular $7 million goes to this particular deal. Thank you, Mr.
• You'll rarely see a staff recommendation to move money between programs or divisions, which is what line
• then that's a better time to consider whether they need program transfer authority as opposed to, like
• And what they're asking is to not limit it to a grant or a loan. Thank you. Thank you.
• And this is to ensure they continue the program. So they've expanded a few elements.

Bills: HB63 , HB64 , HB184 , HB200 , HB47 , HB48 , HB2 , HB9

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: water project fund, New Mexico Finance Authority, NMFA, Water Trust Board, water infrastructure, wastewater, drinking water, flood prevention, watershed restoration, water storage, conveyance, delivery, water treatment, recycling, reuse, municipal infrastructure, local government finance, capital outlay, grants, loans

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 149 creates the AI Sandbox program, allowing companies to deploy and test AI systems in a controlled
• HB 149 creates the AI Sandbox program, allowing companies to deploy and test AI systems in a controlled
• buyer who wishes to purchase the vehicle with their own money or through a loan from a third party.
• At the time, I worked for a company that sold a hybrid loan with a lower payment option through credit
• We can loan it to you, and we can get you a real good interest rate. He said, really? I said, yes.

Bills: HB12 , HB149 , HB 12 , HB149 , SB229 , SB1361 , SB1749 , SB1897 , SB2113 , SB2566 , SB2677 , SB1652 , SB2327 , SB2344 , SB2696

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: election law, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, law enforcement, jurisdiction, voter fraud, local prosecuting attorney, public safety, communication, governor approval, interoperability, political subdivision, radio systems, artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard testimony on HB 149, the Artificial Intelligence Governance Act. Senator Schwertner described the bill as an outcomes-based AI framework that would require disclosure when people interact with AI, prohibit manipulative or social-scoring systems, address biometric capture, discrimination, and deepfake child exploitation, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. It would also create an AI Sandbox and AI Council. Witnesses from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a Houston attorney, TechNet, and the Texas Association of Business strongly supported the bill, praising its stakeholder process and pro-innovation approach, while Texas Appleseed suggested regulators should have more examination authority over sandbox participants. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard SB 229, which would prohibit motor vehicle dealers from conditioning a sale on dealer-offered financing or charging more because a buyer uses outside financing or cash. Senator West said the bill is meant to stop forced financing and bait-and-switch pricing, and he noted the bill passed the committee and Senate in the prior session. The Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposed the bill, arguing it would force dealers to accept any third-party lender or cash transaction on terms they cannot control. The Texas Credit Union Association supported the bill, saying consumers should be able to choose outside financing without hidden fees or pressure. After questions about cash purchases and dealer practices, the bill was left pending. The committee also took up SB 2566, which would clarify legislators’ access to information from executive agencies, including confidential information, by setting response deadlines, limiting confidentiality agreements to statutory terms, requiring a standard AG form, and creating a complaint and penalty process for noncompliance. No witnesses testified, and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 1749, as substituted, would let certain court-related employees and judicial conduct commission personnel keep personal information such as home addresses and phone numbers confidential, with work addresses used in place of home addresses for certain purposes. District clerk and judicial conduct commission witnesses described threats and harassment as the reason for the bill, and a court administration witness answered questions about how the address protections would work with voter registration and precinct records. That bill was also left pending, and the committee recessed without further business.