Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Santos then asked why the legislation did not include blockchain technology protocols,
• The witness explained that the Uniform Money Services Act covers a wide range of business activities,
• And the service that we offer allows folks to convert cash directly into crypto.
• We support live customer service.
• Thank you very much for your service. We have a question for you, Representative Kloba.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several insurance and consumer protection bills. On engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5928, staff and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner described wildfire risk score and model disclosure requirements for homeowners, including notices when policies are nonrenewed, canceled, or premiums are adversely affected, plus insurer website disclosures about mitigation discounts and rate filing transparency. Supporters, including the OIC, AARP, the mayor of Medical Lake, and a fire chief, said the bill would improve transparency, help homeowners understand and reduce wildfire risk, and protect consumers facing cancellations and rising premiums. Industry witnesses said they supported the goal but warned the bill could add regulatory cost and complexity, and some urged narrower, simpler disclosure language and a delayed implementation date. On engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6031, which would expand the insurance fraud program and create a standalone Class B felony for insurance fraud, the OIC and AARP supported the bill as a tool against organized fraud and restitution for victims. A criminal defense representative raised concerns that the new felony language overlaps with existing misdemeanor insurance fraud law and could create conflicting statutes and harsher penalties for the same conduct. The committee also heard testimony that the bill had already incorporated amendments limiting criminal investigators’ role in regulatory investigations and focusing them on complex schemes. The committee then heard substitute Senate Bill 6248 on travel insurance, described as largely mirroring a House bill already passed by the committee. Testimony from the travel insurance industry said agreed-upon amendments had been incorporated, including changes addressing conflict-of-interest concerns, and urged the bill’s advancement. Finally, the committee heard substitute Senate Bill 6079, which would create the Strengthen Washington Homes grant program to fund wildfire home-hardening and prohibit insurers from using wildfire risk as a disqualifying factor for homes meeting IBHS wildfire-prepared standards. The OIC, fire commissioners, AARP, and the prime sponsor supported the bill as a way to reduce nonrenewals and improve insurability, while insurers opposed Section 7, arguing it could interfere with underwriting and should be removed if the bill is to remain a grant program. The committee also began hearing engrossed Senate Bill 5280 on virtual currency kiosks, with staff and the Department of Financial Institutions describing daily transaction caps, fee limits, disclosures, and receipts to curb fraud; consumer protection and law enforcement witnesses supported the bill, while industry witnesses raised concerns about burdens on compliant businesses and passive retail hosts.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would be happy to take any questions. categories rather than acquisition of resource technologies.
• We are trying to make sure our livestock inspectors and field staff have reliable vehicles to service
• So they help oversee that as well, in addition to our staff services, and this is all under the services
• So they help oversee that as well in addition to our staff services, and this is all underta services
• We are working cooperatively with the Department of State Health Services, who administers the public

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present to hear Article VI Natural Resources agency budget recommendations, beginning with the Railroad Commission. LBB staff summarized the commission’s 2026-27 base recommendation at $458.7 million, down from the prior biennium, with an increased FTE cap. The presentation highlighted reduced federal IIJA funding, volatility in oil and gas regulation account 5155, continued support for IT modernization, and rider changes. The commission’s major exceptional items were then presented, including requests for produced water and injection data reporting, an authorized pit registration system, regulatory filing/permitting upgrades, an underground injection well investigation team, site remediation support, and especially $100 million for orphan well plugging. Members asked about biennium-to-biennium comparisons, salary biennialization, the scale of orphan well risks, federal funding delays, bonding, and whether the state should rely more on industry or general revenue for plugging costs. Commission leadership explained that orphan wells can threaten water and public safety, that plugging costs have risen sharply, and that current funding is insufficient to keep up with emergency wells and the backlog; they also said the agency is moving to cloud-based systems with cybersecurity protections and that the proposed performance measure may need adjustment if funding does not increase. The Railroad Commission testimony was followed by LBB and agency testimony for the Texas Animal Health Commission. LBB described a $42 million recommendation for 2026-27, an increase overall, but with a reduced FTE cap due to turnover and salary reallocation. The recommendation maintained funding for cattle fever tick work, chronic wasting disease, lab testing through an MOU with Texas A&M’s veterinary diagnostic lab, and a new $5 million spay-and-neuter pilot program, while deleting a capital budget rider and adjusting riders tied to entry point inspection stations and clinical trials. Agency leadership then outlined the commission’s mission to protect livestock health and the state’s $22 billion animal industry, and described major disease threats including highly pathogenic avian influenza, cattle fever ticks, New World screwworm, and chronic wasting disease. Their exceptional items focused on recruiting and retaining veterinarians, replacing fleet vehicles, creating an ectoparasite identification lab, adding field staff and IT support, improving records and epidemiology reporting, strengthening central administration, supporting secure food supply planning, expanding chronic wasting disease work, and staffing the new spay-and-neuter program. Members asked about field identification of ticks, the use of disinfectants and PPE, fleet management, the scale of cattle fever tick risk, and chronic wasting disease; the agency explained its current inspection and lab-confirmation process, its reliance on field disinfecting and biosecurity, and the need for more staff and better data systems to keep pace with growing workloads and disease threats.

Transcript Highlights:

• Technology has changed. Other tests were developed the last 10 years.
• For his exceptional valor, Sergeant Benavidez was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
• Members, HR 309 honors the Texas Food and Fuel Association, TFFA over 75 years of dedicated service in
• Of LWB Collin County, we thank you for your service.
• And is a powerhouse of talent and determination who received the presidential gold Service Award for

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we are about to launch in partnership with Cultural Affairs and Forestry Service a six to eight
• The other 150 pays for all the services, equipment, and everything else.
• One of the things that really struck me is that they're using this technology.
• technology tells me that vehicle's not insured.
• A van travels our roadways every year using LiDAR technology to determine pavement conditions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Business, labor, and technology.
• Business, labor, and technology. >> Business, labor, and technology.
• ,<00:53:23.200><c> medical</c><00:53:23.520><c> equipment,</c> technology, medical equipment, technology
• And whereas the technology objectives.
• </c><02:29:24.080><c> by</c> software vendors have technologies by software vendors have technologies

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So just to name a few: Section 4, subsection F, titled "Health, Hospitals, and Human Services," that's
• By three different categories, starting with personnel services and employee benefits, contractual services
• It's providing that service to a portion of students.
• Sense for the moment, but also for the future, as in a very fluid technology space.
• So, for example, that one falls into our education support services in terms of out of school time.

Transcript Highlights:

• Predmore, a close friend, was born in Redlands and works for the California Office of Emergency Services
• May our service be whole, our hearts steadfast, and our efforts guided by the principles of justice and
• Let it remind us that the measure of our time in public office, in service to the public, is not only
• AB 2402 will establish a definition for a multi-service health club studio, updating a law on fees that
• I rise to present AB 1607, which extends a sunset on the Maddy Emergency Medical Services Fund.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your service. Thank you for the testimony. Members, questions? Seeing none.
• The Chamber of Progress is the tech industry coalition working to advance the future of technology and
• This bill does not prohibit local governments from regulating the products or services sold on these
• a city or county health department or by the state through the Texas Department of State Health Services
• In another five to ten years, we might be going to sodium-ion technology, so they might be taking them

Bills: HB346 , HB1360 , HB1510 , HB1606 , HB1804 , HB1805 , HB2156 , HB2391 , HB2767 , HB3022 , HB3044 , HB3272 , HB3293 , HB3493 , HB3809 , HB3824 , HJR110 , HB2463

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, Texas Ethics Commission, election reporting, campaign finance, violation categorization, penalties, public disclosure, Texas Utilities Code, electric utility, retail electric provider, municipally owned utility, electric cooperative, vegetation management, tree trimming, line clearance, transmission line

Transcript Highlights:

• They've done a great job putting this together and managing. the technology as well.
• Hopefully your coffers are thriving and you have the funds you need to provide the community services
• for our basic services like child care.
• We just require skills in technology, skills as maintenance mechanics, electricians, etc.
• Industry is now driven by technology.

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a motor vehicle services.
• Motor vehicle services again, same thing here are tax collectors. I deliver these services for us.
• Thank you for your service at visit Florida.
• The primary focus of the Division of Workforce Services is to provide services to job seekers and job
• through training or career services.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is going to be delivering those Services is going to be absolutely<00:03:19.840><c> critical</c><00:
• keeps us AAA still delivering services keeps us AAA Bond<00:03:55.159><c> rated</c><00:03:55.560><c>
• </c><00:08:45.200><c> to</c> national parks to the Weather Service to national parks to the Weather Service
• Do you want your services cut? No.
• We're not talking about cutting services.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:26:09.960><c> got</c><04:26:10.200><c> services</c> services, your kid you got services services,
• </c> in child welfare services. in child welfare services.
• services.
• </c> for those services. for those services.
• . services. services.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Berg for their service on Representative Berg for their service on the<00:26:31.840><c
• In advanced technology and clean energy, it might be Colorado.
• </c> mentioned this kind of egg technology mentioned this kind of egg technology company.<01:09:38.080
• They pay advanced nitrogen technology.
• And I think of sort of service industry.

Bills: HF4862 , HF4598

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

Keywords: apprenticeship, education, teacher training, grant program, labor and industry, workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician

Transcript Highlights:

• So what it does is it allows multiple service providers to... ...place.
• So what it does is it allows multiple service providers to be in place.
• They're facilitated by the folks selling the home goods or the services.
• through the financial technology sandbox.
• Could you go over the portion about the financial technology sandbox?

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard several insurance- and financial-services-related bills. HB 315 was temporarily postponed. The chair also noted that, following the speaker’s remarks, members should expect additional special meetings as the committee investigates insurance-related issues and seeks transparency and the truth. HB 497, relating to nonprofit agricultural organization health coverage, was presented as a way to give Florida Farm Bureau members—especially farmers, ranchers, and small business owners—more affordable health coverage options. An amendment added statutory placement changes, disclosures that the product is not commercially sold, and annual financial audits. Members discussed ACA-related protections, fraud, and insolvency concerns, and the bill received support from Florida Farm Bureau and was reported favorably 16-0. HB 379, the annual securities package, updated exemptions, foreign jurisdiction rules, the Florida Invest Local Exemption, merger-and-acquisition broker rules, fingerprinting requirements, and technical issues in the Securities Guarantee Fund. Three amendments clarified entity definitions and fingerprint/live-scan requirements; the bill drew support from industry and OFR and passed favorably 17-0. The PCS for HB 147 on consumer debt collection clarified prohibited communications during nighttime hours, with the sponsor and supporters explaining the intent was to allow email while restricting other forms of contact and reduce litigation over passive communications. Members and public witnesses discussed ambiguity in the wording, and the sponsor said further cleanup language may still be needed; the PCS was reported favorably 17-0. HB 655 on pet insurance and wellness programs created a regulatory framework for pet insurance, drew support from industry and humane society representatives, and passed favorably 17-0. HB 367 on home and service warranty association financial requirements allowed financial compliance through multiple contractual liability insurance policies and alternative parent-company documentation; an amendment corrected cross-references and duplicative language, and after questions about consumer protections and insolvency, the bill was reported favorably 17-0. Finally, HB 7003 preserved a public-records exemption for sensitive financial technology sandbox application materials; members discussed the sandbox concept and possible future issues, but no amendments were taken and the bill passed favorably 17-0. The meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> services systems. services systems.
• to support the expansion of 911 services through emerging technologies.
• to support the expansion of 911 services through emerging technologies.
• to support the expansion of 911 services through emerging technologies.
• So ordered. service. Although HA recognizes that service.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, from my understanding, coming out of these advanced technology funds, although you're not holding
• But due to capacity, they only can service 7% of those students.
• And Faulkner, they have almost 1,700 students, and they can only service 9% of those students.
• Almost 1,700 students, and they can only service 9% of those students.
• That’s a different—this is the advanced technology fund.

Committee: Joint Mobile County Legislation

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's some technology there. There we go. There we go.
• Many streaming services publish...
• I mean, I don't have broadcast TV, and as many of us use cable or streaming services.
• The streaming service? Exactly. Oh, okay. All right. Thank you. Okay, anyone else? Okay.
• It's just technologically infeasible.

Summary: The committee hearing covered several bills related to privacy, consumer protection, and online harms. SB 259 by Senator Wahab would prohibit surveillance pricing based on device data such as geolocation or battery level; supporters argued it would curb discriminatory and predatory pricing, while opponents raised concerns about geolocation definitions, legitimate location-based pricing, and impacts on discounts and loyalty programs. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to the Judiciary Committee and passed 8-1, with members noting amendments and ongoing discussions with stakeholders. SB 22 by Senator Laird would raise the amount of gift cards that can be redeemed for cash, with the author saying the goal is to update the long-standing $10 threshold for inflation and preserve consumer value. Consumer advocates supported the bill, while retailers, restaurants, grocers, and chambers of commerce opposed or opposed unless amended, citing fraud concerns, safety issues, and the need for clarification on donated or returned gift cards. The committee voted the bill out on a 6-1 vote and kept it on call. SB 576 by Senator Umberg would apply broadcast-style loudness rules to streaming advertisements. The author said the bill is intended to prevent ads from being much louder than programming, especially for children, while the opposition argued that streaming ad insertion is technically different and that existing industry standards and FCC oversight already address the issue. The bill passed 8-0. SB 683 by Senator Cortese would clarify that people can seek injunctive relief, including a TRO, for unauthorized use of name, image, or likeness; supporters said it strengthens privacy protections, while opponents warned about prior restraint and First Amendment concerns. The bill was moved out on a due pass motion and kept on call. The final bill discussed, SB 771 by Senator Stern, would clarify that existing civil rights and hate-related laws apply to social media platforms and their algorithms, with higher penalties for intentional or reckless violations. Supporters, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Islamic Networks Group, described online hate as fueling real-world violence and urged stronger accountability; opponents argued the bill could conflict with Section 230, chill lawful speech, and create vague standards. Members raised questions about constitutionality, definitions, and whether the bill would be workable, but several expressed support for the author’s goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so for the services our main focus.
• Business, Labor, and Technology.
• Business, Labor, and Technology.
• Business, Labor, and Technology.
• </c> &gt;&gt; business, labor, and technology. &gt;&gt; business, labor, and technology.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services staff.
• services staff. to pay over time for social services staff.
• And we're purchasing their services? They are performing the services for the state.
• Number two is Commerce Workforce Services with Carrasoft Technology Group.
• Number eight, DFA Revenue Services with Veteran Cleaning Service for janitorial services in the Ragland

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, we have United States designated services that service islands like Hawaii, and so with
• </c> to ref Flag ships to come in and service to ref Flag ships to come in and service this<01:48:44.760
• Puerto Rico will be able to service Puerto Rico will be able to service<01:49:25.840><c> New</c><01:
• </c><04:24:26.319><c> we</c> biodiversity and ecological Services we biodiversity and ecological Services
• </c><04:26:04.680><c> and</c> that you ask the science technology and that you ask the science technology

Committee: House State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all