Transcript Highlights:

• Our House has that now. Our House has a consent calendar. Anybody can pull it off, whatever.
• I don't like the way the House does it. I'm glad I'm not in the House.
• The House did not.
• We will open the hearing on House Bill.
• Oh, what had happened in the House or?

Bills: HB1162

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1162, which would add the West Fargo mayor as a voting member of the Lake Agassiz Water Authority board. The sponsor and Fargo’s mayor argued West Fargo has grown into a major regional water stakeholder and should have a formal vote, while members questioned the board structure and why the change was not framed more specifically. The bill was supported in testimony, closed without opposition, and received a 6-0 do pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 1259 on annual legislative sessions and session structure. Members adopted an amendment that left the structure and logistics of sessions to legislative management rather than prescribing details in statute, after discussion about flexibility, committee workload, annual versus biennial sessions, and concerns about preserving debate and committee process. The amended bill received a 4-2 do pass recommendation, with some members voting no because they preferred a different committee recommendation or had concerns about the broader change. House Bill 1254, which would allow any North Dakota resident to obtain a State Library card, drew supportive testimony from the bill sponsor and State Library staff. They said the change would align law with current practice and expand access to books, e-materials, and other resources statewide, including for military families and out-of-state state employees. The committee closed the hearing and approved the bill 6-0. The committee also considered House Bill 1469, which narrows financial disclosure requirements so only business or trust interests directly related to the office sought or held must be disclosed. After brief discussion that the change would reduce unnecessary disclosure burdens, the committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a 6-0 do pass recommendation. House Bill 1368, dealing with administrative rules and the standard for challenging them, was opposed by committee counsel as too broad and legally problematic; the committee rejected it on a 4-2 do not pass vote. Finally, House Bill 1219, which would reduce the required perpetual care fund set-aside for certain cemeteries from 20% to 10%, received supportive testimony from the sponsor, cemetery representatives, and local users, but also concern about long-term fund health. The committee ultimately recommended do pass on a 5-1 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• That type of home is a less restrictive safe house.
• Northeast has two safe foster houses.
• Northeast has two safe foster houses. houses and eight safe foster homes.
• where the youth were recommended to be in safe houses.
• Tier 1 safe houses have less restrictive policies.

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs received three presentations and took no bill votes. The Department of Children and Families gave an extensive update on human trafficking prevention and services, describing Florida’s statutory framework, hotline and investigation data, placement options such as safe houses and safe foster homes, new adult safe house certification rules, expanded screening tools for vulnerable adults, and prevention efforts including youth-led outreach and training. Members asked about whether current funding is sufficient, how DCF addresses grooming and re-victimization in residential settings, and how long youth typically remain in safe-house placements; DCF said funding is only one part of the support system, that families and youth receive prevention resources even when allegations are not substantiated, and that placement length varies by child. OPPAGA then presented its 2024 annual report on commercial sexual exploitation of children. The report found that verified CSE victims slightly declined in 2023, with Broward, Miami-Dade, Duval, Hillsborough, and Escambia among the highest-prevalence counties. Most verified victims were community youth rather than children already in care, though dependent youth had higher rates of prior maltreatment. OPPAGA also reported continued concerns about limited placement capacity, especially for less restrictive Tier 1 safe houses, and service gaps such as the need for survivor mentors. Its recommendations focused on expanding placement options, improving data collection, and strengthening collaboration to support survivor mentors. Finally, DCF presented the Step into Success pilot program for current and former foster youth ages 16 to 26. The program combines workforce education, professional development, and paid internships with mentor support; the first cohort launched in 2024 with 15 participants, all of whom secured placements, and the department reported strong satisfaction and early outcomes. Committee members asked about scalability, costs, and whether the model could be moved beyond DCF-run operations into community-based providers. DCF said the program was designed to be scalable, currently costs about $500,000 annually for the pilot, and could be expanded statewide with additional funding and partner support. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I CONTACTED FEMA AND THEY GET THEIR TEETH KICKED IN ALL THE TIME ABOUT REBUILDING HOUSES.
• WE ARE NEVER FAST TO GETTING HOUSES DONE BUT THESE ARE FEDERAL PROGRAMS.
• THE COMPONENTS THAT MAKE UP THE HOUSE AND IT'S OVERALL STRUCTURAL SOUNDNESS.
• IF THE ROOF FAILS ESSENTIALLY AT THAT POINT YOU HAVE LOST THE HOUSE.
• TO MAKE AMERICAN HOUSING MORE SURVIVABLE AND MORE INSURABLE.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House has passed House Bills 9, 501, 502, 571, 774, 869, 900, and House Joint Resolutions 75 and
• Please report. 774, 869, 900, and House Joint 774, 869, 900, and House Joint Resolutions<00:06:18.960
• </c><00:07:02.320><c> House</c> an emergency. Senator Meredith. House an emergency.
• Excuse me, House Senate Bill or House Excuse me, House Bill<01:11:59.080><c> 290.
• Senator from Jefferson 33. 249 and House Bill 333. 249 and House Bill 333.

Transcript Highlights:

• Housing, as you all heard from Jen yesterday, housing was a key focus for Governor Ferguson, both in
• Housing, as you all heard from Jen yesterday, housing was a key focus for Governor Ferguson, both in
• their housing.
• Housing is the public...
• Housing is the bottleneck through which all social problems pass. Housing is a basic need.

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:48.320><c> Bill</c> extremely bipartisan House Bill extremely bipartisan House Bill 1014<00
• Next, we have House Bill 165.
• </c><01:58:21.760><c> Etc</c> go to a safe house Etc go to a safe house Etc I<01:58:23.440><c> I'm</c
• </c> the two counties the state housing the two counties the state housing stabilization<03:02:27.720
• housing because of rent increases.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair has been informed that House 4648 has been released by the Committee on Third Reading.
• Question: Shall the House adjourn in special adjournment? All those in favor say aye.
• Order that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet Thursday next at 11 o'clock a.m.
• Howard of Seekonk now moves that the House stand adjourned. All those in favor say aye.
• The House stands adjourned to meet Thursday next at 11 a.m. in an informal session.

Summary: The House took up several committee and rules reports, mostly on procedural matters. It adopted orders extending committee reporting deadlines to March 18, 2026 for the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, and Public Safety and Homeland Security committees, and adopted a resolution honoring Russell Carrier for 44 years of service to the Forbes Library. The chamber also concurred with Senate petitions referred under suspension of joint rule 12, including proposals related to a sick leave bank for a trial court employee, creditable service for certain police officers and firefighters, and mobile driver’s licenses. Members suspended rules to advance a set of bills recommended by the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee, including measures on anti-retaliation protections for public employees, “Getting to Zero Week,” local and regional cultural council membership, and a Boston police age-waiver for Giselle Mello. Those bills were ordered to a third reading. The House also passed to be enacted two local bills: one increasing the age limit for retired police officers serving as special police officers in Weston and another dissolving a special fund in Athol. On third reading, the House passed to be engrossed bills authorizing the purchase or lease of Fenn Farm in Stockbridge, allowing Bridgewater to amend its charter for gender-neutral language, and permitting Arlington to place a ballot question on increasing all-alcohol beverage licenses. The chamber then observed a moment of silence for Philip L. Shea of Lowell, a former Lowell city councilor, state representative, and state senator, and ordered special adjournment in his memory. The House adjourned to meet Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• You are recognized to present House Bill 1823.
• They help pay rent, purchase houses, and all that.
• So House Rule 76D says that amendments offered to any House bill or resolution under consideration by
• House Bill 1638 expands the definition of the House Bill 1638 expands the definition of public trusts
• the House and the Senate to be coupled with the For two appointments each by the House and the Senate

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a series of bills and resolutions, many involving taxes, education funding, health policy, and election rules. Representative Newton’s HB 1823, on the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency’s home-building activities, passed 10-0. Speaker Hilbert’s HB 2425, which would align Oklahoma election dates more closely with Texas and move some elections to March, passed 9-2 after debate about turnout and accountability. HB 4440, requiring Medicaid work requirements to track federal law, passed 10-2 amid discussion of chronic unemployment and the limits of changing Medicaid expansion because it is in the Constitution. HJR 1087, a major proposal to restructure the T-SET tobacco settlement trust and redirect funds toward higher education and related uses, passed 12-0 after extensive debate over venture capital investing, public health spending, and whether the trust should be modernized. The committee also took up several property-tax measures. HJR 1053 would create a revenue-neutral ad valorem framework, requiring local approval for increases beyond prior-year levels; it passed 9-2. HJR 1054 would exempt business inventory from ad valorem taxation, and after questions about scope and possible abuse it passed 9-2. HJR 1044 would lower the annual cap on growth in assessed value for homestead and agricultural property from 3% to 2%; it passed 9-2. HB 4145 would raise the homestead exemption from $1,000 to $7,000 and passed 9-1. HJR 1081 would freeze ad valorem taxes for qualifying seniors and passed 8-1. The committee also advanced HB 3891, a county commissioner pay bill, after title was struck and members discussed its impact on small counties; it passed 9-2. Other measures included HB 1770, directing an elk population study by Oklahoma State University, which passed 11-0; HB 1675, requiring youth camps to complete site-specific hazardous assessments, which passed 11-0; HB 3627, allowing the State Committee of Blind Vendors to meet by video conference due to quorum issues, which passed 11-0; HB 3472, expanding tire-recycling fund eligibility, which passed 10-1; and HB 1225, barring changes to the biological sex designation on birth certificates, which passed 8-2 after debate over medical, legal, and equal-protection concerns. The committee also advanced HJR 1019, a heavily amended proposal concerning party nominations for general elections, after striking title and narrowing the scope to federal, state, and county races; it passed 8-1 with two not voting. HB 3462, updating plumbing licensing law and aligning exam standards with other trades, passed 9-0 after title was struck to accommodate further negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• What did the House fill, and what's the difference?
• So I mean, House Bill 2 is out. Do you know where you're short?
• So we want to know the differences between the House and what you didn't get in the House.
• What are the differences in the House to the Senate so we can get this.
• Those are the main differences between the House.

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• affordable housing projects.
• So, in House Bill 22, I'm sorry, in session 22 under House Bill 8, now we have a mechanism by which they
• You see the little blue house there?
• So let's use the sand pile housing.
• I believe we need more housing. We need to build houses faster.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that the House grant permission for all committees and subcommittees to meet while the House is
• U-T-R-G-V, welcome to your Texas house. move adoption.
• House Bill 22 is finally passed. The chair lays it on third reading.
• House Bill 908 the clerk will read the bill.
• There being 143 ayes and zero nays, House Bill 908 is finally passed.

Bills: HB9 , HB22 , HB908 , HB1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, next is House Bill 1259, relating to transportation.
• Uh, next is House Bill 1259, relating to transportation.
• </c><00:38:26.200><c> Bill</c> room uh okay so up next is House Bill room uh okay so up next is House
• </c> chair's recommendation on HB 667 house chair's recommendation on HB 667 house draft<00:38:41.119
• Up next is House Bill 960, relating to transportation.

Summary: The Committee on Transportation and Culture heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 1422, which would exempt certain community-based organizations providing transportation services from motor carrier law, drew support from the Department of Transportation, PUC, DLNR, Kauaʻi County, the Hōnaunau Initiative, and others; members asked about narrowing amendments to prevent unintended use, and the bill later advanced with amendments, including a three-year sunset. HB 1162, requiring motorcycle instruction permit applicants to complete a DOT-approved basic rider course, received support from DOT and Honolulu Customer Services; it advanced with amendments to address city and county concerns and to allow more implementation time. HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study when reducing speed limits by up to 10 mph, had mixed testimony and was deferred for further discussion. HB 1260, establishing summer streets pilot programs for counties other than Oʻahu, drew support from DOT, DOH, UH, Hawaiʻi Appleseed, bicycling and public health groups, and individuals; DOH and others asked that Oʻahu be included, but the measure was deferred for later decision-making. HB 177, making civil ID cards free, had opposition from DOT and Honolulu Customer Services and support from health advocates; DOT said the program costs about $1.3 million annually and would need replacement funding, and the bill was deferred. HB 862, authorizing motor coaches, small buses, and vans for school bus services under certain conditions, received broad support from disability advocates, DOE-related entities, neighborhood boards, and private providers, with testimony emphasizing flexibility and accessibility; it was deferred. HB 667, requiring microchip scanning and reporting when deceased cats or dogs are removed from roadways, was supported by DOT, the Hawaiian Humane Society, and many animal groups and individuals, and was passed unamended. HB 960, increasing the cap on certain DOT capital investment contracts, and HB 228, authorizing electronic license plates and banning plate-obscuring devices and flipping devices, were both heard and then deferred. HB 1156, increasing the amount of special facility revenue bonds available for harbor improvements, received support from DOT, the Island Chamber of Commerce, Alakaʻi Energy, and the Harbor Users Group, and was passed unamended to Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need more housing.
• We need more housing.
• </c> that was also passed in House Bill 2. that was also passed in House Bill 2.
• </c><01:29:45.120><c> Two,</c><01:29:45.760><c> an</c> the house on on House Bill Two, an the house on
• </c> affordable housing. Thank you. affordable housing. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:01:00.000><c> it's</c><03:01:00.439><c> I</c> senate house house bill 728 um it's I senate house
• You may know the House policy on House Bill 728.
• house policy on House you may know the house policy on House Bill<03:02:17.080><c> 728</c><03:02:18.319
• House Bill 1.
• House Bill 1.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education. The Department of Education testified that the bill’s definition would conflict with federal definitions and be very restrictive, potentially affecting a wide range of instructional methods, curriculum materials, teacher training, civics requirements, suicide prevention training, and other programs. The department said the bill could force a broad overhaul of school practices, create local implementation burdens, and require at least one new state position, with a fiscal note estimating roughly $118,000 in FY 2026 rising in later years. Members also raised concerns about possible impacts on federal pass-through funding and whether the bill was workable. Representative Papovich moved to retain HB 129, and the motion passed 7-0. The committee then heard HB 133, a Department of Safety/DMV bill involving follow-up when a person votes using an out-of-state license or non-driver ID and then does not obtain a New Hampshire credential within the statutory timeframe. DMV officials said the bill would require a $40,000 technology upgrade plus a new full-time position, and that the fiscal note did not include postage or fully account for the manual work needed to match records, send notices, and review responses. They said the proposal also raised broader tracking issues because it would apply not only to voters but to anyone who had not obtained a New Hampshire license within 60 days, and they questioned whether DMV was the proper agency to make those inquiries. Committee members pressed the department on how the 60-day clock would be determined, whether the bill could amount to a kind of poll tax or raise privacy concerns, and whether voter ID cards or other exceptions would avoid that problem. The department explained that New Hampshire offers a free voter identification card through town clerks for people without a license or state ID, but said the bill did not exempt those cards and that the DMV would still be asked to investigate status after voting. Officials also said the bill would be difficult to enforce, that some cases would be ambiguous, and that any response from the DMV would likely amount to a request for information rather than an enforceable consequence. No vote on HB 133 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will be in order.
• Signed, Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives, pursuant to the order of the House of
• Joyce, for five minutes. the house will be in order the chair the house will be in order the chair lays
• House of Representatives.
• The House will come to order.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an affordable housing developer with over two decades of experience developing infill housing projects
• Additionally, estimates from the state and housing experts believe California has a housing shortage
• and the Housing Action Coalition; and I believe Margie Lee is here with us today.
• and the Housing Action Coalition, statewide organizations representing the gamut of housing production
• California's housing affordability crisis is severe and it's only getting worse.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that Steve Simon was presiding over the House that day, and um Aaron Murphy was on the House
• >> Yeah, I would like to move House File 3556 to the general register. >> Okay, Chair, you can move House
• Yeah, I would like to move House it?
• </c> support, my support for House File 3556. support, my support for House File 3556.
• </c><00:24:26.640><c> Energy</c> that came before the House Energy that came before the House Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• You've given House Bill 2256 as amended a do pass recommendation.
• House Bill 2256 as amended has a do pass recommendation. Rep.
• “All right, House Transportation & Infrastructure called back to order.
• House Resolution 2003 asserts that the members of the House of Representatives recognize the 100th anniversary
• You've given House Resolution 203 a due pass recommendation.

Bills: HB2163 , HB2256 , HB2305 , HB2367 , HB2369 , HB2669 , HB2772 , HB2916 , HCM2007 , HCR2004 , HR2003

Committee: House Transportation & Infrastructure

Keywords: lighting laws, construction equipment, farm equipment, vehicle safety, Arizona Revised Statutes, salvage vehicles, insurance claims, abandoned vehicles, salvage auction dealers, vehicle title, towing regulation, private towing carriers, vehicle impound, towing rates, preemption, law enforcement, neighborhood electric vehicles, alternative fuel, vehicle license tax, tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know I was looking at the House bill, and the House has taken a little different approach based
• But we have a House companion and some House members that we need to have a heavier conversation with
• The House sponsor just didn't file it. I don't know why.
• or long-term housing.
• If you can't find me, just come on by the house.' So people would come by our house a lot.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with CS/SB 678, which would allow pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital; it drew support from a business representative and was reported favorably. Members then heard several bills by Senator Leak, including SB 466 to designate St. Johns County as the site of the Florida Museum of Black History and create a board to work with the museum foundation and Florida Memorial University; the bill drew supportive testimony about preserving accurate Black history and the significance of the site, and it passed favorably. Leak’s CS/SB 578 would let Florida wineries use recyclable inserts and other alternative containers for larger wine sales, and it also passed favorably. SB 582 would increase penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings and structures, limiting the higher penalties to certain nationally or internationally recognized historic properties; it was supported by preservation advocates and reported favorably. CS/SB 1168 would create an aggravated offense for installing or using tracking devices or apps in furtherance of crimes such as murder, domestic violence, or robbery, and it passed favorably after a brief discussion about stalking and violent crimes. CS/SB 806 would make the Florida Attorney General the exclusive public official with standing to enforce Florida charitable trusts, limiting out-of-state attorneys general from suing over Florida-administered trusts; members debated whether this would burden out-of-state beneficiaries, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 1228 would advance spring restoration efforts for Ichetucknee Springs and Santa Fe spring flows and allow a utility compliance plan amendment to deliver reclaimed water to replenish the aquifer; it passed favorably. CS/CS/SB 304 would require a qualified medical opinion in child protective investigations involving infants and young children with possible genetic or medical conditions that can mimic abuse, and it drew emotional support from parents and advocates before passing favorably. SB 1286 would clarify that ordinary unsupervised childhood activities like biking or playing outside do not constitute neglect absent reckless endangerment, and it was reported favorably. SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, generated the most extensive debate: it renames the texting-while-driving law, expands the prohibition to handheld device use, and adds penalties in work zones and school zones; supporters cited fatal crash statistics and personal loss, while opponents raised concerns about enforcement, civil liberties, racial disparities in traffic stops, and the need for broader distracted-driving and insurance reforms. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably after amendments. The committee also approved two claims bills, SB 14 for the estate of Penao-Hanvier against Miami Beach and SB 20 for J.N. against Hillsborough County, both settled claims recommended favorably by the special master. Finally, CS/SB 68 would modernize health facilities authority financing for private not-for-profit health systems, and CS/SB 172 would restrict misuse of health care specialty titles while preserving titles authorized under existing practice acts; both were discussed with questions about doctors, optometrists, and CRNAs, and both were reported favorably after amendment and debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:22.440><c> bills</c><00:08:22.960><c> for</c> house bills for house bills for 2025<00:08:26.280
• </c><00:45:05.839><c> next</c> is 50 bucks an hour but the house next is 50 bucks an hour but the house
• </c> alternative to the municipal house alternative to the municipal house construct<01:46:26.040><c>
• session for House Bill 760.
• We'll close the executive session on House Bill 760 and next we'll move to House Bill 761.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy