Transcript Highlights:

• So haven't we already done that with legislative intent?
• So then we'd be ready for legislative session for any legislative action items that would need to happen
• The question I have for you is, do you need any additional legislative legislation in order to accomplish
• The question I have for you is, do you need any additional legislative legislation in order to accomplish
• of a sudden you're legislated dollars to fix.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion. The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand. A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting. The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• and social appropriate academic and social emotional<00:32:04.080><c> resources</c><00:32:04.399><c>
• As legislators, we have a responsibility to listen to those closest to the problem.
• As legislators, we have criminalization.
• </c> be shown on the screen on I legislate be shown on the screen on I legislate and<00:43:56.400><c>
• requests that was requested<00:49:50.240><c> by</c><00:49:50.480><c> CDPHE</c><00:49:51.359><c> that

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think this piece of legislation touches on that pocket listing either.
• For the record, Melynda Tai have the honor of representing the 41st legislative district.
• I'm Bill Clark, here for Washington Realtors, in support of the legislation.
• Adding the simple language: 'or if the homeowner requests otherwise in writing.'
• My name is Patrick Yulram, the Legislative Chair for the Washington Self-Storage Association.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee heard public hearings on several bills related to real estate, self-storage, and consumer disclosures. House Bill 2477 would shorten the time to bring claims against appraisers arising from appraisal reports to two years from discovery or five years from signing, except fraud claims, and would limit liability to specified clients and intended users. The sponsor and appraiser witnesses said the bill would reduce long-tail liability, lower insurance and recordkeeping burdens, and help attract new appraisers; no opposition testimony was heard in the excerpt. House Bill 2512 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential properties to exclusive groups unless the property is also publicly marketed. Supporters, including Washington Realtors, Zillow, Habitat for Humanity, Windermere, and others, said it would promote transparency, competition, and fair housing; opponents argued it could limit homeowner privacy and autonomy, and the Attorney General’s office said the Washington Law Against Discrimination already covers discrimination concerns and objected to placing enforcement in that statute. House Bill 2240 would modernize self-storage rental agreements by allowing electronic execution, deeming continued use after notice as acceptance, and setting notice and disposal rules after termination or nonrenewal; storage industry witnesses supported the bill as clarifying safety and notice procedures, while an advocacy witness opposed it as harmful to unhoused people and others who rely on storage units. House Bill 2465 would require a water recreation safety guide for short-term rentals with pools or similar facilities; the sponsor and hospitality industry supported it as a low-cost safety measure, while cities raised implementation concerns and asked for an amendment on where the guide would be posted. House Bill 2501 would update a seller disclosure notice to reflect the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency’s shift from a no-cost insurance program to a loan-and-grant remediation program, and it drew support as a technical correction. House Bill 2624 would exempt public entities, tribes, and nonprofit land conservancies from the 2025 “solicited real estate transactions” appraisal and notice requirements; conservation groups and the Department of Natural Resources supported it as necessary to preserve land acquisition and grant funding, and the sponsor described it as a cleanup bill. The committee then moved into executive session and took action on two liquor-related bills. House Bill 2536, allowing wineries to hold a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license or beer/wine restaurant license at one location, was moved out of committee with a due pass recommendation by a 14-1 vote. House Bill 2476, modifying the spirits, beer, and wine theater license, was amended via a proposed substitute that restored the 120-seat-per-screen limit except for theaters admitting only patrons 21 and older; the substitute was reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 13-2 vote. Members discussed the balance between business flexibility and concerns about alcohol access in family settings and recovery communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has a one-time appropriation<00:04:44.160><c> of</c> appropriation of appropriation of $419,000<00
• The governor took $10 million from the prior IT appropriation and appropriated $10 million.
• The House takes $5.059 million of the IT appropriation and appropriates $40 million to the SSIS project
• From the prior IT appropriation and appropriated $10 million.
• </c> the counties implement the legislation? the counties implement the legislation?

Bills: HF2436

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Commissioner's Court in support of this legislation.
• I humbly request that you support this initiative. House Bill 4308.
• I hate to say it, but you can't legislate stupid.
• It's always interesting when I read the legislative history and see legislators saying, "We took this
• So the state is not deciding what's appropriate. Appropriate or what's not; the parent is.

Bills: HB2963 , HB3005 , HB3287 , HB3288 , HB3289 , HB3290 , HB3344 , HB3712 , HB3862 , HB3874 , HB4196 , HB4308 , HB4901 , HB4984

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: digital equipment, repair rights, manufacturers, maintenance, consumer rights, construction contracts, payment regulations, public works, dispute resolution, audit procedures, construction, trust funds, mechanic's lien, contractor, subcontractor, residential properties, disputes, payment obligations, accountability, payment disputes

Transcript Highlights:

• have Carolyn Chu from the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• So currently, it is just a—not a request, but it would be a shall.
• Is there an ability for health plans to readjust that rate request given this new MCO tax?
• The request for us to extend that tax, and in that event, we are also requesting the federal government
• Our view is that that strikes an appropriate balance in terms of, you know,... ...an appropriate balance

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review subcommittee heard four budget trailer bills: AB 110, AB 122, AB 125, and AB 177. AB 110 was described as a budget bill junior identifying budget-related legislation. AB 122 would extend sales tax to electronically delivered or remotely accessed prewritten software, extend and later limit business tax credits, reduce the annual LLC/LLP/LP tax for first-year businesses for three years, and impose a 100% tax on certain federal anti-weaponization fund settlements. AB 125 would renew the managed care organization (MCO) tax for three years beginning in 2027 to support Medi-Cal and targeted provider rate increases. AB 177 would require the Department of Finance to return by March 1, 2027 with options for assessing large employers for the Medi-Cal costs of employees enrolled in the program, including at least one employer-paid premium option for firms with 250 or more employees, and would appropriate $1,000 General Fund for implementation. Administration witnesses said AB 122 modernizes the tax system and helps create general fund revenue, while AB 125 is needed to preserve Medi-Cal financing and targeted rate increases under new federal constraints from H.R. 1 and to avoid a budget hole if the MCO tax expires. On AB 177, Finance said the bill is only a study and does not itself impose a tax, but would direct the administration to develop options for future consideration. Supportive members argued the package is part of a balanced approach to address the structural deficit, protect health care and other safety-net programs, and ensure large corporations pay more of their share. They also said AB 177 is a necessary step toward asking large employers to help cover public health care costs for workers who rely on Medi-Cal. Opponents, led by Vice Chair Niello and several other Republicans, argued the state does not have a revenue shortage but a spending problem, warning that the proposals would raise costs on consumers and businesses, discourage innovation, and expand taxes beyond their intended scope. They criticized AB 122 as potentially taxing labor-like services and limiting research and development credits, and said AB 125 would increase premiums for commercial enrollees and employers. On AB 177, they questioned the lack of definitions and specifics, saying the bill is too vague and could eventually burden employers, including hospitals and part-time workers, without clear standards. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the committee heard testimony and questions before public comment and later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• I request the withdrawal of the amendment by the Appropriations Committee. Members, discussion?
• But the conflict for legislators, legislators— Have ways of financial means.
• I don't think our job as legislators I don't think our job as legislators is to dictate how we choose
• , unnecessary appropriations we do.
• That's why I put this bill through appropriations. I thought it was very, very appropriate.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I I requested a fiscal I can answer.
• </c> request, go for it. request, go for it.
• </c><01:08:02.720><c> funding</c> there be appropriate funding there be appropriate funding uh<01:08:
• </c><01:22:29.199><c> of</c> provided in response to the request of provided in response to the request
• </c> option that there could be legislation option that there could be legislation in<01:40:55.199><c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division 3 met in work session and opened with procedural remarks from the chair about the committee’s schedule, deadlines, and recommendation options, noting the meeting was advisory and no votes were expected. The first bill discussed, House Bill 1569, concerned repealing the directive to sell the Anna Philbrook Center for Children property in Concord. Testimony from DHHS and New Hampshire Hospital focused on whether the property could be subdivided, the relationship to Senate Bill 572, the status of the city of Concord’s first right of refusal, and the practical effects of a sale. Witnesses said the $5 million sale estimate was a budget assumption, that moving staff and equipment would create some relocation costs, and that the center had required significant recent maintenance and renovation spending. Members also discussed the number of transitional housing beds at the site, the temporary nature of those beds, and whether the property should remain available given hospital workforce and service needs. The committee then turned to House Bill 661, which had been recommitted for further review after new information emerged. The chair summarized federal developments, including a December 2025 ACF letter and a related executive order, as well as a federal HHS press release about states diverting foster youths’ Social Security survivor benefits. Representative Walner explained that amendment 3055H had been drafted to move the bill forward in smaller steps, with a fiscal note requested on the amendment because the original bill was viewed as too large and expensive. Members discussed whether the committee had received copies of the amendment and whether federal guidance or funding had changed the policy landscape. The discussion also included broader questions about foster youth benefits and whether federal action would support state implementation. One member cited ACF language stating that only 11 states had enacted policies to stop interception of survivor benefits and that technical assistance would be available to the remaining states. The meeting remained in work-session mode throughout, with no votes taken and no final recommendations made during the portion provided. The chair indicated the committee could return to the bills later in the month.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and 170, and respectfully request and 170, and respectfully request concurrence<00:06:46.800><c>
• 10.320><c> the</c> This legislation simply directs the This legislation simply directs the Kentucky<00
• </c> legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• House Bill of city legislative bodies.
• To appropriations and revenue, House To appropriations and revenue, House Bill<02:00:58.960><c> 663</

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Carol legislate.
• </c> requested. Members, take your seats. requested. Members, take your seats.
• </c> I request a roll call vote. I request a roll call vote.
• </c> request a roll call vote. request a roll call vote.
• And I request a you. And vote green. And I request a division<06:10:03.280><c> vote.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and what is not appropriate.
• It does not seem appropriate to me, no.
• She remarked, "It's always interesting when I read the legislative history and see legislators saying
• This is TLR's 16th legislative session over 32 years.
• It is based on the Florida legislation.

Bills: SB30 , SB517 , SB1313 , SB1314 , SB1316 , SB1541 , SB1698 , SB1845 , SB1860 , SB2420 , SB2429 , SB 30

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: gambling, criminal offenses, penalties, defense, electronic devices, tobacco advertising, youth protection, public health, criminal offense, retailer regulation, e-cigarettes, nicotine products, health, public safety, regulation, advertising restrictions, health and safety, elections, election audit, county elections

Transcript Highlights:

• On that, I request the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays are requested.
• </c> request the yays and nas. request the yays and nas.
• I request the yeas and nays. Okay. The yeas and nays are requested.
• The yays and nays are requested. Okay. The yays and nays are requested.
• </c> this long titled legislation, Mr. this long titled legislation, Mr.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, May 5, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation...
• I respectfully request an aye vote.
• They request.
• On appropriations. Got it. All that?
• AB 81 is re-referred to Appropriations, 7-0. AB 556 is re-referred to Appropriations, 6-0.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs met as a subcommittee because a quorum was initially lacking, and heard six bills. AB 81 by Assemblymember Ta would require CalVet to study the mental health needs of women veterans; supporters from county veterans service officers, veterans organizations, and behavioral health groups said women veterans face higher rates of military sexual trauma, PTSD, depression, and suicide, while no opposition appeared. The bill was later passed 7-0 and re-referred to Appropriations. AB 826 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would prohibit unaccredited individuals or businesses from charging veterans fees to file or assist with VA benefits claims, impose a civil penalty, and direct penalty revenue to veterans services and district attorneys. Supporters argued the bill would curb predatory “claim sharks” and protect veterans from exploitation, while opponents from private claims consulting firms and several veterans said the measure could restrict access to legitimate help and should be narrowed to target bad actors instead of banning paid assistance broadly. After extensive testimony and discussion about federal law, accreditation, and possible amendments, the committee passed the bill 8-0 and re-referred it to Judiciary. AB 556 by Assemblymember Patterson would clarify that campus-level mandatory fees are covered under the CalVet fee waiver for dependents of certain veterans and Medal of Honor recipients. Supporters said the bill would fulfill the state’s promise to veterans’ families, while concerns were raised about fiscal impacts on CSU campuses and the need for more precise cost estimates. The bill was passed 6-0 and sent to Appropriations. The committee also adopted its rules 7-0 and approved the consent calendar, which included AB 264, AB 1508, and AB 1509, all re-referred to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION.
• >> I request the yeas and nays. >> The yeas and nays have been requested.
• >> I request the yeas and nays. >> The yeas and nays have been requested.
• This legislation... >> The legislation has strong bipartisan support.
• Speaker, I request the yeas and nays. >> The yeas and nays are... Requested.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To further expedite and sustain this progress, the department also submitted a legislative budget request
• One of the asks before you this session is that legislative budget request that would also help propel
• They were passed into legislation.
• You know, that's just not appropriate.
• Shapiro is not appropriate for a trustee position.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The committee first considered the confirmation of Dr. John Lattell to the Florida Board of Medicine. In questioning, senators focused heavily on his views on abortion, vaccines, ivermectin, hormonal birth control, and the role of CDC/FDA guidance in board discipline cases. Dr. Lattell said the board should apply Florida statutes, described himself as strongly pro-life and skeptical of some federal health guidance, and said he would be sympathetic when judging fellow physicians because of his own experience in practice. Supporters praised his medical background, military service, and family medicine experience, while opponents argued his stated views could affect his ability to fairly discipline other doctors. The committee voted 5-2 to recommend confirmation, with Senators Polsky and Rouson voting no. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined her background at DCF and APD and described department priorities including streamlining services, improving child welfare and behavioral health systems, expanding peer support, and reducing SNAP error rates. Members asked detailed questions about Hope Florida, the number and role of Hope Navigators, agency responsiveness on bill analyses, and accountability for community-based care contractors. Hatch said Hope Florida is a partnership-based navigation effort aimed at self-sufficiency, that 143 Hope Navigators are in place, and that the department is working to improve transparency and oversight through contracts, audits, and a proposed funding model. Senators also pressed Hatch on the Hope Florida Foundation’s compliance history and on forensic audits of community-based care agencies, especially Northwest Florida Health Network. Hatch said the foundation is now in compliance and under audit, and that the contractor had completed corrective actions and was operating within current accountability limits. She said DCF had not yet conducted new forensic audits under her tenure but was preparing another round and was considering using contracted-services dollars to support that work. The discussion ended with continued questioning on oversight, staffing, and whether the agency could provide more formal bill analyses going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• If not, so we consider the reading of the journal from the prior legislative day.
• President, I move favorable on this<00:10:33.680><c> legislation.
• Uh we request that the report be accepted as issued. Yes. >> Excellent. All right.
• And there are 50 Rosenwald schools that remain across 27 legislative districts.
• </c> remain across 27 legislative districts. remain across 27 legislative districts.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, February 27, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:10.799><c> session</c> enacted in the 2023 legislative session enacted in the 2023 legislative
• I'd say the other difficulty was the legislation for this—the appropriations language talked about the
• </c> legislation for this the Appropriations legislation for this the Appropriations language<00:21:28.600
• , based on the appropriations language, and what they want to do versus maybe what you know was the legislative
• language B based on the legislative language B based on the Appropriations<00:40:44.200><c> language

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so it's not really any<00:22:35.600><c> legislative.</c> any legislative. any legislative.
• There are times when that is appropriate. appropriate. appropriate.
• may be about the existing legislation and whether you had received an inordinate number of requests
• </c> whom are legislators. whom are legislators.
• legislation? legislation?

Committee: House Legislative Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Where's the AG on their need for this legislation?
• That's not appropriate.
• on legislative draft.
• We're waiting on a legislative draft. This is what's in the legislative draft.
• waiting on legislative draft.

Bills: SB1113 , SB1117 , SB1206 , SB1460 , SB1802 , SB1906 , SB1917 , SB2340 , SB2455 , SB2680 , SB2690 , SB705 , SB748

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: SB 1113, converter's license, converter license, motor vehicle dealer, auto dealer, vehicle conversion, converted vehicles, direct sales, retail sales, trailer, semitrailer, manufactured trailer, chassis, manufacturer's statement of origin, MSO, Occupations Code, Transportation Code, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, dealer licensing, general distinguishing number

Summary: The committee took up pending business first and reported several bills favorably, including SB 2139, SB 2610, SB 1856, SB 2530, SB 2401, SB 2858, and SB 3016, with most of those measures moving out on committee substitutes and being sent to the local and uncontested calendar or to the full Senate. The committee also heard SB 1906 on expanding Chapter 342E consumer lending rates; supporters argued it would modernize Texas law and expand access to safe, regulated credit, while opponents from Texas Appleseed and AARP warned it would raise costs on already expensive loans and worsen debt burdens. SB 1906 was left pending after testimony. The committee also reconsidered and re-voted SB 1856 after a procedural issue, with the substitute ultimately adopted and the bill reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1113, which would clarify that certain vehicle converters, including a Texarkana business, do not need an additional dealer license to sell converted vehicles. The bill’s supporters described a long-standing business model and said the new metal license plate rules had created problems, while the Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposed the bill in its current form and said it could be resolved through DMV action or narrower changes. DMV said it was still researching a possible administrative fix, and SB 1113 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2680, a Public Information Act cleanup bill dealing with emergency deadlines, business-day exclusions, and litigation timing; broadcasters and other open-government advocates argued the issues were already addressed by prior law and court rulings, while the Attorney General’s office said the bill would help with catastrophe notices and timing conflicts. SB 2680 was left pending. Other bills heard included SB 1117, which would allow any Texas-licensed dentist to administer botulinum toxin neuromodulators for aesthetic purposes in the oral and maxillofacial region; the author and dental witnesses said it would clarify scope and improve access, and the bill was left pending. SB 2340 would clarify the Attorney General’s investigative authority over Texas corporations, including pre-suit depositions and sworn written questions; opponents raised due process and separation-of-powers concerns, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard SB 705 and SB 748, both TDLR cleanup bills, and SB 1206, which would impose timelines and notice requirements on municipalities reviewing transmission projects; SB 1206 was supported by an electric cooperative and left pending. SB 1460, creating an ethics violation registry tied to licensing consequences, drew constitutional and due-process objections from several witnesses and was also left pending. After a recess, the committee heard SB 1802 on landlord duties to repair mobility assistance devices like elevators and ramps in rental housing, with the author describing prolonged outages affecting seniors; the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 2455, creating an Energy Waste Advisory Committee to coordinate efficiency and demand-response programs, drew support from energy-efficiency and environmental witnesses and was left pending, and SB 2690, targeting deceptive business-certification solicitations, was laid out and opened to testimony before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Appropriations.
• So we don’t think that mechanism is appropriate.
• I represent Legislative District 7, of course.
• A dedicated veterans treatment court fund, funded by legislative appropriations, will provide grants
• Members of the Appropriations Committee, I am Representative Myron-Sosci, Legislative District 6, 7 counties

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first took up a discussion-only strike-everything amendment to HB 2211, which would make it unprofessional conduct for certain health care providers to submit offers in independent dispute resolution above 300% of Medicare or the qualified payment amount. The chair said he was not ready to move the bill because more stakeholder meetings were needed. Testimony split between insurers, who said a small number of providers were abusing the No Surprises Act and driving up costs, and provider representatives, who argued the proposal would improperly cap rates, relied on opaque insurer-set QPAs, and could threaten licensure in a billing dispute. No vote was taken on HB 2211. The committee then considered HB 4028 on accessory dwelling units. The bill would remove the 1,000-square-foot cap, change setback rules, bar municipalities from requiring an administrative use permit and certain elevation criteria, and extend the deadline for cities to adopt ADU regulations. The sponsor argued it would give homeowners more flexibility and help address housing affordability, while cities, neighborhood groups, and residents warned it would allow oversized ADUs, reduce local control, create density and safety concerns, and invite investor-driven development. After extensive debate, the committee voted 8-9 with one present, and HB 4028 failed. Next, the committee heard HB 2620, as amended, which appropriates $300,000 annually for five years from the General Fund to the Department of Veterans’ Services for grants to emergency shelters. An amendment removed age and non-congregate-setting conditions for eligibility. The sponsor and a shelter provider said the funding would help shelters better serve homeless veterans and connect them to services. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed HB 2620 on a 17-0 vote with one member not voting. The committee then considered HB 2960, as amended, which creates a veterans specialty court grant program and a dedicated fund to support local veterans treatment courts. An amendment shifted administration of the fund to the Office of the Courts and allowed support for expansion of existing programs. The sponsor, a Lake Havasu judge, and a veteran graduate testified that veterans courts reduce recidivism and save lives by linking veterans to treatment and support. The bill was still being taken up when the transcript ended, with testimony continuing from supporters including a veterans shelter founder.