Transcript Highlights:

• And a number of those errors were pointed out by Attorney General Paxton in his response.
• In December 2024, Attorney General Paxton sued Dr.
• Attorney General Paxton has now submitted a petition seeking a writ of mandamus.
• Attorney General Paxton has now submitted a petition seeking a writ of mandamus.
• My name is Regina Lindsay, and I am a fourth-generation Houstonian.

Summary: The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting met virtually for its West Texas regional hearing, established a quorum, and explained that the hearing was part of a series of statewide information-gathering sessions before any map was filed. The chair outlined the Zoom procedures, the two-minute testimony limit, and the availability of written comments through the committee’s public portal. Senators also discussed the logistics and transparency of the process, including the expectation that any proposed map or amendment would be made public once filed and that additional hearings would follow. Senator Blanco, whose district includes West Texas and the border region, said the area’s communities of interest should be kept together and warned against repeating the loss of representation that followed the last redistricting cycle. Senators Alvarado, Hinojosa, Miles, and others debated the value of virtual hearings versus in-person hearings, the number of people who had testified, and whether the committee could subpoena witnesses after the regional hearings ended. The chair said he was awaiting legal guidance and would consider a subpoena motion at a formal meeting the next day. A lengthy exchange also occurred over the tone of public testimony and the chair’s view that some comments directed at Republicans and the president had been offensive or historically inaccurate. Invited witnesses and public commenters largely opposed mid-decade redistricting and argued that any new map should reflect population growth, especially among Latino and other minority communities, and comply with the Voting Rights Act. Nina Perales of MALDEF said the hearings were not meaningful without a draft map and testified that Texas has a long history of discriminatory redistricting; senators questioned her about litigation, DOJ’s July 7 letter, and the 2021 congressional map. Tania Chavez Camacho, Luis Figueroa, and several El Paso residents emphasized that maps should preserve communities of interest, avoid cracking and packing, and be transparent and participatory. A smaller number of witnesses supported redistricting, including one El Paso resident who said the current districting leaves the area underrepresented and another who argued that some communities want to return to a map closer to the earlier District 16 configuration. Several witnesses also criticized the DOJ letter as inconsistent with the state’s position that the 2021 maps were drawn race-blind, while others said the current process was too rushed and lacked sufficient public input.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can that be taken out of the general fund?
• I mean, you talked about it generally in your testimony.
• You have general excise tax being paid. You have payroll tax being paid.
• You have general excise getting hired.
• You have general excise tax<00:56:47.599><c> being</c><00:56:47.839><c> paid.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 302, which would expand access to medical cannabis by removing the in-person provider-patient relationship requirement and related restrictions. The Department of Health supported the bill, and multiple advocates and organizations testified in support, including the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Cannabis Reform, Marijuana Policy Project, and others. Supporters said the measure would improve access for patients, especially on outer islands, and some urged broader amendments allowing providers to certify cannabis for any medical condition and to speed registration and treat in-state and out-of-state patients equally. No opposition was heard, and the bill was left with no questions after testimony. The committee also heard HB 1052 HD1, which clarifies that the Public Utilities Commission may use universal service fund monies to provide free telecommunications access for individuals with print disabilities. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the DCCA Division of Consumer Advocacy, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Human Services, the Public Utilities Commission, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii. Witnesses described the program as an important accessibility service that has been operating under prior appropriations and should continue under the universal service program. HB 1482, relating to controlled substances and hemp/synthetic cannabinoids, drew support from the Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Health, Honolulu Police Department, and others, with some comments from the Attorney General’s office. Supporters said the bill would clarify that delta-8 THC is a controlled substance and help enforcement against illegal hemp products and synthetic cannabinoids. Testimony and questioning focused on the need for better lab testing capacity, retail registry and age-gating, seizure authority, nuisance abatement, and possible use of special funds or appropriations to support enforcement. Members also discussed enforcement of illegal hemp businesses and whether additional funding or statutory changes would be needed. Finally, the committee took up HB 712, a 340B drug-discount measure affecting safety-net providers and contract pharmacies. Hospitals, health centers, and provider groups testified in support, saying the bill would protect access to discounted drugs and preserve funding for services such as chronic disease management, transportation, and specialty care. Pharmaceutical-industry representatives opposed the bill or sought amendments, arguing the 340B program has expanded beyond its original intent and lacks transparency, and they requested reporting or audit-like provisions to verify claims and revenues. Members questioned both sides about alleged abuse, the growth of contract pharmacies, and whether the bill should include transparency requirements before moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I could pass a VADER, but we don't generate enough pennies.
• I think there is a general decline in the number of folks who want to become teachers.
• We did want to provide on slide 19 a general overview of the transition supports.
• So essentially, they have to use general funds. But you have the basic allotment, right?
• The information that's available from TEA does include general revenue versus all funds.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives in the 95th General Assembly of the state
• Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 95th General Assembly of the state
• And now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 95th General Assembly of the
• Justin Tate. ...representatives of the 95th General Assembly in the state of Arkansas that the House
• Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives in the 95th General Assembly of the State

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Attorney General for stealing my employees, but I didn't think that was probably in the best interest
• But as you know, we're in the backyard of the Attorney General.
• the past 16 months, we've lost 36 lawyers to being the United States Attorney, assistant attorney general
• Significantly, generally around $30,000 to $40,000 more per year. That's one big issue.
• I think splitting generally occurs more in smaller parishes where they can use part-time assistant DAs

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys met to consider whether additional state-funded assistant district attorney positions should be approved. Louisiana District Attorneys Association Executive Director Zach Daniels presented a report proposing a formula that combines objective factors such as population, violent and sex crime caseloads, civil body representation, and courthouse coverage with subjective input from district attorneys about local needs. He said the combined approach supported a statewide request of 120 to 164 additional assistant district attorney positions, with the commission focusing on the higher end of that range in the report packet. Several district attorneys described staffing shortages and funding pressures in their districts. Colin Sims of the 22nd Judicial District said fast growth in St. Tammany, a long period without added warrants, and recent funding cuts had left his office under strain, especially with felony and sex crime caseloads. Hillar Moore of East Baton Rouge said his office was significantly understaffed, could not fill all existing warrants because of salary and benefit costs, and was asking for 25 positions instead of the formula’s 23 due to a homicide backlog and difficulty recruiting lawyers at current pay levels. James Stewart of Caddo Parish said his office was losing attorneys to higher-paying public offices, handling a heavy homicide and felony trial load, and needed both more warrants and higher salaries to remain competitive. Commission members asked about split warrants and recruitment challenges. Moore said split warrants were not a major issue for his office, while Sims said his office had no split warrants. Daniels said the association wanted the commission to approve the requested positions and continue working with the legislature on funding. The commission then adopted a motion to recommend 164 additional assistant district attorney positions, with members noting that the recommendation would not remove legislative discretion. The meeting then adjourned unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Attorney General for stealing my employees, but I didn't think that was probably in the best interest
• But as you know, we're in the backyard of the Attorney General.
• Over the past 16 months, we've lost 36 lawyers to the United States Attorney, assistant attorney general
• Significantly, generally around $30,000 to $40,000 more per year. That's one big issue.
• I think splitting generally occurs more in smaller parishes where they can use part-time assistant DAs

Summary: The Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys met to consider whether additional state-funded assistant district attorney positions should be approved. Louisiana District Attorneys’ Association Executive Director Zach Daniels presented a report proposing a more objective formula for allocating warrants, based on factors such as population, violent and sex crime caseloads, civil body representation, and courthouse logistics, while also incorporating subjective input from district attorneys about local needs. He said the combined approach suggested a statewide need of between 120 and 164 additional warrants, and emphasized that Louisiana’s crime rates and office workloads justify more staffing. Several district attorneys testified in support of additional positions and higher warrant funding. Colin Sims of the 22nd Judicial District said St. Tammany has grown rapidly, has not received an additional warrant in nearly 20 years, and faces major funding cuts and heavy felony and sex-crime caseloads. Hillar Moore of East Baton Rouge said his office is significantly understaffed, has lost many lawyers to higher-paying public-sector jobs, and needs more assistants and a higher warrant amount to remain competitive; he asked for 25 additional positions and an increase in the warrant value from $50,000 to $60,000. James Stewart of the First Judicial District described similar recruitment and retention problems, high homicide and felony trial volumes, and rising office costs. Commission members asked about split warrants and whether offices still use them; the district attorneys said the practice is limited or not used in their offices, and that statewide usage was unclear. After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve the recommendation for 164 additional assistant district attorney positions, based on the chart in the packet. The commission voted unanimously in favor, then adjourned. The action was described as a recommendation for legislative consideration rather than a final funding decision.

Transcript Highlights:

• And one of the key recommendations we made that really was going to generate the most savings, And one
• of the key recommendations we made that really was going to generate the most savings was for EBD to
• And the enrollment was just over 50% to start, and that generated around $40 million in savings.
• up like the medical side where a portion is funded through taxes and a portion is funded through general
• So we're generally speaking... Also counts.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• public education, both of those for the purpose of education and cessation, and 25% will go to the general
• education both of those for the purpose of education cessation and 25% will go to the general fund and
• The best that I can do, Representative, is to tell you that tobacco tax in Idaho generates between $40
• This tax would generate about $7 million, so it would be substantially less than the tobacco tax.
• a state property tax, with 100% of the funds collected going back to the property tax... ...for generating

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on March 12, 2026, and took up three RS drafts for introduction only. RS 33573, by Representative Raymond, would create a permitting and licensing framework for vape and alternative nicotine products, define those products, require out-of-state sellers to post a bond, allow permit denial for fraud or felony-related issues, establish contraband rules, and impose a modest tax with revenues split among Health and Welfare, public education for cessation/education, and the general fund. Supporters said the bill was the product of years of stakeholder work and was intended to address youth vaping and black-market sales; opponents, including Representative Barbieri, argued it would overregulate a cessation product and could amount to double taxation. The committee voted to introduce the bill, with some nays recorded. RS 33664, by Representative Raybould, proposed a state property tax tied to occupancy, aimed at returning funds to counties and cities for law enforcement, fire, EMS, infrastructure, and property tax reduction. Several members said they were willing to introduce it for discussion but did not support a statewide property tax as a policy matter. The committee voted to introduce the draft. RS 33659, also by Representative Raybould, would tighten homestead exemption verification by requiring the Idaho ID address to match the claimed property address, allowing an Idaho income tax return as an alternative for those without a state ID, and clarifying that applicants cannot claim a similar exemption in another state unless they are on active military service or a religious mission. The sponsor said counties would handle verification and could check other state records when needed. The committee voted to introduce this draft as well, and then adjourned with a meeting scheduled for the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has fines and penalties for individuals, allows them to withhold general fund, and also revenue sharing
• And that's general fund and also revenue sharing if they don't comply with the law.
• I'm wondering why there is only a unilateral fee provision that only the Attorney General can recover
• So if there's a frivolous case, one that has be recovered by the Attorney General and not by the other
• So if there's a frivolous case, one that has no merit whatsoever brought by the Attorney General, the

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met for its first meeting of the session and quickly processed 11 RS introductions, with the chair emphasizing brief presentations because many members and presenters had other meetings. Most items were introduced without extended debate, and the committee repeatedly noted that fuller public testimony would occur later in the germane committees. The committee introduced RS 33389 to modernize vehicle titling and shorten lien-release timelines; RS 33127 C1 to let the Attorney General seek court enforcement and penalties against public officials, taxing districts, or government entities that do not comply with law; RS 33430 to regulate commercial collection, storage, consent, retention, and destruction of biometric data; RS 33366, with added language creating an exception for a minor child needing assistance in a single-sex restroom or changing facility; RS 33459 to clarify that certain labor-relations provisions do not include local police and fire departments; and RS 33402 to allow deficiency warrants for non-fire emergencies using Department of Lands assets. The committee also introduced RS 33458 on resolving public records disputes without litigation, RS 33476 revising annexation-related provisions, RS 33478 as a minor clarification to House Bill 709, and RS 33482 as a Tax Commission-requested change to House Bill 671, with a recommendation that it go to the second reading calendar. One item drew more discussion: RS 33443, a revision to mosquito district abatement reform. The sponsor said it added an opt-out for spraying, distinguished drone from plane spraying, reduced fees, and cleaned up language after feedback from Local Government. A substitute motion to return the bill to the sponsor failed, and the committee then approved introduction; Representatives Birch and Rebell were recorded as voting no. On RS 33127 C1, Representatives Rebell and Church raised concerns about one-sided attorney-fee recovery and withholding revenue before a case is proven, and both were recorded as no votes. The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a proud third-generation Californian and the son and grandson of small business owners, I see this
• going to be the driving factor or the person who's going to be the one who makes something work generally
• Each municipality, generally if they're looking at a project and they're looking to access the capital
• a pro forma term sheet, which we want to put on our website so that borrowers can look and say, generally
• So that borrowers can look and say, generally, what's the I-Bank looking for?

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several routine items and a gubernatorial appointment. The committee approved appointments not required to appear for Gina Castro Rodriguez to the Board of State and Community Corrections, Richard Stein to the California Arts Council, and Nicholas Hardiman to the California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors. It also approved references to bills, committee and joint committee appointments, subcommittee ratifications, and floor acknowledgments. A rule waiver request from Senators Perez and Padilla to suspend the SR 22.5 bill-introduction limit was approved on a divided vote. The committee then heard testimony from Andy Nakahata, nominee for executive director of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (iBank). Nakahata described his background in infrastructure finance and said he would focus on stewardship, expanding awareness of iBank programs, and working with lenders, financial development corporations, and municipal advisors to reach more counties and communities. Members asked about equitable geographic access, creditworthiness standards, outreach to underserved areas, support for financially distressed hospitals, and the new California Transmission Accelerator program. Nakahata said iBank can work with public and nonprofit health care entities, that transmission financing would be a portion of larger project capital stacks, and that the bank’s role is financing rather than regulating utility tariffs or transmission costs. Public witnesses from the finance and legal sectors testified in support of Nakahata, praising his expertise and leadership. No opposition testimony was offered. The committee then voted unanimously to advance Nakahata’s nomination to the full Senate for confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a proud third-generation Californian and the son and grandson of small business owners, I see this
• going to be the driving factor or the person who's going to be the one who makes something work generally
• Each municipality, generally, if they're looking at a project and they're looking to access the capital
• a pro forma term sheet, which we want to put on our website so that borrowers can look and say, generally
• So that borrowers can look and say, generally, what's the I-Bank looking for?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can see we have about 1,200 general members, 108 corporate partners, which are listed on the slide
• They are generating about $4.1 trillion.
• , as I mentioned earlier, that the U.S. population is about 20% of the total population, again, generating
• So it was very general, for reasons I still don't understand. South Pacific.
• So it was very general.

Bills: HB2754

Keywords: Arizona Commerce Authority, business development, economic growth, small business support, job creation, Board of Directors, e-verify, grant administration, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For instance, projects eligible for funding are instruction and general projects over 50 million at four-year
• Many of you may be aware that instruction and general facilities are currently funded through our general
• It's simply a transfer from the general fund to the major capital projects fund for appropriation by
• So, the 300 million will leave the general fund, enter the major projects fund, and then be appropriated
• I propose to amend House Bill 8 on page 1, lines 15 and 16, striking making a transfer from the general

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, House Bill 2161 is the bill that authorizes the attorney general to issue civil investigative demands
• intergenerational effects for the ability to purchase homes affordably and preserve affordability for generations
• It's a general exemption unless the limited equity cooperative specifically elects to be subject to the
• So there's some general broad worries based on this model, but in general, I think that this is an improvement
• ... ...on this model, but in general, I think that this is an improvement to the statutes we have surrounding

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2640, which would create procedures for dealing with unauthorized UCC financing statement filings. The bill would allow the Department of Licensing to refuse certain filings believed to be intended to harass or defraud, create an affidavit-based process for debtors to seek termination of wrongfully filed records, permit administrative review and court challenges by secured parties, and establish criminal penalties for intentional unauthorized filings. Department of Licensing testimony supported the bill as a narrow remedy for harmful filings that can affect credit, housing, banking, and reputation, while members questioned whether the department should be making legitimacy determinations and whether existing court remedies were sufficient. No vote was taken on HB 2640 during the hearing. The committee then moved to executive action on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2161, authorizing the Attorney General to issue civil investigative demands in certain civil rights and labor-related investigations, was reported out on a 7-5 vote after debate over due process concerns and the need for stronger enforcement tools. House Bill 2304, extending condominium warranty coverage to four-story buildings, passed unanimously. House Bill 2445, revising probate law and related protections, passed 10-2, with some members supporting the anti-fraud reforms and others worried about added complexity. House Bill 2590, exempting limited equity cooperatives from the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act, was amended with a technical change to the definition of limited equity cooperative and then reported out 8-4. Members described the bill as expanding affordable homeownership opportunities, though some raised broader policy concerns about the model. Finally, House Bill 2412, increasing the number of Superior Court judges in Yakima County from 8 to 9, passed unanimously after members cited access-to-justice needs and support from local funding and space resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have S202 for third reading, an act relating to portable solar energy generating devices.
• 12:33.680><c> energy</c> relating to portable s solar energy relating to portable s solar energy generating
• </c><00:12:36.079><c> Are</c><00:12:36.320><c> there</c><00:12:36.560><c> any</c> generating devices.
• Are there any generating devices.
• </c> energy generation devices. energy generation devices.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The current cost of the third-party administrator is $282,000 general fund state per fiscal year.
• Medicaid, and $216,000 will be paid from the telebehavioral health access account, for a four-year general
• would allow the state to move the cost of contracting with a third-party administrator away from general
• future Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rates and future administrative costs, there are no net general
• It would have produced some generational investments in our state's Medicaid system.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2251, sponsored by Rep. Fitzgibbon, would reorganize Climate Commitment Act revenue accounts by repealing several existing accounts and creating new operating and capital accounts, changing how auction proceeds are distributed when revenues are above or below a set threshold, broadening some tribal and overburdened-community spending language, adding electric vehicles and certain housing uses, capping Ecology administrative costs, and moving some reporting from annual to every two years. Supporters said the bill would simplify a confusing account structure and improve predictability, while opponents criticized the reduced reporting frequency and said it could weaken accountability. No vote was taken. House Bill 2254 would adjust the funding model for the Partnership Access Line and related behavioral health consultation programs by allowing the cost of the third-party administrator to be included in the carrier assessment rather than paid from general funds. Committee staff said this would produce general fund savings, and testimony from HCA, UW Medicine, Seattle Children’s, and others supported the bill as a technical fix that would stabilize the programs and potentially free up funds to restore service levels. No vote was taken. House Bill 2385 would extend deadlines and the expiration date for the Medicaid Access Program created last session, after federal HR1 restrictions prevented implementation of the original program and provider assessment. The bill would push out CMS submission deadlines, update the rate-setting reference year, and extend the act’s sunset date. The sponsor and the Washington State Medical Association supported the bill as necessary to preserve the option of pursuing the program later. The committee took no action and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and we intend to move this on to the general register.
• So, I'll make the motion that House File 2437 be recommended for placement on the general register.
• The bill is on its way to the general register.
• <00:08:45.279><c> the</c> be recommended for placement on the be recommended for placement on the general
• register with the instruction general register with the instruction for<00:08:47.120><c> nonpartisan

Bills: HF2437

Keywords: tax credits, tax increments, housing development, local government, economic aid, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to generating local jobs and sales tax revenues that are reinvested in our local economies
• Travel spending also generated over $9 billion in state and local tax revenues.
• The Texas Attorney General is responsible for enforcing the Texas Free Enterprise and Antitrust Act of
• I think that second, the Act does not deem the Attorney General as the sole party for discovery purposes
• The Attorney General is the sole party for purposes of discovery in enforcement proceedings, and I believe

Bills: SB1888, SB3003, SB2417, SB2459, SB3055, HB1393, HB2884, SB2943

Keywords: grand jury, jury qualifications, jury wheel, small counties, Texas legislation, age verification, obscene devices, online sales, juvenile protection, penalties, antitrust, attorney general, Texas Free Enterprise, business regulations, legal confidentiality, personal identifying information, data brokers, judicial safety, civil rights, data privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to generating local jobs and sales tax revenues that are reinvested in our local economies
• to tax revenues from sales tax, which makes up about 50% of all the travel and tourism revenues generated
• Travel spending also generated over $9 billion in state and local tax revenues.
• Uh, the Texas Attorney General, uh, is responsible for enforcing the Texas Free Enterprise and Antitrust
• The, the, the lack of these protections subjects, subjected the Office of Attorney General to costly

Bills: SB 1888, SB 3003, SB 2417, SB 2459, SB 3055, HB 1393, HB 2884, SB 2943

Keywords: grand jury, jury qualifications, jury wheel, small counties, Texas legislation, age verification, obscene devices, online sales, juvenile protection, penalties, antitrust, attorney general, Texas Free Enterprise, business regulations, legal confidentiality, personal identifying information, data brokers, judicial safety, civil rights, data privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Since this bill would cut and then eliminate general fund support for metro transit, metro taxpayers
• By contrast, greater Minnesota transit gets the strong majority of its funding from the state's general
• While greater Minnesota transit systems get the majority of their revenue from the general fund, they
• The legislature generally doesn't force other local governments seeking state help for the project to
• In closing, you know, the more broadly to the general transportation bill and as we have omnibus bills

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school