Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the staff are participating, and it's all being broadcast and taken down.
• And when that happens, debt grows, families suffer, and public systems like the criminal justice and
• Make child support a tool for stability and success and not something that leads to punishment and despair
• , and abuse involved.
• And so she said we got to do something better. I called, and she asked me to.

Bills: SB629 , SB1015 , SB2501 , SB2933

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Keywords: child support, interest accrual, family law, delinquency, financial judgment, statutory probate courts, probate court fees, judicial fund, county reimbursement, comptroller, Texas Government Code, Local Government Code, court fees, fee allocation, excess contributions, judicial education and support fund, presiding judge salary, county finance, court administration, Texas judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:25:30.200><c> and</c> staff to implement these programs, and staff to implement these programs
• In his roadmap to program integrity and fraud prevention, we need to get serious about fraud here in
• </c><00:36:39.760><c> fraud</c> to prevent fraud and to prosecute fraud to prevent fraud and to prosecute
• And we prevent the need for more costly interventions down the line.
• need for more costly And we prevent the need for more costly interventions<03:54:05.080><c> down</c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That program has been a very big success within our state, and this deals with kids whose parents get
• And when going through those programs, I’ve actually met with multiple kids within those programs, and
• When going through those programs, I’ve actually met with multiple kids within those programs, and that
• One of them is the Drug Court program, and that program alone has been beyond successful.
• There was a question on that, and this is dealing with our portable benefits program, that voluntary

Summary: The House opened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence for Nampa Mayor Rick Hogaboam. Members then approved the journal and received a series of messages from the Senate and governor, including enrolled bills and new Senate measures. Standing committee reports moved several bills and resolutions forward, including House Bill 911 and Senate Bill 1258 from State Affairs, and House Concurrent Resolution 36 supporting the Idaho National Guard. The chamber introduced several new bills, including House Bills 933-935, and later took up a number of memorials and resolutions. House Joint Memorial 20, urging Congress to address the fiscal impact of Plyler v. Doe on Idaho schools, passed without objection. House Joint Memorial 19, supporting federal efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, passed 61-8-1 after debate over whether eliminating the department would shift enforcement costs to the state. House Concurrent Resolution 34, directing feasibility studies on Bear River Basin water development, also passed, 67-2. The House then considered and passed several Senate bills, including SB 1301 on adding a retail location for small breweries, SB 1256 cleaning up outdated reporting requirements for the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, SB 1345 allowing voluntary secure electronic tax commission communications, and a series of water-related bills clarifying ditch easements, water district fees, withdrawal procedures, canal/lateral responsibilities, and irrigation district board eligibility. SB 1286, restricting predatory veteran disability-claims services, also passed after supportive testimony from veterans’ advocates. Later, the House approved a House Business Committee report on administrative rules, then suspended rules to move a large set of appropriation and policy bills, including HB 919 through HB 925 and HB 889 and HB 931, all of which passed with varying vote margins. The day ended with announcements, committee meeting notices, and adjournment until March 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• to help people do little program to help people do something<00:09:54.839><c> and</c><00:09:55.000><
• and and so we bought a lot of nice<00:09:56.519><c> programs</c><00:09:57.519><c> in</c><00:09:57.680
• </c> nice programs in the last two years and nice programs in the last two years and there<00:09:59.360
• </c><00:10:06.680><c> here</c><00:10:07.560><c> and</c> homes some of these programs here and homes some
• of these programs here and now<00:10:07.839><c> it's</c><00:10:08.000><c> coming</c><00:10:08.200><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And for over 10 years, I was the director of Health Law Advocates' Mental Health Advocacy Program for
• How can we beef up our youth violence prevention programs and our community-based services that might
• And I know, so, and also again, a resource and program for being worth noting for the pretrial release
• the programs that are helping families or juveniles and emerging adults.
• And so it can be hard to have enough programming when you don't have the density of population.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice

Summary: The Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice held an informational hearing focused on the 2025 Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board annual report, with testimony from Child Advocate Marisol Garcia and Melissa Threadgill of the Office of the Child Advocate. The presenters described the office’s role in analyzing juvenile justice data and highlighted several trends: overall juvenile court volume has stabilized, but a growing share of youth are entering by arrest rather than summons; racial and ethnic disparities remain stark at the front door of the system; and more than two-thirds of cases are dismissed before disposition, raising questions about unnecessary court involvement. They also noted increased use of pretrial conditions of release, including more intensive monitoring, and a rise in weapons-related charges, especially firearm possession cases, while emphasizing the need for stronger community-based prevention and support services. Committee members asked about whether the weapons trend is unique to Massachusetts, the role of public safety in pretrial decisions, the impact of mental health and substance use needs, and whether current conditions of release amount to an unfunded mandate for families. Garcia and Threadgill said many pretrial conditions are tied more to court appearance and compliance than dangerousness, and that families often struggle to meet conditions without adequate services, transportation, or coordination. They also discussed barriers to data access, including confidentiality rules that prevent the office from obtaining raw court data needed for recidivism analysis, though they said county briefs and additional disparity reports will be released soon. The hearing ended with committee leaders expressing interest in continued collaboration and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for over 10 years, I directed the Health Law Advocates Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids.
• How can we beef up our youth violence prevention programs and our community-based services that might
• And I know, so, and also again, a resource and program for being worth noting for the pretrial release
• the programs that are helping families or juveniles and emerging adults.
• And so it can be hard to have enough programming when you don't have the density of population.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And now we do, and that is really amazing.
• I think that the field of maternal health and infant and early childhood mental health have been sort
• I think that the field of, you know, maternal health and infant and early childhood mental health have
• And really, you know, if you're connecting with people, get them out. Do you want to go early?
• Stephanie and I agree, too. And Rochelle's... Stephanie and I cannot agree to...

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Ellen Story Commission for Postpartum Depression held its spring meeting with a large turnout, beginning with roll call and a review of the agenda. Co-chairs Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid and Senator Liz Miranda highlighted progress from the recently enacted maternal health omnibus law and the Moms Matter Act, including creation of a midwifery board, expansion of out-of-hospital birth options, doula services, lactation support, MassHealth coverage changes, and a trust fund for community-based behavioral health and substance use grants. Members also discussed implementation of the new law, the commission’s annual report, and the need to continue supporting birth centers and perinatal mental health services. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on commission membership and vacancies. Commissioners discussed whether to remain on the body, the need to fill several open seats, and whether the commission’s statutory composition should be updated to better reflect current practice and expertise. Members suggested adding more clinicians working directly with perinatal families, infant mental health experts, and a representative from PSI of Massachusetts, while also noting the value of having regulators and professional society representatives at the table. Several participants said any changes to membership would likely require legislation, and the co-chairs said they would explore options and possibly circulate a flyer or other invitation process for nominations. The commission also discussed meeting structure and future planning. Members generally supported moving to quarterly virtual meetings, with a preference for a 4 p.m. start time, and some suggested one annual in-person gathering. The group agreed to postpone the usual May Advocacy Day because the Great Hall was unavailable and instead aim for a fall event, with volunteers stepping forward to help plan it. Commissioners raised top-of-mind issues including postpartum depression screening reimbursement, care for people after miscarriage or abortion, access for undocumented pregnant people, and the impact of federal cuts. The meeting ended with agreement to crowdsource legislative priorities for the next quarter, consider future presentations from outside organizations, and send updates between meetings, followed by a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• health and pest prevention.
• The Healthy Rivers and Landscapes program is a program of implementation.
• So I think supporting and investing in a program like this early gives a nod from the Legislature that
• And we can all sit there and talk about this favorite program or that favorite program, and we're the
• and the farmer program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Law enforcement personnel through the guardian programs, school marshal programs, and private armed security
• and intervention strategies.
• And so management here, the program that y'all are in, the school marshal program, they felt like that
• Most of the cities and counties that are offering these programs say, "Hey, you can turn these in, and
• Allowing judges and early voting deputies does not make anyone safer, and in most cases, it can turn

Bills: HB259 , HB259 , HB 1128 , HB1337 , HB1506 , HB1794 , HB2215 , HB2470 , HB2771 , HB2882 , HB2993 , HB3053 , HB3428 , HB3669 , HB3789 , HB3924 , HB4201 , HB4675

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: redistricting, Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission, Texas Legislature, elections, district boundaries, voter representation, healthcare, insurance, patient rights, medical expenses, access to care, affordability, legislation, firearms, penal code, regulation, short-barrel firearms, ammunition, gun control, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• And thank you, Representative Alman, for all the back and forth and conversations and help.
• CTIA has launched two programs: the Wise Technician Program and the Wise Authorized Service Provider
• These programs educate and test independent repair technicians and certify those that meet the highest
• House Bill 476 would prevent manufacturers from ensuring that the privacy, safety, and security of their
• So we're trying to keep the fridges and the washers and dryers and the printers and those kinds of things

Bills: SB324 , HB395 , HB222 , HB310 , HB285 , HB144 , HB251 , HB380

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: Morgan County, judge of probate, legal qualifications, equity jurisdiction, constitutional amendment, campaign finance, electronic notifications, civil penalties, Fair Campaign Practices Act, Secretary of State, sex offenders, treatment programs, electronic media, post office box restrictions, Class C felony, parole, probation, human cloning, criminal penalties, embryo

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we consulted with both Admiral Fargo early on to learn the dos and don'ts, and I'm very aware of
• </c> prevention, and support this measure. prevention, and support this measure.
• And so to continue to prevent families from having to go through what my family has had, and I'm grateful
• , early intervention, substance use treatment, ignition interlock requirements, and those are all already
• ,</c><02:12:08.639><c> early</c> strategies, prevention, early strategies, prevention, early intervention

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 2694 SD2, which would authorize the Public Utilities Commission to create automatic adjustment mechanisms for water carriers, including a water carrier inflationary cost index, and to waive certain requirements under the Hawaii Water Carrier Act. Testimony was sharply divided. The Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and several shipping, harbor, labor, and business-related supporters argued the bill would modernize regulation, reduce the need for large catch-up rate cases, and help keep rates aligned with rising costs. Young Brothers said its current rate-setting process is expensive and delayed, and that annual adjustments with guardrails such as a 5% cap and periodic full reviews would support sustainable operations and the state’s supply chain. Some supporters also said the company’s less-than-container-load service and required inter-island routes create costs that are not fully covered by current rates. Opponents, including the Consumer Advocate, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii Food Industry Association, restaurant and chamber groups, and other businesses, argued the bill would lead to higher costs for consumers and businesses and should not move forward. Several testified that shipping costs already significantly affect pricing and that automatic increases would worsen the cost of living. The Consumer Advocate said Young Brothers should focus on cost control and implementing its business plan rather than automatic rate increases. The Maui Chamber and others pointed to a recent PUC decision that imposed a two-year stay on rate increases and said the bill would undermine that protection. Some opponents urged the committee to defer to the PUC’s regulatory authority. The PUC explained that it regulates water carriers as public utilities under existing statute and said it had recently approved a temporary rate increase while imposing a two-year stayout period on further increases, with emergency relief still possible. PUC members said they were still examining whether they have authority to adopt the proposed WICI mechanism by rule and wanted legislative clarity. In response to questions, the PUC said it prefers the current two-year stayout as reflected in its order. Young Brothers also clarified that it serves less-than-container-load cargo, that some routes and services are cross-subsidized because they are not profitable, and that an independent observer is being put in place to monitor implementation of its updated business plan. The transcript ended with the committee still taking questions; no final vote or disposition on the bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so there's things piling up there.
• Even just around our homes, when we go home and see all the chores and all the things that are backed
• It makes us tense and uncomfortable, and it just makes things hard.
• And for those responsibilities that you've given us, and for the oversight that you've given us from
• President and members.

Bills: SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 10 , SB 16 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB 19 , SB 54 , HB23 , HB17 , HB16 , SB19 , SB53 , SB54 , HB16 , HB17 , HB23 , HB27 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB2 , SB3 , SB10 , SB16 , SB5

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• and access to justice, and all of that fits together.
• and procedures, making sure that the election results are reported fairly and accurately and ensuring
• And with that, Mr.
• Themselves during a session, and I see that and I have a tab.
• And I've already had a chat with Chairman Burroughs and I think by extension Speaker... and they'll accept

Bills: SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 10 , SB 16 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB 19 , SB 54 , HB23 , HB17 , HB16 , SB19 , SB53 , SB54 , HB16 , HB17 , HB23 , HB27 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB2 , SB3 , SB10 , SB16 , SB5

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• Following bills and resolutions, Mr. Chair, I declare that there is no objection to the resolution.
• On first reading in reference to committee, the secretary will read the bills and resolutions.
• requirements regarding Notice of certain property tax related information to be provided by taxing units and
• Of the Natchez and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District to the Select Committee on District
• Senate Bill 19 relating to a prohibition on the making and acceptance of political contributions during

Bills: SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 10 , SB 16 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB 19 , SB 54 , HB23 , HB17 , HB16 , SB19 , SB53 , SB54 , HB16 , HB17 , HB23 , HB27 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB2 , SB3 , SB10 , SB16 , SB5

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• This sounds a lot like the Honu program with the city, and that currently is set up in Kapolei.
• And again, this is a two-year pilot program, something that again is really an experiment to see if this
• And again, this is a two-year pilot program, something that again is really an experiment to see if this
• And again, this is a two-year pilot program, something that again is really an experiment to see if this
• c> celebrate the climate and trying to celebrate the climate and trying to somehow<01:19:26.560><c> prevent

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> under this and then that grant program under this and then that grant program is<02:16:39.359><c
• Um but uh uh and program if it's funded.
• Um literacy and early childhood team.
• </c> nutrition, and the summer EBT program nutrition, and the summer EBT program and<03:06:54.560><c>
• money to maintain our high-quality early intervention for over 3,600 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we did have an early start, I believe, last year.
• .or early 1970s, that's what was agreed to and not what they have now said.
• Fish and Wildlife, that WRP program, and which we get zero valuation on that.
• WRP, CRP, and grass programs.
• The year... and grass programs.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and ability of individuals to complete treatment programs.
• And that wait, again, prevents us from getting them into treatment early.
• And if you know anything about treatment programs, it's successes and failures, it's advances and retreats
• and a lot of these residential treatment programs are 90-day programs.
• Department of Justice's gun violence prevention programs.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Proposition 36 and its implementation, with judicial and budget officials describing it as a major shift from misdemeanor to felony processing for repeat drug possession and certain theft offenses. Witnesses explained that the law creates a treatment-mandated felony process that can lead to dismissal if a defendant completes treatment, but also requires evaluations, court monitoring, and potentially long, open-ended supervision. Judicial representatives said the new law is already generating large numbers of filings, creating workload, staffing, courtroom, and facility pressures, and that access to treatment beds, housing, and evaluation capacity is limiting participation. Several speakers emphasized that collaborative courts are effective but are not a perfect fit for Prop. 36 because those programs are typically probation-based and serve different risk/need populations. Court officials from San Bernardino and Orange counties said the impacts vary by county but are severe, with some counties seeing hundreds or more filings in a short period and others moving more slowly to build treatment infrastructure first. They argued that Prop. 36 is effectively an unfunded mandate unless the state provides more resources for judges, staff, facilities, treatment, housing, and supervision. The Legislative Analyst’s Office noted that Prop. 36 will reduce the Proposition 47 savings that fund mental health and substance use treatment grants, but said the near-term reduction is relatively modest and that the full effect will take time to appear because of the way those savings are calculated. Members of the committee repeatedly raised concerns that the state is underfunding the courts and counties needed to carry out the new law. The committee also reviewed the Governor’s proposed trial court operations budget, including a partial restoration of a prior $97 million cut and additional ongoing funding. Judicial branch officials said the restoration helped avoid furloughs, hiring freezes, and service reductions, and supported cybersecurity, technology, staffing, and records management. The LAO recommended that the Legislature seek more detail on how midyear restorations are handled and consider clarifying language for transferring unspent trial court trust fund monies to the General Fund. Finance said the flexibility in the ongoing funding was intentional and would be taken back for consideration. In a separate item, the committee heard testimony on a $6.3 million increase for Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal appointed counsel programs. Judicial officials and appellate project representatives said the system is facing a crisis because indigent appeals have risen sharply while the number of panel attorneys has fallen, leaving many cases waiting months for counsel. They argued the proposed increase would help but is still below what is needed to recruit and retain attorneys and prevent delays that affect criminal, juvenile, and child welfare cases. The committee also discussed the Tracy courthouse project in San Joaquin County, where local officials said reopening a courthouse closed since 2011 is necessary to serve a growing population and relieve overcrowding elsewhere. The LAO and Finance both noted the project is next in line under the facilities plan, though LAO suggested the Legislature could consider whether other facility priorities should come first.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is a proven program.
• It's a hard job and it wears out your body, and you deserve an early retirement.
• And he was starting this pilot program called Stepping Up. And it was to...
• And he was starting this pilot program called Stepping Up.
• And with that, I vote aye. Thank you. And the program itself. She's a big supporter.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1630, which would direct AHCCCS to seek federal approval for a home- and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with quarterly implementation updates, a stakeholder work group, and a cap on enrollment. The sponsor and advocates from Arizona Mad Moms argued the bill would create a Medicaid-funded long-term care option for the most disabled SMI patients, reduce costly hospital and state-only care, and improve continuity of care. A committee amendment narrowed eligibility to individuals needing a long-term SMI level of care, changed reporting to semiannual, reduced the initial cap to 250 members with possible growth tied to savings, and required AHCCCS to keep pursuing approval if CMS denies it. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1630 as amended passed 10-0. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1131, which originally required every school district and charter school to adopt a cardiac emergency response plan and appropriated $1 million for implementation. A Warner amendment replaced the mandate with a reporting requirement on AED counts, CPR/AED-trained staff, and whether a plan exists, while shifting the appropriation toward AED grants and limiting school spending to purchasing and maintaining AEDs. The American Heart Association supported the amendment as a way to gather baseline data and target resources, while some members questioned the funding split and the rural-school priority. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1131 as amended passed 9-1. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 1582, dealing with the school safety interoperability fund. The amendment changed the appropriation from ADE to ADOA and allocated funds to specific county sheriff’s offices to continue existing interoperable communication systems linking schools and first responders; supporters said the systems had been used in drills and some real incidents, and were important for school safety. One member raised concerns about the auditor general’s report and whether the program should continue, but sheriffs and school officials described it as a useful communication tool. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1582 as amended passed 6-4. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 1504, which would change retirement rules for Tier 2 and Tier 3 public safety personnel and reduce the waiting period for cost-of-living adjustments. The sponsor, police and fire representatives, and pension consultants argued the bill would improve recruitment and retention and align benefits more closely with what employees were promised, while cities, counties, and taxpayer groups warned it would add substantial unfunded liabilities and undermine the 2016 pension reforms. The committee spent extensive time on actuarial costs, funding status, and the effect of the amendment exempting the bill from statutory pre-funding requirements; the transcript ends during that discussion before a final vote on SB 1504 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I also believe in prevention and intervention.
• and prevention.
• It's a hospital-based violence intervention program that has saved lives and broken cycles of trauma.
• :49:21.840><c> and</c> importance of violence intervention and importance of violence intervention and
• Please talk to the advocacy programs and the direct service programs in your communities and find out

Keywords: 1183, house