Transcript Highlights:

• Greater flexibility and structure of core curricula for bachelor's degree programs in Texas.
• Last session, the Texas Legislature passed historic reforms to community college funding and education
• SB 2847 simply seeks to afford our Texas public four-year universities the same opportunity to seek a
• Sarah Keaton with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
• Sure—students in the state of Texas, yeah, absolutely. You can follow up with that, Mr. Chairman.

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard two bills. SB 2847, by Senator Hagenbuch, would give Texas public four-year universities the same option community colleges already have to seek approval from the Higher Education Coordinating Board for core curricula of fewer than 42 semester credit hours. Hagenbuch said the bill is intended to add flexibility, support career-focused programs, and help students finish degrees faster. There was no public testimony, and the bill was left pending. The committee then heard SB 3039, by Senator West, which addresses transferability and credit loss for students moving from community colleges to four-year institutions. West said the bill responds to ongoing problems with rejected transfer credits and seeks better data, study, and recommendations from the Coordinating Board. Deputy Commissioner Sarah Keaton testified that transfer remains a major policy issue, that reporting requirements from SB 25 have improved data collection, and that the main reasons credits do not transfer are grades and degree applicability. She also described the Texas Direct degree program and field-of-study curricula designed to transfer as blocks. Members discussed the cost of lost credits, the need for better communication to students, and concerns that some institutions still reject credits or require duplicate coursework. No public witnesses signed up on SB 3039, and it was left pending subject to the call of the chair. A quorum was later established, the agenda was completed, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• track, I mean, not able to have as many students there if we could get the state of Texas to relax their
• to have as many students there if we could get the state of Texas to relax their rules for that school
• I believe you said the neighboring counties are in-state Texas Tech, so do you have a sense of how their
• So, right now, New Mexicans at Texas Tech only pay in-state, so that's the same.
• Within the state. 25% could go out of state.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• and contribute in a more powerful way to our state.
• Louis and in the great state of Missouri.
• And it is, the rest of it is the state of Kansas. It's surrounded by the state of Kansas.
• Gentleman from Texas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Gentleman from Texas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Summary: The House met for prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal, which passed 121-2 for February 26 and by voice vote for February 27. Members then offered several points of personal privilege, including tributes to law enforcement officers killed and wounded in Christian County, expressions of support for the affected families and departments, and recognition of a local racquetball championship and visiting guests, including U.S. Representatives Mark Alford and Eric Burlison and a child’s birthday. The chamber then took up numerous bills on third reading. HB 2097/1905, an elementary agriculture education pilot program, passed 148-0. HB 2167, authorizing the Attorney General’s Office to employ post-certified investigators in-house, passed 97-50, but its emergency clause failed 88-58 after debate over whether a unique emergency existed. HB 2747/2047, the Clean Slate expungement bill, passed 140-7 despite concerns about a fiscal note and implementation costs. HB 2587, addressing unmanned aircraft threats around large public gatherings and critical infrastructure, passed 140-2 and its emergency clause was adopted 133-11 ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in Kansas City. Other bills passed included HB 1977 on civil detention for mental health evaluation (137-9), HB 2593 on National Guard and veterans-related matters including cybersecurity and tuition assistance (144-2), HB 1948, a fatherhood bill aimed at helping fathers overcome barriers to involvement with their children (141-4), and HB 2473, which clarifies handling of interest in real estate broker escrow accounts (149-0). The House also moved several bills to perfection, including HB 1786 on Highway Patrol purchase authority, HB 2105 on landlord water and sewer billing transparency, HB 2397 on water district dissolution thresholds, HB 2108 on Jefferson City viaduct and land conveyance issues, HB 2818 to annex St. Joseph Memorial Airport into city limits, and HB 1980 expanding peer review protections to EMTs and paramedics. The day ended with announcements, including an elections committee meeting and a rescheduled freshman meet-and-greet with the Attorney General.

Transcript Highlights:

• to provide greater flexibility and structure of core curricula for bachelor's degrees programs in Texas
• Last session, the Texas legislature passed historic reforms to community college funding and education
• SB 42847 simply seeks to afford our Texas public four-year universities the same opportunity to seek
• of Texas.
• In Texas, which we shouldn't be doing. I think it's a, it's, it's such a complex area.

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are some of the largest ones in the state.
• Why not certify their program with the state?
• At a time when our state struggles to attract employers and compete with neighboring states, Senate Bill
• This is done in all states, and we have clear visual representations of how states all around us are
• it, they go out of state to do the same.

Summary: The Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee heard and voted on several bills, beginning with SB 190, which would authorize revenue bonds for Gila Regional Medical Center to replace an aging linear accelerator for cancer treatment. The sponsor and hospital representatives said the project is critical for rural patients who otherwise travel long distances for radiation therapy. After a brief amendment changing the bond term from 20 to 30 years, the committee advanced the bill 7-0. The committee then took up SB 152, a broadband affordability and rural telecommunications bill that would keep money in the broadband fund for maintenance, expansion, and a new affordability program after the federal ACP lapsed. The sponsor and broadband stakeholders said the bill is needed to close the digital divide, while some industry witnesses supported the affordability goal but wanted changes to broaden eligibility and adjust program rules. The committee heard public testimony from supporters and opponents, then passed the bill 8-0. Next, SB 77 would require certain highway and public works contractors to contribute to apprenticeship training funds; labor groups supported it as workforce development, while highway and asphalt contractors opposed it as an added cost and argued they already run their own training programs. After extended debate about whether the 60-cent-per-hour contribution would raise project costs or simply redirect existing prevailing-wage funds, the committee advanced SB 77 on a 5-3 vote. The committee also heard SB 182, a dyed diesel gross receipts tax deduction for agricultural use, but held it for the tax package without a vote. SB 151, a corporate income tax decoupling bill intended to recover revenue lost to federal tax changes, drew strong support from tax and advocacy groups and strong opposition from business, oil and gas, and chamber representatives who called it a tax increase that would hurt investment and competitiveness. Committee members raised concerns about long-term revenue stability and business impacts, but the sponsors said the bill would restore state tax capacity and selectively decouple from federal provisions; the bill was held for later consideration in the tax package. Finally, the committee heard SB 133 on eliminating gross receipts tax on medical providers for medical equipment and supplies, and SB 212 on a ski-area construction equipment gross receipts tax exemption, with sponsors arguing both would improve competitiveness and support industry investment; both were discussed as possible tax-package items and held for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, State Representative Andrew Engell.
• For our recommendations to the state, our first recommendation is to prioritize preservation in state
• All of our recommendations here are directed at the state, given this is about state funding.
• It does not commit the state to pursuing a P3.
• They're starting to level off in the state.

Committees: Joint Transportation , Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the state of Idaho.
• I was recruited to work in Texas for the Texas Medicaid director.
• like Texas, where In the private sector, but also, you know, in very like-minded states like Texas where
• budget, or nowhere close to the $80 billion that was in Texas, but this is in Texas.
• It pushes other states. ...be influential and that pushes other payers, it pushes other states, it pushes

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved the January 26 and January 27, 2026 minutes, then took up the gubernatorial appointment of Juliet Sharon as director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Sharon described her background in public health and Medicaid administration in Arizona, Texas, and Idaho, and outlined her priorities if confirmed: program integrity, efficient operations, clearer outcome measures, child welfare, disability services, and resolving long-running class action lawsuits. Senators asked about measurable goals, balancing compassion with fiscal responsibility, audit findings, and collaboration with the disability community. Sharon said she expects to more than double program integrity recoveries, that audit findings are being addressed through corrective action plans rather than firings, and that disability collaboration should be embedded in daily operations. Committee members also discussed Idaho’s influence on federal policy and Medicaid administration. No vote on the appointment was taken in the portion provided. The committee then heard a lengthy Medicaid budget presentation focused on the Department’s supplemental request for state fiscal year 2026 and line-item requests for 2027. Sharon and Deputy Director/State Medicaid Director Sasha O’Connell explained that the supplemental request was driven by caseload growth, especially in traditional Medicaid, adult disability services, and youth/adult behavioral health, along with federally required rate and system changes. They also reviewed the impact of the governor-directed 4% provider rate reduction and the ending of some adult behavioral health services, saying the department had already been tracking budget sustainability before the executive order. O’Connell said the rate cuts drew the most public comment the agency has ever received, especially from home- and community-based providers, and that access monitoring is being developed to track whether services remain available. For 2027, the department requested funding for MMIS procurement, estate recovery, additional procurement staff, Medicaid admin reductions, and population forecast adjustments. Sharon said the MMIS modernization is on pause because of litigation over a major contract award, but other modules are moving forward. She also said estate recovery is underperforming and could bring in more general funds with contractor support. The committee discussed pharmacy costs and a possible Medicaid copay under House Bill 345, with Sharon saying implementation is underway and O’Connell noting savings estimates are still being developed. Senators also asked about expansion Medicaid growth and whether it affects other eligibility groups; Sharon said expansion growth is leveling off and that recovery rules apply to any Medicaid member receiving long-term care services. The meeting ended without any budget votes in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Coastal Conservancy and the Wildlife... ...of key examples or models, the State Coastal Conservancy
• We are trying to expand across the state.
• So in some ways, having more state investment for state-required responsibilities is also important.
• And that's the California State Parks Library Pass program.
• And that's the California State Parks Library Pass program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• : State employees is 14.4%.
• state, and then on top of it, IDLA is—the state is also paying for maybe four, up to four courses for
• In the State of the State, the gentleman on the second floor called for a significant reduction in IDLA
• And the fiscal impact of that to the states, Idaho, but all the states, has been largely unaddressed
• And the fiscal impact of that to the states, Idaho, but all the states, has been largely unaddressed

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At Ork, I'd State Representative from the 20th District.
• Have you looked at, have you identified if there's any impact upon the states of Idaho or the state of
• The state legislature has, The state legislature has allocated $250 million this biennium for pedestrian
• state already invests in active transportation.
• in Washington or other states are doing.

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Joint Transportation Committee study of transportation impacts if the Lower Snake River dams were removed. WSDOT and Jacobs described the study’s phases, including current work on geology, infrastructure risk, and a total logistics cost model. They explained that the study is examining how freight now moved by barge—especially wheat, fertilizer, and wood—could shift to rail and roads, and they outlined several scenarios ranging from no-dam future conditions to new unit-train terminals, short-line rail options, and a combined “many solutions” scenario. Members asked about irrigation, impacts in Idaho and Oregon, port capacity, emissions, competition, EV trucks, and whether the model could estimate transportation effects if grain volumes decline. The presenters said the study assumes current production levels continue, does not model irrigation changes or broader farm-economics impacts, but does account for transloading costs and can estimate transportation impacts under different volume assumptions. WSU’s independent review team said the model has improved substantially but still needed refinement, especially in routing, road data, and spatial detail, and that stakeholder engagement had been strong though delayed by model development. No votes were taken. The committee then received a presentation on the alternative sidewalk funding study. Staff and consultants said the study is exploring ways local governments could sustainably fund sidewalk maintenance, repair, and new construction, using a statewide survey, interviews, national research, and case studies in eight jurisdictions. They noted sidewalks are important for pedestrian safety and connectivity, but there is no dedicated funding source in Washington, and existing grants and local revenue tools are highly competitive or limited. The consultants highlighted sidewalk fees or utility-style charges as the most promising option to study, while a parcel tax was largely set aside because of state property-tax uniformity concerns. Members asked whether the study would duplicate existing funding or add to current taxes, and how a sidewalk fee would be collected; the consultants said the goal is to expand local options, not mandate adoption, and that fees would likely be billed through utilities rather than property taxes. A preliminary draft report is due December 15, with a final report due in mid-June. Next, staff gave a brief update on the ocean-going vessels study, which is examining shore power and emissions rules for vessels at berth. The presenter explained that federal Clean Air Act rules and California waiver authority create legal limits on how far Washington can go if it wants to adopt similar standards, and that deviations from California’s approach can increase litigation risk. The report will summarize stakeholder outreach and will be presented in draft form at the next JTC meeting. Finally, county engineers from Chelan and Douglas counties began a presentation on county transportation challenges, with the association’s director emphasizing collaboration with state agencies and local partners on issues such as fish passage barriers and infrastructure needs. The county presentation was only beginning when the transcript ended, and no committee action or votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can't speak for the entire state.
• I can't speak for the entire state.
• Throughout the state, we went throughout the state.
• So you stated that KCPS asked you to do this.
• Missouri is one of, he believes, eight states that does not offer any sort of state-funded fund to assist

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from</c><00:07:46.319><c> Texas,</c> 15 state legislators from Texas, 15 state legislators from Texas
• I would say states like Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Oklahoma, North Dakota, a lot of these states have
• I would say states like Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Oklahoma, North Dakota, a lot of these states have
• I would say states like Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Oklahoma, North Dakota, a lot of these states have
• I would say states like Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Oklahoma, North Dakota, a lot of these states have

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can't state the importance of this issue.
• Can't state the importance of this issue.
• So our jurisdiction is rooted in California state law.
• But it's a mix of state-regulated and federally regulated institutions.
• And so I think that the state needs a third way.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee held an outcomes review of AB 238, the wildfire mortgage forbearance law, focused on how the law has worked for survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires. Chair Valencia and Assemblymember Harabedian said the hearing was intended to hear directly from survivors, assess whether the law is being implemented as intended, and identify fixes. Several survivors described losing homes, facing long rebuild timelines, and struggling with insurers, housing costs, and mortgage servicers. Many said they encountered confusion, inconsistent information, requests for financial documentation, lump-sum repayment demands, credit reporting problems, or loan modifications that they viewed as undermining the law’s purpose. Some urged clearer consumer education, a consumer bill of rights, and an extension of forbearance relief; one witness specifically advocated for AB 1847 to extend forbearance to 36 months. DFPI Chief Deputy Commissioner Suzanne Martindale said the department had received about 300 wildfire-related consumer complaints, mostly about mortgage forbearance, and that more than 91% had been resolved in the consumer’s favor. She said the department works with both state-licensed and federally regulated institutions, but its authority is limited when national banks are involved, so it often uses outreach and direct contact with lenders and federal partners to resolve complaints. She also described recurring complaint themes such as difficulty obtaining forbearance, customer-service breakdowns, withholding of insurance funds, and non-interest-bearing impound accounts. Committee members pressed DFPI on which institutions were noncompliant, what enforcement tools were available, and how much data the state could collect and make public. Representatives of the California Bankers Association and California Mortgage Bankers Association said lenders had provided early disaster relief and were working to comply with AB 238, but emphasized that mortgage servicing is constrained by federal law, investor requirements, and secondary-market guidelines. They argued that forbearance is temporary relief, not forgiveness, and warned that extending it without a clear repayment path can create future payment shock or larger debt burdens. They also said many servicers use disaster protocols tied to federal declarations and that clearer communication is needed. In response to committee concerns, the mortgage bankers said they would continue working with the Legislature and federal agencies, but could not promise changes beyond investor and agency rules. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can't state the importance of this issue.
• I can’t state the importance of this issue.
• Our library, the restaurants we'd go to, and more.
• State-regulated and federally regulated institutions.
• And so I think that the state needs a third way.

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance rate calculations, ensuring landowners won't be penalized for seeking assistance from the state
• session, wherein he created this program that has been very beneficial to our landowners across South Texas
• Our membership is grateful to Senator Blanco, this committee, and the Texas Legislature for passing Senate
• My name is Stephen Diebel, and I serve as first vice president of Texas and Southwestern Calderasers
• You know, there's been a real challenge for us down in South Texas, especially along the border from

Bills: SB2601

Committee: Senate Border Security

Keywords: landowner compensation, border crime, agriculture damage, law enforcement, crop loss

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security met with a quorum and heard only one bill, Senate Bill 2601 by Senator Blanco, laid out by Senator Hinojosa of Hidalgo. The bill was presented as a committee substitute to revise the Landowner’s Compensation Program created last session under SB 1133. The changes would expand eligibility to include land lessees with the landowner’s permission, cover damage to the land itself as well as structures and real property, add continuous smuggling of persons as a qualifying border crime, prohibit insurers from using claims under the program in rate calculations, and require law enforcement to provide requested border crime reports to the Attorney General within 14 days. Public testimony was unanimously supportive. Charles Maley of the South Texans Property Rights Association said the program has been beneficial and that the bill helps clean up implementation issues, including clarifying compensation for debris and pollutants left on land. Stephen Diebel of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association also supported the bill, saying it would help address fence damage, destroyed infrastructure, and other harms along the border, and that lessees who manage properties day to day should be eligible for direct compensation when they have the landowner’s permission. Members discussed border-related property damage, including vehicles crashing through fences, broken sheds, livestock escaping, and resulting highway hazards. Senator Hinojosa asked about how conflicts between landowners and lessees would be handled, and testimony indicated documentation of lease authority would be required. After public testimony closed, the committee adopted the committee substitute without objection and voted to report SB 2601 favorably to the full Senate by a 5-0 vote, recommending it as local and uncontested.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:06:53.600><c> that</c><00:06:53.840><c> save</c> stated, the prescription drugs that save stated,
• </c> and the interests of the United States. and the interests of the United States.
• </c> The gentleman from Texas is recognized. The gentleman from Texas is recognized.
• </c> Texas is recognized. Texas is recognized.
• </c><07:48:08.080><c> It's</c> United States by twofold. It's United States by twofold.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Texas.
• of Texas.
• of Texas.
• State your inquiry.
• Please state your inquiry.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis and in the great state of Missouri.
• from Texas.
• And it is, the rest of it is the state of Kansas. It's surrounded by the state of Kansas.
• Gentleman from Texas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Gentleman from Texas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , IOU-type states?
• So we're far ahead of any of the deregulated states at this time. And you mentioned Texas.
• So Texas, one of the things that is unique about Texas...
• So Texas, one of the things that is unique about Texas is—and I want to say, you know, I think Texas
• One of the things that is unique about Texas: we do have our own state-only grid, which means that we

Committee: House General Laws

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• not legal in another state.
• Like that's grown in five states, four states don't have these compacts.
• compact state, to discuss...
• I don't hear that a whole lot specifically from those states or any major state overall, but we do get
• Every state neighbor New Mexico except for Texas, and this is a new compact, so it's not fully up and

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: 996, all