Transcript Highlights:

• There is a new committee substitute. Senator King sends up the committee substitute for HB 1522.
• There is a committee substitute. Senator King sends up the committee substitute for House Bill 434.
• There is a committee substitute. Senator King sends up the committee substitute.
• Chairman, Committee.
• Chairman Committee.

Bills: HB 106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Summary: The committee first handled pending business, including reconsidering SB 715 and then voting out several measures. The committee substitute for SB 1978 was reported favorably, and HB 431, HB 1522, HB 1922, HB 3228, HB 3229, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 4219, HB 4238, HB 434, HB 1584, and HB 4739 were all reported favorably, many with objections sent to the local and uncontested calendar. HB 1522 and HB 4238 were adopted as committee substitutes before passage. The committee then moved into public testimony on HB 2963, a right-to-repair bill for consumer electronics. Supporters argued it would reduce waste, lower costs, and help independent repair shops by requiring manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information on fair terms, while opponents said the bill was too broad and the automotive MOU exemption was problematic. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 2467, which would align State Fire Marshal Office investigators’ pay with other commissioned peace officers at TDI; testimony was strongly supportive, emphasizing the office’s arson-investigation role, and the bill was left pending. HB 252, a bill allowing certain state agencies flexibility to pay Schedule A employees twice monthly, was laid out and left pending after limited testimony. HB 2468, dealing with public improvement district notice in real estate transactions, would let buyers terminate within seven days if required PID notice was not provided before contract execution; it drew no public testimony and was left pending. HB 4386, an annuity exchange and surrender process bill, was presented as a consumer-protection measure with deadlines and penalties for insurer delays; it received support from industry witnesses and was left pending. The committee then heard HB 4751, creating the Texas Quantum Initiative within the Governor’s Office to coordinate quantum research, workforce, industry partnerships, and possible future grant funding. Witnesses from universities and industry supported the bill, while several senators questioned whether a new state structure was necessary; the bill was left pending. HJR 175 proposed a constitutional amendment protecting Texans’ right to use mutually agreed forms of exchange, including cash, bullion, digital currency, or private script, and was discussed at length in the context of central bank digital currency and barter; it was left pending after testimony. HB 2221, updating insurance anti-rebating laws to allow wellness and value-added services, drew supportive testimony from the insurance industry and discussion about incentives versus monitoring; it was also left pending. Finally, the committee heard a series of utility wildfire and infrastructure bills: HB 106, requiring oil and gas operators to maintain certain electrical infrastructure near well sites; HB 144, requiring electric utilities to submit pole inspection and management plans to the PUC; and HB 145, requiring wildfire mitigation plans and allowing self-insurance under certain conditions. Utility, insurance, and cooperative witnesses generally supported the wildfire-related bills while asking for clarifications and less burdensome reporting, and the bills were left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a committee substitute. Senator King sends up the committee substitute for House Bill 434.
• There is a committee substitute.
• There is a committee substitute. Sarah Kingsen's a committee substitute, and you may continue.
• There is a committee substitute. Senator King sends up the committee substitute.
• Chairman, committee.

Bills: HB 106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Summary: The committee first handled pending business, including reconsidering a failed vote on SB 715 and then reporting several measures favorably. SB 1978 was reported from committee on a committee substitute, and a series of House bills — including HB 431, HB 1522, HB 1922, HB 3228, HB 3229, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 4219, HB 4238, HB 434, HB 1584, and HB 4739 — were moved out of committee, most to the local and uncontested calendar. The votes on these items were overwhelmingly or unanimously in favor, with committee substitutes adopted where applicable. The committee then heard HB 2963, a right-to-repair bill for consumer electronics. The author said the bill would require manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and documentation on fair and reasonable terms while preserving trade secrets and excluding certain categories such as medical devices, motor vehicles covered by an MOU, critical infrastructure, and commercial-only transactions. Supporters from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and Environment Texas argued it would strengthen property rights, help small businesses, and reduce e-waste. Opponents, including representatives of SafeLight Auto Glass and LKQ, said they supported right-to-repair in principle but objected to the bill’s automotive MOU exemption and broader scope, warning it could create uncertainty and leave some manufacturers and repair shops outside the framework. The bill was left pending after testimony. Members also heard HB 2467 on salary parity for State Fire Marshal investigators, HB 252 on allowing some state agencies to pay certain employees twice monthly, HB 2468 on public improvement district notice and a buyer’s right to terminate, HB 4386 on annuity contract exchanges and surrender timelines, HB 4751 creating a Texas Quantum Initiative and related fund, and HJR 175 proposing a constitutional amendment protecting Texans’ ability to use mutually agreed-upon mediums of exchange, including cash, bullion, and digital currency. Testimony on HB 4751 was largely supportive but included questions about whether the state needs a new coordinating structure and funding mechanism for quantum research and commercialization. HJR 175 drew discussion about barter, taxes, and concerns over central bank digital currency. Each of these items was left pending after hearing testimony. The committee also heard HB 2221, which would update insurance anti-rebating laws to allow more wellness and value-added services in life and health insurance, with supporters saying it would encourage healthier behavior without requiring data monitoring. Finally, the committee took up a package of utility and wildfire-related bills from Chairman King’s portfolio: HB 106, requiring oil and gas operators to maintain certain overhead electrical lines; HB 144, requiring utilities to submit pole inspection and management plans to the PUC; and HB 145, requiring wildfire mitigation plans and allowing utilities to self-insure under certain conditions. Utility, co-op, and insurance representatives generally supported the safety and resiliency goals of HB 144, while asking for clarifications and less frequent reporting; HB 145 was introduced as a broader wildfire-risk and liability measure. These bills were also left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Grant Bosi, deputy chief committee.
• ,<00:11:27.839> Senator going to conference committee, Senator going to conference committee
• the amendment from the committee the amendment from the committee members?
• >> 7417. >> Move interim study. >> Interim study. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> Second. >> I have interim study
• We have 208. >> I'll move interim study. >> Interim study. >> 208. >> Okay.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Natural Resources will now come to order.
• of committees are going on right now.
• And as a direct result of that, Texas created an interim committee.
• And as a direct result of that, Texas created an interim committee on protecting Texas liquefied natural
• The committee substitute to House Bill 2970 is identical to the committee substitute for SB 410 and simply

Bills: HB206, HB1238, HB2890, HB2970

Keywords: pipeline, construction, cash bond, county authority, local government, injection wells, environmental regulation, water quality, site inspection, geoscientist, satellite imagery, interstate compact, liquefied natural gas, energy resources, Gulf Coast, regulatory coordination, HB 2970, Gulf Coast Protection District, Special District Local Laws Code, governor appointment

Summary: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources met with a quorum initially lacking, then took up several bills and heard brief testimony. HB 206, by Rep. Craddick, would prohibit counties from requiring cash bonds as a condition for pipeline construction approvals, while still allowing other forms of financial assurance; the sponsor and a Target Pipeline witness said cash-bond mandates create unnecessary costs and uncertainty, and the bill was left pending. HB 2890, by Rep. Patterson, would create an interstate compact among Gulf Coast states to coordinate and support the liquefied natural gas industry; the sponsor emphasized LNG’s economic importance and said the bill mirrors prior compact language that does not require congressional approval, and it was left pending after no public testimony. HB 1238, by Rep. Geren, would let TCEQ use third-party inspection reports and remote technology when reviewing proposed Class I injection wells; the sponsor and a uranium industry witness said it would streamline regulation and support industry, and it was left pending. HB 2970, by Rep. Paul, the House version of SB 410, would require the Gulf Coast Protection District’s final gate design to accommodate two-way vessel traffic and allow the governor to appoint the district’s presiding officer; the committee substitute was explained and the bill was left pending. With members scattered in other committees, the chair said the committee would recess and later reconvene to vote and complete its work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members of the committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• <00:53:54.480> It's will focus on or this interim. It's will focus on or this interim.
• Joe Schaefer, who is a committee chair for our investments committee. the committee.
• that we can bring back to the committee. that we can bring back to the committee.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Questions from committee members? Mr. Chair, Mr.
• Other questions from the committee?
• Chair and committee members.
• Chair, members of the committee.
• Chair, members of the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee staff, if you could please call the roll. Assemblymember Attas. Here.
• With that, are there any questions or comments from the committee?
• Is there anything else you'd like the committee to know?
• Good afternoon, Madam Chair and committee members.
• Good afternoon, esteemed Chair and committee.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’ll move interim study. I have a motion for interim study and a second. 173 173 173 >> 173.
• >> I'll move interim study. >> I'll move interim study.
• Chairman and committee members.
• I'm here as a Government Committee.
• committee would support that. committee would support that.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam Chair, and members of the committee.
• Madam chair and members of the committee Madam chair and members of the committee my<00:04:40.120
• Good afternoon, Madam Chair and members of the committee.
• We strongly encourage the committee to support this bill.
• <00:32:23.039> executive title there I'm interim executive title there I'm interim executive

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members of the committee.
• I'm also on the Education Committee.
• Do we have any objections from the committee? No? Okay.
• Chairman, members of the committee, Carter Bundy with AFSCME.
• , because that is how the committee works.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :10.160> to respectfully urge the committee to respectfully urge the committee to support<01:04
• committee to support SB 623. Thank you. committee to support SB 623. Thank you.
• Instead of ITL, maybe we should interim study or we should create a study committee that's going to look
• <02:50:24.240> I committee would be able to do it. I committee would be able to do it.
• >> Anyways, I'm going to go with the interim study. >> All in favor of the interim study on 512?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm calling this meeting of the Senate Administrative Rules Committee to order.
• Very quickly, and his committee. Then we'll have them over here.
• already happened or was, I think, intended to happen by members of these committees.
• either has done or was tasked with doing whenever they started this committee.
• And basically be meeting during the interim or even sooner if they want to.

Bills: HJR1032, SB1273, SB1433

Keywords: HJR1032, House Joint Resolution 1032, Service Oklahoma, administrative rules, rule repeal, joint resolution, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 670:15-1-10, OAC 670:15-1-14, agency regulation, legislative oversight, Secretary of State, Oklahoma Register, rulemaking, permanent rules, administrative code, guidance transparency, administrative procedures, public inspection, state agency accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess it's time for us to open the meeting of the Executive Committee of the State Committee on Pension
• So within the Executive Committee materials this month, So within the Executive Committee materials this
• Well, based on the Executive Committee last month, Well, based on the Executive Committee last month,
• for the full committee to consider.
• For executive committee? I think we'll bring it before the full committee then. In October.

Summary: The Executive Committee of the State Committee on Pension Policy approved its June minutes and received updates from legal and actuarial staff. Counsel reported on two class-action matters: the Fowler/Probst case, where a court ordered the state to pay $118 million in additional interest to teachers and the state has appealed and sought a stay, and the Dawson case challenging last year’s HB 2034, where the complaint was amended to leave only a federal contract-impairment claim and the state plans to move to dismiss. The actuary also provided a brief educational update on asset smoothing and offered to provide more detailed follow-up, noting it affects funded ratios and contribution rates. The committee then discussed its interim work plan and September agenda. Members agreed to add a bill and fiscal analysis for a PERS/TRS Plan 1 ad hoc COLA, with discussion focused on whether it should be capped and how to frame the cost estimate. Staff also outlined a memo on possible approaches to a permanent COLA for Plan 1 retirees, including making it part of the base budget or otherwise structuring it so future budgets would address it; no action was taken, and the topic was deferred for further discussion. The committee also heard constituent correspondence supporting COLAs and raising concerns about survivor benefits. A representative of the Washington State Patrol Troopers Association testified in support of advancing survivor medical benefits, explaining that the smaller size of the State Patrol system makes new benefits more costly per member and that any new benefit would require member approval. Staff said a cost estimate could be prepared for September if the proposal excluded retroactive coverage, but October would be needed if retroactivity were included. The committee agreed to move the survivor medical issue to October, while keeping the LEOFF 1 medical study update, animal control officer eligibility, and the ad hoc COLA on the September agenda, along with preliminary 2027 meeting dates. The meeting adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know it's serving with you last session, uh, on this committee, and then during the interim.
• The committee substitute for House Bill 5629 is withdrawn.
• Vice Chair, and esteemed members of the committee.
• Good morning, Vice Chair, committee members.
• Good morning, Vice Chair and members of the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:11:10.640> if to be frank, if the if the committee, if to be frank, if the if the committee
• >> Or March 19. >> No, it has to be out of committee by March 19th. >> Um, it'll be out of our committee
• have um a total of five second committee have um a total of five second committee bills.<00:58:32.880
• committee bills. committee bills.
• So, committee.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Judiciary Interim Committee.
• And then previously, in the 2023-24 interim, the Judiciary Committee studied charitable gaming in the
• And then previously, in the 2023-24 interim, the Judiciary Committee studied charitable gaming in the
• Chair Murdo, yesterday I was in front of the interim committee.
• But meanwhile, committee, we’re at that point in the interim where if we want a committee bill dealing

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in the last Congress, at least one bill out of the House committee.
• Prior to his appointment as Interim U.S. Attorney, Mr.
• Martin has served as interim U.S.
• He has failed. of required disclosures to the committee.
• I urge this committee to hold a public hearing, noting that Mr.

Bills: SB1040, SB1041, SB1095, SB1096, SB1097, SB527

Keywords: drug competition, product hopping, generic drugs, biosimilars, federal regulations, FTC Act, patent, biological products, healthcare access, affordable prescriptions, Medicare, Federal Trade Commission, sham petitions, competition, public health, unfair competition, healthcare, pharmaceutical, antitrust law, pay-for-delay

Summary: The meeting focused on addressing the high cost of prescription drugs and the abusive practices that contribute to elevated prices affecting American families. Several bills were presented, including proposals to end pay-for-delay deals and to enhance transparency in the operations of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The discussion was notable for its emphasis on consumer protection and ensuring that cheaper generic drugs reach the market more effectively. Members expressed frustration over past attempts to pass similar legislation stalling in the Senate, leading to renewed efforts to push these bills forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• The A8 represents a bill that we heard in Human Services Committee to take what might some might say
• last year putting up guardrails interim last year putting up guardrails on<00:04:11.840> the<
• Committee Committee to<00:05:05.560> take to take to take what<00:05:07.120> might<00:
• I was hoping that this legislature would have that opportunity over the interim to work directly with
• the Human Services Committee this year. the Human Services Committee this year.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 476, the human services policy bill on continuity of care, assisted living safety, vulnerable adult protections, and program integrity. Representative Noor, the bill’s author, described it as a broad policy package covering direct care and treatment, Department of Health policy, aging and disability services, behavioral health, maltreatment of vulnerable adults, continuity of care, and miscellaneous changes. Representative Schumacher also supported the bill, saying the final language reflected extensive stakeholder work and compromise, especially in aging and long-term care, while also adding guardrails around fraud-related processes and other DHS policy decisions. Several amendments were considered. A DE3 amendment was offered and adopted, and an A8 amendment to the amendment was initially discussed as a way to create a legislative working group and bring more community input into human services program changes, but Representative Curran withdrew it. Curran then offered A11, which would have changed billing limits for individualized home supports with training, but withdrew that as well after noting DHS concerns about possible costs. The House then suspended the rules to allow Noor’s A13 technical amendment, which was adopted. On third reading, Representative Frederick praised the bipartisan work and highlighted provisions addressing intimidation of staff in the Minnesota Sex Offender Program, extending voluntary return time for certain civilly committed individuals, and allowing some DCT staff to move from unclassified to classified positions. Noor thanked staff and reiterated that the bill protects vulnerable people while preserving program integrity and taxpayer dollars. The bill passed as amended by a vote of 93 ayes to 39 nays, and its title was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm on HHS committee. Dr.
• Aloha, Chair and members of the committee.
• Good afternoon, Chair and committee. Mary Brogan, for the Department of Health.
• testimony good afternoon shair committee testimony good afternoon shair committee um<00:11:07.760
• She thanked the committee for taking up the measure and said that, while they tried alternative ways

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard several resolutions focused on health care access, Medicaid services, and regulatory reform. SR 6 urged the Director of Health to create a working group on health insurance reform to reduce prior authorization delays; testimony was generally supportive, with DHS, SHIPA, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, the Hawaii Medical Association, and HMSA all offering comments or support. SHIPA said House Bill 250 would provide a better mechanism for the same goal, but the committee still moved forward with the resolution. SR 7 asked DHS Med-QUEST to cover behavioral health services for children in school-based settings, and SR 9 sought a program to incentivize community care foster family homes to accept people eligible under the Medicaid IDD waiver program. DHS supported the intent of both measures but raised concerns about regulatory limits. Testifiers on SR 9, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, argued the state should be more creative in expanding residential capacity, especially on the neighbor islands, while the chair questioned whether the barriers were state administrative rules or federal requirements. The committee also heard SC 14/SR 10 on a sunrise analysis for lactation consultant licensure. Supporters said lactation services can improve health outcomes and save costs, and that Medicaid coverage remains limited. After discussion, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations: SR 6 and SC 14/SR 10 were passed with technical, non-substantive amendments; SR 7 was deferred; and SR 9 was deferred for further work. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, provide an interim rate reform adjustment to the existing RMR rates table, or the regional market
• Second, provide an interim rate reform adjustment to the SRR, or standard reimbursement rate, beginning
• Fifth, update the statutory hold harmless to include any interim funding rate increases to establish
• come to an agreement between the administration and the Legislature, that support is provided in the interim
• We want to thank, of course, a fantastic committee staff, thank the sergeants, thank the administration

Summary: The committee took up issue number seven, Child Care Rate Reform Transition Plan, and heard a presentation from the LAO on an eight-part transition plan for the period before implementation of the alternative methodology-based child care rate system. The plan would provide interim rate increases to existing regional market rates and standard reimbursement rates beginning January 1 of the budget year, keep the higher of SRR or ARMR as the single rate, annualize cost-of-care supplements, update hold-harmless language, eliminate the private market cap, authorize one-time systems transition funding with JLBC approval, and require annual reporting on parent co-pays. Members asked about the timeline and public/legislative feedback process, and administration staff said they were working toward the July 1, 2025 deadline while continuing stakeholder engagement through the rate and quality advisory process. Public comment was overwhelmingly focused on child care and early learning funding. Providers, county offices, advocacy groups, and education organizations urged the Legislature to move quickly on the alternative rate methodology, provide interim relief through a cost-of-living adjustment, reimburse based on enrollment rather than attendance, and preserve health and retirement benefits and workforce stability. Many speakers also pressed for funding to expand the promised 200,000 child care slots, warning that waitlists remain long and providers are under financial strain. Several commenters supported maintaining or extending grants and technical assistance for transitional kindergarten, inclusive early education, and mixed-delivery early learning programs. A separate set of comments addressed the Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program, with Sacramento County education officials and others urging a statewide plan that would extend support to the 20 counties not currently receiving grants, especially rural areas. Other speakers raised concerns about facilities and staffing impacts from TK expansion, the need for consistent eligibility rules across subsidized programs, and the importance of statewide systems-level funding. The chair thanked the LAO, administration, and public commenters, said the item would remain open until after the May Revision, and adjourned the meeting.