Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment passed. The amendment is adopted. Now we are back on the bill as amended.
• Now I will pass the chair back over to Vice Chair Fine. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
• Now I will pass the chair back over to Vice Chair Fine. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
• Pass the chair back over to Vice Chair Fine. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• We did not succeed last year in House Bill 479, which you passed.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1134, which would extend the use of qualified private providers in the building permit process to residential solar energy systems and certain single-trade inspections, and would allow computer-based plan review tools. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce long solar permitting delays and lower costs. A late amendment clarifying the word “application” was adopted, and after some discussion about local permitting problems and the need to work with municipalities, CS/SB 1134 was reported favorably, with Senator Pizzo voting no. The committee then took up SB 784, dealing with issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers for plats. The bill sets a 14-day timeframe, and an amendment was adopted that would allow use of a private provider if the deadline is missed and would limit fee collection if verification is not completed. Members discussed whether the bill should include more flexibility and whether private providers are appropriate for this function, but the committee ultimately reported CS/SB 784 favorably. SB 1738, allowing counties that previously opted out of transportation concurrency to opt back in while maintaining current levels of service, was also reported favorably without significant opposition. Next, SB 1080 on local government land regulation was presented as a measure to speed up development permit and order approvals, limit repeated information requests, prevent hearing delays, and impose penalties for noncompliance. Local government testimony argued it would rush planning and weaken public input, while supporters called it common-sense streamlining. After debate, the bill was reported favorably, with several no votes. SB 1260, which clarifies county constitutional officer budget procedures and creates an appeal process for clerks and supervisors of elections similar to that used by sheriffs, was also reported favorably after members raised concerns about county budget timelines. Finally, the committee considered SB 420, as amended by a strike-all, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from adopting or funding DEI-related ordinances, programs, or policies, while carving out compliance with state and federal law and defining DEI-related terms. The amendment removed retroactivity and delayed the effective date, but members from both parties raised concerns about vague definitions, impacts on women- and minority-owned business programs, local commemorations, and the loss of attorney’s fees for prevailing counties. Public testimony was sharply divided, with many speakers opposing the bill as an attack on local control and inclusion, and a few supporting it as a merit-based standard. The amendment was adopted, but the bill drew extensive opposition in debate and was not yet reported in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll pass our own copies.
• I'll pass our own copies.
• I'll pass our own copies.
• </c> to pass on Senate Bill 250. to pass on Senate Bill 250. Rep. Rep. Rep.
• Representative Weber moves passes.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to meet with the people of fails to meet with the people of Minnesota.
• </c> illegal if your language passes? illegal if your language passes?
• I I failed<01:08:00.480><c> to</c><01:08:00.640><c> see</c><01:08:00.720><c> what</c><01:08:00.960><c
• to see what this has to do with failed to see what this has to do with the<01:08:02.079><c> amendment
• </c> There being 113 yays and 21 nays, the bill is passed as amended and its title agreed to.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It was not going to pass, and the only way it passed, read history, the only way it passed was that the
• It was not going to pass, and the only way it passed, read history.
• The only way it passed, the only way It was not going to pass, and the only way it passed, read history
• The Voting Rights Act was passed.
• The Voting Rights Act was passed, and I worked hard for these...

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:

• </c> I get it right all right um can you pass I get it right all right um can you pass me<00:32:32.840
• I urge a to pass on House Bill 389.
• </c><03:59:47.199><c> on</c> campaign Finance I urge a to pass on campaign Finance I urge a to pass on
• The public just has a right to pass over it.
• let's say if you pass in public session let's say if you pass in public session uh<04:15:44.279><c> you

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of the levees were built in the 1800s, and if the levees fail, it will risk lives, property, and
• And we've not been able to get it passed because it's been the money.
• However, I reject the idea that this bill is, on principle, too expensive for us to pass.
• The motion is due pass to the Senate floor. Please call the roll. Cervantes: Aye. Grayson: Aye.
• The motion is do pass to the Senate floor. We'll hold. Aye. Final vote, seven to zero.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard a large suspense-file agenda and established a quorum at the start. SB 1167 was announced as not being heard and will be rescheduled. The Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments on the bills before the committee. Most measures on the agenda were taken up briefly with public testimony, then moved to suspense without objection. Two bills received fuller presentations. SB 872 by Senator McNerney would create a fund to support repairs to Delta levees and State Water Project canals, with testimony from Restore the Delta, State Water Contractors, and numerous water agencies and coalitions emphasizing flood protection, water reliability for 27 million Californians, protection of state assets, and long-term infrastructure costs. Committee members noted the importance of the investment and the likelihood it would be considered in the final suspense decision; SB 872 was moved to suspense. SB 962 by Senator Archuleta would authorize CDCR to use blue emergency lights on parole vehicles, with supporters from the California Correctional Peace Officers Association citing the line-of-duty death of a parole agent and the need for a low-cost, discretionary safety tool. The bill was also moved to suspense. SB 950, dealing with coverage for FDA-approved medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, was discussed as having a minimal near-term fiscal impact, though members noted costs could rise if new treatments emerge. The committee asked the author to consider a sunset amendment, but the bill received a do pass motion and was approved on a 7-0 vote, then placed on call for additional members. The remaining bills taken up, including SB 870, SB 1120, SB 888, SB 904, SB 986, SB 1029, SB 1186, SB 895, SB 1004, SB 1123, SB 909, SB 945, SB 1037, SB 953, SB 1001, SB 1188, SB 1407, SB 967, SB 1135, SB 1136, SB 988, SB 1069, SB 1000, SB 1024, SB 1179, SB 1025, SB 1040, SB 1081, SB 1091, SB 1131, SB 1138, SB 1146, SB 1279, SB 1158, SB 1401, SB 1162, SB 1293, SB 1334, SB 1382, SB 1397, SB 1178, SB 1414, SB 1214, SB 1218, SB 1257, SB 1265, SB 1286, SB 1322, SB 1337, SB 1340, SB 1276, SB 1358, and SB 1412, were moved to the suspense file without objection, with a few witnesses registering support or opposition on selected measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is do pass, recommended consent to the floor.
• The motion is do pass, recommended consent to the consent calendar. Calderon, aye. Wallace, aye.
• The motion is due pass as amended. This is item number four, SB 495 by Senator Allen.
• The motion is due pass as amended to the Committee on Judiciary. Calderon, aye. Wallace, aye.
• Our current family leave program fails to meet the needs of California's diverse families.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met to hear several bills related to insurance coverage, wildfire risk, workers’ compensation, and paid family leave. SB 8 by Senator Ashby would extend workers’ compensation and disability protections to Sacramento County park rangers, with testimony emphasizing that they perform law-enforcement-like duties and should receive the same protections as comparable officers. SB 429 by Senator Cortese would create a public wildfire catastrophe model and related wildfire safety program, with support from the Department of Insurance and consumer advocates who said public access to modeling data would improve transparency and help evaluate private insurance risk models. The committee also heard SB 525 by Senator Jones, which would require the FAIR Plan to offer coverage options for manufactured and mobile home owners, including replacement cost coverage. Supporters said the bill would help lower-income residents obtain meaningful insurance protection, while no opposition testified. SB 495 by Senator Allen, as amended, would require insurers to provide a larger contents-coverage advance after a total loss during a declared emergency without requiring an immediate itemized inventory, extend proof-of-loss deadlines, and require insurers to provide catastrophe modeling and reinsurance data to the Department of Insurance. Several insurers withdrew opposition after amendments, and the Department of Insurance and United Policyholders supported the measure. SB 590 by Senator Durazo would expand paid family leave to cover care for designated persons or chosen family members, with strong support from AARP, labor, civil rights, caregiving, and health organizations, and testimony from a parent describing the need to care for a non-legal family member during surgery recovery. The committee also took up consent items SB 230 and SB 854. After roll calls, SB 8, SB 429, SB 495, SB 525, and SB 590 all received do-pass votes, with SB 429 sent to the Committee on Emergency Management, SB 495 to Judiciary, and SB 525 and SB 590 to Appropriations. The consent calendar bills were also approved, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill passed off in public schools.
• This bill passed off the house floor last year and through the Senate committee.
• So the amendment passes. Now we have the bill as amended. Now we have the bill as amended.
• Because the fee is going to be passed on to the business, and the business is going to pass on that fee
• The amendments have been passed.

Bills: HB61 , HB327 , HB253 , HB297

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: home school, career and technical education, public schools, K-12 education, enrollment policy, parental leave, state employees, adoption, employee benefits, aircraft tax, aviation tax, sales tax exemption, use tax exemption, lease tax, rental tax, commercial aircraft, air carrier, airline, aircraft parts, maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• , due pass to Appropriations; File Item 4, AB 2003, due pass as amended to Appropriations; File Item
• 5, AB 2056, due pass to Appropriations; File Item 6, AB 2067, due pass; File Item 7, AB 2107, due pass
• File Item 6, AB 2067, due pass. File Item 7, AB 2107, due pass.
• File Item 12, AB 2332, due pass to Appropriations.
• Today, that bill passed.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee first heard two bills. AB 1665 by Assemblymember Pacheco would require school sports coaches to complete approved mental health training. Supporters said coaches are trusted adults who are often first to notice student-athlete distress, and a witness described personal experience with body image and disordered eating pressures in athletics. There was no opposition, and the bill was moved out of committee on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations, ultimately passing 9-0 after add-on votes. AB 2316 by Assemblymember Hoover would allow charter schools to apply for the same financial hardship relief in the state school facilities program that traditional districts can seek. Supporters argued this would improve parity and help smaller and low-income charter schools access permanent facilities; some initially opposed agencies said their concerns were addressed by amendments. The bill also passed unanimously, 9-0, to Appropriations. The committee then took up a consent calendar containing 12 additional measures, including bills on education funding, facilities, and other school-related matters, plus a resolution. Those items were approved on a 7-0 vote, with the roll left open for add-on votes. After the bill hearing portion was recessed and later reconvened, additional members added votes to AB 1665, AB 2316, and the consent calendar, bringing each to 9-0. The committee then held an informational hearing on state-level education governance, centered on Governor Newsom’s proposal to restructure the California Department of Education and the role of the elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, with AB 2117 serving as a policy vehicle carrying the same language and no action to be taken. Testimony came from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Education Commission of the States, and former CDE chief deputy Richard Zager. Witnesses reviewed the history of California’s governance structure, compared it with other states, and discussed accountability, legislative oversight, and the role of the superintendent under the proposal. Committee members raised concerns about preserving checks and balances, the fiscal implementation plan, county-office relationships, and whether the superintendent’s role would be reduced too far; no vote was taken at the informational hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• , due pass to Appropriations; file item 4, AB 2003, due pass as amended to Appropriations; file item
• 5, AB 2056, due pass to Appropriations; file item 6, AB 2067, due pass; file item 7, AB 2107, due pass
• File item 6, AB 2067, due pass. File item 7, AB 2107, due pass.
• File item 12, AB 2332, due pass to Appropriations.
• Today, that bill passed.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this year it has just passed.
• And this year it<01:01:34.240><c> has</c><01:01:35.040><c> just</c><01:01:35.280><c> passed.
• </c><01:01:35.760><c> It's</c><01:01:36.079><c> it's</c><01:01:36.400><c> a</c> it has just passed.
• It's it's a it has just passed.
• </c><01:27:02.960><c> Um</c><01:27:03.440><c> this</c> Even if they fail to appear.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would pass the Rio Grande Bridge here in Bernalillo, and there's literally no water in the Rio Grande
• Our feast day is in July, July 26th; it just passed.
• They'll fail, and they've said that themselves.
• Senator Pinto: Yes, you are correct, and I did fail to touch on that, but you're correct.
• Because we can't just say it's a hospital; they have to pass inspection and have certain things in there

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• Inflexible or categorical categorical funding typically fails to meet rural needs.
• school district school students have a right to be college and career ready, and that the state is failing
• Those are the things we passed as a legislate a legislature, and then, um, put upon all of you to um
• I'm curious if you had the same problems because the, the shortfalls that I would have, I might pass
• justice in fractions, or if I'm a history teacher and I don't like the Civil War, I kind of might pass

Transcript Highlights:

• All have recently passed away from Parkinson's, grew up in a farm family.
• Your failed presidential campaign has been raising money to try and cover your debts, and you were questioned
• about this yesterday and failed to answer a question that Senator Warren (member_21410) asked you.
• So you're not telling me that you will defend the law that we passed, which has already had significant
• Congress passed the law. I'm swearing an oath to the Constitution.

Committee: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• rule tolling the deadline, even when the respondent requests more time to answer written questions or fails
• rule tolling the deadline, even when the respondent requests more time to answer written questions or fails
• deadline was exceeded because the respondent asked for more time to respond to written questions or failed

Summary: The Texas Ethics Commission met on March 11, 2025, first in executive session and then in open session. The chair announced that, in light of Texas Attorney General Opinion KP-484, the commission would conform its practices to the opinion and move to repeal tolling rules for sworn-complaint deadlines. The chair also said the commission would dismiss 36 pending sworn-complaint cases in which the 120-day settlement deadline had been exceeded, even though the delay had been tolled under prior TEC rules. The commission then set future meeting dates for June 12 and September 17 and approved prior meeting minutes. The commission adopted a new criminal-referral rule clarifying that, once jurisdiction over a complaint is accepted, commissioners may vote to make a criminal referral. It also adopted revised advisory-opinion rules, with a clarifying amendment from a commenter, and republished proposed changes to the definition of “principal purpose” for political committees after staff recommended a 49 percent political-activity threshold and further public input. The commission published for comment proposed changes to ethics training rules, facial-compliance review procedures, late-filing waiver and reduction rules, and sworn-complaint procedures, including tighter discovery limits, a default-order set-aside process, and removal of tolling language inconsistent with KP-484. It also republished Chapter 28 rules on Speaker-candidate reporting. The commission adopted several advisory opinions. It declined to give an affirmative defense on whether certain school-district communications were political advertising because related litigation had already addressed the issue. It reaffirmed that a House member may use donated district-office space if it is not reimbursable with public funds and was accepted before the contribution moratorium. It also concluded that a judge may use political funds for travel to a Navy-hosted event as a local dignitary, that legislators’ use of a corporate aircraft for a border-region fact-finding trip could be permissible but would likely trigger reporting obligations, that a TCEQ commissioner’s revolving-door restrictions apply only to matters actually placed before the commissioner, and that a part-time legislative staffer may not take outside employment assisting a registered lobbyist. The commission then heard and acted on numerous fine-waiver appeals, granting several full waivers or reductions and approving staff recommendations on others, and terminated a number of inactive campaign treasurer appointments. Finally, the executive director briefed the commission on the 2025 legislative session, noting that staffing requests are tied to Sunset recommendations and that the House had preliminarily recommended about half of the commission’s appropriations requests.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, the Amendment 3 that failed would have recreationalized it.
• online, that person would be then subject to the jurisdiction of local police and the ABT if they failed
• And, you know, we're not going to haul away the UPS driver who failed to check an ID.

Summary: The committee met to hear an overview of Florida’s alcoholic beverage regulatory structure and a panel discussion on the state’s three-tier system. Emily Oglesby of DBPR explained the department’s licensing and enforcement roles, described common license types, and outlined the three tiers—manufacturers, distributors, and retailers—along with tied-house restrictions and several statutory exceptions for certified Florida farm wineries, breweries with tap rooms, brew pubs, and craft distilleries. Members asked about licensing fees, the number and classification of distributors and craft producers, and how the exceptions fit within the broader system. Panelists from craft breweries, craft distilleries, wholesalers, and retailers then discussed how the system affects market access, pricing, and product selection. Craft producers argued that Florida’s rules make it difficult for small brands to reach retailers because they must rely on distributors that often prioritize larger, higher-volume products; they said limited self-distribution or other reforms could help small businesses grow without eliminating wholesalers. Wholesalers and retailers defended the three-tier model as a public-safety and anti-monopoly framework, emphasizing investment in warehousing, sales, compliance, and product vetting, while noting that they already carry some craft products and make selections based on demand, quality, and shelf space. Members also explored related issues such as direct-to-consumer sales, the role of excise-tax audits and inspections, and the emerging market for hemp-derived THC beverages and other alternative drinks. DBPR and industry witnesses said alcohol and hemp products are regulated differently, and several speakers urged the Legislature to consider clearer rules for these products. The meeting ended with no bill vote or formal action; the chair thanked the panel and adjourned after Representative Yeager moved to rise, with no objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 30, as substituted, be reported for approval to the full Senate with the recognition that it do pass
• moves that Senate Bill 801 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass
• It hasn't been passed either.
• I urge you to act in unison and pass this bill. I appreciate it.
• First of all, to the chairman, I would love to pass these out so y'all can see this.

Bills: HB45 , SB1540 , SB2225 , SB2284 , SB2382 , SB2487 , SB2514 , SB2595 , SB2876 , SB2877 , SB3031 , SB2753

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: flooding, disaster response, emergency preparedness, state guidance, public safety, election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, spirit beverages, alcoholic beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, distribution, taxation, firearms, local regulation, archery equipment, weapons, voter registration, statewide list

Transcript Highlights:

• away. voters who may have passed away.
• </c><00:57:34.520><c> verification</c><00:57:35.640><c> to</c> but ultimately failed verification to
• but ultimately failed verification to confirm<00:57:36.520><c> that</c><00:57:36.680><c> those</c><00
• I'm glad you flagged that because we have a law that you passed a couple years ago, and thank you for
• </c><01:41:53.520><c> uh</c> 2023, uh the legislature did pass uh 2023, uh the legislature did pass uh

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Has that passed?
• The motion passes, 13-1. The motion passes.
• The motion passes, 13-1.
• The motion passes, 14-0.
• The motion passes, 14-0.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in a work session on several environmental bills, beginning with HP 152, which would prohibit the sale and use of adhesive-based rodent traps. Members discussed whether the bill should be amended to allow professional pest control use while restricting retail sales to the public. Testimony and member comments focused on animal welfare concerns, the relative humaneness and effectiveness of glue traps versus snap traps, consumer education, enforcement difficulties, and whether the bill should instead be limited to professionals. No vote was taken on HP 152 during the discussion. The committee then turned to HB 171, establishing a moratorium on new landfill permits. Representative Gruber distributed an amendment shortening the proposed moratorium from five years to three years as a compromise. Members supporting the moratorium said it would give the Department of Environmental Services time to update rules and reflect recent landfill-siting reforms, while opponents argued that three years was too long, could tie the hands of a future legislature, and might be difficult to pass in the Senate. Others noted the House, Senate, and governor had each discussed different lengths of moratorium, making the bill a likely bargaining position in later negotiations. Throughout the landfill discussion, members emphasized that the three-year version was intended as a middle ground between a one-year proposal associated with the governor and a six-year Senate bill. Several members said the moratorium reflected years of bipartisan work on solid waste and landfill policy and would help create time for new rules to take effect. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote or other action on HB 171 during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, even if this amendment fails, it's highly unlikely that a state income tax will be passed anytime
• So, even if this amendment fails, it's highly unlikely that a state income tax will be passed anytime
• So, even if this amendment fails, it's highly unlikely that a state income tax will be passed anytime
• Yet they<02:40:53.960><c> get</c><02:40:54.160><c> passed.</c> they get passed. they get passed.
• </c> come out ought to pass. come out ought to pass.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all