Transcript Highlights:

• Chapter 49 of the Code of Criminal Procedure relates to death inquests.
• Chapter 50 of the Code of Criminal Procedure relates to fire inquests.
• For decades, the code needed updating.
• duplicate official citations, correct enacted codes, conform the codes to the source law from which
• they were derived, and revise codes where parts of codes enacted during the preceding legislative session

Bills: HB 1181 , HB3704 , HB1363 , HB1610 , HB1615 , HB1620 , HB3223 , HB1317 , HB2884 , HB2176 , HB4027 , HB1664 , HB933 , HB2613 , HB3353 , HB2086 , HB4101 , HB3441 , HB4145 , HB3455

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: judiciary, judges, justices, retired, legal assignments, judicial conduct, notary public, criminal offense, education requirements, official documents, record retention, implicit bias, bias training, judicial training, judge education, court personnel, continuing legal education, CLE, state bar, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the Texas Family Code, a homeless minor may self-consent to stay at an emergency shelter for up
• It is more of a technical kind of updating of the current code, and they will have all the answers if
• “So section seven of the bill repeals 1369D of the Insurance Code.
• There are already audit protections for pharmacies in the Texas Insurance Code.
• There are already audit protections for pharmacy in the Texas Insurance Code.

Bills: SB331 , SB883 , SB926 , SB1137 , SB1138 , SB1144 , SB1151 , SB1236 , SB1270 , SB1522 , SB1869 , SB2207 , SB2422

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: healthcare, cost disclosure, transparency, administrative penalties, health facility compliance, COVID-19, off-label use, prescription drugs, patient access, medical standards, insurance, physician ranking, incentives, fiduciary duty, health plan issuers, SB 1137, group home, assisted living, residential care, board and care

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 883, which would protect physicians’ ability to prescribe off-label medications and treatments, framed by the author as a “Right to Treat” measure tied to COVID-19 care. Supporters, including physicians and patient-choice advocates, said the bill would safeguard the doctor-patient relationship and prevent interference by boards, pharmacies, or hospitals. Several witnesses described using hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, budesonide, antibiotics, steroids, and monoclonal antibodies during the pandemic, and said they faced complaints, board scrutiny, or pharmacy refusals for those prescriptions. The bill was left pending after public testimony closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 331, which would extend hospital price-transparency requirements to additional health care facilities such as freestanding ERs, urgent care and retail clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient clinics, and birthing centers. Proponents argued that broader disclosure of prices for shoppable services would help consumers compare costs and reduce surprise billing, while opponents from ambulatory surgery centers said the bill would impose costly compliance burdens on small providers and that insurers or the state already have much of the needed data. The bill was also left pending. Senate Bill 2422 would expunge Texas Medical Board records and impose reparations for disciplinary actions tied to COVID-era treatment decisions, including references to ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, budesonide, and masks. The author and supporters argued that doctors were unfairly targeted for trying to save patients and should be made whole; the Texas Medical Board representative said most pandemic complaints were dismissed, that actions generally involved broader issues such as privileges, documentation, or informed consent, and that no physician was disciplined solely for prescribing off-label COVID medications. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2207, which would loosen Texas Medical Board rules on physicians advertising themselves as board certified, especially by reducing barriers tied to maintenance of certification requirements. Supporters said the current rule is overly restrictive, inconsistent, and costly, and that it drives physicians out of practice; they also said Texas is one of only a few states with such a rule. Witnesses described hospitals using the rule against physicians and said the change would improve transparency and competition. The bill remained pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:59:06.400><c> would</c><00:59:06.559><c> be</c> with our current sales tax code would be with
• our current sales tax code would be the the the most<00:59:08.440><c> obviously</c><00:59:09.039><c>
• So it stands to reason that, whereas we can't tell you, oh yeah, Bjorn drove to Iowa because I live 10
• Bjorn drove to Iowa because I live 10 Bjorn drove to Iowa because I live 10 miles<01:19:41.600><c> away
• </c><01:19:41.880><c> BJ</c><01:19:42.159><c> drove</c><01:19:42.360><c> to</c><01:19:42.480><c> Iowa

Bills: HF5

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: tax modification, transportation funding, electric vehicle tax, Social Security subtraction, retail delivery fee, motor vehicle registration, state budget, transportation policy

Bills: SB147 , SB414 , HB220 , HB750 , HB799 , HB827 , HB952 , HB953

Committee: Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Keywords: roof standards, construction code, residential property, fortified roofs, insurance, medical debt, interest rate, healthcare services, consumer protection, debt collection, Louisiana Medical Debt Protection Act, child exploitation, online reporting, platforms, cyber crime, PROTECT Act, boiler safety, inspection, licensing, state fire marshal

Bills: SB4465 , HB7147 , HB2424 , HB7567

Keywords: FISA, intelligence, surveillance, national security, privacy, extension, law enforcement, excise tax, heavy trucks, clean vehicles, environmental policy, heavy truck excise tax, truck and trailer tax, federal retail excise tax, FET, highway trust fund, commercial trucks, Class 8 trucks, tractor-trailer, semi-truck

Transcript Highlights:

• Codings Association in support of House Bill 2301.
• Existing tools that we have, like code enforcement, are reactive.” Well, and to be good neighbors.
• Existing tools that we have, like code enforcement, are reactive.
• House Bill 2640 addresses unauthorized Uniform Commercial Code filing.
• House Bill 2640 addresses unauthorized Uniform Commercial Code filings under Article 9A.

Bills: HB1316 , HB2401 , HB2557 , HB2720 , HB1073 , HB2685 , HB2640 , HB2403

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: postsecondary education, homelessness, foster youth, education access, support programs, commission, gender equity, boys, men, advocacy, state policy, special education, parental rights, educational access, evaluation reports, disability services, behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access

Transcript Highlights:

• modifies the conflict of law provision to provide that all other applicable provisions of the insurance code
• apply to travel insurance, except in the event of a conflict between the bill... ...and the insurance code
• also provides that a limited lines travel insurance producer would be responsible under the insurance code
• committed by any unlicensed... ...travel insurance producer would be responsible under the insurance code
• for acts committed by any unlicensed people who violate the insurance code under the producer's or travel

Bills: HB2428 , HB2399 , HB2087 , HB2629 , HB2483 , HB2477

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: life insurance, policy lapse, policy cancellation, nonpayment of premium, premium grace period, lapse notice, termination notice, third-party notice, third-party designee, beneficiary protection, consumer protection, insurance regulation, insurer notice requirements, policyholder, beneficiary, Washington RCW, insurance code, unintentional lapse, coverage continuation, premium delinquency

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I think we're missing out on a big opportunity the way our current tax code is structured.
• I believe the second section, because the first section of the code is where we amended the sale and

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:

• Board discovered that there is no consistent definition of rural political subdivision in the water code
• Board discovered that there is no consistent definition of rural political subdivision in the water code
• The unintended inclusion of urban political subdivisions in rural water statutes, and under the Code
• participate in the various types of water planning related and research as authorized by the Texas Water Code

Bills: SB480 , SB767 , SB790 , SB971 , SB1066

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: water resources, interlocal contracts, local government, collaboration, planning activities, wildfire response, firefighting equipment, emergency services, state database, Texas Forest Service, customer complaints, Public Utility Commission, water service, complaint process, utility regulation, SB 971, Texas Water Assistance Program, Water Code, rural political subdivision, rural water

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met on Texas Water Day and limited public testimony to two minutes. The chair emphasized the need to move quickly because of scheduling conflicts with other committees and noted the importance of water policy and related stakeholders. The committee heard several bills focused on water administration, rural utilities, emergency response, and public works contracting. Senate Bill 790 by Senator Alvarado would let the Public Utility Commission create a simplified process for resolving tenant complaints over water or wastewater bill discrepancies; it was described as a way to avoid lengthy contested-case hearings for small disputes. Senate Bill 971 by Senator Sparks would clean up conflicting statutory definitions of “rural political subdivision” so Texas Water Development Board programs are applied consistently; Texas Rural Water Association testified in support. Senate Bill 767, also by Senator Sparks, would expand and improve a statewide database of fire-response equipment so departments, including volunteer and rural departments, can locate and share resources more effectively during emergencies; fire service witnesses supported the bill and suggested annual updates to keep the database current. Chair Perry laid out Senate Bill 480 to clarify that local governments and special districts may enter interlocal agreements for water-related planning and research, including aquifer management and flood/water planning. He also presented Senate Bill 1066, which raises payment and performance bond thresholds for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department public works contracts to $150,000, arguing the change would reflect inflation and help smaller vendors on lower-risk projects. Witnesses were heard on the bills, with no opposition recorded in the transcript. The committee voted out all five bills favorably. SB 1066, SB 480, SB 767, SB 790, and SB 971 each received unanimous committee approval and were recommended to the local and contested calendar, with SB 767 noted as amended by a suggested annual-update requirement for the equipment database.

Bills: SB140 , HB102 , SB133 , SB34

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: Coach Safely Act, youth athletics, noncompliance penalties, Department of Public Health, youth athlete, dual enrollment, high school, community college, university, educational access, high school credit, juvenile court, juvenile delinquency, school notification, student safety, K-12, public schools, private schools, superintendent, principal

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't currently have building code in a county.
• The IRC code is referencing for the modular home construction only, and the HUD code is for the qualified
• So it's built to the 2021 IRC code.
• DuPont has a plant in Iowa that emits PFAS.
• DuPont has a plant in Iowa that emits PFAS.

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Fact that there are codes or zones that need to be addressed.
• the code.
• If you haven't had a chance to do it, I encourage you to scan that QR code.
• The QR code is not going to stop that.
• Code is up and it has these.

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• Well site of certain surface facilities in accordance with the National Electric Code.
• That's the Railroad Commission, to conduct inspections under both the National Electric Code and PUC
• Our Texas Administrative Code references the National Electric Code and that code gives a lot of definition
• , the Houston Pilots Licensing Code. ...and regulatory act which accommodates two-way vessel traffic.
• I'm just here because I serve on the board and I'm a redemption center owner in Iowa.

Bills: SB410 , SB795 , SB2510 , SB728 , SB2689 , HB143 , HB143

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• The state of Iowa currently has one.
• Uh, second of all, it's important to understand that the tax code was not designed for nutrition.
• , which has one, another state like Iowa, which has one, Wisconsin,<00:50:40.640><c> which</c><00:50:
• </c><00:50:58.480><c> The</c> of Minnesota and the state of Iowa.
• The of Minnesota and the state of Iowa.

Bills: HF3831 , HF3603 , HF1900 , HF495 , HF3750 , HF4316 , HF2136 , HF4384

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This is similar to code, right?
• Are we going to be working on, you know, code provisions?
• It includes the code section itself and the sections and subsections.
• I was around when the application deposit language was added into the code.
• We did add language into the utility section of code, which essentially right now in code landlords can

Transcript Highlights:

• hold—I'm passing out now news media articles about students doing that, student walkouts and protests in Iowa
• Students doing that, student walkouts and protests in Iowa during school hours, and just the last 45
• Berkeley Free Speech Movement in 1964, the East L.A. walkout in 1968, and notably the public school in Iowa
• I remember we did a walkout because we didn't agree with the public school dress code, that women weren't

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• at East Tennessee State University. going on to complete osteopathic medical school in Des Moines, Iowa
• , with a later residency at the University of Iowa and the University of Washington in Seattle.
• There is a provision in the local government code that provides for waiver of sovereign immunity of the

Bills: SCR8 , SCR24 , SCR25 , SB1 , SB65 , SB315 , SB371 , SB372 , SB379 , SB400 , SB402 , SB406 , SB427 , SB487 , SB502 , SB509 , SB535 , SB610 , SB707 , SB740 , SB761 , SB840 , SB875 , SB893 , SB918 , SB925 , SB965 , SB987 , SB990 , SB995 , SB1006 , SB1018 , SB1073 , SB1106 , SB1121 , SB1194 , SB1253 , SB1300 , SB1343 , SB1362 , SB1379 , SB1447 , SB1532 , SB1555 , SJR36 , SJR12 , SJR57 , SCR25 , SCR22 , SCR12 , SCR24 , SCR8 , SB565 , SB372 , SB765 , SB62 , SB666 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB847 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB504 , SB925 , SB1121 , SB995 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB815 , SB1379 , SB1300 , SB1497 , SB1499 , SB1498 , SB65 , SB241 , SB304 , SB402 , SB621 , SB1023 , SB1024 , SB1106 , SB686 , SB112 , SB371 , SB204 , SB400 , SB609 , SB1447 , SB670 , SB502 , SB427 , SB850 , SB854 , SB413 , SB1555 , SB1362 , SB1346 , SB1033 , SB1220 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB987 , SB1539 , SB893 , SB447 , SB875 , SB406 , SB509 , SB985 , SB965 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB24 , SB1194 , SB1253 , SB1215 , SB1532 , SB1302 , SB856 , SB650 , SB583 , SB673 , SB840 , SB213 , SB681 , SB1172 , SB1252 , SB378 , SB610 , SB918 , SB1343 , SB608 , SB487 , SB955 , SB957 , SB988 , SB990 , SB1019 , SB1021 , SB1120 , SB251 , SB958 , SB535 , SB761 , SB1 , SB541 , SB315 , SB379 , SB1018 , SB1737 , SB266 , SB1415 , SB1527 , SB125 , SB599 , SB1330 , SB53 , SB916 , SB896 , SB1352 , SB973 , SB785 , SB710 , SB472 , SB1450 , SB1502 , SB1566 , SB414 , SB1062 , SB1547 , SB961 , SB1038 , SB513 , SB578 , SB711 , SB746 , SB942 , SB1404 , SB1448 , SB1738 , SB108 , SB8 , SB318 , SB507 , SB533 , SB689 , SB1026 , SB1349 , SB1355 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB1596 , SB1403 , SB1198 , SB1146 , SB763 , SB667

Transcript Highlights:

• So, just going through the bill, senators, it specifically amends Idaho Code 59-13-52B, and it includes
• public officers that are killed in this catastrophic injury section of code.
• It also coincides well with our Code Cleanup Act.
• There are old code sections in here that note the AG is the legal counsel for the various boards.
• There are old code sections in here that note the AG is the legal counsel for the various boards.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• When I listened to Governor Mike Gieho talk about updating the tax code, We also operate a packaging
• The hemp beverage and non-alcoholic categories did not exist when Missouri's tax code was written.
• The state's economy has changed, but your tax code has not.
• Iowa is the example that I want you to look at. Iowa provides the most constructive example.
• I don't think we've been seeing this, even though we've been making changes to the tax code.

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The Commerce Committee held a public hearing on H.J.R. 174 and then H.J.R. 173, both constitutional resolutions sponsored by Speaker Patterson and described as steps toward modernizing Missouri’s tax system by eliminating the state individual income tax and broadening sales taxes. Patterson argued the current tax structure is outdated, said the proposal would let voters decide whether to move forward, and emphasized that future legislation would set the details and guardrails. He and supporters said the plan would increase disposable income, attract businesses and residents, and could help lower property and personal property taxes by directing broader sales-tax revenue to local governments. Committee members pressed him on whether the proposal was too open-ended, whether it could raise taxes on goods and services, and how it would affect schools, seniors, and low-income Missourians. Patterson repeatedly said the next General Assembly would decide exemptions and rates, and that the bill was only the first step. Opponents, including the Missouri Budget Project, AARP, the Missouri Association of Realtors, the Consumers Council of Missouri, and trial and defense lawyers, warned the proposal would shift the tax burden onto lower- and middle-income residents, seniors, and people who rely on services. They argued that broadening sales taxes would likely make the tax code more regressive, raise consumer costs, and create uncertainty because the bill does not spell out exemptions for items such as health care, real estate services, utilities, or legal services. The Missouri Budget Project said its modeling suggested the state could face a large revenue shortfall and that most Missourians would pay more overall. AARP said older Missourians, especially those on fixed incomes, would be hit hardest, while the Realtors and utility advocates focused on the risk of higher housing and energy costs. Legal-services witnesses said taxing professional services would raise client costs and add administrative complexity. Supporters countered that Missouri’s current system disadvantages wage earners and does not reflect modern commerce, especially digital and service-based transactions. Witnesses in favor included economists, business owners, tax-reform advocates, and former lawmakers, who said income taxes do the most damage to growth, that states without income taxes tend to attract people and investment, and that Missouri needs a more competitive tax environment to keep and attract younger workers and entrepreneurs. Some supporters also said the proposal could help reduce property taxes and broaden the tax base to include out-of-state consumers and online commerce. The committee heard testimony from both sides but took no final vote in the portion provided; the chair limited testimony and questions to three minutes each and then moved from H.J.R. 174 to the identical H.J.R. 173 for additional testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, public safety academies, excuse me, quick-paced computer engineering, software writing, coding
• Quick-paced computer engineering, software writing, coding, AI prompting—they're all going to have credentials
• And that's similar to Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa, where I was last week.
• When we were in Iowa, we found that was the case.

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2510, sponsored by Rep. Steinmeier, which would create a coordinated state framework for critical minerals involving the Departments of Natural Resources, Economic Development, and Higher Education and Workforce Development. The sponsor said Missouri is well positioned because it contains 36 of 60 minerals deemed critical to national security and manufacturing, and argued the bill would help Missouri pursue federal funding, build a workforce pipeline, and support advanced manufacturing with a five-year sunset. Committee members questioned the need for a new state structure and fund, the cost to Missouri, the role of universities, and whether the task force was too narrowly written around the University of Missouri system and mistakenly included DESE instead of higher education. A Missouri Chamber witness supported the bill for its economic and national security benefits, while an environmental witness urged adding an environmental professional to the task force and a mining permitting framework, citing health and water concerns and suggesting a separate mining-regulation bill as an amendment. The committee then took up House Bill 2585, sponsored by Rep. Castile, which updates Missouri workforce development statutes to align with federal law and implement the new Workforce Pell Grant program. The sponsor said the bill would allow short-term, high-value training programs in fields like welding, public safety academies, health technology, and trucking to qualify for Pell support, while preserving oversight and tying eligibility to outcomes such as completion, job placement, and earnings. Members asked about the number and makeup of the workforce board, whether the bill’s staffing references still pointed to the wrong department, how the 150% poverty-level threshold and reporting metrics would work, and whether the board could move quickly enough to meet federal timelines. A Missouri Community College Association witness said all 12 community colleges have programs likely to qualify and explained the federal eligibility standards, including a 70% completion rate, 70% job placement rate, and three-year rolling data review; a FGA Action witness and the Missouri Chamber also supported the bill as a way to expand access to skills training and draw down federal funds. After the bill hearings, the committee received an informational presentation from the Midwestern Higher Education Compact. The presenter described the compact’s regional cost-saving work, including reciprocity for distance education, technology contracts, grants, and efforts on dual credit and FAFSA support. She also shared Missouri-specific data on educational attainment, enrollment trends, student migration, and net price, noting that Missouri lags slightly behind the U.S. in attainment, has projected declines in high school graduates, retains most in-state students, and has higher net prices for low-income students than the Midwest average. The committee then adjourned.