Transcript Highlights:

• And that's probably the number one reason why malpractice claims against naturopathic doctors—one-tenth
• barriers to much-needed mental health care in rural and underserved areas while keeping all existing safeguards
• barriers to much-needed mental health care in rule and underserved areas while keeping all existing safeguards
• while keeping all existing safeguards intact.
• So the reason we're asking for this is not to make it hard for anybody, but I have friends who are no

Summary: The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered seven bills, all of which were reported favorably. HB 497 would create a neurofibromatosis research grant program within the Department of Health; an amendment removed automatic recurring funding and made the program subject to annual appropriations. Proponents described the disease burden and the need for Florida-based research support. The bill passed 14-0. The committee also approved HB 223, which creates a licensing and regulatory framework for naturopathic medicine, including a Board of Naturopathic Medicine under the Department of Health. Supporters argued licensure would improve patient safety, transparency, and access, while the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association and Florida Medical Association waived in opposition. The bill passed 15-0. HB 683 modernizes physician assistant and APRN prescribing rules by removing certain administrative notice and prescription-labeling requirements and allowing a 30-day course of psychotropic medication; an amendment removed language that would have allowed practice without physician supervision during declared emergencies. It passed 15-0. The committee then approved CS for HB 121, which updates Florida’s seizure action plan law by extending protections to charter school students, requiring schools to accept physician-submitted plans, clarifying training duration, expanding training to regular bus drivers, and requiring seizure-response posters in schools. HB 353 adds sickle cell disease education to existing pain-management continuing education for health professionals, prompted by extensive testimony from patients and advocates about bias, delayed treatment, and lack of provider knowledge; it passed 15-0. HB 1175 directs the Florida Building Commission and State Fire Marshal to develop updated safety design standards for office surgery suites, with an amendment delaying the effective date to January 1, 2027; it passed 14-0. Finally, HB 251 creates a public records exemption for current emergency physicians and their families, narrowed by amendment to current physicians and children up to age 26 and made subject to sunset review; it passed 15-0. The meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill addresses the issues last year's bill could not overcome, and safeguards have been brought
• Are there carve-outs and safeguards and guardrails in this bill to keep a violent criminal from being
• legal and with the schools to make sure that they will still have that flexibility when, for whatever reason
• House Bill 3242 clarifies women and children deserve the right to have their privacy and dignity safeguarded
• So I'm not willing to take a step back and say we're not going to protect women for that reason.

Bills: HB3700 , HB3315 , HB3242 , HB3379 , HB3129 , HB3132 , HB2950

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Summary: The House Postsecondary Education Committee met and considered several higher education bills. HB 3700, by Rep. Chad Caldwell, would require public college grades to be based only on academic criteria, including attendance, and not on students’ opinions, beliefs, or conduct outside the classroom. Supporters said it formalizes an existing expectation and protects free speech; opponents raised concerns about local control and whether it was a response to a specific incident. The bill passed 6-2. The committee also passed HB 3379, a “ban-the-box” style bill by Rep. Ranson that would bar colleges from asking about felony history before admission, with exceptions for sex-related felonies and post-admission follow-up on housing, payment, and degree planning. Members questioned campus safety and whether violent offenses should be excluded, but the bill advanced 6-2. Rep. West’s HB 3129, prohibiting public institutions from charging security fees to student groups based on the content of their expression, passed 7-1 after discussion about whether schools could still assess security costs based on event size or risk. His HB 3132, which would limit the use of DEI-related practices in accreditation and require annual reporting on accreditors, also passed 6-3. Rep. Eves’ HB 3315, directing a feasibility study on three-year bachelor’s degrees, passed unanimously 9-0. Rep. Woolley’s HB 2950, as amended, would prevent extra admissions requirements for students from unaccredited backgrounds, address Oklahoma’s Promise requirements for homeschoolers, and allow OLAP applications up to age 18; it passed 7-2. Finally, Vice Chair Wolfley’s HB 3242, aimed at protecting women’s privacy in restrooms, locker rooms, showers, shelters, and correctional facilities, passed 6-2 after extensive questioning about how it would apply to transgender individuals and safety concerns for both women and trans people.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Lower Keys are now safeguarded during emergencies from water disruptions if their 127-mile transmission
• The lower keys are now safeguarded during emergencies from water disruptions.
• The lower keys are now safeguarded during emergencies from water disruptions if their 127-mile transmission
• Elevate Florida emphasizes structure elevation projects over any other type of project for several reasons
• The reason we have 500 people on that wait list is back to almost Senator Pizzo's question with the previous

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard several housing and disaster-recovery items. The committee heard SB 48 by Senator Gates, which would require local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, preserve homestead treatment for the owner-occupied portion of the property, limit undue parking restrictions, require 30-day minimum rentals, extend certain density bonuses for military families, and allow reusable tenant screening reports. The bill drew strong support from the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals and several others, and it was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 34 by Senator Sharif, creating a historic cemeteries program to help preserve historic African-American cemeteries and allow sale of excess vacant land if proceeds are used for long-term maintenance; it was also reported favorably. The committee then considered and recommended confirmation of Fox Henderson to the Board of Directors of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Members also received a presentation from the Department of Commerce on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Rebuild Florida. Deputy Secretary Justin Domer described the state’s administration of HUD disaster recovery funds, including more than $4.3 billion received since 2017, housing repair and replacement programs that have completed 5,271 homes, and infrastructure and mitigation projects such as sewer conversion in Alford, the new Calhoun-Liberty Hospital, and the Florida Keys desalination plant. Members asked about average project costs, contractor oversight, corrective actions for deficient work, and audit procedures; Domer said the department uses inspections, vendor oversight, and financial penalties, and noted stricter contract consequences in newer programs. The Division of Emergency Management also presented on Elevate Florida, a federal mitigation program that allows homeowners to apply directly for elevation, reconstruction, acquisition/demolition, or wind-mitigation projects, with a 75/25 federal-homeowner cost share and no state funds. Director Kevin Guthrie said the program is designed to reduce repetitive flood losses and keep homeowners in place, and that it has received more than 12,000 applications, with about 1,500 prioritized, 500 on a wait list, and 305 submitted to FEMA for final approval. Members asked about the 25% match for seniors, the wait list, contractor procurement, and how projects are classified; Guthrie said the program uses insurance proceeds where available, has competitively procured 27 contractors, and may shift projects from elevation to reconstruction depending on damage and flood rules. The committee adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Lower Keys are now safeguarded during emergencies from water disruptions if their 127-mile transmission
• The lower keys are now safeguarded during emergencies from water disruptions.
• The lower keys are now safeguarded during emergencies from water disruptions if their 127-mile transmission
• Elevate Florida emphasizes structure elevation projects over any other type of project for several reasons
• The reason we have 500 people on that wait list is back to almost Senator Pizzo's question with the previous

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum and heard two bills, a confirmation, and two agency presentations. SB 48 by Senator Gates would require local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, preserve homestead exemption for the owner-occupied portion, limit parking restrictions, require 30-day minimum leases, extend density bonuses for military-family housing, and allow reusable tenant screening reports. The bill drew strong support from the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals and several others, and it was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call. SB 34 by Senator Sharief would expand the Historic Cemetery Program, particularly to help historic African-American cemeteries preserve and maintain themselves by allowing sale of excess vacant land only if proceeds are used for long-term upkeep; it also passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of Fox Henderson to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors by unanimous vote. In addition, the Department of Commerce presented on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Rebuild Florida, describing more than $4.3 billion in HUD disaster recovery funds since 2017, housing repair and replacement efforts that have completed more than 5,200 homes, and infrastructure and mitigation projects across the state. Members asked about average project costs, contractor oversight, corrective actions for deficient work, and clawbacks from a prior vendor; Commerce said it had ended the earlier vendor relationship, imposed about $3.6 million in financial consequences, and now uses stronger oversight and competitive procurement for contractors. The Division of Emergency Management then presented on Elevate Florida, a federal mitigation program that allows homeowners to apply directly for elevation, reconstruction, acquisition, or wind-mitigation projects, with a 75/25 federal-homeowner cost share and no state funds used. Director Kevin Guthrie said the program is intended to reduce repetitive flood losses, keep homeowners in their communities, and serve as a national model; he reported more than 12,000 applications, about 1,500 prioritized for review, 500 on a wait list, and 305 submitted to FEMA for final approval. Members asked about assistance for seniors who cannot meet the 25% match, the wait-list process, contractor selection, and the mix of project types, and Guthrie said contractors were selected through competitive procurement and that most projects are elevations, though some may become reconstructions or acquisitions depending on inspection results. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of the reason it's observational data and why, when I start talking about economic implications,
• So I think the companies are putting some forethought or some safeguards into it.
• And the reason I say that is the second slide: a snapshot of child sexual abuse in 2025.
• The reason being, when we think about 6th graders, a lot of 6th, 10th, and 12th.
• There's reasons behind that. Inclusive representation.

Committee: Joint Protection and Victim Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So that sounds reasonable.
• So our Texas policy only allows one reasonable opportunity period.
• And then we're also adding some system safeguards.
• There's no policy reason for that, but we know it happens.
• The reason for that is they've seen rampant PBM problems.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened to discuss interim charges regarding fraud, waste, and abuse in Texas human services, particularly focusing on Medicaid and childcare programs. The meeting highlighted the importance of preventing misuse of taxpayer funds, with testimony from various stakeholders emphasizing the need for increased oversight and accountability in these programs. Key points included the alarming rise in healthcare fraud in other states, the necessity for Texas to enhance its fraud prevention measures, and the potential financial repercussions of failing to meet federal compliance standards. Several committee members expressed concerns about the impact of fraud on vulnerable populations, particularly those relying on Medicaid services. Testimonies from experts underscored the effectiveness of Texas's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in combating fraud, yet pointed out existing vulnerabilities, such as inconsistent enforcement and the need for better data sharing among agencies. The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by hospice care providers, with a significant increase in the number of hospices in Texas raising concerns about quality and oversight. The committee heard from various witnesses, including representatives from health plans and advocacy organizations, who provided insights into the complexities of managing Medicaid and the importance of maintaining program integrity. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore legislative solutions to enhance oversight and ensure that resources are directed to those in genuine need.

Transcript Highlights:

• In closing, SB 505 provides a simple, proactive safeguard.
• In closing, SB 505 provides a simple, proactive safeguard that strengthens consumer trust, protects personal
• And I think the committee analysis raises reasonable considerations for the author.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions met to consider three bills, including two on consent. The consent calendar items, SB 546 and SB 700, were adopted by roll call. The committee then heard SB 505 by Senator Richardson, which would require digital wallet providers and money transmitters operating in California to use two-factor or multi-factor authentication at login, with a delayed operative date of January 1, 2028. The author said the bill was narrowly tailored to address consumer protection and account takeover risks, and noted ongoing discussions about self-hosted crypto wallets and possible clarifying amendments. Support testimony came from Rise Economy, while representatives from the California Blockchain Advocacy Coalition, Andreessen Horowitz, and TechNet described themselves as “tweeners” or re-evaluating their positions, citing the author’s and staff’s work on definitions and amendments. No formal opposition was registered. Vice Chair Nilo said he supported the bill but raised concerns about technology changing over time and the need to avoid locking the state into one security approach; the author responded that the bill was intentionally narrow and that he would return with updated policy if needed. The committee moved SB 505 on a due pass and re-refer to Appropriations motion, and the bill received enough votes to pass out of committee. The chair also noted the broader concern about fraud and scams affecting consumers. The committee then completed the consent calendar and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In closing, SB 505 provides a simple, proactive safeguard.
• In closing, SB 505 provides a simple, proactive safeguard that strengthens consumer trust, protects personal
• And I think the committee analysis raises reasonable considerations for the author.

Committee: Senate Banking and Financial Institutions

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions met to hear two-year bills that had not advanced the prior spring. The committee first adopted the consent calendar, which included SB 546 and SB 700, on a roll call vote. The committee then heard SB 505 from Senator Richardson, a consumer protection bill aimed at digital wallets and money transmitters. SB 505 would require digital wallet providers and money transmitters operating in California to use two-factor or multi-factor authentication at login, with a delayed operative date of January 1, 2028. The author said the bill was narrowly focused on authentication, not transactions, fees, or data collection, and noted ongoing discussions with stakeholders about self-hosted crypto wallets and possible definitional amendments. Support came from Rise Economy, while representatives from the California Blockchain Advocacy Coalition, Andreessen Horowitz, and TechNet described themselves as neutral or “tweener,” citing appreciation for the author’s work and the revised language. Committee members generally supported the bill while raising concerns about fraud, phishing, and the possibility that technology could change over time. Vice Chair Niello said he had some trepidation about mandating a specific technology but supported the bill as a practical anti-fraud measure. The chair also noted the bill’s narrow scope and the need for continued conversation. SB 505 was given a do pass and re-refer recommendation to Appropriations and passed the committee on a 5-0 vote; the consent calendar also passed with five votes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In closing, SB 505 provides a simple, proactive safeguard.
• In closing, SB 505 provides a simple, proactive safeguard that strengthens consumer trust, protects personal
• And I think the committee analysis raises reasonable considerations for the author.

Committee: Senate Banking and Financial Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• I understood for some reason that there was mandated to collect them to collection agencies and what
• Advancing this work is critical to safeguard Protect California's water resources.
• Advancing this work is critical to safeguarding water quality and supporting ecosystem health.
• We have significant resources currently, but this is part of the reason we have a proposal before you
• In fact, this is the reason.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you heard the reason for the issue. This is simply just a clarification of how...
• You heard the reason for the issue.
• Instead, this proposal focuses on common-sense safeguards, steps such as requiring clear disclosures,
• So for that reason, it's not like buying a vacuum cleaner from a door-to-door salesman.
• And to that point, it's the reason I'm raising this out, and to that point, it's the reason I'm raising

Bills: SB1137 , SB1200 , SB1419 , SB1447 , SB1560 , SCM1004

Committees: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water , House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Keywords: underground utilities, utility locating, dig safe, call before you dig, excavation safety, damage prevention, one-call center, locate request, white lining, large project coordination, buried infrastructure, subsurface utilities, utility marking, locator wire, locator strip, interactive positive response system, landlord duties, apartment community, mobile home park, sewer line

Transcript Highlights:

• that that that we're actually that's the key reason to to get this done.
• In fact, here in the Capitol and made a video for a partisan reason. or an endorsement reason that belated
• I want you just for a second to think about all the reasons you need a birth certificate.
• This empowers corporations to set reasonable ownership thresholds for shareholders.
• ERPOs are structured with several safeguards to prevent misuse.

Bills: SB29 , SB406 , SB447 , SB875 , SB893 , SB1033 , SB1346 , SB1362 , SB1539 , SCR22 , SB 29

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of the reason it's observational data, and why when I start talking about economic implications,
• So I think the companies are putting some forethought or some safeguards into it.
• So I think the companies are putting some forethought or some safeguards into it.
• some reason.
• And the reason I say that is the second slide: a snapshot of child sexual abuse in 2025.

Summary: The committee met to approve prior minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), focusing on the economic and public-system impacts in North Dakota. She explained that ACEs are a population-level measure, not a diagnostic tool for individuals, and said higher ACE exposure is consistently associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare involvement, justice-system contact, and reduced workforce participation. She emphasized that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across a person’s life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based prevention and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, historical trends in ACEs, and the role of positive childhood experiences and home visiting. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota, including Healthy Families, Early Head Start, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers. They described home visiting as voluntary, relationship-based, and tailored to family needs, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, human service zones, pregnancy navigators, self-referrals, and other community sources. A parent, Abby, shared that home visiting helped her family after premature births and NICU stays by providing support with postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, developmental screenings, referrals, and parenting guidance. The presenters said the programs are funded through a mix of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E dollars, Medicaid targeted case management, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and grants, and they noted that current funding is fragmented and insufficient to serve all eligible families statewide. Members discussed whether the state should expand or better fund these services and how to improve outreach and referrals. Later, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, followed by a presentation from a BCI special agent on how AI is already affecting child exploitation investigations in North Dakota. The memo and testimony described AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and risks posed by chatbots, along with relevant federal and state law and recent executive orders. The agent said North Dakota saw 2,698 cyber tips in 2025, the highest on record, and that investigators are increasingly encountering AI-assisted exploitation that is harder to detect and verify. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI undermining critical thinking and spreading misinformation. No votes were taken on the AI materials during the portion provided, and the committee recessed briefly after the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our opposition is for two main reasons.
• They said that cries out for reasonable oversight.
• The author said that cries out for reasonable oversight and that is the purpose of the bill.
• For these reasons, we ask that you support this measure today.
• I can't see any reason. Thank you for bringing this bill forward. Thank you.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason that the bidding process is there in the first place, which is to avoid corruption.
• If it's determined that it's necessary to safeguard against any sort of project...
• That it's necessary to safeguard against any sort of project impacts.
• That's the reason they are trying to borrow the money.
• So that is the reason for this language, but also... ...find up to three competitive bids.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• low-cost, neutral trained dispute resolution experts, and baseball-style arbitration that encourages reasonable
• This legislation retains all of those safeguards while addressing two very important glitches in the
• And the reason it is needed, thank you... ...either. So it is double-sided.
• And then the reasonableness, typically, it's in the range of maybe three and a half percent, but again
• , typically it's in the range. eliminate the ambiguity and then the reasonableness.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee considered a full agenda of insurance, financial services, and probate bills. Early action included SB 1000, setting a floor and ceiling for interest on attorneys’ trust accounts, which was reported favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program for out-of-network emergency claims. Senator Graal explained it as a way to reduce litigation and use a dispute-resolution process similar to the federal No Surprises Act. An amendment intended to require plan disclosure and prevent default by nonparticipation drew questions from members and concerns from insurers and providers about clarity and scope, especially whether it could affect contracted rates or shift claims between state and federal systems. Senator Graal withdrew the amendment, and the bill was reported favorably after testimony from insurers and emergency physicians both supporting the underlying dispute-resolution concept while asking for further clarification. The committee also favorably reported SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels; CS/SB 158 on pet insurance, which adds agent continuing education, stronger consumer disclosures, and annual reporting to OIR; SB 1494 on breast cancer screening coverage, expanding required mammogram and supplemental screening coverage; and CS/SB 314, a strike-all bill creating a Florida framework for payment stablecoin issuers consistent with the federal GENIUS Act. CS/SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings was also approved, with an amendment addressing access to safe deposit boxes by requiring letters of administration. SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance raised the consent-to-rate cap from 10% to 20% for workers’ comp policies and adjusted the Florida Workers’ Compensation Guarantee Association board membership; supporters said it would help keep high-risk employers in the voluntary market. Later, the committee approved CS/SB 1568 creating a Florida Stablecoin Pilot Program within DFS to allow certain stablecoin payments for fees, after a substitute amendment removed authority for a Florida coin, limited eligible stablecoins, and required qualified public deposit handling. CS/SB 838 clarified that convenience fees for electronic payments on retail installment contracts are permissible, while preserving a fee-free payment option; members discussed consumer access and fee concerns. CS/SB 1452, a broad DFS agency bill covering My Safe Florida Home, insurance administration, unclaimed property, licensing, and other departmental changes, was reported favorably after a technical amendment. The committee also approved SB 1706 creating a My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program targeted to owner-occupied, lower-income condominiums, and SB 990 authorizing protected cell captive insurance companies in Florida, with supporters arguing it would modernize law and promote competition. The meeting concluded with all bills on the agenda that were heard being reported favorably and the committee adjourning without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Safeguards are provided by...
• No public funds may be used, and additional safeguards can be implemented by any of our locals.
• I mean, what is the reason behind that?
• Sure, you get beyond that, you can begin to reason, you... ...beyond that, you can begin to reason, you
• For those reasons, I urge the representatives to vote against this bill. Thank you.

Bills: SB211 , HB96 , SB215 , SB257 , SB13 , SB13

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• For reasons totally unrelated to the content of the bill, it did not become law, so we're back again.
• For reasons totally unrelated to the content of the bill, it did not become law, so we're back again.
• the legislature to pass a bill on this topic, we believe that this bill will take a workable and reasonable
• the three-day right to cancel are critical for consumers, including older adults, as they help to safeguard
• the three-day right to cancel, are critical for consumers, including older adults, as it helps to safeguard

Bills: HB 112 , HB199 , HB621 , HB1349 , HB2214 , HB3466 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HCR9 , HB112 , HB199 , HCR9

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Summary: The Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development met with a quorum and moved quickly through a long agenda, hearing testimony and taking recorded votes on several bills. Early in the meeting, HB 2214 was laid out to exempt certain short-term residential leases and leaseback arrangements from flood-disclosure requirements; Texas Realtors supported the change, and the bill was left pending. The committee then voted out a series of pending measures, including HB 46, HB 186 (with a committee substitute), HB 431, HB 1147, HB 1154, HB 2468, HB 2488, HB 2788 (with a substitute), HB 2791 (with a substitute), HB 3260, and HCR 90, all reported favorably to the full House, with HB 1147 receiving two nays and the others passing unanimously or nearly so. A major portion of the hearing focused on HB 112, which would create a Texas Science Park district and commission to support advanced manufacturing and innovation sites. The bill’s author and supporters, including Samsung Austin Semiconductor, the Texas Association of Business, and the Governor’s economic development office, argued it would strengthen supply chains, attract investment, and support national security and workforce development. Testimony described interest from semiconductor and advanced manufacturing companies and referenced the model of foreign science parks such as Sinshu in Taiwan. HB 112 was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 3698 and HB 3699, both related to unemployment insurance administration. HB 3698 would expand eligibility for the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment program using federal funds, while HB 3699 would tighten the definition of “last work” to help the Texas Workforce Commission investigate UI fraud. Both bills were discussed with TWC resource witnesses and left pending after the committee withdrew the substitutes. HB 1349, which would extend HOA transparency and property-rights provisions to condominiums and refine HOA rules, and HB 621, which would require HOA meeting spaces to be available for residents to reserve for qualified political candidates or elected officials, were also heard and left pending. Finally, the committee heard HCR 9 to designate the first Saturday of each month as Small Business Saturday, HB 199 to index unemployment benefit duration to the state unemployment rate, and HB 3466 to exempt certain cancelable service contracts from Texas’s in-home sales cooling-off law; each drew supportive and opposing testimony and was left pending before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam President. also have cultural and historic reasons also have cultural and historic reasons
• </c> 10 days I believe 10 days is reasonable 10 days I believe 10 days is reasonable but<01:22:02.960
• This is the safeguard that the works.
• </c> owner's project manager would safeguard owner's project manager would safeguard that.<04:26:47.279
• This safeguards taxpayers money that.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason why I am in favor of this is an anecdotal experience that I live very vividly in January of
• We are doing our part as the state; the municipalities that are not getting there for whatever reason
• We are doing our part as the state, the municipalities that are not getting there for whatever reason
• He was called out for medical reasons, support medical reasons.
• But for what it's worth, whether it's LPNs or more, for any of the reasons you've articulated, we've

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its second public hearing of the 2025–26 session, with opening remarks from Chairs John Velis and Joe McGonagle outlining testimony on 20 House bills and 18 Senate bills. The hearing covered a wide range of veterans issues, including municipal veterans assistance funds, pension equity, expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate, veterans service officer staffing, disability benefits eligibility, service dogs, POW tax relief, courtesy parking spaces, women veterans and motherhood, and workforce-related licensing and employment measures. Chairs emphasized the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, and written testimony process. Several bills drew support focused on expanding services and access. Representative Arena-DeRosa spoke for bills to broaden municipal veterans assistance funds to cover housing and legal expenses and to study enhanced pension equity for veterans, citing burn pit exposure and shorter life expectancy among veterans. Senator Fattman, Representative Peas, and Veterans Advocate Bob Notch supported bills expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate to include active-duty service members and their families, arguing it would improve transition support, coordination with state agencies, and retention of military talent in Massachusetts. Representative Arriaga backed a bill to incentivize municipalities to provide full-time or regional veterans service officers and another to study the impact of combat on women veterans and motherhood. Representative Moulton/another sponsor also sought to exempt veterans’ disability payments from income calculations for other state benefits, and Representative Hong and Senator Scanlan supported a state service dog program, POW income tax relief, and courtesy retail parking spaces for veterans. Testimony also focused on workforce and claims-assistance issues. The Military Officers Association of America and James Keene urged passage of bills waiving duplicative education requirements so qualified veterans and military medics can become licensed practical nurses, arguing it would help address health care shortages and recognize military training. Brave Veterans Inc. called for a Veterans Research Trust Fund to protect data and program evaluation work during budget cuts. On claims assistance, one witness supported criminal penalties for unaccredited agents who charge veterans for VA claims help, while a private consulting firm opposed the bill, arguing it would restrict lawful speech and veterans’ choice and that existing federal and HERO Act safeguards already address abuses. The VFW strongly opposed paid claims consulting, said its accredited service officers provide free help statewide, and urged more public awareness of existing free services. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.