Transcript Highlights:

• If in my county, in St.
• We have situations in St. Louis and in St.
• There are appraisals and just in the fair market value and those things. So there are appraisals.
• And in fact, in small circles, it can enhance the abuse.
• I don't necessarily blame them, other—I mean, in a legal sense, maybe in a moral sense, but not in a

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are the outliers in the sense that you have 42 public hospitals in the state.
• these are not entities who participate in the health care marketplace in any form.
• tax in other states.
• He noted advances in technology and tighter timeframes in other health care contexts in recent years.
• I'm in transition in eastern Washington. Yes, I'm ready.

Bills: SB5845 , SB5916 , SB6102 , SB6071 , SB6103 , SB6159 , SB5877 , SB5967 , SB5904 , SB5915 , SB6025

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: health insurance, health carrier, insurance carrier, prompt pay, timely payment, claims processing, clean claim, remittance advice, provider reimbursement, hospital billing, medical billing, prior authorization, claims denial, interest on late claims, administrative penalty, Washington insurance commissioner, RCW 48, public employees benefits board, school employees benefits board, Medicaid managed care

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that goal back in uh 20 uh back in 2020. that goal back in uh 20 uh back in 2020.
• but in particular in greater everywhere, but in particular in greater Minnesota,<00:42:02.720><c> many
• Nowhere in this is I in my landlord.
• This is not fair because uh is fair.
• Fair in the University home of the State Fair in the University of<01:31:34.639><c> Minnesota</c><01

Bills: HF3425 , HF3424 , HF1385

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: supportive housing, grants, housing assistance, funding, Minnesota Statutes, eviction, rent, nonpayment of rent, landlord-tenant, residential tenant, notice to quit, unlawful detainer, housing, lease violation, late fees, rental assistance, legal aid, tenant rights, Minnesota Statutes 504B.321, pre-eviction notice

Transcript Highlights:

• We are living through, it's fair to say, I think, a wave of concentration. in industry.
• Is it fair to say that a concentration of power in the tech sector is also a threat to personal liberty
• That's a fair statement in general.
• Is that fair to say in layman's terms? Yes, Senator.
• We're using a little bit differently now but I think there's no question. that the law fair went on in

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: nominations, Deputy Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, Todd Blanch, Gail Slater, confirmation hearing

Summary: The meeting focused on the nominations of Todd Blanch and Gail Slater for the positions of Deputy Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, respectively. The committee considered the qualifications of both nominees, with opening statements provided by the nominees themselves. There was an evident emphasis on the rigorous vetting process that nominees undergo before their selection, highlighting the importance of the roles within the Department of Justice. Members of the committee engaged in a structured question-and-answer session to further evaluate the nominees' capabilities and fit for the positions they were nominated for, with each member allotted seven minutes to pose questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a campus in Tullulah. We had a campus in Jonesboro. We had a campus in Winnsboro.
• Where's the fairness in an insurance company that is a for-profit industry where, instead of hiring enough
• Where's the fairness in an insurance company that is a for-profit industry where instead of hiring enough
• So when we talk about the fairness, how is it fair that you have to have a mini trial in a 90-day period
• the same that they were in 2025 and now in 2026.

Summary: The Labor and Industrial Relations Committee first took up House Bill 680 by Rep. Weibel, which proposes a major overhaul of Louisiana’s workforce development system. The bill and a large amendment package were described as modernizing workforce planning, consolidating some state-level strategy and administration, and strengthening coordination with local workforce partners, employers, and regional stakeholders. A transition advisory team with an 18-month sunset was added to help implement the changes, and members repeatedly raised concerns about preserving local input for different regions, parishes, and cities. Rep. Weibel, the secretary of Louisiana Works, parish officials, and other supporters said the goal is to shift more resources from overhead to training and direct services while keeping local boards and parish involvement in place. Testimony from a Utah official and from local government and business representatives emphasized that similar consolidations can create efficiencies without eliminating local responsiveness. The committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 680 with amendments. The committee then heard House Bill 780 by Rep. Furman on workers’ compensation. The bill seeks to streamline disputes over compensation and medical benefits, reduce litigation, and lower costs by restoring an expedited preliminary determination process and changing the standard for penalties and attorney fees to an arbitrary-and-capricious standard. Supporters, including lobbyists and defense attorneys, argued that the current process is outdated, overly technical, and too litigious, especially because adjusters now often work remotely and the statute still relies on fax and certified-mail procedures. They said the bill would speed up decisions, reduce unnecessary attorney-fee claims, and help employers and injured workers alike. Opponents, including attorneys for injured workers, argued the bill would make it harder for workers to recover penalties when benefits are delayed, shift the burden in favor of insurers, and fail to address understaffing and defense costs. Members debated whether the bill’s new standard should replace the current “reasonably controverted” language; an amendment to restore that language was offered but opposed by the author and other members and was not adopted. The committee adopted technical amendments and other committee amendments, heard additional testimony, and continued debating the bill’s substantive changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are not in the binder; they're in a nice little stack in front of you. Perfect.
• in general.
• year in a row.
• Chair, a very fair question. So the executive... ...in that particular area. Mr.
• 825 in 2025-2026, the highest growth in more than 16 years.

Bills: SB37 , SB29

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• There already are MDTs in place in New Jersey.
• There already are MDTs in place in New Jersey.
• There's multidisciplinary teams in place in New Jersey.
• Wiretap: there's a gap in that in the law in New Jersey.
• Is it really fair to—I respectfully submit, it's not fair to decide that in two weeks whether or not

Committee: Senate Senate Budget and Appropriations

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Green: I rise in support of H.R. 862, the T.S.A. Commuting Fairness Act. Mr. Green: Thank you, Mr.
• Green: I rise in support of H.R. 862, the T.S.A. Commuting Fairness Act.
• I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 862, the T.S.A. Commuting Fairness Act.
• I RISE IN SUPPORT OF MY BILL, H.R. 862, THE T.S.A. COMMUTING FAIRNESS ACT.
• IN IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE -- MR.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 10, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a child right in danger in our own neighborhood.
• place in perpetuity without any end in sight.
• It's a debate over what is fair. I'm happy to try and assist in that.
• Fair between the municipalities in East Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge government?
• We will actually commit to having everything that's in here on the website by Friday. That's fair.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee first took up HB 74, which would create a Louisiana Spectrum Alert for missing persons with autism spectrum disorder. Representative Eccles said the alert would be modeled on Amber and senior alerts and could be absorbed within existing resources. The committee heard emotional support testimony from a parent describing the dangers of elopement and drowning risks for autistic children, and several members voiced support. HB 74 was reported favorably. Members then considered HB 1033 and HB 1034 by Chairman Bacala. HB 1033 expands the statutory definition of critical infrastructure to include additional facilities such as airports, spaceports, aerospace facilities, mass transit, government facilities, military installations, and oil and gas exploration platforms. It drew mostly support from economic development and law enforcement groups, with one opposition card from the Sierra Club, and was reported favorably. HB 1034 authorizes parish presidents, mayors, sheriffs, police chiefs, and chief executive officers to establish temporary protection zones for public safety for up to 72 hours, with a warning before criminal penalties attach. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying that the bill cannot be used in a manner inconsistent with state firearms preemption law, heard concerns from the ACLU about vagueness and possible overreach, and then reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 59, by Representative Marcel, would require East Baton Rouge Parish and its municipalities to fund the 19th Judicial District public defender’s office in a manner parallel to the district attorney funding structure. The bill drew support from the public defender, the district attorney, and the state public defender, but several members raised concerns that the language could create an unfunded mandate or litigation risk for local governments. Despite those concerns, the committee reported HB 59 favorably. HB 175, as amended, redirected $500,000 annually from Louisiana Lottery net proceeds into a Veterans Service Grant Fund administered by a new board in the Department of Veterans Affairs; testimony emphasized support for veterans programs, treatment courts, homelessness services, and community organizations, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee also advanced HB 568, which increases penalties for drug-free school zone violations involving open marijuana use and other drug activity. Supporters said the bill would give law enforcement and prosecutors a clearer tool to address visible drug use near schools and large events, while opponents warned it could over-criminalize marijuana and create proof problems. The committee reported HB 568 favorably. Finally, HB 525, which requires DPS&C to publish certain incarceration data online, was amended to remove parish jail census data after DPS&C said it would not post that portion; the department said it would publish the remaining data and codebook online. The committee then reported HB 525 favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• education, in economic opportunity, and in the fair treatment of all.
• education, in economic opportunity, and in the fair treatment of all.
• education, in economic opportunity, and in the fair treatment of all.
• ><c> and</c><01:02:10.000><c> in</c><01:02:10.320><c> the</c><01:02:10.680><c> fair</c> in economic opportunity
• and in the fair in economic opportunity and in the fair treatment<01:02:12.000><c> of</c><01:02:12.160

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to 2 in 2018.
• And it's not legal in most competitive sports. In fact, it's banned in the Olympics.
• in sports and more.
• It's not fair for females and it's also not fair for the transgender individuals.
• Doesn't matter if you are in Westchester or if you're in Chautauqua County.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met on May 5, 2026, and considered a series of bills, several of them brought up through motions for committee consideration. Chair Shelley Mayer said she would allow brief remarks but stated her opposition to those motioned bills, emphasizing her general practice of giving minority members’ bills consideration. The committee first took up S-16 (Jacob’s Law, on bullying and related school safety issues), which was moved out of committee on a majority vote, with Senators Jackson and Bynoe recorded without recommendation. The committee then debated S-717, a local bill by Senator Rose to exempt the Wantagh Union Free School District from the state’s indigenous mascots/logos restrictions. Senator Rose argued Wantagh’s mascot and name are tied to local history and not intended to denigrate anyone. The bill was moved, but the committee vote was not favorable enough to advance it, and it was referred onward to the Investigations Committee. S-4496, Senator White’s bill to protect women’s sports from what supporters described as unfair competition by biological males, drew strong support from the sponsor and strong opposition from Chair Mayer, who said she opposed it as mean-spirited and unnecessary; the bill did not advance. The committee also considered several school bus and transportation bills. S-4748, by Senator Borrello, would repeal the electric school bus mandate and replace it with a feasibility study; he cited safety, cost, and operational problems with early adopters. S-8847, by Senator White, similarly sought to remove electric bus mandates and leave decisions to local districts, and S-9667, by Senator Ryan, would delay the zero-emission school bus mandate by five years. The committee advanced some of these measures to other committees or the floor, while others did not move. In addition, the committee approved S-7788 on special education reserve funds, S-8288A on reasonable rates for public school room use, S-8368 on records retention for Education Department proceedings, S-8370 on temporary resident placement of children with disabilities, S-8370 on release of student records to juvenile detention facilities, and S-1049 on updating the Dignity for All Students Act’s cyberbullying definition to include AI-related harassment.

Transcript Highlights:

• how it's used in the corporate sector.
• In general, they're essentially the same.
• I say we leave in that. How about that? We leave that in there. Is that okay?
• Staff, I say we leave in that. How about that? We leave that in there. Is that okay?
• That wasn't included in the Senate bill.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Data Privacy convened its first conference committee meeting to reconcile differences between Senate 2619 and House 5479. Representative Michael Moran and Senator Cindy Creem opened by emphasizing the long-running work on privacy legislation, the need to protect Massachusetts residents’ personal data, and the goal of producing a strong consumer-focused bill. Members also noted extensive stakeholder outreach over the prior three years and expressed optimism that the chambers could resolve the remaining differences. The committee then worked through the bill’s definitions section item by item, identifying which provisions were already aligned and which would need further staff review or later negotiation. Several items were described as essentially the same or close enough for agreement, including affiliate, consumer rights, business associate citation language, collection, controller, covered entity, gender-affirming health care services, targeted advertising, and some profile/health information provisions. Other items were set aside because of substantive differences, especially around affirmative consent, biometric data, dark patterns and deceptive design, de-identification, consumer versus individual terminology, age/minor language, precise geolocation, publicly available information, reproductive or sexual health care, sale/transfer of personal data, sensitive data, and trade secret-related language. A recurring theme was whether the bill should use “consumer” or “individual” in various definitions and provisions, with the chairs directing staff to work offline on a consistent approach. The committee also discussed whether certain HIPAA and COPPA references should be embedded in definitions or cited throughout the bill. By the end of the meeting, the committee had resolved a number of mostly technical or stylistic items, tabled several substantive disputes for later discussion, and agreed to continue working toward a final conference report before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a political body here, so we're never going to be totally fair in one group or another of what
• You know, the State Fair is a little different in that they have the capability to generate revenue.
• The Great American State Fair is an expo in Washington, D.C.
• And this, the Great American State Fair is in Washington, D.C., an expo in D.C.
• Fair and hopefully that would generate $12 million for their return in the future in the form of tourism

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The House Budget Committee met with a quorum and began by taking up a series of budget bills and committee substitutes, including House Bills 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, which were laid over. The chair then walked members through a committee amendment package, explaining a mix of technical corrections, fund swaps, and adjustments involving highway patrol fringe costs, summary budget timing, rural health care, the CCBHO FMAP correction, and marijuana-fund reallocations. Members adopted the chair’s decrease amendments and later adopted the corresponding increase amendments, including partial restoration for Care to Learn, a Title I grant language change, an Overpass and Seymour road project, technical corrections for DPS and health-related items, and restorations for Jordan Valley and FQHC substance abuse funding. After a brief recess for session and lunch, the committee returned to House Bill 2 and began considering member amendments. On House Bill 2, the committee adopted Representative Lewis’s amendment making the curriculum transparency and parent portal item a pilot program, and Representative Davidson’s amendment adding $2 million in federal Child Care and Development Block Grant funds for One-Time Wonder School. Representative Steinhoff’s attempt to shift funding from Missouri Star Solutions and WorkKeys to the Success Ready Student Assessment failed, as did Representative Taylor’s proposal to move $1.2 million from career ladder to community college nursing programs. The committee then rejected Representative Steinhoff’s attempt to redirect Title I Innovation and Improvement Grant funds back to the governor’s recommendation, and later adopted Representative Steinhoff’s vocational rehabilitation amendment, which restored the department’s request and drew down additional federal matching funds. The committee also adopted Representative Hyne’s language amendment to allow flexibility between the MOQPK pre-K grant program and the Child Care Works tri-share program, though members discussed concerns about cross-bill flexibility and whether funds would actually be available. Representative Fogle’s amendment to require budget communications sent to committee chairs to also go to the full Budget Committee was defeated after members expressed concern about information overload and the difference between required distribution and requested information. The committee then took up a lengthy debate over Representative Fogle’s amendment to remove language barring Parents as Teachers participation for children already enrolled in public pre-K. Supporters argued the programs serve different purposes and that families should not be forced to choose between them, while opponents said the language was intended to prevent duplication of services and preserve resources for children without other options. After extensive discussion, the amendment failed. The committee continued with additional House Bill 2 amendments, but the transcript ends before final action on the remaining items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, the bill addresses a fundamental fairness issue in Idaho's career ladder system that currently
• piece put in there.
• So I think it's a good bill and it's fair, and with that, I would leave it in the hands of the committee
• Motion's in order.
• I'm in sixth grade, and I'm a military child. I want to talk about fairness for military kids.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard two bills. Senate Bill 1358, presented by Sen. Harris, would amend Idaho’s career ladder rules so superintendents and principals who return to classroom teaching can count qualifying administrative experience toward career ladder advancement, rather than restarting at their prior teacher-ladder placement. Testimony from a remote superintendent and the Idaho Association of School Administrators supported the bill as a fairness and retention measure, noting that administrators can face large pay cuts when returning to teaching and that the bill still requires proficient-or-higher evaluations. After brief discussion, the committee voted to send SB 1358 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 762, presented by Sen. Woodward, which would give charter schools the option to prioritize enrollment for children of active-duty or active-reserve military members and for foster children who already have a sibling in the school. A long line of testimony from military spouses, veterans, charter school leaders, and military children described frequent relocations, waitlists, and the difficulty of finding stable school placements, arguing the bill would improve access and support military readiness without creating new schools or changing accountability. One witness also noted the bill’s flexibility for charter schools and its limited, targeted nature. The committee voted to send HB 762 to the floor with a due pass recommendation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the absence of clergy, let us bow our heads in a moment of silent reflection or prayer.
• in the state work year-round, day in and day out.
• IN STATE WORK YEAR ROUND, DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
• They are interested in government and politics. They are interested in how the world works.
• THEY ARE INTERESTED IN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS. THEY ARE INTERESTED IN HOW THE WORLD WORKS.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then took up a Rules Committee report advancing several bills directly to third reading, including Senate Print 9630, an appropriations extender for government operations, and Senate Print 9631, an extender related to Part U1 of Chapter 61 of the Laws of 2023. The chamber then moved to the controversial calendar and debated the first extender, with Senator O’Mara questioning what the bill covered, how much funding it extended, and the status of budget negotiations. Senator Krueger said the extender covered about $1 billion for payroll and certain payments for agencies including Health, Law, OPWDD, and Veterans Services through April 7, and described the budget talks as still unresolved, with no announced follow-up Joint Budget Conference Committee meetings or table targets. She also discussed utility affordability proposals, including a three-year moratorium on A.I. and crypto data/storage facilities and support for green energy and low-income ratepayer relief. O’Mara argued the lack of urgency and absence of written proposals on climate and utility costs was concerning. Both extender bills were then passed, with the first receiving 59 ayes and the second passing 46-13 after debate over its two-year duration. The Senate then adopted the resolution calendar, excluding two items initially, and took up two resolutions. Resolution 1821, sponsored by Senator Ramos, recognized Farmworkers Day and highlighted the essential role of farmworkers, the history of organizing for farmworker rights, and concerns about immigrant workers facing fear and retaliation; Senator May added support, noting the importance of farm labor to dairy production and food supply and the impact of deportation fears on farms in her district. The resolution was adopted. Resolution 1823, sponsored by Senator Zellner, proclaimed March 20, 2026 as Behavior Analysis Day in New York, recognizing applied behavior analysis and its benefits for individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, education, healthcare, and other fields; it was also adopted. The chamber also welcomed a group of students from Queens visiting Albany, with Senator Comrie speaking about the importance of civics education and government engagement. After the introductions and acknowledgments, there was no further business, and the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, April 1, at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to facilitate the committee's business and public participation in today's hearing, we In order
• And here to testify in support of Assembly Bill 775 is the chair of the Fair Political Practices Commission
• I think we do a good job in the Assembly and in what we follow with these.
• centers in place.
• street in different areas.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on March 26, 2025, adopted its 2025-26 committee rules, and approved a five-bill consent calendar. The committee then heard several election-related measures focused on transparency, accessibility, and election administration. AB 775 (Fong) would modernize behested payment reporting by extending filing deadlines, requiring direct filing with the FPPC in most cases, and improving online public access; the FPPC chair testified in strong support, and the bill drew no opposition. AB 287 (Lackey) would require vote centers and polling places to provide accessible parking and curbside voting accommodations for voters with disabilities; Los Angeles County election officials and Disability Rights California supported the bill, while LAUSD raised concerns about parking shortages and storage costs and requested amendments. AB 331 (Pellerin) would clarify that certification of election results is a ministerial duty, address misleading ballot return envelopes, and ensure voter information guides reach incarcerated voters in a usable format; the Attorney General’s office sponsored the bill, while the Secretary of State expressed concerns about the feasibility of a state takeover of county canvassing and said it was working on a solution with the author. The committee members generally supported the bills, emphasizing transparency, voter access, and election integrity. AB 775 and AB 287 both received favorable votes after brief discussion, with members noting the importance of transparency in campaign-related reporting and accessibility for voters with disabilities. AB 331 also passed, though the Secretary of State’s office flagged implementation concerns about the proposed certification backstop and the lack of state equipment and staff to canvass ballots. The chair indicated she would continue working with the Secretary of State and other stakeholders on amendments or a workable remedy. All items ultimately passed out of committee. AB 775 was approved 5-0 and re-referred to Appropriations, AB 287 passed 6-0, and AB 331 passed 6-0 and was re-referred to Public Safety. The committee also later confirmed the votes of absent members and adjourned after all agenda items were disposed of.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, there is greater detail in the written analysis as well as in the memorandum that you have
• in your EBB.
• I would have been there in person, but I'm here in our office down the road.
• Washington taxpayer here in Olympia.
• in Portland.

Summary: The House Education Committee held public hearings on two bills. House Bill 1662 would move several education-related boards and commissions—the State Board of Education, the Professional Educator Standards Board, the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership, and the Charter School Commission—toward operational independence from OSPI by July 1, 2027, including separate administrative services, asset and employee transfers, and transition planning by OFM. The prime sponsor and supporters said the bill would improve transparency, fiscal accountability, and agency flexibility, while OSPI-related testimony emphasized that small agencies need more nimble administrative support. No one testified in opposition; the hearing record noted 2 pro, 1 con, and 5 other sign-ins, and members were told the bill was substantively the same as the version passed the prior year except for date changes. The committee then heard House Bill 1683, which would require most school districts with 2,000 or more students to elect at least some school board members from director districts rather than entirely at-large, with larger districts needing more district-based seats and districts under 2,000 students exempt. The sponsor and supporters argued the change would improve geographic and demographic representation, especially for lower-income communities and communities of color, and would help ensure school boards reflect the students and families they serve. Opponents, including a school directors association representative, said the bill would be an unfunded mandate, reduce local control, and create added election costs and recruitment challenges; one witness also suggested the bill should consider broader proportional-representation options. Staff noted that 23 districts would currently be out of compliance, and the hearing record showed 12 pro, 163 con, and 2 other sign-ins. No executive action was taken on either bill during this portion of the meeting. At the end of the hearing, the chair reminded members that several bills heard that week would be on next Thursday’s executive session agenda, urged prompt amendment requests, and announced that the committee would adjourn to caucuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Procedural fairness, making sure that we're accountable in each process, it's intimidating, but it makes
• HB Forest passed in 2007.
• Is that a fair statement?
• state, Pioneer went from a 57% wastewater usage rate in 2020 up to a 74% rate in 2022.
• This bill has been in the making for over a year and a half. Is that a fair statement, Philip?

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1574 by Senator Zaffirini, which would codify the Texas Judicial Council’s Centers of Excellence Program for courts and judges. Testimony from judges and the Office of Court Administration emphasized that the program promotes transparency, procedural fairness, mentoring, and public trust. A committee substitute expanded eligibility to justices of the peace and municipal judges and removed a merit-pay reference to eliminate fiscal impact. After quorum was established, the committee adopted the substitute and later voted it out favorably, though it was not certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard SB 2774 by Senator Hinojosa, which would amend the Tax Code’s retail trade definition to include industrial uniform and linen rental businesses so they qualify for the lower franchise tax rate. Supporters said the change would put rental textile businesses on equal footing with other rental industries and help Texas employers and customers. The bill was reported favorably to the full Senate. Members then considered SB 1211 by Senator Perry, which would broaden the existing fracking-related sales tax exemption for equipment used with non-fresh water sources, including recycled, produced, and brine water. The bill’s supporters argued it would conserve freshwater and reduce litigation over water definitions, while the Comptroller’s office discussed the fiscal note and production-related revenue effects. The committee also heard SB 2873 and SB 2900, both by Senator Kolkhorst and presented by Senator Nichols; SB 2873 would require electronic filers to file electronically, and SB 2900 would eliminate certain Comptroller-related advisory committees and boards. Both were later adopted in committee substitute form and reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HJR 4, sponsored by Senator Parker, proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit new taxes on securities transfers or financial transaction processing. Supporters said it would protect investors, especially retirees, and help position Texas as a financial center. The committee voted to report HJR 4 favorably to the full Senate. In each recorded vote after quorum was present, the measures passed with nine ayes and no nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh prison population in me in Michigan. uh prison population in me in Michigan.
• in in circuit court the claims decided in in circuit court in<00:37:57.200><c> lie</c><00:37:57.359>
• ,</c><00:48:35.359><c> but</c> come up in my in in my practice, but come up in my in in my practice,
• I would also mention, and if this isn't true, I want to know this, because the fairness ordinance in
• But if they are, then that statement was false because adequately enforcing the fairness ordinance in

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:06.720><c> in</c><00:36:06.720><c> in</c> lobbyists kind of metastasize in in in lobbyists
• kind of metastasize in in in the<00:36:07.359><c> things</c><00:36:07.520><c> that</c><00:36:07.680>
• New York, in California, in Oregon, and in every other state that has enacted this.
• New York, in California, in Oregon, and in every other state that has enacted this.
• It doesn't appear in... committee back in September, both committee back in September, both verbally<

Bills: SF0052 , SF0024

Committee: House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Keywords: wildlife management, environmental restoration, funding, invasive species, aquatic ecosystems, native fish, habitat conservation, lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all