Transcript Highlights:

• Any other speakers in support? Any speakers in... Thank you. Any other speakers in support?
• Sadiah Khan, Family Violence Law Center, in strong support.
• Sadiah Khan, Family Violence Law Center, in strong support. Thank you. Good morning.
• I'm sure the chamber supports our small family farmer's rotter rights. Oh, yes. Hi, I'm his wife.
• With me today to provide supporting testimony is Sadia Khan, policy advocate with Family Violence Law

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard several bills focused largely on legal ethics, access to justice, public notice, water-rights notice, and protections for vulnerable people. AB 2305 would bar corporate investors such as private equity and hedge funds from directing or influencing litigation decisions; it was supported by the Consumer Attorneys of California and others, with the Civil Justice Association of California supporting if amended to add disclosure requirements. AB 2039 would tighten discipline for attorney misconduct, protect whistleblowers inside law firms, and restrict certain client-loan arrangements; it drew support from consumer attorneys and a support-if-amended position from CJA. AB 2109 would require the State Bar to adopt the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ Universal Bar Exam after the troubled February 2025 California bar exam; members discussed the need for broader review and possible reciprocity, but supported moving the bill forward. The committee also advanced AB 2115, which would issue a formal legislative apology to California Native peoples for the state’s role in historic violence and dispossession, with strong support from tribal leaders and Native organizations. Members spoke at length about the need for acknowledgment, healing, and a Capitol plaque memorializing the apology. AB 2179 would expand electronic filing and remote appearance options to workplace violence restraining orders, aligning them with other protective order procedures; it received support from local governments, prosecutors, labor groups, and advocacy organizations. AB 2534 would allow restraining orders based on forced marriage or attempts to compel marriage, and the committee heard powerful testimony from a survivor and support from family violence advocates. Two other measures addressed notice and transparency. AB 2323 would modernize public notice by keeping print publication as the legal standard while requiring online availability, with supporters emphasizing access, archival value, and the role of community newspapers; a special districts group opposed unless amended. AB 2125 would require courts in water-rights adjudications to consider proof of notice and receipts before proceeding, prompted by testimony from Ventura County farmers who said they lost water allocations without adequate notice. The committee approved the bills it heard, including several on consent, and later took roll-call votes to move the measures forward, generally sending them to Appropriations or to the floor as noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• He worked summers at the Muni Theater as a stagehand to support his family.
• He worked summers at the Muni Theater as a stage hand to support his family.
• Across Missouri, thousands of individuals rely on services such as in-home supports, residential care
• Across Missouri, thousands of individuals rely on services such as in-home supports, residential care
• This is a funding stream that can provide sustainable and dependable support for disability services,

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They restore lives and families.
• The appropriation supports problem-solving courts around the state.
• These indicators include recidivism, retention, sobriety, and units of service.
• The goal is to try to get services to those families while the children are very young. ...are very young
• and other family court matters.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services.
• I choose to support the firefighters and their families and our communities by providing this relief
• and I choose to support the firefighters and their<01:28:19.520><c> families</c><01:28:20.240><c> and
• ><c> supportive.
• These are real families. These lives. These are real families.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> their service. their service. &gt;&gt; Thank<00:11:27.600><c> you.</c> Oh, there you are.
• With her loving and supportive family, Sheriff Tuggle by her side, I present this resolution, House Bill
• </c> general support. general support.
• This is IHL general support bill. brief. This is IHL general support bill.
• </c><00:41:00.960><c> Thank</c> support the chairman's motion. Thank support the chairman's motion.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 24 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:18.840><c> as</c> academic and residential support as academic and residential support as
• </c> Community organizations who support Community organizations who support victims<00:11:37.480><c>
• </c> and utki and I appreciate your support and utki and I appreciate your support uh<01:28:14.520><c
• around the patient and the family.
• <01:34:20.960><c> community</c> family community family community experiences<01:34:23.159><c> last</

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Statistics show that, with the support of family and educational opportunities, recidivism rates and
• Furthermore, Gary has a robust and well-structured re-entry plan supported by a dedicated family unit
• These funds can be allocated to community crime prevention, support services, and a program like the
• We should use that money to build programs and provide the services and support that these individuals
• </c> community crime preventions support community crime preventions support services<01:28:17.560><c

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 146, which would require longer retention and quicker disclosure of certain video recordings from traffic stops and similar motor vehicle violations when a citation is disputed. The prime sponsor described the bill as a response to a constituent who challenged a speeding ticket but could not obtain a cruiser video before it was deleted under the current 30-day retention practice. Supporters argued the bill is about fairness and access to potentially exculpatory evidence, and one member suggested a simple 60-day retention period might avoid confusion over different timelines. The sponsor also noted that the bill would not affect criminal cases and that victims and complainants should have access to the same evidence as law enforcement when a recording is relevant to a defense. Major Brendan Davey of the New Hampshire State Police testified in opposition. He said the proposal would create a different discovery standard for one type of evidence, could discourage agencies from adopting body-worn or cruiser cameras, and would add cost and administrative burden. He explained that the State Police already retain routine traffic-stop videos for at least 30 days, but keep videos much longer when complaints or possible litigation are involved, and said the current system balances efficiency with accountability. He also argued the underlying speeding case did not make the trooper video directly material to the citation, though he acknowledged the legislature could choose a longer blanket retention period if it wished. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then opened a public hearing on House Bill 638, which would allow people serving life without parole sentences to become eligible for a parole hearing at age 60 after serving at least 18 years, provided they have had no major conduct violations in the prior 10 years. The sponsor said the bill is intended to give a narrow second look to a small number of elderly prisoners, citing the high cost of incarceration and the health challenges of aging in prison. He emphasized that the bill would not automatically release anyone, would not apply to capital murder convictions under RSA 630:1, and would still allow victims to participate in the parole process. Testimony on HB 638 was mixed. Alexander Bailey, a survivor of violent crime and domestic violence advocate, supported the bill, saying many survivors favor rehabilitation, second chances, and restorative justice, and that people in prison often age faster and face serious health and safety problems. Another supporter, Russell Roy, began offering a personal story about crime, addiction, and violence in Concord, but the transcript cuts off before his full remarks. Committee members asked about why age 60 was chosen, how released individuals would support themselves, and whether victims or families would be consulted; the sponsor said 60 was meant to limit eligibility and reflect the health realities of prison, and that parole boards already consider support networks and victim input. No action or vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Guide us to uphold the values of family, freedom, and responsibility.
• It's our job here as legislators to pass rules that help support our youth.
• Over 90% of Arizona families choose public education.
• their families, and it costs taxpayers a lot more money in the long run.
• There should be broad support for this bill.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, I pray you will look over our House representatives, their families, and those that give them support
• His commitment to public service is rooted in family, professionalism, integrity, and respect, helping
• His commitment to public service is rooted in family, professionalism, integrity, and respect, helping
• I'm happy to support this.
• all your support on this, and I am thankful.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with Service Insurance Companies.
• I urge you to support House Bill 5400.
• I urge you to support House Bill 5400.
• uplifts families and communities around them.
• Appreciate it, and in support.

Committee: House S/C on Workforce

Summary: The subcommittee heard testimony on a broad agenda of workforce, labor, and workers’ compensation bills. HB 4676 would require political subdivision workers’ compensation networks to follow the same notice, access, and complaint rules as certified TDI networks; supporters said public employees and first responders deserve equal access to care, while municipal risk pool representatives opposed added regulation and said existing 504 networks already perform well. HB 4479 would create a rural workforce development grant program at TWC to support college-and-career readiness and local workforce alignment, and HB 3844 would define “opportunity youth” in state law to improve data, coordination, and access to services for disconnected young Texans; both drew strong support from rural, education, and chamber witnesses. HB 5545 would clarify federal tax treatment for wage-replacement benefits in non-subscriber injury benefit plans, with proponents calling it a win for employers and injured workers. HB 5118 would direct TWC and DIR to study AI and automated employment decision tools in hiring, including bias and oversight concerns. HB 1667 would move existing PTSD workers’ compensation language into a broader Labor Code chapter so more first responders, including state and campus officers, could qualify for benefits; supporters called it a technical fix to extend coverage more evenly across agencies. The committee also heard several first-responder and workers’ compensation bills. HB 2369 would speed up claims handling for injured first responders by allowing a single medical evaluation, giving carriers 60 days to accept or deny a claim, and letting workers seek treatment while disputes proceed; law enforcement supporters said it would help injured officers return to work faster, while opponents warned it would revive extent-of-injury waiver problems and increase litigation. HB 4483 would reclassify certain workers’ compensation maintenance taxes as surcharges to reduce retaliatory taxes imposed by other states on Texas-domiciled carriers, and HB 875, as revised by committee substitute, would create a small-project exception to municipal workers’ compensation and bonding requirements for certain low-value construction contracts in small cities; both were presented as cost-saving measures for Texas employers and local governments. HB 4415 would extend anti-retaliation protections for workers’ compensation claimants from first responders to all public employees and expressly waive sovereign immunity for those claims, with supporters describing it as closing a loophole that leaves public workers without the same remedy available in the private sector. The committee also took testimony on HB 5400, which would expand remedies for sexual harassment victims by removing the requirement to first file an administrative charge, extending the filing deadline from 300 days to two years, clarifying retaliation, and eliminating current damages caps. Supporters, including employment lawyers and a parent of a victim, said the current deadlines and caps prevent many survivors from obtaining counsel or full relief, especially younger workers and those in small workplaces or franchises. Across the agenda, witnesses repeatedly emphasized access to care, fair treatment for injured workers, rural workforce development, and stronger protections for vulnerable employees. After each bill was laid out and testimony heard, the chair generally closed the public hearing and left the bill pending; no final votes were taken, and the subcommittee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number three is to support parents and families.
• Number three is to support parents and families.
• Number three is to support parents and families.
• three is to support parents and families. families. families.
• Stack and his folks at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services—but what I see is truly not going to

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee opened its sixth and final interim meeting with roll call, quorum confirmation, approval of the prior minutes, and a brief change in agenda order to preserve quorum and accommodate presenters’ schedules. Members then moved through several proposed health-related items with limited discussion, and the chair noted the committee would reconvene in January for further conversation. The first substantive item was a proposal relating to utilization controls for non-opioid analgesics in Medicaid. Senator Gerald Neal and Tara Hyde of People Advocating Recovery argued that pain parity is needed so patients can access non-opioid options without prior authorization or step therapy barriers, especially in acute pain situations and for people in recovery. Senator Berg supported the concept and suggested expanding the approach to other prescriptions by allowing physicians to explain why step therapy is inappropriate at the time of prescribing; another member cautioned against unintended cost increases if non-opioid drugs are used as add-ons to opioids. The committee then heard a proposal on physician assistants from Senator Scott and Andrew Rutherford of the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants. They described a shift from a supervisory to a collaborative practice model, with practice scope set at the practice level, limited Schedule II prescribing authority under guardrails, and permission for PAs to perform driver’s license vision testing. Supporters said the changes would improve rural access, reduce administrative burden, and align Kentucky with neighboring states; a question from Representative Bratcher focused on experience requirements and how the proposal compares with nurse practitioner rules. No vote was taken. Finally, Representative Nancy Tate, Adia Wuchner, and Representative Jason Nemes introduced a 2026 proposal aimed at “protecting vulnerable people.” They described a broad package focused on abortion pill trafficking, marketing to minors, commercial surrogacy, assisted suicide, and organ procurement safeguards, arguing that current law leaves gaps and that additional criminal and civil penalties are needed. The presentation was informational only, with no action taken before the meeting ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Being in a rural area, we have a lot of lower income families and those Brian Dolan: Lower income families
• But overall, we are in support of this bill.
• Now it's at 150,000, but we support the bill.
• In addition, with our birth rate falling down to 1.6 or 1.2 per family, the size of the family is decreasing
• We are here in support of HB 3919.

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:

• Janice Can Allen, Family Voices of California, on behalf of Parents Helping Parents and support for families
• : supporting families, building leadership, and advocating at both the local and state levels.
• As a result, it does not effectively support transparency or meaningful family engagement.
• Greg Burr with the California Family Council in support. Thank you.
• Greg Burr with the California Family Council in support. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills, with the most extensive discussion focused on AB 2189, AB 2615, AB 2496, AB 1750, and AB 1644. AB 2189 would create an $800,000 grant program through the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to support a statewide parent network for special education advocacy and training. Supporters said families need stronger coordination and information to navigate special education, while an opponent argued the bill could duplicate existing family-led organizations. The bill passed 6-0 and was sent to Appropriations, held on call for add-on votes. AB 2615, a cleanup bill to AB 715 on antisemitism and instructional materials, drew the most controversy. The authors said it was intended to clarify prior commitments by removing references to professional responsibility standards, refining the “factually accurate” language, and clarifying how discriminatory materials are handled. Supporters said it would help protect students from discrimination, while many educators, civil rights groups, and other organizations opposed it unless amended, warning that the factual-accuracy language could chill teaching and be applied too broadly. The committee chair and members raised concerns about implementation but ultimately supported moving the bill forward; it passed 5-0 and was held on call. AB 2496 would streamline school accountability reporting by making the California School Dashboard the primary transparency tool, phasing out the School Accountability Report Card over time, and making mid-year LCAP reporting optional. Supporters said this would reduce duplication and administrative burden while preserving access to key data; opponents worried families could lose the simplicity and accessibility of the current SARC and that the mid-year update still serves an important purpose. The bill was approved 3-0 and held on call. AB 1750, which would extend full salary for an additional five months for school employees who exhaust sick leave due to illness or injury, was supported as a dignity and retention measure but opposed by administrators over staffing and cost concerns; it passed 4-0 and was held on call. AB 1644 would require a bell-to-bell smartphone ban in TK-8 and recommend it for high school, with exceptions for instructional and safety needs; supporters said phones are harming attention and learning, while opponents argued districts had just adopted local policies and needed more flexibility. The transcript ends during discussion of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We all need your support to ensure that no other family goes through the extreme heartache that our family
• I urge you to support this requirement so<00:31:11.360><c> that</c><00:31:11.520><c> families</c><00
• I urge you to support Harvey's Law for the safety of Minnesota children and families.
• So, I urge you to please support this law and support all families who have been broken by these types
• So, I urge you to please support this law and support all families who have been broken by these types

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I grew up in a military family.
• Thank you for your service.
• So we were honoring veterans for their service to our country, and I strongly supported that.
• So we were honoring veterans for their service to our country, and I strongly supported that.
• And I strongly supported that.

Summary: The committee first took up 127 gubernatorial appointees grouped in blocks and, after brief testimony in favor of several nominees, voted to recommend confirmation of the block nominees to the full Senate. The committee then moved through a series of University of West Florida and other board nominations, hearing from each nominee about their background and priorities, with most emphasizing service, local ties, student success, military partnerships, and university growth. Several nominees also answered questions about governance, faculty hiring, diversity, and the university’s strategic direction. For the University of West Florida Board of Trustees, the committee heard from Paul Bailey, Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, Christopher Young, and Adam Kissel. Bailey stressed his local roots, legal background, and support for UWF’s pre-law program and military connections; Matthews highlighted her education and state-government experience, current role as board chair, enrollment growth, fundraising, and alignment with state directives; Moyah cited her education and school board experience, fiscal discipline, and recent positive financial and enrollment figures; Ross emphasized fundraising, workforce needs, cyber opportunities, and support for the governor’s higher education agenda; and Young focused on business accountability, audit oversight, rural access to education, and expanding military-related opportunities. Each of these nominees was questioned about issues such as diversity, “woke” culture, faculty ideology, and the role of the board, and each was ultimately recommended for confirmation by roll-call vote. Adam Kissel’s nomination drew the most extensive debate and public testimony. Kissel described his background in free speech advocacy, federal education policy, philanthropy, and higher education reform, and said he would support UWF’s growth, free-speech protections, military and veteran engagement, and stronger graduation rates. Senators pressed him on prior writings favoring privatization of public higher education, comments about replacing administrators with AI, his work with the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025, and how his views fit with serving on a public university board; he said his long-term libertarian views did not conflict with his short-term support for UWF receiving more resources. Public testimony was split, with supporters praising his free-speech credentials, military focus, and alignment with the governor’s reforms, while opponents questioned his commitment to public higher education and whether he could be trusted to learn the university from the ground up. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kissel’s confirmation to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over 250 agencies receive support for behavioral health services through this important trust.
• This puts them in really good support, and I rise in support of this amendment.
• They are fully in support. amendment. They are fully in support.
• supported.
• </c> support on the uh HHS committee report. support on the uh HHS committee report.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, I think in Fort Worth they cannot operate in single-family zones, but they can operate in multi-family
• They can't operate in single-family zones, but they can in multi-family.
• I ask you to support families like me who deserve a peaceful and more secure home.
• I am in support of House Bill 2156.
• We strongly support HB346.

Bills: HB346 , HB1360 , HB1510 , HB1606 , HB1804 , HB1805 , HB2156 , HB2391 , HB2767 , HB3022 , HB3044 , HB3272 , HB3293 , HB3493 , HB3809 , HB3824 , HJR110 , HB2463

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, Texas Ethics Commission, election reporting, campaign finance, violation categorization, penalties, public disclosure, Texas Utilities Code, electric utility, retail electric provider, municipally owned utility, electric cooperative, vegetation management, tree trimming, line clearance, transmission line

Transcript Highlights:

• When a family member passes away, we all mourn, and families mourn.
• But it also matters for their family caregivers.
• We ask for your support for these local businesses to ensure they remain able to deliver essential services
• And the need for our services never waivers.
• I am testifying in support of Substitute House Bill 2334.

Summary: The Senate Business, Trade, and Economic Development Committee heard public testimony on several House bills. HB 2624 would expand an existing exemption in the solicited real estate transaction law to allow public entities to solicit and buy real property for any public purpose, and also for Indian tribes and nonprofit nature conservancy organizations; the sponsor said the bill is meant to fix an omission from last year’s law, while a forest landowners group opposed it as creating a loophole for low-ball offers to vulnerable owners, and Trust for Public Land supported it as a different kind of transaction with existing appraisal and public-process protections. HB 2334 would create a cash-transaction rounding system to address the end of penny minting; staff said rounding would apply after tax and be permissive for sellers, with immunity and preemption provisions, and retailers and grocery groups supported it as a practical solution to penny scarcity, while members asked about signage and mixed-tender transactions. The committee also heard HB 1269, which would shorten pawn loan terms from 90 to 60 days, raise interest and fee caps, increase storage fees, and allow online payments for extensions. Pawn industry witnesses and the sponsor said the changes are modest, overdue, and needed to reflect inflation and operating costs while serving unbanked customers; some senators questioned whether the combined changes would more than double costs for borrowers, and industry witnesses said they were willing to work on the numbers. HB 2428 would require insurers to send advance lapse notices for individual life insurance policies to policyholders and a designated third party, with proof of delivery, to prevent unintended lapses; the sponsor, the Insurance Commissioner’s office, life insurers, AARP, and a business group all supported the consumer protection goal, though insurers noted added compliance costs and the bill’s delayed effective date for new policies. Finally, the committee heard HB 1078 on pet insurance, which would bar cancellation or nonrenewal based on a pet’s age or conditions that develop during the policy term and would restrict certain affiliate-policy transfers; the Insurance Commissioner’s office strongly supported it as a consumer protection measure, and staff noted a fiscal impact estimate and a new fiscal note request. The committee also took testimony on HB 2624 from both supporters and opponents, and on HB 2334 and HB 1269 from industry and public witnesses, but no votes were taken in the meeting. The chair closed public testimony and adjourned the committee after hearing all scheduled bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• ADUs will support family caregivers, facilitate aging in place, strengthen intergenerational living,
• Adus will support<01:21:02.000><c> family</c><01:21:02.320><c> caregivers,</c><01:21:03.679><c> facilitate
• </c> support family caregivers, facilitate support family caregivers, facilitate aging<01:21:04.880><
• </c> considered one family unit. considered one family unit.
• </c> or their family members. or their family members.

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on HB 1065, a housing bill that would clarify when multifamily and mixed-use housing may be allowed on commercially zoned land, define infrastructure standards, and preserve municipal discretion over where such development can occur. Prime sponsor Representative David Priest said the bill is intended to help address the housing shortage by using already developed commercial areas without overriding local planning. The New Hampshire Municipal Association, through Brody Dees, said it supports the bill and views it as a priority, but noted it is still discussing related language with stakeholders and wants clearer definitions for multifamily development, infrastructure, and adaptive reuse while preserving local control over commercial land use. Testimony was mixed. Ivy Van, a certified planner, opposed the bill because she said the infrastructure language is too restrictive and could exclude properties served by private utilities or septic systems. Chris Freeman, a housing provider, was generally supportive but recommended technical changes, arguing the infrastructure definition may be too broad and that the adaptive reuse language could unintentionally block useful building modifications. He said the bill should be clarified so it does not discourage reuse projects. The committee then moved to discussion of an accessory dwelling unit bill, with Representative Turkot describing changes that would shift some ADU approvals from a matter of right to conditional use or special exception, allow municipalities more control over attached versus detached units, set parking standards tied to single-family dwellings, and adjust size limits. He argued the bill would restore local discretion and prevent ADUs from becoming primarily rental units. Representative Reed pushed back, saying detached ADUs can help meet housing needs and provide opportunities for small landlords, while other members questioned how the bill would affect existing detached structures and breezeways. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair also noted a recess and time limits for later testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate our City Council's support.
• find transportation support.
• We do build in certain supports for individuals that may be training, I'll say career supports, etc.
• telephone services.
• Finally, we hope to work with local internet service providers to reduce costs. ...service providers,

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee