Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and Representative Haas, that's not civil liability in the sense that they have to pay damages
• And I guarantee you if the individual has to start paying the price, whether it be through misdemeanors
• So if they want to pay for their private party and pay that $2.5 million, if not, it is not fiscally
• responsible for the members of the legislature to pay for a private party's activity and cost the state
• We were paying for it before. I don't see why it's a problem to pay for it now.

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first took up two RS introductions, RS 33088 and RS 32925, both of which were moved and approved without opposition. RS 33088 would add foreign species and foreign silver and gold to domestic language, and RS 32925 is a concurrent resolution concerning the Morse and Knudson Company’s work on Wake Island before and after World War II. RS 33193, dealing with restoring the presidential primary to March, was set aside until later in the meeting. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to House Bill 607, a proposal to require separate restrooms, changing rooms, locker rooms, and showers for biological males and females in government buildings and to extend premises-liability duties to places of public accommodation. The sponsor and supporting testimony argued the bill was about privacy, safety, and dignity, especially for women and girls, and said it would not require ID checks or other burdensome enforcement. Opponents, including transgender residents, clergy, business groups, and advocacy organizations, argued the bill would target identity rather than conduct, invite harassment and scrutiny, create liability for businesses, and harm transgender and intersex people. Business witnesses said the private right of action and “reasonable steps” standard were too vague and could pressure businesses to police restrooms. After closing remarks and questions, the committee voted 9-5 to send HB 607 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then returned to RS 33193. The sponsor said it would restore the presidential primary in March and keep a $50,000 per-candidate fee to offset costs. A substitute motion to move the primary to coincide with the regular May primary failed 13-1 after debate over cost, party support, and whether the state should fund a separate presidential primary. The original motion to introduce RS 33193 then passed, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• What the state used to pay for through the general fund would now be pushed abortion access.
• What the state used to pay for through the general fund would now be pushed directly onto individuals
• I remember her mother asking me, how am I going to pay for this? How much will this cost?
• My second, I was just incensed that there are deductibles and co-pays.
• They must choose between buying food, medications, diapers, and paying off medical debt.

Bills: SB6258 , SB6182 , SB5947 , SJR8206 , SB5823 , SB6292

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: Washington Medical Commission, medical license, license relinquishment, voluntary surrender, nondisciplinary pathway, physician regulation, health professional licensing, disciplinary database, National Practitioner Data Bank, license renewal, license reinstatement, medical board, professional discipline, credential surrender, healthcare regulation, abortion, reproductive health, pregnancy termination, clinic access, abortion access fund

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to be skipping around today, so please pay attention.
• We're going to be skipping around today, so please pay attention.
• Today, drivers using the same roads often pay very different amounts for that use.
• Low-income and rural commuters who must drive farther and less efficient vehicles can pay more, while
• Low-income and rural commuters who must drive farther and less efficient vehicles can pay more, while

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Abusers are not afraid of the current system and laugh at it while innocent people pay the price.
• We have chosen one category today and that's sexual predation—that once you pay, once you Chair: Do the
• time, you never, ever, ever pay off your crime because we can't trust you will not—we can't trust you
• Right now if the church pays for training for its members to create an organized, Eric Friday: dedicated
• in this package, if providers can come inside of the prison and provide that health care, they will pay

Transcript Highlights:

• I would not put them on the floor with a high-paying client. There's no way.
• That's additional training that I pay for.
• That's additional training that I pay for.
• Competition, I mean, I know what I have to pay for my wife to go get her hair done.
• They're willing to pay $300 for a hair color. But we don't require them to do that.

Committee: House Business

Summary: The House Business Committee first introduced and approved two RS requests. RS 33044, brought by Rep. Ehart, would examine changes affecting military chaplains so their counseling work could be considered toward licensing requirements; the committee introduced it without opposition. RS 33004, brought by Rep. Cornelis, would require businesses to allow restroom access to people with Crohn’s disease or similar medical conditions who present documentation; it was also introduced unanimously. The committee then heard House Bill 513, which would reduce cosmetology training from 1,600 to 1,000 hours and apprenticeship hours from 3,200 to 2,000, with a proposed implementation date of January 1, 2027 in the related RS 33099. Supporters argued the bill would lower barriers to entry, reduce student debt, speed entry into the workforce, and still preserve safety through existing board standards and testing. Opponents, including cosmetology instructors, school owners, and industry representatives, argued the change would weaken training, shift costs to salons, and harm reciprocity for Idaho licensees moving to other states. After public testimony and committee discussion, HB 513 was held in committee, while RS 33099 was introduced and sent to the second reading calendar, with Reps. Birch and Cheatum recorded in opposition. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 514, which would allow cosmetology students to take their licensing exam after completing 80% of the program rather than waiting until the end. The sponsor said this would get students into the workforce sooner and reduce delays caused by test scheduling and results. Testimony was generally supportive, with some comments that earlier testing could help students and employers, though one member noted the need to balance free-market goals with public safety and consumer protection. The committee voted to send HB 514 to the House floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• That haircut that has gone out is efficient for that client to go out, you know, pay $20 for a haircut
• That's additional training that I pay for.
• Competition—I know what I have to pay for my wife to go get her hair done.
• They're willing to pay $300 for a hair color. But we don't require them to do that.
• They're willing to pay $300 for a hair color. But we don't require them to do that.

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So a resident who stops paying rent in June could remain in the unit without paying rent through the
• to not pay their rent for a really long period of time.
• And then if the tenant maybe doesn't want to pay their rent, they could make an allegation saying that
• not properly provide cooling, even if in fact that's not really the issue; they just don't want to pay
• their rent, we will have more people not paying their rent.

Bills: HB1974 , HB2265 , HB2452

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation, deed restriction, affordability covenant, property tax exemption, excise tax exemption, predevelopment

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not providing adequate pay. They're reducing the ability of somebody to perform their job.
• The lawyers for my former employer also planned to have me pay nearly $1 million in attorney fees for
• Things started getting worse for our clients due to short staffing caused by low pay, high turnover,
• We should have better pay. We should have better protections." "A strike is a tool used by a union.
• paying workers to do the work.

Summary: The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 6152 would add physical and occupational therapists as attending providers in workers’ compensation claims. Supporters said it would reduce delays, improve access to care, and speed return to work; opponents, including the Washington State Medical Association, retail and business groups, and L&I, raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, network enrollment, implementation time, and the $1.9 million fiscal note from accident and medical aid accounts. The committee also heard SB 5437, which would prohibit non-compete agreements and clarify non-solicitation rules. The sponsor and labor and physician groups supported ending non-competes as anti-competitive and harmful to worker mobility, while business, banking, and clinic representatives argued non-competes protect investments, confidential information, and patient/customer relationships and asked for narrower changes. The committee then heard SB 6058, which would give L&I discretion over whether to investigate wage complaints and would toll civil statutes of limitation when a complaint is filed. The sponsor said it would better match agency resources, and testimony was entirely supportive. SB 5944 would require language access provider compensation bargaining to include missed or canceled appointments and make CBAs prevail over conflicting agency policies; the sponsor and union representatives said it would create consistency across agencies, with no opposition testimony. SB 6039 would modernize L&I communications by allowing electronic notices while preserving a non-electronic option; supporters called it a permissive modernization, while worker advocates warned email could be missed and could burden vulnerable workers, though L&I said the bill preserves choice and has no fiscal impact. Finally, the committee heard SB 6117, which would place workers and employers not covered by the NLRA under PERC jurisdiction if federal law no longer applies, with card-check and secret-ballot procedures and interest arbitration provisions. Supporters said it would create a state backstop if federal labor enforcement fails and protect workers’ organizing rights; opponents from agriculture, business, and small business groups warned it was too broad, could sweep in agriculture and small businesses, and could weaken secret-ballot protections and disrupt harvest operations. The sponsor closed by saying the bill is intended to create a clear framework where federal jurisdiction is absent. No votes or executive actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the candidates for these positions are often moving from high-pay occupations that in some cases
• can exceed $100,000 to one that pays roughly half of that.
• And we based those pay jumps on the CTE certification instead of the hours, exactly.
• That's a $300-a-month payment trying to pay it back. We see it at school.
• I could pay a master's level higher than, you know, we all have that local flexibility.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that funding pays one of the foreign trade reps around the world.
• And so, you know, businesses do pay attention to this when they're investing.
• And so, you know, businesses do pay attention to this when they're investing.
• The consumer should always know what the costs are, who's paying, and what they're expected to pay.
• These are decent-paying jobs of people that are kicking around a corporate office in Ohio.

Bills: SB5871 , SB5919

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: motor vehicle, glass repair, insurance claims, consumer protection, regulations, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And come up with the policy about the pay around DLAs.
• Maybe they can drive too, but I don't want to pay them for being a doctor.
• I want To pay them for being a driver, and our DLAs should have similar jobs.
• We're going to pay somebody as a doctor. When we really need an ambulance driver.
• So even the highest salaries would still be within the maximum Of pay band E.

Committee: House Legislative Council

Transcript Highlights:

• prioritize, that that's an effort where we're going to help see greater outputs in terms of high paying
• And the pay does help.
• So we are giving them journeyman certificates, but the pay does help.
• We attempted and we still have unlimited pay time off.
• And so I think that they pay a little more attention to detail.

Transcript Highlights:

• I used to pay attention to this all the time; one of those is the readmission rate.
• To pay health professionals.
• They want to know what the pay is, and once in a while, what...
• So needless to say, my point is that there's a lot more to it than pay.
• It doesn't pay as well. The orthopedic surgeon whom I see on clinic days sees 40 people a day.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• They send that officer for their maximum medical improvement because they don't want to continue to pay
• Out-of-state insurance companies are made to pay the difference between the state's overall tax rate
• To pay the difference between the state's overall tax rate and the tax rate of the home state of that
• This bill will allow our company to stop paying the employer's share of the employment taxes on these
• I'll be happy to address. to step up to pay wage replacement benefits for injured workers.

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:

• And so I'm very cautious and aware of the astronomical price that people have to wind up paying.
• Generally speaking, does this have an impact overall on what families will wind up having to pay for
• And they also, and by the way, those pay taxes. They're not tax-exempt. Cemeteries are tax-exempt.
• Do I keep paying the taxes? And it is just this incredible conundrum that families are... To do?
• Do I keep paying the taxes?

Bills: HB447 , HB897 , HB993 , HB2673 , HB3671 , HB3680 , HB3897 , HB4506 , HB4753 , HB4812 , HB4894 , HB5148 , HB5437 , HB5650 , HB5652 , HB5654 , HB5656 , HB5661 , HB5665

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: traffic impact studies, municipal utility district, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, HB 897, Texas land sale, state property, Austin real estate, Travis County, General Land Office, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state records facility, archives building, library funding, capital improvements, lease of state land, public land disposition

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of land use, housing, and local government bills. House Bill 447, relating to TIA requirements for certain MUD bond issuances, drew opposition from a witness who argued it would duplicate work already done, strain agency resources, and delay development; after the author’s closing, the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. The committee then voted out Senate Bill 1202 (third-party review of home backup power installations), House Bill 2494 (disannexation for failure to provide services), House Bill 1835 (removing barriers to HUD co-manufactured homes), and Senate Bill 15 (lot size and density limits in certain municipalities), with House Bill 1835 receiving one no vote and the others passing unanimously. House Bill 897, authorizing sale or lease of two state-owned Austin properties, was laid out and left pending after brief questions and no public testimony. The committee also heard and left pending several MUD creation bills for Montgomery and Fort Bend counties, including House Bills 5652, 5654, 5661, and 5656, each presented as template district bills with local support and no opposition recorded at the table. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 2673, which would restore prior restrictions on new cemeteries near growing urban areas by repealing changes made last session. Representative Lujan and supporters argued the current law created unintended consequences, including loss of developable land, tax-exempt property in urban cores, and conflicts with infrastructure planning; they said cities already have authority to establish their own cemeteries if needed. Opponents, including a funeral services industry representative, argued the 2023 change was intended to let communities decide and that the bill would take local decision-making backward. After extensive testimony from both sides, the bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 3680, which would create a Cameron County-specific process allowing local discretion under the model subdivision rules. Supporters said the bill would preserve colonia protections while reducing costly platting and replatting burdens on families trying to sell or pass down land; county officials and realtors testified in favor. The bill was left pending after closing. House Bill 4812, a clarification to the Texas Uniform Condominium Act to prevent counties from imposing subdivision platting requirements on condominiums, received support from builders and a condominium attorney who said current county practices create duplicative hurdles and higher costs; it too was left pending. Finally, House Bill 5148, which would allow certain single-stair apartment buildings up to six stories, generated the most detailed policy debate. Supporters, including housing advocates and architects, said the bill would lower costs, improve unit design, and expand affordable, family-friendly housing while maintaining safety through sprinklers and other safeguards. Fire officials from Corpus Christi opposed the bill, warning that a single stairwell could hinder firefighting and occupant evacuation, especially if sprinklers fail or smoke spreads. The author said the bill was aimed at new construction only and was part of a broader effort to reduce outdated housing regulations; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending at adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who pays the $1 million to the $4 million? Where does that money come from?
• Who pays the $1 million to the $4 million? Where does that money come from?
• I had to pay out of pocket. Was upset about that? No.
• for that because it adds to the cost of insurance and everybody else has to pay for it.
• And we pay for about 80% of K through 12 from the state, and so I feel like we...

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call showing 46 members present. It then took up multiple House messages and amendments, appointing conference committees on several measures, including SB 2007, SCR 4007, SB 2374, SB 233, and House bills 1029, 1218, and 1022. The chamber also considered a series of House bills on the sixth and 14th orders, often adopting committee amendments before final passage or, in some cases, rejecting the bill outright. Among the major policy items, the Senate passed HB 1524 on regional planning council grants, HB 1143 increasing a food bank appropriation to $10 million, HB 1126 modernizing cosmetology licensing and inspections, HB 1542 making student applications for admission exempt records, HB 1613 regulating law enforcement use of robots, HB 1582 directing a study on false reports and accusations, HB 1214 revising school transportation funding, HB 1448 creating a study on advanced technologies, HB 1280 on drainage project voting rules, HB 1499 protecting records related to federal judges, and several Senate bills returned from the House, including SB 2221, SB 2117, SB 2198, SB 2120, and SB 2214. The Senate also adopted amendments to HB 1541 on septic systems before rejecting it on final passage. Several high-profile bills failed after debate. HB 1566, dealing with kratom regulation, saw an amendment to convert it to a study fail on a 21-25 vote, after which the chamber laid the bill over for one legislative day rather than take final action. HB 1283, which would have eliminated cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams in the state employee plan, was defeated 22-24 after extensive debate over cost, precedent, and insurance impacts. HB 1527, requiring Holocaust education in statute, also failed 22-24, with supporters emphasizing the importance of the subject and opponents arguing curriculum belongs in standards rather than statute. The Senate adjourned after announcements, scheduling its next meeting for Monday, April 14, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is especially true for residents who are struggling to pay their bills at a time when the costs
• They have increased costs, but they also have new customers paying for the service of the utility.
• that California ratepayers pay the exact value for the energy being delivered.
• to pay to a program and improve service.
• What cost did the state pay for these resources, capital costs excluding staff and fuel?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 100% of claims as they are incurred or pay 100% of claims due in the event the association fails to
• pay the claims when due.
• are incurred or pay 100% of claims due in the event the association fails to pay the claims when due
• They have high-paying jobs.
• We ask that you make it parallel, that we both pay the same amount.

Committee: House Commerce Committee

Summary: The Commerce Committee held its first meeting, took roll, established a quorum, and heard opening remarks from the chair, vice chair, and ranking member emphasizing the committee’s broad scope and focus on Florida’s economy and daily-life issues. The committee then considered several bills, with members and staff noting the agenda included four bills and a PCS. The first measures dealt with insurance and consumer regulation. CS/HB 367 on home and service warranty associations was explained as allowing financial requirements to be met through one or more contractual liability policies and reducing certain filing requirements; an amendment adding requirements for liability insurance coverage was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. HB 655 on pet insurance and wellness programs created a regulatory framework for pet insurance and also passed favorably. HB 6015, which deleted the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute, had brief support testimony and passed favorably. The committee spent the most time on CS/HB 105, a strike-all PCS on thoroughbred permit holders and decoupling racing from gaming. The sponsor said the revised bill would decouple racing and gaming while adding protections for the thoroughbred industry, including a notice period before racing could stop, permit transferability, and changes to how breeders’ and owners’ funds are administered. Supporters argued the bill would preserve and strengthen the industry through clearer rules and more direct support, while opponents—horsemen, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, and related businesses—warned it would harm a major rural industry, threaten jobs, and favor casino interests. After extensive debate, the strike-all was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a divided vote. Finally, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates was presented as correcting an unintended consequence in surcharge law for utilities owned by one municipality but located in another. Testimony focused on the fairness of the current surcharge structure and the impact on Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach. After debate about negotiation, parity, and local impacts, the bill passed favorably. The committee then adjourned after its first meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• You buy it retail and sell at wholesale for the people that don't understand that means you pay full
• c> that don't understand that that means that don't understand that that means you<00:05:17.600><c> pay
• All right, had to write a check for it and try to hope I can figure out a way to pay for it.
• </c><00:10:33.040><c> for</c><00:10:33.200><c> it</c> products so that they're paying for it products
• so that they're paying for it in<00:10:33.440><c> a</c><00:10:33.600><c> premium</c><00:10:34.040><c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard extended testimony from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell and several senators about using agriculture economic development funds to make Kentucky farms more profitable and attract related businesses. Discussion focused on expanding markets for corn, soybeans, beef, dairy, and other products through biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel, feedlots, processing plants, transportation, and other infrastructure that would keep more value in-state. Members also discussed the profitability pressures on farmers, high land prices, and the need for small-farm support and aggregation programs such as Kentucky Proud, BCAL, KOAP, CAP, food-is-medicine efforts, LFPA, and farm-to-school initiatives. Senators raised specific ideas and concerns, including raw milk and food-freedom innovation, support for 5-acre and other small farms, and the possibility of a beef processing plant in Kentucky. Shell said raw milk testing is not currently a department function but could be explored with legislative direction, and he emphasized that Kentucky must first prove it can feed cattle at scale before a processor is likely to locate here. He also argued that changing conditions in the West and Midwest, including water limits, workforce shortages, and regulatory pressure, could make Kentucky increasingly competitive for beef processing and feedlot operations. Several senators shared personal farming experiences to underscore the difficulty of making a living in agriculture and the need for off-farm income or value-added businesses. They cited examples such as grain storage, dairy products, chicken and hog operations, and restaurant or rental income supporting farm operations. Commissioner Shell said the fund is intended to fill gaps and attract businesses that need Kentucky agricultural products, creating premium markets and more local jobs. After questions concluded, the committee took up the bill, with a motion by Senator Richardson and a second by Senator Nunn. The roll call was taken, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> pay to hire two new faculty, um pay pay to hire two new faculty, um pay their<01:20:55.640><c> salaries
• that you're making us pay, water, right?
• ,</c> they made the developer pay, they made the developer pay, right?
• that you're making us pay infrastructure that you're making us pay water,<01:50:24.200><c> right?
• </c> subsidizing what the county used to pay subsidizing what the county used to pay for<01:50:43.400

Keywords: 910, house, all