Transcript Highlights:

• </c> physician that says it's a companion physician that says it's a companion animal<00:26:08.559><c
• So my concern for landlords in the future is that many of these companion animals, doctors prescribe
• Do you see this as a potential stepping stone to bring in those companion animals and extend it from
• </c> future um many of these companion future um many of these companion animals<00:31:53.159><c> uh<
• </c> accommodations so if it's a companion accommodations so if it's a companion dog<00:32:45.880><c>

Bills: HF958, HF688, HF702

Keywords: mental health, behavioral health, psychiatric care, collaborative care model, healthcare funding, service dog, service animal, service dog in training, assistance dog, guide dog, disability rights, housing accommodations, fair housing, landlord, rental housing, homeowners association, HOA, Minnesota human services, accessible housing, reasonable accommodation

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a Senate companion bill, exact same language, already through the Senate. It's over here.
• We have a Senate companion bill, exact same language, already through the Senate. It's over here.
• Every day we've got new advancements in AI, data centers, cryptocurrency, robots, electric vehicles.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 104-0. Members then offered numerous personal privileges and introductions, including tributes to a deceased mentor, recognition of astronauts, guests connected to military service and law enforcement, school and university visitors, and special honors for community figures Corey Johnson and boxer Devin Alexander. A moment of silence was observed for the representative’s mentor, and several guests were welcomed from the gallery. The chamber then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2481, a bill dealing with SNAP and related public benefits. The sponsor said the measure was intended to align Missouri law with federal eligibility rules, require proof of citizenship or lawful presence, use the SAVE system throughout eligibility, and direct the Department of Social Services to seek a waiver to promote healthier SNAP purchases. Members debated the bill extensively, with supporters framing it as accountability, fraud prevention, and healthier nutrition, while opponents argued it was unnecessary, could harm children, families, pregnant women, and people in food deserts, and could increase administrative costs. An amendment from the gentleman from Johnson was adopted to add MoHealthNet applicants and cleanup language, and after debate the previous question was ordered 91-46; the House then adopted the substitute and perfected and printed HB 2481 as amended. The House next considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1869, which would create a fund to repair damaged veteran headstones in public and private cemeteries when tree roots or other damage affect gravesites. Supporters said it would extend existing veterans’ cemetery repair assistance to more burial sites and preserve dignity for veterans and families. The bill was approved without opposition, with the substitute adopted and the bill perfected and printed. Finally, the House took up House Bill 2927, which would require settlement demands tied to extra-contractual or bad-faith insurance claims to be in writing, held open for 90 days, and reference the relevant statute. Debate centered on whether the 90-day requirement would help insurers evaluate claims or instead delay justice for injured people; concerns were also raised about bad-faith litigation and settlement timing. The House ultimately adopted the bill and ordered it perfected and printed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ability of scammers and fraudsters is improving daily with the advent of AI and other things that
• The ability of scammers and fraudsters is improving daily with the advent of AI and other things that
• The ability of scammers and fraudsters is improving daily with the advent of AI and other things that
• </c><00:41:39.040><c> and</c><00:41:39.280><c> other</c> daily uh with the advent of AI and other daily
• Can this be utilized in place of one of those or in companion with one of those? Right.

Keywords: Education - Room 216, 22 January, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our analysis earlier on the companion showed that if all the transportation...
• So Representative Timmons and I co-sponsored the companion bill for that.
• Let's have a short briefing, because this is not a companion bill.
• I had a companion bill, and it's a bill.
• Reid for sponsoring the companion bill that passed this committee.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several transportation bills. ESSB 6262 would raise the maximum vehicle weight subject to transportation benefit district vehicle fees from 6,000 to 9,000 pounds for vehicles subject to gross weight license fees; the sponsor and city representatives said it would close a loophole, make fees more equitable, and help fund road maintenance, while the fiscal note was described as indeterminate. SB 5824 would clarify how fifth-wheel travel trailers are measured, aligning Washington with other states and supporting RV dealers; the bill drew support from the RV industry. SB 6110 would exclude certain faster electric vehicles from the e-bike definition and create a Department of Licensing work group to recommend a framework for electric motorcycles; testimony generally supported the effort but urged clearer e-motorcycle definitions and earlier work-group action, with some concern about youth safety and local enforcement. SB 5833 would allow a person to leave a vehicle running for up to 30 minutes to heat or cool a pet inside, with locking and brake requirements; the sponsor and a sheriffs’ association witness discussed balancing pet safety with auto-theft concerns, and the committee heard no fiscal impact. The committee also heard ESSB 6066, which would establish crash prevention zones in areas with unusually high serious-injury or fatal-crash rates, initially for a specific stretch of U.S. 395 and later more broadly beginning in 2029. The bill would allow local governments and WSDOT to designate zones, conduct engineering and traffic studies, increase enforcement, use speed cameras in the zones, and dedicate related revenues to safety improvements; supporters from Pasco and county risk pools backed the approach, while the sponsor asked for broader geographic coverage. ESSB 6311 would require continuous, accessible pedestrian passage during construction near hospitals, parks, and school routes, with temporary routes, safety plans, inspections, and enforcement tools such as stop-work orders and penalties; the sponsor said it was modeled on local practices and aimed at protecting pedestrians during construction, and contractors and transportation advocates supported it with a requested amendment clarifying design responsibility in design-bid-build projects. No votes were taken; the chair closed each public hearing and adjourned the meeting after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are really important, especially now with the introduction of AI technology.
• So because I want my parental rights and I can be the parent to change the behavior or be that companion

Summary: The committee first heard HB 245, which would replace references in Florida law to “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material.” The sponsor said the change was overdue and more accurately reflects the criminal nature of the material. There was brief supportive public testimony, no debate, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee then took up HB 237 on the use of professional nursing titles. The sponsor said advanced practice registered nurses should be able to use earned academic titles such as DNP or PhD. Supporters testified in favor, there was no opposition or debate, and the bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The longest discussion centered on HB 173, which would expand parental consent and access requirements for minors’ medical care, medical records, certain school surveys, and biomedical devices. Supporters argued it restores parental rights and keeps parents involved in children’s health decisions, while opponents—many from medical, mental health, LGBTQ, and youth advocacy groups—warned it could block access to STI treatment, mental health care, crisis hotlines, and confidential services for vulnerable youth, including those in abusive homes. After extensive testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably on a 19-7 vote. Finally, the committee began HB 327 on uterine fibroid research. The sponsor explained the bill would require health care providers to submit identified data so the Department of Health can build a usable de-identified research database, after prior implementation problems with duplicate or unverified data. A supportive local official testified, and members indicated support as the meeting moved toward a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out as referred business Senate Bill 868, which is the companion to House Bill 2054 by
• Which is the companion to House Bill 2054 by Chairman King.
• The chair lays out as referred business Senate Bill 1018, which is the companion to House Bill 3459.
• Members, this is the companion to House Bill 3459 that was heard last week in committee, and the bill
• This is the companion to House Bill 3459 that was heard last week in committee, and the bill changes

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up several bills, mostly approving committee substitutes and voting to report the measures favorably to the full House. House Bill 104 was first amended with a committee substitute to correct a non-legislative council draft, then reported favorably after a roll call vote of 23 ayes and 1 nay. Members briefly objected to the process during the vote, but the chair proceeded. The committee then approved House Bill 3745, which expands the Victims' Crime Act to claims made during a disaster declaration, and House Bill 4486, the miscellaneous claims bill, with a substitute changing the effective date to immediate upon passage. House Bill 4488, the Funds Consolidation Bill, was also reported favorably. Each of these measures passed on committee votes, generally by 23 ayes and 1 nay. The committee also considered two Senate bills that are companions to House measures heard previously: Senate Bill 868, relating to allocation of money for the rural volunteer fire department assistance program, and Senate Bill 1018, which changes the distribution of traffic fine revenues to better support Fund 511, the trauma fund. Both were reported favorably, with SB 868 passing 24-0 and SB 1018 passing 23-1. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We heard a companion last year, which was Senate Bill 5490.
• We heard a companion this session. That was Senate Bill 6224.
• We heard a companion this session. That was Senate Bill 6224.
• The House companion is in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee, sorry.
• This is not a true companion.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met on February 24 to executive a large docket of bills and one gubernatorial appointment. The committee first heard and then moved several bills in two packets. Topics included the Community Protection Program (SHB 1390), jail search policies for transgender and intersex individuals (EHB 1604), medically tailored meals (EHB 2211), limits on DSHS reviews of community residential service providers (SHB 2230), and a children and youth behavioral health coordination bill (2SHB 2429). Later, the committee also considered bills on foster care licensing and adult family homes (SHB 2505), DOC supervision of stalking convictions (HB 2510), inmate funds and indigency thresholds (SHB 2539), and transparency for residential habilitation centers (SHB 2350), along with the reappointment of Corey McNally to the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board. Most of the debate centered on SHB 1390 and EHB 1604, where Senator Christian offered numerous amendments aimed at adding restrictions, notifications, assessments, and delays; most of those amendments failed on party-line votes. On SHB 1390, the committee adopted only a technical amendment updating agency names and references, then advanced the bill to Rules. On EHB 1604, all proposed amendments failed and the bill was sent to Rules. On EHB 2211, an amendment to add a competitive bidding credit for nonprofit and small-business meal vendors failed, and the bill advanced. SHB 2230 moved forward without amendment, and 2SHB 2429 was amended with a striking amendment and referred to Ways and Means because of its fiscal impact. In the second packet, SHB 2505 and HB 2510 were both moved out of committee without amendment. On SHB 2539, the committee rejected an amendment to lower the indigency threshold to $50, adopted an amendment allowing the threshold to be at least $100 and adjustable, and then advanced the bill as amended. On SHB 2350, the committee adopted a negotiated amendment requiring notices about residential habilitation center noncompliance to be emailed to relevant legislative committees, withdrew a second notice amendment, and passed the bill. The committee also voted to recommend confirmation of Corey McNally’s appointment to the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board. Several bills were reported out subject to signatures, and the meeting adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We heard a companion last year, which was Senate Bill 5490.
• There was one technical amendment that's different from the companion that we heard that was adopted
• We heard a companion this session. That was Senate Bill 6224.
• The House companion is in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee, sorry.
• The provision that this bill is addressing on February 18th, but this is not a true companion.

Bills: HB2510, SGA9305

Keywords: community custody, probation, Department of Corrections, DOC supervision, Washington criminal law, sentencing, felony supervision, risk assessment, sex offense, serious violent offense, domestic violence, repetitive domestic violence, failure to register, sex offender registration, dangerous mentally ill offender, indeterminate sentence, parole, conditional commutation, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor

Transcript Highlights:

• And that way a member could introduce in the Senate a Senate companion bill to House Bill 1474 in the
• If they’re going to be companions, they had to be the same year as Melinda has mentioned.
• And I think the term companion bill is maybe... Actually solve that other problem.
• And I think the term companion bill is maybe a little bit loosely defined here.
• It won’t be a companion in the truest sense.

Summary: The Select Committee on Pension Policy Executive Committee approved the September minutes and received updates on two court cases, Fowler and Dolan. Staff explained that Fowler concerns interest calculations for members who transferred from Plan 2 to Plan 3 before 2002; the Ninth Circuit has already found liability, and the remaining issue is damages, which could be significant depending on the expert-driven calculation. Dolan was described as quieter, with briefing completed at the Court of Appeals and oral argument possible later this year or early next year. The committee also heard an actuarial update on the interim work plan, including planned informational briefings on month-of-death policy, a Plan 1 ad hoc COLA, and the OSA demographic experience study, which is still under external audit. Members asked whether updated fiscal notes had been prepared for two bills under study; staff said preliminary analysis had been done and full updates would come if the bills move forward. The committee then discussed how to handle the ad hoc COLA item and agreed to have staff draft a letter endorsing House Bill 1474 and any similar Senate bill for a one-year ad hoc COLA, to be brought back for full committee consideration in November. Staff reviewed the draft November and December work plan. The committee adopted the November agenda, which includes annual updates from the State Investment Board and Retirement Systems, the left one study closeout, and the ad hoc COLA action item. Members also discussed whether excess compensation and 2026 session prep should be handled by email rather than in a meeting, with general agreement to move the session prep to electronic communication and possibly handle excess compensation as an informational item, depending on availability. Constituent correspondence included several messages on climate change and Plan 1 COLAs, including support for the merger bill and COLAs in general. Jacob White of the LEOFF 2 Board reported that the board had only held an educational briefing on excess compensation and overtime, found the data limited, and took no further action. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and an adjournment vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill does not have a Senate companion. There are no other amendments.
• The bill does not have a Senate companion. There is a striking amendment titled C.
• The bill does not have a Senate companion. There are no amendments.
• The bill does not have a Senate companion. There are no other amendments.
• The bill does not have a Senate companion. There are no amendments.

Bills: HB1526

Keywords: liquor license, snack bar, state regulations, alcohol sales, business licensing, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate companion is over and eligible. Chair lays out on second reading SB 522.
• The Senate companion is over and eligible. Chair lays out on second reading SB 522.
• Senate Companions over and eligible. The chair lays out on second reading SB 1062.
• The Senate companion is over and eligible. Chair lays out on second reading SB 167.
• The Senate companion is over and eligible. Chair lays out on second reading SB 167.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, heard the invocation and pledges, and then took up a series of memorial resolutions and recognitions. Members adopted memorial resolutions honoring former President Jimmy Carter and Dr. Alice Gail Hudgens, with remarks highlighting their public service and community impact, and adopted resolutions recognizing Victoria College’s 100th anniversary and May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. The chamber also recognized Texas A&M system interns and later granted permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. The House then moved through a long third-reading calendar, passing a number of bills on wide margins. Measures approved included SB 304 on municipal court jurisdiction over nuisance abatement ordinances, SB 608 on reporting evidence collection kits, SB 2312 creating a Texas Advisory Committee on Geopolitical Conflict, SB 494 creating a petroleum theft task force, SB 530 on postsecondary accreditation, HB 45 giving the Attorney General a role in prosecuting human trafficking cases, HB 35 on peer support for first responders, HB 47 and HB 3073 on sexual assault policy and prosecution, HB 318 and HB 3000 creating rural sheriff and ambulance grant programs, HB 554 on Juneteenth fireworks sales with county opt-in authority restored, HB 705 and HB 932 joining licensure compacts for cosmetology and occupational therapy, HB 849 allowing county park boards to meet by video conference, HB 1119 on mental health bed reporting, HB 3041 on students with nontraditional secondary education, HB 713 on maternal mortality review reporting, HB 3104 on Webb County bailiff appointments, HB 3970 on electricity planning for large loads, HB 4042 on Railroad Commission safety provisions for gas distribution pipelines, HB 4490 protecting next-of-kin information, HB 1731 on the physician assistant compact, HB 2607 on Walker County Hospital District governance, HB 3689 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association funding, HB 1788 on continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists about abuse and trafficking, HB 1612 on hospital direct payments for uninsured patients, and HB 138 on health impact cost and coverage analysis. Several bills drew extended debate or amendments. HB 353, creating a trespass offense near schools and daycares, prompted questions about constitutional concerns and property rights before passing. HB 3211 on optometrists in managed care plans received a perfecting amendment and a Medicaid-related amendment setting a minimum payment level. HB 1056 on gold and silver specie and a state-based currency prompted detailed questioning about its mechanics and fees, followed by a point of order challenging the caption. The House also adopted or postponed a number of items, including postponing HB 2520 and HB 1359 until later in the calendar before later passing both, and laying several bills on the table subject to call. Many measures passed overwhelmingly, while a few, including HB 3326 on loan forgiveness for adjunct professors and HB 3237 on energy consumption goals, passed with narrower margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• Therefore, we will start by taking up Senate conforming bills that do not have House companions.
• For House bills that have a Senate companion bill, an amendment will be filed that takes the substance
• Therefore, we will start by taking up Senate conforming bills that do not have House companions.
• bills, we will go through the remainder of the budget bills. for House bills that have a Senate companion
• For House bills that have a Senate companion bill, an amendment will be filed that takes the substance

Summary: The Senate convened in special session for budget conference work, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and moments of silence honoring Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Mateer and former Senator Bill Posey. The Secretary read the joint proclamation calling the special session, which was limited to the budget, implementing bill, collective bargaining/state employee issues, retirement, DMS, law enforcement radio system, health, higher education, K-12 education, government administration, correctional facilities financing, judges, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup programs, fuel taxes, and taxation. Chair Hooper outlined the process for moving Senate and House budget conforming bills into conference posture, noting that conference meetings would be on one-hour notice. The Senate then took up and passed a series of Senate conforming bills and House companion bills, generally by unanimous 32-0 votes, with delete-all amendments used to place Senate language onto House bills or to clear bills for conference. Measures addressed fuel taxes, the state agency law enforcement radio system, judges, pre-K through 12 education, retirement, higher education, health care, government administration, correctional facilities financing and capital improvements, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup programs, state employees/collective bargaining, and the implementing bill for the 2026-27 budget. Senators repeatedly moved that, when the House version was not passed as received, the Senate request conference or accede to the House’s request for conference. The General Appropriations Bill was handled by substituting House Bill 5001E for Senate Bill 2500E, amending it with Senate substance, and passing it 32-0 before requesting conference. House Bill 7031E on taxation was also amended and debated; Senator Berman used the debate to urge consideration of suspending the motor fuel tax for summer relief, but the bill ultimately passed and the Senate requested conference after failing to pass the House version as received. The session ended with a motion to waive rules for publishing the Special Order Calendar for the remainder of the special session, followed by adjournment upon the call of the President for committee meetings and other Senate business.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is the House companion as Senate Bill 777, which passed the Senate unanimously.
• Kerwin's companion bill. Everybody okay with that?
• Kerwin's companion bill. Everybody okay with that?
• We're swapping for the companion, House Bill 5650.
• This is House Bill 4894, swapping for the Senate companion, Senate Bill 3033.

Bills: HB103

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard a series of local and special-purpose bills, mostly with brief sponsor explanations and little or no public opposition. Topics included fireworks sales near the Texas-Mexico border for Cinco de Mayo (HB 1629), allowing larger counties to use their own inspectors for county buildings (HB 3234), updating governance and financial rules for the Wood County Central Hospital District (HB 5664), clarifying firefighter collective bargaining and impasse procedures (HB 3171), and exempting certain Fort Worth ETJ properties from release rules to protect infrastructure investments (HB 2512). The committee also heard bills on border subdivision rules in Cameron County (HB 3680), extending a property tax exemption to surviving spouses of certain veterans affected by the PACT Act (HB 2508/HJR 133), drainage district election timing and procedures (HB 5693, HB 2694), utility transparency for municipally owned systems (HB 1991), and management district and hospital district election or appointment changes (HB 5698, HB 2293). Another major bill, HB 1449, would expand a food truck permitting pilot program to counties over one million population; witnesses supported the concept but asked the committee to coordinate it with related fee and standards bills, and the bill was left pending for further work. The committee also heard HB 3732, which would let fire departments obtain extensions to comply with new NFPA protective equipment standards, and HB 5431, which would clarify that mayors and at-large council members do not need new elections after reapportionment; both were left pending after questions about their scope. Several transparency and tax-related bills were also discussed, including HB 103, creating a statewide database of local bond and tax election information, and HB 851, requiring reporting on homestead tax ceiling properties; both drew support and were later voted out. After testimony, the committee reported multiple bills favorably, often unanimously, and recommended many for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also used procedural swaps to substitute House companions for Senate bills on several measures, then recessed with plans to return later to process additional bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute Senate Bill 5834, which is originally a companion to House Bill 2125, is a request to the
• Senate Bill 5835 is a companion bill to House Bill 2124, also coming as a request to the Department of
• Substitute Senate Bill 5834, which is originally a companion to bill to House Bill 2125, is a request
• Senate Bill 5835 is a companion bill to House Bill 2124, also coming as a request to the Department of
• This is a companion bill to House Bill 2159, which you heard earlier in this committee this session,

Summary: The Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on several bills. Senate Bill 5109 would raise the mortgage lending fraud prosecution surcharge on recorded deeds of trust from $1 to $5 and remove the 2027 sunset on the surcharge and account. Committee staff said the change would generate additional revenue for county auditors and the Department of Financial Institutions to contract with prosecutors; King County and the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys testified in strong support, saying the current funding has eroded and the bill would better sustain mortgage fraud prosecutions. A question was raised about whether other budget funding could serve a similar purpose, but supporters said the dedicated surcharge/account structure was the best fit. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5500, which would require DCYF’s biennial child care report to include a current cost-of-quality study in addition to the market rate survey. Testifiers from Child Care Aware of Washington, child care providers, and the early education design team supported the bill, saying the market rate survey alone does not capture the true cost of providing quality care. Staff said the bill would have a small fiscal impact for DCYF. The committee then heard Substitute Senate Bill 5834 and Senate Bill 5835, both Department of Retirement Systems request bills: one would broaden use of pension fund interest earnings for fund-protection expenses beyond the 2025-27 biennium, and the other would raise the threshold for lump-sum payment of small monthly benefits from $50 to $250. Neither bill drew public testimony, and staff said the fiscal impacts were minimal. Later, the committee heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5872, which would create the Pre-K Promise Account for ECAP funding and allow gifts, grants, and donations to be used solely to expand the program. Supporters including rural health coalitions, the Balmer Group, and Snohomish County said the account would help expand access to early learning, especially in child care deserts; DCYF estimated staffing costs to administer the account. Substitute Senate Bill 6007 would direct WSIPP to study DCYF’s child welfare screening tools and their effects on outcomes, with a reported cost of about $234,000; there was no public testimony. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6019 would clarify home care agency rate-setting and require that no more than 20% of Medicaid home care rates go to administrative costs, with DSHS saying there would be no fiscal impact. Labor and caregiver witnesses supported it as a parity and accountability measure. Finally, Senate Bill 6065 would allow school districts in binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight to use transportation vehicle funds more flexibly, including temporary loans or permanent transfers with approval; a rural education representative supported the bill, and staff said OSPI would incur only modest administrative costs. The committee took no final action and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Which is the companion to House Bill 2054 by Chairman King.
• Members, this is the companion bill to 2054 that we heard last week in committee, which relates to the
• The chair lays out as referred business Senate Bill 1018, which is the companion to House Bill 2054.
• Senate Bill 1018 is the companion to House Bill 3459.
• Members, this is the companion to House Bill 3459 that was heard last week in committee, and the bill

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This committee passed the Senate companion out of committee on February 4th.
• This bill differs a little bit from the Senate companion bill.
• Staff, what's the companion bill number? I didn't see anything on the website.
• Canyon Maybe it's not a direct companion. I was referring to the previous bill, the pen one.
• It does not have a Senate companion. It passed the House by votes of 95 to 0.

Bills: HB1269, HB2624

Keywords: pawnbroker, fees, interest rates, consumer protection, financial regulation, real estate transactions, nonprofit, land conservancies, unsolicited offers, property rights, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This committee passed the Senate companion out of committee on February 4th.
• The bill before you differs from the Senate companion in the following ways.
• This bill differs a little bit from the Senate companion bill.
• Before you, Substitute House Bill 2428 does not have a Senate companion.
• It does not have a Senate companion. It passed the House by votes of 95 to 0.

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:

• Two House companions have come over on bills that the Senate has already had public hearings on the Senate
• companions.
• The Senate has already heard and passed the companions, and so the House companions have just come over
• That's Senator, the companion to Senator King's bill.

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 10

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this bill is a companion to HB 5398 by Representative Eddie Morales, relating to the taking
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 is a companion to HCR 34 by Representative Cole.
• Members, this referred Senate Concurrent Resolution is a companion for...
• Members, this first Senate bill is the companion to HB 3962 by Representative Guerin, relating to the
• Members, this is referred Senate Bill as a companion to HB 23... 85 by relating to the eligibility of

Keywords: wildlife corridors, animal-vehicle collisions, HB5259, licensing, concurrent resolutions, cultural significance, Senate Bill 1247, public safety, environmental conservation

Summary: The meeting of the committee centered around significant legislative measures, including several bills aimed at enhancing wildlife safety through the establishment of wildlife corridors and licenses for outdoor activities. Key discussions highlighted House Bill 5259, led by Vice Chair Flores, which proposes a wildlife corridor action plan to reduce animal-vehicle collisions in Texas. This bill is crucial given Texas's alarming rate of wildlife-vehicle accidents, and testimonies from supporting members emphasized the need for action to protect both wildlife and public safety. Furthermore, Senate Bill 1247 was brought forward, simplifying the non-resident hunting license system to improve compliance and conservation funding. The committee also addressed multiple concurrent resolutions recognizing towns for their cultural significance, reflecting a broader commitment to community identity and heritage.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is very narrowly tailored to only apply to companion dogs, so dogs that people have as a pet
• So the bill says that if someone is going to tether their dog, so a dog that is a companion dog, so just
• This bill is about companion dogs so that people have as a pet. >> So, the bill has nothing to do with
• This bill is about companion dogs so that people have as a pet.

Keywords: 1136, house, all