Transcript Highlights:

• And that's the loophole to repealing the bill that was done. We see right through it.
• <01:02:10.920> the And that's the loophole to repealing the And that's the loophole to repealing
• So are we going to go down the road of repealing all of those bills, too?
• <01:10:47.920> To repealing all of those bills, too?
• To repealing all of those bills, too?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Does SB 31 repeal any portion of the pre-1925 laws? Repeal, no, sir.
• Once the injunction is lifted, if the statute's not been repealed, and this one's never been repealed
• But we can repeal it right now.
• Why can't we repeal all the language of the pre-1925 law?
• You can repeal it right now.

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, approval of the previous journal, and messages from the House, then moved through several recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups. Members adopted resolutions recognizing the Texas chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America, Fine Arts Education Day, Donate Life Texas Day, Baha’i Capitol Day, County Government Day, Jack County Day, Crockett County Day, and a recognition of Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanik for service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The chamber also heard remarks from visiting doctors, students, county officials, and community groups, with multiple senators speaking in support of military families, arts education, organ donation, and local government service. The Senate then took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2779, relating to the allocation and use of certain hotel occupancy tax revenues. Senator Birdwell said the bill would stop local governments from conditioning HOT funds on race- or class-based priorities and would require Galveston to transfer the full state rebate for beach cleaning and maintenance to its park board. After questions, the Senate suspended the rules, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed it, though the final vote showed significant opposition. The chamber also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2322, described as a cleanup bill removing the compelling-factor test for dispatchable generation from the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act. A major debate centered on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2253, which would phase out uncertified teachers in core classrooms and strengthen educator certification requirements. Senator Creighton argued the bill responds to a teacher pipeline crisis, adds parent notification, creates multiple preparation pathways, and provides financial incentives for certification; Senator West and Senator Sparks pressed for rural flexibility and implementation details. An amendment from Senator Gutierrez to add a teacher student-loan repayment program failed on a 11-17 vote, while other technical and fiscal amendments were adopted. The bill then passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2371, updating skimmer-reporting rules to cover electronic terminals beyond fuel pumps, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2351, relating to the construction of certain concrete plants under a standard permit. Senate Bill 619, a conscience-protection bill for health care workers, drew extended questioning from Senators Cook, Eckhardt, and Menendez about patient abandonment, scope, and whether it could allow refusals of legal services such as vaccines, antibiotics, contraception, or personal care; despite those concerns, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment. Finally, the chamber began consideration of Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1169, which would allow public entities to form public utility agencies to cooperate on water and wastewater projects without eminent domain or cross-collateralization, with Senator Hinojosa explaining it as a tool for small and rural communities facing utility infrastructure problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then it repeals the current law on this.
• And then it repeals the a firearm.
• And then it repeals the current<00:13:40.639> law<00:13:41.200> on<00:13:41.440> this
• And we chose that because it is a real, uh, it's causing delays for kids to get access to further help
• for kids to get it's causing delays for kids to get access<00:32:54.000> to<00:32:55.200>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• might have a point here in five years, when you actually have some data and you're not trying to repeal
• /c><00:15:08.399> not<00:15:08.519> trying<00:15:08.720> to<00:15:08.839> repeal
• and you're not trying to repeal and you're not trying to repeal something<00:15:09.600> that<
• this process because if the FBI delaying this process because if the FBI takes<00:55:56.319> forever
• So what I, if the committee was open to it, we could amend this one to repeal that section in this bill

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee hearing focused on House Bill 271, which would remove the exam requirement for licensure as a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA). The chair and several members expressed reservations about repealing a requirement that was only created in 2021, arguing that licensure should include some measurable demonstration of competency and that it is too early to judge whether the current standard is working. Members also raised concerns about the social work compact and the lack of uniformity across states, saying that changing the requirement now could undermine the standards New Hampshire agreed to at the outset. Testimony in support of the bill argued that the LSWA exam is a barrier for applicants because the level is intended for people without formal social work education, and the exam is the same national exam used for licensed social workers. The witness said there is only one LSWA in New Hampshire, so there is little pass/fail data, but noted that the Association of Social Worker Boards reported 78% of its membership favored retaining the exam. Supporters also emphasized that LSWA holders complete 30 hours of training and extensive supervised hours, and that they are not intended to work independently. Opponents or skeptics questioned whether the exam is the right measure for this role and asked for data showing actual failures or barriers. The discussion turned to possible alternatives, including a different exam, a practical skills assessment, or broader rulemaking authority for the board to set LSWA criteria. One suggestion was to amend the law to give the board authority to develop appropriate standards in rulemaking, rather than naming a specific exam in statute. Members also discussed whether the board could create a more suitable assessment and noted that the current law requires a national proctored examination approved by the board, but there is no national exam specifically for LSWA. No final vote or action was taken in the excerpt, and the subcommittee indicated it would gather more information, including the existing rule language, before moving the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• there's already one in here been delayed there's already one in here that<00:34:48.359> chose
• Government has far overstepped their bounds on this, and we do need to repeal.
• we<00:39:46.560> do<00:39:46.800> need<00:39:47.040> to<00:39:47.200> repeal
• bounds on this and we do need to repeal bounds on this and we do need to repeal we<00:39:47.880>
• We need to release the burden, and that means repealing some of these mandates.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Children and Families Committee met with a quorum, approved the January 21, 2025 minutes, and then focused on child care shortages and the pressures facing family child care providers across Minnesota, especially in Greater Minnesota. Chairing members noted the issue affects both rural and metro areas and introduced testimony from Cindy Cunningham, a St. Paul family child care provider and public policy chair for the State Association for Family Child Care. Cunningham argued that family child care is in crisis despite state investments, saying provider numbers continue to decline and that the system is not working. She raised concerns about food reimbursement tiers, special licenses that may not qualify for the family child care food program, the need for supplemental support for lower-tier programs, and the burden of upfront grant spending and delayed reimbursement. She also said providers receive little financial benefit for their own children in care and described a recent DHS decision affecting supervision of providers’ own children as an example of poor communication. Her broader message was that unclear, inconsistent, and poorly implemented licensing rules are driving providers out of the field. She recommended implementing the Office of the Legislative Auditor’s recommendations, improving DHS communication with both licensors and providers, updating public guidance and training materials, and considering more direct county funding and support for family child care. She also suggested reevaluating support for certified centers and other state-funded programs that she said operate under different standards. Committee members thanked her for the detailed testimony and said they wanted to follow up with her. The committee then moved on to letters and additional testimony from providers around the state, with members emphasizing the goal of identifying specific regulations that are hindering child care startup and continuation.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill also does have a delayed effective date of Settings.
• This bill also does have a delayed effective date of July 1 of next year, so it will not be coming into
• This is a bill that repeals the sunset provision of Chapter 211 of the Acts of Assembly 2024.
• The act, as I said, repeals that provision.

Keywords: Disability Commission, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, in all five decades of scope expansion across the country, no state has reversed or repealed
• medications are essential in preventing vision loss that can occur over the course of just a few days of delayed
• care. are essential in preventing vision loss that can occur over the course of just a few days of delayed
• I'll leave you with two final facts: Number one, no state has ever reversed or repealed legislation that

Transcript Highlights:

• She has started before having an IEP with serious speech delays and developmental delays and is now looking
• Laws of the public records exemption established would be open to the Sunset Review Act and repeal on
• The bill also repeals the Florida School for competitive academics and allow schools to purchase and

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President Pro Tem, I move the Senate concur in the House amendments to SB 1566, malicious delay enforcement
• So what is engaging in selective enforcement or unexplained delays?
• believes a municipality, a county, or the state is engaging in selective enforcement or unexplained delays
• Vice statute, repealing section 4-2-22-22-24-24-24-24-2-4-3-2-2-2-4-3-2-2-2-4-2-3-0-8, relating to liquor

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, attendance, and routine journal and communication actions, including a temporary committee replacement appointment and confirmation of Todd D. Haney to the State Board of Education. The chamber then moved into the Committee of the Whole to consider House Bill 4001, which concerns vaping/nicotine product regulation. Members debated a committee amendment and a floor amendment offered by Senator Bolick; supporters described the bill as a first step toward regulating harmful products and keeping them away from children, while opponents argued it was too weak, lacked retail licensing and enforcement, and did not adequately protect public health. The Committee of the Whole adopted the amendments and recommended the bill do pass, and the full Senate later passed HB 4001 on a 24-0-1 vote after additional debate on the same public health and enforcement concerns. The Senate then took up several other measures on final reading. House Bills 2720, 2078, 2501, 2686, and 2574 all passed, with votes ranging from 17-7 to 26-0. The chamber also concurred in House amendments to several Senate bills, including SB 1067, SB 1172, SB 1232, SB 1214, and SB 1478. During debate on HB 2078 and other bills, members used points of personal privilege to recognize staff and explain votes, but no additional amendments were adopted on those measures. On final readings, SB 1566, dealing with residential construction and delay enforcement, passed 17-9 despite concerns that its definition of malicious delay was too broad and could invite litigation. SB 1067, SB 1172, SB 1232, SB 1426, and SB 1478 also passed, with some members speaking in support of homeowner protections, administrative changes, or liquor policy updates, while others opposed the liquor bill and raised public health concerns about alcohol access in border communities. The Senate concluded by announcing party caucuses and adjourning until June 1, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• um however this uh minimize delays um however this uh particular<01:12:13.080> measure<01:12:
• repeal of the statutory language<01:16:06.719> um<01:16:07.480> to<01:16:08.480> I<
• Very quickly, the bill repeals a special fund, the birth defect special fund, that the Office of the
• I just want to make sure that repeal I just want to make sure that even<01:48:33.520> when<01
• <01:51:04.000> during this time and there was a delay during this time and there was a delay

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's essentially just delaying the acquisition of this equipment. Okay.
• It's essentially just delaying<00:38:42.000> the<00:38:42.240> acquisition<00:38:42.640
• > of<00:38:42.800> this delaying the acquisition of this delaying the acquisition of this
• But the governor put this in her budget to repeal that $30 million that was in appropriation in the last
• that 30 million her budget to repeal that 30 million that<00:53:48.720> was<00:53:49.200>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't know how long, I mean, if it takes as long as getting a driver's license, that could be a delay
• to give your testimony and I want to ask, do you think taking away this DACA fund and would cause a delay
• Not only will it cause a delay but for many of them it would just be unattainable.
• six seven jobs and then there would be no time for me to be a student so definitely would not only delay
• HB 232, which will repeal the Texas Dream Act.

Bills: HB232

Keywords: disaster recovery, natural disaster, weather disaster, emergency relief, flood relief, hurricane relief, storm damage, wildfire, tornado, hail, windstorm, extreme heat, ice storm, snowstorm, property damage, personal injury, temporary housing, relocation assistance, lost wages, state emergency management

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:25.520> recognize provision repeal. Favorable. recognize provision repeal.
• repeals the termination provision repeals the termination provision associated<00:21:34.400>
• Senate Bill 395 repeals provisions of current law specifying which insurance coverage is primary when
• > disqualifies<01:23:09.840> an repeals a provision that disqualifies an repeals a provision
• What it does is it repeals the current prohibition.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, journalized the prayer, and recognized Read Across America Day with a special resolution congratulating the Maryland State Education Association on the program’s 28th anniversary. Senators also welcomed several guests and student groups, including Eleanor Roosevelt High School students, Maryland Federation of Republican Women members for Red Scarf Day, medical shadows from Johns Hopkins, a student page prospect, and a group from Matthew Henson Elementary School. The chamber then took up multiple Finance Committee consent calendars and individual local alcohol-related bills, all of which were reported favorably, adopted without objection, and ordered printed for third reading. Measures included changes to alcohol license fee refunds for uniformed service members, Anne Arundel County license classifications and compensation for liquor board officials, a Baltimore City racetrack license extension, a Cecil County license quota change, and new or expanded licenses for golf courses, sports venues, and barber shop/beauty salon establishments. The Senate also advanced bills on social work licensing, a rural readiness economic development program, a Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission extension, peer-to-peer car sharing insurance rules, telematics-based auto insurance disclosures and appeals, and veteran status notation on public profiles. Several bills were amended before being advanced, generally with technical or clarifying changes and no recorded opposition. Senate Bill 18 would create a provisional social work license; Senate Bill 351 would regulate insurer use of vehicle telematics data; Senate Bill 395 would revise insurance and liability rules for peer-to-peer car sharing; and Senate Bill 197 would alter comprehensive plan elements in land use law. Senate Bill 439, protecting fire and rescue public safety employees from adverse action based on medical cannabis certification, also moved forward without amendment. One measure, Senate Bill 69, which would make permanent the nonprofit navigator position in the Department of Commerce, was discussed at length after a member raised concerns about oversight of nonprofit grant funding. On request, the bill was special ordered to the next day for further consideration. All other bills discussed in the transcript were advanced to third reading by unanimous or near-unanimous voice action, with no recorded roll-call votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE INCREASED COST OF CONSTRUCTION COMES FROM THINGS IN THE REGULAR PROCESS THAT RESULT IN DELAYS AND
• HB 405 SEEKS TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION BY CLARIFYING WHEN AND HOW NO DAMAGES FOR DELAY CAUSES MAY BE UTILIZED
• THIS BILL AS CURRENTLY DRAFTED WOULD REPEAL THE POST LICENSE EDUCATION REQUIREMENT.

Transcript Highlights:

• sections model policy and to repeal sections model policy and to repeal sections 28115 and 28119 code
• section venues to repeal section venues to repeal section 16272 code of Alabama 1975 requiring the 16272
• So if it's a delayed coming now, it going to it's a delayed coming now, it going to it's a delayed coming
• now, it going to be a delayed in the end for other stuff. be a delayed in the end for other stuff. be
• of this act effective at the end repeal of this act effective at the end repeal of this act effective

Keywords: 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill repeals authorization panel.
• I move delay the bill's effective date.
• House Bill 451 repeals the termination House Bill 451 repeals the termination date<01:50:02.320> for
• , the sunset repeal, the sunset repeal, um<01:51:26.400> is<01:51:26.639> the<01:51
• So with this report in discussing the bill and repealing the sunset, was there any And repealing the

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Rabbi Ari Goldstein, whose remarks were journalized at the request of the senator from District 33. The chamber then recognized the doctor of the day, Dr. Maryann Lamont, for her 50 years in medicine and her work in neurology and stroke care, and also thanked a legislative aide, Samantha Briggs, who is leaving for law school. The presiding officer noted a quorum was present and moved into the day’s floor work. The Senate handled several messages and committee reports, including a conference committee appointment on Senate Bill 18, which concerns provisional social work licensure. In Finance, the chamber advanced Senate Bill 246 on Health Services Cost Review Commission member terms, Senate Bill 370 on acupuncture board revisions, Senate Bill 564 creating a Division of Data Protection in the Attorney General’s office and a related work group, Senate Bill 782 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, Senate Bill 808 on health insurance provider panel requirements, Senate Bill 849 on agricultural equipment warranties, Senate Bill 867 on the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission, and Senate Bill 982 on mutual insurance holding companies converting back to mutual insurers. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or conforming amendments, which were adopted without objection, and each was ordered printed for third reading. The committee also considered several House bills with Senate cross-files or identical measures. These included House Bill 118 on money transmitter licensing, House Bills 339 and 512 on Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners compensation, House Bill 1100 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, House Bill 1395 on agricultural equipment warranties, House Bill 1473 creating Maryland’s Future Board, House Bill 226 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, House Bill 278 codifying the Longevity Ready Maryland plan, and House Bill 746 on collaborative care model coverage and cost-sharing limits. In each case, the committee reports were adopted, amendments were approved where offered, and the bills were advanced to third reading or passed for third reading, with no recorded opposition on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that guess delay urgent information.
• Delay alone can make a fully lawful project financially infeasible.
• Delay alone and coordinated approvals.
• In a system where delay itself relief.
• :04:15.679> that<02:04:15.840> a measure repeals the requirement that a measure repeals

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1531, HD1, which would require the governor or county mayors to provide American Sign Language interpreters during official emergency announcements broadcast on television or the internet, ensure the interpreter is visible, and provide a primary pool feed with picture-in-picture so rebroadcasters would not need to add the feature themselves. Testimony from the Disability and Communication Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities strongly supported the bill, emphasizing effective communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents and noting that interpreter placement and size can make broadcasts inaccessible. The council requested an effective date of July 1, 2027 to allow implementation time. Members raised concerns about interpreter availability and emergency logistics on Hawaiʻi Island, but the chair moved to pass the bill with amendments reflecting the picture-in-picture recommendation and the later effective date. The committee adopted the motion, with several members voting aye and others voting with reservations. The committee then heard House Bill 1880, HD2, which would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2027, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene, such as Telone. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity explained that pesticides are already regulated at both the federal and state levels, with EPA risk assessments and state enforcement of label restrictions, reporting, and school-buffer requirements. The Hawaii Public Health Institute supported the bill, citing cancer and respiratory risks and arguing that safer alternatives exist. In opposition, Dole Food and the Hawaii Farm Bureau said Telone is important for controlling nematodes in pineapple production, that it is applied underground under EPA conditions, and that no comparable registered alternative exists for pineapple; they also said the bill’s 2027 start date is too short for growers to adjust. A representative from the Y Alliance for Progressive Action and Support supported the measure, citing statewide usage data and concerns about drift and chronic health impacts. Committee members questioned both sides about drift monitoring, groundwater impacts, alternative methods, and whether a transition period or research into resistant varieties could reduce reliance on the chemical.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> I am not too jazzed about the filing fee for a delayed certificate of marriage.
• for a delayed certificate of marriage. for a delayed certificate of marriage.
• So um I think party for that delay.
• And having helped many people exercise that right, I can tell you this law is necessary, and to repeal
• Yes. 10 to 8. this law is necessary and to repeal it this law is necessary and to repeal it is<01:10:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is an act to amend Titles 13, 15, 36, and 47, relative to inmate workforce development, to repeal
• It repeals a few programs related to reentry that are defunct or have been inactive for decades.
• revised reasonable opportunity language, which prevents abuse while avoiding unnecessary payment delays
• issue a payment, and it simply says if the insurer shall not be subject to a bad-faith penalty for delay
• in payment if the delay in payment was related to verifying the contractor's license number.

Bills: SR125, SCR70, SCR12, HB4, HB251, HB623, HB819, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, HB1257, HB221, HCR58, SCR22, SCR24, SB29, SB30, SB32, SB41, SB42, SB43, SB47, SB84, SB93, SB113, SB192, SB199, SB219, SB220, SB221, SB222, SB241, SB253, SB255, SB289, SB292, SB306, SB314, SB351, SB399, SB404, SB14, SB102, SB133, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB200, SB217, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB330, SB449, SB489, SB521, SB45, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB274, SB304, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB436, SB424, SCR61, SCR9, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, HCR31, HB296, HB299, HB322, HB364, HB519, HB535, HB538, HB568, HB571, HB622, HB635, HB676, HB772, HB784, HB1006, HB1018, HB1043, HB1070, HB1134, HB1239, HB62, HB193, HB203, HB210, HB220, HB228, HB246, HB420, HB475, HB486, HB574, HB584, HB750, HB813, HB815, HB826, HB870, HB949, HB953, HB1045, HB1092, HB1151, HB1162, HB1176, HB1177, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB22, HB28, HB33, HB41, HB47, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB195, HB214, HB217, HB233, HB283, HB290, HB319, HB324, HB345, HB362, HB363, HB368, HB377, HB380, HB382, HB386, HB392, HB406, HB431, HB441, HB466, HB503, HB533, HB559, HB575, HB590, HB593, HB618, HB636, HB655, HB664, HB685, HB692, HB707, HB715, HB732, HB738, HB741, HB748, HB776, HB807, HB822, HB856, HB860, HB868, HB887, HB888, HB905, HB908, HB961, HB980, HB990, HB992, HB999, HB1000, HB1010, HB1146, HB1157, HB1233, HB1236, HB1243, HB54, HB137, HB180, HB192, HB310, HB321, HB396, HB512, HB552, HB578, HB638, HB663, HB708, HB717, HB718, HB1009, HB1082, HB1104, HB1107, HB1198, HB1246, HB1250, HB17, HB36, HB73, HB119, HB126, HB129, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB166, HB211, HB226, HB245, HB271, HB280, HB337, HB351, HB354, HB399, HB677, HB712, HB723, HB726, HB728, HB759, HB789, HB844, HB850, HB966, HB1036, SB149, SB382, SB441, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB782

Keywords: SR125, Senate Resolution 125, MUSV, Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel, MASC, Modular Attack Surface Craft, Conrad Shipyard, Morgan City, Louisiana shipbuilding, U.S. Navy, Department of the Navy, unmanned naval vessels, autonomous ships, defense procurement, military contracting, shipyard jobs, maritime workforce, advanced manufacturing, robotics, software engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• face difficulties in determining the correct contact information for submitting requests, leading to delays
• This requirement has delayed necessary work and unnecessarily increased costs.
• Additionally, we are repealing Sections 160.004, D, E, and F, which contain outdated and duplicative
• More importantly, this bill follows the SEC ruling, SAB 121 and SAB 122, which was repealed most recently
• The compact removes unnecessary licensing delays so we can serve our patients faster, especially those

Bills: HB111

Summary: The committee heard a long series of House bills, with most measures laid out by Senate sponsors and then left pending after brief public testimony. Early bills focused on construction and licensing issues, including HB 305 on prompt payment for public construction audits, HB 5093 on restoring public access to notary contact information, HB 2037 on updating landlord-tenant repair and security deposit rules, HB 4214 on a centralized public information request contact database, and HB 5435 exempting higher education institutions from a 90-day notice requirement for certain public-private partnership projects. Testimony was generally supportive on these bills, and no votes were taken; each was left pending. The committee also considered several transparency and regulatory bills. HB 111 would expand the Public Information Act to certain nonprofit state associations and narrow some attorney-client and working-paper exceptions, with supporters arguing it would improve oversight of public funds and critics questioning the scope and thresholds. HB 5129 would protect occupational license holders’ personal identifying information from disclosure without consent, HB 4350 would allow peace officers to redact personal information from online real property records, HB 4748 would authorize multiple-award state purchasing contracts, and HB 4765 would clean up code enforcement officer licensing rules. HB 4134 would allow motor vehicle creditors to charge limited fees for electronic payment options while requiring a free alternative, and HB 1043 would direct a study of blockchain-based property title records; both drew testimony, with some concern about the practical effects and vendor implications of the blockchain study. Several bills addressed insurance, workforce, and digital-asset regulation. HB 3520 would reduce the insurance coverage required for transportation network companies during the period when a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, drawing support from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and opposition from trial lawyers who argued the higher coverage better protects the public. HB 3320 would create a self-insurance pool for religious institutions, with TDI explaining it would still be regulated but operate under a special statutory framework. HB 4233 would modernize rules for digital asset service providers by removing certain auditor-access requirements and updating reporting and licensing provisions. HB 3923 would reduce bachelor’s-degree requirements for some state jobs, though Every Texan argued low pay, not degree requirements, is the main driver of turnover. HB 4518 would create a legal structure for decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations tied to blockchain governance; business law experts opposed it as unnecessary and potentially risky, while crypto advocates supported it. Finally, HB 1803 would join an interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists, with supporters citing workforce shortages and opponents saying Texas already licenses quickly and that the compact could weaken state oversight. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly closed testimony and left bills pending, and a quorum was eventually established before later items were heard.