Transcript Highlights:

• They have, I think, three golf courses in planning, one that's currently been built, and then the second
• Commissioner's Court today, so she's not here, but they want to use hotel tax revenue to fund hunting, golf

Bills: SB913 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1143 , SB1534 , SB1553 , SB1718 , SB1754 , SB2004 , SB2322 , SB2448

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills, mostly related to economic development, tax incentives, and workforce programs. Senate Bill 1534 would direct a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission on health physics education and workforce needs; resource witnesses from the Workforce Commission and Coordinating Board testified, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1553 would authorize Kerr County to impose a hotel occupancy tax for tourism-related uses, and Senate Bills 1086 and 1087 would authorize similar county hotel taxes for Children’s County and Mason County; all three bills received supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1754, which would prohibit county and local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power wholesale, with testimony sharply divided between landowners and policy groups opposing renewable subsidies and industry representatives and some senators arguing the bill would harm clean energy investment and local decision-making; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2322, which would exempt dispatchable electric generation facilities from the JEDI program’s compelling-factor test so they could qualify for school district tax incentives; testimony was mixed, and the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 1718, which would add the NRA annual meeting to the state’s major events reimbursement program. The bill’s sponsor and NRA representatives argued the event brings substantial tourism and economic activity, while opponents said it would use taxpayer funds to subsidize an organization that opposes gun safety measures; the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events reimbursement program, with the committee substitute exempting it from the usual competitive site-selection requirement because of timing; testimony from the event organizers and Arlington tourism officials was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program at the Texas Workforce Commission to support college-and-career readiness and technical assistance in rural communities; witnesses from Texas 2036, Collegiate Edgination, and a rural school district supported it, and it was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 913 would repeal a special requirement that Alpine dedicate at least 50% of its hotel occupancy tax to advertising and promotion, and Senate Bill 1143 would require more coordination and reporting for youth workforce programs serving disconnected young Texans; both bills received supportive testimony and were left pending. At the end of the hearing, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess, subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just recycling of water helps communities use less water. right and and you can water golf courses and

Bills: SJR 12 , SCR 39 , SB 7 , SB 8 , SB 27 , SB 29 , SB 125 , SB 241 , SB 371 , SB 396 , SB 406 , SB 464 , SB 568 , SB 578 , SB 608 , SB 617 , SB 660 , SB 689 , SB 693 , SB 707 , SB 731 , SB 732 , SB 763 , SB 779 , SB 836 , SB 854 , SB 857 , SB 875 , SB 878 , SB 879 , SB 906 , SB 920 , SB 921 , SB 922 , SB 942 , SB 965 , SB 985 , SB 996 , SB 1029 , SB 1035 , SB 1036 , SB 1059 , SB 1084 , SB 1098 , SB 1101 , SB 1185 , SB 1188 , SB 1321 , SB 1332 , SB 1366 , SB 1388 , SB 1396 , SB 1453 , SB 1484 , SB 1494 , SB 1536 , SB 1563 , SB 1596 , SB 1610 , SB 1619 , SB 1737 , SB 1738 , SB 1741 , SB 1816 , SB 1822 , SB 1841 , SB 1939 , SB 2155 , SB 2188 , SB 2230

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border, National Guard, state guard, border wall, border barriers

Summary: In this meeting, significant discussions revolved around the passage and modification of various Senate Bills, including SB1388, which pertains to family support services under the Health and Human Services Commission. Senator Kolkhorst advocated for the bill, emphasizing its focus on pro-life, family-centered care. The committee passed the bill after thorough examination, showcasing a collaborative effort among the members to ensure its alignment with successful past initiatives. In another session, Senator Hughes presented SB942, aimed at retroactive child support linked to prenatal care, which sparked a constructive dialogue reflecting bipartisan support for maternal and child welfare.

Transcript Highlights:

• But, um, I think this would open the floodgates more and I just believe that we should not get the cart
• </c><00:41:36.240><c> the</c> not get the not get the uh<00:41:38.200><c> the</c><00:41:38.320><c> cart
• 38.960><c> horse</c><00:41:40.000><c> and</c><00:41:40.920><c> we</c><00:41:41.120><c> need</c> uh the cart
• before the horse and we need uh the cart before the horse and we need to<00:41:41.400><c> have</c><00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• He said it gives the cart blanche that if an analysis comes out cost-benefit negative, or if the analysis
• We're giving<00:19:30.080><c> the</c><00:19:30.400><c> cart</c><00:19:30.640><c> blanch</c><00:19:31.039
• ><c> that</c><00:19:31.200><c> says</c><00:19:31.360><c> if</c><00:19:31.520><c> if</c> giving the cart
• blanch that says if if giving the cart blanch that says if if it<00:19:31.919><c> comes</c><00:19:32.160

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• have this program run, and now Washington is telling us, sorry, we're going to tip over the apple cart
• 47.759><c> apple</c> sorry we're going to tip over the apple sorry we're going to tip over the apple cart
• . cart. cart.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The work session was limited to House Bill 1750, a supplemental appropriation for the Department of Health and Human Services’ SNAP administration. Before testimony, Representative Terski distributed a written statement from Representative Priest for the record. Department officials Karen Heert and Nathan White then walked the committee through a chart showing SNAP participation, federal benefit dollars, and state administrative costs, emphasizing that the benefits themselves do not flow through the state budget. They explained that the reported administrative cost includes overhead and cost-allocation methods used to maximize federal reimbursement, and that the current participant count is about 75,000 with the trend steady in recent years. Members questioned whether the reported costs were stable, how much of the administrative expense was directly tied to SNAP, and whether reducing overhead would lower the need for the appropriation. The department said the cost per participant and per dollar distributed would be lower if SNAP were isolated, but that the broader allocation system also supports federal claiming across multiple programs. Officials said SNAP eligibility is redetermined every six months, that the department processes nearly 50 eligibility programs with about 250 field staff, roughly 70 unfunded positions, and a vacancy rate around 25%. They also said most errors in the program are unintentional and can come from either staff or participant mistakes, and that the department reviews errors to identify systemic fixes. The committee discussed the fiscal impact of the bill and related budget issues. DHHS said the current adjusted authorization for 2026 is about $31 million, but actual spending is expected to be closer to $25–26 million because of vacancies and unfilled positions. Members asked whether the $4.4 million shortfall identified in the fiscal note would come from the rainy day fund; staff said it would not be taken directly from that fund, but would reduce the amount available to flow into it at the end of the biennium. The committee also reviewed Senate Bill 603 FN, which was described as an alternative approach that would require DHHS to transfer funds within its existing budget rather than provide new money; officials said it would simply codify an option the department already has. No vote or final action on House Bill 1750 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Goodwill Easter Seals, $2 million; Big Brothers Big Sisters, $500,000; Minnesota Grocers Association Carts
• Goodwill Easter Seals, $2 million; Big Brothers Big Sisters, $500,000; Minnesota Grocers Association Carts
• Goodwill Easter Seals, $2 million; Big Brothers Big Sisters, $500,000; Minnesota Grocers Association Carts
• Goodwill Easter Seals, $1 million; Big Brothers Big Sisters, $2 million; Minnesota Grocers Association Carts

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 90 seconds to fill as many grocery carts and put in... and unfortunately, the Ramsey County Commissioners
• c><00:22:09.640><c> as</c><00:22:09.760><c> many</c><00:22:10.320><c> grocery</c><00:22:10.720><c> carts
• </c> seconds to fill as many grocery carts seconds to fill as many grocery carts and<00:22:11.600><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The first item, actually, we got the cart before the horse here.
• I asked the clerk to take, uh, The first item, actually, cart before the horse here, I asked the clerk

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• years ago, the folks that I represent, Haggadon High Hospitality, which is a Coeur d'Alene resort and golf

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our golf program has been legendary, and we.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our golf program has been legendary and we both icons like Hakeem Olajuwon, Carl Lewis and Flo Hyman

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Resolution Number 21 commends Gulf Coast Community College men's golf team.
• Senate Resolution Number 21 commends Gulf Coast Community College men's golf team.
• Senate Resolution Number 21 commends Gulf Coast Community College men's golf team.
• </c><00:47:22.720><c> Senate</c> College men's golf team. Senate College men's golf team.
• </c> class 1A individual golf championship. class 1A individual golf championship.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 4 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Internet Crimes Against Children programs by Representative Ken Cart Johnson. You're recognized.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you've got someone and they buy—they've got a grocery cart full of stuff.
• And in that grocery cart is, as Representative Mackey pointed out, so now they've got their granola bars
• And so it's in the cart. They're going to... ...they've got a grocery cart full of stuff.
• And in that grocery cart, as Representative Mackey pointed out, so now they've got their granola bars
• And so it's in the cart. They're going through. How does that work?

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2300 by a unanimous roll call vote of 18-0. The substitute combined a number of previously approved professional registration items, including emergency suspension authority, chiropractic and massage therapy provisions, accountant regulations, the athletic trainer compact, social worker regulations, a speech-language pathologist fix, telehealth, nonprofit pharmacies, and the physician assistant compact. Members noted that work was still ongoing on bell bondsman language before the committee moved into public hearing. The main public hearing was on House Bill 2897, which would expand optometrists’ authority to perform certain laser and in-office procedures. Representative Farnan and optometry supporters argued the bill is about patient access, especially in rural areas, and said it would allow three laser procedures—YAG capsulotomy, laser trabeculoplasty, and laser iridotomy—plus clarify other already-performed office procedures, while still excluding major surgeries such as cataract surgery, LASIK, and corneal transplants. Supporters said optometrists already receive relevant training, that a 32-hour certification course would serve as a safeguard, and that patients often face long waits or long travel times for care. Opponents, including ophthalmologists, argued the bill would blur the line between optometry and surgery, create safety risks, and rely on insufficient training and ambiguous language. They cited complications from laser procedures, questioned emergency care claims, and said optometrists should not be regulated as surgeons unless placed under the State Board of Healing Arts. No vote was taken on HB 2897, and the chair recessed the hearing for later continuation. The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education then took up House Bill 3239 and adopted Amendment 0.01H, which capped the program at $4 million to keep it from becoming an open-ended cost. The committee then adopted the House Committee Substitute and voted the bill do pass by 11-7. The committee also combined House Bills 2913 and 3228 into one substitute and voted that combined measure do pass by 19-0. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2195, which would create the Missouri Integrated Safe Driving Program and encourage school districts to incorporate driver-safety content into existing courses without adding a fiscal note or mandating a standalone driver’s ed class. Sponsor Representative Reedy and supporters from AAA Missouri and the Missouri Driver Education Coalition said the bill would address teen crash rates, improve access to driver education, and help schools use existing curriculum time more flexibly. The hearing remained in discussion with testimony continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• with companies to track what you're doing online, even just your scrolling or what you put in your cart
• with companies to track what you're doing online, even just your scrolling or what you put in your cart
• with companies to track what you're doing online, even just your scrolling or what you put in your cart
• with companies to track what you're doing online, even just your scrolling or what you put in your cart
• with companies to track what you're doing online, even just your scrolling or what you put in your cart

Bills: HF3794 , HF3408

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, consumer protection, price setting, biometric data, retail, privacy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:38:28.320><c> The</c><01:38:28.560><c> USDA,</c><01:38:29.280><c> who</c> grocery carts with
• The USDA, who grocery carts with soda.
• There is no discernible difference in the products they place in a cart between if you're on SNAP or
• between if you're on SNAP or if a cart between if you're on SNAP or if you're<01:51:26.080><c> not</
• I go in, um, I have my cart. I started in the produce section. My dairy is on top.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call and housekeeping, including moving standing attendees to an overflow room and asking the audience to avoid interruptions. The task force then heard testimony from Allison Adams of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, who presented statewide health trend data showing Kentucky ranked 41st overall and 44th in health outcomes, with especially poor performance on premature death, chronic disease, diabetes, and vaccination rates. She emphasized that Kentucky has the highest rates of residents with multiple chronic conditions, that diabetes remains above the national average, and that childhood immunization rates have worsened. She also highlighted major provider shortages in rural areas, noting that 43 of 120 counties meet shortage criteria and that more than half of primary care providers are concentrated in Fayette and Jefferson counties. Adams urged the task force to focus on prevention, early intervention, access to care, physical activity, and healthier school and community environments, and said the foundation is prepared to share results from its demonstration projects. Task force members asked follow-up questions about the age range for chronic-condition data and whether the diabetes figure reflected type 1 or type 2 diabetes; Adams said the chronic-condition measure spans all ages and that the diabetes figure likely reflects type 2, though she offered to provide the full report. The task force then approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The committee next turned to SNAP benefits and heard from Lisa Dennis, commissioner of the Department for Community Based Services, and Roger McCann, director of the Division of Family Support. They explained that SNAP is not only a food assistance program but also a public health and family stability tool, arguing that poor diet contributes to chronic disease and that food insecurity is linked to family stress, child welfare involvement, and neglect-related CPS referrals. They cited research showing that more generous SNAP policies are associated with fewer CPS reports, fewer substantiated reports, and fewer foster care placements, and said SNAP helps reduce risk and promote stability across vulnerable populations including children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pregnant women. They also described SNAP-Ed as the nutrition education component that teaches healthy eating, cooking on a budget, and how to use fresh produce, but warned that recent federal legislation eliminates federal funding for SNAP-Ed beginning in federal fiscal year 2026. McCann outlined the remaining SNAP outreach and employment-and-training components, noting that outreach is typically run by nonprofits with a 50% match and that employment and training funds job-skills programs to help recipients move toward better jobs and self-sufficiency. The discussion emphasized that access to nutritious food, education, and job supports are all part of improving health outcomes and reducing food insecurity.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we have golf caddies; we have a list in one part of the law on subminimum wages.
• I mean,<00:37:11.800><c> we</c><00:37:11.920><c> have</c><00:37:12.040><c> golf</c><00:37:12.400><c>
• caddies,</c><00:37:13.080><c> we</c><00:37:13.240><c> have</c><00:37:13.400><c> I</c> mean, we have golf
• caddies, we have I mean, we have golf caddies, we have I mean,<00:37:13.600><c> there's</c><00:37:13.800

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• congratulations to an esteemed champion, Rory McIlroy, on his remarkable victory at the 2026 Masters Golf
• Each year, during the first full week of April, golf fans, professionals, and patrons from across the
• world traveled to Georgia's 12th District and the Augusta National Golf Club for a tradition unlike
• year's historic tournament reminded the world why Augusta stands as the true pinnacle of championship golf

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• every year for irrigation purposes, whether it's a homeowner's lawn, a business property's lawn, or a golf
• homeowner's lawn, a business property's<00:52:15.560><c> lawn,</c><00:52:16.000><c> or</c><00:52:16.640><c> golf
• </c><00:52:17.000><c> course,</c><00:52:17.920><c> there</c> property's lawn, or golf course, there property's
• lawn, or golf course, there are<00:52:18.200><c> a</c><00:52:18.280><c> lot</c><00:52:18.520><c> of<

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also state or local support that can be provided and revenues from paid or a la carte sales.
• We also have an à la carte option that was not available for us under the National School Lunch Program
• if things is like with the leftovers, if you did have some, we couldn't—we could sell those as à la carte

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Keywords: 916, all