Transcript Highlights:

• </c> on its merits. on its merits.
• They I need it, I'm not going to buy it.
• on it.
• So, it it basically health care members.
• That's<01:58:08.800><c> it.</c> That's it. That's it.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It will do that, so I hope members will support it.
• </c><00:05:11.479><c> it</c> hope uh members will uh support it it hope uh members will uh support it
• It menaces our democracy. It menaces our human dignity.
• We get it.
• </c><00:59:45.119><c> really</c> to do it all the time like it really to do it all the time like it really

Bills: HF1233

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: women's athletics, gender, sports competition, Human Rights Act, biological sex, participation limits, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:19:10.240><c> it</c> th this as you're presenting it, it th this as you're presenting it, it
• It should be. Yes, defin I &gt;&gt; It would. It should be.
• It it definitely say it it is though. It it definitely is. is. is.
• You got<01:15:19.199><c> it.</c> got it. got it.
• </c> and it drug. and it drug.

Keywords: Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15 Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14 Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee met to approve the October 21 minutes and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and public resources. The sponsors said the bill is intended to strengthen existing law by adding civil and criminal penalties for taxpayer-funded advocacy on ballot questions, especially in light of controversies during the 2024 election over school officials and districts using public resources to oppose a constitutional amendment. They also described related concerns about school districts hiring third-party lobbyists and public relations firms, particularly in Fayette County, and said the proposal was meant to keep tax dollars focused on public services rather than political persuasion. Committee members raised several concerns about scope and drafting. Some asked whether the bill should specifically mention schools, school boards, and school employees, and the sponsors said they would add that language. Others questioned whether the measure would also affect local government lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, and the sponsors said they intended to focus narrowly on schools while exempting certain advocacy organizations and internal government lobbyists. Members also asked whether public employees could still speak as private individuals, and the sponsors said yes. Several members suggested splitting the lobbying and ballot-advocacy issues into separate bills, and the sponsors said they would consider that. Members also pressed for clarification on how the bill would apply in practice, including whether it would cover legal challenges to petition drives or only advocacy after a question is on the ballot. Counsel for the sponsors said the bill would not cover some petition-related litigation as drafted, though they believed it should. The sponsors and supporters argued the proposal was needed to give the existing prohibition real enforcement, while some members warned that the language could unintentionally limit legitimate public representation or be too broad if not carefully drafted. No final vote was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um it it went through a whole care of.
• But it comes into it because these bills are in place.
• It is low maintenance. It is low barrier.
• It is low maintenance. It is low barrier.
• It is low maintenance. It is low barrier.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it doesn't it doesn't produce anything it doesn't it doesn't help<00:32:38.120><c> us</c><00:32:38.279
• </c><00:41:49.640><c> is</c><00:41:49.760><c> a</c> Peter so it is a challenge it is a Peter so it is
• Was it 10 beds or... ...beds? Representative Frederick, it was a 16-bed facility.
• It simply extends those.
• </c><01:16:36.400><c> um</c><01:16:36.560><c> the</c> heard it was it was tenuous um the heard it was

Bills: HF2196 , HF2586 , HF2187 , HF2037

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: mental health, emotional disturbance, terminology update, statutory cleanup, conforming amendments, children's mental health, serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, case management, residential treatment, outpatient services, crisis services, health plan coverage, antipsychotic drugs, medical assistance, Medicaid, foster care, juvenile court, school discipline, county board

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> section 13.39 to so it moves it from um section 13.39 to so it moves it from um the<00:04:57.080
• us when it's in its final form because it sounds like it could be considerably different when it actually
• I would hope it would come back to us when it's in its final form because it sounds like it could be
• in its final form because it sounds like it could be considerably different when it actually goes to
• ><c> a</c><00:47:01.480><c> bill</c> it out and makes it actually a bill it out and makes it actually

Bills: HF25 , HF1 , HF428

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices

Transcript Highlights:

• It may not be nefarious, and it may just be they can't get to it.
• </c> get to it. get to it.
• </c><00:36:22.880><c> cost</c> and it stays open, it will cost and it stays open, it will cost rateayers
• If you had it, you had it, and it was cheap, and your industries benefited from it, and your people who
• ><00:52:17.359><c> technology</c> maybe where it is in its uh, technology maybe where it is in its uh

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and it just moves it downstream a little and it just moves it downstream a little bit.<00:05:54.400
• Uh it engagement in the creation of it.
• Chair Port: Commissioner, with modern technology, I have an answer at least, and it doesn't, Senator,
• It is brutalism. >> Yeah, it is.
• </c> laying it over. Are we moving it on? laying it over. Are we moving it on?

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><01:22:12.320><c> it</c> They didn't want it, they don't want it; it doesn't exist.
• </c> where where it doesn't help anyone. where where it doesn't help anyone.
• to add it in.
• </c> heck one it is. Did they review this? heck one it is. Did they review this?
• :42:27.520><c> not</c> believe it was laid over so it was not believe it was laid over so it was not

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It has a forced main that will facilitate this project. We don't have to invest in that part of it.
• We appreciate it.
• </c> We hear it is secure, ma'am.
• It seems like 24 years. Is that short? Is that expected, or something to matter with it?
• I had help from Lee there, so I spelled it out on how I can pronounce it.

Bills: HF343 , HF446 , HF448 , HF674 , HF811 , HF832 , HF1661 , HF1528 , HF1536 , HF1541 , HF1670 , HF1438 , HF1714 , HF1748 , HF1835 , HF1904 , HF1929 , HF1942

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: HF343, Chisago County, Shorewood Park Sanitary Sewer District, Rush Lake, sewer extension, wastewater infrastructure, sanitary sewer, treatment pond, sewage treatment, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, Public Facilities Authority, local infrastructure, municipal utilities, water quality, sanitation, bond proceeds fund, Minnesota bonding, HF446

Transcript Highlights:

• have it in your materials and can see it up close.
• Uh I will turn it over to you. Cordy. Uh I will turn it over to you.
• It is painful and it is real, and it was important to me to communicate to AMSD members exactly what
• It was really incredible but I loved it.
• And I programs, it it was incredible.

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate<00:20:40.000><c> it.</c> appreciate it. appreciate it.
• </c> provide it. provide it.
• Appreciate it. it. it.
• . it. it.
• </c> what it says, but not what it means. what it says, but not what it means.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> estate</c><00:12:56.199><c> it</c> could be gold it could be real estate it could be gold it could
• Is it dangerous for the state to do it?
• </c><00:29:39.360><c> it</c> we're we're always doing this it it we're we're always doing this it it
• /c> room guess I thought it was it not it's room guess I thought it was it not it's not<01:43:00.159>
• > to</c><04:38:12.680><c> make</c> and make it adjustments to it to make and make it adjustments to it

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Commerce Committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 310, sponsored by Representative Keith Ammon, which would create a study commission to develop a legal framework for stable tokens and tokenized real-world assets. Ammon described stable tokens as blockchain-based digital tokens backed by U.S. dollars or treasuries, and tokenized real-world assets as representations of ownership in items such as gold, real estate, or artwork. He said the bill is intended to help New Hampshire get ahead of emerging financial markets while waiting to see how federal legislation develops. Committee members asked about the purpose of the bill, the difference between this proposal and Bitcoin, whether state regulation could be preempted by federal law, and whether the commission could be balanced and avoid becoming a vehicle for fraud or money laundering. Ammon said the proposal is blockchain-agnostic, could apply to multiple networks, and is meant to regulate asset-backed tokens rather than create a state-issued coin. He emphasized that the state would not be guaranteeing the underlying assets, but would set rules requiring audits, proof of reserves, and honest representation of backing, with the Secretary of State’s securities office involved in oversight. Several members raised concerns about the risks of stablecoins, including money laundering, tax evasion, and possible harm to the dollar or confusion about whether the state was endorsing a new currency. Ammon responded that the bill would not undermine the dollar and argued that tokenization could actually expand demand for U.S. currency by making it easier to use globally. He also said the state would not be in the business of weighing assets or directly valuing them, only ensuring a valid audit trail and one-to-one backing. The discussion ended with general agreement that the subject is complex and that a commission could help develop future legislation, but no vote or final action was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it necessary, or is it redundant?
• /c> doing America when it lives up to its doing America when it lives up to its ideals<00:45:09.559><
• it and wisely use it and we distribute it and wisely use it and we can<03:23:58.520><c> still</c><03
• > the</c><03:40:01.199><c> euphemism</c> on it it doesn't matter the euphemism on it it doesn't matter
• c><04:13:25.119><c> be</c> difficult enough as it is but it will be difficult enough as it is but it

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it doesn't encourage me to work out as much. It makes it much harder.
• It makes it much harder. And if as much. It makes it much harder.
• <c> to</c> that when it become when it comes to that when it become when it comes to neurodeenerative
• . it. it.
• </c> I got it. I got it. Thank you. I got it. I got it. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it ruined it. So no reputable business is losing its job.
• And it makes it clear.
• It has 56 entries on it.
• And it keeps it under 0.03. No, it keeps Delta 9 under 0.03. It doesn't keep THCA under 0.3.
• I mean, and I get it. It can seem like a waste. It can seem kind of I mean, and I get it.

Bills: SB 5 , SB 11 , SB 12

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, human trafficking, trafficking victim, compelling prostitution, affirmative defense, criminal defense, coercion, force fraud or coercion, sexual exploitation, victim protection, Penal Code, Texas criminal law, prosecution, party liability, affirmative defense statute, survivor rights

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs took up Senate Bill 5, which Senator Perry described as a ban on intoxicating THC consumer products while preserving legal CBD, CBG, hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil products. Perry argued that most retail THC products are already illegal under federal law, that the industry has used loopholes and misleading labeling to sell high-potency products, and that regulation would be ineffective because chemists can quickly alter formulations. He also said the bill would steer people with medical needs toward the Texas Compassionate Use Program (T-Cup), which he and other supporters described as the proper physician-guided alternative. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly discussed the distinction between legal hemp-derived products and intoxicating THC products, and Perry said the bill would not touch non-consumable hemp uses such as fiber and clothing. Invited testimony came from law enforcement and medical witnesses who supported the bill. Texas Police Chiefs Association representative Steve Dye, Kaufman County District Attorney Early Wiley, and Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne all said regulation would be too costly, too complex, and ultimately unenforceable, while a ban would be clearer and easier to enforce. They cited overloaded DPS labs, the need for expensive private testing, limited police and prosecutor resources, and the difficulty of keeping up with constantly changing cannabinoids and out-of-state products. Hawthorne and Wiley described raids and investigations involving warehouses, retail stores, cash seizures, and products they said were marketed to young people and often mislabeled or imported from other states. They also said the bill would help law enforcement by creating a clearer legal line and protecting legitimate CBD/CBG businesses. Dr. Lindy McGee, speaking for the Texas Medical Association and Texas Pediatric Society, testified that retail THC products pose serious risks to children and adolescents, including addiction, impaired brain development, psychosis, suicide attempts, self-harm, accidental toddler ingestions, and possible long-term cognitive effects. She said there is no effective medication treatment for THC addiction comparable to nicotine cessation tools, and she supported restrictions such as child-resistant packaging, no marketing to minors, and age limits, while opposing criminal penalties for possession by minors. Senators asked follow-up questions about brain development, memory, dementia risk, pregnancy, and cardiovascular effects. No vote was taken during the portion provided, and the committee continued with invited testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not, it is not based...
• Please say it more. I'm going to keep saying it. Is it your intent?
• Then defend it, fight for it.
• It can, yeah, it certainly can.
• it back, leave it, pay it to the taxing authorities.

Bills: HJR175 , HJR88 , HB21 , HB49 , HB216 , HB346 , HB573 , HB565 , HB954 , HB1953 , HB2686 , HB1441 , HB2734 , HB1650 , HB3161 , HB2876 , HB3185 , HB3388 , HB2761 , HB3233 , HB 1186 , HB1534 , HB5506 , HB5129 , HB3619 , HB778 , HB2867 , HB3221 , HB3672 , HB2434 , HB4903 , HB3687 , HB3675 , HB4609 , HB4582 , HB4921 , HB3866 , HB3901 , HB4534 , HB2446 , HB3984 , HB700 , HB4012 , HB4491 , HB4088 , HB229 , HB4234 , HB722 , HB4136 , HB4105 , HB4413 , HB170 , HB551 , HB2858 , HB3053 , HB3142 , HB3180 , HB3722 , HB2200 , HB1794 , HB1784 , HB1581 , HB2530 , HB4308 , HB1896 , HB2974 , HB3359 , HB4580 , HB2458 , HB2215 , HB3332 , HB2278 , HB3015 , HB3151 , HB1368 , HCR9 , HCR40 , HB5138 , SB17 , HB4944 , HB2284 , HB3421 , SB1569 , SB2420 , SB1968 , SB2351 , SB2544 , SB1490 , SB1349 , SB1568 , SB2776 , HB3531 , HB2149 , HB4327 , HB3158 , HB3717 , HB4520 , SB888 , SB552 , HB3138 , HB3704 , HB2921 , HB4853 , HB4506 , HB3892 , HJR161 , HJR175 , HJR88 , HB1937 , HB3334 , HB5444 , HB5137 , HB361 , HB321 , HB5447 , HB464 , HB678 , HB2294 , HB4172 , HB3225 , HB1769 , HB5394 , HB1837 , HB1787 , HB2271 , HB2440 , HB5134 , HB5149 , HB2151 , HB2073 , HB2186 , HB2025 , HB1936 , HB1777 , HB1663 , HB 1306 , HB 1290 , HB1527 , HB4802 , HB3462 , HB2963 , HB2462 , HB2560 , HB644 , HB2725 , HB2621 , HB2588 , HB1443 , HB1403 , HB3032 , HB1557 , HB1664 , HB2811 , HB2088 , HB2598 , HB3062 , HB3134 , HB3940 , HB4027 , HB4097 , HB4862 , HB4170 , HB4157 , HB4205 , HB4279 , HB4377 , HB4838 , HB5424 , HB5294 , HB4870 , HB4763 , HB5639 , HB4112 , HB2275 , HB1677 , HB5014 , HB3848 , HB3797 , HB3727 , HB3709 , HB3177 , HB3057 , HB4176 , HB4202 , HB2180 , HB3528 , HB3658 , HB21 , HB49 , HB216 , HB346 , HB573 , HB565 , HB954 , HB1953 , HB2686 , HB1441 , HB2734 , HB1650 , HB3161 , HB2876 , HB3185 , HB3388 , HB2761 , HB3233 , HB 1186 , HB1534 , HB5506 , HB5129 , HB3619 , HB778 , HB2867 , HB3221 , HB3672 , HB2434 , HB4903 , HB3687 , HB3675 , HB4609 , HB4582 , HB4921 , HB3866 , HB3901 , HB4534 , HB2446 , HB3984 , HB700 , HB4012 , HB4491 , HB4088 , HB229 , HB4234 , HB722 , HB4136 , HB4105 , HB4413 , HB170 , HB551 , HB2858 , HB3053 , HB3142 , HB3180 , HB3722 , HB2200 , HB1794 , HB1784 , HB1581 , HB2530 , HB4308 , HB1896 , HB2974 , HB3359 , HB4580 , HB2458 , HB2215 , HB3332 , HB2278 , HB3015 , HB3151 , HB1368 , HCR76 , HCR127 , HCR9 , HCR40

Keywords: constitutional amendment, medium of exchange, currency rights, digital currency, financial autonomy, tax exemption, rainwater harvesting, graywater system, local government, ad valorem taxation, housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, audit requirements, affordable housing, development bonds, oil waste, gas waste, liability, treatment processes

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what it says. That's what it says. It looks like Senator Birdwell.
• It is an ugly process to get it isolate. It is not a natural product.
• , because the VA will not pay for it and will not prescribe it, will not pay for it. pay for it, and
• It's about profit, and it is. Un-American to its core. Let's call it what it is and shut it down.
• Was it to this or Was it some other drug use? It was drug use. Okay.

Bills: SB3 , SB810 , SB965 , SB1073 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB 3

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: Texas Education Code, public schools, school district, open-enrollment charter school, teacher speech, employee speech, biological sex, pronouns, gender identity, retaliation, discipline, workplace protections, school personnel, education policy, LGBTQ, transgender, charter schools, SB 965, religious speech, prayer

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not static or unchanging. It is fluid.
• And we have to call it what it is: it's racist.
• So that makes it not, it won't be deportable.
• But let's call it what it is: it should be stalking.
• But let's call it what it is: it should be stalking.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures, with extensive testimony on firearms regulation, disability and sexual assault, mental health diversion, emergency response, and law enforcement masking. SB 704 by Senator Arreguín would require firearm barrels to be purchased through licensed dealers with a background check, as a response to the rise in ghost guns and 3D-printed firearms; supporters said barrels are a key component of untraceable guns, while opponents argued the bill burdens lawful gun owners and does little to stop criminals. SB 258 by Senator Wahab would eliminate the remaining spousal rape exception for victims unable to consent because of disability; supporters called it a needed closure of an archaic loophole, while disability-rights advocates opposed it unless amended, warning it could worsen misunderstandings about capacity to consent and harm disabled people’s autonomy. After debate, SB 258 passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, with several members voting aye and the bill held on call. Senator Umberg presented SB 398, which closes a loophole in the law prohibiting paying or offering money or other value to induce someone to vote or register to vote; there was little opposition, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations and was held on call. He also presented SB 27, a CARE Court cleanup measure that would allow certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial to be routed into CARE Court and would expand eligibility to some people with mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would improve access to treatment and reduce unnecessary incarceration, while county behavioral health directors and disability advocates warned it could blur the line between voluntary civil treatment and coercive criminal proceedings and expand CARE Court beyond its intended scope. SB 27 passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 36 from Senator Umberg, a price-gouging measure tied to wildfire-related emergency conditions that also expands search-warrant authority for certain misdemeanor investigations. Public defenders opposed the search-warrant expansion as unnecessary, while a late supporter from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spoke in favor; the bill was moved on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and held on call. SB 571 by Senator Arreguín would increase penalties for impersonating emergency personnel and related conduct during disasters; supporters cited post-fire looting and impersonation, while opponents argued longer sentences do not deter crime and that existing law is sufficient. The bill passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and was held on call. Finally, Senator Wiener presented SB 627, which would prohibit law enforcement from wearing extreme masks except in limited circumstances, aimed largely at masked federal immigration enforcement operations. Supporters said masked, unidentified officers create fear and undermine trust, while law enforcement groups argued the bill wrongly sweeps in local officers, is too broad, and should instead target federal agents or impersonators. Testimony was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final committee action on SB 627 is shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill still passed with it in it. The bill still passed with it in it. The...
• But if we don't give it, it won't be considered.
• It bothered me. It upset me.
• And it bothered me. It upset me.
• Mao did it, Hitler did it... ...Mao did it, Hitler did it, and others did it, because they knew if they

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits. The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation. Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.