Transcript Highlights:

• those that hates government mandates, but we do have a responsibility to care for, make sure that our skilled
• workers are cared for. ...make sure that our skilled workers are cared for.
• We have continually voted to cut our tax base.

Bills: SB1063 , SB1118 , SB1153 , SB1154 , SB1209 , SCM1001

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Keywords: appropriation, transportation, safety improvements, Route 70, infrastructure, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, historic preservation, Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, special license plate, special plate, license plate, vanity plate

Transcript Highlights:

• Those who follow the law are not going to game the system like that, but those who ignore it will have
• that alcohol and tobacco do, and not allowing the actual devices to have cartoon characters or be a game
• And from Cade, who is looking down on this right now, probably playing video games. But thank you.
• across the nation, including cities in Arizona, are working to end senseless violence with evidence-based

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and then moved through a lengthy third-reading calendar. Early bills included SB 1135 on workers’ compensation, which passed 49-4, and SB 1127 on family offenses, which failed 5-50 after Rep. Gress said he supported the policy but voted no to allow reconsideration. SB 1133 on nominating procedures passed 32-23 without the emergency clause, and SB 1136 on workers’ compensation passed 54-1. Members then debated several health-related and regulatory measures, including SB 1145 on behavioral health behavior analysis, SB 1165 on health insurance coverage for breast exams, SB 1175 on child welfare, SB 1184 on condominiums and planned communities, SB 1205 on municipal regulations, SB 1210 on private post-secondary education institutions, and SB 1233 on state agencies, with mixed votes and several floor explanations focused on costs, insurance mandates, and public health benefits. The chamber also considered SB 1243 on court-ordered treatment, where supporters framed it as protecting vulnerable people and opponents warned about guardianship abuse and indefinite confinement; it passed 50-7. SB 1246 on condominium and planned community notices passed unanimously, while SB 1253 on Safe Haven providers passed 57-0. SB 1259 on campaign-related address confidentiality drew extensive debate about candidate safety, threats, and residency rules, and passed 43-14. Additional measures passed included SB 1271 on municipal authority, SB 1286 on veterinarians, SB 1292 on the public safety personnel retirement system, SB 1366 creating a towing and impound advisory committee, SB 1446, SB 1497 on school insurance, SB 1561 and SB 1564 on health care institutions, and several final-read House bills. On final reading, the House concurred in amendments to several bills and passed HB 2082, HB 296 on WIFA, HB 2557 on patient records, HB 2749 on reclassifying certain felony convictions to misdemeanors under strict conditions, and HB 4001 on nicotine products and youth access. HB 4001 drew the most extended debate, with supporters emphasizing youth protection, stronger penalties for sales to minors, and anti-vaping enforcement, while opponents criticized the bill as regulatory overreach or insufficiently focused on taxation and education. The House also adopted a motion to request the Senate return SB 1456 for reconsideration, heard a memorial resolution honoring James Hong Shee, and received remarks and a proclamation on National Gun Violence Awareness Day before recessing.

Transcript Highlights:

• by federal grant, but we are requiring counties uh to contribute something to get some skin in the game
• some</c><00:03:34.800><c> skin</c><00:03:35.000><c> in</c><00:03:35.080><c> the</c><00:03:35.160><c> game
• </c> something to get some skin in the game. something to get some skin in the game.
• the more population dense counties, certainly need to be putting in a little bit more skin in the game
• </c> game. Very well. Uh Senator Mayden. game. Very well. Uh Senator Mayden.

Summary: The Appropriations and Revenue Committee met with a quorum and considered three House bills. House Bill 647, sponsored by Rep. Shawn McPherson, would continue the Grant Ready Kentucky program. Testimony described it as a successful third iteration that leverages state funds to attract federal and other project dollars, with examples cited from Jefferson County and Perry County. Members asked about county participation and the local match structure; the witness explained that the bill doubles the prior match scale based on population density, from 1-5% to 2-10%, to require more local contribution in more populous counties. House Bill 651, sponsored by Rep. Josh Bray, was presented as a cleanup measure for the Waters program, which targets the state’s most distressed water districts and provides financial incentives for system improvements and best management practices. The committee adopted a committee substitute before approving the bill. House Bill 816, the annual claims bill, was described by the chair as covering audited claims against the state that were not previously paid because of lapsed or insufficient appropriations or missing procurement documents; the claims ranged from small amounts to tens of thousands of dollars. All three measures received favorable expression by unanimous roll call votes, with 12 ayes and no nays each time. After each vote, the committee also moved the bills onto consent, and those motions were approved as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, it's based on the percentage of ownership.
• And again, it's based on the based on your ownership percentage or trust.
• And again, it's based on the percentage of ownership. So yes.
• My high school puts out videos of the football game.
• can go to the football game and be recorded by the school cheering?

Summary: The House began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 123-1 roll call vote. Members then spent time introducing guests, including physicians, sheriffs, students, interns, and school groups from several districts. The chamber also heard a personal privilege statement recognizing a member’s son’s birthday. On third reading, House Bill 1758, dealing with permanent daylight saving time in Missouri, drew debate over whether ending clock changes would improve convenience or create safety and health problems by leaving more commutes in darkness. Supporters argued it would align with public preference and reduce disruption, while opponents warned of circadian and safety concerns. The bill passed 107-31 with two present. The House then moved to perfection of House Bill 3329, which repeals expired or unused tax credits, and House Bill 3405, which reclassifies SALT/pass-through entity items as deductions rather than tax credits for reporting purposes; both were described as cleanup and efficiency measures and were perfected without opposition. The chamber then took up House Bill 2426, a broad parental rights bill covering medical, educational, privacy, and related decision-making for children, and a major amendment focused on individualized education plans (IEPs). Supporters said the bill and amendment strengthen parental involvement and require stricter judicial review, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, school district administration burdens, transparency requirements, and possible conflicts with existing law on truancy, medical care, and records. House Amendment 1 was adopted 98-25 with six present, and debate continued on the underlying bill with no final vote shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The process includes establishing standard rates adjusted based on economic factors.
• We usually look at... ...establishing standard rates adjusted based on economic factors.
• Most of my comments will be based around Chapter 48, public buildings.
• Most of my comments will be based around Chapter 48, public buildings.
• There's a fiscal policy related to that, and I'll just go— Is it based on each department?

Committee: Joint Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency

Summary: The task force met with a quorum and first reviewed a memorandum summarizing a survey of state agencies on possible statute revisions. Levi reported that 20 agencies submitted 70 proposals, with about 33 potentially becoming agency pre-file bills. Common themes included procurement, concessions, architect/engineering services, liability limits, and IT-related efficiencies. Members asked about sharing the survey results more broadly and about cross-agency coordination, especially with higher education and ITD-related issues. OMB then presented three topics from its survey responses: concessions, pre-qualification of architects/engineers/construction managers/land surveyors, and publication of legal notices. OMB said the current concessions law is too rigid because it requires award to the highest responsible bidder and does not fit newer concession models, and it suggested a best-value approach, a higher threshold, and standardized templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB said the law is fragmented across several statutes and should be consolidated and expanded for broader use. On legal notices, OMB described the current rate-setting and publication process, noted rising costs and shrinking newspaper availability, and proposed a collaborative effort to modernize notice delivery, improve accessibility, and explore online options. The task force discussed how to move these ideas forward, and a motion passed directing OMB to implement its suggestions and report back at the next meeting. The University of North Dakota then presented several proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND recommended raising the threshold for treating routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements as construction, arguing that the current $250,000 threshold forces unnecessary architect/engineer involvement and adds cost. It also proposed changes to bid advertisement language to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement criteria, a higher direct-hire threshold for design services, and an increase in the legislative approval threshold for privately funded projects. Members discussed the need for data, risk and complexity considerations, and collaboration with counsel and industry groups. A motion passed directing Levi and counsel to work with UND on bill drafts based on its proposals for a future meeting. DPI followed with a shorter presentation on credentialing and statutory cleanup. It suggested reviewing the department’s 23 credential categories for relevance, and said DPI and the Education Standards and Practices Board have discussed transferring some credentialing authority to ESPB. DPI also recommended removing outdated school safety patrol language, cleaning up waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so districts are not burdened by obsolete reporting mandates. Members agreed the screening itself should remain in place, while the reporting requirement could be reconsidered. The committee then recessed until the afternoon session.

Transcript Highlights:

• of progress review reports, progress notes, and daily log notes to providers of home and community-based
• 12:54.880><c> of</c><00:12:55.400><c> home</c><00:12:55.680><c> and</c><00:12:55.800><c> community-based
• </c> to providers of home and community-based to providers of home and community-based intensive<00:12
• This is that provision I mentioned that we're ahead of the game, so we're hoping the legislature will
• ,</c><00:24:22.200><c> so</c> that um, we're ahead of the game, so that um, we're ahead of the game,

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• final are Senate Bill 378, liquor excise tax increase, as well as Senate Bill 393, disaster area gaming
• state that, um, would not benefit, uh, the same way, and when I'm talking about those, um, tribal gaming
• An alternative to having this, uh, the, the disasterary gaming tax exemption in the tax package so that
• is the driving thing here, the racetrack there that helps all of Riodoso, whether it's the tribal gaming
• they did voice their, their support, but they also recognized that they are, uh, one of, uh, Many gaming

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:27.680><c> that</c> physician-based group that writes that physician-based group that writes
• You got home and community based stool.
• The evidence-based best practice with syringe service programming is what's called need-based.
• Additionally, syringe service based.
• </c> players in the game players in the game &gt;&gt; what<05:16:03.760><c> if</c><05:16:04.080><c> anything

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• This language is based upon an earlier Texas Commission on Special Education funding that I served on
• This language is based upon an earlier Texas Commission on Special Education funding that was a special
• One of the key things is that we are transitioning from a placement-based system to a service-intensity-based
• And I want to stand to ask you a couple of questions based on feedback I'm getting from advocates in
• The language mirrors the protections we already have in place for military bases and airports. ...in

Bills: SJR12 , SJR81 , SCR39 , SB22 , SB32 , SB241 , SB393 , SB414 , SB458 , SB464 , SB568 , SB583 , SB609 , SB660 , SB693 , SB731 , SB732 , SB746 , SB783 , SB785 , SB897 , SB993 , SB996 , SB1008 , SB1029 , SB1035 , SB1036 , SB1120 , SB1122 , SB1147 , SB1163 , SB1188 , SB1197 , SB1209 , SB1227 , SB1245 , SB1267 , SB1307 , SB1321 , SB1332 , SB1386 , SB1394 , SB1396 , SB1470 , SB1494 , SB1537 , SB1596 , SB1598 , SB1610 , SB1664 , SB1814 , SB1822 , SB1841 , SB1948 , SB2065 , SB2155 , SB2406 , SB2407

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, invocation, approval of routine motions, and the reading of gubernatorial nominations and several honorary resolutions. The chamber adopted resolutions recognizing Jack and Jill of America Day and DJ Daniel Day at the Capitol, with multiple senators offering remarks praising youth leadership, perseverance, and public service. The Senate also introduced the Doctor of the Day and then proceeded to a long series of floor actions on bills. A major focus was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 568, which overhauls special education funding and services in public schools by moving from a placement-based model to an intensity-based system tied to student needs and IEPs. Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, and Menendez emphasized transparency, parent input, evaluation funding, dyslexia services, and better alignment of funding with actual services; Senator Hinojosa shared a personal story about dyslexia and the importance of early intervention. The bill was advanced on second and third reading and finally passed 30-0. The Senate also passed SB 1396 to prohibit national sex education standards in public schools, SB 2065 on the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System, SB 1664 requiring clearer public disclosure of transmission and distribution utility rate changes, SB 1029 on advertising certain used motor vehicles, SB 1120 expanding rights for family violence victims, SB 1036 regulating residential solar retail transactions, SB 464 creating school-proximity restrictions and penalties for tobacco and vaping sales, SB 1035 giving farmers and ranchers equitable relief from certain local agricultural regulations, SB 1610 addressing civil commitment facility safety and prosecution issues, SB 1197 extending drone restrictions to spaceports, and SB 1386 changing legislative witness immunity from transactional to testimonial immunity. Another major bill was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1188, which updates electronic health record requirements. Senator Kolkhorst said the bill builds on Texas medical privacy law by requiring U.S.-based storage of EMR data, prohibiting recording of voter registration status and credit score information, requiring provider verification and disclosure for AI-assisted diagnosis or treatment recommendations, preserving parental access to minors’ records until age 18, and ensuring EMRs can capture metabolic health and biological sex information. A floor amendment clarified the bill’s scope and enforcement, and the bill passed 23-7. Several measures drew debate, especially SB 414 on bond ballot transparency, where Senators Eckhardt and Menendez questioned whether requiring estimated interest and total debt cost on ballots could be misleading or difficult to implement because interest rates and financing terms can change before issuance or over time. The transcript ends during that discussion, with no final action shown on SB 414.

Transcript Highlights:

• Games, economic schemes, and military aggression have only increased over the years.
• They've also targeted fact-based journalists with The New Yorker, The Economist, The New York Times,
• It's how great powers establish the rules of the game.
• -based semiconductor manufacturing.
• And we have bases there, we have strong alliances, we have U.S. military flowing throughout the region

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• California leads the nation in passing common-sense firearms laws that are based on data and evidence
• However, my aye recommendation is based on the scope of this bill today, which does not expand the use
• However, my eye recommendation is based on the scope of this bill today, which does not expand the use
• Property-based businesses, especially small property owners, could face defaults on loans and be forced
• I want to be clear, I am grateful for the skills I've learned in this program.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety-related bills. AB 383 by Assembly Member Davies would expand and clarify firearm restrictions tied to juvenile adjudications, allow certain minor firearm possession for hunting or training with guardian approval, and authorize warrants in some domestic violence-related firearm surrender situations. Supporters, including a district attorney representative, argued it would close gaps in existing law and improve public safety; opponents said it would over-criminalize youth and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 400 by Assembly Member Pacheco would require law enforcement K-9 units to meet statewide POST standards covering training, use of force, and handler skills. Supporters said the bill would create consistency, accountability, and safer deployments; opponents argued the standards were inadequate and would legitimize harmful canine practices. After debate over whether the bill expanded canine use or simply standardized it, the committee approved AB 400 and sent it to Appropriations. AB 380 by Assembly Member Gonzalez would extend price-gouging protections during emergencies, including for hotels, food, essential goods and services, and commercial property, and would remove the 12-month lease limit loophole for rent gouging. Supporters said the bill responds to wildfire-related exploitation and provides clarity for disaster victims; business and landlord groups warned it could amount to commercial rent control and create uncertainty for future emergencies. The author said he would continue working on amendments, and the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 358 by Assembly Member Alvarez would create a narrow exception to Cal-ECPA so law enforcement could inspect tracking or surveillance devices found in a person’s home, vehicle, or property with the finder’s consent. Supporters said the change would help stalking and domestic violence victims preserve evidence quickly; privacy advocates argued warrants and existing emergency exceptions already cover these situations. The chair proposed narrowing the language to “tracking or surveillance device,” and the bill was held on call after an initial roll with only three votes in favor. The transcript also began AB 247, which would raise pay for incarcerated hand crew firefighters, with testimony from formerly incarcerated firefighters in support, but the discussion was not completed in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:29.720><c> It's</c><00:28:29.840><c> not</c> based on student voting.
• It's not based on student voting.
• But my game plan, and this is the kind of the offer that I've extended to the majority party, and an
• But my game plan, and this is the kind of the offer that I've extended to the majority party, and an
• But my game plan, and this is the kind of the offer that I've extended to the majority party, and an

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• It's behavior-based.
• You know, we all like to walk around outside and it be smoke-free, and we've all gone to an LSU game
• And we've all gone to an LSU game and walked up to Tiger Stadium.
• Again, ignoring this problem, I mean, I've heard horror stories about LSU football games and the car
• When the former mayor of Tommy SGA campaign, Brian Fontenow wrote around with his sign as his, based

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill sought to establish a marine habitat fee and to authorize the director of the Fish and Game
• In part, it's because, as you know, with Fish and Game, it's not general funded.
• </c> and the good work of the fishing game and the good work of the fishing game and<01:20:34.400><c>
• So I am opposed to the ITL, and I hope we will allow Fish and Game to actually self-fund.
• </c><01:50:13.000><c> is</c> just to remember the the gaming is just to remember the the gaming is allowed

Transcript Highlights:

• How is any evaluation done based on that person's teaching component?
• It's truly game-changing legislation for our student athletes.
• Members, CS for SB 432 is based upon last year's xylazine bill.
• I always enjoy a good battle, especially one based on principle.
• Finally, I want Citizens to prioritize a Florida-based corporation.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of FSU Police Officer Cody Popple for stopping the April campus shooter. The Speaker then outlined the final week of session, noting the House had passed 253 House bills and 149 Senate bills to date, but that the 2026-27 budget would not be completed this week. The chamber also adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The House took up several Senate bills on special order, largely technical or open-government measures, and passed them with little or no opposition. These included SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes and revisor’s changes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004, which extended or preserved various public-records and meeting exemptions for matters such as Public Service Commission proprietary information, social media investigations, military affairs, highway safety records, cybersecurity, emergency shelter contact information, conviction integrity units, and trade secrets. Most passed overwhelmingly, though SB 7006 drew 99-8, SB 7022 on public records for exam integrity passed 101-8 after questions about testing materials and scoring rubrics, and SB 7026 on trade secrets passed 106-3. The most substantive floor debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the emergency preparedness and response trust fund in the Executive Office of the Governor. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment to let the fund expire, arguing the money had become a “slush fund” and had been used for the Everglades detention facility rather than emergencies; several members supported her on fiscal and separation-of-powers grounds, while others said the fund is needed for rapid disaster response. The House rejected Eskamani’s amendment and then adopted a Griffiths strike-all amendment adding accountability measures, including spending limits, quarterly reporting, asset tracking, and a sunset/review provision. SB 7040 then passed 82-25. The chamber also passed CS/CS SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, CS SB 474 on military affairs, and SB 488 on Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which prompted extended questions about vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and foreign passport/I-94 documentation; the bill was still under amendment and debate when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, in so much as Gary Thompson is a celebrated chef and skilled entrepreneur, he has become a beloved
• Gary Thompson is a celebrated<00:16:49.920><c> chef</c><00:16:50.240><c> and</c><00:16:50.480><c> skilled
• </c> celebrated chef and skilled celebrated chef and skilled entrepreneur,<00:16:52.000><c> he</c><00

Transcript Highlights:

• My perspective can change very quickly based off of executive leadership from the state or from this
• The grants are based on a reimbursement basis.
• So at Goodfell Air Force Base is where they do all the intel training for the Air Force.
• Well, and part of it is the mental game of that, and I'm a mother of a police officer. officer.
• The, uh, the reservable officer issue from gaming the system, that's been filed.

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Campbell: You say sporting events, and so at the public park when there is like a Pop Warner game or
• soccer game or something like that, not school official events at the park, would that be considered
• But you're talking about spaces like official games or school and high school games, those where he cannot
• The current law blatantly discriminates against victims and their families based Lauren: upon marital

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wonder what games towns will play.
• by that city, town, or municipality, provided that the developer has made the requested alterations based
• could tell you some specifics, but my builders feel real strongly about this one because it's the games
• ><00:41:09.920><c> that</c><00:41:10.160><c> people</c><00:41:10.400><c> play</c> because it's the games
• that people play because it's the games that people play to<00:41:11.359><c> kick</c><00:41:11.599><

Summary: The subcommittee opened discussion on SP 170 and worked through the bill section by section, focusing first on housing discrimination language and then on land-use and development provisions. On the housing section, members discussed adding “school enrollment status” or a similar term as a protected class to prevent municipalities from steering students into specific zones, especially in Durham. Some members questioned whether “status” was too vague and suggested “enrollment status” or “school enrollment status” for clarity. Public testimony raised concerns that adding a new protected class could have broader implications beyond this bill and could affect municipal zoning authority, while supporters argued the language was needed to prevent discrimination against students in housing access. The committee then heard testimony on provisions limiting municipal authority over septic test pits and well-siting requirements. DEES officials and a builder testified that state standards are already protective of groundwater and surface water and that some local requirements are more stringent than the state’s, adding cost and delay to housing projects. Supporters said uniform state standards would make housing development faster and more predictable. Opponents warned that local rules can protect aquifers, wellhead areas, and drinking water in specific communities, and that removing municipal flexibility could weaken those protections. The subcommittee appeared comfortable keeping these sections, though members discussed whether to clarify the language and whether some local review authority should remain. The meeting also covered road-length limits, caps on the number of lots on dead-end roads, and subdivision design rules. Members generally supported prohibiting municipalities from using maximum road length or lot caps to block development, with one amendment suggested to allow such limits where adequate water and sewer capacity is lacking. The committee also discussed allowing utilities and infrastructure such as septic systems, wells, electric systems, drainage structures, and shared leach fields to be placed in subdivision open space or perimeter buffers when those areas are not protected wetlands or shoreland. Finally, the committee reviewed a provision requiring municipalities to stamp and accept plan changes within three days after initial review, with members explaining that the goal is to prevent repeated, incremental changes from dragging out the approval process. No final votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided, but members indicated general comfort with several sections as amended or clarified.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:35:25.840><c> public</c> defund essential evidence-based public defund essential evidence-based
• <01:58:55.119><c> and</c><01:58:55.360><c> community-</c><01:58:55.760><c> based</c> center-based and
• community- based center-based and community- based services<01:58:56.560><c> supported</c><01:58:57.119
• Shaki Martin. these skills New Hampshire as well, it these skills New Hampshire as well, it makes<03:
• </c> keep up um with this evidence-based keep up um with this evidence-based care.<03:18:17.680><c> I

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services