Transcript Highlights:

• And in order to get parenting schedules, residential responsibility, things as far as bills pay, those
• You know, in those situations where someone absolutely is unable to pay for a class like that, right
• , and then we set a payment plan and they pay the county back, you know, that might be an option.
• I make the county pay it and then make them pay it back at five dollars a month or something.
• financial affidavit showing me that they absolutely cannot afford to pay I make the county pay it and

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Child Custody Review Task Force met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and reviewed a memorandum compiling member suggestions for possible legislation. The memo grouped ideas into topics including creation of a family court, expanded education for parents, attorneys, and judges, expedited hearings for parenting-time violations, limiting law enforcement involvement in custody disputes, creating parenting time expediters, and adopting more uniform court procedures. Members also discussed whether to form subcommittees, but the task force decided to continue working as a full committee rather than create subcommittees at this time. The committee then heard testimony from Dr. John Perez, a mental health professional, who described his personal custody experience and his professional work with families he believes have been affected by parental alienation. He argued for stronger education, faster court response times, and better tools to address intentional interference with parenting time. Members questioned him about his case history, the concept of parental alienation, and whether specialized family courts or judges with family-law training could help. Dr. Perez said a dedicated family court and faster hearings would likely have helped his situation. The task force spent substantial time discussing the possible creation of a family court. Judge Hovey supported the idea of a specialized family court or at least a study of one, saying family cases are distinct from ordinary adversarial litigation and that judges with family-law experience could better handle them. Several members agreed that a family court could improve consistency, expertise, and speed, but others cautioned that the task force’s current directive is focused on enforcement of existing orders rather than broader custody policy, and noted that voters had previously rejected equal shared parenting proposals. The group also discussed expedited procedures for parenting-time disputes, with Judge Hovey suggesting a 30-day hearing timeline may be workable. On education, members generally supported requiring parents to complete a parenting education course and adding educational materials explaining court process, child support, and what judges can and cannot do. Mr. McLean suggested a short instructional video for litigants and more family-law education for judges and attorneys, while Ms. Moldenhauer said education could be incorporated into scheduling orders or mediation orders. Members also discussed the Parents Forever course, including whether it should be mandatory in all counties and whether cost is a barrier; no vote was taken on any of these proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• The hours on end in the grocery store, I pay for an app.
• I pay for two in order just to scan labels to reduce my time from three hours.
• The hours on end in the grocery store, I pay for an app.
• I pay for two in order just to scan labels to reduce my time from three hours.
• But if we think about it, we’re paying an astronomical amount in health care.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and voted House Bill 2309, Representative Jones’ Oregon Harvesting bill, do pass by a vote of 13 ayes and no nays. The committee then moved to public testimony on House Bill 1881, which would schedule xylazine as a controlled substance. Representative Bill Allen said the bill is intended to address xylazine’s role in fentanyl-related overdoses, improve tracking and enforcement, and preserve legitimate veterinary use through carve-outs. A veterinarian from the University of Missouri testified in support, emphasizing xylazine’s long-standing and safe veterinary use and the need to protect agricultural practice while targeting illicit diversion. No opposition was presented, and testimony on the bill concluded. The committee then heard House Bill 1855, which would add alpha-gal syndrome to Missouri’s reportable conditions and create a reporting/surveillance framework. Sponsor Representative Matthew Overcast said the bill was revised to shift reporting from providers to private labs, create a standalone non-communicable disease reporting section, and support data collection for prevalence, education, and federal funding opportunities. Supporters included a lobbyist for the AlphaGal Alliance, a University of Missouri dermatologist/researcher, Extension staff, cattle industry representatives, and multiple patients and family members who described severe dietary restrictions, anxiety, school and work impacts, and the need for better public awareness and treatment research. Opponents argued the bill’s language would expand DHSS authority too broadly, especially the provision allowing the department to designate and enforce rules for noncommunicable diseases, and suggested narrowing the bill and adding opt-in protections. No vote was taken. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 2355, Representative Holly Jones’ “food as medicine” bill. Jones argued that nutrition should be treated as a public health intervention and described medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and nutrition counseling as tools that can improve outcomes and reduce costs. In questions, members raised concerns about how the proposal would interact with existing food assistance programs such as SNAP, WIC, school meals, and other federal nutrition benefits, and whether the bill would create a new entitlement or duplicate existing aid. The hearing on HB 2355 was still in progress when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We look at jobs paying $40,000 anymore.
• And people and pay really good wages.
• We pay roughly $135,000 a year in lifeguard fees.
• We pay roughly $135,000 long-term cost.
• Uh we pay for itself uh over time.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Protection, Energy and Environment, and Tourism met for its fourth meeting and approved the February 10 minutes. The committee then heard a presentation from the Cabinet for Economic Development, led by Secretary Jeff Noel, with staff from the cabinet and Kentucky Innovation. The presentation focused on the cabinet’s strategy, including workforce, entrepreneurship, innovation, infrastructure, and placemaking, and emphasized a goal of supporting higher-wage jobs while tailoring programs to urban, non-urban, and rural “heritage communities.” The cabinet reviewed several funding tools and programs, including economic development bond funds, EDF funds, KBI, the Kentucky Innovation Pool, KSTC-related startup and commercialization programs, veteran workforce programs, and Bluegrass State Skills Corporation training funds. Officials said many projects take years to close and that funds are often committed before they are actually disbursed because reimbursements occur after project completion. They also said Kentucky is less competitive than before because of changes in tax policy and that EDF funds are increasingly important to remain competitive with other states. Members asked about whether previously allocated money remained available, whether some funds could be clawed back, and the status of the Blue Oval project. The cabinet said it is oversubscribed, with some committed dollars likely to go unused and be reoffered to other projects. On Blue Oval, officials said progress had been made and described negotiations tied to repayment and job creation requirements. They also discussed the Ford/SK loan structure, saying the companies may assume the full $250 million obligation and that repayments would be required if job targets are not met. The presentation closed with discussion of workforce coordination and the need to connect economic development projects with training and support systems, including possible ripple effects for rural suppliers and related businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• General revenue funds are in reserve and only used to pay.
• Please pay attention to the west gallery. We have philanthropic leaders, Mr. **Duncan Scary**.
• The district funding had to pay... For the underestimate of the voucher enrollment.
• And IT certifications lead directly to high-paying jobs in healthcare, IT, and skilled trades.
• Pay lawyers what they're worth.

Bills: HJR 99 , HB 1399 , HB 1400 , HB 1094 , HB 365 , HB 1109 , HB 647 , HCR 35 , SB 14 , HB 12 , HB 1522 , HB 422 , HB 675 , HB 204 , HB 748 , HB 912 , HJR 99 , HB 1399 , HB 1400 , HB 1094 , HB 365 , HB 1109 , HB 647 , HCR 35 , HCR 123 , HCR 124 , HR 57 , HR 87 , HR 111 , HR 228 , HR 230 , HR 322 , HR 624 , HR 625 , HR 626 , HR 627 , HR 628 , HR 630 , HR 631 , HR 634 , HR 635 , HR 636 , HR 637 , HR 638 , HR 639 , HR 640 , HR 645 , HR 646 , HR 648 , HR 649 , HR 651 , HR 652 , HR 653 , HR 654 , HR 664 , HR 665 , HR 668 , HR 675 , HR 676 , HR 678 , HR 679 , HR 680 , HR 683 , HR 686 , HR 688 , HR 689 , HR 694 , HR 695 , HR 697 , HR 698 , HR 699 , HR 472 , HR 622 , HR 632 , HR 633 , HR 643 , HR 655 , HR 657 , HR 660 , HR 661 , HR 662 , HR 663 , HR 667 , HR 670 , HR 674 , HR 681 , HR 682 , HR 696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a lot of research groups... in Midland, for instance, Midland-Odessa, and most of them pay
• Are you talking about on pay? I don't even know if you have the same version as I do on pay.
• Today... a seaproof, they pay if you work for it or for the.
• We're not going to pay money out of the dollars that are allocated to system A.
• If they aren't on a successful track, they pay the price.

Bills: HB5 , HJR3 , HB155 , HB513 , HB5 , HB155

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: dementia, research, health care, Texas Institute, grants, medical breakthroughs, oversight, prevention, funding, healthcare, Texas, autopsy, confidentiality, public records, medical examiner, law enforcement, HB 513, surgical smoke, surgical plume, smoke evacuation

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is to pay for expenses for community volunteers, recruitment, training, and advocacy for the
• They now seek ratification of these services so that they can pay the vendor at $55,000.
• This is to pay for the medical director of the Fayetteville home.
• Are we going to pay $1.114 million for the next year for this aerial application?
• Are we going to pay $1.114 million for the next year for this aerial application?

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The committee met to review a supplemental agenda, procurement rule revisions, methods of finance, discretionary grants, contracts, and a member disclosure. The Office of State Procurement presented rule changes tied to 2025 legislative changes, including Act 782, with updates to sole-source definitions, unrealistic bids, protest requirements, debarment procedures, and recodification references; the committee voted to accept the supplemental agenda and approve the rules. Members also approved eight methods of finance covering university repairs, equipment replacement, property purchase, and capital projects, along with a large slate of discretionary grants for courts, health, DHS, historic preservation, and tobacco prevention programs. The committee then reviewed RFQs and six ratifications. The ratifications included a Workforce Connections payment to ACT WorkKeys, Department of Health costs from an ice-storm-related water leak, a large Department of Public Safety ratification for Motorola’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrade, Veterans Affairs HVAC and medical-service payments, and a UA Little Rock painting contract. The Department of Public Safety ratification drew extended questioning about why the expired Motorola contract had not been renewed sooner and why the issue took months to reach the committee; agency officials said the project was bond-funded, had not been tracked in ASIS, and involved ongoing negotiations and system updates. Despite concerns, the committee approved the ratifications. Members also reviewed a long list of construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including numerous university, DHS, health, corrections, and state agency agreements. Several contracts were discussed in more detail, including an SAU custodial contract question about sales tax and transparency reporting, and Department of Corrections aerial application contracts for Tucker and Cummins farms, which officials said served separate facilities in different parts of the state. The committee approved the contract lists, reviewed reports, and accepted a disclosure from Representative Andrew Collins regarding his investment interest in a company leasing property to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we pay a small fee for our custom sections, but for us it's very cost-effective that we could
• It's going to be a budget decision on our part because the district will pay for these classes.
• Every dollar invested in these students pays dividends and taxpayers.
• Every dollar invested in these students pays dividends and taxpayers.
• You just have to pay for it." Representative Pickett: "You would just have to pay for it.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They pay it out of their own funds.
• They pay it They're they're not on it.
• Uh, they're still paying that. I don't know what it is.
• I think it's 13, 14 million bucks they're paying out of their account right now that the state's not
• paying.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee reconvened on House Bill 11, the capital construction bill, with a quorum present and focused on several remaining amendments. Members discussed projects including a building completion in Jackson, the NC Center at Gillette College, and a University of Wyoming parking lot green space item that had already been resolved. A major point of discussion was the Gillette College proposal, which was tied to a requirement that the college move to a four-mill levy and provide a one-to-one local match; supporters argued this would bring Gillette into the state system on equal footing and was a fair incentive, while opponents raised concerns about the mechanism and the impact on their own institutions. There was also clarification that major maintenance funding for state buildings remained in the bill, while the LCCC exterior renewal project and a separate inflation-related request were distinct items. The committee first considered a motion to cut the NZ stem research facility funding from $16 million to $8 million, but that motion failed. After a brief recess, members reached a compromise on the two contested projects: a motion passed to set the Gillette NC Center at $6 million and the Jackson project at $750,000, by a vote of 5-1. The committee then unanimously reinstated the stricken University of Wyoming language in section 3. The meeting concluded with expressions of appreciation for the compromise and the bill was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so for that reason, because I do not want to pay for any more instructional administrative coaching
• But we do not do any testing for pay.
• for butterfat, somatic cell, protein, and solid non-fat, but we do not do any of the testing on the pay
• between the buyers and the sellers, to expand what they might test for and build that into how they pay
• This allows them to go into that area and expand on what they pay for and how they'll have to set up

Summary: The House convened with 64 members present, approved the previous journal, and received several communications, including substitute appointments and messages from the Governor and Senate. Committee reports moved a number of bills forward, and the House also received and referred several newly introduced bills covering manufactured homes, land use, execution procedures, highway districts, dental hygiene, physician assistants, Medicaid, immunization and medical mandates, child welfare terminology, and elections. The House also advanced engrossed bills and placed others on second or third reading calendars. On third reading, the House passed House Bill 711, which creates an alternative authorization pathway for school principals and superintendents with mentoring requirements, and House Bill 658, which lets counties appoint cemetery district board members when all vacancies occur and requires county maintenance until a board is seated. It also passed House Bill 661 on county waste disposal contracting, House Bill 715 on city library director hiring and termination with city council approval, House Bill 662 on dairy testing and payment rules, House Bill 687 restricting state AI contracts from incorporating DEI principles, House Bill 665 revising an Appaloosa horse specialty plate program, House Bill 666 requiring new Idaho residents to obtain a license and vehicle registration within 30 days, House Bill 712 creating a voluntary state seal of excellence in civics, House Bill 762 giving charter schools priority options for foster children and military families in lotteries, House Bill 777 updating the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, and House Bill 688 making knowing installation or sale of counterfeit airbags a misdemeanor. Most of these bills passed with clear majorities, though HB 715, HB 687, HB 666, HB 762, and HB 688 drew notable opposition. Debate centered on school administrator qualifications, local control over libraries and cemeteries, AI procurement standards, military family access to charter schools, and the scope of the counterfeit airbag bill. Members raised concerns about whether alternative administrator pathways could weaken preparation standards, whether the AI bill could affect procurement or proprietary systems, and whether the airbag bill might unintentionally criminalize sales of used vehicles with nonfunctioning airbags; supporters framed each measure as a targeted response to practical problems. One member declared a Rule 80 conflict on the airbag bill because a family member works in the field. The House also adopted a motion to hold remaining third-reading bills for one legislative day, enrolled HCR 28, referred HCR 31 for printing, and adjourned until 10:30 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that's what we need to do in order to make sure that we're paying for and providing for the
• high needs and not paying high needs for low needs.
• high needs and not paying high needs for low needs.
• I've seen some paying $18, $19, $20 an hour plus health benefits to keep people in those positions.
• "As a committee, we work very closely with the above-mentioned producer groups, who not only pay local

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first heard reports from the House and Senate Health and Welfare chairs on budget issues and related policy concerns. Senator Van Orden said the department’s non-Medicaid budget had been presented and that members were focused on scrutinizing public health contracts, avoiding broad across-the-board cuts, and preserving essential services. She also said she was not in favor of moving 988 suicide crisis hotline services into the behavioral health managed care contract at this time, while Representative Tanner noted prior intent language had only required a cost-benefit analysis and that any change would need more detail. Representative Van der Woude said the House committee was committed to a bill holding back about $21 million for RESHAB, with audit and oversight provisions, and raised concerns about rural health fund oversight, provider rate reductions, and Medicaid expansion spending. Members then questioned the chairs about possible policy changes to reduce costs, including reviewing programs not in Idaho Code, restoring provider rates if revenues improve, and adding work requirements or enrollment caps to Medicaid expansion. Van der Woude said he was drafting a bill that would let Medicaid expansion expire and restart with work requirements and a cap, and he said he would support an asset-based waiver request for people with substantial assets. Several members raised concerns about the human impact of cuts, especially in adult dental and developmental services, while others emphasized the need for clearer evaluation tools and better return-on-investment data for programs. Van der Woude explained that RESHAB funding concerns stemmed from unclear assessment standards and the loss of a prior evaluation tool in litigation, and Senator Wintrow cautioned that a straight $21 million reduction could harm services and providers. The committee then heard from House Agricultural Affairs Chair Gerald Raymond, who reviewed agriculture-related budget items and emphasized the importance of dedicated funds, research, and invasive species prevention. He highlighted funding for quagga mussel prevention, Mormon cricket control, Japanese beetles, and carnal bunt response through a deficiency warrant, and said prevention at boat check stations is cheaper than treatment. He also discussed the University of Idaho dairy/cafe project, saying the facility was nearing completion and expected to have about 400 cows milking by the end of the summer. Members asked about the impact of recent cuts on check stations, and Raymond said his committee had not yet discussed that issue but would consider it, and that the Snake River Basin study had mostly been left to the resource committees. The meeting ended with notice that work groups would meet immediately after adjournment and that budget-setting would begin the next day, with the committee reconvening at 7:15 a.m. and the full committee at 8:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Local governments are authorized to designate a local TIF and use tax allocation revenues to pay for
• the taxing district certifies to the county assessor that allocation revenues are no longer needed to pay
• areas, is this potentially a tool that could be used by either a city or a county to be able to help pay
• So if the revenues in the TIF area do not come in sufficient to pay for those bonds, they're going to
• So if the revenues in the TIF area do not come in sufficient to pay for those bonds, they're going to

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee waived the five-day notice rule and then took up two House bills. HB 2418 would tighten and expand permit-review timelines for residential projects, including requiring “procedural completeness” determinations, adding excluded time periods, extending timeline and refund requirements to certain fee-charging state and local entities, creating review deadlines for special purpose districts and public utility districts, and requiring local governments to designate a permit responsible official and a single point of contact. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve predictability and reduce delays in permitting; builders and housing advocates strongly supported it, while sewer and water districts and county representatives raised concerns about incomplete referrals, staffing shortages, business-day versus calendar-day deadlines, and the cost of implementing the new contact requirements. The committee heard testimony but took no final vote on the bill in the transcript. HB 2451 would revise Washington’s local tax increment financing program. Staff explained that the bill adds guardrails and transparency, changes notice and hearing requirements, adjusts the assessed-value cap for increment areas, adds public safety facilities to eligible improvements, requires more detailed project analyses and annual reporting, and creates a negotiation/mediation/arbitration process for impacts to taxing districts. The sponsor said the measure was a carefully negotiated compromise intended to address junior taxing district concerns without creating an opt-out. Supporters from the Port of Tacoma, fire chiefs, cities, and counties said the bill improves the earlier TIF framework by strengthening the but-for test, notice, and participation rules, while counties still expressed concern about cumulative impacts and asked for future opt-out discussions. No final committee action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This pays them.
• Balance billing is a challenge for a lot of people who are already paying high insurance premiums and
• ><00:07:39.680><c> this</c> And then all of a sudden you get this extra bill on top of what your co-pay
• You get them and they come, and the insurance won't pay.
• They end up having to pay that out of pocket.

Bills: SB9 , HB400 , SB9 , HB400

Committee: House Health

Keywords: Alabama Athletic Commission, Attorney General, criminal penalties, unarmed combat, regulation, boxing, mixed martial arts, civil fines, dental insurance, benefit rollover, healthcare, insurance policy, annual maximum, smoking ban, vaping, public health, indoor air quality, clean air, ambulance services, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• a little bit of property taxes, but as it's increasing, you don't pay the increases until the end.
• So it doesn't mean you don't pay any property tax.
• They pay $1,300 a year in taxes on that vacant lot.
• They pay $1,300 a year in taxes on that vacant lot.
• They'll pay approximately $61,000 year in tax. They'll pay approximately $61,000 here in tax.

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• little bit of the history about the 14C certificates, which are certificates that allow companies to pay
• just talk about what happened before so before I O A a person who wanted to seek employment that was paying
• employment jobs when WIOA came out, the vocational rehabilitation agency had either had to provide or pay
• start looking at that as well There is a bill that's still alive about 14C and maybe taking away paying
• Yes, so it allows people that make up to a certain amount of money working to pay a premium and be part

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the vaccine manufacturers that pay for that program, those payments through a per-dose excise tax
• Each year, they pay between, my understanding is, $200 and $300 million to fund that program.
• The tariff requirements must reasonably ensure that large load customers, such as large data centers, pay
• Because it's in case they don't meet their or don't pay their share.
• They create approximately 1,700 construction jobs over 18 to 24 months, then permanent positions paying

Bills: S0408 , S0986 , S0678 , S0800 , S1050 , S0484 , S1118

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Keywords: vaccine advertisement, manufacturer liability, harmful vaccine, healthcare, court action, smoking regulation, public health, vaping, marijuana, public places, Florida Statutes, alcohol distribution, tax deductions, extraordinary losses, warehouse breakage, regulatory compliance, veterinary, prescription, pharmacy, client rights

Transcript Highlights:

• OK, but it would change and it would limit the, the, uh, retirement pay to, to the amount that other
• But I, I do think that there are occasions where you might want to pay judges hired.
• Selfishly, I don't want to be accused of limiting judges' pay.
• the three-part test that we use to determine if an officeholder may use political contributions to pay
• OK, uh, and, and Ms Mesa, after this proceeding, they'll, they will give you instructions on how to pay

Transcript Highlights:

• of $65,000. $65,000 back pay, but he got it all.
• Every nickel and dime. $1,000 back pay. But he got it all. Every nickel and dime.
• Didn't have to pay anyone because he stayed within the system.
• He was able to pay off his house and retire and go on with his life.
• Filing will accumulate, and the back pay will accumulate, and they will get their cut from that large

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs met with a quorum and first approved its consent calendar, which included AJR 15, SB 56, SB 296, and SB 855, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee then heard SB 694 by Senator Archuleta, a bill aimed at protecting veterans from unaccredited claims representatives and other for-profit entities that charge fees to assist with VA disability claims. The author and supporters, including county veterans service officers and veterans organizations, argued the measure would curb predatory practices, restore accountability, and steer veterans toward free, accredited assistance through CVSOs and other authorized representatives. Testimony in support emphasized that veterans are often targeted online and may pay large fees for services that are available for free, while supporters said unaccredited firms lack transparency and can exploit vulnerable veterans. Opposition witnesses, including representatives of claims-assistance companies and individual veterans, argued the bill would eliminate choice and that some contingency-based firms provide useful services, better outcomes, and faster claims processing. Committee members debated whether the bill would unlawfully bar legitimate assistance or whether it was needed to stop illegal business practices, with several members noting the issue is also being litigated in federal court and that an accreditation process already exists through the VA. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 694 and refer it to the Committee on Judiciary. The final vote was 6 ayes, with some members not voting. The committee then completed the consent calendar vote, which passed with eight votes, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• a natural disaster like Hurricane Harvey, is the reason that we need to have sufficient reserves to pay
• The two are separate, because we don't keep, if people, for whatever reason, are unable to pay their
• The two are separate, because we don't keep, if people, for whatever reason, are unable to pay their
• I shouldn't have to pay $10,000, $15,000 to enforce a perfectly good order with mechanisms.
• And if we get a settlement or a verdict on behalf of the patient, then I will pay you.”

Bills: HB46 , HB272

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard several House bills and took no final votes, leaving each bill pending after testimony. HB 272 would align venue and evidentiary rules for fraudulent use or possession of credit/debit card information with existing credit card abuse law; the sponsor said it would improve prosecutions, and the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center supported it. HB 1661 would increase penalties for certain election-related offenses, including failure to distribute election supplies and early release of election results; no substantive opposition was heard. HB 551 would protect the residential addresses of people who receive campaign expenditures on public Texas Ethics Commission reports, similar to donor privacy protections, and a witness from Texas Eagle Forum later indicated support for the privacy change. The committee also heard HB 2820, which would raise the amount charitable bingo organizations may keep in operating capital from $50,000 to $100,000. The sponsor and a Texans for Charitable Bingo representative said inflation and operating costs have made the current cap too low and that the bill would help charities maintain stable operations without expanding gaming. HB 3181 would impose stronger consequences for repeated denial of court-ordered child possession and access, including limiting probation and requiring attorney’s fees after multiple contempt findings; a family court judge and a parent testified in support, while another witness argued the bill should be paired with stronger criminal enforcement and that parents already face high costs. HB 4157 would update Texas law for commercial spaceflight by recognizing liability waivers and preserving workers’ compensation rights; no one testified against it. The committee also heard HB 4145, which would let health care providers satisfy a timely billing requirement by sending bills to a patient’s legal representative in a personal injury case, closing what supporters described as a loophole in letter-of-protection situations. Finally, HB 46, relating to the Texas Compassionate Use Program, drew the most extensive discussion: supporters said it should expand access for legitimate medical cannabis patients and add more delivery methods and conditions, while opponents warned against broader marijuana expansion and questioned adding chronic pain and other conditions. The sponsor said he still supports the program and wants a balanced, regulated expansion, but noted the bill is still being worked on. All bills were left pending at the close of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd say that I think the conversation about how and when we pay for it is premature.
• For foreign influence corporations to be able to spend unlimited dollars and for us to pay for their
• We want to hold you blameless, and we'll pay for the legal expenses." And that is sort of the...
• But if we cannot get a private easement, for which we pay crop damages, we need to assure ourselves that
• You can't indirectly advance, pay, give, promise, lend food, money, liquor, clothing, entertainment,

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• I pay health insurance in Florida and my insurance goes up every single year.
• She just thought it was her ministration paying nothing. It was so simple.
• The hospital offered to pay me for the autopsy and the funeral costs.
• This leaves taxpayers paying for negligent care that caused S today.
• who pay for medical costs to employees that need the services.

Keywords: 999, senate, all