Transcript Highlights:

• You have a decision within 60 days days.
• day or the next business day, the same day or the next business day, unless<02:26:29.840><c> of</c><02
• Our hearings sometimes run a half day to a day. Sometimes we have multiple days.
• Sometimes we run a half day to a day.
• Um, and we care or nursing home care.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've had vacations in places for 14 days.
• I think everyone on this dais agrees with that.
• I assume you care about that too? Of course, of course.
• The voters are then told that they've got up to six days from election day to provide proof of citizenship
• Six days is nothing.

Bills: HB2442 , HB3697 , HB4288 , HB5256 , HB5337 , HB5362 , HJR161

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: HB 2442, Texas Election Code, Election Code Section 84.001, early voting, ballot by mail, mail ballot, absentee voting, runoff election, primary runoff, general runoff, voter application, election administration, county election officials, opt-out, voter choice, mail voting, ballot application, voting by mail, Election Code, size requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd be here all day.
• Berge Upcarian, a respected health care leader dedicated to public service, health care advancement,
• They're going to present the colors tomorrow at Ag Day.
• Senator Ortota and also a great pitch for Ag Day tomorrow.
• The birthday will be occurring one day upon adjournment.

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then took up several resolutions and guest introductions, with much of the session focused on commemorations and recognitions. Senate Resolution 87, by Senator Archuleta, marked the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Archuleta and other senators spoke in support of remembrance, historical recognition, and concern for Armenians facing current threats and displacement. The resolution was adopted by a 37-0 vote, and the chamber also welcomed members of the Armenian community and other guests. The Senate also adopted SR 93 by Senator Cortese honoring Jim Plunkett’s football career and legacy as a California and Latino sports figure. Senators highlighted his Heisman Trophy, Super Bowl victories, and recent selection for the NFL Hispanic Football Hall of Fame. The resolution passed unanimously. Later, SCR 124 by Senator Wiener recognized transportation barriers faced by Californians with epilepsy and the importance of reliable transit for employment and independence; it was adopted by unanimous roll call. SCR 158 by Senator Allen declared April Arts, Culture and Creativity Month and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the California Arts Council, with remarks emphasizing the state’s arts economy and the Council’s history; it also passed unanimously. The Senate further adopted SCR 159 by Senator Alvarado-Gil designating April as California Rodeo Appreciation Month. Supporters described rodeo as part of California’s agricultural and Western heritage, noted its economic impact, and highlighted the roles of Black cowboys, women competitors, and rural communities. Each resolution was followed by introductions of related guests, including Armenian community members, Jim Plunkett and family, epilepsy advocates, arts leaders such as Luis Valdez and Cheech Marin, and rodeo representatives and titleholders. After the resolutions, the Senate handled the daily file and adopted the consent calendar 38-0. The body also approved the Senate journals for April 13-16, 2026, announced committee meetings, and acknowledged Senator Menjivar’s upcoming birthday. The Senate then recessed until its next scheduled floor session on Tuesday, April 23, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd be here all day.
• Berge Upcarian, a respected health care leader dedicated to public service, health care advancement,
• Senator Ortota and also a great pitch for Ag Day tomorrow.
• As we proceeded, the consent calendar second day, items 85 through 88.
• As we've proceeded, the consent calendar second day, items 85 through 88.

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, including a remembrance of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The chamber then took up Senate Resolution 87 by Senator Archuleta, which recognized April 24 as the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and emphasized historical remembrance, support for Armenian communities, and concern over ongoing threats and humanitarian issues affecting Armenians. Several senators spoke in support, and the resolution was adopted by a 37-0 vote. Senator Archuleta then introduced members of the Armenian community in the gallery. The Senate also adopted several other resolutions honoring communities and causes. Senator Cortese presented SR 93 honoring Jim Plunkett’s football career and his role as a trailblazing Latino athlete; senators highlighted his Heisman Trophy, Super Bowl wins, and pending Hispanic Football Hall of Fame recognition, and the resolution passed unanimously. Senator Wiener presented SCR 124 on transportation access for Californians with epilepsy, focusing on how seizure-related driving restrictions can limit employment, education, and medical care; it was adopted unanimously. Senator Allen presented SCR 158 declaring April Arts, Culture and Creativity Month and marking the 50th anniversary of the California Arts Council, with remarks celebrating the state’s arts economy and longtime arts leaders; it also passed unanimously. Later, Senator Alvarado-Gil presented SCR 159 designating April as California Rodeo Appreciation Month, describing the history, cultural significance, diversity, and economic role of rodeo in California. Supportive remarks followed from another senator, and the resolution was adopted unanimously. The author then introduced rodeo guests, including athletes and rodeo association leaders. The Senate also heard multiple privileges-of-the-floor introductions, including arts figures such as Luis Valdez, Cheech Marin, and Ruth Asawa’s son Paul Lanier, as well as student and community guests. The chamber approved the consent calendar by a 38-0 vote, noted committee meetings for Human Services, Military and Veterans, and Privacy, and adjourned with the next floor session scheduled for April 23, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're here to hear it or see it, it's not because we don't care.
• So you just got to be very careful in Caddo as we move through these.
• performing their duties up to $250 per day and $9,000 per year.
• Day. Thank you, Mr. Day. Thank you, Vice Chair, and committee.
• I don't care who's coming. It didn't create more water.

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Summary: The committee met with limited attendance at first, then took up a series of water, agriculture, and rural affairs measures. HB 3898 would allow the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance for brackish water desalination projects in certain border counties and related nonprofit suppliers even if the projects are not in the state water plan. Supporters said it is needed to address severe water shortages in places like Webb County and to support future planning; opponents, including the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, argued it bypasses the regional and state water planning process. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 5339, which would create a higher-education grant program for regenerative agriculture research. A rancher testified that regenerative methods improved soil health, water retention, and farm viability, while a senator noted existing university research but said better coordination could help. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 1523, a temporary prohibition on TCEQ issuing Austin a Class 5 injection well permit for an aquifer storage and recovery project in Bastrop and Lee counties until December 2027. Local officials from Bastrop supported the pause, citing unanswered questions about water treatment, recovery rates, and impacts on the aquifer, while Austin Water opposed the substitute, saying the project is central to its long-term water plan and that stakeholder talks were already underway. TCEQ explained its ASR permitting process and said public participation is possible but not always used in the current authorization process. The bill was left pending. HB 5659, concerning the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District and requiring majority city-council approval before certain water sales or interbasin transfers, drew testimony from district officials who said the change could interfere with existing contracts and district authority, but the chair emphasized the need for local buy-in and said the stakeholders had reached a workable compromise; testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1690, which would expand notice requirements for groundwater export permits so neighboring landowners and potentially affected aquifer areas are informed by certified mail and publication. The sponsor tied the bill to impacts from the Vista Ridge project, and no one testified against it; it was left pending. HB 3333 would prohibit TCEQ from issuing new wastewater discharge permits directly into the Devils River in Val Verde County. The sponsor and a conservation witness said the bill protects one of Texas’s most pristine rivers and reflects a local stakeholder agreement, while TCEQ said it can ensure water quality but acknowledged the river’s unique sensitivity; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HCR 108 urging continuation of the U.S.-Mexico tomato suspension agreement, with supporters warning of major Texas job and consumer-price impacts if it ends, and HCR 76 urging federal action on imported shrimp, citing public health and industry concerns; both were left pending. Additional measures heard and left pending included HB 4158 on compensation for Texana Groundwater Conservation District directors, HB 654 creating a dismissal path for certain first-time deer hunting violations after self-reporting and hunter education, HB 4530 requiring Texas Water Development Board review of groundwater rights placed in the Texas Water Trust, HB 2128 directing a study of rural versus urban firefighting and rescue disparities, and HB 278 requiring groundwater districts and management areas to track progress toward desired future conditions over shorter intervals. On HB 278, witnesses split over whether the bill’s interim tracking would improve accountability or create new triggers that could be used against local districts, but no final vote was taken and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• So any insurance company that doesn't like what I have to say here today can audit me every day with
• care and we care about the health of individuals, you know, this is an issue that directly... need to
• I just wanted to say that being in health care, you know, I see a lot. say that being in health care,
• care and we care about the health of individuals, you know, this is an issue that directly Imple. ..
• Okay, Senator Gruters, there's no other questions for the day, but I have one.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I often think to myself, nobody cares about that. Let's just move forward.
• And every day that goes by, that amount of money is paying less and less benefit out.
• So if you're injured on day one of your career, you get the flat 50 to 60%.
• both pension and health care.
• Health care is not simple. Health care is a big problem in America, as we know.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, it's 20 days before you get before a judge.
• Praying for the day.
• Well, the title insurance company took care of it.
• Ambulance districts end up taking care of the people in need.
• This bill provides health care to rural people.

Summary: The House met after a quorum call and several members introduced job shadows, interns, and 4-H guests. Once 93 members were present, the chamber moved to House Bills for Perfection. House Bill 1707 was taken up first and amended with a title change; sponsors said it would stop the Department of Revenue from taxing credit card processing fees charged to vendors. Members described it as a small-business measure, and the bill was ordered perfected and printed as amended. The House then considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2819, which would authorize rounding cash sales to the nearest five cents in light of the penny’s elimination. Supporters said it would give businesses clear authority to round and avoid compliance problems or lawsuits. The substitute was adopted and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2103 followed, a property-fraud and notary-fraud bill that would require warning signs in recorder offices, increase penalties for false filings and notary-related fraud, and raise fines for notary seal vendors. Supporters said it was aimed at deterring deed fraud and protecting homeowners; some members questioned whether it went far enough or whether it could burden honest notaries. The substitute was adopted and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 1800, dealing with the Hancock Amendment inflationary growth factor for property tax assessments, drew the most debate. An amendment changed the title and another amendment lowered the cap on revenue growth from 5% to 3% when inflation exceeds that level. Supporters argued it would help taxpayers keep more of their money; opponents warned it would reduce funding for schools, fire districts, ambulance districts, libraries, and community colleges and could force more frequent ballot measures. The amendment and the bill were both adopted, and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2600, which would create a clearer process for ambulance district consolidation and improve rural EMS access, was also amended to preserve county commission authority over subdistricts, allow at-large districts in some cases, require voter approval for mergers, and tighten timing and election procedures. Members said the changes would help struggling ambulance districts while keeping local control, and the substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The House then adjourned after announcements about upcoming committee meetings and events.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> parts of the Continuum and um of care parts of the Continuum and um of care and<00:37:53.920><c>
• </c><00:38:21.240><c> task</c> trauma informed care task trauma informed care task force<00:38:23.720
• </c> 10004 relating to uniform Health Care 10004 relating to uniform Health Care decisions<00:46:34.480
• These are family care homes. On a personal note, I take care of a person who's 86 years old.
• <01:49:41.280><c> of</c><01:49:41.840><c> a</c> care of a care of a 12-year-old<01:49:43.639><c> who<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with House Bill 1462 on crisis services. Testimony from the Department of Law Enforcement, the Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Department of Health supported expanding behavioral health crisis services as an alternative to arrest or incarceration. Witnesses said additional crisis sites would help divert people in mental health crisis to appropriate care, and the Department of Health described its current crisis center in Ewa, including the need for renovations such as a padded room and the time required to get the facility operational. In response to questions, the department estimated the Ewa center’s budgeted cost at about $4.3 million, not including rent or startup repairs, and said a second site’s cost would depend on whether it was freestanding or attached to an existing facility. The committee then heard House Bill 700 on cognitive assessments. The Executive Office on Aging supported the bill’s intent but asked that it be amended to make assessments optional rather than mandated, to pilot the program first, and to allow flexibility in handling HIPAA-protected data. SHPDA also supported the measure but said it should not be mandatory and suggested that payers reimburse for assessments when requested by patients, families, or physicians. The Alzheimer’s Association and caregivers strongly supported standardizing cognitive assessments to improve early detection and access to newer treatments, while noting the existing opt-out provision. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the bill but asked that the age 65 threshold be removed because cognitive decline can begin much earlier for people with Down syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and related conditions. In response to a question, the Office on Aging said a pilot project could likely be done for about $150,000, with data security being the main added cost. The final bill discussed was House Bill 237 on peer support programs. Testimony from Family Hui Hawaii, Early Childhood Action Strategy, peer support workers, and families described peer-to-peer programs as a cost-effective way to reduce isolation, strengthen families, and provide long-term community support. Speakers said these programs help parents and caregivers navigate crises, child welfare involvement, addiction recovery, and other challenges, and can have lasting benefits for children’s development and family stability. Several witnesses tied the bill to broader state goals, including infant and early childhood mental health, trauma-informed care, and child welfare reform. Written testimony from about a dozen organizations and individuals was also noted in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• The matter will be placed in the Orders of the Day.
• If there is no objection, we will proceed with the Orders of the Day.
• and every day, we can all be very, very proud of.
• President, the time is approaching when we recognize that Veterans Day will soon be upon us.
• So that completes the orders of the day.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate began with routine formalities, then took up several final-passage and engrossment matters. It adopted emergency preambles for House Bill 1590, establishing a sick leave bank for Eric J. Iwanek, and House Bill 1024, authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer service to a parcel in Sharon. The Senate also passed to be enacted Senate Bill 2528, allowing Marblehead to establish fines related to parking violations, and adopted a pair of congratulatory resolutions. Later, it ordered several House bills to third reading, including measures for an additional off-premises alcohol license in Somerset and sick leave banks for David A. Russell and Jean McCarran, and concurred in a gubernatorial amendment to a vital statistics bill. The chamber then considered major committee reports and amendments on military and veterans issues. It advanced a Ways and Means substitute for a bill on free expression and a substitute for a bill on assault and battery upon a transit worker, placing both on the Orders of the Day. The Senate also debated and amended Senate Bill 2503, the EASE Act for military-connected families, with remarks emphasizing school stability for military children, special education continuity, juvenile justice transfers, and use of military protective orders in domestic violence cases. Several proposed amendments were withdrawn or rejected, including tax relief proposals for 100% disabled veterans, while an amendment requiring tracking of veteran suicides was adopted. The bill was then ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed by roll call, 39-0. Another major item was Senate Bill 2501, clarifying the duties of the adjutant general. The Senate adopted a Ways and Means substitute and considered multiple amendments, including one withdrawn proposal on entry by non-federalized armed forces from other jurisdictions and another adopted amendment requiring recruit training on lawful orders; other amendments were withdrawn. The bill was then ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed. The Senate also passed House Bill 3388, designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. Throughout the session, members also offered and adopted several adjournment motions honoring the lives and service of Judge Leslie E. Harris, former Newton Mayor Seyi Warren, and Anthony P. Dwingnan, and the Senate adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll bring it back to the dais for questions.
• Any questions from the dais before I open it up for public comment?
• and health care that I need?
• And if we treated dental care just like every other health care piece, you wouldn't get more than $2,000
• And happy Election Day tomorrow.

Committee: House Joint Legislative Audit

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's usually the same day.
• our child care programs, and what we do is...
• **Speaker**: ...managed our child care programs.
• That is kind of a policy, Senator, at the end of the day.
• We have mandatory days in the office for those employees.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:31.840><c> um,</c> improving access to health care um, improving access to health care um,
• </c> care at the facility. care at the facility.
• </c> the care of those patients. the care of those patients.
• for community-based care.
• </c> clinical care and and medical education. clinical care and and medical education.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This can help people get on their feet, and I think at the end of the day that's what we want.
• But it will also help to ensure that women receive high-quality care when it matters the most.
• Last time I checked, the rainy day fund hadn't stopped the rain at all in Harris County.
• The rainy day fund hasn't stopped the rain in Houston yet, so... Okay. No, thank you.
• For election day, so they could have voted twice if they wanted to and gotten away with it.

Bills: SB801 , SB1200 , SB1410 , SB1717 , SB1862 , SB1863 , SB2216 , SB2681 , SB506 , SB2626 , SJR63 , SB 3

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• of those who have taken care of us.
• of those who have you've taken care of those who have taken<00:01:40.880><c> care</c><00:01:41.040><
• We ask that you would taken care of us.
• At this time, the Department of Revenue has to set all that up and take care of it.
• I think we should be very careful as we move forward and I hear what you're saying.

Keywords: Consideration of HB 139 -- 00:03:15 Consideration of HB 356 -- 00:08:48, 958, all

Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 139, which would allow a political party to replace a candidate who dies or withdraws after the filing deadline but before ballot certification. Representative Decker explained the substitute as a narrow election-related fix, and the bill was then passed by the committee on an 11-yes, 1-pass vote and sent to the full House. The committee then heard House Bill 356, which would move the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) qualification test from a once-every-four-years, Frankfort-based format to administration through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System at multiple locations and times. Representative Bridges said the Department of Revenue would still write and control the exam, KCTCS would only administer it, the fiscal note was zero, and the change would improve access and convenience without weakening standards. KCTCS said it was prepared to help if directed. Members generally agreed PVAs should be tested, but some raised concerns about test integrity, whether a broader testing network could create uneven conditions, and whether the change should instead use a smaller number of regional test sites. Others supported the bill as a common-sense way to expand access and avoid forcing candidates to wait years after missing a single test date. The committee also discussed the lack of a study guide for the exam and whether that should be addressed separately. No final vote on House Bill 356 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a full-time Monitoring Center, 24 hours a day.
• People I'm taking care of are partly taking care of and talking to remotely through video conferencing
• </c><00:51:22.599><c> that's</c> average Clinic day that's average Clinic day that's maybe<00:51:24.599
• of or partly taking who I'm taking care of or partly taking care<00:51:29.640><c> of</c><00:51:29.799
• as such, not a care network, and not promoting a particular study.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• care share...
• Pueblo had to be shut down in one day because of safety issues.
• In 365 days a year.
• Authority for immediate care.
• These are contained in their annual audit reports, and the balance sheets report short-term or day-to-day

Transcript Highlights:

• that impacts child care.
• Parents are desperately searching for care, in particular infant and toddler care.
• </c> to pay for their child care directly. to pay for their child care directly.
• It pays for child care resource and referral through the Child Care Aware program.
• </c> constituents ability to access care. constituents ability to access care.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a day. It's a day. So, Representative Mayhew hit on a couple of things. It's a day.
• It's a day.
• I drove it the other day.
• You never get to that place on I-70, very, very seldom in the day.
• Taken care of so, you know, the rest of us don't pay the price for it.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No information was being provided at that first meeting that they had two days later, two days later,
• That was the disturbance that day.
• That was the disturbance that day.
• Since the day?
• King Day was on Monday, leaving them with another three-day the following week.

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 4043, which would require each school district and charter school, beginning in 2027, to ensure at least one employee at each school is trained in CPR, first aid, and AED use. The sponsor said he intended to amend the bill on the floor to ensure someone is trained at all times and to clarify AED language. The American Heart Association testified neutral with concerns, supporting CPR training but warning the bill could leave gaps if only one person is trained and noting the need for AED access and emergency planning. Parents whose son died in an Arizona kindergarten classroom urged support, saying school staff should be prepared to respond to emergencies. The committee recommended the bill do pass by a vote of 7-1 with four present. The committee then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2015, as amended by a strike-everything amendment supporting at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity for students and prominent display of federal dietary guidelines. A representative of End Chronic Disease testified in favor, arguing schools should help prevent chronic disease through health education and physical activity. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and then gave the resolution a due pass recommendation on a 12-0 roll call. House Bill 2621, in its strike-everything form and with a Garcia amendment, addressed enrollment and special education procedures for students in unorganized territory, students using certificates of educational convenience, and children of active-duty military parents. The sponsor explained the bill was meant to clarify confusing law, speed enrollment and evaluations, and reduce delays in services. Champions for Kids supported the measure and the amendments, and the committee adopted both amendments before recommending the bill do pass 11-0. The committee also approved House Bill 2385, which limits superintendent contracts to one-year terms for the first three years unless the superintendent has already been employed three consecutive years; the sponsor framed it as a way to reduce costly early buyouts. That bill passed 7-4. Later, the committee approved House Bill 4106, creating the One Arizona Service Fellowship Program to provide service opportunities, stipends, and tuition awards for young adults, with an amendment changing the stipend contribution formula. The sponsor and supporters described it as a state-based service model inspired by Utah and aimed at education, military families, parks, hunger, and homelessness work; some members opposed it as an unnecessary state mandate or questioned the need for a new program. The committee also passed House Bill 2992, as amended, establishing a pilot program on child sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention, expanded to K-12 and including grooming/exploitation content. A survivor advocate strongly supported the bill, while some members raised concerns about the funding source and possible unintended consequences. Finally, the committee passed House Bill 2370, which would require school leaders to notify governing boards before modifying weapons detection systems and to report changes within 24 hours; the sponsor cited a fatal school stabbing and other weapons incidents, while opponents argued the bill was too vague and could create operational problems. The committee also adopted a strike-everything amendment to House Bill 4056, allowing legislators making public records requests in their official capacity to avoid fees and requiring electronic production; the sponsor said it was needed after districts sought large fees, while opponents warned it could burden public agencies. The committee then began discussion of House Bill 2478, which would create an Arizona Commission on Student Outcomes to study K-12 accountability, finance, graduation requirements, and related issues, with proposed amendments to add early childhood study and change commission membership, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.