Transcript Highlights:

• the Republican Iowa secretary of state<01:20:34.719><c> of</c><01:20:34.840><c> Iowa</c><01:20:35.199
• </c> Architects to perform building code Architects to perform building code inspections<03:10:08.040
• </c><03:10:34.160><c> the</c><03:10:34.279><c> bill</c> local building codes the bill local building
• codes the bill establishes<03:10:35.479><c> private</c><03:10:35.880><c> providers</c><03:10:36.560><
• </c><03:25:22.920><c> which</c> the United States code which the United States code which applies<03:

Transcript Highlights:

• front of you is Senate Bill 6001, an act relating to scissors-steregulations in the state building code
• of recommending amendments to the code that would allow so— ...building code council to convene a technical
• advisory group for the purpose of recommending amendments to the code that would allow scissor stairs
• Without these agreements, our law and code enforcement will respond to more calls, and local agencies
• We can use code enforcement for some of those topics, but that's reactive once there are problems.

Bills: SB6069 , SB6167 , SB6201 , SB6205 , SB6001 , SB6026 , SB6054 , SGA9278 , SGA9279

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: affordable housing, homelessness, homeless shelter, emergency shelter, emergency housing, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, low-income housing, very low-income, extremely low-income, housing crisis, land use, zoning, local preemption, urban growth area, UGA, planning, development regulations, permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• So currently, the unamended code says a fire department may not compensate... ...state reimburse or provide
• According to Section 392 of the Local Government Code, this appointment structure hasn't changed.
• Miss, the layout seems to me that this is about the government code.
• the apartment association, can the apartment owners still have their own policies, or without the code
• Public funds is defined in Chapter 55.2 of the Government Code as public funds, meaning funds of the

Bills: HB164 , HB164 , HB411 , HB627 , HB 1226 , HB1677 , HB1865 , HB1997 , HB2985 , HB3462 , HB4188 , HB4685 , HB4840 , HB5370 , HB5424 , HB5466 , HB5509 , HB5660 , HB5673

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: HB 164, HB164, Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, Hill Country floods, July 2025 floods, flood recovery, disaster relief, flood reimbursement, reconstruction grants, resiliency standards, floodplain, base flood elevation, FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, insurance denial, property damage, tenant assistance, rental property

Bills: HB164 , HB411 , HB627 , HB 1226 , HB1677 , HB1865 , HB1997 , HB2985 , HB3462 , HB4188 , HB4685 , HB4840 , HB5370 , HB5424 , HB5466 , HB5509 , HB5660 , HB5673 , HB164

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: migrant labor, housing regulations, civil penalties, complaints, occupants' rights, remediation, education, retaliation, housing, rental regulation, municipal authority, local government, leasing, housing regulation, local control, rental properties, leasing laws, landlord, tenant rights, municipal regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• My bill, HB 2659, would amend the Texas Health and Safety Code to confirm the state and federal requirements

Bills: HB231 , HB231 , HB475 , HB488 , HB632 , HB821 , HB1786 , HB1955 , HB2036 , HB2060 , HB2659 , HB2677

Committee: House S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Keywords: HB 231, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, permit exemption, dam, reservoir, erosion control, flood control, floodwater control, sediment control, watershed protection, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, local sponsor, water appropriation, small dam, water diversion, maintenance, rehabilitation

Bills: HB231 , HB475 , HB488 , HB632 , HB821 , HB1786 , HB1955 , HB2036 , HB2060 , HB2659 , HB2677 , HB231

Committee: House S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Keywords: food access, food deserts, communities of color, health disparities, socioeconomic impact, nutritious food, health effects, socioeconomic disparities, legislative recommendations, nutrition, access to food, Medicaid, multisystemic therapy, healthcare, reimbursement, mental health services, education, funding, local control, school system

Transcript Highlights:

• Iowa should be the Tuscany of North America, except now Iowa has a water crisis.
• Iowa should be the Tuscany of North America, except now Iowa has a water crisis.
• </c> of Iowa and the late Paul Wellstone. of Iowa and the late Paul Wellstone.
• I saw what Iowa used to be in my lifetime. Iowa fell apart.
• Iowa fell apart. It's sad lifetime. Iowa fell apart.

Bills: HF3718

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• just updates the terms used in state law to align with the national standards related to ski lift codes

Bills: SB5223 , SB5286 , SB6002 , SB6178 , SB5892 , SB5177 , SB6039 , SB5874 , SB5863 , SB5972 , SB5941 , SB5203 , SB6014 , SB5993 , SB5831 , SB5928 , SB5912 , SB5825 , SB5223 , SB6178 , SB5892 , SB5177 , SB6039 , SB5941 , SB5993 , SB5831 , SB5928 , SB5912 , SB6183 , SB6071 , SB5995 , SB5966 , SB5841 , SB5840 , SB6061 , SB6058 , SB5931 , SB5944 , SB5520 , SB6011 , SB6087 , SB6076 , SB5916 , SB6016 , SB5936 , SB6137 , SB5185 , SB5956 , SB6025 , SB6009 , SB5833 , SB6161 , SB6188 , SB5890 , SB5917 , SB5820 , SB5973 , SJM8015 , SB5816 , SB6136 , SB6091 , SB6024

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, policing costs, state hospitals, local funding, budget allocation, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate recognition, LPR, surveillance, driver privacy, vehicle tracking, location data, law enforcement technology, data retention, audit trail

Transcript Highlights:

• Arabella was born on May 23, 1846, on a family farm in Burlington, Iowa.
• She family farm in Burlington, Iowa.
• Iowa became the first state in the Union to admit women to the practice of law.
• Anthony and the suffragette movement, chairing the Iowa Women's Suffrage Convention in 1870.
• Iowa became the first state in the Union to admit women to the practice of law.

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• I live in Iowa and I come up and I watch the Minnesota Vikings at least twice a year because they're
• my team with my dad, but you also have beautiful and wonderful libraries and you give us in Iowa as well
• </c><00:03:20.080><c> I</c><00:03:20.319><c> live</c><00:03:20.480><c> in</c><00:03:20.720><c> Iowa</
• I live in Iowa and I come up thank you.
• as well as across you give us in Iowa as well as across the<00:03:31.120><c> United</c><00:03:31.360

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm from SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa. We represent 55,000 healthcare workers here.
• I'm from SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa. We represent 55,000 healthcare workers here.
• I'm from SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa. We represent 55,000 healthcare workers here.
• No matter our race, zip code, or income level, Minnesotans rely on our state and federal tax revenues
• ,</c><00:40:29.920><c> but</c> things about other state tax codes, but things about other state tax codes

Summary: The committee heard House File 2591, the “Support Medicaid Not Millionaires Act,” laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 taxes bill. Chair Gomez said the bill would create a fifth individual income tax tier on very high earners to offset any future federal Medicaid cuts, arguing that proposed federal budget changes would likely reduce Medicaid funding and create a large state budget hole. Gomez and other supporters framed Medicaid as essential for children, long-term care, mental health, substance use treatment, rural hospitals, and families across Minnesota, and criticized federal tax cuts for corporations and wealthy individuals. Several testifiers supported the bill. A SEIU Healthcare worker described how Medicaid supports her care for a disabled son and her own health needs, warning that cuts would threaten home care, hospitals, and nursing homes. A public health employee from the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees said recent state and federal layoffs had already weakened public health capacity and urged additional revenue to backfill losses. Other supporters, including community and faith leaders, said the wealthy and corporations should pay more to protect public services, youth programs, and Medicaid-funded care. A mental health provider testified that most of the people served by her clinic rely on Medicaid and that cuts would harm clinics, rural access, and the broader behavioral health system. Representative Anderson questioned whether the bill would affect Medicaid spending tied to undocumented immigrants and asked for data on MinnesotaCare and federal-state funding shares. Department of Human Services staff clarified that he was referring to MinnesotaCare, not Medicaid, and said Medicaid is generally matched by the federal government while MinnesotaCare does not have the same match. The exchange became contentious when Gomez objected to Anderson’s use of the term “illegal immigrants” and redirected the discussion back to the bill. Anderson also raised concerns about Medicaid fraud and whether the proposal would backfill any federal changes related to fraud enforcement. No vote was taken; the bill was simply laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• Barely coded racist rhetoric is his standard practice.
• Hinson of Iowa; Mr. Bilirakis of Florida; Mrs. Kim of California; Mr. Moran of Texas; and Mr.
• Nunn of Iowa.
• HINSON OF IOWA, MR, MR. BILIRAKIS OF FLORIDA, MRS. KIM OF CALIFORNIA, MR. MORAN OF TEXAS, AND MR.
• NUNN OF IOWA.

Bills: HR776 , HR43 , HR226 , HR42 , HR835

Keywords: Coptic Christians, human rights, Egypt, religious freedom, US-Egypt relations, minority rights, violence prevention, inauguration, Congress, House attendance, ceremony, legislative session, inaugural ceremony, House of Representatives, President, Vice President, adjournment, aviation, transportation, centennial

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got Iowa now to the North, got Illinois Cross River.
• I actually come from the beautiful town of Hannibal, Missouri, right on the Illinois, Missouri, Iowa
• The 12 states this compact would include are Ohio, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Tennessee
• The 12 states this compact would include are Ohio, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Tennessee
• The 12 states this compact would include are Ohio, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Tennessee

Committees: House Economic Development , House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• I see that it includes dress code violations under a minor infraction.
• Yes, I'm very familiar with dress code expectations of someone who has a very long inseam.
• It was nearly impossible to be able to Be in compliance with dress code policies on page four.
• Absolutely, somebody talked about the dress code. OK? We are The first society.
• There wasn't the only state in the country that has been authorized any sort of block grant is Iowa,

Bills: SB1632 , SB1594 , SB2045 , SB1251 , SB1884 , SB1250 , SB1630 , SB1262 , SB1374 , SB1292 , SB1432 , SB1199 , SB1790 , SB1481 , SB1614 , SB1734 , SB1437 , SB1489 , SB1718 , SB1778

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And six of the eight bordering states have angel investment tax credits: Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Arkansas
• Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Oklahoma.
• better than what others have done, but you look at Boston, Omaha, Nebraska, similar states such as Iowa
• Again, one-stop shop, fast-track permitting, permit and fee waiver and deferrals, and building code flexibility

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii, Tennessee, Montana, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Connecticut, and Texas all have programs like these
• Hawaii, Tennessee, Montana, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Connecticut, and Texas all have programs like these
• Jurisdictions as varied as Texas, Montana, Iowa, the United Kingdom, France, and New Zealand have reaped
• I want to remind the committee that the term violent offense in our criminal code is not a definition

Bills: HB2217 , HB2558 , HB2641 , HB2648 , HB1239 , HB1591 , HB2209 , HB2310 , HB2526

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: rehabilitation, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, first-time offenders, pathways to rehabilitation, mental health, sentencing alternative, criminal justice, diversion programs, HB 2641, ICE out act, law enforcement hiring, immigration and customs enforcement, ICE officers, former federal employees, sworn officer, police staffing, general authority law enforcement agency, limited authority law enforcement agency, immigration enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii, Tennessee, Montana, Georgia, Iowa,... ...states very similar in other states.
• Hawaii, Tennessee, Montana, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Connecticut, and Texas all have programs like these
• Jurisdictions as varied as Texas, Montana, Iowa, the United Kingdom, France, and New Zealand have reaped
• I want to remind the committee that the term violent offense in our criminal code is not a definition

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met on January 29, 2026, and announced it would not hold executive session that day because of the large number of public hearing sign-ups; those executive sessions were pushed to the following Monday. The committee first heard House Bill 2558, relating to the mental health sentencing alternative (MHSA). Staff explained that the bill narrows eligibility to people diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, adds restrictions for certain domestic violence and prior violent offense cases, requires more detailed DOC reports, lengthens some community custody terms, mandates regular progress hearings, and shifts assessment work to contracted providers. The sponsor said the bill is intended to refocus the program on people whose offenses are tied to serious mental illness and to reduce misuse in domestic violence and other violent cases. No public testimony was taken on HB 2558 that day, and the hearing was held open for later testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 2217, which would replace the current first-time offender waiver with a pretrial deferral option and a suspended sentence option for eligible first-time felony defendants. Supporters, including public defense, immigration advocates, judges, economists, and the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, argued the bill would create a meaningful rehabilitation pathway, reduce recidivism, improve employment outcomes, and avoid the long-term harm of an immediate felony conviction. They also said the deferred-adjudication structure could help immigrants avoid immigration consequences and would better incentivize restitution and compliance. Opponents, including sheriffs, prosecutors, and victim advocates, raised concerns about expanding eligibility to offenses such as assault 2 and robbery 2, the meaning of “violent offense,” the possibility of judicial diversion without prosecutor consent, and the impact on victims and public safety. After testimony, the sponsor said she would remove the bill’s strong presumption in favor of relief, and the committee closed the public hearing on HB 2217. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2641, the “ICE Out Act of 2026,” which would bar Washington law enforcement agencies from hiring people who were sworn ICE officers after January 20, 2025, with the restriction applying prospectively beginning October 1, 2026. The sponsor said the bill was meant to protect communities and prevent hiring officers associated with federal immigration enforcement practices she described as harmful. The committee then heard House Bill 2648, which would require state and local officers who encounter suspected ICE employees conducting immigration enforcement to activate body and dash cameras, report the encounter, and document it, while providing state indemnification for officers acting in good faith. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and protect communities and officers; the Washington State Patrol said many of the practices already align with its policies. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs expressed concerns about added reporting requirements, possible effects on federal-local cooperation, and asked for changes to soften mandatory language and strengthen indemnification. The committee ended the hearing without further testimony and adjourned, noting executive sessions on about a dozen bills would occur the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Henson of Iowa. Pursuant to House Resolution 1438, the gentlewoman from Iowa, Ms.
• The gentlewoman from Iowa reserves.
• For &gt;&gt; The gentleoman from Iowa reserves.
• The &gt;&gt; The gentleoman from Iowa yields.
• ,</c> minutes uh to the gentleman from Iowa, minutes uh to the gentleman from Iowa, my<04:05:59.840><

Bills: HCR89 , HB1722 , HB7283 , HB8205 , HB7008 , HB8800

Keywords: Iran, war powers, War Powers Resolution, hostilities, military force, Congressional authorization, declaration of war, AUMF, foreign policy, national security, self-defense, U.S. Armed Forces, Middle East, executive war powers, troop withdrawal, intelligence sharing, counterintelligence, diplomatic facilities, regional security, anti-war resolution

Transcript Highlights:

• across states and mirrors laws that have already passed in Arizona, Florida, Alabama, Nevada, Utah, Iowa
• , the great state of Iowa and Kansas.
• We amend the Insurance code provision so it's clear that AV-related insurance requirements are the same

Bills: SB1493 , SB1598 , SB1895 , SB1919 , SB2039 , SB2226 , SB2243 , SB2425

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard and advanced a wide range of transportation-related bills. Early in the meeting, SB 1598 by Senator Hagenbuch was heard on allowing collision report information to be used and shared more clearly for law enforcement investigations, including through records-management partners and nonconfidential VIN data; the bill drew support from the Sheriff’s Association and Carfax for Police and was left pending before later being reported favorably. SB 1493 by Senator Parker, which would codify DPS’s position on flashing/pulsing stop lamps as compliant with federal standards, also received supportive testimony and was reported favorably. SB 1895 by Senator Perry would designate Loop 88 in Lubbock as a First Responders Memorial Loop and was reported favorably, and SB 1919 and SB 2243 by Senator West, dealing with TxDOT liability claim settlements and TxDMV authority to require VIN inspections for certain trailers, were likewise heard without opposition and later reported favorably. SB 2039, concerning right-of-way and traffic rules for sidewalk users such as bicycles, e-bikes, skateboards, and scooters, was heard and left pending before being reported favorably later in the meeting. SB 2226 by Senator Nichols, reducing the local match requirement for aviation grants in economically disadvantaged counties from 10% to 5%, was discussed with TxDOT testimony explaining how federal and state airport funding interact; it was reported favorably. SB 2499 by Senator Flores, involving memorial markers and an account for donations, and SB 1394 by Senator Hall, concerning concrete truck axle rules, were also reported favorably. The committee recessed after handling the pending items and leaving some additional matters for a later hearing. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2425 by Senator Nichols, a comprehensive bill on commercial autonomous vehicles. The author said the bill was developed through extensive stakeholder meetings with industry, agencies, insurers, and lawyers, and it would require AV companies to provide information to TxDMV, submit first-responder interaction plans to DPS, and allow DPS and DMV to suspend or revoke operations in certain circumstances. The committee substitute also updated definitions, addressed Level 3 systems, clarified commercial use and fleet penalties, and created an expedited process for reinstating operating authority after disputes. Supporters included the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Tesla, GM Cruise, Bot Auto, and the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, who said the bill balances innovation and safety and helps Texas remain a leader in AV deployment. One witness opposed the bill, arguing that it would improperly shield manufacturers from liability, but committee members and the industry witnesses said liability would continue to be governed by state law and that the bill was intended to clarify, not eliminate, responsibility. After debate, the committee adopted the substitute and reported SB 2425 favorably on a 6-0 vote. Throughout the hearing, members asked questions about practical effects and funding. On SB 2226, TxDOT’s aviation director explained that some airports already receive federal and state support and that the bill would mainly help state-only airports in disadvantaged counties that struggle to meet local match requirements. On SB 2425, members asked about reliability metrics, commercialization, and liability; industry witnesses said the technology is still being refined but that Texas’s framework has attracted investment and could improve road safety over time. Several bills were recommended to the local and uncontested calendar after favorable votes, and the committee also agreed to keep motions in writing open briefly for members who were absent, so long as doing so would not change any bill outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And he went on to state, if Iowa can force every station in the state to sell E-15, why can't we make
• Quaker Oats use Iowa oats?
• And the reason why Quaker does not use Iowa oats is because Iowa can't grow the oats.
• Quaker does not use Iowa oats because Iowa can't grow the oats that Quaker uses.