Video & Transcript : 'meat curing' :
Page 39 of 172
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 072 Mar 27th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- For example, we have meat. We have parents are like, "We don't eat meat."
- So, you don't give the kids meat. We're like, "We do cookies.
- ><01:52:30.640><c> example,</c><01:52:31.320><c> we</c><01:52:31.480><c> have</c><01:52:31.720><c> meat
- For example, we have meat. We the time. For example, we have meat.
- </c> meat." So, you don't give the kids meat. meat." So, you don't give the kids meat.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-03 (12:30PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Is there a way for someone to, you know, have a period of time to be able to cure that or to be able
- Where in the bill is a similar provision for persons who signed the petition to cure their petition?
- Where in the bill, or does your bill contemplate a process for the curing of a form?
- For the curing of a form. Representative Persons-Mulicka. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
- Why is there no similar notice for those who filled out an incomplete petition and an ability to cure
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Deputy Will May of the Walton County Sheriff’s Department, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and CS for HB 947 was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee. The chamber then took up several special-order bills, mostly reviser and technical measures, including SB 36, SB 42, SB 40, and SB 38, all of which passed unanimously or near-unanimously after brief explanations that they updated or cleaned up Florida statutes.
Members also passed HB 513 on electronic transmittal of court orders, requiring clerks to send certain petitions, notices, summonses, and orders within six hours, including Baker Act, Marchman Act, and risk protection orders. HB 615, on electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices by email when both parties agree in writing, passed after adoption of a tenant-protection amendment offered by Rep. Gottlieb. HB 655 establishing a regulatory framework for pet insurance and wellness programs passed unanimously. HB 1145 on workforce education passed 100-4, expanding CAP grant eligibility to public charter schools for CTE startup/expansion and increasing minimum program offerings tied to a money-back guarantee program. HB 299 on elevator accessibility requirements passed unanimously, and HB 649 on autonomous practice by certified registered nurse anesthetists passed 77-30 after structured debate.
The most extensive debate centered on CS for HB 1205, which would significantly revise Florida’s citizen initiative process. The bill would require a $1 million bond after 25% of required signatures are collected, require petition handlers and circulators to be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, impose background checks and training for paid circulators, shorten petition turn-in deadlines to 10 days, increase penalties, add signature revocation notices, require more identifying information on petition forms, and create felony penalties for certain misconduct. Supporters argued the changes were needed to combat fraud and protect petition integrity; opponents said the bill would burden First Amendment activity and make ballot initiatives harder for ordinary Floridians to pursue. Multiple amendments sought to roll back or soften the bill’s requirements, protect personal information, restore longer deadlines, lower validation thresholds, and bar public funds from being used to advocate for or against amendments. Some amendments were adopted, but several key ones failed as debate continued.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-03 (12:30PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Is there a way for someone to, you know, have a period of time to be able to cure that or to be able
- You don't have a period to be able to cure that or to be able to respond appropriately, or to maybe not
- Where in the bill is a similar provision for persons who signed the petition to cure their petition?
- Where in the bill, or does your bill contemplate a process for the curing of a form?
- Why is there no similar notice for those who filled out an incomplete petition and an ability to cure
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Walton County Deputy Will May, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for April 3, 2025 was adopted, and CS/HB 947 was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee. The chamber then moved through a series of bills, mostly reviser and technical measures, with several companion Senate bills substituted and passed: SB 36 (Florida statutes adoption act), SB 42 (general reviser’s bill), SB 40 (deleting inoperative statutory provisions), and SB 38 (renaming references from the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services to the Division of Criminal Investigations). All of those passed unanimously or near-unanimously.
The House also passed HB 513 on electronic transmittal of court orders, requiring clerks to electronically send certain petitions, notices, summonses, and orders within six hours, including Baker Act, Marchman Act, and risk protection order documents. Members discussed whether judges needed to direct transmission and whether there were fail-safes if clerks did not comply. HB 615, on electronic delivery of notices between landlords and tenants, was amended to strengthen tenant protections and passed 108-0. HB 655 establishing a regulatory framework for pet insurance, HB 299 on elevator accessibility requirements, and HB 1145 on workforce education also passed, with HB 1145 receiving 100 yeas and 4 nays. HB 649, removing the paper supervised protocol for certified registered nurse anesthetists, passed 77-30 after structured debate.
A major portion of the meeting focused on CS/HB 1205, which would significantly revise Florida’s citizen initiative process. The bill adds a $1 million bond requirement after 25% of required signatures are collected, requires petition handlers to be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, imposes background checks and training for paid circulators, shortens petition turn-in deadlines to 10 days, increases penalties, adds signature revocation notices, and creates additional criminal penalties and enforcement provisions. Supporters argued the changes were needed to address fraud and protect petition integrity; opponents said the bill would burden First Amendment activity and make citizen-led amendments much harder to qualify. Numerous amendments were offered, including proposals to remove sensitive personal information from petition forms, soften deadlines and penalties, change validation thresholds, and alter the estimating conference process; most failed, though one amendment clarifying who pays for background checks was adopted. The transcript ends during continued debate on an amendment to strike most of the bill and prohibit public funds from being used to advocate for or against constitutional amendments.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Mar 5th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- He also became dedicated to finding a cure for cancer after his son Adam Michael Rosen died of brain
- He also became a dedicated to finding a cure for cancer after his son Adam Michael Rosen died of brain
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum present and considered two bills. The first, CS for SB 88 by Senator Wright, would create a framework for local governments to allow or prohibit utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) on certain low-speed roads, define UTV equipment and driver requirements, and make violations noncriminal traffic infractions. An amendment was adopted to correct the insurance requirement to match automobile-style minimums of $10,000 personal injury and $10,000 property damage liability.
Testimony on SB 88 was divided. The Florida Justice Association and the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association opposed the bill, arguing UTVs are designed for off-road use, do not meet federal safety standards, and could increase crash risk on public roads; Honda’s letter was cited as opposing road use. Supporters, including the sponsor and agencies waiving in support, argued the bill would address an existing loophole, provide insurance and licensing requirements, and help rural users and law enforcement by creating a clear legal pathway. Senators raised concerns about nighttime visibility, taillight spacing, speed limits, and whether the bill should be more restrictive, but the committee ultimately voted to report CS for SB 88 favorably.
The committee then heard SB 274 by Senator Arrington, which designates a portion of International Drive in Orange County as Harris Rosen Way in honor of hotelier and philanthropist Harris Rosen. The sponsor and several senators praised Rosen’s business success, philanthropy, and support for education, cancer research, veterans, and the Central Florida community. There was no opposition, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The meeting then adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So you do have a right, first of all, you do have a right to cure.
- Yes, there's a right to cure in here. Okay.
- If I can just ask the opposition to kind of address the PRA cure, the right to cure, and then also is
- So if I can go first to the right to the cure, and then if you want to address that, and then a response
- move to the tiered penalty structure, we continue to recommend lower penalties and an opportunity to cure
Summary:
The committee first heard AB 1159, which would update California student data privacy law for educational technology and college-level platforms. The author and supporters argued that students’ personal information is being collected and used far beyond educational purposes, including sensitive health and demographic data, and said the bill would limit misuse and add stronger privacy protections. Support came from privacy, labor, education, and civil rights groups, while opposition from college store and industry representatives focused on narrowing the definition of “operator,” preserving institution-related communications, and concerns about the bill’s private right of action. Members raised questions about how the bill would affect scholarships, financial aid, adult students, consent, and litigation; the author said the bill includes a right to cure and notice to the Attorney General. The committee voted 4-0 to pass the bill to Appropriations, with the measure placed on call.
The committee then took up AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for social media accounts on platforms with specified addictive design features and create a youth safety commission. The author, pediatric and safety advocates, and several public supporters argued that social media companies intentionally design compulsive features that harm youth mental health, sleep, and development, and that the bill is a necessary product-safety response. Opponents argued the bill is overbroad, may be ineffective, raises First Amendment concerns, and could cut off vulnerable youth from important online support networks. Members focused heavily on possible amendments, especially a non-addictive feed option for younger users and strengthening the commission; the author said he was open to those changes and to further work with the committees. The bill was moved to Judiciary on a 5-0 vote and placed on call.
At the end of the excerpt, the author began presenting a third measure, AB 2076, which would strengthen California’s Parents’ Accountability and Child Protection Act by adding nitrous oxide to the list of age-verified dangerous products, banning purchase with gift cards or store credit, and increasing penalties for large sellers. The author described nitrous oxide as increasingly accessible to minors online and cited enforcement gaps in the current law, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, December 1, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, the idea that we would be able to cure not just treat but cure sickle cell disease sounded like
- Today we are curing sickle cell disease. We are curing spinal muscular atrophy.
- <c> and</c><04:08:01.359><c> blood</c> We are curing hemophilia and blood We are curing hemophilia and
- And while we are there is no cure.
- </c><04:30:40.560><c> those</c> researching the cures for those researching the cures for those diseases
Bills:
HB4423 , HB5348 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4429 , HB3716 , HR225 , HB5349 , HB5346 , HB5345 , HB5284 , HB4313 , HR1262 , SB616 , HR176 , HB2159 , HB4323 , HB2066 , HB4549 , HB4495 , HB4491 , HB3174
Keywords:
Burma, Myanmar, World Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD, foreign aid, sanctions, military coup, democracy, development financing, multilateral lending, Treasury Department, Executive Director, international financial institutions, human rights, junta, national interest waiver, Social Security, SSN, Social Security number
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, June 25, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Systems of cures. See if I can make this make sense. So much of our spending around here is...
- moral thing we can do, particularly in health care, is the elimination of a disease, moving towards a cure
- Cures are moral, and they're really amazing economics. A while back, I did...
Bills:
HB2478
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- veterans before we ran into this, and when we created it as a waiver, not a check, not a scholarship, it cured
- And it might cure, I don't know. to tuition waiver and take out private institutions.
- And it might cure a whole bunch of that fiscal burden. That's my thoughts.
Committee:
House Crime and Public Safety
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session and approved House Bill 2808 on a 9-4 vote with one present. The hearing then focused on House Bill 1808 and its companion House Bill 3435, both titled Grace’s Law, which would create a narrow social host liability cause of action for knowingly providing alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person age 21 or older when that conduct leads to injury, death, or property damage. Sponsors said the bill is intended to fill a gap in Missouri law, align the state with other states that recognize social host liability, and promote accountability without punishing responsible hosts. Members raised questions about how the visible-intoxication standard would apply in private settings, whether the bill could reach casual gatherings, and whether it should also address other substances; sponsors said the measure is intentionally limited and still being refined.
Supporters of Grace’s Law included the mother of Grace, the crash victim for whom the bill is named, a relative of another drunk-driving victim, and representatives from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. They described the bill as a response to preventable tragedies and argued that liability would encourage hosts to stop serving intoxicated guests, take away keys, or arrange safe rides. Testimony emphasized that the bill is about reckless conduct rather than ordinary hospitality, and several members expressed sympathy and support for stronger accountability in drunk-driving cases. No opposition testimony was presented before the hearing on those bills concluded.
The committee then heard House Bills 3439 and 3480, which would extend the Public Safety Protection and Recruitment Act to volunteer firefighters by allowing them to qualify for tuition assistance and related benefits under the program. Sponsors said volunteer firefighters in rural areas perform essential and often dangerous work, but are currently excluded from the statute, and that the change would help recruit and retain volunteers. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact, whether volunteers should receive the same benefit as full-time personnel, and whether the program should be structured as a tuition waiver rather than a scholarship to reduce costs. Fire chiefs and other supporters testified that volunteer departments are critical in rural Missouri, that volunteers often receive extensive training and respond to fires, EMS calls, and disasters, and that the benefit would help departments recruit and keep members. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce also supported the bill, citing public safety and workforce benefits. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing was concluded after discussion.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- We ran into this, and when we created it as a waiver, not a check, not a scholarship, it cured a lot
- We ran into this, and when we created it as a waiver, not a check, not a scholarship, it cured a lot
- And it might cure a whole bunch of that fiscal burden. That's my thoughts.
Committee:
House Crime and Public Safety
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider S.558, to provide for the consideration of a definition of antisemitism set forth by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance for the enforcement of Federal antidiscrimination laws concerning education programs or Apr 30th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Essential work into how to improve treatments, cure disease, build a better world. stops, and the families
- waiting for a breakthrough cancer treatment or a cure for Alzheimer's are forced to wait longer.
- use of force to restrict freedom and people are getting hurt, especially those who will not have the cure
Keywords:
civil rights, higher education, discrimination, complaints, awareness campaign, antisemitism, education, Civil Rights Act, IHRA definition, federal enforcement, Jewish community, anti-discrimination laws, Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, Protecting Students on Campus Act, First Amendment, Senator Tim Scott, free speech, college campuses, legislation, Trump administration
Summary:
The committee meeting primarily focused on reviewing two significant bills: S558, the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act of 2025, and S163, the Protecting Students on Campus Act. Senator Tim Scott introduced S558, emphasizing its importance in combatting anti-Jewish violence and harassment, and providing the Department of Education with necessary tools to investigate incidents of anti-Semitism on college campuses. The bill sparked a vigorous debate among members who expressed concerns over potential implications for free speech, particularly regarding its definitions of anti-Semitism, and whether it would infringe upon First Amendment rights.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (04/16/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, don't medications cure these? What about kids?
- Because people with heart disease are never going to be cured.
- People who have strokes are never going to be cured.
- And people with schizophrenia are never going to be cured.
- </c> question is how do we cure the problem? question is how do we cure the problem?
Committee:
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 562, which would create a home damage mitigation and resilience grant program aimed at helping homeowners make property improvements that could reduce insurance costs and non-renewals. Commissioner DJ Bettencourt of the New Hampshire Insurance Department explained that the program is modeled in part on Alabama’s safer homes program, but tailored for New Hampshire hazards such as floods, microbursts, heavy snow, ice, and falling trees. He said the grants would be limited to primary residences, subject to a means test, capped at $10,000, and intended to help homeowners make targeted improvements such as roof fortification or tree removal that could improve underwriting outcomes and lead to premium discounts.
Bettencourt said the program would not use state taxpayer funds and would instead rely on philanthropic donations, possible federal or regional housing-bank funding, and other outside sources. He said the department would not need new staff, and that a current position could be reconfigured to help administer the program part-time. Committee members asked about the funding language, the meaning of “loans” in the bill, whether there were any other states using a similar no-state-funds model, and how many homeowners could be helped. Bettencourt said Rhode Island and Connecticut were moving forward in a similar way, and that the number of beneficiaries would depend on how much money is raised.
Members also questioned how the grant program would actually lower premiums, whether savings would apply only to participants or more broadly, and how the IBHS evaluation process would work. Bettencourt and department staff said the direct benefit would be to the homeowner whose property is improved, though neighbors could also benefit in some cases. They explained that IBHS is a building-safety organization that certifies contractors and inspectors and that its standards can qualify homes for insurer discounts. Questions were also raised about confidentiality provisions, first-come-first-served grant awards, rollover of unused applications, and possible tax treatment of donations. The sponsor said those details would be addressed through rulemaking or existing tax rules, and no vote was taken during the hearing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- is never cooked, only chilled, and is served in restaurants as USDA-certified ready-to-eat organic meat
- is never cooked, only chilled, and is served in restaurants as USDA certified, ready to eat organic meat
- . in restaurants as USDA certified ready-to-eat organic meat.
- So think of leftover meat, fish, that would otherwise go to landfills.
- The animal-based feed means that sustaining minks, foxes, and jackals incurs the production of more meat
Summary:
The committee hearing covered a wide range of animal, wildlife, hunting, and environmental bills. Early testimony focused on deer management, with Rep. Markey urging creation of a deer commission to address crop damage, vehicle collisions, and Lyme disease, and Sen. Durant supporting bills to allow Sunday bow hunting, expand crossbow use, and reduce the 500-foot dwelling restriction for archery hunting. Supporters framed these measures as practical wildlife-management tools, while questions centered on how they would differ from existing Fish and Wildlife authority and whether they would allow hunting closer to residences. Later, Rep. Sena also spoke in support of a bill to increase protected wildlife management areas and another to require non-lead ammunition, arguing both would benefit biodiversity and reduce environmental harm.
A substantial portion of the hearing addressed animal welfare and commerce. Multiple witnesses supported bills to ban or phase out the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops, arguing that pet stores rely on puppy mills and obscure the source of animals, while opponents said the bills would hurt responsible breeders, small businesses, and consumer choice. The committee also heard strong testimony for bills to ban the sale of cats and dogs in pet shops, with supporters citing sick animals, consumer deception, and the need to cut off the puppy mill supply chain. In a separate animal-testing segment, witnesses backed bills requiring non-animal testing methods for cosmetics and household products, saying alternatives are more accurate and humane; biomedical research representatives opposed those bills and a related research-animal measure, warning of unintended restrictions on research institutions and arguing animal models remain necessary for many studies.
The committee also heard testimony on horseshoe crab conservation, with supporters of H. 898 urging an end to taking horseshoe crabs for bait because of population declines, shorebird impacts, and the species’ importance to biomedical science. On wildlife trafficking, witnesses backed bills to ban intrastate sales of ivory and rhino horn, saying Massachusetts should close loopholes that aid poaching and align with federal law and other states; one antique dealer testified in support, saying he avoids such items and still sees them in the marketplace. Additional testimony supported bans on fur products from factory farms and on force-feeding birds for foie gras, with advocates emphasizing cruelty, public health, and environmental concerns. The hearing was lengthy and heavily attended, with the chairs repeatedly limiting testimony to three minutes and inviting written submissions; no committee votes or final actions were taken during the transcript excerpt.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Standing Committee Report No. 3766, third reading of House Bill 1334, Senate Draft 2, relating to meat
- My concern arises from the donation of this being uninspected meat.
- the concept, I think we have to think about the problems that we could have if we have adulterated meat
- if we the problems that we could have if we have<01:07:07.920><c> adulterated</c><01:07:08.640><c> meat
- and I'm concerned have adulterated meat and I'm concerned about<01:07:10.080><c> the</c><01:07:10.160
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/18/25 - Part 1
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Also increased funding for meat inspection in the bill.
- As Co-Chair Anderson mentioned, we had funding for meat inspection.
- As Co-Chair Anderson mentioned, we had funding for meat inspection.
- the bill that, you know, funds the wolf and elk depredation that dramatically affects my district, meat
- the bill that, you know, funds the wolf and elk depredation that dramatically affects my district, meat
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- see Texans that are being evicted right now as we speak. your talking points, your right-wing, red-meat
- You know, you have to serve the red meat.
- But these same people that you're serving the red meat to they're getting evicted from their homes their
- And you would still cry, and this red meat nonsense, while families are struggling.
- In fact, we Texans are spending $52 million. a week for this same red meat that these people want to
Keywords:
appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight REVISED: SB1304 - Added Apr 15th, 2026 at 03:00 pm
Health and Human Services Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- causes it's a rather complex reaction that causes an individual to have an allergic reaction to herd meat
- that can be lamb, deer, beef, pork and basically the only kind of meat these individuals can eat are
Bills:
SB1983 , SB444 , SB1503 , SB1561 , SB592 , SB1501 , SB1946 , SB1567 , SB1833 , SB2026 , SB904 , SB2178 , SB1651 , SB1558 , SB1565 , SB1553 , SB1257 , SB65 , SB1749 , SB1242 , SB1642 , SB640 , SB667 , SB1436 , SB1484 , SB1562 , SB1794 , SB1644 , SB1533 , SB933 , SB1555
Committee:
House Health and Human Services Oversight
Keywords:
SB1983, foster care, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, child welfare, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention, private child-placing agency, Title 10A, Oklahoma
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- They kill them for sport, and they don't really kill them for meat, and they pile them up.
- They kill them for sport, and they don't really kill them for meat, and they pile them up.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, it's probably not the cure, but at least it's a step in the right direction.
- it's<00:14:39.120><c> probably</c><00:14:39.360><c> not</c><00:14:39.519><c> the</c><00:14:39.760><c> cure
- <00:14:40.000><c> but</c><00:14:40.160><c> at</c><00:14:40.240><c> least</c> it's probably not the cure
- , but at least it's probably not the cure, but at least it's<00:14:40.639><c> a</c><00:14:40.880><c>
Committee:
House Ways and Means
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (05/13/2025)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- All megawatt hours cured through this agreement made pursuant to this section shall come from existing
- All megawatt hours<00:33:23.760><c> cured</c><00:33:24.080><c> through</c><00:33:24.240><c> this</c><
- 00:33:24.399><c> agreement</c><00:33:24.960><c> made</c> hours cured through this agreement made hours
- cured through this agreement made pursuant<00:33:25.679><c> to</c><00:33:25.840><c> this</c><00:33:26.000
Committee:
Senate Energy and Natural Resources
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services (Part II) May 7th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- All this bill is saying, it may be the cure for all cures.
- I'm an inventor on 25 issued U.S. patents, including an FDA-approved cure for late-stage anthrax, developed
- Our concern is this bill jeopardizes future cures, creates obstacles to treatment, and denies Texans
Bills:
HB18 , HB37 , HB116 , HB18 , HB37 , HB 116 , HB388 , HB879 , HB913 , HB 1151 , HB2216 , HB2358 , HB2809 , SB577 , SB1590 , SB1782 , SB1887 , SB2744
Committee:
Senate Health & Human Services
Keywords:
HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance
Summary:
The committee first reopened testimony on House Bill 2216, which would strengthen child welfare requirements by expanding “active efforts” to help families avoid removal and support reunification, while also raising standards related to removals and terminations. Supporters from child welfare and family defense groups said the bill would better protect families and align Texas more closely with ICWA-style principles, but several warned it would require significant new funding, staffing, and community services such as mental health care, housing, child care, and substance use treatment. The committee then left HB 2216 pending.
The committee next heard Senate Bill 1782, aimed at boarding and group homes. Senator Miles said the bill closes enforcement gaps left by prior law by requiring retention of background-check records and creating misdemeanor penalties for failing to conduct or keep them, or for knowingly hiring people with serious convictions. Harris County sheriff’s investigators testified in support, describing illegal boarding homes, operators who evade permits and background checks, and exploitation of vulnerable residents; the bill was left pending. The committee also took up Senate Bill 481 on emergency preparedness for nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, adopted a new committee substitute that softened some requirements and removed the fiscal note, and left the bill pending.
The committee then heard House Bill 388, which would require the Texas Department of Insurance to create a single standardized coordination-of-benefits form for dual health plans to reduce errors and surprise bills; it was left pending. Senate Bill 1590 would move paternity registry searches for adoptions to an electronic process with a 10-day target, and House Bill 2809 would track child suicide attempts in managing conservatorship and require related reporting and parental notice; both were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1887, which would prohibit administering mRNA-containing products for immunization for 10 years, with exceptions for cancer and genetic disorders. Supporters argued the bill was needed for safety, informed consent, and medical freedom, while opponents from the medical, research, and public health communities said mRNA vaccines are well-studied, save lives, and that the bill would harm access, research, and Texas’s biotech economy. The bill remained under discussion as testimony concluded.