Transcript Highlights:

• Cal Cities worked diligently with Senator Adkins to negotiate in good faith on protecting our historic
• So we can negotiate as a state where do we want to, what kind of things do we want to mandate on local
• Maybe... maybe splitting, because it was part of the negotiations a few years ago, that historic districts
• Maybe splitting, because it was part of the negotiations a few years ago, that historic districts were
• So we can negotiate as a state where do we want to, what kind of things do we want to mandate on local

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 249, which would require youth-specific coordinated entry assessments for homeless services. The author and supporters from Larkin Street Youth Services and the California Coalition for Youth argued that current vulnerability tools are adult-focused and can disadvantage young people; the bill was described as a developmentally appropriate fix to better connect youth to housing and prevention services. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0 to Human Services. Members then heard AB 239 and AB 1206. AB 239 would create a state-led disaster housing task force, a state disaster housing coordinator, and regular legislative reporting to speed recovery after disasters; it passed 7-0 to Emergency Management. AB 1206 would let local agencies pre-approve plans for single-family and small multifamily homes of up to 10 units to reduce permitting delays and costs; the League of California Cities opposed it unless amended, citing local variation and staffing concerns, but the author and supporters said it would preserve local control and help speed housing production. The bill passed 9-0 to Local Government. The committee also took up AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s home purchase assistance funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. Supporters framed it as reparative justice and a way to address longstanding racial disparities in homeownership, while Pacific Legal Foundation argued it likely violated constitutional limits on race-based government action and urged a race-neutral approach. After discussion about reparations criteria and the bill’s intent, it passed 6-0 to Judiciary. The consent calendar, including AB 480, AB 726, and AB 1154, was approved 8-0. Later, AB 282 was heard to allow housing providers to prefer applicants who participate in rental assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, despite existing source-of-income discrimination law. Supporters said it would help voucher holders find units and improve affordable housing operations; no opposition testified, and the bill passed 6-1 to Judiciary. AB 1229 followed, restructuring the adult reentry grant program to focus on permanent housing for people leaving prison by moving administration to HCD and using regional administrators; supporters emphasized the link between housing stability and reduced recidivism, and the bill passed 7-0 to Public Safety. The committee then approved AB 670, which would let local governments count preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element goals and require better demolition reporting, and AB 750, which would strengthen oversight and reporting for homeless shelters after a prior reporting law saw very low compliance. AB 670 passed 8-0 to Local Government, and AB 750 was presented with testimony from a shelter resident describing abuse and lack of accountability in shelters.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if, in fact, the union negotiates it, the agency fee is not the dues; it is only a slice of what
• And if, in fact, the union negotiates it, the agency fee is not the dues; it is only a slice of what
• And if, in fact, the union negotiates it, the agency fee is not the dues; it is only a slice of what
• And if, in fact, the union negotiates it, the agency fee is not the dues; it is only a slice of what
• to negotiate the collective bargaining agreement and manage the collective bargaining agreement.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Once the Speaker and President announce allocations and conferees, the process begins with negotiations
• Subcommittees are generally afforded a few days for negotiations.
• After their negotiation period ends, remaining items are finally bumped to the Speaker and to the President

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum present for what was described as its final committee meeting of the session. Chair Busatta opened the meeting by outlining the upcoming budget conference process, explaining that the House and Senate had both passed their budget bills and that conference negotiations would begin soon, with the Senate serving as the hosting chamber this year. She reviewed how the conference process works, including side-by-side budget documents, chamber offers, subcommittee negotiations, escalation to the chairs and then to the Speaker and President, and the required 72-hour cooling-off period before final budget passage. The main discussion focused on the differences between the House and Senate higher education budgets for fiscal year 2025-2026. The chair noted a total $62.5 million difference, with the Senate budget higher overall. Key differences included House reductions for vacant FTE positions, differing approaches to recurring versus nonrecurring funding in financial aid and workforce programs, the Senate’s larger funding level for workforce development capitalization incentive grants, and differing allocations for colleges and universities. In the university budget, the Senate centralized nurse education funding at the University of South Florida’s Center for Nursing and funded several specific initiatives, while the House proposed additional funding for performance-based metrics, faculty recruitment and retention, and tuition waivers. The chair also highlighted a major proviso difference involving the EASE grant, where the House proposed minimum benchmark metrics for institutional eligibility. No testimony was taken and no votes were held on the budget differences. After the overview and brief explanation of the budget and proviso side-by-side documents, the committee concluded its agenda and adjourned on a motion by Representative Blanco, without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been in negotiations, and I'd like to tip my hat off to Chair Behrman, Co-Chair Ryer, and Vice-Chair
• members of this committee, obviously we all want to be able to see the bill that comes out of your negotiations
• wondering if you could just give us a little bit more of a road map of the bill that comes out of your negotiations

Bills: HF2435

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So many municipalities say, even though many like us and others have negotiated for Quinn back, you've
• The TPNW, the prohibition on nuclear weapons treaty negotiated by a majority of UN members, was designed
• The TPNW prohibition on nuclear weapons treaty negotiated by a majority of UN members was designed to
• But the world is waiting for us to sit down together and negotiate in good faith and get rid of nuclear
• The goal of S. 1649 is to have negotiations among the countries with nuclear weapons to reduce the number

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing on a wide range of bills affecting law enforcement, corrections, fire services, emergency management, telecommunicators, and sex offender policy. Testimony strongly focused on proposals to restore an education incentive for Massachusetts State Police troopers hired after the Quinn Bill was repealed, with State Police Association witnesses arguing the current system creates unfair pay disparities, hurts recruitment and retention, and leaves newer troopers earning less than some supervisors with the same or less education. They urged favorable reports on H. 2651, S. 1759, and S. 1783. A separate witness also supported H. 2627, a sheriff’s pay-parity bill, while suggesting amendments to avoid distinctions between correction officers and jail officers and warning that the proposal should not be viewed as a funding issue alone. The committee also heard testimony on public safety and oversight bills. A rape survivor testified in support of S. 1663, arguing that municipal fire or police personnel convicted of sex offenses should not remain in positions of public trust. Senator Miranda testified in support of S. 1723, S. 1724, and S. 1727, which would create correctional officer training/accountability standards, a correctional inspector general, and privileged communication with legislators for incarcerated people; he said the bills respond to misconduct and lack of independent oversight in the Department of Correction. In contrast, the Fire Chiefs Association and Professional Fire Fighters opposed H. 2572/S. 1668/S. 1740 on emergency management, saying the bill was developed without enough collaboration, lacked local-control safeguards, and could undermine incident command and local decision-making during disasters. Several panels supported other public safety measures. The Fire Chiefs Association and PFFM backed S. 1641 and S. 1744 to create a Massachusetts Public Safety Building Authority to help fund fire station and municipal public safety building projects, and supported S. 1647 to implement the Walsh-Kennedy Commission recommendations on hot works and welding safety, including tougher penalties and training requirements. Witnesses also supported H. 2664/S. 1736 to create a hoisting machinery regulations board, saying current licensing standards for heavy equipment are too minimal. Another panel backed H. 2663/S. 1761 to classify 911 telecommunicators as first responders, citing stress, burnout, and the expanding role of dispatchers. Finally, an attorney from CPCS testified in opposition to S. 1752, warning that expanded sex offender residency restrictions would likely increase homelessness, make supervision harder, and raise constitutional concerns based on prior court rulings.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I am hopeful the negotiations will come to fruition this year.
• I am hopeful the negotiations will come to fruition this year.
• So this has been negotiated back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.
• So this has been negotiated back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.
• Who were you negotiating with?

Summary: The committee continued a public hearing on House Bill 2897, which would expand optometrists’ scope of practice. Supporters, including Dr. Kelly Deering, said optometrists are trained to perform the listed office-based procedures, that rural Missouri lacks access to ophthalmologists, and that the bill would reduce wait times, travel burdens, and costs while helping retain students and practitioners in the state. Opponents, including representatives of the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, argued the bill does not guarantee rural access and said the procedures should remain within the medical/surgical training of physicians. Members also questioned training on live human eyes and how suspicious lesions would be handled. No vote was taken, and the hearing on HB 2897 was closed. The committee then heard House Bill 2353, which would create a licensing and sign-and-seal framework for interior designers and move oversight to the board that includes architects, engineers, land surveyors, and landscape architects. Sponsor Rep. Sherri Gallick and supporters said the bill modernizes regulation, recognizes accredited education and NCIDQ testing, and would let licensed interior designers take responsibility for non-structural interior design work without hiring an architect to stamp plans. Opponents from the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers and others said they were still negotiating but remained concerned about scope-of-practice language, especially phrases like “all interior design of buildings” and “publicly occupied buildings,” which they said could create overlap with architecture and engineering or unintended obligations for public entities. Testimony also focused on whether unlicensed interior designers would still be allowed to work under carve-outs. No final action was taken. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2241, which would create a separate framework for certain faith-based residential child care facilities to operate without a state license while registering with the state and meeting background-check, reporting, and oversight requirements. Sponsor Rep. Jamie Gregg and MACA representatives said the bill is intended to expand foster placement capacity for children in need while preserving the religious mission of Christian homes, and they cited federal and state initiatives encouraging partnerships with faith-based providers. Opponents argued the bill would create a two-tier system, weaken state licensing protections, and risk placing vulnerable children in facilities without the same direct oversight, inspections, and reunification safeguards as licensed foster homes. Members raised concerns about abuse history at some faith-based homes, the role of the proposed board, and whether religious practices or other mission-based rules would conflict with child welfare standards. The hearing continued with additional testimony; no vote was reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, it sets a statewide expectation that every community college district should begin negotiations
• And we are seeing a number of districts that are negotiating in the process.
• And for that, we have to be opposed. a number of districts that are negotiating in the process.
• this in place already and ensure that... ...why they would not have negotiated this in place already
• The service terms are negotiated in advance, ensuring that contractors are available and ready to start

Summary: The committee heard AB 1159, which would expand and modernize student data privacy protections, extend similar protections to higher education students, and create limited enforcement mechanisms. The author and supporters argued that ed tech now collects far more sensitive information than students and families realize, including health, location, and identity-related data, and said the bill is needed to address AI, subpoenas, data theft, and misuse. Some higher education and bookstore interests raised concerns about definitions and preserving ordinary student communications, but committee members generally supported the bill and emphasized protecting sensitive information; the bill was moved on a due pass motion to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection Committee and placed on call. The committee also heard AB 1171, which would protect and stabilize the Part-Time Community College Faculty Health Insurance Program by keeping funds dedicated to that purpose and requiring districts to begin negotiations by 2030. The author and supporters said part-time faculty often lack employer-sponsored coverage despite teaching most community college courses, while opponents from the Community College League and administrators argued the measure was premature because participation is growing and the Legislature should retain budget flexibility. Several senators discussed the tension between budget discretion and honoring the state’s commitment to faculty health care; the bill was moved on a due pass motion to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. AB 1581 followed, proposing changes to improve identification and reporting of Native American students in CalPADS through tribal affiliation data. Supporters said current systems severely undercount Native students and that better data would improve resources and accountability, while members raised implementation questions about multi-tribal identities and consultation with tribes. The bill was moved to Appropriations and placed on call. The committee then heard AB 1665, requiring mental health training for school sports coaches. The author and a psychiatrist witness said coaches are trusted adults who already receive training on physical safety and should also be trained to recognize mental health warning signs and connect students to help. Support came from school, health, and sports organizations, with no opposition, and the bill was moved to Appropriations and placed on call. Finally, AB 1766 was heard, expanding human trafficking prevention education from grades 7-12 to K-12 and adding content on online exploitation, grooming, and digital abuse. The author, a survivor witness, and a foundation representative described the need for earlier, age-appropriate prevention education and stronger staff awareness; supporters included educators, school districts, and industry groups, with no opposition. Senators praised the testimony and the bill’s focus on prevention, and a motion was made to move it forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, it sets a statewide expectation that every community college district should begin negotiations
• And we are seeing a number of districts that are negotiating in the process.
• And for that, we have to be opposed. a number of districts that are negotiating in the process.
• this in place already and ensure that... ...why they would not have negotiated this in place already
• The service terms are negotiated in advance, ensuring that contractors are available and ready to start

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Mostly, you don't have to negotiate this hard with your other colleagues with a 67-67 tie.
• </c><00:28:47.120><c> The</c><00:28:47.440><c> challenge</c> moves in our negotiation.
• The challenge moves in our negotiation.
• Paul um to negotiate all weekend on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. We're meeting again at 12:00.
• :06.640><c> on</c><00:31:06.960><c> Friday,</c> to negotiate all weekend on Friday, to negotiate all

Summary: The meeting focused on the financial and workforce crisis facing Minnesota emergency medical services, especially ground ambulance providers in rural areas. Michael Johnson of the Minnesota Ambulance Association said EMS serves more than 600,000 Minnesotans a year and argued that reimbursement rates do not cover the cost of readiness, staffing, and 24/7 response. He and others called for ongoing EMS sustainability funding of about $50 million, higher Medicaid reimbursement, and continued support for EMT/paramedic scholarships, first responder training, and high school EMS programs. Senator Grant Hoschild and Representative Jeff Backer echoed the urgency, describing EMS as a moral imperative and emphasizing that rural communities cannot wait for ambulances when lives are at risk. Backer, who also volunteers as an EMT, described staffing shortages, reliance on volunteers, and a recent cardiac arrest response to illustrate the importance of local EMS coverage. Becca Hitch of PUM Area EMS said rural services are paid only when patients are transported, not for responding or treating on scene, and that one-time aid helped but did not solve underlying deficits. Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said local governments that hold ambulance licenses are being forced to absorb unrecovered costs through property taxes, and that state support is needed to prevent service failures and rising local burdens. In response to questions, speakers said a 2023 statewide study found about $120 million in need, with roughly half tied to operational deficits and half to volunteer support; last year’s aid included about $24 million for rural services and some improvements in volunteer call pay and equipment needs. They also discussed a proposed 10% Medicaid increase, possible special tax district ideas, and the need to target any new funding toward rural services most at risk.

Transcript Highlights:

• These fees are outside of negotiated rates.
• Is that negotiated? Are facility fees negotiated or are they out of the negotiation?
• fee and the professional fee, both of those are negotiated rates.
• As they increase, when we negotiate for for the government payments where it's not where they want it
• Appropriations Act will be SB1 this year, so there will be negotiations with the House.

Bills: SB500 , SB719 , SB912 , SB1232 , SB1467 , SB1777 , SB1864 , SB2023 , SB2119 , SB2458

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Explanation: just some clarifying language through negotiations with stakeholders. Mr.
• Explanation: just some clarifying language through negotiations with stakeholders.
• This is a negotiation. It's the best we can do. Okay, thank you for that.
• Teacher organizations don't just negotiate pay.
• He said that elected should not negotiate against public employees.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a journal approval, and recognitions including the Doctor of the Day and guests. Members also adopted a proclamation honoring National School Social Work Week, with remarks emphasizing the role of school social workers in student mental health, crisis intervention, and family support. The chamber then moved through first readings and multiple Committee of the Whole calendars. On the first calendar, the House considered HB 2123, HB 2140, and HB 2144, all dealing with gold and silver or child support beginning at pregnancy. HB 2123 and HB 2140 were amended and recommended do pass; HB 2144 drew debate over paternity, genetic testing, rape-related pregnancies, and whether support should begin before birth, but it also received a do-pass recommendation as amended. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report and engrossed those bills. On a later calendar, the House advanced HB 2492 on urban growth boundaries, HB 2875 with clarifying amendments, HB 2946 on housing affordability and construction costs, and HB 4115 and HCR 2051 on ballot initiative petition rules and disclosure. Supporters said those measures would improve transparency and ensure Arizona initiatives are driven by residents, while opponents argued they would make it harder for citizens to qualify measures and would burden direct democracy. The House also considered HB 2175 on hate-crime law, HB 2270, HB 2416, HB 2495, HB 2557, HB 2697, HB 2940, and HB 4010. HB 2175 prompted a failed attempt to add a Garcia amendment that would have included gender identity and removed political affiliation from the hate-crime statute; the House later adopted the Committee of the Whole report without that amendment. HB 2557 was described as a medical-records bill changing timing from calendar days to business days, and HB 2697 was explained as a Good Samaritan-style measure extending protections for expired opioid antagonists such as Narcan. HB 2940 drew substantial opposition from Democrats and health advocates who said it would cut people off SNAP and Medicaid/Access and could violate pension protections, while the sponsor argued it would reduce ineligible enrollment and save money; it still advanced as amended. HB 4010 also advanced as amended. In the final portion, the House took up HB 2324, HB 2573, HB 2601, HB 2876, and HCR 2004. HCR 2004, on photo enforcement, was amended to allow cities with photo radar to put the issue to local voters; supporters framed it as a compromise and a local-choice measure, while opponents argued photo enforcement saves lives and reduces speeding-related crashes. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole reports, then reconsidered earlier failed bills HB 2055, HB 2150, HB 2426, and HB 2755. The chamber also passed several third-reading bills, including HB 2264 and HB 2373, while HB 2413 failed. The transcript ends amid debate and voting on HB 2862, a sentencing bill involving crimes committed while wearing a mask.

Transcript Highlights:

• you'd give us a lot of humility, and that you'd help us all to find ways to be peacemakers as we negotiate
• In negotiating the conference report, there have been several revisions.
• President, those are the negotiated items and the legislation for Senate Bill 12, the Parental Bill of
• We negotiated that to $10 million. Originally, Senate Bill 331 had $7 million.
• The size of this bill book shows you how long we have negotiated on this.

Bills: SB27 , SB1494 , SB2121 , SB2373 , SB2431 , SB1 , SB8 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB30 , SB37 , SB260 , SB268 , SB331 , SB379 , SB441 , SB447 , SB457 , SB568 , SB650 , SB763 , SB1405 , SB1506 , SB1540 , SB1566 , SB1610 , SB1637 , SB1660 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2217 , SB2308 , SB2337 , SB2601 , SB2753 , SB2878 , SB2900 , SB2972 , SB3059 , HB4 , HB40 , HB46 , HB 119 , HB145 , HB300 , HB493 , HB705 , HB1545 , HB2011 , HB2017 , HB2067 , HB2516 , HB2885 , HB2963 , HB2974 , HB3071 , HB3372 , HB3556 , HB3595 , HB3642 , HB3909 , HB5138 , HB5246 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HB796 , HB1523 , HB5294 , HB748 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB3171 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB5694 , HB 1135 , HB3225 , HB186 , HB1449 , HB3793 , HB 112 , HB 104 , HB3336 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB5663 , HB2399 , HB 111 , HB3483 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB632 , HB4730 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB3385 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB 123 , HB5606 , HB 1057 , HB3664 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59 , SR634 , SR687 , SR703 , SR709 , SR715 , SB1494 , SB2121 , SB2373 , SB2431 , HB46 , SB1 , SB8 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB37 , SB260 , SB331 , SB379 , SB441 , SB447 , SB457 , SB568 , SB763 , SB1405 , SB1540 , SB1566 , SB2018 , SB2308 , SB2337 , SB2878 , SB3059 , HB705 , HB2017 , HB2067 , HB3071 , HB3372 , HB3556 , HB3595 , HB3909 , HB5246

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several conference committee matters and resolutions. It granted the House request for a conference committee on House Bill 46 and adopted a conference report on Senate Bill 37, which was described as higher education governance reform, including stronger board authority, changes to faculty senates, general education requirements, and a new ombudsman office. Senators also adopted a large package of resolutions and HCRs by voice vote. A major focus was Senate Bill 12, the “Parental Bill of Rights,” whose conference report was adopted after extended questioning. The bill was described as giving parents more access to school materials and grievance procedures, requiring parental consent for student clubs, and restricting school district employees from assisting with social transitioning or related gender-identity instruction. Senators raised concerns about effects on students already socially transitioned and on parental rights in medical or psychological decisions; the author said the House language was retained in key areas and that districts would need policies and parent notification. The report passed 20-11. The Senate then adopted a resolution allowing the conference committee on Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-2027, to go outside the bounds, and later adopted the budget conference report. Senators highlighted major funding for public education, property tax relief, public safety, health and human services, child care, water and transportation infrastructure, and the Texas Energy Fund. The budget discussion also covered higher education, mental health facilities, community attendant wages, rural hospitals, DFPS case management, child care assistance, and a study rider on TRS. The report passed unanimously, 30-0. Finally, the Senate suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 8 and adopted its conference report. The bill requires counties with jails or jail contracts to participate in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program, with sheriffs choosing among available models and counties receiving tiered grants to help cover costs. Supporters framed it as a public safety measure targeting criminal illegal aliens, while opponents questioned whether it would divert local resources and increase fear in immigrant communities. The report was adopted after debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• We negotiated significant amendments to that bill and those precise provisions in good faith over the
• Commercial leases are business-to-business agreements between parties negotiating and working together
• So I think the part of the bill I feel really good about is the part where, if you negotiated the lease
• We negotiated a lease in English.
• what is being proffered by the, again, I think that we don't need to touch the ones where they negotiated

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. AB 416 would allow emergency room physicians to initiate 5150 mental health holds, with supporters saying it would reduce emergency room bottlenecks and speed care for patients in crisis. County and behavioral health representatives opposed the bill, and some members raised broader concerns about the 5150 system and juvenile placements. The bill was ultimately approved on a do-pass as amended vote. AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Act, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters argued it would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service, describing the practice as discriminatory and exploitative. Business and industry groups opposed the bill, warning that its language was too broad, could affect discounts and loyalty programs, and would create litigation risk through a private right of action. After discussion about enforcement and possible amendments, the bill passed on a do-pass motion. AB 632 would give local governments a faster way to collect penalties for serious code violations, including unsafe housing, fire hazards, and illegal cannabis activity, by allowing certain fines to become money judgments and clarifying lien authority. It had support from county and city groups and no opposition was voiced in the hearing; the bill passed as amended. ACA 7, a constitutional amendment intended to clarify and limit misuse of Section 31A, also moved forward after brief support testimony. The committee then took up AB 649, which would extend protections for businesses that proactively obtain certified access specialist inspections and fix accessibility violations; the author, a small business owner, and others testified in support, while disability rights groups moved to neutral after amendments. Members discussed the balance between access enforcement and reducing predatory litigation, and the bill was still under consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been reduced down to 5%, negotiated down. Fortunately, we've been successful.
• You can't negotiate a subcontract if you don't have the subcontract.
• They have an ancient wisdom, and they're incredibly hard negotiators.
• Sometimes I can... ...sometimes I can negotiate, sometimes I can't.
• However, you can do it, and it's a situation negotiated between parties.

Bills: HB2963 , HB3005 , HB3287 , HB3288 , HB3289 , HB3290 , HB3344 , HB3712 , HB3862 , HB3874 , HB4196 , HB4308 , HB4901 , HB4984

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: digital equipment, repair rights, manufacturers, maintenance, consumer rights, construction contracts, payment regulations, public works, dispute resolution, audit procedures, construction, trust funds, mechanic's lien, contractor, subcontractor, residential properties, disputes, payment obligations, accountability, payment disputes

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to technology, construction, economic development, and consumer protection. HB 3862 would restrict minors’ access to certain social media apps and limit smartphone use in classrooms; supporters, including Champions for Childhood, argued that smartphones and social media contribute to addiction, distraction, depression, self-harm, and trafficking risks, and the bill was left pending. HB 3712 would change Texas retainage rules so owners could not withhold payment on specially fabricated construction materials once they are delivered, approved, and warranted; subcontractors and suppliers said current retainage practices delay payment for years and create financial risk, and the bill was left pending. HB 2963, the right-to-repair bill, would require manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information for independent repair of digital devices, with exemptions for medical devices, vehicles under existing agreements, and trade-secret protections; consumer, environmental, business, and repair advocates supported it, while Safelite asked that automotive manufacturers not be excluded from the bill, and it was left pending. HB 4308 would create county industrial development districts to attract major employers and finance infrastructure through local elections and bonds; Fort Bend County supported it as a tool to add jobs and broaden the tax base, and it was left pending. The committee also heard HB 3344, which would create a licensing system for re-roofing contractors, require insurance and bonding, and establish a public database and complaint process. Supporters said it would help curb storm chasers and protect homeowners after storms, while opponents argued it would add burdens on legitimate small roofers, duplicate existing fraud laws, and potentially restrict consumer choice and contractor pricing flexibility. After extensive testimony and questions, the bill was left pending. HB 4196 would create a task force on modernizing manufacturing through digital integration and automation; Schneider Electric and the Texas Workforce Commission supported it as a way to improve competitiveness and create skilled jobs, and it was left pending. HB 3874 would require contractors to receive copies of incorporated contract documents before signing if requested; subcontractors and construction attorneys said it would improve transparency and prevent parties from being bound by unseen terms, and it was left pending. In pending business, the committee voted out several bills. HB 74, creating the Port Verde Port Authority District, was reported favorably to the full House without amendment. HB 112, relating to a science park in certain counties, was reported favorably as substituted. HB 2214, on floodplain notice requirements for leased dwellings, HB 3016, on rental vehicle damage waivers, HB 3133, on explicit deepfake material on social media, HB 3173, on workforce development program planning and evaluation, HB 3807, on child care waiting list priority for children of certain child care workers, HB 463, on unilateral memoranda of contract for residential property, HB 4115, on shareholder proposals to certain domestic corporations, and HB 5008, on use of the Skills Development Fund by certain entities, were all reported favorably, most without amendment and some as substituted. HB 2652, creating a certified caregiver pilot program in the Borderplex workforce area, was also reported favorably and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, one of the cities I represent, City of Rosemount, negotiated an NDA with Meta under an NDA.
• Um, and so all this has is that if a municipality is going to be entering into a negotiation about this
• </c><00:09:17.040><c> a</c><00:09:17.120><c> data</c> agreements to, um, negotiate a data agreements
• to, um, negotiate a data center.<00:09:18.200><c> And</c><00:09:18.400><c> I'll</c><00:09:18.839><c>
• </c> going to be entering into a negotiation going to be entering into a negotiation about<00:09:47.040

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• agreement with that would, one, not necessarily take too much power from them, uh, but at the same time negotiate
• agreement with that would, one, not necessarily take too much power from them, uh, but at the same time negotiate
• power from them uh but at the same time power from them uh but at the same time uh<00:42:50.760><c> negotiate
• enough</c><00:42:51.680><c> what</c><00:42:51.839><c> they</c><00:42:52.200><c> understand</c> uh negotiate
• enough what they understand uh negotiate enough what they understand they<00:42:52.599><c> cannot</c

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• I know you want to answer it, but let me get the entire question. and then you also put in negotiable
• On the current law, and I think I'm right about this, for each negotiator. negotiable instrument that's
• The appropriated mail contained the negotia- Negotiable instrument, right. Negotiable instrument.
• The difference being a negotiable instrument, OK.
• And they start stealing all sorts of checks, which are negotiable instruments.

Bills: SCR5 , SCR13 , SB3 , SB6 , SB10 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB18 , SB19 , SB24 , SB35 , SB57 , SB65 , SB112 , SB284 , SB290 , SB388 , SB400 , SB402 , SB412 , SB495 , SB499 , SB502 , SB509 , SB621 , SB706 , SB740 , SB815 , SB842 , SB854 , SB875 , SB893 , SB917 , SB974 , SB1025 , SB1061 , SB1073 , SB1106 , SB1268 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1379 , SB1447 , SB1451 , SB1555 , SB1902 , SJR36 , SJR12 , SCR13 , SCR25 , SCR5 , SCR22 , SCR12 , SCR24 , SB495 , SB412 , SB10 , SB18 , SB565 , SB372 , SB842 , SB765 , SB62 , SB19 , SB666 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB290 , SB13 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB504 , SB917 , SB925 , SB388 , SB1902 , SB1121 , SB995 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB35 , SB6 , SB815 , SB3 , SB1281 , SB1379 , SB1300 , SB1497 , SB1499 , SB1498 , SB1451 , SB1061 , SB15 , SB65 , SB241 , SB304 , SB402 , SB499 , SB621 , SB974 , SB1023 , SB1024 , SB1025 , SB1106 , SB686 , SB112 , SB371 , SB204 , SB400 , SB609 , SB1447 , SB670 , SB502 , SB427 , SB850 , SB854 , SB413 , SB1555 , SB1362 , SB1346 , SB1033 , SB1220 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB987 , SB1539 , SB893 , SB447 , SB875 , SB406 , SB509 , SB985 , SB965 , SB17 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB12 , SB24 , SB57 , SB1194 , SB1253 , SB1215 , SB1532 , SB1268 , SB1302 , SB856 , SB650 , SB583 , SB673 , SB840 , SJR57 , SCR8 , SB213 , SB681 , SB1172 , SB1252 , SB378 , SB610 , SB918 , SB1343 , SB608 , SB487 , SB955 , SB957 , SB988 , SB990 , SB1019 , SB1021 , SB1120 , SB251 , SB958 , SB535 , SB761 , SB1 , SB541 , SB315 , SB379 , SB1018 , SB1737 , SB266 , SB1415

Transcript Highlights:

• know I've learned a lot about my co-chair during the course of having our committee and doing our negotiation
• of having our committee and doing course of having our committee and doing our<00:05:14.000><c> negotiation
• 15.039><c> One</c><00:05:15.199><c> of</c><00:05:15.280><c> the</c><00:05:15.440><c> most</c> our negotiation
• One of the most our negotiation.

Bills: HF2437

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: tax credits, tax increments, housing development, local government, economic aid

Transcript Highlights:

• been a little nuanced in my comments the other day about how the majority was reflected in the negotiations
• conference that we settled on does not clearly reflect what we had hoped to have, and I recognize in any negotiation
• been a little nuanced in my comments the other day about how the majority was reflected in the negotiations
• conference that we settled on does not clearly reflect what we had hoped to have, and I recognize in any negotiation

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation offered by members of the Jain community. The journal was approved, and members were informed that the resolution for Senator Ramos would be taken up later in the afternoon. The chamber then received House messages, including signed legislation transmitted from the House, and the President signed several measures in open session. The main floor action centered on Substitute Senate Bill 5393, which concerns closing Rainier School by June 30, 2027. Senators explained that the House amendments would prohibit new long-term admissions, allow former residents a limited right to return within one year of transition, require DSHS to fund alternative living arrangements and employee opportunities, and direct public comment and a later report from the Developmental Disabilities Ombuds. Several senators spoke in support or opposition, with concerns raised about the closure and future use of the facility. The Senate concurred in the House amendments and then passed the bill 33-13, with two excused. The Senate also adopted the conference report on Engrossed House Bill 1217, a housing stability measure for tenants under the landlord-tenant laws. Supporters said the conference version preserved rent-setting and profit for landlords while adding a landlord resource center and stabilizing renters; opponents argued the report still amounted to rent control, could harm housing supply, and relied on uncertain funding. After debate, the conference report was adopted and the bill passed 27-20, with one excused. Finally, the Senate adopted Resolution 8658, which provides for Senate business during the interim period after adjournment, and then moved the chamber at ease subject to the call of the President.

Transcript Highlights:

• The University of Minnesota has been in negotiations with them, and I will hold with the committee's
• weight of the vehicles, the fee of $200 was agreed upon through the Transportation Committee and negotiations
• Members like and things that members don't like, but this is a negotiated bill that has a lot of provisions
• Chair Cagle and I negotiated this bill with a few other members, and it has passed the Transportation

Bills: HF2438

Committee: House Taxes