Transcript Highlights:

• The committee AB 588, Patel, from the Human Services Committee to the Emergency Management Committee.
• back to the Judiciary Committee.
• And over time, we've had many bills, whether it's this committee.
• We continue to stand with the committee.
• Again, these committees are meeting today upon adjournment.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, committee.
• Bring it back to committee. Questions by committee members. Yeah, okay.
• The motion is due pass to the Senate Human Services Committee. Umberg? Aye. Niello? No. Ashby? Aye.
• The motion is due pass to the Senate Human Services Committee. Umberg? Aye. Niello? No. Ashby? Aye.
• SB 1234, the motion is due pass to the Senate Human Services Committee. Umberg? Aye. Niello? Aye.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on child safety, immigrant community transparency, agricultural land security, consumer protection, estate transfers, detention commissary pricing, and public works wage enforcement. SB 1234 would require fentanyl to be included in drug tests ordered by juvenile courts for parents or guardians in dependency cases; the author said it was a narrow child-safety measure, and there was no opposition. SB 1257 would require the Attorney General to publish annual reports on immigration enforcement incidents at designated safe locations; supporters said it would improve accountability and document fear in immigrant communities, while questions centered on how the data would be collected and concerns were raised about sanctuary policies. SB 1176 would bar foreign adversary entities from buying or controlling California agricultural land; supporters framed it as a national security measure, while committee members pressed the author on enforcement, who would verify buyers, and possible discriminatory application. The bill was moved on a 2-4 vote and placed on call after the author said he would work on clarifying responsibility and nondiscrimination concerns. The committee also heard SB 1146, which would require clear disclosure when AI-generated or altered images, audio, or video are used in health-related advertisements depicting health care providers. The California Medical Association and California Dental Association supported the bill, saying it would curb deceptive deepfake ads and protect consumers; it passed unanimously, 7-0. SB 988 would restrict assignment of benefits in auto glass claims, require claim numbers and itemized estimates, and update repair disclosure rules to curb overbilling and steering; supporters said it would protect consumers and stabilize insurance costs, while independent glass shop concerns about steering and market concentration were discussed. The bill passed 7-0, with one member abstaining because of a conflict. SB 1288, presented on behalf of Senator Laird, would require financial institutions to make good-faith efforts to notify beneficiaries of non-probate assets and would simplify access requirements, especially for nonprofits. Supporters described long delays and burdensome account-opening requirements; SIFMA and the California Bankers Association opposed the bill unless amended, citing conflicts with federal and industry obligations and concerns about retroactive burdens. The bill passed 8-0. SB 941 would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost; supporters said detainees often pay excessive prices for basic necessities, and the bill passed 8-0. Finally, SB 909 would raise and index public works contractor fees and penalties and dedicate more penalty revenue to enforcement; labor supporters said stronger funding is needed to address wage theft and backlogs, while contractors warned of uncapped costs and reduced transparency. The discussion continued with questions about enforcement and whether stronger penalties or license restrictions would better deter repeat violators.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Human Services Committee will come to order. Good afternoon.
• That concludes this very rapid hearing on the Senate Human Services Committee. We are adjourned.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 2 The committee on ag and livestock will come to order.
• It's an honor to serve as a chair of the Ag and Livestock Committee.
• It's always one of my favorite committees.
• That's Health and Human Services.
• services.

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Social Services Fund, which is allocated to the Department of Human Services, there's a $236 million
• Request numbers 2162 and 2163 are both from the Department of Health and Human Services.
• So we will move to our next presentation, which is Department of Health and Human Services.
• The committee will turn to Job Service at this point.
• Committee will turn to Job Service at this point. Thank you. Good afternoon.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section met with a quorum, approved the December 10, 2025 minutes, and received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. OMB reported the state was about $2 million ahead of forecast biennium-to-date, with an estimated ending general fund balance of about $397.5 million. Joe Morset also reviewed balances in major funds, oil tax revenues, interest income, federal grant reporting, fiscal irregularities, the voluntary separation incentive program, vacancy savings, and the FTE pool. Members asked about the higher-than-forecast interest income, the effective oil tax rate and stripper-well production, the impact of temporary pay adjustments and vacancy savings, and whether the voluntary separation program could reduce institutional knowledge or shift duties to remaining staff. The committee then approved four Emergency Commission requests: $5.26 million for DPI to support an AI-enabled tutoring platform, $105,000 from the general fund contingency for Corrections GPS monitoring, about $1.963 million for HHS SPACES eligibility system upgrades tied to Medicaid work requirements, and about $1.2 million for SNAP eligibility IT improvements. Legislative Council reported remaining interim spending authority after those approvals, and NDIT gave an update on digital accessibility compliance efforts, saying the state has made substantial progress on websites and PDFs but that applications will take longer to remediate. NDIT also reported on the Infinite Campus student information system rollout, noting data migration remains the biggest challenge and that a supplemental vendor is being brought in to help get districts ready for summer go-live. Greg Hoffman then gave a brief update on NDIT’s operational fund, saying cash remains negative in PeopleSoft but accounts receivable keeps the fund functioning within federal limits. The Supreme Court reported on its new and vacant FTE funding pool, saying it has filled 7 of 10 new positions and has realized some vacancy savings, and Legislative Council provided a similar report for the legislative branch along with a reminder that budget action reports are available online. The Department of Transportation presented its Flexible Transportation Fund, explaining the fund’s allocation formulas and ranking process, and sought Budget Section approval for two projects over the $10 million threshold: a Medora city streets and sidewalk project and a Cass County bridge replacement. Members questioned whether funding Medora streets could set a precedent for city street reconstruction and whether the bridge application process fully reflects statewide needs. DOT said the projects were scored competitively and that the bridge list does not capture all deficiencies statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then the Carnes Electric Cooperative servicing Carnes, LaSalle, Liverpool.
• Analysts Electric Cooperative Servicing Caldwell County, San Patricio Electric Cooperative Servicing
• We have lots of issues that will come before our committees. What a great place.
• areas as human rights, STEM education, transportation, and foreign relations.
• Meeting and reference to committee. The Secretary will read the bill.

Bills: SJR1 , SB9 , SB40 , SJR36 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB9 , SB40

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform, 1185, senate

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, each Medicaid Fraud Unit is funded by a federal grant from the Department of Health and Human Services
• . services. services.
• Department of Health and Human Services, and, as I mentioned, the federal government pays for 75% of
• related to the human services space.
• . committee. committee.

Bills: HF1338

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, state oversight, government accountability, fraud, waste, abuse, audit, investigation, subpoena, whistleblower, public integrity, transparency, state agencies, executive branch, public funds, taxpayer funds, law enforcement oversight, public safety programs, advisory council

Transcript Highlights:

• Time to start off week two in our Early Learning and Human Services Committee.
• Chair, members of the committee. Luke Wickham, committee counsel.
• Luke Wickham, Committee Counsel.
• Omera Harrington, Council to this committee, explains that House Bill 2314 relates to dental services
• Sean is of the committee my name is Sean good afternoon chair and members of the committee my name is

Summary: The committee began with a work session on recommendations from the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group. Tisha Kirshbaum of the Health Care Authority described the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan, a prenatal-to-25 system-of-care framework meant to reduce fragmentation, improve coordination across multiple state agencies, and expand early, community-based behavioral health supports. Members asked about duplication among agencies, simplification of the system, and upstream services such as community health workers, school-based supports, and crisis access. The committee then heard House Bill 2429, which would direct the governor and state agencies to align with the Washington Thriving plan, create an executive coordination officer and leadership council, extend the work group, and require broader alignment by state, tribal, local, and nonprofit entities. The bill received strong support from the governor’s office, the Health Care Authority, parents, youth, providers, and advocates, while a few testifiers raised concerns about government overreach, cost, or the need to address non-psychiatric causes of distress. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2364, which renames and expands the Legislative Executive Work First Poverty Reduction Oversight Task Force into the Legislative Executive Economic Justice and Well-Being Task Force and updates the related advisory council to align with the state’s 10-year plan to dismantle poverty. Staff and the prime sponsor said the bill reflects the evolution of the poverty-reduction effort and adds agencies such as the Department of Revenue, Health Care Authority, and Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. Testimony from DSHS and advocates was uniformly supportive, emphasizing bipartisan collaboration and the need to update statute to match current work. Next, the committee heard House Bill 2171 on supporting foster youth. The bill would create an endangered foster youth alert system, require county rapid-response protocols, establish a foster youth empowerment account, create an oversight board through the Ombuds office, and expand training for foster parents and child welfare workers. The prime sponsor and several advocates described the bill as a response to lived experience and a way to improve accountability and long-term support. DCYF said it supports the intent but raised legal and cost concerns, and some youth advocates warned that public alerts could increase risk or trauma for youth who run away from unsafe placements. The hearing then moved to House Bill 2314, which would create a pilot allowing certain community-based clients with developmental disabilities to receive dental care at residential habilitation centers. Supporters said the bill would use existing dental capacity to address severe access gaps and long waits in the community, while opponents from disability advocacy groups argued it would pull people back into institutional settings instead of building community-based dental capacity. Testimony on the bill was mixed, and no final committee action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Human Services Committee will come to order. Good afternoon.
• That concludes this very rapid hearing on the Senate Human Services Committee. We are adjourned.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met in Room 2200 of the O Street Building, established a quorum, and took up a consent calendar containing three bills, including SR 104. Senator Laird moved the consent calendar, and the committee called the roll for a vote. The consent calendar was approved unanimously, with members voting aye and the final vote recorded as 5-0 after the roll was briefly kept open for an absent member. No testimony or substantive bill discussion occurred beyond the motion on the consent calendar. After the vote was completed, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriations Committee.
• Senate Bill 2260 was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services
• and Senior Citizens Committee.
• Senate Bill 2260 was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services
• and Senior Citizens Committee.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welfare Committee.
• Very necessary services. The fat is long gone, folks.
• Services. The fat is long gone, folks.
• committee and asked them to vote no.
• House Commerce and Human Resources Committee will not meet Tuesday, February 3rd, Holtzclaw, Chairman

Summary: The House opened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal. Messages from the Senate were received, including Senate Joint Memorial 108 and Senate Bills 1227, 1226, and 1225, which were filed for first reading and referred to committees. Standing committee reports also moved House Bill 557 and House Concurrent Resolution 25 to the second reading calendar, and several new House bills were introduced, including measures on civil asset forfeiture reporting, the Idaho Consumer Asset Recovery Fund, license plates, and juvenile transition services. The main floor action centered on House Bill 559, a tax conformity bill tied to the federal tax changes described by supporters as providing relief for workers, seniors, and businesses. Supporters argued it would preserve federal tax benefits for Idahoans, including provisions on tips, overtime, standard deductions, and research and experimentation expensing, and said the fiscal note was a reasonable estimate. Opponents argued the bill would significantly reduce state revenue at a time of budget shortfalls, warned it could force cuts to services such as education, health care, roads, and public safety, and questioned whether the fiscal note fully captured the bill’s cost. Members also raised questions about business underpayments and the treatment of certain deductions. The House first voted to suspend the rules for immediate consideration of House Bill 559 by a two-thirds vote, then debated the bill at length. After debate closed, the House passed House Bill 559 by a vote of 59-9, approved the title, and transmitted the bill to the Senate. The chamber then held third-reading bills one legislative day and moved to announcements and committee schedule notices before adjourning until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• My question goes into mental health services.
• The mental health services, same thing.
• Thank you all for your service.
• We are running out of time for committee.
• This concludes our committee agenda. Rep.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 245, which would replace references in Florida law to “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material.” The sponsor said the change was overdue and more accurately reflects the criminal nature of the material. There was brief supportive public testimony, no debate, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee then took up HB 237 on the use of professional nursing titles. The sponsor said advanced practice registered nurses should be able to use earned academic titles such as DNP or PhD. Supporters testified in favor, there was no opposition or debate, and the bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The longest discussion centered on HB 173, which would expand parental consent and access requirements for minors’ medical care, medical records, certain school surveys, and biomedical devices. Supporters argued it restores parental rights and keeps parents involved in children’s health decisions, while opponents—many from medical, mental health, LGBTQ, and youth advocacy groups—warned it could block access to STI treatment, mental health care, crisis hotlines, and confidential services for vulnerable youth, including those in abusive homes. After extensive testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably on a 19-7 vote. Finally, the committee began HB 327 on uterine fibroid research. The sponsor explained the bill would require health care providers to submit identified data so the Department of Health can build a usable de-identified research database, after prior implementation problems with duplicate or unverified data. A supportive local official testified, and members indicated support as the meeting moved toward a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, there was news shared not that long ago that the Secretary of Health and Human Services would be
• I do know if I have an amendment with this much data in it on the human services bill, which we were
• ><c> we</c><03:01:56.640><c> were</c> the human services bill, which we were the human services bill,
• Yes, Stillwater has is is absolutely this has got to deal with human services.
• So the Secretary of Health and Human Services announced that a man with no medical degree who has been

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for being in committee this morning.
• Thank you, committee.
• Vice Chair, members of the committee.
• Chairman, and committee.
• That concludes our committee meeting this morning.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee began with announcements about substitute pages, an excused absence for Senator Taves, and a reminder that the American Falls FFA Ag Issues team would present on the roadless rule rescission at a future meeting. The committee then considered gubernatorial appointments: David Dean to the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board, Leighton Lening to the Commission on Human Rights, and Brian Skagliano’s reappointment to the same commission. Dean briefly described his background in accounting and recycling businesses and said he wanted to serve and give back; the committee voted to send all three appointments to the floor with recommendations for confirmation. The committee introduced RS 32950, which would change how commissioners in county-wide highway districts are elected by requiring participation in a May primary and aligning the process more closely with county commissioner elections. It also adopted several administrative rule dockets. The Alcohol Beverage Control rules in Docket 11-0501-2501 were presented as a cleanup and simplification effort, including clarifying “actual use” for licenses, removing duplicative statutory language, and loosening several multipurpose arena requirements such as food preparation, staffing ratios, beverage limits, service-area diagrams, and monthly event reporting for some venues. The Secretary of State’s Docket 3-4-0301 repealed lobbying reporting rules that were now codified in statute, and the Department of Administration’s Docket 38-0404-2501 streamlined Capitol Mall parking rules by removing obsolete provisions and shortening terminology. Chairman Guthrie then presented RS 32831C1, which would raise alcohol licensing fees that had not been updated in decades, citing the loss of revenue after changes to liquor license transfer rules and noting the increases would be modest compared with inflation. The committee voted to introduce that legislation. Finally, Guthrie presented RS 33041, a proposed new Joint Rule 24 to limit legislators to 25 drafts and 10 completed routing slips per year, with exceptions for revisions of the same topic; he said the measure was intended to address excessive drafting volume. The committee voted to introduce that resolution as well, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any further discussion on the Health and Human Services Committee report?
• Seeing none, the motion before the body is the adoption of the Health and Human Services Committee report
• The Health and Human Services report was then taken up.
• In Health and Human Services, they made a change for the TNCs to make sure they were being consistent
• The motion before the body was the adoption of the Health and Human Services Committee report to House

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the department of health and human the department of health and human services.<00:08:24.160><c>
• It also would health and human services.
• </c> the Department of Health and Human the Department of Health and Human Services<00:26:07.039><c>
• on DCYF or that a subcommittee could be carved out of Health and Human Services oversight to look not
• on DCYF or that a subcommittee could be carved out of Health and Human Services oversight to look not

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with a brief update and prayer for Oscar, a person known to members, noting he was making slow but encouraging progress and awaiting transfer to rehab. The hearing then began on House Bill 518, which would require the commissioner of DHS to provide a detailed annual report of DCYF costs. Representative Erica Leyon, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to improve transparency, clarify how DCYF resources and shared services are used, and help future discussions about staffing, funding, and whether DCYF should remain within DHHS or become a separate department. She said the department could likely comply without additional cost and was open to adjusting the reporting date, with the department preferring December 31 instead of September 1. Committee members and the DCYF director, Marie Nunan, discussed whether the bill was duplicative of existing reporting and whether it should also include federal funding mandates. Nunan said DCYF already has many policies and reports, but does not currently produce one consolidated DCYF-specific report in this form; she also said the department believed it had the capacity to file the report and was not taking a position on the bill. Several members questioned whether the measure was necessary, while others supported transparency but suggested the information was already available or could be obtained without legislation. In executive session, the committee voted 15-1 to retain HB 518, meaning it will not advance to the calendar at this time. The committee then opened House Bill 775, sponsored by Representative Jod Nelson, concerning supervised visitation centers. Nelson introduced Dr. Scott Hampton, who testified that supervised visitation is important for child safety, domestic violence prevention, and family preservation. Hampton described the history of visitation centers in New Hampshire, saying funding cuts had reduced the number of centers over time and that prior legislation had failed due to budget reductions. He argued that supervised exchanges can reduce risks such as abuse, abduction, and homicide, and said the service can prevent harm without adding cost by avoiding more serious incidents. The hearing on HB 775 was still underway at the end of the transcript, with no vote or final action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this committee is comprised of 10 members, 50% of whom are new to this committee, including myself
• Human resources, which is our Human Resources section, headed by our departmental Human Resources officer
• Human resources, which is our Human Resources section, headed by our departmental Human Resources officer
• treatment, library services, and volunteer services under that one division.
• > those</c><01:45:06.159><c> folks</c> Human Services and engaging those folks Human Services and engaging

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A sense of responsibility to recognize and uphold human value.
• We also have an obligation as just humanity, and people in that humanity, to call out evil when we see
• And it brings back how humans could be to others.
• The Senate Committee on Education will meet in E0128 upon adjournment.
• We thank him for his service.

Bills: SJR36

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber received a House message announcing passage of H.C.R. 54, and then took up a series of recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups, including Texas Society of CPAs Advocacy Day, the Texas A&M System Chancellor’s Student Advisory Council, Dimmit County officials, the Doctor of the Day, and Leadership Frisco. Senators also recognized the Senate’s memorial and ceremonial guests throughout the day. The main floor business centered on two commemorative resolutions. Senate Resolution 15 marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the start of Texas Holocaust Remembrance Week. Senators King, Menendez, Bettencourt, Perry, Hughes, Hinojosa, Campbell, Hall, Cook, Paxton, West, Parker, and others spoke in support, emphasizing Holocaust education, opposition to anti-Semitism and denial, remembrance of victims and survivors, and the importance of teaching students to stand up against hatred. The resolution was adopted, and the names of all senators and the lieutenant governor were added. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 17 designating January 28 as Sexual Assault Survivors Day. Senator Parker described the prevalence and underreporting of sexual assault, the impact on survivors, and the need for prevention, support services, and stronger responses; Senator Cook spoke as a survivor and emergency room nurse and highlighted rape-kit backlogs and the need for victim support. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 14 honoring Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Jesus Jesse Vargas, who was killed in the line of duty, with Senators Middleton and Huffman urging action against violent offenders and stronger protections for law enforcement. Several additional resolutions were adopted, including SRs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, and 12, and SR 54 granting permission for the Legislature to adjourn for more than three days was approved by roll call, 31 ayes and 0 nays. The Senate later adjourned until 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in memory of Deputy Vargas and Sergeant Mark Allen Butler, whom Senator Kolkhorst also honored in remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of standing committees and divisions.
• This is an act relating to human services.
• The Senate has appointed as such committee Senators Hoffman, Fateh, Quade, and Abeler.
• An act relating to human services.
• Thank you, Madam Speaker of the Rules Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members of the committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee, my name is Sherry Neese, and I'm the Shared Services Director within
• Representative Weiss worked in human services along with Senator Hogan for years.
• I think it's leadership if it's human services. Levi, I believe we're trying to figure out...
• services...

Committee: Joint Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency

Keywords: 908, all