Transcript Highlights:

• In that legislation, the school was created to be pre-K through fourth grade.
• This legislation that we're proposing today will extend ...fourth grade.
• However, have you spoken with the chair as a member of appropriations?
• So have you spoken with the chair of the Appropriations Committee?
• I'd like to move this favorable, and at the appropriate time.

Bills: HB256 , HB272 , HB350 , HB363 , HB386 , HB434 , HB445 , HB690

Committee: House Education

Keywords: mandatory reporting, school employees, child protection, training requirements, Department of Children and Family Services, education, reading program, student eligibility, literacy, school performance, R.E.A.D. program, book distribution, École Pointe-au-Chien, French immersion, public school, Terrebonne Parish, grade levels, independent school, virtual school, extracurricular activities

Transcript Highlights:

• So this legislation for me is about prevention.
• This ensures patient access while maintaining appropriate safeguards.
• As Governor Jasanta says, parents with appropriate knowledge will make appropriate decisions.
• Please do not pass this legislation.
• I'm currently in Tallahassee attending the PTA legislative conference.

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills. SB 1082 would let providers or insurers in state-regulated commercial plans opt into the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims, with a late-filed amendment clarifying access to the state program in certain circumstances. The bill sponsor and emergency physicians said the measure would reduce litigation and improve payment resolution; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1168 would centralize background screening work for the care provider clearinghouse at the Agency for Health Care Administration and update related screening rules, including sealed and expunged records for qualified entities. The sponsor said the change would speed turnaround and reduce duplication; an amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1156 would move ambulatory surgical center regulation out of Chapter 395 into a standalone section of law, and it was reported favorably without amendment. SB 1480, as amended by a strike-all, would grandfather certain temporary certificate holders practicing in areas of critical need if federal designations change, allowing them to continue seeing current patients and potentially new patients in their existing area subject to board oversight. The committee heard support from health system representatives and reported the bill favorably. The final and most debated measure, SB 1756 on medical freedom, would require vaccine education materials and alternative schedules, expand school immunization exemptions to conscience-based objections, clarify limits on emergency vaccination orders, and allow pharmacists to dispense ivermectin behind the counter with written information. The sponsor and supporters framed it as parental choice and access, while physicians, public health advocates, cancer advocates, and parents of immunocompromised children warned it would lower vaccination rates and increase disease risk. The committee adopted a liability-related amendment, rejected a substitute amendment that would have required consultation for exemptions, and continued hearing public testimony opposing the bill; the transcript ends before final action on SB 1756.

Transcript Highlights:

• Has that been requested? Do we have that back? Senator Mann, I'm sure it's been requested.
• </c><01:18:12.880><c> care</c> every mother get the appropriate care every mother get the appropriate
• </c> Commerce messes up or if a legislator Commerce messes up or if a legislator messes<01:36:04.560>
• </c><01:37:34.000><c> and</c> reliable and helping uh legislators and reliable and helping uh legislators
• </c><01:42:46.520><c> and</c> we include them in our legislation and we include them in our legislation

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation is a legislation, ...depend on whether or not EpiPens happen to be nearby.
• It also provides appropriate liability protection.
• State police barracks, or requesting envelopes online.
• At the request of Mr.
• At the request of Mr.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several Senate and House bills, mostly under suspension of the rules, and advanced a number of measures to third reading or engrossment. Early in the session, the House dealt with a Senate bill on student learning and mental health by insisting on its position and appointing a committee of conference. It also referred a Senate petition on alleviating poverty to the Committee on Children and Families after the House declined to concur with a Judiciary referral. The chamber then considered and advanced multiple Ways and Means bills, including legislation on police interactions with people with autism spectrum disorder, honoring Blue Star families, land conveyance in Bolton, newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus, affordable housing and cultural space in Brighton, increasing access to epinephrine, and civil rights and technology. Several bills drew extended floor debate. Supporters of the epinephrine bill emphasized its life-saving purpose and described the death of Michael Brown as a catalyst for the measure; the House adopted the bill after a roll call vote of 149-0. The newborn CMV screening bill also prompted substantial testimony in favor from public health advocates and parents, who argued that universal screening would enable earlier treatment and reduce long-term harm; an amendment to add other rare diseases was withdrawn, and a later amendment creating a broad opt-out was defeated 1-153 before the bill passed 154-1. The civil rights and technology bill focused on banning weaponized drones and robotic devices, restricting misuse, and preserving law enforcement and civil liberties; it passed 154-1. The Blue Star families bill, creating commemorative plates for families of fallen law enforcement officers, passed 156-0 after emotional remarks from members and supporters. The House also passed without recorded opposition a bill facilitating better interactions between police and people with autism, and it approved a Bolton land conveyance bill and the Brighton affordable housing/cultural space bill. The chamber observed moments of silence for former Congressman Barney Frank and State Trooper Kevin Traynor, welcomed several guest groups, and concluded by adopting an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• , please know that this appropriation will go to those veterans who need it.
• Today, I stand before you to request your support and approval of H.F. 1845.
• This is more than just legislation; this is an act of justice.
• But anyway, I just wanted to say thank you so much for this important legislation.
• via this grant or legislative appropriation.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• And I request a roll call. Roll call requested. Roll call granted.
• </c> authorizes the DNR also to request authorizes the DNR also to request additional<00:16:28.240><c
• </c><01:01:29.520><c> The</c> call requested. Roll call granted. The call requested.
• And I request a roll call. Roll call requested. Roll call granted.
• And I request a roll call. Roll call requested. Roll call granted.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have some balances from previous state appropriations. appropriations, and I'll get more to that
• funding in both special appropriations and a capital appropriation to support efforts in the Lower Rio
• And so, I mean, as a legislator in St. Louis, we're going to put $150 million.
• A settlement that has a legislative. Great, thank you very much, Senator Woods.
• Senator, was there any request? To be recurring? Vice Chair Terrell: Recurring, yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully ask for your support in passing this legislation.
• dental colleagues for their training in oral health and often collaborate and defer to them when appropriate
• The legislation as... ...written would allow dentists to administer a neuromodulator, or more appropriately
• The hit it and quit it is that there are appropriate procedures in place for medical training, just like
• So if you requested that, that would be a part of my treatment plan.

Bills: SB1117 , SB1373 , SB672 , SB1986 , SB1098 , SB626 , SB1784 , SB2480 , SB2487 , SB437 , SB660

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: dentistry, botulinum toxin, aesthetic treatments, dental regulation, training, medical staff privileges, hospital administration, healthcare regulation, Texas Health and Safety Code, consistency in privileges, SB 672, Texas hospital emergency operations plan, hospital diversion, emergency department, cyberattack, cyber security, power outage, electrical outage, patient diversion, hospital preparedness

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> request that the clerk read HR 276. request that the clerk read HR 276.
• ><c> legislation.
• </c> today is our 25th legislative day. today is our 25th legislative day.
• My reading of the legislation is that it appropriately shifts authority upward away from faculty senates
• </c> But we do appropriate money. But we do appropriate money.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> state is to determine the appropriate state is to determine the appropriate level<01:31:53.679><
• </c> their local legislators. their local legislators.
• <01:33:10.960><c> takes</c> you're proposing legislation that takes you're proposing legislation that
• The past three years has been either proposed legislation or legislation... ...that's passed that slowly
• </c><02:16:51.200><c> so</c> through the process appropriately so through the process appropriately so

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Senator will move the bill at the appropriate time. We appreciate that.
• When the time is appropriate and you have a quorum, I would respectfully request your aye vote.
• I had appropriate time on Senate Bill 1775. Senator, I had appropriate time on Senate Bill 1775.
• With that in mind, when appropriate, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• We want to make sure it's appropriations. Bill is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Phil Fortunato, 31st Legislative District.
• There is no appropriation. A fiscal note was not requested. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
• A fiscal note is requested, but is not yet available.
• A fiscal note is requested, but is not yet available.
• Again, SafeLite supports this legislation.

Bills: SB5871 , SB5919

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: motor vehicle, glass repair, insurance claims, consumer protection, regulations, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have... ...State Senator for the 47th Legislative District.
• Senator Phil Fortunato, 31st Legislative District.
• There is no appropriation. A fiscal note was not requested. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
• A fiscal note is requested, but is not yet available.
• Again, Safelite supports this legislation.

Summary: The Senate Business, Trade, and Economic Development Committee met for its first session under the committee’s new name and heard a work session on Washington’s economic development policy from the Department of Commerce. Commerce described its Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, including small business finance, export assistance, business attraction, and sector development work, and emphasized the need for a statewide economic development strategic plan with regular review, stakeholder input, and attention to rural and regional needs. Members asked about foreign trade offices, federal funding uncertainty, tax competitiveness, workforce programs, and the role of the Keep Washington Working program. Commerce said the state’s trade and investment efforts are valuable but face funding challenges, and that Washington must compete on more than taxes, including its business ecosystem and workforce. The committee then heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5919, which would encourage fire districts and insurers to develop voluntary incentives for wildfire mitigation best practices related to agricultural activities. The sponsor described the bill as a way to reward farmers for practices such as defensible space, fire breaks, equipment storage, and avoiding high-risk work during red flag conditions. A fire chief testified in support, citing recent standing grain fires and the need for practical incentives in rural areas. The bill was described as having no appropriation and no requested fiscal note. Members also heard testimony on Washington in the Making 2040 from the Association of Washington Business and a business owner. Supporters said the 16-year economic vision plan was built from broad public engagement and focuses on workforce, business climate, infrastructure, housing, and community. They argued Washington needs more housing, a more competitive regulatory and tax environment, and reliable energy to support growth. Senators questioned how the plan would achieve its housing goals and what specific regulatory changes were needed; AWB said it would provide a regulatory study soon. The committee also received a wildfire mitigation work group update from the Office of Insurance Commissioner, which recommended stronger community mitigation, better data sharing, consumer transparency, and a possible grant program for home hardening, though it did not reach full consensus on a single property mitigation standard. Finally, the committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5871, which would prohibit assignment of benefits in property and casualty insurance and set new rules for motor vehicle glass repair claims, including ADAS-related disclosures and limits on steering and inducements. The sponsor and supporters, including the Office of Insurance Commissioner, Safelite, NAMIC, and the Northwest Insurance Council, said the bill would reduce auto glass fraud, improve transparency, and help stabilize premiums. Independent glass shop owners and the Independent Glass Association opposed the bill as written, arguing it would favor large vertically integrated companies, restrict small businesses, and fail to address insurer steering and conflicts of interest. Several witnesses requested technical amendments, and the committee took no final vote before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that this is a piece of legislation that will address that issue.
• We are signed in as other on this legislation today. As Mr. Vick and as Mr.
• I ask that you would please support this legislation. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Cooper.
• And would they all agree that this is an appropriate use of that account?
• The response was that such a change would be possible through legislation.

Bills: SB6178 , SB5831

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling, consumer protection, void and unenforceable, Washington insurance code, chapter 48 RCW, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• cities requesting TML information about trainings.
• cities requesting TML information about trainings.
• There’s no legislation that has limited the amount of requests that has been dealt with, typically with
• “The appeal process, if the requester could take their time to review stuff, but if the requester appealed
• Yes, the appeal process, if the requester could take their time to review stuff, but if the requester

Bills: SB231 , SB584 , SB600 , SB668 , SB841 , SB986 , SB1003 , SB1244 , SB1625 , SB1960 , SB1963 , SB1964 , SB2026 , SB2056 , SB2368

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up several pending and uncontested bills. It favorably reported SB 1405, SB 1762, SB 1977, SB 2077, SB 2148, and SB 1968, and also moved SB 2321 to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard SB 819, which would change how the Public Utility Commission reviews proposed utility-scale solar and related interconnection projects. The committee substitute would shift the default so interconnection is allowed unless the PUC affirmatively prohibits it within 180 days, limit denial to cases where harm substantially outweighs benefits, remove public meeting requirements, retain setback and financial assurance provisions, add optional application materials such as national security and environmental information, and restore local control over county tax abatements. The substitute was adopted and SB 819 was favorably reported to the full Senate on a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 231, focused on CenterPoint’s use of large emergency generators after Hurricane Beryl. Senator King explained that the original bill was intended to prevent customers from being charged for non-mobile generators that were leased at great cost and did not match the bill’s emergency-response purpose. CenterPoint’s Jason Ryan apologized for the company’s communication failures and said the company would make customers whole through a combination of rate reductions, foregone storm-cost recovery, and a donation of the 15 large generators to ERCOT for about two years to address a San Antonio-area reliability issue, with the company absorbing the associated costs. PUC Executive Director Connie Corona said the commission could enforce the agreement through its contested-case process. Public testimony included consumer and reliability advocates, one of whom argued utility-scale microgrids should be preserved as a policy option. SB 231 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 986, which would create an alternative process for routine Public Information Act requests so local governments can make initial redactions without sending every routine exception to the Attorney General, while preserving an appeal path and training requirements. Supporters said it would reduce backlog and speed access to records; opponents argued it would shift the burden to requesters and encourage delay. The AG’s office testified that the process could improve efficiency and still fit within current timelines if used promptly. SB 986 was left pending. Finally, SB 584 was briefly laid out to require consumer reporting agencies that buy data from others to ensure the information complies with Texas law on excluded items such as bankruptcies, judgments, and tax liens, and SB 600 was heard on heir property. SB 600’s substitute would strengthen notice, require an attorney ad litem, add an heir’s bill of rights, allow settlement conferences, and require fair-market-value sales protections; supporters said it would curb predatory partition practices, while opponents warned some provisions could burden or diminish minority heirs’ property rights. SB 584 and SB 600 were left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> given a couple um raises and legislators given a couple um raises and legislators as<00:13:54.240
• </c> trying to think through our legislation trying to think through our legislation um<01:06:10.880>
• </c> budget. the general assembly appropriate budget. the general assembly appropriate 973<01:13:33.360
• </c> contributions uh that will be requested contributions uh that will be requested of<01:26:35.360>
• the seek formula request that will make the seek formula request that actually<01:32:24.480><c> comes

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum call, the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, and approval of the prior meeting minutes. The first presentation was from Bo Craycraft of the Judicial Form Retirement System, who gave an update on investment performance, asset allocation, cash flow, and projected employer costs. He reported strong fiscal year 2025 investment results, with both the legislative and judicial retirement plans outperforming their actuarial assumed rates of return and benchmarks, driven largely by U.S. equity performance. He also noted the plans remained near their target asset allocation and continued to experience negative cash flow, though he said that was manageable in context of strong asset growth. Craycraft then discussed a recent experience study and actuarial assumption changes, especially a revised salary growth assumption and a higher cash balance interest credit rate. He said these changes increased projected employer costs, with contributions rising from about $700,000 to a projected $2 million in later years, though he expected the eventual 2025 valuation and investment gains to reduce that estimate. Members asked about mortality assumptions, the impact of the experience study on liabilities, and the sharp increase in the judicial plan’s projected employer cost. Craycraft explained that the increase was driven mainly by the updated assumptions and that no other major plan changes were involved. At the chair’s request, Craycraft also addressed the recent rise in Medicare Advantage premiums for the plan’s health coverage, saying the 2025 increase was largely tied to Part D changes and the Inflation Reduction Act and had been about 45%, but that future growth was expected to be under 5%. After his presentation, the committee moved to the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority update, where the next speaker began by saying the funds had exceeded actuarial assumed returns for the fiscal year.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this bill allows an applicant for a publicly owned wastewater treatment plant to request a waiver
• ,</c><00:03:11.920><c> namely</c><00:03:12.319><c> for</c> budgetary requests, namely for budgetary requests
• </c><00:08:21.919><c> for</c> applicant back with further requests for applicant back with further requests
• </c> legislation does not weaken standards. legislation does not weaken standards.
• Uh, would I be able to request an EAW? Senator Hauschild, Mr.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and request a roll call. and request a roll call.
• </c> Roll call requested, roll call granted. Roll call requested, roll call granted.
• </c> the president and request a roll call. the president and request a roll call.
• </c> request a roll call. request a roll call.
• </c> and I request a roll call. and I request a roll call.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> legislative budget assistance office. legislative budget assistance office.
• </c><01:24:56.680><c> by</c> special ed sometimes it's legislation by special ed sometimes it's legislation
• </c> these kids with a free appropriate these kids with a free appropriate public<01:53:01.040><c> education
• </c> funded and expended appropriately. funded and expended appropriately.
• </c> appropriate another 4.4 million dollars. appropriate another 4.4 million dollars.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission on the costing of special education met to review several documents and updates, including draft materials on residential placements, an LBA dispute resolution report, prior minutes, rate-setting rules, and a letter involving Senator Hassan. The minutes from March 16 were approved by motion, second, and one abstention. Members also received an update that the LBA special education performance audit is still pending; the report is expected to be very large, NHED and the Board of Education must review and comment before release, and it likely will not be available until late summer or early fall. The separate EFA audit was also noted as still unreleased, and members said they may return later to issues involving EFA costing and differentiated aid. A major focus was HB 1099, which would create a committee to study the cost and liability of providing educational services to students placed in residential facilities. The chair explained that the House version had passed unanimously and the bill was headed to a committee of conference. Members discussed a proposed amendment to add the phrase “including but not limited to” so the study would cover not only court-ordered or treatment-related placements but also other residential placements, including those tied to school district decisions. Some members said this was a substantial expansion, while others said it would simply give the committee broader latitude. Jason Stock of the Winnisquam Regional School Board described how the issue arose during budget work at Winnisquam, where the district was trying to determine who should pay for educational services for students living at Spaulding Youth Center in Northfield. He said the district had 10 students attending Winnisquam, including three foster students and seven students connected to Spaulding, and that Spaulding-specific invoicing for 2024-2025 totaled $141,417.05 for eight students. Members also discussed rising private placement tuition costs and the difficulty of determining residency and fiscal responsibility for students placed in residential settings. Department counsel explained that under RSA 193:27 and 193:28, children placed in a home for children may attend the local district school, and that special education cost responsibility depends on whether the student is identified as disabled and on the nature of the placement. Spaulding representatives had not yet presented by the end of the excerpt, and the committee was still working through the residency and funding questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Happy Day 2, Legislative Day negative 7.
• For the new members, you'll find out real quick what Legislative Day is.
• I move we go to the next order of business: introduction of legislation.
• And then the House Appropriations and Finance Committee.
• A memorial requesting the Legislative Education Study Committee to assemble an Education Data Governance