Transcript Highlights:

• As the author and Mr.
• It's a great bill, and I'd be honored to be added as a co-author. Mr. DeBurr?
• I think I was already added as author. Mr. Ellis. Quick question.
• Just wanted to weigh in and say that I have a great deal of respect for the author.
• Well, first of all, thanks the author for being here and presenting your bill.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They do not oversee or have any discretionary authority over what monies go to anyone.
• similar to the SECC, where they have no procurement authority, no spending authority, that we require
• financial statement report filed by a member of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority.
• I'm looking for authorization to do this on my own.
• I move that we continue the contract for both. of Butler Snow and authorize him to negotiate that.

Keywords: Texas Ethics Commission, legislative recommendations, general counsel appointment, foreign lobbying, political contributions, quarterly meetings, public testimony, rule amendments

Summary: The meeting focused on the Texas Ethics Commission's (TEC) evaluation of legislative recommendations and personnel updates, including the appointment of a new general counsel and discussions about upcoming quarterly meetings. Commissioner Schmidt reported on the progress of various bills, including amendments to existing laws, the need for increased regulation on foreign lobbying, and the publication of new rules in the Texas Register. Public testimonies were heard regarding compliance issues and proposed changes in political contribution regulations. The Commission agreed to schedule further review on the legislative items discussed and the proposed rule amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 968 in recognizance. its author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.
• As its author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill. and thank you Madam Chair and members.
• The chair lays out Senate Bill 636 in recognition of the author Senator Johnson to explain the bill.
• Chair calls up Senate Bill 884 and asks the bill's author, Senator. Of course, no. I can't do it?
• Members any questions of the author? The chair calls Mike Maples.

Bills: SB437 , SB528 , SB626 , SB636 , SB884 , SB968 , SB1044 , SB1608 , SB2336

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: healthcare, training, abuse, neglect, penalties, chemical dependency, safety, regulation, inpatient competency restoration, competency restoration, forensic mental health, mental health law, criminal competency, incompetent to stand trial, Chapter 46B, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state hospital, behavioral health, local mental health authority

Transcript Highlights:

• Chief author Senator Jang, if you could come to the testifier table.
• Uh, Eric Swanson from WINR and Weinstein is one of the folks that authored this bill, and he is here
• this bill and he is here with authored this bill and he is here with me<00:05:08.080><c> today</c><00
• or any of questions for the bill author or any of the the the testifiers<00:08:57.040><c> seeing</c>
• </c> opportunity maybe with the chief author opportunity maybe with the chief author um<00:16:13.639>

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, and thank you to the author for bringing this forward.
• I'm a proud co-author.
• I want to thank the author for reintroducing this bill this year. And I'm a proud co-author.
• Thank you to the author for your leadership in this area.
• We'll ask the author to close. Thank you.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have two items that have been pulled by the author today.
• Appreciate the author taking the amendments. Let's take the roll call.
• And I'd also like to be added as a co-author, if I could, please.
• And I'd also like to be at it as a co-author, if I could, please.
• For item 8, AB 1727, that item was pulled by the author.

Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety met with several bills on the agenda, beginning with AB 1741 by Assembly Member Pacheco, which would allow felony prosecution of sexual battery committed during a residential break-in. Supporters, including Riverside County prosecutors and victim services staff, said current law leaves some home-invasion sexual assaults as misdemeanors when intent to commit another felony cannot be proven; opponents from public defender and civil liberties groups argued the bill was unnecessary, vague, and overbroad. After discussion, the committee passed AB 1741 to Appropriations as amended. The committee then heard AB 1701 by Assembly Member DeMaio, which would bar recall and resentencing for juveniles convicted of school shootings. Supporters framed it as a narrow public-safety measure in response to the Santana High School shooting and the potential resentencing of the shooter; opponents argued it was overly broad, ineffective as deterrence, and inconsistent with juvenile rehabilitation principles. The committee ultimately voted the bill out to Appropriations, but it later failed on the final roll call when members added on their positions. AB 1743 by Assembly Member Wix proposed allowing local governments, state agencies, and higher education institutions to request firearm trace data from DOJ for research and policy purposes. Supporters said the data could help identify trafficking patterns and inform evidence-based gun violence prevention, while opponents said trace data only shows the first lawful retail sale and could mislead policymakers or burden DOJ. The bill was passed to Appropriations. AB 1716 by Assembly Member Stefani, supported by UC and victim advocates, would let CalVCB reimburse tuition costs for college students whose education is disrupted by sexual violence; it passed to Appropriations after a strong debate over victim compensation. AB 1667 by Assembly Member Burner, adding fentanyl to the serious felony list for furnishing to a minor, also passed after emotional testimony from a bereaved parent and law enforcement support, despite opposition from drug policy and civil liberties groups. The committee adopted a consent calendar including AB 1549, AB 1681, AB 1723, and AB 1737, while AB 1538 and AB 1727 were pulled by their authors. In the final tally, AB 1701 and AB 1723 failed on the floor add-on roll call, while AB 1716, AB 1741, AB 1743, and AB 1667 advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have received data related to authorizations for service denials and reductions for the health plan
• AUTHORIZATION FOR PRIVATE DUTY NURSING.
• &nbsp; 137 Whenever there is an authorization and the prior authorization for services is not approved
• There are statewide vendors that are authorized to provide services statewide, but some only provide
• HOWEVER DIFFERENT WITH OTHER FEDERAL AUTHORITIES.

Summary: The Health Facilities Subcommittee met to receive implementation updates from the Agency for Health Care Administration on three bills passed in prior sessions. First, Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer reported on the transfer of the Children’s Medical Services managed care plan from the Department of Health to AHCA under HB 1085. He said the move was administrative only, with no change to enrollment, providers, services, or clinical eligibility functions, and that it was intended to create efficiencies by aligning procurement and shifting staff resources between agencies. Members then questioned AHCA about reports of reductions in private duty nursing and therapy services for medically fragile children, including concerns about appeals, provider credentialing, and whether families were losing services or being transitioned appropriately. AHCA said it was reviewing denials, monitoring the plan, and using contractual remedies while focusing on maintaining access for members. The committee also reviewed implementation of a bill creating permanent Medicaid eligibility for individuals with permanent disabilities. AHCA staff explained that the agency had submitted a federal 1115 waiver request after public comment and stakeholder meetings, but CMS had indicated it did not anticipate approving the requested authority. Members pressed AHCA on why the waiver was submitted later than the bill’s directive date and on whether the delay was avoidable. AHCA said the waiver was complex and required review, drafting, and public input, and noted that DCF already has a specialized unit to help with redeterminations while the agencies work on operational changes. The committee discussed the practical impact on families who struggle with annual eligibility renewals and the need for clearer communication and faster follow-up from the agency. Finally, AHCA presented on the home health aide program for medically fragile children and related Medicaid eligibility changes. The agency described the 2023 law that created a family caregiver provider type and the 2025 changes that increased the hourly rate, expanded hours, reduced training requirements, and removed caregiver earnings from Medicaid eligibility calculations, subject to federal approval. AHCA said it had completed state public comment, submitted the waiver amendment to CMS, and was awaiting federal action. Members raised concerns that some families may have enrolled or begun work before the eligibility fix was in place and may have lost benefits, especially in Broward County. AHCA said it would work with affected families and plans, review outreach through DCF and the health plans, and continue rulemaking, system updates, and provider training. The meeting ended with the chair noting that the committee had received the updates and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• To be members of the Sulphur River Basin Authority Board of- Directors, Aaron J.
• I ask the questions of the author. Do you yield? I do. Yeah. Thank you, Mr.
• To ask the author a few questions? Short questions. Right? Yes. Please.
• Ask a question of the author. Do you? I do. Thank you so much.
• Ask questions of the author. Do you yield? Of course.

Bills: SJR18 , SCR9 , SCR13 , SB10 , SB11 , SB19 , SB20 , SB25 , SB62 , SB260 , SB263 , SB293 , SB314 , SB384 , SB412 , SB441 , SB442 , SB494 , SB523 , SB569 , SB616 , SB688 , SB707 , SB766 , SB842 , SB869 , SB890 , SB914 , SB929 , SB971 , SB992 , SB1066 , SB1145 , SB1621 , SJR36 , SJR18 , SCR9 , SCR13 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB372 , SB495 , SB842 , SB971 , SB1066 , SB929 , SB765 , SB523 , SB62 , SB19 , SB18 , SB666 , SB688 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB869 , SB890 , SB992 , SB1145 , SB494 , SB290 , SB766 , SB11 , SB10 , SB13 , SB263 , SB412 , SB20 , SB441 , SB442 , SB1621 , SB569 , SB314 , SB25 , SB293 , SB914 , SB260 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB20 , SB25 , SB260 , SB293 , SB314 , SB384 , SB442 , SB494 , SB616 , SB869 , SB890 , SB929 , SB992 , SB1145 , SB1621 , SR232 , SR237 , SR242 , SB16 , SB22

Keywords: capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, Supreme Court, judicial independence, Keep Nine, checks and balances, water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display

Transcript Highlights:

• I wish I would have been able to be a co-author with you when you filed this bill.
• You feel it's right for you to have the power and authority to take it against his will?
• And the people tell the government what authority, limited authority, that they have to enact laws.
• Limited authority that they have to enact laws.
• We've got the people that authored the bill. They know. They were... Angle you look at.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and who doesn't have authority.
• who has authority and who doesn't<00:02:18.800><c> have</c><00:02:18.959><c> authority.
• &gt;&gt; Authority. Yeah, that's special fund &gt;&gt; Authority.
• </c> authority on the special fund agencies. authority on the special fund agencies.
• . authority. authority.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 28 January, 2026; 1:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In article two, we'll see that there is a bond authorization, trunk highway bond authorization in the
• ,</c> that there is a bond authorization, that there is a bond authorization, trunk<01:07:50.400><c>
• Then on 104.5, this provides a definitional change. 101 authorizes a uh authorizes the uh 101 authorizes
• So this cottifies the uh the author<01:47:10.560><c> a</c><01:47:10.560><c> authority</c><01:47:10.960
• of the of the author a authority of the of the metropolitan<01:47:12.400><c> council</c><01:47:12.800

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:27.960><c> to</c><00:10:28.120><c> impose</c> has the authority to impose has the authority
• We would no longer have the authority to We would no longer have the authority to decide<00:36:22.160
• Uh, I have different authority.
• My investigators different authority.
• </c> investigative authority. investigative authority.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I do see that we have two authors in the audience.
• Thanks to the author and the witnesses. A couple of questions.
• So thanks to the author. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• And I think the author should continue to work on this.
• I thank the author for bringing this bill forward.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the counties want the authority back. The time to restore county authority is now.
• </c> fighting to restore counties' authority fighting to restore counties' authority to<00:50:23.440>
• authority authority um<00:51:24.800><c> to</c><00:51:24.920><c> regulate</c><00:51:25.520><c> tobacco
• The time want the authority back.
• Thank you for the authority is now.

Bills: HB2614 , HB1660 , HB1704 , HB1563 , HB1573 , HB1777 , HB1749

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: cosmetics, returns, refunds, consumer protection, high-pressure sales, transparency, accountability, HB1660, Hawaii, county labor standards, counties, contractors, building permits, permit denial, permit suspension, permit revocation, wage theft, wages, benefits, hours

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2614, which would require merchants selling cosmetics to accept returns of newer unopened goods within specified time frames and expand signage requirements for return and refund policies. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection strongly supported the bill, citing updated figures of 180 cosmetic complaints from 2020 to 2025, 54 still under investigation, 148 referred to class action litigation, and more than $1.3 million in consumer losses. Members questioned whether the bill was needed given the pending lawsuit and whether bad actors would comply, while the office responded that clearer signage would improve consumer awareness and could reduce complaints without limiting other remedies. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 1660 HD1, which would allow counties to require contractors to disclose wage, benefit, hour, and employment-status information and to deny, revoke, or suspend permits for certain labor-law violations. DLIR, the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, Operating Engineers Local 3, and Pacific Resource Partnership testified in support, arguing the measure would help deter cheating contractors, protect law-abiding employers, and keep bad actors from undercutting wages and taxes. One member raised concerns about possible delays to affordable housing projects and whether owners should be held responsible for contractors’ misconduct; supporters replied that compliance is a minimum standard, that county action would be discretionary rather than automatic, and that the bill would not bar counties from working with affordable housing developers. No action was reported. Finally, the committee took up HB 1704, adopting the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow telepsychology and temporary in-person practice across state lines. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans supported the measure, saying it would help fill major staffing gaps, especially for forensic evaluations and services in rural and neighbor-island communities. The Board of Psychology raised concerns about the compact’s scope, the need for a study focused specifically on psychologists, background-check requirements, possible loss of regulatory authority and revenue, and the need to update older statutory provisions. Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the immunity language in the compact, and Shawn Scanlon opposed the bill, arguing it could weaken cultural responsiveness and local control and suggesting the state instead improve temporary licensing and other in-state pathways. The committee also questioned the Department of Corrections about its vacancies and whether telehealth could be filled by local providers; no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> may be killed and authorizing may be killed and authorizing feral<00:53:37.000><c> chickens</c><
• </c> definition of enterprise to authorize definition of enterprise to authorize the<00:55:35.480><c>
• </c> that we do have the you know authority that we do have the you know authority to<01:09:56.760><c
• Well, we've never done it before, so it is perhaps within our authority.
• I note that it's a discretion; it's an authorized, not a mandating.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of transportation and public safety bills, beginning with HB 706, which would require skateboard users under age 16 to wear helmets. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, and the chair noted written support from AAA Hawaii, Kulani Medical Center for Women and Children, and several individuals. No opposition was mentioned, and the bill appeared to draw no questions. Members then heard HB 860, which would grant immunity to the state or county that repairs or maintains a street when ownership or jurisdiction is disputed. DOT and DLNR supported the bill, with county support from Maui and a Hawaii Island county representative, while the Hawaii Association for Justice opposed it. The committee also heard HB 1162, requiring applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to complete an approved basic rider course, with DOT support and a recommended amendment to exempt motorcycles used for training; the Public Defender asked about the current process, and DOT explained the bill was intended to improve safety given motorcycle fatalities. HB 1259, allowing speed-limit reductions within 10 mph of the current limit without an engineering study, also drew DOT support and support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and individuals. The committee next considered HB 1158, a governor’s package bill limiting civil liability for people who provide firefighting services with vessels at commercial harbors or roadsteads to gross negligence or wanton conduct. DOT Harbors said the bill was prompted by lessons from the Lahaina fires and was intended to encourage privately owned firefighting-equipped vessels to assist without hesitation; the Hawaii Harbor Users Group and an individual supported it. HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture, drew DOT support but strong opposition from the Public Defender, who argued the bill was overly harsh, would force jury trials, and could create sentencing problems; the Public Defender also said existing penalties were already significant. The committee then heard HB 1334, which would exempt donations of wild game meat, including axis deer, to charitable and nonprofit organizations from certain meat inspection and transportation laws; DLNR and multiple community and food-related groups supported it, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 698 on animal cruelty, which would increase criminal penalties for various offenses. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the cases are rare, enforcement is limited, and the proposed penalties—up to Class A felony treatment in some cases—were too severe; animal welfare advocates strongly supported the measure, saying cruelty cases are widespread, underreported, and under-enforced, and that stronger penalties are needed as a deterrent. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the bills in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• firefighters; House Bill 3358, establishing Building Trades Recovery Week; and House Bill 4178, authorizing
• House No. 3358, an act authorizing Adam T.
• the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer services to a certain parcel of land in
• the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer services to a certain parcel of land in
• Third reading of the bill: an act authorizing the town of Somerset to grant an additional license for

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and local bills. It concurred in a Senate referral of a petition on fair tax treatment for zero-emission vehicles and suspended Joint Rule 12 for additional petitions, including measures on construction supervisory licensing, the Athol-Royalston Regional School District Financial Stability Fund, and zero-emission vehicle taxes. The House also acted on a Judiciary Committee report recommending passage of House No. 4647, establishing a sick leave bank for Amy Tangway, and ordered it to a third reading. The chamber then considered a series of bills reported by Steering, Policy and Scheduling, including measures for tax abatement for permanently disabled veterans, line-of-duty death benefits for firefighters, Building Trades Recovery Week, and a civil service exam exemption for a Haverhill police officer candidate. These bills were advanced to third reading. The House also passed several engrossed bills to enactment, including a sick leave bank for Candy J. Pike, a special fund for the Festival of Hills in Conway, authorization for Watertown to lease property, a change to the Holden moderator term, and an update to Medford’s linkage exaction program. Later, the House concurred in Senate amendments related to sewer service authority in Sharon, and passed to engrossment bills authorizing parking fines in Marblehead and an additional liquor license in Somerset. It also engrossed sick leave bank bills for David A. Russell and Jean McCarran; the McCarran bill was amended to add an emergency preamble before passage. Finally, the House enacted the Candy J. Pike sick leave bank bill, adopted an order to meet the following Wednesday at 11 a.m., and adjourned in formal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2025, the time within which the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies is authorized
• Bill 4285, an act modernizing the Massachusetts alcohol permitting laws; House Bill 4286, an act authorizing
• House Bill 4287, an act authorizing the city known as the town of West Springfield to grant four additional
• An act modernizing the Massachusetts alcohol permitting laws, House Bill 4285; an act authorizing the
• An act authorizing the city known as the town of West Springfield to grant four additional licenses for

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and procedural motions. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of resolutions honoring Frontal Temporal Degeneration Awareness Week, congratulating Eagle Scout Diati Pepinini, and recognizing retiring Bellingham Town Administrator Dennis Frayne; the House suspended the rules and adopted all three. Members also welcomed the Rolling Warriors vault hockey team of North Attleboro, congratulating them on winning the first U.S. gold medal in the North American Vault Hockey Championship and wishing them well at the upcoming World Cup in Sweden. The House approved extensions of reporting deadlines for the Committees on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies and on Transportation, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow referral of several petitions, including one on alcohol sales and delivery regulation, one seeking a MassHealth asset-limit exemption for personal vehicle value, and one establishing a sick leave bank for a Department of Correction employee. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee then placed several bills on the calendar, including measures on postural screenings in schools, motor vehicle battery storage, alcohol licensing and permitting, check cashing rates, and local liquor licenses for Somerset and West Springfield. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. On final action, the House passed to be enacted a bill increasing the membership of the Mattapoisett Select Board. It also engrossed a Holyoke alcohol-license bill and a Conway special fund bill. For House Bill 4264, the Somerville charter bill, Representative Walsh offered a substitute amendment, which was adopted, and the bill was then passed to be engrossed as amended. The House then adopted an order to adjourn and recessed until Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2026, the time within which the Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities is authorized
• 2026, the time within which the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure is authorized
• extending until Friday, July 31, 2026, the time within which the Committee on Transportation is authorized
• extending until Friday, July 31, 2026, the time within which the Committee on Transportation is authorized
• An act authorizing the Town of Conway to continue the employment of police department member Michael

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 2026, the time within which the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities is authorized
• Relative to regional transit authority advisory boards. House number 3724.
• An act relative to regional transit authority advisory boards. House number 3724.
• The bill, an act authorizing the town of Rochester to continue the employment of Fire Chief Scott Weigel
• The bill, an act authorizing the town of Orange to increase the membership of the Board of Selectmen,

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So eventually both Charlotte and Colchester gave up their delegated authority and gave that authority
• So eventually both Charlotte and Colchester gave up their delegated authority and gave that authority
• So eventually both Charlotte and Colchester gave up their delegated authority and gave that authority
• So eventually both Charlotte and Colchester gave up their delegated authority and gave that authority
• So eventually both Charlotte and Colchester gave up their delegated authority and gave that authority

Keywords: 927, senate, all