Transcript Highlights:

• So those are inmates that I put in a request to be placed on the program.
• I just want to be clear that we don't have appropriate placements for everyone, and that's part of the
• They don't always get that service, and I think that it's important for us to recognize as legislators
• In the last legislative session, and the additional gap funding that was made available in House Bill
• We can also see the types of services that individuals are requesting.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation is designed to serve as a new economic development tool.
• I humbly request that you support House Bill 4308.
• I will tell you that, for a former legislator... ...for a former legislator, I appreciate, I would think
• There's two key elements I want to address in this piece of legislation.
• It's always interesting when I read the legislative history and see legislators saying, we took this

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:

• The margins on roadway safety and in legislative decision-making are often very small.
• So those dispatchers are sending out the appropriate units to whatever 911 call responds to.
• Mustafa Elameen: But right now, innovation is kind of outpacing the legislation.
• For example, you know, we took action against Cruise when it was appropriate to do so.
• Is that come from our side, or does that come from your side, legislative or agency side? Right.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on autonomous vehicle technology in California, with testimony from industry, safety advocates, first responders, drivers, and state regulators. The chair framed the hearing as an overview of AV deployment, safety, first responder interactions, and current and future regulation. Witnesses from the AV industry argued that autonomous vehicles can reduce crashes and injuries, create jobs, and support California’s leadership in innovation, while critics and crash survivors described serious safety failures, including phantom braking, inadequate transparency, and crashes involving Tesla’s Autopilot/Full Self-Driving systems. Several witnesses urged stronger disclosure, data preservation, independent safety validation, and clearer accountability for companies deploying these systems. First responder and labor witnesses described operational problems in San Francisco and elsewhere, saying AVs have blocked fire engines, ambulances, and police responses, shut down in emergency scenes, and caused major delays during outages. They asked for faster and more reliable remote support, a public safety manual override, clearer enforcement authority, and limits on deployment in complex conditions. A police chief representative said law enforcement supports innovation but needs standardized protocols, training, and clear statutory authority. A Teamsters representative criticized proposed DMV rules for heavy-duty autonomous trucks, arguing they rely too heavily on manufacturer self-certification and do not impose enough independent safety review or geographic limits. State regulators from the DMV and CPUC defended California’s existing AV framework, saying the state has regulated AVs since 2014 and now has an end-to-end system with permits, reporting requirements, enforcement tools, and first responder coordination. DMV officials said the new rulemaking would add more reporting, address heavy-duty AVs, and require compliance with emergency geofence messages and law enforcement direction. CPUC testimony emphasized that its role is limited to passenger service and ride-hail operations. Committee members asked about crash data, remote operations, liability, response times, and whether California should adopt more uniform standards and stronger guardrails. No votes or formal actions were taken, as the hearing was informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:54.079><c> We're</c> during this legislative session.
• We're during this legislative session.
• appropriation in the omnibus construction<00:25:52.720><c> bill.
• </c><00:25:57.039><c> is</c> the total available the new requests is the total available the new requests
• </c><00:30:48.000><c> interest</c> what I think the legislative interest what I think the legislative

Committee: Joint Select Water Committee

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Again, this is legislating on the fly. Again, this is legislating on the fly.
• </c> Roll call requested. Roll call granted. Roll call requested. Roll call granted.
• Requested roll call. call. Roll call. Requested roll call.
• </c> would like to request a roll call. Mr. would like to request a roll call. Mr.
• </c> Roll call requested. Roll call granted. Roll call requested. Roll call granted.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have not been aware of that, and there was nothing to my knowledge included in their legislative appropriations
• request related to that particular issue.
• I have 38 years in volunteer work in California recycling legislation.
• We are here to support the legislation because we need more glass collected.
• I participated in the creation of new legislation.

Bills: SB410 , SB795 , SB2510 , SB728 , SB2689 , HB143 , HB143

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: Gulf Coast Protection District, navigation safety, special districts, state governance, Texas legislation, Gulf Coast, flood protection, storm risk management, coastal restoration, natural resources, prescribed burns, self-insurance, fire management, liability protection, rural land management, beverage container recycling, deposit return system, container deposit, bottle bill, recycling refund

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the January 22nd, 2026 Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing.
• I respectfully request your support of AB 35. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• The current legislation has had two years to work, and it's fallen short, adding to builder costs and
• An electronic copy of the agenda is available online at the Assembly Appropriations Committee website
• “An electronic copy of the agenda is available online at the Assembly Appropriations Committee website

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, uh, I respectfully ask for your support in passing legislation, and I believe we have some witnesses
• Um, the legislation as written would allow dentists to administer a neuromodulator or more appropriately
• we already use neuromodulators to treat conditions like TMJ dysfunction and jaw clenching, this legislation
• The um the hit it and quit it is there are appropriate procedures in place for medical training, just
• If, yes, if you requested that, that would be a part of my treatment plan for my teeth.

Committee: House Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation is not only about enforcing rules.
• 88th legislative session Senate Bill 2144.
• The legislation already exists.
• Yeah, uh, lastly, I understand that this piece of legislation passed last, uh last legislative session
• The planning commission tabled the request.

Bills: HB 341 , HB 791 , HB 1564 , HB 1695 , HB 1722 , HB 1729 , HB 1772 , HB 2003 , HB 2954 , HB 2989 , HB 3084 , HB 3134 , HB 3135 , HB 3309 , HB 3611 , HB 3679 , HB 3727 , HB 3832

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates

Transcript Highlights:

• But anyway, I represent the 14th Legislative District.
• So legislatively authorized changes do not require LEAP approval, but the agency requests, however, do
• This request comes as a result of direction from our Legislative Transportation Committee last legislative
• session. ...from our Legislative Transportation Committee last legislative session.
• We really appreciate OFM support for this request.

Committee: Joint Legislative Evaluation & Accountability Program

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> as</c> Departmental Legislative Services as Departmental Legislative Services as well.<00:06:35.000
• </c> appropriate standing committees. appropriate standing committees.
• </c><00:09:26.800><c> This</c> title 16 in this legislation. This title 16 in this legislation.
• </c> This bill, is it authorizing legislation This bill, is it authorizing legislation for<00:13:10.040
• /c> enabling legislation that authorizes enabling legislation that authorizes county<00:19:01.600><c>

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 6, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since your bill includes a general fund appropriation to the Department of Public Safety, we will be
• The rationale for this is based upon the funding requests submitted by VCTs.
• You should have a document in your packet that lists the funding requests by each VCT and the amount
• we hope this considering this request we hope this committee<00:19:32.120><c> can</c><00:19:32.280><
• The speaker asked whether there is a similar appropriation for public defenders' trial school.

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Following the legislation, right? So, timeline.
• appropriation requests provided.
• We may need to prepare legislative appropriation requests in order to ensure we hit the ground running
• So we obviously strongly supported the legislation.
• There's no assumption in this legislation.

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So our budget request is $280,000 each year for 2026 and 2027, a total request of $560,000, which is
• So our budget request is $280,000 each year for 2026 and 2027, a total request of $560,000, which is
• </c> your questions about the budget request your questions about the budget request or<00:41:18.160>
• It's in the budget request, correct? No, but it's in the request. House Bill 1, okay.
• It's in the budget request, correct? No, but it's in the request. House Bill 1, okay.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed House Bill 1, focusing on the legislative branch budget, especially the Senate and House lines. Members discussed that the Senate’s fiscal year 2025 adjusted authorized amount was higher than 2024 actual spending, largely due to personnel, benefits, and travel, and one member proposed a $500,000 annual cut. Staff explained that any reduction would need to be allocated across specific line items such as personnel, benefits, and travel, and noted that the Senate budget is entirely General Funds. After discussion of how the adjusted authorized figures were calculated and why the branch no longer staffs some joint committees as it once did, the committee moved on without taking a vote on that section. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from the New Hampshire Retirement System. NHRS officials described their statutory administrative budget, which is funded through the retirement trust rather than the General Fund, and said the FY 2026-2027 increase is driven by IT modernization, cybersecurity, a new strategic plan, and additional staff positions. They also reviewed the system’s funding progress, clean audit opinions, investment performance, and changes to asset allocation, while noting that several recent pension-related laws required major database changes. Members questioned the large increase in salaries and benefits, the need for new employees versus contractors, the purpose of training costs, and the source of the Group Two benefit funding. NHRS said the governor’s budget includes General Funds for Group Two benefit changes, with $5 million in FY 2026 and $27.9 million in FY 2027, and that the figures reflect the governor’s recommendation and related HB 2 provisions. Committee members also asked about employer and employee contribution rates for Group Two police and fire members, which NHRS said were not included in the budget document but were about 31.2% for police and 30.35% for fire, with employee shares around 11.55% and 11.8%. The committee did not make a decision on the NHRS budget during this exchange and indicated it would review the details further before returning to it later. The committee then heard from the Community Development Finance Authority on the State Treasury Department budget line for the required state match to administer the federal Community Development Block Grant program. CDFA explained that its $280,000 annual request for FY 2026 and FY 2027, totaling $560,000, supports administration, technical assistance, contracting, and monitoring of roughly $19 million in annual federal CDBG funds. Members asked about the leverage of the state match, oversight of projects, staffing, and grant prioritization. CDFA said it has 18 employees, uses public hearings and a scoring system to prioritize awards, and conducts both desk and on-site monitoring, with annual audits to ensure compliance. No vote was taken on the CDFA item in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully request your I vote.
• I respectfully request your aye vote.
• That's my responsibility as a legislator.
• So I'm not able to support the legislation today.
• appropriate, on the floor.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to add that this is the most important bill for us at the legislative.
• Um, so you did say that you rely on appropriations from the legislature for RHF.
• I think, you know, the bill would help us to figure that out and to appropriately scope it out.
• When we talk about legislation that supersedes our time, this is one of those things.
• put the appropriation rod in the committee report.

Bills: HB1719 , HB1742 , HB1737 , HB2049 , HB1725 , HB1726 , HB1738 , HB1799 , HB1700

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: housing crisis, manufactured homes, factory-built housing, zoning, relocatable housing units, farm employee housing, agriculture, Hawaii Revised Statutes, agricultural districts, land use, regulation, renewable energy, community development, housing, affordable housing, real estate, state regulation, building codes, construction, permitting

Summary: The joint public hearing covered several housing-related bills and one building-code measure. HB 1719 would make manufactured homes a permitted use by right on residentially zoned lots in the urban district, HB 1742 would authorize self-contained relocatable housing units with restrictions, and HB 1737 would clarify that a farm dwelling in an agricultural district may include an accessory employee housing structure. Testimony on these bills was overwhelmingly supportive from groups including Hawaii Realtors, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Modular Building Institute, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and others, with a few agencies offering comments. No one testified in opposition on HB 1719 or HB 1742, while HB 1737 drew one opposition and one comment in addition to broad support. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided. A major portion of the hearing focused on HB 2049, which restructures the conveyance tax into a marginal-rate system and changes how the revenue is allocated, including funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the rental housing revolving fund, while also affecting the legacy land conservation fund. Supporters, including DHHL, Hawaii Appleseed, Aahu Youth Action Board, Hawaii YIMBY, and others, argued the bill would help Native Hawaiian housing and, for most transactions, function as a tax cut. Opponents, including NAP Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Land Trust, Mhai Land Trust, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, objected to using conveyance tax as a revenue-generating tool and raised concerns about higher upfront costs and reduced funding for other housing uses. Committee members and staff discussed the bill’s revenue estimates, the reduced percentage but higher cap for the land conservation fund, the effect on rental housing funding, and the bill’s cost-of-living adjustment language; staff said a line-by-line comparison of the current and proposed tax structure would be provided before decision-making. The hearing also took up HB 1725, which would extend the state building code adoption cycle from two years to six years, apply the IRC to triplexes and fourplexes, allow counties to adopt more or less stringent amendments, and appropriate funds for code adoption work. Most testimony supported the bill, with advocates saying the current process is unmanageable, too resource-intensive, and creates confusion because state and county codes can diverge; supporters said a longer cycle would improve clarity and allow more focused review. The International Code Council and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers opposed the measure, warning that delaying adoption could have negative consequences and urging the committee to let an existing statewide code-adoption strategy proceed first. Members asked about sequencing, county implementation, and whether the longer cycle would create catch-up problems, but no action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the chief economist for the Legislative Finance Committee.
• We are the appropriating authority for the state of New Mexico.
• We feel that HB 164 helps build public trust in the legislative process.
• Lobbyists play an important role in the legislative process.
• So that doesn't put any additional work on the legislator.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> think that's appropriate. I yield. think that's appropriate. I yield.
• Right now, we have a appropriately.
• </c> lease a machine that could appropriately lease a machine that could appropriately destroy<01:15:
• SB 216 is that type of legislation.
• SB 216 is that type of legislation.

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Senate Bill 433, which would restrict the carrying of “bladed weapons” and related items. The Office of the Public Defender, Honolulu Police Department, the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, Knife Rights, and many individual testifiers opposed the bill, arguing it is overbroad, vague, and likely unconstitutional. Common concerns were that the term “bladed weapon” could sweep in ordinary tools such as pocketknives, Leathermans, multi-tools, fishing and camping gear, and items used by farmers, ranchers, hunters, divers, and martial arts practitioners. Several speakers also warned that the bill could burden lawful self-defense and create an affirmative-defense scheme that shifts costs and proof burdens onto defendants. Supporters and opponents alike focused on the need for a clearer definition, with HPD saying a narrower definition would help distinguish ordinary tools from dangerous weapons used in assaults. Opponents repeatedly urged the committee to defer or kill the measure, citing pending and related court cases and the risk of new constitutional challenges. Some testifiers tied the bill to Native Hawaiian gathering rights and subsistence practices, saying it would interfere with hunting, fishing, and food gathering, while others argued it would do little to deter criminals and instead penalize law-abiding residents and visitors. After finishing testimony on SB 433, the committee moved on to Senate Bill 2575 relating to firearms. The transcript shows the start of that item with the Office of the Public Defender and other agencies being called, but no substantive testimony or action on SB 2575 is included before the excerpt ends. No votes or final committee actions are reflected in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you feel that that would be appropriate, you know, because people's lifestyles change and everything
• And I say this in private and I'll say it publicly, I think it is appropriate to say this today.
• And I say this in private and I'll say it publicly, I think it is appropriate to say this today.
• And I say this in private and I'll say it publicly, I think it is appropriate to say this today.
• So what if a local government does, Talking about the request from the local government.

Bills: S0330 , S0354 , S0504 , S0506 , S0526 , S0594 , S0840

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Keywords: firefighter disability, law enforcement disability, correctional officer disability, correctional probation officer, presumptive disability, workers' compensation, line of duty presumption, heart disease presumption, hypertension presumption, tuberculosis presumption, public safety employees, first responders, physical examination, preemployment exam, medical specialist, Medicare reimbursement, employing agency, Florida Statutes 112.18, Florida Statutes 943.13, occupational disease

Summary: The committee took up several bills related to public safety, housing, disaster recovery, construction, and land use. SB 330 clarified the heart disease presumption for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers, aligned the definition of heart disease with medical practice, and allowed a transferring law enforcement officer to rely on a prior physical if the new agency does not provide one. An amendment stating the act serves an important state interest was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously after supportive testimony from law enforcement and fire groups. SB 594 expanded local housing assistance eligibility to residents of mobile home communities, including SHIP rental assistance for lot rent and rehabilitation/emergency repair programs for the home itself; it also passed unanimously after support from manufactured housing advocates. SB 840 revised the hurricane-related land use limits enacted in prior legislation by sunsetting certain temporary restrictions on June 30, 2026, narrowing the affected area from 100 miles to 50 miles from a storm track, and exempting certain planning, water, wastewater, stormwater, and flood-related decisions. The sponsor said the bill was intended to fix unintended consequences of prior hurricane recovery legislation, and the measure was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. SB 526 addressed commercial construction projects by prohibiting “no damages for delay” clauses in public construction contracts, directing the Florida Building Commission to create a uniform commercial permit application, requiring permit fee reductions when private providers are used, and adding mitigation to product approval categories; county representatives raised concerns about implementation and fees, but the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 504 and SB 506, both by Senator Burgess, creating a framework for code inspector body camera use and a related public records exemption for recordings. Both were described as optional for local governments and were reported favorably without opposition. Finally, the committee considered CS/SB 354, a major “blue ribbon projects” bill creating a framework for very large developments that would reserve at least 60% of land for conservation, agriculture, recreation, utilities, and related uses in exchange for streamlined approval and state preemption over local land use controls. The bill drew extensive testimony both for and against, with supporters emphasizing housing supply and land preservation and opponents warning about local control, sprawl, infrastructure costs, and weak conservation protections. Two amendments were adopted to define reserve areas more specifically and address conservation easements, and the committee reported the bill favorably on a divided vote, with Senator Passidomo voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I would make that request.
• </c><01:28:21.080><c> it</c> as as they as needed if they request it as as they as needed if they request
• Those cost analyses are made by the Legislative Budget Assistant, and I'm sure the Legislative Budget
• </c><01:52:59.239><c> that</c> possibility of crafting legislation that possibility of crafting legislation
• c> sure the legislative budget assistant is sure the legislative budget assistant is very<01:54:58.000

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all