Transcript Highlights:

• So we think that we can make a great piece of Texas legislation into a great piece of Missouri legislation
• So is this body, this legislative body, creating legislation based on fear?
• to such discriminatory legislation.
• I worked with research and my legislative assistant based on legislation that was drafted in Germany.
• I worked with research and my legislative assistant based on legislation that was drafted in Germany.

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So from my perspective, as this is an ongoing conversation in our country, you know, is it an appropriate
• Speaker is hearing this and any future speaker to put me on the large appropriation—I can't wait.
• We have a 60-day legislative session.
• But as previously mentioned in the last bill, there's only 60 days of legislative session.
• This legislative session so far has been a waste of time.

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee heard several measures focused on government structure, oversight, and public policy designations. The most debated bill was HJR 1325, which proposed a constitutional amendment to create a statewide Commissioner of Government Efficiency, abolish the lieutenant governor office and the Government Efficiency Task Force, and eliminate the constitutional requirement for an Auditor General appointment. Sponsors said the new commissioner would be a watchdog over waste, fraud, and abuse across state and local government, while opponents raised concerns about cost, single-subject issues, lack of implementation details, and whether existing oversight structures were sufficient. After extensive debate, the resolution was reported favorably by a recorded vote. The committee also approved HB 575, which redesignates the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in Florida statute, and HB 1445, which requires certain state officials and agency heads to have stronger ties to Florida and, for some positions, to live in the county where their agency headquarters is located. HB 1445 drew questions about practicality and whether a proximity standard would be better than a strict county requirement, but the sponsor said he would continue working on that issue. Both bills were reported favorably, with HB 1445 passing unanimously. In addition, the committee unanimously approved HB 259, designating August 21 as Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day, with supporters emphasizing the need for public education about fentanyl overdoses. The committee also passed CS/HB 29, the public records and meetings bill linked to the social work licensure compact, which creates confidentiality and meeting exemptions needed for the compact to operate. Public testimony on that measure was supportive, and it too was reported favorably without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Draft municipal authorization or legislation.
• Legislation.
• What we frequently see in legislation that authorizes DCAM to actually Frequently see in legislation
• This legislation does not appear, that aspect of this legislation does not appear to be gray.
• We do, when we have requests when we see passed by legislation for disposition of municipal lands, and

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight held an oversight hearing on draft regulations implementing Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution under Chapter 274 of the Acts of 2022, the Open Space Act. Chairs Cabral and Collins framed the hearing as a review of how the new process for dispositions or changes in use of Article 97 land would work, including public notice, environmental justice protections, replacement land, appraisals, and the role of the legislature. Under Secretary Stephanie Cooper and Commissioner Adam Bakke testified for EEA/DCAM, followed later by Deputy Inspector General O’Neill and Deputy Inspector General Giles on appraisal review. Much of the discussion focused on how the draft regulations would operate in practice. EEA said the regulations would require advance public notice, define “comparable location” for replacement land, and allow the Secretary to make findings on whether an action would adversely affect environmental justice communities. Members pressed for longer public comment periods, clearer notice to local officials, more frequent updates to the site evaluation tool, and a clearer definition of terms such as “limited duration” for permits and licenses. EEA said the regulations are intended to standardize a process that has been handled through policy and case-by-case review, and that the legislature still retains the final authority to approve any Article 97 disposition. Committee members also questioned whether the draft rules shift too much discretion to the Secretary and whether the proposed “proponent” process could allow private entities to drive Article 97 actions. EEA responded that non-public proponents would still need municipal support and legislative sponsorship, and that the regulations do not create a new avenue to bypass the existing home rule and legislative process. Members raised concerns about the current policy’s unanimous-vote requirements for municipal commissions, the proposed waiver provisions, whether MEPA applies, and the lack of explicit enforcement or penalty language in the act or regulations. EEA and DCAM said the act does not provide an enforcement mechanism and that disputes would generally be handled through the courts or the Attorney General. The Inspector General’s office explained its role in reviewing appraisals for special legislation, including Article 97 matters, to ensure compliance with USPAP standards and to forward its review to DCAM. The hearing did not include any votes or formal committee action; members indicated that the committee may later issue recommendations to the executive agencies based on the testimony and questions raised.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> participation in the legislative participation in the legislative process. process. process.
• . legislators. legislators.
• </c> the decision to a subset of legislators the decision to a subset of legislators or<01:02:46.799>
• </c><02:40:14.560><c> Um</c> request in this bill. Just verbal. Um request in this bill.
• </c><03:36:04.160><c> Happy</c> appropriate. We support the bill. Happy appropriate.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Distributed to all of our committee members and any member of the Senate that requested it.
• The committee substitute just makes sure that is a Legislative Council draft.
• The committee substitute is a Legislative Council draft. Thank you. With that, thank you, Mr.
• If a violation is reported, institutions must investigate and take appropriate actions.
• There's probably a very similar legislation throughout 50 states, probably, unfortunately.

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee heard several bills before recessing to the floor, with most measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. SB 2986 would allow public schools and universities to permit after-hours facility use by religious groups on the same terms as other nonprofits, and SB 1032 would open the Governor’s University Research Initiative to private and independent universities; both had committee substitutes adopted and were left pending after brief testimony. Supporters of SB 1032 from Rice and Baylor said the change would help Texas recruit top researchers and strengthen the state’s research economy. The committee also heard SB 2058, which would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to publish annual data on nursing clinical training sites to improve placement coordination, and SB 2683, which would bar public colleges from giving benefits or recognition to student organizations that receive support from foreign entities of concern; both were left pending after testimony. A large portion of the meeting focused on SB 2233, which would require public institutions of higher education to adopt policies prohibiting students or employees on nonimmigrant visas from publicly supporting terrorist activity or organizations, with enforcement through investigations, reporting to Homeland Security, and possible Attorney General action and fines. The author said the bill was intended to reinforce existing federal definitions and campus safety, while senators questioned the bill’s scope, the definition of terrorist activity, and the clause tied to U.S. policy or practice. Public witnesses, including civil rights advocates, law students, and others, argued the bill was vague, overbroad, unconstitutional, and likely to chill protected speech and increase surveillance of international students and Black and brown communities; several Jewish witnesses also said the bill misused Jewish safety concerns and could be used for viewpoint discrimination. SB 2233 was left pending after public testimony. The committee then took up SB 735, which builds on prior Holocaust education legislation by funding optional age-appropriate and bilingual curriculum, museum field trips, teacher preparation partnerships, annual reporting, and regional collaboration with Holocaust museums and education service centers. The author and invited witnesses said the bill responds to survey findings showing uneven Holocaust instruction and a need for better teacher training and accountability. A fifth-grade teacher and the director of the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio testified in support, emphasizing the need for accurate, age-appropriate instruction and professional development. The committee recessed before finishing the agenda, and SB 735 was set to resume after the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Facts on the record would be appropriate, I believe.
• Well, we do have something because you actually requested a cake. What was it, two weeks ago?
• Yeah, you're requesting a cake, right? Yes. So this is your...
• Well, God bless me for requesting a cake so everybody else can enjoy it too. So we have a cake.
• Well, God bless me for requesting a cake so everybody else can enjoy it too.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think what's important here is that we have the provision where DEES can act appropriately.
• I think what's important here is that we have the provision where DEES can act appropriately.
• </c> two with a friendly amendment to request two with a friendly amendment to request a<00:42:22.240
• </c> uh so that they there's no appropriation uh so that they there's no appropriation in<00:43:17.200
• 00:46:08.560><c> on</c> there were an appropriation on there were an appropriation on it,<00:46:10.560

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it wouldn't be appropriate.
• So, let's go wouldn't be appropriate.
• The federal legislation did come into being.
• </c><00:52:34.720><c> waiting</c> potential uh federal legislation waiting potential uh federal legislation
• </c> federal legislation did come into being. federal legislation did come into being.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We didn't, you know, we didn't need new legislation. We just needed a new president.
• Roll call requested. Roll call granted. Senator Klein. Thank you, Mr. President.
• I appeal the ruling of the President and request a roll call. Roll call requested.
• I appeal the ruling of the President and request a roll call.
• Uh, it is appropriate that we see this here again today.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Moroka, same request. So ordered. Moroka, same request. So ordered.
• </c> requests that they rebuild the stairs. requests that they rebuild the stairs.
• :34:16.320><c> the</c> conclusion, HSO requests that the conclusion, HSO requests that the creation<00
• Same request. So ordered. Representative Grandinetti. Same request. So ordered.
• Same request. So ordered. Representative Grandinetti. Same request. So ordered.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um to give permission in um be requested um to give permission in that<00:04:50.840><c> case</c><00:
• I also carried legislation like this last biennium and did not get a hearing on it.
• I am the director of state legislative affairs with the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, better
• That would be an example of a clinically appropriate exam.
• </c> an example of a clinically appropriate an example of a clinically appropriate exam<00:17:39.960>

Bills: HF2371 , HF2147 , HF2557 , HF1165 , HF2466 , HF2465 , HF2482

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: informed consent, sensitive examinations, healthcare, patient rights, anesthesia, hot water pools, rental properties, public health, safety regulations, Minnesota Statutes, health care access, hospital surcharge, fund allocation, medical assistance, health funding, health care, education, bonding capacity, financing, Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority

Transcript Highlights:

• The Legislative Management Committee will call the meeting to order, and we'll ask Mr.
• Chairman Hogue and members of Legislative Management, for the record, Liz Fordall, Legislative Council
• If the Legislative Assembly cannot locate an appropriate fund to appropriate money for this school measure
• Chairman Hogue, Senator Myrdal, I believe that, of course, the Legislative Assembly could pass legislation
• This application essentially requested the Supreme Court to accept and hear that case.

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to address the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, which would require public schools, public school districts, and public charter schools to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and allow reimbursement from the state, with implementation beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The committee first filled a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation by appointing Representative Berg to the committee. Legislative Council and DPI staff explained the measure’s requirements, including federal reimbursement participation, possible use of the legacy earnings fund if other funding is unavailable, and the authority of the Legislature and superintendent of public instruction to clarify implementation details. Linnell Johnson of DPI testified that the estimated fiscal impact for the 2027-2029 biennium is between $124 million and $134 million, based on participation assumptions, federal reimbursement rates, and the extent to which schools continue to collect applications or use community eligibility/provision 2 options. She also noted a likely additional administrative cost of about $300,000 for DPI to operate the program. Members asked about school participation, Title I implications, special diets, staffing, and whether the measure could reduce federal reimbursements if families stop applying. Johnson said the estimate is uncertain and could be higher if applications decline, but that schools would still have incentives to participate in federal programs because of reimbursement and other funding ties. After discussion, the committee adopted a motion to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State. The committee then received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation. He explained that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s ruling and sent the case back for reconsideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, while the district court-imposed map remains in effect for now. No action was taken on that update, and the meeting adjourned after members noted minutes from the prior meeting were not yet available for approval.

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:

• So at the appropriate time, we'll take a motion and take a vote. Thank you very much.
• At the appropriate time, we'll take a motion and a vote.
• I represent CALA, California Action for Legislative Accountability.
• So we urge you to vote yes on this important piece of legislation. Thank you.
• We thank Senator Cervantes for carrying this important piece of legislation.

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As in 492, Appropriation, Fortifying Center Center. ATT. S.
• As 884, Appropriation, Suppipation, Appropriation, multiplication. purpose. 1494 appropriation stop-mild
• It's a 4095, appropriation, multi-purpose complexity. ATT.
• ATT, Appropriation, coal-impacted Work for Study. ATT and Enru.
• As you are 10, 22, legislative, and 90 House districts. Government.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, approval of the prior journal, and several guest introductions, including Arizona agricultural producers and suppliers and sixth graders from James W. Rice Elementary School. The chamber then moved through a lengthy calendar of first- and second-reading bill references and committee reports, with no substantive debate on those items recorded in the transcript. The main floor action centered on Senate Resolution 1036, which was converted from a concurrent resolution to a Senate resolution and brought forward under a suspension of rules. The resolution condemned Attorney General Chris Mays for public comments about the use of force and law enforcement, and called on her to retract, clarify, and resign. Senators debated whether the resolution was a necessary public safety response or a politically motivated stunt, with supporters arguing Mays’ remarks endangered officers and opponents saying the resolution misquoted her and was being rushed without committee review or public input. A floor amendment was adopted, and after extended debate the Senate passed SR 1036 on a 17-13 vote. After the resolution vote, the Senate briefly returned to personal privileges, including an introduction of visitors connected to civics education, and then recessed and adjourned until Monday, February 2, 2026. The transcript does not show any other bill final actions beyond the SR 1036 vote and the routine referral and reporting of other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't mind sending a paper request.
• If not, I would request having the 10-day language added back in.
• It improves financial transparency by requiring clearer accounting of legislative appropriations and
• Legislation, why is all of a sudden legislation like this being put forth?
• What message are we sending to our children with legislation?

Bills: HB1106 , HB3284 , HB541 , HB713 , HB1403 , HB1586 , HB1942 , HB2070 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB3151 , HB3749 , HB3940 , HB3963 , HB4454 , HB4466 , HB4795 , HB5154 , HB5394 , SB1357 , HB1052 , HB4099 , HB4638 , HB5147

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: child abuse, neglect, gender identity, sexual orientation, child welfare, marriage, family, Texas Commission, family welfare, marriage support, stability, premarital education, child development, strong families, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services, insurance regulation, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• Our requests this year, we're requesting an additional $2 million per year to our current Legacy, which
• Our requests this year, we're requesting an additional $2 million per year to our current Legacy, which
• Our requests this year, we're requesting an additional $2 million per year to our current Legacy, which
• I've spoken with a lot of legislators about this request, and the one thing I'm hearing back from a lot
• I've spoken with a lot of legislators about this request, and the one thing I'm hearing back from a lot

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the 28th Legislative District.
• We think this is a very reasonable request.
• I urge your opposition to this legislation.
• This legislation is really... This legislation is really focused on compliance, not on punishment.
• This is what this piece of legislation is doing.

Bills: SB6053 , SB6134 , SB6147 , SB6106 , SB6045 , SB6135 , SB6128 , SB6282 , SB6068 , SB6303 , SB6290

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: SB 6053, domestic workers, domestic worker rights, labor protections, minimum wage, overtime, private household employment, nanny, home care worker, personal care provider, housekeeper, cleaner, cook, gardener, household manager, wage theft, retaliation, anti-discrimination, immigration status, privacy rights

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, how is this legislation similar to that? How is it different?
• Aligning with our legislative sessions.
• Record vote has been requested. Clerk, ring the bell. Thank you.
• How did you manage to do nothing substantive in hundreds of pages of legislation?
• Members' verification has been requested. Please take your seats. Thank you.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation and pledges, received Senate messages, and adopted several procedural motions allowing committees to meet during the session and postponing or scheduling certain committee hearings. Members also observed a memorial recognition for Wood County Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard, who died in the line of duty, and adopted a resolution honoring her service. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 897 recognizing May 6, 2025 as Golf Day in Texas and House Resolution 1063 recognizing Dallas Housing Coalition Advocacy Day; additional recognitions highlighted Mental Health Awareness Month and tardive dyskinesia awareness, The Woodlands’ 50th anniversary, Alzheimer’s advocacy, student athlete Gator Young, an intern in Rep. Leo-Wilson’s office, and educator Jessica Lopez. The House spent much of the day on third-reading consideration of a long calendar of bills. Among the measures passed were HB 24 on zoning protest procedures, HB 3800 creating a health care workforce advisory board, HB 42 on higher education appropriations, HB 129 restricting contracts with foreign adversary companies, HB 677 on county elections administrator political activity, HB 668 on license-to-carry renewal procedures, HB 2128 directing a rural firefighting study, HB 2038 expanding physician licensing options, HB 2316 on election result reporting, HB 3686 on retired peace officer ID cards, HB 2563 creating a prescribed burn manager self-insurance pool, HB 1160 increasing penalties for assaults on utility workers, HB 3883 on major events funding, HB 2788 protecting fraud-detection information, HB 2663 on inactive well plugging extensions, HB 3305 extending a county health provider participation program, HB 3474 on pension reporting, HB 1105 expanding tuition exemptions for certain paramedics, HB 3490 on closed meetings with internal auditors, HB 3597 on child care facility notice thresholds, HB 1295 on health literacy planning, HB 3512 on AI training for government employees, HB 3783 on court-ordered counseling, HB 2017 on intoxication manslaughter penalties, HB 3010 on rural disaster recovery, HB 3112 on cybersecurity-related public information and meetings, HB 4215 on delivery network companies, HB 3223 on construction claims limitation periods, HB 3464 on controlled substances in correctional facilities, HB 3120 on residential child detention facilities, HB 4214 on public information, HB 481 on trade secret sealing, HB 4783 on opioid antagonist program reporting, HB 4063 on unilateral memoranda of contract, HB 2783 on county employee deferred compensation, HB 5085 on seed banks, HB 2510 on assisted living facility operations, HB 3426 on digital driver’s licenses, HB 4361 on emergency notifications at higher education institutions, HB 1169 on oil and gas infrastructure protection, HB 2516 on Medicare supplement eligibility for Texans under 65, HB 3560 on hospital staff background checks, HB 3860 on occupational licenses for inmates, HB 3146 on SOAH hearings, HB 184 on loan repayment for border prosecution attorneys, HB 198 on firefighter cancer screenings, HB 247 on border security infrastructure taxation, HB 367 on excused absences for students with severe illnesses, HB 449 on deepfake sexually explicit images, HB 1778 on human trafficking and related offenses, HB 514 on maternal health workforce outreach, HB 632 on pharmacy regulation, HB 2582 on victim parole information, HB 766 on precinct chair ballot applications, HB 2715 on suspension/removal of officials, HB 2712 on water and sewer utility test years, HB 3069 on transmission projects, HB 3505 on health provider participation districts, HB 1269 on plant disease and pest prevention grants, HB 4224 on access to health care records, HB 5032 on historical documents in the Capitol complex, HB 2240 on void marriages, HB 5180 on diploma designation, HB 3348 on health provider participation programs, HB 4668 on PUC authority to retain assistance, HB 4665 on child care training providers, HB 3395 on beneficiary designation for manufactured homes, HB 3157 on interim electric utility rates, HB 4395 on electronic submission of public securities records, HB 4325 on bribery civil penalties, HB 4386 on annuity replacement transactions, HB 4273 on Medicaid fraud-related unlawful acts, HB 2760 on judicial review of unemployment decisions, HB 2820 on charitable bingo operating capital, HB 1828 on legislative leave for correctional officers, and a series of Senate bills including SB 2349, SB 1268, SB 610, SB 1577, SB 1369, SB 2032, SB 1057, SB 1044, SB 922, SB 1759, SB 1143, SB 1506, SB 1403, SB 2361, SB 870, SB 372, and SB 72. Several bills drew debate or amendments, including HB 24, where a germane point of order was sustained against an amendment, and HB 198, HB 3348, and SB 2361, which were amended before passage. Most measures passed by wide margins, though some drew notable opposition, including HB 3883, HB 514, HB 1295, HB 184, SB 1143, and others. The House also postponed further consideration of HB 4700 until the end of the day and HB 24 until 1 p.m., and it granted permission for committees to meet during the House session and for the Calendars Committee to meet that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriate, they get adopted.
• It's going to appropriations if it gets out as amended here today.
• At the appropriate time, I ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
• At the appropriate time, I ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
• Do pass as amended to Appropriations. Current vote: 10-0.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approval for portable plug-in solar devices for homes and apartments. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and other Californians lower electric bills, expand access to solar, and create statewide safety standards through UL certification and the National Electrical Code. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, backfeeding, older electrical systems, and the bill bypassing the California Electrical Code and Building Standards Commission process. After extended discussion and testimony from UL, the author agreed to add California Electrical Code language, and several opponents indicated they would move to neutral; the committee then passed the bill out as amended to the Senate Judiciary Committee on a roll call vote. The committee then took up SB 886, which would establish rules for large data centers to prevent electricity cost shifts to other ratepayers. The author and supporters said rapid data center growth could drive major grid costs and that the bill would require data centers to pay for their own infrastructure, participate in demand response, and secure new zero-carbon resources. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, while opponents such as the Data Center Coalition, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, utilities, and business groups argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC proceedings, and might impose operationally risky mandates, especially around demand response and backup power. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing behind-the-meter storage with a pre-funded long-term clean energy contract, and exempting certain public and critical facilities; the discussion continued with questions about cost responsibility, clean energy targets, and peak-load management.