Transcript Highlights:

• I am General Counsel for the Housing Authority for the City of El Paso, also known as HOME.
• Member, any questions for the author of the bill? All right. Thank you.
• Any questions for the author of the bill? All right.
• It also preserves local authority over short-term rental historic districts.
• Any questions for the author? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Any questions for the author? All right.

Bills: SB208 , SB628 , SB777 , SB1042 , SB2354 , SB2477 , SB2521 , SB2523 , SB2608 , SB2703 , SB2778 , SB2835 , SB2965 , SB2367 , SB3044

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: workforce housing, capital investment fund, affordable housing, housing development, Texas housing laws, loan programs, community development, Texas housing, zero-interest loans, low-income housing, nonprofit organizations, construction, economic stability, housing affordability, capital investment, Texas housing policy, county fire code, fire marshal, local government code, interlocal agreement

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and limited public testimony to two minutes per person. The committee heard Senate Bill 628 by Senator Zaffirini, which would clarify that counties may enter interlocal agreements with emergency service districts to administer and enforce county fire codes, including for multi-county ESDs in the committee substitute. Witnesses from Travis County ESD-11, the Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office, and a member of the public supported the bill as a way to reduce duplication, costs, and jurisdictional confusion. Public testimony was closed and the committee substitute was left pending. The committee then heard several housing-related bills. Senate Bill 208 by Senator West would create a Workforce Housing Capital Investment Fund to provide zero-interest loans to nonprofit builders for workforce housing; Habitat for Humanity representatives, a Brownsville nonprofit developer, and housing advocates supported it as a way to finance infrastructure and land development for affordable homes. Senate Bill 2835 by Senator Johnson would allow cities to opt into single-stair apartment buildings for small-scale, multi-story housing; supporters said the design is safe and could expand housing supply, while the Texas APA expressed qualified opposition over code-process concerns and fire-safety questions. Both bills were left pending after testimony. Additional bills heard included SB 1042 updating the Kimble County Hospital District’s enabling law; SB 1708, a committee substitute protecting familial property divisions from platting requirements; SB 2778 raising the ESD expenditure threshold requiring board approval from $2,000 to up to $50,000; SB 2608 expanding LIHTC eligibility for certain public housing projects; SB 3044 adding board representation for Marfa and Presidio on the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District and adjusting an exemption; SB 2367 extending park board authority to Waller County; SB 2523 clarifying ETJ reduction procedures and owner opt-out rights; SB 2521 requiring death-certificate reporting to appraisal districts to help address squatting and homestead exemption issues; and SB 2477 easing office-to-residential conversions in larger cities. In each case, the bills were laid out, testimony was taken, and the measures were left pending subject to call of the chair. The committee then recessed until 15 to 30 minutes after adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides for spousal preference for spousal hiring within state government and also authorizes the
• 08:23.120><c> government</c><00:08:23.759><c> and</c><00:08:24.000><c> also</c><00:08:24.319><c> authorizes
• </c><00:08:24.960><c> the</c> state government and also authorizes the state government and also authorizes
• , which we have a water authority there that their board has a paid fire department.
• , which we have a water authority there that their board has a paid fire department.

Bills: HB465 , HB307 , SB338 , HB465 , HB307 , SB338 , SB359

Committee: Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Safety

Keywords: emergency management, public funds, educational materials, promotional materials, state agency, speedy trial, visiting judge, court administration, public interest, criminal justice, New Hope, Madison County, municipal boundary, corporate limits, deannexation, boundary adjustment, local act, city limits, municipal jurisdiction, annexation rollback

Transcript Highlights:

• We have our author here Real quickly our committee's policies for testimony in today's hearing are as
• File Item 1, SB 615, authored by Senator Allen. This bill has an urgency clause.
• This item has an urgency clause authored by Senator Weber Pearson.
• Item number 3 SB 454 authored by Senator McNerney.
• Item number 4 SB 724 authored by Senator Richardson.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Kentucky, pursuant to the authority Kentucky, pursuant to the authority granted<00:39:35.839><c>
• </c> Kentucky, pursuant to the authority Kentucky, pursuant to the authority granted<00:53:08.880><c>
• </c> Kentucky, pursuant to the authority Kentucky, pursuant to the authority granted<00:54:56.079><c>
• </c> Kentucky, pursuant to the authority Kentucky, pursuant to the authority granted<01:26:28.719><c>
• </c> Kentucky, pursuant to the authority Kentucky, pursuant to the authority granted<01:55:51.199><c>

Bills: SB141 , SB124 , SB56 , SJR116 , SB94 , SB37 , SB127 , SB197 , SB66 , SB70 , SB133 , SB160 , SB214 , SB312 , SB52 , SJR62 , SJR75

Keywords: legal advertisements, tax rates, public hearings, transparency, local government, sick leave, education, teacher retirement, benefits, employee compensation, Medicaid, nonopioid analgesics, pain management, health care regulation, utilization controls, physician shortage, health care access, medically underserved areas, medical education, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> excellent co-author for you. excellent co-author for you. Thank<00:51:57.840><c> you.
• . authority. authority.
• </c> us to make sure we have that authority. us to make sure we have that authority.
• </c><01:24:40.080><c> and</c><01:24:41.280><c> um</c> Senate author and um Senate author and um other
• The author the house DE amendment.

Bills: HF1234 , HF3528 , HF3672 , HF3679 , HF3680 , HF1944

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, barbering, licensing, examinations, barber schools, public safety, certifications, Barber Examiners Board, data transparency, Legislative Budget Office, state agencies, fiscal notes, public data, standard time, federal law, time zone

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 216 authorizes OA to look into.
• </c> consistent and parallels our authority consistent and parallels our authority with<00:37:01.200>
• Um the council makes authority.
• </c> author? Senator Miller. author? Senator Miller.
• 57.040><c> Coleman,</c> co-authors, Senators Duckworth, Coleman, co-authors, Senators Duckworth, Coleman

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are seven Democratic-authored bills and five Republican-authored bills.
• </c> uh there are seven Democratic authored uh there are seven Democratic authored bills<00:03:47.599
• 00:03:49.120><c> bills</c> bills and five Republican authored bills bills and five Republican authored
• <00:14:02.680><c> or</c> author or author or testifier<00:14:04.560><c> senatori</c><00:14:05.440><c>
• Currently, Dwan Golf Course is only authorized to sell 3.2 beer.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Passenger Rail Advisory Committee to be composed of delegations appointed by county legislative authorities
• It sets rail advisory committee member term lengths to three years and grants WSDOT the authority to
• It authorizes the council to adopt a charter that includes rules governing the election of a chair and
• It removes the council's authority to enter into agreements with the Trucking Foundation of Washington
• It removes the council's authority to enter into agreements with the Trucking Foundation of Washington

Bills: HB2092 , HB2114 , HB2172 , HB2251 , HB2374 , HB2410 , HB2552 , HB2588 , HB2718 , HB2722 , HB2727

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: passenger rail, transportation, committee, advisory, infrastructure, defective license plates, vehicle registration, Department of Licensing, state regulations, route jurisdiction, abandonment, local governance, climate change, commitment act, emission reductions, sustainability, environmental policy, electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• And it authorizes local government to review and audit the conduct of the contractors using a uniform
• At a high level, one of the biggest concerns we have with the bill deals with what type of authority
• On one hand, we have what is known as ministerial authority.
• On the other hand, we have what's called discretionary authority.
• Chairman. the decision and authority related to ministerial authority, and that we preserve all of the

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee for... ...the authorization from the Legislative Joint
• to do that transfer, this committee gives the mayor authority to transfer that money, that 10%.
• My explanation of that motion will be: I don't believe that we could authorize— we don't need to authorize
• the mayor to do... ...could authorize, we don't need to authorize the mayor to do something.
• The town council minutes indicated Ordinance No. 1001 was adopted to authorize these payments.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee first heard updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. For reports due as of December 31, 2012, staff said five additional 2024 reports had been received since the December meeting, bringing the total of released escrow funds to 17 and leaving 26 still escrowed. For reports delinquent as of December 31, 2023, two more reports were received, bringing 59 of the original 64 into compliance and leaving five outstanding. Both update reports were filed without objection. The committee then discussed Act 709 of 2021 and the town of Daisy’s repayment of street turnback funds. Staff said Daisy had made improper payments to a nonprofit, used restricted street funds for fire truck and fire department building costs, and had not adopted the required repayment ordinance or obtained approval for a reduced repayment percentage. Mayor Lisa Cogburn said the city council had not approved repayment because members disputed the amount, though she said the city had funds to pay. After questions from members and staff explaining the audit calculations, the committee adopted a motion requiring Daisy to repay 10% of unrestricted general fund revenues under the statute and to withhold turnback funds if the city fails to comply. The report was then filed. The committee reviewed numerous deferred and current audit findings from cities, counties, and water systems. Several local officials appeared and described corrective steps, including Harrison district court, Carroll County airport, Izard County treasurer, Alexander district court, Town of 56 officials, Bull Shoals, Lone Oak County, Beaver, Central City, Gravette, Ralston Water Department, Thornton Waterworks, Ozan, and Lee County. Findings included missing or inaccurate reconciliations, unsupported credit card charges, payroll and compensation issues, improper use of public funds, missing receipts, and budget overruns. Some matters were referred to the prosecuting attorney and Attorney General, including Bull Shoals and Lone Oak County, while others were filed or deferred as appropriate. The committee also deferred two private water and sewer reports for lack of proper responses, filed 19 reports with resolved findings, and filed 53 reports with no findings. Before adjourning, the committee set its next meeting for February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you to Assemblymember Papin for authoring the measure, and I urge and I vote. Thank you.
• I just want to thank the author and also as a co-author to this bill as well. bill, read through it,
• Be a co-author. Perfect. Assembly member Gonzalez, you had.
• So thank you very much, and I would like to be a co-author.
• I would love to be a co-author as well. Thank you. Any other questions?

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Conservation Commission and recognizes the author to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr.
• And Senator Blanco is a co-author. If I could add.
• Chair lays out Senate Bill 1145 and recognizes its author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.
• Although TCEQ has regulatory authority for the.
• Are there questions of the author? Please show Senator Alvarado present.

Bills: SB766 , SB290 , SB494 , SB1145

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water regulation, environmental protection, pesticide management, natural resources, LP-gas, property owner notice, gas installations, safety notification, petroleum theft, task force, oil and gas, law enforcement, economic impact, environmental regulation, water permits, water quality, land application, 1185, senate

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; that uh that wasn't authorized? &gt;&gt; that uh that wasn't authorized?
• </c> Kentucky Infrastructure Authority. Kentucky Infrastructure Authority.
• Uh since of the Arena Authority.
• </c><00:55:52.480><c> has</c> there was uh the arena authority has there was uh the arena authority has
• <01:04:03.520><c> financial</c><01:04:04.000><c> statement</c> authorities financial statement authorities

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first received several information items, including University of Kentucky reports on medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts’ planned bond issues, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues. Members then heard and approved an appropriation increase for a federally funded University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. The project will construct a terminal building and is tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school; members asked about the public funding, the role of EKU, and possible aviation expansion, and the item was approved by roll call. The committee next approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for an 85,000-square-foot facility at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead for $6.4 million. UK said the property, formerly the Rowan County Board of Education site, is directly across from UK St. Clair and will be used for multiple purposes; members questioned the quarterly payment structure and why the county preferred not to receive the full amount upfront, but the item was approved. The committee then heard three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Fish and Wildlife pump project at Ballard Wildlife Management Area and two Lake Barkley State Resort Park repair projects. Finance staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies after bids came in close to available funding, and the committee approved the action items. Janice Thomas then presented four pool projects requiring no action: HVAC upgrades at the Future Farmers of America Leadership Training Center in Hardinsburg, geothermal and HVAC work at the Kentucky School for the Blind, a Brady Hall HVAC project at the Kentucky School for the Blind, and a renovation of Shanti Hall at Kentucky State University for the School of Engineering Technology. Members asked no substantive questions on those items. Finally, Natalie Broner presented a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the rent, the lack of other bids, and whether another county location might be preferable; CHFS said it maintains county-seat offices statewide and that the Wayne County site would replace an existing office. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing services with renovation costs largely absorbed by the lessor. Both lease items were presented for action after the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The audit was conducted solely and independently by the State Auditor's Office under the authority of
• We analyzed Medicaid data comparing the records for these authorized hours with actual hours used.
• We analyzed Medicaid data comparing the records for these authorized hours with actual hours used.
• There are many reasons clients might not use all their authorized hours, including client choice.
• Large gaps between authorized and used hours can suggest situations where clients do not have access

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s Office performance audit of Washington’s Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163). Auditors said the initiative’s background checks and 75-hour training requirement are widely viewed as safety measures, but the state lacks pre-2011 data to directly measure safety outcomes. They also found Washington’s long-term care workforce is still short, though the state ranks better than many others in workers per disabled person, and that some groups and regions have larger gaps between authorized and actually used Medicaid care hours, suggesting access problems for certain clients. The audit focused heavily on the certification process for home care aides. Auditors reported that many applicants never finish certification, that the process often exceeds the 200-day legal deadline, and that delays can cause lost income, job loss, and in some cases repeated employer changes that allow aides to keep working without becoming certified. They recommended that the Department of Health accept applications only after training and testing are completed, move testing into training programs more broadly, and eliminate redundant DOH verification of FBI background checks. Committee members asked about testing contract incentives, language access, and the role of immigration in workforce shortages; auditors said they found no financial performance standards in the Prometric contract, did not specifically study immigration status, and did not focus on language barriers in this audit. Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services officials largely agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations. They said they have already made improvements, including expanded in-program testing, more staffing, and rule changes, and that testing has been integrated into more than 110 training programs. DSHS noted testing is offered in 13 languages. Both agencies said they support further streamlining and expect continued collaboration, including possible budget or legislative requests. No public testimony was offered, and the committee adjourned without taking any vote or formal action on the audit.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the presentation, the authors said several times that this is just putting it before the voters and
• Will there be questions of the author on House Bill 3327? Senator Hicks Senator Bullard, follow up.
• Yeah, one last follow-up: the appointing authority has to have statutory authority to know who's going
• I have great respect for the House author.
• Will there be questions of the author on House Bill 3329.

Bills: HB3327 , HB3711 , HB4104 , HJR1077 , HB3329 , SB2184 , SB171

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: State Board of Education, Oklahoma education board, board appointments, school governance, education reform, governor appointments, legislative appointments, speaker of the house, president pro tempore, senate confirmation, board vacancies, removal for cause, public education, state superintendent, school board training, board member qualifications, emergency clause, Oklahoma statutes 70 O.S. 3-101, school funding, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• You guys do amazing job through our state, so I think the author for this bill.
• Be added as a co-author. Great. Thank you. And I'll move the item. Great.
• I would also love to be added as a co-author if I'm not already.
• Jackson, you are next, and our last author for our regular order of business here.
• I would also like to announce that the hearing orders are organized alphabetically by author.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had some productive conversations with the author.
• The author of the bill and I share a love of attending events.
• I'd love to be added as a co-author to the legislation, and I have complete confidence that the author
• I want to thank the author.
• And I also want to thank the author.

Summary: The California Assembly Judiciary Committee met as a subcommittee because quorum was initially lacking, then heard AB 1349, a consumer-protection bill aimed at stopping speculative ticketing. The author said the bill would require ticket sellers to own or have a contractual right to sell tickets before listing them, require disclosure of seat locations, maintain records and refund capability on secondary platforms, and ban fake websites that mimic official event pages. Supporters included California Arts Advocates, the Music Artist Coalition, the National Independent Venue Association, Live Nation, the San Francisco Symphony, the American Conservatory Theater, and several sports teams, who argued the bill would protect fans, artists, venues, and nonprofit arts organizations from fraud and price gouging. Opposition came from the Consumer Federation of California, StubHub, SeekGeek/TickPick, and Vivid Seats. They said they supported the goal of stopping speculative ticketing but argued the bill’s language could create implementation problems, interfere with legitimate ticket transfers, and overlap with issues already being addressed in federal legislation and litigation involving the ticketing industry. They also raised concerns about terms-and-conditions restrictions and the potential effect on consumers’ ability to resell or transfer tickets they already purchased. Committee members largely expressed support for the bill’s consumer-protection goals while noting the need to continue working on amendments and unresolved issues. The author said he was committed to working with the opposition. The committee then approved AB 1349, as amended, on a do-pass motion to Appropriations by unanimous roll call vote, and the bill was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not have, as you know, a quorum, but we do have authors here.
• No, I certainly appreciate the author for bringing this bill forward.
• The author and the author's staff and sponsors have reached out to us and we're very very, The author
• Yeah, I want to thank the author.
• So let me just ask a quick question of the author.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took action on a number of them. SB 1234 by Senator Alvarado-Gil would require fentanyl to be included in drug tests ordered by juvenile courts for parents or guardians in dependency cases; there was no opposition, a committee member confirmed it would apply to caregivers rather than children, and the bill was supported for moving forward. SB 1257 by Senator Arreguín would require the Attorney General to publish an annual public report on immigration enforcement incidents at designated safe locations such as schools, hospitals, courthouses, and places of worship; supporters from immigrant advocacy and health groups testified about fear and chilling effects in communities, while questions focused on how data would be collected and concerns were raised about sanctuary policies. SB 1176 by Senator Choi would bar foreign adversary entities from buying California agricultural land; supporters cited national security concerns, but committee members pressed on enforcement, straw buyers, and who would be responsible for identifying prohibited purchasers, and the bill was held on a 2-4 vote after debate. The committee also heard SB 1146 by Senator Gonzalez, which would require clear disclosure when AI-generated or altered images, audio, or video are used in health-related advertisements depicting health care providers. The California Medical Association and California Dental Association supported the bill, describing deepfake health ads as deceptive and harmful; it passed the committee 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 988 by Senator Grayson would regulate auto glass insurance practices by restricting assignment of benefits, requiring claim numbers and itemized estimates, and addressing steering and billing practices; supporters said it would curb fraud and stabilize premiums, while independent glass businesses worried about steering and market concentration. After discussion of consumer choice and small-business impacts, the bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 1288, presented by Senator Grayson on behalf of Senator Laird, would require financial institutions to make a good-faith effort to notify beneficiaries of non-probate assets and would reduce barriers to claiming those assets, especially for nonprofits. Nonprofit witnesses described long delays and burdensome account-opening requirements, while SIFMA and bankers opposed the bill unless amended, citing conflicts with federal and industry obligations and concerns about retroactivity and verification. The bill passed 8-0 to call. The committee also heard SB 941 by Senator Padilla, which would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost; the Attorney General’s office and immigrant advocates supported it as a response to exploitative pricing and poor conditions, and it passed 8-0 to call. Finally, SB 909 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would raise and index public works contractor fees and penalties and dedicate more penalty revenue to enforcement; labor supporters said stronger funding is needed to address wage theft and backlogs, while contractors opposed the fee and penalty structure as uncapped and costly. The bill was moved forward on a vote and remained on call after committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The cities and counties, we do the site authorization.
• local authority, I think once again, we're looking at that balance between legislative authority and
• local authority, right?
• But it's an issue that county authorities and city authorities certainly should help the court work out
• Whose authority is it currently? Whose authority should it be?

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to begin its study of charitable gaming and the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations, a study directed by Senate Bill 2334. Legislative Council gave an overview of the constitutional and statutory framework for charitable gaming, site authorizations, rent limits, proceeds, and recent legislative changes. The Attorney General’s Gaming Division then clarified the financial flow of gaming, explaining that in fiscal year 2025 North Dakota had about $2.5 billion in gross gaming proceeds, with roughly 88-90% paid back in prizes and about $256 million available to organizations after taxes; most of that activity came from electronic pull tabs. Members asked for more detail on winnings, replays, rent, and the breakdown of manufacturer/distributor revenues, and the AG’s office agreed to provide supplemental information. The committee also heard from the League of Cities and the Association of Counties about local site authorization. Cities said they have a limited role in approving gaming sites, can adopt policies after public hearing, may charge up to $100, and can set certain conditions, including local nexus requirements, but cannot require donations or force a specific charity or site. The League said it had worked with stakeholders on a model policy to provide more consistency, though members raised concerns that local requirements could become too restrictive for charities serving broader areas. Counties said the issue is mostly a city matter, with little county involvement beyond minimal site fees and general site approval. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance testified in support of the study and provided IRS-related material suggesting charities may use asset diversification, while emphasizing it had not taken a position on whether charities should own bars. Members questioned whether bar ownership is being used for site stability or to channel charitable gaming dollars, and whether city policies might disadvantage charities with broader missions. The committee also discussed the relationship between gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors, including restrictions on incentives and interference, and asked for more information on those entities and their ownership. Later in the meeting, the Racing Commission gave its regular update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, ADW providers, purse and promotion funds, a new TRPB contract, and concerns about cease-and-desist actions from other states. Finally, the State Hospital superintendent briefly reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, including the SORT team, training, and security assistance for the hospital campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page four, discussion of the certificates of authority to commence business.
• </c><00:19:00.640><c> and</c> giving it a certificate of authority and giving it a certificate of authority
• , authority, authority, having<00:22:08.960><c> a</c><00:22:09.200><c> charter,</c><00:22:09.919><c>
• </c> what it says is this has authorization what it says is this has authorization in<00:56:07.440><c
• </c> paid anyway but it gives authorization paid anyway but it gives authorization for<00:56:16.559><

Bills: HB0116 , HB0056

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Keywords: water rights, beneficial use, industrial production, hydrogen, applications, public welfare, carbon capture, energy standards, public utilities, environmental regulation, state law, 916, all