Transcript Highlights:

• of Economic Development and the Department of Revenue, as well as the treasurer and participating city
• Louis City and the Department of Revenue.
• of Economic Development and the Department of Revenue, as well as the treasurer and participating city
• He said, no, your insurance doesn't cover it. You have to pay for it out of pocket.
• He says, no, your insurance don't cover it. You have to pay for it out of pocket.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Joint Resolution 173 and 174, which would put a tax-reform proposal before voters. Members debated a failed amendment to change the ballot language, with supporters saying it would more honestly describe the measure as a tax replacement that could expand sales taxes, and opponents saying it would be misleading and overly restrictive. The committee then adopted a House committee substitute that clarified the proposal, including a phased reduction in the individual income tax tied to revenue growth, and voted the substitute do pass by a 7-3 roll call. The committee next took up House Bills 321 and 2531 under a new committee substitute. The substitute made a series of technical and policy changes involving redevelopment, tax increment financing, public safety funding, Missouri Opportunity Zones, baseline revenue calculations, and local property tax diversion, including reducing one diversion requirement from 50% to 25%. Members and the sponsor described the changes as clarifying agency roles and addressing constitutional and administrative concerns. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted the combined bill do pass by a 9-0-1 vote. In public hearing, House Bill 3230 by Rep. Hardwick would bar cities and counties from outright banning modular or qualified manufactured homes in areas where single-family homes are allowed, while still allowing reasonable safety, zoning, and compatibility standards. The sponsor and supporters from the Missouri Manufactured Housing Association argued the bill would expand affordable housing and prevent discriminatory local restrictions; the Missouri Municipal League said it supported the goal but wanted more work on language to preserve local flexibility. The committee also heard House Bill 2888 by Rep. Deal, which would limit standalone medical-monitoring claims without present physical injury. The sponsor and a civil justice coalition supporter said the bill would align Missouri law with court precedent and require an actual injury, while opponents and affected residents argued it would block needed monitoring for exposure to PFAS and other contaminants and could leave exposed communities without a remedy.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2511 requires the Department of Industrial Relations to work with other state agencies to examine
• Prohibitively low reimbursement rates have kept many of my peers from accepting insurance, and this is
• Health insurance companies, hospitals, there are some of the most detail-oriented businesses you will
• The bill directs the Department of Industrial Relations to partner with the University of California
• This translates to billions of dollars in added strain on unemployment, insurance, to billions of dollars

Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills, with testimony largely focused on worker protections, AI, workplace safety, and employment access. AB 1697 would delay implementation of AB 692 on employer debt traps by one year to allow more time to address collective bargaining concerns; it drew support from the NFL and no opposition. AB 2495 would expand prohibitions on immigration-related threats used by employers to intimidate workers, with strong support from immigrant-rights, labor, and legal aid groups describing coercion and fear among undocumented and new-arrival workers; it advanced on a divided roll with some members voting no or not voting. AB 2511 would require DIR to study pay disparities between behavioral health and medical-surgical providers, with supporters arguing low reimbursement drives provider shortages and opponents warning of duplicative reporting, proprietary-data concerns, and added administrative burden; it was moved forward to the Health Committee. AB 2157 would make permanent the Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund Pilot Program, with displaced refinery workers and labor/environmental groups supporting the bill as a needed transition tool; it passed to Appropriations. AB 2530 would require 60-day notice for public-employer layoffs, relocations, and closures, narrowed by amendment to public agencies; supporters said public workers deserve the same notice protections as private-sector workers, while some opposition sought clarification, and the bill passed to Judiciary. The committee also heard AB 2488, which would direct DIR and UC to study Cal/OSHA inspector vacancies and recruitment pathways. Supporters, including a laid-off refinery worker and WorkSafe, said chronic understaffing has weakened enforcement and that experienced workers could fill the gap; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2545 would create an EDD study of AI-related workforce displacement and safety-net impacts, with labor and tech-policy supporters warning of large-scale job loss and the need for data to plan for unemployment and other public programs; business groups opposed the reporting and task-force structure but acknowledged the issue, and the bill passed to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 2027 would restrict employers and vendors from using worker data to train or deploy AI systems that replace workers, while limiting collection to what is necessary for employment administration; supporters framed it as a privacy and anti-displacement measure, and opponents argued the definitions were too broad and could hinder useful workplace technologies. The bill advanced to Privacy and Consumer Protection. Later, AB 2095, the Fair Chance Act bill, was presented to clarify and strengthen rules limiting conviction-history screening in hiring, including written explanations and protections for applicants seeking promotions or new roles with current employers. Supporters described ongoing discrimination against people with records and the need for a real second chance, while opponents said the bill was too broad, added burdens, and could conflict with existing statewide rules. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on AB 2095, but the discussion centered on balancing reentry opportunities with employer concerns about individualized assessments and safety-based hiring decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1153 by Hughes, relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to take
• the Office of Inspector General of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, to Criminal Justice.
• of an injured person's marital status following the death of the insured spouse, to Business and Commerce
• on the basis of an injured person's marital status following the death of the insured spouse, to Business
• of Insurance, to Health and Human Services.

Summary: The Senate met briefly to receive first-reading referrals of a large number of bills, resolutions, and joint resolutions. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public education, health care, criminal justice, business regulation, transportation, water and natural resources, local government, taxation, elections, and public information. Many of the filings were by Senators Hughes, Perry, Alvarado, Creighton, Hancock, Parker, Zaffirini, Blanco, and others, and included proposals on school safety, health records and billing, election procedures, water planning, housing and rent issues, energy and environmental regulation, and criminal penalties. The chamber also read several concurrent and joint resolutions, including measures designating state symbols and local honors, a proposed constitutional amendment related to gaming by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, a proposal concerning special-session subjects, and resolutions on fiscal restraints and retirement obligations. No debate, testimony, or substantive action on the merits of the measures occurred in this portion of the transcript; the items were simply read and referred to committees. At the close of the proceedings, the Senate adjourned pursuant to a previously adopted motion and announced it would reconvene at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 4.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Water Resources.
• She's worked in the Department of Commerce. Senator Den Hartog. Mr.
• She's worked in the Department of Commerce.
• He is currently the director of the Department of Finance and has been with the department since 2013
• This is... ...of Cynthia Fairfax to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a concurrent resolution to direct the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism to conduct a study
• The resolution directs the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism to conduct a study with the
• Members, this requires the Louisiana Department of Education to study the future direction of the Louisiana
• For the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and the Office of Motor Vehicle to develop an envelope
• ferries by the Department of Transportation and Development.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what House Bill 900 does is establish a really clear process as it relates to the Department of Administration
• So what House Bill 900 does, it establishes a really clear process as it relates to the Department of
• It also stipulates that agencies can pursue a separate appraisal of the damage beyond what the Department
• And then there needs to be agreement between the Department of Administration and the agency before accepting
• If there can't be agreement between the two departments, then that will go to the Board of Examiners,

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this as a condition of getting insurance for your church?
• as a condition of getting your insurance for your church?
• It says we want to get rid of the Department of Education.
• attached with it, I'm not going to get into all the details of whether or not you like the Department
• women and girls in programs, all of these federal laws that the Department of Education currently, in

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance is going to be, the cost of energy, the cost of materials.
• insurance is going to be, the cost of energy, the cost of materials.
• account are specifically designed for the cost of maintenance, deferred maintenance, and insurance, right
• There's lots of business. Of maintenance, deferred maintenance, and insurance, right?
• There's lots of bespoke insurance measures that might better capture the kind of cost profile, because

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Commerce estimates no state or local fiscal impacts.
• The Department of Commerce estimates no state or local fiscal impacts.
• For the record, I'm Rory Payne Donovan here on behalf of the Office of Insurance Commissioner, here in
• I think it's the Office of the Insurance Commissioner indicated.
• This bill will help, in theory, lower the cost of insurance by giving you a warranty, which is not insurance

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills. Representative Connors testified on two notice-service bills: HB 2452, which would change manufactured/mobile home rent increase notices so they are served like other MHLTA notices rather than by certified mail, and HB 2664, which would remove certified-mail requirements for unlawful detainer and related notices. Connors said the current certified-mail rules are causing notices to go unclaimed and creating unnecessary costs for housing providers, while staff explained the bills would allow service by regular mail in the same manner as other notices. Public testimony on both bills was generally supportive, emphasizing reduced cost and better delivery, though one witness on HB 2452 urged allowing electronic notice options as well. The committee also heard SHB 2269, which clarifies that middle housing in limited areas of more intensive rural development may be served by either a public sewer system or a large on-site sewage system in rural counties, while non-rural counties would still require public sewer service. The sponsor and supporters said the bill resolves ambiguity created by prior legislation and gives county planners more flexibility; questions focused on what kinds of systems and uses would qualify. EHB 1687 was heard next and would expand the housing cooperation law to allow cities and counties to assist social housing public development authorities. Representative Reed and supporters said the bill would give Seattle and potentially other jurisdictions a tool to support permanently public, mixed-income housing with land, infrastructure, and other assistance. In executive session, the committee adopted a due-pass recommendation for EHB 1345 after Senator Gaynor withdrew an amendment that would have removed water-withdrawal and metering requirements for detached ADUs outside urban growth areas. The committee also adopted a striking amendment and moved ESHB 1500 and EHB 1501 forward, both with updated timelines and clarifications related to common-interest-community resale certificates and owner inquiries. Amendments to ESHB 1974 on land bank authorities were rejected, including proposals to remove private negotiation and tax preferences, and the bill was sent to Ways and Means. Finally, SHB 2288 on scissors stairs was advanced without amendment. Later, the committee heard HB 2304, which would expand the 2-10 warranty option to certain four-story stacked-flat condominium projects; testimony from builders, housing advocates, and the Office of Insurance Commissioner supported it as a way to reduce liability costs and increase condo supply. The committee also took testimony on EHB 1687 and HB 2664, and then closed the hearing on SHB 2452 after hearing support from housing providers for easing manufactured-home rent notice service requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the department is... Specific needs, you can get other types of training and so forth.
• And so the department is kind of in control of that, where these kids will get placed.
• I've worked carefully with Deputy Director Moni Pro from the Department of Health and Welfare and also
• And then it goes on to direct the department a number of ways that they're going to do that. Yeah.
• There's a lot of intent language directing the department to do stuff.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of hospitals right now, and then in the future insurance is kind of on the horizon.
• millions of people who are going to be losing health insurance and health care because of this.
• the instability of the insurance markets we are facing.
• insurance status and regardless of their ability to pay.
• on government insurance, which doesn't cover the cost of care.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Senate and Assembly Health Committees focused on the cost of federal instability for California health coverage, access, and affordability. Opening remarks from members of both houses emphasized that California’s coverage gains under the Affordable Care Act are now threatened by federal policy changes, including the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, H.R. 1, and new federal regulatory actions. Members repeatedly cited rising premiums, skipped care, medical debt, and the risk that low-income, immigrant, and working Californians could lose coverage or be pushed into less comprehensive plans. The first panel reviewed the federal landscape and state response. Don Joyce described the ACA’s coverage expansions and warned that H.R. 1, regulatory changes, and broader federal retrenchment could reduce coverage and weaken meaningful benefits. Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman said the loss of enhanced premium tax credits is driving major affordability problems, with average monthly premiums projected to rise sharply and enrollment already down, especially among middle-income consumers. HCAI’s Elizabeth Lansberg explained the Office of Health Care Affordability’s role in slowing spending growth, monitoring consolidation, and setting spending targets, including lower targets for high-cost hospitals and new primary care investment goals. Members asked about bronze plans, high-cost hospitals, administrative burdens, provider taxes, and whether federal advisory changes could affect required benefits such as immunizations. The second panel examined population impacts and cost drivers. UC Berkeley Labor Center’s Miranda Dietz said most Californians get coverage through employers, Medi-Cal, or Covered California, and that affordability problems are widespread across all groups. She projected that California could have up to 2 million more uninsured residents by 2030, largely from Medi-Cal losses, and said higher premiums reduce wages and increase medical debt. Christoph Stremakis of the California Health Care Foundation highlighted survey data showing widespread concern about medical bills, skipped care, and medical debt, and argued that a large share of spending is wasted through administrative complexity, inflated prices, and underinvestment in prevention. Committee members pressed the panel on whether California can sustain coverage without new revenue, how cost-growth targets affect workers and families, how medical debt relief programs like Los Angeles County’s could be expanded, and how OCA can address uncompensated care, consolidation, and prior authorization burdens.

Transcript Highlights:

• Matt Aiken, with the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies.
• This bill prevents an insurer from maintaining a categorical exclusion for the removal of a 12-year-old
• This bill prevents an insurer from maintaining a categorical exclusion for the removal of a 12-year-old
• This bill prevents an insurer from maintaining a categorical exclusion for the removal of a 12-year-old
• What it is doing, it is forcing insurance carriers to cover all gender interventions, irrespective of

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1510 on the Department of Environmental Protection by Senator Massulo.
• This bill is the Department of Environmental Protection Agency's package.
• Both the Florida Springs Council and the Department of Water Protection waived in support of that bill
• Alex Cronin, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, waiving in support.
• My education took place in both public and Department of Defense schools, as I am the daughter of a father

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to welcome the graduate students from the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
• This aligns with the Federal Department of Labor guidance.
• of Commerce and Insurance.
• This is a common practice of chambers of commerce. They offer a pooled resource of insurance.
• to work in a coordinated, multi-jurisdictional manner alongside the Department of Public Safety, the

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 126-0. Members then offered several points of personal privilege and introductions, including recognition of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, a tribute and moment of silence for the late Reverend Jesse Jackson, and greetings to various visiting groups such as manufacturers, FFA students, university graduate students, and the Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum Corps for an America 250 event. The chamber then moved through first reading of several bills and took up multiple measures for perfection and printing. House Bill 2596, dealing with multiple employer self-insured health plans for small businesses, received supportive testimony from members who said it would help small employers recruit and retain workers and modernize outdated law; it was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 1644, establishing a franchise-specific joint employer standard, drew extensive debate over liability, franchisor control, and whether it would protect small franchise businesses without limiting legitimate claims; it was also adopted and ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 2423, updating consumer credit licensing fees for the fee-funded Division of Finance, was presented as a way to keep the agency self-funded and maintain consumer protection staffing, and it too was ordered perfected and printed. The House also considered House Bill 2641, which would regulate intoxicating hemp products and align state law with federal changes set to take effect on November 12, 2026. The bill’s sponsor said it was intended to protect children, provide clarity, and create a coordinated enforcement framework, while opponents argued it was unconstitutional because it would effectively reclassify hemp products under the marijuana framework in Article 14 of the Missouri Constitution and could harm lawful hemp businesses. An amendment and a technical amendment were adopted, and the bill was then adopted and perfected and printed as amended. The House later announced committee meetings and other notices before voting to recess until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill would require the California Department of Motor Vehicles to refuse to renew the registration
• The bill requires the Department of Justice to conduct annual randomized audits of public agency operators
• The Orange County Sheriff's Department believes this bill would severely limit the effectiveness of automated
• , utilities, When California is struggling with rising costs of housing and groceries, utilities, insurance
• bills in America, some of the highest insurance costs in America, if you can even get insurance.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got issues with excessive cost of health insurance.
• of that health insurance.
• to all of our employees health insurance to all of our employees and<00:24:35.960><c> the</c><00:24:
• Minnesota Department of Education.
• insurance, family medical leave of absence, and the no-charge meals for students.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Department of Health, we agree with and hope that they can be used for when changes occur on
• This proposal allows insurers to provide explanations of benefits electronically.
• Back and members of the committee, Elise Bailey, Budget Director of the Department of Human Services.
• Timian from the Department of Health.
• I want to emphasize the impact of these cuts, which... ...a quarter of the budget of the Minnesota Department

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• is acceptable to the Department of Highway Safety.
• Department of Defense to expand the size of the Florida National Guard to take care of us in hurricanes
• of the department.
• of the department.
• of the department.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > um</c> with the Department of Human Services um with the Department of Human Services um and<00:42:
• of Health those Minnesota Department of Health those were<01:09:31.199><c> due</c><01:09:31.440><c>
• </c> Services administered by the Department Services administered by the Department of<01:15:46.199>
• I think one of the biggest drawbacks that we’re concerned about is, number one, can the Department of
• </c><01:32:23.960><c> on</c><01:32:24.080><c> a</c> Department of Human Services was on a Department

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We were selected as a winner of the Texas Department of Agriculture Vendor's Cup in 2024, and we've been
• And then they look at who your insurance carrier is. A lot of times it's a two-fold deal.
• , and the Department of Insurance. and the Federal Trade Commission under the funeral rule.
• A 20% increase in insurance costs. Okay. Over what period of time, sir? The last three years.
• Sheriff's Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Central Texas Regional.

Bills: HB223

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures, 1185, senate, all