Transcript Highlights:

• Green cards are for support, red cards are in opposition.
• I'll read off the cards in support and present.
• We do have two green cards in support.
• Charles Watkins, Assistant Secretary of Family Support. Mr.
• , and in every way they need to be supported.

Summary: The committee first approved the May 20 minutes and then advanced HCR 95, which would create a more uniform tax base for future state and local tax exemptions and credits, requiring a two-thirds vote of both chambers to deviate from that uniformity. HB 648 was deferred by the author. HB 1049, dealing with public meeting procedures and notice requirements, was amended after discussion with the Police Jury Association, school boards, and local government groups; the amendments removed a requirement for a lawyer at every meeting and clarified notice and posting language, and the bill was reported with amendments despite opposition from local government associations and the City of Baker. The committee then heard HB 615, which would expand livestreaming and two-year archiving requirements to more public bodies, including non-elected boards and commissions with taxing or rulemaking authority. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while local government and association witnesses argued it would impose an unfunded mandate, especially on small volunteer boards, and raised concerns about costs, staffing, record retention, and reliance on social media platforms. The bill was not advanced. HB 1201, as amended, would provide legislators reimbursement for travel and limited out-of-session expenses, including housing and mileage, beginning with the next term; members discussed the need to make public service more financially feasible and to broaden who can afford to serve. The committee reported HB 1201 with amendments. The committee also considered two constitutional convention-related bills. HB 244 would set guardrails for any future convention by capping delegates at 144, specifying delegate selection, requiring a two-thirds delegate vote to send proposals to voters, and requiring both a majority of voters and approval by three-fourths of the parishes for ratification; after debate over whether the parish threshold was too high, the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. HB 4, as amended, was narrowed to require the Senate and House Governmental Affairs committees to meet in the off-season to discuss the mechanics of a possible convention, but members viewed it as more of a study resolution than binding legislation, and the committee voted to keep it in committee. The meeting then moved to confirmation hearings. Courtney Myers, nominated for Deputy Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice, and Ernest Jacob Reade Jr., nominated as Assistant Secretary, testified about their backgrounds and priorities, emphasizing juvenile rehabilitation, education and vocational programming, mental health services, credible messengers, family contact, and better communication with legislators and families. Nathan McBride, nominated as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, testified about his engineering and government affairs background and said he would focus on legislative work, waste tire management, permitting modernization, and constituent service.

Transcript Highlights:

• A portion of this program was intended to be supported by fees.
• I'm here to request your support, and thank you, Senator.
• I'm here to request your support, and thank you, Senator Cabaldon, for expressing your support already
• But I'm here to thank you for your support and ask for your continued support to ensure that the California
• And we support their efforts to try to address that problem.

Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision proposals from the Department of Food and Agriculture, the Government Operations Agency, the Department of Technology, and the Franchise Tax Board, with public comment to come later and all items held open. CDFA presented funding for the animal care program implementing Proposition 12, including a one-time $5.2 million General Fund transfer to the Ag Fund and $2.8 million ongoing, and the LAO recommended approval while noting the Legislature should revisit the funding once litigation and federal preemption questions are resolved. CDFA also proposed ending state oversight of industrial hemp and moving to the federal USDA program by January 1, 2028, with an $8.3 million General Fund transfer to cover startup and transition costs; the LAO supported the transition. Additional CDFA items included $204,000 ongoing and one position to preserve agricultural statistics reporting after USDA reorganization, and trailer bill changes to clarify the department’s 5% indirect cost cap; both drew no objections from Finance or LAO. The Government Operations Agency and Cradle to Career items focused on implementing the new federal Workforce Pell program. Finance described trailer bill language establishing state eligibility processes, with the California Student Aid Commission as the authorizing entity in consultation with the Workforce Development Board, and proposed $1.3 million one-time General Fund for Cradle to Career to build data linkages. The LAO urged caution because federal rules were just finalized and said more information was needed on workload, costs, and whether existing data systems could support the work. Senators raised policy concerns about limiting the program to public institutions and about aligning the proposal with broader workforce and labor goals. The committee also briefly discussed SB 53/Cal Compute, with GovOps saying no appropriation had been provided for its consortium work, and Finance saying the administration was not proposing funding at this time. The Department of Technology presented a $30 million operational backstop for the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, intended to cover any shortfall if expected revenues from the Golden State Net third-party administrator do not materialize in time. The LAO initially recommended rejection over broad spending authority, then suggested amendments with stronger reporting and legislative review; committee members questioned the revenue assumptions, oversight, and whether the request could recur. CDT also sought $1 million for Poppy, the state’s GenAI digital assistant, to expand secure statewide use; the LAO had no concerns, and members asked about data security, model bias, training restrictions, and possible local-government use. Finally, FTB proposed realigning CalFile resources after the federal Direct File program was discontinued, retaining three ongoing positions and returning the rest of the funding and positions to the General Fund; the LAO said the reduced scope was reasonable, and members discussed keeping the free filing system user-friendly and ready for future federal changes. The committee also heard the administration’s digital pre-written software tax proposal, which would extend sales tax to electronically delivered software and SaaS beginning January 1, 2027, generating an estimated $450 million General Fund in 2026-27 and $900 million ongoing, plus local revenue. The LAO supported modernizing the tax base but recommended broadening the proposal to include more digital products while considering a business-use exemption or reduced rate, and flagged a newly added video game exemption as a revenue downside. Senators generally supported the goal of raising revenue and aligning California with other states, but questioned the local revenue distribution and equity effects, and one senator said they would not support expanding the tax to books, music streaming, and similar consumer products. All items were left open without votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• support this bipartisan Please support this bipartisan legislation<00:18:14.480><c> and</c><00:18:14.720
• I Um, I support the intent of this bill.
• I am testifying in support of HF 1049.
• </c> support of HF 1049. support of HF 1049.
• I am here today to express my support for HF 1049.

Bills: HF238 , HF3381 , HF3754 , HF1049

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: microenterprise home kitchen operation, cottage food, home-based food business, home kitchen license, homemade food, prepared food, food entrepreneur, small food business, cottage food law, food safety training, ServSafe, food handler license, agriculture department, Minnesota food law, residential kitchen, local zoning, consumer labeling, allergen labeling, unpasteurized juice, time/temperature control for safety food

Transcript Highlights:

• However, I am a big supporter of accessory dwelling units.
• I'm here in support of this bill.
• So that's why I'm in support of this bill.
• So I asked for all of your support.
• Um, does that mean people want to support for-profits?

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first took up a discussion-only strike-everything amendment to HB 2211, which would make it unprofessional conduct for certain health care providers to submit offers in independent dispute resolution above 300% of Medicare or the qualified payment amount. The chair said he was not ready to move the bill because more stakeholder meetings were needed. Testimony split between insurers, who said a small number of providers were abusing the No Surprises Act and driving up costs, and provider representatives, who argued the proposal would improperly cap rates, relied on opaque insurer-set QPAs, and could threaten licensure in a billing dispute. No vote was taken on HB 2211. The committee then considered HB 4028 on accessory dwelling units. The bill would remove the 1,000-square-foot cap, change setback rules, bar municipalities from requiring an administrative use permit and certain elevation criteria, and extend the deadline for cities to adopt ADU regulations. The sponsor argued it would give homeowners more flexibility and help address housing affordability, while cities, neighborhood groups, and residents warned it would allow oversized ADUs, reduce local control, create density and safety concerns, and invite investor-driven development. After extensive debate, the committee voted 8-9 with one present, and HB 4028 failed. Next, the committee heard HB 2620, as amended, which appropriates $300,000 annually for five years from the General Fund to the Department of Veterans’ Services for grants to emergency shelters. An amendment removed age and non-congregate-setting conditions for eligibility. The sponsor and a shelter provider said the funding would help shelters better serve homeless veterans and connect them to services. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed HB 2620 on a 17-0 vote with one member not voting. The committee then considered HB 2960, as amended, which creates a veterans specialty court grant program and a dedicated fund to support local veterans treatment courts. An amendment shifted administration of the fund to the Office of the Courts and allowed support for expansion of existing programs. The sponsor, a Lake Havasu judge, and a veteran graduate testified that veterans courts reduce recidivism and save lives by linking veterans to treatment and support. The bill was still being taken up when the transcript ended, with testimony continuing from supporters including a veterans shelter founder.

Transcript Highlights:

• People do support those at the farmer's market.
• So I would be very supportive.
• So I would be very supportive.
• Those that are, it's really community supported.
• And of course, I was very supportive of this effort.

Committee: Joint Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Expressing support for House Bill 1500.
• We greatly support it.
• We greatly support it.
• We greatly support it.
• We greatly support it.

Bills: HB146 , HB150 , HB1500 , HB1545 , HB1562 , HB2067 , HB2520 , HB2818 , HB3214 , HB3250 , HB3466 , HB3512 , HB3623 , HB4063 , HB4395 , HB4464 , HB4668 , HB4690 , HB5331 , HB3833

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity

Summary: The committee took up several pending business items and reported a series of House bills out of committee, including HB 2467, HB 2468, HB 2518, HB 4310, HB 4386, HB 4490, HB 5323, and HB 149. Most of these were advanced on committee substitute motions and sent to the local and uncontested calendar or reported favorably to the full Senate. HB 2467 drew one nay vote, while the others were approved without opposition. HB 4310 and HB 4386 were described as committee-substitute versions with changes narrowing disclosure requirements and preserving attorney-client privilege in certain circumstances. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 149, an AI governance bill. The substitute was explained as addressing biometric identifier capture and storage, exempting certain AI uses for security and fraud prevention, clarifying definitions, restricting AI systems that simulate explicit child sexual content, adjusting Attorney General investigative authority, refining sandbox program waivers, reducing Texas AI Council powers and membership, and adding DIR coordination provisions. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 1500, the DIR sunset bill. The author said the bill would continue DIR for 12 years, restructure its board, update advisory committees, require regular cybersecurity assessments and penetration testing for state agencies, improve IT procurement training, and transfer the e-grants program to the Comptroller. A Texas 2036 witness supported the bill as a way to strengthen governance, procurement, and cybersecurity. Members asked detailed questions about the bill’s structure and then left HB 1500 pending. The committee also heard a lengthy presentation on HB 150, which would create the Texas Cyber Command as a component of the University of Texas System, administratively attached to UTSA and located in San Antonio. The author argued the command would centralize cyber threat intelligence, incident response, and digital forensics, and would be able to support state and local entities, with optional services for local governments. Members raised concerns about university mission drift, governance, security, chain of command, procurement authority, gifts and donations, and civil liberties implications of proactive cyber monitoring. Witnesses from UTSA/NSCC and SecurityScorecard testified in support, emphasizing the security of the downtown San Antonio facility, the existing cyber ecosystem there, and the need for a dedicated cyber capability. The bill remained under discussion with no final committee action announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> bipartisan support. bipartisan support.
• </c> goes too far and she would not support goes too far and she would not support it.<00:27:24.559><
• Appreciate your support. support. support.
• Any questions or I support the A22.
• </c><00:35:54.720><c> And</c> support, uh, in both chambers. And support, uh, in both chambers.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> support through all of life's seasons. support through all of life's seasons.
• On the bipartisan support for this.
• :01:09.360><c> everyone</c><02:01:09.679><c> who</c> support and respect to everyone who support and
• I will not support or give friend.
• </c> supporter supporters of this outstanding supporter supporters of this outstanding season.<02:18:

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, May 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:11.200><c> across</c> provide information and support across provide information and support
• </c><00:26:44.120><c> such</c> offer personalized academic support such offer personalized academic support
• </c> the school-based continuum of support the school-based continuum of support that<00:38:17.560><c
• </c><00:39:26.000><c> their</c> integrity, and supporting their integrity, and supporting their well-being
• , support, support, it<01:05:58.640><c> would</c><01:05:59.000><c> further</c><01:05:59.400><c> encourage

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> payments to families, supported payments to families, supported healthcare<00:04:51.360><c> providers
• </c><00:09:41.120><c> for</c> spending for testing, support for spending for testing, support for atrisisk
• and other provider supports.
• It funded a combination of supports.
• </c><00:42:36.720><c> both</c> investment came in to support both investment came in to support both

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:03.599><c> from</c> at the time and we used the support from at the time and we used the support
• </c> come in as we write grants to support come in as we write grants to support that<01:31:02.360><c
• We also have program support.
• So this support is supporting those programs and, um, as a statewide organization, we do a lot of...
• is</c> program support So this support is program support So this support is supporting<01:43:16.840>

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So I would appreciate your support. Let me just say, for the record, you have my full support.
• So thank you for your time today and your support for this bill.
• Anyone else in support of this measure? All right, seeing no other.
• Senate bill 961, and I'm also not supporting HB308.
• Do we have anybody else here in support? Anyone else in opposition?

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

Summary: The Commerce Committee first took up House Bill 1845 in executive session and voted it do pass unanimously. The committee then moved into a public hearing on House Bill 3080, sponsored by Representative Riggs, which was presented as a technical/emergency fix to restore Missouri’s historic preservation tax credit provisions after a court ruling invalidated prior legislation because of unrelated “chicken coop” language. Riggs said the bill was needed to protect more than $300 million in projects already underway and noted companion legislation was moving in the Senate. Committee members expressed support and emphasized the importance of historic redevelopment, especially in St. Louis and other communities. Supporters testified that the bill would stabilize financing for projects already in progress and preserve a key tool for redeveloping vacant historic buildings, schools, theaters, and other properties statewide. Witnesses described specific projects including Delmar Devine in St. Louis, a vacant school in Hermann, the Englewood Theater in Independence, Cooper House, and Elliott School, explaining that tax credits were essential to making the projects financially feasible and to leveraging private investment, grants, and other financing. Several speakers said the credits help address housing shortages, neighborhood blight, and community revitalization, and that uncertainty after the court ruling was threatening construction and financing commitments. One witness, Arnie C., testified in opposition, calling the measure a corporate giveaway and arguing the state could not afford the program. Committee members responded that the bill was a corrective measure, not an expansion of credits, and that it was necessary because projects had already been approved and were in various stages of completion. After hearing testimony from supporters, one opponent, and no additional witnesses, the chair closed the hearing on House Bill 3080 and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• , waving in support; and Sam Wagner, Florida League of Cities, waving in support.
• With that, I'd ask for your favorable support.
• With that, I'd ask for your favorable support.
• Waves in support. Thank you for being here.
• Connor Blitch, DFS, waving in support. Okay, we'll take it. Waving in support. Okay, we'll take it.

Bills: S0314 , S0530 , S0576 , S0800 , S0990 , S1078 , S1440 , S1568 , S1588 , S1614

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Keywords: payment stablecoin, financial regulation, anti-money laundering, state oversight, digital currency, financial services, Florida lottery, state lottery, lottery tickets, lottery retailer, Department of the Lottery, Division of Security, ball machine, lottery vending machine, instant tickets, online lottery tickets, major procurement, vendor disclosure, performance bond, retailer bond

Transcript Highlights:

• I know he went over, but I’ll go ahead and just say I am in strong support. Thank you.
• I know he went over, but I’ll go ahead and just say I am in strong support. Thank you.
• But overall, we remain supportive of this bill, and it's important.
• We support the intent of this bill.
• Today we're testifying in strong support for HB 2496.

Bills: HB2496 , HB2575 , HB2605

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: tribal consultation, energy facilities, site evaluation, environmental impact, policy regulation, environmental regulation, reporting obligations, energy laws, compliance, business impact, HB 2605, Washington asbestos law, naturally occurring fibrous silicate, asbestos-containing building materials, fibrous silicate materials, asbestos labeling, construction materials, renovation, repair and maintenance, EPA method

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I appreciate y'all's support and showing up. Government works for those that show up.
• And so she has done a great job of supporting parents in her neighborhood, both with what's happening
• We need to support our students.
• It's important that our state supports this work in schools for our most vulnerable Texans and their
• Um, they need support to do it right.

Transcript Highlights:

• Felicity Maxwell, Texans for Housing, speaking in support of SB 844.
• I'm here in support of Senate Bill 844. Senator Hughes did a great job of laying out the bill.
• Texas, and I'm testifying in strong supporter of SB844 by Chairman Hughes.
• Manage that and also hypertension and they had 300 letters of support.
• Allowing a single landowner to override community-supported decisions, so please support Senate Bill

Bills: SB434 , SB844 , SB898 , SB1177 , SB1214 , SB1454 , SB1920 , SB1927 , SB1935 , SB1965 , SB2010 , SB2046 , SB2068 , SB2073 , SB2183 , SB2260 , SB3034 , SB907

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: SB 434, Harris County Hospital District, hospital district police, peace officers, commissioned officers, law enforcement authority, Health and Safety Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, public safety, hospital security, county hospital district, local government, Texas criminal procedure, district police, armed security, SB 898, low income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> me in supporting HB1598. me in supporting HB1598.
• , social service supports.
• , social service supports.
• , social service supports.
• , social service supports.

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee opened with a public hearing on HB 196, which would repeal the Housing Champion program. Representative Matt Drew, the prime sponsor, argued the program is an unnecessary and poorly targeted subsidy, saying it rewards municipalities after projects are completed and may not be limited to new housing production. He questioned the transparency of the program, cited difficulty finding required annual reports, and noted a fiscal note suggesting the state could recover up to $3 million if obligations are terminated. Committee members and witnesses debated whether the program’s criteria amount to political favoritism or a standard grant process; supporters said the rubric is specific and that municipalities are evaluated against objective requirements. Representative Priest, Nick Taylor of Housing Action New Hampshire, and Karen Benfield of Stay Work Play New Hampshire all opposed repeal, saying the program encourages local zoning and regulatory changes, helps smaller communities participate, and supports housing supply and young people’s ability to stay in the state. The hearing on HB 196 was then closed. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1405, a bill establishing an affordable housing guarantee program within the Housing Finance Authority. Prime sponsor Representative Chris Muns said the bill would reduce lender risk by guaranteeing up to 80% of principal on qualifying loans for affordable housing, with a cap of $30 million per lender per year and $300 million outstanding at any time. He described the measure as a low-cost public-private partnership backed by the full faith and credit of the state, and said it was identical to a prior Senate bill that had received unanimous bipartisan committee support before dying later in the process. He framed the bill as one part of a broader housing package aimed at financing, infrastructure, workforce, zoning reform, and other housing-related issues. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal actions were opening and closing the public hearing on HB 196 and opening the public hearing on HB 1405, with testimony continuing on HB 1405 at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> with sufficient supports. with sufficient supports.
• There's no support for him.
• No support in the dorms, no support getting around.
• </c> with a 368 with support. with a 368 with support.
• </c> also has um housing support. also has um housing support.

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:59.600><c> and</c> testifiers uh share their uh support and testifiers uh share their uh support
• </c> in support of HF3513. in support of HF3513.
• </c> [clears throat] chamber supports House [clears throat] chamber supports House File<00:36:02.960>
• Such fees could support operations.
• </c> Minnesota Trucking Association supports Minnesota Trucking Association supports the<00:47:30.720

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I'm asking for your support for that.
• It's not because the legislature hasn't supported It is what this says: without support, we won't do
• Legacy fund dollars also support MNERD's forestry division.
• And so, like, how are we supporting?
• And so I thank you for your efforts and Your support.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee