Transcript Highlights:

• Staff, please explain the bill. Mr.
• Members, any questions for staff? Yeah, Mr. Chair, sir.
• Chair, I believe I have an amendment and can staff explain my amendment?
• And that does appear to be what staff indicated that this does.
• Members, any questions for staff? I have a question.

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Federal and Military Affairs and Elections met with all members present and began with an extended presentation on an investigative referral packet concerning alleged voter registration anomalies from March 2023 to the present. The presenter described multiple examples of registrations tied to out-of-state residents, deceased individuals, temporary residents, and registrations allegedly generated through Service Arizona, MVD, Access, county recorders, and third-party/NGO channels. The committee also discussed a Secretary of State email about party-preference changes, discrepancies between county and state counts, and a proposed criminal referral to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice. Members asked questions about whether the issues were glitches or intentional, and several members said the examples reflected serious problems with voter-roll maintenance and automatic voter registration. A roll call was taken on whether members wished to sign onto the referral; some declined, while others agreed, and the committee said the referral would be transmitted after the meeting. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1259, which would allow certain protected individuals to use an alternate mailing address when filing candidate and financial disclosure paperwork. The sponsor said it closes a confidentiality loophole for people whose addresses are protected for safety reasons. Members raised concerns about how the bill interacts with in-district residency requirements, but the bill passed on a 6-1 vote. Senate Bill 1281, dealing with state land procedures for covered federal designations and notification of legislative leaders about land takings, drew opposition from the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter, which argued the bill was unnecessary, unfunded, and insufficiently protective of tribal consultation; it passed 4-3. Senate Bill 1037, concerning election equipment security and internet connectivity, prompted debate over whether the bill could be read to permit internet-connected election equipment and over a hostile strike-everything amendment that would have expanded voter-registration and election-administration programs, including ERIC participation and new funding. The amendment failed, and the underlying bill also failed on a 3-3-1 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1040, which would require county recorders to provide public online access to voter registration rolls and prohibit fees for downloading them. Staff explained that the bill would replace the current chairperson-request process with public access, while still excluding sensitive information such as Social Security numbers. Members debated how much information would be public and whether the bill adequately defined “voter registration rolls.” The bill passed on a 4-3 vote. The chair closed by asking members to look into school app data-sharing contracts and offered to show unredacted materials privately, then noted that dinner had been provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• school district is responsible for independently recruiting and developing and retaining specialized staff
• services model where districts don't have to recreate the same systems and fight for the same few staff
• Staff such as school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and special
• , particularly those required under IDEA. staff, particularly those required under IDEA, such as school
• RSEs allow rural school districts to share in-person, highly qualified staff to remain in compliance

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to take a moment to thank them for their trust in myself and our amazing education staff and team
• I want to thank this great staff for the incredible job that they do.
• I want to thank you and this committee, and clearly the staff.
• First, I want to recognize our joint staff, Tim Elwell.
• Does that come with funding support for staff for those judges as well?

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the amendment holds a board member or staff member personally liable only if the person's conduct
• were attached to this bill that talked about increased resources, particularly of investigators and staff
• I already mentioned the staff, that the staff has not increased, although the number of investigations
• Can you remind me again how many members are on the board, like what is the total staff of the nursing
• Can you remind me again how many members are on the board, like what is the total staff of the nursing

Bills: HB2408 , HB2434 , HB2725 , HB2728 , HB2729 , HB2730 , HB2731 , HB2732 , HB2733

Committee: House Health & Human Services

Keywords: nursing board, regulatory actions, disciplinary actions, expungement, healthcare professionalism, controlled substances, prescription monitoring, opioid crisis, healthcare regulations, patient safety, prescription drugs, opioids, healthcare, pain management, utilization controls, AHCCCS, Department of Economic Security, social services, welfare programs, vocational rehabilitation

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m Jared Sachs, staff to the committee.
• Are there any questions for our staff? Senator Conway?
• With that, and I don’t see any other questions for our staff.
• Are there any questions for staff on that bill? Okay, go ahead.
• Jared Sachs, staff to the committee.

Bills: SB6197 , SB6158 , SB6302 , SB5437 , SB6117 , SB5852 , SB5847 , SB6067 , SB6152 , SB6136

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: SB 6197, plumbing contractor, plumber, contractor licensing, licensing enforcement, infractions, administrative penalties, license suspension, certificate suspension, endorsement suspension, registration suspension, Department of Labor and Industries, advisory board of plumbers, penalty schedule, repeat violations, workplace standards, construction trades, professional licensing, Washington state, factory built housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Kim Weidner, staff to the committee. House Bill 2564... Kim Weidner, staff to the committee.
• Any questions for staff?
• Would the staff report, please? Thank you, Emily Poole, staff to the committee.
• We did have a staff report on this already.
• Hearing and seeing none, staff will announce the vote. Mr.

Summary: The House Health Care & Wellness Committee held public hearings on HB 2564 and HB 2599, then moved into executive session on several bills. HB 2599, which would restrict the use of AI in therapy and psychotherapy services, drew strong support from the prime sponsor, mental health professional groups, a privacy advocate, and an AI ethics researcher, all of whom warned that chatbots can mislead users, encourage delusions or self-harm, and lack licensure, accountability, and confidentiality protections. Several witnesses from health systems and telehealth organizations supported the bill’s intent but asked for narrower definitions and amendments to avoid unintended impacts on clinician-supervised tools, screening questionnaires, scribes, and other legitimate uses of AI. No vote was taken on HB 2599 during the hearing. HB 2564, which would give the Health Benefit Exchange authority to adopt market-factor certification criteria for exchange plans, was presented as a way to address affordability, bare counties, and plan duplication. Supporters included the Exchange, consumer advocates, rural and tribal representatives, navigators, and some individual consumers, who said the bill could improve access, preserve bronze plan availability, and help stabilize the market in counties with too few carriers. Opponents from health plans, Regence, Premier, and insurance producer groups argued the bill would expand exchange authority without clear standards, could reduce competition and carrier participation, and might conflict with existing OIC filing and confidentiality processes; the OIC supported the bill but requested an amendment on rate disclosure timing. The committee then moved to executive session and later reported out HB 1784, HB 2242, HB 2384, and HB 2505 with due pass recommendations, while deferring action on HB 1809 and HB 2261. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute for HB 1784 on certified medical assistants by an 18-0 vote, adopted one amendment and passed a substitute for HB 2242 on preventive services and immunization recommendations by an 11-7 vote, and passed a substitute for HB 2384 on actuarial reviews for continuing care retirement communities by a 16-2 vote. It also adopted an amendment and passed a substitute for HB 2505 on limited adult family home licensure exemptions for certain foster family situations by an 18-0 vote. The meeting adjourned after those actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, my name is Will Tronson, staff for this committee.
• For the record, my name is Will Tronson, staff for this committee.
• For the record, my name is Will Tronson, staff for this committee.
• I think that staff have been engaged in that conversation.
• I think that staff have been engaged in that conversation.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5917, which would change how the Department of Corrections and Department of Health distribute abortion medications from state stockpiles. Staff and the bill sponsor said the measure would remove pricing restrictions, allow the medications to be donated or sold more flexibly to health care providers, and help avoid expiration of existing supplies. Supporters, including the Washington State Women’s Commission, the governor’s health policy advisor, DOH, physicians, and Pro-Choice Washington, said the bill would improve access to medication abortion and miscarriage care, especially for people facing barriers. Opponents argued it would expand state involvement in abortion, shift costs to taxpayers, and raise safety concerns. No vote was taken on the bill in the hearing portion shown. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6080, which would require written contracts before local jails accept people in federal custody and would prohibit some out-of-state transfers absent a valid judicial warrant. Senator Cleveland said the bill was prompted by a situation in Clark County and was intended to provide clarity, reimbursement, and accountability for local governments. Supporters from the Latino Community Fund, the Association of Counties, and the City of Vancouver said it would protect taxpayers and local discretion. The sheriffs’ association supported some of the bill’s goals but raised concerns about unintended consequences for routine federal arrests and wanted more clarification. The hearing on SB 6080 was then closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6085, which would revise the Institutional Welfare Account, formerly the incarcerated individual betterment fund, to require more input from incarcerated people and their families on how the funds are spent and to change some allowable uses. The sponsor said the bill would ensure the account reflects current needs and supports family contact, reentry, and institutional safety. Testimony was mixed: the Washington State Reentry Council supported the concept but objected to requiring legislative appropriations and to using the funds for reentry services; a Department of Corrections representative supported the intent but raised concerns about removing law library funding without replacement. After testimony, the committee moved into executive session and considered several bills and amendments, including SB 5940, SB 5945, SB 5957, and SB 5966. Multiple amendments were offered and mostly failed on SB 5940 and SB 5945, while one amendment on SB 5945 passed. The committee advanced SB 5940, SB 5957, and SB 5966 with due-pass recommendations, and the transcript ends with the committee adjourning after the final action on SB 5966.

Transcript Highlights:

• This year, we were able to add some extra staff, for which I am eternally grateful.
• Going back to repurposing staff positions, we rearranged how some of the staff was organized in terms
• The last thing I'm going to touch on is the staff contacts.
• Contact, Budget Staff.
• So my staff has put together a report that talks about inflation-adjusted budgets going back to 2005.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank the Chair and the committee staff for working with my office on this bill.
• I want to thank the Chair and the committee staff for working with my office on this bill.
• Many elected officials have staff people or subject-matter experts who serve as alternates.
• Very grateful for your committee staff for working with us on this bill.
• I want to thank the committee staff for its hard work, and thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard six bills. SB 828 by Senator Cabaldon would require fireworks license applicants to disclose storage locations and prove they have local permits, with the state notifying local agencies when licenses are denied or revoked. The bill was presented as a response to deadly fireworks explosions and illegal storage gaps; fire officials and fireworks industry representatives supported it, while county groups raised liability concerns. The committee approved SB 828 unanimously and sent it to Appropriations. SB 799 by Senator Allen would revise the South Bay Regional Housing Trust’s governing rules, including more flexibility on appointing board leadership, alternate participation, and board selection under the joint powers agreement. Supporters said the changes would help the new housing trust operate effectively and allow knowledgeable alternates; questions focused on accountability for non-elected alternates handling public funds. The bill passed on a 6-0 vote as amended to the Senate floor. SB 762 by Senator Arreguín would authorize the city of Hercules to place a local ballot measure for up to a 1% sales tax increase to fund city services and infrastructure. Supporters said Hercules has limited revenue options and high service needs; some senators cautioned about how such measures are presented to voters. The bill passed 5-2 to the Senate floor. SB 722 by Senator Wahab would add protections for mobile home residents from displacement tied to transit-oriented development and redevelopment, described as a cleanup to preserve affordable housing stock. Mobile home residents, housing advocates, cities, and the League of California Cities supported the bill, and no opposition was heard. It passed 7-0 as amended to Appropriations. SB 222 by Senator Wiener would streamline permitting for heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems through automated permitting, consolidated permits, and limits on local fee and siting barriers; supporters framed it as a climate and affordability measure, while local government and HOA groups objected to statewide preemption, fee caps, and liability concerns. The committee approved it 4-1 to Appropriations. SB 677, also by Senator Wiener, made technical clarifications to SB 79’s transit-oriented housing rules, but local governments and regional agencies warned the changes could expand the law’s scope and disrupt mapping work; the bill passed 5-2 to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank the chair and the committee staff for working with my office on this bill.
• I want to thank the chair and the committee staff for working with my office on this bill.
• Very grateful for your committee staff for working with us on this bill.
• I want to thank the committee staff for its hard work, and thank you, Madam Chair.
• Some have to hire staff or invest in the technology.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Local board staff and navigators use the tool in career planning conversations and help participants
• For the period of July 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025, local board staff administered the CLIFF tool to
• Both participants and staff have expressed that the program feels more supportive, motivational, and
• So that's the staff that works with those focused reviews of the eligibility staff's determinations to
• Yes, we do have an LBR, and we've been working with House and Senate budget staff on that.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive implementation briefings on House Bill 1267, which was enacted to address benefit cliffs and help public assistance recipients move toward economic self-sufficiency. The Department of Children and Families reviewed SNAP, Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), and Medicaid-related eligibility and work requirements, including who must participate in work activities, the role of Florida Commerce and CareerSource Florida, and the new standardized intake and exit surveys required by the law. Members also discussed the TCA program’s household-based structure, the 48-month adult limit, and how work requirements differ for SNAP and TCA participants. Florida Commerce and CareerSource Florida then reported on implementation of HB 1267, including the CLIFF financial forecasting tool, case management changes, and survey data collected from welfare transition participants. They said intake surveys showed common barriers such as child care, transportation, and flexible work schedules, while exit surveys showed many participants were employed or had gained credentials, though response rates were low because the surveys are voluntary. A local workforce board, CareerSource Tampa Bay, described using CLIFF in case management and shared a success story about a participant who completed training, earned certifications, and moved into employment. The committee also heard a separate DCF briefing on the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its impact on SNAP. DCF said the law expands able-bodied adult without dependents requirements, changes non-citizen eligibility, ends future SNAP-Ed funding, increases state administrative cost sharing, and may require states to share in benefit costs if payment error rates remain above federal thresholds. Members focused heavily on Florida’s SNAP payment error rate, which DCF said was 15.13% for federal fiscal year 2024 and 12.60% for 2023, with the state currently on a corrective action plan. DCF described steps to reduce errors, including more verification of rent and utility expenses, improved income matching, staff training, and system modernization. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you'll give me a few minutes, I'll ask my staff.
• President, I'm glad to take a 30-second, one-minute, or two-minute break so he can ask his staff.
• Um, well, who in your staff, your chief of... Have talked to Adam at any time, to your knowledge?
• Anybody in your staff talked to Adam Kincaid or his staff? Not that I'm aware.
• Your chief of staff on the 18th? I don't think they sent it.

Bills: SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB4 , HB1 , HB3 , HB20 , HB22 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , HB4 , SB2 , SB5

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want you all to know that our commissioner and our drainage district director and all their staff
• And finally, CAP staff provides disaster recovery support in the days and months following disasters
• Texas has significant flood mitigation needs, and we have a very capable TWDB staff administering this
• Texas has significant flood mitigation needs, and we have a very capable TWDB staff administering this
• Will you get with my office staff to give me a briefing on that? Yes, sir. All right, thank you.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The House Committee on Natural Resources met to focus on flooding issues across Texas, with particular attention to South Texas and the recent catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. Chair Harris and Vice Chair Martinez emphasized that flooding is a statewide problem requiring continued legislative attention. The committee heard invited testimony from Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes and Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 General Manager Raul Sassine, who described the March flood event in Hidalgo County, including more than 20 inches of rain, six deaths, over $100 million in local damage, widespread road flooding, and repeated shutdowns of Interstate 2 and its frontage roads. They argued that existing drainage systems are under capacity, that TxDOT projects must account for downstream drainage impacts, and that local governments have already invested heavily in mitigation through bonds and partnerships. Fuentes and Sassine also described the county’s long-term flood mitigation and water-reuse efforts, including the Delta region water management project, which would capture stormwater, runoff, and treated effluent, reduce flooding, and create potable water supply. They said the drainage district manages about 780 miles of channels and 1,100 acres of detention facilities, has used prior Flood Infrastructure Fund and GLO grants, and has ongoing applications for additional state and federal assistance. Members discussed the need for TxDOT coordination, emergency access on frontage roads, local “skin in the game,” and the possibility of combining flood control with aquifer recharge and water supply projects. Texas Water Development Board Executive Administrator Brian McMath then presented an overview of the state’s flood planning and funding framework, including the post-Harvey legislative changes that created the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund, and the regional/state flood planning process. He summarized the first state flood plan adopted in 2024, noting that about one in six Texans live or work in known flood hazard areas and that regional plans identified 4,609 flood risk reduction solutions with an estimated cost of $54.5 billion. He also reviewed TWDB programs for flood grants, community assistance, flood insurance compliance, stream gauges, TexMesonet, flood mapping, and the TexasFlood.org viewer. Members asked about drainage fees, technical assistance, gauge placement, the relationship between flood maps and FEMA FIRMs, and whether flood mitigation funds could support aquifer storage and recovery or recharge projects; TWDB staff said such projects can be eligible if they include flood mitigation components, but direct technical assistance cannot be paid from Flood Infrastructure Fund dollars. The committee concluded by expressing interest in further study of combining flood mitigation with aquifer recharge, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we have the following staff from the CPUC joining us. We have S.
• She oversees the staff that supports both policymaking, program oversight, as well as enforcement in
• That reporting will allow the commission staff to monitor implementation of these rules and outcomes
• It's a staff at the commission.
• So one of the core responsibilities we have with staff is to advise the Commission on policymaking.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you require assistance in registering or testifying, uh, please, uh, contact the committee staff.
• This bill would formalize the state, uh, the staff and grant the board chairman employment decisions
• We have our staff, even though they're employed by the House of Representatives, they tend to work for
• I'm a retired educator and president of Alliance AFT representing teachers and staff in Dallas ISD.
• A faculty staff person at the school.

Committee: House Public Education

Transcript Highlights:

• IN THE LEGAL DEFINITION THAT THE PERSON THAT DIDN'T TAKE THE TIME OR DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME OR THEIR STAFF
• MY STAFF CALENDARS MEETINGS AS I KNOW YOUR STAFF DO TO EVERYBODY.
• MY STAFF CALENDARS MEETINGS AS I KNOW YOUR STAFF DO AS WELL.
• WE TRIED TO LOOK AT A CREATIVE WAY TO DO THAT AND I APPRECIATE STAFF UP ON THAT AS WELL.
• SHE DIED BECAUSE HER DOCTOR AND STAFF IGNORED AT LEAST 10 SIGNS OF A SURGICAL SITE INFECTION.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, our training and education staff conducted 760 courses statewide for approximately 10,350 first
• In 2024, our training and education staff conducted 760 courses statewide for approximately 10,350 150
• Additionally, any questions on their budget, I will defer to you, Director Thiemi and his staff.
• And then executive direction consists of the staff members that are responsible for providing command
• And, you know, if there is funding one year and no funding the next year, they can't retain staff.

Summary: The committee met to review agency program funding as it prepared to build the budget, hearing brief presentations from six agencies and then taking member questions. Florida Division of Emergency Management highlighted its role in response, preparedness, recovery, and mitigation, describing a largely federal pass-through budget, major technology investments, and large disaster and preparedness grant activity. The Department of Commerce, Department of State, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Department of Transportation, Department of Military Affairs, Florida State Guard, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles also summarized their budgets, staffing, and major programs, including workforce and economic development, elections and arts funding, housing assistance, transportation work programs, military readiness, state guard expansion, and highway safety and motorist services. Members focused questions on several issues: arts and library grant funding and whether award criteria had changed; Commerce’s rural infrastructure and job growth grants and why funds were not being disbursed faster; Florida Housing’s use of SAIL, Live Local, Hometown Heroes, and SHIP funds and how smaller agencies learn about and access funding; and DOT’s work program gap between agency and governor proposals. The most extensive questioning was directed to Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles about long DMV lines, vacancies, overtime, staffing shortages, and the ability to shift funds between divisions. The department said staffing and pay constraints, especially in South Florida, were driving service delays and vacancy rates, and that overtime was being used because troopers were leaving for better-paying jobs. The Florida State Guard was also questioned about its spending and procurement pace, including aircraft purchases and facilities. Its director said long procurement timelines explained the low initial spending and that obligations had risen sharply as contracts matured. Members also asked about the department’s public opposition to Amendment 3 and whether agency resources were used in that effort; the director said no contracts or purchases were made to influence the vote and said the colonel’s comments were made off the clock. The meeting ended with the chair asking agencies to respond promptly to unanswered questions, and the committee adjourned without any recorded votes or formal actions beyond receiving the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• You will be, uh, well served by getting to know her well, and my chief of staff, Lauren Young is over
• Members, if there's anything we can do for you or your staffs, um, this session, uh, please let us know
• Yes, we are so happy to have Clarissa on our staff.
• I am glad you're looking at older, uh, or more experienced attorneys to serve on your, uh, staff.
• We have 5 investigators, uh, and support staff of the, um, legal staff, we are the, the approximately

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• on to serve in several roles for me, joining me lastly here in the General Assembly as my chief of staff
• on to serve in several roles for me, joining me lastly here in the General Assembly as my chief of staff
• Earlier today, staff and I had an opportunity to share... Mr.
• Speaker, earlier today, staff and I had an opportunity to share the conference report with both caucuses
• Speaker, let me just first applaud our staff and our conferees for the hard work that they’ve done on

Keywords: June 22, 2026 - Special Session 1, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I feel, have felt that there's not a lot of clear direction and engagement provided to the staff
• They have larger staffs that are here during the interim that can handle things as well and keep, you
• missing, but presumably that'd be done in the interim, so I'm not sure that it'd take any additional staff
• I want to thank him for working with myself, working with the senator's staff so closely.
• I think, you know, all staff does a really good job of making, of presenting us information while not

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all