Transcript Highlights:

• We've had quite a substantial number of votes from Lubbock to Austin to Houston and Harris County and
• When I give a good example, I'm going to talk about the City of Houston and I want to talk about Harris
• The City of Houston basically has a charter amendment that was passed 20 years ago, and it was collecting
• , yes, the graph here is really the fundamental problem because when you look at the city beneath Houston
• So in 2024, Houston, San Antonio, and Fort Worth were... all in the U.S. top five in numerical growth

Bills: SB9, SB 9

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap, tax rollback, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, disaster relief rate, Texas Legislature, local taxing unit, school assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• Houston.
• I'm simply the owner and operator of a security company in Houston, Texas, but I have locations out here
• I'm not sure if anybody is recognizing that. as in Greenspoint areas, Houston, Texas, one of the worst
• Because in the state of Texas with all the crime going on especially in the city of Houston you have
• I'm in the city of Houston.

Bills: HB170, HB865, HB748, HJR112, HB 1110, HB1495, HB786, HB 1130, HB170

Keywords: civil liability, self-defense, force, deadly force, legal immunity, attorney's fees, criminal justice, firearms, liability, veterans, gun ownership, immunity, firearm hold agreement, sexual abuse, nondisclosure, confidentiality, public policy, Trey's Law, parental rights, child upbringing

Transcript Highlights:

• And my representative is my name is Sam Moulder. I go to CCS.
• representative is representative is My<00:01:44.240> name<00:01:44.320> is<00:01:44.479> Sam
• <00:01:46.640> My My name is Sam Moulder. I go to CCS. My My name is Sam Moulder.
• And especially staff pages and Sam Moyer and Jennifer. Thank you so much.
• You make this work. staff pages and Sam staff pages and Sam Moyer<01:49:42.800> and<01:49:43.400

Bills: HF2730, HF2257, HF2768, HF1932, HF2437

Keywords: local government debt, municipal bonds, county bonds, capital improvements, public financing, bond issuance, public hearing, notice period, bond guarantee, Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, volume cap, private activity bonds, housing finance, residential rental bonds, LIHTC, low-income housing tax credits, redevelopment, courthouse financing, jail financing, law enforcement center

Transcript Highlights:

• Brown, who is our budget director, and Sam is going to run the slides for us today.
• But if I could ask my budget director, Sam Brown, to weigh in. commissioner uh the question I have is
• Brown, yes, and for the record, it's Sam Brown from the Office of Finance at MnDOT.
• Mr Brown yes and for the record it's Sam Mr Brown yes and for the record it's Sam Brown<01:27:37.600
• Brown, yes, and for the record, it's Sam Brown from the Office of Finance at MnDOT.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, next up we have Sam Hallmeyer.
• My name is Sam Halleyer.
• Sam, any questions, comments from members of the committee? Representative, thank you.
• To Grace and Leslie and Sam? Thank you. Good afternoon. Thank you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a lengthy hearing on a large docket of pharmacy and drug-pricing bills, with most testimony focused on PBM reform, 340B drug discount program protections, specialty medication access, and medication adherence. Chair James Murphy and Senator Paul Feeney opened the hearing and took testimony from legislators, patient advocates, pharmacists, health center leaders, industry representatives, and policy groups. Several speakers described delays, denials, high out-of-pocket costs, and pharmacy closures tied to PBM practices, while others emphasized the importance of community health centers and independent pharmacies in serving patients. On the 340B program, supporters including Senator Eldridge, Senator Payano, Community Care Cooperative, Fenway Health, the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, and several community health center leaders argued that bills such as H. 1107 and S. 819 would stop discriminatory PBM and manufacturer practices, preserve contract pharmacy access, and protect safety-net providers that say they reinvest savings into care, pharmacy expansion, interpreter services, behavioral health, and other services. Opponents including PhRMA, the Community Liver Alliance, and a public policy analyst argued the program lacks transparency and accountability, has grown beyond its original purpose, and may benefit large hospitals and for-profit entities more than low-income patients. They urged more reporting and oversight rather than expanding protections. On PBM reform, testimony supported bills including H. 1157, H. 1234, S. 724, S. 831, and related measures that would require rebate pass-through, ban spread pricing, limit steering to PBM-owned pharmacies, and improve reimbursement for community pharmacies. Independent pharmacists and patients said current PBM practices raise costs, create administrative burdens, and threaten access to local pharmacies. PCMA, representing PBMs, opposed the reforms, arguing PBMs lower costs, that plan sponsors choose to contract with them, and that the Health Policy Commission and CHIA should complete their ongoing study before new mandates are adopted. The committee also heard support for H. 1322 and S. 734 on specialty medications, and for H. 781 and H. 1305 on medication synchronization to improve adherence. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Madam Chair, members of the committee, my name is Sam Smith.
• Chair members of the committee my<00:09:24.480> name<00:09:24.720> is<00:09:24.960> Sam
• <00:09:25.760> I'm<00:09:25.880> the<00:09:26.000> government my name is Sam
• I'm the government my name is Sam Smith.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee on House File 4188 met on May 16, 2026, with a quorum present and indicated it was intended to be the final meeting. The main issue discussed was an amendment to the 62J language concerning home care nursing services for children with complex medical needs. Chair O'Driscoll said the amendment would direct the Departments of Commerce and Health and Human Services to review the fiscal impact on the state, families, and health plans, and to develop possible legislation for 2027. Supporters described the proposal as a pause to allow more review, while also acknowledging it was not a complete solution. Senator Bolden and others testified strongly against allowing the coverage changes to stand, saying the issue affects roughly 200 to 250 families statewide, many of them children who need hospital-level care at home. They warned that capping or denying private coverage would shift costs to Medicaid waivers, strain family waiver budgets, increase state costs, and potentially force more children into hospitals, reducing critical care capacity. Committee members also questioned Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold and department staff about the distinction between home care nursing and home health services, statutory definitions, billing units, essential health benefits, waiver budgets, and the effect of enforcement actions involving HealthPartners. The committee adopted the A30 amendment by voice vote, and the motion prevailed. Members then took up another provision, described by staff as the meat raffle/paddle wheel language, and adopted an amendment to add the game of Haus und Pfeffer before approving the provision as amended. In final remarks, members from both chambers praised the committee’s work and professionalism, but several expressed regret that the home care nursing issue was not resolved in the conference report and said it would need further work next session. They also noted other items that did not make it into the bill, including reinsurance and certain other policy provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Sam Buenaventura, aye. Co-chair Gabbard, aye.
• <02:59:43.200> Uh<02:59:43.600> chair<02:59:43.920> Sam Senate?
• Uh chair Sam Senate? Yes, please. Uh chair Sam Buvententura.<02:59:44.960> Hi.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yesterday, in the Houston Post with the Sunday's paper, on the front page, Carol... ...being forced out
• It just coincidentally made the front page of the Houston Chronicle this past Sunday, and we'd like to
• I see you, and thanks for coming to the community meeting that was held in Houston after Beryl.
• When you spoke at the PUC workshop in Houston back in October, that was after Beryl, you made four demands

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that county than anywhere else in the state, uh, except for a little bit, you know, Pleasant Bayou, Houston
• There were two locations by the Department of Energy back in the 1980s. 1 was Pleasant Bayou near Houston
• A small one on the south side of Houston called Ellington Field is a shovel-ready military project.
• plurality of the startups that are leading the technology charge are here in Texas, uh, Austin and, uh, Houston

Transcript Highlights:

• She came to us via Houston and went off to Vanderbilt, saw the light, and came back to Texas.
• We flew to Houston. “Don't blame yourself.” He survived.
• We flew to Houston and we brought him home.
• I've sat in some of our meetings in Houston on homelessness.
• In Houston. We'll do it. What can happen?

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But this bill would also affect every other place in Texas that leases to contractors, like in Houston
• But this bill would also affect every other place in Texas that leases to contractors, like in Houston
• SB 1065 imposes a one-size-fits-all gun mandate on settings as varied as public streets, the Houston

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1065, which would require government property contracts to prohibit contractors from barring licensed handgun holders from carrying firearms on leased or owned public property, with civil penalties and attorney general enforcement for violations. Senator Hall and invited witnesses from the Texas State Rifle Association, NRA, and Texas Gun Rights argued the bill would close a loophole exposed by the State Fair of Texas gun ban and protect law-abiding Texans’ self-defense rights. Opponents, including Moms Demand Action/Everytown, said the bill would undermine event organizers’ ability to set site-specific safety rules and could increase liability and insurance costs. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. The committee next took up Senate Bill 2742, which would create civil penalties for independent school districts and officials who use public resources for electioneering, waive immunity defenses, and expand attorney general enforcement. Senator Hagan-Bood said current law bans the conduct but lacks meaningful penalties, making injunctions the only remedy. No public testimony was heard, and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2743, also by Senator Hagan-Bood, which would allow a court to disqualify local prosecutors who refuse to prosecute election offenses and appoint the attorney general to handle the case, with a committee substitute adjusting the removal process through an adjacent-county judge. Opponents from the Texas Civil Rights Project argued the bill would undermine prosecutorial discretion and was vague and open to abuse, while a Harris County election official described past instances where alleged voter fraud cases were not pursued. After testimony, public comment was closed and SB 2743 was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair at this time calls Anna Decker, who's With the Houston Policy and advocate manager and testifying
• My name is Katerina Descher, Anna Katerina Desert, and I am the Houston Policy and advocacy manager with
• I'm from Houston, a water drop in the bucket.

Bills: HB168

Keywords: certificates of obligation, local government debt, municipal finance, county finance, public works, bond election, voter petition, registered voters, refinancing certificates, Texas Local Government Code, municipality, county, hospital district, infrastructure financing, public improvement, debt issuance, general obligation alternative, public oversight, local bonds, historic preservation

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair at this time calls Anna Decker, who's with the Houston Post, Policy and Advocate Manager, to
• My name is Katarina Deschert, and I am the Houston Policy and Advocacy Manager with the Tahirih Justice
• I'm from Houston, a drop in the bucket.

Bills: HB168, HB 1044, HB1534, HB1914, HB2240, HB2530, HB3284, HB3395, HB3515, HB3783, HB4034, HB4213, HB168

Keywords: marriage age, minors, family law, void marriage, rights of minors, Texas marriage law, marriage ceremony, authorized officiants, family code, judges, religious leaders, parent-child relationship, Department of Family and Protective Services, legal rights, notice requirements, HB 1914, Texas Family Code, Chapter 156, conservatorship, custody

Transcript Highlights:

• of Houston County."
• of Houston County.
• of Houston County.
• "About five miles north of Houston County." "I see. Okay."
• >> About five miles uh north of Houston >> About five miles uh north of Houston County

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. Senators then adopted the prior day’s journal and excused absent members. A lengthy point of personal privilege followed, in which Senator Smith criticized the prior day’s handling of the special order calendar and argued that minority-party senators were denied the chance to speak, while Senator Coleman said Senate Bill 318 had been removed from the calendar and tied that to Child Abuse Prevention Month; she also noted Senate Bill 43, which would provide civil recourse for child sex assault survivors, had not advanced. The presiding officer also recognized guests in the gallery, including staff from the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The Senate then received multiple committee reports, largely on a unanimous or near-unanimous basis. Finance and Taxation Education reported favorably on House Bills 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 565, 517, and 98, and Senate Bill 380, with some substitutes or amendments; Finance and Taxation General Fund reported Senate Bill 378 favorably; County and Municipal Government reported House Bills 568, 499, and 433; Education Policy reported House Bills 8 and 380; Banking and Insurance reported House Bill 545; Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development reported House Bill 586 with two nays; Healthcare reported House Bills 533 and 605; Tourism and Marketing reported House Bills 513 and 626 and Senate Bill 357; and local legislation committees reported several Mobile County and Madison County bills, including Senate Bill 379 relating to Madison County and various House bills, all advancing to the next legislative day. In motions and resolutions, the Senate agreed to allow committee reports to be received at any time during the day. Several resolutions were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee, including Senate Joint Resolution 100 honoring Presley Skelton, SJR 101 commending Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, SJR 102 establishing the Alabama Forest Products Retention and Pulp and Paper Mill Stability Study Commission, SJR 103 mourning Norman Wendell Arnold, and SJR 104 designating Alabama as the river state. The chamber also suspended the rules to take up Senate Joint Resolution 105, commending Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth for his service; the resolution included a lengthy recitation of his background and accomplishments and was read for immediate consideration with all senators added as sponsors.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will have Sam Diaz come up and address that. Yeah, thank you so much.
• I will have Sam Diaz come up and address that. Yeah, thank you so much.
• <00:15:15.600> Yeah, Sam Diaz come up and address that.
• Yeah, Sam Diaz come up and address that.
• Instead of the first testifier, Sam Diaz, I believe he's going to be testifying, so make your way up.

Bills: HF3878, HF4131, HF3796, HF4097

Keywords: airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, consumer rights, automated decision systems, Minnesota Statutes, suitable seating, employee seating, workplace seating, occupational safety, workplace safety, labor standards, employer requirements, chair, stool

Transcript Highlights:

• Leslie Caldwell, Houston, for the California Public Defenders Association, in support.
• Leslie Caldwell, Houston, for the California Public Defenders Association, in opposition.
• Leslie Caldwell, Houston, for the California Public Defenders Association in support.
• Leslie Caldwell Houston for the California Public Defenders Association.
• Leslie Caldwell, Houston, for the California Public Defenders Association in support.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills and took testimony on each, with members often noting amendments and continuing negotiations. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require juvenile courts to find that less restrictive alternatives are unsuitable before ordering detention, and would require periodic review of continued detention and consideration of alternatives at disposition. Supporters argued it would reduce unnecessary youth detention and improve transparency; probation, judges, and police groups opposed it as an undue limit on judicial discretion and potentially unsafe in serious cases. The chair said he would recommend an aye with amendments, but the bill was held pending quorum and later remained on call. SB 1130 by Senator Gomez Reyes would update privacy law for wearable recording devices such as smart glasses, requiring consent before recording in places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy and banning devices or accessories designed to defeat recording indicators. Supporters said the bill addresses secret recording and invasive surveillance; opponents from tech and hospitality groups sought clarification to avoid unintended liability for businesses and exempt workplace communication devices. Members discussed those exemptions, and the chair recommended an aye, but the measure also remained on call. Senator Blake Spear presented SB 99, which would let courts consider military protective orders in domestic violence proceedings and require better communication between civilian law enforcement and military authorities. Supporters from the Department of Defense, local officials, and military representatives said it would close protection gaps for military families; the ACLU opposed it on due process grounds because MPOs are issued without judicial process. The chair and author emphasized that the bill only allows consideration of MPOs and does not require civilian enforcement of them. The bill passed out on a vote, though it remained on call for additional members. The committee also heard SB 937 by Senator Gonzalez, restricting flashbang use for crowd control and banning flashbangs and explosive breaching charges in immigration enforcement, and SB 1022, creating a statewide anti-trafficking task force. SB 937 drew support from civil rights and community groups and opposition from police and sheriffs over the use-of-force standard and limits on tactics; it passed out on a vote but remained on call. SB 1022 was supported by survivor and faith groups and opposed by public defenders and sex worker advocates who raised concerns about racial disparities and enforcement harms; it also passed out on a vote. Later, SB 1395, extending criminal protective orders for certain felony sex offenses against minors up to 20 years, and SB 1230, increasing penalties for repeat illegal dumping, were both heard with mixed testimony and were held on call after committee votes. The committee also adopted a consent calendar and several bills were moved forward with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Leslie Caldwell Houston for the California Public Defenders Association.
• Leslie Caldwell, Houston, California Public Defenders Association, opposed.
• Leslie Caldwell, Houston, California Public Defenders Association, proud co-sponsors, in support.
• Leslie Caldwell, Houston, California... ...Leslie Caldwell, Houston, California Public Defenders Association
• Leslie Caldwell Houston, California Public Defenders Association, in support.

Summary: The committee heard AB 82, which would expand privacy and safety protections for patients and providers of reproductive and gender-affirming care. The author and supporters said the bill is needed because of rising harassment, doxing, and threats, and because sensitive health data could be used by hostile actors; opponents argued it would create constitutional problems, enable abuse of safe-at-home protections, and improperly shield providers and records from scrutiny. Public testimony was heavily divided, with many advocates in support and many privacy, civil liberties, and anti-trafficking or sex-based policy groups in opposition. The bill was moved on a due pass recommendation and remained on call. The committee then heard AB 331, which would clarify that county election certification is a ministerial duty, prohibit misleading ballot return envelopes, and require voter information guides to be delivered to jails in an acceptable format. The Department of Justice and several good-government groups supported the measure, the Secretary of State had no position after amendments, and a committee member noted ongoing concerns but supported it after the changes. The bill passed on a do pass recommendation to Appropriations and was placed on call. AB 1178 followed, proposing to protect undercover peace officers’ names, images, and likenesses in public records while preserving disclosure of sustained misconduct records. Law enforcement and public safety groups supported the bill as a needed safety measure, while journalists, transparency advocates, and civil liberties groups opposed it, saying existing law already protects officers and the new language could lead to overbroad withholding. After discussion about the scope of undercover status and the need for judicial discretion, the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also adopted a consent calendar. Later, AB 981 was heard, creating a five-county pilot program requiring intelligent speed assistance devices for certain reckless driving convictions. Supporters, including traffic safety advocates and crash victims, said the bill could reduce repeat speeding and save lives; opponents raised concerns about cost, installer oversight, liability for automakers, and the breadth of the pilot. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 22, which would repeal Proposition 57 and restrict release of sexually violent predators and certain sex offenders, drew strong opposition from youth justice, public defender, and civil liberties groups who said it would be unconstitutional and harmful; the chair recommended no, no motion was made, and the bill was held. Finally, AB 897, a squatter-removal bill, was presented with the author arguing it would protect property owners through a faster due-process process; the transcript cuts off during early support testimony and does not show a final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was born and raised right there at home in the Houston chapter.
• As I said earlier today to some of you when I had the lead at the team conference, we definitely Houston
• Houston beat Dallas, but I represent in Dallas now, so if I had the Houston and Dallas chapters, will
• And I know that I've worked with Houston Chapters, one, to teach kids who were five years old. ...about
• A native of the Houston area, 13-year-old DJ first became interested in hip-hop and police work after

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Like something like Avondale House in Houston.
• Since opening the Dyslexia School of Houston in 2020, we've.
• On behalf of the Dyslexia School of Houston, testifying on the bill, is that correct?
• I'm an assistant superintendent in Danbury ISD, that's about an hour south of Houston.
• We have a picture of him, Roman Pamplina is a ninth grade student south of Houston.

Bills: HB3, HB3

Keywords: education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, to introduce myself, my name is Sam Meyer, Attorney Advisor, Bruce.
• Hello, to introduce myself, my name is Sam Meyer, Attorney Advisor from the Wisconsin National Guard.

Keywords: 970, all