Bills: SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, HB4

Keywords: 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, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans

Summary: The Senate briefly convened and received a message from the House stating that the House was taking a vote. No bills, motions, or substantive policy matters were discussed in the exchange. Pursuant to a previously adopted motion, the Senate then adjourned until 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 21.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that there are people who have died all throughout this state in a horrible flood, and that’s
• The flood relief, the disaster preparedness, the things that impacted Senator Flores' district so much

Bills: SR5, SB5, SB11, SB12, SB25, SB26, SB28, SB35, SB5, SB11, SB12, SB25, SB26, SB28, SB35, SB5, SB11, SB12, SB25, SB26, SB28, SB35, SR5

Keywords: redistricting, Senate procedures, public input, Texas Legislature, amendments, Texas Senate, congressional districts, legislative procedures, legislative transparency, Senate rules, public hearings, committee procedures, hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes

Transcript Highlights:

• EMAIL ADDRESSES NEWEST FOR NOTIFICATION PROCESSES RELATED TO MOTOR VEHICLE TRANSACTIONS FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
• PROPERTY MUST BE IN AN AREA WHERE RAISING THE PROPERTY WILL BE NECESSARY COMPLY WITH FEMA'S NATIONAL FLOOD
• INSURANCE PROGRAM OR AFFORDABILITY CODE OR HAS EXPERIENCED DAMAGE TO PREVIOUS FLOODS, HOMESTEAD PROPERTY
• FLORIDA CONSTITUTION TO ALLOW THE LEGISLATURE TO EXCLUDE IMPROVEMENTS TO REAL PROPERTY AND MITIGATE FLOOD

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They literally flood my inbox.
• So, it's work we can do higher in the watershed that reduces flooding impacts downstream, right?
• tell you that, well, don't basically very specifically under significant issues of the Canterbury flood
• I also, full disclosure, farm in Corrales. And I have personal experience with this matter as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:19.240><c> of</c> their risk exposure the disclosure of their risk exposure the disclosure
• </c> don't I don't see that the disclosure don't I don't see that the disclosure requirements<00:34:36.200
• Provisions in this bill disclosure Provisions in this bill regarding<00:34:46.760><c> disclosure</c>
• </c> start with rule 22 automatic disclosures start with rule 22 automatic disclosures in<00:35:07.480
• Chairman. solve was the sometimes flood of solve was the sometimes flood of interest<01:16:04.560><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 733-FN, a bill on third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors financing lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, and contributes to litigation abuse, higher insurance costs, and what he called a “tort tax.” He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with specific references to foreign-entity restrictions, consumer-protection guardrails, and reporting requirements. He also noted a few technical fixes to the draft, including adding the word “knowingly” and restoring a section that had been omitted. Committee members questioned how the bill’s foreign-entity language would work, including whether a governor or the Department of Safety would designate countries of concern, and whether the bill would bar foreign parties from using litigation funding. Cole and others clarified that the bill was intended as a reporting measure, not a ban on litigation funding itself, and that the goal was to disclose who is funding lawsuits and to what extent. Representative Sal asked whether the bill would prevent a litigant from getting outside financing; Cole answered no, emphasizing disclosure rather than prohibition. Brandon Grat of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau testified that the bill’s enforcement provisions were too limited. He said the draft appears to give the Attorney General only a civil-penalty remedy, likely too small to deter violations, and not the broader Consumer Protection Act tools such as injunctions, restitution, or investigation authority. He also raised concerns about whether the Attorney General or Insurance Department would have proper jurisdiction, given that the product may be financial or insurance-related. Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the department sees possible benefits from transparency because disclosure of litigation funding could help insurers assess risk, improve underwriting, and potentially ease hard-market pressures, especially for nonprofits and child care providers. He also said the bill’s language likely needs further work to clarify agency authority and suggested involving the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and banking regulators. Opposition testimony came from the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association. Marissa Chase and Samantha Hering argued the bill is one-sided because it requires disclosure only on the plaintiff side and not from defendants or insurers. They said New Hampshire already has court rules and discovery procedures that cover relevant disclosures, making the bill unnecessary, and questioned whether the existence of a funding contract is even relevant in litigation. The hearing ended with the committee continuing to discuss possible revisions and enforcement options, but no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why was House Bill 1, the flood relief bill, the House's answer to the deadly July 4th flooding that
• of the flood to put flood relief first and make it a priority this special session. Ms.
• on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding.
• and Flooding.
• and Flooding.

Bills: HB4, HB 4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a lot of provisions in here dealing with disclosure of voting and transparency that are really
• This is for so if somebody has a tornado hit their house, flood, fire, and there's a few more things
• trying to do here and make a difference for people who've actually suffered from my area to suffering floods

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 508 does not require the disclosure of a series of data points. information about the individual care
• I've coordinated responses to floods, fires, earthquakes, heat waves, tornadoes, hurricanes, and a pandemic
• From the Kern County floods, to the Santa Rosa, to the Paradise fires, in each of these disasters, older

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><05:10:02.160><c> than</c> provide more extensive disclosures than provide more extensive disclosures
• c> the</c><05:27:55.280><c> committee</c> Flood, for working with the committee Flood, for working with
• </c><05:28:27.200><c> Flood,</c><05:28:27.600><c> the</c> state. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Flood, the state.
• And I want to thank Disclosures Act.
• This flood of new their equities.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, July 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm digging into potential flood disclosure for renters, considering the recent event that we had.
• Does that U-Dub map also include increased flooding due to just, like, storm events, or is it only sea
• So it is riverine flooding as well. Thank you.
• So in our recent flooding in Skagit County, one of the things that came up was kind of how challenging
• So in our recent flooding in Skagit County, one of the things that came up was kind of how challenging

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee held a work session to review implementation of recent housing, planning, and climate-related laws. Department of Commerce staff outlined the 2023 climate planning requirements under the Growth Management Act, including the climate resiliency sub-element for all jurisdictions and greenhouse gas reduction requirements for larger ones. They described Commerce’s guidance, the use of the University of Washington’s Resilient Washington tool and FEMA hazard mitigation resources, attention to overburdened communities through the Department of Health’s Environmental Health Disparities Map, and the climate policy explorer. Members asked about specific climate impacts, flood mapping, evacuation language access, and how environmental justice and local stakeholder input are incorporated. Commerce also said climate planning grants are being drawn down from Climate Commitment Act funding and should be sufficient through the 2029 deadline for remaining Puget Sound jurisdictions. Local government witnesses described their comprehensive plan updates and implementation challenges. Pierce County said its adopted plan was a major multi-year effort that retracted some urban growth area acreage, concentrated growth near transit, expanded middle housing and streamlined permitting, and created capacity for far more housing than its 32,000-unit growth target. County staff emphasized the difficulty of balancing rural protection, urban growth, transportation constraints, climate goals, and limited transit funding, and asked for more technical assistance. Redmond said its update leveraged light rail investments, added transit-oriented development, middle housing, planned actions, and climate resilience policies, but also required costly mid-course corrections from changing state laws and agency guidance. Redmond urged more regulatory stability, clearer statutes, and streamlined certification and accountability processes. Snohomish County said it is now in early implementation, focusing on translating adopted policy into regulations, aligning with new state housing and parking laws, and coordinating across departments and with cities; it stressed the need for clearer comp plan language, realistic timelines, and more staffing and coordination support. The committee also heard from the Washington chapter of the American Planning Association about inconsistencies in recent planning laws. APA identified three issues: the use of the undefined term “guidelines” in the design review statute, the use of “variance” in a middle housing/design review context where APA said “departure” would better fit the intended flexibility, and the lack of a cross-reference or definition for “administrative design review” in the subdivision statute. APA said these ambiguities can create confusion and delay in permit processing and offered to work with the legislature on technical fixes. Senators asked whether local codes already use “departure” and whether the proposed changes would conflict with current law; APA responded that many cities already use departure provisions and that the goal is to align the RCW with existing planning practice. The meeting ended without any votes or formal action.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 200, Delegate Lehman, Sale of Resident Real Property, Required Flood Risk Disclosure, favorable
• </c><01:16:24.640><c> risk</c><01:16:25.120><c> disclosure</c> real property flood risk disclosure real
• property flood risk disclosure statement<01:16:26.239><c> form</c><01:16:26.880><c> for</c><01:16:27.199
• </c><01:38:26.880><c> law,</c> registration disclosure law, registration disclosure law, alterations.
• </c> representative disclosure requirements. representative disclosure requirements.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, April 13, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of negotiating and non-disclosures.
• And we're already, I'm sure, I believe you're from Jefferson County, you have flooding problems there
• This process and we still have flooding.
• This has nothing to do with flooding because all of those things would have been done.
• We can flood you with whatever you want. And I would also encourage you to look at the handbook.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of negotiating and non-disclosures.
• ...dangerous, flooding, water runoff, erosion, overcrowded schools.
• You're seeing flooding.
• I'm just saying to your point, we've already got this process and we still have flooding.
• This is nothing to do with flooding because all of those things would have been done.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2330 in executive session. A committee substitute narrowed the bill’s annexation-related scope to St. Charles and Jefferson counties and removed water and sewer language because those services are provided by private entities in those counties. The committee adopted the substitute, but the final do-pass motion failed on a 6-8 vote after the chair changed his vote to no. The committee then considered House Bill 1817, which drew discussion about reporting public assistance information in a generalized way rather than identifying individual households. An amendment clarifying that the report would use averages and not specific addresses was adopted, rolled into a committee substitute, and the substitute was then passed on an 11-1 vote with one present. Members raised concerns about SNAP, TANF, and WIC-related provisions and about consistency in the bill’s population threshold, but the bill advanced. Public hearing testimony followed on House Bill 2291, a bill creating deadlines for local governments to act on building permit applications. Supporters, including the sponsor and industry advocates, said permit delays raise costs, slow housing and economic development, and argued the bill would not change zoning or inspections. Opponents, including the Missouri Municipal League, warned the bill’s language could be read to affect zoning and that a single 30-day deadline may not fit projects of different sizes or allow enough time for public input and safety review. No vote was taken on the bill. The committee also heard House Bill 2336, a state property disposal bill. The sponsor said a substitute would be needed because additional properties and corrected legal descriptions had been identified, and the Office of Administration confirmed support and explained that five properties, including former DESE schools and a Springfield regional office, would be added. Finally, House Bill 2403, the “Rue Wells Act,” was heard to create an independent appeal board for student transfer eligibility decisions by activities associations. Supporters described the case as unfair and costly to challenge in court, while others questioned whether a new board would add bureaucracy or bias. Testimony from school administrators said most appeals are already resolved within the existing process, but they were open to a narrowly tailored appeals mechanism with clear recusal rules and independence.

Transcript Highlights:

• things, delay the online disclosure requirement, out with Republicans not voting.
• AB 2599, Brian, corporate disclosures, do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 2599, Brian, corporate disclosures, do pass out with Republicans not voting.
• AB 1725, Colosa, oil well disclosures, held in committee.
• AB 2639, Soria, Merced County Flood Control District, do pass. That's out on an A roll call.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held a suspense-file hearing on May 14, 2026, reviewing hundreds of Assembly bills and a few committee bills. The chair opened by explaining the committee’s budget constraints and the factors used in suspense decisions, including fiscal impact, return on investment, effects on constituents, and protection of the state’s social safety net. The agenda was organized alphabetically by author, and the committee noted that results would be posted later that day online. The committee then acted on a very large number of measures, sending many bills to the Assembly floor on do pass or do pass as amended motions, while holding many others in committee. Topics covered a broad range of policy areas, including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, wildfire mitigation, water, energy, transportation, cannabis, immigration, and state governance. Many bills were amended to narrow scope, make implementation contingent on appropriations or existing resources, remove provisions, or clarify agency responsibilities; several bills were held without further action. Among the notable actions, the committee advanced bills on items such as Medi-Cal services, child care, wildfire-related programs, housing financing, school and college issues, public safety and criminal justice, environmental and energy policy, and various consumer and business regulations. Some measures were sent out on A or B roll calls, with Republicans often not voting on amended bills. The hearing concluded after the committee reported that a large number of bills had been moved to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass with amendments, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• other cash resources, with an emphasis on housing, clean energy, water conservation, education, and flood
• There's an additional $39 million on top of the $10 million for public works floods.
• bridge, levee extension, and flood conveyance swales.
• At the time, I showed how a project could help mitigate severe flooding in the area.
• At the time, I showed how a project could help mitigate severe flooding in the area.

Summary: The committee first heard a briefing on the proposed Senate capital budget, Substitute Senate Bill 6003, which would spend about $723 million total using debt-limit bonds, Climate Commitment Act funds, and other cash resources. Staff described major investments in housing and homelessness, human services, local infrastructure, flood response, water conservation and clean energy, K-12 school modernization and seismic work, and higher education projects. Members then took public testimony from a wide range of advocates and project sponsors, most of whom urged the Senate to preserve or increase funding for specific projects in the final budget, including affordable housing, permanent supportive housing, child care facilities, food banks, behavioral health and substance use treatment centers, tribal courthouse relocation, school modernization, community colleges, university projects, floodplain restoration, community forests, and local civic or cultural facilities. Several witnesses also asked the Senate to match or approach House funding levels on items such as the Housing Trust Fund, permanent supportive housing, the Community Forest Program, Floodplains by Design, and CCA-supported clean energy and water projects. The chair noted that amendments to the capital budget were due the next day at noon. The committee then received a briefing on Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251, which would restructure Climate Commitment Act accounts by repealing three existing accounts and replacing them with two new accounts: a CCA operating account and a CCA capital account. Staff explained that the bill would preserve most existing uses while changing revenue distribution formulas, capping Ecology administrative costs, expanding allowable uses for EV-related costs, housing, and carbon capture/sequestration, and changing reporting and tribal consultation provisions. The bill also shifts some reporting from annual to biannual and modifies the thresholds for tribal-supported and overburdened-community investments. The fiscal note was described as relatively small, with the main impact being the revised revenue allocation structure. Public testimony on the CCA bill was mixed. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, said the restructuring better aligns spending with the intent of the CCA and could improve investments for tribes and overburdened communities. Critics, including the Washington Policy Center, argued the bill still lacks strong requirements to ensure CCA spending is effective and objected to reducing the frequency of the state’s climate-spending report. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• mitigate through this are drought, for example, during summer, extreme heat events during summer, flooding
• So I'm digging into potential flood disclosure for renters, considering the recent event that we had.
• Does that U-Dub map also include increased flooding due to just, like, storm events, or is it only sea
• So it is riverine flooding as well. Thank you.
• So in our recent flooding in Skagit County, one of the things that came up was kind of how challenging

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• must sign... ...a memorandum of understanding, acknowledging the status of the records, and that disclosure
• And we don't see a flood of folks who feel that they're... We're doing just fine.
• And we don't see a flood of folks who feel that their workplace is being harmed because their fellow
• They care about floods. And this bill is kind of evil-minded. It's evil-spirited.
• They care about floods. And this bill is kind of evil-minded. It's evil-spirited.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up several bills and one set of confirmations. SB 330, relating to disability provisions for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers, was explained as clarifying the heart disease presumption and allowing transferred law enforcement officers to rely on a prior physical if the new agency fails to provide one; it was reported favorably. SB 526, a broad commercial construction bill, was amended with a title amendment and a delete-all amendment before being reported favorably. SB 1192 created a pilot program for callback queues at certain executive agencies to reduce hold times, and it was also reported favorably. SB 1078 established gubernatorial transition procedures, including liaisons, briefing materials, office space, and access to records; an amendment narrowed and reassigned some duties and increased penalties for improper disclosure, and the bill passed favorably. SB 7022 extended and updated a public records exemption for classroom examinations and assessment instruments through 2031, and it was reported favorably. SB 1250 removed the Florida Commission on Human Relations’ requirement to use registered mail for certain notices, allowing less expensive notice methods, and it passed favorably. SB 1698 allowed certain employer notices and posters to be posted electronically instead of physically, and it was reported favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of 10 appointees to the Florida Commission on Human Relations and the State Retirement Commission. SB 1072 created an anti-Semitism task force within the Attorney General’s Office of Civil Rights to review anti-Semitism in Florida, improve community relations, advise on law enforcement training, assess digital media literacy efforts, review hate crime statutes, and issue annual reports. The bill drew extensive public testimony, with many speakers opposing it on First Amendment, academic freedom, and equal-protection grounds and arguing it could chill criticism of Israel or be used selectively; supporters said it was needed to address rising anti-Semitism and that the state’s definition of anti-Semitism had already been adopted in statute. After debate, the bill was reported favorably. SB 862, as amended, set a $60,000 salary goal by 2030 for state correctional officers, probation officers, and institutional security specialists, with annual raises subject to appropriations; members questioned a separate provision allowing deployment of correctional officers during emergencies, including whether that could intersect with immigration enforcement, but the sponsor said he would follow up and that the bill was aimed at recruitment, retention, and workforce stability. The bill received support from law enforcement and corrections groups and was reported favorably. SB 1642, the Freedom in the Workplace Act, generated the most contentious discussion: it would bar certain pronoun-related requirements, prohibit mandatory training or activities related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression as a condition of employment, require sex on employment forms to reflect biological sex, and extend similar protections to public employees and contractors. Supporters framed it as protecting free speech, conscience, and against compelled speech; opponents argued it would authorize discrimination against transgender and nonbinary people, invite litigation, and harm workplace safety and inclusion. An amendment moved the bill into the chapter governing public employers and employees, and the bill was then reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this bill clarifies that real estate wholesalers are subject to licensure, disclosure, and oversight
• Today consumers are literally flooded with false information that compounded GLP-1s are doctor-approved
• And again, there is no disclosure. That really tout this.
• And again, there is no disclosure of risks. It is all one-sided and glorious.
• This bill, however, never intended to allow disclosure and other requirements were met.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as well as making sure the for flood as well as making sure the aqueducts<00:24:14.720><c> are</c><00
• The disclosure of such huge payouts rightfully outrages the public and members of the Transportation
• I rise in support of the Amtrak Executive Bonus Disclosure Act.
• at Amtrak by requiring public disclosure of taxpayer-funded bonuses given to its top executives.
• </c><04:38:28.799><c> of</c> Amtrak by requiring public disclosure of Amtrak by requiring public disclosure

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, January 13, 2025, 1012, house, all

Bills: SB137, SB372, SB1209, SB1226, SB1256, SB1303, SB1595, SB1636, SB1772, SB1827, SB1876, SB1944, SB2072, SB2104, SB2180

Keywords: electronic monitoring, Department of Corrections, criminal justice, rehabilitation, public safety, SB372, firearms, gun rights, lawful carry, concealed carry, open carry, handgun license, Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, weapons policy, gun law, school safety, private school, public school, college campus, university campus