Transcript Highlights:

• problem until it occurs.
• And that's the problem.
• So I would just, I hate this problem that I So I would just, I hate this problem that I take somewhat
• Now, why is this a problem?
• That creates the problem there.

Bills: SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, human trafficking, trafficking victim, compelling prostitution, affirmative defense, criminal defense, coercion, force fraud or coercion, sexual exploitation, victim protection, Penal Code, Texas criminal law, prosecution, party liability, affirmative defense statute, survivor rights

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs took up Senate Bill 5, which Senator Perry described as a ban on intoxicating THC consumer products while preserving legal CBD, CBG, hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil products. Perry argued that most retail THC products are already illegal under federal law, that the industry has used loopholes and misleading labeling to sell high-potency products, and that regulation would be ineffective because chemists can quickly alter formulations. He also said the bill would steer people with medical needs toward the Texas Compassionate Use Program (T-Cup), which he and other supporters described as the proper physician-guided alternative. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly discussed the distinction between legal hemp-derived products and intoxicating THC products, and Perry said the bill would not touch non-consumable hemp uses such as fiber and clothing. Invited testimony came from law enforcement and medical witnesses who supported the bill. Texas Police Chiefs Association representative Steve Dye, Kaufman County District Attorney Early Wiley, and Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne all said regulation would be too costly, too complex, and ultimately unenforceable, while a ban would be clearer and easier to enforce. They cited overloaded DPS labs, the need for expensive private testing, limited police and prosecutor resources, and the difficulty of keeping up with constantly changing cannabinoids and out-of-state products. Hawthorne and Wiley described raids and investigations involving warehouses, retail stores, cash seizures, and products they said were marketed to young people and often mislabeled or imported from other states. They also said the bill would help law enforcement by creating a clearer legal line and protecting legitimate CBD/CBG businesses. Dr. Lindy McGee, speaking for the Texas Medical Association and Texas Pediatric Society, testified that retail THC products pose serious risks to children and adolescents, including addiction, impaired brain development, psychosis, suicide attempts, self-harm, accidental toddler ingestions, and possible long-term cognitive effects. She said there is no effective medication treatment for THC addiction comparable to nicotine cessation tools, and she supported restrictions such as child-resistant packaging, no marketing to minors, and age limits, while opposing criminal penalties for possession by minors. Senators asked follow-up questions about brain development, memory, dementia risk, pregnancy, and cardiovascular effects. No vote was taken during the portion provided, and the committee continued with invited testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• we fail to offer this when they're young and the parents are working two or three jobs, we have a problem
• It's part of the problem. Universities should be accountable for making their students safe.
• [laughter] No problem.
• [laughter] >> No<01:23:39.679> problem. Next, Attorney General.
• Where they're not going to be, you know, going to nightclubs or going to gambling houses.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on HB 1872, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program to help early childhood providers participate in approved apprenticeship programs, require annual reporting, and appropriate funds. Testifiers in support included the University of Hawaiʻi, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the City and County of Honolulu, Commit to Keiki, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, the Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks, Parents for Public Schools of Hawaiʻi, and Kīʻoka Family Learning Centers. Supporters said the bill would reduce financial barriers, strengthen recruitment and retention, improve compensation and career pathways, and help address child care shortages and workforce instability. The committee then voted to pass HB 1872 with amendments, including an HD1 and a defective date to allow further discussion. The committee next took up HB 2489, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi to establish a bachelor’s degree program in American Sign Language interpretation, with a longer-term plan for a master’s program. Testimony in support came from the Disability Communication Access Board and the University of Hawaiʻi, and members also heard detailed support from DECAP and other advocates describing a statewide shortage of ASL interpreters, long waiting lists for ASL courses, and the need for locally trained interpreters who understand Hawaiʻi’s cultural and community needs. Witnesses said the shortage affects schools, courts, hospitals, emergency services, and other settings, and that the program could be expanded through articulation with other campuses. The committee voted to pass HB 2489 with amendments, again using an HD1 and defective date. After those two measures, the committee moved to HB 441 on campus safety, which would require students, including transfer students, to complete training on federal laws and university policies regarding sexual misconduct before initial registration and would change how often training is provided to students and employees. The University of Hawaiʻi stood on its written testimony, while supporters including IMUA Alliance and other testifiers urged passage, citing survivor experiences, national best practices, and the need for prevention before harm occurs. No vote on HB 441 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and I really encourage you to please oppose this bill and work on a long-term solution for the problems
• , and I really encourage you to please oppose this bill and work on a long-term solution for the problems
• Definitely, as long as we maintain that communication on problem solving moving forward during the interim
• <01:14:05.159> solving that communication on problem solving that communication on problem
• Some states have, you know, lotto tax and gambling and things like that that we don't have, but we're

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees first heard House Bill 229, which would establish a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles under certain circumstances. Testimony on the bill was limited and came in support from the City and County of Honolulu’s transportation services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. No one testified in opposition, and there were no questions. The committees then took up House Bill 860, which would grant immunity from liability to the state or counties when they repair or maintain a street whose ownership or jurisdiction is disputed between them. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted written testimony, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Hawaii County Council member Heather Kimble, and the Iolani Homestead Community Association for Justice testified in support. The Ho Association for Justice opposed the bill, arguing the immunity was too broad and that the issue had already been addressed by prior legislation. In discussion, members raised concerns about liability and asked whether a different approach, such as extending the 2017 law transferring Oahu roads in limbo to the counties, would be acceptable; county representatives said that path could be considered if immunity were removed. House Bill 1161, which would authorize counties to use a road usage charge mechanism similar to the state’s, drew support from the Department of Transportation, the Energy Office, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, several county and city offices, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Rental car companies and industry groups supported the concept but asked for amendments, including a flat fee instead of a per-mile charge, relief for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and a delayed implementation date. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii also supported relief for hybrids. Members questioned the rental car representatives about the flat-fee proposal, and they said a per-mile charge would be difficult to calculate and pass on to customers. At the end of the joint agenda, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1161 to Tuesday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m., and the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee also deferred the three measures to that date and time. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then began hearing House Bill 925, which would create a Performing Arts Special Fund, and House Bill 1378, which would establish a Performing Arts Grants Program and Special Fund and revise the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ responsibilities and funding sources. HB 925 received support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and written support or comments from DBEDT, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, and others. HB 1378 drew extensive testimony and discussion focused on preserving arts funding while addressing concerns about the use of Works of Art Special Fund dollars for positions and programming. The Governor’s office said it supported the intent but had concerns; the Attorney General warned that the bill’s cap and transfer provisions were unclear and could affect the tax-exempt status of bond-funded dollars; and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts opposed the measure, urging an audit, tracking of deposits, and a shift of positions and programs to general funds instead of changing the law. The chair explained that the bill was intended to protect arts funding while tightening the legal guardrails around bond-financed dollars and preserving federal support, and asked testimony to focus on new points as the hearing continued.

Bills: SJR60, SJR62, SJR65, SJR66, SJR67, SJR68, SCR27, SCR28, SCR29, SB1576, SB1577, SB1578, SB1579, SB1580, SB1581, SB1582, SB1583, SB1584, SB1585, SB1586, SB1587, SB1588, SB1589, SB1590, SB1591, SB1592, SB1593, SB1594, SB1595, SB1596, SB1597, SB1598, SB1599, SB1600, SB1601, SB1602, SB1603, SB1604, SB1605, SB1606, SB1607, SB1608, SB1609, SB1610, SB1611, SB1612, SB1613, SB1614, SB1615, SB1616, SB1618, SB1619, SB1620, SB1622, SB1623, SB1624, SB1625, SJR60, SJR62, SJR65, SJR66, SJR67, SJR68, SCR27, SCR28, SCR29, SB1576, SB1577, SB1578, SB1579, SB1580, SB1581, SB1582, SB1583, SB1584, SB1585, SB1586, SB1587, SB1588, SB1589, SB1590, SB1591, SB1592, SB1593, SB1594, SB1595, SB1596, SB1597, SB1598, SB1599, SB1600, SB1601, SB1602, SB1603, SB1604, SB1605, SB1606, SB1607, SB1608, SB1609, SB1610, SB1611, SB1612, SB1613, SB1614, SB1615, SB1616, SB1618, SB1619, SB1620, SB1622, SB1623, SB1624, SB1625

Keywords: SJR 60, Texas constitutional amendment, property tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, rainwater harvesting, graywater system, water conservation, water reuse, residential tax incentive, local government finance, county commissioners court, appraisal value, environmental incentive, November 2025 ballot, Article VIII, tax relief, healthcare workforce, education funding, higher education, economic growth

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, no, I just hope we can find a solution to this problem for Miss Cook. Thank you. >> Thank you.
• problem for Miss Cook. Thank you. problem for Miss Cook. Thank you.
• It's like, I think it was in a charitable gambling bill. It's like, oh, okay. Where did you get it?
• and yet create that problem and yet create that collaboration<00:57:17.200> that<00:57:17.440
• I think the problem here is that this came as a surprise.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a probability game, and that is sort of the type of decision or gamble, I guess you could say,
• It's maybe part of the problem.
• <01:09:46.359> for<01:09:47.159> the<01:09:47.880> smaller majority problem
• <01:09:57.840> they're maybe part of the problem they're maybe part of the problem they're
• <01:10:11.280> because ability to address that problem because ability to address that problem

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, more people can show up and start gambling more.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When we look at tobacco, when we look at alcohol, when we look at gambling, when we look at cannabis,
• But what kind of problem does that create for the state, having an automatic deficit creator by a court
• does<01:13:58.960> what<01:13:59.199> kind<01:13:59.360> of<01:13:59.520> problem
• <01:13:59.760> does<01:14:00.000> that does what kind of problem does that does what
• kind of problem does that create<01:14:00.400> for<01:14:00.640> the<01:14:00.800>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I don't have a problem if you bring your computer in.
• So I don't have a problem if you bring your computer in.
• If we see complications or problems in administering it for some reason, that we've shared that.
• Or maybe they gambled all the money on the market and made a bunch of money on it that way.
• Or maybe they gambled all the money on the market and made a bunch of money on it that way.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, it's to solve a problem, a real life problem.
• Again, it's to solve a problem, a real life problem.
• Again, it's to solve a problem, a real life problem.
• Again, it's to solve a problem, a real life problem.
• Again, it's to solve a problem, a real life problem.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a problem. We cannot do it.
• 01:10:58.960> loneliness about the problem of loneliness about the problem of loneliness throughout
• bill that puts that problem at even more risk.
• bill that puts that problem at even more risk.
• bill that puts that problem at even more risk.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Cities and towns across Wyoming have different cultural attitudes towards gambling.
• <00:39:58.240> with<00:39:58.560> the so I have no problems with the so I have no problems
• It's a wicked problem.
• [clears throat] A wicked problem, as I said.
• problem a little bit more. problem a little bit more.

Bills: SF0045, SF0058, SF0067

Keywords: pari-mutuel wagering, simulcasting, historic horse racing, HHR terminals, horse racing, gaming commission, Wyoming Gaming Commission, local control, city approval, county approval, municipal approval, permit renewal, gaming permit, wagering regulation, racetrack, live pari-mutuel event, district court appeal, public notice, land use, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I have no problem.
• <00:22:08.919> all<00:22:09.120> right problem all right problem all right um<00:22:12.000
• We have a real problem here.
• Contamination was a real problem.
• Contamination was a real problem.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee met in work session on several bills, beginning with HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training. Members said the bill had been sent to the Animal Protection and Licensing Subcommittee, where Representative Kuttab is expected to schedule a meeting soon to consider possible amendments based on testimony and other ideas. The committee later returned to HB 153 and confirmed a work session was planned for February 14, with discussion also including whether to explore a task force concept raised in testimony. The committee also discussed HB 215 and HB 566, both related to landfill permitting and leachate or harm/benefit reporting. Representative Gerana said he had met with the DES director and was working on amendments that would add a preliminary screening phase for determining net public benefit and expand the list of benefits beyond capacity need to include items such as economic and infrastructure benefits. HB 566 was said to be in the same posture as HB 215, and both were slated for subcommittee review the following Tuesday morning. HB 171 was also added for subcommittee discussion, with members saying the changes would be technical rather than substantive. HB 240, which removes forfeiture penalties for non-payment of dog licenses, drew support for a simple amendment changing a statutory “shall” to “may” so municipal officials would have discretion about issuing a warrant. Representative Bixby said OLS advised that this was the cleanest way to provide flexibility, and he reported that the sponsor was agreeable to the change. The committee also discussed HB 179, concerning hazardous waste accident fees, where the sponsor proposed a revised amendment imposing a $1,000-per-day penalty after 90 days of non-payment. Members raised concerns about homeowners, hobby farmers, and whether the bill could unfairly burden people who were not negligent or whose insurance claims were delayed. The sponsor and others said the intent was to recover costs from responsible parties, especially businesses, and to protect local taxpayers and fire departments from bearing the cost of damaged hazardous materials equipment. No votes were taken; the bills were left for further subcommittee work and amendment drafting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the problem everybody's heart here.
• This doesn't fix all our problems. This doesn't fix the majority of our problems.
• This doesn't fix the our problems.
• ,<00:39:15.440> but This doesn't fix all our problems, but This doesn't fix all our problems
• <01:16:41.120> and and helped me through my problems and and helped me through my problems

Bills: HF3492, HF3493, HF3494, HF3495, HF3602

Keywords: school safety, grants, education funding, Northern Lights Express, security improvements, rural schools, safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, safe schools aid, school security, mental health support, Tribal schools, cybersecurity, funding, mental health, evidence-based plans, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• But so I would gamble it off the projected, which just—but it'd be nice to know, like we have four-year
• It helps us to understand that the problems and the challenges that we find in our system are deeply
• I look at this problem from the heart of a mom but the head of a business person.
• There's a systemic problem with the components not working anymore: case management, day or work programs
• They are not working anymore, and we know there are a lot of complex problems like not enough workers

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another problem I just want to know—it's not really a problem, but, you know, to the needs that are out
• Uh, another<00:13:52.959> problem<00:13:53.279> I<00:13:53.440> just<00:13:53.600
• And this is the problem. So, you know, we're trying to pay for what we're costing.
• And this is the problem. So, you cases. And this is the problem.
• No problem. I've got at least three chairs.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's still very much a problem.
• It's still very much a problem.
• It's still very much a problem.
• It's still very much a problem.
• It's still very much a problem.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Did you address all the problems with the Department of Health?
• <00:40:27.600> address<00:40:27.960> all<00:40:28.080> the<00:40:28.200> problems
• <00:40:28.560> with Did you address all the problems with Did you address all the problems
• House Bill 1226, Maryland Illegal Online Gambling Enforcement Act.

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House took up the Appropriations Committee’s report on the fiscal 2027 budget, including Senate Bill 282, the budget bill, and Senate Bill 284, the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act. The floor leader described a balanced budget with a $282 million cash surplus, $2 billion in rainy day reserves, and no new fees or taxes, while highlighting funding for child care scholarships and credentials, behavioral health services in schools, Medicaid and SNAP-related outreach, DDA services, domestic violence and rape crisis services, energy assistance, local government disparity grants, and private-sector investment. Both budget measures were special ordered until Wednesday, March 25, and the House adopted the committee’s motion in each case without objection. The chamber also considered several committee reports from Economic Matters, Government, Labor, and Elections, and Health. Among the measures advanced were House Bill 1529 on a Baltimore County local commission on common ownership communities; House Bills 571, 892, 893, 994, 1120, 1166, 1351, 1362, and 883; and health-related bills including House Bills 446, 658, 698, 1015, and 1048. Most bills were amended and then given favorable reports, with the House adopting the amendments and ordering the bills printed for third reading. Several bills drew brief floor questions. House Bill 994 would create a $300 annual registration fee for travel services providers, but the sponsor said it would not add new penalties beyond existing consumer protection laws. House Bill 1166 on front license plate display clarified that a signed statement can shift responsibility to the driver when a front plate cannot be installed, while the existing $500 fine for noncompliance remained current law. House Bill 1351, dealing with disaster mitigation services and MHIC licensing, was explained as bringing those providers under home improvement licensing rules after a transition period, and was special ordered until the end of the session at a delegate’s request. House Bill 1048 on sodium and added sugar warning icons was amended to include a QR code and remove some reporting and education provisions; members also clarified that the bill still uses a 25-gram threshold and that restaurant groups did not support the bill, though it had been worked through with them.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, assisted living eating problems.
• that's where a big part of this problem that's where a big part of this problem is.<00:57:15.760
• And I actually don't have a problem with that. That is the politics we live in.
• <01:53:57.520> That don't have a problem with that. That don't have a problem with that.
• And so surveiled and other problems.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• could<00:42:22.240> never<00:42:22.720> have<00:42:23.040> imagined problems
• she could never have imagined problems she could never have imagined in<00:42:23.920> graduate
• Past administrations have allowed the threat from Iran to grow and fester to the problem we have now.
• Here's the problem: We haven't taken on the hard work of defining the mission for our sons and daughters
• Here's the problem: We haven't taken on the hard work of defining the mission for our sons and daughters

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 1012, house, all