Transcript Highlights:

• We've made legislative mandates.
• </c> years, meeting all of our legislative years, meeting all of our legislative goals<00:08:28.040><
• /c><00:46:03.080><c> for</c> one-time $31 million appropriation for one-time $31 million appropriation
• It amends our E-12 education appropriations that were enacted during the 2025 legislative session for
• c> 2025</c><01:34:51.640><c> legislative</c> enacted during the 2025 legislative enacted during the 2025

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We’ll talk about this legislation today, but this legislation is not being considered in a vacuum.
• We'll talk about this legislation today, but this legislation is not being considered in a vacuum.
• Legislation is not being considered in a vacuum.
• This legislation feels familiar, and it should.
• It would be up to legislative discretion.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits. The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation. Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• this and co-sponsoring this legislation.
• this and co-sponsoring this legislation.
• Seeing none, this is my piece of legislation.
• Justin Wilmeth, Legislative District 2, that is North Phoenix.
• Like I said before, this is kind of accidentally given my career to being a legislator and legislative

Committee: House Government

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , appropriations, appropriations, report<00:11:43.360><c> number</c><00:11:43.720><c> seven.
• </c> appropriate time tomorrow. appropriate time tomorrow.
• </c> appropriate time tomorrow. appropriate time tomorrow.
• </c><01:13:38.800><c> Uh</c> as appropriate. Some are characters. Uh as appropriate.
• </c> for appropriations. for appropriations.

Keywords: House streaming session for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 124 members present, offered a prayer, and recognized foster youth visiting the chamber. Members then adopted two House resolutions honoring Dr. Sonja Santelises for 10 years as CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools and recognizing Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, for 104 years of service, scholarship, and sisterhood. The House also received Senate bills and began taking up committee reports. Several bills were reported favorably and advanced to third reading, including measures on higher education grants, public safety pay restrictions, retirement and pension system work group extensions and cost-of-living adjustments, synthetic turf and aquaculture studies, rail crew requirements, Howard County speed limits, election address confidentiality, IT investment fund uses, ethics financial disclosures, Public Information Act divorce records, aging-in-place grants, judicial assignments, clerk and register salaries, and firearm literature distribution. House Bill 428, concerning temporary assignment of former judges, was special ordered until the next day after the minority whip requested time for an amendment. The chamber also considered and adopted amendments on several bills. House Bill 437, the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2026, was amended to exempt the Chesapeake Bay Bridge project and then special ordered after questions about greenhouse gas impacts on major highway expansion projects. House Bill 457 on menstrual hygiene products at higher education institutions, House Bill 538 on student enrollment disclosures, House Bill 561 on child care credential funding, House Bill 720 on a veterans scholarship, and House Bill 212 on out-of-state vehicle registration all received amendments and favorable reports as amended. HB 212 drew extended debate about Maryland residents using out-of-state tags, with supporters saying it would help enforce registration laws and opponents raising concerns about legislative вмешательство in vehicle regulation and enforcement discretion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We respectfully request that this be sent to the Local and Consent Calendar.
• . for the cost of the signage updates and respectfully request the right to close.
• So just a brief history, I'm here to request that.
• And so with that, I respectfully request this goes to local and consent.
• that there's a process by which we have. have to respond to these open records requests.

Bills: HB767 , HB 1242 , HB1373 , HB1404 , HB1708 , HB1936 , HB2041 , HB2198 , HB2270 , HB2315 , HB2415 , HB2427 , HB2455 , HB2457 , HB2522 , HB2523 , HB2686 , HB2763 , HB2775 , HB2944 , HB3034 , HB1683 , HB1695

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: highway designation, memorial, Montgomery County, Paul P. Mendes, transportation, HB 1242, Texas Transportation Code, U.S. Highway 281, Brooks County, Ernesto Soliz Cantu, memorial highway, road naming, TxDOT, road signage, commemorative resolution, memorial markers, county road 304, Huppergate Road, Los Robles Trail, Farm-to-Market Road

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> So, if you're passing this legislation, So, if you're passing this legislation, with<00:27:29.600
• . legislation. legislation.
• move this legislation forward as amended.
• However, to your point appropriate.
• . legislation. legislation.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:16.760><c> and</c> legislature has appropriate and legislature has appropriate and appropriate
• </c> that it's a diagnosis that's appropriate that it's a diagnosis that's appropriate for<01:06:52.200
• </c><01:30:02.600><c> at</c> to be affected by this legislation at to be affected by this legislation
• </c> individuals were getting the appropriate individuals were getting the appropriate care<03:58:29.080
• </c> that I'm cynical about the legislative that I'm cynical about the legislative process<05:31:26.280

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a non-germane amendment to HB 297 that would create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Insurance Commissioner DJ Beton, joined by department staff, explained that the proposal is intended to help homeowners afford insurance by funding proactive home improvements that reduce risk and improve insurability. He said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 available on a first-come, first-served basis. Beton described the problem as rising homeowners insurance premiums, hard-market underwriting, nonrenewals, and the resulting shift to more expensive surplus lines coverage. He said eligible projects could include roof fortification, exterior improvements, flood-related foundation work, and removal of hazardous trees or limbs. He cited similar programs in other states, especially Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina, as evidence the model can work and noted that industry representatives were present in support. He also said the program would use means testing aligned with the Department of Energy’s weatherization program to target lower-income applicants. Members asked about the non-germane process, who would administer the program, and how the bill would prevent misuse of grant funds. The commissioner said the department would administer the program using one repurposed existing position, with Treasury handling fund flow through an MOU. Staff explained that applicants would have to show completed work through a signed contract, itemized work, and a sworn contractor affidavit, with some upfront payment allowed for materials and the remainder paid after completion. The chair and members discussed that the amendment is being attached to a different bill only to move the proposal through committee and on to House Finance for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Out-of-pocket costs at the point of service are a barrier to getting appropriate care.
• In terms of how they might do their calculations, it was taken out at their request, some of them, but
• I would like to hear your response to the request to extend the sunset.
• I've only met or know of one person who actually was a legislator who had a natural LDL in higher age
• I just want to make a request when you're going through your studies.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Your legislative prerogative is not, you're not constrained by the same thing we are.
• Does that take legislation or is that, is that something that we can just do?
• Are you in the appropriations process?
• Providers and then locating the appropriate placement for that child.
• Legislation that has been filed about creating a pilot.

Committee: House Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Next on the agenda, we have Item 4, Rules waiver request to suspend SR 55 by Senator Ashby to allow guests
• She continued that there may be times when parties file recusal requests with no basis, and if the board
• He said legislative staff are in the process of unionizing, as passed by law and now in the regulation
• The witness replied that the act covering legislative employees is under PERB's jurisdiction, so PERB
• So the act that covers legislative employees is under Perb's jurisdiction, so yes, Perp will be part

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• interpretation by the Attorney General, lingering uncertainty has created the need for explicit legislative
• They do not anticipate needing any more GR in the Appropriations Act to try to get it done.
• Thank you, and I request to close. Members, any questions?
• So with that, I, I close and, and respectfully request your favorable consideration.
• So I respectfully request. That we take another look at this bill, look at the impact.

Bills: HB74 , HB175

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: environmental project, public money, political subdivision, greenhouse gas emissions, federal law compliance, renewable energy, water conservation, retroactive child support, child conception, paternity, family law, health care expenses

Transcript Highlights:

• It seems only fitting and totally It seems only fitting and totally appropriate that one of our final
• We worked diligently and hard to move forward legislation that would move forward legislation that would
• In moments like these, I have a simple request: Stay in touch with your request.
• Our Legislative Council and Joint Fiscal Office, whose work this biennium was...
• A chief of staff, a strategic partner, a partner in legislative crime.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or I'm sorry not the the legislative or I'm sorry not the legislative<02:05:40.719><c> the</c><02:05
• idea to legislate it into this bill.
• Thank you very much. have had successful legislations I think have had successful legislations I think
• Wood that the request for the appropriation is going to be $100,000.
• </c> suitability may not be the appropriate suitability may not be the appropriate kind<03:19:15.319>

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on January 31, 2025, and first heard House Bill 1062, a housekeeping measure relating to the Hawaii Air National Guard. Testimony in support came from representatives of the Adjutant General and other National Guard witnesses. A member raised a technical question about language allowing the Guard to hold the rank authorized by the Department of the Air Force, and the response was that the bill should not require additional HR language; no vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 674, which would authorize allowances for TRICARE dental and vision coverage for Hawaii National Guard personnel ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. The Department of Defense supported the bill through Brigadier General Ross, Director of Joint Staff, and Terry Heiti also testified in support. There were no questions or action taken on the measure. House Bill 652, relating to veterans’ rights and benefits and regulating compensation for advice or assistance on veterans’ benefits, drew the most discussion. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing it would protect veterans from illegal or exploitative practices and noting its own service to more than 2,000 veterans in fiscal year 2024. Opposition came from the National Association for Veterans Rights and Veteran Benefits Guide, which argued the bill would restrict access to needed services and that some for-profit providers operate legally and should not be barred. Committee members questioned the scope of the bill, accreditation requirements, and whether nonprofit or pro bono services would be affected. A Department of Defense veteran services official said veterans can be vulnerable to exploitation and that some legal fee arrangements can be abusive, while also noting pro bono options exist. The committee did not reach a decision on the bill during the excerpt. The committee also began hearing House Bill 1058, which would create a veteran cemetery board within the Office of Veteran Services to help state veteran cemeteries comply with federal standards. The Office of Veteran Services and Terry Heiti testified in support. Members asked about the board’s membership, timeline, and consultant selection, and were told the working group was still in an organizational stage and no construction timeline had been set. The final measure discussed was House Bill 503, which would appropriate funds for a consultant to evaluate locations and designs for a Hawaii First Responders Memorial. The Department of Accounting and General Services supported the bill, and testimony in support was received from county and city officials, UPW Hawaii, and individuals. Members asked about the working group, timeline, and budget, and were told the project was still in early planning; no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The solutions lie in legislative and regulatory levers.
• So are we asking questions about the legislation as well?
• Utah passed that legislation, which is what I had been looking at.
• So Sheriff John Allen requested this legislation, stating that individuals with prior felony convictions
• It's still during the legislative period of pendency on that legislation.

Bills: HB99 , HB49 , HB164 , SB30 , SB43 , SB50 , SB136

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 99, which would make changes to the Medical Malpractice Act, especially around punitive damages. The chair and sponsor said the bill would not be voted on that day and that public comment would wait until Monday, when a fuller presentation and any recommended substitute would be considered. Dr. Brooke Baker, a physician-lawyer, gave a long presentation on physician wellness, malpractice stress, and the effect of litigation on staffing and burnout, while also discussing hospital ownership structures, private equity, and rural hospital vulnerability. She argued that punitive damages are often pled too broadly in New Mexico, that the amendment language was unclear about which entities would be capped, and that better oversight and internal quality systems—not punitive damages—are the better tools for addressing bad actors and unsafe care. Committee members from both sides asked extensive questions about the patient compensation fund, indemnification, corporate structures, the effect of caps on insurance and recruitment, and whether the bill would protect physicians’ personal assets. No vote was taken on HB 99, and the committee recessed before moving to the next bill. The committee then returned to House Bill 49, a public safety measure increasing penalties for felons who possess firearms. The sponsors and law enforcement witnesses said the bill is aimed narrowly at serious violent felons who are already prohibited from having guns, and that it would align state sentencing with federal law and give police and prosecutors a stronger tool against repeat violent offenders. An amendment was offered to narrow the bill further, add destructive devices, and make the offense a second-degree felony rather than escalating to first degree on repeat offenses. The amendment was adopted without opposition. Public testimony on HB 49 was largely opposed. The Law Office of the Public Defender argued the bill criminalizes possession without a new act of violence, that current law already punishes felon-in-possession conduct, and that New Mexico has repeatedly increased penalties without evidence of reduced gun crime. The ACLU of New Mexico also opposed the bill, saying increased penalties are not a proven deterrent. The transcript cuts off as additional online opposition testimony was beginning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; But there was there was legislation &gt;&gt; But there was there was legislation passed
• like legislative intent and state policy.
• like legislative intent and state policy.
• into legislation things like legislative<01:13:01.280><c> intent</c><01:13:01.760><c> and</c><01:13:
• Um they that request this are farmers.

Bills: HF4438 , HF4467 , HF4379 , SF3402 , HF4349 , HF4064 , HF84 , HF85 , HF3804

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, WIC, community health, licensing, speech-language pathology, audiology, contract term limits, healthcare services, provider enrollment, disenrollment, premium payments, medical assistance, substance use disorders, mental health, children's mental health, early childhood, early intervention, consultation grants, Head Start, child care

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:03.920><c> data</c> person from requesting public data person from requesting public data
• </c><00:04:13.200><c> of</c> $40,000 to provide those requests of $40,000 to provide those requests of
• amount requested.
• is unknown. someone makes a huge data request. someone makes a huge data request.
• </c> They'll talk to their legislators. They'll talk to their legislators.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we finally have a quorum and welcome to the Appropriations Committee on higher education.
• chair, the Appropriations Committee on Higher Education.
• Are you getting support from industry to help fund that has an appropriations committee?
• We are going to request an extension. So we have plenty of time to discuss things.
• And I would request that you do that as you move forward and is Senator Calatayud a remark?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Hammond and I have met several different times regarding this legislation, and I agree
• But I certainly at the appropriate time.
• </c> know, I've seen us pass some legislation know, I've seen us pass some legislation with<00:05:01.759
• Clerk, please call the next bill. >> Representative Jones request. appropriate travel expenses for them
• the way I'm another piece of legislation the way I'm following<00:12:32.560><c> this.

Bills: HB431 , HB466 , HB523 , HB521 , SB182 , SB300 , HB431 , HB466 , HB523 , HB521 , SB182 , SB300

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: Monroe County, sheriff, sheriff compensation, county salary, expense allowance, local act, county general fund, retirement contributions, law enforcement pay, public official salary, county budget, Alabama local legislation, service contracts, consumer protection, advertising disclosure, insurance, contract cancellation, parole procedures, advocacy, parole board

Transcript Highlights:

• We're holding this hearing today during an important point in the legislative process.
• I'm a member of the Appropriations Committee.
• that takes place at the federal level or late legislation at the state level, or a pandemic.
• I have to go to appropriations really quickly, and I'll be back. Thank you, Val. All right.
• to the recent passage of the full year continuing appropriations and extension.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Your legislation does not ban three-cueing, right?
• Your legislation does not ban three-kewing, right?
• So not only is this a good and appropriate amendment, this is a very good bill, it is an appropriate
• Speaker, this is a request to move the bill to legislative review so that we may create a comprehensive
• We may have to avoid that, gentlemen, if this goes the way we're requesting.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after several member introductions and announcements, including recognition of guests from foster care, a Bayless High School Scholar Bowl team, public utility representatives, and family members. The chamber then moved into House Bills for Perfection, beginning with HB 1812, a voter-roll maintenance measure that requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to send deceased-voter lists to the Secretary of State every 30 days for distribution to election authorities. An amendment added a 10-day processing deadline, and the bill was supported as an election-integrity measure before being ordered perfected and printed. Members also advanced HCS for HB 3308, a sales-tax exemption for materials used to construct facilities or improvements for public use that will be deeded to a political subdivision, such as parks. Supporters said it would help public-good projects while limiting the exemption to public-use construction; questions focused on fiscal impact and ensuring there is a formal agreement to transfer the property. The substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The House then took up HCS for HB 3010, a prior-authorization reform bill for health care providers. Supporters said it would reduce administrative burden, add an API-based tracking component, and create a gold-carding process for providers with high approval rates; members from both parties emphasized the strain prior authorization places on physicians and patients. The committee substitute and bill were adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The chamber next considered HCS for HB 2872, a major literacy bill centered on the science of reading. The bill requires phonics-based instruction, early screening in grades 1-3, teacher training, and retention for students who are not reading on grade level by the end of third grade, subject to exemptions for students with disabilities, English learners, IEPs, 504 plans, prior retention, and other good-cause cases. Amendments clarified that three-cueing cannot be the primary instructional strategy and added parent involvement and earlier intervention language; the most contentious debate focused on retention and parental rights, but the amendment passed 103-27-1 and the bill was then adopted and ordered perfected and printed. Finally, the House advanced HCS for HB 1826 and related bills to expand authorized epinephrine products beyond EpiPens to include nasal spray and other approved forms for use in schools, child care centers, nursing homes, and by first responders; supporters cited allergy emergencies and needle fear, and the substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The chamber also began debate on HCS for HB 2069/2208, a bill to authorize autonomous vehicles in Missouri, with the sponsor describing safety and economic benefits and the first amendment adding liability, jurisdiction, and U.S.-based operator requirements; a second amendment removed commercial vehicles and made technical changes. Debate on the underlying autonomous-vehicle bill continued, with supporters emphasizing modernization and opponents raising concerns about local control, surveillance, and the lack of independent safety data.