Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I may not be 10 days, but I'm 20 days, or I'm 30 days, or I'm 40 days.
• And you'll find out if CDPH is paying in a 30-day or a 10-day time frame?
• Once this money goes out to get people within 10 days, they only have a 10-day cash flow.
• That was for 90 days.
• If you have 54 days of cash on hand, a lot of revenue will come in in those 54 days.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Summary: The committee heard AB 108, a budget bill junior that would amend the 2025 Budget Act to create a one-time $25 million General Fund grant program at HCAI for hospitals in immediate and significant financial distress. The bill also included a technical change related to property tax deferments for eligible low-income seniors. Finance explained that eligible hospitals would have to be not-for-profit, have less than 10 days cash on hand, show best efforts to exhaust other financing, and have a payer mix of more than 50% government payers and uninsured patients; the bill also gives HCAI expedited contracting and rulemaking authority. Members and the LAO noted the proposal is intended as a short-term bridge until July 1, while broader hospital support is expected in the May Revision and next year’s budget. Much of the discussion focused on whether $25 million is enough, how many hospitals would qualify, and whether the 10-day cash threshold is too narrow. Several senators argued the administration had not provided enough data or a clear methodology, and raised concerns about fairness compared with the earlier Distressed Hospital Loan Program, which used broader criteria and provided loans rather than grants. Members also raised broader policy issues affecting hospital finances, including Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, seismic retrofit costs, federal funding changes, and the need for better data and more immediate assessment of hospital distress. The LAO said the current proposal is narrower than the prior loan program and emphasized the need for better reporting and analysis going forward. Public commenters, including the California Hospital Association, district hospital representatives, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and county officials, supported the bill and urged additional longer-term funding for distressed hospitals. The chair and several members said the bill is a short-term emergency measure for a small number of hospitals at risk of imminent closure, while broader solutions will be addressed later in the budget process. AB 108 was then moved and passed out of committee on an 18-0 vote, with the roll held open briefly to secure remaining votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's $500 a day, every day. Is that accurate? It's $500 a day.
• Am I subject to $500 a day? $500 a day?
• I still get a penalty, $500 per day. A penalty, $500 per day per person.
• I misspoke. 210 days. How many months is that? 141 days? 210 days. I misspoke. 210 days.
• That's 60 days from the primary and 210 days from the general.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 4198, which would require employers to use E-Verify to confirm new hires’ work authorization and impose escalating penalties for violations, including warnings, debarment from state contracts, loss of business licenses, and other sanctions. Counsel and senators raised extensive drafting concerns, including circular language, conflicts with existing record-retention provisions, unclear references to “seeks to employ,” possible application to babysitters, lawn care, and other casual or household arrangements, and uncertainty about how the bill would work for employers who never actually complete a hire. The bill sponsor defended the measure as a way to strengthen compliance with existing law, protect employers who use E-Verify in good faith, and deter illegal hiring. After debate, a motion to table the bill failed on a roll call vote, 6 in favor and 10 opposed, and the chair then announced the bill would be sent to a subcommittee to be cleaned up, with instructions to resolve the drafting conflicts and other ambiguities. The committee then turned to House Bill 4710, with an amendment, which would require a person to be registered with a political party or as an independent 210 days before filing a certificate of candidacy. Counsel explained that the change would lengthen the current 60-day requirement and would affect both party-switching and independent candidacies, making it harder for candidates to change affiliation shortly before an election. Senators asked about how the 210-day period would work relative to the primary and general election filing deadlines, and counsel clarified that it would be measured backward from the relevant filing dates. The discussion focused on the practical effect of the bill as a “sore loser” measure and on the timing rules for candidacy filings.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there are professional days.
• So right now in statute it's 166 days, and several of those days can be used for the professional days
• Is that part of the instructional days, or is that part of the professional day?
• for those days.
• Welcome to my day yesterday.

Bills: HB2210 , HB2398 , HB2959 , HB3006 , HB3026 , HB3151 , HB3315 , HB3372 , HB3467 , HB3590 , HB4268 , HB4359 , HB4427

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: youth apprenticeship, career education, workforce development, high school programs, mentorship, vocational training, state oversight, credential of value, education, labor market, government reporting, school abuse reporting, child abuse, neglect, mandatory reporting, student safety, school employee misconduct, administrator reporting, superintendent, law enforcement notification

Summary: The Senate Education Committee considered a long agenda of education-related bills, including school calendar changes, scholarship and tax credit cleanup, charter school facilities, apprenticeship expansion, testing windows, and teacher staffing rules. Several measures were framed as technical or clarifying changes, while others drew more substantial debate over accountability, eligibility, and funding. The committee also heard a bill to extend the sunset of the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education and another to allow certain military dependents to start kindergarten based on their home-country age rules. Among the more debated bills, House Bill 3590 updated the Opportunity Scholarship Fund Act by changing reporting and income-verification language; senators questioned whether the bill effectively expanded eligibility or added accountability, but the author said it was a cleanup measure and the title was struck before passage. House Bill 3151 would raise the minimum school year from 166 to 173 days beginning in 2027-28, contingent on an additional $175 million in common education funding; supporters argued Oklahoma students need more time in front of teachers, while opponents questioned the evidence and fiscal impact. House Bill 4359 moved statewide assessments to the last four weeks of the school year, with an amendment changing the window from three to four weeks, and House Bill 4427, as amended, continued limits on adjunct teachers in early grades while clarifying qualifications and timelines for existing adjuncts. The committee also advanced House Bill 2398, which would create “credentials of value” to help students and families evaluate postsecondary programs based on workforce demand and economic return, and House Bill 3372, which would create a charter school facilities fund and loan/collateral mechanisms; the latter passed on a narrower vote after questions about asset disposition and state control. Other bills passed with little or no opposition, including a 24-hour reporting requirement for school abuse to outside law enforcement, an expansion of youth apprenticeship eligibility, adoption-related maternity leave, and a pilot for teacher growth metrics and NBCT funding. Most measures were reported out favorably, with several title-stricken amendments adopted along the way.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows municipalities to, instead of doing the full 46 days... days of absentee balloting.
• All of those days remain.
• So seven days gives us one extra day there to make sure that we can communicate with that voter if there
• or the 18-day.
• and 30 days, or excuse me, between 14 and 30 days prior to other elections.

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we recognize Korean American Day...
• Today we honor Korean American Day. Which recognizes Korean American Day.
• Today we honor Korean American Day. which recognizes Korean American Day.
• Korean American Day is not only about honoring history, but also about Korean American Day is not only
• Heavy, heavy day. Thank you, Mr. President. Heavy, heavy day.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journals, and took up motions to remove several measures from the inactive file, including S.J.R. 9, SB 626, and SCR 89. The main item on the floor was SCR 106 by Senator Choi, which recognized January 13 as Korean American Day and highlighted the history and contributions of Korean Americans in California and nationwide. Senator Choi and many members spoke in support, citing Korean American business, civic, cultural, military, and community contributions, as well as local Korean American communities and landmarks across their districts. The resolution was adopted on a 38-0 vote. After passage, Senator Choi introduced Korean American guests in the chamber and invited members to a reception. The Senate then returned to motions and committee announcements, including upcoming meetings of the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee and the Senate Human Services Committee. Members also requested that SB 626 be returned to the Assembly for amendments. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment memorials. Senators Umberg, Allen, Pérez, and Menjivar honored Monica Lynn Martinez-Hays, victims of the Palisades and Eaton fires, and Sergeant Adrian Carrillo, respectively. The memorials recounted the lives and community service of the deceased and emphasized ongoing grief, recovery, and support for affected families and communities. The Senate announced it would recess until the next scheduled floor session on Friday, January 16 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> um throughout that final two-day period. um throughout that final two-day period.
• day and one minute of the next business day, and that constitutes two full business days.
• So, setting aside the debate between the two days or three days, uh, three business days for the board
• </c> two business days before the meeting. two business days before the meeting.
• two days or three days uh three business days<00:13:30.399><c> uh</c><00:13:30.480><c> for</c><00:13

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would have this day be a day of remembrance and recognition of Charlie Kirk's influence on
• There's quite a number of days of remembrance.
• There are quite a number of days of remembrance.
• Should there be a day of remembrance? I don't care about a day of remembrance.
• Sure, put a day of remembrance on the table.

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, we still have Labor Day; we're not taking away Labor Day.
• In 2002, the legislature changed the school start day to the day after Labor Day.
• Whole day, and I get to play with my tablet all day.
• days, up to three days."
• She makes them feel welcome and calms down kids day after day after day.

Transcript Highlights:

• They do NI day every day. That doesn’t make sense to me.
• They do NI day every day. That doesn’t make sense to me.
• We just switched over a teacher work day to an in-person day.
• days.
• That wasn't days. It wasn't an NI day.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard House Bill 132, which would change home and hospital instruction funding so schools can be reimbursed sooner when students miss school for short-term mental health-related stays. Representative Nick Wilson said current law requires a student to be out five days before funding begins, leaving schools unpaid when they provide instruction during 2- to 4-day absences. The committee gave HB 132 favorable expression unanimously. The committee then heard House Bill 193, a cleanup bill on dual credit scholarships. Representative J.T. Payne and KHEAA’s director explained that the bill consolidates academic and CTE dual credit scholarships into one statute to reduce administrative confusion, since the programs have been funded together in recent budgets. HB 193 passed unanimously with favorable expression. House Bill 241 drew the most discussion. The committee first adopted a substitute, which members said changed the bill to give the Commissioner of Education discretion, rather than a mandate, to grant calamity days. The bill and substitute centered on virtual instruction and Cloverport Virtual Academy: supporters said the school was a pilot project that needed more time and that a prior agency effort to cap virtual instruction would have effectively shut it down, while opponents argued the substitute would reward a low-performing virtual model and extend NTI/virtual learning too broadly. Testimony from an Oldham County parent criticized NTI quality and opposed adding more virtual days. No final vote on HB 241 was included in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Idaho Day. What a great day to be an Idahoan. I'm Representative Jeff Ehlers.
• He was the driving force behind Idaho Day.
• Dear legislators, happy Idaho Day.
• Sitting beside him day after day was one of the great privileges of my life.
• I had the great fortune of being in the room on the day he introduced Idaho Day.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the March 4, 2026 journal, and received notice of a substitute appointment for Legislative District 32. Much of the day was devoted to Idaho Day ceremonies, including prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, a performance of the national anthem, and remarks honoring Idaho history and former Representative Lyndon Bateman, who was remembered as the founder of Idaho Day and a longtime advocate for cursive, history, and civic education. Guest speakers included historian Justin Vipperman, who spoke about liberty, self-government, and Idaho’s frontier development, and former Attorney General David Leroy, who praised Bateman’s public service and legacy. Members also shared personal tributes before the chamber considered a memorial resolution in Bateman’s honor. The House suspended the rules by a two-thirds vote and adopted House Concurrent Resolution 31, recognizing and commending the lifetime achievements of Lyndon Bateman. The resolution passed 68-0 with two absent and excused, and was sent to the Senate. The chamber also received and referred several Senate messages and committee reports, including bills and resolutions on transportation, agriculture, commerce, state affairs, resources, and other topics. New measures were introduced on issues such as minors and library protections, tax exemptions, stable coins, parental rights and child custody, county fair boards, vehicle license plates, honey industry regulation, and Idaho Digital Learning Academy governance. Several bills and resolutions were placed on the second reading calendar, including measures on elections, environmental quality, hazardous waste, transportation, vehicle titles, industrial hemp, Medicaid managed care, Medicare, and appropriations. House Bill 750 was moved to general orders, and the remaining third-reading bills were held one legislative day. The House also announced committee schedule changes, upcoming events tied to Idaho Day and other advocacy groups, and a reminder about project submissions. The chamber adjourned until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• In most cases, it's $500 for an 8-day pre-election report or for the 1st, 1st semiannual after an 8-day
• It's $500 for the first day it's late and then $100 every day that it's late until filed up to $10,000
• That's going to change to 210 days.
• 8-day pre-election report.
• Have a great day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The day does not create a state holiday or mandate closures.
• If there is a remembrance day, there's obviously national holidays.
• That day might be discussed in their schools. ...communism or something.
• That day might be discussed in their schools because this is now in statute.
• That’s why this day is important.

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability heard three bills and reported all three favorably. First, the committee took up Senator Gates’ employee protection bill, which was amended with a delete-all to create whistleblower protections for people who file ethics complaints based on personal knowledge. Gates and the Florida Commission on Ethics said the measure would reduce retaliation against insiders who report misconduct, while the commission said it supported the proposal and expected low implementation costs. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill as amended. The committee next considered Senator McClain’s bill to reclassify certain district assistant regional counsel supervisor positions in the Florida Retirement System to the senior management class. Supporters said the change would align those positions with comparable attorneys in public defender and state attorney offices and help with recruitment and retention. A late-file technical amendment aligning class codes with statute was adopted, and the committee then reported the bill favorably. The final bill, Senator Martin’s SB 194, would designate October 14 each year as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance in Florida. Martin argued the day would honor Kirk’s advocacy for free speech, civic engagement, and debate, and said it would not create a state holiday or require closures. The bill drew strong opposition from Senator Polsky and Senator Bracy Davis, who cited Kirk’s public statements on race, women, guns, and systemic discrimination and argued he was divisive and unworthy of a state honor. Supporters, including representatives from the Venezuelan American Republican Club and the Christian Family Coalition, backed the measure. After debate, the committee voted to report the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator from Washington moves a three-day rule is be suspended.
• The Senator from Webb moves the 3-day rule be suspended.
• Senator from Dallas moves that the 3-day rule be suspended.
• Senator from Noss moves the 3 day rule be suspended.
• Senator from Wood moves that the 3 day rule be suspended.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2018, the Legislature increased the reimbursement rate from $45 a day to $55 a day for the first seven
• Under this formula, the state reimburses as an average of $73 a day for an inmate housed for 85 days.
• I'm told that they cost $100 a day, and at $100 a day for just the 422 last year, that's $14 million.
• So long as it is 120 days, you are covered.
• How is this enforced as far as the 120 days?

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received committee reports and bill referrals. Among the measures introduced or advanced were bills on restroom access and indecency, assertive community treatment, foreign law in Idaho courts, police dog protections, hospital taxing district petitions, legislative residency requirements, driver education options for parents, and redesigning the agricultural license plate. The House also passed several bills on second or third reading, including HB 652, HB 556, HB 602, HB 654, HB 549, HB 628, and HB 663, sending them to the Senate. HB 556 drew the most debate. Supporters argued the state should raise reimbursement to counties for housing state inmates in county jails because county costs have risen well above current reimbursement levels, counties are overcrowded, and property taxpayers are subsidizing state obligations. Opponents said the fiscal note was too large for the current budget year, though several members still acknowledged the underlying problem. The bill ultimately passed the House 59-10. HB 602, which limits the use of foreign law when it conflicts with Idaho or U.S. constitutional rights, also passed after questions about prior legislation affecting child support enforcement; the sponsor said this bill was narrower and preserved existing law as the guardrail. HB 673, which would require legislative candidates to have lived in their district for 120 days in the preceding year before filing, generated significant concern about retroactivity, fairness, and impacts on military members, missionaries, traveling workers, and others with temporary absences. After debate, the House voted to send it to general orders for further work rather than advancing it immediately. HB 628, concerning parent-taught driver education in urban districts, was defended as expanding parental choice and reducing costs, while opponents raised safety concerns about teaching teens on busy roads without dual brakes or other safeguards; it passed 63-6. The House adjourned after announcements and committee meeting notices.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we deal with this stuff day in and day out.
• Was it calendar days? Was it business days?
• If you the five days versus the 30 days.
• ><c> and</c> calendar days versus business days and calendar days versus business days and we<00:37:24.880
• </c> business days to seven calendar days. business days to seven calendar days.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened discussion on SP 170 and worked through the bill section by section, focusing first on housing discrimination language and then on land-use and development provisions. On the housing section, members discussed adding “school enrollment status” or a similar term as a protected class to prevent municipalities from steering students into specific zones, especially in Durham. Some members questioned whether “status” was too vague and suggested “enrollment status” or “school enrollment status” for clarity. Public testimony raised concerns that adding a new protected class could have broader implications beyond this bill and could affect municipal zoning authority, while supporters argued the language was needed to prevent discrimination against students in housing access. The committee then heard testimony on provisions limiting municipal authority over septic test pits and well-siting requirements. DEES officials and a builder testified that state standards are already protective of groundwater and surface water and that some local requirements are more stringent than the state’s, adding cost and delay to housing projects. Supporters said uniform state standards would make housing development faster and more predictable. Opponents warned that local rules can protect aquifers, wellhead areas, and drinking water in specific communities, and that removing municipal flexibility could weaken those protections. The subcommittee appeared comfortable keeping these sections, though members discussed whether to clarify the language and whether some local review authority should remain. The meeting also covered road-length limits, caps on the number of lots on dead-end roads, and subdivision design rules. Members generally supported prohibiting municipalities from using maximum road length or lot caps to block development, with one amendment suggested to allow such limits where adequate water and sewer capacity is lacking. The committee also discussed allowing utilities and infrastructure such as septic systems, wells, electric systems, drainage structures, and shared leach fields to be placed in subdivision open space or perimeter buffers when those areas are not protected wetlands or shoreland. Finally, the committee reviewed a provision requiring municipalities to stamp and accept plan changes within three days after initial review, with members explaining that the goal is to prevent repeated, incremental changes from dragging out the approval process. No final votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided, but members indicated general comfort with several sections as amended or clarified.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that one day it'll happen. She will be And that one day it'll happen.
• , but to be committed every single day.
• You guys inspire us every day.
• You brighten our day and you really inspire all of us.
• So thank you for being a blessing to us every day in this day in particular.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that one day it'll happen. She will be... And that one day it'll happen.
• , but to be committed every single day.
• You guys inspire us every day.
• You brighten our day and you really inspire all of us.
• So thank you for being a blessing to us every day, and this day in particular.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a largely ceremonial and procedural floor session. Speaker Revis delivered remarks condemning the sexual abuse allegations involving Cesar Chavez and said he would work with Senate leadership on legislation to rename Cesar Chavez Day as Farm Worker Day. The body also handled several procedural motions, including re-referrals of bills to committees and guest introductions for visiting students, advocacy groups, and university representatives. The main substantive actions were on a series of resolutions. H.R. 83, recognizing Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, drew extensive personal testimony from Assemblymembers about family members and constituents with disabilities, the need for inclusion, and the importance of state funding and direct support services; it was adopted by voice vote after 70 co-authors were added. ACR 154, recognizing California Down Syndrome Awareness Week and Day, was similarly supported with personal stories about family members with Down syndrome and the need for continued awareness and services; it was adopted after 67 co-authors were added. ACR 148, designating Family Physician Week, highlighted the shortage of primary care doctors and the importance of investment in family medicine; it was adopted after 60 co-authors were added. ACR 156, recognizing National Day of Play, emphasized social connection, reduced screen time, and community engagement; it also passed with 60 co-authors added. The Assembly also adopted the consent calendar, which included Senate Concurrent Resolution 125 related to Ramadan, by a 60-0 vote. Later, members gave an adjournment in memory for Raymond Martin Melgoza, a union laborer and community member from the Central Valley. The session ended with announcements about the schedule, including no floor session on March 20 and a mandatory joint convention on March 23 for the State of the Judiciary address, followed by adjournment until March 23 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, that back and forth that I talked about in that section from 10 days, seven days, five days
• that 10 week before election day, 70-day deadline.
• Instead of a 14-day window or 12-day window, they can say, we want you to bring it back in a day because
• And we've got numbers here, seven days, five days, three days, that the Secretary of State has to rewrite
• And we've got numbers here, seven days, five days, three days that the Secretary of State has to rewrite

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 3146, sponsored by Rep. John Simmons, which would expand legislatively written ballot summary statements from 50 to 100 words and create a revised process for court challenges to ballot language. Simmons said the bill is essentially the same as last year’s Senate Bill 22, minus the section the Supreme Court struck down, and argued it would preserve the General Assembly’s role while allowing the Secretary of State and courts to work through objections to ballot summaries. Supporters said the longer summary would better inform voters and that the back-and-forth process had worked in the recent Amendment 3 litigation. Members raised concerns that the bill would encourage misleading or argumentative ballot language, create extra procedural steps, and potentially let the clock run out before challenges are fully resolved. Rep. Woods and others argued the courts are needed to prevent “ballot candy” and dishonest summaries, while supporters countered that the legislature and Secretary of State should have primary authority and that courts should not act as a “super legislature.” The sponsor and supporters also pointed to the recent Amendment 3 process as evidence that the revised procedure can work and produce agreed-upon language. Testimony was split. Campaign Life Missouri, Missouri Right to Life, and a representative from the Secretary of State’s office testified in favor, emphasizing transparency, voter information, and the elected status of the officials drafting ballot language. Opponents included the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, League of Women Voters, Jobs with Justice, Missouri Right to Education, and private citizens, who argued the bill is unconstitutional, undermines separation of powers, and would allow misleading language to survive by dragging out litigation. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, 24 days a year, that weekend a month is two days, but the federal government compensates the soldiers
• So, 24 days a year<00:08:02.880><c> that</c><00:08:03.440><c> two</c><00:08:03.760><c> days</c><00:08
• ><c> but</c><00:08:07.280><c> the</c> weekend a month is two days, but the weekend a month is two days
• </c> when you think about the number of days when you think about the number of days and<00:08:34.200
• </c> announcement, we have Military Kids Day announcement, we have Military Kids Day on<00:15:50.080>

Committee: House Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move suspension of the constitutional three-day rule.
• Senator Huffman moves suspension of the three-day rule.
• Senator Huffman, move suspension of the three-day rule.
• Senator Hall moves suspension of the three-day rule.
• It took like two days to pass this bill.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a House message announcing passage of HB 4 on public school accountability and assessment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, adopted SR 520 honoring Rosser Coke-Newton Sr. for his biography of former Governor Richard Coke, and adopted SR 518 recognizing Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day, with remarks focused on the impact of moral injury on veterans and first responders. The Senate later adopted SR 395 honoring the ninth class of Governor William P. Clements, Jr. Scholars, and several other resolutions were adopted by voice vote, including college savings awareness recognition and other member-sponsored recognitions. The body then took up several bills and resolutions on the floor. HB 3307, allowing online continuing education for arbitrators in property tax appeals, passed unanimously after suspension of the rules and the three-day rule. HB 913, renaming and reorganizing certain state hospitals, and HB 2970, governing the Gulf Coast Protection District and coastal barrier design, also passed unanimously. HJR 1 and HB 9 advanced a proposed constitutional amendment and statutory change to raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000; both measures passed, with HJR 1 receiving one no vote and HB 9 passing unanimously after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed HB 1151, which limits child removals and termination of parental rights based solely on parental medical treatment decisions, and HB 116, which revises grounds for involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship by removing the “O grounds” and requiring support from financially able parents whose rights were terminated. HB 1899 lowered the age for pyrotechnic operator licenses and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18. SB 1285, as amended, passed to protect bats by prohibiting entombment while preserving removal options from unoccupied spaces, and SB 2847 passed to promote innovations in core curriculum for faster bachelor’s degrees. On criminal justice, SJR 87, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail for certain repeat violent felony offenders, passed after two floor amendments clarifying due process and representation language; Senator Eckhardt spoke against it on final passage, arguing it lacked judicial discretion and a clear-and-convincing standard. SB 3073, requiring magistrates to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings, also passed. Later, SB 128, requiring hospitals to report suspected child abuse-related information to HHSC, advanced on a divided vote, and SB 2619 and SB 2972 passed on public school accountability and expressive activities at public colleges, respectively, with Senator Eckhardt opposing SB 2972 as too restrictive on campus protest rights. The chamber also heard extended debate on HB 21, targeting “traveling” housing finance corporations and their use of tax exemptions for apartment projects, with supporters arguing it curbs abuse of the tax code and critics warning about unintended effects on affordable housing; the discussion continued with questions but no final action shown in the excerpt.