Transcript Highlights:

• The hearing will be live streamed.
• Financial services: New York is bigger than us, but we’re still a place for financial services.
• Is it cost of living? Is it housing?
• Is it cost of living? Is it housing?
• They're going to be able to afford the cost of living.

Bills: H5386

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Keywords: economic development, innovation, investment, housing, small business, global trade, infrastructure, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a live rosin vape.
• Health Service regulations.
• I pray those that can recover and live happy, healthy lives.
• A plan that actually saves lives, lives of veterans, lives of people with immune. diseases.
• I also live in a household that's divided.

Bills: HB 28 , SB 3

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, HB28, public testimony, committee decorum, bill substitute, legislative process

Summary: The meeting featured significant discussions regarding HB28, where the chair outlined the plans to bring forward a substitute for the bill. The chair emphasized the importance of maintaining order and decorum during the proceedings. Members engaged in deliberations, and a number of public witnesses were invited to testify, thereby enriching the discussion around the bill. This interaction provided valuable insights into public sentiment regarding the issues at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• Background in engineering and sales, and previously lived in Arizona, currently residing in Minnesota
• Start looking at what we're doing, and he's the chairman of transportation in the House, so he lives
• Yeah, you know, I like, like some of you, I live in a real community.
• And the fee increase—how do we utilize all that as one group of off-road users as we transition?
• Our demand for services out there is increasing constantly, so it would make sense to increase the fees

Committee: Joint Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Study Committee

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for um Our water services which have been Really, really outdated.
• OK, we're going to transition into our next panel. Uh, two quick things.
• Some were living as far as North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado.
• Uh, the co op offers gig service.
• Our goal is to have this in service by mid to late 2028. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> live in New Hampshire? live in New Hampshire?
• </c> basic services, food and medical care. basic services, food and medical care.
• </c> It would be the easiest transition. It would be the easiest transition.
• </c> double the lives that we lose. double the lives that we lose.
• They have covered lives.

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a beautiful place. to live a place to raise your family. And Mr.
• I live in Reno normally, and I am here until a permanent president is hired.
• I lived in Rich Hall at that time, which was the same dorm that my grandmother lived in in 1930.
• And I lived in Rich Hall at that time, which was the same dorm that my grandmother lived in in 1930.
• No matter where you live. In New Mexico, it's a growing problem.

Transcript Highlights:

• Broadband Serviceable Locations. That is correct.
• The $4.5 million recurring is for radio services subsidies.
• Recurring GIS contract services or for professional services to include administrative services such
• We use services from the CPO, CFO, and their HR services, and we haven't been able to pay them out of
• Wireless industry, wireless internet service providers.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• folks that are going to be looking over things in this bill to both be selected by and to sort of live
• House Bill 8 transitions our state from STAAR to a new instructionally supportive assessment program
• The kids that live in chaos, actually.
• I happen to be at a high school campus now, so I've transitioned from the one that I started at.
• School ratings influence where companies choose to locate, where talent wants to live, and how businesses

Bills: HB8

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• I live in Dover, New Hampshire. citizen. I live in Dover, New Hampshire.
• </c><02:05:58.320><c> housing</c> house and in the transitional housing house and in the transitional
• I live in Manchester. In 2015, I Rogers. I live in Manchester.
• And I don't think a lot of people know because they're just living their lives.
• </c> because they're just living their lives. because they're just living their lives.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• see the department here today, but I was wondering how much we've spent on House Bill 345 or this transition
• It doesn’t feel good to potentially, and it may not be a duplication of services, but to maybe duplicate
• It doesn’t feel good to potentially, and it may not be a duplication of services, but to maybe duplicate

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• your language of origin is or the one that you speak primarily, you still have access to agency services
• your language of origin is or the one that you speak primarily, you still have access to agency services
• it requires that the developmental disabilities administration develop and implement a plan to transition
• all the individuals that are currently in the CPP program to other services or programs.
• All the individuals that are currently in the CPP program to other services or programs by December 31

Summary: The Rules Committee considered a long series of House bills and substitute House bills, moving nearly all of them from the white sheet to the floor calendar. Topics included health care transaction notice requirements (HB 2548), waste-to-energy compliance and utility rates (HB 2416), language access for state programs (HB 2475), repeal and transition away from the Community Protection Program for developmental disabilities services (HB 1390), nursing regulation and ARNP standards (HB 2339), lump-sum payment increases for small monthly payments (HB 2124), roadway fatality risk data collection by the Traffic Safety Commission (HB 2192), statewide low-income energy assistance (HB 1903), local government tax resources and flexibility (HB 2442), permanent property tax exemption for multipurpose senior citizen centers (HB 2133), retirement benefit bargaining for Department of Corrections employees (HB 1069), collective bargaining rights for non-academic employees at Western Washington University (HB 1570), medically tailored meals in Medicaid (HB 2211), aviation funding for wildland fire response (HB 2104), port worker retirement and wage/benefit authority (HB 2179), overdose data sharing (HB 2168), real estate transaction exemptions for public-benefit acquisitions by public entities, tribes, and conservation groups (HB 2624), security measures for legislators and other elected officials (HB 2333), voter registration challenge procedures (HB 1916), limits on restraint and isolation in schools (HB 1795), jail search policies for transgender and intersex individuals (HB 1604), Attorney General investigators for wage theft and fraud (HB 2156), Transportation Improvement Board updates (HB 1823), tax treatment for land transferred to government entities (HB 2140), expanded shared leave uses for hate crime and immigration enforcement-related situations (HB 2411), collective bargaining protections if federal enforcement changes (HB 2471), labor standards for clean energy/urban area property tax exemption projects (HB 1210), employer notice and enforcement rights during I-9/immigration audits (HB 2105), tax increment financing dispute resolution for special purpose and junior taxing districts (HB 2451), AI-generated content disclosure and enforcement (HB 1170), tourism marketing assessment authority (HB 2325), defective license plate replacement fees (HB 2114), the Blue Envelope Program for neurodiverse drivers during traffic stops (HB 2323), and pre-clearance provisions under the Washington State Voting Rights Act (HB 1710). Most motions passed on voice votes with little or no opposition; one notable dissent came on HB 2105, where Senator King raised concerns about the bill’s private right of action. The committee also noted Senator Conway’s likely final Rules Committee meeting and thanked him for his service before adjourning with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:44.639><c> of</c> to pass laws that reflect the lives of to pass laws that reflect the lives
• </c><01:03:53.240><c> to</c> their parents throughout their lives to their parents throughout their lives
• </c> time a soldier may be allowed to live time a soldier may be allowed to live the<01:29:22.040><c>
• </c><01:29:51.480><c> with</c> soldier may be allowed to live with soldier may be allowed to live with
• </c><01:30:00.679><c> member</c> child Marrying an older service member child Marrying an older service

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can see we're kind of all over the area there, and we provide water service and wastewater service
• We're allowed 24 days a year to earn a living.
• Service providers and special districts rely on property tax revenue to service debt issued to finance
• infrastructure and provide services such as water utility service or emergency services within the district
• We provide critical utility infrastructure and services for our constituents, and the cost of services

Bills: SB434 , SB844 , SB898 , SB1177 , SB1214 , SB1454 , SB1920 , SB1927 , SB1935 , SB1965 , SB2010 , SB2046 , SB2068 , SB2073 , SB2183 , SB2260 , SB3034 , SB907

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: SB 434, Harris County Hospital District, hospital district police, peace officers, commissioned officers, law enforcement authority, Health and Safety Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, public safety, hospital security, county hospital district, local government, Texas criminal procedure, district police, armed security, SB 898, low income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Summary: The committee heard several bills dealing with local government authority, homeowners associations, hospital district policing, school AED inspections, special district annexation, public contracting penalties, and guaranteed income programs. Senate Bill 2073 by Sen. Zaffirini would clarify that appraisal districts may finance purchases, leases, or construction of real property for appraisal offices without prior approval from taxing units; it was supported by the Texas Association of Appraisal Districts and left pending. Senate Bill 1935 by Sen. Hinojosa would increase homeowner control of property owners association boards, require more transparency, limit fines and assessment increases, and require accessible meeting locations; HOA and builder representatives opposed it, arguing it would hinder maintenance and make dues harder to manage, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 434 by Sen. Miles would authorize Harris County Hospital District police officers, was supported by Harris Health, and was left pending. Senate Bill 1177 by Sen. Alvarado, as substituted, would require school AED inspections during fire inspections and reporting to school leadership; it was left pending. Senate Bill 1214 by Sen. Perry would update Concho County Hospital District law to align with current procurement and notice rules; it was left pending. Senate Bill 1965 by Sen. Middleton, for Sen. King, would tighten notice and proximity rules for special district annexations; district witnesses warned the bill could interfere with service to noncontiguous tracts, and the bill was left pending. The committee also took up Senate Bill 2046 by Sen. Bettencourt, which would increase criminal penalties for county purchasing act violations involving unauthorized separate or sequential purchases to evade competitive bidding, and create a tiered penalty structure based on contract amount. Former Harris County DA Kim Ogg, Deputy Attorney General Josh Reno, and James Quintero supported the bill, citing recent Harris County bid-rigging cases and arguing the current Class C misdemeanor penalty is too weak to deter misconduct; some members questioned whether the proposed thresholds were too low and whether stronger oversight, rather than higher penalties alone, would be more effective. The bill was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 2010 by Sen. Bettencourt would bar counties and other political subdivisions from operating guaranteed income programs and address constitutional gift-clause concerns. Testimony split sharply: Ogg and Quintero argued such programs are unconstitutional, can be used for political data collection, and should not be funded with public money, while Paige Terry Barry defended the bill as protecting taxpayers and discouraging dependency. Senators also debated whether the state can restrict use of federal grant funds and whether local governments should be allowed to run such programs; the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:04:56.800><c> their</c><00:04:57.040><c> mission</c><00:04:57.440><c> and</c> accountable, to live
• their mission and accountable, to live their mission and support<00:04:58.080><c> the</c><00:04:58.320
• </c><00:48:51.359><c> We're</c> route transit is an ebicycle. We're route transit is an ebicycle.
• </c><00:57:53.200><c> in,</c> uh in the world that we live in, uh in the world that we live in, everything
• We live in a a world, if you will, done.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , contracts for food services, those kinds of things.
• Waste collection is an essential public service, and service disruptions during labor disputes can create
• Waste collection is an essential public service, and service disruptions during labor disputes can create
• An essential public service, and service disruptions during labor disputes can create real challenges
• Now I leave now I live.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire resilience, land use, and local government authority. SB 911 would require notification to fire agencies when a home in a high fire severity zone is sold under an agreement to complete defensible space compliance; the California Association of Realtors said it would drop opposition if the bill is amended to use the preliminary change of ownership report, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 994 would bar local officials from entering nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information with the elected decision makers of their jurisdiction; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it passed 4-0 as amended. The consent calendar, including SB 958 and several other bills, was also adopted 4-0. The committee then took up SB 1041, which would expand PACE financing for wildfire home-hardening improvements statewide and add consumer protections, hardship provisions, and reporting requirements. Supporters, including Renew Financial and Cal Fire Local 2881, argued it would help homeowners finance fire-resistant roofs, vents, and other upgrades. Opponents, including homeowner advocates, county tax collectors, mortgage lenders, and consumer groups, warned that PACE has a history of contractor abuse, high costs, liens that survive bankruptcy, and risks to vulnerable homeowners. After extended debate, the bill advanced 3-2 to Appropriations and remained on call. SB 1075 would require local governments in AB 617 communities to consider air-quality impacts and community emissions reduction plans when approving certain commercial and industrial projects. Environmental justice supporters said the bill would help implement long-promised pollution reductions in heavily burdened communities, while business, local government, planning, and industry groups argued it duplicated CEQA and existing permitting processes, created litigation risk, and could deter investment and jobs. The bill passed 3-2 and remained on call. SB 958, relating to the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, was presented as a path for a long-planned housing and entertainment project with at least 4,250 homes, including 2,000 affordable units, and it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1182 would require local governments to consider insurance availability in safety planning for development in high fire hazard areas. The author said the bill responds to rising insurance costs and the Fair Plan’s growth, while supporters said it would better align land-use decisions with wildfire risk. Opponents and some committee members argued the bill was too vague, could burden cities, and would not solve the underlying insurance market problem. The discussion was ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is also a live topic, but not the subject of this bill.
• , contracts for food services, those kinds of things.
• Waste collection is an essential public service, and service disruptions during labor disputes can create
• Waste collection is an essential public service, and service disruptions during labor disputes can create
• You either do what we want or your service is going to stop.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The hearing will be live streamed.
• financial services.
• Having been a resident and living there during the summer, more... ...and living there during the summer
• Is it cost of living? Is it housing?
• Okay, John is here live. Anastasia and Janelle, are you... John Hurst. Okay, John is here live.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on Governor Healey’s economic development proposal, H. 5386, also referred to as the Mass Winds Act, focused on global investment, talent, innovation, housing, and business competitiveness. Governor Healey, Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley, and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorzkowicz described the bill as a response to federal uncertainty and global competition, building on the 2024 Mass Leads Act. They highlighted proposed investments in a Global Mass initiative, including a $50 million innovation access fund and $20 million for sites to help international companies locate or expand in Massachusetts, along with support for AI, quantum, robotics, defense innovation, climate tech, downtown revitalization, and creative/cultural economy projects. They also emphasized measures to lower business costs, including reducing the LLC filing fee, expanding the small business energy tax exemption, and streamlining housing and development rules. Committee members questioned the administration about non-compete reform, AI and data-center infrastructure, housing affordability, and whether the bill would help retain workers and companies in Massachusetts. The governor and secretaries argued that the non-compete changes would restore the original compromise by requiring any alternative to garden leave to be negotiated at separation, and they said the bill’s housing and workforce provisions are intended to help young workers stay in the state. They also said Massachusetts is already investing in AI training, an AI hub, and energy-related planning, while acknowledging that data-center growth will require careful attention to water, electricity, and ratepayer impacts. Several witnesses testified on specific sections. Northeastern University supported the internship tax credit, saying experiential learning helps students gain jobs and remain in Massachusetts. The Latino Empowerment Advisory Council supported the waiver of redundant English testing for internationally trained nurses, saying it would speed entry into the workforce without lowering clinical standards. Russell Beck opposed the non-compete changes, arguing they would undermine the 2018 compromise and could reduce other forms of employee compensation. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office opposed the LLC fee reduction, citing revenue loss and fraud concerns. Municipal and regional groups, including the MMA and the Metro Mayors Coalition, supported site plan review codification and downtown/arts investments, while urging continued municipal input. The AFL-CIO asked for trigger language to preserve labor protections if federal law changes, and business and industry witnesses generally supported the bill’s competitiveness and global investment provisions. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with written testimony invited after the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Grace them with your presence, not only today, but as long as they live.
• Grace them with your presence, not only today, but as long as they live.
• And she has lived in Texas since 2000 and proudly calls this great state home.
• And thanks for your service this session. Chair recognizes Senator Kolkhorst.
• of service to his hometown.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• and more important to encourage that, and that translates, of course, into youth going into public service
• And there's some different things they can do as far as community volunteer service, civic engagement
• instructors taught me the valuable skill of directing that kind of youthful energy to meaningful public service
• We've traditionally focused on the high school transition, post-secondary education, and workforce training

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure there'd be a transition time out of it.
• They have a public service member and a commissioner, and they have...
• They have a public service member and a commissioner, and they have just mostly Fish and Game.
• A church was renting out a school facility to hold their services, as well as a music group was renting

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from January 19 and 20. It then heard several RS requests from Rep. Heather Scott aimed at removing Idaho from or repealing participation in various commissions and regional agreements. RS 32866 would eliminate the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs; after questions about whether it would end the agency immediately, the motion to introduce failed on a 7-7 tie. RS 32921 would withdraw Idaho from the Pacific Northwest Economic Region Cooperation Agreement; Scott argued it cost about $60,000 annually and advanced policies Idaho does not support, while some members said they wanted more information but supported introducing it. The motion to introduce RS 32921 passed. RS 32922 would remove Idaho from the Pacific Fisheries Legislative Task Force; Scott said it was a taxpayer-funded NGO with little clear benefit, but other members raised concerns about Idaho losing a voice on fisheries, salmon, and water issues. The motion to introduce RS 32922 failed, 7-7, and was returned to the sponsor. The committee then considered RS 32951, brought by Rep. Elaine Price, which would create a House joint resolution asking voters whether to repeal Section 5 of Article 9 of the Idaho Constitution, the Blaine Amendment. Price said recent court decisions show the provision can conflict with the U.S. Constitution and discriminate against Christians, citing a case involving a church and a school facility. Members asked for clarification on the constitutional conflict and examples of unequal treatment, and one member said Idahoans should decide the issue. The motion to introduce RS 32951 passed, and the committee adjourned.