Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:35.080><c> either</c> this point seven or eight states either this point seven or eight states
• </c> we knew worked well for one other state we knew worked well for one other state agency<00:24:54.760
• state rate it also helps with in state rate it also helps with in educating<01:09:38.000><c> with</c>
• the Medicaid levels in the state.
• You mentioned that it's more aggressive than most states. What do most states have?

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:

• merchant codes. any state in the Constitution.
• merchant codes. any state in the Use.
• merchant codes. any state in the Falls flat.
• merchant codes. any state in the You're buying.
• Any state in the United States of America, even those who started in some way using these codes, they

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Burwell, how many other states have called for a convention of the states?
• On this exact resolution, there are 18 other states. Eighteen other states.
• The state of Texas has passed a law that doesn't allow them to participate in helping us build more affordable
• safety codes.
• So he... ...about the grid in his State of the State speech? I did.

Summary: The Senate took up and passed Senate Bill 945, which concerns political shareholder proposals by insurers and insurance holding companies. Senator Hughes argued the bill would protect Texas-based insurers from activist shareholder pressure, especially proposals aimed at limiting insurance coverage for oil and gas companies for ESG or political reasons. The motion to suspend the regular order was adopted over objection, and SB 945 passed to engrossment on a 20-10 vote with one present not voting. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 1117, allowing any Texas-licensed dentist to administer botulinum toxin in oral or maxillofacial regions for aesthetic purposes, and House Joint Resolution 98, renewing Texas’s application for an Article 5 Convention of States to propose amendments on fiscal restraints, federal power limits, and term limits. Both measures advanced after debate and roll-call votes; SB 1117 passed unanimously after suspension of the three-day rule, and H.J.R. 98 was adopted on a 17-14 vote. Members then approved several other measures, including the committee substitute for House Bill 142 on HHSC’s Office of Inspector General and Medicaid overpayment recovery, Senate Bill 2373 on AI-enabled financial fraud and deepfake/phishing schemes, Senate Bill 2221 on fraudulent UCC financing statements, and Senate Bill 2681 on the basis for third-party voter-registration challenges. The Senate also adopted a resolution authorizing a Texas Life Monument replica at the Capitol complex, and passed S.J.R. 59 creating funds for Texas State Technical College capital needs. The body debated and passed Senate Bill 946, which would bar credit discrimination against organizations based on social, political, religious, or similar value-based considerations and require credit decisions to rest on creditworthiness. Senators raised concerns that the bill could create a special protected class for non-human entities or conflict with existing state policies, but the bill advanced to engrossment on a 20-11 vote. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 2477 to ease office-to-residential conversions in large cities after adopting an amendment negotiated with municipal stakeholders, and began consideration of Senate Bill 715 on ERCOT reliability requirements for generators, including existing generation, with extensive debate over impacts on renewables, power purchase agreements, and grid reliability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Title 56, Idaho Code, by the addition of the news, Section 56-2, Title 56, Idaho Code, to establish provisions
• Amending Chapter 26, Idaho Code, by the edition of the news section 67-26-16, Idaho Code, to provide
• ; amending Chapter 55, Title 33, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new section 33-505-03, Idaho Code,
• This is a code cleanup bill related to transportation. It's repealing 11 sections of code.
• It's repealing 11 sections of code, or amending 11 sections of code.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be voting on the gubernatorial reappointment of Bud Tracy to the State Building Authority.
• Chairman, I would move to send the gubernatorial reappointment of Bud Tracy to the State Building Authority
• states.
• other states.
• state.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In doing so, we help a child find courage, build connection, and develop empathy.
• We'll look at whether other states have it.
• I am here today in support of the State Department's High Needs Fund proposal.
• This is in the section of code that applies to charters.
• So we will see the State Board promulgate rules.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 531, which updates Idaho school code language on epinephrine delivery systems so schools are not limited to referencing only auto-injectors like EpiPens. The sponsor and school nurse testimony said the change would allow newer FDA-approved options, such as nasal spray, without creating new staffing, training, reporting, or fiscal requirements. Members confirmed the bill does not require schools or LEAs to keep epinephrine on hand. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1288, which creates the Idaho High Needs Student Fund to help reimburse districts and charter schools for unusually high special education costs tied to a student’s IEP. The bill sets a $30,000 threshold, reimburses 100% of costs from $30,000 to $80,000 and 80% above that up to $100,000 per student, and reserves funding between rural and non-rural districts with flexibility to use unused funds where needed. Testimony from school boards, districts, educators, and parent advocates described the bill as a way to stabilize budgets and protect services for students with complex medical, behavioral, and sensory needs. After questions about the funding split and current special education shortfall, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 624, which revises rules for virtual education programs and Idaho Home Learning Academy. The bill requires school board approval of contracts with education service providers, verification of Idaho residency, alignment of curricular materials with state standards, conflict-of-interest safeguards, limits on direct payments to parents, clearer rules for eligible supplemental learning expenses, and district/charter control over hiring and evaluation of teachers. Supporters from Idaho Home Learning Academy, school districts, and parents said the changes preserve virtual school choice while adding transparency and accountability. The committee voted to send House Bill 624 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• What makes Texas so special is the people who build our state, who teach the next generation, who keep
• our state government running.
• What makes Texas so special is the people who build our state, who teach the next generation, who keep
• our state government running.
• This is your state to build. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, members. Any questions?

Summary: The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting held its first regional hearing, focused on South and Central Texas, including Bexar County, Travis County, and the Rio Grande Valley. After establishing a quorum, the committee adopted its rules on a 6-3 roll-call vote, with Senators Alvarado and Miles voting no. Chair Phil King explained the regional-hearing format, the use of 2020 census data, the online testimony process, and the availability of written comments and future hearings. Several members then gave opening remarks, with Republicans emphasizing public input and Democrats arguing the special session and mid-decade redistricting were unnecessary and aimed at minority districts. A major procedural issue arose over whether the committee should invite or subpoena the DOJ attorney who authored the July 7 letter that prompted the redistricting discussion. Senator Miles moved to subpoena the attorney; the motion was seconded but then set aside after the chair said the committee could not take formal action on a non-procedural matter during a regional hearing under the adopted rules. The chair said he would consult legal counsel about issuing an invitation, and members discussed the August 7 deadline referenced in the DOJ letter. The committee then moved on to public testimony. Witnesses, including Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, law professor Ellen Katz, and Texas NAACP president Gary Bledsoe, argued that the DOJ letter misread the law and that the targeted districts were lawful opportunity or coalition districts. They said the Fifth Circuit’s Pettway decision was limited to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and did not declare coalition districts unconstitutional, and they cited Bartlett v. Strickland as warning against intentionally dismantling effective minority districts. Garcia and Bledsoe said the hearing was politically motivated and would harm Black and Latino representation; Katz said Texas would act illegally if it followed the DOJ letter’s instructions. Members asked questions about the legal status of coalition districts, the 2021 map-drawing process, and the difference between opportunity, coalition, and crossover districts. The hearing continued with additional public witnesses, including labor representative Emily Amps, who said workers and communities of color were being harmed by the proposed redistricting effort.

Transcript Highlights:

• In statute, it states this, but our...
• There are about 30 small counties in the state.
• We have such a need across the state.
• The goal for all LEAs in the state, as well as the California Community Colleges, California State University
• plan or other state authorities.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, the legislature finds that Idaho Code 39-102...
• The legislature finds that Idaho Code 39-102 establishes the policy of the state to maintain the existing
• State your name for the record. State your name for the record. Mr.
• lands of the state, and that's Article 9, Section 7.
• And what this does is amend Idaho Code 38-111.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, good morning. thank you water Watertown zip code thank you water Watertown zip code 55388<00:10:
• </c> can't explain it um okay so please state can't explain it um okay so please state your<00:10:50.360
• </c><00:53:49.079><c> so</c> very basic idea uh in our tax code so very basic idea uh in our tax code
• </c> then maybe there was very many states then maybe there was very many states that<00:59:13.119><c
• and out of the state.

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Why not have it be a tool that we can all use to better look at planning, how we build, where we build
• Again, should we look at building code upgrades? Should we look at land use policies?
• Again, should we look at building code upgrades? Should we looking at land use policies?
• code due to the L.A. fires.
• And I think it's probably just the high level of this bill is pausing the building code from advancing

Summary: The committee first heard AB 597, a bill to strengthen consumer protections for disaster survivors who use public adjusters. The author and the Department of Insurance said the measure would cap public adjuster fees at 15% for claims tied to declared disasters, require clearer contracts, prohibit solicitation during emergency conditions, and allow consumers to rescind contracts that were solicited during prohibited periods. Insurance industry groups supported the bill, while public adjuster representatives opposed it as written but said they were willing to work on revisions. The committee approved the bill and re-referred it to Appropriations; the roll call was ultimately recorded as 16-0. The committee then held its fourth oversight hearing on the Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy, with Commissioner Ricardo Lara giving an extensive update on wildfire-related market reforms and consumer protections. He said the recent Southern California wildfires had not derailed the strategy and described actions including advance claim payments, a one-year moratorium on residential non-renewals in affected areas, a new fraud strike team, smoke-damage claim guidance, additional living expense protections, and a consumer claims tracker. He reported more than $12.1 billion in claims paid, over 37,000 claims filed, and more than 7,000 survivors assisted directly. He also discussed related bills and reforms, including AB 597, SB 495, SB 547, SB 429, SB 616, AB 888, and AB 2026. Members questioned the commissioner about the Fair Plan’s growing exposure, the $1 billion assessment, rate increases, non-renewals, underinsurance, and whether the reforms would actually stabilize the market. Lara said the assessment was already approved, that policyholders would not be hit with one large bill because insurers have two years to recover costs, and that the department was pushing insurers to use catastrophe modeling and reinsurance tools in exchange for commitments to write more policies in wildfire-distressed areas. He said the department expects to see market stabilization by 2026, though he emphasized the timeline depends on insurer participation, implementation of the new regulations, and future disaster activity. Members generally expressed support for the goals of the strategy while pressing for clearer expectations for consumers and faster action on mitigation and market reform.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, there are several states.
• Code.
• We are building so fast in St.
• members of either the Miccosukee or Seminole tribes, are exempt from the Florida Building Code, much
• The bill is in response to both some confusion among the building officials in the state of Florida and

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, we get to wrestle with that as a state.
• I think the one— So for state plan personal care, is that through OHA?”
• “And the duration that states can operate those services, whether or not states need to demonstrate budget
• bundle of services and packages and how they operate it within their various state agency.
• And we just got the Oregon Council of Developmental Disabilities involved in the cross-state agency group

Keywords: 907, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OUR GOAL IS TO PARTNER MOST OF THE TIME AND IF WE HAVE TO BUILD IT INTERNALLY WITH THE BUILD AND STRATEGICALLY
• ANOTHER QUICK ONE IS CODING.
• AND STATES OVER IS HAPPENING.
• THESE ARE ALL THE LEADING ORGANIZATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.
• I WOULD ALSO POINT OUT I USED THE EXAMPLE OF A CODING FUNCTION.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nancy Landry to define what hazing means in the state of Louisiana.
• or club advisor in the State of Louisiana.
• Jones, did you want to state your objection? You don't have to. Thank you.
• Hazing is not about tradition, belonging, or character building. It is about power.
• He comes to work on behalf of the people of the state.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The task force met with a quorum to continue work on Caleb Wilson hazing-prevention recommendations, with the Wilson family present and repeatedly acknowledged. Members discussed Southern University’s expulsion of Omega Psi Phi and the family pressed for clarity on whether the fraternity could return; counsel said the expulsion appears permanent on its face but there is legal ambiguity, prompting legislators to say a statutory fix is needed to define suspension versus expulsion more clearly. The group also reviewed data on hazing-related suspensions since 2018 and hearing-panel practices across the public postsecondary systems, including panel composition, annual training, and appeals processes. The task force adopted several recommendations focused on prevention and accountability. These included annual hazing-prevention training for students, advisors, and faculty/staff; a state-provided training framework with campus-specific flexibility; stronger attention to mandatory reporting; an amnesty policy to encourage reporting and help-seeking; reverting hazing proceedings back to a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard; adding hazing to the annual power-based violence report; tying noncompliance penalties to loss of State Bond Commission borrowing authority; and identifying sustainable funding for training and reporting. Members debated scope and implementation, especially whether training should cover all employees or only those who interact with students, whether external advisors and graduate advisors should be included, and how to avoid unintended consequences for advisor recruitment. Several amendments were made, including narrowing one recommendation from “all” to “appropriate,” and the amnesty discussion was clarified to avoid creating a loophole for misconduct. The task force also discussed K-12 considerations, including applying bullying and hazing materials to nonpublic schools, updating prevention materials, and improving data collection. In closing remarks, student members and family representatives emphasized that hazing is about power, not tradition, and called for culture change, accountability, and earlier education. University leaders from the University of Louisiana System, Southern University System, and LSU said they support the effort and will implement the recommendations if enacted, while also urging stronger individual and organizational accountability beyond training alone. A public commenter from Nicholls State’s SGA praised the task force’s work before the meeting moved into public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• , which is already adopted by the state of Idaho.
• just state, just to get this on the record, you know, state law requires when rejecting a rule that
• I think we have...” “...corresponding section of code.
• So I would just state that for the record. As you, Mr.
• Larson, committee also...” “...expressed in Idaho code. So I would just state that for the record.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> spiral as a state. spiral as a state.
• So, we're not state on state lawsuits.
• that we'll never build a home again in the state of Colorado.
• </c><04:23:32.960><c> of</c> build a home again in the state of build a home again in the state of Colorado
• </c> state revenues in excess of the state state revenues in excess of the state fiscal<05:26:11.360>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That will help, again, build workforce. We're putting $12.4 million... Help again build workforce.
• You stated return funds wherever they're supposed to be. You stated that.
• The committee would implement standards across multiple chapters of the Florida Building Code.
• The committee would implement standards across multiple chapters of the Florida Building Code, including
• Simply stated, the state of Florida will not tolerate anti-Semitism in any way.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding. Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark Harris, Idaho State Senate. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Arrington, please state your name for the record. Mr.
• The code is pretty clear on what has to be provided.
• at their code and provide some cleanup.
• Jim Woodward, State Senator and Legislative District 1.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our state and also reduce the state our state and also reduce the state revenue<00:24:35.279><c>
• </c> species. um within the state. species. um within the state.
• We need that to build that up.
• So by zip code again, you can see some zip codes have quite high numbers, 800s and thousands by zip code
• States are fascists.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing from the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment focused on the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s update on Hawaii’s biosecurity framework, especially implementation of Act 231 (2024) and Act 236 (2025). Chairs Corey Chun and Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing the briefing as an update on investments to fight invasive species and improve statewide evaluation and coordination. Department leaders Sharon Her and Richard Kim described historic legislative and executive investments that have allowed the department to rebuild and modernize biosecurity infrastructure to better prevent, detect, control, and eradicate invasive species. The presentation emphasized the importance of biosecurity to Hawaii’s agriculture, economy, environment, and public well-being, citing threats such as rapid ohia death, little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, brown tree snake, and red imported fire ant. Staff explained the state’s layered approach—pre-border, border, and post-border—and compared it to New Zealand’s model, stressing that Hawaii must act as a “net, not a wall” and that prevention before entry is far more cost-effective than response after establishment. They also outlined agency roles across the system, including agriculture, natural resources, health, transportation, enforcement, and university partners, and noted that Act 231 strengthened authority over high-risk imports, offshore treatment, compliance agreements, and pest management plans, while Act 236 renamed the department and clarified statewide biosecurity coordination. Jonathan Ho then walked through specific program areas and progress. He said pre-border risk analysis is being supported by Act 231 funding and a university contract, while offshore compliance and treatment efforts have improved substantially, including Christmas tree inspections from Oregon and Washington and airline declaration systems that provide advance passenger information. For border work, he highlighted inspections, surveillance, detector dogs, and port monitoring. For post-border response and readiness, he discussed the invasive pest hotline and dashboard, trace-forward/trace-back and diagnostics, preparedness for future threats, and the need to build stronger internal capacity. He also described a developing transitional facilities program authorized by Act 236, modeled on New Zealand’s certified facilities system, and said the department has already begun outreach to industry groups such as the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.