Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2655 is to authorize Burnet County, which I humbly represent, to establish a local provider
• Senate Bill 2655 is to authorize Burnett County, which I humbly represent, to establish a local provider
• Senator Nichols lays out the committee substitute for House Bill 3303. 1443 will authorize, would authorize
• We would have authority to go to a higher tax rate if that’s what our elected leaders wanted.
• And I think, Senator, if I remember, I'm a joint author on this one.

Bills: SB1331 , SB1375 , SB1443 , SB1578 , SB2251 , SB2519 , SB2553 , SB2655 , SB2764 , SB2907 , SB3030 , SB3033 , SB3035 , SB3036 , SB3037 , SB3043 , SB3047 , SB3050 , SB3051 , SB3056 , SB3057 , SB3063 , HB9 , HB467 , HB331 , HB1244 , HB1399 , HB2559 , HB2730 , HB3307 , HJR1 , HJR99 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SJR78 , HB1327 , HB2723

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: civil service, firefighters, police officers, municipalities, local government, repeal, voter petition, health care, provider participation, continuation programs, population-based regulation, health care provider participation, Medicaid, hospital funding, voluntary compliance, mandatory payments, public health, healthcare program, county participation, nonpublic hospitals

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard several bills, most of them left pending after brief public testimony. House Bill 331, by Rep. Patterson and sponsored by Sen. Hinojosa, would create a presumption that firefighters, police officers, and EMTs who suffer a heart attack or stroke within eight hours after a strenuous shift were injured in the line of duty for workers’ compensation purposes; testimony from a firefighters’ association supported the bill, and it was left pending. Senate Bill 2655, by Sen. Flores, would authorize Burnet County to establish a local provider participation fund to help support local hospital services; a hospital administrator testified in support, and the committee substitute was left pending. Senate Bill 1443, by Sen. Hughes, would extend the Northeast Healthcare Provider Participation District in three counties, and House Bill 3307, by Rep. Noble, would allow property tax arbitrators to complete required continuing education online; both were left pending without opposition. Senate Bill 3048, by Sen. Birdwell, would create the Bluebonnet Hills Municipal Management District in Midlothian and was also left pending. The committee then took up House Bill 9 and HJR 1, sponsored by Sen. Bettencourt, which would raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000 and place the constitutional amendment on the November 4, 2025 ballot. Business groups, realtors, and taxpayers’ advocates testified in strong support, saying the change would provide meaningful relief to small businesses and help balance earlier homeowner tax relief. The City of Fort Worth testified in opposition, warning of a revenue shift to homeowners and budget impacts, but the committee adopted the committee substitutes and reported both measures to the full Senate on 6-0 votes. The committee also heard House Bill 1399 and HJR 99, by Sen. Nichols, to exempt animal feed from property tax when it is already sales-tax exempt; no one testified against them, and both were left pending. Senate Bill 2553, by Sen. West, would let owners of historic archaeological sites protest land and structure appraisals separately, and it was left pending after supportive testimony. Senate Bill 2907 and SJR 78, also by Sen. West, would exempt certain perishable inventory, including food and some prescription drugs, from property tax if approved by voters; pharmacists, business groups, a researcher, and a coalition of retailers and food/medicine advocates supported the bill, and it was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 1331, by Sen. Hancock and explained by Sen. Middleton, would lower the population threshold for certain municipal civil-service-related petition restrictions from 950,000 to 70,000; law enforcement representatives and a San Marcos police association supported it, and it was left pending. The committee then recessed until 15 to 30 minutes after adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation at that time included establishing the powers, duties, and authorities of the Department
• These conforming changes maintain the continuity of authorities, powers, and duties that transferred
• ,</c> maintain the continuity of authorities, maintain the continuity of authorities, powers,<00:17:28.960
• House File 286, a bill for an act relating to public safety, authorizing local units of government to
• </c> relating to public safety, authorizing relating to public safety, authorizing local<00:22:50.159

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, any questions for the bill's author?
• Members, any questions for the bill author? All right, thank you.
• Members, any questions for the bill's authors? Seeing none.
• The author is closed, and the chair will leave House Bill 872 pending at this time.
• Uh, members, any questions for the bill authored? All right.

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• Third reading of the bill, An Act Authorizing the City of Beverly to Continue the Employment of John
• House 5467, an act authorizing the transfer of certain parcels of land in the town of Weston from the
• The question being on passing the bill to be enacted: House 5492, an act authorizing the town of Bill
• H. 5616, amended, an act authorizing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to take easements
• The question being on passing the bill to be enacted: House 5616, an act authorizing the Massachusetts

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one suspense item that will have an author presentation.
• The authors for the remaining suspense bills have waived presentation.
• The author has put in a budget request to fund implementation. Thank you.
• The author has put in a budget request to fund implementation. Thank you. Thank you.
• But these are all amendments we've given to the author.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met to consider a large suspense-file agenda, noting that 122 measures met suspense criteria and that several bills listed in the daily file were postponed to the following week. The Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments on the bills. After establishing a quorum, the committee proceeded through the agenda, with most authors waiving presentation and public testimony limited to fiscal issues. Most measures were moved to the suspense file without objection after brief or no testimony. A number of bills drew support or opposition from outside groups on fiscal grounds, including SB 951, SB 947, SB 954, SB 1031, SB 1291, and SB 1368. Testimony highlighted concerns such as ongoing state or departmental costs, General Fund impacts, broadband and compliance burdens for small mutual water companies, and implementation costs for education, health, and transportation-related proposals. Supporters of some bills argued they would save money over time, such as SB 1067 on early math remediation and SB 1089 on obesity treatment and CalRx partnerships. The committee also heard an author presentation on SB 1089 by Senator Richardson, who said the bill would reduce CalPERS and broader health costs by expanding access to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs for eligible public employees and directing CalRx to pursue production or acquisition of a GLP-1 medication. No committee questions were raised on that measure, and it too was sent to suspense. The hearing concluded with all items heard being moved to the suspense file and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm familiar with the department and their use of that term and that authority that they have.
• So my concern is the emergency authority.
• What is the emergency, or why does the department need emergency authority here if we're not going to
• Emergency authority here if we're not going to be decimating the herd in a short period of time.
• If it goes back, it goes back to the primary author, Senator Womack, which would be concurrence.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission/task force met on April 17, 2026, with a quorum present. Members adopted the agenda and prior minutes, then received an update on the chronic wasting disease (CWD) index case in Washington Parish. Staff explained that a hunter-submitted deer tested positive in January 2026, the case was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, and an emergency declaration was issued March 11 to extend the CWD control area into portions of Washington and surrounding parishes. The update also reviewed baiting restrictions in enhanced mitigation and buffer zones, the 180-day duration of the emergency declaration, and the department’s website tools for locating affected areas. The commission then agreed to table its own CWD task force recommendations while Senate Concurrent Resolution 24 was being considered during the legislative session. Senator Womack summarized SCR 24 as a “reset” of CWD policy. He said it would set a 1.5% apparent prevalence trigger, require at least 300 samples, shorten the management zone from 25 miles to 15 miles, and allow baiting/supplemental feeding from the opening of deer season through March 31 unless the trigger is met. He said the resolution would also help address feral hog issues and restore more normal hunting and economic conditions. Commission and staff members clarified that the resolution would not affect deer pens or livestock under the Department of Agriculture, and that if sampling goals are not met, feed bans would apply the following year. Several stakeholders testified on the economic and management impacts. Louisiana Farm Bureau representatives supported the effort to find a workable solution but asked for clarity on how the resolution would be implemented, especially whether emergency declarations would immediately impose new restrictions. They emphasized the need to avoid discouraging deer sampling and to consider impacts on feed suppliers, landowners, and hunting leases. A written statement from Vic Blanchard of the Louisiana Landowners Association opposed SCR 24 and HCR 4, arguing that easing restrictions would worsen CWD spread and undermine wildlife management. Other speakers said the resolution should preserve economic planning for feed businesses and allow the commission to continue monitoring disease prevalence. After public comment, the commission voted to table its recommendations and then adjourned without taking a vote on SCR 24 itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4245, authorizing certain agencies of the Department of
• Engrossed committee substitute for House bill 4245 authorizing certain agencies of the Department of
• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4245, authorizing certain agencies of the Department of
• the commissioner to set fees, adds Japan to the list of authorized countries, and makes other technical
• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4245, authorizing certain agencies of the Department of

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is going to fall under the authority of the doctor as opposed to the resource center.
• had... ...patient reporting for Medicare and Medicaid, but the health care authority had some monitors
• It was sort of a... and I knew the author, and I talked to him about it, and they took Medicaid out of
• And then there's nobody who has the authority to... ...taking those people and sort of dropping them
• I will give the author that question there so we make sure that that's clarified for you.

Bills: HB4248 , HB3194 , HB3849 , HB4095 , HB4302 , HB3342 , HB3344 , HB3287 , HB3645 , HB3647 , HB3930 , HB3931 , HB1818 , HB4454 , HB4336

Committee: House Health and Human Services Oversight

Keywords: HB4248, hemp beverage, hemp drinks, THC beverage, cannabis beverage, intoxicating hemp, age restriction, under 21, minor possession, youth access, public health and safety, Title 63, Oklahoma Statutes, retail sales, alcohol-style regulation, controlled substances, beverage regulation, pregnancy centers, abortion, abortion-inducing drugs

Summary: The committee took up a series of health and human services bills, beginning with House Bill 4248, which was reported due pass on a 9-0 vote after an unclear procedural vote call. The next major item was House Bill 3194, a bill to prevent pregnancy resource centers from being singled out for discrimination. The author said the measure was intended to protect private nonprofit pregnancy centers from lawsuits and government interference, including in staffing and mission-related decisions. Members questioned the bill’s impact on counseling, contraception referrals, ectopic pregnancy treatment, employment practices, and whether it was necessary given existing law. The bill was reported due pass on a 10-2 vote. The committee then advanced House Bill 3849, a request bill from the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth to update language and broaden mentoring program credentialing, and House Bill 4095, which reaffirms the state role in the 211 collaborative and clarifies that it applies to hotline services for needs such as food, housing, clothing, transportation, and medical assistance. House Bill 4302 would allow the Office of Juvenile System Oversight to disclose a complainant’s identity to law enforcement if the complainant threatens harm. All three were reported due pass unanimously. Members also approved House Bill 3342, described as a Medicaid audit reform bill intended to curb punitive audits of providers; the author said the bill arose from cases where providers were penalized over reporting issues rather than fraud. House Bill 3344, aimed at improving foster care standards and home placements, passed 10-2 after questions about income thresholds, letters of recommendation, and whether the bill would apply to guardianship placements; the author said the goal was to raise standards and improve outcomes for children. House Bill 3287, requiring hospitals to post information and develop protocols for domestic violence and human trafficking victims, passed 12-0. House Bill 3645 created an alternate pathway for hospice referrals when a patient lacks next of kin or power of attorney, and House Bill 3647 established an all-payer claims database while emphasizing that the data could not be sold; both passed 12-0 after members raised concerns about federal consistency and privacy. Later, House Bill 3930, which defines “service animal” and requires sellers of emotional support animals to disclose that they are not service animals, passed 10-2. House Bill 3931 corrected a prior death-certificate change deadline and was reported due pass unanimously. House Bill 1818, a social work licensing cleanup bill, was amended to extend a sunset date to 2028 and then reported due pass 12-0. House Bill 4336 clarified pain-management definitions, including acute pain, and was reported due pass 12-0 after questions about labor and epidural care. House Bill 4454, an untimely PCS on medical marijuana edibles, would require clearer THC labeling and prohibit child-attractive shapes; the author cited pediatric ingestion incidents, and the bill passed 11-1. The committee then revisited House Bill 1818 to change the effective date to November 1, 2026, by unanimous consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill authorizes the use of online trademark registration applications and ensures that Florida's
• So in relation to the red light cameras, the bill authorizes the clerk of court to retain 10% of the
• It defines the term careful and prudent manner as it relates to right turns on red, authorizes virtual
• enforcement period and finally provides... ...violations issued outside of the authorized enforcement
• And so is there a—are you authorized...

Bills: S0382 , S0628 , S0654 , S0696 , S0880

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Keywords: transportation facility designations, road naming, highway designation, honorary designation, memorial highway, memorial boulevard, memorial interchange, airport naming, FDOT markers, Florida Department of Transportation, State Road 80, SR 80, U.S. 90, U.S. 41, A1A, Turnpike interchange, Kissimmee Park Road, Bobby Bowden, Donald Trump Highway, President Donald J. Trump Highway

Transcript Highlights:

• By way of background, the Legislature is the only entity with the authority to authorize tolls on an
• The Legislature at this point has authorized the collection of tolls on the following facilities: the
• There is a proposed substitute. ...remove TIB's remaining bond authority and repeal obsolete sections
• There is a proposed substitute. remove Tibbs remaining bond authority and repeal obsolete sections.
• This just cleans up a little bit of the language that was concerning around the bond authority, and so

Bills: HB2307 , HB2374 , HB2379 , HB1823 , HB2111

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commute trip reduction, definitions, transportation, environmental impact, urban planning, electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, regulation, vehicle classification, tolling, emergency suspension, public access, state highways, transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match

Transcript Highlights:

• Then just for the request for the Health Care Authority.
• There, of course, is the Health Care Authority and Medicaid.
• Chairman, I think the statutes probably have some authority to their broadness to maybe include...
• So again, preemption is not on this list, which would be empowering local authorities.
• They all have different numbers of products and different standards for authorization.

Committee: House Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to ask the author some questions. You yield, sir? I do. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Question of the author? Do you, Senator Middleton? I do, thank you.
• I agree with the author that no woman should ever have to take these pills alone.
• I joint-authored a bill of Senator Bettencourt's, SB 19, that actually just prohibits.
• Questions of the author, Mr. President. Senator Hinojosa, do you yield? I do. Thank you, Mr.

Bills: SB 8 , SB 1 , SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 10 , HB27 , HB7 , HB17 , HB1 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB20 , HB18 , HB7 , HB17 , HB1 , HB20 , HB18 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB1 , SR85 , SR87 , SB8 , SB5 , SB2 , SB10 , HB27

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam

Transcript Highlights:

• Investigations for courier service applicants, authorizes information sharing with DPS and the FBI and
• Lottery carriers have never been authorized to operate in this state.
• The Texas lottery executive director during this period did not have the authority to authorize electronic
• Only you, the Texas legislature, have the authority to do that.
• Um, the first is that the lottery commission doesn't, they never have and shouldn't have the authority

Bills: SB 28

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Keywords: groundwater, groundwater conservation district, Water Code, Water Development Board, modeled available groundwater, aquifer, water permit, groundwater transfer, export groundwater, out-of-district transfer, management area, desired future conditions, well permit, retail public utility, potable water, emergency interconnect, subsidiary, controlled entity, aquifer management, water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• And with this freedom comes incredible authority. you've given us the keys to the kingdom so whatever
• The amendment is acceptable to the author. Is there objection to the adoption of the amendment?
• It is acceptable to author. I move adoption. Mr.
• Hopper sends up an amendment the amendment is acceptable to the author.
• The author is of objection to the adoption of the amendment. The Chair has none.

Bills: HB10 , HB 12 , HB147 , HB1522 , HB422 , HB675 , HB204 , HB748 , HB912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, we'll go to the vote to get this bill in the shape that the author would like it.
• The bill also strengthens the authority for state agencies to share data with one another related to
• in the executive branch with the existing carry forward authority in the legislative branch.
• Forward authority in the executive branch with the existing carry forward authority in the legislative
• This is an authority that county attorneys already have.

Bills: HF2783 , HF2603 , HF2846 , HF2354 , HF1836 , HF2713 , HF1198 , HF1389

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• , and also to make sure that is information that they are authorized to use or get.
• Those authorizations have different levels.
• We have the ability at the state level to set certain requirements for authorizations.
• Those standards are set by the federal government, and if you are not authorized under state...
• And if you are not authorized under certain provisions through federal law, you cannot access it.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and considered three items. First, it heard and passed SB 158, which eliminates cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations under the state employee health plan. Senator Berman described the bill as a way to remove financial barriers to early breast cancer detection, and several senators spoke in strong support, emphasizing the importance of follow-up screening and the life- and cost-saving value of early diagnosis. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then took up SPB 7024, a committee bill on state planning and budgeting. Senator Brodeur explained that the proposal modernizes and simplifies the state agency long-range planning process by focusing on key data points, removing stale measures, and improving how plans are presented to the Legislature. Senator Berman supported the bill, highlighting new provisions on implementation status and budget consequences if enacted laws are not carried out. The committee voted to submit the proposal as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Finally, the committee considered SPB 7026, a major overhaul of state information technology governance. Senator Harrell described a transition from the current Florida Digital Service structure to a new cabinet-level Agency for State Systems and Enterprise Technology (ASSET), with enterprise-wide standards, interoperability, procurement oversight, cybersecurity coordination, technical debt tracking, a testing laboratory, workforce development, and annual IT expenditure reporting. Members raised questions about procurement authority, judicial branch inclusion, existing contracts, cybersecurity, and staffing; Harrell said agencies would retain final procurement decisions but would have to follow enterprise standards, the courts were not included, existing contracts would continue, and the bill would add significant state IT staffing. Several amendments were adopted, including changes on CIO selection conflicts, removal of the Northwest Regional Data Center from a definition, reporting on deviations from standards, and technical updates related to the data center and workforce positions. Public testimony strongly supported the bill as a needed modernization of Florida’s fragmented IT system. The committee then reported SPB 7026 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting adjourned after members recorded their votes on the three items.

Transcript Highlights:

• He works with pastors and churches across the nation, and he's authored 10 books.
• Senate Resolution No. 158 by Senator Womack is a resolution urging local governing authorities, with
• Senate Resolution No. 158 by Senator Womack is a resolution urging local governing authorities, with
• Okay, this is just a request for local governing authorities to consider adopting local ordinances to
• It also moved the appropriation from the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority from one board

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this amendment extends that authority to the circuit court.
• So, this amendment extends that authority to the circuit court.
• So, this amendment extends that authority to the circuit court.
• So, this amendment extends that authority to the circuit court.
• So, this amendment extends that authority to the circuit court.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would authorize $41 million being transferred over to the long-term aerospace and aeronautics
• not use those funds for anything unless it's explicitly authorized by the legislature.
• Members, Senate Bill 1161 is a limits bill for the Health Care Authority.
• Otherwise, it basically just says that we have appropriated money to the Health Care Authority to do
• what the Health Care Authority does.

Bills: HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4033 , HB4034 , HB4035 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4039 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4044 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4049 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4071 , HB4072 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1149 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176 , HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4033 , HB4034 , HB4035 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4039 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4044 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4049 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4071 , HB4072 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1149 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, budget appropriations, public schools, teachers' retirement, early childhood education, aeronautics, infrastructure, funding, sustainability, Oklahoma, mining, operator fees, coal production, noncoal mining, department of mines, revenue, state budget, budgetary reform, financial legislation, fiscal accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• Engrossed House Bill 4819 relating to use of criminal records as disqualification from authorization
• House Bill 5638 clarifies the authority and responsibilities of the State Chief Information Security
• Engrossed House Bill 5685, relating to authorizing bonds for improvements to the West Virginia Science
• Engrossed House Bill 5685, relating to authorizing bonds for improvements to the West Virginia Science
• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4245, authorizing certain agencies of the Department of

Keywords: 994, senate, all