Transcript Highlights:

• Committee and our visitors and witnesses today under House Rule 4, Section 13, House committees are subject
• to the same rules of decorum that govern the House proceedings.
• The Chair may ask the Sergeant-at-Arms to assist in enforcing these rules.
• And just last week and this week, the 15th Court of Appeals ruled in his favor, finding that the ordinances

Bills: HB229, HB3990, HB5082, HB5510, HB229

Keywords: biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, flags, display, state law, municipalities, government buildings, drug enforcement, local control, home rule, municipal charter, county policy, ordinance preemption, state preemption, attorney general enforcement, civil penalties, mandamus

Transcript Highlights:

• As a reminder to the committee and our visitors and witnesses today, under House Rule 4, Section 13,
• House committees are subject to the same rules that govern House proceedings.
• Under these rules, the chair is responsible for preserving order and decorum during committee meetings
• A clear echo of phrases created after the ruling of Plessy v.
• So, the exceptions prove the rule. ...two types of gametes: sperm and ova, right? Okay.

Bills: HB229, HB229, HB3990, HB5082, HB5510

Keywords: HB 229, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county dues, county association, state association of counties, lobbying, lobbyist, public funds, taxpayer lawsuit, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Government Code Chapter 556, Local Government Code Section 89.002, legislative advocacy, municipal government, county government, city government, special district

Transcript Highlights:

• for HJR. suspend the rules for HJR. suspend the rules for HJR.
• House of Representatives, your standing committee on rules begs leave standing committee on rules begs
• leave standing committee on rules begs leave to report that it has carefully examined to report that
• House resolution number 204 by the House House resolution number 204 by the House Rules Committee, the
• special order Rules Committee, the special order Rules Committee, the special order calendar.

Bills: HB 10, HB 12, HB 147, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912

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:

• The rules are suspended. Resolution 648 by Y.
• , not just the rules. from a handful of state agencies.
• what the rules are without having to hide it.
• We're gonna make it easier for them to know when those rules are changing.
• One that ensures that people still have a voice in how rules are made.

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:

• Because I know there's been multiple things where one judge ruled this way and another district judge
• ruled exactly opposite, and so I don't want the author to have to wait till you get to the Judiciary
• :17.839> judge<00:10:18.079> ruled<00:10:18.800> exactly District the judge ruled
• exactly District the judge ruled exactly opposite<00:10:21.959> and<00:10:22.160> and<
• Representative Freiberg said, Madam Chair, I just know this committee has a 24-hour rule.

Bills: HF484, HF483, HF1447, HF1496, HF554

Keywords: natural gas, gas hookups, residential construction, energy policy, local control, state preemption, municipal regulation, county ordinance, electrification, climate policy, housing development, building codes, energy source, utility infrastructure, Minnesota Statutes chapter 326B, propane, utility service, building permits, local government, energy choice

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:08.160> confirmation<00:08:08.960> of 609 confirmation of 609 confirmation of myself
• GM 609 recommendation of the vote. Okay.
• they're<00:38:06.960> really specific rule but they're really specific rule but they're really
• <00:38:42.800> around How are you governing any rules around How are you governing any rules
• to be committed but there's no rule to be committed but there's no rule there's<00:39:08.800>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first considered a series of Governor’s Message nominations, largely to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and one to the Hawaii Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances. Testifiers and agencies spoke in strong support of the nominees, emphasizing their advocacy, community involvement, and lived experience. The committee heard from nominees and supporters for John Paul Moses III, Cynthia Fowler, Joshua Eay, Alicia Kim, Raymond Mamea, Maria Christina Valenzuela, Eden Watabayashi, Sierra Whiteside, and Brandy Lynn Macallani Hayen. After hearing testimony, the committee voted to advise and consent on each nomination, with the votes adopted by the members present. The committee then took up SR 53 / SCR 69, which asks the Department of Health to convene a pharmacy benefit manager working group to improve transparency, fairness, and drug affordability. Supporters included the Hawaii Pharmacist Association, the University of Hawaii system, and several individuals, while the Department of Health said the issue is complex and may require additional support or a different structure. Members discussed whether the Department of Health should lead the effort or whether another entity, such as SHIPA with an appropriation, might be more workable; the Department of Health suggested a $100,000 appropriation could be sufficient. Next, SR 56 / SCR 73 proposed a report on the developmental needs of children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of Wellness and Resilience supported the measure and asked for an extended deadline to the end of 2026, and several youth, mental health, and community organizations testified in support. The committee also heard SR 69 / STR 86 on creating an aeromedical services working group, with support from Air Methods, the Department of Health, and the Hawaii Medical Association, and SR 99 / STR 118 on studying the use of filtered catchment water for business activity, which drew support from the Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association and comments from the Department of Health that the issue is complicated and should include the Department of Agriculture. No final votes on the resolutions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good to know that we have that new rule in effect, and that’s fine.
• Members, I rise in support of AB 609.
• I will ask for an aye vote on AB 609 nonetheless. Thank you. Thank you.
• I rise in support of AB 609.
• Speaker very briefly I would like to add my support to Assembly Bill 609.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long Daily File with several guest introductions and floor speeches. Members recognized visiting student leaders, championship football teams from Tuolumne County, Alpha Kappa Alpha members at their Capitol day, and later a descendant of Wong Kim Ark. The chamber also adopted a procedural motion allowing certain members to host guests in the rear of the chamber. Among the major policy items, AB 578 on food delivery platform refund practices passed 47-2, AB 344 on successor beer manufacturer definitions passed 61-0, AB 454 to make California’s migratory bird protections permanent passed 55-12 on the urgency clause, AB 482 updating the Table Grape Commission passed 64-1, AB 1237 to support transit access for 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket holders passed 56-15 on the urgency clause, AB 738 on wildfire rebuild solar exemptions passed 42-2, AB 1460 on 340B pharmacy access for clinics passed 41-5, AB 750 on homeless shelter oversight passed 49-1, AB 1061 on housing in historic districts passed 41-13, AB 1523 on expanding mandatory mediation thresholds passed 65-0, and AB 316 on AI-related civil liability passed 56-0. AB 761 authorizing the Monterey-Salinas Transit District to seek a sales tax ballot measure passed 47-12. The chamber also adopted several resolutions. AJR 3 urging protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid passed 53-2 after extensive debate that included criticism of federal cuts and counterarguments focused on state Medi-Cal policy and budget decisions. ACR 65 proclaiming California Tourism Month was adopted by voice vote after coauthors were added, and ACR 62 recognizing California Nonprofits Day was also adopted by voice vote with 65 coauthors. AJR 5 affirming birthright citizenship and opposing efforts to end it passed 58-1 after a lengthy, highly partisan debate centered on the 14th Amendment and the Wong Kim Ark precedent. The session also included passage of AB 571, a CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, which was presented as a long-running bipartisan effort to create a final resting place for Orange County veterans.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, good to know that we have that new rule in effect.
• Assembly Bill 609 by Assemblymember Wicks, the clerk will read.
• Members, I rise in support of AB 609.
• I rise in support of AB 609.
• I request unanimous consent to suspend joint rule 62A.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and regional air quality rules.
• AB 609 is a simple and straightforward fix.
• Curbing the misuse of CEQA through AB 609 is essential to making this shift possible.
• And I respectfully ask this committee to oppose AB 609.
• AB 609. Wicks. Motion is due pass as amended to Housing and Community Development.

Summary: The committee hearing centered first on AB 1243, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, which would direct CalEPA to identify major fossil fuel companies, study California’s climate damages, and assess fees on the largest polluters to fund resilience, recovery, and related projects. The author and supporters argued the bill would make polluters help pay for climate harms, protect taxpayers, create jobs in construction and clean energy, and dedicate at least 40% of funds to disadvantaged communities. Support testimony came from environmental justice groups, labor, youth advocates, health organizations, and many individual witnesses, while opponents from the building trades, chambers of commerce, petroleum, and business groups warned it would raise fuel and consumer costs, threaten refinery jobs, and create legal and economic uncertainty. Committee members debated the bill’s impact on affordability, jobs, refinery closures, and whether cap-and-trade already addresses climate funding needs. The committee ultimately voted to give AB 1243 a due pass recommendation to the Judiciary Committee, with the roll left open. After AB 1243, the committee moved to another bill on wildfire mitigation and related resilience work. The author said the measure addresses a long-running wildfire problem and accepted committee amendments, describing the bill as a response to increasingly severe wildfire seasons and the need to help communities stay safe and rebuild after disasters. The transcript cuts off as that presentation begins, so no final action on the second bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The pursuant to rules 1.21 21 and 3.33.
• <00:10:34.160> and and I looked to see what uh rules and and I looked to see what uh rules
• and what rules not to follow.
• Themselves in a very unusual position of not knowing what rules to follow and what rules not to follow
• listened to the January 15th rules listened to the January 15th rules committee<00:15:54.160>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair opens public testimony for HB 609 and calls up Justin Woody.
• Anyone else wish to testify for or against HB 609?
• The Chair opens public testimony for HB 609 and calls up Justin Woody.
• Anyone else wish to testify for or against HB 609?
• Anyone else wish to testify for or against HB 609? That's all I shall register.

Bills: HB43, HB519, HB 1275, HB1592, HB2842, HB3088, HB3479, HB4163, SB823, HB609

Keywords: agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, bovine producers, dairy farms, permits, bovine tuberculosis, public health, wildlife management, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, white-tailed deer, public safety

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with only four members initially present, so quorum was not established until later in the hearing. The committee heard several agriculture-, wildlife-, and food-labeling-related bills, including HB 3479 on expanding the Rio Grande vegetative management program beyond carrizo cane to other noxious vegetation, SB 823 on shrimp origin labeling and restrictions on misrepresenting imported shrimp as Texas or Gulf shrimp, HB 3088 on giving Texas Parks and Wildlife more flexibility to procure resale goods for park gift shops, HB 1275 on permits for non-bovine dairy farms in certain TB-affected areas, HB 519 on honey production and packaging rules, HB 609 on cleaning oyster cages in-bay with bay water only, HB 1592 on a voluntary AgriLife pest and disease alert system, HB 2842 on targeted urban deer depredation permits, and HB 4163 on limiting city requirements that agricultural operators maintain roadside rights-of-way. Testimony generally came from industry groups, agency resource witnesses, and affected producers, with most witnesses supporting the bills and several bills drawing questions about enforcement, labeling responsibility, and the scope of local authority. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 823, where Vice Chair Hancock and others questioned why wholesalers would be covered if they cannot relabel products. The bill author and restaurant association witness said the measure was intended to improve transparency and allow enforcement against intentional mislabeling, while preserving a good-faith defense and clarifying that the bill does not create a private cause of action. HB 519 also drew supportive testimony from beekeepers and a family farm, who argued that current rules treat honey extraction and bottling too much like food manufacturing and burden small operations. HB 609 was presented as a way to save time and resources for cultivated oyster mariculture by allowing cage cleaning in the bay without soaps or chemicals, and HB 1592 was described as a voluntary opt-in alert system for pests and diseases coordinated through AgriLife and other state agencies. HB 43 generated the most detailed policy debate. The bill would restructure and expand the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority, update grant and loan programs, and create a pest and disease control depredation program. The committee substitute reduced some funding caps, changed references from predators to depredating animals, and made the financial provisions contingent on appropriations. Supporters from Texas Farm Bureau, cotton growers, grain and feed interests, and young farmers described severe drought, inflation, land loss, rising input costs, and shrinking infrastructure as major threats to agriculture, while one witness urged preserving priority for young farmers. After testimony, the committee adopted the committee substitute and reported HB 43 favorably. The committee also voted HB 519, HB 609, HB 1275, HB 1592, HB 3088, HB 3479, HB 2842, and HB 4163 favorably, with several recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 823 was reported from committee on a 6-2 vote after adoption of the committee substitute. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would tentatively reconvene Friday morning and then recessed subject to the chair's call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to Senate Rule 2-33, Senator Rashardi will participate remotely.
• The chair rules that the question is divisible.
• The chair rules that the question is The chair rules that the question is divisible. divisible. divisible
• people that don't in so giving them rule people that don't in so giving them rule 541A<01:26:06.719
• report on House Bill 609. report on House Bill 609.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair opens up public testimony for House Bill 609 and calls up Justin Woody.
• Anyone else wish to testify for or against HB 609? For House Bill 609, that's all I shall register.
• Anyone else wish to testify for or against House Bill 609? The Chair lays out House Bill 1592.
• Senator Kohlkorst moves that House Bill 609 do pass.
• House Bill 609 is reported in favor to the full Senate.

Bills: HB43, HB519, HB1275, HB1592, HB2842, HB3088, HB3479, HB4163, SB823, HB609

Keywords: agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, bovine producers, dairy farms, permits, bovine tuberculosis, public health, wildlife management, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, white-tailed deer, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I know you're the rules chairman.
• <00:24:04.240> on just feel like it should the rule on just feel like it should the rule on
• >> Happy to always look at any of our rules >> Happy to always look at any of our rules
• I'm coming in late to the rules, whatever the rule violation is, and I'm assuming it's with a roll call
• of the calendar, House Bill number 609 of the calendar, House Bill number 609 with<01:18:09.760>

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair lays out Senate Bill 609 by Senator Paxton as pending business.
• Members, this bill relates to requiring independent school districts, home rule school districts, and
• Senator Hagan moves that Senate Bill 609 be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it
• There being 8 ayes and 2 PNVs, Senate Bill 609 will be reported favorably to the full Senate.

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee considered and advanced several education-related measures. SB 57, on emergency safety accommodations for students with disabilities during drills or emergencies, was amended by a committee substitute requested by TEA to require accommodations be explicitly included in IEPs or Section 504 plans, documented and communicated to administrators, and to allow TEA rules on preparedness guidelines; it was reported favorably. The committee also reported SB 24, on adding study of communist regimes and ideologies to social studies standards, and SB 112, on parental rights and public education, both favorably. SB 204, requiring a parental rights handbook and trustee training, and SB 371, on parental approval for human sexuality instruction, were also advanced. SB 400, requiring parental consent for psychological or psychiatric examination, testing, or treatment by school employees, was reported favorably as substituted. Members discussed SB 609, which would require school districts and charter schools to comply with legally required policies, with questions about whether districts must still comply absent additional state resources; it was reported favorably with two members voting present-not-voting. SB 686, on student transfers between public schools, and SB 1447, on TEA standards for school use of electronic devices and software, were both reported favorably, with SB 686 noted as having a fiscal note. SCR 5, directing the Texas School for the Deaf to name a gymnasium after a former alumnus, was also advanced. The committee approved SJR 12, proposing a constitutional amendment affirming a parent’s right to direct a child’s education, on a 9-1 vote. It then considered SB 12, a broad bill on parental rights, public education, and restrictions on DEI-related duties and funding consequences for noncompliance. The committee substitute expanded the DEI definition, limited discipline to intentional or knowing violations, required notice to employees, restricted student clubs focused solely on sexual orientation or gender identity, clarified limits on DEI duties, required annual capacity reporting for transfer requests, refined grievance procedures, shortened the grievance filing window to six weeks, and added parent-notice provisions regarding special education, bilingual education, and uncertified teachers. After discussion on the grievance timeline and terminology in the DEI provisions, the substitute was adopted and SB 12 was reported favorably on an 8-2 vote. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair lays out Senate Bill 609 by Senator Paxton.
• Right, and then if the TEA made a ruling, that ruling would probably therefore be a precedent. for the
• Senate Bill 686, Senate Bill 204, Senate Bill 609.
• We're looking for fairness for the rule of law to lead and enforcements.
• Senate Bill 204 and Senate Bill 609 will be left pending.

Bills: SB12, SB1565, SB13, SJR12, SB686, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB112, SB400, SB813, SB 12, SB 13

Keywords: parental rights, education, social transitioning, diversity, equity, inclusion, school policy, student clubs, school district, grievance procedure, public education, diversity and inclusion, funding penalties, school libraries, library advisory councils, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, constitutional amendment, school choice

Transcript Highlights:

• OK, members, we're going to vote out two bills from our previous hearing House Bill 609 from the suit
• chair allows a House Bill 609 is pending business.
• governor and it's got to be regional, uh, diversity, and that board has, uh, the ability to create rules
• , adopt rules that set the criteria.
• The board determines the needs and they, they, they design the grant program, decide the rules and of

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to start off with HB 609 FM. Senator Carson wants to make a motion. Thank you, Mr.
• I'd like to move ought to pass on House Bill 609. House Bill 609. I'll second.
• Chairman, I'd like to move ought to pass as amended on House Bill 609. Seconded by Senator Abbott.
• Is there any further discussion on House Bill 609? Seeing none, all in favor say I. I. Any opposed?
• Seconded by Senator House Bill 609.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• website, because there are prohibited items under statute, but then there are also administrative rules
• rules that prohibit certain<00:10:04.160> items.
• So under the statute 609 dangerous weapons, it is anything that can injure someone and so that may set
• So under<00:15:10.240> the<00:15:10.480> statute<00:15:11.040> 609<00:15:11.680>
• 609 dangerous weapons, it<00:15:12.959> is<00:15:13.120> anything<00:15:13.360> that

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson and State Patrol Colonel Christina Bogey announced that weapon screening will begin Tuesday at the Minnesota State Capitol at the start of the 2026 legislative session. They said the change is based on an independent security assessment and the Axtell report’s top recommendation, and framed it as an added layer of protection rather than a weapons ban or a change in state law. Both emphasized that the Capitol will remain open, accessible, and welcoming while reducing preventable risks, citing heightened threats to public officials and the recent murders and shootings involving Minnesota lawmakers and their families. Bogey outlined the screening plan: visitors will use four public access points, with the south ground-level entrance as the primary entry, while other exterior doors will not be open for public entry. She said the process should take only seconds for most people, with bags going through separate scanners and additional screening only if needed. The Capitol will close to the general public at 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, though accommodations will be made when hearings or floor sessions run later. She also said the entrances and screening areas are ADA accessible and that staff will be available to help guide visitors. In questions, officials said prohibited items are defined by statute and administrative rules and referred reporters to the State Patrol website for the full list. They confirmed that lawful permit-to-carry holders may still bring firearms, but must declare the permit, show government ID, and go through screening; elected officials are exempt, while staff are not. They also said the State Patrol will fund the rollout from its own budget, with costs to be evaluated over time, and that tunnel key-card access will be restricted to everyone. The briefing ended with a plan to demonstrate the screening equipment upstairs.

Transcript Highlights:

• our website because there are prohibited items under statute, but then there are also administrative rules
• that prohibit administrative rules that prohibit certain<00:10:06.080> items<00:10:06.720>
• So under the statute 609, dangerous weapons, it is anything that can injure someone, and so that may
• So under<00:15:12.160> the<00:15:12.399> statute<00:15:12.959> 609<00:15:13.600>
• 609 dangerous weapons, it<00:15:14.880> is<00:15:15.040> anything<00:15:15.279> that

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson and State Patrol Colonel Christina Bogoich announced that weapon screening will begin Tuesday at the Minnesota State Capitol, at the start of the 2026 legislative session. They said the change is based on an independent security assessment and the Axtell report’s top recommendation, and is intended as an added layer of protection rather than a weapons ban or a change in state law. Both officials emphasized that the Capitol should remain open, accessible, and welcoming while reducing preventable risks, citing increased threats nationwide and the recent murders of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and Mark Hortman and the shootings of Senator John Hoffman and Yvette Hoffman. Officials said visitors will enter through four public access points, with all other exterior doors closed to public entry. The primary entrance will be the south ground-level entrance, with additional access through tunnels connecting to the Senate building, State Office Building, Parking Lot C, and the Judicial Center. They said the screening process should take only seconds for most people, with bags scanned separately and additional checks only if needed. Prohibited items will not be stored by the Capitol, and the public was told to plan ahead, carry fewer items, and follow staff instructions. The Capitol will close to the general public at 4:30 p.m. on weekdays unless legislative business is still underway, in which case accommodations will be made. In questions, officials said people with valid permit-to-carry authorization may still bring a firearm if it is otherwise legal, but they must declare the permit, show government ID, and go through screening. Elected officials are exempt and will have a separate lane, while staff will be screened. They also said the tunnels will be locked with restricted key-card access, and that the Senate is implementing its own screening, with questions about Senate doors referred there. Jacobson said the State Patrol will cover the costs within its existing budget, and that the process will be evaluated and adjusted as needed to keep it efficient and not a deterrent to visitors.