Transcript Highlights:

• Members, guests, friends, let's give a big round of applause for our Lieutenant Governor Matt Tunnell

Bills: HB3725, HB3260, HB3660, HB3369, HB3370, HB2937, HB3419, HB3264, HB3266, HB3267, HB3268, HB3310, HB4311, HB3841, HB3024, HB3075

Keywords: labor, e-verification, immigration, employers, employment eligibility, Department of Labor, penalties, funeral licensing, continuing education, Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, professional development, licensing requirements, HB3660, natural organic reduction, human composting, soil reduction, green burial, funeral services, cremation, burial permit

Transcript Highlights:

• And so for that, we owe them a big round of applause. pause. You can clap.
• Let's give them a big round of applause, everybody. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• Certainly there have been rises of currencies and falls of currencies. over time.
• The U.S. currencies, does that make it more secure? Does that make it more solid long-term?
• We know that it is a highly volatile currency. and admittedly an unregulated currency.

Bills: SJR34, SB10, SB18, SB19, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB480, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB767, SB790

Keywords: parental rights, parents, children, custody, care and control, upbringing, family law, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, child welfare, education policy, medical decisions, parental authority, primary decision makers, family autonomy, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display, First Amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Wippin, members, Senate Bill 1432 prohibits federally recognized central bank digital currency
• With a firing squad, not everyone has an actual round.
• With a firing squad, not everyone has an actual round.
• With a firing squad, not everyone has an actual round.
• That would be that it went from virtual currency or from cryptocurrency to virtual currency.

Summary: The committee reviewed a long agenda of Senate bills across campaign finance, commerce, education, government, health and human services, judiciary, rural development, transportation, and ways and means. Many measures were described as consent items or strike-everything amendments, including bills on campaign finance termination statements and late-report penalties, AI provenance data, insurance and contractor conduct during emergencies, continuation of various boards and commissions, school safety and communication systems, DCS and child welfare procedures, public records fees, utility submetering, foreign adversary restrictions, and multiple health care licensing and reimbursement provisions. Several members asked for clarification on a number of bills, including school discipline communication, DCS photo documentation, and utility billing changes. A few bills drew more extended discussion. SB 1074, concerning teacher-initiated classroom removals and principal certification of return and discipline, prompted questions about parental notification and the purpose of the bill. SB 1175, requiring DCS caseworkers to photograph children at each interaction, led to concerns about privacy and the scope of documentation, with supporters saying it would improve continuity and child protection. SB 1751, which would expand execution methods to include firing squad, generated strong opposition from one member and support from another, with debate focused on the morality of execution methods and the implications for those carrying them out. SB 1336, continuing the State Land Department and creating an oversight board, was pulled from the consent calendar. The committee also heard brief comments in support of bills on hyperbaric oxygen therapy in assisted living, research security at universities, and EMS licensure compacts. Toward the end, members reviewed bills on virtual currency investments and payments, telecommunications infrastructure, tax lien and revenue administration changes, and retirement system investment limits. No floor votes were taken in the transcript; the meeting primarily consisted of bill presentations, questions, and a few items being removed or pulled from consent calendars.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or do we have our own private currency that deals everywhere?
• Central digital bank currency.
• What if this just said we're not going to have central digital bank currency?
• It includes central bank digital currency, yes. CBDC. Sorry.
• House Bill 2221 creates a Texas currency. With your face on it?

Bills: HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213, HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Bills: SB96, SB97, SB130, HB230, SB154, SB93, SB99, SB96, SB97, SB130, HB230, SB154, SB93, SB99

Keywords: salvage title, salvage certificate of title, rebuilt title, flood vehicle, junk vehicle, total loss, motor vehicle title, vehicle branding, insurance claim, insurance company, Department of Revenue, vehicle inspection, rebuilder, automotive dismantler, parts recycler, secondary metals recycler, junkyard, vehicle identification number, VIN, stolen vehicle

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the dollar devaluing the currency you already own.
• Fiat currency—this is not to bash fiat currency, the day-to-day stuff we use regularly—does have a purpose
• could get outside their own country's currency.
• Dollar, so it keeps the dollar as a universal currency.
• So there were currencies like the silver dollar floating around. ...and other currencies until the Federal

Transcript Highlights:

• or, Well, I mean, that's happening with the U.S. currency right now.
• The currency compared to U.S. printed currency, government still controls those amounts.
• Well, I mean, that's happening with the U.S. currency right now.
• The currency compared to U.S. printed currency, government still controls those amounts.
• currency as the dollar bills in your pocket.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If your final cash transaction is one or two cents, you will round down to zero.
• If it is three, four, six, or seven, you will round to five, the nearest nickel.
• And if it continues to go up and is eight or nine, you will round up to the next zero.
• And if it continues to go up, and is eight or nine, you will round up to the next zero.
• I hear you saying round up and round down, but if the pennies are still in circulation, why aren't we

Summary: The Insurance and Banking Subcommittee met to hear and vote on several bills, with all measures reported favorably. The first major item was PCS for HB 175 on payment stablecoins, which would create a Florida regulatory framework aligned with the federal GENIUS Act so issuers can choose state regulation instead of federal licensing. Members asked extensive questions about how stablecoins differ from other digital assets, whether Florida would need federal approval, and what impact the bill would have on the Office of Financial Regulation; the sponsor and OFR said the state framework would mirror federal standards and that any workload increase was currently indeterminate. The PCS passed unanimously after testimony from OFR and the Florida Blockchain Business Association in support. The committee then approved CS for HB 961, which streamlines electronic signature requirements for salvage titles and certificates of destruction, and HB 1415, a DFS stablecoin pilot program allowing certain stablecoins to be used for licensing and regulatory fees. HB 1415 was amended to remove authority for a Florida coin, limit the pilot to established stablecoins with at least $1 billion market cap, and require secure custody through a public depository or custodial bank. Members discussed how any interest or revenue would be used, with sponsors saying the pilot was still exploratory and intended mainly to cover program costs. Both bills passed favorably. HB 1039, establishing a state cryptocurrency reserve, also passed after a strike-all amendment moved administration of the reserve from the CFO’s office to the State Board of Administration and tightened eligibility to cryptocurrencies with a $100 billion market cap over the prior 12 months. Supporters argued the bill would create a framework for future diversification and investment in established digital assets, while several members raised concerns about volatility, reporting frequency, and the meaning of new terms such as qualified liquidity provider and secure custody solution. The committee also passed CS for HB 951 on penny rounding for cash transactions, with an amendment clarifying cash transaction definitions and treating money orders and gift cards like credit-card transactions for rounding purposes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think the state of Missouri has said that you couldn't use U.S. currency.
• Well, I mean, that's happening with the U.S. currency right now.
• The currency compared to U.S. printed currency, government still controls those amounts.
• , I tend to think that a debit card is just as much currency as the dollar bills in your pocket.
• If you look at 408, you know, there's different varieties of currency.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 3256, a proposal by Rep. Lisa Dernel to prohibit cashless facilities and require retail establishments to accept U.S. currency, with stated exceptions for things like unattended fuel pumps and certain prepaid-card arrangements. Dernel argued the bill would protect seniors, veterans, children, and unbanked or underbanked consumers who may not have cards or prefer cash, and she said she would amend the bill to remove an outdated subsection referencing banks and credit unions. Members raised concerns about definitions, enforcement, whether the bill would apply to places like schools, doctors’ offices, pop-up stores, and online transactions, and whether a criminal penalty was appropriate. Several members said they liked the concept but viewed the bill as a work in progress and questioned whether it conflicted with existing law or should be narrowed. Supporters included the Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association, which said cash acceptance matters because card fees are costly and many gas stations and convenience stores rely on in-store sales; the group also noted safety and operational concerns and said the sponsor had addressed some of its concerns in the current draft. Other supporters said consumers should retain the choice to use cash. Opponents, including the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, argued businesses should decide their own payment policies for safety and operational reasons and warned the bill was too vague in defining “retail establishment” and “failure to accept.” The chamber also objected to Missouri’s proposed Class D misdemeanor penalty, noting other states use civil penalties instead. No vote was taken, and the hearing concluded after testimony from both sides.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:04:51.440><c> An</c> currency kiosk. They called 911. An currency kiosk. They called 911.
• </c> Senator Rounds, please. Thank you, Mr. Senator Rounds, please. Thank you, Mr.
• Senator Rounds. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Senator Rounds. Thank you, Mr.
• Senator<02:00:35.480><c> Rounds.
• </c> Senator Rounds. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senator Rounds. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 1042 allows members of the state treasurer or a state retirement system to invest in virtual currency
• I do have some hesitation when it comes to the government being involved in virtual currency.
• Chairman and members, Senate Bill 1043 provides a means for a state agency to accept virtual currency
• Also, virtual currency tends to be volatile.
• Also, virtual currency tends to be volatile.

Bills: SB1042, SB1043, SB1067, SB1180, SB1221, SB1292, SB1503, SCR1033

Keywords: public funds, virtual currency, bitcoin, investment, Arizona Strategic Digital Asset Reserve Act, state treasurer, retirement system, state payments, cryptocurrency, Arizona law, payment methods, government transactions, tax lien, property tax lien, real property tax lien, foreclosure, right of redemption, redeem, excess proceeds, county abatement lien

Bills: HB3783, HB2955, HB3802, HB4488, HB2471, HB3781, HB3127

Keywords: HB3783, plumbing apprentice, endorsed apprentice, endorsed plumbing apprentice, journeyman plumber, plumbing license, Construction Industries Board, Committee of Plumbing Examiners, apprenticeship, trade license, vocational education, occupational licensing, professional licensing, Title 59, Plumbing License Law of 1955, licensure exam, journeyman examination, apprentice registration, plumbing industry regulations, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, if you just speak, if you offend someone online in the U.K., you actually get rounded up and
• You actually get rounded up and arrested now.

Bills: S0198, S0422, S1236, S1356, S1456, S1722

Keywords: virtual currency, kiosks, money services business, regulation, financial services, consumer protection, cryptocurrency, registration, ADS-B, automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast, aviation, airports, airport fees, landing fees, departure fees, touch-and-go landing, general aviation, pilot privacy, airspace radius, aircraft tracking

Summary: The committee first postponed SB 1456, then heard SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers using secret-ballot union elections and prohibit neutrality agreements. The sponsor argued the bill protects workers from coercion and applies only to companies receiving taxpayer-funded incentives; opponents said it was government interference, likely to hurt contractors, apprenticeships, and business growth, and raised concerns about federal preemption and Attorney General enforcement. After debate, the committee reported SB 1236 favorably on a recorded vote. The committee then considered CS/SB 198, a measure to regulate cryptocurrency kiosks by requiring operator registration, fraud warnings, transaction limits, blockchain analytics, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions tied to fraud. Supporters from the banking industry, AARP, and others said the bill would help stop scams that are targeting seniors and vulnerable adults; one industry witness supported the bill but suggested narrowing the limits for existing users and shortening the new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee took up CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor said the bill is intended to curb puppy mills, improve animal welfare, and add consumer protections, while an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported much of the bill but objected to the three-day waiting period for financed purchases, expanded reimbursement, and unfair trade practice penalties; others argued the bill would add red tape and litigation. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors, which would require age verification, parental consent for minors, app-content disclosures, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said the bill would help parents protect children online; opponents warned it could force collection of sensitive personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate existing parental tools. Members debated the balance between child safety and privacy, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 422 on ADS-B aviation data, which would bar use of ADS-B information to calculate certain landing or access fees; an amendment added departures to the restriction. Pilots supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport representatives opposed it as undermining airport finances and shifting costs. The amendment was adopted, and the hearing on the bill began with testimony from both sides.

Transcript Highlights:

• Adams, would you just give us a brief description of what the state role is with regard to digital currency
• money services businesses under Chapter 152 of the Texas Finance Code, as it relates to digital currencies
• other than stable coins that are pegged to a sovereign currency like Tether or US dollar coin.
• Is there a federal overlay concerning cyber currency, or is it solely under state jurisdiction?
• wallets or hot wallets, that would protect your private keys for your cryptocurrency or virtual currency

Bills: HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB3833, HB4134, HB4233, HB4238, HB4243

Keywords: HB 3803, Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 712, perpetual care cemetery, perpetual care trust fund, cemetery regulation, financial confidentiality, confidential records, regulatory examination, Texas Department of Banking, commissioner disclosure, interagency information sharing, state agency enforcement, federal agency disclosure, trust fund oversight, burial services, cemetery trust, consumer protection, state banks, Texas Finance Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Jonathan Gould, nominated as Comptroller of the Currency, brings first-hand experience to the OCC, and
• Rounds. Aye. Mr. Tillis. Aye. Mr. Kennedy. Aye. Mr. Haggerty. Aye. Ms. Lemus. Aye. Mrs. Britt. Aye.
• Jonathan Gould to be the comptroller of the currency. We'll call the roll. Mr. Chairman. Aye. Mr.
• Rounds. Aye. Mr. Tillis. Aye. Mr. Kennedy. Aye. Mr. Haggerty. Aye. Ms. Lummis. Aye. Mrs. Britt.
• Rounds. Aye. Mr. Tillis. Aye. Mr. Kennedy. Aye. Mr. Hagerty. Aye. Ms. Lummis. Aye. Mrs. Britt. Aye.

Keywords: nominees, economic growth, financial stability, public testimony, consumer protection

Summary: The meeting centered around the confirmation of four significant individuals nominated for leadership positions within various financial institutions. Members engaged in heated discussions regarding the nominees' qualifications and past track records. Concerns were raised over the potential implications of these appointments on economic stability and consumer protections. Each nominee was scrutinized, with particular emphasis on their political alignments and prior influence in their respective agencies. Despite the contentious atmosphere, there was a clear focus on the need for strong leadership to guide economic policies during challenging times.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> virtual currency kiosks, alterations. virtual currency kiosks, alterations.
• </c> cash rounding or rounding as merchants cash rounding or rounding as merchants are<00:57:42.480><
• </c> four, eight, or nine, it's rounded up. four, eight, or nine, it's rounded up.
• or not rounding?
• </c><01:03:05.280><c> to</c><01:03:05.360><c> 5</c> know, rounded up or rounded down to 5 know, rounded

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it gets a little dodgy how you sort of round out the number.
• So it gets a little dodgy how you sort of round out the number.
• But you sort of round out the number.
• for</c><02:01:55.320><c> $30,</c><02:01:56.240><c> the</c> if a round sells for $30, the if a round sells
• </c> structure remains the same, small rounds structure remains the same, small rounds of<02:03:25.040

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's give a round of applause for what Legislative Council is doing right now anyway, because they
• internet access; SB 1041, appropriation, Arizona Trail Fund; SB 1042, public monies investment, virtual currency
• ; SB 1043, state agencies payments, cryptocurrency; SB 1044, property tax exemption, virtual currency
• early voting; SCR 1002, campaign finance aggregate report; SCR 1003, property tax exemption, virtual currency
• voting; SCR 1002, campaign finance aggregate report amount; SCR 1003, property tax exemption, virtual currency

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the penny rounding measure.
• It authorizes cash transactions to be rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents, following rounding rules
• And so, they are quickly running out of currency to be able to accommodate cash transactions.
• So, this allows them to both round up or round down, depending on where the pennies fall. commerce and
• to be able to accommodate uh currency to be able to accommodate cash<00:36:06.440><c> transactions.

Bills: SB2057, SB2109, SB2400, HB1752, SB2599, SB2930

Keywords: immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, detainer, ICE, federal immigration authorities, 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 U.S.C. 1373, 8 U.S.C. 1644, deportation, undocumented immigrants, noncitizen, migrant rights, local police cooperation, law enforcement cooperation, hold request, judicial warrant, probable cause, civil immigration enforcement, county police, state police

Transcript Highlights:

• Or metal money could be a square; it doesn't have to be round.
• This is different because it's currency; it's legal tender.
• our currency with hard assets.
• We are a private company that produces and mints this local voluntary currency.
• We are a private company that produces and mints this local voluntary currency.

Bills: HB42

Keywords: special prosecutor, state law, criminal justice, accountability, law enforcement

Summary: The committee heard Senator Flores lay out the committee substitute for HB 2894, which would expand state reimbursement eligibility for local governments disproportionately affected by the disabled veterans homestead exemption. Flores said the bill would add certain municipalities in Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties if lost ad valorem tax revenue equals or exceeds 10% of general revenue, while existing recipients would remain under the current 2% threshold. Lampasas and Bell County officials and the City of Killeen testified in support, describing significant revenue losses and urging adequate funding. One witness, Howard Avery, argued any reimbursement should be counted as property tax revenue for voter-approval rate purposes to avoid a windfall. The committee later adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably, with one nay. The committee also heard SB 782, which would create a temporary severance tax exemption for restimulated inactive oil and gas wells, intended to encourage investment in mature wells. The Comptroller explained the revised fiscal note as effectively zero because the wells are currently marginal and not generating meaningful tax revenue, while industry witnesses said the bill could extend well life, support local economies, and reduce orphan-well liabilities. Public testimony was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 3033, a DPS-related grant program funded by voluntary $3 donations on driver’s license and ID applications to support nonprofits aiding injured or fallen DPS officers and their families, including memorial highway signs. The DPS Officers Association supported the bill, citing existing foundation assistance and the need for a steady funding stream. The committee later reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered SB 524, which would permanently extend the franchise tax and fee exemption for qualifying veteran-owned businesses for their first five years; testimony from a veteran business owner and veterans advocates supported the measure, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported it favorably. Additional measures were laid out and left pending or voted out: HB 3594, a local San Antonio retiree health care fund bill with agreed changes for contributions, spouse benefits, and remarriage rules, was supported by stakeholders and reported favorably; HB 4738 would repeal small administrative fees tied to certain loans and was reported favorably; HB 42 on HEAF funding and HB 5246 on the Texas Space Commission were heard and left pending. The committee also reported HB 3474, a cleanup bill for the Pension Review Board’s investment performance review schedule, and HB 2802, the Austin firefighter retirement fund bill, both favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 1056, which would allow gold and silver held in the Texas Bullion Depository to function as legal tender through debit-card transactions. Supporters framed it as a way to use hard assets and expand financial options, while bankers and some senators raised major operational, consumer-protection, tax, and constitutional questions; the bill remained under discussion as testimony began.