Transcript Highlights:

• Therefore, the speaker has appointed Assembly Member Gallagher to join us for today's hearing.
• Thank you, Assembly Member. Thank you, Assembly Member. Please, whenever you're ready.
• Good afternoon, Madam Chair, members, Good afternoon, Madam Chair, members.
• Assembly Member, please proceed when you're ready. Good afternoon, Vice Chair, members.
• Thank you, members.

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, members...
• I come to this appointment, members, with an open mind and a commitment to promoting transparency and
• So you're now going to be appointed to the Juvenile Justice Board, which I think, Madam Chair and members
• Members, any questions?
• I've been appointed to the Board of Nursing as a public member, and I thank you for this opportunity

Committee: Senate Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Chair and members.
• Thank you, Chair Harrell, and committee members.
• Thank you, Madam Chair and committee members.
• Thank you, Madam Chair and committee members.
• Would any member like a specific name pulled off?

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education convened with a quorum and first took up CS for SB 1694 on technology education. The bill would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and would encourage high school computer science courses that include AI to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal settings. The bill sponsor and several supporters emphasized preparing students for an AI-driven workforce while teaching critical evaluation and ethical use; one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the need to preserve real-world skills. Senator Davis supported the measure and suggested introducing similar instruction earlier, possibly in middle school. The committee voted the bill favorably, with Senator Leak later recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a large block of confirmations for higher education boards, including appointees to Tallahassee State College, the University of South Florida, the University of North Florida, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally highlighted backgrounds in education, health care, law, business, technology, and public service, and described priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, affordability, fiscal responsibility, and institutional growth. One nominee to Tallahassee State College was asked about low NCLEX pass rates and said the college had a plan approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Another nominee discussed Florida Poly’s STEM mission, and several members praised the nominees’ community ties and professional experience. After hearing the appointees, the committee voted to report the block of confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The committee then received a high-level overview of the higher education budget, totaling $11.9 billion, with major emphasis on workforce training and development. Highlights included increases for school district workforce education, the Florida College System, workforce development capitalization, a rural educator recruitment program, funding for the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s literacy and math initiatives, UF’s autism and neurodevelopment center, and a postsecondary guardian program for campus security. Members asked a brief question about a workforce fund transfer, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds added. No public comment was offered, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are our family members. And they're suffering.
• These are our family members, and they're suffering.
• That's what it means to practice as a member of a quality healthcare team.
• Staying on me until I made that appointment for my mammogram.
• Wednesday, I had an appointment in McKinney. She said, "How did you do that?"

Bills: SB2 , SJR36 , SB2 , SB2 , SR29 , SB2

Transcript Highlights:

• a moderator to appoint budget committee members.
• a moderator to appoint budget committee members.
• of members on the budget committee and whether they are elected or appointed.
• Then after that, they have to decide, do you want your members to be appointed by the moderator, or do
• Then after that, they have to decide, do you want your members to be appointed by the moderator, or do

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and guests are asked to remain standing and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Members and guests are asked to remain standing and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
• The special joint committee shall consist of ten members as follows: five members of the Senate, four
• of whom shall be appointed by the Senate President and one of whom shall be appointed by the minority
• leader of the Senate; and five members of the House of Representatives, four of whom shall be appointed

Transcript Highlights:

• Morning, members and guests in the audience.
• The committee substitute adds a member of the committee, changing the board from 24 to 25 members, and
• engineers appointed by the board.
• engineers appointed by the board.
• engineers appointed by the board.

Bills: HB4530 , HB4931 , HB5559 , HB5560 , HB143

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: water rights, Texas Water Trust, water bank, environmental conservation, water quality, instream flows, aquifer, water injection, Edwards Aquifer, environmental regulation, groundwater, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water conservation, drought, utility regulation, water use restrictions, Public Utility Commission, civil penalties, drought contingency, environmental protection

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources met with a quorum present and first took up several pending bills for reconsideration and committee substitute adoption. House Bill 2692, relating to codification and clarification of local laws concerning the San Antonio River Authority, was reported favorably to the full House and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars by an 11-0 vote. House Bills 1407, 1520, 1535, 2970, 4153, 291, 3663, and 3915 were also reconsidered or laid out as pending business, with committee substitutes adopted where needed and each bill reported favorably, generally by unanimous vote, to the full House and then to Calendars or Calendars/Calendars-related referral as applicable. The committee then heard House Bill 4530, which would expand the Texas Water Trust framework to include groundwater rights, require Texas Water Development Board review and approval of groundwater dedications, and notify local groundwater districts when groundwater rights are placed in the trust. The bill’s author and witnesses from the Environmental Defense Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and Chispa Texas supported the measure as a conservation tool and a way to create a clear process for voluntary donations; a Texas Water Development Board witness testified neutrally. The bill was left pending. House Bill 4931, relating to an aquifer storage and recovery project in Medina County, drew support from the author, the Medina County judge, and a regional water alliance witness, who described severe stress on the Edwards Aquifer, low levels at Medina Lake, and the need for a local water-supply tool. The bill was left pending. House Bill 5559, which would clarify enforcement of drought contingency plans for investor-owned water utilities and involve the PUC in model plan development, received support from groundwater district representatives but also concerns from water company and utility witnesses about enforcement authority, approval procedures, and potential conflicts with existing obligations to provide continuous service; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. House Bill 5560, which would raise the maximum civil penalty for certain groundwater conservation district enforcement actions from $10,000 to $25,000 per violation, prompted debate over whether current law is already sufficient; supporters said the higher cap would better deter overpumping, while opponents argued existing penalties are already severe. That bill was also left pending, and the committee adjourned subject to call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, members.
• Chair, members.
• But in your companion bill, the elected officials appoint members to serve on their behalf, correct?
• Yeah, so I'm trying to see how that fits in with the governor shall appoint three members, the Supreme
• Court shall appoint one member, appeal judges, district judges.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several bills, mostly dealing with open meetings, public records, election administration, and local government notice requirements. Senate Bill 1 by Sen. Jenkins would authorize electronic voting under the Open Meetings Law and apply retroactively to validate prior electronic votes; after brief discussion and support from the Louisiana Municipal Association, it was reported favorably. House Bill 1052 by Rep. Spell would exempt certain child advocacy center and multidisciplinary team work product, forensic interviews, and related sensitive records from public records disclosure to protect child abuse investigations; testimony from child advocacy organizations emphasized the need to prevent misuse of records and preserve court-controlled access, and the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 289 by Sen. Abraham, concerning confidentiality of certain university records and negotiations, was amended to clarify protections for proprietary research, donor confidentiality, and limited confidentiality for industry negotiations, then reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 218 by Sen. Talbot, allowing alternative certification programs for election officials if approved by the State Board of Election Supervisors, and Senate Bill 220, a technical correction regarding the official journal of the state, were both reported favorably. Senate Bill 161 by Sen. Seaball, repealing a requirement that certain high-salary unclassified state employees register vehicles in Louisiana, was also reported favorably after questions about its scope and purpose. The committee then took up House Bill 1193 by Rep. Sawyer, which authorizes the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to use indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity construction contracts for maintenance and emergency work. CPRA officials said the model would speed small repairs and pre-construction tasks, improve efficiency, and mirror a similar DOTD approach; an amendment narrowed the public-records language and excluded design-build contracting. Members raised concerns about public records transparency and inclusion of minority and small contractors, but the bill was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 249 by Rep. Green, a constitutional amendment creating an independent compensation commission for elected officials and tying adjustments to CPI, drew extensive debate over removing the legislature from setting salaries, the appointment structure, and whether the state could afford automatic increases. After opposition from several members and a roll-call vote, the bill failed to be reported, 6 yeas to 9 nays. Because HB 249 failed, the companion enabling bill, House Bill 248, was deferred. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 997 by Rep. Edmondson, which would let parishes, municipalities, and school boards use their own websites as an alternative to newspaper publication for public notices. Supporters from the Police Jury Association argued the bill would reduce duplicative costs, preserve all existing notice requirements, and simply add a third option alongside newspaper publication and newspaper-hosted digital publication. An amendment narrowed the bill to parishes, municipalities, and school boards, removing other political subdivisions. Members questioned transparency, enforcement, record retention, and whether the change would undermine newspapers; supporters said courts would still enforce notice requirements and that local governments already maintain the records. The bill remained under discussion at the end of the transcript, with no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask that all members of the subcommittee be present in Room 112 so we can establish a quorum and begin
• Good morning, Chair and members of the committee.
• out to the various projects for appointment of attorneys.
• I have over 400 cases waiting for appointed counsel.
• I have over 400 cases waiting for appointed counsel.

Summary: The committee heard budget and workload presentations from the Office of the State Public Defender, legal aid organizations, and the Judicial Branch. OSPD requested permanent funding for positions that had been temporarily funded to implement the Racial Justice Act, explaining that the work has become ongoing and now includes additional Supreme Court briefing, habeas proceedings, investigations, expert analysis, and data requests. The State Public Defender also presented the AB 625 public defense workload report, which found statewide staffing shortages, caseloads above recommended standards, and major gaps in investigators and support staff. Senators asked about racial bias claims, the volume of data requests, and the impact of Prop. 36, and OSPD said it would provide additional written information. The legal aid panel asked for a $50 million increase to the Equal Access Fund, $20 million to restart homelessness prevention services, and $10 million for health care access work, while also supporting Access to Justice Commission requests for loan repayment assistance, immigrant family preparedness services, and innovation grants. Witnesses described legal aid as homelessness prevention and cited examples involving eviction defense, domestic violence survivors, and immigration detention cases. Los Angeles Superior Court Presiding Judge Sergio Tapia discussed eviction data, low tenant representation, and court pilots in Compton and at Stanley Mosk that combine mediation, rental assistance, and legal help. Senators asked for service maps, outreach materials, and more detail on funding needs and federal funding losses. For the Judicial Branch overview, the Judicial Council and trial court representatives supported the Governor’s proposed budget, including $70 million for trial court operations, $21.7 million for employee health and retirement costs, and funding for appellate counsel, case processing, and courthouse construction. They said rising costs, staffing retention, and interpreter shortages continue to strain the courts, and described efforts to reallocate interpreter funds and recruit hard-to-find languages such as Mixteco. Senators pressed the branch and the Department of Finance on courthouse facilities, noting that the long-term need is far larger than the current budget proposal; Finance said the branch’s facility needs were estimated at about $22.5 billion over 10 years to start 68 projects and $29.4 billion to complete the remaining projects. The committee requested follow-up information on facilities, judgeships, and interpreter needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we have a lot of heroes walking around our building, and what I want to do is, members, today
• I will appoint members cupper when As opposed to vote, nay.
• I will appoint members Cupper, Winninger, and Aguilar, as such a committee.
• Members, is there any discussion?
• Members, that is 10 a.m. Members, that is 10 a.m. sharp tomorrow, Tuesday, April 14th, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your testimony will be distributed to committee members and any other member who requests it.
• The study group will be composed of three members of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor,
• including one vice chair, and three members of the House appointed by the Speaker, including one vice
• Members, any questions?
• Chairman, members.

Bills: HB4 , HB20

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard a series of higher education and K-12 bills, initially without a quorum and with several measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early bills included HB 1868, which would direct a study on lowering the dual-credit funding threshold for public junior colleges from 15 to 9 semester credit hours; HB 2598, which would replace statutory references to “licensed specialist in school psychology” with “school psychologist”; HB 3629, which would bar registered sex offenders from serving on independent school district boards of trustees; and HB 4361, which would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education. Each received brief sponsor explanations, no opposition testimony, and was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4848, requiring public higher education systems to ensure at least one institution offers affordable competency-based bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields, and HB 1211, which would remove the age 25 deadline for former foster youth to use public college tuition waivers. HB 1211 drew extensive supportive testimony from Texas CASA, a former foster youth who benefited from the waiver, and a current student headed to medical school, all arguing the change would better match the realities faced by youth aging out of care. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal uncertainty and the argument that the waiver is an investment in workforce participation; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 20, creating an Applied Sciences Pathway Program to let high school students earn certificates in targeted industries such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, and oil and gas while in school. Industry and workforce groups strongly supported the bill as a way to address labor shortages, while Texas 2036 raised concerns about allowing applied versions of core academic courses to substitute for traditional instruction. HB 4687, which would extend governmental immunity protections to certain campus/district charter schools and adult charter high schools, also received support from a charter-school attorney who said it would align statutes with existing case law and not expand charter rights. HB 4236, as substituted, would create a study group to examine the property value study’s effect on school finance and alternative valuation methods; it was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. The committee also heard HB 824 on civics instruction in high school government courses and HB 2243, which would create a commission on teacher job satisfaction and retention; the latter prompted debate over removing “ethnic diversity” language from the commission’s makeup. After adopting the substitute for HB 2243 by roll call, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I move that measures... AB 28.
• Please call the absent members. Please call the absent members. Allen, Ashby, Turasso, aye.
• Please call the absent members. Ashby. Durazo. Please call the absent members.
• The appointment is confirmed. Please call the absent members on file item 18. Ashby. Durazo.
• The appointment is confirmed. Please call the absent members on file item 37. Ashby. Gonzales.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hereby appoint the Honorable Christopher H. Smith to act as Speaker pro tempore on this day.
• I hereby appoint the Honorable Christopher H. Smith to act as Speaker pro tempore on this day.
• THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE SHARE ANNOUNCES THE SPEAKER'S APPOINTMENT PURSUANT TO 22 U.S.C. 3003, AND
• The Speaker pro tempore: The Chair announces the Speaker's appointment pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 6913 and
• pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 276d and the order of the House of January 3, 2025, of the following members on

Transcript Highlights:

• Our board has already voted in support of this regional model and has appointed members to this task
• Chair, members.
• Chair and members.
• The five-member appointed board of trustees for the district experienced significant internal conflicts
• Furthermore, the members of the advisory commission are appointed by the Board of Supervisors, The members

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Please call the absent members. Please call the absent members. Allen, Ashby, Turasso, aye.
• Thank you, Madam President and members.
• Please call the absent members. Ashby. Durazo. Please call the absent members.
• The appointment is confirmed. Please call the absent members on file item 18. Ashby. Durazo.
• The appointment is confirmed. Please call the absent members on file item 37. Ashby. Gonzales.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the June 8–11, 2026 journals, and adopted floor amendments. It also referred several bills to Rules and approved motions affecting Budget and Fiscal Review Committee procedure, including second-reading treatment for budget measures and suspension of Joint Rule 62A to allow budget hearings on short notice. Both motions passed on roll call after some protest votes. The chamber then considered several appointments to the Delta Stewardship Council and the Board of State and Community Corrections. Senators discussed the Delta, water policy, and the proposed Delta Tunnel, but the confirmations of Julie Lee, Ann Patterson, and Sheriff Christopher Clark all passed. The Senate also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 17, authored by Senator Choi, honoring Republic of Korea veterans who served alongside U.S. troops in Vietnam and urging Congress and the President to clarify that states may extend burial and memorial benefits in state veterans’ cemeteries. The main floor debate centered on Assembly Bill 109, the 2026 Budget Act. Supporters highlighted a $355.9 billion budget with $253 billion General Fund spending, $36.5 billion in reserves, a reduced structural deficit, and investments in child care, Medi-Cal, hospitals, housing, IHSS, education, transit, and other services. Opponents criticized the budget as relying on future tax increases, leaving a structural deficit, and failing to do enough on affordability, public safety, Prop. 36, unemployment insurance debt, and gas prices. After extensive debate, AB 109 passed 28–9, and the Senate later approved a consent calendar of six Assembly bills. The session ended with adjournments in memory of Hajan Lee, Doris Fisher, and James Leslie Barbie, and the Senate adjourned until June 18, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, the chair has two appointments to announce due to the resignation of the member from St.
• And second, the member from Pownal, Representative McCoy, is appointed to the Joint Legislative Management
• </c> &gt;&gt; member from Burke. &gt;&gt; member from Burke.
• Member<00:31:06.640><c> from</c><00:31:07.360><c> New</c> Member from New Member from New member<00:31
• </c> member from Franklin. member from Franklin.

Transcript Highlights:

• All members? Indeed. Thank you.
• I hope that I urge the members... I hope that I urge the members to vote no.
• Have all members been recorded? Thank you.
• President, through the members.
• Have all members been recorded? Have all members been recorded?

Summary: The Senate considered a comprehensive immigration-related bill, the Protect Act (House No. 5316), with extensive debate focused on limiting civil immigration enforcement in sensitive locations and protecting immigrants, victims, workers, and public institutions. Supporters argued the bill would reduce fear in schools, hospitals, courts, child care settings, and other community spaces, while preserving criminal law enforcement and public safety cooperation. Several senators also emphasized the economic and community contributions of immigrants, and some spoke from personal or district experience about fear, school enrollment declines, and impacts on health care and daily life. A number of amendments were debated. Amendment 6, offered by Senator Kennedy, was adopted to extend protections to DDS facilities and disability-related care settings, with supporters stressing the importance of protecting immigrant caregivers and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Other adopted amendments included Amendment 7 on effective dates, Amendment 34 adding residential schools/programs as safe spaces, Amendment 10 on courthouse curtilage, Amendment 13 protecting health care workers from retaliation, Amendment 20 establishing an immigration commission with minority-party representation, and Amendment 69 as a corrective/technical amendment. Many other amendments, largely offered by Senator Tarr and others, were rejected, including proposals concerning 287G agreements, detainers, civil arrests, court authority, and legal defense funding; several amendments were also withdrawn. The chamber took multiple roll-call votes on contested amendments. Amendment 59 on 287G funds was defeated 5-34, Amendment 63 on status information tied to criminal offenses was defeated 7-32, Amendment 67 on felony detainers was defeated 10-29, and Amendment 75 on state-funded legal defense programs was defeated 5-34. After amendments were completed, the Senate adopted the Ways and Means recommendation, ordered the bill to a third reading, and then passed it to be engrossed by a 37-3 vote. The Senate later rejected a House amendment, appointed a conference committee, and adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eight members total, made up of four senators and four members of the House of Representatives: two members
• of the majority caucus will be appointed by the Senate Majority Leader; two members of the minority
• caucus will be appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; two members of the majority caucus will be appointed
• by the Speaker of the House; and two members of the minority caucus will be appointed by the Minority
• of the minority caucus to be members of the minority caucus to be appointed<00:14:59.680><c> by</c><

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and guests are asked to remain standing and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Members and guests are asked to remain standing and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
• The special joint committee shall consist of ten members as follows: five members of the Senate, four
• of whom shall be appointed by the Senate President and one of whom shall be appointed by the minority
• leader of the Senate; and five members of the House of Representatives, four of whom shall be appointed

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a congratulatory resolution honoring Oxford Fire Chief Laurent R. McDonald for 45 years of public service. Members also adopted an order creating a special joint committee on initiative petitions to review petitions transmitted by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. In addition, House Bill 862, providing for the recall of elected officers in the town of Sharon, was passed to be enacted. The House then acted on several procedural and scheduling matters. It suspended Joint Rule 12 to send three petitions to committee, and the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported a group of local and special bills for consideration, including measures on home insurers and tree removal, housing for families with pets, public safety in Stoneham, community housing funds in Chatham, the Provincetown rental housing trust fund, a disability pension for Christopher Taylor, and a sick leave bank for Sonia Felix. These bills were ordered to a third reading. The House also welcomed visiting students from Four Rivers Charter Public School and the Medfield Girls Soccer State Champions. On third reading, the House passed to be engrossed four police-age waiver bills for Antonio Perez, Sherell Malas, Jonathan Telford, and Jose Ortiz, all directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement. The chamber also observed a moment of silent tribute for the late Honorable Francis J. Larkin of Hopedale, recognizing his long career in public service, law, and education. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet again Monday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and guests are asked to remain standing and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Members and guests are asked to remain standing and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
• The special joint committee shall consist of ten members as follows: five members of the Senate, four
• of whom shall be appointed by the Senate President and one of whom shall be appointed by the minority
• leader of the Senate; and five members of the House of Representatives, four of whom shall be appointed

Summary: The House adopted a congratulatory resolution honoring Oxford Fire Chief Laurent R. McDonald for 45 years of public service, and also adopted an order creating a special joint committee on initiative petitions to review petitions transmitted by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The House then passed to enact House Bill 862, which provides for the recall of elected officers in the town of Sharon. Members also suspended Joint Rule 12 for several petitions, including proposals on family support and poverty alleviation, electoral account and presidential electors, and regulation of medical spas. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee reported several bills for consideration, including measures on tree removal by home insurers, housing for families with pets, public safety in Stoneham, community preservation funds in Chatham, the year-round market rate rental housing trust fund in Provincetown, a disability pension for Christopher Taylor, and a sick leave bank for Sonia Felix. These bills were ordered to a third reading. The House then passed to be engrossed several third-reading bills waiving the maximum age requirement for Boston police officer applicants for Antonio Perez, Sherell Malas, Jonathan Telford, and Jose Ortiz. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for the late Honorable Francis J. Larkin of Hopkinton. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet again Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time in informal session.