Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair was completely on it and there is a substitute.
• The updated committee substitute which would effectively eliminate the fiscal note.
• Looking at the correct substitute, I think on line 16... Yes, it can waive it. I just remembered.
• House Bill, Committee Substitute House Bill 3376, representing the Alzheimer's Association.
• So that, again, to try to open it up, as you all can imagine, with a committee substitute.

Bills: HB368, HB3311, HB1734, HB2495, HB2716, HB793, HB3376, HB2524, HB3421, HB3446, HB3181

Keywords: electronic devices, family violence, criminal prosecution, protective orders, tracking, harassment, family allowance, decedent's estate, surviving spouse, minor children, inheritance, child support, maintenance, HB 1734, Family Code, Section 155.207, suit affecting the parent-child relationship, SAPCR, continuing exclusive jurisdiction, jurisdiction transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I move adoption of the substitute.
• The substitute has been adopted. Mr. Pro Tem.
• SB 78 has passed as substituted.
• Speaker, there's a committee substitute. Could you explain your substitute to us, please?
• HB360's substitute and amendment has passed. HB360's substitute and amendment has passed.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we have a substitute, yeah. Senator Hall sends up the committee substitute.
• Senator West, you're recognized to explain the substitute.
• What the substitute does is make certain that if the county decides to... office and that that office
• There is a committee substitute to this bill.
• to explain the difference in the substitute and the bill as filed.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard a briefing from the Texas Veterans Commission on its major programs and outreach efforts. TVC described its claims assistance, health care advocacy, education oversight, employment services, entrepreneurship support, mental health and suicide prevention work, women veterans services, grant funding for nonprofits and local governments, and support for veteran treatment courts. The agency also highlighted its communications strategy, including media outreach, events, newsletters, social media, and the Texas Veterans State Benefits Booklet, and noted that less than 58% of veterans were aware of TVC in the latest needs assessment. A committee member asked about performance metrics, and TVC said each appropriation has associated measures and that it could provide recent results. The committee then took up Senate Bill 651, which would allow a county veterans service office in a large county to report either directly to commissioners court or to a designated county executive official. Senator West explained the bill as a cleanup of current practice, and Dallas County testified in support, saying the change would streamline internal management. No opposition was heard, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 897 would reduce the non-state matching requirement for the Texas Veterans and Family Alliance grant program in larger counties from 100 percent to 75 percent in the committee substitute, rather than the 50 percent reduction in the filed version. Supporters from MetroCare and Emergence Health Network said the lower match would help sustain and expand veteran mental health services, citing increased demand and program growth. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also adopted its rules. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1814, which would create an interagency database to collect and coordinate contact information for transitioning veterans so agencies could proactively connect them with services. Senator Hancock said the goal was to better use information already being collected, though he noted the bill had a significant fiscal note. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1818, which would create a temporary six-month licensing and certification process for military members and spouses assigned to Texas while they wait for letters of good standing from other states. VFW testified in support, emphasizing the importance of employment for military families. Both bills were left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:45.720> Senator Substitute Number 1 is adopted.
• The matter before the body is adoption of the Senate Committee Substitute.
• Senate Committee Substitute 1 to House Bill 500. Committee Substitute 1 to House Bill 500.
• Substitute 1. Substitute 1.
• Committee Substitute 1. Committee Substitute 1.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The substitute is adopted.
• Substitute for House Bill 123.
• of the committee substitute. Chair hears none, and the substitute is adopted.
• The chair offers a committee substitute. Members, the committee substitute to House.
• The substitute is adopted.

Bills: HB367, HB497, HB549, HB983, HB 1188, HB 1290, HB1368, HB2243, HB2310, HB2849, HB3099, HB3546, HB3629, HB3627

Keywords: education, absences, severe illness, life-threatening, school policy, verification, healthcare, insurance, affordability, coverage, patient rights, school health, respiratory distress, airway clearance devices, medication training, public health, HB 983, Texas Education Agency, TEA, educator privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Next on the agenda was Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 55, relating to modernizing and
• The Chair put the question on the motion to report the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill
• Next item on the agenda is the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4869, establishing narrow
• The motion is that Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4869 be reported to the full Senate
• The engrossed committee substitute that came over to us. That came over from the House.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the March 4, 2026 minutes. It then took up Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 55, a workers’ compensation cleanup bill from the Insurance Commissioner’s office. Counsel explained that the bill modernizes outdated code after privatization of the workers’ compensation system, repeals obsolete provisions, updates references to the Insurance Commissioner, reduces the Workers’ Compensation Board of Review from five members to three, and makes related technical changes. The committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment and a title amendment, and then reported the bill to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass. The Insurance Commissioner and a senior senator both spoke in support, describing the bill as part of the long-term cleanup of the privatized system and noting the reduced caseload on the Board of Review. The committee next considered Engrossed House Bill 5463, which would lower the required insurance coverage for county boards of education from $1.25 million to $1 million per occurrence and eliminate the separate $5 million excess coverage requirement. BRIM’s executive director testified that the agency had difficulty finding a market partner for the excess coverage and that the premium cost exceeded $5 million, creating a burden for county boards. Some senators raised concerns that reducing coverage could limit recovery for victims in serious claims and that the change might reduce protections for school systems. When the motion to report the bill was put to a vote, the result was tied, and the chair declared the bill not passed. The committee then approved Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4869, which creates guaranteed issue rights for Medicare supplement policies in West Virginia. Counsel explained that the bill allows certain policyholders to replace a Medicare supplement policy during an annual birthday period without medical underwriting, and also grants a guaranteed issue right for certain individuals losing Medicaid eligibility. The bill also requires annual reporting on premium trends and gives the Insurance Commissioner rulemaking authority. The motion to report the bill to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass was adopted. Finally, the committee considered Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5462 on mine subsidence insurance. Counsel explained that the bill would allow the mine subsidence fund to reduce payments by amounts already received by a policyholder and, as introduced, would bar actions against insurers for claims reported to the board. A proposed strike-and-insert amendment would have replaced the blanket bar with a 90-day pre-suit notice requirement and limits on damages, but after discussion from senators, counsel, BRIM, and the Insurance Federation, the committee rejected the strike-and-insert and also rejected a separate amendment to strike the setoff language. The committee then reported the bill to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• S. 198, an act relating to the regulation of tobacco products and tobacco substitutes.
• . substitutes. substitutes.
• sales of tobacco substitutes sales of tobacco substitutes represent<00:42:35.040> a<00:42
• <00:49:03.040> The products and tobacco substitutes.
• The products and tobacco substitutes.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading by Theo Novak, a student and Vermont Poetry Out Loud finalist, followed by several announcements, including a welcome for the guest speaker and a reminder about a freshman legislator gathering and the day’s corporate cup road closures. The House then postponed action for one legislative day on Senate Bill 208, relating to law enforcement identification; Senate Bill 212, relating to portable water supply and wastewater system connections; and House Bill 639, relating to genetic data privacy. The main floor action centered on House Bill 648, banking, insurance, and securities. The Commerce and Economic Development Committee presented Senate amendments and its own further amendments, including clarifications to consumer reinvestment reporting and a proposal to extend and then effectively end the moratorium on new cryptocurrency kiosks in Vermont. The committee described extensive testimony and data on crypto kiosk fraud, money laundering, and consumer losses, and also added a new licensing framework for merchant cash advance providers. Ways and Means reported the fiscal impact would be very small. After a brief question about the $1 million exemption threshold for commercial financing, the House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment with further amendment thereto. The House also passed Senate Bill 243, distributing funds to the Vermont Language Justice Project, in concurrence with proposal of amendment. It then took up Senate Bill 198, regulating tobacco products and tobacco substitutes. The Commerce and Economic Development Committee described updates to the definition of tobacco substitutes, creation of a wholesale licensing system under the Department of Liquor and Lottery, tighter controls on online sales, and bans on deceptive products that resemble school supplies, food, smartphones, inhalers, or video games. The committee heard testimony from health, enforcement, industry, and advocacy witnesses and voted 11-0 in favor. Human Services then proposed a strike-all amendment to the committee report, with further consideration to continue.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a committee substitute.
• Anyone else wish to testify for or against Substitute House Bill 43?
• The committee substitute for House Bill 43 is reported in favor to the full Senate.
• The committee substitute for Senate Bill 823. Is there an objection?
• Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted.

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:

• Since it has become a committee substitute, you're recognized on the committee substitute.
• There is a committee substitute.
• Senator Nicholson is a committee substitute, and you're recognized, Senator Perry, on the committee substitute
• There is a committee substitute.
• Senator Nicholson is a committee substitute, and you recognize Senator Perry on the committee substitute

Bills: HB431, HB1522, HB1922, HB2467, HB2468, HB3228, HB3229, HB3306, HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB4219, HB4238, HB4344, HB4386, HB4739

Keywords: HB 431, Texas Property Code, Property Code Chapter 202, solar roof tiles, solar shingles, solar energy device, homeowners association, HOA, property owners' association, POA, renewable energy, residential solar, distributed solar, roof-mounted solar, homeowner rights, architectural control, open meetings, public notice, transparency, government efficiency

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up pending business, reporting several House bills favorably to the full Senate, including HB 11, HB 132, HB 1041, HB 1606, HB 2286, and HB 5061, with some also recommended for the local and uncontested or contested calendars. The committee then heard and left pending HB 3306, which would extend construction-contract indemnity exceptions to electric infrastructure work, including construction, maintenance, and vegetation management for utilities. Supporters said it would align utility infrastructure work with public works and reduce litigation and ratepayer costs, while opponents argued it would shift liability onto subcontractors and create broad-form indemnity concerns. Members also heard HB 4739, a Comptroller-requested cleanup bill repealing an outdated Finance Code provision tied to delinquency charges on retail charge accounts, and left it pending without testimony. The committee then considered several Department of Banking cleanup bills, including HB 3803, HB 3804, and HB 3806, all left pending after brief explanations and no public opposition. HB 4219, dealing with public information requests, drew support from a journalist and a policy analyst who said it would improve transparency by requiring timely responses, notice when records do not exist, and training or fee consequences for noncompliance; it was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4238, a committee substitute addressing coerced debt and identity theft, which would bar collection of certain debts from victims who obtain a qualifying court order. A law professor and a family violence advocate supported the bill as narrow, protective relief for domestic violence and elder abuse survivors, and it was left pending. Other bills heard and left pending included HB 1522 on local government budget meeting posting and taxpayer impact disclosures, HB 4344 authorizing background checks for PUC employees and contractors, HB 3805 updating money services business regulation, HB 431 extending solar-panel HOA protections to solar tiles, HB 3228 and HB 3229 on wind and solar recycling financial assurance, and HB 1922 clarifying the accrual date for construction defect claims under right-to-repair law. The committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Menéndez sends up the committee substitute for House Bill 3126.
• Dean, if you could explain the differences in the substitute and...
• I do have a committee substitute that I'd ask for.
• Senator Perry sends up a committee substitute for House Bill 6.
• In the bill, I'm looking at the committee substitute.

Bills: HB1022, HB2856, HB3114, HJR5, HB6, HB120, HB210, HB1458, HB1188, HB3126

Keywords: HB 1022, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Texas State University System, Education Code, higher education, course levels, upper-level college, lower-division courses, community college-style courses, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Uvalde, Board of Regents, academic programs, university expansion, HB 2856, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, clinical training placements, clinical rotations

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a committee substitute. Thank you. Go ahead.
• Okay, Committee substitute. Is there any opposition? Seeing none, you have a committee substitute.
• I'm going to walk us through this substitute.
• So I want to take a moment to specifically say what the substitute does So the substitute streamlines
• Okay, so your committee substitute has Been adopted.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, this a substitute bill option.
• And so that's what's in the substitute<00:18:42.480> bill.
• <00:18:42.880> So substitute bill. So substitute bill.
• , all presented with the substitute, all presented with the substitute, >> right?
• We have the substitute. Can >> Okay. Okay. We have the substitute.

Bills: HB3, HB116, HB165, HB178, HB3, HB116, HB165, HB178

Keywords: illegal alien, enhanced sentencing, criminal offenses, minor victims, felonies, Alabama legislature, HB116, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset bill, sunset review, Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board, bail bonding, bail bonds, bail bond industry, professional bail bondsman, licensing board, state agency continuation, agency reauthorization, regulatory board, criminal justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Section two modifies the short-call substitute teacher program and renames it.
• substitute teacher program.
• the short call emergency substitute the short call emergency substitute teacher<00:03:20.720>
• Um it call substitute teacher license.
• <00:03:41.040> teacher how long a short call substitute teacher how long a short call substitute

Bills: HF1306

Keywords: education, school policy, teacher training, student health, emergency response, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Ladies and gentlemen, HB245 and SB78 are the same bill, but SB78 has a substitute.
• I'll tell you why we have a substitute.
• So, this is where the substitute came from.
• We have the substitute... Yes, I have a substitute on the table. We need a motion and a second.
• All those in favor by accepting the substitute, say "Aye." Those against, Nate.

Bills: HB245, SB78

Keywords: inhalants, controlled substances, butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, amyl nitrite, health, public safety, possession, sale, misdemeanor, felony, criminal penalties, public health, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Item four is Senator Trujillo: Senate Bill 35, the substitute for that.
• It's now subject to debate, amendment, or substitution.
• Senators, we're debating Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 132.
• I move that Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 132 do now pass.
• I move that Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 132. Do now pass.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee substitute for committee substitute for committee substitute for Senate Bill 88, a bill to
• Committee substitute for committee substitute for committee substitute for Senate Bill 88, a bill to
• Committee substitute for committee substitute for Senate Bill 262, a bill to be entitled an act relating
• Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 296, a bill to be entitled an act relating
• Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 296, a bill to be entitled an act relating

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, pledge, and several member introductions and recognitions, including resolutions and visiting groups. The chamber then moved to a special order calendar and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 88 on utility terrain vehicles, which would allow local governments to opt in to street use of UTVs under specified safety conditions; it passed 32-5 after debate over safety concerns. SB 102 on exceptional student education created a workforce credential/badge program for students with autism or on modified curricula; despite concerns about unfunded mandates, it passed 36-0. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults authorized alternative service methods for scammers through the apps they used to contact victims and passed 37-0. SB 130 expanded and eased procedures for compensation of victims of wrongful incarceration, including extending filing deadlines and removing restrictive bars; it passed 38-0. SB 158 eliminated cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams under the state employee health plan and passed 38-0. The Senate then considered SB 234 on crimes against law enforcement officers, prompted by the killing of Officer Jason Raynor. The bill clarified that a person may not resist an officer with violence and added a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. A late amendment to restore “good faith” language failed, and after extensive debate over due process, racial profiling, and sentencing concerns, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than brought to a final vote. SB 262 on trust code technical changes passed 36-0. SB 274 designated portions of roads in Orlando as Harris Rosen Way and Geraldine Thompson Way; it passed 38-0 and then received 37 co-sponsors. SB 280 created an enforcement mechanism for candidate party-affiliation qualification requirements and passed 38-0. SB 296 repealed the statewide middle and high school start-time mandate and returned the issue to local districts with reporting requirements; it passed 38-0. Later, SB 356 designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida, with the sponsor emphasizing anti-Semitism and the need for education and remembrance. The transcript also included additional ceremonial remarks and recognition of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members in the gallery. Throughout the meeting, most measures advanced with unanimous or near-unanimous support, while SB 234 generated the most substantive disagreement and was set aside for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee substitute is withdrawn.
• Members, there is a committee substitute.
• The committee's substitute is withdrawn.
• The committee substitute is withdrawn.
• Seeing none, the committee substitutes with drawn.

Bills: HB19, HB30, HB851, HB1663, HB1681, HB1769, HB1937, HB1979, HB2428, HB2433, HB2825, HB3159, HB3424, HB3486, HB3487, HB3504, HB3605, HB3879, HB3994, HB4382, HB4752, HB5444, HB5446, HB5447, HB3199, HB4847, HB19

Keywords: local government debt, property tax, ad valorem tax, bond election, certificate of obligation, anticipation note, school district tax rate, voter-approval rate, debt service cap, municipal finance, county bonds, flood control district, hospital district, public works, tax transparency, property tax notice, November uniform election date, general obligation bonds, local debt reform, taxpayer notice

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a committee substitute.
• explain the differences between the substitute and the bill as filed.
• The committee substitute removes that exemption.
• Me substitute Senate Bill 6 without objection so moved and adopted.
• Substitute Dr. Liu there, I'll do pass and be printed. Clerk, call the roll. Senator Blanco.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What the act says that I cannot do is therapeutic substitution, and therapeutic substitution is where
• What the act says that I cannot do is therapeutic substitution, and therapeutic substitution is where
• What the act says that I cannot do is therapeutic substitution, and therapeutic substitution is where
• What the act says that I cannot do is therapeutic substitution, and therapeutic substitution is where
• What the act says that I cannot do is therapeutic substitution, and therapeutic substitution is where

Bills: HB0143, HB0129

Keywords: health care providers, free speech, discrimination, governmental agencies, civil remedies, physician access, internationally trained physicians, medical licensing, provisional license, healthcare workforce, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have a committee substitute. There is a proposed committee substitute.
• At this time, we have a committee substitute. There is a proposed committee substitute.
• committee substitute for Senate Bill 1920.
• The committee substitute for Senate Bill 1920.
• Bill 3034 and the proposed committee substitute.

Bills: SB434, SB844, SB898, SB1177, SB1214, SB1454, SB1920, SB1927, SB1935, SB1965, SB2010, SB2046, SB2068, SB2073, SB2183, SB2260, SB3034, SB907

Keywords: SB 434, Harris County Hospital District, hospital district police, peace officers, commissioned officers, law enforcement authority, Health and Safety Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, public safety, hospital security, county hospital district, local government, Texas criminal procedure, district police, armed security, SB 898, low income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs