Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, my name is Terry Hall, and today I'm representing PERF, Texas for Toll-Free Highways, True Texas
• Some may think it's about a chance for people to be free to choose; it is not.
• This bill would authorize toll entities to convert free lanes of our existing highways as long as they
• Oh, one that has stop-and-go stoplights on it, compared to the... lane that we are traveling, free of
• Those toll lanes were operated and maintained by North Tarrant Express Mobility.

Bills: HB483, HB3345, HB3643, HB3821, HB3849, HB4472, HB4523, HB4524, HB5346, HB5347, HB5376

Keywords: high-speed rail, Texas Department of Transportation, TxDOT, public-private partnership, comprehensive development agreement, CDA, Interstate 35, I-35 corridor, Dallas, Waco, Austin, San Antonio, intercity passenger rail, rail infrastructure, private entity, transportation infrastructure, rail corridor, passenger rail, infrastructure finance, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• When users attempt to break free from a session with an AI companion, it will text, email, use variable
• Implementing a protocol to handle cases where a user expresses self-harm.
• by the Vice Chair as well, is that if the platforms care as deeply... ...expressed by the Vice Chair
• And I want to express my gratitude and admiration for your work.
• And this is really a matter of free will, and people can be supportive or oppose it.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 41 by Senator Wiener, which would regulate pharmacy benefit managers by increasing transparency, banning patient steering and spread pricing, and requiring full pass-through of rebates. Supporters, including independent pharmacists and health advocates, said PBM practices are driving up drug costs and closing neighborhood pharmacies. Opponents from PBM and health plan groups argued the bill overlaps with recently enacted licensing and reporting requirements, would not lower consumer prices, and may be preempted by ERISA. Members discussed confidentiality issues, consumer savings, and the relationship between SB 41 and the new budget trailer bill; the author asked for an aye vote. The committee then took up SB 378, also by Senator Wiener, aimed at online marketplaces that advertise illegal intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products. Supporters from labor, public health, and the licensed cannabis industry said online sales are undermining regulated businesses and exposing children to unsafe products. Opponents from tech and hemp industry groups warned the bill is overbroad, could sweep in general-purpose platforms and lawful hemp wellness products, and raises Dormant Commerce Clause and First Amendment concerns. The author said he would narrow the bill, remove industrial hemp references, and address strict liability and standing issues; members largely focused on how to target illegal products without capturing lawful marketplaces. SB 243 by Senator Padilla addressed AI companion chatbots, with supporters including Common Sense Media and transparency advocates warning that these systems can be addictive, manipulative, and dangerous for minors and vulnerable users, citing studies and the death of a Florida teenager. The bill would require disclosures, anti-addiction design limits, self-harm protocols, audits, reporting, and a private right of action. Tech and business groups opposed the measure as overly broad and said its definitions could sweep in general-purpose AI tools; several members supported the goal but questioned the breadth of the definitions and the private right of action. Finally, SB 522 by Senator Wahab would extend just-cause eviction protections to rental units that were previously covered by the Tenant Protection Act but were destroyed in disasters and later rebuilt. Supporters, including Los Angeles city officials and tenant advocates, said the bill would help keep displaced renters housed after wildfires and other disasters. Apartment and realtor groups opposed it, arguing it would remove a key exemption needed to finance rebuilding and could discourage post-disaster reconstruction. Members expressed support for tenant protections in disaster areas, and the author asked for an aye vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Remove moving stickers or buttons or those expressions of where you are on a particular issue.
• When we're coming to these buttons and these expressions, I support this or that, I don't want anybody
• <00:34:31.520> of<00:34:31.760> where buttons or those expressions of where buttons
• or those expressions of where you<00:34:32.240> are<00:34:32.639> on<00:34:32.800>
• where we are and there's been expresses where we are and there's been of<00:52:37.280> course

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was the first session of a newly created House Education Funding Committee, which also handles career technical education and higher education legislation. The chair explained that the committee was split off from the larger education committee because of the high volume of bills in the prior biennium, and said its focus would be on education funding policy and related fiscal issues. He noted that the committee had already reviewed major topics with the Department of Education, including the foundation formula, building aid, career technical education, special education aid, catastrophic aid, and higher education funding, and that chancellors from the university and community college systems were scheduled to appear later that morning. The bulk of the meeting was an orientation on committee procedures and decorum. The chair reviewed attendance and replacement rules, hearing procedures, time limits for testimony, and how the committee would handle crowded hearings, early bills, and fiscal notes. He emphasized that hearings are not debates, that sponsors and co-sponsors may present but should not use their position to dominate questioning, and that the chair controls whether additional technical questions are asked of witnesses. He also stressed neutrality, saying members should not display buttons or placards or engage in running debates with testifiers, and that the committee should treat all testimony respectfully regardless of party or viewpoint. Additional housekeeping guidance covered security procedures, use of cell phones and computers during hearings, breaks and hydration in the dry hearing rooms, and courtesy toward the clerk and other staff. The chair also asked members to notify leadership in advance of absences and explained that some bills may require larger rooms or overflow arrangements. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• have chosen venues that were gun-free have chosen venues that were gun-free zones.<01:52:36.159>
• They target gun-free zones shooters.
• We heard about gun-free zones.
• That was not a gun-free zone.
• Um, the assassin of gun-free zones.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First Amendment Coalition is a California nonprofit that promotes and defends free speech, a free press
• Anyone in the committee room wishing to express opposition?
• Are there others in the committee room who wish to express opposition?
• Are there others in the committee room who wish to express opposition?
• Do we have anyone who wants to express opposition?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:54.440> no<00:02:54.640> concerns<00:02:55.239> under they have expressed
• no concerns under they have expressed no concerns under this<00:02:55.680> legislation<00:02:
• we estimate that it costs about $45,000 to raise and train each of our dogs, but we give them away free
• /c><00:04:25.520> give<00:04:25.639> them<00:04:25.800> away<00:04:26.040> free
• <00:04:26.240> of our dogs but we give them away free of our dogs but we give them away free

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• our young people right now, especially because of the way we've seen them targeted already for expressing
• their views on campus and expressing themselves on campus.
• I am a founder and licensed marriage and family therapist of Set Free Mergin Family Therapy, where I
• facilitate healing circles for survivors. and I'm also a mother. set free marriage and family therapy
• purpose. and billions of other dollars from higher education institutions, with the express purpose

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills, with most of the discussion centered on student privacy, faculty health coverage, Native student data collection, mental health training for coaches, and human trafficking prevention education. AB 1159, the California Learner Personal Information Protection Act, would expand student data privacy protections to higher education, clarify existing ed-tech rules, and add limited enforcement. The author and supporters said current law is outdated and does not adequately protect sensitive student information, while some college-related stakeholders raised definitional concerns about preserving routine student communications and access to course materials. The bill was approved on a due-pass motion to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection Committee and placed on call. AB 1171 would keep unspent funds in the part-time community college faculty health insurance program from being swept for other uses and would require all community college districts to begin negotiating participation by 2030. The author and supporters argued that part-time faculty often lack employer-sponsored coverage despite teaching most community college courses, while opponents said the bill was premature because participation is still growing and the program’s full-year spending data is not yet known. Members debated whether the Legislature should preserve the funding in statute or continue handling it through the budget process. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. AB 1581 would require collection of tribal affiliation data for Native American and Alaska Native students in CalPADS to address severe undercounting and improve resource allocation. The author and tribal and education supporters said Native students are often misclassified, making it harder to provide culturally responsive programs and measure outcomes; committee members discussed how the reporting would work for multitribal and multiracial students and emphasized the need for tribal consultation and workable data definitions. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. AB 1665, requiring mental health training for school coaches, was supported as a way to help trusted adults recognize warning signs and connect student athletes to services; it also passed to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. AB 1766, which would expand human trafficking prevention education from kindergarten through 12th grade and address online grooming and exploitation, received strong support from the author, survivors, and advocacy groups, with testimony emphasizing earlier prevention and digital safety; the transcript ended during support testimony and did not include final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I also just wanted to express disappointment that we weren't able to get to agreement on the
• <00:31:25.200> disappointment just wanted to express disappointment just wanted to express
• Um, and I just want to express my appreciation for those ongoing conversations.
• So, feel free to give them out to your veterans that you meet with. Um, and let's see.
• So, feel free to give them run short.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the agency has expressed concerns that centers that receive only one or two scholarships through
• Their free and open technical framework supports content creditionally, credentials, metadatabases attached
• Fishing because when you have so many things going on, you cannot really, you know, express the concerns
• This bill is not about giving away any acreage free of charge.
• One of the expressions that was raised was, why are we going to have one individual with so much power

Bills: HB74, HB175

Keywords: environmental project, public money, political subdivision, greenhouse gas emissions, federal law compliance, renewable energy, water conservation, retroactive child support, child conception, paternity, family law, health care expenses

Transcript Highlights:

• It's decked out as an educational bus, so there's a lot the free market can come up with in different
• Tinker versus Des Moines Independent School District, which said that students do have the right to free
• expression in schools.
• Expression in schools, but if a teacher is therefore asked to take down student artwork depicting their
• I'm the executive director for Eagle Forum of Alabama, and I'm here today to express our support for

Bills: SB211, HB96, SB215, SB257, SB13, SB13

Keywords: school safety, local law enforcement, superintendent, complaints, school bus regulations, National Signing Day, athletic scholarships, military enlistment, postsecondary education, apprenticeship programs, high school students, educational commitments, education intervention, State Superintendent, local boards, provisional release, subpoena authority, compliance, educational operation control, fundraising

Transcript Highlights:

• Misa III and expressing our gratitude and commitment to serving the state of Missouri.
• Senator Eckhardt, if you could make these very brief, you will have time to express your concerns on
• Feel free to call me. Thank you very much. I really appreciate it. Thank you.
• Other board members have expressed the same, that we really want to work with our. local providers and
• Thiry, you're free to go. Thank you, members, for your testimony today.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Homeline's primary program is a free tenant hotline advising renters about their rights and responsibilities
• I'm here to express our association's general support of the objectives of House File 2474.
• We're here to express our support for many of the provisions in House File 2073.
• 30 days would add a lot of delay in us actually moving forward with getting those judges who have expressed
• If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Thank you for your testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:53.960> from Staters have the right to be free from Staters have the right to be free
• Public Policy New Hampshire's free Public Policy New Hampshire's free market<00:21:46.840> Think
• Just opine, so free association."
• opinion on that just opine so free opinion on that just opine so free association<00:29:55.640><
• association yeah this and this is free association yeah this and this is free association<00:29:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I�m here to express Texoga�s strong support for bill 3159.
• And as a stakeholder, have you been working with Chair Myers's office to express those concerns?
• And by you saying, all right, free pass.
• On behalf of COST, I'm here to express our support.
• Some of their work items tax free I think would be a good thing to do.

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:

• We're free. Sometimes in government, there's snags. Members, Mr. President, thank you.
• So when we give back a thousand dollars a year, tax free... $454 on this bill. Right, total.
• If you want to ask questions, feel free. Okay. I thought we debate on the Senate floor.
• "Because you're free to bring a constitutional challenge under Section 301.02." "Yeah.
• We recognize that we can respect people's feelings and their desires to express themselves.

Bills: SJR85, SCR29, SCR38, SCR42, SB23, SB39, SB209, SB227, SB240, SB330, SB527, SB584, SB618, SB619, SB636, SB663, SB715, SB732, SB758, SB801, SB825, SB826, SB843, SB844, SB847, SB870, SB884, SB912, SB957, SB1013, SB1020, SB1065, SB1143, SB1152, SB1164, SB1183, SB1257, SB1299, SB1325, SB1349, SB1413, SB1455, SB1539, SB1558, SB1574, SB1583, SB1624, SB1642, SB1643, SB1667, SB1717, SB1718, SB1727, SB1734, SB1756, SB1757, SB1784, SB1789, SB1832, SB1868, SB1870, SB1883, SB1896, SB1920, SB1924, SB1963, SB2010, SB2018, SB2024, SB2037, SB2052, SB2073, SB2111, SB2161, SB2196, SB2207, SB2253, SB2268, SB2322, SB2323, SB2332, SB2349, SB2371, SB2533, SB2570, SB2601, SB2626, SB2692, SB2705, SB2717, SB2774, SB2788, SB2877, SB2920, SB2, SB260, SB1786, SB1, HJR4, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR85, SJR84, SCR12, SCR39, SCR38, SCR42, SCR29, SCR4, SCR18, SCR43, SCR46, SB2023, SB825, SB2010, SB1870, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1539, SB1505, SB583, SB957, SB1502, SB507, SB1026, SB1349, SB1433, SB1434, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB619, SB1122, SB732, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB618, SB393, SB1791, SB826, SB1257, SB870, SB529, SB209, SB1883, SB2024, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB1860, SB2037, SB1924, SB2253, SB2018, SB2206, SB1963, SB1643, SB1299, SB841, SB668, SB584, SB1085, SB2431, SB1490, SB1868, SB2314, SB434, SB2046, SB1667, SB1727, SB2127, SB1975, SB1760, SB1734, SB1335, SB2246, SB2439, SB1624, SB1244, SB1468, SB2717, SB1612, SB1262, SB604, SB2395, SB1832, SB1745, SB1746, SB2207, SB1784, SB1524, SB528, SB437, SB269, SB1137, SB968, SB636, SB747, SB1325, SB1789, SB1455, SB2056, SB1940, SB2052, SB1579, SB2068, SB3034, SB844, SB1920, SB1558, SB1236, SB1044, SB884, SB463, SB227, SB240, SB517, SB1200, SB1410, SB1626, SB1845, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB1717, SB2141, SB2323, SB2200, SB2332, SB2199, SB1642, SB1757, SB2050, SB1138, SB2626, SB2458, SB1864, SB2201, SB1862, SB1583, SB1055, SB2660, SB1898, SB2662, SB2161, SB2964, SB2881, SB1065, SB801, SB2743, SB2533, SB1413, SB2073, SB3014, SB3013, SB2774, SB2702, SB2629, SB2443, SB2349, SB2167, SB2145, SB2121, SB758, SB648, SB647, SB512, SB438, SB1721, SB2268, SB1495, SB2705, SB2366, SB1422, SB1369, SB1013, SB682, SB2692, SB2570, SB2797, SB2111, SB1896, SB1164, SB1020, SB663, SB2371, SB1152, SB2196, SB2383, SB2581, SB2798, SB330, SB646, SB843, SB1998, SB1418, SB2788, SB1169, SB2873, SB1754, SB1534, SB1718, SB2779, SB2004, SB1143, SB1756, SB912, SB2119, SB2032, SB527, SB1580, SB1952, SB2601, SB2322, SB2448, SB1777, SB1283, SB407, SB2392, SB2076, SB2786, SB3031, SB2877, SB2876, SB2284, SB2225, SB1540, SB2920, SB2929, SB1395, SB1972, SB2540, SB1183, SB2742, SB2595, SB2217, SB2117, SB715, SB2330, SB1964, SB1383, SB500, SB1640, SB39, SB2001, SB2080, SB2722, SB506, SB2514, SB2623, SB2658, SB1574, SB2900, SB23, SB2753, SB2398, SB401, SB1241, SB2927, SB2173, SB2538, SB898, SB467, SB1449, SB2529, SB1531, SB2846, SB2476, SB2031, SB986, SB1181, SB2075, SB2154, SB2864, HB135, HB1109, SCR48, SB31, SB2880, SB1359, SB2386, SB771, SB2844, SB2550, SB1351, SB1423, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB2351, SB410, SB659, SB816, SB2776, SB2693, SB2580, SB1980, SB1886, SB1234, SB739, SB482, SB456, SB127, SB1666

Keywords: Texas constitutional amendment, property tax relief, school district taxes, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, residence homestead, elderly homeowners, senior citizens, disabled homeowners, age 65 or older, school finance, tax exemption increase, local school taxes, property tax exemption, homestead tax relief, voter approval, school district revenue, tax rollback, disabled persons exemption, El Paso

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, an invocation by Rabbi Kelly Levy, a gubernatorial message naming appointees to the Red River and Nueces River Authority boards, and several ceremonial recognitions, including Texas Woman’s University athletes, the Doctor of the Day, Balch Springs Day, St. Mary’s University, Austin Oaks Church’s centennial, and a memorial resolution for Marie Flickinger, which was adopted after remarks from members and a moment of silence. The chamber then moved to the calendar and took up a series of bills and resolutions. Several measures dealing with water and taxes were passed: Committee Substitute for SB 1413 on procedures for amending or revoking certificates of public convenience and necessity for certain water utilities; SB 1583 on groundwater conservation district management plans, amended by Blanco; SB 23 and SJR 85 to increase the school district homestead exemption for elderly and disabled homeowners, both passing with one nay; SB 2774 to classify industrial uniform and linen rental businesses as retail trade for franchise tax purposes; and SCR 29 designating El Paso as the official boot capital of Texas for 10 years. Members also adopted SCR 49 recognizing Austin Oaks Church’s 100th anniversary and SR 424 recognizing Balch Springs Day. The Senate also advanced a package of insurance and regulatory bills. Committee Substitute for SB 1643 would require prior approval from the Texas Department of Insurance for certain property and casualty rate changes over 10%, and Committee Substitute for SB 1642 would restructure TDI from a single commissioner to a three-commissioner model; both passed after debate about rising insurance costs, inflation, labor, reinsurance, and litigation. Committee Substitute for SB 1883, on land use assumptions, capital improvement plans, and impact fees, passed after discussion of transparency and local development costs. SB 826, enhancing penalties for DWI in an active school zone, passed with strong support. Two other controversial measures were also advanced: Committee Substitute for SB 1257, requiring health plan coverage for complications, reversals, and related care tied to gender transition procedures, passed to engrossment but was held there after a 20-11 vote; and Committee Substitute for SB 2024, banning disguised vape pens and, by amendment, hemp vape pens and other intoxicating-substance vape pens, passed. The final item shown was Committee Substitute for SB 240, the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, which was laid out by Senator Middleton and described as restricting access to sex-specific private spaces in public facilities based on biological sex, with civil penalties for violations; the transcript cuts off during the presentation of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We secured free full-day kindergarten and launched Universal Preschool.
• We secured free We didn't stop there.
• <01:15:00.719> Protections are free for every student.
• Protections are free for every student.
• You are free to go. We will see you again tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened for the opening of the second regular session of the 75th General Assembly of the State of Colorado with ceremonial music, the presentation of colors by the Civil Air Patrol, the national anthem, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber then handled organizational business, including appointing Vanessa Riley as chief clerk temporarily, establishing a quorum, and reading notices of resignations and vacancy appointments. The Committee on Credentials was appointed, met, and reported that Lori Goldstein and Kenny Van Wyn were properly appointed to fill vacancies in House Districts 29 and 33; the House adopted the report and both representatives-elect were sworn in. Afterward, the House appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was organized and ready for business, and later received those committees’ reports back in chamber. The House also received and read the full list of committee of reference and Joint Budget Committee assignments for the session. These included standing committees such as Appropriations, Education, Finance, Judiciary, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Housing, and Local Government, among others, along with the Joint Budget Committee membership. No substantive bills were debated or voted on in this transcript beyond the organizational motions and adoption of the credentials report. The remainder of the meeting consisted of opening-day remarks from House leadership. The Speaker and other members welcomed new and returning legislators, thanked staff and veterans, and noted recent losses and a moment of silence for those who had passed. The Speaker’s address focused on political violence, the state’s fiscal challenges, affordability, health care, housing, education, public lands, civil rights, and the need to lower costs while protecting prior policy gains. The session was framed as one in which the House would work on budget pressures, affordability, and continued investments in schools, health care, housing, and environmental protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would hesitate to say that it would be free, but I do think that we already have access to expertise
• , but I do say that it would be free, but I do think<01:05:31.680> that<01:05:32.000> we
• <01:20:02.640> about<01:20:02.960> the The unease that you are expressing about the
• I I think<01:22:31.199> I<01:22:31.440> was<01:22:31.600> expressing<01:22:32.000
• think I was expressing that this would get<01:22:33.199> us<01:22:33.440> towards<01:22

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:04:16.680> sure condo buildings stayed loss free sure condo buildings stayed loss free
• But after awarding the RFP to Aon, we have been in communication with them and have expressed to them
• <01:15:59.040> the contact with Aon and we've expressed the contact with Aon and we've expressed
• expressed expressed the<01:16:30.639> expressed<01:16:31.040> to<01:16:31.159> them
• So we will express that, and be happy to respond with as much detail as we can provide.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What makes Como truly unique is that it remains completely free.
• What makes Como truly unique is that it remains completely free.
• Sean Kershaw, who expressed to Paul, Mr.
• <01:07:21.240> We has expressed and we deserve that.
• We has expressed and we deserve that.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> boy<00:10:21.600> sandwiches<00:10:22.160> and<00:10:22.280> a offered free
• Then there's the upcoming I-90 party that openly distributes free alcohol to members, lobbyists, and
• Um, you did mention Sweeney's Saloon and the free lunch offer and the beers that people were drinking
• Um, but I want to address what you just said, implying that I was expressing my singular attitude as
• <00:31:22.560> my uh implying that I was expressing my uh implying that I was expressing my

Keywords: 1183, house