Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members, House Bill 999 simply clarifies and strengthens Louisiana's compulsory motor vehicle
• Chairman, members, House Bill 999 simply clarifies and strengthens Louisiana's compulsory motor vehicle
• This is House Bill 685, motor vehicles and rolling stock. Tell us about it. Yes, sir.
• This is the procurement of public motor vehicles and rolling stock.
• But we talked to the Motor Vehicles Association, the new Motor Vehicles Association, and they understood

Bills: HB345 , HB503 , HB511 , HB590 , HB655 , HB685 , HB692 , HB707 , HB715 , HB748 , HB776 , HB856 , HB860 , HB868 , HB887 , HB888 , HB896 , HB999 , HB1000 , HB1086 , HB1233

Committee: Senate Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation and Public Works met with five members present and approved the April 29, 2026 minutes. The committee then heard and reported a series of bills, including HB 1233, which lowers the contract threshold for hospital service districts using the Seymours program; HB 715, requiring aerial applicators operating from public airports to have transponders and radios and removing proposed ADS-B fee restrictions in favor of separate legislation; and HB 999, allowing impoundment of uninsured out-of-state vehicles. It also advanced HB 692 to let parishes and municipalities use group purchasing organizations, with an added sole-source procurement amendment for certain repairs and parts, and HB 511 to create a pursuit-intervention technology grant program, using a technical amendment to establish the fund structure. The committee also reported HB 590, creating a program to help law enforcement identify drivers with autism or other mental/physical disabilities through special envelopes and related notice technology; HB 503, a local bill cleaning up golf cart and utility terrain vehicle definitions in Golden Meadow; HB 655, authorizing DOTD cost-plus contracts for state-owned ferries; HB 748, clarifying that school board-owned or leased vehicles are exempt from tolls; HB 860, allowing fillable electronic bids; HB 896, addressing tolling rules and fees in Plaquemines Parish and requiring a nearby customer service center; and HB 1000, a cleanup bill on highway priority program reporting and local district contract limits. Later, the committee reported HB 887, which establishes a more consistent scoring and ranking framework for certain procurement processes, and HB 888, a cleanup bill on temporary tags and temporary license plates with added anti-counterfeiting and safety features. HB 1086, a major overhaul moving Louisiana toward a fully electronic vehicle title and lien system, was amended but voluntarily held for a week so members could review the extensive new language. The committee also reported HB 776, expanding port priority funding to larger projects and allowing flexibility in annual amounts, HB 707, shifting LPG commission promotional work to Agriculture and Forestry, HB 868, requiring safety chains or other manufacturer-specified safety equipment on farm trailers, HB 856, authorizing indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting for DOTD maintenance and construction work, HB 345, adding rail infrastructure at ports to the rail improvement program, and HB 685, allowing transit agencies to use FAST Act cooperative procurement for buses and other rolling stock. At the end, the committee corrected its action on HB 856 by reconsidering and withdrawing the technical amendment set 2332 for later floor work, while leaving the bill reported with the department’s substantive amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• So modified RNA is when you, in a lab, genetically change the genetic code.
• In a lab, genetically change the genetic code.
• You’re actually—there are four nucleotides that are used in coding for DNA and RNA.
• And it was substituted for all the uracil in the code.
• A family code has 20. protecting families from needless destructions at the hands of the state.

Bills: HB18 , HB37 , HB116 , HB18 , HB37 , HB 116 , HB388 , HB879 , HB913 , HB 1151 , HB2216 , HB2358 , HB2809 , SB577 , SB1590 , SB1782 , SB1887 , SB2744

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Summary: The committee first reopened testimony on House Bill 2216, which would strengthen child welfare requirements by expanding “active efforts” to help families avoid removal and support reunification, while also raising standards related to removals and terminations. Supporters from child welfare and family defense groups said the bill would better protect families and align Texas more closely with ICWA-style principles, but several warned it would require significant new funding, staffing, and community services such as mental health care, housing, child care, and substance use treatment. The committee then left HB 2216 pending. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1782, aimed at boarding and group homes. Senator Miles said the bill closes enforcement gaps left by prior law by requiring retention of background-check records and creating misdemeanor penalties for failing to conduct or keep them, or for knowingly hiring people with serious convictions. Harris County sheriff’s investigators testified in support, describing illegal boarding homes, operators who evade permits and background checks, and exploitation of vulnerable residents; the bill was left pending. The committee also took up Senate Bill 481 on emergency preparedness for nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, adopted a new committee substitute that softened some requirements and removed the fiscal note, and left the bill pending. The committee then heard House Bill 388, which would require the Texas Department of Insurance to create a single standardized coordination-of-benefits form for dual health plans to reduce errors and surprise bills; it was left pending. Senate Bill 1590 would move paternity registry searches for adoptions to an electronic process with a 10-day target, and House Bill 2809 would track child suicide attempts in managing conservatorship and require related reporting and parental notice; both were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1887, which would prohibit administering mRNA-containing products for immunization for 10 years, with exceptions for cancer and genetic disorders. Supporters argued the bill was needed for safety, informed consent, and medical freedom, while opponents from the medical, research, and public health communities said mRNA vaccines are well-studied, save lives, and that the bill would harm access, research, and Texas’s biotech economy. The bill remained under discussion as testimony concluded.

Bills: HB6 , HB27 , HB 123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222 , HB610 , HB 1085 , HB1481 , HB6 , HB27 , HB123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have that section of the code in front of me. I will go look at that.
• After a hearing for the student yes, I would be required it under education code.
• Texas Education Code 38.351 is positive behavioral intervention.
• There's a vehicle on the road.
• So the teacher points to the picture of the vehicle and says, what might that? be?"

Bills: HB6 , HB27 , HB 123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222 , HB610 , HB 1085 , HB1481 , HB6 , HB27 , HB123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• vehicle has dramatically in a motor vehicle has dramatically increased<00:38:39.839><c> in</c><00:38
• Fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle is already illegal.
• </c><00:43:48.119><c> in</c> motor vehicle we've done this in motor vehicle we've done this in Minnesota
• There is no consequence to fleeing when fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle is the lowest level
• There is no consequence to fleeing when fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle is the lowest level

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sorry, can it says this bill would make all motor vehicle license... ...would make all motor vehicle
• bill is where volunteer fire departments and rescue squads are exempted from the state procurement code
• targets they picked to bring about changes for nonprofits in Alabama, in order to bring us more up to code
• And so, I believe... ...to bring us more up to code, and so I believe that's what this bill is doing.

Bills: SB197 , HB140 , SB214 , HB214 , HB147 , HB270 , SB73

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Keywords: food trucks, mobile vendors, health inspection, fire safety, state law, regulation, food service, business license, subdivision, transfer of land, immediate family, exemption period, county regulations, Sweet Home Alabama Tourism Investment Act, tourism rebate, tax rebate, sales tax rebate, lodging tax rebate, transactional taxes, tourism development

Transcript Highlights:

• vehicle and authorizes motor vehicle registrations and renewals to be recorded and verified electronically
• Does the Department of Highway Motor Vehicle Safety have a way to check the electronic proof?
• We worked with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to draft this bill, which removes
• What is required is that a notation is made in either the Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle record or
• So that data is out there, and we're requiring the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with HB 4087, which authorizes the Highlands County Hospital District to evaluate options to sell, lease, or manage its hospital. An amendment adding fair market value as a consideration was adopted, and the bill then passed unanimously. HB 841, which eliminates the requirement for validation stickers on license plates and moves registration verification to electronic systems, also passed after questions about law enforcement procedures, pretextual stops, and consumer savings; a technical amendment was adopted first. HB 593, dealing with campaign fundraising while on official time, lobbying rules for water management districts, agency secretary travel reimbursement, and settlement conditions involving third parties, passed without opposition. CS for HB 1019, the PFAS-related bill phasing out aqueous film-forming foam and requiring testing of treated effluent and biosolids, passed after an amendment limiting local utility liability until EPA standards are set; speakers emphasized firefighter and water-quality concerns. Several local and administrative measures also advanced. HB 4089 conveyed the Trenton Train Depot to the City of Trenton, HB 6011 updated ethics disclosure procedures for Form 10 filings, and PCS for HB 1051 created a recall process for community development district board members while also addressing synthetic turf deed restrictions and landowner-control timelines. HB 1031 established a pilot callback system for state agency customer service lines, and CS for HB 961 removed a burdensome electronic signature requirement for salvaged titles. HB 1421, which requires land managers to consider cattle grazing on conservation lands, drew substantial debate over state parks, water quality, and land management; an amendment added ecological guardrails and the bill passed 20-3. CS for HB 253 expanded eligibility for the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program and passed unanimously, while HB 4039 required Broward County to study and hold a hearing before enlarging the Monarch Hill landfill landmark and passed despite opposition from the waste industry. CS for HB 755 eased Habitat for Humanity bond requirements in the Florida Keys and extended the Florida Keys Stewardship Act, and HB 1035 promoted nature-based coastal resiliency projects and permitting; both passed unanimously. The committee then considered major foreign influence and election integrity measures. CS for CS for HB 905, the FIRE Act, was substantially revised by strike-all to expand registration and disclosure requirements for foreign agents and foreign-supported political organizations, restrict gifts and contracts tied to foreign countries of concern, terminate sister city agreements with such countries, and strengthen penalties for transnational repression; members debated the treatment of Qatar, linkage institutes, and the broader impact on international students, and the bill passed 24-1. Finally, CS for HB 991 proposed sweeping election changes, including citizenship verification at registration, a citizenship oath, new voter ID rules, paper ballots except for disability accommodations, candidate party-affiliation timing rules, stronger foreign-money restrictions, and other enforcement provisions. Members raised extensive concerns about document submission, data retention, student IDs, seniors, disability access, and the burden of proof for citizenship, and the committee was still in the middle of that discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our revenues collected from the registration entitling of motor vehicles, issuance of driver's licenses
• Motor vehicle services again, same thing here are tax collectors. I deliver these services for us.
• One thing I wanted to touch on here is the uninsured Motor Motors vehicle rate here.
• Like we are with a motor vehicle businesses. We will be out of the retail business.
• You will be some transactions through that some renewals, maybe renew your motor vehicle.

Transcript Highlights:

• motor vehicle sales tax, sales tax and motor vehicle sales tax, and<00:04:05.200><c> the</c><00:04:05.280
• </c><00:04:22.000><c> And</c> sales and motor vehicle sales taxes.
• And sales and motor vehicle sales taxes.
• </c> tax code. tax code.
• But the individual sales and motor vehicle taxes is where the big increase was, over a 20% increase in

Bills: HF1669 , HF4709 , HF3531 , HF4048

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, electricity generation, property tax exemption, renewable energy, incentives, economic development, fuel delivery, tax exemption, retail transactions, diesel exhaust fluid, fuel lubricants, healthcare tax, gross receipts tax, hospitals, chiropractors, healthcare providers

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Representative Skraba, we are doing this to reduce emissions from motor vehicles, as I mentioned
• vehicles, what are the greenhouse gases that are coming from motor vehicles. mentioned in in my testimony
• Motor mentioned in in my testimony Motor Vehicles<00:34:47.159><c> are</c><00:34:47.440><c> significant
• > the</c> coming from Motor Vehicles what are the coming from Motor Vehicles what are the greenhouse<
• 50.560><c> any</c> Motor Vehicles representative scraba any Motor Vehicles representative scraba any

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 227 by Representative Ventrella is an act to amend the Code of Civil Procedure and the Code
• vehicles.
• vehicles.
• And then also, if there's a couple that has a child in the household, they can get a second motor vehicle
• And then also, if there's a couple that has a child in the household, they can get a second motor vehicle

Bills: SB524 , SR108 , SR109 , SCR56 , SCR57 , SCR12 , HB227 , HB398 , HB689 , HB897 , HB1029 , HB1107 , HB1217 , HB221 , HCR58 , HB136 , SB162 , SB382 , SCR33 , SCR30 , SB112 , SB194 , SB307 , SB341 , SB346 , SB363 , SB495 , SB503 , SB507 , SB509 , SB513 , SB408 , SB131 , SB145 , SB333 , SB464 , SB466 , SB500 , SB283 , SB338 , SB488 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB228 , SB246 , SB249 , SB268 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB312 , SB319 , SB323 , SB369 , SB431 , SB474 , SB484 , SB490 , SB492 , SB501 , HCR14 , HB537 , HB652 , HB653 , HB661 , HB726 , HB756 , HB851 , HB964 , HB966 , HB34 , HB35 , HB48 , HB474 , HB553 , HB758 , HB852 , HB10 , HB16 , HB36 , HB44 , HB46 , HB52 , HB61 , HB78 , HB98 , HB102 , HB124 , HB126 , HB131 , HB135 , HB141 , HB142 , HB164 , HB170 , HB171 , HB179 , HB194 , HB231 , HB245 , HB280 , HB292 , HB294 , HB297 , HB305 , HB336 , HB337 , HB351 , HB436 , HB594 , HB789 , HB956 , HB957 , HB995 , HB1040 , HB50 , HB117 , HB120 , HB122 , HB139 , HB148 , HB149 , HB185 , HB199 , HB247 , HB271 , HB286 , HB301 , HB358 , HB359 , HB384 , HB413 , HB428 , HB450 , HB462 , HB547 , HB613 , HB631 , HB657 , HB669 , HB675 , HB680 , HB691 , HB712 , HB716 , HB720 , HB723 , HB727 , HB728 , HB735 , HB747 , HB759 , HB825 , HB842 , HB845 , HB846 , HB903 , HB904 , HB907 , HB923 , HB929 , HB941 , HB962 , HB965 , HB1036 , HB287 , HB370 , HB515 , HB521 , HB570 , HB1200 , HB29 , HB39 , HB58 , HB67 , HB73 , HB76 , HB77 , HB82 , HB112 , HB121 , HB125 , HB132 , HB134 , HB151 , HB154 , HB155 , HB161 , HB166 , HB187 , HB191 , HB207 , HB211 , HB224 , HB238 , HB241 , HB242 , HB250 , HB260 , HB265 , HB275 , HB300 , HB320 , HB338 , HB339 , HB349 , HB379 , HB399 , HB427 , HB463 , HB464 , HB468 , HB545 , HB550 , HB551 , HB565 , HB588 , HB639 , HB725 , HB782 , HB805 , HB808 , HB834 , HB847 , HB853 , HB858 , HB861 , HB883 , HB916 , HB937 , HB977 , HB1012 , HB1027 , HB1044 , HB1054 , HB1071 , HB1091 , HB1117 , HB119 , HB129 , HB677 , HB850 , SB68 , SB149

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, a guest minister prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a St. Charles Parish presentation featuring a youth national anthem singer. The chamber then moved through a large number of House and Senate messages, committee reports, and introductions, including measures on career and technical education, flood risk maps, public-private partnership contracting, arts day, and a task force on work-based learning. Several resolutions were adopted, including SCR 56 honoring the YMCA and SCR 57 honoring Jonathan Nicole, both by unanimous votes. A House concurrent resolution supporting elimination of the U.S. Department of Education also passed 26-9. On Senate bills, the chamber gave final passage to SB 112 on voluntary release time for K-12 religious instruction with a criminal background check amendment, SB 194 on public assistance and citizenship verification, SB 307 on public displays of historical/religious documents, SB 341 expanding church and nonprofit religious self-insurance coverage, SB 346 prohibiting deepfake materials used against students, SB 495 on campaign finance reporting and unitemized contributions, SB 503 on age assurance for minors using mobile apps, SB 507 creating a statewide process for determining non-enrollment, SB 509 on bank-owned life insurance, SB 131 limiting attorney fee recovery in occupational licensing disciplinary cases, SB 145 requiring backup power for adult residential care providers, SB 333 on child-in-need-of-care proceedings and federal reimbursement, SB 464 on severe obesity treatment coverage, SB 466 on expropriation and foreign adversaries, SB 488 on a school safety drone response pilot program, SB 312 on union dues and withholding procedures, and SB 319 on voter identification and provisional ballot procedures. Most passed with little or no opposition, though SB 194, SB 307, SB 503, SB 131, SB 333, and SB 319 drew some dissenting votes. The chamber also passed multiple House bills, including HB 1071 on public records exceptions for aerospace critical infrastructure, HB 537 repealing the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, HB 652 and HB 653 adjusting Oyster Task Force membership, HB 661 narrowing nepotism restrictions for certain school board hires with an amendment, HB 756 aligning watercraft enforcement with Coast Guard standards, HB 851 banning intentional balloon releases, HB 964 authorizing a Caddo Parish property transfer, and HB 34 and HB 35 on sheriff pension fund eligibility and contribution rules. Several items were returned to the calendar or referred to committees. A major discussion centered on SB 484, which would restructure parts of higher education governance and transfer certain Board of Regents functions; it drew extensive questioning and amendments, including a new Lumcon board structure and financial reporting requirements, but was returned to the calendar for further work rather than final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lindsay Moore, Director of Code Enforcement, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing.
• All right, members, moving to 13, Department of Labor and Licensing, Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission
• Morning, Daniel Pace, Director of the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission. Glad you're here.
• Members, 13A is a very minor exception that's been added to the authority of the Motor Vehicle Commission
• Lindsay Moore, Director of Code Enforcement, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a large slate of agency rules and reports. Early agenda items included filing reports from ALC subcommittees and approving quarterly administrative directives, with no new directives from Corrections or the Post-Prison Transfer Board. The committee also noted that RDOT utility accommodations rules and one solid waste district rule had been pulled at the agencies’ request. Most agency rules were reviewed and approved without objection, including rules from the Department of Transportation on oversized/overweight vehicle permits and automatic license plate readers, the Insurance Department on vision plan coverage, the Department of Education on course choice, restroom access for athletic personnel, and school district consolidation/detachment, and several Department of Health and DHS rules covering controlled substances, acupuncture, physician assistant delegation, personal care, Medicaid eligibility, continuous glucose monitors, maternal health services, PACE, EVV, substance use disorder treatment, and hospital reimbursement. The committee also approved rules from Labor and Licensing, Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Shared Administrative Services, the 529 Plan Review Committee, and the Treasurer’s Office, and it voted to continue the Office of Early Childhood’s rules and to accept outstanding rulemaking responses from several agencies. Two items drew notable discussion. The committee held the DHS hospital reimbursement rule for further review after concerns were raised about whether acute hospitals, especially Children’s Hospital, could legally and economically provide the newly reimbursable lower level of care; the committee first voted to hold it, then expunged that vote and instead held the item until the next day’s full ALC meeting for further discussion. The committee also denied the Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board rule after a motion that it did not match legislative intent, with concerns focused on proof of insurance and vague language about future financial responsibility. All other reviewed rules were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington, private passenger motor vehicle insurance, use of programs that measure the operation of
• Um, this bill establishes various prohibitions that apply to private passenger motor vehicle insurers
• Um, this bill establishes various prohibitions that apply to private passenger motor vehicle insurers
• </c><01:33:05.600><c> vehicles</c> allows a franchisee of uh motor vehicles allows a franchisee of uh
• </c><01:35:47.040><c> Vehicle</c> be administered by the Motor Vehicle be administered by the Motor Vehicle

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, journalized the prayer, and recognized Read Across America Day with a special resolution congratulating the Maryland State Education Association on the program’s 28th anniversary. Senators also welcomed several guests and student groups, including Eleanor Roosevelt High School students, Maryland Federation of Republican Women members for Red Scarf Day, medical shadows from Johns Hopkins, a student page prospect, and a group from Matthew Henson Elementary School. The chamber then took up multiple Finance Committee consent calendars and individual local alcohol-related bills, all of which were reported favorably, adopted without objection, and ordered printed for third reading. Measures included changes to alcohol license fee refunds for uniformed service members, Anne Arundel County license classifications and compensation for liquor board officials, a Baltimore City racetrack license extension, a Cecil County license quota change, and new or expanded licenses for golf courses, sports venues, and barber shop/beauty salon establishments. The Senate also advanced bills on social work licensing, a rural readiness economic development program, a Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission extension, peer-to-peer car sharing insurance rules, telematics-based auto insurance disclosures and appeals, and veteran status notation on public profiles. Several bills were amended before being advanced, generally with technical or clarifying changes and no recorded opposition. Senate Bill 18 would create a provisional social work license; Senate Bill 351 would regulate insurer use of vehicle telematics data; Senate Bill 395 would revise insurance and liability rules for peer-to-peer car sharing; and Senate Bill 197 would alter comprehensive plan elements in land use law. Senate Bill 439, protecting fire and rescue public safety employees from adverse action based on medical cannabis certification, also moved forward without amendment. One measure, Senate Bill 69, which would make permanent the nonprofit navigator position in the Department of Commerce, was discussed at length after a member raised concerns about oversight of nonprofit grant funding. On request, the bill was special ordered to the next day for further consideration. All other bills discussed in the transcript were advanced to third reading by unanimous or near-unanimous voice action, with no recorded roll-call votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next is the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at $698 million.
• Up next, we've got Executive Director Dave Kerner with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
• Executive Director Dave Kerner, with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Mr.
• As we all know, the Florida Highway Patrol is a very motor vehicle-centric agency.
• or just outside their vehicle.

Bills: S0048

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard presentations on the Governor’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and then considered one bill, CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, with transportation and economic development receiving about $18 billion statewide and $601 million in general revenue. Agency heads then presented priorities for Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, State, Transportation, Emergency Management, and the Florida State Guard, emphasizing workforce development, housing, tourism marketing, aviation and space infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, emergency preparedness, and military readiness. In the Commerce presentation, Secretary Kelly highlighted funding for housing programs, the Hometown Heroes program, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, rural infrastructure and workforce grants, Reconnect and Florida WINS systems, law enforcement and firefighter recruitment bonuses, defense support, Visit Florida, Space Florida, and SelectFlorida. Senators asked about Visit Florida’s private match requirements and whether the agency fully leveraged prior appropriations; Visit Florida’s CEO said the match was met and exceeded, though it is difficult but important. The Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles presentation focused on trooper pay, pursuit vehicles, aviation assets, and enterprise data systems, with questions about immigration enforcement and body cameras. Military Affairs requested funding for readiness centers, training facilities, education and health benefits for Guardsmen, and maintenance of existing armories; members discussed Guard deployments, staffing levels, and a proposed firing range project. The Department of State requested funds for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and defended its arts grant process and rule changes. Transportation’s budget emphasized a $14.3 billion work program, road and bridge maintenance, aviation and aerospace, safety initiatives, and seaport investments, while Emergency Management requested funding for preparedness, flood mitigation, WebEOC, grants management, and alert systems; senators also asked about the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility. For CS/SB 48, Senator Gates explained that the bill would require local governments to allow property owners to voluntarily create ADUs, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs would be allowed by right without a separate hearing. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the bill, saying ADUs could help provide long-term housing for service workers. After questions about local government and HOA authority, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 48 favorably by roll call vote.

Bills: SB2041 , SB1777 , SB1681 , SB2311

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, foster care, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, Family Code, conservatorship, placement selection, contract residential care, kinship care, relative placement, designated caregiver, best interest of the child, least restrictive setting, placement stability, child protective services, residential treatment, group home, family reunification, Texas foster system, residential care

Transcript Highlights:

• A list of UPC codes that specify which products cannot be purchased with WIC.
• During that experience, I noticed a car seat in the back of his vehicle.
• Vehicle and asked if he and his wife had recently had a baby.
• Family Code and the Texas Administrative Code, period.
• You're adding to the local building codes, which are already there.

Bills: HB2510 , HB3589 , HB4611 , HB4655 , HB4665 , HB4666 , HB4670 , HB4700 , HB4730 , HB4798 , HB4838 , HB5136 , HB5243 , HB5302 , HB5539

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• There could be a life safety code component of the survey and then a health survey, and they would have
• It could also involve our code enforcement or anyone like that down the line. Thank you.
• There is a life safety code.
• It's assisted living facilities under the health and safety code.
• Then it talks about House Bill 2510, which would amend the Health and Safety Code to require a person

Bills: HB2510 , HB3589 , HB4611 , HB4655 , HB4665 , HB4666 , HB4670 , HB4700 , HB4730 , HB4798 , HB4838 , HB5136 , HB5243 , HB5302 , HB5539

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Business owners already pay sales tax on many things to include through tooling, microwaves, vehicles
• Absolutely, it will take it completely out of our tax code. so that future legislatures will not have
• OK, and which is currently now in the tax code.
• It is in the tax code. But your bill would simply. take it out of the tax code.
• HB 4430 by McQueen England to the annual study of motor vehicle collisions in the state referred the

Bills: HJR1 , HJR2 , HB9 , HB22 , HB908 , HB1392 , HB195 , HB 13 , HB143 , HB135 , HJR1 , HJR2 , HB9 , HB22 , HB908 , HB1392

Keywords: constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• the regionalization of drinking water and wastewater service throughout the chapters of the Water Code
• and promoting the development of regional wastewater systems, found within Chapter 26 of the Water Code
• And that is guided by the Commission, based on the Water Code and the Commission's rules.
• Code 13.182 that allows the commission to authorize a reduced rate structure for customers who are age
• As for a code violation, is the penalty for that across the board, or is it on a sliding scale based

Bills: HB29 , HB685 , HB1633 , HB1689 , HB1690 , HB1918 , HB2010 , HB2500 , HB2608 , HB2626 , HB29

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, language referencing Chapter 551 of the Government Code, which is the Open Meetings Act
• Additionally, language referencing Chapter 551 of the Government Code, which is the Open Meetings Act
• on appointing a receiver or those types of things under Chapter 64 of the Civil Practice Remedies Code
• It doesn't place any new regulations on the exempt well owners, and it amends the water code to protect
• So this just amends the water code to allow a district to consider the impact on these wells.

Bills: HB29 , HB685 , HB1633 , HB1689 , HB1690 , HB1918 , HB2010 , HB2500 , HB2608 , HB2626 , HB29

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty