Transcript Highlights:

• So bring your board meeting in, you know, help to bring additional business to the site.
• So if you want to communicate, that would be helpful. Yes. Okay. Thank you.
• So if you want to communicate, that would be helpful. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• That doesn't help you. I mean, you come in and have to give us estimates.
• That would be helpful. It’s noon. How about we come back at 12:45?

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• change for the better to help protect all children.
• Since then, as a family, we have vowed to help children in our area.
• He pushed his way in, and I made the mistake of helping Mr. Gonzalez.
• And so we ask you to help us close this loophole and protect these.
• So this bill I think could help with that collaboration. Okay, very good.

Bills: SB251, SB608, SB487, SB535, SB761, SB955, SB957, SB958, SB988, SB990, SB1019, SB1021, SB1120

Keywords: criminal law, magistrates, Bell County, judicial authority, legal framework, evidence collection, sexual assault kits, reporting, law enforcement, transparency, confidentiality, victim protection, stalking, indecent assault, invasive visual recording, criminal justice, privacy rights, SB 535, Texas criminal procedure, rape shield

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's help save the women of our state. I move for passage.
• Those are important and that helps our kids every single day. Ms.
• And if you want to stop that, you'll help me pass this bill today.
• Members, this is a bill that helps the Water Development Board. I move passage.
• Members, this bill helps Texas Mutual Insurance find qualified individuals for the board.

Bills: HJR138, HB42, HB 104, HB 129, HB677, HB426, HB668, HB1699, HB2017, HB2128, HB2038, HB3783, HB3717, HB2316, HB3686, HB2563, HB3883, HB4021, HB2788, HB2663, HB3305, HB3173, HB3474, HB 1105, HB3531, HB3490, HB3597, HB 1295, HB3512, HB3010, HB3112, HB4215, HB3223, HB3464, HB3120, HB4214, HB4511, HB3704, HB4081, HB4783, HB4063, HB2783, HB4937, HB5085, HB2510, HB3426, HB4361, HB 1169, HB2516, HB2347, HB4034, HB4700, HB3560, HB5150, HB3860, HB3146, HB3924, HCR98, HCR92, HB1520, HB1545, HB5265, HB1887, HB1914, HB2402, HB2306, HB2350, HB3000, HB3237, HB3326, HB3211, HB 1056, HB2081, HB2187, HB3092, HB3308, HB3526, HB3750, HB4219, HB4230, HB4290, HB5238, HB4804, HB4749, HB245, HB1465, HB294, HB793, HB809, HB3928, HB334, HB2037, HB1973, HB285, HB4341, HB 1043, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB1729, HB2498, HB1314, HB1353, HB3960, HB3923, HB2221, HB2517, HB2518, HB2213, HB5092, HB3748, HB5246, HB4344, HB1482, HB4044, HB2702, HB4264, HB2807, HB2898, HB3181, HB3250, HB2091, HB2115, HB2542, HB2768, HB3349, HB4406, HB1593, HB1899, HB3133, HB3133, HB4960, HB3214, HB2145, HB 1201, HB5061, SB29, SB879, SB65, SB1745, SB412, SB412, SB1746, SB1238, SB1341, SB522, SB1532, SB1378, SB1062, SB2066, SB1963, SB2204, SB1366, SB2077, SB1967, SB1151, HB1618, HB2156, HB2615, HB2615, HB2349, HB1926, HB569, HB1762, HB38, HJR138, HB42, HB 104, HB 104, HB 129, HB677, HB426, HB668, HB1699, HB2017, HB2128, HB2038, HB3783, HB3717, HB2316, HB3686, HB2563, HB3883, HB4021, HB2788, HB2663, HB2663, HB3305, HB3173, HB3474, HB 1105, HB3531, HB3531, HB3490, HB3490, HB3597, HB 1295, HB3512, HB3010, HB3112, HB4215, HB3223, HB3223, HB3464, HB3120, HB4214, HB4511, HB3704, HB4081, HB4783, HB4063, HB2783, HB4937, HB5085, HB2510, HB3426, HB4361, HB 1169, HB2516, HB2347, HB4034, HB4700, HB3560, HB5150, HB3860, HB3146, HB3924, HCR98, HCR92

Keywords: carbon tax, carbon emissions, greenhouse gas, climate policy, fuel tax, emissions tax, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax limitation, environmental tax, fossil fuels, energy policy, legislative taxing authority, ballot proposition, constitutional amendment, higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University

Transcript Highlights:

• So can you help me understand why this is exigent or emergency?
• So this is going to greatly impact and help public safety. It's going to help the roads.
• They say, 'Hey, why don't you help out our senior centers?'
• I'm real slow, Senator King, so I need you to help me.
• I could hire 400 to 600 new police officers to help fight crime.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Kaladaud, help me understand how this works at the operational level.
• That's very helpful.
• Teachers asked our parents to help pay for pencils, paper, textbooks, and other equipment.
• I believe this bill is more unfair than it is helpful to anyone involved.
• So a lot of times I feel like we're doing our best to help from our seats.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum present and took up several education bills. SB 1150, which would remove an unrelated exam barrier for school social workers to help districts retain them, was briefly explained and reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1514 on anaphylaxis in public schools, which would require emergency action plans and training for school personnel; amendments narrowed and clarified the bill, including applicability to K-8 schools and FDA-approved epinephrine devices. Orange County Public Schools waived in support, and CS/CS/SB 1514 was reported favorably. The committee spent the most time on SB 1708, which expands Schools of Hope and creates a co-location framework allowing high-performing charter operators to share space in underused public school facilities, with the sponsor explaining that agreements would address safety, supervision, grade levels, emergency protocols, and liability. Members raised concerns about who would be served, lottery access, accountability, and whether the bill would worsen inequities or strain public schools; many public speakers opposed the bill on similar grounds, arguing it would divert resources from already underfunded schools. The sponsor clarified that Schools of Hope recruitment is exempt from lottery, that the bill would not use classrooms already in use, and that districts would receive $600 per student plus associated funding for vacant space. Despite mixed debate, CS for SB 1708 was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS/SB 822, which updates charter school governance by limiting sponsor-imposed deadlines, preventing enrollment caps below facility capacity, improving data sharing, and allowing high-performing charter schools to assume existing charters. A charter school advocate supported the bill as a fairness and efficiency measure, while senators pressed him on claims of district “harassment” and the basis for the bill’s deadline changes. After brief debate, CS/SB 822 was reported favorably. The meeting ended with members recording votes on prior tabs and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• ITA helps to facilitate those opportunities.
• Not talking about how to help Americans find a better job.
• we all wish you were here to help us.
• You've helped them all.
• We could help more parents stay in the workforce.

Keywords: Commerce, International Trade, Tax Policy, Nominees, Inflation, Middle-class, Trade Practices, Economic Concerns

Summary: The committee convened to discuss various bills and nominees, including the critical nominations of William Kimmett for Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and Ken Keyes for Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy at the Treasury Department. Discussions highlighted the nominees' roles in managing critical trade and tax policies amidst rising economic concerns, particularly focusing on inflation and its impact on American families. Members expressed both support and skepticism, emphasizing the significance of fostering fair trade practices and ensuring tax policies that benefit the middle-class amidst claims of an agenda favoring affluent individuals and corporations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Calatayud, help me understand how this works at the operational level.
• That's very helpful. And then the aspiration is that students...
• Teachers asked our parents to help pay for pencils, paper, textbooks, and other equipment.
• I believe this bill is more unfair than it is helpful to anyone involved.
• So a lot of times I feel like we're doing our best to help from our seats.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum and took up several education bills. SB 1150, by Senator Calatayud, was presented as a measure to help school districts retain school social workers by removing an exam requirement unrelated to the profession. With no questions or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then moved to SB 1514, by Senator Smith, on anaphylaxis response in public schools. After adopting a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment clarifying FDA-approved epinephrine devices and weight-based dosing, the committee heard support from Orange County Public Schools and reported the bill favorably. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 1708, also by Senator Calatayud, which would expand Schools of Hope by broadening the definition of low-performing schools from those in the bottom 10% in both math and reading to those in the bottom 10% in either subject, and would authorize co-location of Schools of Hope in underused public school facilities. Senators questioned how co-location would work, who could enroll, how liability and contracts would be handled, and whether the bill would help the specific students most in need. Many public speakers opposed the bill, arguing it would strain already underfunded public schools, reduce space and resources, and unfairly favor charter operators. The sponsor said the bill would not reduce classroom space in use, would require contracts to address safety and liability, and would provide a net positive to districts through a $600-per-student facility payment plus associated funding. After debate from both supporters and skeptics, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered CS for SB 822, by Senator Rodriguez, which would give charter schools more autonomy over governance and operations, including deadlines, enrollment caps, student conduct policies, and data sharing. The Florida Charter School Alliance supported the bill, arguing it would create parity and reduce burdens on charter schools, while committee members pressed the witness on claims of district “harassment” and the basis for those concerns. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded votes on prior tabs, thanked staff, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's an important program to help small childcare providers expand. Um, all right. All right.
• They're looking to help community, um, nonprofits in particular, um, but others will qualify.
• So, um, helping, working with the policy partner really helps us figure out which are the projects that
• That's helpful. Excuse me, I didn't mean to interrupt.
• I mean, because that's a lot of money sitting there that can be very helpful.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also helps explain your tie choice, so, you know. Now, just teasing, just teasing. Looks good.
• We believe the bill would, by codifying and clarifying the privilege in the statute... ...would help
• I believe this will help many of our constituents have an inexpensive way when times get tough, just
• This bill and helping us fight for our Texas customers. My name is Clay Scheitzak.
• And it will help to share information between states.

Bills: HB111

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said, 'Well, let me help you because these guys are good people.
• Um, he would help me put them on. But then he had another question.
• You think you could help me take this, too?'
• But then he had help me put them on. But then he had another<00:25:56.320> question.
• think you could help me take this, too?" think you could help me take this, too?"

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sherry, can you help us out? Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Representative Weiss.
• Sherry, can you help us out? Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Representative Weiss.
• But if we can get to consensus and have a plan that's mutually agreeable, this could be very helpful
• Help improve the draft and the potential process.
• We also want to keep developing them as just, you know, helping them learn, right, in our style, helping

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have helped me with legislation. They've helped me with some of the water bills.
• They've helped me to co-host the data center.
• They have helped me with legislation. They've helped me with some of the water bills.
• So help me understand what this means.
• This bill helps improve access to care while ...This bill helps improve access to care while keeping

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 65th and 66th days, with the first journal approval passing by roll call 124-0. Members then offered several introductions recognizing interns and special guests, including a lengthy tribute to law enforcement officers who were wounded in the line of duty and the presentation of Capitol-flown flags to some of them. The chamber received committee reports from Fiscal Review recommending passage of several measures, including Senate Joint Resolution 87, Senate Bills 878 and 994, conference reports on House Bill 2818 and Senate Bill 973, and Senate Bill 1825. The House then took up House Bill 2818, a conference report dealing with annexation-related language for the St. Joseph Airport and added provisions affecting St. Charles and Jefferson counties. After debate about local control and development, the House approved the conference report 140-7 and then passed the bill 136-7. Members next considered Senate Bill 1825, which updates county salary commission schedules, removes sheriffs and prosecutors from salary commissions, and gives certain fourth-class counties additional time to transition to third-class status. After discussion about county pay, coroners, and local fiscal impacts, the House adopted the Senate substitute 109-35 and finally passed the bill 106-39. The House also approved House Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 87, the so-called constitutional sheriff resolution, after adopting a St. Louis City amendment clarifying the City of St. Louis sheriff provisions; the resolution passed 100-47. Finally, the House passed Senate Bill 878, which expands pharmacist authority for certain common ailments, emergency waivers, and behind-the-counter access to ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, with a House amendment adding blood pressure cuff and opioid-alternative language; it passed 132-13. Senate Bill 903, addressing theft and vandalism involving telecommunications and critical infrastructure, also passed 137-5. The House then announced upcoming committee meetings, noted additional bills to be considered upon return, and adjourned until May 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's always helpful to provide information about what my office doesn't need.
• And it's not actually helpful, too, to that whatsoever. And it's not red.
• That's helpful. It I'd be happy to it.
• Much better helped us.
• And so we're trying to help them with that to be able to make those better returns.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been working with the North Dakota Information Technology Department to try to help provide these
• Sherry, can you help us out? Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Representative Weiss.
• So I'm going to give you an example and help me understand what the laws are around it.
• But if we can get to consensus and have a plan that's mutually agreeable, this could be very helpful
• We also want to keep developing them, helping them learn in our style and helping them understand the

Summary: The task force approved the March 25, 2026 minutes as amended, striking language about contracting with a security vendor. Members then reviewed a draft bill on concessions procurement (LC 27.0161), which would raise the competitive solicitation threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, allow requests for proposals in addition to bids, update language for vending and merchandising machines, and clarify where concession proceeds are deposited. OMB explained the bill and said it was open to further changes, including language to address artificial fragmentation, clarify which government entities are covered, and possibly set contract-length limits. Members raised questions about whether the bill would apply to school districts, park districts, airports, and other political subdivisions, and about whether concession agreements could direct proceeds to nonprofits or other secondary recipients; OMB said the statute is intended to require proceeds to go to the government entity’s operating fund or general fund. OMB also reported on other survey suggestions. It said a proposed general authority for agencies to create pre-qualified architect/engineering vendor pools would not move forward, because the existing authority is best limited to high-volume agencies. On legal notices, OMB said it had made progress with the North Dakota Newspaper Association on modernizing online notices, improving ADA compliance, and discussing rate and definition changes. On click-through agreements, OMB and the Attorney General’s office concluded no statutory change was needed after revising internal guidance; the $20,000 threshold was described as a practical cutoff for adhesive, nonnegotiable software terms. OMB also said issues raised by the Center for Distance Education on alternate procurements and food/beverage expenditures had been resolved through policy clarification. The University System gave a brief update on its collaboration with OMB and said it was continuing to review concessions, surplus property, and capital project statutes with all institutions involved. The task force then discussed a draft bill on requirements for new or expanded spending, intended to require agencies to identify program purpose, needs, alternatives, success measures, and budget details, and to report on outcomes over time. Members and staff debated whether OMB or Legislative Council should collect and report the information, how much should be real-time versus periodic, and whether the bill should include full implementation costs for pilot programs. Legislative Council staff said the new program evaluation division is still being built out, that staffing remains limited, and that the office plans to continue working with OMB and the executive branch to refine the proposal before the next meeting. No final action was taken on the draft bills beyond directing further work and follow-up for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a whole cottage industry that helps local governments do this.
• Alpine claimed they were helping me but instead I was traumatized by treatment I did not want or need
• I cried and begged for help at the airport. No one listened.
• It's definitely helpful. I think the spirit is very clear which I appreciate as well of trying to.
• And none of these options are really mutually exclusive.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Over $1 billion for home ownership programs to help people permanently climb up the economic ladder.
• Over $1 billion for home ownership programs to help people permanently climb up the economic ladder.
• “This isn’t about helping veterans. That’s the most offensive thing about this.
• Please help me welcome the inaugural young leaders from District 13. Thank you. Thank you.
• Colleagues, please help me. Give them a warm welcome. Thank you. Welcome. Thank you. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This information informs our work and helps.
• We can't mitigate that without those federal dollars and without the help that, you know, and boosting
• We are hopeful that with recurring funding, we can help to meet the unmet need.
• Our land grants sometimes operate directly or in conjunction with mutual domestic water associations
• I think that we're pretty close there in a fiscal analysis, and it might help us a little bit.

Transcript Highlights:

• So help me out, please, friend, so that I could make my final vote.
• So help me out, please, friend, so that I could make my final vote.
• But my thing is, we've got to put something in place that helps that consumer.
• So you're left with no choice but to hire a lawyer to help you.
• The 200 hours to 60 hours definitely brings... ...help you.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard several insurance- and trust-related bills. CS/HB 265, relating to post-judgment execution proceedings involving terrorism, was presented as a measure to help victims enforce long-standing judgments against terrorist assets; it received no opposition in testimony and was reported favorably. CS/HB 1173, concerning the Florida Trust Code, clarified that the Florida Attorney General is the only public official with standing to enforce charitable trusts administered in Florida; members discussed that it was intended to resolve ambiguity identified by a court decision, and it also passed favorably. The committee then took up PCS/HB 643 on residual market insurers. The bill would remove the “diligent effort” requirement for surplus lines placements, revise surplus lines eligibility, and let Citizens policyholders elect arbitration through DOAH or the courts at renewal or issuance. The sponsor argued the changes would reduce red tape and give consumers more options, while an opponent from the Florida Justice Association warned that removing diligent-search protections could push more policyholders into higher-cost, less-regulated surplus lines coverage and that arbitration could favor insurers. Committee members raised concerns about the lack of premium credits for arbitration, the effect on Citizens, and the loss of consumer protections, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, PCS/HB 1047 on insurance regulation generated extensive debate. The bill would reduce pre-licensure hours for general lines agents from 200 to 60, clarify restrictions on public adjuster conduct, require claims-handling manuals only for active residential property insurers, and define “sufficient evidence” for bad-faith claims with examples and a 10-day objection/response process. Supporters said it would streamline claims handling and clarify timelines; opponents and several members argued it could burden policyholders, especially after disasters, and might make it easier for insurers to delay or deny claims. There was also concern about the reduced training hours for new agents and the lack of detail on what constitutes sufficient evidence or a specific objection. After a divided debate, the bill was reported favorably by a 12-6 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over $1 billion is for homeownership programs to help people permanently climb up the economic ladder
• This isn't about helping veterans. That's the most offensive thing about this.
• This bill preserves the rights of those injured to recover the damages necessary to help them recover
• Please help me welcome the inaugural young leaders from District 13. Thank you. Thank you.
• Colleagues, please help me give them a warm welcome. Thank you. Welcome. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then handled a series of procedural motions to re-refer bills, suspend rules, and remove items from the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions recognizing family milestones, a youth leadership program from Assembly District 13, a delegation of Japanese business leaders, and a Michoacan delegation. Later, members adopted several resolutions and consent items, including California Craft Beer Week, the Freedom Flag as a 9/11 remembrance symbol, Probation Services Week, and California Wildfire Week, along with other consent-calendar measures. The main floor debate centered on SB 417, a $10 billion housing bond for the ballot, with supporters emphasizing the state’s housing shortage, homelessness crisis, and funding for multifamily housing, supportive housing, homeownership, farmworker housing, student housing, tribal housing, infrastructure, and preservation of existing affordable units. Opponents criticized the proposal as adding debt without enough reform and objected to the use of veterans in the measure’s messaging. The Assembly passed SB 417 on urgency and on the measure, 54-7, and sent it to the Senate. Members then adopted ACA 20, which would expand and modernize the state Rainy Day Fund by increasing its cap and changing deposit rules; it passed 54-8 and was transmitted to the Senate. The Assembly also approved SB 623, a transportation-related bill addressing rideshare safety and medical lien practices. Supporters said it would curb abusive billing, restrict attorney conflicts and kickbacks, require stronger background checks for TNC drivers, and allow women riders and drivers to request women-only matches. The measure passed unanimously, 67-0. Later, the House adopted ACA 21, which removes ACA 13 from the November ballot, by 62-0, and ACA 22, which amends a ballot measure affecting taxation and local fiscal resources, by 64-0. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of Dr. Dorothy Viola Calvin, followed by announcements, recesses, and final adjournment until the next scheduled floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's to follow the law and all applicable rules and regulations and to help deliver the American dream
• Some other jurisdictions where this would also help immediately, uh, especially in the we've seen in
• We know you can't impact that, but we think this law can help. OK, thank you, Ms. Any questions?
• Help address Texas housing shortage, while revitalizing struggling commercial districts and creating
• Uh, but it also helps our rural communities as well where vacant buildings sit idle.