Transcript Highlights:

• As we move to more efficient forms of transportation, we will spend less on our transportation costs
• Specifically, our authorities are under California Water Code Sections 13267 and 13304.
• So Water Code Section 13267 allows the Water Boards to require dischargers, past dischargers, or suspected
• Section 13263.
• That's right, it's transportation fuel suppliers, yes.

Summary: The Senate Environmental Quality Committee held an informational hearing on the environmental impacts and policy considerations surrounding refinery closures. Chair Blakespear framed the hearing as part of California’s broader transition away from fossil fuels, emphasizing the need for proactive planning so communities, workers, and local governments are not caught off guard. Vice Chair Gunda argued that the state has long signaled a future away from oil, while also warning that closures can create supply instability, higher prices, and infrastructure stress if not managed carefully. Senators also raised concerns about consumer costs, supply reliability, the role of imports, and whether California’s climate policies are contributing to refinery disinvestment. The first panel included the California Energy Commission, CARB, and the State Water Resources Control Board. Gunda described California as being in a “mid-transition,” with gasoline demand gradually declining, zero-emission vehicle adoption rising, and refinery capacity shrinking through both conversions to renewable fuels and outright closures. He said the state needs a coordinated strategy that balances near-term supply stability with long-term decarbonization, and noted that refinery closures can shift liabilities onto pipelines, terminals, and potentially the state. CARB’s Matthew Boutill said the agency’s focus is reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases, and that state policies are already driving billions in annual investment in alternative fuels, EV infrastructure, and refinery conversions. Water Board representative Annalisa Kihara explained the cleanup authorities used at refinery sites, including investigation, remediation, and enforcement tools, and said decommissioning often reveals previously inaccessible contamination and may require new monitoring wells and additional site assessment. Committee members pressed the panel on whether the state has enough information to plan for land reuse and cleanup costs, whether current tools are adequate, and whether more legislative direction is needed. Gunda said there are still gaps in information and transparency, especially around liability and long-term community planning. Kihara said the Water Boards can require more data, cleanup, and timelines, but that refinery remediation is highly site-specific and can take tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Senators Menjivar, Stern, and Hurtado questioned demand trends, the pace of refinery closures versus demand decline, the role of imports and the Jones Act, and whether California should consider options such as state ownership or broader ecosystem planning. The panel generally agreed that closures are likely to continue and that the state should plan proactively rather than reactively. A second panel presented recent research on refinery closures. Emily Grubert said closure costs and remediation obligations are often underestimated and that California should better define end-of-life obligations and financial assurance requirements. Tham Herschbach outlined five drivers of refinery closures: declining California crude production, falling in-state gasoline demand, the shift toward renewable diesel and other alternative fuels, global refinery consolidation, and the growing availability of imported gasoline. Anne Alexander focused on community impacts, using the Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery closure as a case study, and said refinery sites are often heavily contaminated, cleanup can take a decade or more, and communities are often left without clear information because refineries have little end-of-life planning or financial assurance requirements. No votes or formal actions were taken at the informational hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• But page 3, line 14, “any member of a commission appointed or operating under Article 5, Section 25D
• And Representative Thomas, the reference to the constitutional section of the bill, just on my, from
• The judge did an excellent job of pointing out the code and what is there.
• would be glad to distribute a copy of that code, or the relevant portions, to the committee.
• Housing, child care, and transportation.

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Deputy Director of HCD's Division of Codes and Standards.
• Codes and Standards acts as a statewide enforcement agency, title and registration agency, code enforcement
• HCD's Codes and Standards Division is funded by fees for services.
• As I mentioned, the code enforcement unit...
• I mentioned the code enforcement unit to help mitigate that.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an extensive presentation on the administration’s housing reorganization proposal, which would centralize multifamily affordable housing finance under the new Housing Development and Finance Committee (HDFC) and align it with the Governor’s trailer bill language. Administration officials said the plan is intended to create a one-stop application and award process, reduce duplicative timelines and costs, and pair state subsidy with private activity bonds and federal tax credits more efficiently. They also described proposed changes to the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program, including shifting a larger share of funding toward housing-related awards while preserving a portion for sustainable communities investments. The Legislative Analyst’s Office generally supported the streamlining concept but recommended changes to the proposed bond set-aside timing and urged flexibility for integrated applications and future reporting on demand. Senators, especially Senator Cabaldon, raised concerns that the proposal could weaken the original climate-and-transportation purpose of the sustainable communities program and that the reorganization would be undercut by the lack of new housing production funding in the budget. The item was held open without a vote. The committee then received a report from the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee on federal and state housing tax credits. Staff explained that the federal H.R. 1 change lowering the bond-financing threshold from 50% to 25% greatly expanded the number of projects able to use the 4% federal tax credit, allowing California to fund many more projects and units. They also described the state low-income housing tax credit as an important gap-filling tool for projects that still need additional subsidy, and noted existing set-asides for rural, homeless, at-risk, and extremely low-income projects. Members discussed rehabilitation as well as new construction, and the item was informational only. Finally, the Civil Rights Department reported on the effects of federal civil rights policy changes and on three programs facing expiration: California vs. Hate, the Community Conflict Resolution Unit, and Investigations and Conciliation Enhancement. Director Kevin Kish said federal cuts and policy shifts have reduced support for fair housing and other civil rights functions, while CRD’s caseload has grown from about 8,700 open matters a year ago to more than 12,000, with a six-month wait for interviews despite overtime triage efforts. Senators expressed strong support for continuing the programs and concern about the broader federal rollback of civil rights enforcement. The department said it is using overtime, intake triage, and outreach partnerships to manage the workload and direct Californians to appropriate state, local, and nonprofit resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• But that's just one section that that bothers me.
• So it was Section 2 of your bill two years ago. Section 2 of Senator Baxley's bill three years ago.
• That would be the number six section.
• Number six section: the section does not prohibit any official action by a county required for compliance
• When we turned around and looked at transportation, I spearheaded the transportation surtax in Broward

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1134, which would extend and clarify the use of qualified private providers and computer-based tools in the building permit and inspection process for residential solar energy systems. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce long delays in solar permitting and make the process faster and cheaper; Senator Pizzo questioned whether the problem was limited to specific local governments, and a late-filed amendment clarifying the word “application” was adopted. After brief testimony from an industry representative supporting the measure, the committee reported the bill favorably, with Senator Pizzo voting no. Next, the committee considered SB 784, dealing with issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers for plats and new development. The bill sets a 14-day timeframe, and an amendment was adopted that would allow use of a private provider if the deadline is missed and would bar fee collection if the local government fails to act within five business days. County representatives said they wanted to keep working on the bill and raised concerns about the private-provider language and the short deadlines, while several senators discussed whether the process should be handled earlier on the front end. The committee then reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1738 on transportation concurrency, which would let counties that previously opted out of concurrency opt back in by maintaining current levels of service. SB 1080, a local government land regulation bill, was described as a measure to speed development approvals by setting stricter timelines, limiting repeated information requests, and imposing penalties for noncompliance; local-government testimony opposed it as a loss of local control, while builders supported it. After debate, SB 1080 was reported favorably. SB 1260, which clarifies county constitutional officer budget procedures and creates an appeal process for clerks and supervisors of elections similar to sheriffs, was also reported favorably after members discussed possible adjustments to avoid burdening county budget negotiations. Finally, the committee took up SB 420, as amended by a strike-all, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from adopting or funding DEI-related ordinances, policies, programs, offices, or contracts, and would expose officials to misfeasance/malfeasance claims and local governments to lawsuits. The sponsor said the amendment removed retroactive language, delayed the effective date, and added definitions and contract-certification requirements, but many senators and public speakers argued the bill was overbroad, vague, and would chill local efforts such as Black History Month, women-owned business programs, minority contracting, and community outreach. Supporters said it would ensure merit-based government action and consistency with state standards. The amendment was adopted, but the bill drew extensive opposition testimony and debate over its scope and potential conflict with federal and state law.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we added several definitions that reference those code sections, and that's simply because those terms
• Several items are also defined in federal regulations and those definitions refer to federal code sections
• So we added several definitions that reference those code sections.
• So it's not that the definition is deleted; it's just we're referencing the Idaho Code section where
• section blah, blah, blah, and that would have been, that would alert me to look in the Idaho Code for

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Regas-Lewin Memorial Highway to transportation.
• projects of governmental entities to transportation.
• Senate Bill 1480 by Hall, Relaying to Transporting an Unsecured Load to Transportation.
• authorities to transportation.
• Senate Bill 1572 by Burwell relating to the operation of vehicles transporting steel to transportation

Bills: SJR34 , SB10 , SB18 , SB19 , SB21 , SB72 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB480 , SB495 , SB627 , SB703 , SB767 , SB790

Transcript Highlights:

• That's one of the problems within section two that we think needs to be addressed.
• So it says it must comply with the National Electrical Code for a unit—these units.
• There isn't a section in regards to these plug-in kind of power units.
• up to date on where we should be adopting the code policies.
• And finally, I'm going to speak to section 201, subsection 4.

Bills: SB5982 , SB6008 , SB6050 , SB6056

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: consumer-owned utilities, clean energy, port districts, market customers, energy transformation, energy storage, residential battery, grid connection, renewable energy, incentives, distributed energy, renewable resources, energy policy, sustainable energy, state regulations, utility vehicles, emission standards, environment, regulation, exemptions

Transcript Highlights:

• That's SB 1445, an act amending section...
• ; amending Section 11-1133, Arizona Revised Statutes; repealing Section 12-524, Arizona Revised Statutes
• 15-31, relating to section 21-3301 and rules.
• By adding Section 36-22.02, relating to emergency medical services.
• Appropriations, Transportation, Technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• What the time frames are under Section 4: eligibility after five years for both community supervision
• one of the Alcohol and Beverage Code in Sections 4904, 4905, 4906, and 4906.01, and Chapter 71 of the
• Penal Code.
• Before I told you yes, I would want to look at those specific provisions of the Penal Code.
• The Texas Government Code, Section 501, Inmate Welfare, Subchapter B, addresses mental health conditions

Bills: HB1826 , HB1969 , HB2708 , HB2729 , HB3618 , HB4515 , HB4764 , SB1021 , SB1610

Committee: House Corrections

Keywords: mental health, women's health, county jail, depression screening, criminal justice, inmate release, identification certificate, Texas Department of Corrections, personal identification, driver's license, state law, reentry services, nondisclosure, criminal history, criminal defendants, community supervision, misdemeanors, felonies, rehabilitation, hearsay

Summary: The Corrections Committee first took up pending business and reported several previously heard bills favorably to the full House, including HB 1515 and SB 2405, the TDCJ Sunset bill and its Senate companion, HB 5639 on the veteran housing program, HB 2854 on hospital visits as a parole or mandatory supervision condition and related hospital liability, and SB 1080 on occupational licenses for people with criminal convictions. The committee also heard and advanced SB 1080 without amendment, then moved into new business. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 3618, which would limit invasive group strip searches of female inmates in TDCJ facilities. Formerly incarcerated women and advocates testified in support, describing humiliation, trauma, barriers to programming, and arguing that searches were often ineffective and that contraband more often comes from staff. TDCJ’s resource witness said the agency has looked at technology such as millimeter scanners and is in the process of placing them in facilities, while the bill sponsor said the measure would preserve searches in emergencies and require female officers when women are unclothed. HB 3618 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4515 on expanding orders of nondisclosure, with the author saying the committee substitute would narrow the bill to marijuana possession only; supporters from Alliance for Safety and Justice and Right on Crime argued it would improve reentry and public safety, while members asked about eligibility and related offenses. HB 1826, requiring depression screenings for pregnant and postpartum incarcerated women, drew support from women’s health advocates and formerly incarcerated witnesses; the bill was left pending. HB 1969, to help people leaving prison renew or obtain driver’s licenses, and HB 2708, expanding nondisclosure eligibility for certain misdemeanor convictions, were also laid out and left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 2729, which would bar hearsay evidence in hearings on violations of release conditions, and SB 1021, which would make stalking convictions ineligible for community supervision and add related victim-protection provisions; both were left pending. SB 1610, addressing civil commitment facility safety, sex offender registration, and penalties for assaults on staff, drew strong opposition from civil commitment residents, family members, and civil rights advocates who argued it was punitive and raised due process concerns; the resource witness said assaults had increased and explained the civil commitment process and existing legal safeguards. Finally, HB 4764 would require TDCJ to report detailed annual data on restrictive housing; supporters said the bill would improve transparency around solitary confinement, and the committee left it pending before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, Alpine is specifically restricted by a section of the Texas Tax Code that requires them to
• Currently, the tax code, Subchapter E, Section 152, lists agriculture and timber vehicles as tax-exempt
• This bill would add the City of Monahans to Section 351.0066(a) of the Texas Tax Code.
• HB 3500 adds Bastrop to Section 351.157 of the Tax Code.
• Currently, provisions in the Local Government Code and Tax Code, specifically Sections 334.0082 and 351.001

Bills: HB 1039 , HB2289 , HB2370 , HB2404 , HB3066 , HB3076 , HB3117 , HB3118 , HB3169 , HB3178 , HB3179 , HB3182 , HB3196 , HB3241 , HB3377 , HB3500 , HB3567 , HB3715 , HB3954 , HB4098 , HB4109 , HB4222 , HB4226 , HB4412 , HB4659 , HB4682 , HB4683 , HB4755 , HB4926 , HB5165 , HB5562 , HB5596

Committee: House Ways & Means

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills, most of them expanding or adjusting hotel occupancy tax or qualified hotel project authority for specific local governments. Measures discussed included HB 2404 for Childress County; HB 3066 for Allen’s Kalahari resort project; HB 4682 for Plano; HB 4683 for Anna; HB 3076 creating a project finance zone in Frisco; HB 3567 for Wichita County; HB 3715 for McAllen; HB 1039 for Alpine; HB 3182 for Burleson; HB 4926 for Grimes County; HB 4222 for Victoria County; HB 3377 for Katy; HB 4659 for Addison; HB 3241 for Georgetown; HB 4098 for Taylor; HB 3178 for Kerr County; HB 3179 for Mason County; HB 2289 for New Braunfels; HB 4412 for Kermit; HB 5165 for Monahans; HB 3500 for Bastrop; and HB 3169 for Carrollton. In each case, authors and local officials described tourism, convention, hotel, airport, or mixed-use development needs and argued the bills would help attract visitors, investment, and jobs. One non-hotel-tax bill, HB 4226, would exempt Texas food banks from sales tax on vehicle purchases and rentals, with testimony emphasizing the scale of food bank operations and the savings’ impact on meal delivery and disaster response. Testimony was generally supportive from city officials, economic development representatives, and industry groups such as the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association. Several witnesses described major private projects, including Kalahari in Allen, a proposed hotel and conference center in Addison, a mixed-use project in Georgetown, and a large development tied to Samsung growth in Taylor. For HB 4226, food bank representatives said the bill would help them purchase refrigerated trucks and other delivery vehicles, while an opponent questioned the fiscal note and the scope of the exemption. HB 4926 drew opposition from Camp Allen, whose representative argued a new county hotel tax would raise costs for guests and could hurt the retreat center’s operations. HB 3178 also drew an objection from a Kerr County resident who argued the tax would grow county government and pointed to event center losses, though the author said the revenue would support tourism-related county uses. The committee took no final votes on the bills in this transcript. After each bill was laid out and testimony concluded, the chair repeatedly asked whether there was objection to leaving the bill pending; in each instance, no objection was heard, and the bills were left pending. Several committee substitutes were offered and then withdrawn or noted as conforming drafts, but no bill was reported out or otherwise acted on beyond being left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:29:57.800><c> six</c> Rights clearing up and then section six Rights clearing up and then section
• </c> Medicaid using collaborative care codes Medicaid using collaborative care codes establishes<01:36
• Section four establishes aftercare services, and section five appropriates funding for the School Linked
• Section four establishes aftercare services, and section five appropriates funding for the School Linked
• Section four establishes aftercare services, and section five appropriates funding for the School Linked

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• What it does is create an exception in the Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 707(b), regarding violent
• Existing law under Penal Code Section 374.3 prohibits the dumping of waste material or rocks, concrete
• Penal Code Section 1170 says, quote, the purpose of incarceration is rehabilitation and successful reintegration
• There was a reference to Section 1170 of the Penal Code, and I wanted to briefly cite it.
• There was a reference to Section 1170 of the Penal Code, and I wanted to briefly cite it because all

Summary: The committee heard a large public safety agenda and began by announcing several bills off calendar and limiting testimony to two witnesses per side. The first major item was AB 2698, which would authorize local governments to create youth court diversion programs for first-time juvenile offenders. The author and supporters, including Bakersfield Police Department representatives and a student participant, described the program as restorative, record-clearing, and successful in Bakersfield. Opponents argued it was not true diversion because it occurs after adjudication, could widen system involvement, and should instead be replaced by pre-arrest community-based diversion. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Appropriations, but remained on call with some members not voting. The committee also adopted a consent calendar of ten bills without opposition. The committee then heard AB 1959, which would create a narrow exception allowing resentencing in adult court for certain violent juvenile offenders in a case arising from the Santana High School shooting. The author, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, and a survivor/city councilmember argued the bill would close a loophole that could lead to resentencing and early release despite parole denials. Several organizations registered opposition or opposed unless amended, but many noted they were reviewing the amended version. The bill was moved due pass as amended to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1628, extending California’s safe surrender window for newborns from 72 hours to 30 days, drew broad support from the author, firefighters, medical and child welfare groups, and no opposition; it was moved due pass to Human Services and remained on call. The committee also approved AB 1974, which authorizes law enforcement agencies to create voluntary temporary firearm storage programs. The author and supporters from San Francisco law enforcement, Giffords, and gun safety groups said the bill would expand safe storage options during crises and in custody disputes; there was no opposition, and it passed due pass as amended. AB 2297, requiring restitution in diversion cases, drew support from the author, district attorneys, and victims’ advocates, while opponents argued it was duplicative, could burden low-income participants, and might undermine diversion success. After discussion about restitution law and ability to pay, the bill passed due pass. Finally, AB 2438, which would require people sentenced to more than six years to serve in state prison rather than county jail, drew support from the author and Riverside County Sheriff Bianco, who said realignment had overcrowded county jails and strained resources. Opponents warned it could worsen state prison overcrowding and conflict with realignment’s purpose. The chair recommended no, and the bill was moved due pass and re-refer to Appropriations, remaining on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Transportation Committee. The secretary has already taken a roll.
• So we've got 39-0260-2501 for rules for the Idaho Transportation Department.
• I'm a policy specialist for the Office of Governmental Affairs at the Idaho Transportation Department
• Then in a couple sections on page six, the term proof of registration was replaced.
• Then if you look at the bottom of page nine, we modified section 155.04.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Chapter 32 of Texas Penal Code corruption has chapter 36.
• Section 521.348 authorizes the Depart...
• The Substitute Amends Penal Code, Section 2205, is in effect until the end of the year.
• Okay, Texas penal code 2205, it talks about the deadly conduct.
• Section 9 of the Penal Code provides justifications for certain types of criminal acts, which would normally

Bills: HB2034 , HB2436 , HB3010 , HB3033 , HB3138 , HB3177 , HB3426 , HB3686 , HB3858 , HB4176 , HB4257 , HB4264 , HB4804 , HCR98

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Conflict of interest at UC is already strictly regulated by Public Contract Code Section 10516.
• UC is already strictly regulated by Public Contract Code Section 10516 and the Political Reform Act,
• These protections are also bolstered by the Political Reform Act, with Government Code Sections 87100
• and 87103. ...with Government Code Sections 87100 and 87103, and a robust suite of university policies
• Because it seems like you already have lots of code in, or a lot of statutes in code already, so I'm

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We are getting started behind tab four, and it's agency code 490.
• So we're leveraging busing systems, our own transportation with the train, to allow folks to jump on
• The Department of Transportation does have their.
• Their rulings can violate the code. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for that explanation.
• 8 appropriation for the 80 health care to Section 4.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• 92 of the property code.
• So One, there's a section dealing with non-compliance under the government codes as failure.
• 19 sections 2402.107a and b occupations code say that before permission getting an individual to log
• C and section 4 right before section 5 where it talks about that.
• 5 of the Bill for Child Advocacy Centers specifically to remove Section 1F2, Section 3, and Section

Bills: HB47 , HB1552 , HB1686 , HB1953 , HB2151 , HB2355 , HB2582 , HB2697 , HB2895 , HB3073 , HB3418 , HB47

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:33:52.080><c> There</c><00:33:52.240><c> are</c> proposed in section three.
• There are proposed in section three.
• ><c> and</c><00:36:10.640><c> culture</c> committees on transportation and culture committees on transportation
• Um I I can't speak for tenant code?
• Members, the recommendation is to code.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: At a joint Senate hearing on SCR 198 and SR 178, the committees considered resolutions urging Hawaii insurers and the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to seek subrogation claims against polluters linked to worsening climate impacts and higher insurance costs. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with 47 written testimonies in support and additional oral support from former Honolulu chief resilience officer Josh Tamro. The committees recommended passage with amendments, narrowing the language to refer specifically to polluters who knowingly engaged in misleading and deceptive practices about the connection between their products and climate change, along with technical non-substantive edits. Both committees adopted the amended resolutions by vote. At a separate joint hearing on STR 226 and SR 201, which urged changes to Medicaid 1915 home and community-based services waiver eligibility criteria, supporters argued the current rules and administrative guidance were inconsistent and left some people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those with mental health dual diagnoses, without proper access. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the intent but noted factual issues and said a memo from the department addressed only part of the problem, not the mental health-related concerns. After discussion, the chair concluded the resolution was not the best vehicle and deferred it, suggesting a more comprehensive bill would be needed. The Commerce and Consumer Protection committee also took up HB 799 HD2 SD1 on healthcare and recommended passage with amendments, including striking a written transfer-agreement requirement, shortening the sunset to June 30, 2028, removing a related timeline, and making technical corrections. In another joint hearing, SCR 222 and SR 197, which would have urged towing companies to have on-site ATMs for vehicle owners, drew opposition from the Office of Consumer Protection, which said Act 60 already requires credit and debit card acceptance and that ATMs could let companies evade the law. Members noted ongoing complaints and weak enforcement, and the chair recommended turning the issue into a task force for further study, with decision-making deferred because of quorum issues. The committee also heard several other resolutions: STR 57 and SR 41, urging Congress to create a national reinsurance program, received only supportive testimony; STR 70 and SR 54, calling for a pharmacy reimbursement working group, also drew support; and STR 123, proposing an attorney general-led landlord-tenant working group, received comments from the Attorney General’s Office suggesting a more appropriate lead agency and noting the Legislative Reference Bureau may be better suited to assist. No final adverse action was taken on those measures during the hearing segment described.

Transcript Highlights:

• That code is, 'I have friends everywhere.'
• Bar code 478591. Remove lines 88 through 209 and insert an amendment.
• Bar code 456741: remove lines 122 through 243 and insert an amendment.
• Bar code 122487. Remove lines 138 through 266 and insert an amendment.
• This amendment removes Section 2 of the bill and the subsequent reenacted section related to that provision

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests including law enforcement officers and several student visitors. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the special order calendar, with members also approving the journal and establishing a quorum. Later in the day, the House paused for several introductions and farewell remarks, including extended closing speeches from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf reflecting on their service, staff, constituents, and policy priorities. The House passed several bills, often after brief explanations and amendments. CS/SB 590 on the statute of limitations for failures to report child abuse was clarified to apply prospectively and passed 111-0. SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder was amended to include House language and passed 111-0. CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) passed 112-0 after an amendment merging House and Senate provisions, and CS/SB 1246 on the linking industry to nursing education fund passed 112-0 after amendments expanding eligible contributions and program support. Additional bills approved included CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care standards, CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences, CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts for aviation safety, CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services, and CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, which would allow school coaches to use limited personal funds to support student-athletes with items such as food, transportation, and rehabilitation services, with parental consent added by amendment. Most of these measures passed unanimously or near-unanimously, with SB 422 passing 108-2. The House also heard debate on CS/CS/SB 1134, a bill restricting counties and municipalities from taking official actions related to DEI and limiting the use of public funds for DEI-related activities and contracts. Members questioned how the bill would affect local government practices, observances, and staff functions, and the sponsor explained several exceptions and enforcement provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a definition in here, or we do have sections of a definition of a bot account.
• We do have a definition in here, or we do have sections of a definition of a bot account.
• I was the first national test case under this so-called hate speech code.
• This also has to do with 10-5 and the Code of Ethics.
• So it's actually antithetical to the code of ethics.

Bills: SB2101 , SB2334 , SB2633 , SB2637 , SB2713 , SB2781 , SB2782 , SB3059 , HB 1130 , HB256 , HCR19

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several bills, mostly on alcohol regulation, ethics procedures, the Alamo, and free speech in professional associations. SB 2633 would let the City of Garland hold local option elections on alcohol sales within designated zones and use zoning/land-use rules for alcohol-selling businesses; Senator Johnson and Garland officials said it would reduce the burden of the petition process and support economic development. SB 2637 would require social media platforms to disclose when posts are made by bot accounts and allow Attorney General enforcement; supporters framed it as consumer protection against misleading automated content, while members raised questions about how platforms would identify bots and how enforcement would work. SB 2334 would allow airlines with passenger transportation permits to store sealed alcoholic beverages within five miles of an airport in the same county, which the sponsor and an American Airlines witness said would improve logistics without changing permits, taxes, or alcohol sourcing. The committee also heard SB 2781 and SB 2782, both related to Texas Ethics Commission procedures. SB 2781 would cap civil penalties tied to certain campaign contribution violations by former legislators who later lobby, and SB 2782 would require TEC to adopt discovery control plans and align discovery rules more closely with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to limit costly, open-ended discovery. Both bills were left pending after no public testimony. SB 3059 would transfer oversight of the Alamo from the General Land Office to a new Alamo Commission beginning in 2027; Senator Campbell said it would provide long-term stewardship and transparency, while Senator Birdwell questioned the need for a change and the commission’s structure, and GLO witnesses said they were not aware of any problem prompting the shift. HB 1130, a House companion to a previously passed Senate bill, would provide liability protections for cavern entities that post warning signs, and it was also left pending. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2713, which would bar professional or trade associations from denying membership or access based on protected characteristics or lawful speech and assembly. Senator Middleton and invited witnesses described disciplinary actions by realtor associations against members for social media posts, sermons, or political speech, arguing that the National Association of Realtors’ ethics rules were being used to punish private expression and threaten livelihoods through loss of MLS access. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the bill should be narrowed to avoid affecting religious organizations, how association discipline works, and whether the measure should address existing penalties or only future conduct. The bill was left pending after extensive invited testimony and committee discussion.