Transcript Highlights:

• Parents of the other students are calling daily, "Why can't you protect my child?"
• The parents tell me that. So we have 40...
• Some parents don't have an option.
• There is a great bill from Representative Feist that protects our parents' data in the handbook.
• This bill also protects educational freedom.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's the protection we have against that.
• And that's the protection we have against that.
• And the staff is protected.
• The parents who bring their children to the ER at our hospital trust that our hospital will protect them
• It's just expanding the protection further than that.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills and public testimony, beginning with introductions and then taking up several health and human services measures. A major focus was SB 1120 and SB 1121, which address radiation protection in cardiac catheterization and other ionizing-radiation procedure rooms. SB 1120 would require health care facilities to equip at least 50% of procedure rooms with radiation protection systems by July 1, 2027, while SB 1121 would prohibit requiring lead aprons in rooms with such systems and instead require real-time dosimeters for staff who opt out of lead aprons. Physicians, nurses, and a hospital executive testified that enhanced radiation protection systems can dramatically reduce occupational exposure, lower cancer and orthopedic risks, and help with workforce recruitment and retention; a hospital alliance remained neutral pending further stakeholder discussions. Both bills were amended and passed out of committee on 7-0 votes, and SB 1118, which appropriates state funds for a rural hospital grant program to install radiation protection systems, also passed 7-0. The committee also approved SB 1001, which appropriates $1 million to the Department of Economic Security for the Older Individuals Who Are Blind program, after testimony from blind and low-vision Arizonans and advocates describing long waitlists, the need for independent living training, and the program’s role in preventing unnecessary dependence. SB 1072, a major funding bill for home- and community-based services and room-and-board rate increases for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, drew testimony from providers about severe staffing shortages, overtime, turnover, and underfunding; it passed 6-0 with one not voting. SB 1125, requiring DCS to pursue MOUs with tribes and improve tribal communication and access to licensing and enforcement information, also passed 6-0 with one not voting. The committee then considered SB 1123, which removes a board-certification requirement so trained forensic pathologists can supervise autopsy training for residents and fellows; Maricopa County supported it as a workforce and training fix, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting. SB 1052, allowing mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy in assisted living facilities under physician order and DHS rules, generated mixed testimony: supporters argued it could improve health and independence for residents, while opponents raised concerns about off-label treatment in nonmedical settings. The bill passed 5-2. SB 1112, which reduces the number of acquaintance witnesses required in court-ordered treatment proceedings from two to one and allows the court to waive the witness requirement under certain conditions, drew strong testimony from families and mental health advocates on both sides; it passed 5-2. The committee also began hearing SB 1113, which would allow certain service of process in court-ordered evaluation and treatment cases by evaluation-agency employees or other court-authorized persons, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents have to be part of the solution, but parents need to be made aware of these harms, and that's
• </c> with First Amendment protected speech? with First Amendment protected speech?
• </c><00:13:23.200><c> and</c> literacy while connecting parents and literacy while connecting parents
• And what could be more compelling than protecting our kids?
• And what could be more compelling than protecting our kids?

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the former foster parent and proud adoptive parent of Kaylee Williams, who is nine years old.
• But parents have to be able to choose to parent their children.
• the parents want, what the parents need, and it's, that's not the focus.
• We are eliminating the idea that the custodial parent is always the mom and the non-custodial parent
• We are eliminating the idea that the custodial parent is always the mom and the non-custodial parent

Summary: The committee first approved the May 20 minutes and then advanced HCR 95, which would create a more uniform tax base for future state and local tax exemptions and credits, requiring a two-thirds vote of both chambers to deviate from that uniformity. HB 648 was deferred by the author. HB 1049, dealing with public meeting procedures and notice requirements, was amended after discussion with the Police Jury Association, school boards, and local government groups; the amendments removed a requirement for a lawyer at every meeting and clarified notice and posting language, and the bill was reported with amendments despite opposition from local government associations and the City of Baker. The committee then heard HB 615, which would expand livestreaming and two-year archiving requirements to more public bodies, including non-elected boards and commissions with taxing or rulemaking authority. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while local government and association witnesses argued it would impose an unfunded mandate, especially on small volunteer boards, and raised concerns about costs, staffing, record retention, and reliance on social media platforms. The bill was not advanced. HB 1201, as amended, would provide legislators reimbursement for travel and limited out-of-session expenses, including housing and mileage, beginning with the next term; members discussed the need to make public service more financially feasible and to broaden who can afford to serve. The committee reported HB 1201 with amendments. The committee also considered two constitutional convention-related bills. HB 244 would set guardrails for any future convention by capping delegates at 144, specifying delegate selection, requiring a two-thirds delegate vote to send proposals to voters, and requiring both a majority of voters and approval by three-fourths of the parishes for ratification; after debate over whether the parish threshold was too high, the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. HB 4, as amended, was narrowed to require the Senate and House Governmental Affairs committees to meet in the off-season to discuss the mechanics of a possible convention, but members viewed it as more of a study resolution than binding legislation, and the committee voted to keep it in committee. The meeting then moved to confirmation hearings. Courtney Myers, nominated for Deputy Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice, and Ernest Jacob Reade Jr., nominated as Assistant Secretary, testified about their backgrounds and priorities, emphasizing juvenile rehabilitation, education and vocational programming, mental health services, credible messengers, family contact, and better communication with legislators and families. Nathan McBride, nominated as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, testified about his engineering and government affairs background and said he would focus on legislative work, waste tire management, permitting modernization, and constituent service.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> circumstances like a consumer protection circumstances like a consumer protection type<00:09:16.320
• </c> know, just consumer fraud protection know, just consumer fraud protection position<00:09:26.959>
• And so longer day than their parents do.
• and for parents.
• Um, for for for workers and for parents.

Committee: Senate Rules and Enrolled Bills

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents deserve transparency.
• Parents deserve transparency.
• parents</c><01:21:44.400><c> and</c> rights by championing parents and rights by championing parents
• other parents how to raise their kids, and it's taking away parental control, parental rights, and it
• away parental control, parental taking away parental control, parental rights,<01:54:08.480><c> uh,<

Bills: HB0066 , HJ0005 , HB0010

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that God has given parents' authority over the education decisions... ...that God has given parents
• And beyond that, I'm not a coach, but I'm a parent. I've got three kids.
• And we can allow the parents to have their freedom.
• , I'm not proud as a parent to say, ...parts of the state.
• In your gallery today are two parents of, well, three. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also, when this statute for protections that institutions must provide for pregnant and parenting
• and parenting provide for pregnant and parenting students<00:01:41.600><c> uh</c><00:01:41.920><c> it
• Uh this recommendation also parents.
• </c> and so it isn't like we're protecting and so it isn't like we're protecting students<00:21:42.159
• </c> consumer protections. Very lowrisk area. consumer protections. Very lowrisk area.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• This work group consists of five subgroups with around 40 members, including young people, parents, and
• The advisory group is made up of roughly 30 young people, parents, and caregivers with lived and living
• Additional recommendations include protecting and building on legacy recommendations such as protecting
• And I was a stay-at-home parent for 10 years.
• I'm also the parent of a young woman with IDD. Thank you for bringing this bill forward.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on recommendations from the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group. Tisha Kirshbaum of the Health Care Authority described the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan, a prenatal-to-25 system-of-care framework meant to reduce fragmentation, improve coordination across multiple state agencies, and expand early, community-based behavioral health supports. Members asked about duplication among agencies, simplification of the system, and upstream services such as community health workers, school-based supports, and crisis access. The committee then heard House Bill 2429, which would direct the governor and state agencies to align with the Washington Thriving plan, create an executive coordination officer and leadership council, extend the work group, and require broader alignment by state, tribal, local, and nonprofit entities. The bill received strong support from the governor’s office, the Health Care Authority, parents, youth, providers, and advocates, while a few testifiers raised concerns about government overreach, cost, or the need to address non-psychiatric causes of distress. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2364, which renames and expands the Legislative Executive Work First Poverty Reduction Oversight Task Force into the Legislative Executive Economic Justice and Well-Being Task Force and updates the related advisory council to align with the state’s 10-year plan to dismantle poverty. Staff and the prime sponsor said the bill reflects the evolution of the poverty-reduction effort and adds agencies such as the Department of Revenue, Health Care Authority, and Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. Testimony from DSHS and advocates was uniformly supportive, emphasizing bipartisan collaboration and the need to update statute to match current work. Next, the committee heard House Bill 2171 on supporting foster youth. The bill would create an endangered foster youth alert system, require county rapid-response protocols, establish a foster youth empowerment account, create an oversight board through the Ombuds office, and expand training for foster parents and child welfare workers. The prime sponsor and several advocates described the bill as a response to lived experience and a way to improve accountability and long-term support. DCYF said it supports the intent but raised legal and cost concerns, and some youth advocates warned that public alerts could increase risk or trauma for youth who run away from unsafe placements. The hearing then moved to House Bill 2314, which would create a pilot allowing certain community-based clients with developmental disabilities to receive dental care at residential habilitation centers. Supporters said the bill would use existing dental capacity to address severe access gaps and long waits in the community, while opponents from disability advocacy groups argued it would pull people back into institutional settings instead of building community-based dental capacity. Testimony on the bill was mixed, and no final committee action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some parents, mostly single parents, believe that they cannot discipline their children at all, and if
• Some parents, mostly single parents, believe that they cannot discipline their children at all, and if
• Some parents, mostly single parents, believe that they cannot discipline their children at all, and if
• , truly protect, and enforce...
• We strive to protect, truly protect, and enforce laws that these cases wouldn't happen because I don't

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of criminal justice measures, with several bills and resolutions reported favorably and others rejected or deferred. Representative Baham’s HB 255, as substituted, would enhance penalties for certain felony or rioting offenses committed while wearing a mask to evade identification, with exceptions for religious, motorcycle, and medical coverings; it was reported favorably after opposition from the ACLU and support from law enforcement groups. His HB 378, as amended, narrowed a vehicle-obstruction offense to first responders and was also reported favorably. HB 1090, increasing penalties for arson of a religious building, was reported favorably with support from the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops. HR 272, requesting a study of parental discipline, abuse allegations, and juvenile delinquency, was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about confusion over current law. HB 479, the “Fiscal Truth and Sentencing Act,” sought quarterly reporting on incarceration costs and sentencing impacts; despite support from the ACLU and opposition from clerks of court over an unfunded mandate, it failed on a 4-7 roll call. HR 278, asking the Attorney General to review electronic monitoring laws and make recommendations, was reported favorably after testimony from advocates and supporters of tighter oversight. HR 273, creating a task force to study work-release programs, was also reported favorably, while SB 278 was voluntarily deferred. The committee also considered several high-profile social policy measures. HB 261, by Representative Boyd, would create an exception to abortion restrictions for rape and certain sex offenses; the hearing featured extensive emotional testimony from survivors, clergy, and legislators on both sides, but the bill was rejected on a 2-10 vote. HCR 100, as amended, urged the Gaming Control Board to ensure due diligence in proposed casino acquisitions with attention to economic development, job creation, and community benefit; the amendment resolved industry concerns and the resolution was reported favorably. SB 448, concerning the Office of the State Public Defender, was amended to add procedures for expert-witness funding disputes, sealed contradictory hearings, and interlocutory review, then reported favorably. SB 135, which would redirect sports wagering revenue away from a capped sports fund and toward early childhood seats, drew opposition from university-related interests but no motion was made. Finally, HB 778 on kratom was presented as a narrower approach that would ban synthetic and semi-synthetic kratom while allowing regulated natural products; testimony included concerns about harm, business impacts, and claimed benefits for pain management and PTSD, and the discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• staff was protected.
• Some bills define parent as including a guardian.
• Yes, it has been parents bringing it up over many decades, and it is in fact parents who started special
• And so I'm for protecting these students.
• How are we going to deal with the parents?

Bills: SB106 , SB171 , SB179

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Northern New Mexico State School, SB179, Senate Bill 179, UNM, University of New Mexico, medical Spanish, Spanish-language curriculum, health sciences, health professions education, language access, bilingual healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll educate parents. It'll educate educators.
• This bill provides protections.
• This is First Amendment-protected speech, but Delaware law offers no clear protections for survivors
• This is First Amendment-protected speech, but Delaware law offers no clear protections for survivors
• That is where we want these parents to focus on.

Summary: The House received a series of Senate communications and committee reports, then took up a long consent calendar and several individual measures. Early actions included passing consent calendar items, recognizing Freedom of Speech Week and Juneteenth, and hearing numerous introductions and tributes, including remarks honoring House fellows, Father’s Day, and Representative Mara Gorman. The chamber also adopted several procedural motions and recesses, with roll calls recorded throughout. Among the bills considered, the House passed House Bill 134 on animal cruelty, increasing penalties for repeat offenses; House Bill 131 with Senate Amendment 1 on pet stores and animal welfare; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 320 on technical corrections to the Delaware Constitution; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 407 on technical updates to the Hazardous Substance Control Act; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 425 on salary supplements for certain school employees; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 450, the Road Delaware Act, on land use and permitting reform; House Bill 459 on restricting energy drink sales in schools; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 439 on electric moped and motorcycle disclosures; and House Bill 444, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, after amendment delaying its effective date to July 1, 2027. House Amendment 1 to House Bill 459 was adopted, and House Amendment 1 to House Bill 444 was adopted before final passage. The House also rejected House Amendment 1 to House Substitute 1 for House Bill 425 after debate over salary supplement policy for school-related certifications, then passed the substitute bill itself. House Bill 407 prompted questions about the increase in civil penalties, which DENREC said was intended to update outdated fines and align the penalty structure with other laws. House Bill 444 drew floor speeches emphasizing voting rights protections and concerns about voter suppression and dilution. The session ended with the House moving to recess after continuing consideration of House Bill 355, the Speaker Truth Act, which had just adopted an amendment changing damages language to attorney’s fees and costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m talking about the brave men and women of law enforcement who protect and serve law-abiding Texans
• We’re surrounded by their portraits in this chamber, and we can all think of our own parents and our
• for their protection.
• Parent endangers the child.
• Termination of parental rights is the civil death penalty.

Bills: SB26 , SB28 , SJR36 , SB26 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB28

Summary: The House and Senate met in joint session under HCR 5 to hear an address from Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick introducing him. The session included recognition of the justices, judges, law enforcement officers, and interpreters present, and it also marked the formal completion of the joint session once the address ended. Chief Justice Blacklock said the state of the judiciary is strong, while paying tribute to former Chief Justice Nathan Hecht and thanking Governor Abbott for his appointment. His remarks focused on judicial administration and public safety, including a call for a 30% increase in district judge salaries, which he argued is needed to attract and retain qualified judges. He also urged support for law enforcement, backed efforts to keep violent offenders in custody pending trial, and said the court is gathering data to identify underperforming judges and use constitutional remedies where necessary. Blacklock emphasized that Texas courts should interpret statutes and the constitution according to text and original meaning, rejecting the “living constitution” approach. He highlighted reforms to improve efficiency and reduce litigation costs, including changes to docketing practices, civil procedure, and the regulation of legal services, and he urged the State Bar to remain politically neutral. He also discussed family law and child welfare, arguing for stronger legal representation for parents and suggesting repeal of Family Code subsection O, which he said can unfairly lead to termination of parental rights. The joint session concluded after his remarks, and the House stood at ease as guests departed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> around foster parents. around foster parents. Okay.<00:13:40.120><c> Mr.
• ." parent." parent."
• In those initial calls to parents, we have to balance transparency with the legal necessity of also protecting
• I've posted it on the school page with the parents, and the parents laugh.
• and the parents page with the parents and the parents laugh.<01:18:32.960><c> They're</c><01:18:33.120

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about cartel protection.
• , kinship placements, and foster parents as well. ...parents, kinship placements, and foster parents
• We can protect safety.
• And protecting human beings, protecting women, I think is very important.
• But it isn't... ...trying to be protective parents when it comes to their kids.

Bills: SB1012 , SB1099 , SB1234 , SB1392 , SB1489 , SB1535 , SB1570 , SB1609 , SB1627 , SB1634 , SB1661 , SB1709 , SB1723 , SB1725 , SB1743 , SB1829 , SCR1027 , SCR1040 , SCR1048

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: concealed carry, firearms, restaurants, liquor licensing, public safety, defamation, private figure, public concern, statute of limitations, internet defamation, juvenile court, legal representation, appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, child welfare, election canvass, canvassing board, governing body, election inspection, election access

Transcript Highlights:

• What about a parent?
• businesses, protecting workers.
• And that's why we pulled it back because ultimately this is about protecting businesses, protecting workers
• , and protecting the process.
• We're talking about both parents working.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> testing, observations, gather parent testing, observations, gather parent interview<00:03:03.280
• :03:06.319><c> the</c><00:03:06.480><c> parent</c><00:03:06.800><c> must</c> to the parent and the parent
• must to the parent and the parent must provide<00:03:07.519><c> their</c><00:03:07.920><c> explicit<
• Um, might be an adapted fed... report to the parent no later than 30 report to the parent no later than
• So meaning it has parents. There team. So meaning it has parents.

Bills: HF4893

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We all agree that protecting children from abuse is very, very important.
• It's a topic that, you know, it really begins with the parent.
• We frequently hear about parental rights in these chambers, but it's clear that the idea of parental
• Parents have shared stories of RTI programs that tell students that if their parents are divorced or
• So this is simply, heaven forbid, parental choice.

Committee: Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several education-related bills. SB 1572, the Return to Civics Instruction Act, would require Freedom Week, civics instruction on the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and a Declaration recitation for grades 3-12; it passed 3-2 after some members argued schools already provide civics instruction and that the legislature should not mandate curriculum. SB 1798, as amended, would require each high school to designate a FAFSA point person, post contact information, and implement a FAFSA awareness strategy; the Arizona Board of Regents supported it, while some members raised concerns about mandates on charter schools and staffing burdens. The committee also passed SB 1711, which directs the State Board of Education to develop and post age-appropriate resources on preventing and recognizing inappropriate contact, with testimony split between support for parent-accessible safety materials and concerns about sex-education compliance issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding truancy, the bill allows more parental, more ways for parents to be involved in the truancy
• HB 1505 amends the Parents' Bill of Rights to ensure that parents have the ability to make health care
• Amends the Parents' Bill of Rights to ensure that parents have the ability to make health care decisions
• I oppose this bill because kids are not going to talk to their parents about something that that parent
• Something that that parent calls.

Summary: The committee took up a large health and human services agenda and first approved HB 711, the Spectrum Alert bill, which would create a statewide alert system for missing autistic children and require FDLE to coordinate training with state and local agencies. The measure drew a supportive waiver from the Florida Smart Justice Alliance and passed unanimously, 24-0, reported favorably. Members then considered CS for HB 229 on health facilities, which modernizes the Health Facilities Authority Act to allow additional nonprofit health system structures to use tax-exempt financing. Two amendments were adopted: one requiring advance notice, public hearings, and stakeholder notifications before a nonprofit hospital closure, and another removing a property tax exemption for a nonprofit hospital that closes and fails to maintain emergency services for 120 days, applied retroactively to January 1, 2025. The Florida Hospital Association opposed the amendments, citing workforce and nonprofit-status concerns, but the bill as amended passed 24-0. The committee also approved CS for HB 1405 on juvenile justice status offenders, expanding early truancy intervention, parent involvement, and shelter placement review timelines; it passed 24-0. CS for HB 27, joining the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact, and its linked public records bill CS for HB 29 both passed unanimously after supportive testimony from several advocacy and business groups. The committee then debated HB 111 on out-of-network referrals and HB 1083 on patient access to records. HB 111 would require referring practitioners to inform patients in writing when a referral is out of network and to apply out-of-network payments to deductibles; it drew opposition from medical groups over administrative burden and patient-care concerns, but passed 17-8. HB 1083 would shorten the time for producing medical records to 14 working days and standardize access rules, with amendments clarifying portal access and delaying the effective date to January 1, 2026; despite opposition from some health information and provider groups over HIPAA and access concerns, it passed 19-7 as amended. Later, the committee approved HB 883, allowing autonomous practice for psychiatric nurse practitioners with the required credentials, after strong support from nurse practitioner groups and opposition from psychiatric and medical associations; it passed 23-3. HB 1297, which aligns Florida’s electronic prescribing exceptions with federal law and removes several state exemptions, passed 19-7 despite opposition from hospice, emergency physician, rheumatology, and medical groups concerned about paper prescriptions in emergencies and hard-to-find medications. HB 1353 on home health care services and CS for HB 989 on foster home licensure transfers both passed unanimously after supportive amendments. The committee also heard HB 1505 on parental rights, which would require written parental consent for many health care services, surveys, and biofeedback devices for minors and expand parental access to records; the bill drew extensive support testimony but also questions and concerns about confidentiality, abuse reporting, and existing exceptions, and the transcript ended before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• the homeschool parents, it's been a big blessing.
• We're not trying to also limit parent choice here, and parents are perfectly free to give their children
• Parenting is hard.
• We're not trying to also limit parent choice here, and parents are perfectly free to give their children
• Parenting is hard.

Committee: Senate Education