Transcript Highlights:

• It's Senate File 3190.
• It's Senate File 3190.
• It's Senate File 3190.
• It's Senate File 3190.
• It's Senate File 3190.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate Republican leaders held a press event to roll out a package of anti-fraud proposals focused on state welfare and human services programs. Mark Johnson opened by citing recent fraud scandals, including a shuttered housing program and reports of vulnerable adults being left without care while providers billed for full services, and said Republicans want top-down reform, stronger accountability, new technology, and tighter oversight of taxpayer dollars. Michael Kreun said Republicans support an independent Office of Inspector General and argued the Senate-passed bill should not be weakened in the House; he also said the Senate should restore its role in confirming agency commissioners, especially at DHS, which he described as central to the fraud problem. Jordan Rasmusson outlined a plan to stop “blank checks” for DHS and DCYF services by requiring legislative audit review when a program exceeds budget by 5 percent and legislative approval for additional spending at 10 percent over budget. He also said DHS should adopt basic integrity tools such as electronic visit verification and client sign-off. Steve Drazkowski described two bills: a statewide “do-not-pay” list to block payments to ineligible people or entities, and an “I’m Not a Robot” proposal for Medicaid managed care that would require enrollee verification forms, with a 2 percent payment withhold used to encourage compliance and potentially fund county system upgrades. Mark Krueger said the state should improve technology and data use for eligibility determinations, citing other states’ rapid fraud-fighting systems, and proposed penalties for false reporting to the Legislative Auditor after a DHS audit found falsified site-visit records. Steve Gruenhagen said his bill would require DHS and DCYF to resume annual fraud-prevention and oversight reports to the legislature, which he said had stopped after 2017 despite rising fraud cases. Michael Holmstrom proposed unannounced site visits for all DHS and DCYF providers before enrollment, reenrollment, and revalidation, funded through provider service fees, and cited a recent case involving a woman with autism who was billed for far more care than she received. In the Q&A, Kreun said House Democrats’ delete-everything amendment to the inspector general bill removed the law enforcement division and stripped the bill of its “teeth,” and he suggested the governor’s office may have been involved in efforts to replace the bill with a weaker coordination council model. No votes were taken in the press conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tooker's case, and then we filed a motion for a preliminary injunction.
• First, it's important to discuss the three elements required to file a lawsuit.
• Then, as I've said, it determines a specific county where a case may be filed.
• There's this sense that anyone can just go file anywhere, and every kind of case can be filed in Santa
• So like Valencia, for example, it's 68% that have been filed. been filed, but what does that mean particularly

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't want children as young as 10 years old filing petitions.
• Texas is filing petitions immediately upon removal.
• That usually happens long before the actual TMC cases are filed.
• the alternative at the initial filing for removal did not meet the requirements that a state file or
• That's why we're filing this statute.

Bills: HCR10, HB1814, HB2160, HB2353, HB2643, HB2971, HB3282, HB3382, HB3996, HB4507, HB4509, HB4805, HB5551, HB1863, HCR10

Keywords: family abduction, child safety, custodial rights, parental kidnapping, awareness day, marriage license, informal marriage, family code, identity verification, child support, family law, child custody, court interview, parent-child relationship, child welfare, attorney ad litem, compensation, legal representation, government entity, HB 2643

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this bill prohibits additional fees being charged for electronic filings in criminal matters
• But if that's not included in the filing, then, you know, we want to not pass it on to the individuals
• This bill was filed after there was a legislative audit, and the Women's Caucus took this on.
• So has a federal court ever not allowed the state to file a compensation lien in a civil rights case?
• The Senate has refused to concur in proposed House amendments to Senate Bill 449 by Senator Duplessis

Bills: HR295, HR296, HR297, HR298, HR299, HR300, HR301, HR302, HR303, HR304, HR305, HR306, HR307, HCR115, HCR116, HCR117, HR286, HR287, HR288, HR290, HR291, HR292, HR293, HR294, SCR61, SCR68, SB121, SB250, SB348, SB444, SB485, HR252, HR253, HCR96, HCR103, HCR108, SB268, SB283, SB414, HCR98, HR179, HR223, HR225, HR274, HCR89, HCR26, HB250, HB265, HB339, HB427, HB445, HB463, HB468, HB606, HB639, HB649, HB665, HB746, HB781, HB853, HB861, HB872, HB886, HB916, HB937, HB1054, HB1068, HB1117, HB1237, HB74, HB108, HB956, HB1085, HB1137, HB75, SB39, SB99, SB111, SB112, SB124, SB134, SB174, SB189, SB190, SB201, SB233, SB236, SB258, SB270, SB273, SB288, SB307, SB313, SB320, SB321, SB325, SB326, SB331, SB339, SB341, SB345, SB346, SB347, SB353, SB357, SB359, SB387, SB393, SB401, SB415, SB419, SB422, SB426, SB435, SB437, SB440, SB451, SB464, SB470, SB487, SB488, SB495, SB504, SB505, SB518, SB523, HR84, HB646, HB998, HB1191, SB78, SB81, SB97, SB100, SB109, SB123, SB125, SB208, SB385, SB479, SB56, SB163, SB197, HB901, HR20, HR74, HR168, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB302, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB782, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB149, SB382, SB441

Keywords: Energy Caucus, Louisiana House of Representatives, energy policy, fossil fuels, oil and gas, natural gas, renewable energy, solar, wind power, nuclear power, legislative caucus, industry group, economic development, state legislature, House resolution, energy sector, victims' services, criminal justice, Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Act No. 370

Summary: The House met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present, and began with prayer, the pledge, leave requests, and several personal privileges recognizing visitors and groups at the Capitol, including early education advocates, a poster contest winner, Entergy’s River Bend Nuclear Station on its 40th anniversary, a Children’s Miracle Network champion, Community Action leaders, and Leadership Tangipahoa participants. The chamber also received Senate messages, enrollment reports, a conference committee report on Senate Bill 149 that was allowed to lie over, and a long list of House resolutions and Senate bills that were either introduced, referred, or set aside for later consideration. Several resolutions were adopted without objection, including measures recognizing Early Education Day, World Preeclampsia Awareness Day, Dora’s Voyager, Tourism Day, and National Mississippi River Day, while House Concurrent Resolution 98 on SNAP grocery delivery fees failed on reconsideration by a vote of 46 yeas to 39 nays. The House then took up a series of Senate bills. Among the measures passed were SB 39 on provisional massage therapist licenses; SB 111 on freshwater recreational fish limits in the Atchafalaya Basin; SB 124 on peer review confidentiality for health systems; SB 134 on child sexual abuse material and sexting involving minors under 17; SB 99 on electronic DEQ notifications; SB 190 on special-focus nursing facilities; SB 201 on juvenile life-without-parole sentencing procedures; SB 233 on a statewide data exchange compact; SB 236 on annual kidney disease reporting; SB 258 on juvenile traffic offenses; SB 270 on medical marijuana use by terminally ill patients in health care facilities; SB 273 on hospice care requirements; SB 307 on educational displays and a Ten Commandments monument on Capitol grounds; SB 320 on CODIS hit tracking; SB 321 on electronic bonds; SB 325 on excluding threatening persons from sports wagering; SB 331 on temporary exceptions to the Scenic Rivers Act for lower Pearl River Basin work; SB 339 on gaming-related background checks; SB 345 on annual OJJ reporting; SB 346 and SB 347 on deepfake misuse in schools and on campuses; SB 357 on judiciary cleanup provisions; SB 359 on hospital district commissioner terms; SB 387 on pharmacy benefit managers; SB 393 on explosives regulation; SB 401 creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board; SB 415 creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program; SB 419 on pre-charged pneumatic devices for deer hunting; SB 422 on unsupervised probation for certain repeat DWI offenders; SB 426 on the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority and peer support credentials; SB 435 creating a Commission on Fatherhood Engagement; SB 437 on licensed treatment services in facilities housing judicially referred residents; SB 440 creating a Renaissance District in Rapides Parish; SB 451 on newborn hearing screening and intervention; SB 464 on severe obesity treatment coverage; SB 470 on pregnancy-related rules in correctional facilities; SB 487 on gaming premises rental agreements; and SB 488 creating a school safety drone response pilot program. Several bills were returned to the calendar for later action, including SB 189 on atmospheric releases affecting weather and climate, SB 326, SB 341, SB 353, and SB 495. A number of bills drew debate over policy and fiscal effects. SB 112 on school release time for religious instruction prompted questions about public-school participation, sponsoring entities, and parental consent; SB 189 on prohibiting intentional atmospheric release of substances for climate or weather modification passed 75-21 after questions about aircraft fuel dumping and agricultural exceptions; SB 201 on juvenile sentencing led to discussion of Supreme Court precedent and appellate review; SB 233 raised privacy concerns about interagency data sharing; SB 313 on electronic filing fees in criminal matters was criticized as a possible unfunded mandate and failed 25-68; and SB 451 on newborn hearing screening drew questions about board expansion, Medicaid coverage, and added administrative costs before passing 94-1. Most other bills passed with little or no opposition, and the House repeatedly adopted motions to table reconsideration after final passage votes. The chamber also announced it would stop debate at 5:00 p.m. and continued working through Senate bills as the Natural Resources Committee finished its meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are, I think, more than 1,500 lawsuits filed against Meta right now from parents who've lost their
• I'm going to run through that brief... ...more than 1,500 lawsuits filed against Meta right now from
• They can also refuse to allow their children to engage with certain platforms and devices altogether.
• You always have to look when you're getting ready to file a lawsuit for a statute that tells you.
• The Christian group asked if they wanted to put a flag up, and they refused them.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first took up HCR 31, a resolution honoring former Representative Lyndon Bateman. Senator Anthon, Tess Molitor, and David Leroy described Bateman’s long legislative service, his work on Idaho Day, cursive instruction, history, and his distinctive humor and letter-writing. Members spoke warmly in support, and the committee voted unanimously to send HCR 31 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard gubernatorial appointments to the State Building Authority from Nicholas Gouho and Todd Christensen, both of whom outlined extensive backgrounds in construction, development, finance, and public service. The committee also approved reappointments of Robert Donaldson and Irving Littman to the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board, sending both to the floor with confirmation recommendations. Several RS requests were introduced: RS 33-634 on liability protections for private polling places, RS 33-674 encouraging a 5% legislative salary reduction, RS 33-693 revising 340B drug reporting requirements, RS 33-712 clarifying surveyor access under a trailer bill, and RS 33-697 requiring definite identification before cremation. Each was moved to print without opposition. The committee also advanced HB 637, which would clarify Idaho’s gold and silver legal tender law by allowing foreign or domestic bullion, and HB 573, which expands who may teach the enhanced concealed carry course to include certain certified instructors with eight years’ experience. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 542, the “Shazam Act,” which would restrict addictive social media features for minors, require age estimation and parental consent, and create enforcement through a private right of action and the Attorney General. Sponsors and supporters argued it would protect children from addiction, suicide, and harmful data practices and put parents back in control. Opponents from Meta, CCIA, NetChoice, and TechNet raised constitutional, privacy, and implementation concerns, while some committee members questioned the private cause of action. The committee ultimately voted to send HB 542 to the 14th order for possible amendments rather than directly to the floor. The committee then began hearing HB 561, a bill on government flag displays and enforcement, with testimony largely supporting limits on public flag displays to neutral or officially recognized flags, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second reading of House files: Second reading, House File number 13.
• Second reading, House File number 28. Second reading, House File number 124.
• Second reading, House File number 129. Second reading, House File number 920. Second reading.
• Second reading of Senate files: Second reading of Senate File number 571.
• Introduction of first reading of House File 1744 through House File 1863.

Transcript Highlights:

• You may proceed with file item three.
• We are now moving on to file item 37 SCR 154, Secretary Now moving on to file item 37, SCR 154.
• Senator Grove, you have file item 43.
• Senator Reyes, you have file item 50.
• Secretary, if you can open the roll call on file item 72, please. File item 72, please.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 4331. Senate File 4331.
• Senate file 5000 before us.
• Senate<00:35:30.000><c> file</c><00:35:30.320><c> 3983</c> Senate file 3983 Senate file 3983 is<00:35
• Senate file 3560 were made.
• Senate file<00:36:04.240><c> 4200</c> file 4200 file 4200 is<00:36:06.480><c> also</c><00:36:06.800><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to take actions as are necessary to ensure that all individuals implicated in the Jeffrey Epstein files
• The House has refused to concur, and... No, I'm sorry.
• The House has refused to concur in the proposed Senate amendments to House Bill 842 by Representative
• The House has refused to concur in proposed amendments to House Bill 258 by Representative ...
• The House has refused to concur in proposed amendments to House Bill 258 by Representative Boe-Ye, and

Bills: SCR63, SCR12, HB89, HB451, HB595, HB617, HB621, HB730, HB1064, HB1125, HB221, HCR58, SB106, SB206, SB248, SB441, SB104, SB122, SB180, SB260, SB424, SB476, SCR9, SCR30, SB57, SB414, SB525, SB35, SB65, SB135, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB276, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB484, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB501, SB513, HCR31, HB462, HB547, HB613, HB691, HB712, HB720, HB723, HB728, HB735, HB747, HB759, HB825, HB845, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB907, HB923, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB965, HB1036, HB287, HB370, HB515, HB521, HB570, HB1200, HB29, HB39, HB58, HB67, HB73, HB76, HB77, HB82, HB112, HB121, HB125, HB132, HB134, HB151, HB154, HB155, HB161, HB166, HB187, HB191, HB207, HB211, HB224, HB238, HB241, HB242, HB250, HB260, HB265, HB275, HB300, HB320, HB338, HB339, HB349, HB379, HB399, HB427, HB463, HB464, HB468, HB545, HB550, HB551, HB565, HB588, HB639, HB725, HB782, HB805, HB808, HB834, HB847, HB853, HB858, HB861, HB883, HB916, HB937, HB977, HB1012, HB1027, HB1044, HB1054, HB1091, HB1117, HB90, HB127, HB138, HB150, HB201, HB268, HB273, HB285, HB315, HB354, HB355, HB360, HB376, HB445, HB506, HB606, HB649, HB665, HB681, HB721, HB746, HB757, HB781, HB835, HB844, HB857, HB872, HB886, HB889, HB892, HB982, HB987, HB1037, HB1068, HB1072, HB1078, HB1085, HB1132, HB1137, HB1167, HB1174, HB1232, HB1238, HB23, HB136, HB17, HB21, HB51, HB55, HB74, HB106, HB108, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB168, HB215, HB226, HB263, HB296, HB299, HB322, HB364, HB519, HB535, HB538, HB568, HB571, HB622, HB635, HB676, HB772, HB784, HB1006, HB1018, HB1033, HB1034, HB1043, HB1070, HB1134, HB1237, HB1239, HB36, HB119, HB126, HB129, HB245, HB271, HB280, HB337, HB351, HB677, HB726, HB789, HB850, HB956, HB966, SB149, SB382

Keywords: fiscal notes, legislation, legislative auditor, state policy, conflict of interest, logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, HB89, Act 615, district attorney, assistant district attorney, retiree health insurance, group health insurance, retirement benefits, public employee benefits, Third Judicial District, Thirtieth Judicial District

Transcript Highlights:

• If 60,000 file, it will cost the state of Texas between $210 million and $300 million.
• If 60,000 file, it will cost between $420 million and $600 million.
• It will cost more just to answer the filings than it will to air-condition the prisons.
• The tragic events leading up to the filing of this bill are a stark reminder."
• We're grateful for her filing this bill.

Bills: HB1826, HB2854, HB3006, HB4614, HB5261, HB5639

Keywords: mental health, women's health, county jail, depression screening, criminal justice, HB 2854, Pokuaa-Flowers Act, parole, mandatory supervision, electronic monitoring, releasee, parole officer, hospital visit approval, general hospital, law enforcement notification, DSHS, Department of State Health Services, corrections, public safety, liability immunity

Transcript Highlights:

• We will pass and retain file items 77 through 82, and that brings us to file item number 83.
• We're going to pass for your tandem file items 84, 85, 86. That brings us to file item number 87.
• We're going to pass for you in tandem file items 84, 85, 86. That brings us to file item number 87.
• I'm going to pass and retain on file items 91 through 98. That brings us to file item number 99.
• We're going to pass your intent of file items 121, 122, 123. That brings us to file item 124.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be passing Senate File 2231 and Senate File 1268 to State and Local Government, and this is the
• be passing Senate file 2231 and Senate<00:01:08.080><c> file</c><00:01:08.439><c> 1268</c><00:01:09.439
• </c> opposition to Senate file opposition to Senate file 2231<00:16:09.000><c> land</c><00:16:09.279>
• </c> Senate file Senate file 1750<01:08:24.440><c> uh</c><01:08:24.560><c> Senator</c><01:08:24.920><
• </c> Senate file Senate file 1750<01:11:08.560><c> HOA</c><01:11:09.040><c> and</c><01:11:09.159><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are both timely filed. Let’s take up the first amendment.
• He was speechless, and said Zeng, who said he refused him as a client. So sometimes they refused.
• He was speechless, and said Zeng, who said he refused him as a client. So sometimes they refused.
• There is one amendment, barcode 347-342, timely filed.
• There is one amendment, barcode 347-342, timely filed.

Bills: S0006, S0026, S0206, S0532, S0576, S1012, S1110, S1178, S1192, S1758, S1760, S7046, S7048

Keywords: child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, special education, exceptional student education, ESE, teacher preparation, educator certification, micro-credential, loan forgiveness, student loan repayment

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met and considered a large agenda of bills, reporting several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and the estate of Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, which was approved for $3.8 million. The committee also passed a cybersecurity internships bill creating a Department of Commerce program with Cyber Florida, and SB 532, which lets clerks of court retain the full amount of certain excess revenue and clarifies foreclosure-sale procedures. Veterans housing measures, CS for CS for SB 1602 and SB 1604, were approved to create a pilot program and a related trust fund for vacancy relief and risk mitigation for veteran housing. The committee also favorably reported SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics, with emotional testimony from a student and family describing the high cost and importance of activity-specific prosthetics. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 1012 after adopting an amendment that removed inmate emergency and specialty medical service compensation provisions while retaining changes to the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund. Another bill, CS for CS for SB 1614, was narrowed by a delete-all amendment to focus on limiting the use of excess fees for new building construction by local governments. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate, with some support testimony submitted in writing or waived. The most extensive discussion centered on CS for CS for SB 17, a major Medicaid and public assistance overhaul. The bill would create a Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Oversight, allow the Legislature to retain its own actuary, tighten Medicaid program oversight, update encounter-data reporting, set performance standards for managed care plans, revise pharmacy benefit manager rules, and require DCF to implement SNAP fraud-reduction and payment-accuracy reforms, including photo IDs on EBT cards and updated work requirements. It also would direct agencies to seek federal waivers for Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults and expanded behavioral health services. After lengthy questioning and testimony, the committee adopted amendments adding a transitional medical benefits glide path for people who gain employment and later lose Medicaid eligibility, and exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would improve accountability, reduce fraud, and save money, while opponents warned it would create administrative burdens, increase paperwork, and cause eligible people to lose coverage or food assistance. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• something against the organization file something against the organization file something against the
• I looked up his file, the grace of God. I looked up his file, the grace of God.
• and it is current and it shall not filed and it is current and it shall not filed and it is current
• with them the email address that's filed with them the email address that's filed with them already.
• to treat or transport an refusing to treat or transport an refusing to treat or transport an injured

Bills: HJR 4, HJR 6, HB 195, HB 13, HB 143, HB 135

Keywords: occupation tax, securities, financial regulation, tax exemption, legislative amendment, capital gains tax, realized gains, unrealized gains, investment income, asset sale, capital assets, wealth tax, estate tax, trust tax, tax limitation, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, property tax, sales tax

Transcript Highlights:

• They no longer have first right of refusal.
• They no longer have first right of refusal.
• They no longer have first right of refusal.
• They no longer have first right of refusal.
• They no longer have first right of refusal.

Keywords: Education - Room 216, 29 January, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to Assembly Rule 97, I request unanimous consent to re-refer file item 80, SB 1288, and file
• That brings us to the Assembly Third Reading File, file items 52 through 65.
• We are going to pass retain on file items 56 and 57.
• We will pass and retain file items 59 and 60, and that brings us to file item 61.
• Okay, without reference to file.

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:

• Pursuant to Assembly Rule 97, I request unanimous consent to re-refer file item 80, SB 1288, and file
• Reconsideration file items 49 through 51. All... Reconsideration file items 49 through 51.
• That brings us to the Assembly third reading file, file items 52 through 65.
• We will pass and retain file items 59 and 60, and that brings us to file item 61.
• Okay, without reference to file.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's records problems when we try to file lawsuits around it.
• As a Palestinian mother, I refuse to accept this status quo and ask that you move this bill forward to
• to conform their business practices to enter. ...of the holdings to companies that have refused to conform
• put time and effort and resources into this, while offices right now in many of your districts can’t file
• These lawsuits are being filed by inmates who aren't getting the medical care that DOC is statutorily

Summary: The committee began with a work session from the State Investment Board, where staff described the board’s structure, $230 billion in assets under management, and its mandate to maximize returns at a prudent level of risk for pension and other state funds. They reviewed long-term performance, noting strong historical returns and explaining that the board generally invests public equities passively through low-cost index funds. Members also discussed sustainability practices, including ESG integration, proxy voting, climate and DEI blueprints, and the board’s view that divestment or asset-class restrictions can reduce returns and increase costs. Senators asked about deferred compensation, legislative influence over investment policy, and digital assets; staff said the board is slow-moving and that any major change would be studied carefully. The public hearing then focused on SB 5439, which would prohibit new thermal coal investments beginning in 2026 and require full divestment by 2030, with limited exceptions. Supporters argued coal is a poor long-term investment and a major climate and health risk, and several said the bill still gives the board flexibility to retain holdings in companies transitioning to clean energy. The committee also heard testimony on SB 6109, which would bar investments in private detention facilities and require divestment by 2030; supporters said state money should not profit from immigrant detention, while staff confirmed the board currently holds a small investment in Geo Group. SB 6304 would require responsible investment principles for the State Investment Board, including consideration of human rights, environmental degradation, corruption, and related risks, along with proxy voting guidelines and annual reporting. Testimony in favor emphasized ethical investing, climate risk, and avoiding complicity in human rights abuses, while board staff had earlier said they view such decisions through an investment-risk lens rather than a values-based lens. The committee also heard Substitute SB 5945, which would exclude most offenses committed before age 18 from counting as strikes under the state’s persistent offender law and would allow retroactive resentencing for affected people, with exceptions for first- and second-degree murder and serious sex offenses. Staff said the substitute would likely affect fewer cases than the original bill, with estimates ranging from about 10 to 24 resentencings. Public defense, prosecutors, and sheriffs’ representatives raised concerns about workload, victim impacts, and retroactive application, while supporters and pro bono providers said they were prepared to help with resentencing and reentry support. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Has Representative Gámez filed this bill before? Have you all tried before as far as coming?
• half, they have been punished by a vengeful federal Indian government. precisely because of their refusal
• Elizabeth Warren filed a bill to limit this. Are there any limits now? No sir, there are not.
• One of them, which applies in this situation, was refusal to assist officers of the Union, and that's
• I filed a non-leg council draft, and so the committee substitute is substantially identical.

Bills: HB551, HB 1281, HB1378, HB1617, HB2868, HB2881, HB3374, HB4439, HB4726, HB4732, HB4878, HB4914, HB4921, HB4958, HB5200, HB5318, HB5360, HB5402, HB5568, HB5573, HB5623, HJR218

Keywords: political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, international organizations, World Health Organization, jurisdiction, state law, enforcement, United Nations, World Economic Forum, attorney general, Texas attorney general, state sovereignty, legal enforcement, Texas Attorney General, electric energy storage, municipal regulation, county regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is how society declines. because we refuse to say the uncomfortable things and that is that
• Hope we're going to be held accountable by the fact that what we said or refuse to say in the face of
• of unintended consequences, and that's the law we hear. about over and over again as you come and file
• That is what I expected when I filed. HR 236.
• SB901 by Cole Corse, relating to the declaration of the candidate's ineligibility on the basis of filing

Bills: HB630, HB420, HB767, HB1708, HB2842, HB1404, HB2457, HB140, HB333, HB227, HB913, HB201, HB2198, HB 109, HB2763, HB519, HB 1261, HB 1135, HB1318, HB2358, HB2415, HB2765, HB2735, HB3307, HB1373, HB694, HB 1242, HB272, HB1437, HB1888, HCR78, HCR12, HCR128, HR7, HR11, HR37, HR69, HR83, HR89, HR100, HR123, HR129, HR137, HR254, HR258, HR289, HR293, HR318, HR324, HR350, HR368, HR370, HR372, HR379, HR406, HR407, HR432, HR445, HR471, HR504, HR506, HR507, HR528, HR567, HR572, HR591, HR592, HR593, HR603, HR614, HR621, HR673, HR684, HR685, HR687, HR700, HR701, HR711, HR712, HR754, HR757, HR758, HR760, HR764, HR765, HR766, HR767, HR768, HR769, HR770, HR771, HR772, HR774, HR776, HR777, HR778, HR779, HR780, HR783, HR784, HR784, HR6, HR6, HR17, HR17, HR18, HR18, HR49, HR49, HR170, HR170, HR236, HR236, HR247, HR275, HR355, HR356, HR364, HR672, HR690, HR690, HR755, HR755, HR756, HR756, HR759, HR759, HR762, HR762, HR763, HR763, HR781, HR781, HR785, HR785, SB2, SB260, SB569, HB2, HB2000, HB213, HB222, HB645, HB1458, HB 1022, HB141, HB643, HB3093, HB1700, HB 117

Keywords: outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 420, Texas Water Code, special district, water district, board meetings, meeting location, teleconference, videoconference, remote meeting, public hearing, tax rate hearing, special districts, Cedar Creek Reservoir, county boundary, local government