Transcript Highlights:

• I think we all agree that we don't want AI influencing children to do this.
• We don't want anyone to do it, but we certainly don't want AI to influence children doing this.
• <03:27:18.960> So,<03:27:19.279> what influence children doing this.
• So, what influence children doing this.
• the power to influence behavior or maintain<04:51:40.718> order.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Barry Henriksson, Adjutant Quartermaster for the Department of Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars.
• year we've already had five consolidations, meaning five communities have lost their Veterans of Foreign
• <00:01:59.039> Wars of Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars of Minnesota Veterans of Foreign
• <00:02:23.879> Wars<00:02:24.480> posts<00:02:25.480> and Veterans of Foreign
• Wars posts and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts and they're<00:02:26.080> hurting<00:02:26.560>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• CFC stands for controlled foreign corporation.
• changes to foreign source income. changes to foreign source income.
• Subpart F income requires U.S. shareholders of controlled foreign corporations to include specific foreign
• So, um, foreign tax credit.
• ways and then some don't tax foreign ways and then some don't tax foreign source<00:35:29.839>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• From the terminated credits, which gets more complicated because there's new rules about foreign
• That work is really to promote and protect state interests, as well as influence regional transmission
• interests<01:12:26.400> as<01:12:26.640> well<01:12:26.719> as<01:12:26.960> influence
• <01:12:27.360> regional interests as well as influence regional interests as well as influence

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Frankly, I would ban foreign investors as well.
• election systems from impairing the ability of protected classes to elect candidates of their choice or influence
• So the California Voting Rights Act had an impact and an influence.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with the most detailed discussion focused on AB 316, AB 251, AB 474, AB 1201, AB 464, and AB 614. AB 316 would prevent AI developers or deployers from arguing in civil cases that an AI system’s alleged autonomy absolves them of responsibility. Supporters framed it as a narrow guardrail to protect families, especially children, from harms like dangerous chatbots and deepfakes; opponents, including TechNet and the Chamber of Progress, raised concerns about possible strict-liability implications. The bill was moved out of committee to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 251 would let judges lower the burden of proof in elder abuse cases when a skilled nursing facility or RCFE intentionally destroys evidence. Supporters said the measure is needed because elder abuse victims are often unable to testify and records are vulnerable to spoliation, while opponents argued existing sanctions are sufficient and warned of more litigation. The bill passed, with committee members emphasizing the vulnerability of elder abuse victims. AB 474 sought to expand nonprofit home-sharing programs, including tax incentives for low-income homeowners and changes to housing law and lodger rules. Supporters said it would help older adults and low-income Californians avoid homelessness, but several members and the California Apartment Association raised concerns about removing lodger-law protections for homeowners; the author committed to keep working on the issue. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 1201 would give courts discretion to provide family reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions, rather than applying an automatic bypass. Supporters from Starting Over Inc. described personal experiences with permanent family separation and argued the bill would give parents a fair chance when the conviction is unrelated to child safety. Some members supported the measure but questioned whether domestic violence histories should be treated differently; the author said the bill still allows courts to deny services when reunification would endanger a child. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 464 addressed sexual abuse and retaliation in state prisons by extending reporting time after release, adding 90-day monitoring after reports, barring rehiring of confirmed abusers, and strengthening reporting and anti-retaliation rules. Survivors testified about abuse, retaliation, and failures in CDCR’s response; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 614 would standardize the Government Claims Act filing deadline at one year for all claims. The author and supporters argued the current six-month deadline for injury and wrongful death claims is too short for victims to learn the process, find counsel, and gather evidence, while businesses often get a full year. A civil rights attorney and a family member of a deceased jail detainee testified in support, describing how the current deadline can block meritorious claims. The bill was presented for committee consideration as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, very importantly, we want to keep them in the United States and keep them from going to foreign
• You don't get to influence... ...decide to do that, they contact you. Correct.
• You don't get to influence their decision to up a lease, move to a different property, or go to you?

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee first heard the Legislative Budget Board and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on the Secretary of State budget. LBB said the recommendation would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million overall, with major changes including removing federal HAVA funding and one-time business system replacement money, adjusting the agency’s base request, deleting an outdated Interstate Crosscheck rider, and directing HAVA funds to be drawn down first. Secretary Nelson and staff defended the agency’s needs, emphasizing election security, business filings, international protocol, and the Texas Register, and requested additional staff, a new website, digitization of records, IT and cybersecurity upgrades, and renovation of the Rudder Building. Senators discussed voter-roll maintenance, cross-checking data, call-center response times, and the need for online voter registration and more efficient election administration. No votes were taken. The committee then took up the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB outlined a $2.4 million decrease for the office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs, driven by unexpended balances and the removal of one-time federal and border-security items, while noting continued funding for disaster response, victim assistance, and $2.9 billion for border security at roughly the prior level. Governor’s staff said Texas remains focused on border security, economic development, and public safety, and discussed efforts to seek federal reimbursement for prior border spending. Members asked about the National Guard’s status, possible federal assumption of border costs, the music incubator program, the Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, defense economic adjustment grants, and a new $5 million nonprofit security grant proposal. Staff said the semiconductor program has 12 approved projects totaling about 948 jobs and $17 billion in capital investment, and that the nonprofit security request was added late to address threats to houses of worship and other nonprofits. No formal action was taken. Finally, the committee heard the Texas Facilities Commission and lease-payment recommendations. LBB said the Facilities Commission recommendation would reduce appropriations by about $2.0 billion, mainly by removing border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, while adding money for higher utility costs, Rudder Building refurbishment, and additional staff. The lease-payment recommendation would decrease general revenue by $9.3 million. LBB also noted new riders related to completing the State Library and Archives building, tenant communication during disruptions, and a space-utilization report. In agency testimony, members asked about border wall maintenance responsibility, total facilities-related debt, and the status of capital complex construction. The Rudder Building renovation and related security needs were repeatedly discussed as important one-time infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Veterans of Foreign Wars is proud to be a part of this as the Commander Task Force, but not only
• Uh, the Veterans of Foreign<00:15:53.759> Wars<00:15:54.560> is<00:15:54.959> uh
• Wars is uh proud to be a part of Foreign Wars is uh proud to be a part of this<00:15:56.240> as
• The Veterans of Foreign Wars has passed laws in different forms.
• The Veterans of Foreign Wars has been fighting for veterans for over a century.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In two of the three cases, the intended parents were foreign nationals.
• So on two of the three cases, two were about foreign nationals, correct? Correct.
• And in two cases, they were foreign nationals.
• Let's take this foreign—let's just say a U.K. citizen.
• Foreign-owned surrogacy agencies that are foreign-owned. Yes. Hmm.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill involves foreign drivers' licenses. Give me one second, Mr. President.
• go to the polling location to vote only having a foreign national license.
• But whenever they show that ID that says "foreign national license," it creates... ...that says "foreign
• license right in... ...foreign driver's license right in Alabama.
• Again, I'm sorry, we will issue that identification here in Alabama, the foreign national license.

Bills: SJR 18, SCR 5, SCR 13, SCR 25, SB 3, SB 6, SB 10, SB 11, SB 12, SB 13, SB 15, SB 17, SB 18, SB 35, SB 388, SB 412, SB 441, SB 495, SB 666, SB 687, SB 706, SB 740, SB 815, SB 842, SB 917, SB 925, SB 995, SB 1006, SB 1281, SB 1300, SB 1379, SB 1451, SB 1902, SJR 36, SJR 18, SJR 12, SCR 13, SCR 25, SCR 5, SCR 22, SB 565, SB 372, SB 495, SB 842, SB 765, SB 62, SB 19, SB 18, SB 666, SB 707, SB 888, SB 687, SB 706, SB 847, SB 290, SB 11, SB 10, SB 13, SB 412, SB 441, SB 1248, SB 740, SB 14, SB 1006, SB 504, SB 917, SB 925, SB 388, SB 1902, SB 1121, SB 995, SB 857, SB 305, SB 296, SB 284, SB 35, SB 6, SB 815, SB 3, SB 1281, SB 1379, SB 1300, SB 1497, SB 1499, SB 1498, SB 1451, SB 1061, SB 15, SB 65, SB 241, SB 304, SB 402, SB 499, SB 621, SB 974, SB 1023, SB 1024, SB 1025, SB 1106, SB 686, SB 112, SB 371, SB 204, SB 400, SB 609, SB 1447, SB 670, SB 502, SB 427, SB 850, SB 854, SB 413, SB 1555, SB 1362, SB 1346, SB 1033, SB 1220, SB 1073, SB 810, SB 987, SB 1539, SB 893, SB 447, SB 875, SB 406, SB 509, SB 985, SB 965, SB 17, SB 1119, SB 1505, SB 12, SB 24, SB 57, SB 1194, SB 1253, SB 1215, SB 1532, SB 1268, SCR 12, SCR 24, SB 1302, SB 856, SB 650, SB 583, SB 673, SB 840, SJR 18, SB 11, SB 441, SB 10, SB 18, SB 412, SB 495, SR 238, SR 264, SR 266, SR 267, SR 268, SR 270, SR 271, SR 272, SR 278, SB 1169, SB 1169

Keywords: capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, SCR 5, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, Texas School for the Deaf, TSD, Robert Rives, gymnasium naming, building naming, honorary resolution, commemorative resolution, deaf education, hard of hearing, Gallaudet University, alumni hall of fame, football coach, school facility naming

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members, Senate Bill 1683 prohibits a foreign adversary nation or its agent from essentially
• a federal law conflict because Congress and the President are empowered to make rules relating to foreign
• That's not to say that a state can never take action relating to foreign nations, but the scope of that
• state's authority is dependent on what the federal government is ...relating to foreign nations, but
• Here we have at least one federal law called the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act, or

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Rules Committee met to consider several Senate bills for constitutional and form review, while holding SB 1287, 1140, and 1811. SB 1012, which would loosen concealed-carry restrictions in restaurants and adjust liquor licensing/Dram Shop liability, was recommended as constitutional and in proper form by a 5-2 vote, though the rules attorney flagged a possible anti-abrogation issue with the bill’s immunity language. SB 1573, barring courts from relying on religious sectarian law, was also recommended despite concerns that it could raise an Establishment Clause challenge under the Larson strict-scrutiny framework. SB 1613, the annual revisors technical corrections bill, passed unanimously on the committee’s vote, and SB 1683, restricting property and equipment rights of foreign adversary nations and agents, was recommended after discussion of possible federal preemption/conflict issues. The committee then considered SB 1725, which defines excessive marijuana smoke or odor as a private and public nuisance. Counsel said the Voter Protection Act likely applies because the bill could be seen as restricting marijuana use beyond what the voter-approved initiatives contemplated, and noted a possible challenge on whether it furthers those initiatives’ purposes. The bill was nevertheless recommended as constitutional and in proper form by a 5-3 vote. Finally, the committee took up a large mass motion covering many additional bills, with a correction made from SB 1444 to SB 1445. Rules staff said the measures in the motion were constitutional and in proper form, and the committee approved the mass motion by an 8-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's give them a hand for being with us. foreign foreign CDL<00:47:04.960> as<00:47:05.080>
• <00:47:09.200> CDL<00:47:09.800> holders foreign CDL holders foreign CDL holders uh<00:
• CDL be a class D um foreign CDL be a class D um a<00:49:04.200> felony.
• So are we talking when you say foreign So are we talking when you say foreign ID?
• <00:52:08.200> nationalist he or she may be a foreign nationalist he or she may be a foreign

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• amendments, says: A bill for an act to provide for a Legislative Management report relating to a foreign
• President, as said, House Bill 1209 is regarding a foreign adversary threat assessment. ...regarding
• a foreign adversary threat assessment.
• adversaries, now referred to as foreign countries of concern by the Committee on Foreign Investment
• in the U.S., with the appointment and the new administration here. ...on Foreign Investment in the U.S

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then moved through a series of conference committee appointments and reconsideration motions. Senator Axtman successfully moved to reconsider House Bill 1160, which had previously failed, and the chamber later passed it. HB 1160 creates a statewide bell-to-bell policy restricting personal electronic devices during instructional time; supporters argued it would reduce distractions, improve mental health and academic outcomes, and help teachers, while opponents raised local control concerns. The bill passed 42-4. The Senate also passed several other measures, including HB 1247 on protecting student victims of sexual offenses, HB 1489 consolidating civil protection orders into one chapter, HB 1032 making municipal courts courts of record and updating related procedures, HB 1487 authorizing a Minot facility for the Highway Patrol and Bureau of Criminal Investigation with a line of credit and emergency clause, HB 1469 requiring annual online statements of interest for public officials, HB 1199 creating the Missing and Indigenous People Task Force and related MMIP initiatives, HB 1169 regulating paid veterans benefits claim assistance with consumer protections, HB 1209 directing a foreign adversary threat assessment, and HB 3018 as amended to study water, wetlands, and taxation of inundated lands. Most of these passed with strong bipartisan support, though HB 1169 drew substantial debate over veterans’ service options and HB 1209 passed on a narrower 40-7 vote. The chamber rejected or declined several other measures. HB 1455, which would have required the Indian Affairs Commission to review introduced legislation for tribal implications, failed 7-40 after concerns about an unfunded mandate and duplicative duties. HB 1259, which would have put North Dakota on year-round daylight saving time, was defeated 15-32 after debate over time zones, construction, recreation, and whether the issue should be left to future legislatures. HB 1555, dealing with statements of ownership for foreign organizations of concern, also failed 3-44. The Senate then moved to announcements and committee scheduling for later meetings and conference committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• The foreign national bridge is a critical component. of this trade infrastructure and responsible for
• The Foreign National Bridge provides a competitive advantage. and logistics, enabling trucks from South
• Tuesday, today, product leaves... the packing houses in Mexico, tomorrow, Wednesday, will cross the foreign
• Results of both domestic and foreign fresh produce industries depend on having sufficient CBP ag specialists
• to support the confirmed growth of trade through South Texas Port. has significantly impacted the Foreign

Bills: HB2013, HB4163, HB4810

Keywords: property owners associations, chickens, urban farming, land use, homeowner rights, agriculture, municipal regulation, governmental requirements, farm management, inspections, border control, trade, state funding, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Congress, all of us, overwhelmingly supported designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
• I agree with Senator Kim that illicit activities by drug cartels, foreign terrorist organizations and
• We really cannot give our enemies that type of leverage. such an action by a foreign adversary could
• It must tighten up restrictions related to national security and unregistered foreign stablecoin issuers
• We've done a lot. on foreign issuers.

Bills: SB875

Keywords: banking regulation, federal agencies, reputational risk, financial services, supervision, FIRM Act, bank supervision, depository institutions, federal banking agencies, FDIC, OCC, Federal Reserve, NCUA, CFPB, credit unions, Operation Choke Point, financial discrimination, safety and soundness, supervisory guidance, examination manual

Summary: This meeting focused on the markup of the Genius Act and the FIRM Act, two significant pieces of legislation addressing stablecoin regulation and the financial industry's regulatory framework. The Chairman noted the importance of providing clarity to the digital asset community and protecting American consumers, while also promoting innovation and competition within the financial sector. Members of both parties expressed varying viewpoints, with some highlighting concerns related to national security and the potential risks associated with stablecoins.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the over-regulation, the... or in part on any foreign law. Mr.
• It stops foreign laws from entering the United States that would be adverse.
• It's not like there's some problem with U.S. courts imposing foreign, or Missouri courts imposing foreign
• And it was a shall obtain affirmation that that donor was not a foreign national.
• Senator Brown got in and took off all your concerns about the foreign matters. Okay.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The foreign National Bridge is a critical component of this trade infrastructure and responsible for
• The Foreign National Bridge provides a competitive advantage in logistics, enabling trucks from South
• Tomorrow, Wednesday will cross to the foreign National Bridge.
• The success of both domestic and foreign fresh produce industries depend on having sufficient CBP ag
• The STAC grant has significantly impacted the foreign national bridge.

Transcript Highlights:

• So once the business becomes more mature, we can help them get into foreign markets, international markets
• So I'm curious, how much does this industry rely on foreign labor, particularly folks who have work permits
• Make claims or have rights with respect to the assets or the liability of the foreign series LLC.
• We're figuring we're putting in there how foreign series LLCs can already transact business in Florida
• It's pretty lengthy because it has all the requirements for how this foreign series would operate, and

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism convened with several members present and Senators DiCeglie and McClain excused. The committee first heard a presentation from Greg Britton, State Director of the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, who described the network’s statewide small-business assistance, including startup support, export and contracting help, disaster recovery, and rural outreach. He highlighted reported 2023 impacts such as $3.9 billion in sales generated, $575.9 million in government contracts, $346.2 million in capital, and support for 2,009 new businesses, including 130 manufacturing firms over the past two years. Members asked about comparisons with SCORE and about measuring rural success, with the chair suggesting jobs and wages in rural areas would be useful metrics; Britton said he could provide job data but was unsure about wage information. The committee then took up SB 320 by Senator Gates, which creates a five-year demonstration project for an alternative licensure pathway for surveyors and mappers. The bill would allow a “first-step” probationary license based on industry certification, apprenticeship, recommendation from a licensed Florida surveyor, and passage of the Department of Agriculture exam within the five-year period, without requiring a four-year degree. Senators asked about the labor shortage, education requirements, foreign workers, and moral character standards. Gates said the shortage is chronic and worsening, the bill has no degree requirement, and anyone meeting the qualifications could proceed regardless of visa status. The committee voted to report SB 320 favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 316 by Senator Berman, which authorizes series limited liability companies in Florida and sets rules for how Florida and foreign series LLCs may operate and transact business in the state. Berman explained that the bill is intended to let businesses isolate liabilities across separate series while providing clearer rules for Florida citizens and businesses dealing with such entities. There were no substantive questions, one appearance form in support, and the committee voted to report SB 316 favorably before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• this bill passes, what it would prevent for three years was the sale of membership or shares to a foreign
• is the two-thirds of the members still have to be New Hampshire residents, but what exactly is a foreign
• Foreign corporation? A corporation.
• If you consider New Hampshire domestic, foreign would be an out-of-state entity.
• already in place and I think the foreign already in place and I think the foreign corporation<00

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The work session focused on HB 54, which would allow New Hampshire’s alternative treatment centers to operate for profit. Chair David Nagel opened by identifying the main concerns: whether members agreed with the bill conceptually, whether the proposal could be shaped to avoid a gubernatorial veto, and whether it could lead to “big cannabis” taking over. He also emphasized that the bill would not change the existing oversight structure, which remained under RSA 126-X. Representative Wendy Thomas said the governor’s objections in past sessions appeared to center on the state’s preference for a state-run model and broader policy concerns, but no one present knew the current governor’s position. Several speakers argued the bill was primarily about financing and access, not expanding the number of dispensaries. Matt Simon of Granite Leaf Cannabis said the current nonprofit structure makes it difficult to raise capital, pay down debt, and open additional access points, and that the bill would be a corporate restructuring rather than a change in day-to-day regulation. Brandon Pollock of TASCAL Wellness said medical cannabis programs in most other states are for-profit, and that New Hampshire’s nonprofit requirement has left ATCs burdened with high-interest debt and higher prices that push patients to Maine, Vermont, or the street market. He said converting to for-profit status could allow conventional financing, lower prices, and help keep patients in the regulated program. Members also discussed whether for-profit ownership would invite outside corporate control. Witnesses said the bill would not open the market to new operators, would not change advertising rules, and would include restrictions on ownership transfers for a period of time; “foreign corporation” was explained as an out-of-state entity. One speaker noted that the bill is similar to earlier versions that passed both chambers with strong support but never became law. No vote was taken during the work session; the discussion was informational and aimed at addressing concerns before the bill moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1743 by Little relating to holding an acquisition of interest in a real property on behalf of foreign
• by Hefner relating to the purchase or acquisition of title and real property by certain aliens or foreign
• by Hefner, uh, relating to the purchase and acquisition of title or property by certain aliens or foreign
• HB 127 by Wilson relating to the measures to protect public institutions of higher education from foreign
• City agreements between governmental entities and foreign country communities refer to the Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Over a five-year period, this amounts to $75 million in savings... ...for the project, buying foreign
• Our problem is the Massachusetts steel fabrication industry continues to be decimated by foreign steel
• That money spent on foreign fabricators simply evaporates from our economy.
• All we are doing is invigorating foreign industry, foreign economies, and foreign communities by doing
• Foreign nations and foreign economies and communities are, even though they don't pay into it.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight heard testimony on several procurement-related bills. Senator Lovely and steel industry witnesses supported S. 2167/H. 3411, which would require preference for U.S. manufacturers on public construction projects using steel and other materials. They argued that Canadian and other foreign fabricators underbid Massachusetts firms because of exchange rates, subsidies, and different labor-cost structures, causing local job losses and economic leakage. Committee members asked about tariffs, market share, and whether the bill should be folded into broader municipal legislation; the witnesses said public work should stay in Massachusetts and that the bill would help preserve local industry and jobs. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2107, a bill to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in state and municipal contracting. Work Inc. testified that a preference for contractors employing people with disabilities would expand competitive employment, reduce reliance on public assistance, and generate net savings for taxpayers. Members asked about the estimated savings and whether recent federal changes to benefits would affect the numbers; the witness said the figures may need updating but that the underlying employment opportunity remains important. Another bill, H. 3339/S. 2187, would prohibit state and municipal contracts for new artificial turf fields containing zinc, plastic, or intentionally added PFAS. Sponsors and supporters cited health risks, heat retention, injuries, and PFAS contamination, while committee members discussed local bans, disposal problems, and whether indoor facilities or alternative materials could be used. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro testified in favor of H. 12 and H. 13, which would update Chapter 30B procurement thresholds and allow municipalities to bundle snow hauling and removal with plowing contracts. He said the changes would give local governments more flexibility, reduce confusion between school and municipal procurement rules, and make snow contracts more attractive to vendors. Members questioned whether quasi-public agencies and state entities should also be subject to 30B, and Shapiro said many public entities have their own procedures but that transparency and fairness should apply across the board. The committee also heard support for S. 2150, a software licensing bill aimed at preventing vendor lock-in by ensuring state agencies can run purchased software in the infrastructure that best fits their needs; the witness said restrictive licensing can drive up costs and create cybersecurity and modernization problems, and that similar laws have already passed in several other states.