Transcript Highlights:

• So they can vote remotely.
• So they can vote remotely.
• That, whilst a few members could participate remotely due to illness or weather, what have you, a quorum
• So they can vote remotely.
• So they can vote remotely.

Keywords: HB 66 – discussion began at 00:03:37, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee met and established a quorum after opening with the Pledge of Allegiance and introductions of several guests and interns. Representatives introduced their interns and other visitors, who were welcomed by the chair before the committee turned to its only agenda item, House Bill 66, sponsored by Representative Hodgson. The committee adopted a committee substitute for HB 66. Hodgson explained that the bill concerns the use of video meetings by public agencies, boards, and commissions. The substitute would require agencies to post members’ names, term dates, and contact information; allow routine, informational, or advisory meetings to be conducted entirely by video conference to reduce travel costs; require a physical quorum for meetings involving policy, taxation, regulation, or large grants; and require agencies to adopt procedures for remote participation. He emphasized that the bill would not affect legislative committee meetings. Members asked whether the bill would apply to local boards, whether board members are compensated for attendance and travel, and whether it would affect legislative committees. Hodgson said it would apply broadly to public agencies, including local boards such as library boards, but not to legislative committees. He also said compensation for attendance would remain unchanged, while travel expenses would not be paid when no travel occurs. The committee then voted HB 66 favorably with 18 yes votes and one pass, and later adopted a title amendment by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the department is missing pay data for at least 400,000 workers in California.
• As a young worker, I've learned that it can be difficult to advocate for yourself when you don't fully
• Workers deserve transparency.
• Workers should be able to understand whether they are being paid fairly.
• Young workers deserve... ...pay disparities and ensure employers are held accountable.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 99, which would require courts and law enforcement to better recognize military protective orders in domestic violence cases and allow civilian judges to consider those orders when reviewing restraining order requests. Supporters, including the Department of Defense and military-related organizations, said the bill would close jurisdictional gaps that leave military families vulnerable off base. The bill drew no opposition and was approved on a unanimous vote, with members also expressing support for the author’s request to be added as coauthors. Members then heard SB 1237, a pay equity reporting enforcement bill that would increase penalties for repeat noncompliance with California’s employer pay-data reporting requirements. The author and supporters from Power California Action and HOPE argued that stronger penalties are needed because the state is still missing pay data for hundreds of thousands of workers and wage gaps persist, especially for women of color. There was no opposition testimony, but one member voted no; the bill passed to Appropriations and was placed on call. SB 1387 followed, proposing to allow Jewish identity to be reported as an ethnic category in state demographic data collection. Supporters said the change would improve data accuracy and help identify discrimination, while opponents from Jewish Voice for Peace and other Jewish speakers argued the bill was unworkable, unnecessary, and could be harmful or exceptionalizing. The committee approved the bill on a unanimous vote to Privacy. The committee also approved SB 932, which would require assignees filing civil actions to identify the original party in the case caption, after testimony that the change would improve transparency and help courts, the public, and journalists track assigned claims. SB 988, an auto glass industry bill, drew the most extensive debate: the author and the National Insurance Crime Bureau said it would curb fraud, restrict certain assignment-of-benefits practices, and improve consumer safety, while independent glass shops and their associations warned it could restrict consumer choice and favor insurers or large networks. Despite those concerns, the bill passed to Appropriations. SB 1296, requiring landlords to disclose pet policies before collecting application fees, also passed after supporters described the bill as a narrow transparency measure and opponents raised concerns about pet addenda and eviction procedures. Finally, SB 747, the “No Kings Act,” would create a state cause of action for constitutional violations by federal officers; supporters cited abuses by ICE and Border Patrol and the need for accountability, while law enforcement groups warned about uncertainty around qualified immunity and retroactivity. The bill was supported by several members, but the transcript ends before a final committee vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh but in in my<00:10:00.560> community,<00:10:01.040> two<00:10:01.279> workers
• , two workers while they were<00:10:02.240> on<00:10:02.399> the<00:10:02.640> job
• The workers<00:10:26.560> were<00:10:26.800> backing<00:10:27.200> away.
• <00:10:27.760> They<00:10:28.000> were The workers were backing away.
• Thank you. >> The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Employers used to have to monitor video feeds to track workers.
• The negative impacts on the worker are pretty substantial.
• The health and safety of our workers is our company's priority number one.
• The health and safety of our workers is something that is just paramount to us.
• Protect our workers.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took up multiple votes. AB 576, dealing with updates to California’s charitable fundraising platform registry after AB 488, was presented as a technical fix to help charities and platforms more quickly update eligible listings; there was no opposition testimony, and the measure was later moved on a due pass basis. AB 1160, on law enforcement drone programs, was presented with proposed amendments requiring U.S.-based data storage and limits on sharing or selling collected data; supporters said it would protect sensitive drone-collected information while preserving affordable drone use, while there was no opposition testimony, and it was also later passed out on a due pass as amended basis. AB 75, which would require insurers to give notice before collecting aerial images of homes and provide homeowners access to those images, drew support from the Department of Insurance and consumer advocates, while insurers opposed it unless amended, arguing aerial imaging is a cost-saving inspection tool and that the bill could worsen availability and affordability; the bill was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee spent the most time on AB 325, which would address algorithmic price-fixing and collusion. The author and supporters argued that competitors using the same pricing software or algorithm to set prices can function as collusion even when the agreement is hidden behind code, and cited examples involving housing, frozen potatoes, gas pricing, and other industries. Opponents, including apartment, business, hospital, retail, chamber, and tech groups, said the bill was too broad, could sweep in lawful software and public-data market research, and might chill legitimate pricing tools, especially for small businesses and housing providers. Committee members raised concerns about clarity, intent standards, and whether the bill should focus more narrowly on nonpublic competitor data; despite those concerns, AB 325 was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open. Later, AB 1221 was presented as a workplace surveillance bill that would prohibit certain invasive or discriminatory surveillance tools, require notice to workers, limit sharing of worker data, and require corroborating evidence before discipline based on surveillance outputs. Labor and consumer groups supported the bill, saying modern surveillance technologies can track speech, movement, emotion, and other sensitive traits and can be biased or abusive. The Security Industry Association opposed it, warning that the bill’s broad definitions could restrict legitimate security systems, emergency sharing with first responders, and employer responses to misconduct or unsafe behavior. The transcript cuts off before any final vote on AB 1221 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• , licensed clinical social worker, licensed clinical social worker, uh<02:02:24.639> or<02
• contractor workers in the state<02:09:30.400> of<02:09:30.560> Wyoming.
• Uh, although I do know that we have plenty of remote workers that are operating on the insurance of someone
• Uh, although I do know that we have plenty of remote workers that are operating on the insurance of someone
• I do know that we have plenty of remote workers that are operating on the insurance of someone they're

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My social worker assured me that if they placed me somewhere, I would feel safe.
• When I was a social worker in California in 2007, When I was a social worker in California in 2007, we
• When I was a social worker in California in 2007, When I was a social worker in California in 2007, we
• Most workers are spending hours per day moving children from one placement to the next.
• We need those caseloads reduced by one-third, to 10 per worker.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing on a series of child welfare bills focused on DCF, foster care, mandated reporting, educational records, and family support. Chair Kennedy and Chair Livingstone opened with accessibility and testimony rules, then heard testimony on bills including S.127 on expanding mandated reporters, S.107/H.235 on a Foster Children’s Bill of Rights, S.106/H.228 on transferring foster care review from DCF to the Office of the Child Advocate, H.258/S.125 on an electronic backpack for foster children’s educational records, H.205 on kinship foster care background checks, H.246/H.266 on minimizing trauma in care and protection cases, and S.159 on support for families after sudden unexpected infant death. Supporters of the mandated reporter bill, led by Sen. Feeney and Foxborough advocates, described a local model that trains all adults who work with children and argued the state should scale that approach statewide to improve recognition and reporting of abuse. Testimony on the foster care bills emphasized the need for clearer rights, better notice to children and attorneys, stronger remedies, and independent oversight. Advocates, youth with lived experience, and legal organizations described placement instability, delayed notifications, abuse in care, poor educational continuity, and the need for rights around safety, family contact, culture, language, and access to records. Several witnesses urged that the Foster Children’s Bill of Rights include enforceable court remedies, not just reporting requirements. On the oversight bill, supporters argued DCF should not review its own foster care system and pointed to poor outcomes, high placement instability, and recent investigative reporting as evidence for moving review responsibilities to the Office of the Child Advocate. On the electronic backpack bill, testimony focused on the need for real-time data sharing and a centralized system so schools can receive foster students’ records quickly and support continuity. On the trauma-minimization bill, Rep. Miskin framed the proposal as a set of practical changes to reduce harm during removals and court involvement. On the SUID bill, Sen. Lovely said families should be given information about available grief and support resources after an infant death. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:13:47.840> without included eligibility for workers without included eligibility for workers
• income workers income workers pay<01:14:17.239> compared<01:14:17.639> to<01:14:17.840
• <01:15:15.320> sitting afford to have potential workers sitting afford to have potential workers
• <01:15:29.679> we Family Credit to uh younger workers we Family Credit to uh younger workers
• Who's going to be that next worker? Who's going to be that next entrepreneur?

Bills: HF1698, HF632, HF1352, HF2197, HF618, HF1248, HF1697

Keywords: property tax, exemption, leased land, public use, commercial property, HF632, Minnesota property tax, conservation easement, conservation restriction, assessed value, property valuation, tax assessment, real property, land conservation, farmland preservation, natural areas, riparian buffer, water quality, water quantity, county assessor

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:22.959> again<00:03:23.280> a misclassified workers again a misclassified workers
• The report stated that the effects of worker misclassification are wide-reaching, impacting workers,
• It was a gig company, so they had workers who were working remotely, working from home, classified them
• It was a gig company, so they had workers who were working remotely, working from home, classified them
• We want workers to have their due.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that will inure to the benefit, most importantly, of American workers who have seen their wages
• We need healthy businesses, small, medium, and large, to hire our great American workers to drive our
• And have them do that manufacturing in America with American workers. Let's drive that. Thank you.
• , especially to the workers in Michigan.
• Case in point: the semiconductor industry has estimated a need for 115,000 additional workers by 2030

Transcript Highlights:

• And so at that point, we're going to bring in remotely uh Mark Deal, uh Eric Lebla, and Peter Master
• And so at that point, we're going to bring in remotely uh Mark Deal, uh Eric Lebla, and Peter Master
• And so at that point, we're going to bring in remotely uh Mark Deal, uh Eric Lebla, and Peter Master
• <00:50:24.960> In and our school social workers. In and our school social workers.
• ><01:21:34.320> well-balanced not just workers but well-balanced not just workers but well-balanced

Bills: HF3650, HF1791, HF3489, HF4231, HF4232, HF4269, HF4270, HF3490

Keywords: student career pathways, education framework, experiential learning, employer engagement, career technical education, career and technical education, CTE, postsecondary scholarship, postsecondary grant, school district funding, cooperative unit, Minnesota high school, apprenticeship, certificate program, tuition assistance, workforce training, military transition, education finance, student aid, career pathways

Transcript Highlights:

• You could take all that money and you would not even come remotely close to a backstop for what USDA
• You could take all that money and you would not even come remotely close to a backstop for what USDA
• You could take all that money and you would not even come remotely close to a backstop for what USDA
• tangent here, but I had a bill this morning in a committee to allow farmers that employ five or fewer workers

Bills: HF1704, HF2052

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• Aubrey Dirkson, who is also remote. two minutes.
• Um, are remote and some are in person.
• . remote. remote.
• testify is Nathan Ryan, who is remote. testify is Nathan Ryan, who is remote.
• This remotely or in person and testify.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<02:43:53.120> cut<02:43:53.439> workers overtime pay for workers, cut workers overtime
• They want workers to get less workers.
• their workers less because that worker their workers less because that worker happened<05:27:50.638
• help tip workers. help tip workers.
• basis whether a worker counts as a tipped worker.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:08.880> in LGBTQ plus people, and workers in LGBTQ plus people, and workers in Chicago
• Trump tariffs on the U.S. and Canada put our workers not first. They put them last.
• He's firing workers, making it harder for seniors to get the benefits that they earned.
• > it<02:13:57.840> harder He's firing workers, making it harder He's firing workers, making
• <06:22:15.920> and explore some of the most remote and explore some of the most remote and

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The next thing, substantively, that 66 does is it says that you can request records remotely.
• You can request records remotely, and if you make a request remotely and ask that the records be provided
• and if you make a records remotely and if you make a request<00:37:22.079> remotely<00:37:23.079
• But if you're asking for remote production, then you have to have a New Hampshire connection.
• be making the requests for remote be making the requests for remote production production production

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first corrected a procedural issue by revoting on House Bills 98 and 164, which had previously been reported out unanimously before the notice had been placed on the calendar. HB 98, concerning professional limited liability company assistant managers, was again voted ought to pass by roll call 16-0 and was placed on the consent calendar. HB 164, dealing with local records, was amended with a fiscal note update from the Secretary of State’s office and then voted ought to pass as amended 17-0; because it was going to Finance, it was not eligible for consent. The committee also set aside HB 111 briefly while the amendment language was corrected. The committee then took up HR 6, a resolution condemning the judicial doctrine of disparate impact. The sponsor argued the resolution was intended to criticize the doctrine, but several members said it was too broad, legally problematic, and in need of more work, including a drafting error in the addressee. The committee voted ITL on HR 6 by 15-2, and with no objection it was placed on the consent calendar. The final major item was HB 111 FN, which would extend the right-to-know ombudsman position for two years. Representative Kuttab offered an amendment to limit remote records requests to people with a New Hampshire connection, citing testimony about out-of-state requests and the burden on municipalities. Members discussed the broader policy of the bill, with supporters saying the ombudsman has reduced court filings and saves time and money, while opponents said the office needs restructuring or more resources and that they were not ready to extend it without changes. The amendment was adopted 16-1, and the committee then voted ought to pass as amended 15-2, sending the bill to Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, with that, I believe we would want to move first to a remote testifier to talk about school safety
• move<00:02:17.360> first<00:02:17.680> to<00:02:17.840> a<00:02:18.080> remote
• <00:02:18.520> testifier<00:02:19.520> to to move first to a remote testifier to to
• move first to a remote testifier to talk<00:02:20.000> about<00:02:20.319> school<00:02
• that came out and met protection worker that came out and met with<00:14:25.279> them.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rausch, remote forum counts. I thought you spoke about the Senator from Norfolk, Senator Rausch.
• The vote is cast remotely or in this chamber of the same weight and impact.
• Whenever we have a discussion about remote participation, one of the themes that we often hear is that
• my constituents know that I'm participating remotely and they are accepting of it, if not encouraging
• Pursuant to the remote voting proceedings adopted by the Senate Chair, when I was voted Senator Barrett

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate continued debate on a package of amendments to its rules, with many proposals focused on floor procedure, transparency, attendance, remote participation, and budget timing. Several amendments were debated at length, including changes to the dilatory timeline for laying matters on the table, reporting Senate procurements, electing Senate counsel, requiring best efforts for in-person attendance, identifying whether members vote remotely, and adjusting deadlines for budget documents and amendments. Most of the procedural and transparency amendments were rejected, while a few were adopted, including an amendment allowing another minority caucus member to call a caucus if the minority leader is absent, a change to the filing deadline for amendments on Thursday-dated bills, and a corrective amendment from Senator Lovely. An amendment to create a Senate Committee on Reproductive Rights and Freedom was also offered and supported in debate but was not adopted. The Senate also adopted amendments extending the time for members to receive the Senate Ways and Means General Appropriations Act from five to seven days and increasing the minimum filing time for budget amendments from 48 to 72 hours. Another amendment requiring a two-thirds roll call vote to continue past 10 p.m. was rejected, as were proposals related to remote-vote designation and shortening the late-session tabled-bill rule from 14 days to seven days. The chamber briefly recessed several times during the amendment process, and votes were taken both by roll call and by voice vote, with many amendments failing on recorded votes. The Senate paused to honor Brockton Fire Captain Stephen A. Montero, who died after a battle with occupational cancer. Senator Brady offered a motion that the Senate adjourn in his memory, and members observed a moment of silence. The Senate then completed its formal business, adopted an order to reconvene the following Tuesday at 11:00 a.m., and adjourned in memory of Captain Montero.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can request records remotely, and if you make a request remotely and ask that the records be provided
• and if you make a records remotely and if you make a request<00:37:22.079> remotely<00:37:23.079
• But if you're asking for remote production, then you have to have a New Hampshire connection.
• be making the requests for remote be making the requests for remote production production production
• Anybody can request records and get records remotely.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first corrected a procedural issue by revoting on House Bills 98 and 164, which had already been reported out unanimously. HB 98, concerning professional limited liability company assistant managers, was again voted ought to pass by a 16-0 roll call and placed on the consent calendar. HB 164, concerning local records, was reopened because of a fiscal note amendment; the committee adopted Amendment 2025-0087 unanimously and then voted ought to pass as amended 17-0. Because HB 164 goes to Finance, it will not go on consent, and the chair asked for the updated report that night. The committee then took up HR 6, a resolution condemning the judicial doctrine of disparate impact. Representative Manos moved inexpedient to legislate, arguing the resolution overreached because disparate impact is a judicial doctrine and the legislature cannot bind the courts. Representative Cordelli also supported ITL, citing drafting problems and the need for substantial revision, including an outdated reference to the New Hampshire governor. The committee voted 15-2 to ITL the resolution, and it was placed on consent; the chair asked for the report by the end of the day and noted there would be no minority report. Finally, the committee discussed HB 111, which extends the right-to-know ombudsman position. Representative Kuttab offered an amendment to address concerns raised in testimony about discouraging use of the office and shifting attorney-fee burdens; the amendment was adopted 16-1. The committee then voted 15-2 to ought to pass as amended. Supporters said the ombudsman saves money by reducing court filings and should be continued, while opponents argued the office needs restructuring and that additional funding was not justified. The bill will go to Finance, and the chair requested the report by the end of the day. The committee also began discussion of HB 66 and related bills on right-to-know access, with the chair outlining a proposed amendment to limit remote records requests to people with a New Hampshire connection, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madison Hanson, I'm with the National Association of Social Workers. Hello, everybody.
• Thank you for allowing me to present remotely. Thank you for allowing me to present remotely.
• certified behavioral health clinics, community health clinics, mobile crisis units, and peer support workers

Summary: The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and heard an extended discussion with Spirit Lake tribal leaders and program directors about government-to-government relations with the state. Chairwoman Street and others outlined a number of concerns and requests, including taxation of tribal and trust lands, state school support for non-beneficiary students, homelessness services, Indian-managed health care, gaming/e-tabs, the Feather Alert system, industrial farming near waterways, tourism and cultural issues, and the need for more consistent tribal consultation. Committee members responded that many of these issues had previously been passed along without direct action, and several members emphasized the committee’s role in education, communication, and preparing possible legislation or resolutions for the next session. Tribal representatives also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to help legislators better understand tribal jurisdiction and billing issues. A major portion of the meeting focused on Spirit Lake Fish and Wildlife concerns, especially jurisdictional “gray areas” around hunting and fishing on the reservation, recognition of tribal licenses, and the boundary of the reservation around Spirit Lake/Devils Lake. Tribal officials said they wanted a co-stewardship agreement or MOU with the state to clarify jurisdiction, improve cooperation, and address invasive species and aquatic nuisance species. Committee members discussed whether to draft legislation or a resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and they asked for further input from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at a future meeting. The committee also discussed county involvement in land status changes and trust land issues, with Spirit Lake leaders describing a past Benson County resolution that tried to block fee-to-trust transfers and saying it was later rescinded. The committee then heard from Benson County tax equalization director Randy Thompson, who explained how the county values land and handles tax-exempt, inundated, and fee-to-trust parcels. Members asked about the impact of tax-exempt lands on county services and discussed prior legislation that helped counties with large tax-exempt bases. The committee also received a presentation from Dr. Steven Smith of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, including support for non-beneficiary students and workforce training. Members asked about expanding tribal college education into correctional settings, and Smith said the idea was worth exploring through the tribal college system. Finally, HHS interim medical services director Christoph Framing presented remotely on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion, explaining current state funding mechanisms for inpatient and residential behavioral health services and the bill draft directing HHS to pursue a waiver for IMD payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet this bill would train every health care professional and every CPS worker in Texas to view all...
• ...train every health care professional and every CPS worker in Texas to view all complex medical cases
• And in some cases, IBCLCs are not staffed at all and are only available remotely.
• We appreciate... ...staffed at all and are only available remotely. Thank you so much.

Bills: HB136, HB451, SB425, SB466, SB905, SB1986, SB2311, SB2450, SB2805, SB2826, SB2919, SB3001

Keywords: Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and announced it would vote on pending bills at 10:30, with public testimony limited to two minutes. It first took up Senate Bill 905, a TDLR cleanup bill on licensing regulation of speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Senator Zafferini said the committee substitute would streamline advisory board consultation, remove obsolete provisional licenses, and allow any licensed physician to authorize hearing instruments for minors; the substitute was adopted and the bill left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 451, which would require universal screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk for children in DFPS conservatorship and youth under TJJD jurisdiction. The author and witnesses from Children at Risk, the Fort Bend Anti-Trafficking Collective, and Texas CASA supported the bill as a prevention tool with existing infrastructure and training; the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. The committee next considered Senate Bill 466, which would clarify that families may request a fetal death certificate at any gestational age, while keeping existing filing requirements for physicians. A constituent father testified about losing his 11-week-old daughter and being told he could not obtain a certificate, which he said prevented funeral arrangements; the substitute was adopted and the bill left pending. Senate Bill 2311 followed, requiring residential treatment centers to have a written agreement with the school that will educate resident children before becoming operational. The author cited a local dispute where an RTC and school district lacked communication, and witnesses from Texas CASA and Disability Rights Texas supported clearer educational planning while suggesting the Education Code may need conforming changes; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2826, known as Alyssa’s Law, which would create a statewide education program on medical child abuse for medical students, health care professionals, and CPS caseworkers. The author and Sheriff Bill Weyburn described Alyssa’s case as involving repeated unnecessary surgeries and argued the bill would improve awareness and early identification, while several witnesses and members raised concerns about false accusations, impacts on medically fragile children, and the need for scientific, peer-reviewed training and safeguards. After extensive discussion, the chair left the bill pending. The committee also heard House Bill 136, which would add certified lactation consultants as Medicaid providers to expand breastfeeding support; witnesses from lactation and nutrition fields said the bill would improve access, maternal and infant health, and long-term savings, and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 2805, a surprise-billing/arbitration measure that would clarify provider identifiers and shift arbitration costs to the losing party. The author said the substitute was a legislative counsel draft with no substantive difference, and witnesses from the Texas Medical Association, Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, and U.S. Anesthesia Partners supported the bill as a modest improvement that would reduce administrative confusion and make arbitration fairer without weakening patient protections. Members discussed how arbitration costs affect settlement behavior and how to define the “winner” in close cases. The bill was heard but not voted out during this segment.