Transcript Highlights:

• So yes, it would logically follow that that's probably an element of it.
• So yes, it would logically follow that that's probably an element of it.
• Well, for me probably an element of it.
• She has started responding that we have a system in place, the constituent services.
• So if you want to constituent services.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Why not just prove the core element? Yeah, we still have to prove each element of it.
• No, one of the elements is that they were intoxicated at the time of driving. Yes. Right?
• And it now means that the state does not have to prove each and every element of the defense beyond a
• The jury may find it says, you don't have to, but you still may find that that element exists.
• And that's one of the elements under 9.42.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2777 by Representative Rose, which would bar the death penalty for defendants who can prove by clear and convincing evidence that they had schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and active psychotic symptoms at the time of the offense. Rose said the bill would still hold defendants accountable through life without parole, would save money by avoiding lengthy capital litigation, and would address cases where severe mental illness was not adequately considered. Supporters from NAMI Texas, the Catholic bishops, and a forensic psychologist said the bill is narrowly tailored, consistent with neuroscience and moral principles, and would prevent executions of people whose psychosis substantially impaired reality testing. Committee members questioned how the bill interacts with existing competency and insanity law, whether the diagnosis is sufficiently defined, and whether the statute requires active psychosis at the time of the offense. An opponent argued the death penalty should remain available for juries to decide in all cases. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 1221 by Representative Lozano, which would raise the cap on pretrial intervention program fees from $500 to $1,200. Lozano and a district attorney witness said the increase is needed because program costs have risen and the fees help make diversion programs self-sustaining, allowing first-time or low-level offenders to complete rehabilitation and potentially obtain expunction. Opponents from the Texas Fair Defense Project argued the higher fee could make diversion unaffordable for indigent defendants and undermine an important alternative to incarceration, especially where related supervision and monitoring costs already add up. Members discussed whether the fee applies only to PTI participants, how payment plans and waivers work, and whether ability to pay should be addressed more explicitly. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1738 by Representative Jones, which would repeal Penal Code Section 21.06 and related Health and Safety Code references concerning homosexual conduct. Jones said the law is unconstitutional under Lawrence v. Texas, remains harmful on the books, and has led to confusion and unnecessary costs even though it is unenforceable. Supporters said the bill simply removes outdated language and protects civil liberties, while opponents from Texas Values argued the statute still serves as a statement that homosexual conduct is unacceptable and should remain as a warning, even if unenforceable. Members debated whether the law’s remaining language is merely symbolic or still harmful, and whether other criminal statutes already cover conduct such as prostitution, incest, and offenses involving minors. The bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's sort of an element where you want to maintain a consistent ratio there.
• That is certainly an element where, you know, wages have been on the increase over the past few years
• where you know certainly an element where you know wages<00:17:37.400> have<00:17:37.559>
• :29:57.279> was<00:29:57.440> the<00:29:57.519> only<00:29:58.039> element
• was the only element there was no<00:29:59.399> um<00:29:59.600> kind<00:29:59.720>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My constituents would like to weigh in.
• , So, to wrap up, when your constituents, So, to wrap up, when your constituents, including<00:13
• My constituents are scared.
• adjacent, both constituents and adjacent, both constituents and adjacent, uh,<02:31:41.840> I've
• show up for my constituents show up for my constituents and<03:37:41.600> to<03:37:41.920

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House returned from recess and took up S. 208, a bill on standards for law enforcement identification. The House Judiciary Committee explained that it had rewritten the bill into a model-policy approach focused on Vermont state and local agencies, rather than imposing direct requirements on all law enforcement, because of constitutional and preemption concerns raised by a recent Ninth Circuit decision. The amended bill would direct the Law Enforcement Advisory Board to develop a statewide policy on officer identification and facial coverings by July 2027, require agencies to adopt a consistent policy by October 1, 2027, and deem agencies to have adopted the model policy if they do not act. The committee reported the bill favorably on a 6-5 vote. Members then debated an amendment offered by Representatives Berbeco and McGill to restore federal officers to the bill. Supporters argued that public authority should not be anonymous, that visible identification is necessary for transparency, accountability, and public trust, and that the bill should apply to federal agents as well as state and local officers. They said the amendment included exemptions for undercover work, tactical teams, protective equipment, and safety concerns, and argued Vermont should not wait for courts to resolve every constitutional question before acting. Opponents on the Judiciary Committee said the language remained likely unconstitutional and could jeopardize the bill’s passage; the committee had found the amendment unfavorable on an 8-1 vote. The floor debate continued with several members speaking in favor of the amendment, including arguments that other states have adopted similar requirements and that Vermont should lead on the issue. One member raised a point of order that was not sustained, and the Speaker ruled federal authority relevant to the question. The transcript ends while debate on the amendment was still underway, after a request for a roll-call vote was granted, with no final floor vote on the amendment shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:22:39.520> to<00:22:40.280> uh constituent to uh constituent to uh the<00:22:41.360
• So, there are two elements there. One is making sure that the tank has not been leaking.
• So, there are two<00:31:06.080> elements<00:31:06.560> there.
• One is making sure two elements there.
• Senator Rosenwald, my constituents have not been seeing savings on their electric bills.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Town for Gun Safety, former Army officer and combat wounded veteran of the Afghanistan war and a constituent
• Our constituents didn't send us here to hand over our power.
• Each is missing key elements that other states, other places are diving into in depth.
• The state says these cesspool conversions must happen, but my constituents need financial support.
• constituents need financial support. constituents need financial support.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh especially when one of those elements of uncertainty is your actual access to health.
• Uh especially when one of those elements of uncertainty is your actual access to health.
• Uh especially when one of those elements of uncertainty is your actual access to health.
• /c><00:53:22.800> one<00:53:22.960> of<00:53:23.119> those<00:53:23.280> elements
• <00:53:23.599> of especially when one of those elements of especially when one of those elements

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• my constituent, Dr. Jessica Eskel. my constituent, Dr. Jessica Eskel.
• And our constituents do, and I know your constituents do. Mr.
• > know<02:48:23.520> your constituents do, and I know your constituents do, and I know
• your constituents<02:48:24.399> do.
• :46.560> President codifies many elements of President codifies many elements of President Trump's

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are really two key elements I want to address in this bill.
• My constituents, your constituents, and the state of Texas will not allow this to happen.
• Okay, so we wanted to have an element of permanence.
• I have a constituent that was at Tiananmen Square.
• Members, my constituents are watching.

Bills: SB17, SB1569, SB2420, HB5138, HJR161, HB1937, HB3334, HB5444, HB5137, HB361, HB321, HB5447, HB464, HB678, HB2294, HB4172, HB3225, HB1769, HB5394, HB1837, HB1787, HB2271, HB2440, HB5134, HB5149, HB2151, HB2073, HB2186, HB2025, HB1936, HB1777, HB1663, HB 1306, HB 1290, HB1527, HB4802, HB3462, HB2963, HB2462, HB2560, HB644, HB2725, HB2621, HB2588, HB1443, HB1403, HB3032, HB1557, HB1664, HB2811, HB2088, HB2598, HB3062, HB3134, HB3940, HB4027, HB4097, HB4862, HB4170, HB4157, HB4205, HB4279, HB4377, HB4838, HB5424, HB5294, HB4870, HB4763, HB5639, HB4112, HB2275, HB1677, HB5014, HB3848, HB3797, HB3727, HB3709, HB3177, HB3057, HB4176, HB4202, HB2180, HB3528, HB3658, HCR76, HCR127

Keywords: foreign ownership, real property, national security, criminal penalties, civil penalties, personal information, higher education, privacy protection, governing board, institutional security, software applications, mobile devices, age verification, parental consent, data protection, app store regulation, HJR 161, Texas constitutional amendment, voting rights, non-citizen voting

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received the invocation and pledges, and heard several announcements and recognitions before moving into floor action. Members honored the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, recognized educator Jessica Lopez, and paid memorial tribute to Jennifer Maddenly, along with recognitions for Jeanette Valdez Duran’s food pantry work, TAMACC’s 50th anniversary, and Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement from WFAA. The House also granted permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, set a local consent calendar, and suspended posting rules for a Public Health Committee hearing on SB 2721. The chamber then considered a long series of Senate and House bills, with many passing on record votes. Measures addressed local law enforcement authority (SB 906), veterans highway designation (SB 1229), foster care medical billing (SB 855), massage therapy trafficking safeguards (SB 703), tax ballot language (SB 1025), occupational licensing for people with convictions (SB 1080), lien deadlines (SB 929), liquor sales complaints (SB 1355), higher education application fee waivers (SB 2231), utility data access (SB 1877), pediatric preceptorships (SB 1998), and several House bills on bond forfeiture notice, health workforce coordination, indigent civil commitment representation, consumer transaction cancellations, bird dispersal rules, theft venue for digital property, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, in-state tuition for military-related programs, utility capital recovery, energy waste advisory oversight, gas utility rate recovery, psychedelic therapy study, teacher retirement funding transparency, pension changes, tax payment plans, and voter registration security. Some measures drew notable debate or amendments, including HB 5247, where a ratepayer-credit amendment failed, and HB 2298, HB 4014, HB 510, HB 561, HB 1128, HB 1904, HB 30, HB 200, HB 3045, and HB 5111, which all passed after recorded votes with varying margins. A major point of contention was SB 2420, the app store age-verification bill, which prompted extended debate over whether the bill should also require app developers to verify users’ ages. Representative Bryant offered an amendment to preserve developer verification obligations, arguing the bill would otherwise shift responsibility away from app makers; the author opposed it, saying the bill’s approach was more workable and raised concerns about First Amendment issues. Multiple points of order were raised and withdrawn during the debate, and the amendment discussion remained unresolved in the excerpt. The House also postponed further consideration of SB 17, SB 552, and SB 2420 at different points, and recessed for lunch after completing a large block of third-reading votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• A budget is always about balancing what our constituents need with what we can provide in the state.
• And California has taken unprecedented steps to expand and protect our constituents' health care.
• Decisive steps to expand and protect our constituents' health care.
• Now members, I know most of our constituents cannot use tax breaks to zero... ...tax breaks.
• Now members, I know most of our constituents cannot use tax breaks to zero out their tax liability nor

Summary: The Assembly convened, initially lacked a quorum, and then completed the roll call, prayer, and pledge. Members observed a moment of silence for the fatal B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base in Assemblymember Lackey’s district. The body then handled a series of procedural motions, including re-referrals of numerous Senate bills to different committees, suspending rules for committee notices, and taking up the budget bill, AB 109, without reference to file for concurrence in Senate amendments. Debate on AB 109, the 2026 budget act, centered on competing views of the state’s fiscal condition and policy priorities. Supporters said the budget balances the current and next year’s budget, reduces the structural deficit, builds reserves, protects health care, schools, housing, food assistance, and other safety-net programs, and responds to federal cuts under H.R. 1. Opponents argued the budget increases taxes and costs, shortchanges schools, underfunds Proposition 36, relies on gimmicks, and does not adequately address public safety, cost of living, or long-term sustainability. Several members also highlighted specific provisions such as hospital support, Medi-Cal and IHSS protections, child care, immigrant legal services, prison closure, and funding for courts and victim services. A motion by Assemblymember DeMaio to return AB 109 to the Senate failed on a roll call vote, 13 ayes to 45 noes. The Assembly then voted on concurrence in the Senate amendments to AB 109; the measure passed, and the Senate amendments were concurred in without objection, with immediate transmittal to the Governor. Afterward, the Assembly moved to the daily file and took up SCR 89, a resolution affirming diversity, equity, and inclusion. Supporters from several caucuses framed DEI as a core California value and a response to federal attacks, while opponents criticized DEI as divisive. The transcript ends during debate on SCR 89, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're hearing from a lot of our constituents, certainly as the GIC also follows suit.
• So for the sort of folks that are in my constituency that are less amenable to sort of harm reduction
• element, those, we still look far from parity from what I'm continuing to hear.
• Incredibly compassionate and passionate representation for your constituents.
• I think you all know it; you hear it from your constituents.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a Health and Human Services budget hearing in Clinton, with opening remarks from Chairs Meg Kilcoyne and Robin Kennedy, local officials, and many House and Senate members introducing themselves. The hearing focused on Governor Healey’s FY27 EOHHS and MassHealth budgets, with repeated themes of rising health care costs, federal funding uncertainty, workforce shortages, and access to care in underserved regions. Members also raised concerns about primary care shortages, rural and regional disparities, behavioral health access, maternal health, food insecurity, and the impact of federal policy changes on Massachusetts programs. EOHHS Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said the FY27 EOHHS budget totals $33.7 billion, reflecting mostly non-discretionary growth from health care costs, labor costs, caseload increases, and provider rate pressures. He highlighted targeted investments in foster care, family resource centers, maternal health, youth services, nutrition programs, immigrant legal services, and human service workforce rates, while warning that federal actions could strip roughly $3.5 billion annually from the state’s health care funding. In response to questions, he defended the administration’s cooperation with federal audits and program integrity efforts, discussed the primary care crisis, and said the state is trying to preserve core services while preparing for a more difficult FY28 budget cycle. MassHealth Undersecretary Mike Levine then described two major FY27 challenges: double-digit cost growth and the expected effects of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He said MassHealth’s proposed $22.7 billion gross budget includes a 7.5% increase and relies on a moratorium on new expansions plus targeted reductions, including a $1,000 annual adult dental cap, ending GLP-1 coverage for weight loss only, reducing care management to peer-state levels, and work groups to slow growth in PCA, adult foster care, and adult day health spending. Members questioned the impact on Boston Health Care for the Homeless, preventive care, and regional access; Levine said the changes are meant to preserve sustainability, that children and certain disabled populations remain protected, and that the administration will continue working with providers, advocates, and the Legislature on implementation and longer-term reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• But what we attempted to show here is just certain aspects of project elements and the estimated useful
• But what we attempted to show here is just certain aspects of project elements and the estimated useful
• And it's also one of the elements that you could change in the model if you want to.
• The key elements of this option include increasing NAWS Authority involvement in strategy, planning,
• The elements of this option are focused on capacity building.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and received updates from the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Commission, followed by presentations from Deloitte on two legislative studies required by House Bill 1020. Director Reese Haas reviewed major project and budget updates, including the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, Resources Trust Fund balances, carryover spending, project prioritization, bid conditions, regional water system coverage, and department process improvements. Members also discussed how the commission prioritizes projects, maintenance expectations, and the impact of limited municipal water supply funding. No formal committee action was taken during the DWR update; the commission’s municipal funding decisions were described as pending its April 8 meeting. Deloitte then presented the cost-share policy study, which found that under current policy and forecasted revenues, North Dakota faces an estimated $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years, with a near-term gap of about $1.8 billion through 2031. The firm outlined seven recommended options, including tighter definitions and a 25% cost share for eligible replacement projects, caps and financing strategies for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, aligning cost share with commission priority guidance, delaying lower-priority projects, using available lines of credit, and adjusting reimbursement timing for revolving loan funds. Committee members questioned inflation assumptions, affordability, user fees, and the use of legacy fund earnings for bonding, but no decisions were made. In the governance and finance study, Deloitte said final recommendations are still being refined, with a final report due May 29. The study examined the Southwest Pipeline, NAWS, and Red River Valley systems using governance and finance criteria such as decision authority, transparency, affordability, risk, and access to funding. For Southwest, Deloitte outlined options ranging from improved state-authority coordination to transferring ownership to the Southwest Water Authority; for NAWS, options focused on strengthening the authority’s role and potentially transitioning operations and maintenance; and for Red River, options ranged from enhanced facilitation to formal state oversight or state ownership. Members asked follow-up questions about ownership transfer, capital repayment streams, and why NAWS was not considered for transfer, and Deloitte said NAWS’s limited organizational maturity made that option less viable in the near term.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, housing remains a top priority for our constituents, but a few municipalities throughout
• A few elements make a lot of entirety.
• And just as that are my constituents.
• <06:09:45.120> So,<06:09:45.360> on constituents sent us to do.
• So, on constituents sent us to do.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:50:00.480> of veteran Major Hu, constituents of veteran Major Hu, constituents of Representative
• <01:50:20.880> of SGU veteran Xiaon Pa constituent of SGU veteran Xiaon Pa constituent of
• <02:02:58.080> and privilege of having my constituent and privilege of having my constituent
• So that's the choice your senior constituents have to face.
• , up and many of many of our constituents, up and many of many of our constituents, in<04:02:41.040

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the past two years, we added elemental analyzers, looking at the ability to better identify carbon
• Over the past two years, we added elemental analyzers, looking at the ability to better identify carbon
• Over the past two years, we added elemental analyzers, looking at the ability to better identify carbon
• where you know being in constituents where you know being in Minneapolis<00:59:03.400> seems<
• in my area that you know do constituents in my area that you know do face<01:03:32.079> uh<01

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I got a call from a constituent of mine in Ward 5, and it was a very interesting situation.
• But there was, since it is the law, there is no recourse or remedy for my constituent.
• The law means there is no recourse or remedy for my constituent.
• Uh, the third element is implementing workforce PEL grants, which I think is an exciting opportunity
• :58.719> is<01:30:59.920> um organizations that element is um organizations that element

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• YOU MAY HAVE HAD CONSTITUENTS IN YOUR DISTRICTS FACED WITH THOSE KIND OF THINGS SO A SECOND BENEFIT,
• WINDOWS, SOME ON THE GRANT APPLICATION BULLET NUMBER TWO, WINDOWS HAD TO BE COMMON ELEMENTS MEANING THE

Transcript Highlights:

• not only for our business needs, but in order to continue to serve you and the Governor and the constituents
• Even if we can get to a design phase, there are many elements out of our control in terms of when the

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the elements of the integrated plan is through one of the committees.
• And they’ve done exceptional work to keep it up to date, and also just to all of our constituents as

Summary: The Joint Committee on Water Supply During Drought opened its 2025 meeting by electing new leadership. After brief discussion of the committee’s membership and the usual practice of alternating leadership between chambers and parties, members unanimously elected Senator Ron Mazzal as chair and Representative Christine Reeves as vice chair. The outgoing chair, Representative Ybarra, continued presiding for the remainder of the meeting at Senator Mazzal’s request. The committee then heard a presentation from Sage Park of the Rosa Irrigation District on the severe 2025 water year. Park said Rosa is facing very low reservoir levels, declining water supply forecasts, and an earlier-than-planned end to the irrigation season. She described the district’s conservation and drought response measures, including canal shutdowns, pump-backs, leased water, on-farm fallowing and water pooling, emergency well permits, and long-term investments in piping, sealant, drip irrigation, and storage. Park also urged continued emergency drought funding, more efficient state lease funding processes, and support for water releases that benefit fish during drought conditions. Urban Eberhard then presented on the Kittitas Reclamation District and the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan. He described widespread on-farm conservation, reduced acre allocations, early shutoffs expected in late summer, and ongoing infrastructure work such as piping, lining, telemetry, and the Springwood reservoir project. He emphasized that these projects are intended to improve water delivery, support fish flows, and provide future storage, including possible hydroelectric generation as part of feasibility work. In response to a question, he said the districts are monitoring aquifer impacts from canal lining and are working on managed aquifer recharge to direct conserved water to beneficial groundwater areas. No additional votes or formal actions were taken after the leadership elections.

Transcript Highlights:

• or recreational uses, provides more time for small cities and counties to update their circulation element
• homelessness and housing availability and affordability is one of the most pressing issues facing our constituents

Keywords: 988, house, all