Transcript Highlights:

• be speaking from this document that says Budget Quick Facts for Public Education Department, agency code
• Now, whether PED has an account code to track whether this is going to...
• Now, whether PED has an account code to track whether this is going to a CTE-type expenditure, I think
• , now you've got to code it this way.
• So I think it's important to add codes as far as to better understand how things are being spent, but

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So PRC, that's the agency code 430, so it should be behind tab 4.
• Second is our code enforcement.
• Second is our code enforcement.
• Code enforcement this year in 2025, they did 4,000 annual inspections.
• The agency code is 550, so I think it's going to be 5... Part, Monica Tapia.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not a Section 143 Local Government Code civil service city, but I think...
• They're not a Section 143 Local Government Code civil service city, but I think they've adopted that
• So all cities that are not under Section 143 of the Local Government Code, they now have the freedom
• Do you have that, or is there somewhere else in code?
• On the liability on the campsites, we chose not to go to the Civil Code for a lot of different reasons

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, invocation, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then observed a moment of silence after Senator Eckhardt referenced a mass shooting in Austin. The chamber also agreed to postpone reading and referral of bills until later in the day. Early procedural business included a motion not to print Senate Bill 3, which was adopted without objection. Later, Senator Mendez raised a parliamentary inquiry about moving flood relief bills to the top of the calendar, but the presiding officer said the order of business was up to the chair. The main floor action centered on Senate Bill 4, the congressional redistricting bill. Senator King laid out the bill, describing it as the companion to the House version, based on 2020 census data, and arguing it was legal, race-blind, more compact, and likely to elect more Republicans. Senators asked extensive questions about the process, public hearings, and the map’s effects on districts and communities. The Senate voted to suspend the regular order of business and the three-day rule, then passed SB 4 to engrossment and finally passed it, with the recorded votes showing 19 yeas and 2 nays. The Senate also took up Senate Bill 6, relating to abortion and civil liability for the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs. Senator Hughes argued the bill was needed to stop illegal abortion pills being mailed into Texas and harming women and unborn children. The Senate suspended the regular order of business and the three-day rule, passed the bill to engrossment, and then finally passed it, with the recorded votes showing 18 yeas, 10 nays, and one present not voting. A lengthy discussion followed on the committee substitute for Senate Bill 14, which would standardize law enforcement personnel and departmental files statewide. Senator King said the bill codifies a TCOLE model policy and limits public access to personnel files to substantiated misconduct, commendations, and evaluations, while keeping other records available through other legal processes. Senators Eckhardt, West, Hinojosa, and others questioned how the bill would affect transparency, meet-and-confer agreements, civilian review boards, and access to unsubstantiated complaints. An amendment by Senator Hinojosa of Dallas to narrow the bill to unfounded complaints failed, and SB 14 was then passed to engrossment on a vote of 18 yeas and 10 nays. The final major item was Senate Bill 1, the natural disaster omnibus bill responding to the July flooding. Senator Perry said the bill addresses camp and RV park safety, evacuation plans, emergency rooftop access, lines of succession for local emergency management, annual drills, volunteer management, drone restrictions over disaster areas, small-business recovery loans, and a statewide data hub for flood and weather monitoring. Senators Menendez, Eckhardt, and Kolkhorst asked about autopsies, volunteer background checks, liability, warning systems, floodplain mitigation, and coordination with FEMA and local governments. Perry said the bill focuses on preparation, response, and recovery, while broader prevention and mitigation issues may be addressed later. The transcript ends during this extended discussion, before final action on SB 1 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3053 adds section 280.005 to the Local Government Code, prohibiting cities and counties from adopting
• Code and ensuring compliance with the bill. There is a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation.
• There are many criteria right now that are in the code, and that's up to them to determine.
• These instances are not covered in this portion of the Texas Business and Commerce Code.
• Right, it's established code. It's either the county clerk.

Bills: SB731, SB801, SB867, SB2082, SB2717, SB2919, HB4, HB26, HB103, HB108, HB117, HB126, HB144, HB145, HB186, HB201, HB223, HB229, HB272, HB493, HB521, HB551, HB621, HB700, HB748, HB1106, HB1234, HB1403, HB1500, HB1661, HB2017, HB2026, HB2035, HB2038, HB2073, HB2080, HB2221, HB2253, HB2294, HB2306, HB2313, HB2427, HB2512, HB2516, HB2593, HB2674, HB2761, HB2818, HB2820, HB2844, HB2851, HB2885, HB3010, HB3016, HB3053, HB3057, HB3133, HB3151, HB3159, HB3180, HB3181, HB3225, HB3234, HB3250, HB3254, HB3284, HB3333, HB3512, HB3556, HB3595, HB3689, HB3711, HB3732, HB3749, HB3812, HB3833, HB3866, HB3928, HB3940, HB3966, HB4063, HB4112, HB4157, HB4264, HB4281, HB4384, HB4454, HB4486, HB4488, HB4520, HB4530, HB4666, HB4690, HB4743, HB4749, HB4751, HB4795, HB4848, HB4903, HB5081, HB5115, HB5138, HB5149, HB5154, HB5247, HB5308, HB5394, HB5436, HB5659, HB5671, HB5674, HB5680, HB5696, HCR40, HCR108, HCR118, SJR5, SJR59, SB4, SB8, SB9, SB10, SB12, SB22, SB23, SB25, SB27, SB34, SB36, SB37, SB38, SB40, SB261, SB650, SB777, SB924, SB1188, SB1318, SB1333, SB1398, SB1448, SB1566, SB1621, SB1723, SB1862, SB2405, SB2406, SB2407, SB3070, SB1, SB17, SB21, SB260, SB379, SB509, SB1405, SB1506, SB1637, SB1833, SB2155, SB2308, HB300, HB2525, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3045, SB3071, HJR7, HB2674, HB3556, HB26, HB4384, HB748, HB5652, HB3395, HB2516, HB180, HB1306, HB3966, HB4112, HB322, HB126, HB5650, HB4894, HB1629, HB5698, HB3171, HB2694, HB5664, HB4751, HB4690, HB4464, HB4063, HB3623, HB3016, HB2520, HB2221, HB2213, HB700, HB252, HB146, HB5596, HB3619, HB5320, HB5651, HB5670, HB5665, HB5437, HB5679, HB5699, HB5661, HB5662, HB5654, HB5672, HB5656, HB4743, HB4666, HB3812, HB3595, HB3057, HB2035, HB721, HB346, HB2512, HB5695, HB5694, HB5671, HB5674, HB2038, HB3185, HB2761, HB2593, HB2348, HB2073, HB1871, HB108, HB2306, HB2017, HB1135, HB144, HB3689, HB5308, HB101, HB5666, HB5677, HB5682, HB5680, HB5658, HB5696, HB4144, HB3159, HB3254, HB3866, HB3010, HB4520, HB3642, HB3928, HB3815, HB2686, HB2012, HB1960, HB227, HB654, HB1690, HB2128, HB4158, HB4530, HB4630, HB5659, HB1523, HB2078, HB2427, HB145, HB1973, HB3333, HB3697, HB3546, HB3225, HB3181, HB3133, HB3053, HB2885, HB2820, HB2294, HB2253, HB1661, HB1506, HB1234, HB640, HB621, HB551, HB521, HB493, HB272, HB229, HB223, HB201, HB186, HB119, HB2080, HB2818, HB5394, HB4795, HB4466, HB4454, HB3940, HB3749, HB3151, HB3284, HB1403, HB1106, HB2844, HB2851, HB1500, HB4488, HB4264, HB4, HB4170, HB3909, HB4081, HB4145, HB4157, HB4281, HB4285, HB4463, HB4749, HB4995, HB5081, HB5115, HB5138, HB5624, HB1449, HB3711, HB2598, HB3629, HB4361, HB824, HB1868, HB4848, HB2243, HB40, HB117, HB2313, HB3686, HB500, HB3793, HB112, HB104, HB1056, HB42, HB4486, HB3000, HB100, HB2240, HB718, HB27, HB4904, HB4202, HB2853, HB5129, HB5093, HB4765, HB4748, HB4559, HB4350, HB4214, HB3388, HB3112, HB5196, HB4211, HB3516, HB3092, HB4233, HB4687, HB705, HB1094, HB2037, HB3005, HB3848, HB1105, HB121, HB3372, HB367, HB783, HB3336, HB3441, HB4449, HB5616, HB2407, HB2854, HB3425, HB5294, HB1178, HB4623, HB14, HB3963, HB1211, HB5646, HB5629, HB3783, HB4236, HB46, HB4638, HB1052, HB4070, HB5509, HB5435, HB4134, HB3923, HB3520, HB3320, HB2517, HB2488, HB5663, HB2731, HB3073, HB2655, HB2399, HB541, HB4099, HB111, HB1532, HB3483, HB2963, HB4580, HB3748, HB713, HB632, HB426, HB4730, HCR141, HCR118, HCR40, HCR59, HCR76, HCR108, HB26, HB108, HB144, HB145, HB201, HB272, HB493, HB551, HB621, HB700, HB1500, HB1661, HB2017, HB2038, HB2073, HB2080, HB2221, HB2253, HB2294, HB2306, HB2313, HB2427, HB2516, HB2593, HB2761, HB2818, HB2844, HB2851, HB2885, HB3010, HB3016, HB3133, HB3151, HB3159, HB3254, HB3284, HB3595, HB3689, HB3711, HB3866, HB3928, HB3940, HB3966, HB4063, HB4112, HB4264, HB4281, HB4384, HB4454, HB4486, HB4488, HB4520, HB4530, HB4666, HB4743, HB4749, HB4751, HB5081, HB5308, HB5394, HB5659, HB5671, HB5680, HB5696, HB2674, HB3556, HB223, HB1403, HB3053, HB5115, HCR108, HCR118, SB20, SB33, SB75, SB213, SB269, SB458, SB528, SB647, SB648, SB681, SB740, SB840, SB843, SB1061, SB1120, SB1121, SB1150, SB1202, SB1253, SB1423, SB1535, SB1574, SB1709, SB1789, SB2037, SB2078, SB2268, SB2544, SB2570, SB1198, SB2601, SB2778

Keywords: SB 731, Texas, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, TDHCA, low-income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, senior housing, 55 and older, elderly housing, multifamily housing, apartment buildings, high-rise, four-story building, water pressure booster, water pressure system, emergency water supply, building safety, housing development regulations, Government Code Chapter 2306

Transcript Highlights:

• But because jurisdictions won't know where the sites are online, you can't tell, as a code enforcement
• So I don't think you want a private corporation acting as code enforcement.
• I know one of them is getting a code enforcement. It's a larger one.
• Doesn't have a permit, not allowed, getting code enforcement action.
• And you're creating an additional code enforcement requirement to say that people...

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 518 on low-impact camping areas. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for small rural camping operations on private land, expand outdoor access, and support rural economies, while opponents from campground associations and counties warned it could undermine existing regulation, create enforcement problems, and allow advertising of unpermitted sites. Members raised concerns about fire safety and local control, but the bill was ultimately passed as amended on an 8-0 vote. The committee then approved AB 635, which would require HCD to refer up to 25 of the most serious mobile home residency law complaints to the Attorney General. Supporters said mobile home residents need stronger enforcement against egregious park-owner violations, while opponents argued the existing program is underused, costly, and should remain subject to a sunset. After discussion of the program’s surplus and enforcement role, the bill passed 9-1. AB 893, which expands ministerial approval for mixed-income housing near college campuses and broadens eligibility for affordable units to students, faculty, and staff, also drew strong support from student advocates and housing groups and respectful opposition from the League of California Cities over local control and height limits; it passed 10-0. AB 925, the Mobile Home Emergency Safety Act, would require stronger emergency preparedness measures in mobile home parks, including accessible exits, working fire hydrants, and gas shutoff access, with a fee increase to fund enforcement. Supporters framed it as a life-safety measure in disaster-prone areas, while opponents argued the bill duplicates existing requirements and imposes an unnecessary fee increase. The committee voted 6-1 to send it to Appropriations, with the bill left on call. The consent calendar, including several other housing and local government bills, was approved 8-0. The committee also heard AB 712, which would increase penalties and attorney-fee protections for applicants enforcing state housing laws against public agencies; supporters said it would improve compliance, while special districts opposed the bill as overly broad and unclear. Members discussed indemnification and timing issues, and the bill was advanced with amendments to Judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Wildlife Code requires people to acquire fishing licenses and fishing stamps to fish in Texas waters
• The bill aims to amend the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code so that saltwater fishing stamp revenue is..
• The International Fire Code...
• All right, TDLR's proposed legislative changes to Occupations Code 801.
• It says, "Occupations Code is amended to read as follows."

Bills: SB34, SB119, SB261, SB532, SB1035, SB1245, SB1247, SB1267, SB1442, SB1930, SB1948, SB2078, SB2112, SB2143, SB2155

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• of Labor Standards Enforcement regarding misclassification claims and other violations of the Labor Code
• It adds sunset dates to the Labor Code sections and aligns Labor Code sections with the new Government
• Code section to correct permitted uses of paid sick leave.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard three bills. AB 1136 would provide workers who are detained or deported by ICE with five unpaid days to handle immigration-related matters and up to 12 months of unpaid leave in detention/deportation cases, with an amendment allowing employers to require use of other leave first and a requirement to restore workers to their prior position once legal status is proven. Support came from labor groups including the California Federation of Labor Unions and SEIU California, while opposition came from the Association of California School Administrators and others who raised concerns about the length of the rehire period and impacts on public education and employers. Committee members described the bill as a necessary response to current immigration enforcement conditions, and the Senate amendments were concurred in. AB 1514, the committee’s cleanup bill for AB 5, would extend the sunset on the licensed manicurist exemption by three years and the commercial fisherman exemption by five years, while adding reporting requirements from EDD and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement on misclassification and unemployment claims. There were no witnesses in support or opposition, though one member noted the importance of continuing to work on manicurist issues, especially for API women in the industry. The committee approved concurrence in the Senate amendments. AB 406, presented on behalf of Assembly Member Chavira, makes technical and clarifying changes to prior legislation related to leave for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other violence. The bill adjusts enforcement timelines between the Civil Rights Department and the Labor Commissioner, adds sunset dates to certain Labor Code sections, and aligns paid sick leave language with a new Government Code section. There was no public testimony, and the committee voted to concur in the Senate amendments. All three bills ultimately received unanimous committee approval and were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• our progress by what we are able to track and show in terms of where workers are working, what zip codes
• process is saying let's have some standards across all applications so that we can look at what zip codes
• And so we will be tracking zip codes. We will be tracking veteran status.
• So we're very appreciative that you are including the zip code-specific data as well.

Summary: The committee heard SB 756, authored by Senator Skinner, which would expand reporting and accountability for California’s film and television tax credit program. The senator said the bill is intended to improve equity and transparency by requiring the California Film Commission to collect better demographic and geographic data, including workers’ zip codes and veteran status, using existing payroll and third-party systems without adding new mandates. Supporters said the information is needed to evaluate whether the state’s film incentive benefits California workers and communities, especially in areas like South Los Angeles. Public testimony was limited. Dylan Hoffman, on behalf of California Arts Advocates, testified in support. No opposition testimony was presented. Committee members, including Assembly Member Quirk-Silva and Assembly Member McKinnor, voiced support and emphasized the need for standardized data collection and stronger oversight of the tax credit program. The author also noted recent staffing increases at the Film Commission to help monitor the program. The committee moved the bill on a motion and second, and SB 756 passed out of committee with a due pass recommendation to the Appropriations Committee. The roll call was recorded as 8-0, with one member not present in voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The original bill just tried to align some of the law with some changes we made to the tax code last
• from the code assigned by the local system.
• from the code assigned by the local system.
• That's for a crime, a DA law in a criminal code.
• That's for a crime, a DA law in a criminal code.

Bills: HR275, HR276, HR277, HR278, HR279, HR280, HR281, HR282, HR283, HR284, HCR112, HCR113, HR265, HR266, HR267, HR268, HR269, HR270, HR271, HR272, HR273, HCR107, HCR108, HCR109, HCR110, HCR111, SCR63, SCR66, SCR67, SB414, SB484, SB513, HR168, HR174, HR194, HR216, HR264, HCR54, HCR74, HCR79, HCR85, HCR87, HCR94, HCR95, HCR97, HCR98, HCR104, SCR23, SCR29, SCR33, SCR38, HB75, HB705, SB54, SB56, SB72, SB79, SB97, SB105, SB123, SB125, SB129, SB163, SB171, SB252, SB287, SB375, SB386, SB461, SB466, HR84, HR188, HR205, HR3, HR197, HR243, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, SCR24, SCR35, HCR6, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB39, HB58, HB112, HB134, HB155, HB187, HB287, HB462, HB782, HB825, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB1200, HB4, HB623, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, SB34, SB164, SB172, SB198, SB208, SB232, SB281, SB286, SB317, SB322, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB409, SB417, SB421, SB430, SB439, SB447, SB458, SB510, HB842, HB633, HB1191, HB625, HB1255, HB251, HB582, HB646, HB819, HB998, HB1257, SB197, SB436, SB78, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB302, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, HB258, SB149, SB382, SB441

Keywords: highway maintenance, signage, transportation safety, DOTD, infrastructure, public safety, federal grants, job creation, carbon storage, carbon dioxide storage, carbon capture and storage, CCS, mineral rights, mineral owners, oil and gas, disposal wells, injection wells, advanced drilling, carbon sequestration, Louisiana energy policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We do a lot of international engagement, IAEA, we do codes and standards adoption.
• And when codes and standards are developed, the NRC understands how that answer will be done.
• If I want to write code, you can do that at least 10 times faster than I can without it.
• I might go say, well, if you code it just like this, nobody will ever be able to crack through.
• So we work on buildings and very sophisticated codes. We call it all together force.

Summary: The meeting opened with remarks about the value of public engagement and the quality of questions from the group, followed by a series of technical presentations from Idaho National Laboratory staff. Joe Renovitz described recent nuclear regulatory changes tied to presidential executive orders, including NRC Part 53 for advanced reactors, the forthcoming Part 57 for very small reactors, and DOE updates to reactor authorization standards. He emphasized efforts to align DOE and NRC processes, use risk-informed and performance-based licensing, support reactor deployment for AI/data centers and national security, and use AI to speed communications and crosswalks between DOE and NRC requirements. In response to questions, he said there was no plan to merge agencies, but rather to improve coordination and public outreach through groups like GAIN and NEI. David Tolman then discussed the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, spent fuel storage, transportation, disposal, and reprocessing. He explained high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), why it is needed for advanced reactors, and DOE’s HALEU Availability Program and related investments in enrichment, transportation, deconversion, and supply chain development. He also covered spent fuel management, the possibility of centralized storage or a fuel-cycle campus, the Center for Used Fuel Research, and ongoing work on high-burnup cask testing and reprocessing technologies. Tolman described aqueous, pyrochemical, and fluoride-volatility reprocessing approaches, noting the advantages and waste characteristics of each, and said several companies are working with INL on these technologies. Ashley Shields presented INL’s AI and nuclear work, focusing on the Genesis initiative and the Prometheus effort to use AI to design, license, build, and operate reactors with far less human intervention. She described INL’s broad use of generative AI tools, the need to manage large volumes of legacy technical data, and applications in reactor design, materials discovery, autonomous laboratories, and digital twins. Shields said AI is being used to reduce the enormous documentation burden in nuclear licensing and to support autonomous or remotely operated reactor demonstrations, while stressing that humans remain in supervisory roles. In discussion, she addressed data security, model access, and the continued need for software engineers. The session then recessed briefly and resumed with Mitch Kerman beginning a presentation on critical minerals and materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:29:59.200> fund increase for the construction code fund increase for the construction
• Uh, there's an increase to the construction code and licensing division of $1 million in 2026-27
• And then there's the fee adjustment on line 47 from the construction code fund of $4,164,000 in 2026-
• The fee adjustment on line 47 from the construction code fund is $4,164,000 in 2026-27 and $4,292,000
• related to national electrical code related to national electrical code updates<00:47:16.079>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 1314 expands the current definition of an e-cigarette in Section 161.0876 of the Health and Safety Code
• This bill states the penal code to clarify the definition of eight-liners and explicitly includes them
• We also want to To add back in Subchapter E of the Local Government Code, we've talked to some police
• The game rooms argued that the occupation code seeks to regulate coin-operated machines. ...preempted
• But there's the master billing code, and then there's what you pay code, right?

Bills: SB30, SB517, SB1313, SB1314, SB1316, SB1541, SB1698, SB1845, SB1860, SB2420, SB2429, SB 30

Keywords: gambling, criminal offenses, penalties, defense, electronic devices, tobacco advertising, youth protection, public health, criminal offense, retailer regulation, e-cigarettes, nicotine products, health, public safety, regulation, advertising restrictions, health and safety, elections, election audit, county elections

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes everybody, regardless of the zip code in the neighborhood.
• Code section 320301 and located in this state.
• And we also have a reference to Chapter 381, which is our public health code.
• And we also have a reference to Chapter 381, which is our public health code.
• Code, sections 101 through 148, which... Those designated in 36 U.S.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and memorial remarks, including a moment of silence for service members killed in the conflict in Iran. The chamber then moved to special orders and took up a series of bills, with many measures passing unanimously after brief explanations and, in several cases, substitution of House companions. Early bills included CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, which drew extensive supportive debate about the civic value of debate programs and passed 37-0, and SB 1072 on an anti-Semitism task force, which was amended to clarify that criticism of Israel is not prohibited and then passed 37-0. The Senate also approved CS/CS/SB 1230/HB 1019 on PFAS chemicals and firefighting foam, with discussion focused on phasing out AFFF, testing requirements, exceptions for federal aviation and military uses, and support for firefighters and water quality; the bill passed 37-0. Other measures passed without opposition included SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 186 on student health and safety and seizure response training, SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services, SB 990/HB 883 on protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, SB 560 on child welfare and foster care medication procedures, SB 684/HB 961 on electronic signatures for salvage titles, and SB 778/HB 569 on forensic client services. Two bills, SB 432 on intoxicating substances and SB 928 on dangerous crimes, were temporarily postponed. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. The sponsor argued the bill would prevent counties and municipalities from funding or promoting DEI efforts he described as discriminatory or indoctrinating, while opponents offered amendments to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances. Those amendments were debated at length but were not adopted. The sponsor then continued explaining the bill’s exceptions, including references to holidays, heritage sites, and the Pulse Memorial, and the chamber was still in debate on the underlying measure when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Austin Martin, Libertarian Party of Hawaii, and I don't think that we should be messing with the tax code
• [clears throat] We're constantly hearing testimony about the complication of the tax code.
• How complicated would a tax code be if we implementing something like this?
• How complicated would a tax tax code.
• be if we implementing something code uh be if we implementing something like<00:10:28.880> this?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services opened its first hearing of the 2026 session and heard testimony on several bills, with the chair emphasizing one-minute testimony, written submissions, and live streaming. For SB 768, relating to an alternative water source income tax credit, the Department of Taxation said a drafting issue needed clarification on the $500 cap and estimated a revenue loss of $6.8 million per year beginning in fiscal year 2028. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Libertarian Party opposed the bill as an unnecessary subsidy and tax-code complication, while one supporter was noted. A member questioned the size of the projected loss and suggested future analysis of net fiscal impacts and methodology. The committee then heard SB 389, which expands a general excise tax exemption to additional health-related providers and purchases. The Department of Taxation said the change would be a minimal code adjustment but would require public education; the Tax Foundation said the bill should be framed in light of the original physician-shortage rationale for the exemption. The Hawaii National Guard and Aloha Care supported the measure, along with several other organizations and individuals, while the Libertarian Party opposed it as favoritism and tax-code complexity. A member asked about administrative burden and potential tax impact, and the department said it did not yet have a calculation but was working on one. The committee also heard SB 877, which would appropriate funds to increase Medicaid in-home services if federal matching funds are maximized, and SB 1139, which would direct DHS to expand Medicaid eligibility for children from birth to age five regardless of household income. DHS stood on written testimony for both bills, and Aloha Care, the Hawaii Medical Association, disability advocates, children’s advocates, and CARES testified in support, arguing the measures would improve access and family stability. The Libertarian Party opposed both bills, warning of higher long-term costs, entitlement growth, and reduced private-sector options. Members questioned the fiscal and programmatic differences between crisis and warm-line services during discussion of SB 787, a bill to fund a Department of Health warm line; the department said the warm line would serve noncrisis callers more cheaply than crisis staffing, and that about 34.7% of 2024 Hawaii CARES contacts were mild issues that could have been routed to a warm line. Supporters cited mental health needs after the Lahaina wildfire and the affordability crisis, while opponents argued the service duplicated existing resources and expanded government involvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• It amends Chapter 18 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to conform the statute.
• , okay, which is the code that all doctors are supposed to use and it's the same thing.
• They know that it's, let's say, CPT code 100, they get $500 for that.
• For that CPT code was willing to accept. Sorry Mr.
• It's got to meet the elements of 1301 of the insurance code, which is a claim. ...claim form.

Bills: HB4806

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this is really a bill I passed either last year or the year before last, making sure that the exit codes
• So I'm just changing a little bit: instead of saying changing an exit code assigned about a student of
• school system, I'm putting assigning an exit code to a student that differs from the exit code assigned
• I've had to deal with some exit code issues in the past.
• So can you give me an example of what kind of code someone may need to have reassigned or corrected?

Summary: The House Education Committee met on May 6 and first welcomed LSU President Wade Roos and Chancellor Jim Dalton, who outlined LSU’s goals of becoming an elite, accessible flagship university, increasing research expenditures, improving student recruitment and retention, and expanding pathways that keep Louisiana students in-state. Members praised the new leadership and LSU’s workforce and research direction, and a representative from LSU enrollment reported gains in TOPS Excellence commitments for the coming fall. The committee then advanced several education bills. SB 105 by Sen. Kathy, which reinstates TOPS Tech eligibility for honorably discharged veterans, was reported favorably without objection. SB 374, also by Sen. Kathy, creates a uniform framework for college economic development districts; members adopted an amendment adding a legislator to each district board, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 304 by Sen. Edmonds, which authorizes the Board of Regents to establish a list of eligible accreditors and allows institutions to seek different accreditors, was reported favorably. SB 522 by Sen. Edmonds, allowing vocational and technical charter schools to apply directly to BESE as Type 2 charters with Commerce and Industry support, drew discussion about whether the authority should extend to public schools as well; it ultimately passed 9-1. The committee also approved SB 290 by Sen. Abraham, a cleanup bill requiring school system concurrence before student exit-code changes in the data system, and HCR 81 by Rep. Freiberg, which asks the Department of Education to study options for districts facing declining enrollment and related financial pressures. HCR 175 by Rep. Larvadain, a study resolution on possible TOPS Tech changes, was deferred by the author because it overlapped with another measure. Several members also used personal privilege to welcome local mayors and community guests to the committee room.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 486 and Senate Bill 654 into House Bill 4793, all three of which deal with several of the same code
• Bill 486 and Senate Bill 654 into House Bill 4793, all three of which deal with several of the same code
• ensured that the joint and several liabilities imposed by this section do not conflict with existing code
• Committee Substitute for House Bill 5537, repealing obsolete and outdated sections of the Education Code
• Committee Substitute for House Bill 5537, repealing obsolete and outdated sections of the Education Code

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate took up a long second-reading calendar of House bills, mostly advancing them to third reading after brief explanations of committee strike-and-insert amendments. Measures discussed included property transfer tax language for quick claim deeds, an FDA drug development trial grant program, aggravated vehicular homicide as a qualifying offense, 529 account definitions, Opportunity Zones, a barber apprentice program, municipal/county expenditures, criminal-record disqualification for professions, civil remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, online training for estate executors, contempt penalties, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, peer support services, the Youth Summer Employment and Career Readiness Program, cybersecurity program authority, and several others. Several amendments were adopted, including technical or clarifying changes and substantive revisions such as raising contempt fines, adjusting compact background-check language, and adding employer immunity for the youth employment program. The chamber also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 945 on pay for Adjutant General employees during a federal shutdown or furlough and Senate Bill 1042 on underground mine ventilation standards. Both bills then passed 32-0, and SB 1042 was made effective from passage by a 32-0 vote. The Senate received and advanced several House-passed supplemental appropriations for Homeland Security, the Adjutant General, Health, the State Road Fund, and Tourism/Revenue. Committee reports moved a number of bills forward, including resolutions to study the eastern gray fox decline and an upland game bird stamp, utility regulation changes, civil service and personnel reform, constitutional carry for 18- to 20-year-olds, E-Verify safe harbor, special education classroom cameras, a camping ban on certain public property, child care, tax efficiency, DUI-causing-death penalties, food regulation, mine subsidence, Medicare supplement guaranteed issue rights, medical cannabis fund allocations, domestic violence prevention, EMS funding, virtual currency kiosk regulation, metallurgical coal tax reduction, foundation allowance changes, workers’ compensation updates, wellness reimbursement programs, education code cleanup, school choice scholarship participation, and virtual instruction for foster students in temporary placement. The Senate then adjourned until 11 a.m. the next day, with committee meeting announcements following.

Transcript Highlights:

• person or covered entity from assigning, requiring, or incentivizing the use of a merchant category code
• Payment card networks have created firearms-specific merchant category codes that allow lawful purchases
• These codes do not identify criminal activity.
• Merchant category codes are already set up for firearms and ammunition under sporting goods...
• them currently for actually implementing or encouraging the implementation of this merchant category code

Bills: SB1010, SB1035, SB1058, SB1077, SB1093

Keywords: Charlie Kirk, Loop 202, Arizona highways, transportation, renaming, Arizona Department of Corrections, ADC, corrections, prison, jail, correctional officers, prison guards, staffing, retention, salary increase, pay raise, wage increase, general fund, appropriation, state budget

Summary: The Public Safety Committee met to introduce staff and pages, then heard several bills. SB 1010 would designate Loop 202 as the Charlie Kirk Highway and require signage; an amendment to rename it the Freedom of Speech Highway failed, and the bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote after testimony both supporting the honor and objecting that it could affect existing freeway names, including the Ed Pastor Freeway. SB 1077 would impose felony penalties for using an interactive computer service to facilitate prostitution, pandering, or child sex trafficking, and to require age verification for harmful sexual material; it passed 5-2 after a brief clarification about the law-enforcement defense. SB 1093 would expand the definition of riot to include acts or threats causing property damage and add riot to racketeering and conspiracy provisions; one public commenter opposed it as overbroad and anti-protest, but the bill still passed 4-3. The committee also heard SB 1058, the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, which would bar government firearm registries and restrict merchant category codes tied to firearm purchases. A firearms industry representative said the bill protects financial privacy, and it passed 4-3. SB 1035 would appropriate funds for a 5% salary increase for correctional officers and department civilians; the sponsor and correctional employee representatives said raises are needed for retention, while others argued the increase should also cover private prison employees to preserve parity. The committee adopted a Payne amendment extending the raise to private prison workers under contract with the department, and the amended bill passed 4-3. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over time, amendments to the Family Code have refined these provisions to balance parental rights with
• create the official record of a proceeding also established that digital recorders must abide by a code
• And a lot of this stuff, page after page after page, is merely updating the code where there's a list
• I mean, for example, there are lots of little changes to the civil practice and remedies code in the
• The bankruptcy code has related to jurisdiction and it's, what is it, 28 USC 1334.

Transcript Highlights:

• Architect, the International Building Code, their local municipality.
• Research, we began to realize that our state does not have a standardized building code.
• We have a wild, wild west of building codes.
• We all fall under the International Building Code, but everybody uses a different version.
• This is one relating to taking the Electronic Registration Information Center, ERIC, out of the code.

Bills: SB320, HB67, HB247, HB161, HB165, HB91, HB90, HB471, HB363, HB479

Keywords: liquefied petroleum gas, safety regulations, public gathering places, cylinder storage, proximity regulations, parental rights, drag performances, public schools, public libraries, overnight programs, gender identity, minor safety, Gulf of America, name change, state compliance, educational materials, local resources, historical reference, building codes, standardization