Transcript Highlights:

• There are no regulations at the federal level on mailing this or shipping it or purchasing it online.
• Um, I don't know purchasing it online.
• <01:25:29.920> a years old could walk in purchase a years old could walk in purchase a product
• ,<01:26:49.520> you with every Tootsie Roll purchase, you with every Tootsie Roll purchase
• In Jackson and also in Star Valley, you can purchase it 24 hours a day at the local gas stations.

Bills: SF0071, SF0088, SF0056

Keywords: homeland security, search and rescue, grants, emergency response, Wyoming, sex offender, child care facility, residency restrictions, public safety, criminal law, sex offenders, child care facilities, legislation, kratom, regulation, healthcare, age restrictions, manufacturing standards, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She expressed that purchasing within an HOA was a mistake.
• She expressed that purchasing within an HOA was a mistake.
• She expressed that purchasing within an HOA was a mistake.
• She expressed that purchasing within an HOA was a mistake.
• really essentially purchase that's really essentially adding<00:19:57.240> a<00:19:57.280>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• over time and preserving the purchasing over time and preserving the purchasing power<01:29:06.760
• But there is possibility for the fund to grow in real purchasing power, factoring in inflation, with
• If we go to five and it's $113 per student and it stays at $113 forever or grows less than purchasing
• <01:41:11.760> power<01:41:12.640> in grow in real purchasing power in grow in real
• purchasing power in factoring<01:41:13.400> in<01:41:13.680> inflation<01:41:14.640>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The RFA offers low-interest loans for land purchases, farm improvements, equipment, operating capital
• We offer low-interest loan programs for a variety of farm activities, including land purchases, farm
• purchase the other 45% that $45,000. purchase the other 45% that $45,000.
• <00:34:34.720> real entry- level farmers purchase real entry- level farmers purchase real
• You are getting those dollars, and it's purchasing the real estate that it is.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then purchase history-based discounts are the third one exception to this.
• And then purchase history-based discounts are the third exception to this.
• AND THEN, PURCHASE HISTORY BASE DISCOUNTS ARE THE THIRD ONE EXCEPTION TO THIS.
• That is because of prior purchase history. GET $5 OFF.
• >> The sponsor yields. >> So how is purchase history different than surveillance pricing?

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on June 3, 2026, approved the prior day’s journal, and then moved through a long list of discharge motions and substitutions to place many bills on the third reading calendar. The chamber also adopted Resolution J.2314 honoring the New York chapter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, with remarks emphasizing domestic workers’ role in care work, labor organizing, and protections such as paid sick leave and family leave. Another adopted resolution, J.2298, mourned labor and social justice advocate Minerva Solla, with senators highlighting her work with 1199, the Young Lords, Puerto Rican solidarity efforts, and women’s organizing. A third resolution recognized Olympic curler Daniel Casper for representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Games. The Senate then confirmed a large slate of judicial and executive nominations. It accepted the Judiciary Committee report and confirmed four interim Supreme Court justices, seven Court of Claims judges, and 21 reappointments/extensions by a vote of 44-12. The Finance Committee report was also accepted, and the Senate confirmed a broad set of appointments to state boards and authorities, including the MTA, State Commission of Correction, Power Authority, NYSERDA, Financial Control Board, public health councils, SUNY and Cornell boards, gaming and bridge authorities, and others. One notable confirmation was Alexander Dockery to the State Commission of Correction; supporters called it the first time a formerly incarcerated person had been confirmed to that commission, while Senator Murray criticized the practice of voting on large nomination blocks rather than individually. The chamber then took up and passed many bills, mostly by wide margins, covering labor, health, education, transportation, public service, criminal justice, municipal, tax, insurance, and environmental topics. Several members explained their votes on major measures: Senator Ramos supported a bill modernizing temporary disability benefits and another protecting construction workers from lost pay when jobs are canceled; Senator Baskin spoke about a correction bill tied to the death of India Cummings; Senator Skoufis described a family-court custody bill intended to prioritize child safety; Senator Mayer backed a proposal to reimburse parents of medically fragile children for providing care; and Senator Hinchey defended a bill requiring employers to report AI-related job impacts, while Senator Borrello opposed it as burdensome. Most bills were passed, some were laid aside, and the session concluded with multiple roll-call votes and confirmations before adjournment-related business.

Transcript Highlights:

• It simply pushes consumers to either purchase from unregulated sources or travel to neighboring states
• It simply pushes consumers to either purchase from unregulated sources to travel to neighboring states
• taking tax dollars with them. consumers to either purchase from unregulated sources to travel to neighboring
• matter is liquor stores in Massachusetts have a long track record of verifying the age for adults to purchase
• example, a brewery producing an infused beverage in-house would be required to sell it and then purchase

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a public hearing on a wide range of alcohol, liquor licensing, and hemp-derived beverage bills. Early in the hearing, there was a procedural dispute when Senator Jacob Oliveira attempted to testify virtually on S. 279; the House chairs declined to recognize virtual testimony from a committee member, and Senator Pavel Payano instead read prepared remarks supporting the bill to return liquor license authority to municipalities. The committee then heard testimony on H. 437/S. 279 from the Massachusetts Municipal Association and Cohasset Town Manager Christopher Senior, both of whom argued that local control would streamline licensing, better match modern community needs, and support downtown economic development. A Lexington business owner also supported local licensing flexibility for a paint-and-sip business seeking a beer and wine license. The committee also heard extensive testimony on hemp-derived beverage regulation, including H. 357 and S. 222. Supporters from the Commonwealth Beverage Coalition and Theory Wellness said the products are already widely available in unregulated settings, including gas stations and smoke shops, and argued for a regulated framework with age limits, testing, labeling, and local public health funding. The Massachusetts Brewers Guild supported regulation of low-dose hemp beverages but asked that breweries be allowed to participate using their existing retail and distribution rights. The Guild also supported H. 478, which would allow limited self-distribution by pub breweries, saying it would reduce inefficiency and help small breweries grow. Several bills modernizing alcohol licensing laws were also discussed. Representative Ruel supported H. 477, describing it as a cleanup measure that would remove the contiguous-premises requirement, add a character standard for applicants, and extend public notice periods. Representative Sangiolo testified in support of H. 3893, a local liquor-license bill tied to economic development and new businesses in Lexington, including a movie theater, coffee shop, and paint studio. Fable Brewing Company also supported the local license bill, saying the licenses are needed before they can finalize leases and open. The committee then heard opposition from the Massachusetts Package Stores Association and several retailers, who warned that the retail tier is under pressure from oversaturation, declining revenues, and expanded competition, and opposed a long list of bills they said would further weaken existing stores or the three-tier system. At the end of the hearing, Representative McKenna testified in support of H. 437 and S. 279, emphasizing municipal autonomy and the importance of on-premises licenses for restaurants and other economic-development projects. The chairs noted that additional written testimony could still be submitted on bills that did not receive in-person testimony. The hearing concluded with a motion by Representative Sangiolo, seconded by Representative LeBoeuf, to close the hearing, which passed by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• that established red flag laws, expanded background checks, increased criminal penalties for straw purchasing
• 17.000> straw increased criminal penalties for straw increased criminal penalties for straw purchasing
• guns,<00:27:18.240> and<00:27:18.480> passed<00:27:18.880> legislation purchasing
• guns, and passed legislation purchasing guns, and passed legislation to<00:27:19.600> ban<00:
• We've raised the age to purchase tobacco to 21, and we provided hundreds of millions of dollars to public

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: This was Governor Tim Walz’s final State of the State address to the Minnesota Legislature. He opened by recognizing legislative leaders, constitutional officers, tribal leaders, the judiciary, and members of his administration, then asked for a moment of silence for the Hortman family and spoke at length about recent tragedies, including the Annunciation Church shooting, political violence, the COVID-19 pandemic, and what he described as the impacts of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota. He framed the address around resilience, unity, and the state’s response to grief and disruption. Walz reviewed major accomplishments from his time in office, emphasizing investments in education, child care, free school meals, housing, infrastructure, climate initiatives, paid family leave, voting access, and worker protections. He also highlighted tax cuts, rebate checks, Social Security tax relief, medical debt protections, and efforts to lower costs for families. Looking ahead, he proposed expanding the dependent care tax credit, cutting the statewide sales tax for the first time, adding housing and first-time homebuyer support, and providing aid to businesses and households affected by Operation Metro Surge. A major portion of the speech focused on public safety and fraud prevention. Walz said he wanted lawmakers to reestablish the binary trigger ban, pass additional gun violence measures including bans on weapons of war and high-capacity magazines, and strengthen safe storage and insurance requirements for firearms. He also urged passage of his anti-fraud package, which would increase penalties, create a centralized fraud prevention office, and restructure human services administration to improve oversight and program integrity. He closed by urging lawmakers to act on these proposals during his remaining months in office and said the next governor would inherit a fiscally strong state.

Transcript Highlights:

• couple of times with Secretary Miho, and the rural health care delivery fund would not allow the purchase
• Why don't you have the accounting purchase it and you lease it to them? Mr.
• If they purchase the money, purchase the equipment, and we give them that, they can pay the lease and
• If the county purchases it, the money goes to county, and then they get the money from the rural health

Bills: SB152, SB145, SB190, HB247

Keywords: telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent

Transcript Highlights:

• will work, it creates basically a charity organization within municipalities, and it allows them to purchase
• new authority, and then our hope would be to amend this statute later to include the authority to purchase
• 00:10:43.600> the<00:10:43.920> authority<00:10:44.320> to<00:10:44.640> purchase
• <00:10:45.040> other include the authority to purchase other include the authority to purchase

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

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2578, which would create a federal match land bank fund administered by the Mississippi Development Authority, with a 1.25% administrative allowance and an effective date of July 1, 2026. The chair explained it as a municipal tool to help purchase dilapidated property using available federal and state funds. The committee asked no questions and passed the bill by voice vote, title sufficient, do pass. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2679, the Mississippi Land Bank Act. Sheri Visay of the Mississippi Municipal League testified in support, describing land banks as locally created entities to acquire, manage, and return vacant, abandoned, and tax-forfeited properties to productive use. She emphasized that the bill would not authorize eminent domain, would be locally controlled, and would be subject to public accountability requirements. Senators asked about title, acquisition, funding, and whether the bill should also allow acquisition of privately owned non-tax-forfeited parcels; the sponsor said the bill was intentionally limited at first to tax-forfeited properties, though future expansion could be considered. The committee then passed the bill by voice vote. Next, Senate Bill 2729, with a committee substitute, was explained as a narrow change to allow Capitol Police in Jackson to enforce local noise ordinances for alcohol-permitted businesses, without removing authority from local police or sheriffs. The sponsor said he had spoken with Commissioner Tindle, who did not object, though the chief of Capitol Police was still consulting internally. The committee nonetheless adopted the motion to pass the committee substitute, title sufficient, by voice vote. The committee also took up Senate Bill 2862, a code-forwarding bill related to annexation. The chair noted it made no substantive changes and only brought forward existing code sections, and a reverse repealer was added by amendment. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill, title sufficient, do pass committee substitute. Finally, Senate Bill 2893 proposed expanded notice requirements for zoning changes, including newspaper notice, posting on social media platforms, online posting, public access to the proposed changes, and extending the appeal period from 10 to 20 days. After discussion, an amendment was added to require signage for 30 days instead of 7, and the committee then passed the committee substitute by voice vote. The meeting ended with the bills reported and the committee in recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• To modernize operations, FDLE requests $3.3 million to purchase 260 new instruments and a cloud-based
• This funding will go towards purchasing new Class A uniforms for our staff, which will meet professionalism
• Purchasing new Class A uniforms for our staff, which will meet professionalism standards, will be dress
• shirt and pants, as well as purchasing new uniforms for the youth.
• We were able to purchase some of those units.

Bills: S0054, S0156, S0296, S0298

Keywords: cognitive function, psychotropic drugs, violent offenders, autopsy procedures, medical records, school safety, public records, open government, sunshine law, victims of dating violence, domestic violence, address confidentiality program, confidential address, voter registration, voting records, elections, supervisor of elections, Department of State, Attorney General, privacy

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 public safety budget, which totals about $8.2 billion within a $117.4 billion overall state budget. Caitlin Dawkins of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget outlined funding and reductions across the public safety silo, including the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, FDLE, Legal Affairs, the courts, and related entities. Agency heads then presented their requests, with FDLE seeking funding for fentanyl enforcement, career offender registry staffing, alert system upgrades, alcohol testing equipment, officer mental health, criminal alien detection, and statutory staffing needs; DJJ requesting money for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential contract rate increases, a new Broward detention center, and facility maintenance; and DOC requesting major funding for correctional officer pay increases, 500 additional FTE, facility construction and maintenance, communications and security technology, offender information system modernization, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members discussed staffing shortages, prison conditions, immigration enforcement, public records burdens, mental health and substance use treatment, and the need for continued investment in corrections. A member of the public also testified about poor conditions in some prisons, including clothing, food, medical care, and maintenance issues. The committee then considered and passed CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, which would clarify that a person may not resist a law enforcement officer with violence when the officer is performing official duties and would increase penalties in cases involving violence against officers. The bill sponsor described the case of Officer Jason Rayner and said the measure was intended to prevent defendants from using claims about unlawful detention or arrest to justify violence. An amendment conforming the bill’s language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably after support was noted from several law enforcement and municipal groups. Next, the committee passed CS/SB 54, which addresses use of substances affecting cognitive function. An amendment narrowed the medical-records language to records relevant to investigations of violent offenders and clarified privacy protections. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 296, the Haven Act, which would direct a study of a secure web-based alert system for domestic violence victims so they can contact 911 without alerting an abuser, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to include dating violence victims. Testimony from survivors and advocates emphasized the danger victims face when trying to leave abusive situations. Finally, the committee passed CS/SB 298, the public-records companion bill, which extends confidentiality protections for participants in the Address Confidentiality Program to dating violence victims as well. All three bills were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• that's available to us to analyze, to see if it would be right for state agencies to be able to purchase
• Thank chair I. >> As a and the department as I look through our procurement capabilities and state purchasing
• grants, are you doing them as kind of one-time through grants, are you doing them as kind of one-time purchases
• technology, regardless of AI or whatever it is, I think there should be a way to leverage a single purchase
• There was a big effort to try to centralize cybersecurity firm procurement perspective from purchasing

Transcript Highlights:

• So then the first of these is a sales and use tax exemption for qualified purchases of server equipment
• So then the first of these is a sales and use tax exemption for qualified purchases of server equipment
• We'll also review a sales and use tax exemption for purchases of equipment necessary to process biogas
• We'll also review a sales and use tax exemption for purchases of equipment necessary to process biogas
• The metrics for this evaluation are the total value of qualifying equipment purchases for beneficiaries

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee met on September 17, 2025, in hybrid format. After roll call, the committee initially lacked a quorum and deferred approval of the July 15 minutes until Representative Berg arrived; the minutes were then adopted. Members also discussed the proposed 2026 JLARC meeting schedule, including possible changes to address crowded July meetings and the annual tax exemption review workload. Staff presented the annual lodging tax expenditures report, noting that 213 municipalities received distributions in 2024, with 91% reporting compliance, $114 million awarded for more than 1,700 activities, and no independent verification of the self-reported data. Several members questioned the value and usefulness of the report, and the executive committee indicated it may recommend removing the statutory reporting requirement. The committee then heard the preliminary performance audit of the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, which found the office meets its statutory responsibilities and has high user satisfaction, but recommended updating the statute to better match the office’s current capacity and focus and improving performance measures to reflect long-term privacy outcomes rather than outputs. Members asked about FERPA and other federal privacy laws, and OPDP staff said they provide general privacy training and consultation but not law-specific training unless requested. The committee adopted the final report on Washington State recreational boating programs without recommendation, after staff reported that boating revenues support both general government and boating activities and that no participating agencies submitted formal comments. Members asked about boater safety education and possible overlap among the six agencies involved; Parks staff said education has reached more than 500,000 boaters and that fatalities and incidents have declined. The committee also reviewed planned study questions for a JLARC review of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker laws, with members raising scope questions about the term “farm worker” versus “agricultural worker,” and for DNR’s Eastern Washington sustainable harvest calculation, which JLARC will review as DNR completes its recalculation. Finally, staff outlined the 2026 tax preference performance reviews covering seven preferences, and members asked about racial equity, environmental impacts, disclosure of beneficiary savings, and how the reviews will measure effectiveness; the meeting adjourned before noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...home from personal property to real property be included before one of a hard-working Texan purchases
• My family saved up for five years to purchase our manufactured home.
• In that scenario, unless maybe when she first purchased it she was more fully aware that if she had land
• All of this is very much just a... initial first step in helping sellers, purchasers, the public, you
• months ago, we had a piece of property where a landowner came to us and expressed interest in us purchasing

Bills: HB9, HJR1, SB1331, SB1375, SB1443, SB1578, SB2251, SB2519, SB2553, SB2655, SB2764, SB2907, SB3030, SB3033, SB3035, SB3036, SB3037, SB3043, SB3047, SB3050, SB3051, SB3056, SB3057, SB3063, HB9, HB467, HB331, HB1244, HB1399, HB2559, HB2730, HB3307, HJR1, HJR99, SB3048, SB3052, SB3053, SJR78, HB1327, HB2723

Keywords: HB 9, Texas Tax Code, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, truth in taxation, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, sales tax revenue, tax rate calculation, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, unused increment rate, disaster relief rate, taxing unit

Transcript Highlights:

• authority to create a self-insured retention fund for the purpose of helping lower the cost of insurance purchased
• The State of Texas does not require agencies to purchase insurance to protect critical assets, nor does
• may only appear on the final bill or receipt, leaving consumers unaware until after they made a purchase
• the proposed substitute. to be disclosed on the receipt at the checkout, like they are for other purchases
• Now, thankfully, the person who purchased her home, thinking that they had clear title, has stopped the

Bills: HB1958, HB2031, HB2879, HB3285, HB3995, HB4487, HB4558, HB4560, HB4876, HB4899, HB5212, HB5317, HB5543, HB5567, SB1333

Keywords: firearm possession, tenant rights, landlord regulations, civil penalties, property code, justified use of force, deadly force, property rights, home defense, smart devices, data privacy, personal data collection, user consent, mobile application, data transparency, HOA, property owners association, property owners' association, Texas Property Code, Chapter 202

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill enhances flexibility and supports faster decision-making for time-sensitive purchases, like
• This expenditure threshold, set in 1989, no longer reflects modern purchasing needs.
• Raising the limit to $50,000 will allow ESDs to make critical, time-sensitive purchases without unnecessary
• and emergency medical supplies, without requiring time-consuming board approvals before routine purchases
• But that's not in, that's general CPI, not specific to this type of equipment purchases.

Bills: SB208, SB628, SB777, SB1042, SB2354, SB2477, SB2521, SB2523, SB2608, SB2703, SB2778, SB2835, SB2965, SB2367, SB3044

Keywords: workforce housing, capital investment fund, affordable housing, housing development, Texas housing laws, loan programs, community development, Texas housing, zero-interest loans, low-income housing, nonprofit organizations, construction, economic stability, housing affordability, capital investment, Texas housing policy, county fire code, fire marshal, local government code, interlocal agreement

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and limited public testimony to two minutes per person. The committee heard Senate Bill 628 by Senator Zaffirini, which would clarify that counties may enter interlocal agreements with emergency service districts to administer and enforce county fire codes, including for multi-county ESDs in the committee substitute. Witnesses from Travis County ESD-11, the Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office, and a member of the public supported the bill as a way to reduce duplication, costs, and jurisdictional confusion. Public testimony was closed and the committee substitute was left pending. The committee then heard several housing-related bills. Senate Bill 208 by Senator West would create a Workforce Housing Capital Investment Fund to provide zero-interest loans to nonprofit builders for workforce housing; Habitat for Humanity representatives, a Brownsville nonprofit developer, and housing advocates supported it as a way to finance infrastructure and land development for affordable homes. Senate Bill 2835 by Senator Johnson would allow cities to opt into single-stair apartment buildings for small-scale, multi-story housing; supporters said the design is safe and could expand housing supply, while the Texas APA expressed qualified opposition over code-process concerns and fire-safety questions. Both bills were left pending after testimony. Additional bills heard included SB 1042 updating the Kimble County Hospital District’s enabling law; SB 1708, a committee substitute protecting familial property divisions from platting requirements; SB 2778 raising the ESD expenditure threshold requiring board approval from $2,000 to up to $50,000; SB 2608 expanding LIHTC eligibility for certain public housing projects; SB 3044 adding board representation for Marfa and Presidio on the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District and adjusting an exemption; SB 2367 extending park board authority to Waller County; SB 2523 clarifying ETJ reduction procedures and owner opt-out rights; SB 2521 requiring death-certificate reporting to appraisal districts to help address squatting and homestead exemption issues; and SB 2477 easing office-to-residential conversions in larger cities. In each case, the bills were laid out, testimony was taken, and the measures were left pending subject to call of the chair. The committee then recessed until 15 to 30 minutes after adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill enhances flexibility and supports faster decision-making for time-sensitive purchases, like
• This expenditure threshold, set in 1989, no longer reflects modern purchasing needs.
• Raising the limit to $50,000 will allow ESDs to make critical, time-sensitive purchases without unnecessary
• and emergency medical supplies, without requiring time-consuming board approvals before routine purchases
• But that's not in, that's general CPI, not specific to this type of equipment purchases.

Bills: SB208, SB628, SB777, SB1042, SB2354, SB2477, SB2521, SB2523, SB2608, SB2703, SB2778, SB2835, SB2965, SB2367, SB3044

Keywords: workforce housing, capital investment fund, affordable housing, housing development, Texas housing laws, loan programs, community development, Texas housing, zero-interest loans, low-income housing, nonprofit organizations, construction, economic stability, housing affordability, capital investment, Texas housing policy, county fire code, fire marshal, local government code, interlocal agreement

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met with a quorum at the start, adopted a two-minute limit for public testimony, and heard a series of housing, local government, fire code, and district-governance bills. Several measures were laid out with committee substitutes, including SB 628 on county fire code administration through interlocal agreements with emergency service districts; SB 208 creating a Workforce Housing Capital Investment Fund for zero-interest loans to nonprofit builders; SB 2835 allowing cities to opt into single-stair apartment buildings; and SB 2477 easing office-to-residential conversions in certain cities. Other bills addressed ESD spending thresholds (SB 2778), hospital district updates (SB 1042), subdivision/platting issues (SB 1708), public housing tax credit eligibility (SB 2608), groundwater district representation for Marfa and Presidio (SB 3044), park board authority in Waller County (SB 2367), ETJ removal procedures (SB 2523), and reporting death certificates to appraisal districts to help address squatting and homestead issues (SB 2521). Testimony was largely supportive on the housing bills. Supporters of SB 208, including Habitat for Humanity affiliates, a Brownsville nonprofit developer, Texans for Housing, and an educator, said the revolving fund would help nonprofit builders finance land, infrastructure, and development costs for affordable homes, especially for families earning 30% to 80% of area median income. SB 2835 drew support from architects, planners, and housing advocates who argued that single-stair buildings can be safe, more efficient, and better suited to missing-middle housing, though the Texas APA registered qualified opposition, saying the proposal bypasses the usual code-development process and may not be sufficiently studied. SB 2477 also received broad support from housing groups and policy organizations, who said office conversions could help address vacancy and housing shortages, though Corpus Christi raised a concern about fee recovery and local cost reimbursement. The committee also heard support for SB 628 from a county fire marshal and an ESD representative, who said the bill would reduce duplicate fire-code enforcement and costs. SB 2778 was backed by a Bexar County ESD fire chief, who said the current $2,000 expenditure approval threshold is outdated and slows emergency purchases and repairs. SB 2608 was supported by the El Paso housing authority, which said adding certain Section 8 projects to the at-risk LIHTC set-aside would help renovate aging subsidized housing. SB 3044 was presented as a way to give Marfa and Presidio representation on the groundwater district board while preserving permitting authority. Each bill heard public testimony was left pending subject to the call of the chair, and the committee recessed to reconvene after the Senate adjourns.

Transcript Highlights:

• of residential lots in certain municipalities, authorizing SB 17 by Cole-Karce, relating to the purchase
• It also relates to prohibiting the purchase of certain food and drink under the Supplemental Nutrition
• volunteer fire departments, and non-profit food banks, but our counties are still paying taxes on purchases
• of residential lots in certain municipalities, authorizing SB 17 by Cole-Karce, relating to the purchase
• It also relates to prohibiting the purchase of certain food and drink under the Supplemental Nutrition

Bills: HJR99, HB1399, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HCR35, SB14, HB 12, HB1522, HB422, HB675, HB204, HB748, HB912, HJR99, HB1399, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HCR35, HCR123, HCR124, HR57, HR87, HR111, HR228, HR230, HR322, HR624, HR625, HR626, HR627, HR628, HR630, HR631, HR634, HR635, HR636, HR637, HR638, HR639, HR640, HR645, HR646, HR648, HR649, HR651, HR652, HR653, HR654, HR664, HR665, HR668, HR675, HR676, HR678, HR679, HR680, HR683, HR686, HR688, HR689, HR694, HR695, HR697, HR698, HR699, HR472, HR622, HR632, HR633, HR643, HR655, HR657, HR660, HR661, HR662, HR663, HR667, HR670, HR674, HR681, HR682, HR696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• could result in veterans being stuck in their homes if they're unable to find another veteran to purchase
• Not only that, but to provide the housing and purchase the housing once we find it. Thank you.
• Veterans can get access to purchase those properties for different purposes, including both commercial
• There's a long history of allowing veterans to purchase farmland to expand into farming and to find work
• on council, we went out and identified a lot of land and identified dollars to make available to purchase

Bills: HCR7, HB1557, HB1608, HB2061, HB2201, HB2210, HB2426, HB2754, HJR165, HB2513, HCR7

Keywords: Veterans of Foreign Wars, veterans, commemoration, military service, recognition, September 29, waiver programs, toll roads, discount programs, transportation, affordable housing, land bank program, low-income households, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, HB 2061, Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 225, State Highway 242, Interstate Highway 69, Montgomery County

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, TWIA must purchase reinsurance to meet the total funding we are required by law to secure for
• TWIA routinely purchases reinsurance because the $2 billion in statutory funding that I just mentioned
• other statutory funding sources, the PML determines the amount of reinsurance the association must purchase
• price of reinsurance has risen significantly since 2020, as has the amount of reinsurance TWIA must purchase
• funding mechanisms available to us by the statute, um, Dictate and necessitate that large reinsurance purchase

Transcript Highlights:

• There are safeguards in place, just the same as if you were to eat in a restaurant or if you were to purchase
• There are safeguards in place, just the same as if you were to eat in a restaurant or if you were to purchase
• There are safeguards in place, just the same as if you were to eat in a restaurant or if you were to purchase
• There are safeguards in place, just the same as if you were to eat in a restaurant or if you were to purchase
• As if you were to eat in a restaurant or if you were to purchase food somewhere else, the safety standards

Keywords: 00:00 – Introduction 00:20 – Attendance Roll Call 01:42 – Introduction of guests 09:15 – House Bill 278 18:16 – Roll Call Vote 19:33 – House Bill 527 23:03 – Roll Call Vote, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Agriculture met on March 5 and began with roll call, confirming a quorum. The committee spent much of the opening portion introducing guests, including FFA groups from Barren, Christian, and Pulaski counties, a fifth-grade student shadowing a member, and other visitors connected to agriculture and public service. The chair also recognized former Senator Joey Pendleton, who spoke briefly about his background and mentorship in Frankfort. The committee then heard House Bill 278, sponsored by Representative Josh Bray, which would allow Kentucky to use an existing USDA exemption for small poultry producers to process and sell poultry directly at farmers markets and similar venues. Testimony emphasized that the bill would not loosen food safety standards, but would instead require compliance with federal commercial food processing rules, sanitation requirements, HACCP plans, and labeling tied to the USDA exemption. Members raised questions about avian flu, traceability, refrigeration, and inspection; the sponsor and witnesses said the bill would preserve traceability by limiting sales to direct channels and that avian flu response would remain with the state veterinarian. The committee voted favorably on HB 278. The committee also considered House Bill 527, sponsored by Representative Susan Whitten, which would authorize licensed veterinary technicians to administer rabies vaccinations to dogs, cats, and ferrets under direct veterinarian supervision on the premises. Supporters said the measure would help free veterinarians for other work while maintaining safety, and noted rising rabies concerns in Kentucky. Members asked why ferrets were included, and witnesses explained that ferrets can contract rabies like other mammals and are routinely vaccinated along with cats and dogs. The committee then took a roll call vote and passed HB 527 with favorable expression. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.