Transcript Highlights:

• A Roth IRA is a tax-deferred, tax-free, post-payment-of-tax way to grow assets. ...post-payment-of-tax
• It would be moving tax-free education dollars into a tax-free retirement account.
• bill officially, but what I can share with you in committee testimony is that law enforcement did express

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 980 ON HUNGER FREE CAMPUS PILOT PROGRAM BY SENATOR BERNARD.
• SENATE BILL 980, HUNGER FREE CAMPUS PROGRAM IS CREATED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER
• I THINK IT IS A FREE MARKET ISSUE.
• EXPRESSING OUR CONCERNS ON THE BILL AND HEARING FROM US.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also want to thank the over 30 legislators who signed the letter last year expressing...
• And expressed my frustration with this advanced manufacturing blanket CEQA exemption appearing in the
• And on behalf of Senator Cortezi, I express gratitude to you, Mr.
• I'm here to express strong support for Project to life in our region and our state.
• I am here today to express our support for SB 1108.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with SB 1350 by Senator McNerney presented first. The measure would expand California’s use of renewable hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen, with supporters emphasizing grid reliability, clean-energy goals, in-state investment, and construction jobs. Support came from labor, clean-energy, municipal utility, and local government representatives; NRDC Action Fund withdrew opposition after amendments, while a few groups remained opposed or neutral. The committee later took a roll call and SB 1350 passed out on a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard SB 1180 by Senator Allen, which would set operational rules for the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund created under SB 54, including clearer eligible uses, transparency, technical assistance, and access for tribes and smaller community groups. Environmental justice, ocean, conservation, and local government groups strongly supported the bill, saying it would ensure the fund addresses plastic pollution’s public health and environmental harms. Industry and manufacturing groups opposed unless amended, arguing the bill should stay tightly tied to plastic waste reduction and not broaden into source-reduction policy. After quorum was established, the committee approved SB 1180 on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. SB 1326 by Senator Wahab was then heard to strengthen tribal consultation and tribal cultural resource protections under CEQA by recognizing tribal registers and requiring feasible avoidance or mitigation measures when tribes identify resources. Tribal representatives and supporters said the bill would better protect sacred sites and tribal knowledge, while cities, counties, utilities, builders, and rural county groups opposed unless amended, citing implementation concerns, possible litigation, and uncertainty for infrastructure and housing projects. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. Finally, SB 954 by Senator Blakespear was presented as a cleanup of last year’s SB 131 advanced-manufacturing CEQA exemption, narrowing eligible projects and adding guardrails such as setbacks, air-quality limits, tribal consultation, labor standards, and habitat protections. Environmental and labor groups supported the bill as a needed correction to an overly broad exemption, while business, manufacturing, housing, and local-government groups opposed, warning it could make the exemption unusable and slow investment. Members debated the balance between environmental protection and manufacturing competitiveness, and the committee voted SB 954 out on a due pass recommendation to the Labor and Employment Committee; the transcript then moved on to SB 1031 on compostable plastics, which was introduced but not acted on in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• crucial to ensuring that director nominees will faithfully execute the laws of the state of Arizona, free
• partisan political That director nominees will faithfully execute the laws of the state of Arizona, free
• Finally, I have worked with the staff to begin to address concerns expressed by the Center for Arizona
• I expressed that I was.
• And that, as I expressed to you in our one-on-one, seems very concerning, right?

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also want to express our great concern with the suspension of the much-needed COLA.
• And it's okay if we've already covered it before; you don't feel free to keep us moving.
• For example, his ability to express himself, I grew up with him. Name and affiliation, please.
• For example, his ability to express himself, I grew up with him.
• Her ability to express himself—I grew up with him, obviously.

Summary: The hearing began with opening remarks on the Governor’s May Revision for child care and human services, with committee members and advocates stressing that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of low-income families, children, and providers. Legislative members and public witnesses strongly opposed the proposed suspension of the child care COLA, reductions to the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program, and the lack of codified rate reform tied to the alternative methodology. Several speakers also urged more support for providers affected by the Eaton fire and other disasters, and called for child care to be funded at the true cost of care and for additional slots to be restored. Administration, LAO, and Department of Education staff described the child care proposal as maintaining existing funding levels while adding administrative resources to prepare for federally required prospective payment changes and single-rate reform. The administration said the May Revision would suspend the 2025–26 COLA and reduce Bridge Program funding to align with utilization, while the LAO raised questions about the size and purpose of the proposed rate-reform and prospective-payment funding and recommended rejecting a Department of Technology exemption. CDE supported continued early education investments but said it would need additional resources if prospective pay were extended to state preschool, and it objected to a proposed reallocation of preschool funds for inclusive education grants. The committee then moved to the IHSS portion of the May Revision. DSS outlined five major proposals: capping provider work hours at 50 per week, eliminating IHSS for undocumented adults age 19 and older, shifting certain Community First Choice reassessment penalties to counties, reinstating the Medi-Cal asset test as a conforming IHSS reduction, and automating the termination of IHSS when Medi-Cal eligibility ends. DSS also discussed funding to implement a federal HCBS access rule and a separate reassessment of IHSS administrative methodology that found counties would need additional administrative funding. Finance said the proposals were intended to slow program growth and improve sustainability, while the LAO said it was still analyzing the package and raised concerns about implementation, county workload, and the potential loss of services. Committee members and public commenters criticized the IHSS cuts, especially the overtime cap and the elimination of services for undocumented adults and people affected by the asset test. Advocates argued that IHSS workers and recipients depend on these services, that county administration is already underfunded, and that the proposals could destabilize vulnerable consumers. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue to fight for child care and would not pause on child care, and the meeting recessed before moving on to the remaining May Revision items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fundamentally, this is a free speech bill.
• medical care, and ultrasounds, all free medical care, and ultrasounds, all free of<00:06:49.039>
• <00:08:07.360> speech Fundamentally, this is a free speech Fundamentally, this is a free speech
• these free resources to women. these free resources to women.
• The fundamentally a free speech bill.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Director of Policy and Governmental Relations for the City of Galveston, and I'm here to to express
• has been leading outstanding efforts to establish a Juneteenth museum in Galveston and wishes to express
• Lincoln's executive proclamation that stated all slaves are free.
• The city of Galveston expresses our appreciation to Representative Leo Wilson as author, Senator Middleton

Bills: SB2959, HB3096, HCR29, HCR56, HCR12, HCR55, HCR74, HCR78, HCR116, HCR117, HCR6, HCR50, HCR107, HCR80, HCR58, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR75, HCR93, HCR12, HCR6

Keywords: firearm safety, awareness month, public safety, responsible ownership, storage, recreational use, profound autism, awareness day, caregiver, disabilities, support, counseling, mental health, awareness, support services, community health, necrotizing enterocolitis, premature infants, breastfeeding, health awareness

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would express my appreciation to the ranking member, Mr.
• You come to sell your metal at George's place, got free tacos all you could eat.
• You come to sell your metal at George's place, got free tacos all you could eat.
• tacos all you George's place got free tacos all you could<07:20:20.718> eat.
• <07:54:40.000> during<07:54:40.398> slavery, free during slavery, free during slavery,

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We advocate for nonprofit legal organizations that advocate for religious liberty, free speech, life,
• Thank you very much, and the admission's free. Yes, yes, it is. Open mic night.
• Texas, I'd like to express fair strong support for Senate bill 1798.
• That would explode our state revenue. ...budget surplus this year, and we could make college free.
• It's not a free ride.

Summary: The committee heard several education bills, with most of the discussion focused on Senate Bill 1835, Senate Bill 784, Senate Bill 1049, Senate Bill 2942, and Senate Bill 2928. SB 1835 would raise from 5% to 20% the cap on nonresident students who can receive resident tuition and fees through competitive scholarships at certain regional universities in slower-growing workforce development areas, provided the schools have capacity as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Supporters, including West Texas A&M University, said the bill would help fill underused capacity, attract students who may stay and work in Texas, and support regional workforce needs. SB 784 would strengthen a prior law allowing peace officers’ children to transfer between public school districts for safety reasons by requiring both districts’ approval, making clear that districts of innovation are not exempt, and prohibiting tuition charges. SB 1049 would require districts and open-enrollment charters to excuse students, at a parent’s request, for religious release-time instruction for up to one hour per day and five hours per week; witnesses said the program is constitutional, voluntary, and already operating in other states and some Texas districts. Each of these bills was left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them. SB 2942 would expand and adjust the state’s adult charter high school pilot program. Senator Creighton said the bill is intended to help the estimated 7 million Texas adults without a high school diploma by removing barriers to expansion, aligning legal protections with ISDs, changing TEA’s disapproval window for expansion amendments to a 30-day period after receipt, and updating funding to reflect part-year attendance. A committee substitute kept the upper enrollment age at 50 and removed a proposed testing change. Testimony from New Heights students and leadership described the program as life-changing, emphasizing that it combines diplomas with career credentials, childcare, transportation, and other supports to help adults stabilize their families and enter better-paying work. TEA witnesses explained the expansion process and said adult charter schools are overseen by the commissioner rather than the SBOE. The committee substitute was adopted, public testimony closed, and the bill was left pending. SB 2928 would set a uniform school start date for public school districts at the third Wednesday in August, while preserving existing district-of-innovation flexibility for current DOI districts and allowing year-round systems to continue. Senator Creighton argued the bill would reduce the patchwork created by DOI exemptions, support students and families, and preserve summer employment and tourism revenue. A committee substitute was adopted. Testimony came largely from tourism, hospitality, and recreation interests, including hotel, water park, zoo, chamber of commerce, and camp representatives, who said later start dates would extend the summer travel season, improve staffing and revenue, and give students more opportunities for summer jobs and camps. Several witnesses cited large economic impacts from tourism and said early school starts reduce August business. Some senators raised concerns about charter schools being excluded and about year-round calendars, but the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• No profit, the city will do it for free. Some more. That's what this bill says.
• Trinity Railway Express is how they're getting back and forth.
• DART provides Plano residents convenient, fast, cheap, and traffic-free access to downtown Dallas, to
• I'm here to express our opposition, which is shared by the entire Rowlett City Council.
• I also expressed this in a letter to Chairman Craddick. Dated April 9th, 2025.

Bills: HB2065, HB2462, HB2621, HB3187, HB3539, HB3563, HB3726, HB4164, HB4207, HB4368, HB4706, HB4916, HB4950, HB4967, HB5177, HB4429, HB5597

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• However, do they have a constitutional right to express their opinions? Yes, they do.
• That is not protected in the Constitution under free speech. That is what this bill speaks to.
• We're not taking away somebody's First Amendment right to express opinion.
• This certainly is true: how precious our First Amendment right is to free speech.
• This certainly is true: how precious our First Amendment right is to free speech.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm not willing to risk New Mexicans' most fundamental constitutional right, the right to free and
• This initiative aims to protect, among other things, the threat to free and fair elections.
• And most of the concerns of what they're expressing are not in the draft that is before us today, but
• And so I know from your preceding presentation, but as a reminder, although the clerks have expressed
• That's where we have mass shootings, in gun-free zones.

Bills: SB264, SB261

Keywords: election integrity, voter coercion, public safety, emergency procedures, polling place security, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, all are free to move about the Capitol.
• I am writing to express my strong support for Senate Bill 2778, which increases the expenditure threshold
• All right, hearing none, you are free to move out in the corridor somewhere if you'd like.
• Hearing none, you can feel free to move out in the corridor somewhere if you'd like.
• TAP is here to express strong support for SB 2477.

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:

• Okay, all are free to move about the capitol.
• I am here to express my strong support for Senate Bill 2778, which increases the expenditure threshold
• All right, hearing none, you are free to move out in the corridor somewhere if you'd like.
• Hearing none, you can feel free to move out in the corridor somewhere if you'd like.
• TAP is here to express strong support for SB 2477.

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:

• or limit DER interconnections based on some vague reliability considerations and safety concerns expressed
• Consent must be free from coercion or improper inducement.
• It's a simple and virtually free solution for all parties involved.
• My organization has ensured that administrators follow the state laws regarding planning time, duty-free
• The Senate has expressed interest in helping teachers and improving the profession, we want to thank

Bills: SB75, SB715, SB776, SB1299, SB1405, SB1968, SB2021, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB2330, SB2411

Keywords: electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• Our students and parents deserve a learning environment free of interruptions.
• Our students and parents deserve a learning environment free of interruptions.
• Our students and parents deserve a learning environment free of interruptions.
• Exempted and given a free Exempted and given a free hand<00:42:42.720> evidence-based<00:
• <04:24:19.960> considerable many voters have expressed considerable many voters have expressed

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I cannot express how come.
• The truth will set me free. Yours truly, Daniel M.
• The truth will set me free. Yours truly, Daniel M.
• It's one reason why we need the Fraud Isn't Free Act. So, Mr.
• reason why we need the Fraud Isn't Free reason why we need the Fraud Isn't Free Act.<00:52:49.760

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The second one being education, so multiple task force members expressed the need for additional education
• The second one being education, so multiple task force members expressed the need for additional education
• The second one being education, so multiple task force members expressed the need for additional education
• There used to be an app close that was OurFamilyWizard, but free. They now charge.
• So feel free to begin discussion. Questions. Mr. McClain.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Child Custody Review Task Force met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and reviewed a memorandum compiling member suggestions for possible legislation. The memo grouped ideas into topics including creation of a family court, expanded education for parents, attorneys, and judges, expedited hearings for parenting-time violations, limiting law enforcement involvement in custody disputes, creating parenting time expediters, and adopting more uniform court procedures. Members also discussed whether to form subcommittees, but the task force decided to continue working as a full committee rather than create subcommittees at this time. The committee then heard testimony from Dr. John Perez, a mental health professional, who described his personal custody experience and his professional work with families he believes have been affected by parental alienation. He argued for stronger education, faster court response times, and better tools to address intentional interference with parenting time. Members questioned him about his case history, the concept of parental alienation, and whether specialized family courts or judges with family-law training could help. Dr. Perez said a dedicated family court and faster hearings would likely have helped his situation. The task force spent substantial time discussing the possible creation of a family court. Judge Hovey supported the idea of a specialized family court or at least a study of one, saying family cases are distinct from ordinary adversarial litigation and that judges with family-law experience could better handle them. Several members agreed that a family court could improve consistency, expertise, and speed, but others cautioned that the task force’s current directive is focused on enforcement of existing orders rather than broader custody policy, and noted that voters had previously rejected equal shared parenting proposals. The group also discussed expedited procedures for parenting-time disputes, with Judge Hovey suggesting a 30-day hearing timeline may be workable. On education, members generally supported requiring parents to complete a parenting education course and adding educational materials explaining court process, child support, and what judges can and cannot do. Mr. McLean suggested a short instructional video for litigants and more family-law education for judges and attorneys, while Ms. Moldenhauer said education could be incorporated into scheduling orders or mediation orders. Members also discussed the Parents Forever course, including whether it should be mandatory in all counties and whether cost is a barrier; no vote was taken on any of these proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Native people and others locally, and from across the U.S. and Canada, expressed their dismay and reached
• <00:26:46.360> their needed students expressed their needed students expressed their disappointment
• If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Thank you for your testimony.
• 49:24.119> questions<00:49:24.680> please<00:49:25.000> feel<00:49:25.200> free
• you have any questions please feel free you have any questions please feel free to<00:49:25.640>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a couple concerns with the bill, and I have previously expressed those to the author, so it's
• We have a couple concerns with the bill, and I have previously expressed those to the author, so it's
• We have a couple concerns with the bill, and I have previously expressed those to the author, so it's
• We believe that buyers and sellers both benefit from having a free and open real estate market.
• and open real benefit from having a free and open real estate<00:12:29.520> market.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 2687, as amended by a DE1 amendment. The amendment narrowed the bill to prohibit private equity companies from buying single-family homes and to limit corporations and partnerships to owning no more than 50 single-family homes, with enforcement through the Attorney General’s office. The committee adopted the DE1 amendment, and the author, Representative Bajaj, described the bill as a step toward expanding homeownership and reducing corporate concentration in the housing market. Representative Bajaj and supportive testimony argued that corporate ownership of single-family homes makes it harder for first-time buyers and working families to compete, especially in lower-income neighborhoods, and can lead to absentee ownership and poor maintenance. Ellen Sahli of the Family Housing Fund cited research on single-family rentals showing that larger portfolios are associated with worse renter experiences, higher rents, and more repair problems. Rachel Ruby Jones testified in support based on her experience renting from Havenbrook, describing flooding, delayed repairs, safety concerns, and poor treatment by management, and said private equity ownership can shift risks and costs onto vulnerable tenants. Opposition focused on market effects and the bill’s scope. Mark Brunner of the Minnesota Manufactured Home Association said the language was too broad and could unintentionally affect manufactured home communities on leased land. Paul Eger of Minnesota Realtors warned that market prohibitions could create unintended consequences, especially in a cyclical housing market, and suggested alternatives such as tax incentives for sales to owner-occupants and more first-time buyer assistance. In member discussion, Representative Nash questioned whether the problem was widespread and pressed for details on enforcement and divestiture; Representative Agbaje said the current language is forward-looking, would not force existing owners below the cap, and would rely on lawsuits and remedies the Attorney General deems appropriate, with more detail to be worked out later. The chair indicated the bill would be laid over for further consideration and likely move next to Judiciary, with some discussion of whether Commerce should also be a stop.