Transcript Highlights:

• the bill, please.
• House Bill 1610.
• The council contacted interested persons and distributed preliminary drafts of this bill to those persons
• The Legislative Council's draft position, just like all the other non-substantive recodification bills
• This bill is, of all our code bills each session, the must-pass bill because of the way Texas enacts

Bills: HB 1181, HB3704, HB1363, HB1610, HB1615, HB1620, HB3223, HB1317, HB2884, HB2176, HB4027, HB1664, HB933, HB2613, HB3353, HB2086, HB4101, HB3441, HB4145, HB3455

Keywords: judiciary, judges, justices, retired, legal assignments, judicial conduct, notary public, criminal offense, education requirements, official documents, record retention, implicit bias, bias training, judicial training, judge education, court personnel, continuing legal education, CLE, state bar, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Transcript Highlights:

• But this bill does not do that.
• We're just far afield of the bill here. You're recognized for a question on the bill.
• Again, I spoke with a lot of people as I was working on drafting this language in this bill, and I'm
• Bill Snyder, proponent of the bill, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Chairman.
• On this bill already.

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee met to consider one measure, PCS for HB 289, which would amend Florida’s wrongful death statute to allow parents of an unborn child to recover damages for the child’s wrongful death and to include parents in the definition of survivors. The sponsor said the bill is intended to give parents a remedy when a wrongful act, negligence, breach of contract, or breach of warranty causes the loss of an unborn child, while also preserving existing protections for lawful medical care and the mother. Members questioned the bill extensively about the meaning of “survivors,” whether it could reach surrogacy situations, friends or family who assist someone in obtaining abortion care, paternity issues, and whether abusive or unqualified fathers could bring claims. The sponsor repeatedly said the bill is limited to parents, does not authorize suits against the mother or lawful medical providers, and would still require the normal wrongful death procedures, including appointment of a personal representative. He cited Duncan v. Flynn as the case holding that current law does not allow recovery for the death of an unborn child. Representative Gottlieb offered an amendment modeled on criminal-law protections, aimed at expanding explicit immunity for a pregnant woman and for persons providing medical care or abortion-related conduct with consent. Supporters of the amendment said it would better align civil law with criminal protections; opponents argued it was overly broad and could shield unlicensed conduct. The amendment failed on a voice vote. Public testimony was divided, with supporters from pro-life and Catholic organizations backing the bill and some asking to remove the health care exemption, while opponents from ACLU, Equality Florida, Planned Parenthood affiliates, Florida Voice for the Unborn, Voices of Florida, and others warned the bill could chill reproductive health care, increase liability for doctors and hospitals, and invite lawsuits involving surrogates, family members, and abortion-related care. In debate, supporters said the bill simply recognizes the value of unborn children and gives parents a remedy for wrongful loss, while opponents argued it could create unintended consequences in family law, surrogacy, IVF, and medical practice, and could empower abusive partners or rapists. After closing remarks, the committee voted 13 yeas and 3 nays to report PCS for HB 289 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next bill on the calendar is House File 72. The clerk will report the bill.
• by nonprofit tax law that this bill by nonprofit tax law that this bill covers<00:02:51.080>
• This bill will end that shell game.
• that that go into negative ads this bill that that go into negative ads this bill will<00:04:50.160
• absolutely make sure and with this bill absolutely make sure and with this bill it's<00:14:52.880

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As you all know, I intend to lay out Senate Bill 7.
• At this time, the chair leads out Senate Bill 7.
• Senate Bill 7 recognizes Chairman Perry to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair.
• With Senate Bill 7 and the other bills that we can't mention here, I look forward to your questions at
• We think the bill hits the mark.

Bills: SB7

Keywords: water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a best-practice bill. By not passing the bill, I think we send a...
• And I appreciate this bill.
• Well, the bill.
• And that bill is out 6 to 2. Okay, and that bill is out six to two.
• Jackson, for the bill. I could not. Thank you, Dr. Jackson, for the bill.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on March 25, 2026, with nine measures on the agenda and three bills taken on consent. The committee approved the consent calendar for AB 1736, AB 1853, and AB 2153. The committee also heard several election-related bills, including AB 1993 on ballot-envelope privacy, AB 1788 on nonprofit disclosure of travel payments for elected officials, AB 1560 on barring people convicted of public corruption from lobbying, AB 1539 on presidential and vice-presidential ballot eligibility certifications, AB 1919 on Santa Cruz Metro local tax initiative procedures, and AB 1562 on county selection of poll workers. The chair also noted membership changes and welcomed new and returning members and staff. AB 1993 drew the most debate. The author argued it was a common-sense safeguard to prevent voters’ choices from being visible through ballot-envelope holes, citing a Sacramento County incident and public concern about ballot privacy. County election officials, the Secretary of State’s office, and Disability Rights California opposed the bill, saying the holes also serve accessibility and processing functions, that existing voter instructions already address privacy, and that the measure would create implementation problems and an unfunded mandate. After extended discussion, the committee voted the bill out on a 2-6 roll call and it failed. AB 1788 was supported by the FPPC and the League of Women Voters and passed as amended to Appropriations, with members emphasizing transparency while seeking to avoid unintended coverage of organizations like NCSL and CSG. AB 1560 passed 6-0 despite the Secretary of State’s implementation concerns about how the office would learn of relevant convictions. AB 1539, which would require party representatives to certify presidential and vice-presidential nominees’ constitutional eligibility, passed 7-0 as amended. AB 1919, which would clarify procedures for a Santa Cruz Metro voter initiative to place a transit tax on the ballot, passed 6-2, and AB 1562, which would allow counties to randomly select poll workers, passed 7-1 after discussion about civic engagement, guardrails, and election administration. The committee then completed roll-call adjustments for absent members and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the bill. Are there questions on the bill?
• That's the bill, Mr. Chair. Are there questions on the bill?
• And that's the bill. Are there questions on the bill?
• is drafted.
• is drafted.

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills and amendments, reporting several measures favorably. Early in the meeting, CS for CS for SB 344 modernizing the Telecommunications Access System Act was approved without opposition. The committee then adopted amendments and passed CS for SB 714 on non-opioid advanced directives, CS for SB 738 updating child care and early learning provider regulation, CS for SB 756 revising health insurance coverage for individuals with developmental disabilities, and CS for CS for SB 1356 creating a Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a newborn genetic testing pilot. Later, the committee also approved CS for SB 1624 on higher education, CS for SB 1626 on child welfare, SB 178 on an agronomic study for emerging crops, SB 1162 on water access facilities and boat ramp parking, CS for CS for SB 958 creating a type 1 diabetes early detection program, CS for CS for SB 1402 expanding dropout retrieval eligibility, SB 774 requiring electronic transmission of certain court orders, SB 1516 creating an international aerospace innovation fund, and SB 994 revising driver education requirements. Most of these bills were reported favorably by roll call votes after brief explanations and, in several cases, amendments. Several measures drew substantive discussion and public testimony. CS for CS for SB 1624 prompted questions about replacing “minority” with “underrepresented,” the role of the Florida Department of Education’s Commission for Independent Education in overseeing private religious postsecondary institutions, and whether the changes could affect access for students at institutions such as FAMU and FIU. CS for CS for SB 1070 on ECGs for student athletes received extensive emotional testimony from parents and advocates describing children lost to sudden cardiac arrest and urging mandatory screenings; the sponsor said the bill would be cost-neutral for districts by encouraging partnerships with screening groups. SB 994 on driver education was discussed as a vehicle to add distracted driving instruction, and the sponsor agreed to work on that issue. SB 774 was presented as a response to a fatal delay in transmitting an ex parte order, with support from clerks and sheriffs. The most extended debate centered on SB 810 on stormwater management systems. The sponsor said the bill, as amended, would narrow annual inspections to infrastructure identified as vulnerable by MS4 entities, but the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, and Florida Stormwater Association warned the proposal could impose major costs and duplicate existing MS4 permit requirements. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact, whether the bill would apply to FDOT or other entities, and whether annual inspections were feasible for large and small jurisdictions alike. Despite those concerns, the sponsor and several members emphasized flood prevention and public safety, and the bill remained under discussion with the sponsor indicating continued willingness to work with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just for the members, a reminder that all requests to draft bills or capital outlay, re-off requests
• bearing Legislative Council Service Drafting Number 23385, a bill enacting the State Tribal Education
• Senate Bill 196.
• Senate Bill 202.
• Senate Bill 206. The Abuse and Neglect Act. Senate Bill 206.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3077 is left pending. The Chair lays out House Bill 2962.
• House Bill 1035 is left pending. Chair lays out House Bill 2723.
• This bill hopefully fixes that completely. This is not a tax bill, it is a budget bill.
• So, we do have a statewide bill, 3094. This is not that bill.
• for the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• , so I would love to revive that bill again.
• This is also a draft.
• So again, this is still a little bit of a draft.
• In the bill, it discusses...
• Draft, these weights probably will change.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, sponsors, thank you for drafting the bill. That's appropriation only.
• We have four bills: House Bill 1042, House Bill 1043, House Bill 1044, and House Bill 1045.
• We have four bills, I believe: House Bill 1056, House Bill 1057, House Bill 1058, and House Bill 1059
• Page 16, we have four bills: House Bill 1060, House Bill 1061, House Bill 1062, and House Bill 1063.
• Page 16, we have four bills: Senate Bill 44, Senate Bill 45, Senate Bill 46, and Senate Bill 47.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, I sponsors, thank you for drafting the bill. That's preparation only.
• What we're saying is that we're authorizing, you know, a bill to be drafted or an amendment to be made
• We have three bills: House Bill 1030, House Bill 1031, and House Bill 1032.
• We have three bills: House Bill 1038, House Bill 1039, and House Bill 1040.
• Page 16: We have four bills, Senate Bill 44, Senate Bill 45, Senate Bill 46, and Senate Bill 47.

Summary: The committee first received a report on the executive protection detail, which was filed without questions. Members were then given a long advance list of House and Senate bills ready for consideration, followed by several amendment requests from agencies. The committee adopted amendments for the Auditor of State to increase special deputy expense allowance, the Administrative Office of the Courts for court interpreters and substitute court reporters, and several other items including local sales tax refunds, county property tax redistribution, and local law enforcement funding. It also held one amendment on House Bill 1034 and moved a Northwest Arkansas Community College cash fund increase tied to tornado-related campus repairs. The committee then considered a series of member amendments and appropriation items, including increases for the Public Defender Commission and deputy prosecuting attorneys to cover higher bar license fees, and a $12 million federal appropriation-only item. A lengthy discussion followed on a proposal from Senator Wallace and Representative Tosh to fund a pilot program for prison cell-phone detection/jamming technology at two correctional facilities. Sponsors and Department of Corrections officials said the system would target illegal contraband phones, would be procured through an RFP, and would be a two-year pilot; members raised questions about legality, cost, scope, data, and whether the department should use existing budget authority. The committee ultimately advanced the item by motion. The committee also took up an amendment from Senator Caldwell for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, seeking a $4 million appropriation increase. Testimony emphasized that the division’s extension offices and research functions are underfunded, that salaries are not competitive, and that the request would help with staffing and flexibility; other members questioned why the division needed more appropriation authority when it already had room under current limits and noted that the request exceeded the higher education board’s recommendation. The amendment was adopted after extended debate. Finally, the committee began acting on governor’s letters, adopting amendments for a $150 million increase to the homestead property tax credit, a $23,000 reallocation for the Insurance Department’s conference costs, $100,000 for property appraisal review work, $1.5 million for career and technical education professional development, $300,000 for DFA regulatory federal spending, $5 million for Inspector General fraud investigations, a consolidation of appraiser/abstractor/home inspector appropriations, deletion of a completed Fort Chaffee readiness center appropriation, and a revised reappropriation for corrections capital projects that would add special language restricting use of the $73.7 million prison-expansion reappropriation. The committee also heard a summary of a supplemental appropriations package involving fund transfers for pregnancy resource centers, senior centers, assistance grants, used tires, and UAMS pregnancy/stroke programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is the bill.
• Just for the record, this was not a bill drafted by the House. Hydrogen Alliance.
• My bill? Thank you. Rosenthal bills.
• Bill 4891.
• House Bill 4891...

Bills: HB3619, HB3652, HB4572, HB4891, HB4941, HB5103, HB5105, HB5106, HB5224, HB5600

Keywords: surface estate, well plugging, Railroad Commission, landowner rights, liability, strategic reserve, gas supply, petroleum products, disaster response, Railroad Commission of Texas, energy security, emergency planning, oil and gas waste, environmental regulation, waste management, mining pits, groundwater monitoring, regulation, commercial disposal facilities, environmental standards

Transcript Highlights:

• I come today to oppose this bill as currently drafted.
• However, this bill, as it is currently drafted, sweeps up licensed and accredited attorneys in its net
• The bill, as drafted, is protectionist.
• It's the bill that, it's the law that this bill seeks to amend.
• at the table when this bill was drafted, and it shows.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, on your bill. Sure. It's House Bill 571.
• House Bill 226. This is a bill. House Bill 226.
• But I actually drafted an amendment to your bill, but I'm going to not offer it because I actually think
• I've drafted over 20 bills that have been enacted into Louisiana law.
• He said he is very uncomfortable advancing the bill as drafted and, although he apologizes, he does not

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are here to support this bill. We think it's a good bill.
• I like this bill. This SCR.
• taken out of the bill.
• Representative Billings.
• I like your bill, Rep.

Bills: HR118, HR196, HR237, HR285, HCR85, HB442, HB443, SCR5, SCR29, SCR33, SCR63, SB25, SB202, SB319

Keywords: water utility, tax credit, excessive rates, residential service, subcommittee, fallen trees, property damage, insurance, property values, hurricanes, storm damage, local government, homeowners, risk management, committee study, census, military population, Department of Defense, representation, federal funding

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't really draft a bill that Does that, but we can fund these systems and create a statutory framework
• How I look at the bills: I look at every bill that's introduced in the legislature, every House bill,
• every Senate bill.
• in the bill.
• This is our nonpartisan staff, our bill drafting agency, our lawyers, our researchers.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have two bills on the agenda today.
• This is a great bill.
• So this bill does essentially three things.
• I am delighted to add it to my bill.
• I am delighted to add it to my bill. That is the bill we have heard before.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we have concerns that this bill, as currently drafted, could create safety risks for victims
• The way the bill is drafted, it says the applicant or the witness.
• I was also involved in writing the first draft of this bill, and I can answer a lot of questions.
• those updates. ...or write the first draft of this bill, and basically, it just copies the provisions
• about it, but does this bill impact that bill at all?

Bills: HCR16, HB782, HB2159, HB2288, HB3281, HB3819, HB4656, HB4696, HB5494, HCR16

Keywords: fatherhood, family support, fatherlessness, community engagement, youth development, social policy, male role models, child development, policy reform, role models, mental health, parenting, single-parent homes, welfare reform, economic opportunity, mentorship, community initiatives, children, welfare programs, education

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a bill that we heard and I'd move the A8 amendment. It's a foreclosure bill.
• <00:16:06.399> was Seberger, that was um your bill was Seberger, that was um your bill was
• broader more generally applicable bill broader more generally applicable bill uh<00:18:02.160>
• Um the bill uh um that language.
• essentially the decriminalization bill essentially the decriminalization bill that<00:26:07.120>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It repeals advanced practice doctoral degree programs at comprehensive universities because Senate Bill
• comprehensive universities<00:01:12.640> because<00:01:12.960> Senate<00:01:13.280> Bill
• <00:01:13.600> 77<00:01:14.240> from universities because Senate Bill 77 from universities
• because Senate Bill 77 from the<00:01:14.640> 2025<00:01:15.439> session<00:01:16.320>
• requirements of KRS chapter drafting requirements of KRS chapter 13A.<00:04:50.240> Would 13A

Keywords: 0:00– Meeting start/roll call 0:39 – Approval of minutes 1:11 – Council on Postsecondary Education 3:06 - State Board of Elections 5:33 - Office of the Attorney General; Office of Regulatory Relief 7:02 - Board of Examiners of Psychology 16:38 - Energy and Environment Cabinet; Department for Environmental Protection 17:37 - Education and Labor Cabinet - Department of Education 19:14 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met for its January meeting, approved the minutes from the prior meeting, and welcomed the new regulations compiler. The first item was a repealer from the Council on Postsecondary Education, 13 KAR 2:111, which was explained as necessary because Senate Bill 77 from the 2025 session removed the regulatory authority for advanced practice doctoral degree programs at comprehensive universities. No questions were raised, and the repealer moved forward without objection. The subcommittee then reviewed a large package of State Board of Elections regulations with staff-suggested amendments. The package would update definitions and election procedures, require e-poll books to be ready before polls open, change the standard and timeline for removing an election officer, add oversight by a State Board appointee on election days, recognize the Kentucky party, require voter registration records to be added to electronic voter records, require ballots to fit all races and questions on a single sheet, adjust precinct consolidation petition deadlines, and update incorporated forms and identification references. The package was approved without objection. The Office of the Attorney General’s Office of Regulatory Relief also presented multiple regulations with staff amendments, covering funeral planning declarations, cemetery companies, pre-need cemetery merchandise and funeral/burial contract sellers, and crematory contract sellers. These changes were described as adding specificity, streamlining forms and reporting, and bringing the regulations into compliance with KRS Chapter 13A; they were approved without objection. The Board of Examiners of Psychology presented several regulations, including compact rules, grace-period extensions, and significant fee increases for applications, renewals, reinstatements, exam retakes, and reciprocity. Board representatives said the increases were needed because many fees had not been raised since 2002, the board was operating at a deficit, and legal and administrative costs had risen sharply after the termination of state legal services. Members expressed concern about the size of the increases, but the chair said he would not hold the matter up and would raise the issue with the committee of jurisdiction. The subcommittee also approved staff amendments for the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s air quality regulations and the Education and Labor Cabinet’s education regulations, which updated nontraditional instruction procedures, waiver requests, instruction topics, superintendent assessment requirements, and academic standards. The meeting ended with the next meeting scheduled for February 9 at 1 p.m., and the agenda was adjourned without further objection.