Transcript Highlights:

• Would surrounding counties be able to access this, or any county, be able to access this program?
• As a doctor, he wants people to have access to drugs that work, and he wants them to have access to them
• We're not trying to, I guess, limit your access to it completely.
• access to medical care.
• They need to have access to medical care.

Bills: HB5141 , HB4638 , HB2264 , HB2035 , HB4813 , HB4408 , HB2684 , HB1621 , HB2300 , HB216 , HB3829 , HB4466 , HB1747 , HB2284 , HB3614 , HB2587 , HB3219 , HB3318 , HB5147 , HB4014 , HB216

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: lease, state property, public purpose, Travis County, Health and Human Services, pharmaceutical initiative, drug distribution, healthcare services, generic drugs, advanced pharmaceuticals, cost savings, mental health, patient discharge, medical records, health care professionals, substance use, family involvement, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions

Summary: The Committee on Public Health met with a quorum and heard public testimony on a long agenda, with members repeatedly reminded of a two-minute limit for witnesses. Several bills were voted out favorably, including HB 2588 on cottage food, HB 1639 on cancer incidence and female firefighters, HB 2581 on a reporting form for contracted services for pregnant women, and SB 922 on electronic disclosure of certain sensitive medical information. Those measures generally passed on party-line or near-unanimous votes, while HB 216 on itemized medical statements was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also left pending HB 5141, HB 4638, HB 2035, HB 4813, HB 2264, HB 4014, and HB 3829 after hearing testimony and questions. The final item introduced in the excerpt was HB 4408 on health care market transparency and corporate consolidation, but the discussion was cut off before testimony or action was completed. A major theme of the hearing was mental health diversion and access to treatment. HB 5141, by Rep. Howard, would allow Travis County to use vacated Austin State Hospital property for a local mental health jail diversion center; law enforcement, the Travis County sheriff, county judge, and urban counties group all testified in support, describing the lack of alternatives for people in crisis and the burden on jails and emergency rooms. Members asked about eligible offenses, bed capacity, and whether the facility would serve only Travis County, and the bill was left pending. HB 2264, by Rep. Schoolcraft, would create a friends-and-family form for loved ones to provide information to providers during emergency mental health treatment; NAMI and hospital groups supported it, while one neutral witness and several members raised concerns about patient control, credibility of information, and liability protections. The bill was also left pending. The committee also heard multiple psychedelic-therapy and drug-policy bills. HB 4813 would speed Texas rescheduling of Schedule I substances if the FDA reclassifies them, with testimony focused on psilocybin and MDMA and their potential use for PTSD and depression; members questioned whether the bill was too broad and how state rescheduling works, and it was left pending. HB 4014 would direct HHSC to study psychedelic therapies, building on prior state research, and witnesses said Texas should prepare regulatory and clinical infrastructure before FDA approval; it too was left pending. HB 2035 would require parents to be informed that they may seek substance-use treatment for a child even if one facility turns them away, prompted by a constituent’s account of a fatal fentanyl overdose after receiving incorrect advice; it was left pending. HB 4638 would extend and expand the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative board and timeline, with the author saying the program is still in early implementation and needs more time, and it was left pending as well. Other bills addressed public health administration and animal welfare. HB 3829 would require a study of the animal-friendly account and its grant process for spay/neuter funding, with the author arguing that the current application and reimbursement process is too burdensome for shelters and nonprofits; no opposition was heard and the bill was left pending. HB 2581 and HB 1639 were reported favorably, while HB 216 drew discussion about enforcement of itemized medical billing and was held after the committee substitute was withdrawn. Throughout the hearing, members also discussed broader concerns about homelessness, competency restoration waitlists, jail overcrowding, and the need for more treatment options outside the criminal justice system.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to answer questions or respond to inquiries.
• Our top priority is ensuring that families have access to safe, transparent, and trusted support when
• It is designed to be directly related to the thing that occurred that required the state to act.
• House Bill 4130 adjusts that timeline to 180 days to allow. with the time frame needed for DFPS to transfer
• House Bill 4131 allows DFPS to petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a receiver to manage

Bills: HB1531 , HB2667 , HB2809 , HB2865 , HB3589 , HB3151 , HB3748 , HB3750 , HB4419 , HB4643 , HB3597 , HB4129 , HB4130 , HB4131

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: workplace violence prevention, health and safety code, Chapter 331, facility definition, home and community support services agency, home health agency, home health care, nursing staff, registered nurses, health care workplace safety, hospital, nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, freestanding emergency medical care facility, mental hospital, Texas health care regulation, provider compliance, occupational safety, senior living, referral agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about access to care and how quickly we can get that access.
• If you don't have access to care, then you don't have to pay, and that's kind of what's going on in some
• So this is about access to care. It's about getting this done in a timely manner.
• It's their decision to make. And then also being sure that you pay so there's access to care.
• It's affecting our ability to take care of. Our patients. It's affecting access. That's the truth.

Bills: HB1531 , HB2667 , HB2809 , HB2865 , HB3589 , HB3151 , HB3748 , HB3750 , HB4419 , HB4643 , HB3597 , HB4129 , HB4130 , HB4131

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: workplace violence prevention, health and safety code, Chapter 331, facility definition, home and community support services agency, home health agency, home health care, nursing staff, registered nurses, health care workplace safety, hospital, nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, freestanding emergency medical care facility, mental hospital, Texas health care regulation, provider compliance, occupational safety, senior living, referral agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe that the bill that Senator Stuts is carrying, in terms of access to medical care, would take
• sentence to 30 years, to serve 10.
• You had to badge into an area to get to a locked door to go in and see the server where the data is stored
• in order to be able to...
• I wanted to ask you to give me a scenario as to how this... you give me a scenario as to how this would

Bills: HB2 , HB43 , HB49 , HB94 , HB137 , HB156 , HB200 , HB250 , HB3 , HB42

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: vaccination, parental consent, minors, medical consent, guardian approval, criminal procedure, split sentencing, probation, Class A felony, Class B felony, minimum confinement, HB49, Alabama criminal code, capital offense, capital punishment, death penalty, rape in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree, sexual torture, child sexual abuse

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the goal here, to give policyholders access to the financial protection they need and confidence
• determine access to federal aid based on a political yard sign.
• to access DOE's technical assistance programs. ...smaller utilities to access DOE's technical assistance
• She fought to expand access to affordable housing and quality health care, and she was an unwavering
• illustrates his dedication to education and to leadership.

Bills: HCR108 , HB3300 , HB7128 , HB7757 , HB7305 , HB7266 , HB7258 , HB7257 , HB3350 , HB4662 , HB5347 , HB8873

Keywords: HCR108, H. Con. Res. 108, War Powers Resolution, Lebanon, Lebanese Armed Forces, U.S. Armed Forces, hostilities, military withdrawal, troop removal, concurrent resolution, Congressional war powers, executive war powers, foreign policy, Middle East, diplomatic facilities, security cooperation, cease hostilities, military engagement, war authorization, non-authorization of force

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> improves access to credit, and invests improves access to credit, and invests in<00:08:38.560><c
• access to education and employment opportunities, and will make our region a better place to live, work
• ,</c> protect access to affordable, protect access to affordable, highquality<04:47:10.160><c> child<
• :54:14.958><c> access</c><04:54:15.360><c> to</c> relevant agencies have access to relevant agencies
• </c><05:24:45.440><c> to</c> children and families lose access to children and families lose access to

Bills: HCR84 , HR518 , HCR86 , HB7726 , HB2860 , HB8872 , HR1333 , SB254 , HB7618

Keywords: War Powers Resolution, Lebanon, troop withdrawal, U.S. Armed Forces, military deployment, foreign policy, congressional war powers, executive authority, Middle East, troop removal, concurrent resolution, defense policy, overseas deployment, Ukraine, support, foreign affairs, military aid, international relations, War Powers, military action

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not a scientist or anything, but if you look at the equation, it equals out to more to the ratepayer
• It's similar to me having a special education background.
• So let's do education if you're going to change this.
• We are educated in our careers in what we do, and to just say, 'Well, I do it every day' to yourself,
• They would have access to that information. They could correct. held and collected.

Bills: HB744 , HR197 , SB54 , SB79 , SB163 , SB287 , SB375 , SB386 , SB398 , SB469 , SCR5

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Keywords: public utility, common carrier, regulation, Public Service Commission, New Orleans, constitutional amendment, distributed energy, energy storage, electricity demand, virtual power plants, reliability, hurricane resilience, esthetics, cosmetology, hair services, beauty industry, Louisiana regulation, Louisiana Economic Development, sunset law, legislative authority

Transcript Highlights:

• them access to help.
• them access to help.
• guardian to make sure that they're able to Contribute to that person's wellbeing, so I don't want to
• This will give them the ability to hire counsel with education law experience and give them availability
• Is the author open to making it required so that the public does, in fact, have access to some of these

Bills: SB1195 , SB1245 , SB1379 , SB1420 , SB1473 , SB1534 , SB1743 , SB1769 , SB1945

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: nuisance, racing facility, racetrack, qualified defense, local property rights, noise regulation, legal claims, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, drug offenses, DUI penalties, residential treatment, human trafficking, victims, prevention, support services, Attorney General, pilot program, grant funding, public comment

Transcript Highlights:

• We can maybe start with a hearing or a public briefing of House Bill 1873, increasing access to the Working
• Without access to affordable child care programs, these families might be unable to afford their previous
• All students deserve access to the education of their choice, and their parenting status should not dictate
• So when you have a child or any form of family, you need assistance to be able to continue your education
• or, if you do have benefits, how to use those benefits and how to fully access them.

Bills: HB1873 , HB2600 , SB5957

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: child care, Working Connections Child Care, WCCC, graduate students, professional students, higher education, full-time student, affordable child care, subsidized child care, child care subsidy, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, income eligibility, state median income, copayment, copay waiver, family support, workforce participation, working families, special needs child care

Transcript Highlights:

• schools and districts to determine educational purposes for themselves.
• But that's typically understood in education. It's bell to bell. And **Mr.
• Well, I have to believe this is part of a bigger problem that we have in public education generally,
• but are not allowed full access to the premises. ...but are not allowed full access to the premises.
• This bill would allow some oversight to ensure proper safety and water accessibility. So, Mr.

Bills: SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264 , HB294 , SB40 , SB43 , SB35

Committees: Senate Senate Judiciary , Senate House Judiciary

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security

Transcript Highlights:

• help educate people to be more informed consumers of media.
• I ask you to remember that good energy policy includes protections for consumers, and access to cost-effective
• And access to affordable and reliable energy is equally critical to protecting New Mexicans.
• And access to affordable and reliable energy is equally critical to protecting New Mexicans.
• committed to high-quality public education and long-term economic mobility for students.

Bills: SB12 , SB36 , SB92 , SB120 , SB133 , SB151 , SB18 , SB96

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Keywords: tax credit, physician, healthcare, income tax, rural health, quantum technology, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, journalism, local news

Transcript Highlights:

• It has to for us to... Believe the land lives and breathes. It has to for us to live.
• The education system really is operated without any oversight by local government, so if you were to
• to be equal to the total approved SCAP project cost, minus the amount of federal funding received for
• Our military families move often and need equal education... amendments no they are not without it's
• education Families move often and need quality education, similar to other families, in order for their

Bills: HB2514 , HB2551 , HB2236 , HB2470

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, veterans memorial, capitol grounds, state memorial, Secretary of State, Capitol Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• CHIPA restores basic rights to access, correct, and delete, and opt in to the sale of personal data.
• So right now, if you're trying to get access to healthcare, I'm 56, so I had a colonoscopy.
• It's really China and some of these hackers around that are going to do and get access to whatever it
• This bill, in my opinion, again, Madam Chair, is going to severely affect people's access to health.
• I mean, we have done everything we can to get more access to care over the Internet.

Bills: SB20 , SB53 , SB86 , SB96 , SB129

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• to a panelist to give their testimony.
• the Equal Credit Opportunity Act instead of financial institutions that are subject to regulatory guidance
• are required to report crisis referral notifications to the Attorney General, who would be required to
• And we don't want to—we just don't want to—we don't want to muck up the court system with those lawsuits
• commitment to continue to work on this bill.

Bills: HB2397 , HB2417 , HB2157 , HB2186 , HB2225 , HB2351

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: fire services, reimbursement, state agencies, local jurisdictions, mobilization plan, military justice, victims' rights, militia, Washington code, legal protections, artificial intelligence, AI regulation, algorithmic discrimination, high-risk AI, machine learning, generative AI, synthetic content, impact assessment, risk management policy, consumer protection

Transcript Highlights:

• be able to give access to them for telehealth with boundaries.
• to access to veterinary care.
• access to in-network benefits.
• or patient access to care.
• access to care.

Bills: HB1904 , HB2106 , HB2211 , HB2247 , HB2329 , HB2339

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: animal welfare, cats, declawing, animal rights, pet care, healthcare, contract modifications, provider notifications, insurance carriers, health facilities, HB 2211, medically tailored meals, medical nutrition therapy, medical assistance, Medicaid, Health Care Authority, Department of Social and Health Services, nutrition support, chronic disease, dietary accommodations

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of times I have clients who don't have health insurance, so they actually don't have access to
• Let me be clear, absolutely clear, that this bill makes no change whatsoever to children’s education
• for evidence about a specific person's biology that we don't have access to the information to provide
• Because there are areas of Texas that do not have access to a phlebotomist in a jail to do a blood draw
• Expanding access to expunctions will allow Texans to meet their basic needs and successfully reintegrate

Bills: HB 1194 , HB 1221 , HB1738 , HB1913 , HB2177 , HB2178 , HB2180 , HB2229 , HB2282 , HB2448 , HB2492 , HB2777 , HB2984 , HB3357 , HB3553 , HB3602

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: emergency protection order, protective order, magistrate, criminal procedure, victim safety, family violence, domestic violence, stalking, assault, magistrate's order, temporary protection, court order duration, defendant restrictions, Article 17.292, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, emergency restraining order, victim protection, firearm restriction, pretrial intervention, reimbursement fee

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

Transcript Highlights:

• to speak. to have your 45-minute speech, and we can start.
• We would drive under the bridge to go to Sonic to get our ice cream.
• What I'd like to talk to you about are our...
• Veterans can get access to purchase those properties for different purposes, including both commercial
• I want you to think about the soldier who went off to war for six months to a year to two years and came

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

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

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:

• Additionally, the offender would have to receive a request from an administrator, educator, or security
• They should not have to worry about anyone casing the school to see how to get in or how to access the
• We're giving them unlimited access to see how to commit a crime.
• a request... request to depart from that zone around the school from an administrator or educational
• having easy and ready access to our services.

Bills: HB316 , HB353 , HB 1160 , HB1414 , HB1422 , HB1443 , HB1713 , HB1789 , HB1902 , HB2073 , HB2666 , HB2695 , HB316

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: motor fuel, criminal offense, metering device, organized crime, Texas Penal Code, trespassing, school safety, day-care centers, education, trespass, public safety, utility employees, criminal penalties, assault, harassment, public duties, safety, law enforcement, driving offenses, license regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• To begin, I would like to state first that, in my opinion, there's no lack of access to the judicial
• The most likely consequence of this bill is a devastating reduction to access to treatment.
• Injured patients are going to lose access to care. ...They're going to stop accepting insurance patients
• The most likely consequence of this bill is a devastating reduction to access to treatment.
• promoting access to care.

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

Committee: Senate State Affairs

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

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss several critical pieces of legislation including SB30 and SB38. Senator Betancourt introduced a committee substitute for SB38 which underwent a smooth adoption process, moving it favorably toward the Senate. The meeting featured a mix of invited testimonies where both proponents and opponents took the floor. One notable highlight included a testimony from Melissa Casey, who criticized the current legal state as prone to fraud and detrimental to both insurers and the public at large, contending that it inflated insurance costs across the board. The discussions delved deeply into the implications of the bills on judicial processes and potential insurance ramifications, with spirited debates surrounding issues of non-economic damages and jury rights. The atmosphere remained engaged as committee members heard varied perspectives on the bills, showcasing a robust democratic process. The meeting underscored the importance of public testimony in shaping legislation, ensuring that multiple voices were considered as the committee pressed on towards making decisions that affect the legal landscape of Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1035 improves access to child care for Texas families.
• You're here on behalf of the Early Care and Education Consortium, and you're here to testify for the
• To state that it's overvalued, either market value or for equal and uniform purposes.
• They are required to complete continuing education in arbitration and property.
• This bill allows arbitrators to complete approved continuing legal education courses on their property

Bills: HB511 , HB972 , HB 1035 , HB2481 , HB2723 , HB2742 , HB2894 , HB2962 , HB3077 , HB3093 , HB3307 , HB3684 , HJR67 , HJR72

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, caregiver exemption, Medicaid, long-term services, tax relief, assisted living, housing support, property tax exemption, caregiver support, residence homestead, tax exemption, unpaid caregiver, state tax code, property tax, caregiver, waiting list, intellectual disability, developmental disability, ad valorem tax, family support