Transcript Highlights:

• Today's work session will cover three topics.
• So the industry will be required to be reporting that to us.
• Did that work? Okay. So at the beginning of the Through the Advent calendar. Did that work? Okay.
• So we started working in summer 2024 and worked in three phases.
• We're working on it. Go ahead.

Summary: The committee held a work session covering PFAS regulation and impacts, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy and data center load growth. Senator Victoria Hunt was welcomed as a new member. The Department of Ecology reviewed Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS work, including completed restrictions on PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, rugs, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaning products, and automotive washes, with reporting requirements for some other products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also described Cycle 2 PFAS reviews now underway, including artificial turf and paints, and answered questions about compliance, online sales, sell-through periods, and how Washington’s approach differs from broader bans in states like Maine and Minnesota. The Department of Ecology also presented on PFAS in biosolids, describing a 2024 sampling study, limitations in testing methods, and a 2025 statutory amendment requiring additional sampling between 2027 and 2028 and a report to the legislature in 2029. The Department of Health then updated the committee on PFAS in drinking water, reporting that most Group A public water systems have completed sampling, that 317 sources and 188 systems are expected to exceed new contaminant levels, and that treatment costs for public systems are estimated at about $970 million, leaving a large funding gap; members also asked about private wells, health effects, bathing exposure, and home filters. The Board of Health’s new state action levels are being aligned with federal MCLs, and the department said it expects to continue monitoring and notification under state rules. Ecology also briefed the committee on no-cost allowance allocations to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act, explaining the leakage-mitigation rationale, the current allocation schedule through 2034, and a forthcoming report on policy options for 2035-2050; members asked about industry barriers, competitiveness, and whether facilities might leave the state. Finally, E3 presented a regional resource adequacy study showing rising load, retirements outpacing additions, limited winter reliability value from wind, solar, and batteries, and a projected shortfall beginning in 2026 that could grow to about 9,000 MW by 2030 if planned projects are not built. The presentation emphasized winter cold-weather events, hydro variability, the importance of permitting and transmission, and longer-term options including nuclear, geothermal, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage. EPRI then introduced its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can provide flexible load through workload shifting, cooling optimization, and on-site backup or bridging resources to reduce grid stress and protect ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's, of course, been a lot of work, and a lot of work by Legislative Counsel, a lot of work by committees
• It works. Works perfectly. No lawsuits, no challenges.
• Let's get to work.
• , GHG mitigation requirements, and workforce requirements.
• , GHG mitigation requirements, and workforce requirements.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 41 by Senator Wiener, which would regulate pharmacy benefit managers by increasing transparency, banning patient steering and spread pricing, and requiring full pass-through of rebates. Supporters, including independent pharmacists and health advocates, said PBM practices are driving up drug costs and closing neighborhood pharmacies. Opponents from PBM and health plan groups argued the bill overlaps with recently enacted licensing and reporting requirements, would not lower consumer prices, and may be preempted by ERISA. Members discussed confidentiality issues, consumer savings, and the relationship between SB 41 and the new budget trailer bill; the author asked for an aye vote. The committee then took up SB 378, also by Senator Wiener, aimed at online marketplaces that advertise illegal intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products. Supporters from labor, public health, and the licensed cannabis industry said online sales are undermining regulated businesses and exposing children to unsafe products. Opponents from tech and hemp industry groups warned the bill is overbroad, could sweep in general-purpose platforms and lawful hemp wellness products, and raises Dormant Commerce Clause and First Amendment concerns. The author said he would narrow the bill, remove industrial hemp references, and address strict liability and standing issues; members largely focused on how to target illegal products without capturing lawful marketplaces. SB 243 by Senator Padilla addressed AI companion chatbots, with supporters including Common Sense Media and transparency advocates warning that these systems can be addictive, manipulative, and dangerous for minors and vulnerable users, citing studies and the death of a Florida teenager. The bill would require disclosures, anti-addiction design limits, self-harm protocols, audits, reporting, and a private right of action. Tech and business groups opposed the measure as overly broad and said its definitions could sweep in general-purpose AI tools; several members supported the goal but questioned the breadth of the definitions and the private right of action. Finally, SB 522 by Senator Wahab would extend just-cause eviction protections to rental units that were previously covered by the Tenant Protection Act but were destroyed in disasters and later rebuilt. Supporters, including Los Angeles city officials and tenant advocates, said the bill would help keep displaced renters housed after wildfires and other disasters. Apartment and realtor groups opposed it, arguing it would remove a key exemption needed to finance rebuilding and could discourage post-disaster reconstruction. Members expressed support for tenant protections in disaster areas, and the author asked for an aye vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a way that you could work, do you think it's possible to work with to ensure that it doesn't
• been great. working with her.
• SB 1036 continues that work by establishing basic registration. and transparency requirements for solar
• and they work well.
• Now it's working.

Bills: SB264, SB542, SB924, SB1008, SB1029, SB1036, SB1057, SB1058, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1376, SB1569, SB1664, SB1697, SJR50

Keywords: SB 264, Texas Workers' Compensation Act, group self-insurance, self-insured groups, workers' compensation, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, certificate of approval, guaranty fund, trust fund, wind down, dissolution, labor code, insurance regulation, employer coverage, risk pool, business and commerce, trade workforce economic development, property owners' association, water conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill needs some work.
• I mean, you listed a number of those requirements. Federal requirements will still be in place.
• I look forward to working with you.
• Globalization requirements, it’s there.
• And if we don't start working that way...

Bills: HB139, HB1818, HB1942, HB1959, HB2221, HB2254, HB2563, HB2067, HB2275, HB3211, HB139

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• So there are different faiths that have different requirements. Requirements for prayer.
• That SB 916 requires more documentation beyond what the National Voter Registration Act requires.
• Isn't there some sheriff's work that they're not doing? Or are they going to have to work overtime?
• My father did work.
• We all want a safer Texas. for Texas requires the community working hand-in-hand with law enforcement

Keywords: HCR65, HCR19, Senate resolutions, memorial, community impact, legislative proceedings

Summary: The recent Senate meeting primarily covered two resolutions, HCR65 and HCR19, both of which were passed unanimously with little to no opposition. HCR65 was introduced in memory of Tracy Lee Vincent of Longview, while HCR19 was presented to honor the late Terrell Lynn Roberts of Angleton. The meeting included brief addresses from several senators, who shared personal reflections on the impacts of the individuals being honored and expressed gratitude for their contributions to the community. This collaborative atmosphere showcased the members' capacity for camaraderie and respect, emphasizing the importance of human connection in legislative proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• WHAT THIS BILL REQUIRED.
• WE STARTED WORKING ON THE REQUIREMENTS, PLANNING AND BUILDING THE SCOPE AND WORKING WITH OUR IT STAFF
• WITH OUR VENDOR TO DEFINE POSTING REQUIREMENTS.
• ALSO REPORTED SEPARATELY TO THE AGENCY FOR CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.
• IS THERE A NEW REQUIREMENT WE INCLUDE, A NEW STRATEGY.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll be working with our sister agency, department children, families to work on implementing these
• restrictive requirement.
• So, you know, certainly will be work left to do some work around our 11, 15 waiver and state plan and
• and it doesn't work.
• And we continue to work through.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:29.760> directly throughout the year and work directly throughout the year and work
• requirement requirement also This requirement requirement also creates<00:19:35.720> barriers
• local control to set those requirements. local control to set those requirements.
• We know that this will require further work to refine the bill, and Minnesota's architects are ready
• to help with that work.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• innocent is not working. innocent is not working.
• The working class are working class.
• Um, it will require a lot of work, and that's amazing, but thank you so much for hearing this. our purview
• Um, it will require a lot of<03:23:08.160> work<03:23:08.399> and<03:23:08.720> that's
• . work. work.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs recessed briefly for a joint hearing, then reconvened and took up House Bill 2494, which would limit warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations, require officers to document arrest justification, expand citation-in-lieu-of-arrest use, and direct the Judiciary to create a standardized citation form. The chair also outlined hearing procedures and testimony time limits. Committee members later received an overview from the Policing Project about national trends in expanding citation use. Testimony was divided. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and the Policing Project, argued the bill would reduce unnecessary arrests and pretrial detention, lessen jail overcrowding, save law enforcement time, and reduce harms such as job loss, housing instability, family disruption, and recidivism. They also said the bill preserves officer discretion through public-safety and flight-risk exceptions, and several supporters urged the committee to adopt a standardized citation form despite the Judiciary’s request for a delayed implementation date. Opposition came from the Department of the Attorney General, the Judiciary, county prosecutors, Honolulu Police Department, and other individuals. They argued the bill would unduly restrict law enforcement discretion, create administrative and data-processing problems, and make it harder to identify repeat or habitual offenders because of changes to citation information and fingerprinting. The Judiciary requested implementation no earlier than January 1, 2028 and said the citation form would need major changes. Opponents also warned the bill could increase litigation, suppress evidence, and not meaningfully reduce overcrowding because most jail populations are held on felony matters. The chair reported 14 testimonies in support, 21 in opposition, and one with comments; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the years, we've done a lot from working through the crash's from working through the crash's aftermath
• I've been working in this it? Right?
• <00:03:08.879> someone let's find a way uh to require someone let's find a way uh to require
• <00:03:29.760> you've kind of reception has this work you've kind of reception has this work
• mandatories, but they don't always work mandatories, but they don't always work in<00:07:19.440>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• work.
• Let's do this work humbly.
• requirements for providers, and eligibility requirements.
• It had the provider enrollment requirements, and it had the documentation requirements.
• For PCA, we require people to be bonded, we require mandatory training in statute, and we require a qualified

Transcript Highlights:

• requirement.
• Given these upfront administrative costs requirements as well as the amount of work that the department
• We did do the work that was required of us. in legislation to aggregate that information from the variety
• My district needs government to work, I need the government to work, we need the government to work,
• requirements in both Medicaid and SNAP. diapers are such an important part of folks being able to work

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So as we continue to add additional requirements into public works projects, we are only going to have
• This program has worked for K-12 schools. It's worked for our UCs. It's worked for our CSUs.
• This program has worked for K-12 schools. It's worked for our UCs. It's worked for our CSUs.
• So because the current legislation, 1491, requires a point of contact on every campus, this only requires
• We want to make sure that work.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So as we continue to add additional requirements into public works projects, we are only going to have
• This program has worked for K-12 schools. It's worked for our UCs. It's worked for our CSUs.
• So because the current legislation, SB 1491, requires a point of contact on every campus, this only requires
• We want to make sure that work.
• We want to make sure that work.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several Senate measures focused on community college procurement, higher education access, and student support. SB 1154 by Senator Reyes would allow community college districts to use best-value procurement for public works projects over $1 million. Supporters, including San Bernardino Valley College, the San Bernardino Community College District, labor groups, and several districts, said it would improve delivery of complex facilities and align community colleges with other education systems. Opponents, including the Associated General Contractors, argued the bill’s skilled-and-trained workforce requirements and labor-compliance scoring would narrow the bidder pool and raise costs. The committee passed the bill to the Assembly Floor on a due-pass vote, with some members voting no or not recorded. SB 1255, also by Senator Reyes, would create a California Hispanic-serving institution designation. Supporters from HACU, the CSU Chancellor’s Office, UC, community colleges, and other education organizations said the designation would recognize campuses that serve large numbers of Latino and low-income students and strengthen accountability and student success. The committee approved the bill as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations, with one no vote. SB 1328, presented on behalf of Senator Cervantes, would require LGBTQ+ points of contact at satellite or branch campuses of CSU and community colleges, either through designated staff or regular office hours. Testimony emphasized gaps in access at remote centers and the need for confidential support; one member raised concerns about staffing, costs, and whether existing systems could meet the need remotely. The bill was passed as amended and sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 960 by Senator Cabaldon, which would expand the circumstances under which community colleges could offer bachelor’s degrees in response to unmet workforce needs, especially where CSU programs are impacted or not realistically accessible locally. Supporters said the bill would help meet workforce demand and expand access for place-bound and adult learners. CSU and faculty representatives opposed unless amended, urging stronger partnership requirements, clearer workforce-need standards, and safeguards around duplication and Prop 98 funding. Members discussed impaction, regional access, and the role of partnerships; the bill was passed as amended and re-referred to Appropriations. Finally, SB 632 by Senator Otagan would extend the California College Promise fee waiver to part-time community college students enrolled in nine units. Supporters said many students cannot attend full time because of work, caregiving, and living costs, and the bill would better reflect student realities; the transcript ends during testimony on this measure, before any vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everybody gets to work, but the intended purpose is to prevent us from working at some point in the future
• With federal work requirements taking effect in January, workers need stable employment to stay eligible
• I do appreciate your work and a lot of the work on the members of the committee and Senator Crying to
• The bill also provides reporting requirements, including requiring reports twice per year and requiring
• We can work together.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they can do all this good work? they can do all this good work?
• But I'm curious as to how those two hospitals work together. Hospitals work together. Sure.
• Both facilities are required to be really working not just on individual care of patients but on building
• work.
• So happy to take any ongoing work.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All of that requires a lot of work when you go to try to access that and look at data across agencies
• That requires a lot of work when you go to try to access that and look at data across agencies and make
• So we were able to take all the work that we needed to do—a lot of that requirements definition, the
• Nothing worked.
• work for them.

Transcript Highlights:

• requirements for the duration of the federal community engagement work and work requirements under Public
• Now, that's more than work requirements, but the work requirements are the largest component of that.
• about this bill about work requirements. about this bill about work requirements.
• work the paperwork requirements of the work the paperwork requirements who<04:16:52.880> should
• c> the<04:18:15.120> largest work requirements are the largest work requirements are the largest

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it also clarifies that when the notification is required, it can be included as part... ...required
• from their last work.
• from their last work.
• Current statute defines last work as an employer for whom a claimant last worked for 30 hours during
• Working families have access to that if they need that, but most working families, the data shows, are

Bills: HB112, HB199, HCR9

Keywords: school district, bond issuance, election dates, voter approval, Texas Education Code, HCR 9, Texas State Cemetery, Hill Country flood, July 4 2025 flood, Guadalupe River, Camp Mystic, memorial, monument, concurrent resolution, disaster remembrance, natural disaster, flood victims, survivors, State Preservation Board, Texas secretary of state

Summary: The Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development met with a quorum and moved quickly through a long agenda, hearing testimony and taking recorded votes on several bills. Early in the meeting, HB 2214 was laid out to exempt certain short-term residential leases and leaseback arrangements from flood-disclosure requirements; Texas Realtors supported the change, and the bill was left pending. The committee then voted out a series of pending measures, including HB 46, HB 186 (with a committee substitute), HB 431, HB 1147, HB 1154, HB 2468, HB 2488, HB 2788 (with a substitute), HB 2791 (with a substitute), HB 3260, and HCR 90, all reported favorably to the full House, with HB 1147 receiving two nays and the others passing unanimously or nearly so. A major portion of the hearing focused on HB 112, which would create a Texas Science Park district and commission to support advanced manufacturing and innovation sites. The bill’s author and supporters, including Samsung Austin Semiconductor, the Texas Association of Business, and the Governor’s economic development office, argued it would strengthen supply chains, attract investment, and support national security and workforce development. Testimony described interest from semiconductor and advanced manufacturing companies and referenced the model of foreign science parks such as Sinshu in Taiwan. HB 112 was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 3698 and HB 3699, both related to unemployment insurance administration. HB 3698 would expand eligibility for the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment program using federal funds, while HB 3699 would tighten the definition of “last work” to help the Texas Workforce Commission investigate UI fraud. Both bills were discussed with TWC resource witnesses and left pending after the committee withdrew the substitutes. HB 1349, which would extend HOA transparency and property-rights provisions to condominiums and refine HOA rules, and HB 621, which would require HOA meeting spaces to be available for residents to reserve for qualified political candidates or elected officials, were also heard and left pending. Finally, the committee heard HCR 9 to designate the first Saturday of each month as Small Business Saturday, HB 199 to index unemployment benefit duration to the state unemployment rate, and HB 3466 to exempt certain cancelable service contracts from Texas’s in-home sales cooling-off law; each drew supportive and opposing testimony and was left pending before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're all working through this, right? And so I plan to continue working with the opposition.
• We're all working through this, right? And so I plan to continue working with the opposition.
• I think there's probably other work that needs to be done, but hopefully that work will be done with
• Assembly Member Alvarez: I just want to recognize the work of the author and thank him for the work not
• So I just want to thank you for the work that you've been doing on this, the work that you've been focusing

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met as a subcommittee and heard several bills focused on insurance transparency, wildfire mitigation, market access, and workforce issues. AB 75 would require insurers to give homeowners 30 days’ notice before collecting aerial images of their property and allow homeowners to review those images; supporters said it would improve privacy and prevent inaccurate non-renewals, while consumer and industry groups both sought amendments. AB 234 would add the Assembly Speaker and Senate President pro Tem, or designees, as non-voting members on the California FAIR Plan governing committee; the Department of Insurance supported it as an oversight measure, while Consumer Federation of California said it was only a small first step toward broader transparency reforms. AB 428 would let water corporations join joint powers authorities for pooled insurance, with supporters citing rising insurance costs for small water systems and no remaining opposition after amendments. AB 943 would streamline producer pre-licensing education by removing the 20-hour per-line requirement while keeping ethics training; industry sponsors said it would reduce barriers to entry, while consumer advocates warned it could lower professional standards. AB 1209 would create a pathway for cannabis employers to secure workers’ compensation coverage and related services through a state-coordinated network; supporters said it would help bring the industry into compliance, while one member raised concerns about creating a special carveout for a federally restricted industry. AB 1 would require periodic review of the state’s Safer from Wildfire regulations every five years, and it drew broad support from the department, insurers, local governments, and industry groups as a way to keep wildfire mitigation incentives current. The committee also took up a consent calendar including AB 69, AB 487, and AB 570, all of which were sent to Appropriations. The committee approved AB 75 to Privacy and Consumer Protection, AB 234 to the Assembly Floor, AB 428 to Local Government, AB 943 to Appropriations, AB 1209 to Business and Professions, and AB 1 to Appropriations. Most measures passed on strong or unanimous votes after members added coauthor requests and expressed support for the bills’ consumer protection, transparency, or wildfire-related goals.