Transcript Highlights:

• As shown on this slide, the federal Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, Agriculture,
• So actuarial assumptions, as I think we all know, are based off of statistical averages. ...as I think
• we all know, are based off of statistical averages of life expectancies.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• enhancement; 1424, fine education; 1428, board of supervisors government; 1447, groundwater; 1448, agriculture
• We have statistics that show mild sleep apnea leads to increased risk of stroke, heart attack, depression
• And here's some statistics: over 95% of teens report active use of social media, with 65% reporting daily

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed Judges Day guests and other visitors, and read a proclamation recognizing March 2026 as Social Work Month. Members also made brief introductions of guests and the doctor of the day, Dr. Philip Williams. The chamber then moved through a long Committee of the Whole agenda, taking up numerous bills with committee and floor amendments, most of them receiving do-pass or due-pass recommendations after brief explanations and some debate. Notable discussion included HB 2444, where several members raised concerns about pharmacist-led care, patient safety, and rural health impacts, while the sponsor argued it would expand affordable access to care; HB 2726, which drew comments about a new sleep apnea device and whether it was a vendor-driven proposal; HB 2991, a bipartisan effort to address social media harms to children; and HB 4070, a bill framed as a “corporate death penalty” approach to combat sex trafficking. Other measures addressed kinship placement in child welfare, midwifery oversight, vulnerable adult protections, tuition waivers for children of disabled veterans, license plate omnibus language, and county and education-related issues. After the Committee of the Whole reported, the House adopted the report and assigned measures for engrossing. The chamber then proceeded to third reading votes on several bills. HB 2123, dealing with financial institutions and gold/silver legal tender, failed on a 24-28 vote after an excusal request was granted to one member with a financial conflict. HB 2270, concerning county authority and sheriff’s posse dissolution procedures, passed 50-3. HB 2324, creating a state fire marshal-related provision, passed 53-0, as did HB 2404 on mental health services. HB 2495 on sentencing failed 26-27. HB 2557 on patient records passed 37-16, HB 2574 on traffic violation appeals passed 52-0, HB 2594 on domestic relations and address confidentiality passed 44-9, HB 2611 on child welfare passed 51-0, HB 2681 on the county employee merit system passed 53-0, and HB 2697 also passed 51-0. The session continued into additional votes beyond the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Enhancement; 1424, Fine; Education; 1428, Board of Supervisors; Government; 1447, Ground Water; 1448, Agriculture
• We have statistics that show mild sleep apnea leads to increased risk of stroke, heart attack, depression
• And here's some statistics.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a large urban city like Albuquerque may not be appropriate for rural villages like Ruidoso or agricultural
• And last question, Madam Chair, Senator and experts: Do you have any statistical evidence that would
• So really the only statistical evidence that we have is just the geographical concept.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 211, which would appropriate $5 million for the Las Vegas Rodriguez Park. Senator Campos said the money would help continue upgrades to baseball, softball, and little league fields and address fencing, flooding, and other park improvements as part of a larger regional park plan. There was no public opposition, and the bill received a unanimous do pass recommendation, 7-0. The committee then took up Senate Bill 131, a broad housing and zoning reform measure sponsored by Senator Maestas. The bill would allow more housing types by right, including accessory dwelling units, duplexes, townhomes, apartments in commercial zones, small-scale commercial uses in neighborhoods, and would eliminate minimum parking mandates; an amendment to remove height restrictions was adopted unanimously. Supporters, including Pew, housing advocates, chambers of commerce, builders, and some local officials, argued the bill would increase supply, lower costs, and modernize outdated zoning. Opponents, including the Realtors, Municipal League, neighborhood representatives, and several senators, argued it would preempt local control, ignore community differences, and could create infrastructure and neighborhood impacts. After extended debate, the committee tabled SB 131 by a recorded vote. Senate Bill 183 was next, proposing a feasibility study for a regional urgent care or emergency facility in Torrance County. The sponsor and local officials described long ambulance transports, heavy use of I-40, and the need for quicker access to care for rural residents and travelers. The bill drew support from a former hospital administrator and no opposition, and it passed 9-1. The committee then considered Senate Bill 222, which would appropriate $20 million for physician residency programs outside the federal system to help retain doctors in New Mexico. The sponsor and supporters said the state loses many medical graduates because of limited residency slots, while one witness urged accountability for large hospital systems. Some senators questioned the premise and feasibility, but the bill advanced on a 6-4 do pass vote to Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll show you some of the statistical data regarding the issues we're having, but really, Sunland Park
• For those of you that may not be as familiar with some of the statistics on the Texas side, El Paso County
• We are getting more value-added agriculture. The upper left-hand corner is Oro, LLC.

Transcript Highlights:

• the people that are there, we're doing everything we can to keep them there because they provide agriculture
• In my statistics here, the shortages of doctors, the shortages of B.S. and ADNs, there will be no shortage
• want to acknowledge the leadership of Chair Kolkhorst in this matter, not just her mastery of the statistics

Bills: SB128 , SB640 , SB672 , SB904 , SB1141 , SB1263 , SB1525 , SB1528 , SB2041 , SB2306 , SB2308 , SB2357 , SB2446 , SB2695 , SB2857 , SB2891 , SB2583

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: hospital reporting, child abuse, neglect, administrative penalty, medical ethics, child protection, SB 640, Texas Family Code, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, child welfare, foster care, managing conservatorship, suicide attempt, youth suicide, mental health, child protective services, state custody, annual report, reporting requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• These numbers aren't just statistics, their lives, that have been forever changed.
• These statistics, these lives, are a stark reminder of the urgency of our mission.
• district is much smaller lots than I'm sure Senator Trunow's district, where there's a lot more open agriculture

Summary: The committee heard and voted on a long agenda of criminal justice, public safety, and civil justice bills. Among the measures reported favorably were SB 984, which adds aggravating factors for capital sentencing when a murder occurs during religious, school, or public government gatherings; SB 1140, creating a Hillsborough County pilot program to address substance abuse among offenders on probation; SB 1180, expanding child pornography laws to cover lewd altered or filtered images and solicitation; SB 10, providing compensation to Sidney Holmes for a wrongful conviction; SB 500, creating a Spectrum Alert system and training for missing children with autism; SB 1054, increasing penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring devices; SB 1072, establishing an expedited DNA testing grant program; and SB 240, the Haven Act, which aligns domestic and dating violence protections and creates a feasibility study for a discreet emergency contact system for victims. Several bills were amended before passage, including funding for the Spectrum Alert program and technical changes to the DNA, juvenile justice, and other proposals. Members also advanced SB 494, creating a statewide FDLE animal abuse database and increasing sentencing consequences for aggravated animal cruelty, with strong support from animal welfare groups and county officials. SB 1422 was reported favorably to strengthen penalties for unmanned aircraft over critical infrastructure and for weaponized drones, though members raised concerns about the bill’s “reasonable force” language. SB 1268 updated FDLE statutes and increased reimbursement for retired police dogs. SB 1252 was amended into a feasibility study for a statewide pawn data database, and SB 1386 increased penalties for assaults and batteries on utility workers, drawing support from utility and industry groups. The committee also approved SB 1084 on sexual cyber harassment, which criminalizes dissemination of intimate images and digitally forged intimate images, and SB 1654, which revises sexual offender and predator registration rules, including online reporting for certain in-state travel residences. SB 1650 expanded the vexatious litigant law, and SB 1652 created a public records exemption for stricken non-criminal court filings. Finally, SB 1284, expanding Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow civil claims for the death of an unborn child, drew extensive testimony both for and against; supporters called it a life-affirming measure, while opponents warned it could increase litigation, affect abortion-related care, and discourage physicians from practicing in Florida. The bill was heard with multiple public comments, but the transcript excerpt does not show a final vote on SB 1284.

Transcript Highlights:

• uses and markets for any agriculturally derived product.
• uses and markets for any agriculturally derived product.
• </c> the Minesota agricultural the Minesota agricultural economy<00:02:48.879><c> over</c><00:02:49.120
• agriculturally derived markets for any agriculturally derived product<00:03:21.640><c> this</c><00:03
• </c> stakeholders and several agricultural stakeholders and several agricultural organizations<00:07:

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> So, welcome to the joint committee on agriculture and food systems and the Senate Committee on Agriculture
• And Department of Agricultures programs.
• </c> agriculture. Uh nice meeting you all. agriculture. Uh nice meeting you all.
• ,<00:22:39.120><c> economy,</c> agriculture, economy, agriculture, economy, environment,<00:22:41.919
• Uh Okami arrival um that's, you know, the digital agriculture form. agricultural for example like um

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing from the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment focused on the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s update on Hawaii’s biosecurity framework, especially implementation of Act 231 (2024) and Act 236 (2025). Chairs Corey Chun and Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing the briefing as an update on investments to fight invasive species and improve statewide evaluation and coordination. Department leaders Sharon Her and Richard Kim described historic legislative and executive investments that have allowed the department to rebuild and modernize biosecurity infrastructure to better prevent, detect, control, and eradicate invasive species. The presentation emphasized the importance of biosecurity to Hawaii’s agriculture, economy, environment, and public well-being, citing threats such as rapid ohia death, little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, brown tree snake, and red imported fire ant. Staff explained the state’s layered approach—pre-border, border, and post-border—and compared it to New Zealand’s model, stressing that Hawaii must act as a “net, not a wall” and that prevention before entry is far more cost-effective than response after establishment. They also outlined agency roles across the system, including agriculture, natural resources, health, transportation, enforcement, and university partners, and noted that Act 231 strengthened authority over high-risk imports, offshore treatment, compliance agreements, and pest management plans, while Act 236 renamed the department and clarified statewide biosecurity coordination. Jonathan Ho then walked through specific program areas and progress. He said pre-border risk analysis is being supported by Act 231 funding and a university contract, while offshore compliance and treatment efforts have improved substantially, including Christmas tree inspections from Oregon and Washington and airline declaration systems that provide advance passenger information. For border work, he highlighted inspections, surveillance, detector dogs, and port monitoring. For post-border response and readiness, he discussed the invasive pest hotline and dashboard, trace-forward/trace-back and diagnostics, preparedness for future threats, and the need to build stronger internal capacity. He also described a developing transitional facilities program authorized by Act 236, modeled on New Zealand’s certified facilities system, and said the department has already begun outreach to industry groups such as the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you familiar with those statistics? >> Mr.
• President, why is it that as those numbers are coming down, and I'll give you a statistic: You know,
• PRESIDENT, WHY IS IT THAT AS THOSE NUMBERS ARE COMING DOWN, AND I'LL GIVE YOU A STATISTIC: YOU KNOW,
• New Yorkers are going to follow the one million that have left in the very near future, if that statistic
• This majority has actually led the charge in investing in our agricultural communities with the best

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions. The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading. The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are not just statistics.
• These are not just statistics. These are These are not just statistics.
• ,</c> making appropriations for agriculture, making appropriations for agriculture, rural<02:20:17.200
• ,</c> the programs that support agriculture, the programs that support agriculture, that<03:04:23.439
• But the scale of this agriculture.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 4, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am proud to have a family so committed to both responsible agriculture and their community.
• </c><00:13:08.399><c> and</c><00:13:08.720><c> their</c> both responsible agriculture and their both
• responsible agriculture and their community.<00:13:09.760><c> It</c><00:13:10.000><c> is</c><00:13:10.240
• </c><02:23:31.439><c> and</c> they're going after statistics and they're going after statistics and records
• agriculture or their respective<02:29:26.080><c> design</c><02:29:27.120><c> and</c><02:29:27.359><c

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• education and a master's agricultural education and a master's degree<00:30:23.120><c> in</c><00:30:
• </c> started in industrial and agricultural started in industrial and agricultural America.<07:18:45.760
• Located in the heart of the agricultural reserve, Madison Fields offers hands-on experiences.
• </c> in the heart of the agricultural in the heart of the agricultural reserve,<07:25:27.920><c> Madison
• </c><07:35:52.558><c> that</c> Indeed, if you look at statistics that Indeed, if you look at statistics

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The substitute also includes new definitions of agricultural land. property and domiciled.
• Real property is defined as agricultural land, and improvement located on agricultural land, commercial
• Department of Agriculture, Attorney General's office, the PUC, I mean there's a lot of different folks
• You know, we've seen discussions about commercial property, residential property, agricultural property
• They have expressed deep concerns about foreign adversaries. purchasing land near agriculture areas.

Bills: HB17 , HB34 , HB41 , HB 118 , HB 119 , HB 127 , HB 128 , HB 129 , HB 130 , HB132 , HB133 , HB17 , HB41 , HB118 , HB119 , HB127 , HB128 , HB129 , HB130 , HB132 , HB133

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: foreign ownership, real estate, national security, designated countries, Texas property law, lobbying, foreign adversaries, compensation prohibition, transparency, civil penalties, higher education, foreign adversary, research security, trade secrets, academic partnerships, HB 128, sister city, sister-city agreement, international exchange, municipal diplomacy

Transcript Highlights:

• We certainly have listened to some opportunities for Jamaican agricultural workers to come in as well
• workers to come in as well agricultural workers to come in as well and<00:28:23.559><c> always</c><00
• it depends if in involved in agriculture it depends if you<01:14:26.960><c> include</c><01:14:27.360
• All of the statistics, and this has been true for decades, suggests that undocumented immigrants have
• All of the statistics, and this has been true for decades, suggests that undocumented immigrants have

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of it, as my colleague from Long Beach stated, five hours per day on social media websites, the statistics
• And I want to focus in particularly on the statistics of our young girls.
• If you look at these statistics and the increases for hospitalization...
• If you look at the statistics and the increases for hospitalization rates for self-harm among young girls
• The statistics are truly undeniable, and this is particularly meaningful for me as a parent of a 14-year-old

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance before moving through the daily file. Several measures were taken up and passed, including bills on county jail accountability (AB 2257), claims against public agencies (AB 2529), affordable housing management metrics (AB 2689), digital wellness instruction in schools (AB 2071), pedestrian and bicycle safety project streamlining (AB 1976), manufactured home transport permits (AB 2012), a Surplus Land Act amendment tied to an Inland Empire soccer project (AB 2139), a Monterey Bay stewardship authority (AB 1548), online electrician licensing (AB 1707), a Caltrans study of navigation apps’ traffic impacts (AB 2105), coastal resiliency permitting reforms (AB 2051), downtown housing streamlining and financing (AB 2074), Cal Fire compensation (AB 2129), emergency care authority for Del Puerto Health Care District (AB 2282), charter school facilities hardship relief (AB 2316), theft by a peace officer under color of authority as serious misconduct (AB 2337), an Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander-serving institution designation (AB 2374), energy and cannabis support bills (AB 2464, AB 2537), and a suicide prevention plan requirement for treatment facilities (AB 2562). Most of these measures passed with broad bipartisan margins, and several were described as support bills with no opposition. The floor also debated a major criminal justice measure, AB 2727, which would raise the threshold for elderly parole eligibility for people serving sentences for violent sex offenses and add screening safeguards. Supporters from both parties emphasized child protection, survivor trauma, and specific local cases involving offenders who had become eligible for release; the bill passed 66-0. Another significant debate centered on AB 1958, which would clarify procedures under the California Racial Justice Act by refining how disparity claims are established and rebutted; the author said he would take Senate amendments to address concerns from district attorneys. The Assembly also considered AB 2313, a gas-to-electric transition bill allowing customers with planned service line replacements to opt out of gas service and use funds to electrify their homes. Members raised concerns about cost shifts and equity, and the author responded that the bill includes no-cost-shift language, larger credits for disadvantaged communities, and would not proceed if the math does not work; it passed 41-21. The final major item was AB 1709, a high-profile social media safety bill creating a minimum age of 16 for accounts on platforms using addictive features and establishing an e-safety commission. The author and many supporters from both parties framed the bill as a response to youth mental health harms, addictive design, and the need for age-based safeguards, while some members raised concerns about impacts on LGBTQ youth and other isolated young people who rely on online spaces. Supporters said the bill targets addictive design rather than speech and is intended to preserve safe online connection while limiting harmful features. The measure drew extensive bipartisan support and was still under debate at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• of it, as my colleague from Long Beach stated, five hours per day on social media websites, the statistics
• And I want to focus in, particularly on the statistics of our young girls.
• If you look at these statistics and the increases for hospitalization, If you look at the statistics
• The statistics are truly undeniable, and this is particularly meaningful for me as a parent of a 14-year-old
• , that this again would not apply where that is not the case, where we're talking about taking agricultural

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Agriculture. I am the Associate Administrator in APHIS, one of them.
• From the agriculture side, from the wildlife side, I don't have that figure.
• So you said there's potential agricultural use. What other uses are there? There may be others.
• What I've heard mostly is agriculture and fertilizer and things of that nature. But it...
• But at least in El Paso, it's mostly agriculture. Thank you so much, I appreciate it.

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Summary: During the meeting, legislative members discussed the practice of municipalities diverting water and sewer revenues to their general funds, which impacts infrastructure maintenance and project delays. Vice Chair Sparks proposed limiting public testimony to two minutes, which was adopted without objection. The committee heard from various witnesses, including Perry Fowler from the Texas Water Infrastructure Network, who emphasized that utility revenues should primarily support water services and that transfers should be transparent and justified. He noted that many utilities face financial pressures that could hinder infrastructure projects. Larry French from the Texas Public Policy Foundation highlighted the significant financial impact of water loss and general fund transfers, estimating the annual loss at $1.5 billion. He argued that these transfers can create disincentives for municipalities to address water loss issues. Brian Butcher, Assistant City Manager of Sugar Land, defended the city's cost allocation model for general fund transfers, asserting that they are necessary for equitable service provision and operational efficiency. The committee also discussed the implications of rising construction costs and the need for better procurement processes to ensure effective use of taxpayer dollars. The second part of the meeting focused on the New World Screwworm and the state's preparedness to manage potential infestations. Dudley Hoskins from the USDA outlined the federal response efforts and the importance of collaboration with state agencies. He emphasized the need for ongoing surveillance and the production of sterile flies to combat the pest. Dr. Philip Kaufman from Texas A&M discussed the historical context of the screwworm and the challenges posed by its potential reintroduction, urging proactive management strategies among livestock producers. The committee acknowledged the need for increased resources and research to effectively address the threat of the screwworm.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um just like to point out I did some looking up of statistics.
• Um, just like to point out I did some looking up of statistics.
• will need to have those highly skilled individuals and right now according to the current labor statistics
• /c><00:26:43.440><c> I</c><00:26:43.760><c> was</c><00:26:43.840><c> able</c> the current labor statistics
• I was able the current labor statistics I was able to<00:26:44.240><c> find</c><00:26:44.559><c> we<

Bills: HF3432 , HF3411

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: resident tuition, employment, higher education, Minnesota, tuition rates, state universities, immigration status, immigration, postsecondary education, privacy, data access, federal officers, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Farm workers are essential to the county's productive agricultural industry, which we all know is very
• AB 1577 requires data centers to report various energy usage statistics to the Energy Commission on a
• In both cases, orchards and vineyards that is generated in California's agriculture.
• California is facing a wood waste crisis where millions of tons of forest and agricultural biomass are
• being piled and burned or left to decay every year, causing ...of forests and agricultural biomass are

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 988, house, all