Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen bills shopped to several states with the exact same language as this bill and... ...Where
• We need to add explicit language preventing content removal based solely on... race, sex, ethnicity,
• It fundamentally didn't change the bill, yet 85 representatives voted to keep that language.
• And separate does not mean unequal. inherently unequal language in Title IX.
• The language in this bill does not serve to protect Texan citizens.

Bills: HB186, HB201, HB229, HB796, HB1506, HB2702, HB2885, HB3225, HB3909, HB4285, HB5138

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority

Transcript Highlights:

• including being economically disadvantaged, requiring special education services, or being English language
• school regularly and those who do not, starting with on-time graduation on the left, followed by language
• <00:14:25.199> arts<00:14:25.800> proficiency followed by language arts proficiency
• followed by language arts proficiency math<00:14:27.199> proficiency<00:14:28.199> and
• <05:21:30.440> for the plan design and land acquisition for the plan design and land acquisition

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The tested subjects there are English language arts, math, and science, but then you get into course
• of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires districts to provide an equal educational opportunity to language
• in the 25 school year, and these students are those identified as not proficient in the English language
• It's related to English language acquisition, so I think which is targeted towards English learners.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The Senate and House Education Committee approved the March 9 and 10 minutes and then heard a presentation on the Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship Program from Department of Education staff and three third-grade teachers from Cabot, Poyen, and Drew Central. The teachers described the year-long fellowship for high-performing merit pay recipients, saying it provided collaboration with educators across the state, shared resources, and ideas they brought back to their districts. Members asked about the teachers’ experience levels, how they shared information locally, and whether the program should be expanded to more teachers and districts. A major focus of the discussion was third-grade reading, the new ATLAS testing system, and the state’s third-grade retention law. The teachers said they do not teach to the test, but use standards, data, interventions, small groups, and relationships to help students grow. They described progress monitoring throughout the year, early screening in K-2, and interventions such as before-school tutoring, RTI meetings, and co-teaching. One teacher reported that six students in a small group improved 10 to 15 points on ATLAS, and another said a student who started the year reading four words per minute improved significantly with targeted support. Secretary Jacob Oliva said the state is trying to create clarity and alignment through Arkansas Learns, science-of-reading support, literacy coaches, and faster test-result turnaround, with student scores now available within about 24 hours and district-level results expected later in the summer. Members also asked about student poverty, trauma, ACEs, DHS involvement, social workers, community supports, and the role of counselors. The teachers emphasized that relationship-building is essential, especially for students facing unstable home situations, and described local supports such as backpack food programs, church donations, fire department incentives, and family assistance. Oliva said the fellowship was intentionally small in its first year because it targeted top-tier merit pay recipients, but he expects participation to grow. He also said merit pay and fellowship eligibility spans many grade levels and subjects, including kindergarten and hard-to-staff areas, and that D and F schools receive state literacy coaches. No additional committee votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything that council services will not include in a budget acquisition, especially with council services
• Thank you, and let me ask Helen, I just got a The question on your report, the recommended language is
• that standard language that has to be put in every year.
• I didn't know if that was new language or not in LLC rec. Mr.
• And so, if we give the language in the stewardship program to hire more FTEs in OCD or to get them at

Transcript Highlights:

• Have to produce 50 times or more the biomass, and the language in the bill is very clear: when hemp enters
• I fully know and appreciate that there are still significant concerns around the language describing
• dogs, cats, and rabbits bred by others for profit, would inadvertently disrupt responsible pet acquisition
• which is why they've spent the last two years consulting with experts across the country to develop language
• that I want to commit is that we are committed to working with them, and we've, you know, had some language

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of bills, with most measures drawing support from industry, professional, local government, and advocacy witnesses, and several receiving committee amendments before moving forward. AB 8 on hemp and cannabis drew the most extensive debate: supporters said it would close loopholes around intoxicating hemp products, strengthen enforcement, and bring THC products into the regulated cannabis supply chain; opponents, including small cannabis farmers and environmental groups, warned it could undermine Proposition 64’s closed-loop system, harm California cultivators, and reduce tax revenues for youth, environmental, and law enforcement programs. The author said the bill was intended to protect consumers and children and to work further with stakeholders. AB 476 on copper theft was presented as a public safety and infrastructure bill to tighten reporting, documentation, and penalties for scrap metal theft; supporters from cities, utilities, broadband, and recycling-related groups described major losses and outages from copper theft, and the remaining opposition moved to neutral after amendments, with the bill advancing with committee support. The committee also heard AB 985, which would allow nationally certified anesthesiologist assistants to practice under direct supervision of licensed anesthesiologists to address anesthesia workforce shortages. Supporters, including the California Society of Anesthesiologists, medical groups, students, and patients, said it would expand access and bring California in line with other states; nurse anesthesiology groups expressed concerns and sought further clarification, but there was no formal opposition at the hearing. AB 506, aimed at online pet sales, would void contracts that fail to disclose an animal’s origin or veterinary records or that require non-refundable deposits; animal welfare groups said it would curb puppy mill pipelines and deceptive online sales, and there was no opposition. AB 876, on certified registered nurse anesthetists, generated the sharpest health care policy dispute: supporters said it would codify existing practice and clarify CRNA duties, while physicians and medical associations argued it would expand scope too far and reduce patient safety. After a roll call, AB 876 passed the committee 9-0, as amended, to Appropriations. Other bills advanced with broad support after amendments. AB 432, the Menopause Equity Act, would require continuing medical education on menopause-related care for certain physicians; the author and medical experts said the bill addresses widespread gaps in menopause treatment and research, while CMA and ACOG opposed the mandate as an inappropriate CME requirement, though they agreed the underlying problem is real. The bill passed on call, as amended, to Health. AB 759 would allow eligible architectural candidates to use the title “architect in training” to encourage completion of licensure and improve diversity in the profession; it passed unanimously, as amended, to Appropriations. AB 967 would create an optional expedited licensure fee for out-of-state physicians to reduce delays in bringing doctors into California’s workforce; supporters said it would help address shortages and improve patient access, and the bill was presented with support from medical stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• 30:14.840> to We do have in our budget under BED 170 a request for $4 million to do land acquisition
• We're asking for $6.47 million for Kikaha irrigation improvements, $3 million for land acquisition in
• We need to work out what the statutory language, yeah, the constitutional issues, and I—and we agree.
• c> out what out what the<00:58:19.200> uh<00:58:19.520> statutory<00:58:20.160> language
• language yeah the Constitutional<00:58:22.119> issues<00:58:23.079> and<00:58:23.280><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's just customer acquisition costs.
• It adds language in here. Again, I think it adds process.
• It adds language in here. Again, I think it adds process.
• It adds language in here. Again, I think it adds process.
• It adds language in here. Again, I think it adds process.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, the estimated annual cost was $1 to $1.5 million for it would include acquisition, implementation
• admissions, financial aid, and IT practices, and we are committed to provide ongoing updates to acquisition
• , implementation, support, acquisition, implementation, support, and<00:17:57.120> maintenance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• we want to you know get the language we want to you know get the language right<00:03:16.560>
• <00:03:53.799> that just be sure that we have language that just be sure that we have language
• <00:05:21.520> we came up short in finding language we came up short in finding language we
• <00:14:35.600> common safety regarding the HOA language common safety regarding the HOA language
• replaced with some additional language replaced with some additional language that<01:15:22.320>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• also reduce costs by requiring CalRx to enter into partnerships, resulting in the production or acquisition

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met with a quorum and heard a large suspense-file agenda, noting that several bills were not heard and would be rescheduled for the following week. The Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments on the measures. The chair reminded witnesses to keep testimony focused on fiscal impacts. Most bills were taken up with waived presentation and no public testimony or member questions, and were moved to the suspense file without objection. A few measures drew substantive testimony. SB 951 and SB 947 received opposition from the Society for Human Resource Management, the California Restaurant Association, and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, with concerns about policy impacts and ongoing costs to departments and the General Fund. SB 1067 received support from EdVoice, which argued early math intervention would reduce later remediation costs. SB 1291 drew strong opposition from mutual water company representatives, who said it would impose significant ongoing costs, duplicate existing state efforts, and create compliance burdens for small systems and communities with limited broadband access. SB 1368 was supported by hearing health care providers, who requested technical amendments related to FDA hearing-aid definitions and education-provider recognition. The committee also heard author presentation on SB 1089 from Senator Richardson, who said the bill would reduce CalPERS health costs by expanding access to weight-loss drugs for eligible state employees and by directing CalRx to partner on GLP-1 production or acquisition. After brief testimony and no committee questions, SB 1089 was moved to the suspense file without objection. The meeting concluded after all agenda items were processed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, it goes to one of those two members to sign off on the acquisition, the use of the funds, and

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:45.839> here consequences but the language here consequences but the language here
• 2025 if we would change the language 2025 if we would change the language then<02:18:20.040>
• uh to accomplish this goal and language uh to accomplish this goal and this<03:40:05.160> language
• my question um I noticed the language my question um I noticed the language that<05:06:56.920>
• <05:07:13.440> from just actually used that language from just actually used that language

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard CACR 6, a proposed constitutional amendment by Representative Keith Ammon to recognize a fundamental right to use computation resources. Ammon argued that computing is now essential to daily life, speech, education, and economic opportunity, and said the amendment was intended to push back against government or corporate restrictions, citing a 2023 federal executive order on AI registration and reporting as an example of the kind of precedent he wanted to oppose. He said the proposal should be simple and clear because it would go to voters, and he compared the right to compute to other constitutional rights that do not require the government to provide the underlying tools. Committee members raised concerns about the breadth of the language, including whether it could affect encryption, authentication, network security, energy use, and other regulatory issues. Representative McFarland questioned whether the amendment could interfere with security measures, while others asked whether it would prevent ordinary network management such as throttling or require the state to provide internet access or hardware. Ammon responded that the right would not entitle someone to other people’s resources and said encryption and similar issues would sort themselves out. Several members also raised concerns about child safety, public safety, and whether existing laws could still regulate misuse of computing; Ammon said reasonable limits would still apply, similar to other constitutional rights. Sarah Scott of Americans for Prosperity testified in support, saying the amendment would protect innovation, individual autonomy, and economic competitiveness by preventing overregulation. After questions concluded, the chair closed the hearing on CACR 6. The committee then opened House Bill 615, sponsored by Representative Dan Maguire, which would substantially rewrite the state’s drug-forfeiture law. Maguire said the bill is intended to improve fairness and efficiency in cases where property such as cars or cash is seized in connection with drug offenses, noting that the criminal case and the civil forfeiture case are currently handled separately, with the property case prosecuted by the Attorney General’s office. He explained that the bill addresses courtroom procedure for these forfeiture actions and is meant to make the process more specific and orderly.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation last year, we now have inspection rights, and they're now required to keep what we call an acquisition-disposition
• /c><00:58:00.359> a<00:58:00.520> andd<00:58:00.880> book<00:58:01.119> acquisition
• we call an a andd book acquisition we call an a andd book acquisition disposition<00:58:02.440><
• to get after emergency management and response capabilities if their English is not their first language

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony first from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Director Tommy Johnson outlined short-term goals to reduce overcrowding, improve living and working conditions, fill vacancies, expand mental health services, and update the correctional master plan. He said the department is still dealing with severe overcrowding at facilities such as OCCC and HCCC, with 947 people at OCCC against a design capacity of 628, and noted 938 inmates are currently housed on the mainland because of temporary repairs at Halawa. He also reported progress on staffing, saying the correctional officer vacancy rate has dropped from 34.3% to 24% through expanded recruitment. The department’s major budget request was $30 million for planning and design for a new Old Triple C project, along with other requests for re-entry services, identification documents, security systems, radios, sink-toilet modules, and trauma-informed care. Members asked about the timing and scope of the OCCC project, courtroom space in new facilities, and the department’s plan to use the funding to improve re-entry and reduce recidivism. The committee then heard from the Department of Law Enforcement on a wide range of priorities. The department described requests to expand agricultural crime enforcement, traffic enforcement, illegal fireworks enforcement, and facilities such as a police building at the DKI airport, a state training center, and new police facilities in central and Leeward Oahu. It also discussed a major IT request for a statewide law enforcement and critical infrastructure notification platform, plus funding for grants management, the Wahiawa Civic Center and court complex, the prescription monitoring program, narcotics enforcement operations, and the narcotics lab. A significant portion of the discussion focused on a proposed traffic enforcement program for commercial vehicle inspections, speeding, and DUI enforcement, which the department said would be funded with federal dollars and would operate concurrently with county police. Committee members questioned whether the effort duplicated county jurisdiction and how the program would be trained and staffed. Members also pressed the department on salary disparities for deputy sheriffs and related vacancies, and the department said the administration was working on a supplemental agreement and placeholder funding to address the issue. Additional discussion covered agricultural crime staffing, the Silver Alert program, and expansion of the forensic lab to handle explosives, firearms, and related evidence. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the meeting moved from the corrections presentation to the law enforcement budget review with questions and answers throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am working on some other language we can discuss at another time.
• It's just a language modification, reflective of the meetings we've had with the Department of Insurance
• Then we probably need to address that in the bill and continue working on the language.
• , that there were even issues with the ... interpretation and the language that was being conveyed to
• I know I talked a little bit about individuals not necessarily being first-language English speakers.

Bills: HB712, HB722, HB946, HB1687, HB1809, HB1899, HB2528, HB2583, HB2741, HB2750, HB3021, HB3150, HB3265, HB3658, HB3812, HB3960, HB4392, HB4432

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury

Transcript Highlights:

• R. 2853, a bill to combat organized crime involving the illegal acquisition of retail goods and cargo
• So the language asks what your sex is.
• So the language of the law doesn't suggest that those two things are different things.
• But we did in fact insert the language from Hank Johnson's office directly into this bill.
• We did, in fact, insert the language from Hank Johnson's office directly into this bill.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• language language >> under<00:58:30.559> establishment<00:58:31.359> of<00:58:32.079
• <01:38:52.639> and accommodate the taxation language and accommodate the taxation language
• whether or not you think the language whether or not you think the language that<01:43:11.360>
• <04:51:07.440> um around the that limiting language um around the that limiting language um
• government subsidies, land acquisitions government subsidies, land acquisitions as<06:13:23.680>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not really involved in the property acquisitions.
• In the property acquisitions, I think that's Parks and Wildlife instead of the federal reserves down

Summary: The committee heard testimony first from the Texas General Land Office and School Land Board. GLO officials described the agency’s role in managing more than 13 million acres of state lands and mineral interests for the Permanent School Fund, overseeing the Alamo, coastal programs, veterans’ services, and federal disaster recovery. They said the agency has generated about $6 billion for the Permanent School Fund since Commissioner Buckingham took office, and that its disaster recovery portfolio is about $14 billion across multiple events, with more than 22,000 housing units rebuilt or reconstructed since Hurricane Harvey. Members asked about land purchases such as Brewster Ranch, rare earth mineral leasing, SpaceX-related beach access, and whether the lands are public access lands; GLO staff said the holdings are managed to maximize revenue for education, that most land is leased rather than open to public access, and that they are coordinating on coastal access and compliance. On the School Land Board, members sought clarification on the difference between GLO-managed lands and the Permanent School Fund Corporation’s investment role, and staff explained that GLO generates the revenue while the separate corporation invests it. No votes or formal actions were taken. The Board for Lease of University Lands then testified. University Lands officials explained that they steward 2.1 million acres of surface and mineral interests in West Texas for the Permanent University Fund, which supports UT and Texas A&M institutions. They said a 2025 lease sale produced about $50 million in bonus revenue from 28,000 acres, and described the Board for Lease’s role in approving lease forms, lease sales, and development agreements. Members asked about the size and use of the PUF, how distributions work through UTIMCO, whether PUF money can be used for athletics, and how the land is managed; the witness said the fund is a constitutional endowment, the land is largely leased rather than sold, and distributions are generally used for buildings, labs, and other permanent structures, with some institutions also using a portion for operations. No votes or formal actions were taken. The committee then took up municipal utility districts. Testimony from a law firm, the Texas Municipal League, Fort Bend County Commissioner Vincent Morales, and Johnson Development largely supported MUDs as a financing tool for infrastructure tied to growth. Witnesses said MUDs help fund water, sewer, drainage, roads, parks, and related infrastructure, allowing development to proceed without shifting costs to existing taxpayers and helping keep housing affordable. They emphasized that MUDs are created with disclosure to homebuyers, are subject to the Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act, and are overseen by TCEQ for bond issuance and related financial stress tests. Members questioned whether MUDs are taxing entities, whether they can be created inside city limits or ETJs, how much control cities and counties retain, and whether MUDs are becoming permanent local governments; witnesses acknowledged they levy taxes and debt, can exist within city limits with city consent, and often function as long-term local entities. The committee did not take any formal action during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we saw, I'll just mention, in San Angelo we saw pretty significant acquisition of facilities, or merger
• I mean, you're only looking at acquisition costs; you're not looking at the effective cost.
• The committee report language said that the program was intended to allow safety net providers to stretch
• Okay, neuro-restorative and self-state director and speech-language pathologist, is that correct?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is statutory language. It's not partisan rhetoric.
• which are really charged with that body of work, is primarily due to the increased cost of crude acquisition
• So will there be language on those accountability mechanisms?
• Yes, staff proposed language in January.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Environmental Quality Committee and Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 held a joint hearing on CARB’s proposed amendments to the cap-and-invest regulations. Opening remarks from senators emphasized the 2025 reauthorization of the program through AB 1207 and SB 840, and focused on whether CARB’s April revisions faithfully implement legislative intent while balancing climate ambition, affordability, leakage prevention, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). Several senators raised concerns that the proposal could reduce GGRF revenues, weaken funding for transit, affordable housing, wildfire prevention, drinking water, and other community programs, and shift too much support toward industry. Others stressed the need to protect businesses and consumers from higher costs and to avoid leakage and refinery closures. Senator Cortese’s statement, read into the record, warned that the proposal could jeopardize transportation funding commitments. CARB Chair Lauren Sanchez said the amendments respond to legislative direction and public comment, and described four main changes: increased electric bill credits, a larger manufacturing decarbonization incentive (MDI), additional compliance support for industry, and removal of post-2030 allowance allocations from the current rulemaking. She said the proposal keeps the cap aligned with 2030 and 2045 targets, maintains affordability protections, and is intended to reduce emissions while minimizing leakage and supporting in-state jobs. CARB staff also said the MDI would have guardrails, require applications and reporting, and be tied to emissions-reducing facility upgrades. The Department of Finance explained that GGRF revenue estimates are highly uncertain and are updated periodically based on auction data. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the amendments are significant and could materially affect environmental ambition, industry support, utility credits, and GGRF revenues. LAO highlighted that the MDI could add allowances above the cap, potentially reducing certainty that 2030 targets will be met, and noted that the proposal appears to shift more allowances to industry and fewer to GGRF than current regulations. LAO also said the proposed GGRF estimate of about $8 billion through the decade could be insufficient to fully fund lower-priority tiers of programs. In questioning, senators pressed CARB on whether the proposal would raise consumer costs, whether free allowances or MDI funds would actually lower prices at the pump, how leakage is measured, and whether the Legislature’s budget assumptions would need to be revised before final action. No votes were taken during the hearing; the discussion was informational and focused on questioning CARB and fiscal staff ahead of the board’s planned May 28 consideration of the amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• specialty services we offer at the hospital are occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language
• That value is about $30 million, but It is bound by statute and in the language that I can only use that
• So, there's also pieces of legislation there to get us to more plain language. Name them.
• forward and we're looking at some of the grant writings that can can ins incentivize training and acquisition

Keywords: 914, all