Transcript Highlights:

• The latest Minnesota mortality statistics support the addition of this text.
• The latest Minnesota mortality statistics support the addition of this text.
• The Minnesota State High School League board reviews all aspects of the league's budget and from the
• </c><00:57:13.119><c> the</c> Fortunately, is important to review the Fortunately, is important to review
• I'm also going to recognize that in reviewing our Minnesota student survey reports taken by our fifth

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're still under federal review, as you've heard today.
• My intention is... is to review the testimony.
• Do you suspect that after you have reviewed...
• That the chair will be reviewing. Sure, Dean Thompson, good question.
• I'll take that under advisement and review that tomorrow. Thank you.

Committee: House Congressional Redistricting, Select

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That was a major factor that was identified when the tree mortality crisis came to light.
• I'm reviewing and I appreciate the issue brief that was submitted by Milliman.
• A recent study by the nonprofit Insurance for Good provides an independent review of that recent data

Committee: Senate Insurance

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 124 by Senator Talbot, relative to peer review records, provides relative to records of health
• He was mortally wounded by enemy fire in a subsequent explosive-device incident while his unit was clearing
• It's been reviewed and approved by the district council and by the local parish police jury.

Bills: HR153 , HR154 , HR155 , HR156 , HR157 , HR158 , HCR57 , HCR58 , HCR59 , HR133 , HR134 , HR135 , HR136 , HR137 , HR138 , HR139 , HR140 , HR141 , HR142 , HR144 , HR145 , HR146 , HR147 , HR148 , HR149 , HR150 , HR151 , HR152 , SCR28 , SB141 , SB169 , SB206 , SB233 , SB417 , SB421 , SB429 , SB437 , SB477 , SB510 , SB521 , HR1 , HR17 , HCR5 , HB55 , HB385 , HB394 , HB396 , HB406 , HB608 , HB622 , HB676 , HB772 , HB897 , HB902 , HB943 , HB1030 , HB1035 , HB1038 , HB1045 , HB1049 , HB1056 , HB1058 , HB1059 , HB1092 , HB1100 , HB1117 , HB1160 , HB1161 , HB1162 , HB1177 , HB1180 , HB1189 , HB1216 , HB1239 , HB1240 , SB127 , HB284 , HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB312 , HB313 , HB383 , HB314 , HCR3 , HB983 , HB1126 , HB21 , HB24 , HB29 , HB31 , HB39 , HB45 , HB77 , HB136 , HB150 , HB263 , HB273 , HB299 , HB315 , HB376 , HB377 , HB431 , HB444 , HB450 , HB519 , HB533 , HB538 , HB559 , HB562 , HB663 , HB664 , HB715 , HB717 , HB805 , HB822 , HB823 , HB834 , HB864 , HB867 , HB1017 , HB1018 , HB1068 , HB1134 , HB1137 , HB1234 , HB1235 , HB1236 , HB211 , HB27 , HB71 , HB214 , HB225 , HB241 , HB244 , HB306 , HB345 , HB366 , HB446 , HB511 , HB514 , HB655 , HB730 , HB743 , HB1027 , HB1037 , HB1043 , HB1082 , HB1091 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1175 , HB1230 , HB1237 , HB1238 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , HB401 , HB51 , HB58 , HB140 , HB982 , HB1010 , HB132 , HB193 , HB635 , HB690 , HB1003 , HB750 , HB911 , HB151 , HB180 , HB192 , HB310 , HB961 , HB1146 , HB977 , HB181 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB9 , HB393 , HB459 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB615 , HB682 , HB733 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1113

Keywords: commendation, robotics, high school, competition, education, Tomato Festival, community celebration, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, fundraising, local heritage, Holocaust, remembrance, Yom HaShoah, Jewish history, condolences, community service, law enforcement, legacy, Shreveport, D.A.R.E. Program

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened in prayer, and led the pledge. The bulk of the early portion of the meeting consisted of personal privileges and recognitions, including ARC Appreciation Day, Teach for America, Film Louisiana, the Child Care Association of Louisiana, Textron Systems, Iberville Parish Day, AARP Louisiana Family Caregiver Day, and several visiting groups and honorees. The chamber also received Senate messages, enrolled and introduced resolutions, and referred a number of Senate bills to committee. The House then took up a long series of bills, many of them local or technical measures, with most passing by wide margins. Among the bills adopted were measures on municipal and teachers’ retirement systems, retired clerk insurance funds, fire and police civil service, a local Cameron Parish insurance program, specialty courts, jury bond filing by paper check, non-compete limits for interns and apprentices, a memorial bridge naming for Lance Cpl. Justin D. McLeese, veteran points in civil service exams, provisional fire/police appointments, special masters in complex litigation, judicial and court-cost funding measures, aerial applicator safety rules, cell-cultured food labeling, wine and spirits container standards, nonprofit eligibility to appoint economic development commissioners, a homeless diversion pilot program in Orleans, animal shelter standards, a Fort Oge police chief appointment change, retirement benefit calculations for divorced firefighters, an alcohol-permit moratorium in Shreveport, waste-collection contract renewal authority, and a backdrop retirement option for certain judges. There was one notable defeat: House Bill 444, which would have added legislative seats to the East Baton Rouge Recreation and Park Commission, failed on a 37-49 vote after debate over whether legislators should appoint themselves to the board and whether the proposal had adequate stakeholder support. House Bill 284 on expropriation also failed earlier by a 48-47 vote and was returned to the calendar. Several other measures were temporarily returned to the calendar or held over, and some bills were referred or received amendments before final passage. Most final votes were unanimous or near-unanimous, and the House repeatedly adopted titles and motions to table after passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, while the state has done great work to lower maternal mortality as a whole, our Black mothers

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the session on floor recognitions. Members welcomed the Far West Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and honored its leadership and civic service, including wildfire recovery work and local chapter anniversaries. The body also recognized the 2026 Latino Spirit Award honorees, with remarks tied to Cinco de Mayo and Latino resilience, followed by a series of resolutions and guest introductions. Several resolutions were adopted, including SR 86 on Cinco de Mayo Week, SCR 146 declaring May Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, SCR 154 establishing Green Star Veterans and Families Day, SCR 123 recognizing California Peace Officers Memorial Day, SCR 164 designating Black Health Equity Advocacy Week, and SCR 103 on Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. Testimony and remarks emphasized cultural heritage, shared struggles for justice, veterans’ mental health and suicide prevention, law enforcement sacrifice, and persistent racial health disparities. Most resolutions passed by unanimous roll call votes. The Senate also confirmed multiple Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation appointments, including Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, Jason Johnson, Madeline McLean, Brian Bishop, and Sarah Larson. Senators Grove and others voiced protest over CDCR appointments, arguing for consideration of Frank Silva, but the confirmations still passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. The chamber then approved several bills, including SB 1159 on artificial intelligence and public meetings, SB 1416 shortening refund timelines for duplicate medical/dental payments, SB 1273 expanding tied-house advertising rules for winery instructional events, SB 941 limiting commissary markups in private detention facilities, SB 1099 clarifying local authority to provide public benefits, SB 1195 expanding tied-house exemptions for certain venues, and SB 990 allowing a highway information sign near Ridgecrest. The session concluded with adjournment memories for labor leader and UCLA Labor Center director Kent Wong and recognition of his family and colleagues.

Transcript Highlights:

• have an experience that we do every five years, which we just have, take a look at the experience, mortality

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The committee met in executive session first and took up House Bill 3239, adopting a Hurlbert amendment that capped the program at $4 million and then adopting the House Committee Substitute. The substitute bill passed 11-7. The committee then combined House Bill 2913 and House Bill 3228 into one substitute; members discussed that it would not cover student teachers and was intended to start with the current scope and broaden later. The combined substitute passed unanimously, 19-0. In open session, the committee heard House Bill 2195, which would create a Missouri Integrated Safe Driving Program to let DESE vet and distribute safe-driving lesson materials for voluntary use in existing courses starting in 2027-2028. Sponsor Representative Reedy said the bill is intended to improve teen driver safety without a fiscal note. Supporters included AAA Missouri, traffic-safety and motorcycle groups, MoDOT, and the Missouri Insurance Coalition, who cited teen crash and fatality data, the benefits of formal driver education, and the need to address distracted driving, traffic stops, and motorcycle awareness. No one testified in opposition. The committee also heard House Bill 2502, which would clarify how records from closed nonpublic schools and charter schools are transferred and stored so students can later obtain transcripts and graduation records. The sponsor said the bill responds to missing records from closed schools and would direct records to the appropriate public district; a technical correction was noted to avoid including homeschool records. Missouri NEA supported the bill and suggested charter-school performance contracts include compliance expectations. The committee then heard House Bill 2396, which would allow retired teachers to return to PSRS-covered teaching jobs without a time limit, similar to existing critical-shortage provisions. The sponsor argued it would help districts, especially smaller ones, and could benefit teachers and students without harming the retirement system. PSRS/PEERS testified that the bill could raise contribution rates by an estimated 1.44% to 2.45% and raised concerns about behavior changes and IRS qualification issues; Missouri NEA and the Missouri State Teachers Association opposed the bill, saying it would not solve recruitment and retention problems and could damage the retirement system. The Missouri Retired Teachers Association testified for informational purposes, warning that the bill could prompt many eligible teachers to retire sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• We just take a look at the experience, mortality rates, payroll, right, of legislation that gets passed

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're getting to an age where mortality increases quite a lot, so that combined with millennials having

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census, chaired by Senator Will Brownsberger with Senator Liz Miranda and other members participating, held a hearing on mid-decade population estimates and projections for Massachusetts. Susan Strait of the UMass Donahue Institute presented the latest Census Bureau estimates and explained the main components of population change: births, deaths, domestic migration, and international migration. She said Massachusetts has continued to grow, but much more slowly than in the immediate post-2020 period, largely because net international migration has fallen sharply after a pandemic-era surge. She also reviewed fertility and aging trends, noting that births are concentrated among women in their 30s, that the state’s population is aging, and that the share of residents 65 and older is projected to rise substantially, increasing the dependency ratio. Strait and committee members discussed the role of immigration in Massachusetts’ population growth, the concentration of immigrants in Greater Boston and other regions, and the effect of immigration on births and the labor force. They also discussed domestic out-migration, especially among young adults, and the possibility that housing affordability is a major driver. Senators raised questions about how the Census counts people in group quarters such as prisons and dormitories, and Strait explained that the Census counts incarcerated people where they are housed and generally does not treat dormitory residents as migrants in the same way as household residents. She said the Census Bureau is still working on methodological issues such as extending a “college fix” to more areas. Jesse Partridge Guerrero of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council described how MAPC uses Donahue Institute population projections, household headship rates, and UrbanSim to allocate projected households down to regional, municipal, and sub-municipal levels. He said the projections used for MassDOT’s long-range transportation plan anticipated slower statewide growth and regional decline in the Cape and parts of western and central Massachusetts. Tim Reardon of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities then explained how those projections feed into the statewide housing plan, including three population scenarios and associated housing needs. He said the plan estimates a need for about 115,000 homes to address existing shortages and another 73,000 households even under a low-growth scenario, with total housing needs rising to roughly 222,000 units under the middle scenario and 262,000 under the high scenario. Members pressed him on whether the scenarios may understate future need given the recent drop in immigration and ongoing affordability problems, and he said the state is also pursuing housing production, rental assistance, shelter response, seasonal conversion prevention, and infrastructure support for communities. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The board has reviewed and endorsed both the amendment and the adjustment. Thank you, Mr.
• The systems in place to provide these protections are consistently audited and reviewed.
• The House added language to ensure that appraisal review boards may not prohibit.
• The Sunset Commission will conduct a limited scope review of the lottery program.
• Senate Bill 974 allows teachers to serve on a Appraisal review boards.

Bills: SJR27 , SB7 , SB27 , SB57 , SB66 , SB140 , SB293 , SB413 , SB437 , SB467 , SB506 , SB510 , SB512 , SB571 , SB710 , SB785 , SB800 , SB850 , SB863 , SB865 , SB904 , SB905 , SB973 , SB974 , SB1191 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1494 , SB1504 , SB1522 , SB1567 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1723 , SB1760 , SB1838 , SB1923 , SB1946 , SB1957 , SB1964 , SB2121 , SB2167 , SB2221 , SB2321 , SB2368 , SB2373 , SB2407 , SB2431 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2615 , SB2807 , SB2965 , SB2986 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3070 , SB1 , SB8 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB21 , SB30 , SB37 , SB260 , SB268 , SB331 , SB379 , SB441 , SB447 , SB457 , SB509 , SB568 , SB650 , SB763 , SB1198 , SB1405 , SB1506 , SB1540 , SB1566 , SB1610 , SB1637 , SB1660 , SB1833 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2155 , SB2217 , SB2308 , SB2337 , SB2601 , SB2753 , SB2778 , SB2878 , SB2900 , SB2972 , SB3059 , HB4 , HB145 , HB300 , HB493 , HB2011 , HB2067 , HB2516 , HB2525 , HB2885 , HB2974 , HB3071 , HB3372 , HB3556 , HB3595 , HB5138 , HB5246 , HB40 , HB46 , HB119 , HB705 , HB1545 , HB2017 , HB2963 , HB3642 , HB3909 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HB796 , HB1523 , HB5294 , HB748 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB3171 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB5694 , HB1135 , HB3225 , HB186 , HB1449 , HB3793 , HB112 , HB104 , HB3336 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB5663 , HB2399 , HB111 , HB3483 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB632 , HB4730 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB3385 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB123 , HB5606 , HB1057 , HB3664 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59 , SR695 , SCR54 , HCR153 , HCR166 , HCR168 , SJR27 , SB7 , SB57 , SB66 , SB140 , SB293 , SB413 , SB437 , SB467 , SB506 , SB510 , SB512 , SB571 , SB710 , SB785 , SB800 , SB850 , SB863 , SB865 , SB904 , SB905 , SB973 , SB974 , SB1191 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1504 , SB1522 , SB1567 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1723 , SB1760 , SB1838 , SB1923 , SB1946 , SB1957 , SB1964 , SB2167 , SB2221 , SB2321 , SB2368 , SB2407 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2615 , SB2807 , SB2965 , SB2986 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3070 , HB40 , HB119 , HB705 , HB1545 , HB2017 , HB2963 , HB3642 , HB3909 , SB17 , SB21 , SB509 , SB1198 , SB1506 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB2601 , SB2778 , HB300 , HB2011

Keywords: judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, constitutional amendment, water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, school safety, emergency operations plan, multihazard plan, mandatory drill, disaster preparedness, emergency response, students with disabilities, impairments, special education, Section 504

Bills: SJR27 , SB7 , SB27 , SB57 , SB66 , SB140 , SB293 , SB413 , SB437 , SB467 , SB506 , SB510 , SB512 , SB571 , SB710 , SB785 , SB800 , SB850 , SB863 , SB865 , SB904 , SB905 , SB973 , SB974 , SB1191 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1494 , SB1504 , SB1522 , SB1567 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1723 , SB1760 , SB1838 , SB1923 , SB1946 , SB1957 , SB1964 , SB2121 , SB2167 , SB2221 , SB2321 , SB2368 , SB2373 , SB2407 , SB2431 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2615 , SB2807 , SB2965 , SB2986 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3070 , SB1 , SB8 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB21 , SB30 , SB37 , SB260 , SB268 , SB331 , SB379 , SB441 , SB447 , SB457 , SB509 , SB568 , SB650 , SB763 , SB1198 , SB1405 , SB1506 , SB1540 , SB1566 , SB1610 , SB1637 , SB1660 , SB1833 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2155 , SB2217 , SB2308 , SB2337 , SB2601 , SB2753 , SB2778 , SB2878 , SB2900 , SB2972 , SB3059 , HB4 , HB145 , HB300 , HB493 , HB2011 , HB2067 , HB2516 , HB2525 , HB2885 , HB2974 , HB3071 , HB3372 , HB3556 , HB3595 , HB5138 , HB5246 , HB40 , HB46 , HB119 , HB705 , HB1545 , HB2017 , HB2963 , HB3642 , HB3909 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HB796 , HB1523 , HB5294 , HB748 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB3171 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB5694 , HB1135 , HB3225 , HB186 , HB1449 , HB3793 , HB112 , HB104 , HB3336 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB5663 , HB2399 , HB111 , HB3483 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB632 , HB4730 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB3385 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB123 , HB5606 , HB1057 , HB3664 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59 , SR695 , SCR54 , HCR153 , HCR166 , HCR168 , SJR27 , SB7 , SB57 , SB66 , SB140 , SB293 , SB413 , SB437 , SB467 , SB506 , SB510 , SB512 , SB571 , SB710 , SB785 , SB800 , SB850 , SB863 , SB865 , SB904 , SB905 , SB973 , SB974 , SB1191 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1504 , SB1522 , SB1567 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1723 , SB1760 , SB1838 , SB1923 , SB1946 , SB1957 , SB1964 , SB2167 , SB2221 , SB2321 , SB2368 , SB2407 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2615 , SB2807 , SB2965 , SB2986 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3070 , HB40 , HB119 , HB705 , HB1545 , HB2017 , HB2963 , HB3642 , HB3909 , SB17 , SB21 , SB509 , SB1198 , SB1506 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB2601 , SB2778 , HB300 , HB2011

Keywords: judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, constitutional amendment, water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, school safety, emergency operations plan, multihazard plan, mandatory drill, disaster preparedness, emergency response, students with disabilities, impairments, special education, Section 504

Bills: SJR27 , SB7 , SB27 , SB57 , SB66 , SB140 , SB293 , SB413 , SB437 , SB467 , SB506 , SB510 , SB512 , SB571 , SB710 , SB785 , SB800 , SB850 , SB863 , SB865 , SB904 , SB905 , SB973 , SB974 , SB1191 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1494 , SB1504 , SB1522 , SB1567 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1723 , SB1760 , SB1838 , SB1923 , SB1946 , SB1957 , SB1964 , SB2121 , SB2167 , SB2221 , SB2321 , SB2368 , SB2373 , SB2407 , SB2431 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2615 , SB2807 , SB2965 , SB2986 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3070 , SB1 , SB8 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB21 , SB30 , SB37 , SB260 , SB268 , SB331 , SB379 , SB441 , SB447 , SB457 , SB509 , SB568 , SB650 , SB763 , SB1198 , SB1405 , SB1506 , SB1540 , SB1566 , SB1610 , SB1637 , SB1660 , SB1833 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2155 , SB2217 , SB2308 , SB2337 , SB2601 , SB2753 , SB2778 , SB2878 , SB2900 , SB2972 , SB3059 , HB4 , HB145 , HB300 , HB493 , HB2011 , HB2067 , HB2516 , HB2525 , HB2885 , HB2974 , HB3071 , HB3372 , HB3556 , HB3595 , HB5138 , HB5246 , HB40 , HB46 , HB119 , HB705 , HB1545 , HB2017 , HB2963 , HB3642 , HB3909 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HB796 , HB1523 , HB5294 , HB748 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB3171 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB5694 , HB1135 , HB3225 , HB186 , HB1449 , HB3793 , HB112 , HB104 , HB3336 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB5663 , HB2399 , HB111 , HB3483 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB632 , HB4730 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB3385 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB123 , HB5606 , HB1057 , HB3664 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59 , SR695 , SCR54 , HCR153 , HCR166 , HCR168 , SJR27 , SB7 , SB57 , SB66 , SB140 , SB293 , SB413 , SB437 , SB467 , SB506 , SB510 , SB512 , SB571 , SB710 , SB785 , SB800 , SB850 , SB863 , SB865 , SB904 , SB905 , SB973 , SB974 , SB1191 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1504 , SB1522 , SB1567 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1723 , SB1760 , SB1838 , SB1923 , SB1946 , SB1957 , SB1964 , SB2167 , SB2221 , SB2321 , SB2368 , SB2407 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2615 , SB2807 , SB2965 , SB2986 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3070 , HB40 , HB119 , HB705 , HB1545 , HB2017 , HB2963 , HB3642 , HB3909 , SB17 , SB21 , SB509 , SB1198 , SB1506 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB2601 , SB2778 , HB300 , HB2011

Keywords: judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, constitutional amendment, water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, school safety, emergency operations plan, multihazard plan, mandatory drill, disaster preparedness, emergency response, students with disabilities, impairments, special education, Section 504

Bills: SJR27 , SB7 , SB27 , SB57 , SB66 , SB140 , SB293 , SB413 , SB437 , SB467 , SB506 , SB510 , SB512 , SB571 , SB710 , SB785 , SB800 , SB850 , SB863 , SB865 , SB904 , SB905 , SB973 , SB974 , SB1191 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1494 , SB1504 , SB1522 , SB1567 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1723 , SB1760 , SB1838 , SB1923 , SB1946 , SB1957 , SB1964 , SB2121 , SB2167 , SB2221 , SB2321 , SB2368 , SB2373 , SB2407 , SB2431 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2615 , SB2807 , SB2965 , SB2986 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3070 , SB1 , SB8 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB21 , SB30 , SB37 , SB260 , SB268 , SB331 , SB379 , SB441 , SB447 , SB457 , SB509 , SB568 , SB650 , SB763 , SB1198 , SB1405 , SB1506 , SB1540 , SB1566 , SB1610 , SB1637 , SB1660 , SB1833 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2155 , SB2217 , SB2308 , SB2337 , SB2601 , SB2753 , SB2778 , SB2878 , SB2900 , SB2972 , SB3059 , HB4 , HB145 , HB300 , HB493 , HB2011 , HB2067 , HB2516 , HB2525 , HB2885 , HB2974 , HB3071 , HB3372 , HB3556 , HB3595 , HB5138 , HB5246 , HB40 , HB46 , HB119 , HB705 , HB1545 , HB2017 , HB2963 , HB3642 , HB3909 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HB796 , HB1523 , HB5294 , HB748 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB3171 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB5694 , HB1135 , HB3225 , HB186 , HB1449 , HB3793 , HB112 , HB104 , HB3336 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB5663 , HB2399 , HB111 , HB3483 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB632 , HB4730 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB3385 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB123 , HB5606 , HB1057 , HB3664 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59 , SR695 , SCR54 , HCR153 , HCR166 , HCR168 , SJR27 , SB7 , SB57 , SB66 , SB140 , SB293 , SB413 , SB437 , SB467 , SB506 , SB510 , SB512 , SB571 , SB710 , SB785 , SB800 , SB850 , SB863 , SB865 , SB904 , SB905 , SB973 , SB974 , SB1191 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1504 , SB1522 , SB1567 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1723 , SB1760 , SB1838 , SB1923 , SB1946 , SB1957 , SB1964 , SB2167 , SB2221 , SB2321 , SB2368 , SB2407 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2615 , SB2807 , SB2965 , SB2986 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3070 , HB40 , HB119 , HB705 , HB1545 , HB2017 , HB2963 , HB3642 , HB3909 , SB17 , SB21 , SB509 , SB1198 , SB1506 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB2601 , SB2778 , HB300 , HB2011

Keywords: judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, constitutional amendment, water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, school safety, emergency operations plan, multihazard plan, mandatory drill, disaster preparedness, emergency response, students with disabilities, impairments, special education, Section 504

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> dedicated to reducing maternal mortality dedicated to reducing maternal mortality and<01:38:30.480
• It is our responsibility to review every line item, even the small ones, because these costs add up.
• It is our<02:24:24.640><c> responsibility</c><02:24:25.359><c> to</c><02:24:25.680><c> review</c><02:
• But a wildfire does not wait for a multi-year environmental review.
• The flames do not pause for review.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• effective date of a prior act of the legislature; provide for the Division of Administration and review
• effective date of a prior act of the legislature; provide for the Division of Administration and review
• The State Fire Marshal's Office indicated that they could not review architectural plans for engineering
• So this bill basically adds a paragraph to revise statute 40, giving them that right to review those
• Parish; jurisdiction of City Court of Bunkie; jurisdiction in City Court of Marksville; appellate review

Bills: HR252 , HR253 , HR254 , HR255 , HR256 , HCR103 , HCR104 , HR244 , HR245 , HR246 , HR247 , HR248 , HR249 , HR250 , HR251 , HCR101 , HCR102 , SCR40 , SCR60 , SB112 , SB131 , SB145 , SB194 , SB268 , SB307 , SB312 , SB319 , SB333 , SB341 , SB346 , SB464 , SB466 , SB488 , SB495 , SB503 , SB507 , SB509 , HR9 , HR196 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR50 , HCR62 , HCR67 , HCR71 , HCR78 , HCR81 , SCR20 , HB123 , HB251 , HB625 , HB662 , HB709 , HB769 , HB775 , HB783 , HB895 , HB1011 , HB1057 , HB1155 , HB1186 , HB1224 , HB1245 , HB1247 , HB1253 , HB1254 , HB1255 , HB1256 , SB8 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB14 , SB16 , SB17 , SB18 , SB20 , SB21 , SB22 , SB40 , SB48 , SB55 , SB69 , SB75 , SB77 , SB78 , SB85 , SB102 , SB115 , SB133 , SB140 , SB148 , SB151 , SB165 , SB169 , SB170 , SB185 , SB197 , SB200 , SB217 , SB235 , SB278 , SB280 , SB291 , SB300 , SB303 , SB315 , SB324 , SB330 , SB411 , SB416 , SB420 , SB436 , SB438 , SB449 , SB455 , SB456 , SB477 , SB489 , SB521 , SB97 , SB105 , HR171 , HCR49 , HCR65 , HCR72 , HR37 , HCR64 , HR170 , HR191 , HR206 , HR207 , HR208 , HR217 , HCR11 , HCR53 , HCR60 , HCR66 , HCR68 , SCR19 , SCR3 , SCR6 , SCR18 , SCR11 , SCR22 , SCR2 , HCR6 , HB64 , HB68 , HB92 , HB130 , HB258 , HB633 , HB801 , HB61 , HB98 , HB102 , HB139 , HB142 , HB170 , HB185 , HB194 , HB199 , HB231 , HB247 , HB294 , HB336 , HB474 , HB661 , HB842 , HB852 , HB66 , HB153 , HB165 , HB326 , HB387 , HB455 , HB513 , HB603 , HB660 , HB719 , HB762 , HB766 , HB802 , HB816 , HB833 , HB940 , HB950 , HB975 , HB1028 , HB1039 , HB1051 , HB1053 , HB1080 , HB1201 , HB1215 , HB1228 , HB1251 , HB1252 , SB1 , SB23 , SB32 , SB42 , SB43 , SB46 , SB51 , SB110 , SB113 , SB150 , SB154 , SB161 , SB218 , SB220 , SB221 , SB253 , SB289 , SB310 , SB351 , SB399 , SB404 , SB502 , SB26 , SB28 , SB29 , SB30 , SB41 , SB44 , SB64 , SB84 , SB87 , SB93 , SB98 , SB107 , SB118 , SB142 , SB192 , SB195 , SB199 , SB219 , SB222 , SB234 , SB241 , SB255 , SB275 , SB277 , SB292 , SB294 , SB306 , SB314 , SB482 , HCR32 , HB798 , HB998 , HB1084 , HB1223 , HB59 , HB955 , HB1191 , HB1234 , HB646 , HB824 , HB341 , SB397 , SB442 , HB901 , HB79 , HR20 , HR74 , HB284 , HB306 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB682 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB911 , HB926 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , SB47 , SB82 , SB89 , SB149 , SB382

Keywords: consumer protection, credit card fees, cash transactions, rounding practices, transparency, low-income, economic impact, residential construction, building codes, inspection practices, housing costs, task force, HR254, House Resolution 254, Ty Hebert, Acadiana Legislative Delegation, Louisiana State University, LSU, graduation, commendation

Summary: The House met with a quorum, opened with prayer and the pledge, adopted the journal, and received a large number of Senate messages, committee reports, and bill referrals. Members also introduced several resolutions and recognized guests, including students from Allen Parish, federal appointees Brandon Beach and Paul Hollis, and other visitors. The chamber then moved through a lengthy agenda of House and Senate measures, with many bills and resolutions reported favorably, amended, or referred to committee. Among the notable floor actions, the House adopted H.R. 32 urging the Port of New Orleans to obtain backup motors for the St. Claude Avenue Bridge. It also passed bills on a wide range of topics, including local court and ordinance procedures for Alexandria, prohibiting reporting criminal fines and fees to credit bureaus, veterans’ lottery benefits, police chief residency in Tickfaw, fire marshal plan review authority, expanding the definition of first responder to include public works employees, NIL protections for student athletes, salary increases and additional positions for assistant district attorneys, limiting OMV debt referrals for unpaid reinstatement fees, watershed restoration and flood control funding, a sexual assault survivor task force, elderly consumer protection education, recreation of the Public Service Commission, Medicaid reimbursement for non-emergency medical transportation, local sales tax audit procedures, alcoholic beverage definitions for salons and similar businesses, transfer of removed monuments to state park property, hearing aid dealer regulation updates, a permit fee for small in-state distillers, expanded city court jurisdiction in Avoyelles Parish, and a narrowed version of the Alexandria administrative adjudication bill. Several measures were amended on the floor before passage, including the Alexandria ordinance bill, the sales tax audit bill, the alcohol/beverage bill, and the monument transfer bill. The House also temporarily returned some bills to the calendar for later consideration. Most measures passed overwhelmingly, though House Bill 153 on criminal court debt reporting passed with 67 yeas and 18 nays, House Bill 660 on assistant district attorney salaries passed 94-1, House Bill 719 on additional ADA positions passed 95-0, House Bill 883 on the sexual assault task force passed 86-2, House Bill 1028 on non-emergency medical transportation passed 81-15, and House Bill 1215 on monuments passed 78-14.

Transcript Highlights:

• effective date of a prior act of the legislature; provide for the Division of Administration and review
• H.R. 62, by Representative Domangue, to urge and request FEMA review Louisiana's floodplain maps and
• H.R. 71, by Representative Chassion, urges and requests the Department of Health to review and study
• All meals are prepared, served, or reviewed and approved by a licensed dietitian or nutritionist.
• All meals are prepared, served, or reviewed and approved by a licensed dietitian or nutritionist.

Bills: HR252 , HR253 , HR254 , HR255 , HR256 , HCR103 , HCR104 , HR244 , HR245 , HR246 , HR247 , HR248 , HR249 , HR250 , HR251 , HCR101 , HCR102 , SCR40 , SCR60 , SB112 , SB131 , SB145 , SB194 , SB268 , SB307 , SB312 , SB319 , SB333 , SB341 , SB346 , SB464 , SB466 , SB488 , SB495 , SB503 , SB507 , SB509 , HR9 , HR196 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR50 , HCR62 , HCR67 , HCR71 , HCR78 , HCR81 , SCR20 , HB123 , HB251 , HB625 , HB662 , HB709 , HB769 , HB775 , HB783 , HB895 , HB1011 , HB1057 , HB1155 , HB1186 , HB1224 , HB1245 , HB1247 , HB1253 , HB1254 , HB1255 , HB1256 , SB8 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB14 , SB16 , SB17 , SB18 , SB20 , SB21 , SB22 , SB40 , SB48 , SB55 , SB69 , SB75 , SB77 , SB78 , SB85 , SB102 , SB115 , SB133 , SB140 , SB148 , SB151 , SB165 , SB169 , SB170 , SB185 , SB197 , SB200 , SB217 , SB235 , SB278 , SB280 , SB291 , SB300 , SB303 , SB315 , SB324 , SB330 , SB411 , SB416 , SB420 , SB436 , SB438 , SB449 , SB455 , SB456 , SB477 , SB489 , SB521 , SB97 , SB105 , HR171 , HCR49 , HCR65 , HCR72 , HR37 , HCR64 , HR170 , HR191 , HR206 , HR207 , HR208 , HR217 , HCR11 , HCR53 , HCR60 , HCR66 , HCR68 , SCR19 , SCR3 , SCR6 , SCR18 , SCR11 , SCR22 , SCR2 , HCR6 , HB64 , HB68 , HB92 , HB130 , HB258 , HB633 , HB801 , HB61 , HB98 , HB102 , HB139 , HB142 , HB170 , HB185 , HB194 , HB199 , HB231 , HB247 , HB294 , HB336 , HB474 , HB661 , HB842 , HB852 , HB66 , HB153 , HB165 , HB326 , HB387 , HB455 , HB513 , HB603 , HB660 , HB719 , HB762 , HB766 , HB802 , HB816 , HB833 , HB940 , HB950 , HB975 , HB1028 , HB1039 , HB1051 , HB1053 , HB1080 , HB1201 , HB1215 , HB1228 , HB1251 , HB1252 , SB1 , SB23 , SB32 , SB42 , SB43 , SB46 , SB51 , SB110 , SB113 , SB150 , SB154 , SB161 , SB218 , SB220 , SB221 , SB253 , SB289 , SB310 , SB351 , SB399 , SB404 , SB502 , SB26 , SB28 , SB29 , SB30 , SB41 , SB44 , SB64 , SB84 , SB87 , SB93 , SB98 , SB107 , SB118 , SB142 , SB192 , SB195 , SB199 , SB219 , SB222 , SB234 , SB241 , SB255 , SB275 , SB277 , SB292 , SB294 , SB306 , SB314 , SB482 , HCR32 , HB798 , HB998 , HB1084 , HB1223 , HB59 , HB955 , HB1191 , HB1234 , HB646 , HB824 , HB341 , SB397 , SB442 , HB901 , HB79 , HR20 , HR74 , HB284 , HB306 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB682 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB911 , HB926 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , SB47 , SB82 , SB89 , SB149 , SB382

Keywords: consumer protection, credit card fees, cash transactions, rounding practices, transparency, low-income, economic impact, residential construction, building codes, inspection practices, housing costs, task force, HR254, House Resolution 254, Ty Hebert, Acadiana Legislative Delegation, Louisiana State University, LSU, graduation, commendation

Transcript Highlights:

• selected cases for the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee.
• Each session this is done to make clear which agencies the legislature will review during the interim
• For the next biennium, Sunset's review schedule accounts for over a third of the state's budget and over
• of the Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board are also on the review schedule.
• It changes the sunset review date by one year to 2033.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, heard the invocation and pledges, and then took up a series of memorial resolutions and recognitions. Members adopted memorial resolutions honoring former President Jimmy Carter and Dr. Alice Gail Hudgens, with remarks highlighting their public service and community impact, and adopted resolutions recognizing Victoria College’s 100th anniversary and May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. The chamber also recognized Texas A&M system interns and later granted permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. The House then moved through a long third-reading calendar, passing a number of bills on wide margins. Measures approved included SB 304 on municipal court jurisdiction over nuisance abatement ordinances, SB 608 on reporting evidence collection kits, SB 2312 creating a Texas Advisory Committee on Geopolitical Conflict, SB 494 creating a petroleum theft task force, SB 530 on postsecondary accreditation, HB 45 giving the Attorney General a role in prosecuting human trafficking cases, HB 35 on peer support for first responders, HB 47 and HB 3073 on sexual assault policy and prosecution, HB 318 and HB 3000 creating rural sheriff and ambulance grant programs, HB 554 on Juneteenth fireworks sales with county opt-in authority restored, HB 705 and HB 932 joining licensure compacts for cosmetology and occupational therapy, HB 849 allowing county park boards to meet by video conference, HB 1119 on mental health bed reporting, HB 3041 on students with nontraditional secondary education, HB 713 on maternal mortality review reporting, HB 3104 on Webb County bailiff appointments, HB 3970 on electricity planning for large loads, HB 4042 on Railroad Commission safety provisions for gas distribution pipelines, HB 4490 protecting next-of-kin information, HB 1731 on the physician assistant compact, HB 2607 on Walker County Hospital District governance, HB 3689 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association funding, HB 1788 on continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists about abuse and trafficking, HB 1612 on hospital direct payments for uninsured patients, and HB 138 on health impact cost and coverage analysis. Several bills drew extended debate or amendments. HB 353, creating a trespass offense near schools and daycares, prompted questions about constitutional concerns and property rights before passing. HB 3211 on optometrists in managed care plans received a perfecting amendment and a Medicaid-related amendment setting a minimum payment level. HB 1056 on gold and silver specie and a state-based currency prompted detailed questioning about its mechanics and fees, followed by a point of order challenging the caption. The House also adopted or postponed a number of items, including postponing HB 2520 and HB 1359 until later in the calendar before later passing both, and laying several bills on the table subject to call. Many measures passed overwhelmingly, while a few, including HB 3326 on loan forgiveness for adjunct professors and HB 3237 on energy consumption goals, passed with narrower margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative: I've reviewed the bill and my understanding is that the only provision that will apply
• We look forward to reviewing that substitute.
• The Attorney General's Office would have 30 days to review the measure.
• I think we're hoping that the bureaucracy that reviews these things is going to be fair and just.
• But I think all those things are subject to a review, judicial review, if and to the extent the claimant

Bills: HB21 , HB211 , HB223

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: HB 21, Texas Tax Code, ad valorem tax, property tax, delinquent taxes, tax delinquency, penalty reduction, interest rate, split payment, installment payment, tax relief, county tax collector, taxing unit, property owner, tax collection, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax increase election, supermajority, 60 percent threshold

Transcript Highlights:

• Experiencing poverty in childhood negatively impacts health across the lifespan, increasing risks of infant mortality
• You mentioned earlier people testified about that they did a review where they had people call agencies

Bills: H5085 , H5286

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Keywords: poverty alleviation, family support, economic mobility, youth transition, financial education, matched savings, community programs, Department of Children and Families, DCF, child abuse investigation, child neglect, pediatrician, advanced practice registered nurse, medical misdiagnosis, rickets, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, vitamin D deficiency, bone fragility, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine being entrusted with the financial well-being of thousands of your neighbors, addressing risk, reviewing
• poverty and early childhood negatively impacts health across our lifespan, increasing risks of infant mortality

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on financial security, banking regulation, and payment-card fees. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg supported the Massachusetts baby bonds proposal (H. 48) and also endorsed bills on matched savings (H. 1158/S. 737) and retirement planning/Secure Choice (H. 1143/S. 722), arguing these measures would help address wealth inequality, build assets, and improve retirement readiness. Supporters of baby bonds included policy experts and health advocates from Children’s Health Watch and Boston Medical Center, who said early-life asset building could improve long-term economic and health outcomes for children in low-income families. AARP also urged passage of the retirement planning bill, citing the large share of private-sector workers without access to an employer retirement plan. Representative Donato testified for H. 1143, describing it as a voluntary retirement-savings opportunity for workers at small employers. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3933, concerning the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation, from former Bank Commissioner Mike Hanson, who defended the state’s full deposit insurance system for credit unions and savings institutions as a longstanding consumer-protection model. The Massachusetts Bankers Association raised concerns about the bill’s technical provisions and broader credit union/bank competitive issues, while the Cooperative Credit Union Association supported related legislation allowing modest compensation for credit union directors (S. 821/H. 1338) and flexibility for state financial institutions to grow through partnerships (S. 723). Bankers opposed those credit union bills, arguing they would upset a level playing field and blur long-standing distinctions between banks and credit unions. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1259/S. 688, which would prohibit card interchange fees on the tax and gratuity portions of restaurant transactions. Restaurant owners and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association testified in favor, saying the fees are a significant and growing expense, especially as most customers now pay by card; they argued the bills would save restaurants money without affecting state revenue. Credit union, banking, and payments-industry representatives opposed the bills, saying interchange helps fund fraud protection and payment infrastructure, that the proposal would create compliance burdens and likely litigation, and that it would mainly affect Massachusetts-chartered institutions while national banks could be preempted. Committee members noted that a commission on payment-card fees is being established and said the issue would be studied further. The hearing also included support for a separate bill on virtual credit cards for dental providers, with dentists saying automatic virtual-card payments impose hidden processing fees and fraud risks.

Transcript Highlights:

• what we're able to work on, which might normally not be justified as a funding priority by grants review
• astronomical when we hit it, and nobody's talking, but when we talk to y'all and ask questions, 80 to 90% mortality

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock