Transcript Highlights:

• So first I want to thank you all. for funding the tobacco prevention and control, for the funding for
• tobacco prevention and control.
• A recent study showed that university. hospital was able to save almost one million dollars by utilizing
• I'm here on behalf of the American Lung Association as well as the Texas Tobacco Control Code.
• It's because the decision-making and impulse-control parts of their brains aren't fully developed.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They deserve a message of hope, self-control, and the profound benefits of waiting.
• We'll also prohibit a PBM, health plan, or insurer, or affiliated entity from requiring utilization of
• We do not control claims.
• costs where possible, and resolve utilization issues when they arise.
• This creates a system where those without control over the data are held responsible for reporting it

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 331 by Sen. Menjivar, which would require large-group health plans to cover hearing aids for children. The author and supporters described the bill as a long-running effort to address a developmental emergency and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families, while opponents were absent. Testimony from parents, advocates, medical experts, and organizations emphasized the importance of early access to hearing aids; committee members voiced strong support, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, with several members requesting to be added as coauthors. The committee then heard SB 608, also by Sen. Menjivar, to expand access to condoms in school-based health centers and related settings and to prevent barriers such as ID checks. Supporters, including students and school health advocates, argued the bill would improve sexual health and reduce stigma, while opponents from family and faith groups argued it would undermine parental authority and normalize early sexual activity. The bill was supported by committee members and moved forward on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Next, SB 971 by Sen. Choi proposed community-based healthy aging partnerships for older adults, with testimony from the California Senior Legislature and supporters from aging and dementia organizations. The measure was described as voluntary and focused on connection, independence, and local collaboration; there was no opposition, and the committee moved it on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 869 by Sen. Weber Pierson, which would require warning icons and statements on chain restaurant menus for beverages with very high added sugar content. Supporters framed it as a transparency and public health measure, while restaurant and beverage industry representatives opposed it unless amended, citing cost and menu-space concerns; the bill was nevertheless moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations after a roll call vote, with some members voting no and the measure placed on call. The committee also considered SB 950 by Sen. Weber Pierson, aimed at ensuring timely coverage of FDA-approved, medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease on commercial plans. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient advocate, said the bill would reduce delays and barriers to care, while health plan representatives opposed it over step therapy and utilization-management concerns. Members discussed the limited treatment window and the need for early access, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. In addition, SB 490 by Sen. Umberg would set timelines for DHCS investigations of unlicensed sober living homes and allow counties to assist if the department cannot act in time; supporters from Anaheim and a patient-brokering survivor described serious abuse and oversight gaps, while county behavioral health representatives opposed the county role as an unfunded and potentially liability-creating burden. After discussion, the bill was also moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1037 by Sen. Weber Pierson on health insurance affordability and rate review, with supporters arguing it would tie premium increases more closely to affordability targets and public reporting; the transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:14.560> It mandate weakens our local control.
• It mandate weakens our local control.
• And I'm concerned that it also, I think, weakens local control actually.
• And uh there uh to utilize that funding.
• A utility probably would be the one that would apply for the grant funding.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:10 SB 11 Discussion 00:01:20 SB 11 Vote 00:05:00 SB 41 Discussion 00:5:43 SB 41 Vote 00:15:03 SB 59 Discussion 00:20:30 SB 59 Vote 00:28:15 SB 57 Discussion 00:29:40 SB 57 Vote 00:40:00 SB 125 Discussion 00:42:43 SB 125 Vote 00:50:53 SB 191 Discussion 00:53:19 SB 191 Vote 00:59:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 11, a proposal to create a matching-grant program for neighborhood storm shelters in rural Kentucky. Sponsor Steve Meredith and supporters from the Kentucky League of Cities and the City of Morgantown said the idea was to use FEMA-style funding to help residents who live far from community shelters, noting that in some rural counties it can take 30 to 45 minutes to reach a shelter during severe weather. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 11-0, with no nay votes. The committee then considered Senate Bill 41, which would require a ballot referendum whenever a taxing entity raises property taxes more than 4 percent, rather than relying on the current petition process. Sponsor Gary Boswell said the bill would give taxpayers more direct control and argued that local governments should simply avoid raising taxes above the threshold. Superintendents from Rockcastle and Casey counties opposed the bill, saying it would weaken local control, add election costs, delay budgets, and make it harder for school districts to keep up with inflation, insurance, transportation, and construction costs. After debate, the committee passed the bill 7-3 with favorable expression. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 59, which would add criminal penalties to KRS 65.013, the law barring public funds from being used to advocate for or against ballot questions. Sponsor Steve Rawlings said the measure was prompted by reports of school officials using public resources to oppose a 2024 ballot issue and argued the law needs real enforcement to protect taxpayers and election integrity. Members raised concerns about First Amendment issues and the bill’s gray areas, especially for public employees speaking on their own time; Rawlings said the substitute removed volunteer references, allowed balanced issue debates, and clarified that employees acting on their own time and resources would not be prohibited. The committee passed the bill 8-3 with favorable expression. The committee also began hearing Senate Bill 57, as substituted, from Senator Danny Carroll. The bill would create a nuclear-ready site readiness pilot program under the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority, with up to three projects receiving up to $25 million each to help cover early site permitting and related licensing costs. Carroll, along with witnesses from the UK Center for Applied Energy Research and the Public Service Commission, said the goal is to build a nuclear energy ecosystem in Kentucky, with safeguards including surety bonds, deadlines, and cost-recovery provisions. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Mecco Mangas Miller be presented to the full Senate for consideration as a member of the Gaming Control
• , I move that the Senate do hereby confirm the reappointment of Mecco Mangas Miller to the Gaming Control
• He’s done a good job on the control board, and I ask the Senate to support him as well. Thank you.
• Apportionment rules apply to attributed income from a controlled foreign corporation.
• Senate Bill 157, introduced by Senators Pope and Steinborn, an act relating to utilities, allowing for

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next measure is SB 2487, Senate Draft 1, House Draft 1, relating to the Public Utilities Commission.
• Next measure is SB 2487, Senate Draft 1, House Draft 1, relating to the Public Utilities Commission
• provision around a look back for the rate case purposes pursuant to an agreement with the Public Utilities
• agreement with the Public Utilities agreement with the Public Utilities Commission<00:17:07.959>
• , you know, particularly their control, you know, particularly natural<00:26:03.720> disasters,

Bills: SB2057, SB2109, SB2400, HB1752, SB2599, SB2930

Keywords: immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, detainer, ICE, federal immigration authorities, 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 U.S.C. 1373, 8 U.S.C. 1644, deportation, undocumented immigrants, noncitizen, migrant rights, local police cooperation, law enforcement cooperation, hold request, judicial warrant, probable cause, civil immigration enforcement, county police, state police

Summary: The committee first took up SB 148 on combat sports, but members said they had agreement only in principle and were waiting on a conference draft and money committee release, so the bill was rolled to the next day. HB 1810 on charitable solicitation was then described as regulating professional solicitors who sell donated non-perishable tangible property, including prompt payment, financial reporting, disclosure, and contract requirements; the committee adopted the conference draft and passed it unanimously. SB 2607 on landscape architects was also passed with a conference draft after members agreed to align licensure qualifications with the uniform standard used by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards. Later, HB 1642 on consumer protection and crypto kiosks was passed with amendments to ban the purchase of cryptocurrency through crypto kiosks, and SB 2396 on property was deferred because members said they were aligned on the policy but still needed to sort out enforcement, with the issue to be left to a task force. SB 2961 on insurance was deferred to the next day pending release, and SB 2471 on the powers of artificial persons was rolled to the next day while the House and Senate sought legal clarification to make the bill more defensible; members said they agreed on the goal of addressing dark money but wanted to avoid harming Hawaii or local companies. The committee then passed SB 3001 on artificial intelligence with amendments. The conference draft renamed the regulated systems as “AI companions,” narrowed and clarified the definition, required reasonable measures to prevent outputs encouraging serious bodily injury, increased disclosure frequency for minors, added a feature restriction to discourage disengagement, removed provisions the Senate viewed as too broad or insufficiently articulated, shifted annual reporting to the Department of Health’s Behavioral Health Administration, and removed civil penalties. Members also said the romantic-relationship language had been removed for now but could be revisited later. SB 2433 on condominiums was discussed but rolled to the next day because the House and Senate were still considering changes related to DCCA authority and condo-owner disputes, and HB 1897 on condominium alternative dispute resolution was deferred for the session because the Senate was not ready and time was running out. In the final portion, HB 1753 on social media data retention was passed with amendments setting limits on how long companies may retain user data, with exceptions such as domestic violence evidence. SB 1166 on insurance was rolled to the next day after discussion of historic weather damage and the need to avoid affecting ongoing litigation against oil companies; members noted they had received an AG opinion that the bill would not jeopardize that litigation. SB 2964 on property insurance was passed with a conference draft requiring insurers to periodically ask homeowners about significant improvements so coverage can be reassessed, and SB 3255 on currency was passed with a conference draft authorizing penny rounding to the nearest five cents, though one senator voted no because he preferred the Senate version that had included a separate cash-acceptance issue. The committee also discussed SB 2852 on website accessibility for people with disabilities as the next item, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:20.479> in invest large investor-owned utilities in invest large investor-owned utilities
• utility watchdog a national utility watchdog organization,<00:09:50.560> but<00:09:50.800>
• The current process requires the utility The current process requires the utility to<00:20:15.200
• provision of the utility service. provision of the utility service.
• over the utilities?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 76, as amended by the adopted A1 amendment, and the chair moved the bill to be re-referred to the general register. The bill would limit the amount investor-owned utilities can charge ratepayers for executive compensation, capping recoverable pay for the top 10 executives at the governor’s salary. Representative Greenman argued the measure would protect customers from paying for lavish executive pay and said it would not affect what executives are paid, only what can be recovered from ratepayers. She cited recent Public Utilities Commission action and ongoing rate cases as evidence the issue is real and recurring. Supportive testimony came from a Minneapolis resident describing financial hardship and rising utility bills, a local worker who said customers have no choice of utility provider and should not fund monopoly executive pay, and advocates from the Energy and Policy Institute and Utility Reform Now, who said ratepayers should not subsidize excessive compensation and that the bill is a targeted reform. Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy opposed the bill’s premise by defending the current regulatory process. Their representatives said the PUC already reviews executive compensation in rate cases, generally allows only limited recovery, and has used that process for decades. Xcel also emphasized its affordability programs and said executives help secure savings and investments for customers. Members discussed whether the legislature should set a bright-line rule or leave the issue to the PUC. Representative Greenman said the bill is needed because the PUC process can take years and the legislature should establish a clear standard for all investor-owned utilities. Some members supported the bill as a response to an affordability crisis and the lack of consumer choice, while others said the legislature should focus on broader energy-cost issues and existing regulatory tools. The committee did not take a final vote on the bill in the portion of the meeting provided, but the amendment was adopted and the bill was moved for re-referral to the general register.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think you used, I would say they don't have as much control as you would like them to have.
• , or people control, which is the market.
• This data is old, but it is an increase of both utilization, but more so in price.
• I'm not saying they always do that, but that is what they can control.
• But the federal government program, Medicare, we have no control over that at all.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE TWO BILLS TODAY, STARTING WITH TAB NUMBER ONE CS FOR SENATE BILL 88 ON UTILITY TERRAIN VEHICLES
• Wright: SENATE BILL 88 IS AIMED AT UTILITY VEHICLES ON THE STREET, UTVS ARE NOT PERMITTED FOR STREET
• WHICH HAS AT LEAST TWO SEATS ALLOWING PASSENGERS TO SIT IN A SIDE-BY-SIDE MATTER OPERATED BY FOOT CONTROLS
• THEY DON'T HANDLE PROPERLY ON PAVED ROADS AND INCREASED RISK FOR LOSING CONTROL AND CRASHING.
• BUT EVEN ON OUR UTILITY VEHICLE THEY ARE MUCH NARROWER THAN A TYPICAL MOTOR VEHICLE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They certainly look at infection control and pain management. I mentioned the facility, right?
• They certainly look at an infection<00:09:44.800> control,<00:09:45.680> uh<00:09:45.839
• <00:09:46.880> I infection control, uh pain management.
• I infection control, uh pain management.
• <00:51:54.559> Um relative to need or utilization. Um relative to need or utilization.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• last comment the lack of local control last comment the lack of local control because there I think
• we've already been local control we've already been local control we've already been referencing in
• cost and the lack of local control cost and the lack of local control because you know last year we
• the room you could talk can't control the room you could talk can't control the room you could talk
• their phones wrong to be able to utilize their phones wrong to be able to utilize their phones so uh

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the law requires the strategic plan that allows us to utilize some of our dollars to execute
• And then the law requires the strategic plans that allows us to utilize some of our dollars to execute
• If an officer walks into a home and sees a man in a rage, the instinct is to command and control.
• A command can feel like a threat and control can escalate a medical crisis into a tragedy.
• My brother Brett lost his life in 2021 in an adult day program because of his poor impulse control.

Bills: SCR58, SB309, SB514, HCR63, HCR69, HB401, HB487, HB722, HB730, HB745, HB988, HB989, HB1001, HB1024, HB1032, HB1050, HB1081, HB1086, HB1108, HB1172, HB1173, HB1175, HB1192, HB1218, HB1244

Keywords: SCR 58, Senate Concurrent Resolution, DOTD, Department of Transportation and Development, public-private partnership, P3, public-private partnership contracting, Belle Chasse Toll Bridge, Belle Chasse Bridge, toll bridge, tolling, tolls, transportation infrastructure, roads and highways, Plaquemines Parish, bridge project, toll fees, unauthorized charges, contract oversight, procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• I was concerned about how data was basically utilized by many agencies that we had no control over.
• that is used as a control.
• Placebo uh and so on and often control Placebo uh and so on and often control group<03:46:02.479>
• <04:03:08.359> clinical being the placebo controlled clinical being the placebo controlled
• against a place Placebo controlled against a place Placebo controlled clinical<04:05:46.399>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ride share is too easy to utilize, even if you yourself don't have the app on your phone.
• This is an important bill because it does have the solvency for the Air Pollution Control Board in it
• This again keeps the air pollution control program running without penalizing those companies that are
• It will cost our state a lot more if we lose the air pollution control program and compliance, and then
• I don't like the idea that we're taking our control through the budget process.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, the bill clarifies it is the duty of the HOA to repair and replace utility services to a common
• The city of Mountain View pointed out that our bill is leaving flexibility and preserving local control
• This bill helps support crop production to control costs and make produce more affordable while keeping
• Californians are feeling the squeeze of surging utility bills.
• Assembly Bill 2031 by Assembly Member of Pete you Norris and acculating the public utilities.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly met on May 7, 2026, after an initial delay due to lack of quorum, then proceeded through a long House of Origin deadline session focused mainly on floor votes for dozens of bills. The day opened with prayer, a moment of silence for victims of a hate-motivated shooting at an Islamic Center in San Diego, and a warning to visitors about disrupting proceedings. Leadership repeatedly urged members to be on time and at their desks as the chamber worked through a large daily file. The bills considered covered a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence, community college trustee compensation, transit camera enforcement and privacy, taxation and excess proceeds claims, HOA rules, hepatitis C treatment access, child care planning, greenhouse energy standards, consumer lending, housing and homelessness, pet spay/neuter access, local financing for workforce housing, student financial aid, DUI penalties, senior housing, foster youth, behavioral health licensing, transit stop data, disaster response for child welfare, elections notices, safe surrender for infants, college enrollment and leave policies, insurance regulation, fair funding, school safety, environmental labeling, cash rounding, park passes through libraries, grocery access, pregnancy protections in education, swatting, domestic violence protective orders, farmworker housing, juvenile justice, cervical cancer screening, Medi-Cal transitions, disability certification, and home protection products. Most authors described their bills as cleanup measures, consumer protections, access expansions, or targeted fixes to existing law. Testimony from authors and supporters emphasized access, safety, affordability, and administrative simplification, while a few bills drew policy concerns or opposition, especially AB 1751 on townhome development and labor standards. That bill prompted extended debate over wages, prevailing wage, and stakeholder engagement, but it ultimately passed. Other notable discussion included AB 1628 to extend California’s safe surrender window for infants, AB 1902 on juvenile detention extension hearings, and AB 1925 on permanent disability certification, each framed as addressing difficult real-world gaps in current systems. The chamber took many roll-call votes, with most measures passing overwhelmingly and several by unanimous or near-unanimous margins. A few bills were temporarily passed, retained on file, or moved to the inactive file, and AB 1534 required the call to be lifted and then passed on a 54-8 vote. Overall, the session was dominated by floor action on the daily file rather than committee reports or gubernatorial messages, and the Assembly advanced a large number of bills on a deadline day.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not, the Texas Constitution. does not give control or authority to transfer out anything from
• I am the Associate Deputy Controller for Tax Administration at the Controllers. office.
• That is the most effective way to control property taxes. Compression works.
• Well, it is a factor outside our control.
• So, you're talking about taking away local control?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• improves how Florida handles building permits and inspections without compromising safety or local control
• Up next, Kerry Hebrink again with the National Utility Contractors Association of Florida.
• And the idea of local control and redundancies, I appreciate the rhetoric.
• I have Kerry Haberink with the National Utility Contractors Association of Florida, a proponent.
• Local governments retain control and continue to approve or deny all applications.

Transcript Highlights:

• This action encouraged the opening up of a market that was under the control of regional accreditation
• By creating the commission, this bill empowers the state to take control. and prioritize student outcomes
• I realize part of this is to advertise in order to be able to utilize the loan.
• Ultimately, though, it puts us in control of our own higher education destiny.
• So I think at the end of the day, this is putting Texas in control of accrediting entities that. are

Bills: SB1998, SB646, SB2786, SB2076, SB2615, SB1961, SB1418, SB2647, SB1322, SB2788

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

Transcript Highlights:

• We already collect utility fees. We want to use those to self-fund.
• What can utilities do? What, if anything, do we need this body to do?
• It actually comes from the utilities or the pipeline operators themselves.
• The 13.7% change represents an increase in service utilization by state agencies.
• Then we have some more control and a little bit of oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh it seems to me that uh Animal Control uh it seems to me that uh Animal Control Officers<00:05
• Our law enforcement and Animal Control has access to our dogs.
• They don't have as much control.
• <04:12:07.560> says<04:12:08.239> it's<04:12:08.479> not Control says it's not Control
• Now, could I control that after they left the shelter? No.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training through the police standards system. Representative Barbara Coma, the sponsor, said the bill was prompted by problems in animal cruelty cases, especially in rural areas without animal control officers, and she described it as a limited training measure. She said an amendment was forthcoming that would add an eight-hour approved course and a two-hour refresher every three years, and she emphasized that the trained officers would serve as resources rather than being required to take action themselves. Members asked about cost, due process, overlap with animal control officers, how trained officers would be identified and notified, and whether veterinarians could fill the role. Coma responded that the bill would not be a heavy financial lift, would not interfere with animal control officers, would apply to livestock as well as companion animals, and would still require law enforcement involvement because veterinarians cannot lawfully remove animals from property. She also said the training could improve due process by helping officers better understand when animal removal is appropriate and how cases should proceed. Sheriff William Wright, speaking for the New Hampshire Sheriffs Association, testified in opposition. He said training itself was acceptable, but the bill went beyond training by creating an obligation for sheriffs and state police to respond to and potentially investigate animal cruelty cases, which he argued would be ambiguous, unfunded, and burdensome for staffing and resources. He said some sheriff’s offices do not have investigative deputies and that the bill could create liability and uncertainty about who would lead investigations. In response to questions, he said the association would likely have no objection if the bill were limited to training, but it opposed the assistance/investigation mandate as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a control that we have on this side. Thank you. There we go. Do we need to do a roll call?
• There's eligibility for animal control officers. We need to give direction to our staff here.
• You know, if they're... if animal control... I'll give you a good example.
• They generally have to... that's animal control.
• I think that has state control of the next month. Okay.

Keywords: 904, all