Transcript Highlights:

• The macro businesses will remain employees of those businesses.
• Hoffman, that is one of your most eloquent speeches. Mr.
• Hoffman, that is one of your most eloquent speeches. Mr.
• President, I will cut my speech short. I'm very disappointed in this bill. I urge a no vote.
• I didn't have a speech prepared. I wanted to mention that. Thank you. I am tired, I...

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, more than 100,000 DHS employees are working without pay.
• are</c><00:10:44.399><c> working</c> 100,000 DHS employees are working 100,000 DHS employees are working
• </c> including physical therapy, speech including physical therapy, speech therapy,<00:18:55.440><c>
• The Chair will entertain up to 15 requests for one-minute speeches on each side of the aisle.
• Now I entertain requests for one-minute speeches.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Speaker pro tempore: The Chair will entertain requests for one-minute speeches now.
• You have freedom of speech. It doesn't mean you beat people or mean you put cars on fire.
• The Speaker pro tempore: The House will now enter requests for one-minute speeches.
• The Speaker pro tempore: The House will now enter requests for one-minute speeches.
• The House will now entertain requests for one-minute speeches.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, June 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Failing to conduct or retain background records for hiring employees is a Class B misdemeanor.
• We want to make sure those are included as well, not just employees.
• Okay. ...checking backgrounds for the employees. Absolutely, yes.
• The employees, these employees that are not getting the background checks.
• The employees, these employees that are not getting the background checks?

Bills: HB18 , HB37 , HB116 , HB18 , HB37 , HB 116 , HB388 , HB879 , HB913 , HB 1151 , HB2216 , HB2358 , HB2809 , SB577 , SB1590 , SB1782 , SB1887 , SB2744

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Summary: The committee first reopened testimony on House Bill 2216, which would strengthen child welfare requirements by expanding “active efforts” to help families avoid removal and support reunification, while also raising standards related to removals and terminations. Supporters from child welfare and family defense groups said the bill would better protect families and align Texas more closely with ICWA-style principles, but several warned it would require significant new funding, staffing, and community services such as mental health care, housing, child care, and substance use treatment. The committee then left HB 2216 pending. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1782, aimed at boarding and group homes. Senator Miles said the bill closes enforcement gaps left by prior law by requiring retention of background-check records and creating misdemeanor penalties for failing to conduct or keep them, or for knowingly hiring people with serious convictions. Harris County sheriff’s investigators testified in support, describing illegal boarding homes, operators who evade permits and background checks, and exploitation of vulnerable residents; the bill was left pending. The committee also took up Senate Bill 481 on emergency preparedness for nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, adopted a new committee substitute that softened some requirements and removed the fiscal note, and left the bill pending. The committee then heard House Bill 388, which would require the Texas Department of Insurance to create a single standardized coordination-of-benefits form for dual health plans to reduce errors and surprise bills; it was left pending. Senate Bill 1590 would move paternity registry searches for adoptions to an electronic process with a 10-day target, and House Bill 2809 would track child suicide attempts in managing conservatorship and require related reporting and parental notice; both were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1887, which would prohibit administering mRNA-containing products for immunization for 10 years, with exceptions for cancer and genetic disorders. Supporters argued the bill was needed for safety, informed consent, and medical freedom, while opponents from the medical, research, and public health communities said mRNA vaccines are well-studied, save lives, and that the bill would harm access, research, and Texas’s biotech economy. The bill remained under discussion as testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• May you heed God's call to avoid lashon hara, hateful speech, as God teaches that such speech damages
• they should do is classify them as employees, not contractors.
• Further, while that W2 employees enjoy.
• But that employees, not contractors.
• </c> speech if I did know it. speech if I did know it.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Number four, it lacks clear, enforceable protections for free speech.
• Number five, it creates free speech.
• ><01:24:53.880><c> through</c><01:24:54.000><c> the</c> employees, but they go through the employees,
• We're going to note the blank appropriation and the blank full-time employees that they want.
• We're going to note the blank appropriation and the blank full-time employees that they want.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up gubernatorial message nominations. Margaret Jackson was heard for reappointment to the State Council on Mental Health, where she said her lived experience with family members facing schizophrenia, houselessness, and substance use issues motivates her service. Andrew Savaiano was heard for the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council and said he wanted to continue elevating youth voice and lived experience. Tao Yan was heard for the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants and emphasized the importance of wastewater treatment to public health and the environment. The Department of Health testified in support of the nominations, and the committee later adopted chair recommendations to advise and consent to all three nominations, noting Senator Favela’s excuse and no recorded objections. The committee then heard HB 1853 relating to dementia. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state agencies, advocacy groups, caregivers, and individuals with lived experience, including a person living with Alzheimer’s and his caregiver spouse, who described the value of early diagnosis and coordinated support. Supporters said the bill would expand memory care navigation and access, especially on neighbor islands and in rural areas, and help families connect to resources earlier. One member raised concerns about the cost and scale of the proposed program, asking about the number and cost of dementia specialists and noting broader budget pressures, but the bill remained under discussion with no final action shown in the transcript. The committee also heard HB 1591 relating to health care, which would expand the preceptor tax credit to additional health professions, including physician assistant students and PAs, with testimony in support from nursing, public health, medical, and provider organizations. Supporters argued the measure would help address workforce shortages and improve training opportunities for local and economically disadvantaged students. A committee member asked about the aggregate cost of the credit and whether the existing credit had been fully utilized; the chair noted the bill was being kept narrower than broader proposals because of fiscal concerns. The transcript then moved to HB 1961 relating to health care access near facilities, with supporters arguing it protects access to legal reproductive health care and opponents saying it is unnecessary, vague, and burdensome on free speech and protest activity. No final vote on the bills appears in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 188 makes changes to the Public Employees' Benefits Program and Board.
• Assembly Bill 388 entitles state employees of the executive branch and employees of private and local
• government employers with 50 or more employees in the state to 12 weeks of paid family leave after 90
• Assembly Bill 596 pays state employees with collective bargaining agreements. Any further remarks?
• President, I had my speaker button on that entire speech. Yes, they've called for the question.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to know if you know of Hawaii Pacific Health's employee give-back campaign.
• </c><00:36:34.240><c> give</c> Hawaii Pacific Health's employee give Hawaii Pacific Health's employee
• However, it is totally employees.
• </c><00:38:25.240><c> to</c> their employees to their employees to donate.<00:38:28.079><c> I</c><00:
• Brian Chen to the board of speech Brian Chen to the board of speech pathology<00:56:43.200><c> and</c

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard and considered multiple gubernatorial nominations, beginning with several appointments to the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund board. Testimony on the Hurricane Relief Fund nominees was overwhelmingly in support from the DCCA Insurance Division, Hawaii Insurance Council, Hawaii Insurers Council, the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, and various individuals and industry representatives. Nominees Michael Naka, Marie White, Raina Miamoto, Leslie Door, Edward Hike, and Gwen McDonald were discussed, with Miamoto and Hike offering brief remarks about the need to address hurricane insurance affordability, condo coverage, and the importance of attracting reinsurers. The committee spent substantial time questioning Hike about the fund’s strategy, including whether to keep eligibility broad in the first phase to move quickly into the reinsurance market, how much capital would be available, and whether later policy refinements such as owner-occupancy requirements could be added after an initial rollout. Hike said the fund intended to start with broad parameters to secure reinsurance and then consider more targeted changes later, and he indicated further responses to prior committee questions would be submitted later that day. No votes were taken during the excerpted discussion. The committee then moved to other nominations. Terresa Hernandez was considered for the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic, with support from the board, and she said chiropractic had been a passion for her for seven years. Terrence Aratani was considered for the Board of Nursing, with support from the Board of Nursing, Hawaii Primary Care Association, and others. During questioning, a senator raised concerns from constituents about a 2019 grant-related controversy involving a proposed resiliency hub project; Aratani responded that his organization had partnered on a grant-in-aid proposal, later withdrew when the project scope changed substantially, and said no money was transferred to the other group. Cheryl Schultz Hansen was also considered for the Board of Nursing and described her long nursing and teaching background, while a senator asked about alleged pressure on nurses to participate in employee give-back campaigns at Hawaii Pacific Health and the University of Hawaii; Hansen said the campaigns were voluntary and she was unaware of harassment, though she acknowledged managers may feel pressure to encourage participation. The excerpt ends before any final committee actions or votes on these nominations are announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• And by the way, your articulate speech has really kind of framed up one of the things that we want to
• Yes, she's one of our employees. Are you going to testify to a specific case?
• I was in speech and debate forensics.
• This speech is written by Jefferson Peyton.
• He had lots of employees, so I got to know them very well. He's been to my house multiple times.

Committee: Senate Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse

Summary: The Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse opened by explaining it was gathering testimony on elder abuse, especially alleged misconduct involving court-appointed systems such as guardians ad litem and fiduciaries, to identify gaps in law and oversight and develop legislative fixes. The chair limited each witness’s time, asked for names and contact information for follow-up, and repeatedly noted that some allegations might warrant referral to law enforcement, the attorney general, or county attorneys if basic criminal elements were present. Several witnesses described alleged abuse in guardianship, conservatorship, and fiduciary cases. Dr. Holly Lauder said her mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease, was subjected to allegedly deficient psychological capacity evaluations that ignored treating doctors and family input, leading to a fiduciary arrangement that later resulted in neglect. Kevin Axson described his mother’s probate case, saying a guardian ad litem and conservator were appointed after a family financial dispute, that the guardian ad litem and fiduciary had little contact with his mother, and that the estate was burdened with substantial fees and a $200,000 bond requirement. Frieda Alvarado testified about a 94-year-old client, Samuel Armento, saying he was isolated, medicated without his request, and treated without dignity after a fiduciary and care team took control. Bill Chalmers, Johnny Hamilton, and Kathy Hamilton also testified about Sam Armento’s case, alleging isolation, excessive fees, conflicts of interest, and poor oversight by fiduciaries and caregivers. Other witnesses raised broader concerns about Arizona probate practices. David Redkey said he has been under a long-running conservatorship despite earning degrees and maintaining capacity, and alleged that court-appointed professionals and fiduciaries overcharged his estate and blocked efforts to terminate the arrangement. Susan Wolfe described the Peyton case, alleging that a wife’s conservatorship and related court actions led to the loss of assets, exclusion of witnesses, and large fees for a relatively small monthly care bill. Dr. Lewis Heller, an OB-GYN and disciplinary committee member, said the medical evaluations he reviewed showed the people involved were competent and that the conduct he observed was unethical and possibly criminal. Renee Self testified that she lost her role as trustee and spent large sums defending her father’s estate, alleging that the probate process stripped her father of assets and limited her access to him despite APS findings that her actions were in his best interests. No formal committee votes or legislative actions were taken in the excerpt, but members repeatedly expressed concern, asked for documents and transcripts, and indicated they would follow up with witnesses and consider stakeholder meetings to craft legislation addressing oversight, transparency, and accountability in guardianship and fiduciary systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• And by the way, your articulate speech has really kind of framed up one of the things that we want to
• Yes, she's one of our employees. Yes. Are you going to testify to a specific case?
• I was in speech and debate, forensics.
• This speech is written by Jefferson Peyton.
• He had lots of employees, so I got to know them very well. He’s been to my house multiple times.

Committee: Senate Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• provide information relating to current adoption practices in the United States to students if an employee
• House Bill 2040 compels speech, overrides professional judgment, and risks confusing students instead
• public school or higher education institution may not take any adverse employment action against an employee
• education institution to revise any policies or procedures to enforce the prohibitions, ensure each employee
• and it's already been found by a district court in Texas to be viewpoint discrimination that chills speech

Bills: HB2040 , HB2142 , HB2255 , HB2379 , HB2482 , HB2575 , HB2600 , HB2764 , HB4033 , HCR2015

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: public education, adoption, sex education, parental rights, student health information, school safety, resource officers, mental health, training, infrastructure improvements, Arizona Teachers Academy, teacher preparation, education funding, public schools, scholarships, teacher certification, community colleges, school district, governing board, training requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• , the manager, who knew that I was a legislator, asked me to look at the document that these two employees
• And it struck me at that time that we need clarity in our law about what employees of a state agency
• can and cannot do. ...about what employees of a state agency can and cannot do, especially when they
• Also raises First Amendment and other Article I issues about free speech and expression. And, Mr.
• Speaker, these foundational rights, the foundational right to express yourself with speech, either verbal

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2219 , HB2245 , HB2283 , HB2343 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB2574 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2478 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1982 , HB2006 , HB2179 , HB2203 , HB2297 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2462 , HB2464 , HB2495 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2636 , HB2192 , HB2251 , HB2262 , HB2266 , HB2298 , HB2320 , HB2323 , HB2351 , HB2401 , HB2405 , HB2442 , HB2523 , HB2593 , HB2632 , HB2661 , HB1496 , HB1898 , HB2095 , HB2157 , HB2225 , HB2274 , HB2311 , HB2325 , HB2333 , HB2476 , HB2508 , HB2552 , HB1343 , HB1634 , HB1707 , HB1906 , HB1909 , HB2196 , HB2244 , HB2339 , HB2361 , HB2384 , HB2389 , HB2410 , HB2468 , HB2475 , HB2521 , HB2548 , HB2619 , HB2637 , HB2720

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House first took up House Bill 2156, which would expand the Attorney General’s investigative authority, especially for organized retail crime and related economic and financial crimes. Members debated a series of amendments on training standards, background checks, warrant service, scope limits, and definitions. Some amendments were adopted, including provisions clarifying electronic service of search warrants, background-check expectations, decertification standards, and a definition of economic and financial crimes; others were rejected or ruled out of scope. The bill was then amended, advanced, and passed 54-43. The House then considered several other measures. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2219 on child care operational efficiency passed overwhelmingly after amendments addressing opioid-related safety standards in licensed child care settings. House Bill 2124, adjusting the lump-sum retirement allowance threshold, passed unanimously. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266, dealing with permanent supportive housing, traditional housing, and indoor emergency shelters, was amended to add local notice, transparency, community meeting, and siting protections, then passed 56-40. The chamber also passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1784, which updates certified medical assistant supervision rules for diagnostic radiologic procedures, by 96-0. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2523, codifying the Community Reinvestment Program, passed 88-9 after amendments adding accountability and local-government provisions. House Bill 2113, clarifying supervision authority for diagnostic radiologic procedures in rural hospitals, passed 97-0. House Bill 2632, modernizing statutory terminology by replacing “alien” with “non-citizen,” passed 58-39. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2476, expanding theater seating rules for venues serving alcohol, passed 81-50. The House then began House Bill 2320 on regulating firearms manufacturing involving 3D printing and CNC milling; several narrowing amendments were rejected, a striking amendment was adopted, and debate continued with supporters citing ghost-gun risks and opponents raising constitutional concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 3% employee contribution rate is not changed by this bill.
• It would not require its employees or vendors or agents...
• That the recipient does not, it will not require its employees, contractors, vendors...
• I find that very problematic because if I have five employees who have...
• I don't understand why we would care what kind of trainings they do for their own employees.

Summary: The committee first confirmed Heather L. Turnbull to the Florida Commission on Community Service without debate. It then took up SPB 7022, which sets Florida Retirement System employer contribution rates beginning July 1, 2025, updates rates to address unfunded liability, and preserves the 3% employee contribution rate. Senator Fine said the bill would increase FRS Trust Fund revenue by about $310 million annually and also gives certain elected officers an option related to DROP accumulations. An amendment was adopted, the bill was submitted as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1710, a bill by Senator DeSantis/DeSigley to prohibit state agencies, vendors, and grant recipients from using state funds for DEI-related policies, trainings, and programs, and to impose related restrictions on medical institutions of higher education. Senator Polsky and others questioned the bill’s broad and vague language, its effect on health-related work, public-facing agency positions, private contractors, and medical school admissions. The sponsor said the bill was intended to stop DEI from influencing state agencies and that the medical-school portion would likely be amended out later. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers arguing the bill would harm health care, education, access, and minority communities; a few supporters said DEI is ideological and should be removed from government and public institutions. After debate, the bill was reported favorably on a party-line style vote, with Senator Errington voting no. The committee then began SB 1678, relating to entities that boycott Israel, with a delete-all amendment. Senator Leak said the bill would expand Florida’s anti-BDS framework to cover nonprofits, foreign educational institutions, foreign government funds, academic boycotts, political subdivisions, and certain grants, while the amendment aligned the bill with existing law and clarified procurement and divestment provisions. Testimony included support from proponents who said Florida should not do business with entities engaged in boycotts of Israel, and opposition from speakers who argued the bill would restrict academic freedom and conscience. Debate continued as the transcript ended, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• have compromised their basic pedagogical and research missions, along with core values like free speech
• I've had employees and friends who have been served and prepared by Pensacola State College.
• I've had employees and friends who have been served and prepared by Pensacola State College.
• My daughter, who's a speech pathologist in Jacksonville, she's also an alumna of Topola College.
• We have an increasingly strong general education curriculum, and we have free speech.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> poster providing notice of employee poster providing notice of employee rights<01:22:56.639><c>
• </c><01:28:05.440><c> are</c> on how both employers and employees are on how both employers and employees
• So, consider a local company decides to hire remote data entry employees.
• </c> Constitution is freedom of speech. Constitution is freedom of speech.
• ,</c><02:07:27.440><c> uh</c> of people for freedom of speech, uh of people for freedom of speech, uh

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a hard speech to follow, which I totally say ditto to.
• For that long speech, we ought to all vote yes. Truck will close the roll. I-Zero knows 99.
• It did some nice things for employees. They got all confused about it.
• It did some nice things for employees. They got all confused about it.
• Speaker, this bill deals with collective bargaining for public sector employees.

Keywords: March 11, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My father had an employee, two additional employees just to keep up with the paperwork.
• My father had a employee, two additional employees<03:17:57.640><c> just</c><03:17:57.800><c> to</c>
• </c><04:16:21.160><c> are</c> Freedom of press, freedom of speech are Freedom of press, freedom of speech
• employee employee of<04:18:13.920><c> that</c><04:18:14.120><c> bookstore</c> of that bookstore of that
• </c><04:19:13.360><c> can</c> where only the trained employees can where only the trained employees can

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also work in the education freedom space as well and free speech issues too, but I focus a lot on
• gone all around the world and never left in case I got five minutes of opportunity with kids in my speeches
• Members, House Bill 2513 relates to a paid leave of absence for public employees serving as fire protection

Bills: HCR46 , HB1389 , HB3359 , HB5629

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: commemoration, military, navy seal, honor, January 12, Nathan Gage Ingram, military funeral honors, JROTC, veterans, training, grant program, military honors, community engagement, funeral services, education grants, community service, HB 3359, veteran status, Texas Veterans Commission, veterans services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> continues to fall on federal employees continues to fall on federal employees and<02:28:32.800><
• </c> federal employees? Where have you been? federal employees? Where have you been?
• </c> employees out of their jobs. employees out of their jobs.
• </c> They're holding these other employees They're holding these other employees hostage<02:52:38.720
• </c> over federal employees. over federal employees.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It preserves a secret ballot in union representation decisions, protects employee privacy, and it protects
• secret Ballot's the requirement, if you organize using a secret ballot, that's ok, if, but as an employee
• bargaining unit could Could talk about their negotiations with the company, cannot, it's kind of a free speech

Bills: SB1824 , SB1813 , SB1326 , SB1277 , SB1937 , SB1217 , SB1826 , SB1641

Committee: House Business

Keywords: corporation, corporate governance, business entities, Oklahoma General Corporation Act, limited liability company, LLC, shareholder rights, beneficial owner, controlling shareholder, control group, interested director, fiduciary duty, books and records inspection, corporate records, ratification, defective corporate acts, putative stock, stock issuance, treasury shares, rights and options