Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, we've got a lot of great legislation that we're focused on this session as well.
• Disasters cover... ...functional when we're gathered in regular session.
• We've discussed it before in last session as well.
• This is a similar bill that was passed out of the Senate last session.
• This is a similar bill that was passed out of the Senate last session.

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, received a House message that H.B. 422 had passed the House, and heard gubernatorial nominations for the Council on Sex Offender Treatment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day and several visiting groups and adopted a resolution designating June 20, 2025, as Texas Nuclear Legislative Day. Members then considered and passed several bills and resolutions, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. SB 311 passed to final passage on the Texas Supreme Court’s writ power. SB 883, on off-label prescription access for COVID-19 treatment, passed to engrossment. SB 1706, creating an Open Meetings Act exception for certain defense, military, and aerospace deliberations, passed despite concerns from Sen. Eckhardt that the bill’s use of “deliberate” could weaken open-government protections. CS SB 1677, directing a study on diabetes-related amputations, passed with support from Sen. Menendez. SB 1967 expanded flood infrastructure fund eligibility to certain multipurpose projects, and SB 1255, a cleanup bill on mold assessor and remediator regulation, passed unanimously. The Senate also approved CS SJR 40 and CS SB 871, which would change emergency and disaster law to require legislative involvement after prolonged or widespread emergencies and to limit gubernatorial suspension powers, with Sen. Eckhardt questioning whether the bill could slow urgent business closures during a disaster. Additional measures passed included SB 1426 transferring management of the First Capital State Historic Site to the Texas Historical Commission, SB 249 requiring TxDOT to fund memorial markers for fallen peace officers, SB 1592 centralizing collection of hotel occupancy taxes from accommodation intermediaries, SB 1271 allowing concurrent jurisdiction on military installations for certain juvenile matters, SB 745 creating a higher penalty for intoxication manslaughter involving multiple deaths, SB 365 shortening the academic fresh start waiting period at public colleges, and SB 1171 adjusting compensation and standards for certain Texas Juvenile Justice Department inspector general employees. CS SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, passed after questions about its relationship to federal homeland security and its focus on border security and critical infrastructure. The latter part of the session focused heavily on CS SB 38, a major eviction and squatter-related bill. Sen. Bettencourt described widespread squatter cases and argued the bill, with a Moody amendment, would clarify notice and eviction procedures while balancing property-owner and tenant rights. Sen. West said he supported addressing squatters but worried the broader eviction changes could harm vulnerable renters, especially single mothers, and said he would vote present not voting. The discussion continued with additional testimony from Sen. Kolkhorst about the need for a balanced eviction process.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you have not yet, don't worry—there are still floor sessions you can subscribe to today.
• You've done a great job this first session.
• At this time, we will go ahead and open up the work session on Senate Bill 460.
• We'll continue on with the work session. I'll pass it to Ms. Lower. Thank you, Chair.
• This is attached to the work session document, and it was outlined earlier today in the hearing.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are present in this afternoon session.
• Especially to be doing this on the last day of the session, Mr. President.
• in the 60-day session, the price of a barrel of oil has dropped about $14.
• It's been a super busy session.
• And I sit there in the back and I observe throughout the whole session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I served the last legislative session, and it's great.
• We're around a few sessions, and I've got to admit, some of this is news to me.
• And we need to do that this session. Thank you. Representative Garcia. Thank you Chairman.
• We appreciate your efforts last session and the bills that you've filed this session as well Chairman
• In our opinion, we do not need additional market design changes this session.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's questions during session.
• The Destination Development Grant was funded $15 million during the 25 session.
• So how did this, the 25 session with the grants, compare to the 23?
• So for context, this study was taking place during the legislative session last year.
• Chairman and member of the committee, thank you for your time. legislative session.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services Division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget for the 2027-29 biennium and to receive an update on Commerce programs. Legislative Council staff first walked the committee through the “blue sheet” base budget summary, explaining the major line items, the large share of federal grant authority in Commerce’s budget, and the continuing appropriations that support several Commerce funds. Members asked how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff said collaboration varies by program but is strong in areas like UAS and LIHEAP. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken then presented on current activities, focusing heavily on grant administration, transparency, and economic development programs. Members questioned how grant applicants are selected, whether Commerce tracks applications and return on investment, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. The commissioner said Commerce uses scoring criteria, outside reviewers, a minimum 30-day application window, and typically completes awards within two to three months. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce should open some grants only to intended recipients versus running competitive application processes; Commerce said it follows best-practice grantmaking and that its attorney in the Attorney General’s office approved that approach. Commerce also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, citing long-term investment and job creation results, examples such as Red Trail Energy, Packet Digital, Valiance, Corvent Medical, child care loans, and the Automate ND program. Members asked about acceptable failures, lessons learned, regional economic development coordination, and the expansion of the fund into non-primary sectors. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell then outlined a statewide workforce ecosystem review, a new governor’s workforce sub-cabinet, and three task forces focused on simplifying entry, warm handoffs, and data integration. She discussed the in-demand occupations list, Workforce Pell, apprenticeships, and efforts to better connect students with employers and higher education. Commerce also briefly reviewed housing programs and a new housing sub-cabinet. No votes were taken; the committee simply received testimony, asked questions, and adjourned after setting up the next meeting to hear the Attorney General budget in June.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2434 is signed in open session. House Bill 2434 is signed in open session.
• It is signed in open session.
• It is signed in open session.
• It is signed in open session.
• It is signed in open session.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We show you...” until last session in which y'all changed that.
• That could never be done until last session.
• That could never be done until last session.
• That is TAP's number one issue this session.
• I'm excited about what we can do on this issue this session.

Bills: HB447, HB897, HB993, HB2673, HB3671, HB3680, HB3897, HB4506, HB4753, HB4812, HB4894, HB5148, HB5437, HB5650, HB5652, HB5654, HB5656, HB5661, HB5665

Keywords: traffic impact studies, municipal utility district, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, HB 897, Texas land sale, state property, Austin real estate, Travis County, General Land Office, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state records facility, archives building, library funding, capital improvements, lease of state land, public land disposition

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of land use, housing, and local government bills. House Bill 447, relating to TIA requirements for certain MUD bond issuances, drew opposition from a witness who argued it would duplicate work already done, strain agency resources, and delay development; after the author’s closing, the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. The committee then voted out Senate Bill 1202 (third-party review of home backup power installations), House Bill 2494 (disannexation for failure to provide services), House Bill 1835 (removing barriers to HUD co-manufactured homes), and Senate Bill 15 (lot size and density limits in certain municipalities), with House Bill 1835 receiving one no vote and the others passing unanimously. House Bill 897, authorizing sale or lease of two state-owned Austin properties, was laid out and left pending after brief questions and no public testimony. The committee also heard and left pending several MUD creation bills for Montgomery and Fort Bend counties, including House Bills 5652, 5654, 5661, and 5656, each presented as template district bills with local support and no opposition recorded at the table. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 2673, which would restore prior restrictions on new cemeteries near growing urban areas by repealing changes made last session. Representative Lujan and supporters argued the current law created unintended consequences, including loss of developable land, tax-exempt property in urban cores, and conflicts with infrastructure planning; they said cities already have authority to establish their own cemeteries if needed. Opponents, including a funeral services industry representative, argued the 2023 change was intended to let communities decide and that the bill would take local decision-making backward. After extensive testimony from both sides, the bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 3680, which would create a Cameron County-specific process allowing local discretion under the model subdivision rules. Supporters said the bill would preserve colonia protections while reducing costly platting and replatting burdens on families trying to sell or pass down land; county officials and realtors testified in favor. The bill was left pending after closing. House Bill 4812, a clarification to the Texas Uniform Condominium Act to prevent counties from imposing subdivision platting requirements on condominiums, received support from builders and a condominium attorney who said current county practices create duplicative hurdles and higher costs; it too was left pending. Finally, House Bill 5148, which would allow certain single-stair apartment buildings up to six stories, generated the most detailed policy debate. Supporters, including housing advocates and architects, said the bill would lower costs, improve unit design, and expand affordable, family-friendly housing while maintaining safety through sprinklers and other safeguards. Fire officials from Corpus Christi opposed the bill, warning that a single stairwell could hinder firefighting and occupant evacuation, especially if sprinklers fail or smoke spreads. The author said the bill was aimed at new construction only and was part of a broader effort to reduce outdated housing regulations; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending at adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we were proud to be a part of a driver coalition uh in the last two legislative sessions, and thanks
• This bill is being drafted now and will be introduced this session.
• This bill is being drafted now and will be introduced this session.
• This bill is being drafted now and will be introduced this session.
• This bill is being drafted now and will be introduced this session.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we will go until 10:40 a.m. this morning, and then we do have session today.
• We'll resume the hearing after session.
• Members, we will go until 10:40 a.m. this morning, and then we do have session today.
• We'll resume the hearing after session.
• So this is on Item 3, the Landowners Compensation Program that was passed in the last session, Senate

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But again, we're getting late in the session.
• We've got a considerable amount session.
• And I think it means that maybe we need to have longer sessions.
• And I think it means that maybe we need to have longer sessions.
• getting bogged down in end of session getting bogged down in end of session negotiations<00:14:00.640

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On session, Clark will call the roll.
• Members and guests, welcome to the second joint session of the second regular session of the 60th Oklahoma
• My distinct privilege to call the second joint session of the second regular session of the 60th Oklahoma
• The second joint session of the second regular session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature is dissolved.
• House Sanities Okay, back in session.

Bills: SB1290, SB1530, SB1847, HR1050, SB169, SB1377, SB1990, SB1991, SB1778, SB1579, SB1992, SB3, SB2028, SB1928, SB2127, SB2117, SB1439, SB1930, SB330, SB1191, SB2110, SB2134, SB2069, SB2095, SB1613, SB1246, SB1976, SB1346, SB1509, SB2071, SB259, SB1314

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, research funding, development rebate, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, tax incentives, higher education partnerships, Medicaid, ADvantage Waiver, home-based services, eligibility criteria, healthcare, senior services, Taiwan, Oklahoma, sister-state relationship

Transcript Highlights:

• We legislators enjoy having multi-billion dollar surpluses each session.
• That's why the governor, the speaker, and the lieutenant governor have all recognized that this session
• It's imperative that we make progress this session.
• Matt, are you trying to mimic Representative Romero from last session, or?
• Last session, and I think this session again, you all also passed, a Safe Harbor Act.

Bills: HB 1089, HB 1163, HB 1177, HB 1238, HB1318, HB1400, HB1407, HB1532, HJR7, HJR7

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Transcript Highlights:

• And a lot of hope in what we can do together going forward this session.
• <00:01:03.080> So,<00:01:03.840> we through the end of session.
• So, we through the end of session.
• leave this session leave this session feeling<00:10:09.920> good<00:10:10.080> about
• There's no special session. We are going to get done with our work.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The discussion focused on reactions to Governor Walz’s final State of the State address and the remaining priorities for the end of session. DFL leaders described the speech as hopeful and a summary of accomplishments over the past several years, highlighting education, paid family and medical leave, climate and labor policies, fraud prevention, affordability, and a new economy shaped by AI. They said the governor’s call to action on gun violence was especially important and argued that Minnesotans care more about the results of legislation than whether bills passed with bipartisan support. Gun violence prevention was a major topic. Leaders said the legislature had already passed measures in 2023 and 2024 including red flag laws, universal background checks, and a ban on binary triggers, and they defended those laws as saving lives. They said the governor’s renewed push for gun legislation was not divisive and that Republicans should join the effort. They also discussed public safety more broadly, including capital security and judicial security, saying there was bipartisan support for a security bill. Other priorities mentioned for the final weeks included combating fraud, making life more affordable, child tax credit changes, a tax on social media/data companies, HCMC modernization and IT, bonding, and school safety. Leaders said the Senate would take up health and human services next, expected the gun package to move out of finance and reach the floor soon, and anticipated conference committees or working groups to begin. They said they were confident the legislature could resolve differences with the House’s single-subject approach and finish its work by the May 18 deadline without a special session.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:56.639> So<00:04:56.880> for here at the end of the session.
• So for here at the end of the session.
• There are only 18 week of the session.
• We are going to be weeks in the session.
• has the delayed start to the session has the delayed start to the session impacted<00:09:41.360>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• From the day the 88th session ended until today, I and my office have had many stakeholders bird-dog
• We thank the Senate for their changes last session to the mental health...
• We thank the Senate for their changes last session to the mental health professionals loan repayment
• This bill has no fiscal note, as the program has already been fully funded since last session.
• were put into place that were passed last session, there was a 330% increase in applicants.

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee heard Senate Bill 1961, which would expand reporting on post-secondary outcomes and workforce data, including employment, earnings, regional labor demand, and credentials of value. Senator Bettencourt said the bill is intended to close data gaps and improve alignment between education programs and workforce needs. Witnesses from Opportunity Austin, Texas 2036, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, and the Fort Worth workforce community testified in support, saying better data would help students, parents, schools, employers, and regional economic development efforts. After questions from members about regional workforce pipelines and semiconductor talent needs, public testimony closed and SB 1961 was left pending. The committee then took up several pending bills and reported them favorably, including SB 1325, SB 604, SB 1832, SB 747, SB 2185, and SB 2395, with committee substitutes adopted where needed. SB 1325 was amended to remove the DSHS commissioner’s authority to issue standing orders for respiratory distress medication in schools. SB 1832, relating to school transfer or private-school funding options for students victimized by a public school employee, and SB 747, relating to intimate visual material policies, were both advanced on recorded votes. SB 2185, on the bilingual education allotment, was initially moved to a local calendar but was later backed up and reported to the full Senate after a fiscal note was noted. SB 2395, on school district general obligation bonds, was also reported favorably and then moved to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard SB 646, which would expand the Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program to additional professions, increase award amounts, and add stipends for rural and bilingual service. Senator West said the bill responds to mental health workforce shortages and inflation. The Texas Counseling Association supported the measure, and a Hogg Foundation representative said participation has grown sharply since prior changes. SB 646 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2647, which would create a Texas state accrediting agency and interim oversight system for higher education accreditors; supporters from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and a massage school owner argued it would improve accountability and reduce accreditor overreach, while Senator Menendez raised concerns about effects on law and medical school accreditation and student opportunities. SB 2647 was left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2786, which would exempt first responders from the Texas Success Initiative entrance exam, and SB 2615, which would standardize remote-work policies across public higher education institutions. The Texas State Association of Firefighters supported SB 2786, saying it would remove an extra step for career advancement; the bill was left pending because the committee substitute had not yet been adopted. SB 2615 was presented as a way to ensure more consistent in-person staffing expectations while preserving exceptions for illness, disability, and some non-teaching roles; it too was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• with an opportunity to consider two bills that passed the Senate last week as part of the special session
• This is why this is a special session request.
• Okay, so what is the point of having it in this special session?
• I mean, why don't we just take that up in regular session? Why is it being tied to Trump?
• So I think that these two bills clearly fall within the call of the special session.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the journal. The body then extended the session under Rule 27 and agreed to request House consent to adjourn until April 27, 2026. It moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several House bills, including HB 2170 (procurement code-related), HB 2415 (kratom regulation), HB 2700 (housing technology study committee), and HB 2950 (special districts/tourism improvement areas). Amendments were adopted on HB 2170, HB 2415, and HB 2950, and the committee reported HB 2170, HB 2415, and HB 2700 do pass; HB 2950 was later defeated on third read. The Senate also heard a brief welcome for visiting students and a personal privilege statement on Earth Day and environmental issues. The Senate then entered an additional Committee of the Whole for HB 2035 (child welfare and placement), HB 2249 (parental bill of rights), and HB 2573 (DUI/local referendum-related language). HB 2035 received a Warner amendment expanding the definition of extended family to include adoptive family members; HB 2249 received a Mesnard amendment adding liability and technical changes; and HB 2573 received a Rogers technical amendment. All three were reported out do pass as amended. On third read, HB 2573 passed 20-9, with several senators explaining opposition based on referendum and emergency-clause concerns tied to a Marana data center dispute; HB 2170 passed 17-12; HB 2415 passed 22-7; HB 2035 passed 26-3; and HB 2249 passed 17-12. HB 2950 failed 10-19. The Senate also considered House Concurrent Resolution 2043, substituting it for the Senate version and sending it to third read. The resolution, which calls for a convention to propose a federal constitutional amendment limiting congressional terms, passed 16-13 after several senators warned about the risks of a constitutional convention and the lack of limits on its scope. The House’s message on adjournment was read, committee meetings for April 27 were announced, and members made personal privilege remarks, including birthday wishes and an announcement about the annual legislative charity softball game. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, April 27, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• are present in this afternoon session.
• In the last special session, we helped them with their health insurance costs.
• They're not going into a special session.
• Texas is in the same way; they're not going into a special session.
• Signed by the officers of the House in open session and the officers of the Senate in open session.

Transcript Highlights:

• heard from a lot of Republicans about, is this the best use of your time with 54 days to go in the session
• , even fewer session days, and a couple of hours spent on this with no outcome?
• I mean, we've been working so hard all session to try to be collaborative, both with Democrats and also
• <00:02:05.439> and<00:02:05.560> a session even fewer session days and a session even
• fewer session days and a couple<00:02:05.920> of<00:02:06.039> hours<00:02:06.320>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on in a future interim with a more in-depth educational session on asset smoothing.
• The left two board prior to the session was gracious enough to have...
• The LEOFF 2 Board prior to the session was gracious enough to approach us, the troopers, and say we're
• Ken, is the actuary office prepared to move forward with the bill next session?
• So this could be moved to a decision next session to decide.

Summary: The Executive Committee of the State Committee on Pension Policy approved its June minutes and received updates from legal and actuarial staff. Counsel reported on two class-action matters: the Fowler/Probst case, where a court ordered the state to pay $118 million in additional interest to teachers and the state has appealed and sought a stay, and the Dawson case challenging last year’s HB 2034, where the complaint was amended to leave only a federal contract-impairment claim and the state plans to move to dismiss. The actuary also provided a brief educational update on asset smoothing and offered to provide more detailed follow-up, noting it affects funded ratios and contribution rates. The committee then discussed its interim work plan and September agenda. Members agreed to add a bill and fiscal analysis for a PERS/TRS Plan 1 ad hoc COLA, with discussion focused on whether it should be capped and how to frame the cost estimate. Staff also outlined a memo on possible approaches to a permanent COLA for Plan 1 retirees, including making it part of the base budget or otherwise structuring it so future budgets would address it; no action was taken, and the topic was deferred for further discussion. The committee also heard constituent correspondence supporting COLAs and raising concerns about survivor benefits. A representative of the Washington State Patrol Troopers Association testified in support of advancing survivor medical benefits, explaining that the smaller size of the State Patrol system makes new benefits more costly per member and that any new benefit would require member approval. Staff said a cost estimate could be prepared for September if the proposal excluded retroactive coverage, but October would be needed if retroactivity were included. The committee agreed to move the survivor medical issue to October, while keeping the LEOFF 1 medical study update, animal control officer eligibility, and the ad hoc COLA on the September agenda, along with preliminary 2027 meeting dates. The meeting adjourned without further action.