Transcript Highlights:

• We have a green card in support not wishing to speak by Central ULL. Ms.
• Sarah Whittington, green cards in support, not wishing to speak, from Sarah Whittington with ACLU, Central
• I've buried too many people to count.
• speak specifically in my district, there are a significant number of convenience stores slash gas stations

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of criminal justice measures, with several bills and resolutions reported favorably and others rejected or deferred. Representative Baham’s HB 255, as substituted, would enhance penalties for certain felony or rioting offenses committed while wearing a mask to evade identification, with exceptions for religious, motorcycle, and medical coverings; it was reported favorably after opposition from the ACLU and support from law enforcement groups. His HB 378, as amended, narrowed a vehicle-obstruction offense to first responders and was also reported favorably. HB 1090, increasing penalties for arson of a religious building, was reported favorably with support from the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops. HR 272, requesting a study of parental discipline, abuse allegations, and juvenile delinquency, was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about confusion over current law. HB 479, the “Fiscal Truth and Sentencing Act,” sought quarterly reporting on incarceration costs and sentencing impacts; despite support from the ACLU and opposition from clerks of court over an unfunded mandate, it failed on a 4-7 roll call. HR 278, asking the Attorney General to review electronic monitoring laws and make recommendations, was reported favorably after testimony from advocates and supporters of tighter oversight. HR 273, creating a task force to study work-release programs, was also reported favorably, while SB 278 was voluntarily deferred. The committee also considered several high-profile social policy measures. HB 261, by Representative Boyd, would create an exception to abortion restrictions for rape and certain sex offenses; the hearing featured extensive emotional testimony from survivors, clergy, and legislators on both sides, but the bill was rejected on a 2-10 vote. HCR 100, as amended, urged the Gaming Control Board to ensure due diligence in proposed casino acquisitions with attention to economic development, job creation, and community benefit; the amendment resolved industry concerns and the resolution was reported favorably. SB 448, concerning the Office of the State Public Defender, was amended to add procedures for expert-witness funding disputes, sealed contradictory hearings, and interlocutory review, then reported favorably. SB 135, which would redirect sports wagering revenue away from a capped sports fund and toward early childhood seats, drew opposition from university-related interests but no motion was made. Finally, HB 778 on kratom was presented as a narrower approach that would ban synthetic and semi-synthetic kratom while allowing regulated natural products; testimony included concerns about harm, business impacts, and claimed benefits for pain management and PTSD, and the discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We bring the motor fuels to your neighborhood service station.
• There's no consequence for their actions, so it doesn't count. That's not fair or justice.
• HB 4806 imposes central planning that moves Texas towards socialized medicine.
• It serves as a stepping stone to increased government intervention, socialized medicine, and central

Bills: HB4806

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So they can be centrally manufactured in a state.
• facilities. ...or otherwise, the board is only granted the authority to improve and equip existing central
• not just about engineering; they directly affect affordability, safety, and the ability of Texans to count
• Development and Tourism, the Water Development Board, and the Energy Systems Lab at Texas A&M Engineering Station

Bills: SB1468 , SB1612 , SB1789 , SB2530 , SB2571 , SB2717 , SB2967

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Transcript Highlights:

• This is reducing $7 million due to double-counting benefits.
• Rider 17 hardship stations to reflect, to increase the number of hardship stations from 40 to. 55. 14

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• specifically what we're dealing with: last night when I arrived in Las Vegas, I went by the Maverick Station
• that would be part of the aquatic, if you will, portion of the Game and Fish hatcheries and rearing stations
• It allows nuclear energy, an always-on, zero-emissions source of electricity, to count toward our renewable
• This bill simply allows nuclear energy and an always-on zero-emission power source to count toward compliance
• SB 78 would allow nuclear generation to count toward the RPS compliance.

Bills: SB47 , SB195 , SB196 , SB197 , SB198 , SB78

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: food recovery, composting, waste management, solid waste surcharge, organic waste reduction, environment, grants, advisory group, soil conservation, water resources, training services, outreach programs, environmental protection, animal care, veterinary services, spay and neuter, Las Vegas, community funding, animal welfare, animal shelter

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 47, a composting/organic waste measure that had been brought back from the table. The sponsor and witnesses described amendments that reduced the solid waste surcharge, added flexibility for landfills to divert organic waste to regional compost facilities, and delayed the effective date to July 1, 2027. Supporters said the changes made the bill more affordable and workable, while opponents from the waste industry still objected to the surcharge and wanted the proposed study completed before any tax was imposed. After committee discussion, a motion to table resulted in a tie vote, so the bill remained on the table. The committee then heard Senate Bill 195, which appropriates $1 million for training elected officials and staff of soil and water conservation districts. The sponsor and the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts said the money would support compliance training, procurement and audit requirements, board education, and outreach for the state’s 47 districts. Support came from district officials and environmental advocates, who cited increasing responsibilities tied to disasters and climate impacts. The bill passed unanimously. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 196 and Senate Bill 197, companion appropriations for animal care and spay/neuter services in Las Vegas and Raton. Senators questioned whether the bills mixed operating funds with capital improvements, whether the projects duplicated statewide spay/neuter grants, and how much local funding was involved. The sponsor said the local communities had substantial skin in the game and that the appropriations were needed for facility expansion and repairs. Both bills passed on 6-2 votes. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 198, which would fund an endangered species hatchery and rearing station in Las Vegas. The sponsor argued the project would help restore aquatic species and use available state land and water, while supporters said it would strengthen conservation efforts. Opponents argued New Mexico already has a hatchery doing similar work, raised concerns about nuclear and water issues, and questioned the location and policy direction. After extensive testimony, the committee did not finish the bill and recessed SB 78, a separate measure to allow nuclear energy to count toward renewable portfolio standards, for continued discussion on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Both only counts in hangar names, Magical Chair. Thank you.
• Both the only counts in Hager, that's Madge Chair.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, the EOC is going to be built as part of one of our fire stations
• So right now they're housed in Fire Station 3, which is in White Rock.
• They're housed in Fire Station 3, which is in White Rock.

Bills: SB20 , SB111 , SB211 , SB218 , SB14

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• numbers from, but if the likelihood when you get arrested is that you spend one day at the police station
• one day in court at the police station one day in court and<01:19:19.440><c> you</c><01:19:19.679><c
• </c><02:57:35.600><c> It's</c><02:57:35.920><c> I</c> registration count here in OA?
• It's I registration count here in OA?
• </c><03:41:38.960><c> oversight</c><03:41:39.520><c> for</c> provides daily centralized oversight for

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs recessed briefly for a joint hearing, then reconvened and took up House Bill 2494, which would limit warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations, require officers to document arrest justification, expand citation-in-lieu-of-arrest use, and direct the Judiciary to create a standardized citation form. The chair also outlined hearing procedures and testimony time limits. Committee members later received an overview from the Policing Project about national trends in expanding citation use. Testimony was divided. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and the Policing Project, argued the bill would reduce unnecessary arrests and pretrial detention, lessen jail overcrowding, save law enforcement time, and reduce harms such as job loss, housing instability, family disruption, and recidivism. They also said the bill preserves officer discretion through public-safety and flight-risk exceptions, and several supporters urged the committee to adopt a standardized citation form despite the Judiciary’s request for a delayed implementation date. Opposition came from the Department of the Attorney General, the Judiciary, county prosecutors, Honolulu Police Department, and other individuals. They argued the bill would unduly restrict law enforcement discretion, create administrative and data-processing problems, and make it harder to identify repeat or habitual offenders because of changes to citation information and fingerprinting. The Judiciary requested implementation no earlier than January 1, 2028 and said the citation form would need major changes. Opponents also warned the bill could increase litigation, suppress evidence, and not meaningfully reduce overcrowding because most jail populations are held on felony matters. The chair reported 14 testimonies in support, 21 in opposition, and one with comments; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• no age limits, and, as Commonwealth Beacon has reported, the products are still available in gas stations
• So in states that do not regulate hemp, these products are sold, as you've heard, in gas stations, smoke
• So we visited north of 20 dispensaries—or not dispensaries—gas stations, convenience stores, and vape
• And I think a lot of consumers today don't understand that what's being purchased in these gas stations
• Gas stations in general don’t serve food. And so it really needs to come under the CCC.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held a hearing on a broad set of cannabis and hemp bills, with the chairs opening by emphasizing unfinished work on equity, public health, safety, and market stability. The committee heard testimony on House Bill 146, which would create more efficient cannabis testing standards by increasing batch sizes, reducing or eliminating some environmental testing, standardizing lab reporting, and requiring annual scientific review and public data reporting. Industry witnesses, including a representative of the Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, cultivators, and a testing lab owner, said current testing rules are overly burdensome, costly, and inconsistent, and argued the bill would lower compliance costs while preserving consumer safety. A testing lab witness also said some operators switch labs to obtain higher THC results or pass contaminated batches, and urged greater transparency and better sampling protocols. A major portion of the hearing focused on intoxicating hemp and related bills that would bring hemp-derived intoxicating products under a stronger regulatory framework. Legislators and industry witnesses described products sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and convenience stores as often untested, not age-gated, and sometimes mislabeled or far above the federal hemp THC threshold. Testimony from attorneys and cannabis business leaders said states can regulate these products more strictly under the Farm Bill’s non-preemption language, and pointed to New Jersey and other states as possible models. Some witnesses and committee members stressed that any new rules should avoid harming non-intoxicating CBD businesses or lawful hemp farmers, while others argued that the products are effectively cannabis and should be regulated like cannabis for licensing, testing, age limits, and taxation. The committee also heard extensive public-health testimony in support of bills S. 95, S. 96, S. 97 and their House counterparts H. 191, H. 192, and H. 193. Parents, advocates, and public health professionals urged stronger warning labels, THC potency caps, and improved data collection on cannabis-related harms, citing cannabis-induced psychosis, addiction, anxiety, and youth exposure to high-potency products. Several witnesses said Massachusetts has not done enough to track health outcomes or warn consumers, and referenced other jurisdictions such as Connecticut, Vermont, Colorado, Canada, and Quebec as examples of stronger limits or warnings. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fact that we cannot have a shared prosperity if we're scapegoating and counting out large swaths
• out large swaths of of our counting out large swaths of of our neighbors.
• We were sitting in gas stations.
• We were sitting<01:34:24.320><c> in</c><01:34:24.480><c> gas</c><01:34:24.760><c> stations.
• </c> sitting in gas stations. sitting in gas stations.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But also there's a program in the Central Valley. It's called C.V. SALTS.
• And so there's some synergy here between the SAFER funds, that program in the Central Valley region,
• and we're hoping that a similar program will be developed on the Central Coast.
• San Francisco Bay, the San Joaquin, Sacramento Delta, and the rivers of the Central Valley.
• versus unbranded stations, and that being a dollar amount, which they presented yesterday.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And one of my favorite Central Valley senators, come on down, Ms. Caballero.
• And you've represented the Central Valley so wonderfully.
• I can't tell you how many times I go to events in the Central Valley and small business owners come to
• That means drivers need to have confidence that charging stations are accurate and transparent.
• I can tell you in the Central Valley, we are a charging desert, and the charging stations we do have

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on artificial intelligence, child safety, mental health, and privacy. SB 574 by Senator Umberg would require transparency and human oversight when attorneys, judges, and court neutrals use AI; it drew support from privacy advocates and committee members, with no opposition. SB 1276, the End Child Exploitation Act, would update child sexual exploitation laws to cover live-streamed and AI-generated abuse material and clarify that viewing such content can be criminally punishable; prosecutors, child advocacy groups, and others supported it, while no one appeared in opposition despite opposition on file. SB 813 would create a California AI standards and safety commission and a voluntary two-tier certification framework for AI safety standards; supporters said it would create scalable, independent oversight, while TechNet and CalChamber opposed it as duplicative, under-defined, and likely to create a de facto mandate. The committee discussed market pressure, federal preemption concerns, and the role of voluntary standards, but no final vote was taken in the excerpt. Senator Padilla also presented SB 300, which would strengthen protections for minors from sexually explicit chatbot content by moving from a reasonableness standard to an affirmative duty to prevent such exposure and to prohibit facilitation. Supporters said new evidence showed greater risks and that companies can and should build stronger safeguards; opponents, including TechNet and CCIA, argued the bill was premature because SB 243 had only recently taken effect and warned it could create strict-liability-like exposure. Padilla then presented SB 903, which would bar AI chatbots from being advertised as therapists, require licensed clinician oversight and informed consent for AI use in psychotherapy, and protect patient confidentiality; it received broad support from mental health professionals and labor groups, while industry and health associations were opposed unless amended over triage and crisis-detection language. The committee members emphasized the need for human judgment in mental health care and noted ongoing negotiations on amendments. The committee also heard SB 1119, a companion to AB 2020, which would require annual risk assessments, crisis-response protocols, default child settings, parental controls, limits on data use, public incident reporting, and third-party audits for chatbots used by children. Supporters argued the bill would address documented harms and improve transparency, while industry groups objected to ambiguous standards, liability exposure, and the private right of action. A roll call vote was taken on SB 1119 after quorum was established; the motion to pass to Appropriations succeeded on a 5-1 vote, with one no vote and the measure left on call for absent members. Finally, SB 354, a privacy bill for insurance consumers, would modernize outdated insurance privacy rules, bar sale of personal information, and expand consumer rights to know, correct, and delete data. Supporters said it would implement Proposition 24’s privacy mandate, while a large coalition of insurers, agents, brokers, and related businesses opposed unless amended, mainly seeking a small-business exemption and narrower treatment of publicly available information; members and the author said negotiations were ongoing and the bill had already been substantially revised.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bateman richly deserves at least four titles, perhaps five if you count him as our favorite cartoonist
• A central concern is around the social media platform definition and whether something can argue that
• not by not on others failing to provide consistent safety experiences across the online ecosystem a central
• A central concern is that is around the social media platform definition and whether something can argue
• pipelines coming into the U.S. from Canada; a Union Pacific Railroad crossing at the Eastport Border Station

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It makes the district easier to represent because it's a centralized area.
• You know our state suffered historic flooding in Central Texas and West Texas last month, with a tragic
• what we're asking them to do, and Senator Kolkhorst, of course, has a very, a lot more comprehensive count
• But on that panel, when they talked about that, we don't have a weather station for 760 miles from Del
• ...reimbursement, $50 million for the purchase of sirens, rain gauges, and other equipment in the Central

Bills: SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16 , SB14 , SB3 , SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16 , SB14 , SB3

Keywords: education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, Texas congressional redistricting, U.S. House districts, congressional map, redistricting, gerrymandering, 2020 Census, census tracts, block groups, voting districts, election law, Texas House of Representatives districts, federal congressional districts, 2026 elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Philanthropy, uh, UNM Taos, Central Bank, um, and we created a nonprofit called Taos Housing Partnership
• and Family Center, so it's within the town limits, and um very close to a blue bus line, the North Central
• will have the construction, we will have the process engineers, we will have the hydrogen fueling stations
• for extended periods, zero emission and also this will reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and centralized
• For this amount of water, I already counted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, these amounts were based on the homeless counts that the Department of Education produces, and we
• Um, these amounts were based on the homeless counts that the Department of Education produces, and we
• that the Department of homeless counts that the Department of Education<00:05:32.880><c> produces,</
• </c> public services that Minnesotans count public services that Minnesotans count on. on. on.
• In greater Minnesota, they still have radio stations and newspapers and things like that.

Bills: HF4561 , HF4343

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: homeless prevention aid, homelessness, housing stability, rental assistance, family homelessness, unaccompanied youth, housing navigation, legal representation, family outreach, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aid, general fund appropriation, unspent funds, aid redistribution, sunset repeal, Minnesota property tax aid, services for persons experiencing homelessness, sales tax, use tax

Transcript Highlights:

• After waiting outside the polling station in the rain, we got inside and I got to the registration and
• in the rain, we got inside and I station in the rain, we got inside and I got<01:21:19.120><c> to</c
• or radio stations or podcast or<01:31:37.040><c> whatever.
• Uh that way certainly<01:43:04.560><c> we</c><01:43:04.880><c> could</c><01:43:05.040><c> count</c><01
• forms of certainly we could count the forms of people<01:43:07.679><c> and</c><01:43:08.080><c> see<

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Voting stations press the red button.
• Voting stations are open for 30 seconds. Voting stations are open for 30 seconds.
• Voting stations press the red button.
• Voting stations press the red button.
• </c> way from Seabbrook nuclear power station way from Seabbrook nuclear power station to<02:34:16.240

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This has helped students get trained in meat cutting at Central Lakes and Ridgewater colleges in Staples
• This has helped students get trained in meat cutting at Central Lakes and Ridgewater colleges in Staples
• </c> get trained in meat cutting at Central get trained in meat cutting at Central Lakes<00:20:43.760
• Every additional station that offers E15 means more Minnesota families have access to that lower price
• :09:33.080><c> E15</c><01:09:33.960><c> means</c> additional station that offers E15 means additional

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> So you counted up the explosives. >> Right. >> Okay. >> Thank you for that.
• </c><00:19:36.400><c> You</c> >> So you counted up the explosives.
• We want 2150 to be the central clearinghouse for what it is that defines a veteran.
• It's been when you asked if I stations.
• I think he likely has the authority to issue an executive order regarding a duty station.

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:39:56.239><c> And</c> put it in a special revenue count.
• And put it in a special revenue count.
• </c> fund a fire station or a police station fund a fire station or a police station when<02:29:06.160
• </c> you who might think three fire stations you who might think three fire stations is<02:40:42.800>
• </c> they're looking at for the fire station they're looking at for the fire station 3<02:40:49.920><

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house