Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Wheeler: Yeah, we tacked on some sort of language, either a landfill language or something
• including mirroring the federal language including mirroring the federal language for<03:26:31.880
• and make it mirror the federal language. and make it mirror the federal language.
• <03:32:03.880> entities<03:32:04.360> that foreign a lot of foreign entities that foreign
• It's any hemp products is the language here.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we're pretty well-versed in dealing with ectoparasite that potentially could cause a, you know, a foreign
• animal disease. if you will, this is a foreign animal disease, so that's why we have to work lockstep
• This is a foreign animal pest, causes a foreign animal disease. So...
• We are collecting those maggots creating a foreign animal disease investigation and a foreign animal
• And again, I'm here to testify on behalf of the board. behalf of Texas Foreign Bureau.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, just so you know, the New World screw worm is considered a foreign pest and is considered a foreign
• Veterinary Services, uh, we are considered the, the lead agency here in the state in response to this foreign
• We've treated this as a foreign animal uh disease reporting. uh, we get a foreign animal disease number
• How much of that is a kind of a failure of foreign relations and how much of it do you think we're going
• Yeah, so just keep in mind as, as going through this, that this is still a foreign animal disease pest

Transcript Highlights:

• The provision allowing certain diplomatic, intelligence, consular, and foreign service agents to keep
• I'm just curious, what's the purpose of this language? Representative Duggan. Thank you, Mr.
• We put that language.
• We don't want to contract with people with bias, and the other language...
• That language is part of the conforming bill, not part of the GAA. Representative Henson.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, he asked that we look at adding that language, and we did that.
• the language?
• And we've got to make sure the language is as tight as we can.
• The language is going after organized crime.
• So, yes, you could inevitably change the language. Follow up.

Bills: SB1226, SB1456, SB1462, SB1463, SB1980, SB1479, SB1608, SB1923, HB2979, HB2980, HB3662, HB4107, HB3082, HB2997, HB3083, HB3055, HB2951

Keywords: motor vehicle, accident, notification, liability, civil action, gender neutral, SB1456, Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence, sunset extension, sunset law, breath alcohol testing, DUI, DWI, drunk driving, drug testing, chemical testing, field sobriety, roadside screening, blood test, saliva test

Transcript Highlights:

• And ensure that our media campaigns are in non-English languages and that they're delivered in targeted
• So in this case, it’ll probably be a foreign grower that’ll eat it, but because the market— A foreign
• We have work to do, so I appreciate the questions on language access and some of the other issues.
• We have work to do, so I appreciate the questions on language access and some of the other issues.
• I appreciate the questions earlier on language access.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on food insecurity in California and how state and federal nutrition programs, agricultural production, and food distribution systems intersect. Assemblymembers emphasized that many Californians, including farmworkers, seniors, children, and communities of color, remain food insecure despite California’s agricultural abundance. Panelists and members discussed CalFresh, WIC, school meals, Sun Bucks, food banks, and the impact of federal policy changes, including possible nutrition cuts, tariffs, and immigration enforcement, on access to food and the agricultural workforce. Secretary Karen Ross described CDFA programs aimed at improving access to fresh food and supporting local agriculture, including the senior farmers’ market program, California Nutrition Incentive Program, Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, Community Food Hubs, Farm to School, urban agriculture, and a proposed tribal food sovereignty program. She said these efforts help connect local producers to consumers, expand healthy food access, and build infrastructure such as refrigeration, mobile markets, and aggregation hubs. Department of Social Services Deputy Director Alexis Fernandez Garcia outlined CalFresh, CFAP, Sun Bucks, CACFP, emergency food programs, and tribal nutrition assistance, noting that CalFresh and related programs significantly reduce poverty and food insecurity, but participation gaps remain for non-English speakers, some Asian American communities, and undocumented households. PPIC researcher Tess Thorman presented data showing that 13% of California households experienced food insecurity in 2023, with higher rates among households with children and Latino, Black, and other households. She said nutrition programs reduce poverty and food hardship, but federal rules, income thresholds, immigration restrictions, and high living costs limit their reach. Members asked about simplifying applications, improving call center access, increasing outreach in multiple languages, and adjusting benefits for inflation. Officials said the state has used available federal options to streamline enrollment, improve customer service, and target outreach, but many core rules and benefit levels are set federally. The second panel shifted to food production and market access. A farmer, a UC food systems leader, and a produce distributor described efforts to connect small and medium farms with food banks, schools, universities, and Medi-Cal food-as-medicine programs. They highlighted programs such as Farms Together, the USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center, Farm to School, food hubs, and climate-smart infrastructure grants as ways to create stable markets for local growers while improving food access. Speakers also raised concerns about land tenure, consolidation, regulatory burdens, labor constraints, and the loss of federal funding, and members discussed whether state investments and Prop. 4 funds could help sustain and expand these efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• language, for example.
• language, for example.
• And then a bunch of language will be eliminated.
• If we're going to put them kind of in their separate language, then they need to live with that language
• Is the language? We'll leave the language the way it is.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the black market marijuana is not leaving, along with controlling the illegal licensers from foreign
• This actually repeals the bond language that we passed.

Bills: HB2947, HB2964, HB3143, HB3144, HB3342, HB3344, HB3519, HB3522, HB3530, HB3645, HB3647, HB3834, HB4300, HB4422, HB4423

Keywords: behavioral health, Medicaid expansion, clinical interns, mental health services, licensing requirements, medical records, patient rights, privacy, fees, healthcare access, legal claims, medical marijuana, license transfer, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, moratorium, business regulation, commercial grower licenses, licensing restrictions, agriculture, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• with those weren't $200 billion that were going to be going to other countries, uh, you know, in foreign
• with those weren't $200 billion that were going to be going to other countries, uh, you know, in foreign
• I mean, obviously, you know, at one point I remember the Mall of America was a huge draw for foreign
• I mean, obviously, you know, at one point I remember the Mall of America was a huge draw for foreign
• markets instead of foreign countries. markets instead of foreign countries.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:48.800> companies just simply say all foreign companies just simply say all foreign
• I think the Senate of the language.
• They lift the same language. >> Yes, they do have the same matching language. >> It's called two bytes
• exactly what that little language exactly what that little language dropped<04:39:17.840> in<
• There is some audit language, semiannual audit language between the healthcare and the PBM.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also adds language to distinguish between a student practicing their clinical skills strictly
• The bill also adds language rulemaking.
• So that been added to that language.
• <00:54:05.040> as understanding of the language as understanding of the language as proposed
• Now, foreign wars, that's a problem.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• members, you also recall that a few days ago our staff circulated a proposed HD1 that reflected this language
• um so we are going to this language um so we are going to include<00:09:04.160> Let's<00:09:04.360
• disproportionately for the foreign disproportionately for the foreign communities<00:47:53.240><
• So my understanding is this language sets a floor, so it's a minimum of not less than.
• So my understanding is this language sets a floor, so it's a minimum of not less than.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 707 on the College Savings Program. Members discussed a suggested amendment from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities to include the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program. The chair said the Department of the Attorney General advised there was no title problem, so the bill could be broadened to cover both the College Savings Program and the ABLE program. The committee also noted technical, non-substantive changes and a defective date of July 1, 3000 for further discussion. HB 707 HD1 was then voted on and the recommendation to pass with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present, with two members excused. The committee then heard House Bill 424, which would provide free breakfast and lunch beginning the next school year to students who currently qualify for free and reduced-price meals. The Department of Education supported the measure, and testimony in favor came from teachers, public health and food security advocates, and several organizations. Supporters described students being denied meals because of unpaid balances, said school meals should not depend on family debt, and argued that the bill would reduce stigma and help hungry students learn. Committee questions focused on meal pricing, the impact of raising prices on families who pay full price, and whether portion sizes could be increased; DOE said breakfast costs less than lunch, full-price students would bear any increase, and portion sizes must follow USDA rules. Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network said many families above the free/reduced thresholds still cannot afford meals, citing estimates that the DOE collects about $20 million a year in meal payments and that federal reimbursement totals are much larger. The committee then heard House Bill 757, the universal free school breakfast and lunch bill. DOE and the Department of Health supported it, and testimony was overwhelmingly in favor from county officials, teachers, students, food banks, advocacy groups, and community organizations. Witnesses argued that universal meals would eliminate stigma, reduce paperwork and debt collection, and ensure students do not fall through the cracks because of income cutoffs, language barriers, or administrative hurdles. Several students from Castle High School described classmates asking for food and families struggling to keep meal accounts funded, while teachers said they regularly see negative meal balance notices and hungry students. Advocates also said the bill is the better equity vehicle because it avoids means testing and reaches students who are not currently receiving meals despite needing them. The hearing on HB 757 was still ongoing at the end of the transcript, and no final vote on that bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• language, for example.
• language, for example.
• And then a bunch of language will be eliminated.
• If we're going to put them kind of in their separate language, then they need to live with that language
• Is the language? We'll leave the language the way it is.

Summary: The committee met to discuss higher education funding and capital building policy. Members first heard an update from NDUS Deputy Commissioner Lisa Johnson on low-producing academic programs. She described a proposed board policy using a five-year rolling window and thresholds of fewer than 10 undergraduate graduates or fewer than 5 graduate graduates, with programs flagged for three consecutive review periods going to the board. Possible outcomes would include continuation, continuation with modifications, inactivation, or termination. Members asked about how the review would account for program costs, service to other students, workforce demand, and the difference between inactivation and termination. Johnson said the board would consider broader factors and that campuses already do detailed program analysis. Several members also asked about cost savings and staffing impacts from program terminations, and Johnson said the board would try to provide more information later. The committee then received a report on the Capital Building Fund from Jamie Wilkie. He reviewed the program’s history, matching requirements, and recent uses, noting that about $334 million in state and matching dollars has been invested overall, with most going to deferred maintenance and extraordinary repairs. Members discussed whether the program is reducing deferred maintenance and requested updated systemwide data on deferred maintenance and campus space utilization. Wilkie said the board is considering a new study to update deferred maintenance figures, which are based on information more than 12 years old. He also reported that several institutions have used current biennium funds for projects such as residence hall renovations, health sciences housing, generators, and building repairs. Later, the committee began a detailed walkthrough of a draft bill that would replace the current higher education funding formula with an FTE-based model and also revise the capital building fund structure. The draft would use fall enrollment FTEs, add completion incentives for degrees in in-demand fields, and create a separate research funding component for UND and NDSU tied to doctoral completions and external research expenditures. Members raised concerns about the use of older data in the formula, the treatment of waivers, the weighting of professional and health sciences programs, and the use of CIP codes to define CTE and education incentives. The bill draft would also combine capital building fund tiers, broaden eligible uses for deferred maintenance and legislatively authorized projects, change matching requirements, repeal the old formula chapter and the capital pool, and transfer funds from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund into the capital building fund. No final votes were taken during the portion provided; the meeting was primarily discussion and review.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> I think that the bill language is more expansive than that.
• So this language was suggested to us to go in to retrieve that information.
• So I don't know if there's language that we can do.
• Look, I will look at any language that are gonna help with these scumbags away.
• It may be include referendum language.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current state law, it's not specific language.
• Along with it, it proposes language in terms of patient services.
• It has to do with optometry scope of language.
• This is language that parallels language in our other child protection statutes.
• language coming from the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the language of the...
• Are you familiar with that language in the bill? Okay, very good.
• Is it possible though that the language in this bill, given that clearly there's...
• I thought, "It's my gold; I want it sitting there," and this bill has that in the language.
• Congress shall have power to coin money, to regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin.

Bills: HB246, HB796, HB 1056, HB1544, HB1846, HB2001, HB2618, HB2625, HB2869, HB2898, HB3069, HB3114, HB3157, HB3228, HJR98, HB246

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information

Transcript Highlights:

• Helped clean up the language.
• Uh just want to point out that language.
• to to repeal some of that language. to to repeal some of that language.
• Um, from effective... the language substantial amendments the language substantial amendments though.
• So, um, you on what the language is.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was due to legal language very similar to what's in this bill.
• There's nothing, no language in here that stops that.
• We thought that that language was so important that we even put that language in all of our abortion
• There's also language in their bill that says blood relative.
• And because that language was not added to this bill, we filed very important amendments.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established, then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The chamber first took up HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands. Sponsor Rep. McClure said the bill would remove strict liability for previously mined phosphate lands if a Department of Health study is done at the owner’s request and the former mining status is recorded publicly. Opponents, including Reps. Cross, Nixon, and Eskamani, argued the bill did not provide enough notice to future buyers and renters and could create health and disclosure concerns. The bill passed 87-24. The House then passed HB 145 on suits against the government, which Rep. McFarland said updates Florida’s sovereign immunity caps for the first time since 2010, raising them to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident with future automatic increases, aligning the statute of limitations with private claims, and allowing governments to settle above the caps if they choose. He said the bill would make redress more accessible without eliminating the liability shield. The bill passed 104-7. The chamber then considered CS/HB 289 on civil liability for the wrongful death of an unborn child, a bill by Rep. Greco that would amend the Wrongful Death Act to allow parents and other survivors to bring claims for the death of an unborn child, while exempting the mother and lawful medical care provided within the standard of care. Debate centered on whether the bill could affect abortion access, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, surrogacy, and liability for doctors, friends, family members, and others. Multiple amendments were offered to narrow the bill or add carve-outs for abortion, fertility care, surrogates, perinatal professionals, rape/incest/human trafficking situations, and to require the mother’s consent before suit; sponsors and opponents argued over whether these changes would prevent frivolous lawsuits or instead create loopholes and weaken the bill. None of the amendments were adopted during the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The provision allowing certain diplomatic intelligence, consular, and foreign service agents to keep
• Under the new language, a single taxpayer may donate up to $2 million per year, and a charity may be
• I'm just curious: what's the purpose of this language? Representative Duggan. Thank you, Mr.
• I'm just curious: what's the purpose of this language? Representative Duggan. Thank you, Mr.
• That language is part of the conforming bill, not part of the GAA.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Donnell C. Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. A quorum was announced, the journal was approved, and the Speaker said the chamber would take up 11 budget conference reports, with debate and final votes on each report. The first report considered was HB 7031E, the tax package, followed by HB 501E, the state budget appropriations bill. On HB 7031E, Chair Duggan explained that the conference report included a range of tax reductions and tax-related changes, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related provisions, reductions in certain taxes and fees, and new exemptions or administrative clarifications. He said the package also added items such as sales tax relief for certain university construction projects, a tennis admissions exemption, and changes to agricultural property tax treatment, and that the amendment reduced state and local tax revenues by $272.2 million. Members questioned the bill about the child care tax credit reduction from three years to one, the homestead exemption provision for certain diplomats and foreign service personnel, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the inclusion of firearm accessories and tennis tickets in sales tax holidays. After structured debate, the House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began the conference report on HB 501E, the $114.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which was described as below the prior year’s spending level and leaving more than $14 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major allocations across education, higher education, IT, health care, transportation and economic development, justice, state administration, and agriculture/natural resources. Highlights included increased FEFP funding and veteran teacher raises, full funding for Bright Futures, major IT modernization projects, Medicaid and behavioral health funding, transportation and local infrastructure spending, correctional and law enforcement investments, fire station and emergency response funding, and large environmental and water-quality appropriations. Members asked detailed questions about school voucher fraud oversight, scholarship funding, teacher raises, preeminence funding, ADAP changes, SNAP data tools and error rates, Medicaid rate changes, prison wastewater monitoring, and other budget items, but the transcript ends during the budget questions before final action on HB 501E is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1585 by Hughes, relating to prohibition on governmental contracts with companies of foreign
• Senate Bill 1585 by Hughes, relating to prohibition on governmental contracts with companies of foreign

Summary: The Senate convened, adopted a motion by Senator Zaffirini to suspend Senate Rule 11.13 so committees could meet during the reading and referral of bills, and then proceeded to first reading and committee referral of a large number of measures. The bills covered a wide range of topics, including judicial qualifications, alcohol sales at racing facilities, health care provider participation programs, abandoned land receiverships, local mental health authority governance, school trustee employment eligibility, DFPS review procedures, groundwater district management plans, early voting by mail, contracts with companies from foreign adversaries, wastewater permitting, nondisclosure provisions involving child sexual abuse, child abuse reporting, veterans’ claims assistance, hotel occupancy tax collection by accommodations intermediaries, apprenticeship grants, Sunset Commission renaming, health care entity ownership reporting, firearms and school trespass offenses, water trust and water bank issues, construction contract trust funds and payments, Medicaid recoupment, colonia real estate contracts, epinephrine use in schools, forensic analyst apprenticeship training, online ticket sales disclosures, and public water system security incident reporting. The chamber also received and read several resolutions, including SCR 27 authorizing burial of Guy Herman in the State Cemetery, SCR 28 urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment on regulating money in campaigns and ballot measures, SCR 29 designating El Paso as the official boot capital of Texas, and multiple joint resolutions. Those included proposals on county tax exemptions for rainwater harvesting and graywater systems, creation of a Texas Health Care Workforce Education Fund, authorization of sports wagering, dedication of state tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund, a statewide referendum on standard time versus daylight saving time, and clarification of impeachment-trial and removal provisions for public officers. After the readings and referrals, the Senate adjourned until 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 11.