Bills: HB138, HB335, HB388, HB138

Keywords: health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, education, funding, classroom resources, teacher support, student outcomes, health benefits, provider dentists, payment reimbursement, insurance code, noncontracting, dental care, reimbursement, health benefit plans, noncontracting providers

Transcript Highlights:

• requires all health benefit plan issuers and administrators to use a uniform coordination of benefits questionnaire
• In today's world, each plan or carrier, if you will, had its own unique questionnaire form.

Bills: HB138, HB335, HB388, HB138

Keywords: health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, education, funding, classroom resources, teacher support, student outcomes, health benefits, provider dentists, payment reimbursement, insurance code, noncontracting, dental care, reimbursement, health benefit plans, noncontracting providers

Transcript Highlights:

• In today's world, each plan carrier, most providers have their own coordination of benefits questionnaire
• Unfortunately, all these different questionnaires that have in place have caused errors, and what happens

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

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388

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.

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

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum and took up several House and Senate bills, with public testimony limited to two minutes per witness. The committee first heard HB 2358, a cleanup bill requested by HHSC that would repeal outdated training and conference requirements for long-term care facility surveyors and certain providers; there were no witnesses, and the bill was left pending. The committee then heard HB 18, the rural hospital stabilization bill, which would create financial assessment tools, a rural hospital finance office at HHSC, an academy for rural hospital officers, multiple grant programs, enhanced Medicaid reimbursement tied to average cost, OB/GYN add-on payments, expanded pediatric telehealth connectivity, and a rural pediatric mental health program. Senator Perry and witnesses from TORCH, a rural hospital, AARP Texas, and ARCHI strongly supported the bill as a way to stabilize rural hospitals, improve OB access, and address workforce and financial pressures. Committee members discussed rural hospital closures, low-volume quality metrics, system affiliation, and the need for predictable monthly reimbursement; the bill was left pending after testimony and questions. The committee next heard HB 37, which would create a perinatal bereavement care initiative for families experiencing stillbirth, neonatal death, or intrauterine fetal demise, including counseling, staff training, and access to cooling devices, with possible grants and a recognition program for hospitals. Senator Huffman explained the bill, and several witnesses testified in support, sharing personal stories about infant loss and the importance of time with the baby, trained staff, and cuddle cots or similar devices. A neonatologist also supported the bill while suggesting clarification that hospitals should not be penalized if state funding is unavailable and recommending use of regional advisory councils to help implement training. Public testimony was then closed and the bill left pending. The committee also heard HB 879, which would create a streamlined licensing pathway for veterans with medical or nursing experience to practice in Texas, and HB 913, which would add new state hospitals to statute and split the North Texas State Hospital into two separate hospitals with their own superintendents; both bills had no opposition testimony and were left pending. Later, the committee heard SB 2744, a heart disease screening bill that would update the 2009 Texas Heart Attack Prevention Act to require insurance coverage for coronary CT angiography with plaque analysis, including soft plaque detection, as a preventive screening tool. The author and invited witnesses argued the technology is more effective than calcium scoring alone, can identify patients before symptoms appear, and could save lives at a cost comparable to or lower than colonoscopy. An insurance industry witness opposed the bill, arguing the technology has not been recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for universal screening and that the mandated coverage and payment level would raise costs; the bill was left pending after testimony. Finally, the committee heard HB 1151, a parental rights bill clarifying that refusing psychotropic medication or psychiatric treatment is not neglect unless the child is harmed. Supporters, including parent advocates and attorneys, said the bill would protect parents from CPS overreach and preserve medical decision-making authority, while one witness urged broader attention to physical causes of behavioral issues. Public testimony was closed and HB 1151 was left pending.

Bills: HCR14, HB201, HB218, HB352, HB626, HB636, HB738, HB749

Keywords: Department of Education, federal overreach, education policy, Tenth Amendment, local control, fine arts, high school diploma, arts education, capstone project, academic achievement, student recognition, Louisiana education, food insecurity, hunger, student hunger, school meals, free lunch, community eligibility provision, McKinney-Vento, homeless students

Transcript Highlights:

• This requires the Office of Elections to prepare a questionnaire on certain issues to which candidates
• elections to requires the office of elections to prepare<01:07:17.280> a<01:07:17.440> questionnaire
• <01:07:18.000> on<01:07:18.160> certain prepare a questionnaire on certain prepare
• a questionnaire on certain issues<01:07:18.720> to<01:07:18.960> which<01:07:19.119>

Bills: SB2444, SB2446, SB2450, SB2453, SB2461, SB2457, SB2462, SB2313, SB2528, SB2532, SB2571, SB2678, SB2529

Keywords: real property, exemption, attachment, execution, consumer protection, financial security, inflation adjustment, head of family, senior citizens, Intermediate Court of Appeals, judges, Hawaii judiciary, court membership, legal system, presidential preference primary, elections, political parties, Hawaii voting, 2028 election, voting

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2444 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution, which the Attorney General said could create vague retroactivity language and litigation risk; the committee noted the exemption had last been adjusted around 1978. SB 2446 would add a seventh associate judge to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Judiciary staff testified in opposition, saying recent internal restructuring and a pending vacancy had improved output and that it would be prudent to wait and see the effect before adding another judge. The Public Defender supported the goal of faster appellate resolution but said it would defer to the court’s assessment and had no objection to revisiting the issue later. The committee also discussed current appellate timelines, with staff saying at least 225 days is built into the process before a case reaches a merit panel, and that a two-year delay from panel assignment was realistic under the current structure. The committee then heard SB 2450, which would establish a presidential preference primary for the 2028 cycle. The Chief Election Officer said the election would cost about $4 million, less if combined with the regular primary. Several opponents argued the bill would add bureaucracy, duplicate or undermine party-run processes, and waste taxpayer money; one speaker estimated the total cost could be closer to $6 million when county costs are included. Supporters and committee members discussed that the measure would not require parties to use the results and that Hawaii remains one of the few states still using caucuses. The committee also asked whether counties could staff the election and whether the results would be useful given Hawaii’s current primary timing. SB 2453 would require the Office of Elections to include a notice with each ballot that a digital and printed voter information guide is available, with the notice in 32-point font as a separate insert. The Chief Election Officer said the insert would cost about $90,000 and asked for an effective date of January 1, 2027 because mailing preparations for the primary would already be underway. The Disability and Communications Access Board, League of Women Voters, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and others supported the bill. The committee also began hearing SB 2461, which would have the Office of Elections prepare a questionnaire for candidates and publish responses online and in the voter guide; the Chief Election Officer said the office did not think it should be the agency to shape campaign questions, though he said it could work if the questions were specified in statute. Finally, the committee heard SB 2457, which would require a criminal conviction before seized property could be forfeited. The Attorney General and Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, arguing it would prolong cases, increase storage costs, and make forfeiture less effective against crime, especially where owners flee, die, or hide assets through shell companies. The Public Defender strongly supported the measure, saying forfeiture should be tied to convictions and that people challenging forfeiture often lack counsel. The Honolulu Prosecutor also opposed the bill, but said it supported transparency, due process, and even a right to counsel; it argued conviction-only forfeiture would fail in cases involving fugitives, deceased suspects, or hidden ownership structures. The committee questioned what would happen to property if an owner could not be found, and the prosecutor said the outcome would depend on the type of property and could involve abandonment or interpleader proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• In today's world, each plan carrier, most providers have their own Coordination of Benefits questionnaire
• Unfortunately, all these different questionnaires that have been placed have caused errors, and what

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB116, HB18, HB37, HB116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744

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

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744, HB18, HB37, HB116

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388

Transcript Highlights:

• school districts to obtain. written parental consent before administering a student's well-being questionnaire

Bills: SB12, SB1565, SB13, SJR12, SB686, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB112, SB400, SB813, SB 12, SB 13

Keywords: parental rights, education, social transitioning, diversity, equity, inclusion, school policy, student clubs, school district, grievance procedure, public education, diversity and inclusion, funding penalties, school libraries, library advisory councils, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, constitutional amendment, school choice

Transcript Highlights:

• There won't be a tunnel access just outside of the COB ramp. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• There won't be a tunnel access just outside of the COB ramp. >> Okay, questions.
• There won't be a tunnel access just outside of the COB ramp. >> Okay, questions.
• And then also addressing with the demolition of the COB, of the Centennial Office Building.
• of the Centennial demolition of the COB of the Centennial Office<00:50:24.079> building.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not sure on this last name, Le Cob. Why did you go last? I can't read everybody's writing.
• I'm Warren Cob, and I'm with Sustainable... Thank you for the opportunity to speak.
• I'm Warren Cob, and I'm with Sustainable.

Bills: SB185, SB194, SB72

Keywords: veterinary medicine, veterinarian-client-patient relationship, prescription refills, animal care, regulatory compliance, agriculture authority, eminent domain, property rights, tax exemption, agriculture center, medical cannabis, cannabis license, integrated facility license, Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, AMCC, medical marijuana, dispensary, cultivation, processing, license appeal

Transcript Highlights:

• I am open to COB amendments from other funds in different ways.
• Yeah, the amendment eliminates general funds and uses non-general funds, and I'm willing in a COB amendment
• to further that. ...general funds, and I'm willing in a COB amendment to further that up, down, different
• Unless we have a— we could have in a COB amendment, we could say, you know, we're willing to cut this
• It sounded like the chairman was open to doing a COB amendment to change the source of the funding.

Bills: SB1112, SB1517, SB1537, SB1584, SB1673, SB1776

Keywords: mental health, hearings, acquaintance witnesses, patient rights, treatment evaluation, barbering, cosmetology, appropriation, funding, licensing, board operations, peace officer, training, public safety, traffic offenses, judicial system, corrections, recruitment, state budget, crime victims

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met on March 25 for what was described as its last regular meeting, with a possible special meeting tentatively planned for the following Tuesday. The committee first took up Senate Bill 1112, as amended by a strike-everything amendment that would appropriate $1 million from the Special Services Fund in FY2027 to the Arizona Department of Corrections for holistic, studio-based rehabilitative programming, with a required report due by June 30, 2028 on spending and outcomes such as self-harm, discipline, and recidivism. Testimony from the founder of Art of Our Soul and a formerly incarcerated peer facilitator emphasized trauma-informed art and music therapy, reductions in disciplinary violations and self-harm, and benefits for both incarcerated people and staff. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave SB 1112 a do-pass recommendation. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1776, which would allow urban Indian organizations to provide traditional healing services reimbursable through AHCCCS or the Arizona Long-Term Care System. The sponsor said the bill was intended to align Arizona with federal approval and other states’ models. AHCCCS testified neutral but said the bill would require a waiver change, likely at standard FMAP rather than 100%, and estimated a $1.3 million general fund impact; the chair said a COW amendment and fiscal note were needed. Members raised concerns about cost and access, and the sponsor clarified the bill was meant for American Indians and family members served through IHS-related facilities. The committee ultimately passed the bill out with a do-pass recommendation, though several members voted no or present over funding concerns. Senate Bill 1537, which would rename the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund as the Public Safety De-escalation and Life Safety Fund and repeal an inactive advisory commission, failed after testimony from a legislative liaison explaining the fund’s history and use for equipment and de-escalation tools. Some members supported the cleanup, but others objected after the Arizona Police Association opposed the change and argued the commission should be reformed rather than repealed. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1584, as amended, which would provide $1 million for Department of Corrections recruitment and training, funded instead from the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund. Testimony supported the need to address DOC staffing shortages, but some members objected that the fund was restricted to peace officer equipment; the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill out. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1673, which would fund the law enforcement crime victim notification system. A chair amendment shifted the source from the general fund to the victim compensation fund and reduced the amount to about $2.5 million. Testimony from the Arizona Sheriffs Association, a vendor, and the City of Phoenix described the notification system as constitutionally required, widely used, and important for victim safety and communication, but several members argued the amendment would take money from victim compensation and “rob Peter to pay Paul.” The committee adopted the amendment and then gave SB 1673, as amended, a do-pass recommendation. The chair closed by noting the committee was adjourned and that a special meeting might be posted for the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Go ahead, Senator Cob. >> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Senator<00:26:48.880> Cob. Senator Cob. Senator Cob.
• >> Senator<00:57:20.240> Cob. >> Senator Cob. >> Senator Cob.

Bills: SF0007, SF0008, SF0009, SF0010

Keywords: theft, penalties, larceny, criminal offense, felony, Wyoming, absconding, law enforcement, criminal justice, fentanyl, controlled substances, minors, drug distribution, enhanced penalties, mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, 916

Transcript Highlights:

• you would like to volunteer to help in preparing those trees, we will be in the loading dock of the COB
• you would like to volunteer to help in preparing those trees, we will be in the loading dock of the COB

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer by Deacon Bruce Richards of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Waconia, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call establishing a quorum. The journal from the previous day was approved, and reports from standing committees and divisions were adopted without objection. The chamber then moved through second readings of several House Files, introduced House Files 5051 through 5066, and received multiple Senate Files for first reading. Several Senate Files were referred to committees or paired with House Files for comparison, including SF 1943 (commerce), SF 2691 (housing), SF 4282 (forecast adjustments), and SF 4760 (public safety). The House also received a Rules and Legislative Administration report designating a number of bills for the April 23 calendar and requiring pre-filing of amendments for those measures. The Speaker announced a Senate message seeking House concurrence on amendments related to HF 3437. During announcements, Representative Hansen noted Arbor Day tree distribution plans and invited members to help prepare trees the next day. Representative Lilly offered birthday wishes to Representative O'Driscoll. Representative Niska announced a safety drill after adjournment and moved to adjourn the House until 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2026; both the adjournment-time motion and the motion to adjourn prevailed.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:25:40.159> Senator<01:25:40.560> Cob. a question. Senator Cob. a question.
• Senator Cob. >> Yeah,<01:25:41.280> Mr.<01:25:41.520> Chairman.
• Cob? >> All right. Um, no. Thank you.
• <01:38:14.480> Cob? >> Any other questions for Mr. Cob?
• Cob? >> All<01:38:16.560> right.<01:38:16.960> Um,<01:38:17.360> no.

Bills: HB0083, HB0102, HB0178

Keywords: subpoena, legislative authority, penalty, compliance, law enforcement, artificial intelligence, synthetic sexual material, child protection, self-harm, criminal liability, public employment, labor organization, dues withdrawal, collective bargaining, public funding, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 29:13.200> 220<00:29:14.320> additional<00:29:15.440> previous<00:29:16.000> COB
• There were 220 additional previous COB There were 220 additional previous COB acts<00:29:16.640>

Bills: HF729

Keywords: human services, provider enrollment, medical assistance, healthcare, housing stabilization, substance use disorder, vulnerable adults, fraud prevention, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I know, I would like to see a corn cob voting... people excited about this process and um people
• > to<00:10:57.920> see<00:10:58.040> a<00:10:58.120> corn<00:10:58.440> cob
• <00:10:58.840> uh<00:10:59.080> voting Would like to see a corn cob voting sticker.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:16:54.200> have<02:16:54.479> concerns<02:16:55.399> with<02:16:56.120> cob
• at this I have I have concerns with cob at this I have I have concerns with cob bacteria<02:16:57.599
• > Caceria<02:16:58.599> cob<02:16:59.319> bacteria<02:17:00.319> cob bacteria
• Caceria cob bacteria cob bacteria Caceria cob bacteria cob bacteria<02:17:01.479> isn't<02:17

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:28:40.399> Cob. Senator Cob. Senator Cob.
• :30:02.399> questions<00:30:02.720> for<00:30:03.039> Senator<00:30:03.440> Cob
• Any other questions for Senator Cob? Any other questions for Senator Cob?

Bills: SF0087, SF0088, SF0092

Keywords: felony, law enforcement, police officer, criminal penalties, public safety, sex offender, child care facility, residency restrictions, criminal law, sex offenders, child care facilities, legislation, false claims, civil penalties, state accountability, whistleblower protection, fraud prevention, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:41.160> Ricky demand officers involved in the Ricky demand officers involved in the Ricky cob
• 01:42.920> case<01:01:43.119> to<01:01:43.240> be<01:01:43.400> charged cob
• in Ryan leran case to be charged cob in Ryan leran case to be charged just<01:01:44.680> assuming
• <01:09:42.319> were<01:09:42.960> dropped<01:09:43.960> the murdered Ricky cob
• II were dropped the murdered Ricky cob II were dropped the reasons<01:09:44.520> given<01:09:

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the January 21 minutes and then heard an overview from the University of Minnesota’s Office for Public Engagement on its community engagement awards program. Amber Cameron explained that the office supports partnerships across the university’s campuses and that nominations for the Outstanding Community Service Awards were evaluated by faculty and staff selection committees using criteria such as positive societal impact, innovation, extraordinary results, and overall application quality. She said the community partner award was based only on the nomination materials and described the award process, including that nominations could come from individuals, grassroots groups, or organizations and that the award carried a $5,000 prize. The main discussion focused on the 2024 community partner award given to Communities United Against Police Brutality. Cameron said the nomination documented a long-standing relationship with the university through the Center for Community-Engaged Learning, including work in 130 course offerings over 24 years across 17 academic departments and participation by about 1,000 students. She cited examples from the nomination such as student research and policy work that contributed to Travis’s Law. Committee members questioned the organization’s age, its letterhead and public activism, the meaning of its relationship with the university, and whether the work was appropriate for an award. Cameron responded that the award did not require formal tax status and that her office facilitated the process rather than judging the organization’s broader views. Members also asked for additional information on the vetting process, the courses involved, the award funding source, the ceremony, and related materials. Cameron said the awards were funded through OMN funding, that the program was being sunset and replaced with a new internal engaged-scholar awards structure, and that she would follow up on requests for documents, speaking notes, and other details. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes, and the committee moved on after the testimony and questions.