Bills: HB2272

Keywords: ski areas, winter sports, terminology update, recreation, regulatory changes, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This delay is called regulatory lag.
• This bill addresses regulatory lag by permitting the natural gas utility to defer costs in a regulatory
• framework.
• Act and regulatory lag.
• regulatory lag in large measure.

Bills: HB2766, HB2891, HB3334, HB3791, HB3911, HB4021, HB4041, HB4042, HB4384, HB4426

Keywords: inactive wells, oil and gas regulation, environmental protection, Railroad Commission of Texas, well plugging, Railroad Commission, penalties, violations, pipeline safety, civil penalties, criminal penalties, wildfire prevention, oil and gas, safety inspections, administrative penalties, excavation, notification, utilities, underground facilities, regulatory compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• We are procuring a cloud-based comprehensive licensing and regulatory solution.
• Currently, Texas regulatory framework consists of of over 274,000 restrictive regulations across more
• And so those opportunities exist in our regulatory code today.
• So this is going to be or hire a lawyer or go hire a regulatory expert.
• The Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office very closely resembles the Virginia Office of Regulatory Management

Bills: HB10, HB 12, HB675, HB10, HB12

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's regulatory framework for digital assets is insufficient, in my opinion.
• We need to create a regulatory framework that encourages responsible development of this technology,
• Act or should the Genius Act or should our regulatory framework require stablecoin issues to be vetted
• Because listen, I want to get to a regulatory framework that works, but I have seen echoing what others
• They need to know that there are regulatory frameworks for stablecoins, for instance, that make stablecoins

Keywords: Digital Assets, Bitcoin, Stablecoins, Legislation, Bipartisan, Consumer Protection, Regulatory Framework, Financial Innovation, Testimony

Summary: The inaugural meeting of the Digital Assets Subcommittee brought a wave of excitement and anticipation regarding the future of digital assets, including Bitcoin and stablecoins. Chair Lummis expressed gratitude towards Senator Scott for establishing the subcommittee, indicating a commitment to promote responsible innovation while safeguarding consumers. Members discussed the necessity for a bipartisan legislative framework to regulate digital asset markets effectively while outlining the potential benefits such legislation could have on enhancing financial inclusion and streamlining payments. The meeting featured expert testimonies from key figures in the digital asset industry, highlighting the importance of creating clear regulatory guidance for digital assets to foster innovation without compromising consumer protections.

Bills: HB297

Keywords: cash transactions, money transmission, regulatory compliance, criminal penalties, Alabama Securities Commission, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation and they want to change the legislation and they want to change the foundation or the framework
• of our foundation or the framework of our foundation or the framework of our educational system.

Bills: HB 10, HB 12, HB 147, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• So, is this proposed new government regulatory office in Texas?
• If we have this new government regulatory office, would we need them anymore?
• It says that they're going to create a manual, a regulatory economic analyst manual.
• As an example, in Virginia they also created a similar office, the Office of Regulatory Management.
• This new Government Regulatory Office makes a recommendation... Can you speak up a little bit?

Bills: HB10, HB 12, HB147, HB1522, HB422, HB675, HB204, HB748, HB912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Bills: HB3281, HB3320

Keywords: administrative procedures, guidance documents, transparency, public inspection, rulemaking, sunset laws, statutory entities, regulatory compliance, emergency provisions, board re-creation

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 3320, which would eliminate sunsets across agencies, boards, and commissions subject to the law. Representative Osborne presented the bill, there were no questions or debate, and the committee voted 11-0 to pass it forward. Next, House Bill 3281 was heard. Representative Hall said the bill would require guidance documents created or relied upon by state agencies to be published publicly. In response to questions, he explained that the bill is intended to increase transparency without banning guidance documents, and that publication would occur either on the Secretary of State’s website for agencies under the Administrative Procedures Act or on the agency’s own website for exempt agencies. Members also asked about possible staffing or workload impacts, but no specific estimate was provided. The committee discussed a recent example of an agency relying on an internal policy document that was not public. The bill then received a motion, second, and passed 12-0. After the bills, the chair gave instructions on reviewing a large batch of agency rules and packets under the Raines Act process. Members were asked to return their reviews promptly, ideally by Thursday, and to evaluate each rule for statutory authority, compliance with process, fiscal analysis, and methodology. The chair explained the preferred response format and said disapproval could be full or partial depending on the issue identified.

Transcript Highlights:

• That exemption has led to significant disparities in pricing and created regulatory uncertainty, a major
• A predictable framework is far more effective. than arbitrary or secretive rate structures.
• If you say we've already created the framework for this, what is the barrier?
• They don't have rulemaking necessarily or ample regulatory power like the PUC, I imagine that.
• Um, you're a regulatory lawyer; you value predictability.

Bills: HB3445, HB3448

Keywords: telecommunications, electric cooperative, rights-of-way, infrastructure, provider access, right-of-way, pole attachment, regulatory access, 1184, house, all

Bills: HB0066, HJ0005, HB0010

Keywords: administrative law, judicial review, agency deference, Chevron deference, de novo review, state agencies, regulatory interpretation, statutory interpretation, separation of powers, individual liberty, administrative procedure, agency action, Wyoming Supreme Court, district court review, oil and gas inspector, regulatory challenge, anti-deference, law enforcement, memorial, Patrolman Rosa

Bills: HCR206

Keywords: data centers, electric utilities, Hawaii State Energy Office, renewable energy, environmental impact, regulatory safeguards, ratepayers, grid reliability, 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs met in Room 016 for a scheduled decision-making session, but the chair announced that quorum was not present. As a result, no testimony was taken and no action was taken on the agenda items: HCR 43, HCR 154, HCR 165, and HCR 202 HD2. Because of the lack of quorum, decision-making on all listed measures was deferred. The chair announced the committee would reconvene on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 225.

Bills: HCR206

Keywords: data centers, electric utilities, Hawaii State Energy Office, renewable energy, environmental impact, regulatory safeguards, ratepayers, grid reliability, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees met on several concurrent resolutions focused on energy, agriculture, water, and food security. Testimony on HCR 206 HD1 concerned the Hawaii State Energy Office and data centers, with comments submitted by the PUC, the Energy Office, and others; the measure was recommended for passage without amendment, though one committee deferred formal action until a later meeting because of quorum issues. HCR 31, recognizing 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in Hawaii, received strong support from the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, which emphasized managed grazing, groundwater infiltration, and food production; it was recommended and adopted as passed unamended. HCR 33, on the Pua Kōloa sewage project, was amended to add UH Hilo as a stakeholder and resource for research, monitoring, and technical assistance, then recommended for passage with amendments. The committees also heard and advanced a series of resolutions on environmental and land-use issues. HCR 36 establishing a sister-state relationship with Okayama, HCR 19 designating March as March for Water Month, HCR 162 creating an arts and data mapping task force, HCR 61 on reforestation investment, HCR 106 endorsing Waikiki as a world surfing reserve, and HCR 178 urging a Maui water set-aside were all recommended for passage as is and adopted. HCR 14, authorizing a perpetual non-exclusive easement for drainage purposes, was recommended for passage with technical, non-substantive amendments. HCR 179, addressing the Aha Moku Advisory Committee, was amended to create a working group with legislative, Aha Moku, DLNR, and OHA representation to report back for the 2027 session, and was recommended for passage with amendments. In the agriculture and environment hearing, HCR 117 on statewide food security drew testimony from a high school student and others stressing Hawaii’s vulnerability to supply disruptions and the need for local food resilience; it was passed as is. HCR 103, supporting expanded tree canopy and shade trees to reduce urban heat islands, also passed as is after a member noted storm damage concerns and suggested careful plant selection. HCR 180, urging the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to explore co-locating renewable energy projects with agricultural reservoirs and irrigation infrastructure, received strong support from Molokai Clean Energy Hui and others describing the Kalaupapa Reservoir floating solar project and its community planning process; it was passed as is. HCR 144 HD2, calling for a comprehensive statewide food security strategy, was also recommended and adopted without amendment.

Bills: SB89, SB54, SB127, SB128, SB77, SB78, SB100, SB101, SB102, SB103, SB113, SB126, SB122, SB136

Keywords: pilotage, commission, statewide laws, maritime regulation, repeal, sunset law, Alabama Surface Mining Commission, environmental regulation, mining, state commission, Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling, state agency, continuous operation, government efficiency, sickle cell disease, healthcare, regulatory commission, public health, 911 services, 911 Board

Bills: HB297, HB587

Keywords: cash transactions, money transmission, regulatory compliance, criminal penalties, Alabama Securities Commission, information technology, auditors, financial institutions, cybersecurity, certifications, state regulations, 1136, house, all

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2681

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer recognizing Black History Month, reflecting on sacrifice, justice, and the responsibility of legislators to serve with humility, courage, and dignity. The body then approved the previous day’s minutes and adopted House Resolution 4701 honoring Black History Month without objection. After the resolution, both Democratic and Republican caucuses were called, and the House briefly went at ease. The chamber then handled routine business: first-reading referral of bills, memorials, and resolutions from the introduction sheet, referral of bills from committee reports, and placement of Engrossed Senate Bill 5272 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406 onto the second reading calendar after the Rules Committee was relieved of them. No floor debate or recorded votes on substantive legislation occurred in this segment. The House announced that floor action had concluded for the day and adjourned until 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 26th.

Transcript Highlights:

• On economic development, we came in with $150 million in funding to the session as part of the framework

Bills: SB145, SB143

Keywords: auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control, pesticide registration, pesticide applicator, pest management consultant, plant protection, nursery license

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's why the account managers and the current framework is so important because it shouldn't

Bills: SB145, SB143

Keywords: auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control, pesticide registration, pesticide applicator, pest management consultant, plant protection, nursery license

Bills: SB 324, SB 1978, SB 2139, SB 2401, SB 2587, SB 2610, SB 2858, SB 3016

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, state contracts, immigration, labor compliance, Sunset Review, government accountability, Texas Lottery Commission, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Ethics Commission, government agencies, regulatory review

Bills: HB2200, HB2468, HB2660

Keywords: developmental disabilities, residential settings, data access, safety, stability, terminology correction, social services, healthcare, regulatory compliance, department reorganization, child welfare, court authority, shelter care, family law, court conditions, 904, all

Summary: The House Early Learning & Human Services Committee met in executive session on three bills. HB 2200, dealing with JLARC review of safety and stability outcomes for DSHS developmental disabilities clients and replacing a public dashboard with annual reporting, was amended with a technical fix and then reported out with a do pass recommendation on a 9-2 vote. Supporters said the substitute would reduce fiscal impact while still producing useful, comparable data; opponents raised concerns about how the data might affect providers and whether it could stigmatize difficult placements. HB 2468, which updates statutory references to DSHS divisions after agency restructuring and makes related technical changes, was advanced without amendment. The substitute restored two current-law provisions: the expiration date for the Dementia Action Collaborative and the requirement that DSHS employ two permanent full-time staff to review and maintain the no-paid-services caseload. The committee reported the bill out unanimously. HB 2660, authorizing courts to order parents to comply with safety conditions for children under age five after shelter care hearings, was amended with a tribal-requested change requiring the conditions to be the least restrictive necessary, reviewed every 30 days, and consistent with state and federal Indian Child Welfare Act requirements. Members said the bill responds to rising critical incidents and aims to improve child safety, while acknowledging broader system challenges. The committee then reported the substitute bill out on a 9-2 vote and adjourned after noting it had reached the end of its first half of work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2731 continues the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants

Bills: HB2408, HB2434, HB2725, HB2728, HB2729, HB2730, HB2731, HB2732, HB2733

Keywords: nursing board, regulatory actions, disciplinary actions, expungement, healthcare professionalism, controlled substances, prescription monitoring, opioid crisis, healthcare regulations, patient safety, prescription drugs, opioids, healthcare, pain management, utilization controls, AHCCCS, Department of Economic Security, social services, welfare programs, vocational rehabilitation