Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Appleseed is a non-profit, nonpartisan, research-driven organization, working at the intersection
• But in the area of religious not-for-profit entities, that is clearly the case.
• These organizations are also required to write eligible policies regardless of risk, unlike traditional
• We are generally an organization... I just want to let you know that your time is gonna be... Okay.
• We're generally an organization that approves of any bill that expands health care access.

Bills: HB778, HB 1266, HB1576, HB2213, HB2517, HB2518, HB2841, HB3306, HB3320, HB3388, HB3508, HB3520, HB3689

Keywords: credentialing, healthcare, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, managed care, hurricane, windstorm, loss mitigation, grants, insurance discounts, property retrofitting, insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, board composition, coastal counties, property insurance, taxation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, premium taxes, maintenance taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• The Insurance Institute of Business and Home Safety, IBHS, is a scientific research organization that
• Again, I'm with the National Association. ...mutual insurance companies, national organization.

Bills: HB778, HB 1266, HB1576, HB2213, HB2517, HB2518, HB2841, HB3306, HB3320, HB3388, HB3508, HB3520, HB3689

Keywords: credentialing, healthcare, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, managed care, hurricane, windstorm, loss mitigation, grants, insurance discounts, property retrofitting, insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, board composition, coastal counties, property insurance, taxation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, premium taxes, maintenance taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course it wouldn't have to be religious.
• We are the world's largest get-out-the-vote organization.
• It permits the government to suppress such religious expression.
• I represent myself and the organization. here today.
• , are not selling actual organic products.

Bills: SB3, SB810, SB965, SB1073, SB1119, SB1505, SB 3

Keywords: Texas Education Code, public schools, school district, open-enrollment charter school, teacher speech, employee speech, biological sex, pronouns, gender identity, retaliation, discipline, workplace protections, school personnel, education policy, LGBTQ, transgender, charter schools, SB 965, religious speech, prayer

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name and the organization you're with. Mark, we're with the Bureau of Narcotics.

Bills: SB65, SB444, SB592, SB640, SB1242, SB1257, SB1304, SB1501, SB1642, SB1946, SB2178

Keywords: SB65, naloxone, Narcan, opioid overdose, overdose reversal, opioid antagonist, emergency opioid antagonist, substance abuse services, harm reduction, public health, overdose prevention, good samaritan, civil immunity, criminal immunity, controlled substances, addiction treatment, fentanyl, opioid crisis, school overdose response, first aid

Summary: The Alcohol, Tobacco, and Controlled Substances committee met to consider a series of Senate bills, most of them advancing with little or no opposition. SB 1304 expanded retailer tasting limits for beer, wine, and liquor samples; after brief discussion about liquor store support and tasting flexibility, it passed. SB 1501, as amended, allowed any approved third-party vendor to provide continuing education for the medical marijuana industry, and SB 1946 initially received a committee substitute but was later rescinded and returned to its original engrossed form as a distillery bill reducing a local distillery license fee from $3,125 to $1,250. SB 592 clarified distributor obligations when replacing products for quality-control reasons, and SB 65 allowed possession and use of Narcan and fentanyl test strips; both passed. The committee also heard SB 1257, which moved THC-related substances into Schedule 1 while keeping dronabinol/Marinol in Schedule 3; members discussed federal alignment, singular/plural wording, and synthetic THC coverage, and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics stated it had no objection. An amendment was adopted to make the terminology consistent. SB 444 passed to allow certified hospice personnel to destroy narcotics after a patient’s death. SB 640, with a committee substitute, added abandoned marijuana grow facilities to the definition of public nuisance to help local authorities clean them up, and it passed after confirmation that prior distancing language had been removed. Later, SB 2178 was amended to remove language that would have placed liability on employees, leaving ABLE-directed insurance requirements for certain events; the amended bill passed. SB 1242, another bond-bill-related measure, was revised to restore the $2,000 fee and add a requirement that OMA notify law enforcement when a license is terminated, and it advanced. Finally, SB 1642 passed to allow seven-day pain-medication prescriptions to be split into shorter fills, with the author arguing it could reduce addiction risk. The committee adjourned after all recorded votes were taken and several bills were reported out favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• and largest statewide pro-life organization in Texas.
• and largest pro-life organization in Texas.
• Someone has an opportunity to read some other religious text, and that other religious text is not defined
• This is the, the school, uh, by extension, the government actually organizing prayer and organizing Bible
• That sounds like organizing it to me.

Bills: SB 6, SB 11, SB 33

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Transcript Highlights:

• pro-life organization. organization in Texas.
• pro-life organization in Texas.
• Someone has an opportunity to read some other religious texts, and that other religious text is not defined
• It just says "religious text."
• That sounds like organizing.

Bills: SB6, SB11, SB33

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Bills: SB6, SB11, SB33

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name and organization you're with.

Bills: SB65, SB444, SB592, SB640, SB1242, SB1257, SB1304, SB1501, SB1642, SB1946, SB2178

Keywords: SB65, naloxone, Narcan, opioid overdose, overdose reversal, opioid antagonist, emergency opioid antagonist, substance abuse services, harm reduction, public health, overdose prevention, good samaritan, civil immunity, criminal immunity, controlled substances, addiction treatment, fentanyl, opioid crisis, school overdose response, first aid

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill strengthens parental rights and protects religious freedom. ...rights and protects religious
• Communities are organized. The opportunity is now. Thank you. Okay.
• I could take them to a batting cage and play religious music in the background and call that religious
• religious opportunity on an optional basis to our schools.
• He's actually going... religious release.

Bills: SB13, SB278, SB13

Keywords: education, national anthem, patriotism, school policy, constitutional amendment, SB278, released time, religious instruction, elective credit, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama Released Time Credit Act, church-state separation, First Amendment, school choice, parental consent, elective course, off-campus instruction, private religious entity, State Board of Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding religious groups, yes, all religious groups are allowed.
• We believe... ...religious groups are allowed. We believe in freedom of religion.
• I don't want anybody to go off in those religious tangles in your mind thinking one thing.
• of because we are thinking so much about trying to provide for these kids to participate in the religious
• So, we appreciate you all supporting our work to organize the student retention council.

Bills: SB278, HB459, HB61

Keywords: SB278, released time, religious instruction, elective credit, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama Released Time Credit Act, church-state separation, First Amendment, school choice, parental consent, elective course, off-campus instruction, private religious entity, State Board of Education, local board of education, attendance credit, core curriculum, religious education, Bible class

Transcript Highlights:

• >> It's just we have federal FDA law that says if you got 95% organic, you can say it's organic, but
• you can't say it's 100% organic.
• We're going to get into it over that. >> Thank you for getting it out because natural, organic, the organic
• 40.000><c> the</c><00:23:40.240><c> organic</c> because natural organic the organic because natural organic
• </c> purely organic, but you really aren't. purely organic, but you really aren't.

Bills: HB139, HB172, HB156

Keywords: HB139, Alabama discrimination, civil rights, public accommodations, employment discrimination, equal access, protected classes, race discrimination, sex discrimination, religious discrimination, age discrimination, disability discrimination, national origin discrimination, school board discrimination, labor organization, employment agency, retaliation, private right of action, punitive damages, attorney fees

Bills: SB1969, SB1953, SB1277, SB1287, SB1061, SB1916, SB1589, SB2178, SB1444, SB1438, SB1501, SB1873, SB1364

Keywords: massage therapy, licensing, multistate compact, regulation, healthcare, professionals, Employer Health Plan Transparency Act, health insurance, claims data, contract provisions, health care providers, auditable materials, HIPAA compliance, insurance regulation, unemployment benefits, employment security, work search, job search, reemployment, jobless benefits

Bills: SB1969, SB1953, SB1277, SB1287, SB1061, SB1916, SB1589, SB2178, SB1444, SB1438, SB1501, SB1873, SB1364

Keywords: massage therapy, licensing, multistate compact, regulation, healthcare, professionals, Employer Health Plan Transparency Act, health insurance, claims data, contract provisions, health care providers, auditable materials, HIPAA compliance, insurance regulation, unemployment benefits, employment security, work search, job search, reemployment, jobless benefits

Summary: The Senate Business and Insurance Committee met and first laid over Senate Bills 1969 and 1624 without hearing them. It then considered SB 1953, a health insurance transparency bill requiring third-party administrators to provide employers information on what was spent on employee health benefits; an amendment deleting the word “welfare” was adopted, and the bill passed 7-1. SB 1277, which codifies a three-week work-search requirement for unemployment benefits, passed 8-0. SB 1287, amended to change “may” to “shall,” would bar the Oklahoma Abstractors Board from licensing applicants not legally authorized to work in the U.S.; after questions about the need for the bill and the alleged loophole, it passed 7-2. The committee also passed SB 1061, a cleanup measure on mortgage broker licensing and renewal fees, and SB 1916, which would move the Oklahoma Receivership Office under the Insurance Department and streamline receivership operations. SB 1589, as amended to reference Indian Gaming Regulatory Act authorization, would increase penalties for illegal sweepstakes/gambling operations and expand enforcement against entities profiting from illegal gambling; it passed unanimously. SB 2178, a compromise special-event license bill requiring liability insurance coverage, also passed unanimously. Two major insurance reform bills were debated at length and failed. SB 1444 would shift homeowners insurance rate regulation from a use-and-file system to prior filing with authority for the Insurance Commissioner to declare rates excessive; after testimony from a homeowner about a large premium increase and extensive debate over regulation and market effects, it failed 4-5. SB 1438 would require reporting of underwriting gains and profits, cap average profits at 5% over three years, and require rebates or premium credits if profits exceeded that level; supporters argued it would protect consumers, while opponents warned of market disruption and reduced competition. It failed 2-7. The committee then passed SB 1501, clarifying medical marijuana grow reclamation bond requirements, SB 1873, correcting a drafting error in a prior bill and delaying its effective date, and SB 1364, requiring an affidavit of encumbrances before transferring a medical marijuana business license.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're an organization that works with local communities to provide release time religious instruction
• So if any religious group wanted to set this up, they could.
• To access release time programs for religious education for their children.
• These programs serve a vital role for families seeking religious education.
• Religious education, and they accommodate parents' desire for their children to receive religious instruction

Bills: SB226, SB413, SB571, SB1049, SB2398, SB2920

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, school boards, transparency, public meetings, attendance, recording, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension, reporting requirements, released time, religious instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, if a school or multiple, sorry, two or more schools are organized within a single

Bills: HB0159

Keywords: student rights, free expression, K-12 education, speech protection, religious views, political speech, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , expressing what those look like and organizing, um, religious, political, and ideological gatherings
• </c> those look like and organizing those look like and organizing um<00:05:57.919><c> religious,</c>
• </c><00:16:17.759><c> in</c><00:16:18.000><c> religious,</c> students may organize in religious, students
• Our organization regularly advocates for free speech, religious liberty, life, and the family.
• Our organization regularly advocates for free speech, religious liberty, life, and the family.

Bills: HB0159

Keywords: student rights, free expression, K-12 education, speech protection, religious views, political speech, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We select for antibiotic-resistant organisms. And so antibiotic stewardship is kind of a buzz word.
• ><00:05:01.040><c> resistant</c> select for antibiotic resistant select for antibiotic resistant organisms
• . organisms. organisms.

Bills: SB85, SB85

Keywords: vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education, immunization, religious tenets, sincerely held belief, school health policy, Alabama, AHSAA physical form

Transcript Highlights:

• This deals with franchisees that assert sincerely held religious beliefs to operate on a religious day
• If you already have the ability to be closed on your sincerely held religious holidays, it allows you
• </c><00:03:37.120><c> held</c> be closed on your sincerely held be closed on your sincerely held religious
• 03:40.000><c> it</c><00:03:40.239><c> allows</c><00:03:40.560><c> you</c><00:03:40.720><c> to</c> religious
• uh holidays, it allows you to religious uh holidays, it allows you to do<00:03:41.040><c> so.

Bills: SB138, SB166, SB117

Keywords: franchise, franchisor, franchisee, religious freedom, religious accommodation, sincerely held belief, Sunday closing, Sabbath, day of worship, contract law, commercial contracts, renewal, amendment, brand standards, small business, business hours, civil penalties, injunctive relief, attorney fees, Alabama

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas previously on another bill, I said I wasn't keen on that organization doing it, in this case
• Solicit private funds, and whereas previously on another bill I said I wasn't keen on that organization

Bills: SB5000, SB5325, SB6044, SB6313

Keywords: state nickname, evergreen state, identity, cultural heritage, tourism, state cactus, symbolic designation, ecological significance, state symbols, SB 6044, Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Washington state holidays, RCW 1.16.050, state holiday recognition, religious observance, Hindu holiday, Sikh holiday, cultural recognition, paid holiday

Transcript Highlights:

• And here are the names of some of the organizations. They give 29, the names of 29 organizations.
• In addition to being the parent organization, In addition to being the parent organization of Hamas,
• And we work with leading Muslim organization, including CAIR, which is a civil rights organization.
• Branding a civil rights organization as terrorist because of its advocacy or religious identity is clearly
• There is a standard to identify an organization as a terrorist organization.

Bills: HB2009, HB2022, HCM2001, HCM2002, HCM2004, HCR2001, HM2001, HM2004

Keywords: campaign contributions, foreign contributions, constitutional amendments, public disclosure, Arizona Revised Statutes, elections, voter registration, provisional ballots, primary election, voter participation, Muslim Brotherhood, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, national security, Islamist extremism, Congress, Arizona, domestic security, CAIR, terrorist organization