Transcript Highlights:

• codify a new chapter of statutes relating to education innovation and also codifies the innovation zone
• codifies education innovation and also codifies the<00:20:43.679> innovation<00:20:44.240> zone
• session<00:20:44.960> law<00:20:45.280> in<00:20:45.440> the the innovation zone
• session law in the the innovation zone session law in the new<00:20:45.840> chapter.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have our own time zone.
• putative it near future where students will have to commit and they're not the it is we're some are zones
• struggle with the fact that there are only 2 currently only 2 trustees, even live in the Central Time Zone
• Review 3 trustees live in the central time zone on the uwf board.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• down hole if we're fracking a job, but that water plus water that was already in the field, in the zones
• Unique is that it has multiple layers of productive zones and so with one vertical well bore you can
• drill a number of different horizontals and hit complete in different zones and so that's added to the
• technology change and that has dramatically altered the productivity of, of that hori those producing zones

Transcript Highlights:

• down hole if we're fracking a job, but that water, plus water that was already in the field. in the zones
• of the things that makes the Permian Basin unique is is that it has multiple layers of productive zones
• one vertical wellbore you can drill a number of different horizontals and hit complete in different zones
• we've seen technology change and that has dramatically. altered the productivity of those producing zones

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But if those responsibilities, like taxation and zoning and DMV and alcohol licensing, are exempted from
• like there but if those responsibilities like Taxation<00:20:25.080> and<00:20:25.280> zoning
• and<00:20:26.480> DMV<00:20:27.280> and<00:20:27.480> alcohol Taxation and zoning
• and DMV and alcohol Taxation and zoning and DMV and alcohol licensing<00:20:28.440> those<00:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on SB 1221 and SB 1222, both relating to storm water management and detention/retention ponds. Testifiers, including the Department of Health, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, and a family member affected by a drowning death in a poorly maintained detention pond, strongly supported stronger statewide safety standards, inspections, and maintenance requirements. Several speakers urged that the bills be combined or aligned so they would cover both existing and future ponds, and there was discussion about whether responsibility should remain with DOH or be shifted to DLNR, which members said has more relevant expertise. The committee ultimately amended SB 1221 to move responsibilities from DOH to DLNR, add two positions, and include existing ponds, then passed SB 1221 with amendments. SB 1222 was deferred. The committees also heard SB 1432, concerning changes to the Department of Health’s responsibilities related to Kalaupapa as the patient population declines. DOH testified in support, saying the bill begins the conversation about future responsibilities after there are no longer patients at Kalaupapa. Testimony from K
4dhana O Kalaupapa, descendants, and community members emphasized that the affected community and other stakeholders should be included in planning, and several speakers asked for more detail on the state’s transition plan, financial responsibilities, and preservation of the site’s cultural and historical significance. Members discussed the need for a coordinated plan among DOH, DLNR, and DHHL, and asked for more detailed cost information and a clearer roadmap. The committee passed SB 1432 with amendments, including stakeholder consultation language and a requirement for a state plan and financial details to be reported back. Later, the committees heard SB 1339, which would create a program to characterize statewide carbon sequestration potential and underground water resources. DBEDT and the Chief Energy Officer testified in support, describing it as part of a broader coordinated effort involving DHHL, DBEDT, the University of Hawaii, and the Energy Office to advance geothermal and related research. No vote or final action on SB 1339 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• the federal intrusion into the flood insurance space back in the '60s and the designation of flood zones
• Just because you're outside of a flood zone means practically nothing.
• I'm not in the flood zone, by the way. I do have flood insurance.
• I'm not in a flood zone, by the way. I do have flood insurance.

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard a series of presentations focused on mitigation, flood and wind resilience, and insurance discounts. Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management outlined several funding streams for mitigation, including federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program dollars, BRIC grants, flood mitigation assistance, and the state hurricane loss mitigation program. He emphasized the new Elevate Florida initiative, which will use about $400 million initially to elevate or reconstruct flood-prone homes, starting with National Flood Insurance Program properties and severe repetitive-loss homes, with no current per-home cap. Guthrie said the state will contract directly with licensed vendors and aims to reduce future flood losses, lower insurance costs, and keep properties on the tax rolls rather than relying on buyouts. Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski described Florida’s windstorm mitigation discount program, explaining that the 1802 inspection form is used to assess a home’s overall “envelope” and determine statutory discounts. He said the office is updating the program based on a new wind loss study, with likely changes including greater recognition of roof types such as metal roofs and possible territorial risk adjustments. He also said the Legislature now requires the office to revisit the study every five years. Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services reported on My Safe Florida Home, noting that the program offers inspections and grants for roof and opening protections, has completed more than 100,000 inspections, and has reimbursed hundreds of millions of dollars. He said the department has validated its discount calculations with insurers and that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce premiums through verified mitigation work. Michael Newman of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety said Florida’s building code is nationally leading and that post-Ian surveys found no wind-driven structural damage in buildings built after adoption of the code. He argued that mitigation should be treated as a system, not isolated upgrades, and suggested adding Fortified designation to the state’s mitigation form to better document verified resilience improvements. Bill Truex, a county commissioner and builder, stressed the need to educate homeowners about floodproofing and roof choices, citing examples where flood panels prevented damage and noting that asphalt shingles often do not last as long in Florida as their marketing suggests. In panel discussion, senators asked about program eligibility, outreach to elderly and digitally challenged residents, contractor vetting, roof-life disclosures, and whether flood insurance should be more broadly required. Officials said outreach will include call centers and in-person assistance, and several participants urged better consumer disclosure and more data-driven guidance on roof and mitigation choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• need to model good behavior if we're going to ask the same of our local communities who make these zoning
• 08.240> these of our local communities who make these of our local communities who make these zoning
• zoning zoning decisions<01:08:10.640> that<01:08:10.920> starts<01:08:11.480> with<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Scottsdale at the very least have great confidence in the elected officials to make appropriate zoning
• Great confidence in the elected officials to make appropriate zoning for the city.
• Put that aside with the fact that this is not dictating zoning to the cities in any way, and it definitely

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We only have about seven or eight counties that actually have planning and zoning.
• Planning and zoning is a really good way to do that.
• Other things that we saw: opportunity zones.

Transcript Highlights:

• You were saying your costs were a little higher than TWIA in the TWIA zone, but where are you right outside
• and I'm out of the TWIA zone, and I'm in the non-TWIA zone, but it's just across the street.

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:

• AB 72, Jackson, EV Economic Opportunity Zone, do pass out with the Republicans not voting.
• Oh, yeah, AB 72, Jackson, EV Economic Opportunity Zone. Do pass out on an A roll call.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on January 22, 2026, for its regular order hearing and suspense-file hearing. In regular order, the committee approved consent-calendar bills AB 683, AB 763, AB 1126, and AB 1278 on unanimous due-pass motions, and AB 34 and AB 442 on a second unanimous due-pass motion. The committee then heard and advanced several bills, including AB 35, which would create an APA exemption for Proposition 4-funded programs to speed implementation of water, wildfire, energy-storage, and grid-support projects; AB 748, establishing pre-approved housing programs for local agencies; AB 939, allowing immediate transfer of certain affordable homeownership units to qualified nonprofit housing organizations; AB 643, adding a narrow organic-waste-derived agricultural fertilizer product to SB 1383 procurement options; and AB 96, removing the high school diploma requirement for certified Medi-Cal peer support specialists. Testimony on these bills was largely supportive, with sponsors and coalition representatives emphasizing reduced delays, lower costs, and improved housing, environmental, or behavioral-health outcomes. The Department of Finance offered general budget comments but no bill-specific positions. The committee voted the bills out, with AB 643 and AB 96 receiving no recorded opposition in the transcript and AB 939 passing with some members noting support and interest in coauthoring. The committee also received a presentation-only discussion of AB 1091, a proposal to authorize eight-letter specialty license plates, which the author said could generate revenue for rural programs such as the Williamson Act; the bill was not acted on at that time. After public comment, the committee moved to the suspense-file hearing on 53 bills. Using a substituted motion for due-pass and due-pass-with-amendments items, the committee held some bills and advanced many others, often with amendments that narrowed scope, deleted provisions, or required reports or studies. Bills held in committee included AB 405, AB 298, AB 333, AB 296, AB 1091, AB 1241, and AB 577, among others. The committee reported moving 43 bills to the Assembly floor, with several on A roll calls and others on B roll calls or with amendments, and noted that amendment language would be posted later online.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have drainage considerations and then we have our fire safety buffer zone.
• And our fire safety buffer zone has different rules and much more lenient rules for astronomers to protect

Bills: SB840, HB2025, HB2512, HB3139, HB3798, HB3892, HB4373, HB4398, HB4582, HB4689, HB5187, HB5658, HB5666

Keywords: HB 2025, Texas Property Code, plat filing, replat, amended plat, condominium plat, subdivision, county clerk, tax certificate, ad valorem taxes, delinquent taxes, property records, real property, land use, local government, property development, subdivision recording, condominium recording, tax receipt, eminent domain

Transcript Highlights:

• several other bills very well that are part of our overarching priority to eliminate dangerous gun-free zones
• that have ever taken place since we started tracking them in 1950 have occurred in dangerous gun-free zones

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1065, which would require government property contracts to prohibit contractors from barring licensed handgun holders from carrying firearms on leased or owned public property, with civil penalties and attorney general enforcement for violations. Senator Hall and invited witnesses from the Texas State Rifle Association, NRA, and Texas Gun Rights argued the bill would close a loophole exposed by the State Fair of Texas gun ban and protect law-abiding Texans’ self-defense rights. Opponents, including Moms Demand Action/Everytown, said the bill would undermine event organizers’ ability to set site-specific safety rules and could increase liability and insurance costs. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. The committee next took up Senate Bill 2742, which would create civil penalties for independent school districts and officials who use public resources for electioneering, waive immunity defenses, and expand attorney general enforcement. Senator Hagan-Bood said current law bans the conduct but lacks meaningful penalties, making injunctions the only remedy. No public testimony was heard, and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2743, also by Senator Hagan-Bood, which would allow a court to disqualify local prosecutors who refuse to prosecute election offenses and appoint the attorney general to handle the case, with a committee substitute adjusting the removal process through an adjacent-county judge. Opponents from the Texas Civil Rights Project argued the bill would undermine prosecutorial discretion and was vague and open to abuse, while a Harris County election official described past instances where alleged voter fraud cases were not pursued. After testimony, public comment was closed and SB 2743 was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• And these are the people that are going to ignore your signs, gun-free zone. don't.
• <00:18:22.720> Nationwide,<00:18:23.440> it's<00:18:23.679> a signs, gun-free zone
• Nationwide, it's a signs, gun-free zone.
• some of those things, but I just usually the fact that when we have places to put it's a gun-free zone
• , places to put it's a gun-free zone, places to put it's a gun-free zone, that's<00:20:06.960>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Holly said up here, work zone what Mr.
• Holly said up here, work zone safety,<00:45:12.000> safety,<00:45:12.480> whether<00:45
• nationally is to improve work zone nationally is to improve work zone safety<00:45:25.320> to
• County GIS is, you know, parcel mapping or flood zones, elections, district boundaries.
• Um, so we have 15, uh, which is statutory working safety zones.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by taking roll for the Joint Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee and noting that 20 topics had been submitted for discussion, including one late addition. Members were asked to number the topics for reference, and the chair explained that each presenter should give a brief overview before the committee returned to the dais for questions and possible ranking or action. No votes were taken during the portion provided. The first topic was a request from the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming to have TRIP, a third-party transportation research organization, present a report on Wyoming’s highway system. The report is intended to identify transportation needs and 25 priority projects, and the committee generally supported hearing the report and methodology directly from TRIP. The next topic combined two similar railroad safety proposals. Representative Chestek described a bill addressing train length, wayside detectors, and track inspections, citing the East Palestine derailment and concerns about reduced inspection frequency. Committee members raised questions about federal preemption and enforcement authority; Chestek said states can be more protective of safety where federal rules leave gaps, and WYDOT said it would need additional expertise and staffing to administer such a program. No public testimony was offered on the railroad topic. The committee then heard two proposals from the Wyoming Military Department. One would study Tricare subsidies for mental health providers by comparing Tricare reimbursement rates with other insurers, gathering de-identified data on eligible members and provider participation, and then returning to the committee with findings before any legislative recommendation. Members discussed whether the issue might fit better in Labor, Health, and Social Services, but the military department said it believed the committee had a strong connection to the topic. The second military topic would study Service Group Life Insurance for state active duty, comparing state and federal death benefits for Guard members to identify any shortfalls. The committee also briefly discussed a VSO program review raised by Representative Neff, focusing on the number of veterans service officers and retention, but no action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, there's a lot of turf between, you know, the end zone and the 10-yard line between now
• So, you know, there's a lot of turf between, you know, the end zone and the 10-yard line between now
• So, you know, there's a lot of turf between, you know, the end zone and the 10-yard line between now
• I just want to remind your Red Zone references are very painful for Viking fans, and so— That's close
• and and the 10 yard line between zone and and the 10 yard line between now<00:13:38.040> and<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this becomes really goes beyond unworkable to getting into what I consider to be a bit of a dangerous zone
• this becomes really goes beyond unworkable to getting into what I consider to be a bit of a dangerous zone
• this becomes really goes beyond unworkable to getting into what I consider to be a bit of a dangerous zone
• this becomes really goes beyond unworkable to getting into what I consider to be a bit of a dangerous zone
• bit of<00:41:08.319> a<00:41:08.640> a<00:41:08.960> dangerous<00:41:09.359> zone

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee work session focused on House Bill 293, which would prevent minors from accessing obscenity on certain internet-connected electronic devices. Chair Pardell opened by noting the bill had been discussed several times and that the goal was to find language acceptable to the committee. Representative Coutab argued the bill is important for child safety, said parents vary in technical ability, and pointed to Apple as evidence that filtering tools can be implemented. He asked whether the other members saw a path forward and what it might look like. Representatives McFarland and Tur both said they support the underlying concern but questioned the bill’s structure and practicality. McFarland emphasized parental responsibility and individual liberty, said any final language should avoid infringing on rights or creating indirect pressure on corporations, and suggested looking at other states’ approaches and Apple’s closed ecosystem as a limited example. Tur said the bill may solve one problem while creating others, especially by placing the burden on device manufacturers and browsers rather than on the content providers; he cited the recent Texas Paxton decision as an example of a more targeted age-verification approach aimed at websites. Both expressed concern that a broad device-level mandate may be difficult to implement consistently across different platforms. Chair Pardell responded that the bill is intended to add protective measures rather than impose a blanket ban, and compared it to existing restrictions on minors accessing alcohol, tobacco, or pornographic magazines. She said the proposal is meant to ask for the user’s age during device setup, not to require identification or database checks, and stressed that parents would still be responsible for entering accurate information. Members also discussed whether Apple’s tools are generalizable to Android and other ecosystems, whether the market is already developing solutions, and whether a parent-facing filter or device-level controls would be the best route. Pardell said the committee had received public feedback and that another work session would likely be held in October; no vote or final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• 893 expands a streamlined ministerial approval process for mixed-income developments on commercially zoned
• AB 893 builds upon existing law to encourage housing on commercially zoned parcels near our college campuses
• 893 expands a streamlined ministerial approval process for mixed income developments on commercially zoned
• would increase safety around schools by lowering the speed limit to 20 miles per hour in a school zone
• would increase safety around schools by lowering the speed limit at 20 miles per hour in a school zone

Summary: The Assembly met on May 23, 2025, established a quorum after a roll call, and proceeded through a long House of Origin floor session with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine parliamentary actions. Early in the day, a motion by Assembly Member Gallagher to suspend the rules and take up AB 12 immediately failed on a 18-39 vote. The chamber then moved through the daily file, with many measures passing by wide margins, often with bipartisan support and little or no opposition. Among the notable bills discussed were measures on law enforcement oversight and records access (AB 847), CalFresh data-sharing exemptions (AB 593), campus-area housing for students and staff (AB 893), insurance and wildfire hardening updates (AB 1), missing middle housing code changes (AB 6), tribal peace officer status in a pilot program (AB 31), utility bill analysis before new mandates (AB 61), fairgrounds funding (AB 258), Diwali as a state holiday (AB 268), labor and worker organizing rights (AB 288), algorithmic price-fixing and antitrust enforcement (AB 325), elections and jail voter information (AB 331), protections for judges and court personnel (AB 343 and AB 352), school construction procurement (AB 361), school-zone speed limits (AB 382), transit worker protections (AB 394), blue carbon coastal mitigation (AB 399), K-9 standards for law enforcement (AB 400), livestock carcass composting (AB 411), translation of housing materials (AB 413), immigrant educational rights notices (AB 419), gun violence restraining order implementation (AB 451), special education and child care measures (AB 560 and AB 563), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), and disability access protections for businesses (AB 649). Several bills addressed housing, energy, public health, and public safety, and many authors emphasized affordability, transparency, and administrative efficiency. The session also included several ceremonial or recognition items, including ACR 73 declaring Italian American Heritage Month, which was adopted by voice vote after 65 coauthors were added. Most measures were approved overwhelmingly, though a few drew some dissent, including AB 421? no—AB 399 passed 42-30, AB 450 passed 49-6, AB 461 passed 49-8, and AB 621 passed 58-0. The transcript ends partway through AB 772, which was introduced as an educational equity bill addressing cyberbullying after school hours, but the remainder of that item is not included in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• people um and you know picking up the of people um and you know picking up the lock<00:54:11.920> Zone
• > remember<00:54:14.240> knocking<00:54:14.559> on<00:54:14.680> the lock Zone
• I I remember knocking on the lock Zone I I remember knocking on the door<00:54:14.960> of<00:
• 27.880> lock find a way to go out and getting a lock find a way to go out and getting a lock zone
• 00:54:28.799> try<00:54:28.960> to<00:54:29.839> and<00:54:30.040> and zone

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just as a reminder, of the 112 acres, 24 acres has been zoned for affordable housing, and the plan is
• Just as a reminder, of the 112 acres, 24 acres has been zoned for affordable housing, and the plan is
• also<00:29:18.640> 54<00:29:19.200> Acres<00:29:19.880> uh<00:29:20.000> zoned
• <00:29:20.320> for<00:29:20.480> Le housing um also 54 Acres uh zoned for Le housing
• um also 54 Acres uh zoned for Le industrial<00:29:21.399> for<00:29:21.679> to<00:29:21.880

Keywords: 1187, senate, all