Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the substitute before you changes the makeup of the commission to be 13 total members, 6 appointed
• by the Texas Supreme Court with the advice and consent of the Senate, and 7 appointed by the governor
• Further, it adds a requirement that an appointed master that hears and takes evidence on the matters
• Appoint new ones that would start on January 1st of 2026. This might cause some continuity issues.

Bills: SB 53

Keywords: voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• The substitute before you changes the makeup of the commission to be a total of 13 members, six appointed
• by the Texas Supreme Court with the advice and consent of the Senate, and seven appointed by the governor
• Further, it adds a requirement that an appointed master who hears and takes evidence on the matters must
• It would have the governor's office and the Texas Supreme Court appoint new ones that would start on

Bills: SJR27, SB53, SB311, SB1164, SB2807, SB1574, SB 53

Keywords: judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, constitutional amendment, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, Texas Supreme Court, writ power, mandamus, quo warranto, certiorari, procedendo, extraordinary writs, Government Code Section 22.002, separation of powers, judicial authority

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, at being the appointed hour of nine o'clock, we'll go ahead and open the JLCAR meeting.
• Who do we have that needs to be appointed? Um, I'm guessing—who do we have?
• Yeah, so we'll go ahead and appoint... So we have the point.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (JLCAR) met briefly, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the prior meeting minutes and the consent calendar. Members were seated to fill attendance, including Representative Potenza for Senator Innis. The committee noted two items still pending on the regular calendar: manufactured housing installer standards, for which a response to a preliminary objection is still due next month, and the Dental Examiners Board matter, for which the committee agreed to waive the deadline and allow the board until April to return with a resolution on the sedation issue. No additional substantive business was taken up. Members discussed an informational training session on how JLCAR works, including what motions are allowed and the committee process, and agreed to proceed with that session after adjournment. To do so, the committee voted to cancel the contingent meeting for the month. The meeting then adjourned, with members noting that all items had been handled on consent and that the session was unusually short.

Transcript Highlights:

• and minority leaders, because the appointing authority in the House does come from the Speaker, and
• , because two people can't appoint.
• <02:20:41.120> those jointly appointing those jointly appointing those people<02:20:43.200
• > we two people can't appoint I hope we we two people can't appoint I hope we we all<02:21:00.640
• has to do the appointing so with that<02:21:31.920> I'd<02:21:32.080> be<02:21:32.160>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It kept funneling me to a link to set up an appointment.
• It kept funneling me to a link to set up an appointment.
• It kept funneling me to a link to set up an appointment.
• be medical professionals on site or not; it just said make an appointment.
• be medical professionals on site or not; it just said make an appointment.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, they are appointed by the governor and they are very agency-specific.
• <00:05:06.400> by<00:05:07.120> the agencies uh they are appointed by the agencies
• uh they are appointed by the governor<00:05:07.800> and<00:05:07.919> they<00:05:08.039
• The legislative auditor and deputy legislative auditor are unclassified and appointed to a term.
• <01:09:59.880> to unclassified um and are not appointed to unclassified um and are not appointed

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's only dealing with the actual appointment process, but not the actual appointment process.
• It's only dealing with the actual appointment process, but not the actual appointment process.
• It's only dealing with the actual appointment process, but not the actual appointment process.
• You couldn't<03:36:52.479> appoint<03:36:52.880> yourself couldn't appoint yourself couldn't
• serving, you know, trying to appoint serving, you know, trying to appoint themselves<03:39:43.040

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Order that a joint committee to consist of members of the Senate and House of Representatives be appointed
• The Senate members appointed are as follows. Mr. Eldridge of Middlesex.
• The Senate members appointed are as follows: Mr. Eldridge of Middlesex and Worcester, Mr.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and began the session with a moment of silence requested by Sen. Fattman for victims of the New Orleans attack, with remarks expressing sympathy for the families and those injured. The chamber then adopted organizational orders, including notifying the House of the Senate’s organization, informing the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the Governor’s Councilors of their election, and receiving the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s certified election returns for executive councilors. The Senate also adopted an order to appoint a joint committee to count the votes for executive councilors, and the Senate members named were Sen. Eldridge, Sen. Driscoll, and Sen. Durant. Sen. Brady then offered a memorial tribute for Brockton firefighter Jeffrey W. Albanese, who died after suffering a cardiac arrest while responding to an incident. The memorial highlighted his 24 years with the Brockton Fire Department, his family, and his service to the community. The Senate approved a moment of silence in his honor. Finally, the Senate adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m. Sen. Driscoll moved to adjourn, and the Senate adjourned in memory of Jeffrey W. Albanese.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1992, he was appointed by President Bill Clinton as the New England Director for the United States
• He was appointed by President Bill Clinton as the New England Director for the United States Department
• also served on the board of directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and in 2002 was appointed

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two resolutions offered by Senator Brownsberger honoring the Armenian American community, the Armenian Heritage Foundation, Friends of the Armenian Heritage Park, and former State Representative Rachel Caprillion and Peter Kutuzian on the occasion of the Armenian Genocide commemoration. The chamber then acted on committee reports and petitions, including a bill to extend MBTA service of the ride to Foxborough, which was referred to the Committee on Transportation after suspension of the relevant rules, and a House petition to establish a sick leave bank for Dana Johnson of the Department of Children and Families, which was referred to the Committee on Public Service. The Senate also adopted an order setting the January meeting for the following Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. and directing that the Senate adjourn that day in memory of Philip W. Johnston. Members then offered remarks honoring Johnston’s life and public service, including his work in the House of Representatives, the Dukakis administration, the Clinton administration, and as chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, as well as his advocacy for health care, social justice, and vulnerable residents. After a moment of silence, the Senate adjourned in his memory.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hereby appoint the Honorable Michael K. Simpson to act as Speaker pro tempore on this day.
• Appointment, United States Holocaust Memorial Council. Signed sincerely, Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.
• <00:07:39.120> Appointment<00:07:39.919> United Pursuant to clause 4 of Rule One, the

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, February 13, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> For another question. >> Yes. >> The sponsor yields. >> You said the Governor unilaterally appoints
• Through you, Madam President, the Governor makes the appointments, and they most certainly come through
• You can't keep appointing Public Service Commissioners, faceless bureaucrats.
• YOU CAN'T KEEP APPOINTING PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER, FACELESS BUREAUCRATS.
• The Governor appoints them, and you confirm the Public Service Commission commissioners.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then took up a series of utility and public service bills and resolutions. A resolution sponsored by Senator Scarcella-Spanton designating April 9, 2026, as Yellow Ribbon Day was adopted after remarks honoring veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. The chamber then moved through several Public Service Law measures focused on utility affordability, consumer protections, and PSC procedures, with some bills laid aside and others advanced. Among the bills passed were measures by Senators Mayer, Cleare, Hinchey, Comrie, and Parker. Debate on the Mayer bill centered on limiting utility expenses and fees recoverable in rate cases; supporters said it was part of a broader package to reform PSC practices, while opponents argued it would not lower current bills and had been softened from earlier versions. The Webb bill creating a residential utility usage monitoring program drew extended debate over whether it would meaningfully reduce costs, who would pay for the program, and whether it could lead to government monitoring of household usage; supporters said it would give consumers more control and transparency, while critics said it would not lower rates. The Gonzalez bill, which would add consumer protections during PSC investigations and delay shutoffs in certain circumstances, also passed after questions about whether it applied to rate cases, with the sponsor saying rate cases were explicitly excluded. Several members explained their votes, with supporters emphasizing affordability, transparency, and consumer protection, and opponents arguing the package would not address immediate rate relief and could burden ratepayers or encourage nonpayment. Senator Tedisco and others criticized PSC appointments and state energy policy, while Democratic sponsors argued the bills were part of a longer-term effort to reform utility regulation and address climate and affordability concerns. The chamber restored multiple bills to the non-controversial calendar before final votes, and the recorded results showed passage of the major utility bills by substantial margins, along with one amendment appeal being ruled nongermane and rejected.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we will take up those appointments individually.
• We have lawyers from the Attorney General that are appointed by the Attorney General for the state of
• I am concerned about this appointment. I feel that Ms. Hatch did not answer our questions.
• And now we will take up Ila Shapiro, appointed to the Board of Trustees of Florida Polytech on TAB 24
• Ila Shapiro, appointed to the Board of Trustees of Florida Polytech on TAB 24.

Summary: The committee first considered the confirmation of Dr. John Lattell to the Florida Board of Medicine. In questioning, senators focused heavily on his views on abortion, vaccines, ivermectin, hormonal birth control, and the role of CDC/FDA guidance in board discipline cases. Dr. Lattell said the board should apply Florida statutes, described himself as strongly pro-life and skeptical of some federal health guidance, and said he would be sympathetic when judging fellow physicians because of his own experience in practice. Supporters praised his medical background, military service, and family medicine experience, while opponents argued his stated views could affect his ability to fairly discipline other doctors. The committee voted 5-2 to recommend confirmation, with Senators Polsky and Rouson voting no. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined her background at DCF and APD and described department priorities including streamlining services, improving child welfare and behavioral health systems, expanding peer support, and reducing SNAP error rates. Members asked detailed questions about Hope Florida, the number and role of Hope Navigators, agency responsiveness on bill analyses, and accountability for community-based care contractors. Hatch said Hope Florida is a partnership-based navigation effort aimed at self-sufficiency, that 143 Hope Navigators are in place, and that the department is working to improve transparency and oversight through contracts, audits, and a proposed funding model. Senators also pressed Hatch on the Hope Florida Foundation’s compliance history and on forensic audits of community-based care agencies, especially Northwest Florida Health Network. Hatch said the foundation is now in compliance and under audit, and that the contractor had completed corrective actions and was operating within current accountability limits. She said DCF had not yet conducted new forensic audits under her tenure but was preparing another round and was considering using contracted-services dollars to support that work. The discussion ended with continued questioning on oversight, staffing, and whether the agency could provide more formal bill analyses going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas law has allowed mayors alone to appoint commissioners to municipal housing authorities since the
• According to Section 392 of the Local Government Code, this appointment structure hasn't changed.
• House Bill 4840 seeks to align municipal housing authority appointment practices with this more democratic
• Existing tenant appointment provisions remain unchanged.
• When Governor Bush became President Bush, he appointed me to the same position.

Bills: HB164, HB164, HB411, HB627, HB 1226, HB1677, HB1865, HB1997, HB2985, HB3462, HB4188, HB4685, HB4840, HB5370, HB5424, HB5466, HB5509, HB5660, HB5673

Keywords: HB 164, HB164, Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, Hill Country floods, July 2025 floods, flood recovery, disaster relief, flood reimbursement, reconstruction grants, resiliency standards, floodplain, base flood elevation, FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, insurance denial, property damage, tenant assistance, rental property

Transcript Highlights:

• by both a majority and appointed by both a majority and minority<00:30:07.399> will<00:30:07.640
• > Representative Garcia: Having a truly bipartisan Elections Commission means both parties get to appoint
• If this bill passes, you're all telling us, the minority, that our appointments have to be approved by
• Representative Garcia: Having a truly bipartisan Elections Commission means both parties get to appoint
• If this bill passes, you're all telling us, the minority, that our appointments have to be approved by

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They could appoint a legislator bodies.
• Sometimes it's the behavior of someone that accompanies her to the appointment.
• <01:41:05.760> And to Cheyenne just for my appointment.
• And to Cheyenne just for my appointment.
• <01:46:43.199> with and I went in for my appointment with and I went in for my appointment

Bills: HB0003, HB0117, HB0041

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, informed consent, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, law enforcement, death benefits, retirement, survivor support, public safety, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But he says, as chair of a committee, I can appoint a subcommittee, and I could appoint a subcommittee
• But he says, as chair of a committee, I can appoint a subcommittee, and I could appoint a subcommittee
• We've had 13 new judges appointed in 2024 and five appointed in 2023, so we have a huge stable of newer
• > we 2024 and five appointed in 2023 so we 2024 and five appointed in 2023 so we have<01:53:08.480
• <04:10:19.399> by parent or parents may be appointed by parent or parents may be appointed

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with committee process reminders from the chair, including rules for questioning witnesses, time limits for testimony, and how motions and committee reports are handled. The chair also discussed the committee’s history, emphasized a cooperative approach with agencies and the Judiciary, and noted that a special committee on the Family Division of Circuit Court had previously done useful work; he said a new subcommittee could be appointed later to continue looking at judicial-system issues. He also mentioned that the Speaker’s office was expected to name members to the DHHS oversight committee by Friday at 1. The substantive presentation was from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Child Support Services. Attorney John Williams introduced the bureau team, and Bureau Chief Lisa Dekowski described the program’s mission: encouraging responsible parenting, family self-sufficiency, and child well-being by locating parents, establishing paternity, setting or modifying support orders, and enforcing court-ordered child and medical support. She said the bureau operates statewide under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, works with courts, employers, and other partners, and serves both in-state and out-of-state cases, with some international and tribal coordination. She also cited program scale, saying the bureau dispersed about $76 million to families in New Hampshire in fiscal year 2023 and that most collections go directly to families. Members asked about enforcement tools, especially passport denial. In response to a question about a case involving a very small shortfall, the bureau said the federal passport-denial threshold is $2,500 in arrears, not a few cents, and that denial remains in place until the balance is resolved or an arrangement is made with the agency, with hardship factors potentially considered. The bureau also explained that either parent can apply for services when a child support order exists and that the bureau can help initiate income withholding orders. No votes or formal actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, are there going to be new appointments to the DSB board? I would expect that to occur, yes.
• In one of these appointments, because it's my understanding that these people have been serving for years
• I mean, he's not been appointed by the board. Is there a current...
• I mean, he's not been appointed by the board. Is there a current director?
• that if he would sign the letter that acknowledges Nathan Winters being the interim director as appointed

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the bill permits the board to appoint a temporary director until the next regular election to
• Finally, the bill permits the board to appoint a temporary director until the next regular election to
• The multi-county configuration does not correspond with the current single-county appointment process
• To address this, this bill adds an optional method for board member appointments by petitioning the TCEQ
• The multi-county configuration does not correspond with the current single-county appointment process

Bills: HB103

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard a series of local and special-purpose bills, mostly with brief sponsor explanations and little or no public opposition. Topics included fireworks sales near the Texas-Mexico border for Cinco de Mayo (HB 1629), allowing larger counties to use their own inspectors for county buildings (HB 3234), updating governance and financial rules for the Wood County Central Hospital District (HB 5664), clarifying firefighter collective bargaining and impasse procedures (HB 3171), and exempting certain Fort Worth ETJ properties from release rules to protect infrastructure investments (HB 2512). The committee also heard bills on border subdivision rules in Cameron County (HB 3680), extending a property tax exemption to surviving spouses of certain veterans affected by the PACT Act (HB 2508/HJR 133), drainage district election timing and procedures (HB 5693, HB 2694), utility transparency for municipally owned systems (HB 1991), and management district and hospital district election or appointment changes (HB 5698, HB 2293). Another major bill, HB 1449, would expand a food truck permitting pilot program to counties over one million population; witnesses supported the concept but asked the committee to coordinate it with related fee and standards bills, and the bill was left pending for further work. The committee also heard HB 3732, which would let fire departments obtain extensions to comply with new NFPA protective equipment standards, and HB 5431, which would clarify that mayors and at-large council members do not need new elections after reapportionment; both were left pending after questions about their scope. Several transparency and tax-related bills were also discussed, including HB 103, creating a statewide database of local bond and tax election information, and HB 851, requiring reporting on homestead tax ceiling properties; both drew support and were later voted out. After testimony, the committee reported multiple bills favorably, often unanimously, and recommended many for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also used procedural swaps to substitute House companions for Senate bills on several measures, then recessed with plans to return later to process additional bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• It removes minority representation requirements for F-CORR appointments and vendors.
• Senator, I think in the main bill, it allows the governor and the cabinet to directly appoint members
• Currently, the governor appoints but the Senate confirms the members of the commission, is that right
• changing that method to give the governor more direct control without confirmation of the Senate in appointing
• Currently, the governor appoints but the Senate confirms the members of the commission, is that right

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice considered and reported favorably a series of criminal justice, corrections, and public safety bills. Among the measures approved were SB 468, increasing penalties for fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement and allowing impoundment of involved vehicles; SB 1136, tightening age-related criminal offense provisions and clarifying that ignorance or misrepresentation of a victim’s age is not a defense in covered cases; SB 144, which was described as a broad public safety measure addressing law enforcement tools, AI/body camera use, concealed carry licensing exemptions for law enforcement, blood testing after exposure incidents, and related matters; and SB 1782, creating a dangerous excessive speeding offense for extreme speeding conduct. The committee also approved SB 964 on objective parole guidelines, SB 1450 giving law enforcement discretion on immediate arrest of individuals with significant medical conditions in nursing home or assisted living settings, SB 612 closing a loophole related to charging minors in drug-distribution deaths, SB 1838 protecting court officials from tampering, harassment, and retaliation, SB 776 adding an aggravating factor for assassination or attempted assassination of a head of state, and SB 716 imposing mandatory minimums for certain sexual offenses committed by registered sex offenders or predators. Several bills drew notable testimony and debate. SB 1804, which would make sex trafficking of a child under 12 or a mentally incapacitated person a capital offense, received strong support from the sponsor and some members who argued it was needed to address the most heinous trafficking cases, but it also drew opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and others who argued the death penalty should not be expanded to non-homicide crimes and would be unconstitutional, costly, and retraumatizing to victims. SB 1604 on corrections, which included provisions on inmate litigation, limitations periods, tracking devices, and involuntary mental health treatment, prompted questions about inmate rights, accountability, and possible abuse; the sponsor said the bill was intended to balance access to claims with institutional safety and to continue refining the language. SB 1838 also drew concerns from criminal defense lawyers about possible unintended effects on attorneys, and the sponsor said he would work on clarifying the language. The committee adopted amendments on several bills, including a substitute amendment to SB 144 that removed some provisions for further work, added first responder-related provisions, and adjusted motor vehicle kill-switch language; an amendment to SB 1136 changing the age threshold and refining luring/enticement language; a strike-all amendment to SB 964 limiting retroactivity and focusing on presumptive parolees; and a delete-all amendment to SB 1604 that revised multiple provisions, including tracking devices and consecutive sentencing under 10-20 Life. Most bills were reported favorably by roll call, with SB 776 and SB 1804 passing despite recorded no votes from some members. The chair closed by noting it was the committee’s final meeting of the session and thanked members before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So imagine having, um, not being able to go to medical appointments, not being able to, uh, go grocery
• some independent living skills and then uh once I finished that training, I of course had left my appointment
• Attend doctor's appointments and simply just use public transportation is simply unsafe.
• Uh, the GCPD is a 12-member advisory committee appointed by Governor Greg Abbott.
• So, CASA, of course, and hopefully you all know, we're the court appointed special advocates, so we recruit

Bills: HB 451, HB 645, HB 1041, HB 1151, HB 1155, HB 1536, HCR 12

Keywords: commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening, validated screening tool, evidence-informed tool, conservatorship, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, trafficking prevention, Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit