Transcript Highlights:

• Where in the bill are you reading from, Senator Hinojosa?
• I'm sort of reading through this.
• I may read it just to help me with my nervousness. It's good to see some faces that I know.
• I may read it just to help me with my nervousness. It's good to see some faces that I know.
• Because with my case, this was the third time that he was going to prison.

Bills: SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice bills, beginning with SB 1870 and SB 1727, both of which were adopted as committee substitutes and reported favorably to the full Senate. SB 1870 would bar local governments from adopting policies that decriminalize controlled substances or direct officials not to enforce state drug laws, with civil penalties enforced by the Attorney General for violations. SB 1727 was described as a technical change to make the draft a formal Legislative Council version of a TDCJ-related assault bill; both bills were also sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up SB 2405, the major Sunset bill for TDCJ, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, Windham School District, and the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee. Senator Parker explained that the bill continues and modernizes those agencies, requires a 10-year facilities and staffing plan, expands rehabilitation and reentry programming, improves parole-board consistency and training, and codifies various cleanup and inspector general recommendations. Sunset staff and agency witnesses discussed the bill’s data-sharing, program coordination, and projected savings from reducing delays in parole-voted programming; public witnesses generally supported the post-secondary education and reentry provisions, while some urged stronger statutory direction for Windham and more reform to medically recommended intensive supervision. The bill was left pending. SB 1804, SB 1099, SB 2569, and SB 2570 were also heard. SB 1804 would allow restitution for tattoo removal for human trafficking survivors and remove the age restriction so adult survivors can qualify; it was reported favorably and sent to the local calendar. SB 1099 would increase penalties for certain felony offenses when committed by a person determined to be unlawfully present in the country; immigration and civil rights witnesses opposed it as overbroad and difficult to administer, but it was reported favorably. SB 2569 would modernize unmanned aircraft reporting by requiring law enforcement agencies to post reports on public websites; it passed unanimously and was sent to the local calendar. SB 2570 would create a defense to prosecution for peace officers and correctional guards using less-lethal force weapons within the scope of their training; law enforcement witnesses supported it, civil rights and prosecutor witnesses raised concerns that it was too broad and could weaken existing use-of-force standards, and the bill was left pending for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• The PTech program, as y'all probably know, provides students grade 9 through 12 the opportunity to complete
• levels, uh, standards in reading, language arts were 6 to 8% lower than the average students that attend
• So, in essence, it works, however, The grades.
• I'm pretty sure reading how they did it, it, it's from their assumption by lowering the days to 175,
• So, um, my understanding reading that is that it's, it's a district-based, um, uh, requirement, but I

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate moves to dispense with a reading of yesterday's journal. Is there any objection?
• The Chair lays out on third reading. House Bill 4. The Secretary will read the caption.
• Members, it is now the time for third reading speeches. Senator Zaffirini, you're recognized.
• I didn't read their analysis," even though he got a.
• I lost by less than one-third of one percent.

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB4, HB1, HB3, HB20, HB22, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB4, SB2, SB5

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• exceptional student needs to succeed in school, whether that's an accommodation like having material read
• Third, HB 615 strengthens communication by ensuring parents receive the child service logs within 15
• I would like to share with you my story on what happened to me last year in seventh grade.
• My story on what happened to me last year in seventh grade.

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered several education-related bills. CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity was presented as a measure to codify an existing grant program that has helped secure more than 200 local governments, especially rural and fiscally constrained ones; Florida League of Cities supported it, and it passed 15-0. PCS/HB 371 on patriotic displays at public schools would require, subject to appropriation, display of portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in school common areas for America’s 250th anniversary; one opponent argued it would create complaint-driven enforcement and pressure educators, but the sponsor said the PCS narrowed the original classroom requirement, and the bill passed 16-0. PCS/HB 833 on private school facilities would deem small private schools of 150 students or fewer a permitted use in commercial and mixed-use zoning districts and allow use of certain existing buildings if fire and occupancy standards are met. Supporters said it would reduce local red tape and expand school choice, while opponents warned it would divert public resources and weaken public education; several members raised concerns about local traffic and safety authority. The sponsor said she was open to further amendments, and the bill passed 13-3. PCS/HB 1147 on school district unimproved real property would require districts to submit annual inventories of vacant, unimproved land to the Department of Education for transparency and planning; some members and a Monroe County school board member questioned the need for a state registry, while supporters said it would improve data and accountability. The bill passed 12-3. The committee then considered HB 615 on individualized education plans (IEPs), which would strengthen parent notification and access to service logs, require individualized orientation for newly eligible students, and standardize district service logs. An amendment removed notification requirements when a missed service was due to student absence, and it was adopted. The bill drew emotional testimony from a student and parent describing missed accommodations, along with support from Disability Rights Florida and several members who emphasized parent partnership and accountability; one ESE teacher said the bill was a good start but more staffing and support are needed. The bill passed unanimously 15-0, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:16:40.000> these time here so I can't really read these time here so I can't really read
• by Third by Third parties<01:36:19.000> that<01:36:19.080> was<01:36:19.239> the
• Could a third-party provider use it?
• available uh to individuals and third available uh to individuals and third parties<01:54:59.679
• <05:05:50.440> quote registration system which reads quote registration system which reads

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They, y'all grade them, don't you? Yes. OK. And you.
• You actually, your own engineers, you grade them, don't you? We do.
• But we don't grade the private engineers, do we?
• Okay, those engineers aren't graded? Not directly by Exxon. Okay, so my question is, what...
• The reality is, those engineers that are not being graded by TxDOT have a vested interest in delaying

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then inventory is randomly selected by the DPS to be tested again by a third-party lab.
• Those are not T-Cup licensed and market products as medical grade.
• So I'm reading webinars.
• I'm taking time to read about this, you know, and when you come ask me about what this hemp product is

Transcript Highlights:

• Then inventory is randomly selected by the DPS to be tested again by a third party lab to verify results
• Um, and, uh, market products as medical grade without obtaining a medical license or abiding by medical
• So, um, you know, I'm, I'm reading, uh, you know, webinars.
• passing that on to the patients and making sure that they know that, hey, you know, I've taken time to read

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope sharing a little bit some of the reading summer reading program material.
• by book read down beyond agenda. by book read down beyond agenda.
• reading them.
• reading them.
• I'm going to read. I really didn't want to read anything, but I'm going to do it.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<01:22:42.560> but in front of me that you just read, but in front of me that you just read
• What I'm reading, this would be an addition.
• If I'm reading it correctly, it's in the red. >> Mr.
• Um and so my grades lunch and recess.
• Um and so my grades were<02:22:37.760> not<02:22:37.920> great.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That method would be provided through a third-party vendor currently.
• , was the first time Minnesota's ever received that grade.
• , was the first time Minnesota's ever received that grade.
• , was the first time Minnesota's ever received that grade.
• <01:40:41.960> okay the key element to uh a high grade okay the key element to uh a high grade

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Read the next amendment. None on the desk, Mr. Speaker. Show the bill rolled over to third reading.
• I move that the rules be waived and HB 1B be read a third time by title.
• Read the bill a third time by title.
• Show the bill rolled over to third reading.
• Show the bill rolled over for third reading.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, and adoption of the special order calendar for the day. The chamber then took up House Bill 1B on immigration, along with discussion of anticipated Senate changes. The sponsor described the bill as creating a chief immigration officer housed in the Department of Agriculture, establishing an Office of State Immigration Enforcement, expanding cooperation with federal immigration authorities, increasing criminal penalties for certain offenses by unauthorized aliens, ending undocumented-student fee waivers, and providing substantial appropriations for enforcement and related programs. Members also questioned the Senate version’s proposed mandatory death penalty provision for certain capital offenses involving unauthorized aliens, as well as pretrial detention, 287(g) participation, DMV reporting requirements, and the bill’s effects on schools, teachers, social workers, and local agencies. The sponsor and supporting members repeatedly said the bill required broad cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and that existing federal law would control where conflicts arose. A major portion of the debate focused on whether the bill would allow or require immigration enforcement in schools and other sensitive settings, and whether teachers, school resource officers, and social workers could be placed in conflict with federal privacy or professional obligations. Members also raised concerns about detention based on suspected status, the standard of proof for immigration-status determinations, prison and jail impacts, workforce shortages, and the fiscal effects on counties and state agencies. The sponsor said the bill did not provide DMV funding, that the state would need to study some implementation questions, and that the appropriations included $25 million for a local law enforcement participation incentive program and up to $350 million for broader implementation and coordination. Several amendments were offered and failed. Representative Chambliss proposed protecting schools, churches, and places of worship from enforcement activity; Representative Escamani offered amendments to preserve in-state tuition for Dreamers and to grandfather currently eligible students; Representative Woodson offered a similar Dreamer-related amendment; and Representative Bartleman proposed barring local law enforcement from entering schools during school hours to detain children solely for immigration status. Supporters of these amendments argued they would protect children, preserve educational access, and prevent trauma in schools and houses of worship. The House rejected each amendment by voice vote, and the transcript ends during debate on the Bartleman school-safety amendment before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:38.960> scholar son, an excellent fourth grade scholar son, an excellent fourth grade
• Clerk will read the bill. >> Senate Bill 960.
• Uh, clerk will read the bond initiatives.
• Clerk read the bond initiatives.
• Clerk will read the message.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, February 16, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 33 members present, heard an invocation from Reverend Lauren Holder of St. Martins in the Field Episcopal Church, and received several chamber introductions and welcomes, including district-night guests, former Delegate Sam Aurora, League of Conservation Voters constituents, and a new group of pages from across the state. The presiding officer also noted that a presentation by the state archivist in the old Senate chamber would be the main event of the evening. On the legislative side, the chamber read Senate Bill 960 on Maryland’s Public Charter School Program and school facilities funding rules, which was referred to the Rules Committee. Two bond initiatives were also read and sent to the Capital Budget Subcommittee: one for Carol Classical Charter School and one for Springboard Community Services’ Youth and Training Center. House Bills 28 and 226 were received from the House and referred to the appropriate standing committees. The Senate then announced that executive nominations would likely be held until the next day so more members could be present for votes. Caucus meetings were announced for the following morning, and a Senate Pass event was promoted for Thursday evening. After a quorum call showed 38 members present, the majority leader moved that the Senate recess to the old Senate chamber in about five minutes, and the motion was adopted without objection. The chamber was secured as members prepared to move for the evening program.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our third off-site meeting away from the State House.
• I was born on third base. I have been given evidence.
• Just read the word. But when... Just read the word.
• I run one third of it. I run that Christian partner.
• Well, yeah, we definitely try to read the needle.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting was a special commission hearing on antisemitism held off-site at Kerem Shalom Synagogue in Concord, with commissioners approving prior minutes and noting a quorum, a rescheduled October 27 meeting, and the addition of a new commissioner. The co-chairs and host speakers emphasized the personal and communal significance of holding the hearing in a synagogue and the importance of confronting antisemitism while protecting free speech, academic freedom, and civil discourse. The commission heard from former SJC Justice and current UMass General Counsel David Lowy, who discussed the IHRA definition of antisemitism, said its use as nonbinding guidance does not raise First Amendment concerns, and described UMass’s response to a discriminatory academic conference policy. Commissioners also asked about campus speaker vetting, protest rights, and university practices for addressing antisemitism and protecting students’ access to education. District Attorney Marian Ryan testified about restorative justice as a tool for addressing hate incidents, saying it can help victims be heard, reduce reoffending, and be used in criminal, school, and community settings. She described local programs, online reporting forms, and the need for better statutory tools, including changes to restitution and education requirements in hate-crime cases. Commissioners asked whether restorative justice affects charging decisions, and Ryan said it should not alter whether a hate crime is investigated or charged. She also identified model programs and said the commission’s work aligns with the national strategy it is charged with implementing. Three rabbis then described the rise in antisemitic incidents in schools and communities, the emotional toll on Jewish families, and the need for stronger school responses, clearer language in incident communications, and better training for educators. Rabbi Brad David recounted repeated incidents in Acton-Boxborough and praised the district’s improved partnership and response, while Rabbi Tom Shah described parental anxiety, concerns about classroom materials lacking context, and the need for balanced instruction. The rabbis also discussed synagogue security costs and measures, including volunteer security teams, police support, grants, and physical protections. Commissioners said the testimony would inform forthcoming recommendations, and DESE staff noted they are developing instructional-materials guidance and a rubric for educators. The final witness, Professor Christina Miller, outlined hate-crime prosecution issues in Massachusetts, including mixed-motive cases, the need for clearer statutes and jury instructions, better training for police and clerk magistrates, guidance on sentencing and diversity-awareness programs, and the use of community impact statements.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Assembly Bill 1388A and substitute the identical Senate Bill 3179B, Third Reading Calendar 101.
• BILL, 3179B, THIRD READING CALENDAR 101.
• >> THE BILLED ARE RESTORED TO THE PLACE ON THE THIRD READING.
• All bills reported direct to Third Reading.
• All bills reported direct to Third Reading. I move to accept the report of the Rules Committee.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with ceremonial opening proceedings, approved the prior journal, and then moved through a series of calendar actions, including discharging and substituting identical companion bills from committee and restoring several bills to the Third Reading Calendar after reconsideration. The chamber also took up a supplemental budget calendar and a controversial supplemental budget extender, with Senator O’Mara questioning the delay in final budget negotiations, the size of the extender, table targets, and unresolved policy issues such as auto insurance reforms, SEQRA, New York for All, and CLCPA changes. Senator Serrano responded that negotiations were ongoing and that the extender was a clean measure to keep state government functioning. The budget extender bills were then passed, with Senator Weik voting in the negative on one of them. The Senate also adopted a resolution memorializing May 4, 2026, as 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day, and hosted Major General Scott Naumann and other Fort Drum leaders and soldiers for remarks on the division’s deployments, readiness, economic impact, and requests for continued state support on items such as microreactors, health care, DMV services, dining facilities, airports, and mineral-related development. The Fort Drum resolution drew extensive bipartisan praise from Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Minority Leader Ortt, Senator Scarcella-Spanton, Senator Ashby, Senator Walczyk, and others, who emphasized the division’s military history, its role as a major employer and economic driver in Northern New York, and the sacrifices of service members and their families. Several senators highlighted individual soldiers in attendance and their service records, while the resolution was opened for co-sponsorship and adopted. The Senate also recognized a visiting child author, Thomas Ortiz, who was introduced for publishing a book encouraging kindness and friendship. After the ceremonial segment, the Senate returned to regular business and passed a series of bills on the calendar, including measures affecting environmental conservation, executive law, public service, education, public authorities, real property tax, criminal procedure, election law, and civil rights. Some bills drew negative votes from a bloc of senators, particularly on the environmental, criminal procedure, election, and civil rights measures, but all listed bills were ultimately passed. The Senate then adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Um, and in any case, this is largely looking at the regulations, the second and third paragraphs
• There's no third-party fees that are charged.
• And I'm going to read that through because it's really intriguing.
• <00:59:12.799> it's<00:59:13.119> really read that through because it's really read
• But there's only six sections in Article 18, so I'd suggest you guys read them all.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Reading, you know, the super tiny print in the applications, having to come up with stamps, envelopes
• Forgive me for not having gotten your bill read yet.
• And third, these counts transfer to a central computer that tabulates everything.
• It's like asking students to grade their own test.
• And then the third point would be on page 9 item C.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will read the resolution.
• The chair lays out now on second reading. Senate Bill 5, Secretary, read the caption.
• The rule suspended chair lays out down third reading and final.
• The chair lays out on third reading and final passage committee substitute for S.J.R. 3.
• Secretary, read the caption.

Bills: SJR3, SB5, SB21, SB72, SB703, SB764, SB790, SJR36, SJR3, SJR34, SJR18, SCR9, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB5, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB372, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB764, SB842, SB971, SB790, SB767, SB480, SB1066, SB929, SB765, SB523, SB62, SB19, SB18, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB706, SB847, SB869, SB890, SB992, SB1145, SB494, SB290, SB766, SB11, SB10, SB13, SB263, SJR3, SB5, SR172, SR176, SR177, SR190, SR193, SR194, SR202, SR203, SR208

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, cryptocurrency, bitcoin, investment reserve, economic resilience, financial security, vehicle rental, damage waiver

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair has read the journal of the preceding day and approves the same.
• As a mother of a Kamehameha School graduate, class of 2007, I am pleased to introduce 25 eighth grade
• 2007, I am pleased to introduce 25 2007, I am pleased to introduce 25 eighth<00:01:24.960> grade
• <00:01:25.200> social<00:01:25.520> studies<00:01:25.920> students eighth grade
• social studies students eighth grade social studies students from<00:01:26.720> Kamehameha<00

Bills: SB2350, SB2349, SB2178, SB2101, SB2373, SB2905, SB3231, SB3296, SB2704, SB3162, SB2885, SB2174, SB3256, SB2333, SB2713, SB2100, SB3012, SB2805, SB2102, SB2478, SB2103, SB3233, SB2678, SB2461, SB2645, SB3247, SB2005, SB2022, SB2083, SB2128, SB2130, SB2240, SB2306, SB2547, SB2603, SB2756, SB2782, SB2818, SB2944, SB2982, SB2986, SB3022, SB3031, SB3032, SB3035, SB3053, SB3288, SB2435, SB2970, SB2938, SB3110, SB3251, SB3322, SB2068, SB2268, SB3046, SB2526, SB2231, SB2448, SB2567, SB3095, SB3264, SB3131, SB3069, SB3180, SB2119, SB2137, SB2209, SB2180, SB2949, SB2431, SB2410, SB3199, SB3245, SB2274, SB2277, SB2175, SB2080, SB2799, SB2491, SB2310, SB2489, SB2925, SB2709, SB17, SB2227, SB2887, SB2006

Keywords: agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, industrial hemp, Hawaii, Native Hawaiian practices, regulation, cultural stewardship, economic development, organic waste

Transcript Highlights:

• the mayor a higher grade because of her efforts in order to try to turn this situation around.
• Okay, we have two cards read. I'm assuming in opposition of this ask.
• We should have gotten a much better grade than what we got.
• Well, it is an F grade. We don't control that grade.
• The fact that it's an F grade is enough.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on the troubled water system in Tallulah and whether to appoint a limited fiscal administrator for the water utility. Senator Jackson described the system’s long-running failures, the need to expand repairs beyond the treatment plant to the distribution network, and the growing project cost, which he said had risen to roughly $26 million. Legislative Auditor’s Office staff explained that the system had received failing grades from LDH for several years, had entered joint receivership in 2024, and was placed under a public health emergency in 2025; they said the city’s adoption of limited fiscal administration in April 2026 made it eligible for additional state funding. Governor’s staff said the state, GOSEP, Magnolia, and the city had worked together to restore service and that the limited fiscal administrator would help unlock an emergency subfund and other financing sources. The mayor of Tallulah supported the appointment, saying the state’s work had improved water quality and that the limited role would focus only on the water system rather than the whole city. She said the city was preparing an RFQ to move the project toward bidding. Two residents spoke in opposition. One argued that the city had recently elected a new council and should wait for new local leadership before proceeding. Another questioned the need for the appointment, criticized past management and contract arrangements, and objected to using emergency funds to pay prior project costs. State officials responded that the F grade and public health concerns justified the action, that the administrator would control water-system finances, and that the distribution system needed repairs to address leaks and water quality issues. After discussion, a committee member moved to appoint a limited fiscal administrator for the Tallulah water system. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. The committee then moved to public comment and adjourned.