Transcript Highlights:

• We are making changes to the Oil and Gas Act and to the Air Quality Control Act.
• Act or local ordinances adopted pursuant to the Air Quality Control Act.
• I would make the same argument with this bill that local control is a crucial piece.
• I do have some questions regarding local control, fiscal impact, and science, and Mr.
• Determined list that the Water Quality Control Commission tests for?

Transcript Highlights:

• We all want strong personal control. NM 505: Good morning. You have up to two minutes.
• This is a violation of local control.
• Chairman and Representative, people are going to hide behind local control. So, Mr.
• Chairman and Representative, people are going to hide behind local control, right?
• And based on that, I guess, I hear local control. You're taking the local control out of our hands.

Bills: SB23, SB73, SB210, SB234, SB243, SB244, SM16

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, driver education, driver's ed, driving school, motorcycle safety, traffic safety, vulnerable road users, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, cyclist, bike lane, micromobility, scooter, moped, motorcycle training, DWI prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• So we don't control airplanes; that's interstate commerce.
• We don't control that.
• The U.S. is part of what's called an ICA, an emission control area.
• We do not control vessels. Interstate does not.
• So when we say it's not in our control, there's no...

Summary: The committee first heard SB 14, which would direct state agencies to reduce single-use plastics and improve waste diversion at state facilities by updating integrated waste management plans, increasing reusable foodware use, reducing paper purchasing, and requiring better employee education and recycling/composting practices. Supporters from the California Compost Coalition, Republic Services, Waste Management, and others said the bill would help build composting and recycling markets and let the state lead by example. Several groups that had opposed earlier versions said they were now neutral after amendments, including the removal of a 90% requirement. The bill was moved out on a due pass as amended recommendation. The committee then took up SB 326 on wildfire mitigation. The bill would create a framework for Cal Fire to evaluate the risk-reduction benefits of fuels management and landscape resilience investments, and it would accelerate implementation of Zone Zero defensible-space standards, including grants for local enforcement and broader application to rental and sale properties and post-fire reconstruction. Support came from Stanford climate researcher Michael Mastrandrea and several local government, insurance, and climate groups. With no opposition, the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. Next, SB 34 on port emissions and the South Coast Air Quality Management District drew extensive testimony. The author said the bill was narrowed by committee amendments to preserve the ports’ ability to reduce emissions while preventing cargo throughput caps and addressing concerns about automation, local control, and the timeline for port clean-air planning. Supporters included ILWU, business groups, and port-related stakeholders, while the South Coast AQMD and many environmental and community organizations opposed it, arguing it would weaken public-health protections and set a bad precedent. After lengthy debate, the committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended vote to Transportation, with some members voting no and others abstaining. The committee also heard SB 279, which would expand composting options for farmers and small community composters by allowing limited on-farm composting after large biomass events and increasing the amount small operations may process and sell. Supporters said the bill would help address agricultural waste, expand composting capacity, and reduce landfill disposal. Commercial composting representatives opposed it, warning that the bill could create regulatory inequities, strand recent investments in permitted facilities, and allow too much unregulated food waste. Despite those concerns, the bill passed to Appropriations on a due pass vote. The transcript also briefly referenced SB 613 on upstream methane emissions data, described as having no opposition and intended to improve tracking of imported oil and gas emissions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Local control is very important, and local elected officials need to weigh in on this process.
• is very important forever local control is very important and<00:16:44.880> local<00:16:45.199
• So I think when we talk about local control, it's important that we are allowing for them to make their
• So I think when we talk about local control, it's important that we are allowing for them to make their
• and talk about the issues that control and talk about the issues that that<00:37:15.079> that

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:15 Roll Call 00:25 HB 403 Discussion 02:11 HB 403 Vote 03:08 HB 555 Discussion 04:55 HB 555 Vote 08:42 HB 321 Discussion 10:55 HB 321 Vote 13:22 HB 18 Discussion 15:21 HB 18 Vote 35:10 HB 85 Discussion 39:08 HB 85 Vote 46:40 HB 371 Discussion 49:22 HB 371 Vote 52:03 Adjournment 53:48, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and took up several bills, mostly focused on local planning, zoning, and municipal administration. House Bill 403, a simple measure giving coroners a six-month grace period to complete continuing education, was presented by Rep. Deanna Gordon with testimony from Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelson and received unanimous support. House Bill 555, a technical bill affecting audit deadlines and flexibility for small cities and certain expo center audit arrangements, was explained by JD Cheney of the Kentucky League of Cities; he said it would help about 97 cities comply with audit requirements and allow more flexibility when municipalities are making good-faith efforts. The committee approved HB 555 on a roll call vote, with one no vote from Rep. Griffee and others in favor, and reported it favorably to the House floor. House Bill 321, also presented with JD Cheney and Rep. DJ Johnson, would expand the time for planning commission and board of adjustment members to complete orientation and continuing education, with a focus on housing supply and accessibility. Supporters said it would help recruit more members and concentrate training on land-use impacts on housing; Rep. Roarx and others discussed Louisville Metro’s planning process, while Rep. Brown and Rep. Fleming raised concerns about infrastructure and long-range planning. The committee passed HB 321 favorably after roll call, with one no vote from Rep. Griffee. House Bill 18 drew the most extended debate. Sponsor Rep. John Hodgson said the committee substitute would create incentives for infill development in urban areas and extend a moratorium on zoning district classification changes for two more years, arguing that local elected officials should have more control over major density changes and that unelected boards were approving projects without adequate infrastructure review. Opponents, including Liam Gallagher of Americans for Prosperity Kentucky and several members, argued the bill would restrict housing development, interfere with property rights, and limit Louisville Metro’s ability to update its Land Development Code; supporters countered that the bill would not stop development but would require elected officials to weigh in and address traffic and infrastructure concerns. After discussion, the committee approved HB 18 as amended by the substitute and reported it favorably to the House floor, with several members explaining their votes and some opposing the moratorium on local zoning changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about local control.
• This is about local control.
• This is about local control.
• This is about local control.
• This is about local control.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is um Senate Bill 145, an act relating to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and declaring
• This is um Senate Bill 145, an act relating to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and declaring
• Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and<00:02:17.760
• <00:02:30.160> So<00:02:30.400> all the um alcohol beverage control.
• So all the um alcohol beverage control.

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00 Roll Call 00:21 SB 145 Discussion 02:05 SB 145 Vote 04:06 SB 98 Discussion 06:25 SB 98 Vote 11:00 Adjournment 12:07, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on February 10, 2026, with a quorum present and welcomed student visitors from the University of Louisville and Graves County DECA. The committee first considered Senate Bill 145, relating to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and declared an emergency. The bill was described as clarifying caterer licensing language, allowing catering services in certain venues, permitting advance storage of alcohol for multi-day events, and requiring ABC to act on applications within 45 days. Members discussed concerns about alcohol sales in conservative districts, while others praised ABC’s interpretation of the law and the need for practical regulatory fixes. SB 145 was approved by the committee and sent to the floor on a 10-1 vote, with Senator Donald Douglas voting no and explaining that he wanted more time to discuss the issue with constituents. The committee then heard Senate Bill 98 on welding safety, presented as a measure to require compliance with specified welding certifications and design plans on projects where such standards are called for, in order to improve structural safety and reduce liability. Supporters, including the sponsor, a representative, and a lobbyist, said the bill would apply only in limited cases and would help ensure welds are properly inspected and performed according to engineering specifications. SB 98 also received favorable action, passing 9-2 and advancing to the floor. Senators Christian McDaniel and Matt Nunn voted no, while supporters emphasized public safety, code compliance, and avoiding future damages by doing the work correctly upfront. After the two bills were considered, the committee had no further business and moved toward adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Proving that a person knowingly sold drugs mixed with another controlled substance can be difficult,
• It's already a controlled substance. Perfect. Peace and harmony. Dogs and cats getting along.
• This new statute is good, but even before we had this new statute, delivery of a controlled substance
• Right, but those aren't controlled substances. Right.
• it was mixed with another controlled substance.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Traffic is potentially going to be too much for conditional air traffic control?
• And we have embraced as as a state, you know, some things are out of our control.
• How we integrate am into the airspace, air traffic controllers.
• As a side note, their space is is generally categorized as either controlled or uncontrolled.
• It excludes controlled airspace, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of that, to bring us in line with other states and to control out-of-control indemnity cost,
• Because of that, to bring us in line with other states and to control out of control, indemnity.
• Because of that, to bring us in line with other states and to control out-of-control indemnity cost,
• So the national trend is state control or no control at all.
• The control out of the doctor’s hand all the time.

Summary: The committee first voluntarily deferred House Bills 460 and 561, then took up House Bill 1101 on workers’ compensation. The sponsor said the bill would define maximum medical improvement, adjust fraud provisions, shorten temporary total disability and supplemental earnings benefit periods, and revise vocational rehabilitation rules; an amendment removed proposed age-based termination language for benefits. Business groups including LABI supported the bill as a way to reduce Louisiana’s comparatively high indemnity costs and align the state with regional norms, while injured-worker advocates and attorneys strongly opposed it, arguing it would cut benefits, shift medical and disability decisions away from treating physicians and judges, broaden fraud too far, and potentially push costs onto public programs. After debate, the committee voted to report HB 1101 with amendments. House Bill 282 was voluntarily deferred. House Bill 293, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Louisiana employment discrimination protections, drew generally supportive testimony from the sponsor and supporters, with some members raising questions about religious exemptions and federal law. The committee ultimately voted against reporting HB 293 favorably. House Bill 390, providing unpaid leave protections for domestic abuse survivors at larger employers, was presented as a tool for survivors, but the committee split 6-6 on a motion to report it favorably; the tie resulted in the bill being voluntarily deferred. The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand workers’ compensation petition requirements and allow employers or payers broader access to file disputed claims and seek discovery. Supporters argued employers currently lack a practical way to obtain records and challenge claims without first cutting off benefits, while opponents said the bill would revive a rejected 2012 approach, increase litigation, and undermine the no-fault workers’ compensation bargain. The discussion centered on whether the bill would preserve benefits while allowing discovery or instead encourage more disputes and penalties. The transcript ends with testimony still underway on HB 456, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fourth, whites are 40% of the Texas population but control 73% of its current congressional districts
• This isn't about compliance; it's about control.
• Flood control. Flood control being foremost among them.
• They may have control of it from their site. Hello? Yes, Ms. Philipson, we can hear you now.
• Austin Airport is in real need of air controllers. And we need to strengthen that system.

Summary: The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting held its first regional hearing, focused on South and Central Texas, including Bexar County, Travis County, and the Rio Grande Valley. After establishing a quorum, the committee adopted its rules on a 6-3 roll-call vote, with Senators Alvarado and Miles voting no. Chair Phil King explained the regional-hearing format, the use of 2020 census data, the online testimony process, and the availability of written comments and future hearings. Several members then gave opening remarks, with Republicans emphasizing public input and Democrats arguing the special session and mid-decade redistricting were unnecessary and aimed at minority districts. A major procedural issue arose over whether the committee should invite or subpoena the DOJ attorney who authored the July 7 letter that prompted the redistricting discussion. Senator Miles moved to subpoena the attorney; the motion was seconded but then set aside after the chair said the committee could not take formal action on a non-procedural matter during a regional hearing under the adopted rules. The chair said he would consult legal counsel about issuing an invitation, and members discussed the August 7 deadline referenced in the DOJ letter. The committee then moved on to public testimony. Witnesses, including Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, law professor Ellen Katz, and Texas NAACP president Gary Bledsoe, argued that the DOJ letter misread the law and that the targeted districts were lawful opportunity or coalition districts. They said the Fifth Circuit’s Pettway decision was limited to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and did not declare coalition districts unconstitutional, and they cited Bartlett v. Strickland as warning against intentionally dismantling effective minority districts. Garcia and Bledsoe said the hearing was politically motivated and would harm Black and Latino representation; Katz said Texas would act illegally if it followed the DOJ letter’s instructions. Members asked questions about the legal status of coalition districts, the 2021 map-drawing process, and the difference between opportunity, coalition, and crossover districts. The hearing continued with additional public witnesses, including labor representative Emily Amps, who said workers and communities of color were being harmed by the proposed redistricting effort.

Transcript Highlights:

• did so with a respect for local control did so with a respect for local control while<01:17:17.280
• worked together to respect local control worked together to respect local control to<01:24:13.440
• a local control component. a local control component. uh<02:05:52.400> and<02:05:52.960><
• It is local out of control.
• It is not local control. It is local out of control.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They strip away local control.
• It's simply local control.
• On those five cities or the other 300-some-odd cities, that's illustrative of local control.
• local control, local control, except when they don't want to have locals do something that they don't
• That's local control and we don't know whether there are...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is about standing against a system that puts profits, control, and political agendas ahead of human
• It is about standing against a system that puts profits, control, and political agendas ahead of human
• Uh, again, as I stated earlier, my thoughts are that we should not allow the planning and the control
• <00:31:49.480> he is when the governor had control he is when the governor had control he
• , doesn't have control over businesses.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<03:36:34.880> I control.
• The definition of control, I control.
• But the of control, the door is open.
• to be under the control of the owner. to be under the control of the owner.
• Four says well then you can do control.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• real time to strengthen EIDBI or autism center oversight by requiring licensing to add internal controls
• and oversight capacity internal controls and oversight capacity within<00:03:23.640> MMB<00:03
• <00:05:04.560> team capacity to our internal controls team capacity to our internal controls
• <00:12:18.600> individuals holders but also controlling individuals holders but also controlling
• look at some of their internal control look at some of their internal control some<00:49:11.160>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Significant control... In those areas.
• First of all, we don’t control that.
• It’s out of our control.
• We control the purse strings.
• We control the purse strings.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• private equity firms from controlling private equity firms from controlling how<00:58:14.400>
• ,<00:58:24.559> or if they are owned, controlled, or if they are owned, controlled, or affiliated
• or influence over from exerting control or influence over healthcare<00:59:50.400> delivery.
• is being interfered with or controlled is being interfered with or controlled by<01:00:27.119>
• critical uh control critical uh control point<01:38:47.520> principles<01:38:48.719> and

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• measures based on its past cost control measures based on its past cost control performance<01:21
• But the four test controlling costs.
• can look at some of the cost control can look at some of the cost control mechanisms,<01:31:36.000
• <01:41:48.320> of well, it's like we don't have control of well, it's like we don't have control
• <01:42:08.080> those be able to necessarily control those be able to necessarily control those

Bills: HB1617

Keywords: carbon emissions, tax credit, fossil fuel, agriculture, food security, environmental tax, greenhouse gas, 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on HB 1949, which would create a public dashboard for the green fee to improve transparency and accountability. Testimony from the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, and many community and conservation groups was generally supportive, with several speakers urging that the governor’s project recommendations remain largely intact and that community-driven projects continue to guide spending. One amendment was suggested to place the dashboard at the Department of Budget and Finance for fiscal expertise, while other testimony favored keeping it with the commission. Members asked about procurement, ETS involvement, recurring hosting costs, and whether the dashboard could be funded from green fee revenues; the commission said it could work with ETS and that green fee funds could reasonably be used. The committees then voted to pass HB 1949 with amendments. The committees also heard HB 2618, which would require the governor to submit a separate bill for amounts tied to any increase in the transient accommodations tax and, in later discussion, was expanded into a broader restructuring of future green fee allocations. Testimony from the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, and others supported the bill and emphasized the value of more predictable, dedicated funding for conservation and climate-related work. During decision-making, the chair described amendments creating several special funds under DLNR, including a watershed biodiversity and wildfire risk reduction fund, an aquatic resources conservation fund, a coastal restoration fund, a cesspool conversion revolving loan fund, and a green fee special fund for remaining revenues, with recommended amounts discussed for some of the funds. The committees voted to pass HB 2618 with amendments. The hearing then moved to HB 1644, a consumer protection measure for residential solar sales that would require compliance with consumer protection laws, licensing or contractor affiliation for sellers, and a standardized disclosure form. Testimony in support came from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and several solar companies and individuals. Supporters said the bill would address complaints about third-party sales practices and improve disclosure, especially around financing. The committee then began hearing HB 2243, which would require electric utilities to provide public, electronic customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the Public Utilities Commission; the Division of Consumer Advocacy and the PUC offered comments supporting the measure’s intent.

Transcript Highlights:

• permitting, but a higher standard of air quality in that permitting by duplicating the enhanced controls
• not really comfortable handing that over to the TCEQ to, by rule, come up with what the enhanced control
• be a negotiated rulemaking process, which is something that's in statute, or the actual enhanced controls
• Kaplan about the analogy to the enhanced controls permit.
• We're not putting control strategies in statute with this version of the bill, and so, as a result, what

Bills: SB2037, SB1757, SB1758, SB1759

Keywords: rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ

Summary: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources took public testimony on Senate Bill 1757 and its committee substitute, a measure dealing with aggregate production operations and a new permitting option for rock crushers/aggregate facilities. Testimony centered on whether the bill should remain focused on air permitting or also include broader quarry operations such as stormwater, reclamation, monitoring, and public participation requirements. Supporters of the substitute, including representatives of the Texas Aggregate and Concrete Association and Associated General Contractors, said the bill would provide a voluntary third permitting option, preserve existing authorizations, and create a more practical regulatory path for Texas growth. Opponents and critics, including representatives of Texas for Responsible Aggregate Mining, Job Materials, and Public Citizen, argued the bill as written was too weak or too broad in the wrong ways. They said best management practices should be set in statute or through negotiated rulemaking rather than left to TCEQ rulemaking, and they raised concerns about limited monitoring periods, vague air-monitoring standards, public notice procedures, and the inclusion of non-air requirements in an air permit. Several witnesses said the bill should better balance industry needs with neighborhood impacts and public health protections. Chair Birdwell questioned witnesses about ongoing negotiations between industry groups and said the bill was intended to be a practical compromise. After testimony and questions, public testimony was closed. The committee left SB 1757 and its committee substitute pending, with no vote taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• family planning in 2011, nearly 45,000 fewer women are getting care through state programs, birth control
• Texans need access to birth control. Cancer. screenings, and SDI testing, not more barriers.
• teen pregnancy rates have steadily declined thanks to in large part to increased access to birth control
• Healthy Texas Women Program would significantly increase access to birth control, STI detection, and
• STI testing, education on contraception, and access to birth control.

Keywords: Texas, healthcare, reproductive health, Care No Matter What Act, Planned Parenthood, maternal mortality, teen pregnancy, funding cuts, community health

Summary: The meeting addressed critical health care concerns in Texas, highlighting the consequences of funding cuts on access to reproductive health services. Key speakers emphasized the urgent need for the Care No Matter What Act, which aims to restore funding to healthcare providers like Planned Parenthood. They underscored the alarming statistics of maternal mortality and the rising rates of teen pregnancies, particularly in Black and Latina communities. Testimonies shared during the meeting illustrated the real-life impacts of healthcare access issues on individuals and families across the state, illustrating the necessity for legislative action to ensure comprehensive reproductive health services.