Transcript Highlights:

• the unbelievable scope of the inventory includes apparel, including a broad selection of footwear, small
• the unbelievable scope of the inventory includes apparel, including a broad selection of footwear, small
• the unbelievable scope of the inventory includes apparel, including a broad selection of footwear, small
• the unbelievable scope of the inventory includes apparel, including a broad selection of footwear, small
• the unbelievable scope of the inventory includes apparel, including a broad selection of footwear, small

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Representative Ken Wells, who reflected on his father’s approach to news and argued that reducing time spent watching it could improve people’s well-being. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the chamber took up five new bills: H.891 on the definition of harassment in Title 16, H.892 on school attendance requirements, H.893 creating a municipal emergency shelter program and reimbursing municipalities for emergency housing costs, H.894 prohibiting snowmobiles on the BB Spur Rail Trail, and H.895 on secondary enforcement of certain motor vehicle violations. Each was read for the first time and referred to the appropriate committee; H.566, concerning sealing postcharge court diversion records, was referred to Ways and Means under House Rule 35A. The House also read H.C.R. 166, a congratulatory resolution honoring the Pick and Shovel in Newport City on its 50th anniversary. A member from Newport City spoke in support, describing the store’s history and the Hamlet family’s long service to the community, and invited the family to the chamber. Additional announcements recognized Vermont Law and Graduate School’s 50th anniversary and congratulated Vermont athletes, including Ben Ogden and Paula Moltzan, with one member correcting the record on Moltzan’s event. The House also voted to move H.403, relating to fair labor and housing standards for agricultural workers, from General and Housing to Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry. In the day’s only floor action on legislation, H.611, miscellaneous provisions affecting the Department of Vermont Health Access, was taken up on third reading and passed. The House then announced caucus meetings and other events, including a producer night hosted by the Agency of Agriculture, and adjourned by motion until Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Arizona tax rate is already so low that the benefit to individual people is very small.
• The Arizona tax rate is already so low that the benefit to individual people is very small.
• Mainly, you know, my small businesses consisted of three people: me, myself, and I.
• More like self-employment, not really a small business. Anyway, a lot of work.
• Secondarily, I would quibble with the phrase small businesses have to keep two sets of books.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and routine journal and guest items, then moved into the Committee of the Whole to consider bills on the calendar. The main substantive item was SB 1106, a tax conformity bill tied to federal tax changes. Senators debated it extensively, with supporters arguing it would provide tax relief, certainty for taxpayers filing returns, and pro-growth benefits for workers and businesses, while opponents said it would reduce state revenue, favor wealthier taxpayers and corporations, and should be handled in broader budget negotiations. Several senators also objected to provisions they said were added late, including child care, senior deductions, and education-related tax credit language. The bill was ultimately passed in open session by a vote of 17 ayes, 12 nays, and 1 not voting, and was transmitted to the governor. After SB 1106, the chamber adopted the Committee of the Whole report and then heard a proclamation in support of law enforcement, read by Senator Bolick and signed by Senate leadership. The proclamation cited officer safety, assaults, fatalities, and mental health concerns, and called for continued support, equipment, training, and resources for law enforcement. Senators spoke in favor of honoring police and “backing the blue.” The Senate also handled routine floor business, including a message from the House, transmission of SB 1106 to the governor, and a long list of first-reading bill introductions and committee references covering topics such as public safety, health and human services, education, finance, elections, immigration, border issues, and appropriations. The meeting concluded with committee announcements and adjournment until Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even in the small areas, they are passing bond issues and other measures to build facilities, but if
• But look, even the small counties, they're beginning to go in. orphan wells, wells that are out there
• In some small communities, there's huge production going on in Upton and Reagan County.
• I mentioned it was a small rural county, and I am a small rural county.
• Again, if we can take a small amount of this money that's...

Bills: HB188, HB265, HJR35, HJR47, SB1901, HB188, HB265, HJR35

Keywords: Texas STRONG defense fund, severance tax revenue, oil and gas revenue, constitutional transfers, rainy day fund, economic stabilization fund, state highway fund, oil and gas production, qualifying county, county grants, water infrastructure, first responders, public safety, DPS staffing, commercial motor vehicle safety, gang violence prevention, human trafficking prevention, economic development, TxDOT grants, school districts

Transcript Highlights:

• Now there's an amendment that's brought by the co-ops and I think the munis as well, the small providers
• But if this bill is passed the way it is, it's going to affect over 100 million dollars in current small
• My 99-year-old mother-in-law said, please ask these lawmakers to support enterprising, innovative small
• I'm here today to oppose HB455 as written, as it will hurt small businesses, farmers, and consumers.
• So, that will gut all of these small family-owned businesses. all of these small family-owned businesses

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This will be especially helpful to many small and midsize companies and manufacturing industries and
• This will be especially helpful to many small and midsize companies and manufacturing industries and
• This will be especially helpful to many small and midsize companies and manufacturing industries and
• This will be especially helpful to many small and midsize companies and manufacturing industries and
• This will be especially helpful to many small and midsize companies and manufacturing industries and

Keywords: 919, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the small ones wouldn't take from it to give to the other.
• So,<00:18:31.880> the<00:18:32.000> small<00:18:32.440> ones<00:18:33.200> wouldn't
• take from it So, the small ones wouldn't take from it to<00:18:34.240> give<00:18:34.440>
• this no matter if to we're not paying this no matter if it's<00:21:45.000> a<00:21:45.040> small
• project, a big project, a it's a small project, a big project, a big<00:21:47.440> company, big

Bills: HB542

Keywords: HB542, district attorney, prosecutor, supernumerary district attorney, Employees' Retirement System, ERS, Alabama retirement, public employee retirement, pension, retirement benefits, post-retirement employment, salary cap, dual participation, double dipping, District Attorneys' Plan, assistant district attorney, deputy district attorney, state pension, survivor benefits, Office of Prosecution Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I also worked with with staff to identify impediments to small businesses.
• There's a lot of things that I've worked on with the electric generating units, impediments to small
• For residential and small commercial consumers, that’s your constituents on the ERCOT Board of Directors
• Real quick, you had told me a little about what the agency does and how you basically advocate for small
• And if we don't think that it is for residential and small commercial consumers, then we will intervene

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have a small amendment that is being handed out now.
• These are not small questions.
• They are These are not small questions.
• It's a small number.
• It's a small number. something. It's a small number.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We put in the small school adjustment, and I think we have a product now that helps those small schools
• We put in the small school adjustment, and I think we have a product now that helps those small schools
• small government and local um decisions. small government and local um decisions.
• Um, that's just a small districts.
• keeps uh an athlete from uh a a a small keeps uh an athlete from uh a a a small school,<01:52:19.199

Bills: SF0059, SF0053

Keywords: language proficiency, literacy education, reading interventions, dyslexia support, Montessori methods, individualized reading plans, amateur status, high school athletics, student eligibility, sports regulation, monetary compensation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• food, and agriculture small businesses. food, and agriculture small businesses.
• small business owners or entrepreneurs. small business owners or entrepreneurs.
• We serve low- and moderate-income communities and small business owners.
• communities and small business owners. communities and small business owners.
• navigation, job placement, small navigation, job placement, small business<01:37:53.199> training

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So how I feel about this bill is it protects small business from Washington mandates that cost the taxpayers
• they will limit our Workforce to a small they will limit our Workforce to a small percentage<00:
• Workforce subsequently our small Workforce subsequently our small businesses<00:54:30.880> and
• This is a small step.
• small step towns housing this is a small small step towns have<02:14:09.360> I<02:14:09.480><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:27.520> town of Morrison County uh in the small town of Morrison County uh in the small
• I am a small business owner.
• I've had a variety of small and midsize businesses throughout my career and currently do still.
• I'm from Carlton County, the small town of Esko, Minnesota.
• nonprofits all the way from very small nonprofits all the way from very small to<00:13:05.519>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on February 10, 2025, with member and staff introductions and opening remarks from Chair Kristin Robbins about the committee’s bipartisan mission to address state fraud and improve oversight of executive branch spending. Robbins said the committee would focus on both legislation and informational oversight hearings, likely in coordination with standing policy committees, and emphasized concerns about reported fraud in state government and the need to prevent waste before it occurs. Members from both parties generally expressed support for the committee’s work and interest in learning more about the issues. The sole agenda item was a presentation from the Legislative Auditor on the 2023 report, “Oversight of State-Funded Grants to Nonprofit Organizations.” Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and Deputy Legislative Auditor Jodi Munson Rodriguez explained that the report reviewed how comprehensive Minnesota’s grants management policies are and how well agencies follow them. They said the policies cover the grant lifecycle but often lack detail, and the office found widespread noncompliance in recent years. The presentation included examples such as limited standards for progress reports, flexible monitoring requirements, and no required timeline for closeout reviews. The auditors also noted that state agencies spent an average of about $514 million annually on nonprofit grants from fiscal years 2018 through 2022, with about 2,400 nonprofit organizations receiving grants. The auditors said several factors contribute to compliance problems, including inconsistent funding for grants management, limited training, and uneven use of electronic grants systems. They also noted that statutes gave little authority to enforce compliance. Since the report was released, the Department of Administration has taken some steps, including changes to pre-award financial review policies and a timeline for closeout reviews, but the auditors said other recommendations remain only partially implemented. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Especially privately, since we are such a small town and have such a small voting place.
• Especially privately, since we are such a small town and have such a small voting place.
• Especially privately, since we are such a small town and have such a small voting place.
• Especially privately, since we are such a small town and have such a small voting place.
• town and have such a small such a small town and have such a small voting<00:45:10.440> place

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Election Law Committee held an orientation and then opened a public hearing on House Bill 67-FN-A, which would make permanent the use of accessible voting machines in local elections and provide funding for additional systems. The chair outlined committee procedures, noting a heavy workload of roughly 70 to 80 bills, mostly Tuesday meetings, likely time limits on testimony, and a default of executive session unless a bill is specifically noticed. Members and staff were introduced, and the Secretary of State’s office described its election-related responsibilities, including voter registration, cybersecurity, ballot-counting equipment, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) program. Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary Aon Hennessy explained the current pilot program created by last year’s law, which requires accessible voting systems for local elections and allows the state to share machines with municipalities during the first half of 2025. They said the office has made hardware available, but towns have raised concerns about the speed of implementation and the cost of programming each election, especially for towns with multiple ballot questions. Scanlan said the state is also vetting longer-term options, including devices that could remain in polling places year-round, and suggested the committee consider delaying the bill’s effective date to January 1, 2026 to better align with implementation needs. Hennessy said the current state devices are older and complicated to reset for each election, and estimated programming costs could be about $600 for a small single-election ballot and much higher for towns with multiple elections. Supporters of the bill emphasized the importance of accessible voting for people with disabilities. Representative Robert Wy said the measure builds on 2024 law and would move the pilot into a permanent agreement, citing ADA concerns and prior testimony about discriminatory voting experiences. Fred Forier, a legally blind voter from Exeter, testified that accessible voting systems allow him to vote privately and independently and urged support for the bill. Committee members asked about the gap if the pilot ends before a permanent system is in place and about the cost range for programming. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee moved on after public testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• lot of our trades, the availability of the programs in certain areas, or the staffing realities of small
• That's why the original community college bachelor's degree program was created as a small part of the
• community... ...original community college bachelor's degree program was created as a small part of
• the community college portfolio, and I know it's small because I was vice chancellor of the community
• And in this case, community colleges, a very small number of them, in a very small number—in an infinitesimal

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a step, a small step, but an important step in changing that. Thank you.
• A step, a small step, but an important step in changing that. Thank you.
• So, what we're asking for is a small business exemption.
• Norwood, when you said that it would affect your small insurance agents, can you elaborate?
• But I'm more worried about independent agencies, especially in small towns and communities, and small

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee heard several bills, with most of the discussion focused on insurance transparency, claims handling, privacy, and regulatory enforcement. SB 877 and SB 878 by Senator Pérez addressed post-disaster claims practices: SB 877 would require insurers to disclose original and revised loss estimates and related claim materials to policyholders, while SB 878 would add automatic interest penalties for delayed claim decisions or payments and require written identification of disputed items. Fire survivors, consumer groups, AARP, the Department of Insurance, and other advocates supported both bills, while insurer groups moved to neutral after amendments. Both bills were voted out on roll call and reported to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1054 by Senator Cabaldon, which would expand data sharing and reporting to improve workforce program evaluation and help counties verify work requirements for Medi-Cal and CalFresh using employer-reported hours worked. County officials, workforce advocates, and the Department of Insurance supported the measure, and no opposition was heard. The bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to the Committee on Labor and Employment. SB 1209 by Senator Allen, presented with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, would give the commissioner stronger enforcement tools to require insurers to carry out corrective actions identified in market conduct examinations, including fines and hearings for noncompliance. The commissioner and author said the bill would close an enforcement gap and improve accountability; there was no opposition testimony, but the bill was left on call after the roll. The committee also heard SB 354 on insurance privacy, presented by Senator Padilla on behalf of Pro Tem Limón, which would modernize insurance privacy rules by expanding consumer rights over personal data, limiting sale and use of sensitive information, and increasing disclosure requirements. Supporters said the bill updates outdated 1980s-era rules, while insurers, agents, and business groups raised concerns about scope, compliance burdens, and small-business impacts. Members indicated the bill was still being negotiated and would return in a revised form in the Privacy Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• You really do just need a small patch of sunlight, a solar panel. You plug it into an inverter.
• I think this is really an effective way of democratizing solar in a way that's safe and small scale.
• Thank you. in a way that safe, small scale to the concerns of safety, I think the amendments removing
• This is really small, very small scale.
• But these are very high prices because the market is incredibly small.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on utility affordability, transparency, and clean energy. SB 327 would bar investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds to oppose municipal utility formation and would clarify the Public Advocates Office’s authority to inspect utility books; supporters framed it as a ratepayer protection measure, while utilities and telecom/broadband interests opposed it unless amended, citing concerns about scope and participation in regulatory proceedings. After questions about how it differed from AB 1167 and how PAO discovery disputes are handled, the committee passed SB 327 as amended to Appropriations on an 11-2 vote, later reopening the roll to 12-2. SB 1350 would allow renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen, with the author and supporters emphasizing hydrogen’s role in decarbonization, grid reliability, jobs, and the Lancaster/ARCHES project. Environmental groups opposed the bill unless amended, warning about NOx emissions, paper transactions, and the need for stronger safeguards on hydrogen sourcing and delivery. The committee discussed amendments, including a minimum 20% hydrogen blend and emissions-related guardrails, and passed the bill to Natural Resources on a 14-0 vote, later reopening the roll to 18-0. SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, would create a framework for small plug-in balcony solar devices for renters and others without rooftop solar access, while setting safety standards and limiting system size. Supporters said it would lower bills and expand access to solar; utilities and some public power entities raised safety and backfeed concerns, arguing interconnection review under Rule 21 remains necessary. After extensive discussion of safety, certification, and export limits, the committee passed SB 868 as amended to Appropriations on a 17-0 vote, later reopening the roll to 18-0. SB 1233, a transparency bill requiring additional disclosure about utility cash on hand, capital structure, and related reporting, drew utility opposition over duplicative processes and possible delays, but was passed as amended to Appropriations on a 10-3 vote, later reopened to 11-3. The committee also approved the consent calendar unanimously and adjourned after reopening the rolls for absent members to add on.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as the deans said, these colleges work very closely together in doing this already, due in no small
• Just not too long ago, a few months ago, we launched our small and medium-sized enterprise program.
• Those seeds are very small.
• So a spring wheat or other small grains harvested earlier usually has the residue largely removed.
• The baseline system that we're talking about is you plant it following a small grain or silage corn.

Bills: HF3692

Keywords: Farmer-Lender Mediation Act, mediation, agriculture finance, debt relief, civil law, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of the amount of times that you can split the lot into these small 1,200-square-foot pieces.
• But the three most important things our research has found for affordability are small lot, small lot
• , small lot.
• The city of Houston has had a long-standing commitment to small-lot starter home reform.
• We estimate from 2005 to 2018, over 28,000 small-lot single-family homes were built after they made small-lot

Bills: S0218, S0380, S0936, S0948, S0962, S0984, S1020, S1180, S1434, S1444, S1612

Keywords: land use, disaster recovery, local government, federal assistance, Hurricane relief, legal notices, public accessibility, government transparency, digital publication, government agencies, temporary door locking device, emergency safety, building code, training programs, fire exit security, affordable housing, land development, starter homes, local government regulations, housing shortage

Summary: The committee took up a series of land use, housing, local government, and public notice bills, along with a firefighter cancer bill and a bill on temporary door locking devices. SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention was explained as clarifying access to death benefits and a one-time cancer payment for firefighters; it was reported favorably. SB 1612 required local governments to accept electronic payments online; it also passed favorably. SB 1180 created a recall framework for elected community development district board members and, through a strike-all amendment, also addressed synthetic turf enforcement and expanded compact urban mixed-use district definitions; the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. SB 936 allowed temporary door locking devices above the finished floor and directed the Building Commission to add standards to the Florida Building Code; it passed favorably. The committee also considered SB 380 on legal notices, which would let certain local government entities publish notices on their own websites or other designated sites instead of relying on newspapers in more cases. The Florida Press Association, Common Cause, and newspaper representatives opposed the bill, arguing it would fragment public notice access and make notices harder to find and verify, while supporters said it would modernize and reduce costs. The bill’s amendment clarified which agencies were covered, and the committee reported the bill favorably. SB 962 on affordable housing narrowed prior zoning preemption language so working farms and farm operations would not be unintentionally captured by Live Local-style rules; it passed favorably. SB 1444 on state preemption and religious expression, private clubs, and minor home construction drew support from religious freedom advocates and opposition from cities and counties, which warned of vague terms and overbroad preemption; it was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 218, which would limit the reach of last session’s hurricane recovery land-use preemption to counties actually damaged by hurricanes and restore normal local land-use authority in unaffected counties. SB 1434 on infill redevelopment would streamline zoning and subdivision approvals for environmentally impacted parcels in certain urban counties to encourage housing on contaminated or underused land; counties and local-government groups opposed it as an overbroad preemption and raised concerns about the environmental threshold and density provisions, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 1020 on chickees prohibited local ordinances from blocking chickee construction if setback requirements are met and made unauthorized attempts to circumvent the building code a misdemeanor; it passed favorably. Finally, SB 948 on local government land development regulations and orders, as amended, proposed a statewide starter-home framework with lot-split and zoning changes to increase housing supply; local-government and planning groups warned it would function as a rigid statewide zoning code and could drive overdevelopment, while housing advocates supported it as necessary state action. The committee reported the bill favorably after extensive debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, it could be a few thousand dollars, but it would be very small.
• I mean, it could be a few thousand dollars, but it would be very small.
• The change-of-class appeals are very, very small. Mr. Chair. Thank you.
• But when it comes to ag appeals, where the SBOE... it's very, very small.
• I think it's a very, very small group of people it would affect.

Bills: HB2016, HB2104, HB2105, HB2288, HB2289

Keywords: tax penalties, filing, tax returns, administration, Arizona Revised Statutes, agricultural property, classification, county assessor, property inspection, appeal process, property tax, agricultural classification, Department of Revenue, property valuation, inspection notice, inspection report, on-site inspection, full cash value, rural land, farm land

Summary: The committee began with member, staff, and page introductions, then heard reminders about public testimony limits. It first considered House Bill 2016, which would eliminate late-filing penalties when a tax return shows zero tax due. The sponsor argued the bill would prevent unnecessary fines on small businesses and individuals with no liability, while staff noted any fiscal impact would likely be minimal. The bill passed on an 8-1 vote, with one member opposing it on the grounds that current waiver procedures already exist and the change could weaken compliance incentives. The committee then took up House Bill 2104, which would bar county assessors from reclassifying agricultural property for four years after an owner prevails on appeal, unless there is a change in use, ownership, or parcel configuration. The sponsor and agricultural groups said the measure would reduce repetitive annual appeals and provide stability for ranchers and farmers, especially in urbanizing areas and in places affected by fallowing. County assessors opposed the bill, arguing that their offices are better qualified than the State Board of Equalization, that the bill could allow inaccurate classifications to persist, and that it relies too heavily on owners to report changes. After extensive testimony from the Maricopa County Assessor and the State Board of Equalization executive director, the committee approved the bill 5-4. Next, House Bill 2105 was heard. It would require advance notice of certain property inspections and provide inspection reports to property owners. The sponsor said the goal was to give owners a chance to be present for inspections and to receive the reasons for any denial of agricultural status. Assessors opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate and said they already communicate with owners through mail, door hangers, and other methods, but that a standardized report form does not currently exist. Supporters from the farm and ranch community said the bill would improve transparency and help avoid disputes. The committee passed the bill 5-4. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2289, which updates truth-in-taxation and election pamphlet language to reflect higher residential property values, including a new $400,000 example. The sponsor and the Arizona Tax Research Association said the changes would make taxpayer notices more accurate and noted the bill was similar to one that had previously advanced, but without a provision that contributed to a veto. No vote was taken on this bill in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Craft Brewers Guild is the non-profit trade association for small and independent breweries
• Businesses in the industry are actually small brewers who primarily dispense their products through their
• The fix is simple, but it would relieve the stress and frustration of hundreds of small businesses around
• Two, this is reducing the burden on small businesses, correct? It is.
• A very small version, so good morning, Chair Meyer and members of the committee.

Bills: HB511, HB972, HB 1035, HB2481, HB2723, HB2742, HB2894, HB2962, HB3077, HB3093, HB3307, HB3684, HJR67, HJR72

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, caregiver exemption, Medicaid, long-term services, tax relief, assisted living, housing support, property tax exemption, caregiver support, residence homestead, tax exemption, unpaid caregiver, state tax code, property tax, caregiver, waiting list, intellectual disability, developmental disability, ad valorem tax, family support