Transcript Highlights:

• SB 936 takes a measured approach to addressing the rise of nitrous oxide misuse in California.
• By targeting the specific products most commonly associated with misuse, this bill aims to reduce youth
• And imagine if these were beer bottles and wine bottles and whiskey bottles and alcohol, obviously we
• Imagine if these were beer bottles and wine bottles and whiskey bottles and alcohol.
• just in terms of the technical issues, the implementation date has got some issues, including the misuse

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 936 on nitrous oxide sales. Senator Blakespear and supporters, including Orange and Humboldt County supervisors and public safety, medical, waste, and local government groups, argued the bill would curb youth misuse, impaired driving, and hazardous waste by prohibiting retail sale of nitrous oxide canisters larger than eight grams while preserving legitimate uses. There was no lead opposition testimony, though members raised questions about enforcement and existing regulatory agencies. The committee ultimately moved the bill on a due pass basis to Senate Appropriations, with broad support and no recorded opposition at the time of the vote. Members also heard SB 1312 on abandoned cemeteries and SB 1340 on small business contracting transparency. SB 1312 would use the existing cemetery workgroup process to develop recommendations for addressing abandoned cemeteries, with the author and the Cemetery and Mortuary Association describing vandalism, theft, and inadequate endowment funds as ongoing problems. SB 1340 would require state agencies to report more detailed small business contracting information, including actual payments, to the Office of the Small Business Advocate; the Controller’s office supported the measure as a way to improve accountability and help small businesses compete for state work. Both bills were moved forward on due pass motions to Senate Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 903 on artificial intelligence in mental health care, SB 1271 on midwifery preceptor data, and SB 1327 on EV charger accuracy oversight. SB 903 drew strong support from mental health and professional groups that said AI should not replace licensed clinicians, while medical and technology groups opposed it unless amended, warning the definitions were too broad and could hinder beneficial tools and research; the author said the bill was meant to keep a human clinician in the loop and allow administrative uses with consent. SB 1271 was supported by midwives and birth workers who said California needs better data on preceptor capacity to expand training and address maternity care deserts; it advanced to Senate Health. SB 1327 would shift EV charger accuracy oversight from CDFA’s weights and measures division to the California Energy Commission; supporters said this would modernize and standardize enforcement, while county sealers and others opposed the shift as unnecessary, costly, and potentially weakening consumer protections. SB 1327 passed on a divided vote to Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications. Several bills were held on call after votes, and the committee established quorum before taking formal actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• unapproved nature of the treatments and the risks that include disciplinary and criminal penalties for misuse
• unapproved nature of the treatments and the risks that include disciplinary and criminal penalties for misuse
• Substitute for Senate Bill 678, a bill to be entitled an act relating to deductions for certain losses of alcoholic
• Members, in 1972 the Legislature passed a bill to allow for the deduction of unsellable alcohol from
• These residents were seeking clarity about what legal tools were available to address the misuse of their

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3053 is a necessary guardrail against misuse of local authority.
• Misuse of the money. Misuse of the money. Whose money is it? State's money?
• growing region, experiencing increasing demand. ...for modernized local regulation pertaining to alcohol
• Commissioners and municipal governments to call for a local option election to legalize the sale of alcoholic
• certain political subdivisions to call for a local option in an election relating to the sale of alcoholic

Bills: SB731, SB801, SB867, SB2082, SB2717, SB2919, HB4, HB26, HB103, HB108, HB117, HB126, HB144, HB145, HB186, HB201, HB223, HB229, HB272, HB493, HB521, HB551, HB621, HB700, HB748, HB1106, HB1234, HB1403, HB1500, HB1661, HB2017, HB2026, HB2035, HB2038, HB2073, HB2080, HB2221, HB2253, HB2294, HB2306, HB2313, HB2427, HB2512, HB2516, HB2593, HB2674, HB2761, HB2818, HB2820, HB2844, HB2851, HB2885, HB3010, HB3016, HB3053, HB3057, HB3133, HB3151, HB3159, HB3180, HB3181, HB3225, HB3234, HB3250, HB3254, HB3284, HB3333, HB3512, HB3556, HB3595, HB3689, HB3711, HB3732, HB3749, HB3812, HB3833, HB3866, HB3928, HB3940, HB3966, HB4063, HB4112, HB4157, HB4264, HB4281, HB4384, HB4454, HB4486, HB4488, HB4520, HB4530, HB4666, HB4690, HB4743, HB4749, HB4751, HB4795, HB4848, HB4903, HB5081, HB5115, HB5138, HB5149, HB5154, HB5247, HB5308, HB5394, HB5436, HB5659, HB5671, HB5674, HB5680, HB5696, HCR40, HCR108, HCR118, SJR5, SJR59, SB4, SB8, SB9, SB10, SB12, SB22, SB23, SB25, SB27, SB34, SB36, SB37, SB38, SB40, SB261, SB650, SB777, SB924, SB1188, SB1318, SB1333, SB1398, SB1448, SB1566, SB1621, SB1723, SB1862, SB2405, SB2406, SB2407, SB3070, SB1, SB17, SB21, SB260, SB379, SB509, SB1405, SB1506, SB1637, SB1833, SB2155, SB2308, HB300, HB2525, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3045, SB3071, HJR7, HB2674, HB3556, HB26, HB4384, HB748, HB5652, HB3395, HB2516, HB180, HB1306, HB3966, HB4112, HB322, HB126, HB5650, HB4894, HB1629, HB5698, HB3171, HB2694, HB5664, HB4751, HB4690, HB4464, HB4063, HB3623, HB3016, HB2520, HB2221, HB2213, HB700, HB252, HB146, HB5596, HB3619, HB5320, HB5651, HB5670, HB5665, HB5437, HB5679, HB5699, HB5661, HB5662, HB5654, HB5672, HB5656, HB4743, HB4666, HB3812, HB3595, HB3057, HB2035, HB721, HB346, HB2512, HB5695, HB5694, HB5671, HB5674, HB2038, HB3185, HB2761, HB2593, HB2348, HB2073, HB1871, HB108, HB2306, HB2017, HB1135, HB144, HB3689, HB5308, HB101, HB5666, HB5677, HB5682, HB5680, HB5658, HB5696, HB4144, HB3159, HB3254, HB3866, HB3010, HB4520, HB3642, HB3928, HB3815, HB2686, HB2012, HB1960, HB227, HB654, HB1690, HB2128, HB4158, HB4530, HB4630, HB5659, HB1523, HB2078, HB2427, HB145, HB1973, HB3333, HB3697, HB3546, HB3225, HB3181, HB3133, HB3053, HB2885, HB2820, HB2294, HB2253, HB1661, HB1506, HB1234, HB640, HB621, HB551, HB521, HB493, HB272, HB229, HB223, HB201, HB186, HB119, HB2080, HB2818, HB5394, HB4795, HB4466, HB4454, HB3940, HB3749, HB3151, HB3284, HB1403, HB1106, HB2844, HB2851, HB1500, HB4488, HB4264, HB4, HB4170, HB3909, HB4081, HB4145, HB4157, HB4281, HB4285, HB4463, HB4749, HB4995, HB5081, HB5115, HB5138, HB5624, HB1449, HB3711, HB2598, HB3629, HB4361, HB824, HB1868, HB4848, HB2243, HB40, HB117, HB2313, HB3686, HB500, HB3793, HB112, HB104, HB1056, HB42, HB4486, HB3000, HB100, HB2240, HB718, HB27, HB4904, HB4202, HB2853, HB5129, HB5093, HB4765, HB4748, HB4559, HB4350, HB4214, HB3388, HB3112, HB5196, HB4211, HB3516, HB3092, HB4233, HB4687, HB705, HB1094, HB2037, HB3005, HB3848, HB1105, HB121, HB3372, HB367, HB783, HB3336, HB3441, HB4449, HB5616, HB2407, HB2854, HB3425, HB5294, HB1178, HB4623, HB14, HB3963, HB1211, HB5646, HB5629, HB3783, HB4236, HB46, HB4638, HB1052, HB4070, HB5509, HB5435, HB4134, HB3923, HB3520, HB3320, HB2517, HB2488, HB5663, HB2731, HB3073, HB2655, HB2399, HB541, HB4099, HB111, HB1532, HB3483, HB2963, HB4580, HB3748, HB713, HB632, HB426, HB4730, HCR141, HCR118, HCR40, HCR59, HCR76, HCR108, HB26, HB108, HB144, HB145, HB201, HB272, HB493, HB551, HB621, HB700, HB1500, HB1661, HB2017, HB2038, HB2073, HB2080, HB2221, HB2253, HB2294, HB2306, HB2313, HB2427, HB2516, HB2593, HB2761, HB2818, HB2844, HB2851, HB2885, HB3010, HB3016, HB3133, HB3151, HB3159, HB3254, HB3284, HB3595, HB3689, HB3711, HB3866, HB3928, HB3940, HB3966, HB4063, HB4112, HB4264, HB4281, HB4384, HB4454, HB4486, HB4488, HB4520, HB4530, HB4666, HB4743, HB4749, HB4751, HB5081, HB5308, HB5394, HB5659, HB5671, HB5680, HB5696, HB2674, HB3556, HB223, HB1403, HB3053, HB5115, HCR108, HCR118, SB20, SB33, SB75, SB213, SB269, SB458, SB528, SB647, SB648, SB681, SB740, SB840, SB843, SB1061, SB1120, SB1121, SB1150, SB1202, SB1253, SB1423, SB1535, SB1574, SB1709, SB1789, SB2037, SB2078, SB2268, SB2544, SB2570, SB1198, SB2601, SB2778

Keywords: SB 731, Texas, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, TDHCA, low-income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, senior housing, 55 and older, elderly housing, multifamily housing, apartment buildings, high-rise, four-story building, water pressure booster, water pressure system, emergency water supply, building safety, housing development regulations, Government Code Chapter 2306

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 936 takes a measured approach to address the rise of nitrous oxide misuse in California.
• The more proper analogy, in my opinion, is the one we do with alcohol, for example.
• The more proper analogy, in my opinion, is one that we do with alcohol, for example.
• Prevent repeat DUI offenders from purchasing alcohol.
• SB 948 fails that test and further does nothing to address criminal misuse of firearms.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Alcohol-related tragedies do occur.
• And as you regulate the alcohol sales and licensing, how does the Department of Alcohol or ABC ensure
• Alcohol to minors as well.
• My name is Raoul Verdugo, program manager for the California Alcohol Policy Lines, Alcohol Justice.
• Alcohol Justice.

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointments, bill referrals, rule waiver requests, and floor acknowledgments. The committee approved multiple non-appearance appointments, including Peter Briar-T to the Southern Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission, several appointees to the Acupuncture Board, Roy Mathur to the Board of Pilot Commissioners, and Davina Hurt to the California Water Commission; the Water Commission appointment drew a 3-2 vote. The committee also approved bill referrals, two rule waiver requests allowing guests on the Senate floor on March 16 and March 23, and floor acknowledgments, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Afterward, the committee returned to the earlier appointment of Peter Briar-T and added it to the record by roll call. The committee then heard testimony from Lillian Corral, nominated to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. Corral emphasized her background as a Colombian-born immigrant and first-generation college graduate, and said her priorities would include helping students navigate a changing economy shaped by AI, improving data and digital infrastructure, supporting Vision 2030 goals, and expanding pathways to jobs. Senators questioned her about community college bachelor’s degrees, achievement gaps, dual enrollment, staffing, and her work at New America and the Open Technology Institute, focusing on privacy, student safety, age verification, TikTok, and financial aid fraud. Corral said safety and security should come first, that she supports privacy and technically feasible verification tools, and that the community college system is using identity verification, AI tools, and human review to reduce fraud. The committee voted 3-0 to advance her nomination to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Paul Tupi, nominated to lead the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Tupi described a career in law enforcement and ABC enforcement and said he would focus on public trust, timely licensing, licensee education, community responsiveness, and accountability when alcohol-related harms occur. Senators asked about enforcement against sales to minors, alcohol-related traffic deaths, delivery compliance, agency responsiveness, fund stability, and potential policy changes such as entertainment zones and cocktails-to-go. Tupi outlined ABC’s decoy, shoulder-tap, delivery decoy, and TRACE programs, and said the department also works with local agencies through grants and training. Supporters from the alcohol policy, wine, brewing, and former ABC legal communities praised his open-door approach and enforcement focus. The committee unanimously approved his nomination to move to the full Senate for confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• A man who believed in the old school: when I had a fever, he rubbed me down with alcohol and made me
• That was for misusing taxpayer dollars, too, which I kind of feel like constantly debating these bills
• that affect 10 kids in the state of Missouri is a misuse of taxpayer funds as well.
• But we don't do that for alcohol.
• We're not doing that with alcohol. We shouldn't do it here either.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I did define misuse in this.
• For example, I would bet every one of you has misused a prescription drug in your life.
• that, and that is the far, the most common cause of misuse.
• </c><01:40:30.679><c> a</c> would bet every one of you has misused a would bet every one of you has misused
• I'm a member of the Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Other Drugs.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 936 takes a measured approach to addressing the dangerous rise of nitrous oxide misuse in California
• A second driver, allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, crashed into the stopped vehicles.
• The harms, there are very real harms associated with the misuse of nitrous oxide.
• They're not alcoholics. They made a stupid decision to drink and drive.
• That doesn't make them an alcoholic.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety met on March 17, 2026, with no quorum at the start and throughout much of the hearing, so bills were presented and discussed but no final votes were taken. The committee heard SB 936 on nitrous oxide sales, SB 941 on commissary price caps in private immigration detention facilities, SCR 118 urging release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, SB 1009 on juvenile detention standards, AB 46 on mental health diversion, and SB 948 on firearm safety training and registration for new residents. The chair explained public comment procedures and noted that SB 891 was on consent, but the transcript focused on the other measures. SB 936 drew strong support from the author, prosecutors, local officials, and public health/environmental groups, who described rising misuse of flavored large nitrous oxide canisters, youth targeting, impaired driving crashes, deaths, and waste disposal costs. Opposition from the ACLU argued the bill was too broad and should use a regulatory rather than criminal approach, warning about overreach into ordinary household items. Members generally expressed support, though some asked for narrowing amendments to avoid unintended coverage. SB 941 was presented as a cap on markups for commissary goods sold to detainees in privately run federal immigration detention facilities, modeled on prior prison commissary limits. Supporters described severe price inflation for basic necessities and the burden on families, while no opposition testified. SCR 118, calling for full release of unclassified Epstein investigation files, was supported by the author, a survivor statement, and anti-trafficking advocates; one member objected that the resolution could implicate people without full facts, while others emphasized transparency and survivor accountability. SB 1009 and AB 46 both centered on criminal justice discretion: SB 1009 would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth and was supported by defenders and youth advocates but opposed by probation and district attorneys who warned about public safety and resource constraints; AB 46 would narrow mental health diversion by allowing judges to deny diversion when public safety is at risk, with prosecutors and victims’ families supporting it and public defenders, ACLU, and behavioral health groups opposing it as an unnecessary restriction on treatment. SB 948 would expand firearm safety certificate requirements to include live-fire training and require new California residents to register firearms within 60 days; the author and gun-safety advocates supported it as a common-sense safety measure, and the hearing moved into support testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 936 takes a measured approach to addressing the dangerous rise of nitrous oxide misuse in California
• A second driver, allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, crashed into the stopped vehicles.
• The harms, there are very real harms associated with the misuse of nitrous oxide.
• They're not alcoholics. They made a stupid decision to drink and drive.
• That doesn't make them an alcoholic.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety met on March 17, 2026, beginning without a quorum and hearing several bills and a resolution. SB 936 by Senator Blakespear would prohibit retail sale of nitrous oxide canisters larger than 8 grams while preserving legitimate medical, dental, culinary, and automotive uses. Supporters, including prosecutors, county officials, and local government groups, described rising misuse among youth, impaired driving crashes, deaths, and environmental waste from large flavored canisters. The ACLU opposed unless amended, arguing the bill was too broad and should use a regulatory approach rather than criminal penalties; the author said amendments were being considered to narrow the language. Committee members largely expressed support, though some raised concerns about wording and implementation. SB 941 by Senator Padilla would extend a prison commissary price cap framework to private for-profit immigration detention facilities under federal contract in California. Supporters said detainees and their families face extreme markups on basic necessities and that the bill would curb exploitation. There was broad support from immigrant justice, civil rights, and disability rights organizations, and no opposition testimony was presented. SCR 118 by Senator Gonzalez urged release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files. Supporters framed it as a transparency and survivor-accountability measure, with testimony from CAST and a survivor statement. One committee member voiced concern about incomplete facts and the risk of political overreach, while others supported the resolution as part of broader anti-trafficking efforts. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth in juvenile proceedings and would emphasize less restrictive alternatives. The author and supporters argued that detention harms youth, increases recidivism, and is overused, citing a personal witness who described spending more than 200 days in juvenile detention before her case was resolved. Probation, district attorneys, and AFSCME raised concerns that the bill could limit judicial discretion, strain county resources, and create public safety risks or uneven implementation. Committee members were split, with some supporting the bill as a needed safeguard and others saying the system needs more resources before changing the standard. AB 46 by Assemblymember Nguyen would narrow mental health diversion by allowing judges to deny diversion when public safety is at risk. Supporters, including district attorneys and a crime victim’s family, said current law is too restrictive and has allowed dangerous offenders to reoffend; opponents, including public defenders and the ACLU, argued diversion is already limited and effective and that the bill would reduce access to treatment. Finally, SB 948 by Senator Aegian would require more comprehensive firearm safety training for firearm safety certificates and require new California residents to register firearms and obtain a certificate within 60 days. Supporters, including Brady and youth gun violence advocates, said the bill would close loopholes and improve safety; gun rights groups opposed, calling it an unconstitutional financial barrier and a burden on new residents.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some modifications to alcohol licensing requirements, specifically related to certain liability insurance

Bills: SB1983, SB444, SB1503, SB1561, SB592, SB1501, SB1946, SB1567, SB1833, SB2026, SB904, SB2178, SB1651, SB1558, SB1565, SB1553, SB1257, SB65, SB1749, SB1242, SB1642, SB640, SB667, SB1436, SB1484, SB1562, SB1794, SB1644, SB1533, SB933, SB1555

Keywords: SB1983, foster care, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, child welfare, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention, private child-placing agency, Title 10A, Oklahoma

Bills: HR1051, HR1048, SB2074, SJR39, SJR47, SB1983, SB444, SB1503, SB1561, SB592, SB1501, SB1946, SB1567, SB1833, SB2026, SB904, SB2178, SB1651, SB1558, SB1565, SB1553, SB1257, SB65, SB1749, SB1242, SB1642, SB640, SB667, SB1436, SB1484, SB1562, SB1794, SB1644, SB1533, SB933, SB1555

Keywords: livestock, judging, Oklahoma State University, championship, agriculture, military children, recognition, community support, military families, April 15, pharmacy benefits managers, reimbursement, healthcare, prescription drugs, cost regulation, property valuation, tax limit, homestead, income threshold, elderly

Bills: HR1051, HR1048, SB2074, SJR39, SJR47, SB1983, SB444, SB1503, SB1561, SB592, SB1501, SB1946, SB1567, SB1833, SB2026, SB904, SB2178, SB1651, SB1558, SB1565, SB1553, SB1257, SB65, SB1749, SB1242, SB1642, SB640, SB667, SB1436, SB1484, SB1562, SB1794, SB1644, SB1533, SB933, SB1555

Keywords: livestock, judging, Oklahoma State University, championship, agriculture, military children, recognition, community support, military families, April 15, pharmacy benefits managers, reimbursement, healthcare, prescription drugs, cost regulation, property valuation, tax limit, homestead, income threshold, elderly

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of special presentations and introductions celebrating Oklahoma State University, the Cowgirl Wrestling Club, the OSU livestock judging team, military children, poster contest winners, and several visiting groups and honorees. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Kurt Emerson, and the Nurse of the Day, Beverly Felton. Much of the floor time was devoted to OSU Day remarks, including a citation honoring the university and comments from Speaker Hilbert, Coach Eric Morris, and President Jim Hess. The House then took up Senate Bill 2074, a pharmacy benefit manager measure intended to regulate PBMs and support pharmacists. An amendment by Representative Jenkins to remove a section of the bill was tabled, and members questioned the bill extensively about reimbursement rates, consumer costs, employer options, transparency, and the impact on independent pharmacies. After debate, the bill advanced and passed the House by a vote of 87-7. Members also considered Senate Joint Resolution 39, which would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to cap property tax growth. The measure, as amended, would set a 1.75% annual cap on homestead property tax growth and a 4% cap on other properties, with a stair-step senior freeze. The resolution drew debate over effects on local government revenue, schools, roads, jails, and inflation, but supporters argued it would provide strong taxpayer protections. The House passed the resolution 85-9 and then took the additional vote required to refer the constitutional amendment to a special election.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this makes some modifications to alcohol licensing requirements, specifically related to certain

Bills: SB1983, SB444, SB1503, SB1561, SB592, SB1501, SB1946, SB1567, SB1833, SB2026, SB904, SB2178, SB1651, SB1558, SB1565, SB1553, SB1257, SB65, SB1749, SB1242, SB1642, SB640, SB667, SB1436, SB1484, SB1562, SB1794, SB1644, SB1533, SB933, SB1555

Keywords: SB1983, foster care, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, child welfare, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention, private child-placing agency, Title 10A, Oklahoma

Summary: The committee opened with prayer and then heard a long series of Senate bills, many of them agency request or cleanup measures. Early bills included SB 1983, directing DHS to provide foster care data to resource family partners to better identify foster family needs; SB 444, allowing hospice personnel to control or destroy controlled substances after a patient’s death; and SB 1503, a PCS related to pregnancy resource center outreach and in-state referrals, which drew discussion about virtual versus face-to-face support and was reported out after members agreed to continue working on the language. Other measures advanced included SB 1561 on progressive discipline for certain M.T.M.S. personnel, SB 592 and SB 1946 on alcohol-related licensing/sales issues, SB 1501 and SB 1567 as cleanup or implementation bills, and SB 1833 codifying a SNAP waiver barring candy and soft drinks purchases. The committee also considered several health and human services bills. SB 2026 expanded access to military discharge papers to grandchildren; SB 904 addressed public funds and state facilities, with members raising concerns about legislative interference in medical decision-making and liability; SB 2178 modified alcohol licensing insurance requirements; SB 1651 updated Oklahoma Medical Board license language; SB 1558 clarified the definition of a child for level E group homes; SB 1565 promoted Food is Medicine efforts to improve maternal and infant outcomes; and SB 1553 required psychologist review of appealed adverse determinations involving mental health claims. SB 1257, with a policy recommendation, expanded THC/controlled substance language to align with federal guidelines, and SB 1749 made a cleanup change related to food trailers and LP gas inspections. Later in the meeting, the committee advanced SB 65 with a policy amendment adding fentanyl and xylazine test strips; SB 1242, which included OMMA education and abandoned grow cleanup provisions; SB 1642, allowing shorter acute prescriptions to help reduce addiction risk; SB 640, treating abandoned grow facilities as public nuisances so local governments can abate them; SB 667, clarifying accreditation language for chiropractic programs; SB 1436, requiring hospitals to provide information on obtaining records after stillbirth or miscarriage; SB 1484, codifying medical examiner practices in infant or child deaths; SB 1562, addressing hospice patient solicitation; SB 1794, creating a mental health bed-availability database; SB 1644, seeking data on alpha-gal syndrome to support federal research funding; SB 1533, ensuring burial assistance for Oklahoma veterans who die out of state; SB 933, creating a right-to-try pathway for individualized treatments; and SB 1555, aligning the definition of intellectual disability with federal law. Most bills were reported out do pass, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to a few nays on some measures. SB 1304 was laid over, and the committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• 31.760><c> Firearms,</c> Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms,
• It doesn't weaken existing safeguards against misuse.
• </c><00:49:35.119><c> Our</c> own or misuse less lethal devices.
• Our own or misuse less lethal devices.
• ,</c><02:41:52.319><c> tobacco,</c> Service is around, if alcohol, tobacco, Service is around, if alcohol

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 12, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They were alcoholics that lived on the street.
• You read the, uh, the definition there that applies to commercial sale of alcohol.
• Four were intoxicated, but the driver had alcohol, cocaine, and marijuana in her system.
• Adults who knowingly provide alcohol to minors often face adults who knowingly provide alcohol to minors
• A teen is offered alcohol at a party by a parent, by a guardian.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was simply trying to deal with a problem of misuse of these benefits in our state.
• was pointed out earlier, both employers and employees pay into this fund, which means if there is misuse
• Which means if there is misuse, if there is overuse, everybody pays the bill.
• We have credible reports of other misuse of funds in our state. Harsh for problems.
• And that can't happen if there aren't drugs and alcohol in our correctional facilities.

Bills: SB6061, SB6234, SB6170, SB6176, SB6182, SB6335, SB5647, SB6047, HB2367, HB2606, SB5998, SB6005, SB6003, SB6129, SB6225, SB6228, SB6231

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, contracting rules, state highway construction, procurement limits, state regulations, infrastructure funding, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law

Summary: The Senate convened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then moved to a resolution honoring piano teachers. Senate Resolution 8698 was adopted after remarks from Senator Conway and others describing the role of piano teachers in music education, family life, and community service. Members of the Washington State Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then took up the operating budget and considered a long series of amendments. Several amendments focused on housing costs and local planning, utility and energy policy, ballot measure costs, state spending growth, tort liability, and paid family and medical leave. Some amendments were adopted, including a study of utility cost impacts from climate laws, a grid-related funding amendment, a tort liability oversight/reporting amendment, and a workgroup on services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Others were rejected, including proposals to create a housing task force, cap state spending growth, fund ballot initiative costs, restore local planning grants, and change paid family and medical leave usage rules. Debate on the budget amendments was often partisan and detailed, with supporters arguing for fiscal restraint, cost transparency, and relief for taxpayers and local governments, while opponents emphasized existing work, program solvency, and the need to preserve services. The Senate also heard amendments on zero-based budgeting, federal education tax credit opt-in language, reproductive health funding, food assistance work requirements, and support for the Pediatric Interim Care Center; some were defeated and some were adopted. Roll-call votes were taken on certain amendments, and the transcript ends during consideration of Amendment 0787, which would restore funding for the Pediatric Interim Care Center.

Transcript Highlights:

• The business side of DBPR includes four program areas: the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
• And so in that instance, then we can go check on the alcohol or restaurant license.
• Like, how can we clearly— they're misusing their license.
• It happens with Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.
• It happens with division of alcoholic beverage and tobacco.

Summary: The subcommittee heard and approved four bills focused on reducing or modernizing professional regulation. HB 6015, by Rep. Oliver, repeals the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute to allow businesses more flexibility in container materials; members joked about the possibility of a Home Depot bucket, and the bill passed 16-0. HB 339, by Rep. Abbott, creates an alternative temporary licensure pathway for surveyors and mappers based on employer recommendation and exam passage, but members raised concerns about qualifications, liability, and oversight; Abbott said he was open to amendments, and the bill passed 14-1 with Rep. Overdorf dissenting. HB 139, by Rep. Lopez, allows pawnbrokers to use digital transaction forms instead of only printed forms; a technical amendment added readability and placement requirements for digital forms, and the bill passed unanimously. HB 195, by Rep. Chambliss, lets the Department of Corrections coordinate with DBPR boards so inmates who complete licensure-related classes can receive credit toward professional licensure; supporters framed it as a second-chance and workforce bill, an amendment clarified that DBPR handles professions without boards, and the bill passed favorably 15-0. The committee then received a presentation from DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin on the department’s role overseeing more than 1.7 million businesses and professionals across over 30 fields. She highlighted enforcement and complaint data, including more than 24,000 inspections and complaints handled in the last fiscal year, a preference for education and voluntary compliance over formal discipline, and the department’s alternative dispute resolution program, which returned $2.7 million to consumers and saved $270,000 in costs. Griffin also reviewed recent deregulatory and efficiency efforts, including endorsement/reciprocity reforms, fee waivers, reduced processing times, and shorter call wait times, and said DBPR is continuing to look for ways to cut red tape while protecting public safety. Members questioned Griffin about permitting, continuing education, complaint processing, board vacancies, fraud in cosmetology and construction, coordination with other agencies, and whether schools can block students from taking state exams over unpaid tuition. DBPR staff said complaints are generally processed within 60 days, schools cannot bar graduates from taking the exam because of tuition debt, and the department works with other agencies when issues cross jurisdictional lines. The panel discussion that followed featured industry representatives from landscape architecture, building/code administration, pools, roofing, construction, HVAC/electrical, and hospitality, who generally supported reducing local permitting burdens, standardizing requirements, improving reciprocity and training pathways, and using technology and clearer scopes of work to make licensure and inspections more efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• developing brains that it's actually classified as an abused volatile chemical due to its. significant misuse
• Additionally, prohibiting nitrous oxides sales and locations with cigarette or alcohol permits, and banning
• we have seen direct damage to develop brains resulting in irreparable neurologic damage from the misuse

Bills: SB18, SB19, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB 18, SB 19

Keywords: municipal libraries, state funding, gender identity, public events, children's literature, SB 19, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county, city, municipality, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying ban, public funds, registered lobbyist, Chapter 305, Government Code, Local Government Code, county association dues

Transcript Highlights:

• developing brains that it's actually classified as an abused volatile chemical due to its significant misuse
• Additionally, prohibiting nitrous oxide sales and locations with cigarette or alcohol permits and banning
• have seen direct damage to developing brains resulting in irreparable neurologic damage from the misuse

Bills: SB 18, SB 19, SB 666, SB 688, SB 707, SB 888

Keywords: municipal libraries, state funding, gender identity, public events, children's literature, SB 19, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county, city, municipality, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying ban, public funds, registered lobbyist, Chapter 305, Government Code, Local Government Code, county association dues

Transcript Highlights:

• He crafted updated legislation on misuse of identification, resolving cases where a person's name or
• He crafted updated legislation on misuse of identification, resolving cases where a person's name or
• the bill that requires the swipe of a driver's license or identification for the retail sales of alcohol
• The House took out the retail sales of alcohol. Members, the House took out package stores.
• this bill is a local bill for Bastrop County that would like to hold a local option election for alcohol

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several recognitions and memorial resolutions, including honoring retiring Senate staffer Kelvin Bass and Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw and her staff. Members also adopted a series of local and honorary resolutions, including designating Rockport as the Redfish Capital of Texas, San Antonio as Military City, Texas, and Bridge City as the Corn Dog Capital of Texas, along with memorial and medal-of-honor resolutions for Texans and service members. The chamber also received messages from the House reporting passage of various measures and conference committee actions. The bulk of the meeting focused on conference committee reports and related procedural resolutions. The Senate adopted reports and/or out-of-bounds resolutions on SB 293, SB 1610, HB 46, HB 145, HB 1545, SB 650, SB 1660, HB 40, SB 2217, HB 119, HB 493, HB 3642, HB 2963, SB 2024, SB 2972, HB 2516, HB 2885, and SB 2753, among others. Topics included the Texas Civil Commitment Office, the T-Cup prescription program, wildfire mitigation and utility liability, sunset scheduling, alcohol ID swiping at retail and package stores, business court jurisdiction, election administration and data consistency, foreign adversary lobbying, poll watcher qualifications, road naming, right-to-repair, disguised vape pens, and campus expressive activity rules. Several measures passed with near-unanimous votes, while others drew more opposition, including SB 268 on medical board enforcement and SB 2753 on election procedures. There was extended debate on SB 268, which would shift enforcement authority for scope-of-practice complaints to specialty boards rather than the Texas Medical Board. Senators raised concerns about whether the bill would weaken the Medical Board’s ability to stop unlicensed practice of medicine, while supporters argued that specialty boards should police their own licensees and that criminal referrals remain available for unlicensed practice. The Senate also discussed SB 2972 on expressive activities at public universities, with questions about content-neutral restrictions, who counts as the university community, and whether the bill provides a mechanism to challenge campus time, place, and manner rules. Both bills ultimately passed their conference reports, and the Senate later adopted a large package of resolutions by voice vote before adjourning further business.