Transcript Highlights:

• regulations, asset management, which is another part of making sure you're in compliance, is keeping track
• So next would be... well, kind of on the same as the first one: locating the board members to begin with
• We're also looking at a 1.4-acre piece, which is located at the bottom here.
• I wanted to note that I am also tracking Senate Bill 1363, which you probably have already discussed
• If you know where the ball fields and golf course are, there's also the animal shelter located there.

Transcript Highlights:

• centers around the increased use of groundwater to maintain pond levels, specifically amenity ponds located
• The vast majority of these are located within city boundaries and are screened in shadow aquifers.
• Under current TCEQ rules, no waste injection wells can be authorized if the well is located... ...transects
• You can keep track of it?
• concerns about the growing trend of utilizing package plants in residential developments that are located

Bills: SB243, SB1586, SB1891, SB1959, SB2159, SB2568

Keywords: migrant labor housing, migrant housing, farmworker housing, migrant agricultural worker, agricultural labor, farm labor contractor, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, TDHCA, civil penalty, housing code enforcement, sanitation, occupancy standards, retaliation, worker complaint, language access, Spanish-language outreach, H-2A visa, temporary agricultural workers, unlicensed housing, rural housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Located in Southwest Bear County and in the heart of House District 118, Somerset is a town built on
• 897 by Howard relating to the authorizing the sale of the state of Texas of certain real property located
• , or explosives is referred to the Committee on State Affairs HB 916 by Harrison relating to the tracking
• HB 924 by Schofield relating to the location where certain sales are conseminated for purposes of local
• Carrying a handgun in certain prohibited locations in the repealing association notice requirements to

Transcript Highlights:

• in person, please ensure that you're registered through the electronic witness affirmation systems located
• are experiencing homelessness at a continuously growing rate, and it is increasingly challenging to track

Bills: HB21, HB211, HB223, HB323, HB524, HB530, HB636, HB762, HB21, HB211, HB223

Keywords: housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, tax exemption, audit requirements, affordable housing, local government, development bonds, housing assistance, financial assistance, low income housing, community support, affordability, veterans housing, community involvement, air conditioning, tenant support, healthcare, elderly, taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• , and removing invasive tagging, tracking, and removing invasive carp<00:04:18.959> from<00:04
• trails are located throughout the entire<00:13:58.079> state.
• <00:15:12.399> Legacy<00:15:12.880> made was a high demand location.
• Legacy made was a high demand location.
• <01:40:07.679> for continues to be on track for continues to be on track for installation<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• What we don't keep track of in those numbers is what cost of production is and what margins are doing
• And there is a track in our farm to school program that can provide some funding to food hubs, but having
• Some of them are in remote locations. There's housing challenges, all sorts of reasons.
• We have remote locations; labor markets are different.
• We're a food hub cooperative aggregator located in Carpenteria, California on the border between Santa

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 2014 we began the process of establishing our farm winery and our license, which is required to be located
• That figure is still growing, and because we did not track these costs prior to the 1st of the year,
• is still growing and because we<00:35:45.880> did<00:35:46.040> not<00:35:46.320> track
• these costs prior to we did not track these costs prior to the<00:35:47.880> 1st<00:35:48.400
• Center, the swimming pool that's located Center, the swimming pool that's located in<01:07:49.640

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I don't... it's on a downward track.
• So I don't it's on a downward track.<00:33:04.640> It's<00:33:04.960> never<00:33:05.440
• <00:33:06.640> um<00:33:07.039> out<00:33:07.279> of<00:33:07.440> the track
• It's never made it um out of the track.
• c> Halfway down on the mast or on the flagpole, and that came to pass, and it's a very honorable location

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in work session to consider amendments to House Bill 1332, which concerns Gold Star-related flag displays. Members discussed two proposed amendments: one would allow the governor to choose to honor Gold Star families by ordering display of the Gold Star flag at the State House and at the State Veterans Cemetery, and another would define the flags covered by the bill as those officially recognized by the federal government. Members debated whether the language should be mandatory or permissive, whether the State House display would trigger broader flag-flying requirements, and whether the veterans cemetery language was necessary. Testimony noted that the Gold Star flag is federally recognized, while the Honor and Remember flag has not been officially recognized by Congress. The committee also took up House Bill 1097, dealing with historic road signs and the committee referral for that bill. Representative Janet Wall explained an amendment changing the bill’s referral from the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee to the Joint Historic Committee, saying the historic committee is better suited to handle issues involving historic signs and artifacts. She described the Joint Historic Committee’s broader jurisdiction after a prior statutory combination of committees, and members discussed whether that committee has authority beyond the State House complex. Supporters said the change would provide more appropriate oversight and public input on controversial historic markers; one member opposed legislative involvement in removing markers, arguing the issue should remain with existing historical and transportation entities. The amendment was discussed favorably, and members indicated they liked it. No final votes were taken in the portion provided. The committee appeared to set aside the Gold Star amendments for further consideration and moved on after discussion of the historic-signs amendment, with members noting the need to review the written amendment text before acting.

Transcript Highlights:

• 10.080> to my [clears throat] amendment would be to my [clears throat] amendment would be to track
• 08:11.840> Ethan<00:08:12.639> that<00:08:12.960> we<00:08:13.199> have track
• the language uh Ethan that we have track the language uh Ethan that we have for<00:08:13.840> crimes
• structure or... >> I understand it, but based off the bill before us, I just want to make sure we track
• They'll they'll of course they location.

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 25 February, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 611, which would require the Mississippi Board of Law Enforcement Standards and Training to provide discovery to an officer facing suspension of certification. Representative Burch said officers currently may receive only a brief notice of alleged misconduct without access to the underlying information, and the bill would give them the materials related to the infraction. There were no questions, and the committee approved the motion by voice vote. The next measure, House Bill 1142, would modernize notice requirements for judgment nisi and bench warrants by allowing clerks to notify bail agents electronically or by personal notice instead of certified mail. Representative Owen said the change would reduce county costs, align bail-agent notice with the electronic notice already used for attorneys, and had support from the clerks’ association. Senators asked whether notice would still appear on MEC, and Owen said attorneys already receive notice there and bail agents could receive it electronically as well. The committee then adopted the motion by voice vote. The committee then heard House Bill 1404, sponsored by Representative Yates, creating the crime of fraudulent utility conversion. Yates explained the bill was aimed at apartment complexes and other landlords that collect utility payments from tenants as part of rent but fail to remit those funds to the utility provider, citing large unpaid water bills and similar legislation in Louisiana. Senators raised concerns about intent, possible criminal liability for landlords or LLCs when utility bills are delayed, faulty, or disputed, and the severity of penalties, which could reach 20 years in prison for higher amounts. Yates said she was open to adding intentional-conduct language and clarified the bill targets those who collect tenant utility money and do not remit it, not tenants themselves. Members discussed possible amendments, including adding mens rea language and a defense for disputed bills, but no final action on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We lost a lot of money, so we have a pretty good track record.
• We lost a lot of money, so we have a pretty good track record.
• We lost a lot of money, so we have a pretty good track record.
• proliferation of gaming locations proliferation of gaming locations facilities<02:00:48.880>
• Yeah, we'll keep you on track.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The public hearing focused on HB 290, which would raise cigarette and e-cigarette/vaping taxes and create a committee to study tobacco and nicotine tax policy. Representative Jerry Stringham introduced the bill as both a public health and revenue measure, arguing that nicotine use causes health harms and public costs, and that New Hampshire’s cigarette tax has been unchanged at $1.78 per pack since 2013. He said the bill would raise the cigarette tax by $1 per pack to $2.78, still below most New England states, and would also adjust vaping taxes, which he described as having been set as placeholder rates in 2019. He said the bill would also establish a study committee to review broader tobacco and nicotine taxation, including products such as premium cigars. In response to questions, Stringham said the proposed cigarette tax would be roughly equal in real dollars to the 2008 rate after inflation, and he suggested that a smaller annual increase could be considered, though he believed a larger increase would have a stronger public health effect. He explained that the vaping tax structure differs between closed and open systems because one taxes a fixed hardware product while the other taxes reusable liquid, and he said the proposal would move the rates toward a more uniform approach. He also said New Hampshire would remain below neighboring states even after the increase, though members raised concerns about cross-border shopping, business impacts, and preserving the state’s competitive advantage. Several members questioned whether the bill’s main purpose was revenue or reducing smoking and vaping. Stringham said he viewed it primarily as a public health bill, but also as a revenue measure, and said he would consider it successful even if consumption fell enough to reduce revenue. Other members emphasized personal freedom and argued the committee should focus on taxation rather than cessation, while some supported the bill as a way to capture revenue from out-of-state buyers and keep New Hampshire’s rates below surrounding states. The hearing consisted of testimony and questions only; no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the reason we have so many new location routes or some interstates that we haven't finished yet
• But we had those three priority locations, and we are developing projects in those areas.
• I think you're aware of it, the bridge near Lafayette County that's going to go over the railroad tracks

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from ARDOT Director Jared Wiley, who introduced Highway Commission members and reported that the agency has completed the final five recommendations from its long-running efficiency review. He highlighted new public-facing maintenance and construction dashboards on the agency website, and noted quarterly reports on land conveyances, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding, annual revenue expenditures, and major projects were provided with no major questions or objections. Members asked about ARDOT’s budget priorities, project delivery, and specific corridors. Wiley said roughly 75% of construction dollars go to maintaining the existing system, with additional maintenance and operations funding also directed to upkeep; he said Arkansas has about 16,300 centerline miles, nearly 40,000 lane miles, and about 73,700 bridges. He gave updates on Interstate 57 and Highway 5 work in Lonoke County, Interstate 49 public meetings in northwest Arkansas, passing-lane projects on Highway 412/62 in north central Arkansas, widening plans for Interstate 40, the Toad Suck Bridge flood mitigation project, and Highway 82 improvements in south Arkansas. The director also discussed ARDOT’s litter control efforts, saying the agency spends about $8 million annually on litter pickup and is exploring future legislation. He said work-zone safety tools such as cameras and mobile work-zone enforcement are helping reduce dangerous driving, though distracted driving remains a problem. Wiley also announced new agency initiatives on human trafficking awareness training for staff, a “Street Smart” traffic-safety education program for students, and a spring cleanup effort in which ARDOT crews and some office staff will collect litter statewide. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• product by the Department of Agriculture with no site permitting, no application rate oversight, or tracking
• already invested $280,000 for two comprehensive studies to identify preferred technology, facility location
• Facility location, and governance structure for a new regional Class A biosolids facility.

Bills: S0290, S0320

Keywords: agriculture, landscape equipment, gasoline-powered, ecologically significant parcels, local government regulations, educational efficiency, public schools, district school boards, budget transparency, school accountability, instructional personnel

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and first took up CS for SB 290, a broad Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill. The committee adopted a strike-all amendment that, among other things, set density requirements for certain small municipalities, delayed biosolids-related changes from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2028, required higher insurance coverage for fumigation businesses, increased fines for fumigation violations, extended the time contractors have to pay subcontractors and suppliers from 15 to 30 business days, preempted certain county agritourism permitting ordinances, and renamed the Bonifay Forestry Station. Senators raised concerns about local government preemption, the biosolids timeline, and especially the new felony penalty for nonpayment of subcontractors and suppliers. Audubon Florida testified in opposition to the state lands and biosolids provisions, while several agricultural and industry groups waived in support. The bill was reported favorably after debate, with Senator Bracy Davis voting no and Senator Jones expressing concern about the contractor penalty. The committee then heard SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools. The bill would reduce district-level requirements across assessments, personnel, facilities, budgeting, and early learning administration; expand teacher apprenticeship pathways; create longer instructional contracts and renewable professional certificates; simplify testing and evaluation rules; increase flexibility for Title I and discretionary capital funding; and streamline facility planning and architectural requirements. School district and education association representatives waived in support. Senators Osgood and others praised the deregulation and flexibility, while Senator Bracy Davis asked about remedies if charter schools fail to respond directly to Department of Education expenditure questions. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce administrative burden while preserving accountability. SB 320 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it says site of the project means the physical location of a public works project as well as any
• Speaker, gentle lady at a different location.
• Do we know why we would want to move to another location? And have we done a feasibility study, Mr.
• and the horse racing track?
• Where the fair is located now, they're absolutely landlocked. There is no opportunity to expand.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um I'm purchasing to other locations.
• Instead of being able to say by location, you're saying by the use of the property.
• <01:20:59.679> skyrocketing you have tracked the skyrocketing you have tracked the skyrocketing
• ><01:28:07.840> seasonal, are often located in seasonal, are often located in seasonal, recreational
• location, design, and seasonal access. location, design, and seasonal access.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We track and participate in the state SDO program, and we report annually into that.
• They want to come and track the framing and the insulation and the drywall, and it's like, you know..
• We're tracking every step along the way, and we're 30 percent there. Folks are feeling that.
• I do have it; I track it.
• We do track the foreclosures, and if somebody is in trouble, we've got a small but mighty team working

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing opened its second hearing of the session with remarks from Chairs Haggerty and Cyr emphasizing that the hearing was a broad look at Massachusetts’ housing crisis rather than a single bill. They highlighted topics including zoning, permitting, rental assistance, public housing, homelessness prevention, and housing production. The first witness, Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus, reviewed implementation of the Affordable Homes Act and the state’s new housing plan, citing a 1.6% vacancy rate, a projected need for 222,000 new homes over 10 years, and ongoing efforts such as ADUs by right, fair housing enforcement, eviction record sealing, seasonal communities planning, and new funding for affordable housing, public housing, and the Momentum Fund. He also discussed infrastructure support for municipalities, technical assistance for ADUs, and concerns about possible federal funding cuts. Committee members questioned the secretary about ADU financing and technical assistance, the likely unit yield from the Affordable Homes Act, infrastructure barriers in suburban and rural communities, public housing waitlist management, supportive housing, and federal budget risks. MassNAHRO then testified that public housing authorities are facing rising operating and capital costs, a statewide waitlist nearing 300,000, and uncertainty over federal Section 8 and HUD funding. Witnesses described recent state support for operating subsidies, capital improvements, vacancy turnover teams, and resident service coordinators, while warning that proposed federal cuts could sharply affect voucher issuance and agency operations. CDAC’s executive director Roger Herzog described the agency’s role as a quasi-public source of early-stage financing and technical assistance for nonprofit housing developers, noting its loan capital, supportive housing bond programs, home modification loans, and preservation work under Chapter 40T. He said CDAC has helped produce or preserve more than 55,000 units and stressed the importance of patient capital and preservation tools. CHAPA CEO Rachel Heller urged the committee to focus on production, preservation, planning, and political will, supporting goals for affordability, supportive housing, and homeownership, and endorsing policy changes such as YIGBY, clearer site plan review rules, stronger fair housing funding, and more support for vouchers and public housing. MassHousing then outlined its financing role, including mortgage lending, down payment assistance, the Community Climate Bank, and the Momentum Fund, while noting that permitting delays, capital gaps, and possible federal changes could affect production. Members also asked about transparency, prevailing wage compliance, and a recent internal restructuring related to diversity and business engagement.

Transcript Highlights:

• We would be able to provide information on where those providers are located.
• Are we tracking that simultaneously, too? Yes, and I do have a slide coming up.
• You know, he's just done a remarkable job in getting this young man on the right track. Yeah.
• Keep me on track here. Now we're to the number of ineligible children.
• Keep me on track here. Now we're to the number of ineligible children.

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm wondering if you have, how do you currently, or maybe are, do you anticipate modifying, tracking
• And so we need to absolutely make sure that we are tracking those dollars.
• And so we need to absolutely make sure that we are tracking those dollars.
• We're located in Los Angeles, in Little Tokyo, which is the oldest Japantown in the U.S.
• These elements are co-located. And what we know is that innovation speeds up.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how recent federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and the creative economy in California. Chair Ben Allen and Vice Chair Chris Ward opened by describing the hearing as a response to proposed and ongoing federal cuts to the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and public broadcasting, as well as grant terminations and leadership changes at cultural institutions. Several members emphasized the economic and civic importance of the arts, while one Republican member argued for greater ideological diversity in the arts and noted the loss of music programs in small schools. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA described the impact of federal policy on grants, jobs, and production. Harky said executive orders and the FY 2026 budget proposal threaten arts agencies and arts education, and that rescinded grants are causing hiring freezes, shutdowns, and losses for small organizations, especially in rural and underserved communities. Fisher focused on runaway film and television production, outdated tax rules, and the need for federal incentives, intellectual property protections, and action on AI and digital replicas. Members also discussed bipartisan support, the role of business and tourism partners, and the need to include more diverse voices in arts advocacy. The second panel featured Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council. Noguchi said NEH funding was cut immediately, putting California Humanities’ grantmaking and documentary programs at risk and prompting consideration of litigation and possible state support. Lucas reported that IMLS funding for California libraries was briefly canceled but partly restored, though a budget gap remains. Purcell said the California Arts Council is still awaiting federal award language for state partnership funds, but NEA grant terminations and the proposed elimination of federal cultural agencies create major uncertainty; she also said the council is assessing the damage and tracking impacts on grantees. Members asked about measuring outcomes, AI’s threat to creative work, documentary funding losses, and possible state and national strategies to protect cultural institutions and jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is to kind of create a track record that the court can see so that law enforcement actually has
• Currently, y'all might be surprised to know there is no centralized system to track active projects,
• Currently, y'all might be surprised to know there is no centralized system to track active projects,
• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1835 would raise that cap from 5% to 20% for a university located
• Senate Bill 2137 ensures that affordable housing can be built in locations where it's most needed by,

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Tedrick Woods, followed by routine chamber actions including excusing Senator Gutierrez and receiving House messages that the House had passed HB 21 and HB 49. Senators also recognized advocates visiting the gallery on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis awareness and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including HCR 66, by voice vote. The Senate then took up and passed a series of measures, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Among the bills finally passed were HJR 2, which would prohibit state death taxes; HB 206, limiting counties from requiring cash bonds for pipeline construction; HB 517, barring property owners associations from fining homeowners for discolored vegetation during watering restrictions; HB 2756, requiring TDCJ correctional officers to receive de-escalation and behavioral health training; HB 451, expanding screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk among children in DFPS and TJJD custody; SB 705, cleaning up the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board; SB 2017, creating an offense for burnouts and wheelies; SB 1858, expanding body armor grant eligibility to ISDs; SB 1400, directing a study on transfer-student outcomes for community college funding; SB 2764, requiring notice to manufactured home buyers about converting homes to real property; SB 748, a licensing cleanup bill on laser hair removal; SB 2519, restricting certain ad valorem tax uses and bonds after amendment; SB 2878, the courts bill with amendments on Brazoria County courts and youth diversion provisions; SB 466, allowing families to request fetal death certificates at any gestational age; SB 1608, requiring timely physical exams for inpatient mental health admissions; SB 1730, limiting civil damages claims arising from certain uses of force or deadly force; SB 2417, clarifying Attorney General antitrust investigation work product and discovery rules; and SB 1946, creating a family violence, criminal homicide prevention task force. The Senate also passed HB 3204, renaming and updating the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, and SB 1986, requiring opioid warning labels. Several bills drew brief debate or amendments. Senators discussed broader HOA reform while considering HB 517, and SB 2203 on TCEQ discovery procedures was amended to require party motions, set a 15-day expiration for certified issues, and limit hearing abatement. SB 2017 was amended to change the mens rea language from knowingly to intentional. SB 2519 was narrowed by amendment to a forward-looking policy statement separating maintenance-and-operation taxes from debt-service taxes. SB 2878 also received amendments to reduce the number of new Brazoria County courts and add youth diversion and crisis-response provisions. SB 466 prompted a floor debate over whether fetal death certificates are appropriate for pre-20-week losses, with supporters emphasizing family closure and opponents arguing the document has no estate-related purpose. SB 1730 also prompted questions about the relationship between criminal findings and civil liability in self-defense cases. The session concluded with additional House and Senate measures being signed in the presence of the Senate and continued consideration of SB 2177, a grant program to help local law enforcement solve violent and sexual offenses.

Transcript Highlights:

• So right now we're on track to hopefully this spring have the approval for the agreement state.
• This is for additional camera equipment with active tracking features.
• particular proceeding um in a location particular proceeding um in a location for<02:34:58.160><
• location than Cheyenne? location than Cheyenne?
• I can actually go through and track it.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, he was prior authorized last night at about 4:00, and we are now trying to track him down to get
• <00:15:23.000> him 4:00, and we are now trying to track him 4:00, and we are now trying to
• track him down<00:15:23.400> to<00:15:23.520> get<00:15:23.640> him<00:15:23.800
• We also have locations in South Dakota and two in Wisconsin.
• City location. City location.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all