Transcript Highlights:

• These basically outline the types of projects and qualifying projects, at project location, and project
• <00:41:09.880> so credit for new rail infrastructure so credit for new rail infrastructure
• <00:41:22.800> Specific first of which being Project Specific first of which being Project
• <00:41:44.280> is project is project is successfully<00:41:46.280> uh<00:41:46.599>
• <00:43:25.839> that's afford the infrastructure that's afford the infrastructure that's required

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• projects.
• Uh, Representative Kaggel has a project portal for and reporting to make tracking projects easier on
• Representative Kaggel has a project portal for reporting to make tracking projects easier on the MnDOT
• since taken that projected date they've since taken that projected date off<00:44:14.319> because
• infrastructure, and our communities. infrastructure, and our communities.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These are large, large projects, very nice golf course developments, commercial properties.
• Again, I'm just trying to deal with those infrastructure investments that were made.
• But the grants are awarded based upon, of course, the size of the project.
• As you know, Senator, the cost for nuclear projects is significant most of the time.
• And fifth, it ensures project siting remains flexible and not a mandated location.

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion by Senator Zaffirini to suspend Senate Rule 5.14 and move the intent calendar deadline to 8:00 p.m. that day, also allowing the Secretary to make the calendar available as soon as practicable. The chamber then took up and passed several House bills, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. HB 2128, relating to a study of rural firefighting and technical rescue capabilities, passed unanimously. HB 4157, on liability protections for commercial spaceflight and exploration, passed 28-3. HB 2240, concerning certain void marriages, passed after adoption of a Birdwell amendment extending filing deadlines to 90 days for certain active-duty service members and Foreign Service officers. HB 367, on verification of excused absences for students with severe or life-threatening illnesses, passed unanimously after clarifying school district forms and TEA model forms. HB 1506, expanding expedited handgun license eligibility to certain retired county court judges, passed 29-2. HB 4449, on alcohol sales in annexed municipal areas, passed 29-2. HB 3812, on health plan prior authorization requirements, passed 30-1. The Senate also announced a long list of bills and resolutions signed in the presence of the Senate. A major portion of the meeting centered on HB 521, a voting-related bill on curbside voting for voters with disabilities. Senator Paxton described it as an anti-misuse measure requiring a signed eligibility form for curbside voting, creating a 20-foot electioneering buffer, limiting election officer assistance in marking ballots unless a second officer is present, and adding reporting requirements for people who assist seven or more curbside voters. Senators Miles, Menendez, Johnson, Campbell, Cook, and others questioned whether the bill would burden disabled voters, create a de facto registry of volunteers, and impose a harsh Class A misdemeanor penalty for failing to complete the form. Paxton said the bill was intended to protect legitimate curbside voters and curb abuse, and the chamber adopted Paxton Floor Amendment No. 1 after a recorded vote. Zaffirini’s Floor Amendment No. 2, allowing an escorting voter to receive his or her own ballot at the curbside or entrance, was adopted. Menendez’s Floor Amendment No. 3 to reduce the penalty failed. The bill was then passed to third reading on a 20-11 vote, with a motion by Senator Miles to have the exchanges reduced to writing and placed in the journal adopted. The Senate also passed HB 3000, creating a grant program for rural ambulance service providers, after a comptroller-related amendment; HB 5616, establishing the Texas Presidential Library Promotion Program and funding for traveling exhibits, after narrowing the bill to mobile exhibits only; HB 4211, addressing certain residential property interests controlled by entities, which passed 30-1; HB 1178, creating temporary educator certificates for out-of-state certified educators and military spouses, which passed unanimously; HB 2243, creating the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention, which passed after debate over the need to streamline education mandates; and HB 42, increasing and reallocating the constitutional Higher Education Fund appropriation by 50% to $1.18 billion, which passed 31-0. Finally, HB 2512, a Fort Worth-specific bill limiting ETJ release for land subject to active development agreements, passed after debate over broader ETJ and de-annexation policy, with a local-only clarifying amendment adopted and a proposed broader amendment withdrawn. The meeting ended with the Senate beginning consideration of HB 3372, which would bar school district administrators from receiving financial benefits tied to outside consulting or contracting with education entities, though the transcript cuts off during questions on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 262 recognizes that communities need help with both infrastructure damages and individual recovery
• We need the infrastructure in place to be ready.
• And we need to make sure that infrastructure is in place so that we can all make it out on the other
• This project would also allow fire personnel from across the state to participate in the trainings and
• . project.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It helps municipalities coordinate infrastructure and project protects ratepayers, reduces unnecessary
• or a state housing and housing project or a state housing and infrastructure<00:33:16.960> priority
• wants wants a pet project put through. wants wants a pet project put through.
• projects. Is that a correct conclusion? projects. Is that a correct conclusion?
• um was involved in this project. um was involved in this project.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The laws of 2021, that very first project there, Allison Corridor, just to update you, that project cost
• which is the City of Grants local LEED project.
• I'd like to highlight that first project, which is an I-40 reconstruction project.
• On page ten, these are the projects from 2015...
• For 25 and 26, again, these are those projects that are going to be awarded, and those projects are now

Transcript Highlights:

• more large-scale utility solar projects. more large-scale utility solar projects.
• utility-scale solar projects, Large utility-scale solar projects, which<00:10:57.280> are<00:
• out of production with many projects out of production with many projects taking<00:11:04.360>
• Both projects are acres is underway.
• energy projects contribute Renewable energy projects contribute meaningfully<00:26:50.280> both

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, how many already awarded school projects, how many already awarded school projects, and what dollar
• That's why I said 15 to 20 projects.
• That's why I said 15 to 20 projects.
• And so those projects, there are private developers who bid on those projects, and the accelerator would
• are identified in the TPP and these are very large projects So. what projects are identified in the

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the projects that have been approved...
• Some of these projects are pursuing federal grants.
• There are five projects continued using unexpended balance authority, three projects that have been removed
• We can do facilities capital improvement projects and facility improvement projects on all of those properties
• Also, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee first heard the Legislative Budget Board and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on the Secretary of State budget. LBB said the recommendation would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million overall, with major changes including removing federal HAVA funding and one-time business system replacement money, adjusting the agency’s base request, deleting an outdated Interstate Crosscheck rider, and directing HAVA funds to be drawn down first. Secretary Nelson and staff defended the agency’s needs, emphasizing election security, business filings, international protocol, and the Texas Register, and requested additional staff, a new website, digitization of records, IT and cybersecurity upgrades, and renovation of the Rudder Building. Senators discussed voter-roll maintenance, cross-checking data, call-center response times, and the need for online voter registration and more efficient election administration. No votes were taken. The committee then took up the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB outlined a $2.4 million decrease for the office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs, driven by unexpended balances and the removal of one-time federal and border-security items, while noting continued funding for disaster response, victim assistance, and $2.9 billion for border security at roughly the prior level. Governor’s staff said Texas remains focused on border security, economic development, and public safety, and discussed efforts to seek federal reimbursement for prior border spending. Members asked about the National Guard’s status, possible federal assumption of border costs, the music incubator program, the Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, defense economic adjustment grants, and a new $5 million nonprofit security grant proposal. Staff said the semiconductor program has 12 approved projects totaling about 948 jobs and $17 billion in capital investment, and that the nonprofit security request was added late to address threats to houses of worship and other nonprofits. No formal action was taken. Finally, the committee heard the Texas Facilities Commission and lease-payment recommendations. LBB said the Facilities Commission recommendation would reduce appropriations by about $2.0 billion, mainly by removing border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, while adding money for higher utility costs, Rudder Building refurbishment, and additional staff. The lease-payment recommendation would decrease general revenue by $9.3 million. LBB also noted new riders related to completing the State Library and Archives building, tenant communication during disruptions, and a space-utilization report. In agency testimony, members asked about border wall maintenance responsibility, total facilities-related debt, and the status of capital complex construction. The Rudder Building renovation and related security needs were repeatedly discussed as important one-time infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Rosemount, they had Project Bigfoot. In Hermantown, it's Project Loon.
• In North Mankato, it's Project Deacon. In Farmington, it's Project Bengal.
• In Monticello, it's Project Groundhog. In Pine Island, it's Project Skyway.
• In Hermantown, it's Project Bigfoot. In Hermantown, it's Project<00:09:59.640> Loon.
• In Farmington, it's Project Deacon. In Farmington, it's Project<00:10:03.600> Bengal.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Lawmakers held a bipartisan press availability on a bill to prohibit local governments and their officials from entering into non-disclosure agreements with private entities. Supporters said the measure is intended to protect transparency, public participation, and Minnesotans’ right to know about local decisions involving land use, public financing, and economic development, especially in cases involving data centers and other large projects. Representatives and senators from both parties described the bill as a response to examples in cities such as Rosemount, Farmington, Hermantown, North Mankato, Monticello, Pine Island, and others, where they said NDAs kept communities from learning about projects until decisions were effectively already made. The authors argued that the bill is not anti-development or limited to data centers, but instead prevents corporations from using private contracts to circumvent Minnesota’s open meeting and data practices laws. They said Chapter 13 already addresses trade secrets and other confidential information, and that the bill is meant to stop NDAs from creating secrecy around government decision-making. They also said they had heard little organized opposition so far, though they acknowledged questions about how the bill would affect early-stage business recruitment conversations and how local governments, especially smaller ones, would implement the change. Members also discussed the bill’s legislative path. They said it had previously received unanimous support in committee and was sent to the general register, then moved to the Judiciary Committee at the request of Chair Scott, who wanted a hearing. The authors said they did not believe the bill raised Chapter 13 issues requiring judiciary review, but agreed to the referral as a courtesy and said they were seeking a hearing. They reported that Senate consideration had previously ended in a tie vote, but said momentum was growing and expected stronger support this session. No vote was taken during the press event.

Transcript Highlights:

• According to McKinsey and Company, and you can see the slide being projected, the global economic value
• Startups often face high failure rates—you know, one out of five survives—and need infrastructure and
• We also provide networking infrastructure to help startups create hardware and services for the upcoming
• But the ones that are actually working on your projects here in New Mexico are within the labs.
• I'm putting $1.4 billion into this project to believe in you. And I trust you.

Bills: SB145, SB143

Keywords: auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control, pesticide registration, pesticide applicator, pest management consultant, plant protection, nursery license

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is not a cheap project.
• Given the scale and statewide importance of the State Water Project, protecting its infrastructure is
• DWR estimates $3 billion just for the State Water Project.
• California's water infrastructure is interconnected.
• This project is one of those projects, in my estimation, that is not a choice.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are, these are projects that are not one-and-done projects.
• And if we're going to use one-time funding to do a project, then we won't have the funds when the project
• are, these are projects that, they're not one and done projects. these projects are, these are projects
• of where all the different projects are the different plan projects so that we can get a better sense
• But when you group those projects, it allows you to measure how they... ...projects.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are all projects and tangible projects that you see every single day.
• The compliance cost is about 1% of the overall project, right?
• Strengthen infrastructure resilience, so we need to build back smarter.
• And that's our civil works projects, our levees...
• and the safety of the overall project, whether it's a federal government-run project or a private one

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly labor committees held a hearing on the Los Angeles wildfires and their impact on workers, employers, and recovery efforts. Chairs and members emphasized that rebuilding should prioritize worker safety, equity, local hiring, and strong labor standards rather than simply moving quickly or relying on the lowest bidder. They also stressed the need to learn from past disasters and to create a more coordinated state response for future emergencies. Worker advocates described how domestic workers, day laborers, firefighters, and other frontline workers were affected by the fires. Testimony focused on workers being trapped in evacuation zones, lacking timely information in Spanish, losing jobs and income, and facing exposure to toxic debris without adequate PPE. Speakers called for expanded outreach and education, stronger Cal/OSHA enforcement, broader occupational safety coverage for domestic workers and day laborers, recall and transfer rights, childcare and transportation support, and a centralized disaster relief system that can quickly deliver cash aid and equipment regardless of immigration status. Firefighter Derek Irwin said California firefighters face serious carcinogenic exposure and urged continued funding for the firefighter cancer prevention and research program, along with a long-term state health monitoring and research effort similar to the World Trade Center Health Program. Building trades and labor representatives argued that cleanup and rebuilding should be done through community workforce agreements, prevailing wage, apprenticeship requirements, and local hire provisions, and said the state already has trained workers available. They also said federal debris-removal work through the Army Corps has limited the state’s ability to impose some standards, but that state and local funding or subsidies should trigger labor requirements. Employer and business representatives described major losses to property, inventory, revenue, and jobs, especially in Altadena and nearby areas. The Altadena Chamber said it is coordinating recovery resources, while a construction business owner said small local firms are being shut out of disaster contracts and proposed a more accessible procurement process for local and minority businesses. LAEDC presented preliminary estimates of billions in property damage and business disruption, tens of thousands of potential job losses, and a recovery timeline of five to ten years, warning that low-income communities will be disproportionately affected and that workforce retraining and upskilling will be needed alongside the broader economic recovery.

Transcript Highlights:

• . manufacturing sites and bigger projects. manufacturing sites and bigger projects.
• We are agnostic to the technology. projects. We have done this all across projects.
• And that's going to be for a project that's for four projects all across the state.
• > four<00:31:52.720> projects<00:31:53.120> all project that's for four projects
• projects would probably still be funded. projects would probably still be funded.

Bills: HF2986, HF3555

Keywords: virtual power plant, VPP, distributed energy resources, DER, demand response, load management, grid modernization, peak demand, peak shaving, battery storage, energy storage, solar photovoltaic, solar panels, electric vehicles, smart thermostats, heat pumps, aggregator, public utilities commission, PUC, rate recovery

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why I said 15 to 20 projects.
• Next, how many already awarded school projects, how many already awarded school projects and what dollar
• That's why I said 15 to 20 projects.
• And so those projects, there are private developers who bid on those projects, and the accelerator would
• financing to that project.

Summary: The committee first heard Issue 1 on trailer bill language to redirect funding for emergency demand-response programs. The Department of Finance proposed using about $26.9 million in General Fund originally set aside for the Distributed Energy Backup Assets program to bolster the Demand-Side Grid Support Program for summer 2026, and using about $70 million in CalCHAP interest to support ratepayer-funded demand response in summers 2027 and 2028. The CEC and CPUC said they are working on a transition from DSGS to ELRP or a successor program, while the LAO noted the General Fund money would otherwise revert to savings. Members pressed the administration on whether demand response remains important, whether DSGS has been successful, and whether the state should keep funding it through the CEC rather than shifting to a ratepayer-funded CPUC program. The CEC and CPUC said the programs are not directly comparable, emphasized different cost structures and enrollment metrics, and said a CPUC rulemaking is underway with a proposed decision expected in Q3 2026. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then took up Issue 2, a budget proposal tied to SB 254 and the new transmission accelerator. GoBiz and the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank described a five-year, roughly $26 million request to staff and administer the accelerator and manage Proposition 4 and AB 1207 funds for transmission financing. Members asked about state liability, ownership of financed lines, FERC revenue requirements, and whether the program would help underserved regions and offshore wind development. Staff explained that the accelerator would only consider projects already identified through CAISO’s competitive transmission planning process, and that state financing would be a small portion of large projects intended to lower overall costs to ratepayers. The LAO said it had no specific concerns but urged the Legislature to ensure the final language matches its intent. The committee also heard Issue 3 on petroleum market oversight. The CEC and its Division of Petroleum Market Oversight requested additional positions and funding to implement ABX2-1 and continue work on supply stabilization, refinery monitoring, and transportation fuels analysis. Members questioned why the work was funded through the Energy Resources Programs Account, whether existing staff from the paused price-gouging work could be reassigned, and whether the program had produced evidence of price gouging or improved supply conditions. CEC and Finance said the new positions are needed because the workload has expanded, while some existing staff remain on related analysis and reporting duties. The discussion ended without a vote in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• In which a homeowner or project owner could get their project online.
• Finding out what happened to the project, and we would probably support the project.
• Finding out what happened to the project, and we would probably support the project.
• It's the project.
• project with the higher price. project with the higher price.

Bills: SB2033, SB2487, SB2497, SB2471, SB2829

Keywords: renewable energy, grid-ready homes, interconnection process, electric utility, energy independence, surcharge, customer access, energy storage, smart inverters, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, electric utility rates, ratemaking, performance-based regulation, performance-based incentives, performance incentive mechanisms, revenue adjustment mechanisms, cost control mechanisms, reward and penalty mechanisms, alternative ratemaking

Summary: The committee first reconvened on SB 2471 and SB 2829, both relating to the powers of artificial persons. After discussion with the Attorney General’s office and a prior Q&A period, the chair said the committee would defer decision-making again, with the intent to return with amended versions of both bills that could gain support from the administration and its lawyers. The measures were deferred to Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in Conference Room 229 at 9:30 a.m. The committee then took up SB 2180, relating to deposits of public funds. Members noted late testimony from the prior day’s joint hearing with the Housing Committee and moved to pass the bill out with amendments, including a defective effective date. The motion carried unanimously among those voting: the chair, vice chair, Senator Lamosao, and Senator Awa voted aye; Senator McKelvey was excused. The measure was adopted. A joint hearing followed on SB 2033, relating to renewable energy and a streamlined grid-ready homes interconnection process. The PUC supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the time, resources, and stakeholder input needed to establish the proposed process, and asked for clarification of terms such as “grid-ready homes” and the role of HERA. Hawaiian Electric said it supported the intent but opposed the proposed process and HERA funding use. The Hawaii Solar Energy Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that faster interconnection is needed to meet rooftop solar goals and lower costs over time. Testimony totaled 27 in support, two in opposition, and four with comments. Members questioned costs, consumer protections, and whether the bill would burden low- and moderate-income households; the bill’s supporters said amendments could clarify the definition of grid-ready homes and add guardrails, while acknowledging that upfront costs and interconnection costs would still need to be addressed.

Transcript Highlights:

• "We'll never approve your project; you ought to consider doing a solar farm."
• I am the president of True Texas Project.
• They spend a lot of money to bid projects.
• Bidding a project is free; you have... to go and bid the project.
• It protects jobs and protects lives. and helps maintain the integrity of critical infrastructure projects

Bills: SB324, SB1978, SB2139, SB2401, SB2587, SB2610, SB2858, SB3016

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, state contracts, immigration, labor compliance, ERCOT, Texas electric grid, interconnection, Public Utility Commission, PUC, Public convenience and necessity, electric cooperative, municipally owned utility, electric utility, transmission, generation facilities, grid reliability, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC, SERC

Transcript Highlights:

• AB372, Bennett, rural water infrastructure DoPASS out on an A roll call.
• Blue Carbon Demonstration Projects, that's a do pass, out on a B-roll call.
• AB 1182, Irwin, Electrical Infrastructure Report, holding committee.
• AB 431 Wilson advanced air mobility infrastructure do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 941 Zuber, electrical infrastructure permitting, hold in committee.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Water district designs, their geography, their current infrastructure, and their available resources.
• This approach allows individual water districts the ability to prioritize infrastructure hardening projects
• and align available funding with their highest-risk projects.
• The cost of infrastructure replacement is just unrealistic and cost prohibitive.
• The state's 10 metal shredding facilities provide critical recycling infrastructure as part of a robust

Keywords: 988, house, all