Transcript Highlights:

• Hopefully it leads us to saying goodbye to each other and hugging each other on Memorial Day.

Summary: The Texas Senate convened for the opening of the 89th Legislature with an invocation, roll call, and certification of the newly elected senators by the Secretary of State. Senators-elect were then administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, formally seating the new members. Governor Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott addressed the chamber, congratulating members and emphasizing priorities such as border security, education, energy, foster care, and school choice, while Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick highlighted the Senate’s bipartisan culture and the work ahead. The chamber then held its organizational business, including the election of Senator Brandon Creighton as President Pro Tempore. Senator Parker nominated Creighton and Senator Bettencourt seconded the nomination, both praising his background, legislative record, and leadership. The Senate voted by standing vote to elect Creighton, who was then escorted to the dais and sworn in. In his remarks, Creighton reflected on his family, his time as a Senate messenger, and his priorities for the session, including Texas sovereignty, economic opportunity, education, and conservative policy goals. The only formal legislative action taken was adoption of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7, granting permission for the Legislature to adjourn for more than three days during the specified period. The resolution passed by a roll call vote of 31 ayes and no nays. The Senate then adopted a motion to recess until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, after a caucus meeting earlier that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hopefully it leads us to saying goodbye to each other and hugging each other on Memorial Day.

Bills: SCR7

Keywords: legislature, adjournment, permissions, Texas Constitution, session, legislative authority

Summary: The Texas Senate convened for the opening of the 89th Legislature with an invocation, roll call, and certification of the newly elected senators. Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock administered the oath of office to the senators-elect, and Governor Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott addressed the chamber, emphasizing priorities such as foster care, the budget, border security, school choice, and maintaining Texas’s economic growth and constitutional principles. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick also welcomed members and guests, noted the Senate’s bipartisan culture, and highlighted the chamber’s organization for the session. The Senate then held its organizational election for President Pro Tempore. Senator Tan Parker nominated Senator Brandon Creighton, and Senator Paul Bettencourt seconded the nomination, both praising Creighton’s background, legislative record, and leadership. The chamber voted by standing vote to elect Creighton, who was then escorted to the front and sworn in as President Pro Tempore by State Minister Scott Wall. Creighton delivered remarks about his family, his time as a Senate messenger, and his priorities for the session, including education, border issues, energy, and Texas sovereignty. After the leadership election, the Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7, granting permission for either house to adjourn for more than three days during the specified January period. The resolution passed by a recorded vote of 31 ayes and no nays. The Senate then adopted a motion by Senator Zaffirini to recess until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, after a caucus at 10 a.m. in the Betty King Room.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, they can stay there or go to Memorial Middle School. So, there's the option.
• So, they can stay there or go to Memorial Middle School. So, there's the option.
• So, they can stay there or go to Memorial Middle School. So, there's the option.
• So, they can stay there or go to Memorial Middle School. So, there's the option.
• So, they can stay there or go to Memorial Middle School. So, there's the option.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• time, not maybe not even long periods of time, depends on your body, but it creates you can have memory
• time, not maybe not even long periods of time, depends on your body, but it creates you can have memory
• time, not maybe not even long periods of time, depends on your body, but it creates you can have memory
• <01:09:09.359> You<01:09:09.600> can<01:09:09.759> have you can have memory
• You can have you can have memory issues.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a long list of bill status reports and enrollments. It also introduced Senate Bill 168, concerning reporting of money handled by legislative caucuses, and Senate Bill 169, a non-substantive revision bill for the Colorado Revised Statutes. The chamber then agreed to proceed out of order for moments of personal privilege and recognized the Denver and Colorado Springs chapters of The Links, Incorporated for Lynx Day at the Capitol. The Senate next took up a special-order consent calendar containing House Bill 1110, Senate Bill 78, and Senate Bill 151. All three committee reports and the bills themselves were adopted without objection, and the Committee of the Whole report was later adopted by a 35-0 vote. As reported, Senate Bill 78 was amended, Senate Bill 151 passed second reading and was ordered engrossed, and House Bill 1110 was amended, passed second reading, and ordered revised for third reading and final passage. The chamber then moved to special orders on Senate Bill 6 and Senate Bill 15, and the transcript focuses mainly on Senate Bill 6, which would require health insurers to offer at least one non-opioid pain medication option. Supporters argued the bill would expand access to safer pain-management alternatives, reduce opioid addiction, and encourage innovation; several members shared personal or professional experiences with opioid harms. Opponents argued the bill would mandate newer, more expensive drugs when less costly alternatives already exist and could raise health care costs. The debate continued in the excerpt, but no final vote on Senate Bill 6 is shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think in 1987, I'm going from memory, I think 10 people lost their lives because we tried to evacuate
• aware of potential rain that could cause flash flooding due to already saturated. grounds from the Memorial
• And we had a memorial for him the other day, and rightly so. Do you have everything you need?
• That her she heard of that some folks that were having a memorial service needed removed before we had
• were in. installed to provide better data for warning and forecasting of flood events following the Memorial

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it has to be—and I'm paraphrasing from memory—but like your primary place for civic and social participation
• And it has to be—and I'm paraphrasing from memory—but like your primary place for civic and social participation
• I'm I'm piece and it has to be and I'm I'm paraphrasing<01:11:46.760> for<01:11:46.920> memory
• /c><01:11:47.400> but<01:11:47.639> like<01:11:47.880> your paraphrasing for memory
• but like your paraphrasing for memory but like your primary<01:11:48.719> place<01:11:49.719>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Bills: HR39, HR40, HR41, HCR19, HCR20, HCR21, HB2, HB3, HB15, HB441, HB976, HB977, HB978, HB979, HB980, HB981, HB982, HR19, HR20, HR21, HR22, HR23, HR24, HR25, HR26, HR27, HR28, HR29, HR30, HR31, HR32, HR33, HR34, HR35, HR36, HR37, HR38, HCR15, HCR16, HCR17, HCR18, SCR10, HB115, HB208, HB465, HB964, HB965, HB966, HB967, HB968, HB969, HB970, HB971, HB972, HB973, HB974, HB975, HB474, HB487, HB503, HB606, HB633, HB707, HB720, HB728, HB733, HB846, HB852, HB856, HB868, HB875, HB78, HB112, HB148, HB149, HB190, HB221, HB346, HB354, HB355, HB356, HB358, HB384, HB427, HB657, HB675, HB716, HB207, HB300, HB331, HB428, HB464, HB587, HB618, HB629, HB801, HB853, HB891, HB901

Keywords: St. Joseph's Day, Saint Joseph's Day, St. Joseph's Altar, Italian American, Italian heritage, Italian immigrants, Louisiana culture, New Orleans, Sicilian heritage, Catholic, Feast of Saint Joseph, cultural resolution, heritage caucus, legislative caucus, ethnic heritage, jazz history, Italian Louisiana, immigrant contributions, cultural recognition, House Resolution 40

Transcript Highlights:

• And, uh, as I went through memory lane, my quote here says, or this article says, "State Representative
• And, uh, as I went through memory lane, my quote here says, or this article says, "State Representative
• And, uh, as I went through memory lane, my quote here says, or this article says, "State Representative
• And how many billions of dollars of And, uh, as I went through memory lane, my quote here says, or this

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 856, which would create an Office of the Inspector General to combat fraud in state public programs. Representative Norris described the bill as the product of a long bipartisan, bicameral working group and emphasized the office’s independence, five-year term, Senate confirmation, removal-for-cause protections, authority to investigate entities receiving public funds, prevention-focused duties, and required public and annual reporting. Representative Anderson PE also thanked the bipartisan authors and staff, saying the bill was the result of extensive negotiations and should move forward without reopening the agreement. Members then considered several amendments. Norris offered a technical cleanup amendment, A44, to clarify language about embedding employees at the Department of Education, distinguish civil and criminal investigative authority, and update law-enforcement terminology; it was adopted. Anderson PE then offered and secured adoption of a technical amendment, A45, to correct a drafting error. Representative Cleorne offered A37 to add prepayment review procedures for all agencies, but it failed on a roll call, 65-67. Cleorne also offered A38 to appropriate $15 million for OIG modernization and data-sharing improvements, but withdrew it after noting it would be out of order. A39, which would have renamed the proposed law enforcement unit from an anti-fraud and waste bureau to an anti-fraud and enforcement unit, failed on a roll call, 66-67, after debate over whether “waste” should be included in the title and scope. During debate on the naming amendment, supporters argued the title should better reflect law-enforcement work and avoid implying the office was a “waste” agency, while opponents said the existing language reflected the bipartisan working-group agreement and that changing it could jeopardize the bill’s progress. Representative West cited inspector general standards that include waste among their duties, and Representative Pinto questioned the substantive basis for opposing the change. Later, Representative Mhler offered A41 to eliminate the future law-enforcement agency entirely, arguing it would be duplicative and unfunded; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, please stand as we observe a moment of silence in memory of former Representative Jaros.
• 52.720> silence observe a moment of silence observe a moment of silence in<02:00:54.000> memory
• <02:00:54.400> of<02:00:54.720> former<02:00:55.080> Representative in memory
• of former Representative in memory of former Representative Jaros.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not aware in recent memory of any scenario in which funds were transferred from one department to
• Um I I'm not aware in recent memory<01:07:13.440> of<01:07:13.680> any<01:07:14.079>
• scenario<01:07:14.720> in<01:07:14.960> which<01:07:15.839> funds memory of
• any scenario in which funds memory of any scenario in which funds were<01:07:16.480> transferred<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You Chair Robbins, you're asking me to go off memory on this.
• asking me to You Chair Robbins, you're asking me to go<01:05:19.080> off<01:05:19.320> memory
• 20.400> I<01:05:20.600> would<01:05:21.080> Yeah,<01:05:21.359> so go off memory
• I would Yeah, so go off memory on this.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have the chart with me today, but the number of grants, I'm going from memory, went from a couple
• uh<00:46:18.120> I'm<00:46:18.280> going<00:46:18.560> from<00:46:18.800> memory
• c><00:46:19.560> but<00:46:19.800> went<00:46:20.040> from uh I'm going from memory
• , but went from uh I'm going from memory, but went from a<00:46:20.320> couple<00:46:20.720>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I am going to ask for a roll call on the A4 amendment, and um because I want this memorialized
• :01.599> this amendment and um because I want this amendment and um because I want this memorialized
• 03.440> type<01:06:03.599> of<01:06:03.760> thing<01:06:04.000> was memorialized
• that this type of thing was memorialized that this type of thing was being<01:06:04.559> done

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> When the Senate adjourns today, I'd like to adjourn in memory of Mrs.
• adjourns today, I'd like to<01:56:49.880> adjourn<01:56:50.200> in<01:56:50.280> memory
• <01:56:51.080> Shelby to adjourn in memory of Mrs. Shelby to adjourn in memory of Mrs.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 19 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received an invocation from Reverend Kenny McGill, and approved dispensing with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The chamber then spent a substantial amount of time introducing guests in the galleries, including local officials, electric cooperative and farm bureau representatives, a doctor of the day, and student groups, with repeated recognition of workers involved in storm recovery and other public service efforts. Senators also offered brief remarks of support for Senator Warren Barnett’s recovery. The main business was the appropriations calendar. Senator Hopkins gave an overview of the budget process and projected FY 2027 general fund figures, noting that the Senate was still early in the process, had only considered Senate-originated bills, and was awaiting House bills such as education and Medicaid. He highlighted major budget pressures and items including university professor pay raises, agricultural unit increases, education enhancement funds, CAPEX projects, TRICARE funding, and a veterans home appropriation. He also noted that some bills were final passage while others contained reverse repealers and would go to conference. The Senate then considered several appropriations bills. Senate Bill 3051, the Department of Finance and Administration budget and related agencies, was explained by Senator DeBar; it included reductions tied to vacancy projections, contractual and nonrecurring funding changes, and reappropriations for America 250, the Capital City Water Project, coronavirus fiscal recovery expenses, and Bureau of Buildings invoices. It was adopted and passed by morning roll call. Senate Bill 3052, the Governor’s Office and Mansion budget, was presented as final action without a reverse repealer, with funding reduced from last year due to the loss of federal GEAR and EANS funds; it also passed by morning roll call. Senate Bill 3053, IHL general support, included a $2,000 professor raise and a $20 million CAPEX item, with a total budget of about $1.673 billion; it passed. Senate Bill 3054, IHL subsidiary programs, was explained as having no dollars over LBR and a total of $87.8 million, with a reverse repealer; after a brief question about the university professor raises, it too was adopted and passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Memories that can't be made in four-day visits a month, and equality.
• Memories<00:38:24.880> that<00:38:25.200> can't<00:38:25.440> be<00:38:25.599>
• > made<00:38:25.839> in<00:38:26.079> a<00:38:26.240> 4-day Memories that can't
• be made in a 4-day Memories that can't be made in a 4-day visits<00:38:28.240> a<00:38:28.480

Bills: SF0099, SF0116, SJ0006

Keywords: easement, electricity delivery, public utility, prescriptive easement, landowner rights, surface water, drainage utilities, municipality, elections, environmental management, shared parenting, family law, joint custody, child well-being, parental rights, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and so that's the only one that has really come about in recent memory from the federal side.
• ><01:13:27.360> about<01:13:27.840> in<01:13:28.239> recent<01:13:28.640> memory
• <01:13:29.440> from really come about in recent memory from really come about in recent memory

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony from State Treasurer Monica Misipelli on House Bill 1042, which would increase the contingent credit limit for the BFA. She explained that under RSA 66 the state’s debt capacity is capped at 10% of unrestricted revenue, and that guaranteed debt counts in the calculation even though it is not direct debt. She said the state currently has about 65% of its capacity used, roughly $120 million of remaining room, and that raising the BFA contingent credit limit from $200 million to $450 million would reduce that capacity. She noted the state’s debt-to-revenue ratio is about 4.2%, that the state’s credit rating is not immediately affected by the guarantee program unless the state actually has to assume the liability, and suggested unused guarantee authorizations, such as one for the Peace Development Authority, could be reviewed in the future. Members asked whether a credit guarantee affects bonding ability like actual debt, what the usual debt level is relative to the statutory cap, and whether the increase would crowd out future capital borrowing. Misipelli answered that guarantees are included in the formula and do affect available capacity, though the current ratio remains manageable. She also said she had been using a $120 million benchmark for capital budget planning and was now modeling $130 million in future state debt. When asked whether the full $250 million increase was necessary, she deferred to the BFA, saying the question should be answered by the agency. James Key Wallace, executive director of the New Hampshire BFA and interim commissioner of Business and Economic Affairs, then testified in support of the bill. He said the request was driven by larger project costs over the last several decades, with construction inflation causing guarantees to be used up in bigger chunks, and by the fact that the BFA has been close to its current cap. He said the agency does not use taxpayer funds, has never had a payout on a guarantee in nearly 35 years, and requires collateral, reserves, and an 80% loan-to-value buffer. He told members the Senate had a similar bill to raise the limit to $400 million and that the BFA considered that range acceptable. In response to questions, he said a smaller increase such as $150 million would cover known transactions but might not provide enough runway for future opportunities, and he confirmed the bill was brought at the BFA’s request. He also said businesses consider housing availability when deciding whether to locate in New Hampshire, since housing and workforce are key location factors. At the end of the work session, the chair closed House Bill 1042 and opened House Bill 241, a bill on health insurance coverage of pain management services for chronic pain. Representative Nagel began introducing the bill and asked for copies of the treasurer’s debt-capacity report, but the transcript cuts off before any further action on HB 241.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, if memory serves me correctly, I believe that there are laws that have come about, and some of
• Well, if<03:11:02.560> if<03:11:02.960> memory<03:11:03.520> serves<03:11:03.920
• 04.160> correctly,<03:11:05.279> um<03:11:06.240> I<03:11:06.720> I if if memory
• serves me correctly, um I I if if memory serves me correctly, um I I believe<03:11:07.439> that

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Refresh my memory just to make sure. It's the way that I think it is.
• Um refresh<01:15:53.600> my<01:15:53.840> memory<01:15:54.320> just<01:15:54.480
• > to<01:15:54.719> make<01:15:54.880> sure refresh my memory just to make sure refresh
• my memory just to make sure >> it's<01:15:56.000> the<01:15:56.239> way<01:15:56.320

Keywords: The livestream event for this meeting failed before the meeting was finished. This copy was pulled from backups and is reposted in it's entirety., 958, all

Summary: The committee met to review KHEAA’s student aid programs ahead of the upcoming biennial budget. KHEAA officials outlined the agency’s role administering state grants and scholarships, emphasizing that net lottery proceeds are statutorily dedicated to student financial aid after a literacy appropriation. They focused on the College Access Program (CAP), Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG), and KEES, and explained that the FAFSA simplification changes significantly expanded eligibility for Pell and CAP recipients. KHEAA said the General Assembly’s additional funding this biennium allowed CAP to be fully funded, and that FY25 spending for CAP reached about $232 million for roughly 72,000 students, up from about 55,000 recipients the prior year. Officials said they are watching current-year application trends closely and expect a clearer funding picture by late fall as awards are actually disbursed and enrollment data comes in. Members asked about how CAP eligibility works, the difference between applicants and recipients, and whether KTG is tied to Pell eligibility. KHEAA explained that CAP is essentially aligned with Pell eligibility, while KTG uses a different need formula and is limited to private colleges in Kentucky. They also noted that schools verify final eligibility after KHEAA’s initial review of application data. Questions about the FAFSA simplification act and federal changes led KHEAA to say they do not expect major effects on state grant and scholarship programs, though federal student loan changes may affect students, especially at the graduate level. The committee also discussed KEES, which KHEAA said has been fully funded since its creation, and dual credit/work-ready scholarships. KHEAA reported that dual credit participation continues to grow and that FY25 spending for dual credit and Work Ready Kentucky totaled about $26.4 million, compared with a $13.1 million appropriation, with transfers from Work Ready used to keep dual credit fully funded. Officials said they will seek growth funding for dual credit in the next budget because the program has expanded and now includes the work-ready component under one statute. Members asked about transferability of dual credit courses and whether students actually use the credits toward degrees; KHEAA said it does not have hard data on every credit’s transfer, but it is seeing positive trends in bachelor’s completion and more high school graduates earning associate degrees. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the July 15, 2025 meeting minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• On March 20, an executive order was issued by the president memorializing the directive to close the
• executive order was issued by the executive order was issued by the president<01:08:19.600> memorializing
• <01:08:20.400> the<01:08:20.640> directive<01:08:21.040> to president memorializing
• the directive to president memorializing the directive to close<01:08:21.440> the<01:08:21.679

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the State of Hawaii’s affirmative litigation against the federal administration, with no public testimony. Attorney General Lopez and deputies said the office’s goal is to enforce the rule of law, not make partisan points, and noted that Hawaii is involved in 27 ongoing cases. They grouped the cases into four broad areas: immigration, funding freezes and grant terminations, federal agency dismantling/reductions in force, and protecting elections, health, and safety. Several immigration-related cases were discussed in detail. These included a challenge to the federal sharing of Medicaid data with DHS for immigration enforcement, a similar challenge to USDA’s demand for SNAP applicant and recipient data, and litigation over immigration-enforcement conditions attached to federal grants. The office also described the birthright citizenship executive order, saying it conflicts with the 14th Amendment and Supreme Court precedent; lower courts granted preliminary relief, and the U.S. Supreme Court later addressed only the scope of nationwide injunctions, not the merits. In the Department of Transportation case, the court granted a preliminary injunction against the “Duffy directive,” finding the immigration conditions lacked statutory authority, were arbitrary and capricious, and violated the Spending Clause and APA. The briefing also covered multiple funding disputes. In the education funding freeze case, the Department of Education and OMB withheld about $6 billion in formula funds, including roughly $33 million for Hawaii; after suit was filed, the funds were released. Other cases included the termination of over $11 billion in public health grants, which affected Hawaii Department of Health grants, the NIH indirect cost cap case, and NIH grant terminations tied to DEI, transgender issues, and vaccine hesitancy. The speakers said some cases have already resulted in preliminary or permanent injunctions, while others remain on appeal or are still being litigated.

Transcript Highlights:

• My memory there was something in here about one to two years. Do I not have the right pile?
• am<00:28:10.080> doing<00:28:10.240> this<00:28:10.399> from<00:28:10.640> memory
• <00:28:11.520> and<00:28:11.840> so am doing this from memory and so am doing this
• from memory and so not<00:28:13.919> knowing<00:28:14.159> the<00:28:14.399> particulars

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up HB 164, dealing with homeowners and certain service agreements tied to residential real estate. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be framed as prohibiting “service agreements” or more specifically as banning “future right to listing” agreements, and whether the bill should mirror Maine’s newer law. Mike Padmore of AARP New Hampshire presented suggested edits, including clarifying that the agreements are unenforceable, striking a provision at Roman 6C, and adding language making clear that registry of deeds staff are not liable when they record documents they are statutorily required to file. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors said the bill and Maine’s law reach the same result, but he preferred simpler wording and argued the bill should not include a two-year time limit because legitimate listing agreements should not create liens at all. Members and witnesses debated whether the bill should simply make the practice illegal outright, whether the Consumer Protection Act is the right enforcement vehicle, and whether the lien-removal process should be modeled on the recent undischarged mortgage bill. A consumer protection official said the bureau supports the statute and explained that under RSA 358-A, consumers could seek damages and equitable relief to strike a lien, while also noting that the bureau often uses the Consumer Protection Act as an enforcement tool. The committee also discussed narrowing the bill to residential real estate, with the sponsor and witnesses saying the problem has been seen in residential transactions and that commercial property was not the focus. The testimony described the underlying problem as companies, often national rather than New Hampshire-based, using long-term or future listing agreements to impose liens or penalties on homeowners, sometimes in connection with estate transfers or home sales. Witnesses said legitimate real estate listings do not normally place liens on houses, but these arrangements can include hidden or unclear penalties, including a reported 3% charge on home value. No vote was taken in the excerpt, but the committee appeared to be working through possible amendments and whether to adopt Maine-style language or a simpler New Hampshire-specific approach.