Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Plakon and others, CS for House Bill 777, a bill to be entitled an act relating to offenses
• This legislation increases the penalty for these offenses to a felony.
• This amendment raises the age of the child in this legislation to under 14, and it ranks the first offense
• as a level six on the offense severity ranking chart.
• Representative Plakon and others, CS for House Bill 777, a bill to be entitled an act relating to offenses

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the pledge, quorum call, and several recognitions, including guests for Education and Sharing Day, law enforcement officer of the day Detective Miata Anderson, and later FAMU Day at the Capitol and other visiting groups. The chamber adopted the special order report and then moved through a series of budget-related bills and conforming measures, with debate focused largely on recurring funding, environmental programs, housing, insurance reserves, and tax policy. Members approved HB 5011/SB 2506, which conform environmental resource funding to the proposed budget by shifting Seminole Gaming Compact-related dollars from recurring to nonrecurring funding; supporters said this preserves annual legislative review, while opponents warned it would reduce funding for the Resilient Florida program, wildlife corridor protection, invasive species removal, and other conservation efforts. The House then passed HB 5013, reducing state-funded property reinsurance reserves by lowering the RAP program and repealing FORA funding, and HB 5501, which redirects documentary stamp tax revenues from housing and transportation trust funds to general revenue; Democrats argued the housing changes would reduce affordable housing support, while Republicans said the move was needed to control recurring spending. The chamber also passed HB 5015 on state group insurance, HB 5201 on Florida PALM accounting conforming changes, HB 5203 on Capitol Center tenancy and utilities control, and HB 5009 creating a Florida Accountability Office and revising audit and budgeting functions. The most extended debate came on HB 7031, which permanently reduces the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25% and also lowers several related tax rates. Supporters described it as broad-based, immediate tax relief for Floridians, while opponents said property tax relief would be more targeted and that sales tax cuts also benefit tourists and out-of-state visitors. The bill passed 112-0. The House then took up the main budget bill, HB 501, and subcommittee chairs outlined the proposed $112.9 billion budget, including education, health care, transportation, agriculture and natural resources, higher education, state administration, justice, and IT spending. Members began questioning the pre-K-12 budget on school funding, vouchers, proration, mental health and safety allocations, and inflation, with the discussion continuing beyond the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for example, an assault category will have five or six different penal code offenses in it.
• to keep functioning, which includes representing those who the State of Texas has charged with an offense
• . ...representing those who the State of Texas has charged with an offense and want to keep processing
• care if they've been there for 10 minutes on the United States soil and they're charged with a state offense
• I won't take offense by that. Okay. Mr. Martinez, how about? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Bills: SB 1

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

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee held its first hearing of the 89th regular session, adopted nearly identical committee rules from the previous legislature by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the budget framework, emphasizing conservative spending, a $332.9 billion all-funds budget, and major priorities including property tax relief, public education, border security, health and human services, transportation, energy, and water infrastructure. She also introduced committee and leadership staff and described the hearing schedule and public testimony procedures. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending, including a $23.8 billion ending balance, but warned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid using temporary spikes for ongoing commitments. Senators questioned him extensively about the Economic Stabilization Fund cap, sales tax trends, inflation, and whether the state should consider raising the cap or using severance-tax revenues differently. Hager said the Rainy Day Fund is expected to hit its cap, which would leave more severance-tax revenue in general revenue, and he stressed that infrastructure needs remain significant. The Legislative Budget Board then gave a detailed overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major components. LBB staff explained that the bill includes continued funding for the Foundation School Program, $850 million for the Texas State Technical College endowment, $1.3 billion for the Texas University Fund, $6.5 billion for border security, salary increases for correctional officers and state troopers, $3 billion for dementia research, higher community attendant wages, expanded community-based care, $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, and funding to clear volunteer fire department grant backlogs. They also outlined supplemental priorities such as water infrastructure, retirement legacy payments, rail grade separations, wildfire aircraft, and emergency facilities, and said the current controlling budget limit is the tax spending limit. A major portion of the hearing focused on property tax relief. LBB explained that prior-session relief grew from an expected $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher-than-anticipated property values and interactions among hold-harmless provisions, and that SB 1 continues and expands relief with $51 billion in total property tax relief, including $3 billion more for compression, $3 billion to raise the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, and a $500 million placeholder for business tax relief. Senators discussed the automatic nature of some of these costs, the effect of the non-homestead circuit breaker, the role of federal COVID funds, and the need to maintain school finance commitments if the state continues to compress school tax rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, individuals convicted of certain drug offenses are restricted from accessing Supplemental

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs heard several child welfare and early childhood bills and reported each favorably. SB 1690 on early childhood education was amended with a delete-all amendment that would require public posting of child care inspection and safety data, change certain child care disclosure and insurance rules, and create the Florida Endowment for Early Learning; the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. SB 1022 would add two new Florida Children’s Initiatives programs in Bay County and Pompano in Broward County, and it was also reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 996 on dependent children. Senator Rodriguez explained that the bill is intended to center lived experience in foster care policy and promote normalcy, including financial literacy and allowance-related supports. Multiple members of Florida Youth SHINE testified in strong support, describing the importance of youth voice, consistent allowances, and opportunities to build budgeting skills and confidence. Senator Sharief also voiced support, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered a bill on temporary cash assistance eligibility, presented with an amendment that narrowed a SNAP eligibility carve-out to people who were victims of human trafficking at the time of a drug conviction. The sponsor said the change recognizes coercion faced by trafficking victims and avoids a lifetime penalty tied to exploitation. After the amendment was adopted and several supporters waived in, the committee reported CS for SB 1462 favorably. The meeting then adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• For everyone 21 years or older, it would be a felony on the first offense.

Summary: The House Judiciary and Rules Committee met to open the session, take attendance, and review committee expectations and procedures. The chair welcomed members and a new page, reminded the committee about attendance, decorum, limits on testimony and cross-examination, and the courtesy of notifying sponsors before changing a vote. He then moved through several RS introductions for public hearing. RS 32943, by Rep. Britt Raybould, would revise criminal solicitation penalties so that ages 18-20 could still be charged with a misdemeanor on a first offense, with felony treatment only after a second qualifying offense; those 21 and older would face a felony on the first offense. The committee discussed concerns about incarceration impacts, especially for women, and Raybould said the bill targeted the person doing the solicitation. RS 32929, by Rep. Marco Erickson, would add a county juvenile justice/detention probation representative to a board so county-level practitioners have a voice. RS 32930, also by Erickson, would extend Good Samaritan protections to people providing aid in mental health or suicide-related crises, with questions focused on whether the language covered psychological emergencies and how it would apply in unusual restraint situations. RS 32931, by Rep. Pohanka, would allow reckless-driving citations in construction and school zones for extreme speeding, such as 25 mph over the limit, to address crashes and injuries; members confirmed officers would retain discretion. RS 32942, by Rep. Don Hall, would create an optional sentencing enhancement and/or fine when a person conceals their identity with a mask while committing or attempting serious crimes, intended to aid prosecution and deter intimidation and obstruction. Members raised concerns about religious head coverings and possible misuse, and Hall said intent and prosecutorial/judicial discretion would be key. All five RS requests were moved to introduction and approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• For everyone 21 years or older, it would be a felony on the first offense.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Judiciary and Rules Committee met, took silent roll, and heard introductory remarks from the chair about committee procedure, decorum, testimony limits, and attendance expectations. A new page, Paisley Hall from Rigby High School, introduced herself to the committee. The chair then moved through several RS introductions, noting that the committee generally does not hold informational hearings and that members should avoid cross-examination and impugning motives. The committee unanimously introduced RS 32943, a revision to criminal solicitation penalties that would keep misdemeanor treatment available for ages 18 to 20 unless there is a second offense, while making solicitation a felony for age 21 and older on a first offense. Members raised concerns about incarceration impacts, especially for women, and the sponsor explained the bill targets the person soliciting the act. The committee also unanimously introduced RS 32929, adding county juvenile justice and detention/probation representation to a board, and RS 32930, expanding Good Samaritan protections to people assisting in mental health or suicide-related crises, with discussion about whether the language adequately covers psychological emergency aid and what conduct would fall outside normal training. The committee then unanimously introduced RS 32931, which would allow reckless-driving citations in extreme speeding cases in construction and school zones, with the sponsor saying it is meant to reduce crashes and protect children and motorists and that officers would retain discretion. Finally, the committee unanimously introduced RS 32942, which would create an enhancement for crimes committed while concealing identity with a mask or similar covering; the sponsor said it is intended to address premeditation, intimidation, and obstruction, and emphasized prosecutorial and judicial discretion. Members raised concerns about how the proposal might apply to religious face coverings such as hijabs, and the sponsor said intent and case-specific evidence would be central. The meeting concluded with notice that the committee would meet again on Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• offering multiple program options increases engagement, lowers dropout rates and reduces repeat offenses

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2023, Texas saw over 18,000 sexual assaults and nearly 248,000 family violence offenses, which resulted

Bills: SB800, SB1534, SB2055, SB2310, SB2431, SB2786, SB3039, SB1242

Keywords: sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, higher education, student safety, orientation policies, health physics, workforce development, nuclear energy, radiological safety, scholarship, education, Texas Leadership Scholars Program, student funding, transparency, degree requirements, certificate programs, student transfer, foreign language

Transcript Highlights:

• A offense th. Thank you. The Clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely.

Transcript Highlights:

• years to operate in our state, place certain exemptions on the national practitioner data bank for offenses

Summary: The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met and reported several bills favorably. PCS for HB 647, which allows physicians to use advanced practice registered nurses under written protocol to certify deaths and file death certificates for hospice patients, passed unanimously after brief supportive testimony from hospice, AARP, and physician assistant representatives. HB 803 on acupuncture updated outdated statutory language, clarified the definition of acupuncture, listed allowable point injection therapy items while prohibiting certain drugs, and affirmed referral authority for imaging and labs; it passed 16-1 amid support from acupuncture stakeholders and opposition from several medical groups. PCS for HB 1545 would create recurring state funding for Parkinson’s disease research at the University of South Florida and a consortium of Florida universities; it drew support from USF, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Mayo Clinic, with concerns raised about limiting participation to universities, and it passed unanimously. HB 901, which clarifies procedures for parents challenging court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, passed 15-1 with support from a witness and no debate. HB 591, the children with developmental disabilities/autism bill, was presented as a broad early-diagnosis and intervention measure to help children enter treatment and mainstream life sooner; it received supportive testimony from the Florida PTA and strong floor support, and passed unanimously. Finally, PCS for HB 1299, the Department of Health agency bill, made multiple changes including preventing the mRNA vaccine from sunsetting in statute, adding vaccination-status protections in the patients’ bill of rights, updating medical marijuana center screening and reporting requirements, revising nurse active-practice requirements, making technical compact changes, and extending sovereign immunity protections to dental students doing charitable clinic work. After a brief note that optician-related provisions had been removed, the bill passed unanimously. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• And keep them from going to higher levels of offenses means that kids don't go to TJD.

Transcript Highlights:

• proposing a Constitutional Amendment it requiring the denial of bail for an illegal alien charged with an offense

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Witherspoon’s stunts and sacks, Derick Hall’s bull rush where he simultaneously tackled a 310-pound offensive

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1002, HB1065, HB1155, HB1916, HB2264, HB1078, HB1687, HB1701, HB1717, HB1795, HB1859, HB2088, HB2091, HB2107, HB2109, HB2110, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2133, HB2134, HB2140, HB2151, HB2152, HB2155, HB2165, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2211, HB2219, HB2228, HB2229, HB2230, HB2235, HB2238, HB2242, HB2245, HB2249, HB2253, HB2254, HB2269, HB2272, HB2283, HB2304, HB2317, HB2340, HB2343, HB2385, HB2406, HB2417, HB2426, HB2445, HB2452, HB2472, HB2492, HB2501, HB2531, HB2574, HB2606, HB2664, HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB1717, HB1795, HB1859, HB2107, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2133, HB2134, HB2140, HB2151, HB2155, HB2165, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2211, HB2219, HB2242, HB2245, HB2253, HB2283, HB2317, HB2343, HB2385, HB2406, HB2417, HB2426, HB2501, HB2531, HB2574, HB2606, HB1170, HB1544, HB1834, HB2111, HB2156, HB2188, HB2199, HB2206, HB2296, HB2360, HB2436, HB2471, HB2478, HB2510, HB2525, HB2532, HB2543, HB2605, HB2624, HJM4012, HB1759

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, because John Wall's personal opinion on these books is irrelevant, and it's offensive to librarians
• I mean, look, no offense, you're asking us to say these books are or are not something parents should
• So, to me, this is the least offensive of just based on the sex... and would currently not be... currently
• So this is to me the<01:21:22.159><c> least</c><01:21:22.400><c> offensive</c><01:21:22.800><c> of</c
• of just based on the the least offensive of just based on the sex sex sex &gt;&gt; and<01:21:24.719>

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the criminal section, any time you... list a criminal offense that says including and then whatever
• There are reasons that many of us find THC a much less offensive option and I would appreciate your questions
• interfering with transportation and shipment of federally legal hemp by creating seven new jailable offenses
• The introduction of numerous criminal offenses related to the possession of sale of non-compliant products
• The offenses that would be added are not about the safety of the community, they are about prosecuting

Bills: SB3, SB810, SB965, SB1073, SB1119, SB1505, SB 3

Keywords: Texas Education Code, public schools, school district, open-enrollment charter school, teacher speech, employee speech, biological sex, pronouns, gender identity, retaliation, discipline, workplace protections, school personnel, education policy, LGBTQ, transgender, charter schools, SB 965, religious speech, prayer

Transcript Highlights:

• statutory definition of violent offender and raises minimum parole ineligibility periods for certain offenses
• statutory definition of violent offender and raises minimum parole ineligibility periods for certain offenses
• c> certain</c> parole ineligibility periods for certain parole ineligibility periods for certain offenses
• ,<03:38:36.880><c> including</c><03:38:37.279><c> longer</c><03:38:37.680><c> mandatory</c> offenses,
• including longer mandatory offenses, including longer mandatory time<03:38:38.560><c> served</c><03:

Bills: HB567, HB776, HB2, HB568, HB619

Keywords: open records, public access, transparency, government accountability, public agency, dental practice, licensing, administrative regulations, dental assistants, supervision, Medicaid, community engagement, healthcare, managed care, eligibility, public assistance, insurance, public adjuster, claim process, contract requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• who are focused on investigating and combating violent crime, especially gang activity, firearm offenses
• who are focused on investigating and combating violent crime, especially gang activity, firearm offenses
• > drug</c><00:48:09.520><c> trafficking,</c><00:48:10.160><c> and</c><00:48:10.400><c> other</c> offenses
• , drug trafficking, and other offenses, drug trafficking, and other serious<00:48:11.119><c> criminal
• violent crimes sends a message that criminal behavior will not be tolerated, which deters future offenses

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the fine escalates to over $100 for second offenses.
• </c><00:47:57.160><c> to</c><00:47:57.280><c> a</c><00:47:57.520><c> $60</c> subject on a first offense
• to a $60 subject on a first offense to a $60 moving<00:47:59.400><c> vehicle</c><00:47:59.839><c> fine
• </c><00:48:54.960><c> to</c><00:48:55.079><c> get</c><00:48:55.200><c> pulled</c> another driving offense
• to get pulled another driving offense to get pulled over<00:48:55.599><c> in</c><00:48:55.680><c> the

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first people who decide how long they're going to be in DOC are people who commit offenses and hurt
• </c><00:52:10.800><c> But</c><00:52:11.440><c> as</c> commit offenses and hurt others.
• But as commit offenses and hurt others.
• One day later,<00:52:52.960><c> same</c><00:52:53.200><c> offense</c><00:52:53.920><c> would</c><00:52
• would get you 8 to later, same offense would get you 8 to 24.<00:52:55.760><c> Did</c><00:52:56.000>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:54:23.440><c> first</c> like face suspension on their first like face suspension on their first offense
• for like failing to notice that offense for like failing to notice that something<00:54:26.440><c> is
• Um, I just, for clarity, the term cisgender, a lot of us find very offensive, so I'd ask if we could
• Biological women do find that offensive.
• um and I women do find that offensive um and I also<02:30:44.319><c> like</c><02:30:44.520><c> to</c

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we don't have a state charge, they go directly to Border Patrol if there's no state offense.
• Some of them have been convicted of a state offense, as you said.
• Part of the problem was that we didn't have clearly defined offenses.
• So that DSO determination requires multiple offenses.
• So that DSO determination requires multiple offenses.

Bills: SB1

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

Summary: The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees. DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.