Transcript Highlights:

• the outcome of the last election, we are still trying to make the system better and make it more secure
• We can't even kid about that because we're all in a place where security is more heightened because of
• The Attorney General will run the security review, and the committee can set conditions.
• It also creates temporary jobs in hospitality, security, event planning, and other industries.
• states across the country are fiercely competing to attract and retain R&D projects within their borders

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion to move the intent calendar deadline to 4 p.m. and then took up several bills by suspending the regular order of business. Senate Bill 2031, concerning removal of high fences around breeder deer release sites, passed after an amendment shortened the testing period from five years to three, tied visible identification requirements to the date Parks and Wildlife began requiring them, and made the bill effective immediately. Senate Bill 1490, a cleanup to adult charter high school funding, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2227, creating a process for delayed birth certificates and renamed the Charles E. Barton Act, both passed unanimously after floor amendments. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1964, regulating artificial intelligence systems used by state agencies, also passed unanimously after the author described guardrails for high-risk AI and disclosure requirements. The Senate then considered Senate Bill 2877, which increases penalties for election fraud and related attempts; after debate over whether existing law already covers some conduct and whether the bill was necessary given the small number of convictions, it passed to engrossment and later final passage on a 21-10 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2658, on brackish groundwater production and study, passed after four amendments, including one giving water districts authority to stop production if monitoring shows harm to freshwater supplies or subsidence and another returning a portion of transported water revenue to districts. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 648, strengthening recording requirements for real property instruments to help prevent deed theft, also passed on a 26-4 vote. Other measures approved included Committee Substitute Senate Bill 401, making it easier for homeschool students to participate in UIL activities through local district opt-in/nearest-district participation rules; Committee Substitute Senate Bill 407, requiring health care facilities to honor conscience or religious vaccine exemptions for employees, despite extensive questioning about patient safety and immunocompromised patients; Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2117, creating a Texas Committee on Foreign Investment to review risky foreign acquisitions; Senate Bill 1718, adding the NRA annual meeting to the major events reimbursement program after a failed amendment seeking equal space for gun-control advocacy; Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1626, clarifying limits on censorship and interference with digital expression by social media platforms; and Senate Bill 2206, updating the state R&D franchise tax credit and related sales tax treatment, which passed 31-0. The chamber also debated Senate Bill 1395 on school health advisory councils. An initial amendment to restore voting seats for teachers and school employees failed, but a later amendment by Senator West added students back in an advisory, non-voting capacity. The Senate then handled routine motions, committee scheduling, first-reading referrals, and adjourned until April 29, with the session ending in memory of two constituents.

Transcript Highlights:

• While they'll continue to grow, they will require new facilities, new infrastructure, and they too will
• While they'll to grow, they will require new facilities, new infrastructure, and they too will have to
• It goes without saying that progress and our state's prosperity will require more linear infrastructure
• energy security and reliability.
• pipeline and convergence of other infrastructure there.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it driving generation outside of our borders so that we can say on paper that we're carbon-free?
• 00:12:14.480> our it driving generation outside of our it driving generation outside of our borders
• 12:16.160> say<00:12:16.399> on<00:12:16.639> paper<00:12:16.959> that borders
• so that we can say on paper that borders so that we can say on paper that we're<00:12:17.360> carbon-f
• difference to our energy infrastructure difference to our energy infrastructure and<00:25:17.840

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It starts creation of the Educational Technology Infrastructure Fund.
• Speaker, I'm sorry, Madam Speaker and gentle lady, can a non-citizen person get a high-level security
• My husband has a high-level security, so it's a completely different process.
• And Madam Speaker and gentle lady, what scares me about that is we are a border state.
• But Madam Speaker and gentle lady, just like those law enforcement officers that were on the border.

Transcript Highlights:

• So as it relates to infrastructure, it is trying to encompass everything that relates to infrastructure
• The infrastructure issues are not as serious.
• We have a wonderful infrastructure.
• Delayed infrastructure improvements, pressure on public safety, residents, delayed infrastructure improvements
• This does it inside our own borders.

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce property taxes by lowering assessment caps on non-homestead property, expanding homestead exemptions over time, and allowing local governments to increase exemptions further. The sponsor argued the measure would provide broad property tax relief while requiring revenues to be directed to core services such as public safety, education, infrastructure, and natural resource projects, with a trust fund intended to help local governments transition. Senators raised concerns about the lack of a fiscal score, the effect on counties, cities, school districts, and special districts, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. Several amendments were debated. Senator Polsky’s amendment to explicitly authorize user fees and non-ad valorem assessments to offset lost property tax revenue failed. Senator Avila’s amendment broadening permissible uses of ad valorem revenue to include county constitutional officers and other expenditures approved by local governing bodies was adopted after debate over whether the bill would otherwise underfund essential functions. Senator Smith’s sunset amendment, which would have made the constitutional changes expire after five years, failed. Senator Smith’s amendment to allow tourism development tax revenue to support public safety and education also failed. Senator Graal’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund language was adopted, with supporters arguing the Constitution should not promise an unfunded account. Additional late-file amendments were considered. Senator Berman’s proposal to change the ballot title to more neutrally describe the measure as affecting property taxes and local community service reductions failed. Senator Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal was adopted, preserving school taxes. Senator Smith’s amendment narrowing the non-homestead assessment cap reduction to small businesses only failed. The committee then returned to the bill as amended and continued questioning the sponsor about eligibility, fiscal impacts, and whether the proposal could lead to local governments offsetting lost revenue through special assessments or other charges.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is existing infrastructure to deliver food and security resources in the veterans community with
• There is existing infrastructure to deliver food and security resources in the veterans community with
• There is existing infrastructure to deliver food and security resources in the veterans community with
• There is existing infrastructure to deliver food and security resources in the veterans community with
• There is existing infrastructure to deliver food and security resources in the veterans community with

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our projects include replacing culverts at stream crossings to improve infrastructure and enhance trout
• projects not only benefit wildlife, but also create natural wildfire breaks across the forest and secure
• I was raised on the Scottsdale-Phoenix border.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, by building on existing infrastructure, expanding MOUD services offered through state-run public
• Particularly looking at the OTP infrastructure in New Mexico, there are some striking points.
• It is the statewide entity that supports the infrastructure of sexual assault and prevention services
• As we talk about how we've been building out the infrastructure of services across the state, we hold
• Having that infrastructure for pro bono attorneys who can serve is an ongoing effort. issue.

Transcript Highlights:

• So as it relates to infrastructure, it is trying to encompass everything that relates to infrastructure
• The infrastructure issues are not as serious.
• We have a wonderful infrastructure.
• Every structure and all of our infrastructure was devastated.
• This does it inside our own borders.

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, the proposed constitutional amendment on property tax relief, which would reduce assessment growth on non-homestead property, expand homestead exemptions, create a new exemption for new homesteaders, and direct counties, cities, and school districts to use property tax revenues for specified core services. Senator Avila presented the measure as the governor’s plan to provide historic relief and argued that local governments should tighten budgets and prioritize core functions. Senators raised concerns about the lack of fiscal scoring, the breadth and ambiguity of the permitted uses, the effect on special districts and local services, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. The committee adopted several amendments, including Avila’s amendment clarifying that ad valorem revenues could be used for county and municipal operations and administration and other expenditures not prohibited by law, and Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal. Other amendments failed, including proposals to allow user fees and non-ad valorem assessments, add a sunset, redirect tourism development taxes, narrow the small-business provision, and change the ballot title to reference local service reductions. Grall’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund requirement was adopted, while the committee also rejected Berman’s title-change amendment and Smith’s sunset and tourism-tax amendments. The committee then returned to the bill as amended for questions, including extended debate over whether the proposal would affect noncitizen residents, the impact on local government finances, and whether local governments would respond with higher fees or special assessments. The meeting ended with the bill still under discussion after the final round of questions, with Avila saying he would continue working with the governor’s office on the language before the next vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a hunting guide, but also going back as a Border Patrol agent.
• I was also a facility security officer at the uranium enrichment facility.
• What about an airport, the secured portion of an airport?
• This would, no, but because that falls under federal law once you're inside the secure, secure portion
• You can do that today, yes, just not past the secure portion. OK. What?

Bills: HB259

Keywords: redistricting, Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission, Texas Legislature, elections, district boundaries, voter representation

Transcript Highlights:

• I live and farm on the border of Big Stone and Traverse counties, where between Big Stone, Traverse,
• I live and farm on<00:21:48.640> the<00:21:48.720> border<00:21:48.960> of<00:21
• and Traverse on the border of Bigstone and Traverse counties<00:21:51.360> where<00:21:51.679
• Meanwhile, the local health care infrastructure is gone, and with it well-paying jobs.
• > gone<00:34:15.440> and healthcare infrastructure is gone and healthcare infrastructure

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2019, she graduated from the National Security Seminar and has been actively involved with White Sands
• Army after the Civil War, played a vital role in securing the Southwest.
• National security.
• Senate Bill 257, an act relating to border security, creating the Office of Border Security, providing
• powers and duties, allowing for the creation of the Border Security Fund, making appropriations, and

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is called to order.
• Goods for your constituents and products for your businesses will be delayed at the state border for
• You have an infrastructure that is not made to handle it.
• “All right, House Transportation & Infrastructure called back to order.
• Do you remember, doctors with the borders, with the hands across the borders?

Bills: HB2163, HB2256, HB2305, HB2367, HB2369, HB2669, HB2772, HB2916, HCM2007, HCR2004, HR2003

Keywords: lighting laws, construction equipment, farm equipment, vehicle safety, Arizona Revised Statutes, salvage vehicles, insurance claims, abandoned vehicles, salvage auction dealers, vehicle title, towing regulation, private towing carriers, vehicle impound, towing rates, preemption, law enforcement, neighborhood electric vehicles, alternative fuel, vehicle license tax, tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• , country near the Iraq Syria border, country near the Iraq Syria border, Sergeant<00:27:40.000><
• I would certainly agree that this bill will promote good mental health and security.
• Promote good mental health and security, and probably academic success in the process.
• Amin worked as a security guard at the center for years.
• Over the years, she has seen CNET's internal infrastructure develop.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• here, I guess there were some questions that Ian had presented. that the board would like the Infrastructure
• Eighty acres were secured for everyone, all because of your leadership, gumption, and willingness to
• And the neighboring states, because the border crossed us.
• We didn't cross the border; we've been here all this time.

Transcript Highlights:

• This role has been instrumental in attracting industry-led projects and securing matching funds.
• At Washington's Hanford site, a tunnel collapse in 2017 highlighted infrastructure failure risk at nuclear
• There are two plants being looked at very seriously right across the border into Saskatchewan.
• There are two plants being been There are two plans being looked at very seriously right across the border

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then approved journal corrections and recognized visiting students from Underwood School. The chamber also handled several conference committee appointments after failing to concur with Senate amendments on House bills 1022, 1049, 1229, and 1029, and after the Senate failed to concur on House amendments to Senate bills 2010 and 2113. The House then concurred in or passed a series of amended measures, including House Bills 1481 (dental insurance loss ratio and reporting), 1511 (physician guidance on abortion law, with an emergency clause), 1562 (mandated reporter training), 1197 (correctional facilities study), 1095 (child protective services liaison work group), 1317 (barber licensing board changes), 1549 (corrections facility grants and reentry-related provisions), 1354 (appraiser evaluations), 1374 (open meeting exemption for township supervisors during on-site inspections), 1355 (abbreviated notice for administrative rulemaking), 1025 (advanced nuclear energy study), 1470 (Game and Fish fee changes), 1592 (Lignite Research Council updates), and 1375 (alcohol service/photo ID provisions). Final passage votes were recorded on each bill, with most passing comfortably and some drawing notable opposition, especially HB 1470 and HB 1549. The House spent substantial time on Senate Bill 2011, the Highway Patrol appropriation. Members discussed shifting one-time funding from the general fund to the Electronic Motor Carrier Permit Fund, including body armor, preliminary breath tests, an emergency vehicle course, resurfacing, fleet costs, and handgun/taser replacement, while also noting a federal grant and no new FTEs. Questions focused on salary-line increases and the new-and-vacant FTE pool, with Appropriations explaining that those dollars had been moved back into agency budgets from OMB. The bill passed 84-6. The House also passed Senate Bill 2013, the Commissioner of University and School Lands appropriation, after discussion of Trust Lands operations, unclaimed property staffing, and distributions from the Common Schools Trust Fund; one member was excused for a conflict, and the bill passed 67-22. Senate Bill 2023, the Racing Commission appropriation, passed 65-25 after a brief explanation of the agency’s responsibilities and funding. A major policy debate centered on Senate Bill 2385, which revises mobile home park regulation. Supporters said it creates receivership procedures if a license is revoked, requires clearer tenant notices, limits certain fees, and strengthens protections against eviction and utility overcharges. Two members were excused from voting due to conflicts tied to mobile home park ownership, and the bill passed 84-4. Another extended debate occurred on Senate Bill 2159, which allows the State Energy Research Center to study nuclear-related projects with approval from the Industrial Commission and consultation with the radioactive waste advisory council. Supporters said it is meant to help study advanced nuclear energy while preserving existing prohibitions on high-level radioactive waste storage; opponents raised concerns that the language could weaken prior protections and open the door to waste-related research or storage. The transcript ends during that debate, before a final vote on SB 2159 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Security Council in D.C.
• This is an infrastructure program.
• From a security standpoint, a fence doesn't provide much security if it only covers half of the structure
• So the idea is to have a way out of rooms for security. And room hallways would be totally secure.
• And those would be all secure access again.

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will protect our public infrastructure, our taxpayers, and each other.
• housing security.
• I had that housing security.
• Are we then going to start funding to have security in the parking lots?
• AB 338 is for our workforce infrastructure to rebuild our region.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:21.919> of<00:07:22.120> about folks with on Social Security of about folks
• with on Social Security of about 67<00:07:23.319> million<00:07:24.319> um<00:07:24.479
• It just keeps growing, and it's now impacting infrastructure and all the other kind of spending that
• It just keeps growing, and it's now impacting infrastructure and all the other kind of spending that
• It just keeps growing, and it's now impacting infrastructure and all the other kind of spending that

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:46.720> and<00:15:46.959> intelligence<00:15:47.639> so cyber security
• <00:48:00.800> of<00:48:00.960> regions thear yeah so your border of regions thear
• creation or the authority by border creation or the authority by border regions<00:53:52.720>
• <01:15:45.080> in myself hoping to understand Security in myself hoping to understand Security
• <01:16:09.600> initiatives towards National Security initiatives towards National Security

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The hearing covered Senate Bill 426, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the City and County of Honolulu, the Department of Human Services, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaiʻi College of Education, the Attorney General’s office, the Early Childhood Action Strategy, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, the University of Hawaiʻi’s early childhood educator project, and a Zoom testifier who described the importance of investing in high-quality early childhood education. Committee discussion focused on the program’s estimated cost, with figures of about $14.5 million in 2025-26 and $15 million in 2026-27, and on whether the program would require ongoing base-budget funding. The committee recommended technical, non-substantive amendments, including a statewide-concern amendment and a deferred effective date, and both committees adopted the recommendation by vote. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1622, which would appropriate funds to establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute within the University of Hawaiʻi to support statewide artificial intelligence initiatives. University representatives described the proposal as the product of campus-wide input and outlined five pillars: governance and policy, outreach and engagement, research and development, workforce development, and AI tools for key sectors such as health care, creative industries, manufacturing, data science, astronomy, and climate change. Members questioned staffing distribution, tuition, enrollment timing, housing, campus placement, and whether positions would be permanent or temporary; the university said it planned about 10 positions across campuses, would start with internal resources, and would house the effort under the Vice President for Research and Innovation initially. The committees recommended an SD1 with the appropriation amounts blanked out, a July 31, 2050 effective date, and committee-report language on housing and West Oʻahu, and the higher education and labor/technology committees adopted the amended recommendation. Finally, the Higher Education Committee took up Senate Bill 1488, a housekeeping measure to consolidate existing University of Hawaiʻi conference center statutes into a single revolving fund structure, and Senate Bill 636, which would fund retention and internship coordinator positions and broader enrollment management efforts at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. SB 1488 drew university support and no opposition. SB 636 prompted substantial questioning about Hilo’s declining enrollment, current retention rate of 72.8 percent, and the scope of the request, which includes not only two named positions but also about $432,000 for enrollment management initiatives such as data analysis, IT support, and other student services. Hilo said it is targeting 3 to 5 percent annual enrollment growth and that the positions would support recruitment, retention, internships, and data-driven enrollment strategy. The committee pressed for a clearer broader plan, but the discussion in the transcript ended before a final vote on SB 636 was shown.