Transcript Highlights:

• will be removed from accessing a digital network once a company becomes aware of a disqualifying offense
• will be removed from assessing a digital network once a company becomes aware of a disqualifying offense

Bills: SB438, SB512, SB647, SB648, SB1495, SB2121, SB2145, SB2154, SB2167, SB2184, SB2211, SB2268, SB2349, SB2443, SB2629, SB2702, SB2902

Keywords: SB 438, Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative law judge, ALJ, public information act, open records, confidentiality, privacy, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, family members, Government Code 552.117, Government Code 552.1175, Tax Code 25.025, public records, government transparency

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up several pending bills, voting favorably on SB 1612, SB 2717, SB 1468, SB 1642, and SB 1789. SB 1612 was reported favorably with objections to the local and contested calendar, while SB 2717, SB 1468, SB 1642, and SB 1789 were reported favorably, with SB 1642 and SB 1789 sent to the floor. SB 2717 would create the Texas Energy Efficiency Council; SB 1642 would add an executive director to the Texas Department of Insurance structure; and SB 1789 would establish pole standards and clarify PUC authority and remedies. The committee also heard an ERCOT update from CEO Pablo Vegas on the updated long-term load forecast, which showed a much higher unadjusted growth projection driven largely by data centers. ERCOT described an adjusted forecast using historical delays and lower realized build rates, and members discussed reliability, generation timelines, and the importance of SB 6 for demand response and flexibility. The committee then heard and left pending SB 2629, which would allow condominium and property owners’ association meetings and voting by electronic means; SB 2702, which would let nationally certified professionals test backflow prevention assemblies without a separate TCEQ license; SB 2167, which would let TDLR pause new license applications tied to human trafficking emergency orders or pending SOAH cases; SB 2349, which would exempt short-term leases and certain leasebacks from flood disclosure requirements; SB 2121, which would tighten the data broker registry law; and SB 2443, which would authorize TDLR electronic delivery of notices and other documents. Testimony generally supported these bills as cleanup, modernization, or workforce-streamlining measures, with some members expressing caution about electronic meetings and emphasizing in-person accountability. The committee also heard SB 2902 on coerced debt and identity theft, with testimony from a law professor and family violence advocates supporting stronger protections for survivors and suggesting a police report as an additional proof option. SB 512, a refiled bill restricting money transmission license holders from fining users for terms-of-service violations, also received supportive testimony and was left pending. Later, the committee heard SB 2145 on allowing certain TIF boards to meet virtually in narrow circumstances, SB 2268 on extending Texas Energy Fund loan deadlines in some cases, SB 1495 creating an EV supply equipment advisory board, SB 2154 regulating delivery network companies under a statewide framework, SB 2184 lowering the age for pyrotechnic operator and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18, SB 2211 on combining data centers, power generation, and produced-water desalination projects, and SB 647 on title theft protections and clerk authority to refuse fraudulent filings. Most of these bills were left pending after brief testimony and questions, with members focusing on reliability, regulation, and safeguards against fraud.

Transcript Highlights:

• will be removed from accessing a digital network once a company becomes aware of a disqualifying offense
• will be removed from accessing a digital network once a company becomes aware of a disqualifying offense

Bills: SB438, SB512, SB647, SB648, SB1495, SB2121, SB2145, SB2154, SB2167, SB2184, SB2211, SB2268, SB2349, SB2443, SB2629, SB2702, SB2902

Keywords: SB 438, Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative law judge, ALJ, public information act, open records, confidentiality, privacy, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, family members, Government Code 552.117, Government Code 552.1175, Tax Code 25.025, public records, government transparency

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first voted out several pending bills. Senate Bill 1612 was reported favorably to the full Senate with objections sent to the local and contested calendar. The committee then adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported Senate Bills 2717, 1468, 1642, and 1789, with 1642 and 1789 sent to the floor. SB 2717 would create the Texas Energy Efficiency Council and add agencies to it; SB 1468 and SB 1642 were discussed as changes affecting utility and insurance-related structures; and SB 1789 would establish pole standards, with the author saying it would clarify PUC authority and create more practical statewide standards. The committee also heard an ERCOT update from Pablo Vegas, who said Texas load growth remains strong but ERCOT is adjusting its large-load forecast downward using historical delays and realization rates for data centers and other large loads. He said the adjusted forecast is still very high, but more realistic for planning, and members discussed reliability, generation timelines, demand response, and the role of Senate Bill 6 in helping model large data centers as flexible load. The committee then took testimony on a series of bills and left most pending after public comment. SB 2629 would allow condominium and property owners associations to hold meetings and vote electronically; testimony supported it as a way to improve access, though some members expressed concern about overuse of virtual meetings. SB 2702 would let nationally certified professionals test backflow prevention assemblies instead of requiring a separate TCEQ license, and was supported as a workforce and public health measure. SB 2167 would let TDLR pause new massage-establishment license applications when an applicant is subject to a human trafficking emergency order or pending SOAH case. SB 2349 would exempt short-term residential leases and certain leasebacks from floodplain disclosure requirements while allowing the notice to be included in the lease packet. SB 2121 would tighten the data broker registry law from the prior session, and SB 2443 would allow TDLR to use electronic delivery for notices and contested-case documents. Additional bills focused on consumer protection, housing, and regulatory administration. SB 2902 would help victims of coerced debt and identity theft stop collection efforts by requiring proof such as a court order or FTC report; advocates said it would protect survivors while still preventing fraud. SB 512 would bar money transmission license holders from fining users for terms-of-service violations in a way that forfeits account funds, and supporters framed it as a protection against private financial penalties. SB 2145 would allow public improvement districts and tax increment finance districts to meet virtually with at least one member physically present, while SB 2268 would give the PUC flexibility to extend Texas Energy Fund loan deadlines in certain cases. SB 1495 would create an advisory board for electric vehicle supply equipment standards, SB 2154 would extend statewide regulation to delivery network companies, SB 2184 would lower the age for pyrotechnic operator and fireworks display licenses from 21 to 18, SB 438 would expand confidentiality protections for SOAH administrative law judges, SB 2211 would treat digital products and desalinated water as industrial products to support combined energy-water projects, and SB 647 would strengthen title-theft protections by improving notice and clerk authority to reject fraudulent filings. Most of these bills were left pending after testimony, and several drew support from industry, consumer, or advocacy witnesses along with some member concerns about electronic meetings, licensing, and data accuracy.

Transcript Highlights:

• prohibiting random vessel inspections without probable cause and clarifies that a violation is a secondary offense
• Secondary offense.

Summary: The committee heard and acted on a long agenda of environmental and natural resources bills. It reported favorably SB 1784 on sewer collection systems, allowing municipal sewer revenues to be used for expansion; SB 1388 on vessels, which prohibits random vessel inspections without probable cause, creates a five-year safety decal, bars local fuel-type boat bans, and expands funding options for boat ramps and marinas; and SB 880, which designates the American flamingo as Florida’s state bird and the Florida scrub jay as the state songbird. SB 946, as amended, was also reported favorably; it restricts certain waste facilities and incinerators near the Everglades, with the amendment narrowing the focus to the Broward/Miami-Dade area near the C-9 impoundment project. SB 1792 on dry sandy beaches was reported favorably after amendment, creating a pilot and process to inventory beaches and explore voluntary public access or conservation arrangements with private owners. SB 866 on anchoring limitation areas was reported favorably despite opposition from cruisers and boaters who argued existing law should be used instead of new county-specific restrictions. SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands was reported favorably with amendments that removed language about the necessity of phosphate mining and clarified that landowners requesting a radiation study must pay for it. The committee also reported favorably SB 1326 on hurricane evacuation clearance times and permit allocations in the Keys, and SB 1580, after a delete-all amendment, which authorizes DEP to use public-private partnerships for coastal resiliency projects. Finally, SB 1300 on oil and gas drilling permits was introduced to require DEP to consider potential harm from accidents or blowouts to natural resources when reviewing drilling permits, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill. The committee also took up confirmations, temporarily postponing the vote on Rodney Barreto’s FWC reappointment after public criticism of his leadership, while recommending favorably the other listed appointments.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I really took it as an offense that we didn't get it immediately because we deserve this.
• And I really took it as an offense that we didn't get it immediately because we deserve this.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And the reason that they're fighting this and they know the offense is they are big tobacco.
• Big tobacco acquired a lot of these food institutions in the 80s, and we know the offense.

Bills: HB25, HB38

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access, interest rate, ad valorem taxes, homesteads, property tax, tax deferral

Transcript Highlights:

• this is a bill we heard previously relating to the prosecution and punishment. of certain criminal offenses
• time when you had to bring in. and more, you know, more firepower, if you will, and more, advanced offensive

Bills: HB33, HB298, HB 1024, HB 1234, HB 1261, HB1696, HB298

Keywords: electronic monitoring, parole supervision, law enforcement, warrant execution, public safety, handgun license, judgment evaluation, medical advisory board, application denial, gun law procedures, abandoned property, unclaimed property, disposition, handgun, driver's license, commercial driver's license, weapon carry, gun rights, Texas legislature, legislative attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• And frankly, it's quite offensive to say that they're not let's qualified.
• It's offensive to many and it's not putting our best foot forward to serve our constituents.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• arrest warrants, many of which involve sexual abuse of children. smuggling, and many other violent offenses
• they obviously they don't have the resources nor the time to be. prosecuting maybe a lower level offense

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Look, for example, we're very strong. on offensive cyber?
• What should the great capability, not as good on defense, what should those offensive cyber capabilities

Keywords: Steven Feinberg, Deputy Secretary of Defense, national security, budget cuts, military readiness, global threats, Department of Defense

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on the nomination of Steven Feinberg as Deputy Secretary of Defense. The committee emphasized the urgent need for strong leadership in response to a complex array of global threats posed by adversarial coalitions, including China, Russia, and Iran. The discussions highlighted concerns regarding budget cuts and personnel reductions within the Department of Defense, showcasing the challenges posed by the current economic context and the pressing need to maintain military readiness and capabilities. Various members expressed their apprehensions about how impending layoffs and budget reductions would impact the defense workforce and national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• your office, as I know this is close to your heart, to make the Army as effective as it can both on offense
• My understanding now, Senator, is that our offensive capabilities are perhaps not where they should be

Transcript Highlights:

• 1 misdemeanor for someone who's convicted of a Class 4, 5, or 6 felony not involving a dangerous offense

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment violation if you're holding somebody who you're arresting not for an immigration-related offense

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 1442, which would require agencies to verify and report immigration status and nationality information for arrested individuals. Several members raised concerns that the bill could require holding people for days while status is checked, creating Fourth Amendment and liability issues, and potentially encouraging racial profiling or public posting of arrest information even if a person is later found innocent. A substitute motion was made and adopted to hold the bill at the call of the chair. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1356, which would change elections for countywide highway districts so commissioners would be elected countywide in primary and general elections rather than by sub-districts. The sponsor argued this would encourage a countywide, holistic approach to traffic and road planning. Opponents, including Ada County Highway District officials and a public witness, said the bill would dilute local representation, require much larger and more expensive campaigns, and politicize a part-time, technical local office that currently works well. After testimony and debate, members split over whether the bill was legislative micromanagement or a needed reform. A motion to hold the bill failed, and a substitute motion to send Senate Bill 1356 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation passed on a 10-4 roll call vote. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I now move House Bill 2848, sponsored by Representative Dolan, having to do with the offense of masked

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I now move House Bill 2848, sponsored by Representative Dolan, having to do with the offense of masked

Summary: The Legislative Rules Committee met in executive session and announced that it would not hear House Committee Substitute for HB 1941, HB 2279, and HB 1681 that morning, saying members wanted more time to review it and that a hearing would be scheduled in the near future. The committee also took up two bills not on the hearing notice: House Committee Substitute No. 2 for HB 2668 and House Committee Substitute No. 2 for HB 2780, both dealing with property tax issues. The committee advanced a series of bills on a variety of topics, including fire district surplus property (HB 1752), personal property assessments (HB 1759), voter roll maintenance (HB 1812), epinephrine delivery devices (HCS for HB 1826, 2560, 2349, and 2194), disabled license plates and placards (HB 1827), school employee training (HCS for HB 2335), mortgage modifications (HB 2636), fuel-source-based regulations (HCS for HB 2774), masked intimidation (HB 2848), a registry of persistent domestic violence offenders (HCS for HB 3012, 2997, and 3058), motor vehicle assessments (HCS for HB 3035), and drug abuse (HCS for HB 313). Most of these measures received unanimous or near-unanimous do pass recommendations. There was limited discussion on HB 1752, where Vice Chair Mayhew raised a constitutional concern about allowing surplus fire district property to go to public service corporations; the sponsor explained that the bill did not further define that term, and the bill still received a 9-3 do pass recommendation. HB 2848 drew supportive comments from Ranking Member Bosley after he reviewed the bill, and HB 3035 was briefly corrected for a mistaken vote before receiving a do pass recommendation. The two property tax bills, HCS No. 2 for HB 2668 and HCS No. 2 for HB 2780, were explained by their sponsors as splitting earlier legislation into separate pieces: HB 2668 covered ballot language, tax impact disclosures, abatements, and election timing, while HB 2780 addressed the remaining property tax provisions, including subclass-based levy protections and school district debt service levy changes. HB 2668 passed 9-3, and HB 2780 passed 9-0 with three present. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• turnovers, and 31 sacks, while an efficient... ...out, 30 turnovers, and 31 sacks, while an efficient offense

Bills: HCR1006, SB1226, SB1239, SB1309, SB2132, SB1189, SB1344, SB1295, SB1355, SB1998, SB1330, SB1297, SB1338, SB1546, SB1378, SB1859, SB1333, SB1341, SB1377, SB1990

Keywords: campaign finance, election spending, political spending, money in politics, constitutional amendment, Citizens United, free speech, ballot measures, elections, corruption, dark money, outside spending, foreign influence, special interests, corporations, unions, federalism, self-government, political equality, term limits

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and handled several floor introductions, including recognition of an intern, visiting FFA members, and later a Sand Springs state championship football team and Murray County visitors. The chamber also laid over Senate Bill 2067 and adopted a unanimous-consent request to bring HCR 1006 directly to calendar. HCR 1006, which calls on Congress to propose a constitutional amendment giving states more control over campaign and ballot-initiative money, passed by voice vote. Senate Bill 1226, expanding hit-and-run scene-retention requirements to include property damage, passed 47-0. Senate Bill 1239, dealing with transportation-related statutory cleanup and extending a sunset date for structurally deficient bridge funding from 2026 to 2031, was amended twice, advanced, and passed 44-2, then was approved as an emergency measure. Senate Bill 1309, adjusting the amount that may be reserved from the Roads Fund for debt service, advanced and passed 46-0 as an emergency measure. Later, Senate Bill 2132, increasing a justice surcharge on credit-card point-of-sale transactions from 2% to 3%, passed 28-17; Senator Hall recorded a personal-interest abstention. The Senate then confirmed Daniel LaFortune to the Oklahoma Tax Commission by a 44-1 roll call vote. The body concluded by moving to adjourn until Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. when the clerk’s desk is clear.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can see from this page the funding sources here: misdemeanors, felonies, sexual offenses.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee heard Senate Bill 1292, sponsored by Sen. Shippy, which would move foster parent training requirements into statute and set a total of 10 hours of training, with flexibility for the department to structure the content. Shippy and Deputy Director Monty Prow said the bill reflects current practice, includes exemptions for some relative placements and out-of-state applicants, and is intended to improve foster parent readiness, child safety, and retention while allowing online training. Sen. Wintrow voiced support, and the committee voted to send SB 1292 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1293, sponsored by Sen. Wintrow, a one-sentence fix to clarify that crime victims compensation is exempt from the effects of a prior law related to public benefits and lawful presence. Wintrow said the earlier law had been mistakenly interpreted to apply to the Crime Victims Compensation Program, creating confusion, delays, and administrative backlog, especially for victims of serious crimes such as child sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault. She and program representatives said the bill would restore prior practice and reduce barriers for victims seeking help. During questioning, members asked whether SB 1293 would simply return the program to its pre-House Bill 135 process and whether any victims had been denied benefits; Wintrow said claims were still being processed but delays and confusion had increased, and no one had been denied solely because of the issue. She also noted concerns about hospitals being billed for forensic exams and about victims being asked for sensitive documents too early in the process. The committee then voted to send SB 1293 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• person seeking guardianship to provide certified copies of records relating to the underlying felony offense

Transcript Highlights:

• FIRST OFFENSE IS THREE POINTS AND SECOND IS FOUR POINTS AND JUST LIKE OTHER MOVING VIOLATIONS THE DRIVER

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So no offense, Keith, if he walks out in the middle of your sentence. All right, very good.

Bills: SB2015

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division met to finalize changes to the human services budget bill and related amendments. Members discussed several items, including a proposed $5 million appropriation for the Altru Hospital project to address inflationary costs, with the rest of the funding question left for conference committee. They also agreed to keep the 10-year operating requirement language for the project and remove a matching-funds provision that was no longer needed. The committee spent considerable time on the OASIS child welfare IT system. Donna Auckland explained that the project is still in the RFP stage, with vendor selection and contract negotiation likely taking months, and that the system will require 50-50 federal matching authority. Based on that testimony, the committee agreed to reduce the general fund amount from $14 million to $6 million and use a line of credit for the remaining authority, while preserving the federal match authority so the contract can be signed and the project can proceed. Members also approved a technical fix to add governor’s designee language for the Children’s Cabinet, which had been missed in another bill already on the governor’s desk. Keith reviewed updated long sheets showing additional budget adjustments, including provider inflation changes, a $50,000 Family Voices grant, reductions to CARES Act COVID funds, and moving the $5-per-day basic care rate increase from ongoing to one-time funding. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, and the committee adjourned with plans to reconvene Monday if the final bill version was ready.

Transcript Highlights:

• NOT SNARING THE BASS" AND SO THEY MADE A JOKE OUT OF THE TWO SERIES WILDLIFE YOUR GUIDE TO PERSONAL OFFENSE

Keywords: 999, senate, all