Transcript Highlights:

• Those are federal programs that WIFA manages. So EPA provides capital to the state.
• Those are federal programs that WIFA manages. So EPA provides capital to the state.
• Those are federal programs that WIFA manages. So EPA provides capital to the state.
• We've managed those funds.
• Now, I have four incredible project managers on staff, as well as two additional project team members

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources Committee was called to order with member and staff introductions, then heard a presentation from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA). Director Chelsea McGuire described WIFA’s core revolving loan programs for clean water and drinking water infrastructure, its rural water supply development fund, its conservation grant fund, and the long-term water augmentation fund. She said WIFA has invested nearly $3 billion over 30 years in water infrastructure, awarded $87.3 million under the rural fund, and allocated about $211 million in conservation grants expected to save 6.6 million acre-feet of water. She also reported that the conservation grant fund is fully allocated and that WIFA is seeking renewed funding support from the legislature. A major focus was the long-term augmentation fund, which WIFA is using to evaluate large-scale water supply projects through a competitive solicitation and due-diligence process. McGuire said 17 proposals were received and seven projects were selected for further development, including desalination, reuse, groundwater storage, and exchange-based supply arrangements involving Arizona, California, and Mexico. She emphasized that the next phase will include public engagement, technical and financial analysis, and input from potential water buyers, and that the projects are intended to address an identified supply gap of 100,000 to 500,000 acre-feet per year over the next 10 to 15 years. Members generally praised WIFA’s work, especially its support for small and rural communities, and asked about public transparency, conservation savings, federal funding for revolving funds, and the cost and timeline of augmentation projects. McGuire said the revolving funds remain financially stable even if federal funding declines, though forgivable-principal grants could be affected. She also said smaller utilities often need staff help to navigate applications and that WIFA is working to make the rural fund’s process more predictable and accessible. Several senators urged the legislature not to cut WIFA’s funding, while McGuire argued that stable state support is needed to keep project costs down and maintain momentum. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you can look at that slide there, you will see, according to our Transportation Asset Management Plan
• I was the vice chair when the art project came through and helped secure the funding for that, as well
• Cogg Transportation Board, and also see if there's any funding to secure for safety.
• Land management, land use, you all could impose, much like a municipality may say we're in a high fire
• I'd like to task Homeland Security with maybe bringing us together with the emergency managers to kind

Transcript Highlights:

• WE KNOW RUNAWAY EPISODES ARE SO CRITICAL TO TRY TO MANAGE.
• ESPECIALLY THROUGH THE MANAGING ENTITIES AND ASSISTANTS ALONG THE WAY.
• AFTER COMPLETING THE WORKFORCE EDUCATION TRAINING, THE NEXT STEP IS SECURING THE INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT
• ALL INTERNS SUCCESSFULLY SECURE PLACEMENT AND THE DESIRED FIELD AND AS OF SEPTEMBER, ALL INTERNS HAVE
• WE HAVE CBC, MANAGING ENTITIES THAT WE CONTRACT WITH, ALL KINDS OF PROVIDERS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:08:00.640> those execute every day, is to secure those execute every day, is to secure
• rights,<01:08:05.359> governments That to secure these rights, governments That to secure
• So to secure those rights govern.
• managed lanes in the improper location. managed lanes in the improper location.
• > is<01:30:45.760> national knew know food security is national knew know food security

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal from February 13, 2026, and heard several announcements and introductions, including recognition of student guests and notices about upcoming committee meetings. Members also shared informal remarks tied to Lunar New Year celebrations, a water policy breakfast, and other caucus or committee updates. The chamber then took up special orders for several bills, including House Bill 1013 and House Bill 1064. House Bill 1013, concerning ratio utility billing systems used by landlords to allocate utility charges to tenants, was presented as a technical cleanup to last year’s House Bill 1090. Supporters said it was intended to clarify that such billing practices remain allowable and to align the statute with legislative intent. Amendment L002, offered to state that the bill created no private right of action and to limit litigation, was debated at length but defeated. Opponents argued it would restrict existing rights under consumer protection law, while supporters said it would reduce unnecessary lawsuits. The bill then passed the committee. House Bill 1064, concerning modifications to the youthful offender system, was also heard. Supporters said the bill codifies existing Department of Corrections practices, updates language to promote effective communication, and reflects evidence-informed, trauma-informed rehabilitation aimed at reducing recidivism. Amendment L003, which adjusted language to be more inclusive of the YOS community, was adopted. Several members opposed the bill, arguing it codified practices already in place, lacked clarity on evaluators and costs, and did not sufficiently account for victims’ perspectives. Despite that opposition, the committee report was adopted and the bill advanced with the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• all over the state will see a big improvement and security in these, and if those funds are secure and
• If you were able to get Social Security...
• And another pension, your Social Security was getting cost of living adjustments that were moving along
• One of the big things in the bill as well that's been overlooked, I think it's a big thing, is secure
• In this bill, we made modifications so that that population could use secure choice, and it's a perfect

Transcript Highlights:

• And also joining us is our city. manager, Mr. Joseph Neb.
• Mayor Jason Harper, County Tax Assessor-Collector Robin Harper, and City Manager Steve Hogan.
• They're on the cutting edge. of lots of research, data security, cyber security, artificial intelligence
• is today, what grandparents are getting for social security. security.
• They have secured more than five hundred million dollars in investments including light rail expansion

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A strong and secure retirement is crucial for recruiting and retaining a competitive workforce.
• Even when coupled with Social Security, this is not enough money for a secure retirement.
• money and for acknowledging the extraordinary job that ERS has done in the past six or so years managing
• If you look on page 4 of the bill, the investment standard is very clearly delineated in the management
• The trust company, which is the comptroller, or the trust companies acting as an investment manager in

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He grew up learning to ride bulls, and now he competes in Team Rope. and just last year secured a top
• I would like to thank the Partners Managers Association joining us at the Texas Capitol for their advocacy
• I'm honored to help recognize today Texas Building Owners Managers Association Advocacy Day at the Texas
• And we also have the Dayton city manager. Eric Woods? Thank you.
• Refer to the Committee on Homeland Security. Security, Public Safety, and Veterans Affairs.

Keywords: legislation, testimonies, committee meeting, public interest, bills

Summary: The committee meeting was conducted with several discussions surrounding various proposed bills, addressing both public interests and legislative concerns. Specific bills were presented, and members debated the implications of each, emphasizing their potential impact on the community and state regulations. Notably, several testimonies were heard from stakeholders, which enriched the conversation and provided different perspectives on the bills being reviewed.

Transcript Highlights:

• He grew up learning to ride bulls and now he competes in Team Rope and just last year secured a top spot
• Partners Managers Association joining us at the Texas Capitol for their Advocacy Day.
• And we also have the Dayton city manager. Eric Woods? Thank you.
• I refer to the Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Veterans Affairs.
• Refer to the Committee on Homeland Security. Security, Public Safety, and Veterans Affairs.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The sergeant-at-arms will please secure the chamber doors. Members, please take your seats.
• We thought we had done a fine job of accomplishing that, but the Department of Budget and Management
• We thought we had done a fine job of accomplishing that, but the Department of Budget and Management
• having they've got a cyber security having they've got a cyber security working<00:42:23.359>
• So, uh, if we can, uh, manage to moving.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, quorum call, and several introductions recognizing guests, including Reverend Jennifer Carsner and her daughter, President Kirk Schmoke, representatives from Maryland independent colleges and universities, students from Stevenson University, Howard and Anne Arundel counties, Washington College, a constituent, and the Greater Washington, D.C.-Maryland chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The chamber also adopted a resolution honoring Damatha Catholic High School for winning the 2025 WCAC football championship and another recognizing the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce on its 100th anniversary. Both resolutions were adopted unanimously after brief remarks and roll calls. The Senate then took up executive nominations, separating nominee 16 from the main report. The chamber voted 42 in favor on the remaining nominations and then 42 in favor on nominee 16, giving all nominees the Senate’s advice and consent. On third reading, the Senate passed several bills, including SB 46, SB 25, SB 58, SB 163, SB 170, SB 188, SB 247, SB 356, and SB 379, with recorded affirmative votes ranging from 36 to 42. These measures covered topics such as veterans cemeteries, tax credits and tax modifications, education funding, transportation revenue bonds, biotechnology incentives, a stillborn child tax credit, and recovery residence grant funding. The chamber also advanced numerous second-reading bills, generally adopting committee reports and amendments without objection. Among the measures discussed were collective bargaining for Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission police officers; adoption of the 2022 Uniform Commercial Code amendments for controllable electronic records; cemetery sale and transfer oversight; an additional license for electronic smoking devices; collective bargaining for Baltimore County Public Library supervisory employees; payroll processor exemptions under the Money Transmission Act; scalp cooling coverage for chemotherapy patients; orthoses and prostheses coverage under health and Medicaid plans; an online database of elevator inspection certificates; service animal program disqualification standards; extension of the State Board of Environmental Health Specialists; disclosure of lapsed professional liability insurance for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and nurse midwives; and revisions to massage therapy licensure rules. Most reports were favorable, with several technical or substantive amendments adopted and bills ordered printed for third reading. A notable policy discussion occurred on SB 56, which would allow the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center to share individual-level student and workforce data with a third-party data center for multi-state reporting. The sponsor explained the bill as a way to compare Maryland outcomes with other states while using data-sharing agreements and oversight to protect privacy; a minority whip raised concerns about the type of third-party data center and whether the practice was new. The sponsor said the bill was intended to formalize and safeguard data sharing, and noted a technical amendment would be offered to correct the amendment language.

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, the security of the funding and the grant program is key for us.
• We secured a $7 million settlement with Grey Star, which is the largest landlord in the country, managing
• I was very impressed with the professional way it was managed.
• We need to secure the firearms immediately.
• We have secured 15 final court orders in our favor.

Summary: The hearing focused on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) grant program under the Board of State and Community Corrections and related Department of Justice efforts. BSCC reported that it now administers 36 MMIP grants across three cohorts, with awards ranging from $436,000 to $1 million, plus five collaborative grants at $2 million each, totaling $35.4 million awarded to federally recognized tribes. Testimony from tribal leaders and grantees described how the funding supports prevention, family advocacy, domestic violence services, law enforcement coordination, youth programming, culturally grounded healing, and new tribal public safety positions such as investigators, social workers, and drone operators. Speakers repeatedly emphasized that the crisis is longstanding, tied to generational trauma, and that the grant has helped build trust and infrastructure in tribal communities. Several witnesses and committee members urged continued and preferably ongoing funding, noting that demand now exceeds available one-time money. BSCC and tribal representatives described outreach efforts that increased participation from four applicants in cohort one to 20 in cohort two and more applicants than funding in cohort three. Tribes also raised implementation concerns, especially the burden of quarterly narrative reporting, limited staff capacity, and the need for flexible administration. BSCC said it uses steering committees, separate small- and large-project categories, orientations, monitoring visits, and technical assistance to support grantees. Tribal leaders and advocates stressed that the program should remain accessible without requiring a waiver of tribal sovereignty. The second major topic was DOJ’s update on AB 3099, the Tribal Assistance Program, and the tribal police pilot under AB 134. DOJ officials said the Office of Native American Affairs and the Division of Law Enforcement have been conducting outreach, trainings, listening sessions, and coordination with tribal, local, state, and federal partners to address Public Law 280 jurisdictional issues, improve reporting and data, and support Feather Alert and MMIP-related resources. DOJ said the AB 3099 report is in internal review and that the tribal police pilot is moving forward with the Yurok Tribe as a participant, with a July 1, 2026 start date. DOJ and tribal witnesses said the pilot’s main barriers are cost and, for some tribes, the waiver of sovereign immunity. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with broad support for expanding and sustaining MMIP-related funding and infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fifth, national security and economic security are now the same conversation.
• Today, economic policy is national security policy.
• USMCA is essential for U.S. national security.
• Also ensuring and elevating national security.
• We manage your state tidelands here.

Summary: The joint hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs and the Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee focused on the USMCA and how the agreement affects California’s economy, jobs, supply chains, and competitiveness. Opening remarks emphasized California’s heavy trade dependence on Mexico and Canada, the importance of stable trade rules, and concerns that tariffs or uncertainty could harm workers, small businesses, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, and border communities. Members said the hearing would help inform a future legislative report or resolution on California’s priorities for the agreement’s review. Academic and policy witnesses argued that the USMCA is central to North American economic integration and California’s role in it. Testimony from UC San Diego and CETYS University described California and Mexico as co-producers rather than simple trading partners, highlighting sectors such as medical devices, aerospace, semiconductors, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Witnesses also warned that the upcoming review could involve not just trade but security and immigration issues, and they urged a stronger, longer-term agreement with more certainty, better border efficiency, and new tools such as specialized technician visas, binational certification standards, innovation zones, and a technology fund. Go-Biz and chamber representatives said USMCA provides predictability, market access, and support for small and medium-sized businesses, while also creating compliance burdens through rules of origin, labor standards, and customs procedures. They pointed to California’s trade missions, export support programs, and state-level cooperation with Mexico and Canada as ways to help firms participate in regional supply chains. Mexican government and business representatives said the agreement is largely functioning well, that Mexico’s public consultation process received nearly 800 submissions and about 2,000 chapter-specific comments, and that many stakeholders favor maintaining or extending USMCA. No formal votes were taken; the committee heard testimony and asked witnesses for follow-up information to inform its report and future recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• RESTRICTION ON 16 AND SEVENTEEN YEAR OLDS BECAUSE I BELIEVE THEIR PARENTS SHOULD BE BETTER ABLE TO MANAGE
• ULTIMATELY, AGAIN I BELIEVE THAT PARENTS ARE BEST SUITED TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR KIDS AND MANAGE THEIR
• DOES IT SAY PARENTAL RIGHTS HAVE TO BE SECURED BEFORE EMPLOYERS CAN OVERWORK TEENAGERS.
• LET'S TALK ABOUT EXECUTIVE THOUGHT PROCESS AND MANAGEMENT. WHERE DO THEY LEARN IT?
• THINGS THAT WERE QUALIFIED OF KIDS BALANCING BUDGETS, EXECUTIVE SKILLS, MANAGING COMPLEXITIES IN THEIR

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas abundant fish populations enhance food security and whereas fishing helps foster interest
• abundant fish populations<00:02:12.520> enhance<00:02:13.240> food<00:02:13.520> security
• <00:02:14.600> and populations enhance food security and populations enhance food security
• with Fish and Wildlife, who is manager with Fish and Wildlife, who is representing<00:09:52.320>
• Security benefits. The Senate struck the Security benefits.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House began with a moment of silence and read two adopted House Concurrent Resolutions. HCR 298 recognized the importance of the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife’s fish culture program and hatcheries to aquatic sustainability, recreational fishing, education, and the economy. HCR 300 honored the life and work of Terry Anderson, a Vermont AIDS advocate, Democratic Party leader, and longtime activist; members offered personal tributes to his compassion, mentorship, and political leadership, and the resolution was sent to his family and the Vermont Democratic Party. The chamber then took up several bills returned from the Senate. H. 583, relating to clinical decision-making, was explained as having minor Senate amendments adjusting dates and adding collaboration language for Green Mountain Care Board reporting; the House Health Care Committee recommended concurrence, and the House agreed. H. 657, relating to Department for Children and Families programming, was also amended in small ways, including changes to language on Social Security benefits for youth in foster care, certification forms for unaccompanied youth, and an effective date; after debate about whether the bill could affect family separation, the House adopted the Senate changes by roll call vote, 133-2. The House next considered S. 202 on portable solar energy generation devices. The Senate’s changes narrowed landlord-related language and updated appliance efficiency standards; the House Energy Committee then proposed a further amendment striking the Senate’s addition of electric motors from the efficiency list, citing conflicting testimony, and the House concurred with that further amendment. Members also discussed notice procedures between tenants and landlords and the safety rationale for the bill. Finally, the House passed S. 208 on standards for law enforcement identification and S. 212 on potable water supply and wastewater system connections, both in concurrence with proposals of amendment. The House then recessed until 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:40.880> Just uh security risks involved in that?
• Just uh security risks involved in that?
• So, um as attempt to get that security concern, I hope it's adequate.
• to get that security concern, I hope<00:31:38.240> it's<00:31:38.480> adequate.
• <02:06:00.639> council two, uh they want the management council two, uh they want the management

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the Gov's rec was 10 million for school safety and security. Thank you. Thank you.
• Thank you, appreciate it. and increased the school safety security and increased the school safety security
• Chairman, for school safety and<00:08:23.400> security,<00:08:23.800> the<00:08:23.880>
• Kyle Butterfield, who's the city manager that Riverton is also lucky to have. Thank you.
• that Riverton is also lucky city manager that Riverton is also lucky to<00:27:37.360> have.

Bills: SF0052

Keywords: wildlife management, environmental restoration, funding, invasive species, aquatic ecosystems, native fish, habitat conservation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have food security issues.
• I'm a policy manager at California YIMBY.
• It's ultimately about trying to better manage and collectively manage certain types of rebuilding.
• It's ultimately about trying to better manage and collectively manage certain types of rebuilding.
• City managers right now, city attorneys are not.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 753, which would modernize California’s shopping cart recovery rules by allowing cities and counties to return abandoned carts directly to retailers, recover documented retrieval costs, and avoid the current impound-and-wait process. The author and supporters, including San Jose officials and the League of California Cities, said the bill would help clear streets, sidewalks, and waterways and reduce local costs. Grocers and retailers opposed the measure unless amended, arguing it would turn cart retrieval into a new cost burden and could create incentives for cities to charge too much for stolen property. After extensive discussion about notice periods, cost caps, and local ordinances, the committee adopted amendments and passed the bill 6-0 as amended. The committee then took up SB 445, which would speed up permitting and approvals needed for high-speed rail by requiring early engagement, setting rules for third-party coordination, and creating a dispute-resolution process. The author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier, broader transit proposal and was intended to reduce delays caused by utilities, local governments, and other entities. Supporters said permitting bottlenecks add major costs and delays to infrastructure projects, while opponents from utilities, cities, counties, telecoms, and special districts raised concerns about safety, reliability, affordability, and the need to review the pending amendments. The bill passed 8-1 to the Utilities and Energy Committee. The committee also heard SB 9, a narrower housing bill focused on accessory dwelling units. The author explained that it would require local ADU ordinances to be submitted to HCD for review and would make state standards control if a local agency fails to submit a compliant ordinance or respond to HCD findings. Supporters from housing and YIMBY groups said the bill would improve enforcement of state ADU law and prevent local barriers from slowing housing production. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 6-0. The committee then began hearing SB 79, which would allow more housing near major transit stops; the author and supporters framed it as a response to the housing shortage and transit underuse, and the hearing continued with extensive support testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:05.440> Third security, and so forth. Okay. Sec. Third security, and so forth.
• Now, the Social Security there. Okay.
• But Social Security, so the claim is, Social Security tax changes from year to year, and so does Medicaid
• a library director is trained to manage a library director is trained to manage a<02:26:58.240><
• secure. We will not close a loophole. secure. We will not close a loophole.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the bill empowers landowners, not just local governments, to make decisions about how how to best manage
• eliminating that fee will create a major loophole for one type statewide importance, and farmland security
• and pursuing a more sustainable future. serving productive agricultural land at a time when food security
• AB 675 will secure the future of California's farm to school program by making it state law.
• My name's Claire Tauber, I'm the Farm to School Manager at the Community Alliance with Family Farmers

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the program's manager for employment services with developmental disabilities at Oklahoma Human
• There's lots of conversations with families too about the safety and security they've been used to for
• Of providers, I know we hear from families anytime there's any kind of change, but safety and security
• So, families know that they're safe and secure, and they don't know what happens next.
• He doesn't necessarily have his voice in those conversations with case managers or job coaches to say

Keywords: 914, all