Transcript Highlights:

• Isn't that already part of our election code?
• Senator Miles: Isn't that already part of our election code?
• Senator Miles: So all these things are already in our election code.
• The Commission will conduct a comprehensive review of the Education Code.
• It creates holes throughout our cities and our ETJ areas.

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion by Senator Zaffirini to suspend Senate Rule 5.14 and move the intent calendar deadline to 8:00 p.m. that day, also allowing the Secretary to make the calendar available as soon as practicable. The chamber then took up and passed several House bills, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. HB 2128, relating to a study of rural firefighting and technical rescue capabilities, passed unanimously. HB 4157, on liability protections for commercial spaceflight and exploration, passed 28-3. HB 2240, concerning certain void marriages, passed after adoption of a Birdwell amendment extending filing deadlines to 90 days for certain active-duty service members and Foreign Service officers. HB 367, on verification of excused absences for students with severe or life-threatening illnesses, passed unanimously after clarifying school district forms and TEA model forms. HB 1506, expanding expedited handgun license eligibility to certain retired county court judges, passed 29-2. HB 4449, on alcohol sales in annexed municipal areas, passed 29-2. HB 3812, on health plan prior authorization requirements, passed 30-1. The Senate also announced a long list of bills and resolutions signed in the presence of the Senate. A major portion of the meeting centered on HB 521, a voting-related bill on curbside voting for voters with disabilities. Senator Paxton described it as an anti-misuse measure requiring a signed eligibility form for curbside voting, creating a 20-foot electioneering buffer, limiting election officer assistance in marking ballots unless a second officer is present, and adding reporting requirements for people who assist seven or more curbside voters. Senators Miles, Menendez, Johnson, Campbell, Cook, and others questioned whether the bill would burden disabled voters, create a de facto registry of volunteers, and impose a harsh Class A misdemeanor penalty for failing to complete the form. Paxton said the bill was intended to protect legitimate curbside voters and curb abuse, and the chamber adopted Paxton Floor Amendment No. 1 after a recorded vote. Zaffirini’s Floor Amendment No. 2, allowing an escorting voter to receive his or her own ballot at the curbside or entrance, was adopted. Menendez’s Floor Amendment No. 3 to reduce the penalty failed. The bill was then passed to third reading on a 20-11 vote, with a motion by Senator Miles to have the exchanges reduced to writing and placed in the journal adopted. The Senate also passed HB 3000, creating a grant program for rural ambulance service providers, after a comptroller-related amendment; HB 5616, establishing the Texas Presidential Library Promotion Program and funding for traveling exhibits, after narrowing the bill to mobile exhibits only; HB 4211, addressing certain residential property interests controlled by entities, which passed 30-1; HB 1178, creating temporary educator certificates for out-of-state certified educators and military spouses, which passed unanimously; HB 2243, creating the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention, which passed after debate over the need to streamline education mandates; and HB 42, increasing and reallocating the constitutional Higher Education Fund appropriation by 50% to $1.18 billion, which passed 31-0. Finally, HB 2512, a Fort Worth-specific bill limiting ETJ release for land subject to active development agreements, passed after debate over broader ETJ and de-annexation policy, with a local-only clarifying amendment adopted and a proposed broader amendment withdrawn. The meeting ended with the Senate beginning consideration of HB 3372, which would bar school district administrators from receiving financial benefits tied to outside consulting or contracting with education entities, though the transcript cuts off during questions on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• or county requirements, to permit certain city or county regulation, to provide for a duty to approve
• The Sharia legal code cannot be insinuated into America without violating the Constitution's Article
• This bill secularizes Idaho Code. Why is that a problem?
• And this legislation secularizes our codes even more.
• They will just repeal it and add in their code if they have the capability to do so.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then also, because of the number of pests that have been added to this section of code, we also are
• Because of the number of pests that have been added to this section of code, we also are kind of ordering
• I would think that would include wolves, and I know we have a great deal of Idaho code already written
• Rodent currently exists in code. It has a comma right after it.
• going to spread eventually to my city in Nampa.

Summary: The committee first considered RS 33512, a bill to update Idaho’s pest-control code by specifically including rats as pests county commissioners may address, correcting language that had inadvertently included mammals, and restoring the term jackrabbits. Members offered several amendments and substitute motions, including proposals to add wolves or remove specific animal references, but the committee ultimately adopted an amended substitute that removed the word “coyote” from the language and then voted to introduce the RS. The committee then heard HCR 27, a resolution honoring Idahoans connected to the Wake Island attack during World War II, including Morrison-Knudsen workers who were taken prisoner or killed. The sponsor asked for a due-pass recommendation, and the committee agreed and sent the resolution to the floor. Next, HCR 29 was presented to recognize the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as terrorist organizations for purposes of future state policy; after discussion in which some members expressed concern about the scope and basis of the claims, the committee nevertheless voted to send the resolution to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered HB 575, which would require civil asset forfeiture reporting to be centralized and published by the State Controller’s Office, with annual reporting by law enforcement agencies. The sponsor said the change would improve transparency and could be absorbed without new costs, and noted a forthcoming amendment to remove the word “civil” so the reporting would cover asset forfeitures more broadly. With no public testimony, the committee voted to send HB 575 to general orders.

Transcript Highlights:

• They had, they had a connection with somebody, went to college with somebody, and the city manager.
• And, you know, the cities were telling them that's not going to be collected.
• We focus on these are trusted, vetted, no Florida code, specifically our building codes.
• Vendors from out of state, yeah, they can do the work to their codes.
• codes.

Summary: The committee received a program review from the Florida Division of Emergency Management on the 2024 hurricane season and FEMA reimbursement process. Deputy Director Keith Pruitt described the impacts of Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, including major storm surge, flooding, tornadoes, debris removal, power restoration, flood-control deployments, sheltering, and logistics missions. He emphasized that Florida’s approach is “federally funded, state managed, locally executed,” and said the division has already obligated large amounts of public assistance funding and mitigation dollars while continuing to work on remaining missions and reimbursements. A major focus of the discussion was how local governments can better document and vet debris-removal and other disaster costs so they are eligible for FEMA reimbursement. Chair DiCeglie and other senators raised concerns about local planning, commercial debris collection, and whether counties and municipalities that spend money up front will be reimbursed. Pruitt explained that eligibility depends on documentation, scope of work, insurance, and FEMA rules, and that the state’s FROC process is intended to help counties identify eligible work before costs are incurred. He also said commercial debris may be eligible in some cases but is not guaranteed, and that counties should coordinate early with FDEM and FEMA. Senators also asked about possible FEMA reforms, the age of outstanding reimbursement claims, and a proposed state fund to advance money to fiscally constrained counties while they wait for FEMA payments. Pruitt said Florida’s system is a national best practice, but that more county-level training and clearer coordination would help reduce de-obligations and audit problems. He said the reimbursement-advance idea is still being developed, and that the state continues to look at ways to streamline mitigation through programs like Elevate Florida. The committee took no formal action beyond hearing the presentation, and the meeting adjourned after closing comments from senators praising FDEM’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a DOGE Task Force code cleanup bill.
• House Bill 702 deals with a uniform commercial code. That's a code that's not...
• House Bill 702 deals with a Uniform Commercial Code.
• Morgan is headquartered in New York City, the way the Uniform Commercial Code right now says you have
• to appear in front of a court in New York City.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A2.
• The amendment is coded A5.
• Very complicated stuff. our staff code.
• </c><00:45:08.960><c> Levy</c> thresholds, um, the Lake City Levy thresholds, um, the Lake City Levy
• For example, for the city of St. taxes. For example, for the city of St.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It pays 42% of our property taxes in the city of Red Wing.
• Their employees sit on many boards and commissions and nonprofits in our city.
• We are, our city is a big supporter of the relicensing.
• But for the most part, our city is well behind Xcel Energy.
• Most of, I think, if I remember right, that we have in Century Code...

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• participate in the program must have an existing agricultural use appraisal exemption under our tax code
• Um, so I just wanted to be sure that the board members include people from that city or that community
• Unfortunately, it was discovered that under government Code Section 441138B.
• To address this issue, HB 1480 amends government code to clarify that library and library systems may
• They are already required to establish grant programs under government code.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:05.039><c> section</c> is going to amend SE code section is going to amend SE code section
• </c><00:24:16.159><c> and</c> state aid road division uh codes and state aid road division uh codes and
• </c> left that code section in this be all? left that code section in this be all?
• ><c> forward</c><05:44:01.840><c> that</c> have brought code sections forward that have brought code
• </c><05:49:32.480><c> It</c> of our existing procurement code. It of our existing procurement code.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 4 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because, to the bill that Scott's speaking of, the cities haven't actually done the work.
• I love when the City of Redmond is highlighted.
• I'm the director for planning and community development for the City of Bellingham.
• We at the City of Bellingham are absolutely in support of the need to At the City of Bellingham, we are
• That's the validation, verification, that the code does what the code is supposed to be doing.

Bills: SB5609, SB6284

Keywords: cultural resources, land use, environmental policy, exemptions, state laws, artificial intelligence, consumer protection, regulation, data privacy, technological impacts, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the solution that the AV companies have presented to us as a city is that they provided the city with
• The, for city... ...for cities that have 201 rights to provide their own ambulance service in San Jose
• , which are the most congested part of the cities.
• We think AVs are not necessarily the future of cities because geometrically cities still require public
• We think AVs are not necessarily the future of cities because we think geometrically cities still require

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on autonomous vehicle technology in California, with testimony from industry, safety advocates, first responders, drivers, and state regulators. The chair framed the hearing as an overview of AV deployment, safety, first responder interactions, and current and future regulation. Witnesses from the AV industry argued that autonomous vehicles can reduce crashes and injuries, create jobs, and support California’s leadership in innovation, while critics and crash survivors described serious safety failures, including phantom braking, inadequate transparency, and crashes involving Tesla’s Autopilot/Full Self-Driving systems. Several witnesses urged stronger disclosure, data preservation, independent safety validation, and clearer accountability for companies deploying these systems. First responder and labor witnesses described operational problems in San Francisco and elsewhere, saying AVs have blocked fire engines, ambulances, and police responses, shut down in emergency scenes, and caused major delays during outages. They asked for faster and more reliable remote support, a public safety manual override, clearer enforcement authority, and limits on deployment in complex conditions. A police chief representative said law enforcement supports innovation but needs standardized protocols, training, and clear statutory authority. A Teamsters representative criticized proposed DMV rules for heavy-duty autonomous trucks, arguing they rely too heavily on manufacturer self-certification and do not impose enough independent safety review or geographic limits. State regulators from the DMV and CPUC defended California’s existing AV framework, saying the state has regulated AVs since 2014 and now has an end-to-end system with permits, reporting requirements, enforcement tools, and first responder coordination. DMV officials said the new rulemaking would add more reporting, address heavy-duty AVs, and require compliance with emergency geofence messages and law enforcement direction. CPUC testimony emphasized that its role is limited to passenger service and ride-hail operations. Committee members asked about crash data, remote operations, liability, response times, and whether California should adopt more uniform standards and stronger guardrails. No votes or formal actions were taken, as the hearing was informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we found that communities in cities or urban counties had higher business growth.
• is a specific code in the tax return data, 105, I believe.
• And so that deduction code can be used to report the amount of savings.
• However, we found that it's underreported on that deduction code. What do you question?
• So they net out the amount that they don't have to pay rather than using the specific code.

Summary: The Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on August 4, 2026, with all five commissioners present. The commission approved the May 26, 2026 minutes, welcomed new commissioner Diane Tabilius, and re-elected Andy Knopfsiger Meadows as chair and Dr. Sharon Keiko as vice chair. JLARC staff also introduced two Evans School interns who are assisting with preliminary research for the 2027 review cycle. JLARC presented preliminary findings on seven tax preference reviews, focusing most heavily on the Main Street communities credit, the Equitable Access to Credit Program, and the urban data center exemption. Staff concluded that the Main Street preference has helped increase the number of communities and businesses and recommended continuing it, while also recommending that DAHP collect more detailed and standardized business-count data. The Equitable Access to Credit Program was found to support underserved communities and was also recommended for continuation. The urban data center exemption was found to have been used only for refurbishment projects, not new construction, and staff recommended letting it expire; commissioners and Representative Paulette discussed the need for better performance measures, cost-per-job analysis, and clearer legislative intent language in tax preference statements. Staff then reviewed airplane modification, landfill biogas, automotive adaptive equipment, and housing for people with developmental disabilities. The airplane modification preference was found to likely support jobs and state tax revenue and was recommended for continuation. The landfill biogas preference was also recommended for continuation, with a suggestion for more detailed reporting on use and renewable natural gas production. The automotive adaptive equipment exemption was found to continue providing relief to disabled veterans and service members and was recommended for continuation, while the housing transfer exemption for adults with developmental disabilities had not been used and was recommended to expire. No public testimony was taken at this meeting, and the commission noted that public testimony would be heard at its September meeting before final comments are adopted in October.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members, by way of background, statute defines foreign law as any law, rule, or legal code, or
• Foreign law means Sharia law or any law, rule, legal code, or system other than the Constitution, our
• Foreign law means Sharia law or any law rule legal code or system other than the Constitution our laws
• Why would you name a city-cutter city in the middle of the city of Phoenix, south of TSM?
• So it seems like your issue is with the name Qatar City.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's area code 669-906-6833. If they're not able to join us.
• That's area code 669-906-6833. Again, that's area code 669-906-833.
• When you're testifying, if you're here in Carson City or down in Las Vegas, please turn on the microphone
• If you're here in Carson City or down in Las Vegas, please turn on the microphone.
• I don't see anyone else in Carson City coming here in support.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• city courts.
• Deputy marshals are city employees in all the cities.
• cities, our life insurance is through the cities.
• City Constable, LCCMA, Byron Hatch, Baton Rouge City Constable, and Terica Williams, City Constable.
• Byron Hatch, Baton Rouge City Constable, Terica, Williams City Constable, and we have Baton Rouge City

Summary: The Committee on Criminal Justice met on April 14, 2026, and first handled several voluntary deferrals, including HB 343, HB 491, HB 523, HB 426, HB 439, HB 378, and later HB 1025. HB 676 by Rep. Spell, which creates the crime of fraudulent patient referrals or “body brokering,” was amended and reported favorably. Testimony from Louisiana Blue, Odyssey House, and others described the practice as exploiting vulnerable addiction and mental health patients for profit, while supporters said the bill targets organized fraud and protects patients, families, and insurers. The committee also reported HB 394 by Rep. Chenevert, which extends the conditional parole period from nine months to 24 months for offenders who must complete programming before release. Supporters, including the Louisiana Parole Project, said the change gives the parole board more flexibility and does not create new parole eligibility, while the bill was amended to remove some language tied to rehabilitation programming review. HB 622 by Rep. Coates, dealing with confidentiality and handling of criminal history records, was reported favorably after testimony that it is needed to align state law with federal FBI/CJIS requirements and tighten safeguards on background-check information. HB 396 by Rep. McMakin, concerning admissibility of autopsy photographs, was amended to apply to criminal proceedings generally and then reported favorably. HB 772 by Rep. Martinez, which modernizes notice requirements for arrest warrants by allowing electronic notice and clarifying mailing procedures, was also reported favorably despite concerns from Orleans Parish prosecutors about costs and surety liability. HB 1038 by Rep. Boyer, addressing marshal authority to issue deputy commissions and related liability/insurance issues, drew substantial testimony from marshals, city officials, and local government groups; after amendments requiring insurance coverage and clarifying funding and applicability, it was reported favorably on an 8-2 vote. HB 1025, which would have created an exception allowing reconciliation after a protective-order violation, drew strong opposition from domestic violence advocates and prosecutors and was voluntarily deferred by the author.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's where we show compliance with federal code.
• And we also allow for... ...with federal code.
• , federal code doesn't include that.
• A couple of other quick examples are finances in certain area codes—not that it's strictly defined by
• And so my 13 little cities would probably never see...

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes the cities of Lone Jack, Lake Lotawana, Lake Tapawingo, and partial cities of Blue Springs
• I represent District 147, the beautiful city of Cape Girardeau.
• Louis to Kansas City of a hot dog.
• Oscar's Classic Diner here in Jeff City has been sued.
• We wanted code level, and they wanted the overlay put on to it.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we cover Midwest City and Del City and Do a lot of the same services they do.
• I'm in two cities, Midwest City and Del City. So, is this by remote? Who?
• Um, for we've been in Midwest City and Del City for 54 years. Um, we provide hope.
• We have a contract with the City of Midwest City. We have a contract with the City of Del City.
• and Del City.

Summary: The committee held an interim study on how to educate and support students with severe violent or disruptive behavior while protecting classmates, teachers, and school staff. Members framed the issue as one involving students who have often experienced trauma and may be removed from class through suspension, expulsion, or juvenile placement, but who still need a meaningful path back to school. Several legislators shared personal experiences as former educators or administrators and emphasized that schools need clearer criteria for removal and return, along with stronger support for families and staff. Dr. Michelle Butler, an alternative education director, testified that Oklahoma’s current alternative education system is not designed to serve students removed for major discipline issues because placement is generally voluntary and programs are built around students who need a different learning environment, not punitive removal. She argued for early intervention, stronger attendance enforcement, trauma screening, teacher training, and a regional or cooperative model that would combine credentialed educators, social workers, therapists, and family counselors. She also described existing programs such as Trace Academy, Rogers County Youth Services diversion programs, and the limitations of virtual-only models and current funding, saying the system lacks sufficient resources and staffing. Representatives and senators asked about funding, staffing, credentials, and whether statutes should be changed to prevent alternative education dollars from going to programs that do not provide direct services. Other testimony came from Family and Children’s Services and Mid-Del Youth and Family Services, both of which described embedded school-based mental health, crisis response, intensive outpatient services, family engagement, and juvenile diversion programs. Witnesses stressed that wraparound services, school-community partnerships, and a bridge back to the home school are essential, and that many students and families need mandatory or strongly supported participation rather than purely voluntary help. The study concluded with members noting possible next steps, including expanding or supplementing alternative education, improving early intervention, and examining participation requirements and transition supports; no votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• City State University.
• Again, speaking as a young Watford City student who watched all the opportunities the city kids had,
• Again, speaking as a young Watford City student who watched all the opportunities the city kids had,
• Code that's done once a year.
• North Dakota Century Code does define what the licensed positions are, North Dakota Century Code does

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I tried to color code. Thank you. Mr.
• I sought text messages between the city manager and a local hotelier.
• our goal really is to make city officials and the city staff feel comfortable requesting written legal
• We just want to make sure that our city officials and city staff staff are always going to feel comfortable
• of Houston, we can see that not only did the city of Houston do this.

Bills: HB 111, HB1545, HB2145, HB2467, HB2520, HB4136, HB4181, HB4214, HB4218, HB4219, HB4359, HB4437, HB4822, HB111

Keywords: Texas Public Information Act, open records, public records, government transparency, confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, governmental body, Chapter 552, public information law, nonprofit association, quasi-governmental entity, economic development, trade secrets, proprietary information, commercial financial information, Alamo restoration, local workforce board, TDCJ contract facility, civil commitment facility, water supply corporation