Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Block asked how many of those went to Santa Fe County, Sandoval County, and Doña Ana County
• like Otero County.
• over 1,000, Doña Ana County had 1,100, and Otero County had 153 different families being assisted there
• County, and Doniana County, in the remainder?
• but in Otero County.

Bills: HB70, HB93, HB95, HB139, HB140, HJR4

Keywords: Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility oversight fund, public utilities, utility regulation, commissioners, commission staff, chief of staff, ethics, Gift Act, revolving door, post-employment restrictions, consumer complaints, telecommunications, pipeline safety, natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, license fees, regulatory oversight, administrative cleanup

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, Bernalillo County, uh, or most populous county does have a huge, uh, shortage on FTEs, um,
• the county level data?
• Cause it could be a lot of groups and it'll vary from county to county.
• We, we border Ria Riba County.
• Uh, we also touch, um, McKinley County, totally different issues in all three of those counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the chief executive officer for Los Angeles County.
• County home.
• County.
• But it is a responsibility that the county must meet.
• Ryan Moore, Muni, with the California State Association of Counties, here on behalf of all 58 counties

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Transparency held a hearing focused on three issues: federal funding cuts and delays, possible state revenue impacts from reduced IRS enforcement, and the fiscal effects of AB 218 on local governments. The Franchise Tax Board described how state and federal tax systems are closely linked, how most returns are filed electronically through software, and how FTB relies on IRS information sharing for compliance, fraud prevention, offsets, and nonfiler work. Members raised concerns that federal staffing cuts at the IRS could weaken audits of large corporations and reduce California revenue, and asked about VITA and ITIN filers; FTB said it was not aware of VITA reductions, noted ITIN returns are processed the same as other returns, and said ITIN filing appeared slightly down this year. The Department of Finance said it is monitoring federal developments, summarized the continuing resolution and reconciliation process, and noted that California lost nearly $940 million in earmarked federal projects under the CR, while major federal budget decisions remain uncertain until the President’s budget and later congressional action. The University of California reported substantial federal pressure on research, student aid, and health care. UC said hundreds of millions of dollars in federal awards have already been canceled, with additional threats to NIH and DOE facilities-and-administration rates, graduate fellowships, student loan repayment plans, international student visas, Pell Grants, and Medicaid/Medi-Cal funding. Committee members pressed UC on the effects of DEIA-related federal restrictions, the loss of clinical trials and research staff, and the impact on low-income students and patients. UC said it is pursuing litigation with the Attorney General and other institutions, but emphasized that court action is only a temporary solution and that sustained state and private support may be needed. The second panel addressed the fiscal consequences of AB 218, which extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims against public agencies. FCMAT presented a report with 22 recommendations, including better statewide data collection, financing mechanisms, a possible victims compensation fund, and prevention measures. Los Angeles County described a tentative $4 billion settlement tied to AB 218 claims, saying it will require reserves, borrowing, and long-term annual payments through 2050, while also forcing curtailments and cuts to vacant positions to preserve services. Members discussed insurance pools, retroactive premiums, unidentified future claims, and the need for a compensation fund or other financing tools. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with public comment, including testimony from local health officials about nearly $400 million in terminated federal public health grants and the resulting layoffs and service impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• the county in which the individual resides.
• And if they send it to the wrong county, they're subject to a fine.
• County for sending out letters that they've never sent before?
• They even put down, instead of county, country.
• They even put down instead of county, country.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider SPB 7016, a major bill revising Florida’s constitutional initiative petition process. Senator Grall presented it as a fraud-prevention and ballot-integrity measure that would add sponsor training, stricter circulator rules, more voter identification information, faster submission deadlines, notice to voters whose signatures are verified, and additional civil and criminal penalties. The committee also considered several amendments, including a $1 million bond requirement, font and page limits for petition forms, restrictions on incentive-based circulator pay, removal of a criminal-conviction prerequisite for certain fines, deposit and reimbursement procedures for supervisors of elections, invalidation of petitions gathered by ineligible circulators, mandatory circulator training, and a prohibition on public funds being used to advocate for or against constitutional amendments. All of the amendments were adopted, with some roll-call votes recorded and most passing on party-line or near party-line splits. The bill drew extensive questioning from senators, especially about the practical effects of the new requirements. Senator Polsky and Senator Rouson raised concerns about disenfranchising voters, burdening grassroots volunteers, the cost of bonds and deposits, the 10-day return deadline, and whether voters would be notified if a petition they signed was later invalidated. Grall said the measures were intended to protect the constitutionally significant initiative process, reduce fraud, and ensure sponsors—not taxpayers—bear administrative costs. Dave Ramba, speaking for supervisors of elections, supported the deposit and reimbursement concepts but warned that the bill’s implementation would be operationally difficult and that software vendors might not be ready for the changes by the effective date. He also said the process should avoid subsidizing petition drives with county taxpayer money. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers from Common Cause Florida, the League of Women Voters, the NAACP Florida State Conference, Florida Rising, Equal Ground, Voices of Florida, and other civic groups arguing the bill would suppress direct democracy, criminalize volunteer activity, impose excessive costs, and create confusion and litigation risk. One speaker from the Florida Chamber of Commerce supported the bill, saying the initiative process should be protected from fraud and outside interests. During debate, Senator Polsky argued the Legislature has steadily made the initiative process harder after recent citizen-led amendments succeeded, while supporters framed the bill as a necessary integrity measure. The committee had not yet taken final action on the bill itself by the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we had three pilot counties.
• for Blank County.
• that would potentially serve a four-county area, including Escambia County.
• in all 67 counties.
• We're in all 67 counties.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , County, County, >> the<00:12:42.240> transportation<00:12:42.880> and<00:12:43.120
• County. County.
• ,<00:20:26.160> then George's, then Baltimore County, then George's, then Baltimore County
• County. County.
• gentleman from Baltimore County. gentleman from Baltimore County.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, February 13, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 125 members present, heard a prayer and opening remarks, and then proceeded through the journal, committee assignments, and several consent calendars. Introductory House Bills 1358 through 1585 were read the first time and referred to the appropriate committees, along with bond initiatives 34 through 37 and Senate Bill 14. House Bill 1215 was later reassigned to Appropriations. The House also recorded quorum calls showing 129 and later 131 members present. On third reading and final passage, House Bill 28, concerning higher education and private career schools advertising, passed 128-0. House Bill 226, establishing Department of Disabilities housing programs and affiliated foundations, passed 122-6. House Bill 229, increasing the Maryland Transportation Authority revenue bond limit, passed 96-33. No debate was recorded on these bills before the roll calls. The remainder of the session consisted largely of committee, subcommittee, delegation, caucus, and personal announcements. Committees announced upcoming voting sessions or cancellations, including Appropriations, Economic Matters, Environment and Transportation, Health, Judiciary, Ways and Means, and Rules. Members also made numerous recognitions and invitations, including a briefing on the Patuxent River sewer interceptor breakage, district nights, a Tourism Day lunch, and several birthday and family announcements. The protocol chair led a Valentine’s Day recognition of House staff, and the House then recessed until Monday, February 16 at 8:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• County.
• either Miami-Dade or Broward County.
• And lastly, we have Jess McCarty, first assistant county attorney from Miami-Dade County, waiving against
• You know, I represent Pinellas County, which is one of the counties that has a waste-to-energy plant.
• And, you know, Pinellas County being the most densely populated county in the state, a peninsula on a

Bills: S0912, S1196, S1422, S1510, S7034

Keywords: battery collection, battery stewardship, environment, recycling, hazardous waste, waste management, regulation, environmental protection, facilities, hazardous materials, coral reefs, natural resource, climate change, coastal flooding, solar facilities, wastewater treatment, nutrient reduction, land conservation, water conservation, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Summary: The Environment and Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up several environmental bills and one appointment. SB 1422, as amended by a strike-all focused on coral reef protection and designating coral reefs as critical natural infrastructure, was reported favorably after support from Audubon Florida was noted. The committee then considered SPB 7034, a DEP rule ratification related to minimum flows and levels for the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers and associated recovery strategy; witnesses from the Florida Springs Council and local river advocates criticized the plan as too delayed and too dependent on a single future water project, while committee members raised questions about funding and utility responsibility. Despite concerns, the committee approved the bill as a committee bill, with Senator Smith voting no. The committee next heard SB 1510, as amended, which made technical changes to DEP-related provisions including B-MAP notice and timing, septic system requirements in Florida Springs areas, biosolids, fees, land acquisition, and rulemaking procedures. The main public testimony came from the Florida Springs Council, which opposed the 60-day delay for B-MAP effectiveness as harmful to spring restoration, while DEP and others supported the measure. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 1196, a targeted siting bill restricting new ash-producing incinerators or waste-to-energy facilities within two miles of large federally authorized water impoundment areas, with an amendment narrowing the practical effect to Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Supporters, including the City of Miramar, argued it would protect water resources and communities; opponents from the Florida Waste-to-Energy Coalition argued it would limit local waste-disposal options and could force more landfilling. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 912, the Safe Battery Collection and Recovery Act, which would require battery stewardship organizations and related recycling plans to keep batteries out of the waste stream. Industry and recycling representatives supported the bill, citing growing battery volumes and fire risks at recycling facilities. The committee also recommended confirmation of Gary Jennings to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. All measures were approved favorably except that Senator Smith voted against SPB 7034; the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And every county then bears the cost of hiring part-time staff.
• Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, thank you.
• Board of Supervisors. and a proud resident of Los Angeles County.
• County members also have millions of people.
• They are to reimburse the county for any actual costs incurred by county elections officials in administering

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll have Lisa Hurley from Collier County, waving in support.
• , Miami-Dade, Osceola, Monroe, and Union County.
• Lucie County and Lake County are going to join that list.
• I've also been to Escambia County, Okaloosa County, St.
• Johns County, Nassau County, Citrus County, Sumter County, Clay County, and Gadsden County, and I'm probably

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to review its fiscal year 2025-2026 budget proposal and several bills. The chair outlined a roughly $18 billion budget area, including major funding for the Department of Transportation work program, Visit Florida, library/cultural/historical initiatives, affordable housing, National Guard tuition assistance, and Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles needs. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical adjustments and then approved the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee next heard and approved CS/SB 666, creating a Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate, with proceeds supporting scholarships, academic, athletic, and arts programs at Miami Northwestern Senior High School. Members praised the school’s academic and athletic achievements, and the bill was reported favorably without opposition. The committee also heard extensive testimony on CS/SB 1318, which would rename Florida’s texting-while-driving law as the hands-free driving law and expand the prohibition to handheld use of wireless devices, including in work zones. Supporters, including law enforcement, health care, bicycling, and crash victims’ advocates, argued it would save lives and make enforcement clearer; some senators supported the goal but raised concerns about enforcement, privacy, and impacts on drivers with older vehicles. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 1408, designating memorial highways in Hillsborough and Charlotte counties for Master Patrol Officer Jesse Madsen and Sergeant Elio Diaz, and SB 1516, creating the International Aerospace Innovation Fund to be administered by Space Florida to support partnerships between Florida and international aerospace companies. Both bills were reported favorably with little debate. Senators also requested to be recorded in the affirmative on selected bills, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can choose counties, cities, special districts. You can choose one.
• We're going to look at ad valorem taxes collected across counties.
• I think it's an excellent idea where a small county can look at how a big county is possibly purchasing
• That's counties.
• debt per resident, median income in the county or municipality, and the average county employee salary

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive updates on Transparency Florida and related transparency tools. The Governor’s Office and the Department of Financial Services described the Transparency Florida website, the state payment and contract systems, and the local-government financial reporting system (Logger X/XBRL), emphasizing public access, searchable payment and contract data, downloadable reports, and ongoing upgrades. Members asked whether school districts and the Department of Corrections are included in these systems; staff explained that state agencies like Corrections are covered through Transparency Florida, FACTS, and the state financial reports, while Logger X is for local governments. Committee staff reported that the Transparency Florida Act’s requirements have been met and noted that any new recommendations would need legislative action; members were invited to submit recommendations by October 30. The committee then reviewed repeated audit findings for local governments and educational entities. Staff explained the statutory process for “three-peat” findings: first requesting an updated written corrective-action status, then possibly requiring an appearance before the committee, and finally taking further action if findings remain uncorrected. Most entities were recommended for written updates, while the City of Daytona Beach was singled out for an in-person appearance because of a repeated finding involving unexpended building permit balances. Members also raised questions about specific entities, including McIntosh, White Springs, Pahokee, and the Fred R. Wilson Memorial Law Library special district, with staff explaining the nature of the findings and noting that some entities may warrant further review. The committee adopted a motion to accept staff’s recommendations and to send letters to entities with uncorrected audit findings in late-filed 2023-24 audit reports. It also approved a motion directing the Auditor General and OPPAGA to conduct the required audit of the Department of the Lottery for fiscal year 2025-26, with the Auditor General handling financial, internal control, and compliance work and OPPAGA preparing operational recommendations. The meeting concluded with notice that the next meeting was tentatively scheduled for November 3 at 3:30 p.m., followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties keep rates of how many for example, and I'll just keep using Harris County because I know that
• It's, they're not all the same in the rural counties are different than the, than the urban counties.
• Sometimes you get state and county health insurance, you get state and county pensions.
• I mean, because you can be in on the county pension too, because you get a county pension, a county salary
• Every other week, I travel back and forth. between Cass County and Bowie County to preside in four different

Bills: SB260, SB263, SB293, SJR18

Keywords: school safety, Foundation School Program, education funding, student allotment, Texas education, SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction

Transcript Highlights:

• There's the local county that you said that 99.7% give above $1,010,000.
• felony cases in Harris County.
• Um, sometimes you get state and county health insurance. You get state and county pensions.
• I mean, because you can be in on the county pension too because you get a county pension, county salary
• Every other week I travel back and forth between Cass County and Puy County.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members please help me celebrate Andrews County Day.
• Residents of Wise County are visiting Austin on February 4th, 2025 to celebrate Wise County Day at the
• Wise County. was established on January 23rd, 1856.
• The county was carved out of Cook County by a legislative act and. named in honor of Henry A.
• They are from all over Texas, but I want to especially recognize our Fort Bend County and Harris County

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > an Martin County.
• Martin County was an Martin County.
• Martin County was in between senators. Martin County was in between senators.
• [Laughter] I don't know who Martin County is, but I don't know who Martin County is, but they did well
• Martin County, city of Martin? >> I believe they are in the same county, yeah.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:05 HJR 81 Discussion 00:00:33 HJR 81 Vote 00:04:30, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up only House Joint Resolution 81, which allocates the remaining $52,502,260 in the W Waters program for wastewater and wastewater assistance to troubled or economically restrained systems. The chair explained the funds would be distributed according to Kentucky Infrastructure Authority criteria under KRS 224A.320, with the goal of restoring systems to operational and financial stability and improving drinking water and sanitation in affected communities. Senator Funke Frommeyer asked how the funded systems would be kept in good repair after receiving the money and whether there would be a regional or long-term management plan. The chair responded that the funding is intended as a corrective measure to address compounding failures and that KIA has already weighed the relevant factors, while also stressing that communities should not expect repeated rescue funding. Senator Webb added context from earlier water and wastewater task force work, citing Martin County as an example and noting that KIA had adopted many of the task force’s recommendations for oversight, accountability, and operating protocols. The committee then voted on the resolution. Senator Funke Frommeyer explained her vote, saying she supported the measure with hope that better protocols and procedures were being put in place, though she emphasized that hope is not a plan. The roll call resulted in 12 yes votes and no no votes, and the measure passed with favorable expression and was sent to consent. A motion to adopt on consent was then made and seconded, and the committee adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our first presenter will be Jody Wentland, the county administrator from Hennepin County.
• My name is Jody Wetland, and I am the county administrator for Hennepin County.
• outside of Henipin County. outside of Henipin County.
• basically um stabilize Henipin County. basically um stabilize Henipin County.
• Henipin County are exopicio. Henipin County are exopicio.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am really pleased to be here along with my county sheriff, Danana Whit, here in Hennepin County.
• The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office has around 900 employees working across Hennepin County, several
• The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office has around 900 employees working across Hennepin County, several
• The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office has around 900 employees working across Hennepin County, several
• The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office has around 900 employees working across Hennepin County, several

Bills: HF2582, HF2266, HF2518, HF2039, HF1941

Keywords: child care, grants, appropriation, workforce development, families, YWCA Minneapolis, job training, child development, economic assistance, WomenVenture, economic development, entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs, business training, financial support, youth programs, funding, employment, Minnesota, American Indian

Transcript Highlights:

• county of their plans.
• county of their plans.
• County.
• Harris County, Tarrant County, and Williamson County, to divert those struggling with mental health issues
• surrounding counties or other counties?

Bills: HB216

Keywords: HB216, Texas abortion law, abortion-inducing drug, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, telemedicine, in-person exam, physician presence, out-of-state physician, reproductive healthcare, abortion regulation, Health and Safety Code, Occupations Code, consultation services, remote prescribing, pro-life, pro-choice

Summary: The Committee on Public Health met with a quorum and heard public testimony on a long agenda, with members repeatedly reminded of a two-minute limit for witnesses. Several bills were voted out favorably, including HB 2588 on cottage food, HB 1639 on cancer incidence and female firefighters, HB 2581 on a reporting form for contracted services for pregnant women, and SB 922 on electronic disclosure of certain sensitive medical information. Those measures generally passed on party-line or near-unanimous votes, while HB 216 on itemized medical statements was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also left pending HB 5141, HB 4638, HB 2035, HB 4813, HB 2264, HB 4014, and HB 3829 after hearing testimony and questions. The final item introduced in the excerpt was HB 4408 on health care market transparency and corporate consolidation, but the discussion was cut off before testimony or action was completed. A major theme of the hearing was mental health diversion and access to treatment. HB 5141, by Rep. Howard, would allow Travis County to use vacated Austin State Hospital property for a local mental health jail diversion center; law enforcement, the Travis County sheriff, county judge, and urban counties group all testified in support, describing the lack of alternatives for people in crisis and the burden on jails and emergency rooms. Members asked about eligible offenses, bed capacity, and whether the facility would serve only Travis County, and the bill was left pending. HB 2264, by Rep. Schoolcraft, would create a friends-and-family form for loved ones to provide information to providers during emergency mental health treatment; NAMI and hospital groups supported it, while one neutral witness and several members raised concerns about patient control, credibility of information, and liability protections. The bill was also left pending. The committee also heard multiple psychedelic-therapy and drug-policy bills. HB 4813 would speed Texas rescheduling of Schedule I substances if the FDA reclassifies them, with testimony focused on psilocybin and MDMA and their potential use for PTSD and depression; members questioned whether the bill was too broad and how state rescheduling works, and it was left pending. HB 4014 would direct HHSC to study psychedelic therapies, building on prior state research, and witnesses said Texas should prepare regulatory and clinical infrastructure before FDA approval; it too was left pending. HB 2035 would require parents to be informed that they may seek substance-use treatment for a child even if one facility turns them away, prompted by a constituent’s account of a fatal fentanyl overdose after receiving incorrect advice; it was left pending. HB 4638 would extend and expand the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative board and timeline, with the author saying the program is still in early implementation and needs more time, and it was left pending as well. Other bills addressed public health administration and animal welfare. HB 3829 would require a study of the animal-friendly account and its grant process for spay/neuter funding, with the author arguing that the current application and reimbursement process is too burdensome for shelters and nonprofits; no opposition was heard and the bill was left pending. HB 2581 and HB 1639 were reported favorably, while HB 216 drew discussion about enforcement of itemized medical billing and was held after the committee substitute was withdrawn. Throughout the hearing, members also discussed broader concerns about homelessness, competency restoration waitlists, jail overcrowding, and the need for more treatment options outside the criminal justice system.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:05.079> with relate to payments for uh counties with relate to payments for uh counties
• c><00:48:01.240> S<00:48:01.559> County<00:48:01.839> Metro to the S County Metro
• cost 25 to 40% more in just County cost 25 to 40% more in just County engineer<01:24:02.120>
• <01:28:28.719> um<01:28:28.880> with counties our cities and counties um with counties
• takeaway is gutting this seven County takeaway is gutting this seven County Metro<01:31:08.239><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Stearns County, Anoka, and St.
• Stearns County, Anoka, and St.
• 00:04:13.079> St worth Sterns County um Anoka and St worth Sterns County um Anoka and St Louis
• <00:08:59.440> long-term from Blue Earth County long-term from Blue Earth County long-term
• and also in croing in Douglas County and also in croing county<00:14:19.839> and<00:14:20.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or adjacent counties.
• or adjacent counties.
• or adjacent counties.
• or adjacent counties.
• of<00:57:02.760> the Anoka County Anoka County 47% of the Anoka County Anoka County 47% of

Keywords: 1183, house