Transcript Highlights:

• The effect of Hurricane Andrew in in in our space is that commercial insurance coverage was became significantly
• So you saw from the previous slide with a blue shaded areas where a lot of coastal areas, 80% of our

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:18.400> Therefore, companies for coverage. Therefore, companies for coverage.
• > be<00:34:06.880> there Families expect coverage to be there Families expect coverage
• But mind you, Fast Forward is not mental health coverage. Don't think this is parody.
• health coverage. health coverage.
• Considered the coverage for prosthetics.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Other first responders have this coverage. We do not. I'll share a real-life story with you.
• Uh other first responders<00:56:06.400> have<00:56:06.640> this<00:56:06.799> coverage
• Uh we do responders have this coverage.
• <01:19:21.840> world<01:19:22.239> not<01:19:22.800> the<01:19:23.040> shade
• not the shade in the world<01:19:23.760> so<01:19:23.920> it's<01:19:24.159> amazing

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August minutes, and heard a brief announcement from Senator Richardson about the Missing in America Project interring unclaimed veterans’ remains at the Western Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Hopkinsville. He read the names of several veterans being laid to rest with military honors, and the chair thanked the volunteers involved in the effort. The main presentation was an update on Kentucky’s urban search and rescue program from the Department of Military Affairs and Kentucky Emergency Management. Officials said the program is being built around two regional task force hubs, a helicopter aquatic rescue team, an incident support team, and a rescue aid fund for local search and rescue units. They reported that the $8.3 million appropriated for the program in the 2025 budget was fully executed, that $482,670 of the rescue aid fund went to 29 local teams, and that $493,592 has already been allocated in the current year to 36 teams. They also described warehouse and equipment purchases, staffing with full-time and part-time personnel, and a new training site on state property for collapsed-structure and multi-agency exercises. Officials said the program has already been used in recent disasters, including flood response and urban search and rescue operations in several parts of the state, and claimed the effort has impacted more than 1,500 citizens through rescues, evacuations, and related assistance. They said the helicopter aquatic rescue team is fully operational, the task force roster should be finalized by January, incident support should be online by April, and the full program should be deployable by June 30 or July 1, 2026. Members asked about statewide response times, K-9 search capabilities, and the long-term cost of the program, including concerns about reliance on federal matching funds. The presenters said K-9 assets will be part of the task force, that pre-positioning during forecasted storms can reduce response times significantly, and that they would provide more detailed budget information later.

Bills: HB151, HB152, HB138, SB221, SB190, SB69, SB225, SB272

Keywords: fire chaplains, distinctive license plate, firefighter, volunteer service, criminal penalties, sales tax exemption, baby supplies, baby formula, maternity clothing, menstrual hygiene products, pregnancy, pregnant defendant, incarceration, jail intake, pregnancy test, bail, pre-incarceration probation, supervised probation, electronic monitoring, electronic supervision

Bills: S0018, S0028, S0260, S0848, S0934, S1014, S1102, S1264, S1566, S1622, S1724

Keywords: negligence, compensation, child welfare, law enforcement accountability, personal injury, police negligence, law enforcement, monetary compensation, civil rights, city liability, electric vehicle, EV, battery fire, lithium-ion battery, towing, wrecker service, vehicle storage, submerged vehicle, saltwater damage, fire marshal

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills focused on water safety, utilities, housing, transparency, and claims relief. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment was presented as a follow-up to prior water-quality legislation and reported favorably with one support waiver. SB 28, a claims bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, was also reported favorably. CS/SB 658, a bipartisan child-drowning prevention bill for rental properties, drew extensive testimony from child advocacy and drowning-prevention groups in strong support; amendments required rental license applicants to certify compliance and removed local-government add-on authority, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 18, a claims bill involving the estate of a deceased minor and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, prompted questions about settlement and responsibility but was ultimately reported favorably despite opposition from a waiver form. Several utility and infrastructure measures were considered. CS/SB 1724 would regulate municipal utility service outside city limits, limit revenue transfers, require public meetings, and cap rate differences; an amendment added gas utilities, and the bill was reported favorably after testimony from municipal utility representatives and small-county advocates. CS/SB 1014 would require municipal utilities to extend water and wastewater service to certain nearby residential properties without conditioning service on annexation; an amendment narrowed the bill to residential uses and clarified capacity and grandfathering provisions, and it passed favorably. CS/SB 1102 would allow local infrastructure surtax revenue to fund body camera programs, with an amendment making the surtax authorization prospective and requiring a new referendum; it was reported favorably. CS/SB 260 on electric-vehicle storage in towing yards was amended to focus on storage only and to tie the higher fee to the period before fire-risk inspection, then reported favorably after testimony from insurers, fire officials, and EV industry representatives. The committee also advanced education, housing, and ethics-related bills. SB 1264 would ease zoning and code barriers for small private schools and micro-schools, with supporters arguing it would expand school choice and opponents raising implementation concerns; it was reported favorably. SB 934 on Florida Keys areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a tax-exemption section that conflicted with the Live Local Act, then reported favorably. SB 1622 would provide a one-time waiver of late financial-disclosure fines under specified conditions and was reported favorably. Finally, CS/SB 1566 on local government spending and transparency required online posting of budgets and related materials, and an amendment added utility revenue reinvestment and other changes while removing DEI spending restrictions; the bill drew support for transparency but concern from small cities and counties about cost and workload, and it was reported favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment after senators recorded votes on selected bills.

Bills: SB107, HB158, HB353, HB354, HB357, HB181, HB465, HB526

Keywords: SSUT, simplified sellers use tax, sales tax distribution, municipal revenue, municipal population, annexation, deannexation, incorporation, boundary change, federal census, decennial census, Department of Revenue, local government finance, revenue sharing, municipal boundaries, population recalculation, probate judge, Boundary and Annexation Survey, Alabama municipalities, HB158

Transcript Highlights:

• appraisal provision for insurance policies, requiring insurers to offer it in personal, home, and auto coverage
• And what we saw and the coverage that is not there.
• We provide clean energy that shades our black land clay.
• In solar projects, you're seeing shade-grown crops, you're seeing a lot of experimentation and improvements

Bills: SB458, SB819, SB1238, SB1642, SB1643, SB1644, SB1791, SB1810, SB1824, SB1825, SB758, SB1455, SB1706

Keywords: insurance appraisal, property insurance, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, residential property, disputed loss, loss valuation, appraisal clause, appraiser, umpire, Texas Department of Insurance, TDI, insurance dispute resolution, claims adjustment, total loss, windstorm insurance, FAIR Plan, surplus lines insurance, policyholder, insurer

Transcript Highlights:

• LOOKING AT OUR RN WORKFORCE IT IS SHOWING YOU A COMPARISON OF THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND SUCH THAT OUR BLUE SHADED
• AREAS ARE TELLING US WE HAVE A SUPPLY OF REGISTERED NURSES THERE AND OUR RED SHADED AREAS ARE SHOWING
• THE DARKER THE SHADE OF THE COLOR THE MORE SIGNIFICANT THE SUPPLY OR DEMAND.

Transcript Highlights:

• sure that you're not going after, quote-unquote, a parking structure or just something to provide shade
• might need for a residence aren't the same thing that you're putting rooftop solar on a barn or a shaded
• sure that you're not going after, quote-unquote, a parking structure or just something to provide shade
• might need for a residence aren't the same thing that you're putting rooftop solar on a barn or a shaded

Bills: SB1137, SB1200, SB1419, SB1447, SB1560, SCM1004

Keywords: underground utilities, utility locating, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, excavation safety, damage prevention, one-call center, locate request, white lining, large project coordination, buried infrastructure, subsurface utilities, utility marking, locator wire, locator strip, interactive positive response system, landlord duties, apartment community, mobile home park

Summary: The committee heard several water and energy-related measures. SB 1200, as amended, addressed Arizona Department of Water Resources treatment of certain “conduit lakes” in active management areas, allowing some existing lake systems to continue using groundwater mixed with effluent for irrigation or landscaping purposes. ADWR testified in opposition to the amendment’s policy implications and enforcement concerns, while HOA, homebuilder, and resident witnesses argued the bill would grandfather existing communities, avoid costly system redesigns, and reflect prior agency practice. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and then passed SB 1200 on a 6-3 vote. SB 1419, dealing with residential rooftop solar installations, was amended to add consumer-protection and disclosure requirements, including roof inspection and installation standards, clearer contract disclosures, and contractor responsibilities. County and industry witnesses said the bill was the product of a lengthy stakeholder process aimed at addressing misleading sales practices and installation problems, though some technical issues were still to be resolved on the floor. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1419 on a 6-1 vote with two members present and one absent. SB 1447, which extends Pinal AMA groundwater withdrawal fee provisions and related fund deadlines, was supported by irrigation and agricultural interests as a way to finance local infrastructure and conservation during Colorado River uncertainty; it passed 7-1 with one present and one absent. SB 1560 raised the maximum single loan amount from the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund from $3 million to $20 million. WIFA said the current cap was too low for larger rural water projects and that the change would better match demand without harming the fund’s revolving nature; the bill passed 8-1 with one absent. The committee also approved SCM 1004, urging Congress to clearly define EPA powers and duties, despite some members saying it was unnecessary or backward-looking; it passed 6-2 with one absent. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rest of our officers already enjoy this coverage. Thank you. Thank you, Senator.
• enjoy<01:02:35.440> this our officers already enjoy this our officers already enjoy this coverage
• coverage. Thank you. coverage. Thank you.
• Those kinds of shades of gray are something that we in society are going to continue to need to deal
• Those kinds of shades of gray are something that we in society are going to continue to need to deal

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer's after age 65 receive immediate Medicare coverage.
• <00:12:51.680> before or support themselves long before or support themselves long before coverage
• <00:12:53.920> where<00:12:54.320> families<00:12:54.720> are coverage kicks
• in. where families are coverage kicks in. where families are left<00:12:55.200> to<00:12:55.519
• the shade. Great. Mary's pregnant. the shade. Great.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 12, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's about a 23% exemption rate, 22%. 23% exemption rate, their coverage rate is about 77%.
• Recommended coverage rate is? 95% provides kind of that herd immunity. for measles. Right.
• But there's other school districts in the area that have as low as a 20% coverage rate.
• So . . . 20% coverage rate? Yes. Yeah. Okay. That's . . .
• A shade under $200,000 inappropriately, and another, I believe it was $80,000.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:02.400> Uh shaded total professional staff. Uh shaded total professional staff.
• I've shaded the cumulative percentage that they're going to be allocated for both of these.
• I've shaded the cumulative percentage that they're going to be allocated for both of these.
• And what makes a difference for me and my family is my insurance coverage.
• And what makes a difference for me and my family is my insurance coverage.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It does show you where there’s things that are shaded out, and maybe the difference—Jack has notes on
• <00:44:01.720> out where there's things that are shaded out where there's things that are
• Why is on your sheet CR why is one 10 shaded but it says completed?
• <00:54:46.640> and<00:54:47.119> marked 114 and 116 those are shaded and marked 114
• and 116 those are shaded and marked as as as completed<00:54:49.280> Health<00:54:49.440>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to review the lapse extensions in the back of House Bill 25, which governs capital budget appropriations and bonding. Members were walked through how the bill is structured: section 1 covers general, federal, and other funds; section 2 covers highway fund appropriations; later sections authorize borrowing, restrict spending to the stated purposes, and explain why community colleges and the university system operate through their boards of trustees. The chair also explained that lapse extensions are needed because capital projects can span multiple years, and that appropriations normally expire at the end of the biennium unless extended. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on how to identify unspent balances and whether they should be extended, repurposed, or allowed to lapse. Members discussed that if a project is complete or an agency confirms it no longer needs the money, the remaining balance can be reused for another project or, if not needed, lapse back. The committee also reviewed the meaning of bill references and chapter numbers, and how to read prior-year appropriations and extensions in the worksheet. One example discussed was a 2023 Department of Administrative Services courthouse generators item, and members noted that some agencies may rely on encumbered balances rather than explicit lapse extensions, though the chair said he prefers including the extension for flexibility. The committee identified at least one specific change: the Jeffrey Ringe CTE renovation was removed from the governor’s recommended budget because the required local match was not approved, freeing about $18.5 million for possible reuse. Later, the chair noted that lapse extension 49 on the worksheet was no longer needed and could be removed, leaving an unspent balance of $81,500 available for repurposing. The discussion also referenced a Department of Transportation item, Caroline Stratford Freight Rail Improvements, which the agency asked to keep alive through a lapse extension so the funds would not expire on June 30. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• playing outside, if you're part of an early childhood program, I hope our facilities are putting in shade
• , look at the... ...are experiencing extreme heat without air conditioning or farm workers without shade
• I'm just reminded that, you know, Shelly mentioned shade for the kids playing.
• During the day, you close the windows and you pull the shades down.
• temperature reaches the threshold starting at 80 degrees, they have to provide things like water, shade

Transcript Highlights:

• when you don't know if the person parked outside your house every day is there just because there's a shade
• when you don't know if the person parked outside your house every day is there just because there's a shade
• when you don't know if the person parked outside your house every day is there just because there's a shade
• when you don't know if the person parked outside your house every day is there just because there's a shade
• when you don't know if the person parked outside your house every day is there just because there's a shade

Bills: HF3919, HF3791, HF1781, HF3908, HF4233, HF3966, HF3430

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, security, protective services, state officials, Capitol complex, state patrol, public safety, legislative protection, threat assessment, transportation, electronic attestation, traffic signals, accident reporting, legislative routes, agricultural aircraft

Transcript Highlights:

• She stated that she did not examine racial shading when drafting the congressional maps.
• She stated that she did not examine racial shading when drafting the congressional maps and the Senate
• El Pasoans may lose their health care coverage, and we are seeing fear instead of... ...us.
• El Pasoans may lose their health care coverage, and we are seeing fear instilled in our community as

Summary: The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting met virtually for its West Texas regional hearing, established a quorum, and explained that the hearing was part of a series of statewide information-gathering sessions before any map was filed. The chair outlined the Zoom procedures, the two-minute testimony limit, and the availability of written comments through the committee’s public portal. Senators also discussed the logistics and transparency of the process, including the expectation that any proposed map or amendment would be made public once filed and that additional hearings would follow. Senator Blanco, whose district includes West Texas and the border region, said the area’s communities of interest should be kept together and warned against repeating the loss of representation that followed the last redistricting cycle. Senators Alvarado, Hinojosa, Miles, and others debated the value of virtual hearings versus in-person hearings, the number of people who had testified, and whether the committee could subpoena witnesses after the regional hearings ended. The chair said he was awaiting legal guidance and would consider a subpoena motion at a formal meeting the next day. A lengthy exchange also occurred over the tone of public testimony and the chair’s view that some comments directed at Republicans and the president had been offensive or historically inaccurate. Invited witnesses and public commenters largely opposed mid-decade redistricting and argued that any new map should reflect population growth, especially among Latino and other minority communities, and comply with the Voting Rights Act. Nina Perales of MALDEF said the hearings were not meaningful without a draft map and testified that Texas has a long history of discriminatory redistricting; senators questioned her about litigation, DOJ’s July 7 letter, and the 2021 congressional map. Tania Chavez Camacho, Luis Figueroa, and several El Paso residents emphasized that maps should preserve communities of interest, avoid cracking and packing, and be transparent and participatory. A smaller number of witnesses supported redistricting, including one El Paso resident who said the current districting leaves the area underrepresented and another who argued that some communities want to return to a map closer to the earlier District 16 configuration. Several witnesses also criticized the DOJ letter as inconsistent with the state’s position that the 2021 maps were drawn race-blind, while others said the current process was too rushed and lacked sufficient public input.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, in one, basically, the ones that are not great shaded, so 1A, 1D, 1C, 1D, 1C, 1D, 1C. 1H, adopt.
• Shaded areas, it says funding is currently assumed in supplemental bill.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance for the various lines of coverage. OK, thank you.
• Thrown around tend to be black and white, but the things I'm worried about are the shades of gray.
• The shades of gray are where we're getting in trouble. No, go ahead. I'm sorry.
• So, these are where we start to get into tricky shades of gray.

Bills: SB 13, SB 27, SB 57, HB1325, HB1655, HB3312, HB5526, SB13, SB57, SB207, HB441, HB591, HB5019, SB27, SB843

Keywords: lobbying, public funds, political subdivision, local government, county association, municipal lobbying, registered lobbyist, Texas Legislature, taxpayer lawsuit, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, government finance, county dues, state association of counties, sheriffs association, law enforcement officers, legislative advocacy, bill tracking, legislative alerts, Government Code Chapter 556

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, um, in 1, basically, uh, uh, the ones that are not great shaded, so 1 A, 1 D 1 H, adopt, K, adopt
• Um, first I wanna note that if you look at some of the gray shaded areas it says funding is currently