Transcript Highlights:

• It creates major mental health issues.
• I urge you to vote. No.
• I'm asking you today to vote no. without us.
• Please vote no on this. I appreciate.
• The school board voted on a 3, 2, vote to keep the books than one of the school board members said okay

Transcript Highlights:

• Last session, the legislation for this had 30 senators vote for it. Most senators vote against it.
• They went over to the House, where 146 House members voted for it, and no House. members voted against
• Would you like to reconsider your vote?
• I would ask that Molly Voigt vote. Vote right up front. Please state your name for the record.
• I'm Molly vote.

Bills: SB530, SB757, SB769, SB1085, SB1241, SB1242, SB1409, SB1878, SB2138, SB2314, SB2231, SB2361, SB2431, SJR59

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Transcript Highlights:

• major solid waste facilities. major solid waste facilities.
• There's consideration but I'm one vote.
• Chair, if I get their vote on the Mr.
• <01:07:43.600> I'm going to get the votes anyway. I'm going to get the votes anyway.
• ><01:41:09.600> bill<01:41:09.880> as voting [clears throat] on the bill as voting [clears

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the people the right to choose and vote the people the right to choose and vote on<00:25:06.320>
• The people have a right to vote for who they want to vote for. This is true in a vacuum.
• vote<00:41:01.680> for.
• And uh no majority.
• So, we're ready for a vote then.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first continued its hearing on HB 1287, which concerns the definition of “veteran.” Representative Manion explained that the amendment would adopt the federal-style definition by including a general discharge under honorable conditions, while restoring documentation requirements such as a DD214 and removing a problematic reference to World War II allied veterans. The chair said the committee would close the hearing and take the bill up later in executive session. The committee then moved to HCR 13, a resolution calling for an Article V convention limited to proposing a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on members of Congress. Representative Joe Alexander, the prime sponsor, said the measure is narrowly focused on congressional term limits, that 12 states have already passed similar resolutions, and that broad public support in New Hampshire justifies action. Members asked whether the effort would prompt Congress to act on its own, whether the resolution should also cover Supreme Court justices, and how many states are needed; Alexander said the goal is to pressure Congress, that the Constitution already treats Supreme Court justices differently, and that 34 states are required. Testimony in support came from former Representative Linda Masamela, who gave a history-based argument for Article V conventions as a constitutional check, and from Deborah Childs and Aaron Ducet of U.S. Term Limits. Childs said New Hampshire voters strongly support term limits and argued they would open seats to younger, more diverse candidates. Ducet said the application is single-topic and would allow only one amendment, described Article V applications as historically common, and argued that state pressure can force Congress to act. No vote was taken in the portion provided; the chair continued hearing testimony on HCR 13.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the consent calendar has five votes. It's out. So the consent calendar has five votes.
• And with this, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
• And that’s why I urge the I vote. Mr.
• Michelle Rodriguez not voting. Sharp Collins not voting. And Valencia, yes.
• So that bill is out 6 with 6 aye votes. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs met with a quorum and first approved its consent calendar, which included AJR 15, SB 56, SB 296, and SB 855, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee then heard SB 694 by Senator Archuleta, a bill aimed at protecting veterans from unaccredited claims representatives and other for-profit entities that charge fees to assist with VA disability claims. The author and supporters, including county veterans service officers and veterans organizations, argued the measure would curb predatory practices, restore accountability, and steer veterans toward free, accredited assistance through CVSOs and other authorized representatives. Testimony in support emphasized that veterans are often targeted online and may pay large fees for services that are available for free, while supporters said unaccredited firms lack transparency and can exploit vulnerable veterans. Opposition witnesses, including representatives of claims-assistance companies and individual veterans, argued the bill would eliminate choice and that some contingency-based firms provide useful services, better outcomes, and faster claims processing. Committee members debated whether the bill would unlawfully bar legitimate assistance or whether it was needed to stop illegal business practices, with several members noting the issue is also being litigated in federal court and that an accreditation process already exists through the VA. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 694 and refer it to the Committee on Judiciary. The final vote was 6 ayes, with some members not voting. The committee then completed the consent calendar vote, which passed with eight votes, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the majority of the folks within DOC’s population under the reclassification system.
• That's the majority of overrides, and they're leading to this degrading of the accuracy.
• Those who have gotten positive parole votes, and the DA has cleared them.
• So the majority of individuals had an accurate result, the majority of individuals had this or the majority
• If the votes will go on Friday, he would like to eat a Friday, yes.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on January 12 to continue its review of DOC classification practices, with Senator Brownsberger and Representative Hunt co-chairing. After brief discussion of the prior hearing, members said there would likely be another opportunity for additional testimony, including possible video testimony from people inside facilities. The main presentation for the day was DOC’s classification system and a UMass Chan study of whether the system predicts institutional misconduct and whether overrides affect its accuracy or create racial/ethnic bias. DOC officials described the objective point-based classification system, its history, and the role of discretionary and non-discretionary overrides. They said the system is designed to balance public safety and reintegration, with initial classification emphasizing offense history and reclassification emphasizing institutional adjustment. DOC reported that, in the current population, about 16% are classified to maximum security, 74% to medium, and 10% to lower security. They also reviewed the non-discretionary restrictions that keep people out of minimum or medium security, and said discretionary overrides are used less often than the National Institute of Corrections’ suggested ceiling and are reviewed within six months. UMass Chan researchers said their analysis used historical DOC data from 2019 to 2022, focused mainly on about 7,600 male reclassification cases, and found that the scored custody level accurately predicted institutional misconduct. They said the tool performed well on standard statistical measures, but predictive accuracy declined after overrides were applied, with overlap appearing between minimum and medium groups. In a supplementary analysis, they said the loss of accuracy was driven primarily by non-discretionary restrictions rather than discretionary overrides. They also said the study did not find evidence of racial or ethnic bias in the tool itself, and that DOC’s current system is comparatively more lenient than many other states. Members and guests raised concerns about overclassification to medium security, the low share of people in minimum, the role of civil commitment restrictions, and whether the data captured historical bias or individual cases where overrides felt subjective. DOC and UMass Chan responded that the study was group-based, not case-specific, and that minimum-security rates are hard to compare across states because Massachusetts’ prison and county systems differ structurally. The commission did not take a vote or formal action, but asked members to send follow-up data questions by the end of the week for referral to DOC and the researchers.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Clerk vote, yes.
• Chair will vote yes. 12 ay, zero nay. The vote is 12 to nothing.
• Our precedent is such that a vote to reprimand is a vote of the body, and it stops there.
• <00:47:07.119> the simple majority vote to either have the simple majority vote to either
• Clerk votes yes. Representative >> Yes. Clerk votes yes.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• extra are Library science Majors have extra are Library science Majors have extra skills<00:43
• Any member voting with reservation? Hearing none. Five members present. All vote.
• <01:08:46.520> with two is there anyone here um voting with two is there anyone here um voting
• :08:48.520> hearing reservations anyone voting no hearing reservations anyone voting no hearing
• <01:09:19.000> I<01:09:19.279> recommendations vote I recommendations vote I recommendations

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Yes. >> And chair votes yes.
• con- continued voting or something. con- continued voting or something.
• . vote. vote.
• to possibly vote. to possibly vote.
• do the house vote and we'll move on. do the house vote and we'll move on.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference first took up House Bill 158 on public inspection of absentee ballot lists. The Senate explained that its amendment replaced the original bill with a requirement that the Secretary of State review absentee ballot data after each general election and report findings to the committees of jurisdiction, focusing on unusual patterns such as multiple ballots sent to the same address. After a brief caucus, the House agreed to the Senate position, and members voted individually to concur. The committee then discussed House Bill 281, which concerns making the electronic voter checklist available in a sortable format. The main dispute was whether the public list should include the mailing address where an absentee ballot was sent if it differs from the voter’s registered address. The Senate argued that including mailing addresses could expose where voters actually live or are away from home and could create safety concerns, while the House argued the information could help candidates reach voters and was not primarily a fraud measure. The parties also discussed a related nursing home verification provision and record-retention/public-records questions. After caucusing, the House agreed to the Senate’s position with the added nursing home signing language, and the committee closed the bill on consent. House Bill 340, concerning electioneering by public employees, was then taken up with a Senate amendment that narrowed the definition of electioneering by tying it to existing statutory language, added a prohibition on expressly or primarily political surveys, and created a civil penalty option alongside the misdemeanor penalty. Senators and representatives debated whether the penalties should be mandatory or discretionary and how the language would apply to certain categories of public employees. After further clarification and caucus, the House accepted the Senate’s amended replace-all language, and the committee closed HB 340. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 1062, authorizing the Secretary of State to conduct random audits of citizenship qualifications of registered voters. The Senate explained that its changes removed the need for a permanent audit power by allowing records to be checked against databases and by requiring identification for registration going forward, which is why it added a sunset clause. The House member objected to the sunset and wanted the authority to continue indefinitely, and discussion continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate did some great work making sure that the votes on that would work well.
• The majority of Vermont homesteads will see an increased homestead property tax credit.
• The locally voted school budget.
• When the legislation left the House, I think we had a close to unanimous vote here on it.
• They made some minor changes and also had something resembling a unanimous vote.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are confirmations unless the senator requests a separate vote on one of these individuals.
• We'll take a vote on all appointees.
• So unless the senator requests a separate vote on an individual appointee, Also of Swiftmud.
• So unless a senator requests a separate vote on an individual appointee, we'll take one vote on all of
• We had no votes, so no senator can raise their hand and ask to be recorded for anything.

Summary: The committee convened with a quorum, welcomed new member Senator Ralph Massullo, and first took up confirmation of five appointees to water management district and basin board positions. Senator McLean moved favorable confirmation of Ted Everett, Jerome Pate, Michael Romano, Paul Bissfam, John Hall, and Virginia Johns, and the motion passed by roll call. The main agenda item was the Governor’s Florida First budget presentation for the environmental agencies. Kim Kramer and DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert outlined proposed environmental funding of about $5.8 billion, including more than $1.4 billion for water resources, $810 million for Everglades restoration, $408 million for water quality, $202 million for Resilient Florida, $75 million for beach renourishment, $150 million for Florida Forever, $70 million for state park infrastructure, and $221 million for hazardous waste cleanup. They also highlighted proposed funding for FWC operations, manatee care, python removal, oyster reef restoration, forestry and wildfire equipment, and citrus research and disease response. Members asked about Florida Forever funding, state park wastewater and septic needs, a cut to the Florida Wildlife Research Institute, and how beach renourishment is handled after storms. The committee then heard the general government budget presentation. Agencies highlighted included DBPR, Gaming Control, the Lottery, DMS, PERC, DFS, OIR, and Revenue. DBPR discussed funding for license processing, an animal abuse hotline, vehicle replacement, and IT recruitment; Gaming Control requested new law enforcement squads and a licensing/enforcement IT system; the Lottery emphasized marketing, retail engagement, IT, and retention funding; DMS proposed building, fleet, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and local government grant investments; PERC described workload growth after SB 256 and requested staffing, operations, and pay increases; OIR sought more staff for consumer protection and market oversight plus building renovations; DFS highlighted My Safe Florida Home funding, fire marshal and first responder support, financial investigations, and gold and silver legal tender implementation; and Revenue requested operational, IT, and fiscally constrained county funding. Members questioned DBPR about unfunded HOA fraud and condo transparency items, DMS about cybersecurity grants, and DFS about My Safe Florida Home funding levels, abandoned grants, and reduced program uptake. No further action was taken, and the committee adjourned without additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are confirmations unless the senator requests a separate vote on one of these individuals.
• We'll take a vote on all appointees. If you're present in the audience, you can raise your hand.
• So unless the senator requests a separate vote on an individual appointee, we'll take one vote on all
• So unless a senator requests a separate vote on an individual appointee, we'll take one vote on all of
• And by your vote, the confirmation of appointees on Tabs 1 through 5 is recommended favorably.

Summary: The committee first took up confirmation of five water management district appointees: Ted Everett and Jerome Pate to the Northwest Florida Water Management District, Michael Romano to the Big Cypress Basin Board of the South Florida Water Management District, and Paul Bissfam, John Hall, and Virginia Johns to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Senator McClain moved confirmation, the roll was called, and the committee recommended all appointees favorably. Members then received the Governor’s Florida First budget presentations for environmental agencies. The environmental package totaled about $5.8 billion and emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, resilience, land conservation, state parks, hazardous waste cleanup, wildlife management, wildfire response, and citrus support. DEP highlighted more than $1.4 billion for water resources, including $810 million for Everglades restoration, $202 million for Resilient Florida, $150 million for Florida Forever, $70 million for state parks, and $221 million for contamination cleanup. FWC, Agriculture, and Citrus funding priorities were also outlined. Members asked about Florida Forever funding, state park wastewater and septic needs, a reduction at the Florida Wildlife Research Institute, and beach renourishment funding for storm damage. The committee also heard the General Government portion of the budget, which totaled about $2.9 billion and covered DBPR, Lottery, Financial Services, Management Services, Revenue, PERC, and the Gaming Control Commission. DBPR requested funds for license processing, an animal abuse hotline, fleet replacement, and IT retention. FGCC sought new enforcement squads and an IT licensing/enforcement system. The Lottery proposed marketing, retail engagement, IT, and retention funding. DMS emphasized building modernization, fleet telematics, 911 and radio upgrades, cybersecurity, a local government cybersecurity grant program, and data interoperability. PERC described a sharp increase in labor cases and elections after SB 256 and requested staffing, election administration, and hearing officer pay increases. DFS highlighted My Safe Florida Home, fire marshal and first responder support, financial investigations, and gold and silver legal tender implementation. Revenue requested operational and IT funding and support for fiscally constrained counties. Questions focused on DBPR’s condo and HOA initiatives, cybersecurity grant reductions, and the My Safe Florida Home program’s abandoned grants and matching requirements. No additional votes were taken, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The members will vote. Vote yes to table. Vote no. The motion's been tabled. Thank you, sir.
• >> Vote yes to table. Vote no. >> Vote yes to table. Vote no.
• "Vote I to not table the amendment. Vote nay." Clerk will unlock the machine. "Members will vote."
• "Please vote yes." amendment vote I to not table the amendment vote I to not table the amendment<02:04
• The members shall vote. The members shall vote. Record the votes: 99 yeas, zero nays.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't mind voting for it. I don't want to bring it up, but I'm joining for both.
• Chairman, I'd like to note that what we did did not take a vote in committee.
• I appreciate the recommendation for it to be voted out of State Affairs.
• I don’t think we voted on it. Yeah, you were on there, right? I don’t think we voted it out.
• I don’t think we voted on it.

Bills: HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• It failed vote on the consent calendar.
• So that's the reason why that voting piece was removed.
• may impact or or not an important vote. may impact or or not an important vote.
• vote on the defendants's<01:16:55.760> fate?
• I've been Are you voting on balloons?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, proceed to vote. Have all members voted? Have all members voted?
• Have all members voted? Members proceed to vote. Have all members voted?
• So members, I have those major concerns and issues with this bill, so This is why I am voting down on
• Members proceed to vote. Have all members voted? Have all members voted?
• Members, proceed to vote. Have all members voted? Have all members voted?

Bills: SB 5, SJR 3, HB 11, HJR 72, HB 48, HB 27, HB 144, HB 37, HB 1481, HB 581, HB 1696, HB 2216, HB 1035, HB 1633, HB 742, HB 754, HB 1689, HB 1690, HB 2669, HB 391, HB 517, HB 1775, HB 1024, HB 1607, HB 252, HB 1716, HB 1562, HB 4116, HB 1866, HB 1741, HB 2103, HB 2637, HB 2884, HB 3707, HB 503, HB 1089, HB 1757, HB 2986, HB 972, SB 365, SB 1786, SB 5, SJR 3, HB 14, HB 43, HB 36, HB 26, HB 149, HB 121, HB 206, HB 136, HB 3114, HB 2733, HB 1732, HB 3700, HB 467, HB 1130, HB 1846, HB 1442, HB 1147, HB 2176, HB 2701, HB 805, HB 2890, HB 1154, HB 1644, HB 2118, HB 1718, HB 2488, HB 2596, HB 2468, HB 484, HB 2578, HB 3204, HB 1041, HB 307, HB 685, HB 538, HB 2525, HB 3125, HB 2027, HB 2894, HB 3077, HB 106, HB 18, HB 11, HJR 72, HB 48, HB 27, HB 144, HB 37, HB 1481, HB 581, HB 1696, HB 2216, HB 1035, HB 1633, HB 742, HB 754, HB 1689, HB 1690, HB 2669, HB 391, HB 517, HB 1775, HB 1024, HB 1607, HB 252, HB 1716, HB 1562, HB 4116, HB 1866, HB 1741, HB 2103, HB 2637, HB 2884, HB 3707, HB 503, HB 1089, HB 1757, HB 2986, HB 972

Keywords: dementia, research institute, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, funding, grants, state health initiatives, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, tax exemption, intellectual disability

Transcript Highlights:

• You've been in the majority your whole life.
• I looked through this in unit schools does the majority of these topics already.
• The vast majority is in the housing area.
• Senator Stefani: [Vote] Clerk: Senator Stewart? Senator Stewart: [Vote] Clerk: Senator Townsend?
• Let's do a roll call vote. Madam Chair: Senator Bergman? Senator Block? Senator Brantley?

Transcript Highlights:

• vote for this program. vote for this program.
• The first electronic vote will be conducted as a 15-minute vote.
• fiveminute votes. fiveminute votes.
• Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a five-minute vote. Heat.
• Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a five-minute vote.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• That bill has seven votes, so it is out. That bill has seven votes, and it's out.
• has eight votes and it's out.
• AB 411 has eight votes and it's out. AB 928 Rodgers. Irwin, aye. I have six votes.
• Six votes, one no vote.
• AB 928. has six votes and one one no vote the bill is out and AB 312 Alanis Connolly Irwin Irwin I and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• BY YOUR VOTE SB 960 IS REPORTED FAVORABLY.
• BY YOUR VOTE SB 196 IS REPORTED FAVORABLY.
• WE WILL TAKE THAT GROUP OF APPOINTEES UP FOR A BLOCK VOTE TODAY.
• AND BY YOUR VOTE CS FOR SB 1262 IS REPORTED FAVORABLY.
• YES. >> CHAIR. >> YES. >> BY YOUR VOTE SHOW THIS REPORTED FAVORABLY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all