Transcript Highlights:

• But I think in your bill, you cover that by it.
• But I think in your bill, you cover that by... ...that.
• But I think in your bill, you cover that by it.
• It covers a broad definition of a professional school employee.
• This bill covers both of those.

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:

• And so the language in SB 254 prohibits the entity from seeking a rate of return, so they couldn't recoup
• DSGS is designed to fund private entities that are working on aggregation.
• And I will hand off to Varsha, who will cover the other request. Thank you, Director Gutierrez.
• And analyzing, which will also be covered to some degree in the transportation fuels transition plan.
• , and owner that has been awarded more competitively awarded transmission projects than any other entity

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the language in SB 254 prohibits the entity from seeking a rate of return, so they couldn't recoup
• DSGS is designed to fund private energy... ...entities that are working on aggregation.
• And I will hand off to Varsha, who will cover the other request. Thank you, Director Gutierrez.
• And analyzing, which will also be covered to some degree in the transportation fuels transition plan.
• , and owner that has been awarded more competitively awarded transmission projects than any other entity

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy heard presentations on six budget-related issues and took no votes; all items were held open for a future hearing. The first item concerned funding for the California Transmission Accelerator Revolving Fund under SB 254 and Proposition 4. GoBiz and IBank requested nearly $26 million over five years and 10 limited-term positions to evaluate and finance eligible transmission projects. The LAO said the proposal was broadly consistent with Prop. 4 but noted many implementation details remain unresolved. Senators questioned how the program would lower ratepayer costs, how funds would be protected, and whether the full requested amount was necessary; the administration said the financing strategy is still being developed and that consultants are needed. The committee then discussed trailer bill language to redirect $22 million in General Fund money from the DEPA program to DSGS for summer 2026, and to use roughly $70 million in CalSHAPE interest for ratepayer relief through ELRP or an equivalent program in 2027-28. CEC and CPUC staff said DSGS and ELRP are reliability tools, not PSPS programs, and explained that DSGS had enrolled over 1,000 MW and was expected to have about $52 million available for 2026. Senators and the LAO raised concerns about ending a successful DSGS program, the complexity of transitioning customers to ELRP, and whether CalSHAPE funds should instead continue school HVAC and plumbing projects. Public commenters largely supported extending CalSHAPE and continuing or expanding DSGS rather than shifting funds to ELRP. The subcommittee also heard on petroleum market oversight under SBX1-2 and ABX2-1. The CEC and its Division of Petroleum Market Oversight requested about $1.67 million and a small permanent staffing increase to implement new inventory, resupply, and market analysis duties. Senators pressed the agencies on gasoline price spikes, refinery maintenance, price gouging, and the status of the transportation fuels transition plan, which staff said would be released in draft form soon. Public testimony supported DPMO’s work and called for continued oversight of gasoline pricing. Finally, the CPUC presented three additional budget proposals: resources to implement AB 1207’s changes to the California climate credit, funding for a study of large electrical loads such as data centers under SB 57, and staffing for AB 825’s regional market participation requirements. The LAO said the AB 1207 request may go beyond the statute and urged the Legislature to decide whether it wants a simpler or more complex climate credit redesign. Senators questioned the cost of the work, the need for ongoing staffing, and how ratepayer interests would be protected. The CPUC said the work is needed to adapt to changing load patterns, electrification, data center growth, and potential regional market participation. Public commenters also supported DPMO funding, CalSHAPE, and DSGS, and some urged the Legislature to keep DSGS at the CEC rather than shift funds to ELRP.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes my name is Annie Armitage, and I'm your senior policy analyst covering the educator workforce.
• The AEM Institute and Learning Research Entity. came later, and so this is really focused on creating
• At least like covered parking with solar on the parking lot that would be helpful.
• We received seven responses from private companies from local entities who also submitted interest.
• And I foresee the literacy center being an entity that is just 365 days.

Transcript Highlights:

• strategic, and how do we prioritize, and that is a tough one, and it's a tough one for you as the entity
• So we've got a very diverse landscape that supports a very diverse set of vegetative cover.
• The temperatures rise because it doesn't have that vegetative cover.
• Covered in those attics before I'm going to spend the next dollar on the other.
• So a lot of conversation of what is the state's role and what are our other entities.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:59:09.760><c> We</c> financial service entities. We financial service entities.
• We do that in two different entities.
• </c><02:11:40.560><c> that</c> Additionally, all the big entities that Additionally, all the big entities
• </c><02:13:04.079><c> under</c> reduce costs for the um entities under reduce costs for the um entities
• </c> the entity the entity um<03:15:38.080><c> at</c><03:15:38.319><c> the</c><03:15:38.560><c> time<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Personal income or pass-through entity withholding or pass-through entity income tax has decreased by
• For FY27, that combined decrease between base corporate and pass-through entity is down $203 million.
• Torres will cover in his brief as well.
• Moving on to the next slide, Secretary Sheridan Clark covered this well.
• Just for questions about how much liability will be owed and to make sure that they're covered.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, there's a variety of issues that we've covered up here.
• This is a new committee, and we are covering pre-K all the way to 20.
• You want to cover wait list and I'll cover Teach? Okay, well, I'll start with Teach first.
• And I'd challenge you not to cover something that you've already told us.
• “Can cover it or not, we’re there to help support them.

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee held an introductory meeting focused largely on member introductions and “homework” reports about education issues in each district. Members raised a wide range of concerns and priorities, including early childhood care and VPK access, school choice and school closures, teacher recruitment and retention, conflict resolution and school safety, early literacy and preparedness, technology and AI/STEM instruction, attendance and mental health, ESE services, dual enrollment and career/technical education, caregiving youth, and real-time student enrollment/funding tracking. Several members also emphasized local challenges such as housing-driven teacher turnover, disaster-related attendance problems, and funding inequities across counties. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Florida’s early learning system from Chancellor Carrie Miller of the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning. She outlined the structure and funding of School Readiness, VPK, and the Gold Seal Quality Care program, the role of early learning coalitions and DCF, and the state’s quality and accountability measures. She highlighted the importance of kindergarten readiness, teacher quality, and the new School Readiness Plus program, which helps families transition off subsidy more gradually. Additional panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, and a Tallahassee child care provider discussed workforce shortages, low wages, provider turnover, the TEACH scholarship program, Help Me Grow, local coalition operations, and the need for more providers and more consistent regulation. During questions, members asked about wait lists, special needs services, teacher retention, provider onboarding, and DCF regulation. The panel said Miami-Dade’s wait list was about 4,000 children and described priority categories for service; they also said children with disabilities are screened and referred for support, though not given a separate priority category. Panelists reported that TEACH has helped reduce turnover through education support and service commitments, but said wages and career pathways remain major issues. Members also pressed for clearer, more consistent licensing standards and more support for new providers entering the field. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• we have what are called low-water bridges that, when the floods come or even high water, they get covered
• c> even a flood high water even a flood high water they<00:02:19.240><c> get</c><00:02:19.440><c> covered
• </c> they get covered. they get covered.
• We have a tremendous history in music, and we need to look at seeing some type of paralleling entity
• And we need to look at seeing some type of paralleling entity that would advocate and possibly incent

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:32 SB 261 Discussion: 01:40 SB 261 Voting: 05:37 SB 324 Discussion: 06:23 SB 324 Voting: 12:56, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The concern for the Commission on Ethics is that it doesn't necessarily cover all aspects that would
• For example, if someone within a public entity makes a report about a conflict of interest, it may not
• Family members are defined as relatives such as fiancés or roommates, but currently it doesn't cover
• And we believe that expanding the definition to cover foster families respects that unique relationship
• So now that I've covered those wish list items, I want to briefly give you an update on electronic filing

Summary: The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from the Florida Commission on Ethics on several proposed legislative changes. The commission asked for changes to the Whistleblower Act to better cover ethics complaints, a public records exemption for commissioners’ and staff members’ sensitive personal information, an expanded gift-disclosure family definition to include foster relationships, and a first-time waiver of fines for late financial disclosure filers. Staff also requested technical fixes, including treating a timely postmarked appeal as filed on time, clarifying Form 6 filing requirements for appointees to elected seats, extending ethics-training requirements to municipal appointees filling unexpired terms, and clarifying where Form 10 gift disclosures are filed. Commission staff reported high electronic filing compliance rates, the rollout of automated fines, and an average of 92 days for completed preliminary investigations in 2025. They also updated the committee on two federal court challenges involving the in-office lobbying ban and the Form 6 requirement for elected municipal officers. The committee then heard from Secretary of State Cord Byrd, who outlined preparations for the 2026 election cycle and several policy proposals. He discussed work with new supervisors of elections, ongoing election-crimes enforcement, cooperation with federal agencies on citizenship verification, and data-sharing agreements with other states. Byrd also proposed a statewide pre-certification audit system with grants for smaller counties, a more streamlined process for checking voter citizenship status after registration, and a modernization fix for voter records affected by randomized driver’s license numbers. Members asked about special elections, election-crimes investigations, returning-citizen voting determinations, chain-of-custody procedures, and interstate data-sharing agreements. Byrd said special election timing is controlled by the governor, the elections-crimes office investigates but does not arrest, returning-citizen applications are resolved within 90 days, and he is confident in current chain-of-custody practices. The committee also considered gubernatorial nominations. By unanimous vote, members approved a block of nominees, then separately took up Joshua Kellum’s nomination to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The committee heard sworn public testimony from Robin Blevins, who urged rejection of Kellum’s appointment and criticized his background and past involvement in FWC-related advocacy. After brief discussion, the committee voted unanimously to approve Kellum’s nomination as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said she does not think it is an appropriate definition because it doesn't cover future technologies
• Representative McGee said she does not think it is an appropriate definition because it doesn't cover
• He said defining nuclear as clean energy helps in those decision-making processes by those entities.
• He said defining nuclear as clean energy helps in those decision-making processes by those entities.
• It covers other things as well.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the community other uh entities.
• And do you have an entities out there?
• There's been no development entity.
• We I think we can cover water water.
• Uh uh into that that particular entity.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the dollar is under attack from also outside entities like I talked about with the BRICS nations.
• Chairman, members, House Bill 2140 allows the state and its governmental entities to use the Arizona
• House Bill 2140 allows the state and its governmental entities to use the Arizona bullion depository
• refinance debt at higher yields, resulting in higher interest rates that lead to more borrowing to cover

Summary: The Committee on Regulatory Oversight heard two bills related to Arizona bullion and gold-backed transactions. HB 2123 would establish an Arizona bullion depository under the State Treasurer, allow third-party administration and electronic payment systems, require insurance for deposits, and recognize gold and silver as legal tender. Representative Lisa Fink presented the bill as a way to provide an optional, inflation-resistant payment method and to make gold and silver more accessible to ordinary Arizonans; a witness from the Transactional Gold and Silver Project described the depository as a fully allocated, insured warehouse system tied to a debit card and said the model had been used in other states. The committee voted 4-0 with one present to give HB 2123 a do pass recommendation. The committee then considered HB 2140, which would allow state and local governments to use the Arizona bullion depository, permit the State Treasurer to place up to 10% of state monies in bullion there, and require rulemaking by the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions. Representative Fink again argued that holding some bullion could diversify state assets and reduce counterparty risk, citing Utah’s treasurer and broader central bank gold accumulation. A member asked about the bill’s rulemaking language and the sponsor said she was open to discussing changes with the State Treasurer. With no public testimony, the committee voted 4-0 with one present to recommend HB 2140 do pass, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and county juvenile detention centers around the state, and we've begun conversations with those entities
• to implement should we get the direction to seek... ...with those entities to implement should we get
• So I'm wondering if Medicaid was not covering them, how would we be paying for those services? Mr.
• Generally speaking, under the Eighth Amendment, the entity that's incarcerating the individual bears

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The substitute makes the necessary revisions to ensure that only medically necessary services covered
• the grounds that the information is subjectively false and refines the criteria by which national entities
• now refers to employees and volunteers, including caregivers providing services on behalf of the entity
• These protections mean entities can now only be held liable if failure to comply with safety requirements

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• regarding medically necessary The committee substitute clarifies that only medically necessary services covered
• on the grounds that information is Subjectively false and refines the criteria in which national entities
• language now refers to employees, volunteers, and caregivers providing services On behalf of the entity
• Entities can now only be Held liable if failure to comply with safety requirements was a contributing

Transcript Highlights:

• I covered the three natural resource-related funds, and if I had to pick one of them, I would pick the
• Mary Davis from the House Research Department, and I cover the arts and cultural heritage fund.
• Mary Davis from the House Research Department, and I cover the arts and cultural heritage fund.
• the Arts and cultural heritage cover the Arts and cultural heritage fund<00:10:09.399><c> um</c><00:
• </c><00:27:11.600><c> crops</c> the problem that could be cover crops the problem that could be cover

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• fellow members, I present for your consideration SB 972, a bill that modernizes our licensing law that covers
• Now, unlike other states, California law requires these financing entities to obtain a lending license
• streamlined process that allows a regulated investment manager to obtain an umbrella license that covers
• advisors, allowing them to obtain a single license at the SEC-registered advisor level, which also covers
• advisor and each... ...their advisor lending vehicles, with the fee paid for the advisor and each covered

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions met with an initial lack of quorum, so the hearing began as a subcommittee. The main item heard was SB 972, authored by Senator Grayson, which would modernize California’s licensing rules for non-bank commercial lenders by creating a streamlined umbrella license for SEC-registered investment advisers and their advised lending vehicles. The author and sponsor, LSTA, said the current California Financing Law can cause duplicative licensing, long delays, and reduced access to capital for middle-market and large California businesses, while the bill would preserve DFPI oversight and increase fee revenue. No one testified in opposition, and no registered opposition appeared. After quorum was established, the committee took up the bill and advanced it on a 4-0 vote, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee also later took up the consent calendar, which was adopted on a 6-0 vote after the meeting reconvened. When the committee reconvened with a quorum, it formally adopted the consent calendar and then approved SB 972 on a 6-0 vote with a do pass recommendation to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legal cause of action is against entities that create or require males and females to share these
• And so this is about requiring single-sex multi-use spaces and holding our entities accountable, not
• Yes, you can sue the entity, but this says no individuals shall over and over in it.
• entity that owns the facility has adopted a policy that's provided for by this law.
• entity that owns the facility has adopted a policy that's provided for by this law.

Summary: The House approved the journal from the prior day and received Senate messages on House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174, along with committee reports recommending passage of several measures, including House Bill 2180, House Bill 1870, House Bill 2596, House Bill 1866, House Bill 2536, House Bill 2855, and House Joint Resolution 115. The chamber then took up a series of Senate amendments and third-reading bills, with members frequently debating fiscal impacts, constitutional issues, and policy details. House Bill 2180, dealing with notice procedures for blind pension recipients and allowing electronic opt-in, was adopted and finally passed by overwhelming votes after supporters said it would save the state money and better accommodate blind and rural Missourians. House Bill 1870, updating bankruptcy exemptions and garnishment procedures, also cleared the House despite some opposition over a minor Senate wording change. The House refused to adopt Senate changes to House Bill 2596 and requested a conference committee, while House Bill 1866, concerning peace officer licensing and school protection officers, had Senate amendments concurred in and was finally passed. The chamber then passed House Joint Resolution 115, which would place before voters a property tax exemption for 100% service-connected disabled veterans and their spouses; debate centered on whether the measure would shift tax burdens to others, but supporters emphasized veterans’ sacrifice and the small number affected. Other bills passed included House Bill 1736 on park sales tax funds for stormwater and flood mitigation, House Bill 1887 and related bills on AI/truth-in-advertising issues, House Bill 2855 lowering workers’ compensation assessment rates, House Bill 1906 allowing more flexible tax payment schedules, House Bill 2297 on fence responsibilities for livestock, House Bill 2142/2058 revising the Missouri Film Program, House Bill 3004 on hardwood industry labeling, House Bill 2536 defining male and female by biological sex for certain government facilities, and House Bill 2151 raising income thresholds for a workforce-related program. Several of these passed on divided votes, with House Bill 2536 and House Joint Resolution 115 drawing especially sharp partisan and policy debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1678 on entities that boycott Israel by Senator Leake, an appropriate next bill.
• Boycotts of entities and individuals on the basis of national origin, particularly Israel, often...
• Currently only commercial boycotts are covered.
• So just to be clear, from what I understand, this bill is about how the state invests in entities, and
• we don't want them to invest in entities that boycott Israel.

Summary: The committee first confirmed Heather L. Turnbull to the Florida Commission on Community Service without debate. It then took up SPB 7022, which sets Florida Retirement System employer contribution rates beginning July 1, 2025, updates rates to address unfunded liability, and preserves the 3% employee contribution rate. Senator Fine said the bill would increase FRS Trust Fund revenue by about $310 million annually and also gives certain elected officers an option related to DROP accumulations. An amendment was adopted, the bill was submitted as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1710, a bill by Senator DeSantis/DeSigley to prohibit state agencies, vendors, and grant recipients from using state funds for DEI-related policies, trainings, and programs, and to impose related restrictions on medical institutions of higher education. Senator Polsky and others questioned the bill’s broad and vague language, its effect on health-related work, public-facing agency positions, private contractors, and medical school admissions. The sponsor said the bill was intended to stop DEI from influencing state agencies and that the medical-school portion would likely be amended out later. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers arguing the bill would harm health care, education, access, and minority communities; a few supporters said DEI is ideological and should be removed from government and public institutions. After debate, the bill was reported favorably on a party-line style vote, with Senator Errington voting no. The committee then began SB 1678, relating to entities that boycott Israel, with a delete-all amendment. Senator Leak said the bill would expand Florida’s anti-BDS framework to cover nonprofits, foreign educational institutions, foreign government funds, academic boycotts, political subdivisions, and certain grants, while the amendment aligned the bill with existing law and clarified procurement and divestment provisions. Testimony included support from proponents who said Florida should not do business with entities engaged in boycotts of Israel, and opposition from speakers who argued the bill would restrict academic freedom and conscience. Debate continued as the transcript ended, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.