Transcript Highlights:

• and your staff.
• back end, and it's screwy, and it's...
• And so.
• And they're not going to let their kids go and learn that and give... ...it to them on their own.
• And that...

Bills: HB45, HB45, HB755, HB 1232, HB1555, HB2460, HB2702, HB2973, HB3120, HB3225, HB3314, HB3356, HB3371, HB3634, HB3638, HB4247, HB4283, HB4290, HB4302, HB4503, HB4511, HB4565, HB4581, HB4627, HB4632, HB4660, HB4668, HB4960, HB5042

Keywords: flooding, disaster response, emergency preparedness, state guidance, public safety, housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:20.600> and Seals and and Seals and and manages<00:21:23.360> the<00:21:23.679
• <01:33:45.239> bowling<01:33:46.239> and and down syndrome team and bowling and and
• recreational activities while being valued and respected as an individual.
• Agriculture, Resources, Recreation and Development, Fish and Game, and Marine Resources, to name a few
• Agriculture, Resources, Recreation and Development, Fish and Game, and Marine Resources, to name a few

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.

Transcript Highlights:

• A major logistical and operational problem is Susan Baranowski split-tier recreation, a unique implementation
• are afforded more access to educational opportunities, library recreation, and programming on the south
• The inside recreation cages are seven times smaller than the cells we sleep, eat, and use the bathroom
• families, and also by having the eagerness to do it, and the energy and the wisdom and guidance.
• In my district, from Roxbury to Dorchester, Mattapan, and Hyde Park, the impact of incarceration is not

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security focused on several correction-related bills, including visitation reform, elder and medical parole, incarcerated persons’ human rights, and creation of an independent correctional oversight office. Vice Chair Christopher Worrell chaired the hearing in place of Chair Dan Cahill for much of the session and explained that the committee would first hear from incarcerated individuals remotely, then move to public testimony. The committee repeatedly enforced three-minute limits and accepted written testimony as well. Much of the testimony from incarcerated people emphasized that visitation is central to rehabilitation, family stability, and reentry, and that current DOC policies—visitor caps, pre-approval requirements, scheduling rules, dress-code enforcement, and restrictions on contact—have reduced family contact and caused harm. Several speakers argued that elderly and medically frail prisoners should be released through parole because incarceration is costly, ineffective, and inhumane for people who pose little public-safety risk. Others described poor prison conditions, limited programming, inadequate healthcare, segregation-like housing, and the impact of K2 use, suicides, and self-harm. Supporters of the oversight bill said an independent office is needed to address racial disparities, grievance failures, and lack of accountability within the DOC. A number of speakers tied their support to personal experiences, including alleged racial discrimination, denial of programs, and barriers to family visits. Some testified that rehabilitative programming, education, and restorative justice reduce violence and improve outcomes, while others said the DOC spends too little on programming and too much on punishment. Committee members asked a few follow-up questions, including about K2 contraband and how to reduce drugs in facilities, and one member asked about typical visitation lengths. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony on the bills and several witnesses urged favorable reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• Genevieve wants to run with her friends, splash at water parks, and learn to ice skate like her big sister
• These laws enable individuals with limb loss and limb difference to participate in exercise, recreation
• I can't break 100 at Franklin Park, and here you are playing the best courses in the world.
• patient engagement through recreation, and to provide timely consultations to enhance quality of life
• And this includes recreation and sport.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with the Senate and House chairs of the Joint Committee on Financial Services explaining that the day’s agenda would focus on health insurance and other insurance matters, with a large number of witnesses and a request for brief testimony. Legislators were taken out of order to accommodate their schedules, and the committee heard testimony on several bills, including coverage for hair prostheses for alopecia (H. 1223/S. 832), medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer survivors (H. 1258), modernizing fertility and family-building coverage (H. 715/H. 1190 and related bills), coverage for prosthetic devices to support physical activity for people with limb loss (the “So Everybody Can Move” bill), remediation coverage for home heating oil releases (S. 813/H. 1302), and expanded access to physical therapy for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (H. 1170). A separate bill on sickle cell care and registry development (S. 788) was also discussed by Senator Liz Miranda. Witnesses largely offered personal stories and expert testimony in support of the bills. Advocates for alopecia coverage described the medical and emotional impact of hair loss, the high cost of quality wigs, and the argument that scalp and facial hair prostheses should be treated like other medically necessary prosthetics. Cancer survivors and supporters of H. 1258 said oral and dental care after head and neck cancer treatment is a quality-of-life issue and often not covered despite major out-of-pocket costs. Fertility specialists, LGBTQ+ advocates, and legislators supporting the modern family-building bills said the current infertility definition is outdated and discriminatory, excluding same-sex couples, people needing donors or gestational carriers, and others with medical barriers to conception. For the limb-loss bill, parents and adults with prosthetic needs stressed that activity-specific prostheses are essential for children and adults to run, swim, play sports, and stay healthy, but are often excluded from coverage. The home heating oil testimony focused on the financial devastation caused by residential oil spills and the need to make spill coverage automatic in homeowners policies. Environmental professionals and homeowners described cleanup costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, the strict liability homeowners face, and the fact that many policyholders do not know the rider exists. The insurance industry testified in opposition to the mandatory-coverage approach, arguing for clearer distinctions between first- and third-party coverage, risk-mitigation standards, a delayed effective date, and more emphasis on education and notification rather than mandates. Committee members pressed the industry witness on why agents do not routinely tell customers about the rider and suggested that the issue may require broader disclosure by insurers, agents, and fuel dealers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and discussed possible compromise language and future action.

Transcript Highlights:

• > whether repealer and what it does and whether repealer and what it does and whether there's<
• Baldry, so you And and and uh uh Mr.
• name for the record and and go forward. name for the record and and go forward.
• > one it's met and and and and Sher Pinto, one it's met and and and and Sher Pinto, one of<00:
• she department and and and I know that she department and and and I know that she wants<00:47

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism will meet today upon lunch recess at desk number 30
• And our businesses and our oil and gas sector.
• And our businesses and our oil and gas sector.
• , and business filings, and LLCs and LPs and all these things.
• And they told you that again and again and again. And they told you that again and again and again.

Bills: SB17, SB1569, SB2420, HB5138, HJR161, HB1937, HB3334, HB5444, HB5137, HB361, HB321, HB5447, HB464, HB678, HB2294, HB4172, HB3225, HB1769, HB5394, HB1837, HB1787, HB2271, HB2440, HB5134, HB5149, HB2151, HB2073, HB2186, HB2025, HB1936, HB1777, HB1663, HB 1306, HB 1290, HB1527, HB4802, HB3462, HB2963, HB2462, HB2560, HB644, HB2725, HB2621, HB2588, HB1443, HB1403, HB3032, HB1557, HB1664, HB2811, HB2088, HB2598, HB3062, HB3134, HB3940, HB4027, HB4097, HB4862, HB4170, HB4157, HB4205, HB4279, HB4377, HB4838, HB5424, HB5294, HB4870, HB4763, HB5639, HB4112, HB2275, HB1677, HB5014, HB3848, HB3797, HB3727, HB3709, HB3177, HB3057, HB4176, HB4202, HB2180, HB3528, HB3658, HCR76, HCR127

Keywords: foreign ownership, real property, national security, criminal penalties, civil penalties, personal information, higher education, privacy protection, governing board, institutional security, software applications, mobile devices, age verification, parental consent, data protection, app store regulation, HJR 161, Texas constitutional amendment, voting rights, non-citizen voting

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received the invocation and pledges, and heard several announcements and recognitions before moving into floor action. Members honored the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, recognized educator Jessica Lopez, and paid memorial tribute to Jennifer Maddenly, along with recognitions for Jeanette Valdez Duran’s food pantry work, TAMACC’s 50th anniversary, and Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement from WFAA. The House also granted permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, set a local consent calendar, and suspended posting rules for a Public Health Committee hearing on SB 2721. The chamber then considered a long series of Senate and House bills, with many passing on record votes. Measures addressed local law enforcement authority (SB 906), veterans highway designation (SB 1229), foster care medical billing (SB 855), massage therapy trafficking safeguards (SB 703), tax ballot language (SB 1025), occupational licensing for people with convictions (SB 1080), lien deadlines (SB 929), liquor sales complaints (SB 1355), higher education application fee waivers (SB 2231), utility data access (SB 1877), pediatric preceptorships (SB 1998), and several House bills on bond forfeiture notice, health workforce coordination, indigent civil commitment representation, consumer transaction cancellations, bird dispersal rules, theft venue for digital property, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, in-state tuition for military-related programs, utility capital recovery, energy waste advisory oversight, gas utility rate recovery, psychedelic therapy study, teacher retirement funding transparency, pension changes, tax payment plans, and voter registration security. Some measures drew notable debate or amendments, including HB 5247, where a ratepayer-credit amendment failed, and HB 2298, HB 4014, HB 510, HB 561, HB 1128, HB 1904, HB 30, HB 200, HB 3045, and HB 5111, which all passed after recorded votes with varying margins. A major point of contention was SB 2420, the app store age-verification bill, which prompted extended debate over whether the bill should also require app developers to verify users’ ages. Representative Bryant offered an amendment to preserve developer verification obligations, arguing the bill would otherwise shift responsibility away from app makers; the author opposed it, saying the bill’s approach was more workable and raised concerns about First Amendment issues. Multiple points of order were raised and withdrawn during the debate, and the amendment discussion remained unresolved in the excerpt. The House also postponed further consideration of SB 17, SB 552, and SB 2420 at different points, and recessed for lunch after completing a large block of third-reading votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• As Senator p is Brooklyn Park and Senator her is in St. Paul, they're online.
• This bridge is just located north of 694, in between Maple Grove and Brooklyn Park.
• There's a Metro Transit park-and-ride facility in the area.
• I am representing the cities of Blaine and Spring Lake Park.
• access economic opportunities and access economic opportunities and outdoor<01:29:34.159> Recreations

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and equipment and so taxing inputs uh and equipment and so forth<00:21:27.520> and<00:21:27.760
• and then automobile repair and and then automobile repair and maintenance<00:25:35.640> and
• and and a lot of it is nonsense what and and and a lot of it is nonsense what applied<00:57:54.960><
• SFIA works to store carbon and provide multiple benefits for water quality, habitat, outdoor recreation
• high corporate and and complex and high corporate and and complex and high wealth<01:30:43.480

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c> and and we didn't have text and chat uh and and we didn't have text and chat uh modalities<00:26:46.360
• :28:49.640> been<00:28:49.880> that and some and the there has been that and some and the
• and I have never seen the evidence and and I have never seen the evidence and I'm<01:23:22.000><
• level and at the floor of the house and level and at the floor of the house and and<05:37:54.320
• > right a two pound rat and and and do it right a two pound rat and and and do it by by by that<05:39

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 25 and 26 allow allocations and additional allocations to be used on certain types of recreation
• > the<01:04:54.000> definitions definition of park and the definitions definition of park
• and the definitions of<01:04:54.720> park<01:04:54.960> and<01:04:55.200> trail
• of park and trail have been modified. of park and trail have been modified.
• parks or trails that Um, and they mean parks or trails that meet<01:04:58.640> criteria<01:04:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I started him playing tennis. And he went on to college, he outdid me.
• counseling, and he was a great coach and he did lots of things. all over the city of Houston, and so
• The county is home to the Nueces, Leona, Sabanau, and Frio Rivers, as well as Garner State, State Park
• Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Chair Metcalfe, Vice-Chair Flores, Seniority Appointments, De Ayala,
• Local and consent calendars.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and he was a great coach and, and he did lots of things for boys all over the city of Houston.
• Speaker and members. This resolution honor the legacy and life of, uh, Ms.
• The county is home to the Oasis, Leona, Sabina, and Frio Rivers, as well as Garner State Park, making
• on Texas and beyond.
• Culture, recreation and tourism, Chair, Metcalf, Vice Chair, Flores, seniority appointments, De Ayala

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'm on the House Resource Recreation and Development Committee, and we hear, of course, multiple
• Um I'm on the House Resource Recreation Um I'm on the House Resource Recreation and<00:50:32.800
• 01:00:50.720> what of of Representative Darby and and what of of Representative Darby and and
• and is assigned of the state and and is assigned appropriately<01:01:59.440> and<01:01:59.680>
• Uh and and as now down to about 20.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so be thinking about those and towards the end, a committee come back and give everybody the opportunity
• These are areas in a truck and the truck and concern.
• But you're not allowed to do that and federal parks.
• And so if the python is an Everglades park, you can't use dogs, which would be the easiest and so. >>
• And I think I'd like us to look into that and then issues of sustainability and sea level rise.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members of the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee.
• ><01:46:12.080> other supplies, recreation, and a lot of other supplies, recreation, and a lot
• :08:34.640> recreation, wood, water, wildlife, and recreation, wood, water, wildlife, and recreation
• <04:16:26.080> and<04:16:26.239> renewable wood products, recreation and renewable
• habitat, cultural historical resources, recreation, soil and water conservation, and timber production

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• dwelling unit and such parking accessory dwelling unit and such parking requirements<01:05:49.280>
• > to<03:03:30.880> parking, And when it comes to parking, And when it comes to parking, it's
• And it would parking or build a garage.
• And so it leads to right-size parking, not no parking.
• And what we've experienced is parking.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on HB 1065, a housing bill that would clarify when multifamily and mixed-use housing may be allowed on commercially zoned land, define infrastructure standards, and preserve municipal discretion over where such development can occur. Prime sponsor Representative David Priest said the bill is intended to help address the housing shortage by using already developed commercial areas without overriding local planning. The New Hampshire Municipal Association, through Brody Dees, said it supports the bill and views it as a priority, but noted it is still discussing related language with stakeholders and wants clearer definitions for multifamily development, infrastructure, and adaptive reuse while preserving local control over commercial land use. Testimony was mixed. Ivy Van, a certified planner, opposed the bill because she said the infrastructure language is too restrictive and could exclude properties served by private utilities or septic systems. Chris Freeman, a housing provider, was generally supportive but recommended technical changes, arguing the infrastructure definition may be too broad and that the adaptive reuse language could unintentionally block useful building modifications. He said the bill should be clarified so it does not discourage reuse projects. The committee then moved to discussion of an accessory dwelling unit bill, with Representative Turkot describing changes that would shift some ADU approvals from a matter of right to conditional use or special exception, allow municipalities more control over attached versus detached units, set parking standards tied to single-family dwellings, and adjust size limits. He argued the bill would restore local discretion and prevent ADUs from becoming primarily rental units. Representative Reed pushed back, saying detached ADUs can help meet housing needs and provide opportunities for small landlords, while other members questioned how the bill would affect existing detached structures and breezeways. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair also noted a recess and time limits for later testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fill them with grace and peace and ease their hearts of every worry that comes from their work and life
• They are lay women and men, priests and religious, and students from across Florida.
• They are lay women and men, priests and religious, and students from across Florida.
• Senate Bill 7040 recreates the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund within the Executive Office of
• Senate Bill 7040 recreates the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund within the Executive Office of

Summary: The Florida Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing visiting groups and guests, including college students and leaders, health and nonprofit organizations, Catholic Days at the Capitol participants, foreign dignitaries from Morocco, and others. Senators also observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, with remarks honoring the Parkland community and the school safety law that followed. The chamber then took up a special order calendar of bills, beginning with several claims bills and local relief measures. SB 14 for Jose Correa against Miami-Dade County passed 37-1, and HB 6517 for A. Sanchez-Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg passed after substitution. HB 6515 for Lordes Latour and Edward Lator against Miami-Dade County also passed 38-1. The Senate then approved SB 52 on volunteer armed security at places of worship (39-0), SB 124 updating Florida Virtual School statutes (39-0), SB 504 on code inspector body cameras (39-0), and SB 506 on related public records (38-1). A lengthy debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Several senators argued for tighter oversight and supported an amendment by Senator Berman that would have limited fund use and required Legislative Budget Commission approval for continued spending; that amendment failed 12-27. The underlying bill then passed 29-10. Senators also adopted SB 594 on local housing assistance for mobile home owners (39-0), SB 656 strengthening Internet Crimes Against Children programs (39-0), SB 806 creating right-to-repair protections for wireless devices and agricultural equipment (39-0), SB 816 establishing the University of Florida Diabetes Institute (39-0), SM 1186 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure by voice vote, SB 308 creating the Florida Museum of Black History with a late-filed amendment clarifying ex officio nonvoting legislative members (39-0), and SB 572 updating ethics law to include foster children and foster parents, as amended (38-0). The Senate also withdrew SB 1360 from further consideration, certified passed bills to the House, and adjourned until February 19.

Transcript Highlights:

• the opportunity to serve you and our brothers and sisters.
• To act clearly in the pursuit of justice and integrity and to promote and protect the fullness of human
• life and dignity.
• And Corpus Christi and Corpus Christi, of course. The side.
• elected, and that Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, was elected 30 days ago, and the Constitution authorizes

Transcript Highlights:

• you and our brothers and sisters.
• and dignity.
• especially the poor and the needy. and the vulnerable.
• It is to honor and present this resolution as a testament to his life and to ensure that his name and
• Board, Kimberly Evans and Jason Denton from the City of Frisco, Ben Berzina. and Rustin Stewart, and

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and guests are asked to remain standing and join with me in pledging allegiance to the flag of
• Creighton for legislation to authorize automated curb enforcement and improved parking violation procedures
• , and gross bills, haven't rightly and truly prepared, and now before the House, Final Passage, House
• And then we just take this right out and go to the question. Thank you.
• and recreation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first took up several procedural orders extending reporting deadlines for the Committees on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity; Health Care Financing; and Public Health. All three orders were adopted after suspension of the rules. The chamber also concurred in Senate petitions referred under Joint Rule 12, including proposals on cosmetology license reciprocity, judicial and clerical matters, retirement pension notarizations, and automated curb enforcement. The House then suspended Joint Rule 12 for additional petitions on Medicaid coverage for autism treatment and assistive technologies and on a gubernatorial proclamation for Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The House passed to be enacted two local bills: House 2320, establishing an appointed treasurer-collector in Berkeley, and House 4136, further regulating stabilization funds in Leicester. It also ordered several bills to a third reading, including measures on employment discrimination based on legal cannabis use, the role of the governor’s council on the ballot, absentee voting, ballot uniformity and election ballots, changing Chicopee’s mayoral term from two years to four, and regulating employer use of credit reports. Later, the House accepted and adopted a gubernatorial amendment to the FY2026 appropriations bill related to vital statistics. The bulk of the session focused on FY2026 budget veto overrides. The House considered and approved multiple Ways and Means recommendations to let appropriations stand notwithstanding the Governor’s vetoes, including items for administrative staff in the trial courts, state parks and recreation, nursing facility rate add-ons, community services for the blind, substance addiction services, early intervention services, Korea Technical Institutes, the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, shelter workforce assistance, housing services and counseling, regional economic development grants, charter school reimbursement, and the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine program. Roll call votes on these items generally passed by wide margins. The House also observed moments of silence for Bolton Police Chief Amos Luke Hamburger and former Senator Edward J. Kennedy Jr., and then adopted an order to adjourn to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning.