Transcript Highlights:

• I can kind of understand this, but I am here at the request of a company that is located in Moses Lake
• And I'm here at the request of a company that is located in Moses Lake.
• refinery in the state of Washington, which makes us the smallest of all the four refineries, and we are located
• We hiked up a mountain, only to see views of other mountains absolutely flattened by strip mining.
• We hiked up a mountain, only to see views of other mountains absolutely flattened by strip mining.

Bills: SB6172, SB6246, SB5932

Keywords: Washington climate policy, greenhouse gas, GHG emissions, cap-and-invest, carbon market, emissions trading, allowances, covered entity, coal-fired power plant, coal plant, electric utility, electric generating facility, fossil fuels, natural gas, imported electricity, emissions leakage, air pollution, renewable energy transition, industrial emissions, railroad emissions

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee heard public testimony on three bills. SB 6246 would direct Ecology to recommend a long-term allowance allocation approach for emissions-intensive trade-exposed facilities under the Climate Commitment Act, require facility-specific emissions and decarbonization reporting, and condition future no-cost allowances on those submissions. Supporters said the bill preserves the CCA’s anti-leakage intent while improving accountability and planning for industrial decarbonization; opponents argued it adds burdens, may threaten competitiveness, and could worsen leakage or job losses. Ecology said it generally supports the bill’s approach but recommended streamlining duplicative reporting and noted the work would require significant agency resources. No vote was taken. SB 5932 would provide certainty for low-to-zero-carbon alternative jet fuel production by changing how electricity carbon intensity is calculated for SAF facilities under the Clean Fuels Program and by setting an earlier trigger date for SAF tax preferences, July 1, 2031, if the production threshold is not met first. The bill’s sponsor and industry witnesses from 12 and the City of Moses Lake said it would support investment in Washington’s first SAF facility and future expansion. Ecology and climate advocates opposed the Clean Fuels Program changes, saying they would weaken incentives for new renewable electricity and could increase pollution or create special treatment for one fuel, though Ecology said it had no position on the 2031 tax date. The committee heard extensive testimony but took no vote. SB 6172 would end remaining statutory preferences for a coal-fired generating plant after its scheduled closure date, including the cap-and-invest exemption, limits on additional state emission standards, and a sales tax exemption for coal used at the plant. The sponsor said the bill simply removes now-unneeded transition provisions and affirms Washington’s move away from coal. Environmental groups strongly supported the bill, while utility and business witnesses were generally neutral but raised concerns about possible allowance-market impacts and potential costs to ratepayers if the plant were ever called on in an emergency. The hearing closed without a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Zephyr Hills and Immokalee Readiness Centers are the future stationing locations of our newest formation
• wrongway driving technology at all of our interchanges, pedestrian safety intersection lighting, rumble strips
• An ADU is a smaller, independent, fully functioning house located on the same property as a stand-alone
• In ADU is a smaller, independent, fully functioning house, located on the same property as a stand-alone
• In ADU is a smaller, independent, fully functioning house, located on the same property as a stand-alone

Bills: S0048

Keywords: housing, accessory dwelling units, affordable housing, local government, zoning regulations, military families, density bonus, homeownership, property taxes, 999, senate, all

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard the Governor’s proposed FY 2026-27 budget for the TED silo and presentations from Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, the State Guard, State, Transportation, and Emergency Management. The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, including $18.3 billion for TED agencies, with major allocations for FDOT, Commerce, emergency management, tourism, military affairs, and state operations. Agency heads emphasized priorities such as housing and disaster recovery, workforce and rural infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, defense support, tourism marketing, aerospace and spaceport investment, election audits, historic preservation, road and bridge maintenance, aviation safety, and emergency preparedness systems. Members asked several questions about the use and effectiveness of funding. Visit Florida officials said the public-private match is essential and that they exceeded the required match last year. Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles discussed trooper pay, vehicle replacement, aviation support, and transparency tools such as vehicle camera systems, with senators praising the department’s recruitment efforts. Military Affairs and the State Guard described readiness, recruiting, facility construction, and support for domestic missions, including hurricane response and perimeter security at the Everglades detention site; questions focused on deployment tempo, staffing, and costs. The Department of State explained funding for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and said its arts grant changes were intended to standardize scoring rather than cut programs. Transportation highlighted a $15.4 billion total budget, major work program funding, safety initiatives, seaport and aviation investments, and the elimination of Florida Rail Enterprise funding due to reduced documentary stamp revenues. The committee also heard and passed CS/SB 48 by Senator Gates, which requires local governments to allow accessory dwelling units on a voluntary basis, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs are allowed by right without separate hearings. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and several industry and business groups supported the bill, citing the need for long-term rental housing for workers. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably by roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to try to strip out the federal only funds as part of IIJA.
• I wanted to try to strip out undercount.
• </c> “Here's another graphic explaining kind of what these are and where they're located.
• Um, I'll just let you all take a minute to take in the location of where these detectors are.”
• So having that inventory of detectors located in the state wouldn't paint the whole picture.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An industrial land bank means up to two master-planned locations, each consisting of a parcel or parcels
• An industrial land bank means up to two master-planned locations, each consisting of a parcel or parcels
• To identify and approve locations for industrial land banks, a county must take action to designate one
• But what we’re talking about is shrub step that is located on buildable lands.
• And that is an old airport strip.

Bills: HB2103, HB2388, HB2316, HB2006, HB2224

Keywords: renewable energy, nonemitting generation, public entities, contracting, electric generation, distributed energy, agricultural land, energy generation, renewable resources, siting regulations, land use, urban development, vegetation management, shrubsteppe, environmental regulation, economic development, sales tax, rural counties, industrial land banks, growth management

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several local government bills. HB 2006 would extend the deadline for certain rural counties that collect a sales and use tax for economic development to designate industrial land banks under the Growth Management Act. The sponsor and county officials from Kittitas County said the bill would help create industrial land for jobs and economic growth, while Futurewise opposed it, arguing the large land banks could conflict with agricultural land protection and that the deadline should not be extended without stronger limits. HB 2103 would expand authority for public utilities and other public entities to enter contracts for the capability of renewable or non-emitting generation projects, including newer resources such as nuclear, renewable hydrogen, and fusion. Supporters from Energy Northwest, public utility districts, and the City of Richland said the bill would align contract law with the Clean Energy Transformation Act and give utilities more flexibility to secure future resources. Opponents, including several ratepayer and advocacy witnesses, warned it would shift financial risk to customers, weaken consumer protections, and repeat past nuclear power failures such as WPPSS. HB 2316 would limit local regulation of shrub-step vegetation inside urban growth areas by stating such vegetation cannot be treated as critical habitat or used to restrict development, and by barring mitigation or replacement requirements. The Tri-Cities sponsor and many local government, housing, and development witnesses said the bill would reduce delays and costs for housing and redevelopment on already urbanized land. Tribes, Audubon, and conservation advocates opposed it, saying it would remove protections for a rare and imperiled ecosystem, harm wildlife and habitat connectivity, and set a harmful precedent. HB 2224 would let a city form a single-city fire protection district without reducing its levy rate dollar-for-dollar, and would allow online notice and service contracts with municipal fire service authorities. City officials, fire chiefs, and the Association of Washington Cities supported it as a practical tool for funding fire service, while one taxpayer advocate opposed the broader trend of appointed bodies with taxing authority. HB 2388 would treat pivot-corner solar and agrovoltaic facilities on agricultural land as distributed energy resources and accessory uses, and deem them consistent with agricultural conservation. The sponsor and conservation groups supported it as a way to add clean energy without displacing productive farmland, while Futurewise raised concerns about definitions and whether the bill could unintentionally weaken farmland protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're going to phase two now, and in phase two, they actually have to plot spaghetti strips and figure
• out which strip they actually use as the path of the street.
• to have that person right in front of them, take advantage of it, rather than going and having to locate
• This is a real decision maker that determines where somebody is going to locate.
• Chairman, members, before you are a set of amendments identified as 4950 located at the top right corner

Bills: HR170, HR191, HR206, HR207, HR208, HCR53, HCR60, HCR68, HB714, HB762, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB56, SB69, SB115, SB133, SB151, SB170, SB235, SB278, SB330, SB420, SB438, SB449, SB489

Keywords: U.S. Highway 90, US 90, Highway 90, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, DOTD, bridge removal, closed bridges, bridge demolition, transportation funding, federal appropriations, THUD appropriations, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, infrastructure, road reconstruction, evacuation route, hurricane evacuation corridor, New Orleans metro area, Mississippi Gulf Coast, public safety

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, May 5, and considered a long agenda of mostly transportation, public safety, and local infrastructure measures. Among the bills reported favorably were Senate Bill 420, which adds Vermilion and Iberia Parish representation to the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission; Senate Bill 69, which updates appointments to the South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission after redistricting; Senate Bill 40, which expands Louisiana’s move-over/safety protections for emergency and disabled vehicles; and House resolutions from Rep. Dickerson urging DOTD action on Highway 16 widening, turn lanes on Highway 1024, and a roundabout on Highway 1019. The committee also advanced HCR 53 creating a study committee on oversized vehicle permits, SB 438 increasing per diem for the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, SB 449 giving the New Orleans Public Belt more procurement flexibility, SB 115 allowing DOTD to assume certain federal NEPA duties to speed project delivery, and SB 489 authorizing third-party verification of vehicle insurance coverage. Members heard testimony on several safety and enforcement measures. SB 151 would flag OMV records for people who owe DNA samples under CODIS-related criminal provisions; State Police explained it would help law enforcement collect required samples and aid cold cases. SB 48 would create driver’s license reciprocity between Louisiana and Ireland, and SB 235 would clarify payment and liquidated damages rules for public contracts, with contractors and industry representatives saying it would help ensure timely payment to contractors, subs, and suppliers. SB 55 clarified that seat belts must be worn across both the lap and shoulder, and SB 278 required ignition interlock devices for DUI-related license reinstatement; committee members raised questions about due process, vehicle use, and how the devices would work, but both bills were reported favorably. Several measures drew more extensive debate. HB 762, as amended, would give OMV discretion over referring certain debts to the Office of Debt Recovery or Attorney General, and the amendment passed 14-2 after discussion about relief for drivers who cannot pay. SB 330 on school-zone automated speed enforcement received an amendment preserving existing compliant pavement markings, but a separate amendment to exempt Shreveport, Gretna, Livonia, and Westwego from the law failed on a roll call vote. HB 714, as substituted, would have created a railroad commission and required railroads to address blighted or abandoned lines, but after concerns about federal preemption, definition of blight, and whether a new commission was needed, Rep. Phelps moved to defer the bill, and the committee agreed. The meeting ended with adjournment after a brief recognition of committee staff and visitors.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're going to phase two now, and in phase two, they actually have to plot spaghetti strips and figure
• out which strip they actually use as the path of the street.
• to have that person right in front of them, take advantage of it, rather than going and having to locate
• This is a real decision-maker that determines where somebody is going to locate.
• Chairman, members, before you are a set of amendments identified as 4883, located at the top right corner

Summary: The House Transportation Committee heard and advanced a wide range of transportation, public safety, and local infrastructure measures. Several bills dealt with port and commission appointments or authority, including SB 420 adding Vermilion and Iberia Parish representation to the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission, SB 69 aligning appointments to the South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission with redistricting, SB 438 increasing per diem for the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, and SB 170 adding qualification and Senate confirmation requirements for Caddo-Bossier Port Commission members. The committee also approved SB 449 to give the New Orleans Public Belt more flexibility in procuring specialized materials, and SB 115 to allow DOTD to assume certain federal NEPA responsibilities to speed project delivery, with testimony emphasizing long permitting delays and the need for faster project completion. Members also advanced multiple safety and enforcement measures. SB 40 expanded move-over protections for emergency and disabled vehicles, SB 55 clarified proper seat belt use, SB 278 required ignition interlock devices for DUI-related license reinstatement, SB 489 authorized third-party verification of insurance coverage through license plate inquiries, and SB 133 updated commercial vehicle parking and autonomous vehicle oversight provisions. SB 151 would flag OMV records for people who owe DNA samples tied to CODIS matches or qualifying arrests/convictions, and SB 48 would create Louisiana-Ireland driver’s license reciprocity. Most of these bills were reported favorably after brief testimony, with support from law enforcement, AAA, OMV, and other stakeholders. The committee also considered several local resolutions and infrastructure studies. Rep. Dickerson’s resolutions on widening Highway 16, studying turn lanes on Highway 1024, and constructing a roundabout on Highway 1019 were all reported favorably. HCR 53 created a study committee on oversized vehicle permits with DOTD participation, HCR 60 asked DOTD to study I-12 and I-55 corridor improvements, and HR/HCR 170 and 68 sought federal funding to remove four closed bridges on US 90 in St. Tammany Parish. HR 191, as amended, requested a DOTD study of mountable median curbs on Range Avenue in Denham Springs. HB 762, amended to make certain OMV debt referrals permissive rather than mandatory, was reported favorably over some concern about debt collection impacts. HB 714, which would have addressed abandoned railroad lines, drew extensive debate over federal preemption, blight definitions, and whether a new commission was needed; the author ultimately moved to defer it, and the committee agreed. SB 330 on school-zone automated speed enforcement markings was amended to grandfather existing compliant pavement markings and rejected an amendment that would have exempted several cities from the law. The committee adjourned after reporting the remaining measures favorably and recognizing a departing staff member.

Transcript Highlights:

• Underdeveloped property specifically means vacant surface parking lots located in an urban center.
• shift implication while providing significant community benefits for affordable housing that's co-located
• We know that communities are most successful when they're located near or, in some cases, literally on
• intended purpose: building more affordable housing, and makes it more financially feasible to co-locate
• address this, prioritizing dense transit-oriented development, CBO-led affordable housing, and co-located

Bills: SB6256, SB6275, SB5868, SB5954

Keywords: tax exemptions, affordable housing, nonprofit, unoccupied property, housing policy, community reinvestment, economic development, local investment, financial assistance, SB 5868, superior court, judge, judgeship, judicial vacancy, court administration, Skagit County, Yakima County, RCW 2.08.061, Washington courts, county judges

Summary: The committee held public hearings on a series of housing, social services, education, labor, court, and veterans-related bills. Early testimony focused on Substitute Senate Bill 5884, which would expand a sales and use tax deferral for redevelopment of vacant or underused land into affordable housing and allow cities to set lower affordability thresholds in designated areas. Supporters from Spokane, Kent, and housing developers said the bill would help projects pencil and increase workforce housing, while Associated Builders and Contractors opposed language they said could encourage project labor agreements and disadvantage small contractors. No action was taken beyond closing the hearing. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6256, which would extend a property tax exemption for low-income nonprofit housing to include portions of projects used for certain community-serving purposes during construction and extend the pre-occupancy period from two to three years. Testifiers from housing nonprofits and local governments said the change would help mixed-use affordable housing projects that include child care, behavioral health, and other services. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6027, which would broaden allowable uses of local affordable housing sales tax revenue, allow pooled bond financing, extend a REET exemption timeline, redefine emergency housing, and expand uses of the Affordable Housing for All account; counties, King County, housing advocates, and Snohomish County supported the flexibility, with Snohomish County asking for rental assistance to be added. Additional hearings covered Substitute Senate Bill 6018, which would modernize the Housing Finance Commission’s authority and allow more direct lending and financing flexibility; Substitute Senate Bill 6028, which would create a revolving loan fund for mixed-income affordable homeownership projects; and Senate Bill 6275, which would make the community reinvestment program permanent and require periodic plan updates, reporting, and evaluation. Testimony on SB 6275 emphasized racial equity, accountability, workforce development, small business support, and legal services for immigrants. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5961 on moving the Imagination Library program to OSPI, Substitute Senate Bill 5969 on aligning IEP transition plans with high school and beyond plans, Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292 on setting paid family and medical leave rates by actuarial report, Senate Bill 5868 to add superior court judges in Skagit and Yakima counties, Substitute Senate Bill 5827 to allow pre-discharge certification for veteran civil service preference, and Senate Bill 5954 on veteran survivor tuition waiver eligibility. Testimony on these bills was generally supportive, with some opposition to PFML from the Washington Policy Center and questions about court funding and PFML rate-setting. The hearing concluded without recorded votes or final committee action on the bills discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate actually stripped out the certificate language, and we're going to be putting it back on and
• So the difference is they stripped out some of the language.
• They laid theirs on the table; ours has now everything stripped out except this. That's the status.
• They laid theirs on the table; ours has now everything stripped out except this. That's the status.
• I have driven students at the correct polling location, you know, last minute to make sure they can cast

Summary: The House met with a quorum present, heard prayers and ceremonial remarks, and then took up a series of returning messages from the Senate. The first major item was CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification. Members explained that the House concurred in a Senate amendment that restored teacher certificate language, kept computer science and AI-related content in the bill, and delayed implementation to give the Department of Education time to develop curriculum. The House adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 105-0. The House also considered CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity. Members adopted a House amendment allowing local governments to buy into the cyber grant program even if they do not receive a grant, adding a five-year sunset and reporting provisions. The House then concurred in the Senate amendment shifting grant administration from a university to the Florida Digital Service, and passed the bill 104-1. Several other returning messages were rejected or sent back to the Senate. The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, as well as CS/HB 851 on professional learning for instructional and school administrative personnel. The most contentious debate came on CS/CS/HB 1471, which concerns systems of law and terrorist organizations; the Senate amendment defined “promote,” refined notice and timeline requirements, and retained references to Sharia law. Opponents argued the bill was overbroad, lacked due process and evidentiary standards, and threatened First Amendment rights, while supporters said it targeted conduct, not speech, and protected against terrorist support. The House adopted the amendment and passed the bill 80-25. The House then took up a related public records bill, CS/CS/HB 1473, which made a technical conforming change to align with HB 1471; debate focused on transparency and due process concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you wish to provide testimony of any kind, you must register on the key kiosk located outside of the
• until just before midnight, and Tori had her children in the hallway feeding them Canes or chicken strips
• I think this bill provides clarity on where these hospitals are located and the regions they serve, so
• Well, if it's so rare, why isn't the bill stripped?
• When we do remove, we must immediately locate family, try to get kids with family.

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744, HB18, HB37, HB116

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388

Transcript Highlights:

• And she said, "They take you in there, they strip you down, right?"
• And then they strip you, and then it's like your purse, your things.
• I was stripped down, told to squat and cough, and my medical devices, which helped me walk, were taken
• The location or the installation of mechanical barriers be completed before anybody proceeds with any
• from construction contracts must be litigated in the Texas county where the construction project is located

Bills: HB 1239, HB1990, HB1748, HB1749, HB2578, HB2986, HB1970, HB3163, HB2733, HB1922, HB 113, HB 1088, HB1938, HB3004, HB2637, HB2960, HB113

Keywords: public health, access to healthcare, insurance reforms, medical expenses, healthcare providers, mental health, protective custody, preliminary examination, detention period, emergency circumstances, emergency detention, legal framework, detention, healthcare, liability, landowners, nonagricultural land, trespassing, public safety, interpreters

Transcript Highlights:

• The no-move requirement undermines business agility, stripping the operator of the flexibility needed
• The no-move requirement undermines business agility, stripping the operator of the flexibility needed
• through the no move applicant's location through the no move requirement<01:32:47.840><c> limits</c>
• </c> undermines business agility, stripping undermines business agility, stripping the<01:33:04.960><
• </c> where these HHR facilities are located? where these HHR facilities are located?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But this does have a farm location map here.
• weird case, uh, in one dairy farm last year, but you can see where our dairy and poultry farms are located
• weird case, uh, in one dairy farm last year, but you can see where our dairy and poultry farms are located
• week</c><00:36:04.560><c> in</c><00:36:05.359><c> uh</c><00:36:05.440><c> the</c><00:36:05.599><c> strip
• </c> a great story this week in uh the strip a great story this week in uh the strip about<00:36:07.119

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• commitment to those kids thank you for the kids that participated and I'm looking forward to trying to locate
• Strip steak is often sourced from cattle raised in other states, including and especially Texas, the
• Senate concurrent resolution 46. supports renaming the New York or strip-steak to the Texas strip-steak
• establishments to adopt the name and urges the Texas Department of Agriculture to promote the Texas strip
• Yes. the R46 expressing support for renaming the New York strip state as the Texas strip state.

Bills: SJR59, SCR30, SCR46, SB31, SB127, SB324, SB401, SB407, SB467, SB482, SB506, SB529, SB584, SB619, SB636, SB646, SB647, SB659, SB715, SB732, SB735, SB771, SB784, SB800, SB801, SB816, SB1013, SB1026, SB1049, SB1055, SB1065, SB1137, SB1169, SB1181, SB1383, SB1395, SB1410, SB1433, SB1524, SB1531, SB1568, SB1640, SB1666, SB1681, SB1718, SB1754, SB1757, SB1972, SB1980, SB2004, SB2007, SB2041, SB2046, SB2050, SB2075, SB2076, SB2154, SB2173, SB2206, SB2225, SB2253, SB2268, SB2306, SB2308, SB2314, SB2322, SB2330, SB2351, SB2366, SB2371, SB2392, SB2398, SB2476, SB2533, SB2540, SB2544, SB2589, SB2610, SB2623, SB2660, SB2662, SB2693, SB2707, SB2717, SB2722, SB2742, SB2753, SB2779, SB2807, SB2843, SB2844, SB2858, SB2877, SB2880, SB2885, SB2920, SB2938, SB2986, HJR4, HCR35, SJR3, SJR18, SB5, SB260, SB1786, SB914, SB963, SB1197, SB1415, SB1437, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR84, SJR59, SCR12, SCR39, SCR46, SCR48, SCR19, SCR30, SCR3, SB2023, SB1433, SB2322, SB2877, SB407, SB1718, SB1395, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB1502, SB507, SB1026, SB1434, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB619, SB1122, SB732, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB529, SB209, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB2253, SB584, SB1085, SB2314, SB2046, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB1524, SB1137, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB517, SB1200, SB1410, SB1845, SB1863, SB2681, SB2200, SB2199, SB1757, SB2050, SB2458, SB2201, SB1055, SB2660, SB2662, SB1065, SB801, SB2533, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB647, SB1721, SB2268, SB2366, SB1013, SB2797, SB2371, SB2383, SB646, SB1169, SB1754, SB2779, SB2004, SB2119, SB2448, SB1777, SB1283, SB2392, SB2076, SB2786, SB2876, SB2284, SB2225, SB1540, SB2920, SB2929, SB1972, SB2540, SB2742, SB2595, SB2217, SB715, SB2330, SB1383, SB500, SB1640, SB2001, SB2080, SB2722, SB506, SB2514, SB2623, SB2753, SB2398, SB1241, SB2927, SB2173, SB2538, SB898, SB467, SB1449, SB2529, SB1531, SB2846, SB2476, SB986, SB1181, SB2075, SB2154, SB2864, SB31, SB2880, SB1359, SB2386, SB771, SB2844, SB2550, SB1351, SB1423, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB2351, SB410, SB659, SB816, SB2776, SB2693, SB2580, SB1980, SB1886, SB1234, SB739, SB482, SB456, SB127, SB1666, SB2843, SB2801, SB800, SB2055, SB784, SB2986, SB735, SB1012, SB324, SB2926, SB2938, SB2007, SB2138, SB1242, SB2615, SB1049, SB2310, SB1224, SB2972, SB1568, SB2841, SB2885, SB3016, SB2858, SB2610, SB2139, SB1856, SB2035, SB2308, SB2306, SB2041, SB1528, SB1681, SB1141, SB2401, SB2530, SB2375, SB547, SB1266, SB1373, SB1467, SB2069, SB2269, SB2480, SB2544, SB672, SB904, SB2695, SB2891, SB2422, SB2543, SB1854, SB317, SB2539, SB2532, SB2925, SB1250, SB2082, SB2203, SB457, SB2357, HJR4, HB135, HB1109, HCR35, HCR64, SB2721, SB243, SB1285, SB2568, SB1959, SB1442, SB1454, SB2520, SB2541, SB1708, SB1237, SB1844, SB1586

Keywords: education funding, Texas State Technical College System, capital projects, infrastructure, higher education, Birding Capital, Matagorda County, wildlife, conservation, Texas Legislature, Texas beef, cattle industry, agricultural heritage, Texas strip steak, economic growth, SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment

Transcript Highlights:

• And that, I had drafted an amendment to strip the $104 million out of 19.
• And that, I had an, I drafted an amendment to strip the $104 million out of the, uh, out of 19.
• inquire you a little bit more about the $3.5 million that is going to the Elevate Center that is located
• And during COVID, business was booming, and it took a toll on me, on my family, stripping down in my
• However, I'm a member of the Bell Grove Missionary Baptist Church located in the city of St.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by roll call vote, 122-1. Members then used points of personal privilege and guest introductions to honor former legislator and city public servant Edward L. Bushmeyer, recognize Jean Carnahan during Women’s History Month, welcome students, conservation groups, Coro Fellows, YMCA advocates, Easter Seals guests, and a Project Home presentation of a wooden flag honoring veterans. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for Bushmeyer and recognized several special guests and student groups throughout the morning. The main floor business focused on budget reappropriation and capital bills. House Bills 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 were taken up in sequence, with the sponsor explaining that HB 2017 reappropriates unfinished prior-year projects, HB 2018 covers maintenance and repair of state facilities, HB 2019 funds new capital improvement projects, and HB 2020 handles remaining ARPA-related spending before the federal deadline. Members raised concerns about unspent general revenue, the $186 million for St. Louis tornado recovery, the Capital Commission Fund, accessibility costs in the Capitol renovation plan, and whether some projects had been adequately vetted. HB 2019 also received and adopted a $3 million amendment to support a state-owned road to the George O. White Nursery in Texas County through a Conservation/MoDOT partnership. Each of these bills was advanced by adopting the House committee substitute and ordering the bill perfected and printed. The House also debated House Bill 2760, the “Praise Act,” which would bar government from imposing stricter emergency restrictions on houses of worship than on comparable private entities, with exceptions for disasters, terrorism, and civil unrest. Supporters framed it as a religious liberty measure and said it would protect worship during emergencies; opponents argued it could undermine public health protections during pandemics and give religion greater protection than safety measures. No final vote on HB 2760 was shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis located in Missouri. Lock and Dam 22 at Saverton is the beneficiary of a fish ladder.
• I'm stripping that out. You're stripping that out? Yes. Okay.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2998, with Representative Riggs explaining that most of the bill would be removed in committee substitute and that the remaining focus would be an Upper Mississippi River Basin feasibility study and creation of a rural development office in the Department of Economic Development. Riggs argued that Missouri should better use its rivers for hydropower and year-round navigation, and that rural Missouri, which he said makes up nearly 40% of the state, needs a dedicated office because existing resources and funding streams are uncertain. Committee members asked about the cost, timeline, and practicality of the river study, the rural office, and related issues such as road safety and solar provisions that were expected to be removed. Testimony in favor came from Lisa Panette, who urged keeping the coal-related language to protect Missouri’s remaining coal plants, and from Mike Sutherland of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, who supported the rural development office and said co-ops already provide broadband, workforce, and community development services across rural Missouri. Pamela Harlan of MoDOT testified for informational purposes that the river study would need to be coordinated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, would likely cost about $3 million, and would take roughly three years. She said MoDOT does not have jurisdiction over the Mississippi River. Dr. Vikram Lockenpaul of MOST Policy Initiative provided background on hydropower, noting that only a small share of U.S. dams generate electricity and that many retrofit projects are not viable because of cost, environmental impacts, or grid connection issues. He said most proposed retrofit projects between 2000 and 2020 never became operational, though he cited a recent Mississippi River project in Missouri and Illinois that received a federal permit to study feasibility. The hearing ended with no opposition testimony and no vote taken; the chair closed the hearing after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• QUICK QUESTION, BY DESIGNATING A LOCATION, COULD ALSO BE IN THEIR BOOKBAG OR NO?
• We have a school called Cunningham Creek that was placed maybe not in the best location.
• SMALL STRIP MALLS.
• WE ARE NOT EVEN TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION, AND IT'S A SMALL STRIP MALL.
• In Osceola County to add lands located in the City of Orlando and Orange County.

Bills: SB 2, HB 2, HB 2000, HB 2196, HB 213, HB 222, HB 645, HB 1458, HB 1022, HB 141, HB 502, HB 643, HB 3093, HB 1700, HB 117, SB 503, SB 2, HB 120, HB 20, HB 150, HB 6, HB 100, HB 210, HB 215, HB 1393, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB 142, HB 451, HB 124, HB 2, HB 2000, HB 2196, HB 213, HB 222, HB 645, HB 1458, HB 1022, HB 141, HB 502, HB 643, HB 3093, HB 1700, HB 117

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• We have stripped billions of dollars from the housing trust funds down through the years.
• This is based on location identity and security reasoning.
• I think it is important to remember where in the Florida Statute this bill is located.
• This language is located in Florida's wrongful death act.
• The nearest big box pharmacy is located, I want to say, 2 to 3 miles away.

Bills: HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, SB 14, HB 12, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912, HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, HCR 123, HCR 124, HR 57, HR 87, HR 111, HR 228, HR 230, HR 322, HR 624, HR 625, HR 626, HR 627, HR 628, HR 630, HR 631, HR 634, HR 635, HR 636, HR 637, HR 638, HR 639, HR 640, HR 645, HR 646, HR 648, HR 649, HR 651, HR 652, HR 653, HR 654, HR 664, HR 665, HR 668, HR 675, HR 676, HR 678, HR 679, HR 680, HR 683, HR 686, HR 688, HR 689, HR 694, HR 695, HR 697, HR 698, HR 699, HR 472, HR 622, HR 632, HR 633, HR 643, HR 655, HR 657, HR 660, HR 661, HR 662, HR 663, HR 667, HR 670, HR 674, HR 681, HR 682, HR 696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• These group camps have become a location for faith-based organizations, local community organizations
• , and nonprofit groups to meet and have locations just to visit, have their meetings, and retreat.
• It is now shown at every single one of the driver education tests at the locations where they do them
• Oh, neutral strip. Is that in there yet? Yes. We call it the neutral.
• Oh, neutral strip. Is that in there yet? Yes. We call it the neutral.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Louisiana Commission on Civic Education met with quorum, approved the minutes from its previous meeting, and took several action items related to the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LIAC). The commission unanimously approved the 2026-27 LIAC membership slate after reviewing recommendations from the selection committee, and it also approved the council’s budget and mileage reimbursement guidelines, noting the only change was an updated IRS mileage rate. Members thanked the legislature for continuing to fund LIAC after earlier years when it relied on outside donations. The meeting featured presentations on civic education resources and America 250 programming. Brandon Burris, representing the Lieutenant Governor’s office, highlighted Louisiana state parks, the Checkout Louisiana library backpack programs for parks and museums, Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s anti-litter campaign, and Homework Louisiana. Liam Julian of the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute discussed national civics education trends, teacher discomfort with controversial topics, and the institute’s teacher training, student camps, debate programs, and civics app. Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s Katie Stark and Nancy Torren presented America 250-related materials, including a PBS Kids feature on a Louisiana child and LPB’s “Louisiana’s Hidden History” videos and teacher resources on Bernardo de Galvez and Spanish Louisiana. LIAC members then reported on their work, including school safety efforts, digital service-hour tracking, AP self-study access, minor work permits, AI-generated harassment concerns, and local civic engagement projects. Peggy Cotonia of the Louisiana Center for Law and Civic Education reported 87 Law Day presentations and 287 total Law Day and Constitution Day presentations reaching about 9,400 students, along with updates on awards and a shortened but still free summer institute for teachers. Barry Irwin reported that legislation to clean up outdated commission membership and quorum language had passed the House and been heard in Senate Education, moving toward final passage. The commission adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's basically stripping down an existing application that's available to your level of campaign to the
• It's basically stripping down existing application that it's available to your level of campaign to the
• that they have checked back with in the Secretary of State's office about the additional polling location
• And also I think there are additional polling locations and other activities that were put in statute
• And and for me that there have been people denied a ballot and I've had to leave the polling location

Bills: HF2185, HF1849, HF3719, HF3721, HF3845, HF3720

Keywords: flag display, residential property rights, homeowners association, HOA, covenants, restrictive covenant, deed restriction, subdivision regulation, local ordinance, rental agreement, property rights, patriotic display, United States flag, Minnesota flag, POW/MIA flag, military flags, armed forces flag, Blue Star flag, Gold Star flag, common interest community

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires the local government to provide notice to adjacent landowners of property located within
• We want to continue to extend it to Everett, to Tacoma, to Issaquah, and to other locations.
• This ensures that the right-size standards will be instituted in the right places and the right location
• The bill removes provisions allowing a county located west of...
• January 19th, the bill removes provisions allowing a county located west of the Cascade Mountains that

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee heard several land use and infrastructure bills. SB 5633 on subdivision of land drew the most discussion: staff described a broad rewrite that would move many subdivision decisions from legislative bodies to administrative personnel, limit or eliminate public hearings for preliminary plats, require notice to nearby landowners, set completeness and 100-day decision timelines, and streamline concurrent review of related permits. Builders, Realtors, and some cities supported the bill as a long-overdue modernization that could reduce delays and housing costs, while county and city representatives raised concerns about eliminating public hearings, implementation details, and local accountability. The committee also heard SB 6274 on street standards and frontage improvements, which would require jurisdictions to identify infrastructure barriers to infill and middle housing and periodically review street and frontage standards; supporters said frontage mandates can make housing infeasible, while local government witnesses warned about conflicts with safety, ADA, and transportation goals. SB 6309 on high-capacity transit permits would let Sound Transit apply for permits before acquiring property and before some land use decisions, and would allow certain development agreements and subdivision exemptions to speed transit delivery; Sound Transit and city representatives supported it, and the committee waived the five-day notice rule to hear it. The committee also took testimony on SB 6279, which would incorporate the wildland-urban interface code into the state building code after statewide wildfire maps are completed and require state and local coordination on defensible space and local amendments. Supporters framed it as needed wildfire resilience planning, while opponents from counties, builders, environmental groups, and local officials argued the bill was premature, too rigid, and potentially inconsistent with environmental laws, local conditions, and insurance realities; several asked for more local flexibility, clearer map processes, and changes to the timing and scope of adoption. SB 6291 would extend from two to four years the period during which local health jurisdiction staff may inspect on-site wastewater systems under supervision before certification; public health officials supported it as a workforce and training fix, saying the current timeline is too short and costly. The committee also heard SB 5903, SB 6016, SB 5820, SB 6132, and SB 6189 in executive session, adopted substitutes on some bills, and advanced SB 6016, SB 5820, SB 6132, and SB 6189 out of committee by due-pass votes, with SB 6016 receiving a substitute and a member noting support but remaining concerns.