Transcript Highlights:

• If you include all of Texas Education Agency funds...
• So Texas may have improved in these rankings since that time.
• Texas has the seventh highest property taxes in the country.
• government spending limit.
• A true cap would say, local governments, your...

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:13.840> by Emergency Services which is governed by Emergency Services which is governed
• Remember during the COVID crisis, we had one particular hospital in Texas.
• Remember during the COVID crisis, we had one particular hospital in Texas.
• Remember during the COVID crisis, we had one particular hospital in Texas.
• <00:08:33.320> U particular Hospital in Texas U particular Hospital in Texas U Physicians<

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 132, a health care conscience-protection measure. Supporters said the bill would protect health care professionals from being forced to participate in procedures or services that violate sincerely held religious or ethical beliefs, while explicitly excluding emergency care. They argued it would help recruit and retain providers, preserve ethical integrity in medicine, and has worked in several other states. Supporters also emphasized that the bill is aimed at procedures or services, not at denying care based on who a patient is, and noted that the bill includes a civil cause of action to give it enforcement teeth. Several supporters described personal experiences. A nurse said lack of conscience protections affected her career choices and limited her path into women’s health. Dr. Warman said he had requested not to perform anesthesia for abortions and later chose non-narcotic pain management because he objected to heavy opioid prescribing, saying conscience protections allow professionals to practice responsibly. Senators asked about examples, the bill’s scope, whether it could be used to discriminate, and which states have similar laws; Mississippi, Florida, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, and Arkansas were named. Questions also focused on the bill’s civil enforcement provisions and whether it could be used against patients based on identity or religion. Opponents warned the bill was overly broad and could allow refusals of care by a wide range of health workers, including clerks, ambulance drivers, pharmacists, nurses, and physicians. Dr. Karen Abrams said it could lead to denial of birth control, Plan B, blood transfusions, and other care, especially in rural areas with few alternatives, and could worsen Kentucky’s provider shortages. David Conway said the bill lacked patient protections, could increase delays and discrimination, and could prevent reassignment of objecting staff. The chair noted there were seven people signed up in opposition, limited testimony to two minutes each, and said the committee would return to the bill after hearing additional opposition and other pending bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the word of God says in Isaiah 9:6 that the government should be upon his shoulders, and certainly
• we are a part of the government, and we are upon his shoulders.
• , the security, and everyone that touch or have something to do with the well-being of how this government
• It's an act to amend Title 13 and 32 in the Code of Criminal Procedure relative to driving while intoxicated

Bills: SCR12, HB221, HB509, HCR58, SB78, SB25, SB80, SB132, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB228, SB250, SB414, SB433, SB479, SB513, SCR9, SCR58, SB65, SB215, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR32, HB17, HB41, HB73, HB223, HB244, HB759, HB906, HB966, HB1006, HB1009, HB1086, HB1107, HB1112, HB1215, HB1242, SB217, SB283, SB469, HB36, HB42, HB74, HB119, HB159, HB259, HB302, HB414, HB459, HB776, HB848, HB956, HB1017, HB1028, HB1095, SB208, SB312, SB382, SB389, HB210, HB258, HB359, HB368, HB468, HB552, HB732, HB784, HB870, HB953, HB1117, HB1236

Keywords: logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, Mississippi River bridge, Trump Expressway, transportation, federal funding, Louisiana highways, injection wells, public hearing, geologic sequestration, environmental impact, public comment, Ascension Parish, state capitol, economic development, community partnership, celebration day

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the word of God says in Isaiah 9:6 that the government should be upon his shoulders, and certainly
• we are a part of the government, and we are upon his shoulders.
• , the security, and everyone that touch or have something to do with the well-being of how this government
• It's an act to amend Title 13 and 32 in the Code of Criminal Procedure relative to driving while intoxicated

Bills: SCR12, HB221, HB509, HCR58, SB78, SB25, SB80, SB132, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB228, SB250, SB414, SB433, SB479, SB513, SCR9, SCR58, SB65, SB215, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR32, HB17, HB41, HB73, HB223, HB244, HB759, HB906, HB966, HB1006, HB1009, HB1086, HB1107, HB1112, HB1215, HB1242, SB217, SB283, SB469, HB36, HB42, HB74, HB119, HB159, HB259, HB302, HB414, HB459, HB776, HB848, HB956, HB1017, HB1028, HB1095, SB208, SB312, SB382, SB389, HB210, HB258, HB359, HB368, HB468, HB552, HB732, HB784, HB870, HB953, HB1117, HB1236

Keywords: logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, Mississippi River bridge, Trump Expressway, transportation, federal funding, Louisiana highways, injection wells, public hearing, geologic sequestration, environmental impact, public comment, Ascension Parish, state capitol, economic development, community partnership, celebration day

Summary: The Senate met with 29 members present, heard a prayer and national anthem presentation, and approved the journal without objection. The chamber then received multiple messages from the House on conference committee reports and concurrence actions, and took up a long calendar of Senate resolutions and House/Senate bills returned from the House with amendments. Several resolutions were adopted without objection, including commendations and requests for reports or studies, while others were left over or returned to the calendar. The Senate concurred in or adopted amendments on a series of bills covering registrar compensation (SB 25), broadband administration and reimbursement (SB 80), school safety master key boxes (SB 132), dental coverage for cancer treatment (SB 155), paid parental leave for educators (SB 157), election supervisor compensation days (SB 202), water utility service line replacement funding (SB 228), weight management services through the Office of Group Benefits (SB 250), medical debt protection (SB 414), Medicaid coverage of weight-loss medication (SB 443), and design-build authority for vertiport facilities (SB 513). It also adopted a House concurrent resolution urging backup motors for the St. Claude Avenue Bridge (HCR 32). One bill, SB 479 on removal of certain judges, had its amendments rejected and was sent to conference. The chamber then considered conference committee reports on several measures. Reports were adopted on SB 312 (labor organization dues and fees), SB 208 (veterans services and VA-related restrictions), SB 382 (workers’ compensation advisory council and reimbursement schedule timing), SB 389 (agent and athlete registration and fee review), and multiple House bills including HB 359 (party primary qualifying rules), HB 368 (New Orleans historic preservation lien procedures), HB 468 (wholesale residential real estate definitions), HB 552 (DWI-related responsive verdict language), HB 732 (motor vehicle fines/fees and hybrids), HB 870 and HB 1236 (pharmacy benefit manager and insurance provisions), and HB 1117 (prescription period issues). HB 210 on retroactivity was also adopted after debate. Several conference reports were temporarily passed over or returned to the calendar, including HB 953, and the Senate adjourned to reconvene the next morning for final work.

Transcript Highlights:

• And $1.3 billion to the Texas University fund.
• So Texas is already.
• You know, Texas has the 7th highest property taxes in the country.
• Well, I believe it comes down to one factor, and that's local government excess.
• is to institute a local government spending limit.

Transcript Highlights:

• And California's response to Texas or any state that is trying to game the 2026 midterm elections.
• And I know this is to what Texas is doing and it's because the impact to Californians is so great and
• Texas is doing it. not leadership. It's abandoning our principles.
• I'm the Government Affairs Director for Save the Redwoods League.
• There is a flexibility to ensure that restaurants do their menu with a QR code.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We said it twice because if you look in the same chapter, chapter 480, KRS 16011, we specifically say
• <00:33:15.200> 16043, says, if you look at KRS chapter 16043, says, if you look at KRS chapter
• , the same chapter, the same chapter, chapter<00:33:43.679> 480,<00:33:44.640> KRS16011
• I don't know that the audits<00:59:36.880> from<00:59:37.119> Texas audits from Texas audits
• c> services<01:09:01.359> contract on the government services contract on the government services

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 34 members present and approved the prior day’s journal. The chamber also received a House message that House Bill 96 had passed and requested concurrence. During second reading, Senate Bills 17, 34, 39, and 181 were reported and sent to the Rules Committee, and Senate Resolution 56 was introduced honoring Elder Nathan Craig and Sister Amy Craig for their mission service. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 27, which would allow local governing bodies, after consulting with a coroner and making a 30-day effort to locate next of kin, to choose cremation rather than burial for indigent decedents; it also preserved options for religious organizations to take possession of a body. A committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed 35-0. Senate Bill 30, dealing with the Motor Vehicle Commission’s restricted fee account and allowing unused funds to carry forward for commission operations, also passed unanimously 35-0. Senate Bill 40, concerning public library district boards of trustees, was amended by committee substitute and passed 34-1 after debate. Supporters said it would return county library board appointments to local officials and speed appointments, while opponents argued it could politicize libraries and weaken their independence; several members explained their votes, including concerns from library advocates and a defense that the bill still allowed local boards to seek advice. Senate Bill 76, which limits school boards from increasing occupational license taxes above the base 0.5% until a county reaches a population of 500,000, was also amended by committee substitute and passed after its sponsor argued it responded to a disputed Fayette County tax increase and would restore transparency and public trust.

Transcript Highlights:

• this a littering of our criminal codes this a littering of our criminal codes with<02:52:37.359>
• <02:58:28.560> So<02:58:28.880> I like lesser criminal code cases.
• So I like lesser criminal code cases.
• <03:39:18.639> has the IRS or federal government has the IRS or federal government has decided
• , procedure in the Internal Revenue Code, procedure in the Internal Revenue Code, which<03:41:07.120

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the, what is the, let me ask, let me go to North Texas, the new North Texas.
• Yes, so that was not a state of Texas decision in essence the federal government began an audit in 2016
• That that was in Texas. It was recoveries for Texas taxpayers.
• Texas communities.
• . and South Texas.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And went down, visited some schools in Texas that are also smaller schools, bigger than us, but has to
• the small number of students that we have here because they do deserve it regardless of their zip code
• Shared governance and accountability. Regarding P-Tech P20 as a model and a framework, It works.
• It's working in Texas. It's something that we can do.
• All right, um, so then it seems like the fix, aside from letting you guys self-govern, uh, the easiest

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 19 by Meyer relating to the issue of the repayment of the debt by local governments, including the
• AB 2443 by Hicklin relating to requiring the Texas Education Agency to prepare.
• Association, Texas Fair Plan Association.
• Remembrance Day is the essential knowledge and skills for government.
• Senate, and the Texas House of Representatives for the Committee on Redistricting.

Transcript Highlights:

• that are exempt under our say chapter that are exempt under our say chapter 72.<02:42:50.880>
• Okay. use code and we can put it, you know, in use code and we can put it, you know, in our<02:48:48.560
• and government and local government and government and local government and nonprofits<03:05:40.800
• <03:14:40.640> itself assistance which the government itself assistance which the government
• beneficiaries whole after our government beneficiaries whole after our government rescended<03:15

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If it's about the tax code, let's deal with the tax code. But as Mr.
• governance board. Think about that. governance board. Think about that.
• office government office to government office government office to government office to<03:00:48.479
• <03:20:18.000> Texas primaries." What did Texas do? Texas primaries." What did Texas do?
• Midcycle racist redistricting in Texas. Midcycle racist redistricting in Texas.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here to testify this morning on legislation I filed that would amend Chapter 146 of the General
• I'm the Director of Government Relations with the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.
• One is that current standards and building codes, including here in Massachusetts, protect consumers.
• The government people, just like you folks, finally said, 'No, stop it.'
• governs private occupational schools.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure opened with logistical remarks about testimony procedures, time limits, accessibility supports, and the large number of witnesses. The first bill discussed was H. 451, which would allow professional license applicants who do not have a Social Security number to use an ITIN instead. Supporters said the bill would help qualified workers, especially immigrants, enter licensed trades and professions without lowering training or testing standards, while addressing workforce shortages. Committee members asked a few questions, and the bill was framed as a uniform statewide licensing reform. The bulk of the hearing focused on S. 210 and H. 1278, two bills aimed at improving wheelchair repair and warranty protections. Supporters included the Attorney General’s Office, disability advocates, wheelchair users, clinicians, and legislators, who described long repair delays, missed work and medical appointments, loss of independence, hospitalizations, pressure injuries, and other harms caused by broken wheelchairs and slow service. They argued for stronger timelines, two-year warranties, required parts availability, loaner chairs, and enforcement mechanisms, with H. 1278 modeled on a Connecticut-style repair deadline and S. 210 focused on warranty protections. Several witnesses emphasized that wheelchairs are essential medical equipment, not ordinary consumer goods. Opposition came from NCart, which said it supports solutions but raised concerns that the bills, as written, could be difficult to implement for complex rehab technology. NCart said some warranty provisions may not fit wear-and-tear components and noted that MassHealth has already taken steps such as preventive maintenance, reduced prior authorization, and transportation support. Other witnesses and advocates countered that the current market is dominated by a few profitable companies and that the legislature needs to impose clear standards because voluntary fixes have not worked. The committee also heard testimony on S. 195, a toxic-free kids bill from Senator Comerford and Representative Hawkins, which would restrict PFAS and other toxic chemicals in children’s products and create disclosure and phase-out requirements. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• and others placing the notices, allowing governments to use digital-only newspaper notice.
• First of all, this does not affect government notifications.
• But Chapter 390 has very specific provisions about who can provide abortions in the state of Florida
• But Chapter 390 has very specific provisions about who can provide abortions in the state of Florida
• We've seen dangerous cases like these brought in Texas and Arizona.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up two bills. SB 98, by Senator Harrell, would let self-storage facilities advertise lien sales either in a newspaper or on a qualifying website, while keeping other notice requirements in place and updating contact information provisions. Supporters, including the Florida Press Association and several newspaper/storage owners, argued print and digital newspaper notices already provide broad public notice and that the bill could reduce notice effectiveness; the sponsor said the bill is an optional modernization and does not affect government notices. After debate, the committee voted 8-1 to report SB 98 favorably. The committee then heard SB 164, by Senator Grall, which expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover civil damages for the death of an unborn child at any stage of development, with carve-outs for the mother and lawful medical care. The sponsor said the bill aligns civil law with Florida’s criminal protections for unborn children and gives families a remedy where current law may not. Opponents, including the ACLU of Florida, health care workers, and others, warned it could invite lawsuits against doctors, hospitals, friends, family members, and people involved in abortion access, and could worsen OB-GYN shortages and deter care. Supporters said it recognizes unborn life and should be treated consistently with existing wrongful death law. The committee approved SB 164 on a 4-3 vote and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congresswoman Jordan not only represented Texas' historic 18th Congressional District, but was also the
• It is a sad day in Texas when we can't say the same thing about our governor.
• The Texas Election Code states that it is the intent of the...
• The Texas Election Code states that it is the intent of the Legislature that the application of the Texas
• Election Code and the conduct of elections be uniform and consistent throughout the state.

Keywords: special election, 18th Congressional District, Governor Abbott, federal representation, constituent services, Sylvester Turner

Summary: State Rep. Jolanda Jones, joined by Sen. Molly Cook and Reps. Christina Morales, Charlene Ward Johnson, and Lauren Ashley Simmons, held a press event at the Capitol urging Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special election for Texas Congressional District 18. They said the district has been without federal representation since the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner and argued that more than 800,000 constituents are losing access to constituent services, federal assistance, and a voice in Congress. The speakers framed the delay as a constitutional and fairness issue, repeatedly describing the situation as “taxation without representation.” They said the vacancy affects Democrats and Republicans alike, and cited examples such as passport help, veterans’ issues, immigration concerns, and access to federal funding. Several speakers accused the governor of delaying for partisan reasons and called for immediate action so the district can elect a new representative. A letter from Sen. Borris Miles was read into the record, urging Abbott to set the earliest possible special election date and noting that the governor has acted quickly in past vacancies. The event ended with a unified demand that Abbott call the election immediately; no vote or formal legislative action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And has the Texas Police Chiefs Association taken a vote on this bill?
• I'm a senior policy analyst at Texas Appleseed.
• And then the Texas Police Chiefs Association.
• That really would benefit counties, uh, all across Texas.
• And so whenever there are people like you who are available to help in an area where Texas government

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 1 adds section 21 to Article seven of the Texas Constitution to establish the Texas Healthcare
• My name is Kevin Cruiser, and I'm director of government relations for Texas Woman's University.
• Zip codes, CIP codes are like the Dewey Decimal system for college degrees, and zip code 51 degrees are
• workforce and investing in Texas' future.
• Texas needs 1 counselor per 2,668 people.

Transcript Highlights:

• is Dean Thompson's bill that we previously voted out relating to combating human trafficking by the Texas
• The Texas Medical Board has disciplinary oversight over physicians.
• of the Board of Boiler rules within the Texas Department licensing regulation.
• Under current law, the Texas Department licensing regulation must update the Texas Workforce Commission
• Additionally, inconsistency in the definition of a license holder between labor code and occupation code

Transcript Highlights:

• It's funded by governments.
• So it references the Internal Revenue Code Section 62.
• in the Internal Revenue Code.
• These contractors are moving to Texas and Arizona.
• , you know, but to govern.