Transcript Highlights:

• So this is more and more indicative of owners taking the time to be responsible, good stewards of existing
• I'm the owner of Marksman General Contractors.
• When a local business owner wants to renovate an existing building instead of doing a new one, they're
• resident's homestead under a lump-sum contract, or may be purchased by or on behalf of a contractor for the owner

Bills: SB214, SB935, SB1030, SB1901, SB2018, SB2020, SB2066, SB2206

Keywords: HVAC, tax exemption, energy efficiency, residential heating, installation services, Energy Star, sales tax, residential, installation, sales tax exemption, Environmental Protection Agency, temporary exemption, motor fuel tax, county exemption, diesel fuel, gasoline tax, transportation funding, SB 1030, Texas Tax Code, use tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• If the rightful owner has not come forward to claim the commodities, it is either sold or donated typically
• AB 312 gives the rightful owner still an opportunity to claim. the profits for a period of no less than
• And with the rise of digital tools like social media and online bulletins, commodity owners can now be
• Much more quickly, however, oftentimes no owner is located in the bill allows a county agriculture commissioner

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is uncertainty for fireworks business owners from year to year or even sales period to sales period
• This bill simply removes arbitrary and costly barriers for small business owners.
• I'm an owner of Alamo Fireworks Incorporated.
• She wasn't a fireworks owner, but she was one that leased the stand from the fireworks company and sold

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows owners to designate a beneficiary for a manufactured home to take effect at death, bypassing
• The bill also requires all joint owners with the right of survivorship to agree on the designation, and
• Upon death, the manufactured home transfers to the beneficiary if they survive the owner by 120 hours
• The home lapses to the estate if the beneficiary does not survive the owner in this time frame.

Bills: SB387, SB1650, SB1838, SB1839, SB1923, SB1940, SB2052

Keywords: judicial bond, guardianship, probate law, county judge, statutory county court, attorney general, criminal prosecution, public order, law enforcement, jurisdiction, attorney ad litem, parent-child relationship, compensation, legal representation, government entity, probate, court proceedings, record delivery, wills, legal documentation

Summary: The Senate Committee on Jurisprudence heard several family-law and probate bills. Senate Bill 2052 would codify a rebuttable presumption that a parent acts in the best interest of a child and require clear and convincing evidence to overcome that presumption in disputes involving non-parents; the author and several witnesses supported the bill as a clarification of existing case law, while one witness suggested refining the modification language. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1923, which would allow child support to follow a child placed temporarily with kin or fictive kin under a parental child safety placement or authorization agreement; the bill’s author and a grandparent caregiver testified in support, while one witness suggested the Attorney General could handle the change administratively. That bill was also left pending. Senate Bill 1838 would standardize fee schedules and compensation rules for attorneys ad litem and related court-appointed counsel in DFPS child-protection cases. The author said the bill would clarify unclear current law, and witnesses from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission and family-defense bar supported it, though one asked that expert-witness expenses be expressly included. Senate Bill 387 would raise the bond requirement for county judges handling guardianship proceedings to at least $500,000; the author described it as a refiling of a prior bill that passed unanimously but was vetoed, and a statutory probate judge testified in support. Senate Bill 1839 would require original or paper wills to be delivered to the transferee court when probate proceedings are transferred; the committee substitute broadened the delivery methods, and the district clerk witness supported the change. All three bills were left pending. The committee also took up Senate Bill 1536, which had previously been voted out with the wrong committee substitute; members reconsidered the vote, adopted the corrected substitute, and then voted 3-0 to report the bill favorably to the full Senate, with local and contested calendar certification. Finally, Senate Bill 1940 would create a transfer-on-death mechanism for manufactured homes classified as personal property, similar to existing tools for real property and vehicles; the author and an estate-planning attorney testified that it would streamline transfers and reduce probate costs. A non-substantive committee substitute was still being prepared, and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas, Senator Zaffirini is a former educator, the owner of Zaffirini Communications and the president
• Metrocrest Chamber serves over 500 businesses, and I'm proud to be a member myself as a small business owner
• referred to the committee on pensions. and financial services, HB 246 by Guillen, relating to the land owner
• HB 294 by Cortez relating to the regulation by municipality or property owners association of food production

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SJR 2-F is a governor's plan to provide property tax relief to owners of real property in the great state
• And I think that looking at it from a taxpayer's perspective, a property, a homestead property owner,
• In the case of renters, I'm sure that at some point there may be some homestead property owners that,
• So what often happens is the property owner wants to make sure, Then what happens is the property owner
• So if there is some sort of tax relief for that property owner, especially with that cap coming from

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sure of your name. >> One of the problems is state your name for... >> My name is Sandra Weiss, the owner
• That's the law: the cash is handed to them, and they're the owner of that tip.
• It's that's the law that<00:45:01.040> they're<00:45:01.359> the<00:45:01.599> owner
• <00:45:03.280> And that they're the owner of that tip.
• And that they're the owner of that tip.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3524 and House File 3525 and laid both over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill, with no amendments adopted and no vote taken at this stage. HF 3524 would conform Minnesota law to the federal overtime tax deduction, and HF 3525 would conform to the federal tip-income deduction. The author argued both bills would help workers keep more of their earnings, simplify tax filing, support labor-force participation, and provide relief to workers in hospitality, trades, health care, and other industries. The committee heard testimony in support from a restaurant owner, Sandra Weiss of the Finnish Beastro in St. Paul, who said the bills would help tipped workers keep more of their income and would support hospitality businesses. She described her staff as roughly half men and half women, including students and long-term employees, and said front-of-house tipped workers and back-of-house workers face different pay levels. She also said Minnesota’s tip rules and lack of a tip credit create challenges for the industry. During questioning, members discussed wage disparities, the makeup of her workforce, and the practical effects of the proposals. Opposition testimony came from Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project and Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota, both of whom argued the bills are regressive, poorly targeted, and costly. They said the deductions would mainly benefit higher earners, violate horizontal equity by treating similar incomes differently, and could encourage compensation restructuring. They also warned the combined cost would exceed $500 million over the 2028-29 biennium and could pressure funding for health care, education, and other public services. Mark Havenman of the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence similarly criticized the bills on tax fairness and administrative grounds, noting the federal tip deduction framework is still under development and could create enforcement issues. Nonpartisan staff provided revenue estimates showing HF 3524 would reduce general fund revenue by about $365.9 million in fiscal 2027 and HF 3525 by about $126 million in fiscal 2027, with smaller ongoing impacts in later years. Members also raised questions about how the bills would be paid for and what income would qualify under the overtime deduction.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill proposes to do is require a commercial property owner in the city of Shreveport to demolish
• But it's just a restructure that allows them to add some homeowners and lease owners to the board, as
• Homeowners and lease owners to the board, as well as just giving them a little more autonomy.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill requires local governments to allow property owners to voluntarily create accessory dwelling
• Under this bill, the property owner retains his homestead exemption for that portion of the property
• on which the owner maintains a permanent residence.

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several ceremonial introductions recognizing St. Johns County Day, Florida Space Day, Florida State Parks Day, Pinellas County Commissioner Kathleen Peters, and AMI Kids Day at the Capitol. The chamber then received and adopted a committee report on executive appointments, with debate focused on the confirmation of Tina Vidal-Douart. Senator Smith opposed her confirmation, citing concerns about contracts tied to the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility and the Hope Florida Foundation; Senator Pizzo spoke in support, describing her assistance during COVID testing and vaccination efforts. The report was adopted by a vote of 37 yeas, 0 nays. On the special order calendar, the Senate passed Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 48 on housing, which requires local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, limits certain local restrictions, preserves homestead treatment for the primary residence portion, and extends density bonus incentives for military families. The bill passed 38 yeas, 0 nays. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 578, creating a statewide Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Initiative through the Department of Elder Affairs to promote early detection, diagnosis, brain health, and outreach to older and higher-risk Floridians. That bill also passed 38 yeas, 0 nays. Chair Hooper gave a budget update, saying appropriations work was progressing and that budget rollout would be delayed until next Thursday, February 12, with full appropriations hearing scheduled for Wednesday, February 18. The Senate then waived rules to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House. Additional announcements highlighted Manatee County Days, New College of Florida Day, and Florida Keys Day. The Senate adjourned until noon on Wednesday, February 11, or upon the call of the President.

Transcript Highlights:

• When selling the vehicles, essentially the license plates are going to go with the owner, and they can
• And that's the topic of confusion we want to avoid by making these plates go with the owner.
• Use the license plate as a mechanism to charge a fee to the owner.

Bills: SB35, SB249, SB546, SB1353, SB1493, SB2246, SB1902, SB1029

Keywords: transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County

Transcript Highlights:

• This is just a registry of responsible owners. Yeah. Yeah.
• Uh, this is just a responsible owner registry, and it makes it possible for any administrative process
• of rental properties in corporate owners of rental properties in the<00:29:21.320> state<00:29
• in counties that have a property owners in counties that have a local<00:30:07.520> registration<
• a responsible owner registry a responsible owner registry and<00:31:51.760> it<00:31:51.880

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum present and then proceeded through committee reports, largely adopting favorable reports and amendments without objection. Early measures included SB 530, which funds grants for multigenerational social connection programs for older adults; SB 731, clarifying the legal status of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council; SB 809, directing a feasibility study on a caregiver infrastructure program; SB 860, creating an Aging Resilience Fund with reporting and budget protections; SB 910, requiring insurance reimbursement for services provided by graduate-level clinical interns under supervision; and SB 972, making several Baltimore City alcoholic beverages licensing changes. Each of these bills was advanced to third reading after committee amendments were adopted. The Finance Committee also advanced SB 555, establishing a Dementia Services and Brain Health Program and a provider resource toolkit for dementia care; SB 757, creating a Maryland Local Sourcing Portal to connect businesses with local sources for tariff-impacted goods; SB 772, creating an employment training and opportunity database to help people qualify for or maintain Medicaid and SNAP; SB 792, requiring hospitals to adopt and train staff on immigration-enforcement policies consistent with Attorney General guidance; SB 869, establishing a workforce training pilot program through Commerce and community colleges; SB 905, creating an advanced manufacturing grant program through TEDCO; and SB 974, changing who may serve as inspector for the Caroline County Board of License Commissioners. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or narrowing amendments and then ordered printed for third reading. Budget and Taxation advanced SB 28, which would create binding arbitration for state employee collective bargaining impasses and include a proposed constitutional amendment requiring funding in the Governor’s budget; SB 466, expanding a physician preceptor tax credit and adjusting training-hour requirements; and later SB 704, concerning estate tax treatment for qualified agricultural property transferred to an LLC. SB 557, a gaming-related bill, was laid over until the end of the evening at the majority leader’s request. In the Education, Energy, and the Environment report, the committee advanced SB 35 on a state natural science museum designation, SB 166 on shellfish aquaculture permit sanctions, SB 189 on municipal drainage inlet safety requirements prompted by a child’s death, SB 242 on civil relief for service members and spouses, SB 266 on local regulation of invasive trees and tree-of-heaven, and SB 267 on a corporate rental-property registry and local housing application review process. SB 267 drew a brief question from the minority leader, who asked whether prior opposition remained and how the amended bill differed; the sponsor said the opposition had gone away and described the bill as now focused on a responsible-owner registry and an administrative review process.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's the owner of All Washed Up in North Minneapolis. She received a $31,000 grant.
• emailed us to $10,000 grant that owner emailed us to thank<01:00:54.359> the<01:00:54.520>
• occupied business in a small as an owner occupied business in a small town<01:02:21.319> um<01
• One of the grants went to a private outdoor nature school, and the owner of that school used some of
• of that school used some of the owner of that school used some of the funds<01:07:41.200> to<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , but not communities and land owners, but not necessarily<00:53:30.240> for<00:53:30.400>
• <00:53:39.920> In<00:53:40.160> fact, the community or land owners.
• In fact, the community or land owners.
• project and residence owners. project and residence owners.
• ,<00:58:13.520> Minnesota's farmers and land owners, Minnesota's farmers and land owners,

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill just asks them to abide by those guidelines if there’s something the owner can do to meet the
• I am a business owner and nonprofit executive, and I support this bill.
• Magda Molina, homeowner and business owner in Los Angeles, strongly support. Thank you.
• Magda Molina, homeowner and business owner in Los Angeles, strongly support.
• Magda Molina, home and business owner in Los Angeles, in strong support. Good afternoon.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several insurance-related bills. SB 1209 by Senator Allen, sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, would give the Department of Insurance stronger enforcement tools when insurers fail to implement corrective actions identified in market conduct or financial examinations. Supporters said the bill would close gaps that allow repeated violations, improve solvency oversight, and protect policyholders; opponents argued CDI already has broad authority and raised concerns about duplicative penalties, due process, and the bill’s scope. Members discussed amendments to limit the bill to legal violations rather than recommendations, apply penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarify accounting language. The committee voted to send SB 1209 to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call after a roll vote that included one no vote from Senator Niello. The committee also considered SB 1301, which would require more detailed non-renewal notices for residential property insurance, give policyholders time and information to address correctable issues, and restrict certain non-renewal reasons such as claims below deductible or not covered by the policy. Support came from homeowners, fire survivors, and consumer groups who said notices are often vague and leave families unable to keep coverage; insurers opposed the bill, warning that California’s notice period is already among the longest in the country and that the bill could worsen availability and add burdensome reporting requirements. The author said he was willing to reduce the notice period from 180 days to about three months and work on a mitigation-based process. The committee passed the bill to Appropriations, with Senator Niello voting no and the item placed on call. SB 1026 by Senator Gonzalez would tighten regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing the Department of Insurance to suspend or revoke licenses without a criminal conviction, adding conduct restrictions, and requiring continuous liability coverage and proper appointment notices. Supporters, including Commissioner Lara, said the bill addresses serious misconduct and loopholes that have led to unsafe conduct and weak oversight. Bail industry representatives and crime victims’ advocates opposed the measure, arguing that the required insurance coverage is unavailable or unlawful as written, that the bill would be hard to comply with, and that it could reduce the number of recovery agents and delay justice. The committee moved SB 1026 to Appropriations, with Senator Niello voting no and the bill placed on call. The committee then heard SB 982 by Senator Wiener, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, which would authorize the Attorney General to sue fossil fuel companies to recover costs tied to climate disasters and insurance losses, with supporters framing it as a way to shift some climate-related costs away from policyholders and taxpayers. The author said amendments would remove retroactivity and delay liability until 2032, while supporters from flood and wildfire survivor groups and climate organizations said the bill would help fund recovery and stabilize insurance costs. Opponents from industry and building trades argued the bill was legally vulnerable, would create a de facto tax or liability scheme, and could harm jobs, energy production, and affordability. Testimony on SB 982 was extensive, but the transcript ends before any committee vote or final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill, 1301, will make long overdue reforms to the process by which residential property owners choose
• This bill just asks them to abide by those guidelines if there's something the owner can do to meet the
• Magda Molina, homeowner and business owner in Los Angeles, in strong support.
• Magda Molina, home and business owner in Los Angeles, in strong support.
• Magda Molina, home and business owner in Los Angeles, in strong support.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• vehicles used by state employees without placing unnecessary burdens on taxpayers or private property owners
• vehicles used by state employees without placing unnecessary burdens on taxpayers or private property owners
• vehicles used by state employees without placing unnecessary burdens on taxpayers or private property owners
• HB 294 by Cortez relating to the regulation by a municipality or Property Owners Association of food
• As a proud pet owner, I understand how deeply our animals become part of our families.

Bills: HB1520, HB1545, HJR110, HJR203, HB245, HB1465, HB1482, HB294, HB793, HB809, HB3928, HB334, HB2037, HB1973, HB285, HB4341, HB4264, HB 1043, HB837, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 1194, HB1646, HB1729, HB2498, HB1314, HB2295, HB1353, HB1531, HB1988, HB5398, HB3960, HB3923, HB1407, HB1764, HB2221, HB2214, HB2517, HB2518, HB2213, HB5008, HB5092, HB3421, HB3663, HB3748, HB3800, HB3756, HB2613, HB3782, HB5246, HB4344, HB4044, HB4066, HB2702, HB2807, HB2869, HB2898, HB3181, HB3250, HB4153, HB2091, HB2115, HB2542, HB2768, HB3349, HB3352, HB4406, HB1593, HB1899, HB3133, HB4432, HB4960, HB3214, HB3915, HB3508, HB2145, SB304, SB608, SB2312, SB494, SB530, HB45, HB2520, HB35, HB47, HB318, HB349, HB554, HB1359, HB1373, HB2254, HB2259, HB2853, HB3073, HB3088, HB353, HB355, HB786, HB762, HB705, HB932, HB849, HB 1119, HB3041, HB713, HB3104, HB3970, HB4042, HB4490, HB1731, HB2607, HB3689, HB1788, HB1612, HB138, HB15, HB1971, HB1338, HB2989, HB267, HB 1201, HB2954, HB5265, HB1804, HB5061, HB1520, HB1545, HJR110, HJR203, HB1887, HB1914, HB2402, HB2306, HB1809, HB2350, HB3000, HB3237, HB3326, HB3211, HB 1056, HB2081, HB2187, HB3092, HB3308, HB3526, HB3750, HB3527, HB4219, HB4230, HB4290, HB5238, HB4804, HB4749, HB245, HB1465, HB1482, HB294, HB793, HB809, HB3928, HB334, HB2037, HB1973, HB285, HB4341, HB4264, HB 1043, HB837, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 1194, HB1646, HB1729, HB2498, HB1314, HB2295, HB1353, HB1531, HB1988, HB5398, HB3960, HB3923, HB1407, HB1764, HB2221, HB2214, HB2517, HB2518, HB2213, HB5008, HB5092, HB3421, HB3663, HB3748, HB3800, HB3756, HB2613, HB3782, HB5246, HB4344, HB4044, HB4066, HB2702, HB2807, HB2869, HB2898, HB3181, HB3250, HB4153, HB2091, HB2115, HB2542, HB2768, HB3349, HB3352, HB4406, HB1593, HB1899, HB3133, HB4432, HB4960, HB3214, HB3915, HB3508, HB2145, HCR6, HCR12, HCR34, HCR50, HCR55, HCR58, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR74, HCR75, HCR78, HCR80, HCR93, HCR100, HCR107, HCR116, HCR117, HCR90

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• if it's a portfolio loan, to obtain documentation in writing, servicers and obviously a portfolio owner
• flexibility in continuing to negotiate this, but it is real-life, real consequence assistance that property owners
• flexibility in continuing to negotiate this, but it is real-life, real consequence assistance that property owners
• Before coming to the Legislature, I also was a small business owner.
• And if they mistreat a small business owner, the state doesn't really have the ability to effectively

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also an independent agency owner.
• Independent agents are business owners in every meaningful sense of the word.
• At its core, Senate Bill 2782 protects a system that works for consumers, for business owners, and for
• At its core, Senate Bill 2782 protects a system that works for consumers, for business owners, and for
• Today, they're homeowners, business owners, and have put their children through college.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am an aspiring small business owner hoping a small retail fireworks business here in Minnesota
• I'm genuinely excited to become a Minnesota small business owner and to serve my community with pride
• Minnesota genuinely excited to become a Minnesota small<00:05:00.720> business<00:05:01.160> owner
• small business owner small business owner and<00:05:02.560> to<00:05:02.680> serve

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• larceny, you might notice the similar language in Section 1 as it relates to the intent to deprive the owner
• The owner.
• of intending to take and carry away the personal property of another with the intent to deprive the owner
• I've impacted the owner and operator who shows up to work the next day and is using a piece of equipment
• When you transport to a waste facility and you don't know the petroleum products owner, they're not going

Bills: SB23, SB221, SB261, SB264

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security