Transcript Highlights:

• If it's the question of the evolution of the technology in my lifetime, I have seen the evolution of
• So I am neither worried about the technology nor the change in credential or title, if you will.
• technology in my lifetime,<01:38:00.719> I<01:38:00.960> have<01:38:01.119> seen
• am neither worried about the technology am neither worried about the technology nor<01:38:44.480
• consider that advancements in technology consider that advancements in technology have<01:51:08.960

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House began with several announcements and recognitions, including a lengthy tribute to Representative Carolyn Brangan of Georgia on her retirement and years of service, followed by remarks from Brangan explaining that she is leaving to care for her husband during cancer treatment. Additional members offered brief reflections, including one on the end of the session and another welcoming students from Founders Memorial School to the gallery, and a member from Brattleboro highlighted a collaborative mural in the card room titled “These Green Hills, Vermont State Symbols and Personal Reflections.” The body then took up its calendar. It adopted Joint House Resolution 12, authorizing limited remote voting in joint committees through the remainder of the calendar year, with an ADA-related accommodation for members physically present but unable to access a meeting room. The House also suspended rules to take up and concur in the Senate amendment to House Bill 935 on emergency management. The committee report described grant programs for emergency response and technical rescue, new definitions and shelter-planning language centered on “whole community,” a wildland fire response task force, and an emergency rulemaking provision requested by the Agency of Natural Resources; the committee approved the Senate proposal on an 8-3 straw poll, and the House concurred. The House next adopted the conference committee report on House Bill 952, the capital construction and state bonding budget adjustment bill. The report explained changes made in conference, including shifting funds to cover a higher-than-expected bid for the St. Johnsbury facility, restoring some funding for maintenance at the women’s correctional facility in Chittenden County, and setting aside $750,000 toward planning for Wi-Fi installation in correctional facilities. It also noted a lease-related language change for a Vermont Huts project at Little River State Park, with notification to the institutions committee chairs. The House then took up Senate Bill 64 on optometrists’ scope of practice; the committee presentation supported allowing specially credentialed optometrists to perform certain minor surgical, laser, and injection procedures, citing improved access, safety, cost, and workforce development, and the bill was read for second reading with committee recommendations for concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• The project will provide modernization, which is desperately needed for an outdated roadway design, by
• <01:37:19.400> infrastructure communities, needs modern infrastructure communities, needs
• modern infrastructure built<01:37:20.360> out<01:37:20.480> of<01:37:20.560> this
• effort that focused on improving safety through increased enforcement, education, and available technology
• As a result, [snorts] technology.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are places and people, ancient modern hubs, not only of economic activity but also of community
• tariffs and the threats thereof, and rising inflation are occurring just as infrastructure and technology
• <01:39:34.000> hubs people ancient modern hubs people ancient modern hubs not<01:39:35.600
• <01:41:47.360> investments<01:41:47.840> are<01:41:48.000> desperately technology
• investments are desperately technology investments are desperately needed<01:41:49.199> for<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While innovation and technological advancement in food production are valuable, it is important to ensure
• While innovation and technological<01:26:55.920> advancement<01:26:56.719> in<01:26:57.040
• > food technological advancement in food technological advancement in food production<01:26:57.760
• The Equal Access to Broadband Act will modernize franchising to allow cities to franchise broadband companies
• The Equal Access to Broadband Act will modernize franchising to allow cities to franchise broadband companies

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Solar, wind, and batteries are technology and not fuel.
• and not fuel uh Battery are technology and not fuel uh reduced<01:02:26.680> fixed<01:02:27.039
• Today, it's widely adopted, and yet, you know, our policy should reflect modern realities.
• And so this conversation is absolutely part of that modern reality, and you're having it.
• And so this conversation is absolutely part of that modern reality, and you're having it.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we're pursuing this is that otherwise there's no way to recover any kind of compensation for the technology
• We must now focus on modernizing outdated regulatory barriers.
• Do not modernize like our military, our VA, and the 27 other states, along with the two other states
• With over 1,000 people moving per day, how can we not modernize policy to support the evidence that's
• Texans deserve a modern, safe, and cost-effective healthcare system.

Bills: HB35, HB4490, HB4454, HB2188, HB3078, HB4743, HB2556, HB46, HB5342, HB4783, HB3785, HB5278, HB1639, HB2581, HB4224, HB4070, HB4099, HB4882, HB3794, HB46

Keywords: peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, disclosure, next of kin, public information, deceased persons, privacy rights, patient solicitation, marketing practices, healthcare regulation, task force, deceptive advertising, nurse aide, certification, Texas Board of Nursing, healthcare workforce, nursing standards

Transcript Highlights:

• If you recall under the DE1, there is money available through currently existing technology grants that
• And next year is when we have to do modernization, and we're going to do a great job as a committee.
• 00:58:22.160> do And next year is when we have to do And next year is when we have to do modernization
• 58:24.559> going<00:58:24.640> to<00:58:24.799> do<00:58:25.040> a modernization
• and we're going to do a modernization and we're going to do a great<00:58:25.599> job<00:58:25.760

Bills: HF2436, HF2929

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, HF2929, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food assistance, nutrition assistance, public benefits, eligibility determination, income eligibility, federal poverty guidelines, poverty level, county agency, Tribal agency, human services, children and families, benefits administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, House Bill 527 is a simple bill that cleans up various technical changes to modernize language
• To Small Business and Information Technology, House Bills 632 and 633.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with 92 members present, approved the prior day’s journal, and received Senate messages announcing passage of Senate Bills 104 and 152 and Senate Joint Resolution 74. The chamber then moved through second reading of several bills, including measures on pension spiking, real property, organ donation safety, probationary retirement benefits, elections, and retired emergency personnel. Later, the Committee on Committees and Rules reported new referrals and posted bills for Monday’s regular orders, and the House also introduced several floor amendments. Two bills were taken up and passed. House Bill 527, relating to insurance regulatory requirements, was amended by House Committee Substitute 1. The substitute removed language repealing the workers’ compensation deductible range, revised the strengthened Kentucky Homes program to provide one-time grants of up to $15,000 to approved contractors for certification costs, and added an emergency clause for that grant provision. Supporters described the bill as a broad technical modernization of insurance law, including updates to licensing and responsibility requirements; it passed 92-0. House Bill 111, relating to on-farm animal health, was also amended by House Committee Substitute 1 after the sponsor said the bill had been negotiated with agriculture and animal-industry groups. The substitute clarified that farmers may seek guidance from professionals, exempted equine operations, and preserved state and federal authority in disease or abuse cases; the bill passed 94-0. During motions, petitions, communications, and announcements, members recognized Black History Month with a tribute to Georgia Davis Powers, highlighting her civil rights leadership and legislative achievements. The House also heard announcements about an upcoming Kentucky Nuclear Energy Authority/NITA board meeting and a Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board meeting. House Bill 495 was withdrawn by its sponsor, and House Bill 1 was briefly read and returned to committee as part of procedural handling. The House adjourned until 4:00 p.m. Monday, February 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• What does your... ...bill do to that, in terms of modernizing centerful democracy? I'll ask Mr.
• He was targeted through a technology support scam, where a criminal was perpetrating as a technologist

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Regulations would help law enforcement better use polygraph technology and ensure that a consistent level
• forces, a digital and health integration platform, directs the Texas Military Department to build a modern

Bills: SB 36, HB 1065, HB2929, HB2956, HB3009, HB3420, HB3626, HB3649, HB4956, HB4993, HB5293, HB5308, HB5528, HCR118, SB36, HB4023

Keywords: transportation, regional authorities, mobility, infrastructure, sales tax, employee classification, private security, misclassification, workforce regulations, Texas Workforce Commission, autism, peace officers, training program, law enforcement, intervention, communication, developmental disability, family violence, central database, criminal offense

Transcript Highlights:

• commission, in coordination with TEA and the Higher Education Coordinating Board, to award grants for technology
• This is an opportunity to modernize antiquated statutes, remove unnecessary barriers to justice, and

Bills: HB875, HB1667, HB2369, HB3844, HB4415, HB4479, HB4483, HB4676, HB5118, HB5400, HB5545

Keywords: workers' compensation, municipal construction, bidding requirements, small municipalities, contracting policies, first responders, PTSD, mental health, emergency services, medical expenses, injury claims, insurance carriers, opportunity youth, workforce development, employment, education, federal funds, employment discrimination, immunity waiver, public employees

Transcript Highlights:

• That might be my age, or it might be the technology you picked.
• This bill proposes over $4.7 million in the biennium to MDE to modernized district data submissions,

Bills: HF1388

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• They are advanced manufacturing, life sciences, energy, technology, this HJR and the broader water package
• By modernizing the statutory framework for PUA's, HB 1407 ensures that these agencies have the legal

Bills: HB 1089, HB 1163, HB 1177, HB 1238, HB1318, HB1400, HB1407, HB1532, HJR7, HJR7

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:19.280> Today,<00:21:19.760> acupuncture<00:21:20.400> is modern pain
• Today, acupuncture is modern pain care.
• Um, I do think there is some remarkable technology and advancements that have been made in developing
• PGT is problematic as it can lead to modern-day eugenics.
• Nationally, 37% of assisted reproductive technology cycles resulted in a live birth.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Advocate for modernized, humane federal immigration reform and call on Congress and federal leadership
• Advocate for modernized humane threat.
• Advocate for modernized humane federal<00:30:24.559> immigration<00:30:25.039> reform.
• It is lawful, and it has been carried out by every modern president of both parties.
• c> equivalent<01:24:45.120> of They are the modern-day equivalent of They are the modern-day

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I wish I could help you with that, but my knowledge on those kind of technology things are
• There's also some additional information in that bill related to supply chain and technology that is
• that come from those countries. essentially use and acquisition of technologies that come from those
• United States. technology such as your Wi-Fi routers and other types of devices.
• And if I may continue, I'm guessing that these are like any other piece of technology.

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• In one interview with a former district leader, we agreed that students adapted to technology during
• And this is a bill which would create a fund to be able to support technological and science education
• Being able to interest them and excite them about science and technology and math at that age level is
• Yet without clear ethical guidelines, transparency, and equity safeguards, technology risks widening
• So, technology. Tell us your name. Wait, tell us your name. Hi, I’m Reba Tierney. Oh, okay.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony on several bills centered on school accountability, receivership, graduation requirements, charter school access, community schools, school libraries, and student voting rights. Much of the discussion focused on the Thrive Act, S. 374, which would end state receivership and change the state’s accountability approach. Supporters, including educators, parents, advocacy groups, and students, argued that receivership has not improved outcomes in districts such as Lawrence, Holyoke, Southbridge, Boston, and the Dever, and that local communities should have more control, with greater emphasis on community schools, wraparound services, and broader measures of school quality. They also supported related bills on community schools and school library standards, and several witnesses backed a bill to expand student representative voting rights on school committees. Opponents of S. 374, especially charter school leaders, parents, students, and some education advocates, focused on Section 4 of the bill, which would change the charter school net school spending cap in the lowest-performing districts. They argued that the provision would reduce access to charter seats in communities where families are seeking more options, and that schools such as Roxbury Prep, Excel Academy, Brook, Veritas Prep, and Libertas Academy have produced strong results for students, including students of color, low-income students, and students with special needs. Several witnesses said the section would force schools to shrink or close and would remove opportunities for families in districts with long waitlists. Committee members questioned witnesses on both the effectiveness of receivership and the charter school cap language. Chair Lewis and Chair Gordon emphasized the need for a better accountability system and noted concerns about whether current measures, including MCAS-based designations, accurately reflect school quality. Some witnesses said they had discussed the possibility of removing Section 4 from the Thrive Act and suggested it might be addressed in separate charter reform legislation. No votes were taken during the hearing; testimony was received and the committee later closed testimony on S. 374 and several related bills before moving on to the student voting rights bill, S. 367.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would modernize terminology relating to the newly named Polytechnic College, authorize certain
• Rapid DNA technology allows for DNA analysis from a simple mouth swab to be completed in just 90 to 120
• Rapid DNA technology allows for DNA analysis from a simple mouth swab to be completed in just 90 to 120
• This policy and this rapid DNA technology will help us get closer to bringing justice for victims, so
• We have access to this capability, this great technology. We need to use it and deploy it.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Tedrick Woods, followed by routine chamber actions including excusing Senator Gutierrez and receiving House messages that the House had passed HB 21 and HB 49. Senators also recognized advocates visiting the gallery on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis awareness and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including HCR 66, by voice vote. The Senate then took up and passed a series of measures, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Among the bills finally passed were HJR 2, which would prohibit state death taxes; HB 206, limiting counties from requiring cash bonds for pipeline construction; HB 517, barring property owners associations from fining homeowners for discolored vegetation during watering restrictions; HB 2756, requiring TDCJ correctional officers to receive de-escalation and behavioral health training; HB 451, expanding screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk among children in DFPS and TJJD custody; SB 705, cleaning up the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board; SB 2017, creating an offense for burnouts and wheelies; SB 1858, expanding body armor grant eligibility to ISDs; SB 1400, directing a study on transfer-student outcomes for community college funding; SB 2764, requiring notice to manufactured home buyers about converting homes to real property; SB 748, a licensing cleanup bill on laser hair removal; SB 2519, restricting certain ad valorem tax uses and bonds after amendment; SB 2878, the courts bill with amendments on Brazoria County courts and youth diversion provisions; SB 466, allowing families to request fetal death certificates at any gestational age; SB 1608, requiring timely physical exams for inpatient mental health admissions; SB 1730, limiting civil damages claims arising from certain uses of force or deadly force; SB 2417, clarifying Attorney General antitrust investigation work product and discovery rules; and SB 1946, creating a family violence, criminal homicide prevention task force. The Senate also passed HB 3204, renaming and updating the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, and SB 1986, requiring opioid warning labels. Several bills drew brief debate or amendments. Senators discussed broader HOA reform while considering HB 517, and SB 2203 on TCEQ discovery procedures was amended to require party motions, set a 15-day expiration for certified issues, and limit hearing abatement. SB 2017 was amended to change the mens rea language from knowingly to intentional. SB 2519 was narrowed by amendment to a forward-looking policy statement separating maintenance-and-operation taxes from debt-service taxes. SB 2878 also received amendments to reduce the number of new Brazoria County courts and add youth diversion and crisis-response provisions. SB 466 prompted a floor debate over whether fetal death certificates are appropriate for pre-20-week losses, with supporters emphasizing family closure and opponents arguing the document has no estate-related purpose. SB 1730 also prompted questions about the relationship between criminal findings and civil liability in self-defense cases. The session concluded with additional House and Senate measures being signed in the presence of the Senate and continued consideration of SB 2177, a grant program to help local law enforcement solve violent and sexual offenses.

Transcript Highlights:

• a modern uh uh modernization of this is a modern uh uh modernization of our<02:46:57.600> voter
• of the voter this is a modernization of the voter registration<03:50:39.760> process.
• So, it's common sense modernization.
• <04:09:35.760> registration is about modernizing voter registration is about modernizing voter
• Next up is Liz Tanterelli. modernizing voter registration and modernizing voter registration and reducing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of TAPIA, and we are absolutely in favor of Senate Bill 458. ...provides a framework for today's modern
• All this technology, whether it's wind, solar...
• It relies heavily on agriculture, steel manufacturing, renewable energy, data centers, and technology
• I think there's a lot of interesting new developments in that area... ...developments in the technology
• An increase in cost for inexpensive energy technology will only increase... ...costs for us ratepayers

Bills: SB458, SB819, SB1238, SB1642, SB1643, SB1644, SB1791, SB1810, SB1824, SB1825, SB758, SB1455, SB1706

Keywords: insurance appraisal, property insurance, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, residential property, disputed loss, loss valuation, appraisal clause, appraiser, umpire, Texas Department of Insurance, TDI, insurance dispute resolution, claims adjustment, total loss, windstorm insurance, FAIR Plan, surplus lines insurance, policyholder, insurer