Transcript Highlights:

• of David to stand up for what is right in the face of giant obstacles, and the faith of Abraham to trust
• You give us the direction, we're ready to go. We're waiting for those emergency orders.
• To Lieutenant Governor Patrick and my Senate colleagues, thank you for your trust and your friendship
• We've seen that time and time again in national trends, where Texas is critical mass for the direction

Summary: The Texas Senate convened for the opening of the 89th Legislature with an invocation, roll call, and certification of the newly elected senators by the Secretary of State. Senators-elect were then administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, formally seating the new members. Governor Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott addressed the chamber, congratulating members and emphasizing priorities such as border security, education, energy, foster care, and school choice, while Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick highlighted the Senate’s bipartisan culture and the work ahead. The chamber then held its organizational business, including the election of Senator Brandon Creighton as President Pro Tempore. Senator Parker nominated Creighton and Senator Bettencourt seconded the nomination, both praising his background, legislative record, and leadership. The Senate voted by standing vote to elect Creighton, who was then escorted to the dais and sworn in. In his remarks, Creighton reflected on his family, his time as a Senate messenger, and his priorities for the session, including Texas sovereignty, economic opportunity, education, and conservative policy goals. The only formal legislative action taken was adoption of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7, granting permission for the Legislature to adjourn for more than three days during the specified period. The resolution passed by a roll call vote of 31 ayes and no nays. The Senate then adopted a motion to recess until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, after a caucus meeting earlier that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item number 4: Possible discussion, revision, and vote to provide direction to the 911 Management Authority
• Now, with any legislative cycle, you have to trust that that's what's going to happen, right?
• But regardless of the direction of where we're at, I need direction as your legislative liaison.
• I need direction on what this body wants to do.
• Can you modify your initial motion to allow to begin neutral unless further direction is received from

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For me, the entity that brought this issue to me was the Evangeline Bank and Trust.
• He said his body of work has to be respectable so the members can trust him, and they have to get to
• He noted that Louisiana’s own directive on this was first issued in 2004, about 22 years ago, and has
• Evangeline Bank, the reason I'm at this table, Evangeline Bank and Trust has not been able to.
• I also serve as the Resource Center for the Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund.

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on May 19 and first took up Senate Bill 509 on bank-owned life insurance. The bill would clarify that banks retain an insurable interest in former employees for purposes of exchanging underperforming bank-owned life insurance policies for better-performing ones. Members adopted a revised amendment set after withdrawing a prior version. Testimony focused heavily on whether consent from the insured former employee is required for any transfer or exchange, with supporters saying the bill is needed to address underperforming policies and opponents warning about unclear consent standards, data-transfer concerns, litigation risk, and possible federal tax issues. After debate, the committee reported SB 509 as amended by a 7-4 vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 295, which requires health insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment for persons with acquired brain injuries, including cognitive rehabilitation and related services. Supporters from the Brain Injury Association of Louisiana and NeuroRestorative described gaps in post-acute care, high rates of discharge to unsafe home settings or nursing homes, and improved return-to-work outcomes when patients receive appropriate rehabilitation. An amendment was adopted to clarify federal essential health benefit limits and remove certain language, reducing the fiscal note to zero. The bill was then reported as amended without objection. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 155, which requires coverage for medically necessary dental procedures needed for cancer treatment clearance, such as exams, imaging, and extractions. Cancer advocates, oncologists, and dental representatives said untreated dental problems can delay chemotherapy or radiation and lead to worse outcomes and higher costs. Cleanup amendments were adopted, and the bill was reported as amended. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 465, which tightens prompt-payment deadlines for health insurers, adds pharmacy payment provisions, and creates a recoupment timeline for dental claims; after technical and substantive amendments, it was reported as amended. Finally, the committee approved Senate Bill 276, creating a pre-appointment affidavit process for bail bond producers to ensure prior premiums, shortages, and forfeitures are resolved before a new insurer appointment, and House Resolution 260, which urges the Department of Insurance to study how out-of-network medical billing affects auto insurance rates. Both measures were reported favorably or as amended, and the committee adjourned after a motion to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendation is to pass with amendments, adopting LRB tech amendments and moving the trust fund from
• Remove the option for the contributors to receive payments from the Wildfire Liability Trust Fund for
• the wild utilities to participate in the wild fire<00:14:46.040> liability<00:14:46.560> trust
• <00:14:46.800> fund<00:14:47.040> using<00:14:47.320> language fire liability trust
• fund using language fire liability trust fund using language from<00:14:47.880> SB from SB from

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Judiciary committee met in decision-making mode and took up a long list of measures, mostly recommending passage with or without amendments. Early actions included S.B. 414, which was amended to blank the appropriation, draw funds from the major disaster fund, and change the effective date to 2050, and S.B. 223, which would require fire breaks in hazardous fire areas and create or expand wildland fire prevention and protection programs with blank appropriations for FY 2026 and 2027. The committee also advanced S.B. 1009 on state reserve parking space enforcement, S.B. 1149 on reported hate crime definitions and reporting, S.B. 402 on mooring-line requirements for certain vessels, S.B. 1441 on the Oahu regional health care system transfer, S.B. 1442 on child and adolescent mental health responsibilities, S.B. 1478 on harbor evacuation orders, and S.B. 493 on written notice for emotional support animal sales or verifications. Members generally raised little opposition, and most measures were adopted without reservations. Some bills drew brief discussion or committee-report notes, including S.B. 1149, which referenced a Hawaii Civil Rights Commission report encouraging policy-level hate crime data reporting, and S.B. 1442, which was amended with a far-future effective date and a committee-report note about whether mental health services should be expressly subject to funding. S.B. 1441 was substantially revised to require a memorandum of agreement between the Oahu Regional Health Care System and the Department of Health by November 30, 2025, with patient care to begin by December 31, 2025, and a report to the legislature before the 2026 session. The committee also considered several finance and energy-related measures. S.B. 897 on the wildfire liability trust fund prompted questions about whether costs would be passed to consumers; the response was that the proposal contemplated cost sharing and that some amounts were still blank. S.B. 1395 and S.B. 1396 were amended to remove special-fund structures, direct revenues into the general fund, and require the governor to include equivalent amounts in the executive budget for climate-related projects. S.B. 501 was amended to expand step-in agreement provisions for future PPAs and establish a fund outside the State Treasury, and S.B. 1589 was amended so private donations to the stadium authority would go into the NID special fund for stadium infrastructure and sod, with members discussing accountability and the source of stadium-related consultant spending. The committee adopted the recommendations on all measures considered, with some members noting reservations on a few bills, and one item, S.B. 1418, was deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:47.200> tide their ability to grow and directing tide their ability to grow and directing
• the<00:25:00.799> parent direct communication with the parent direct communication with
• Trust me. Okay.
• <00:26:41.440> We<00:26:41.679> have Trust me. Um, okay. We have Trust me.
• Oh, trust me. My members never disappoint.

Bills: HF604, HF1972, HF578, HF1951, HF629, HF864, HF874, HF1155, HF884, HF2365, HF643, HF234, HF2655, HF2637, HF2535, HF2530, HF2344, HF584, HF524

Keywords: airport funding, bonds, transportation, capital investment, Karlstad, community center, Breckenridge, state bonds, economic development, HF578, Faribault, River Bend Nature Center, bonding bill, bond proceeds fund, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR grant, nature center, visitor center, environmental education, multicultural center

Transcript Highlights:

• We trust you."
• Right now, methods that voters trust.
• <00:53:48.319> We<00:53:48.559> trust<00:53:48.800> you."
• We trust you." said, "Yeah, here you go. We trust you."
• In June of this year, voters can trust.

Keywords: Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15 Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14 Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee met to approve the October 21 minutes and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and public resources. The sponsors said the bill is intended to strengthen existing law by adding civil and criminal penalties for taxpayer-funded advocacy on ballot questions, especially in light of controversies during the 2024 election over school officials and districts using public resources to oppose a constitutional amendment. They also described related concerns about school districts hiring third-party lobbyists and public relations firms, particularly in Fayette County, and said the proposal was meant to keep tax dollars focused on public services rather than political persuasion. Committee members raised several concerns about scope and drafting. Some asked whether the bill should specifically mention schools, school boards, and school employees, and the sponsors said they would add that language. Others questioned whether the measure would also affect local government lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, and the sponsors said they intended to focus narrowly on schools while exempting certain advocacy organizations and internal government lobbyists. Members also asked whether public employees could still speak as private individuals, and the sponsors said yes. Several members suggested splitting the lobbying and ballot-advocacy issues into separate bills, and the sponsors said they would consider that. Members also pressed for clarification on how the bill would apply in practice, including whether it would cover legal challenges to petition drives or only advocacy after a question is on the ballot. Counsel for the sponsors said the bill would not cover some petition-related litigation as drafted, though they believed it should. The sponsors and supporters argued the proposal was needed to give the existing prohibition real enforcement, while some members warned that the language could unintentionally limit legitimate public representation or be too broad if not carefully drafted. No final vote was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• facilities in direct care and treatment. facilities in direct care and treatment.
• running the health care side of direct running the health care side of direct care<02:02:22.400>
• <02:06:00.320> care advocate for a budget for direct care advocate for a budget for direct
• Treatment, Direct uh Family Direct Treatment, Direct uh direct<02:09:29.760> direct<02:09:30.159
• direct care and treatment, the direct direct care and treatment, the Office<02:09:31.840> of<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• May we not turn away from the direction you would have us go in our service to your people.
• May we not turn away from the<02:06:39.679> direction<02:06:40.079> you<02:06:40.400>
• you would have us go in the direction you would have us go in our<02:06:41.679> service<02:06
• in you, but that should not just trust in you, but that you<02:06:58.560> call<02:06:58.800><
• Detective Daell built trust and protected vulnerable neighbors.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 14, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:49:24.400> members first instance or I would direct members first instance or I would
• direct members attention<01:49:25.199> to,<01:49:26.239> uh,<01:49:26.800> 6413<
• Recognition that municipalities can and do have offenses that do not have a direct comparable offense
• toward direct assistance more efficiently and effectively.
• > more directed toward direct assistance more directed toward direct assistance more efficiently

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [clears throat] Additionally, uh, LBR does not include a deposit to the disaster trust fund.
• Additionally, uh, LBR does not include a deposit to the disaster trust fund.
• fund is created that would be the trust fund is created within<01:23:58.000> that.
• We need to have at least 1,500 to be compliant, so we're moving in that direction.
• that direction that direction college<02:06:48.560> partnerships college partnerships college

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 21 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks present its FY27 budget request and discuss accomplishments from prior appropriations. The commissioner highlighted improved conservation officer retention after salary increases, continued training and wellness efforts, upgrades to state parks and cabins, expansion of tiny homes, fisheries stocking and youth fishing programs, ongoing chronic wasting disease testing, and the Museum of Natural Science’s recent accreditation. The agency said it wants to maintain parks and facilities so they do not deteriorate again, and it emphasized tourism and public access benefits. Budget staff then outlined the request: $21.7 million in general funds, including increases for state parks, the museum, law enforcement, and chronic wasting disease; $23.2 million in state support capital and education funds; and $86.99 million in special funds authority. Major capital requests included $18.8 million for state parks projects at several parks, $1.25 million for law enforcement facilities, $2 million for Lake Lamar Bruce improvements, and $1.125 million for mobile teaching vans. Members asked for more detail on general fund increases, proof that law enforcement salary enhancements reached field agents, more information on the tiny home program and its return on investment, the source of motor vehicle funds, and a breakdown of requested pins and vacancies. The committee also questioned the agency about chronic wasting disease, with the department saying the $400,000 request supports testing and research and that live testing is not yet reliable. Members raised concerns about prioritization of lake and park maintenance, especially Lake Claude Bennett, and whether the agency is too reactive rather than proactive in addressing deteriorating facilities. The department said funding limitations and federal restrictions on certain lake dollars drive its priorities, and that it focuses on the most-used parks and lakes. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then going through the projects are tabbed behind that if you get direct information on any of the
• This bill is a step in the right direction to help with cost share involved in the aging infrastructure
• This bill is a step in the right direction to help with cost share involved in the aging infrastructure
• Uh, Senator, I I guess<00:32:04.159> I<00:32:04.399> would<00:32:04.480> direct<
• <00:53:25.760> that because I just didn't quite trust that because I just didn't quite trust

Bills: HB0078, HB0087, SF0070, SF0068, SF0017, SF0043

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, water development, feasibility studies, appropriations, water management, rehabilitation, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, forestry management

Transcript Highlights:

• The entire membership extends his best wishes on this memorable occasion and directs this resolution
• If so, um, um, um, the clerk will take the call. directs this resolution be presented on directs this
• There is a fiscal impact, and that is to save money out of the Transportation Trust Fund.
• There is a fiscal impact, and that is to save money out of the Transportation Trust Fund.
• So I move the transportation trust fund.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, quorum call, and several introductions recognizing guests, including Reverend Jennifer Carsner and her daughter, President Kirk Schmoke, representatives from Maryland independent colleges and universities, students from Stevenson University, Howard and Anne Arundel counties, Washington College, a constituent, and the Greater Washington, D.C.-Maryland chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The chamber also adopted a resolution honoring Damatha Catholic High School for winning the 2025 WCAC football championship and another recognizing the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce on its 100th anniversary. Both resolutions were adopted unanimously after brief remarks and roll calls. The Senate then took up executive nominations, separating nominee 16 from the main report. The chamber voted 42 in favor on the remaining nominations and then 42 in favor on nominee 16, giving all nominees the Senate’s advice and consent. On third reading, the Senate passed several bills, including SB 46, SB 25, SB 58, SB 163, SB 170, SB 188, SB 247, SB 356, and SB 379, with recorded affirmative votes ranging from 36 to 42. These measures covered topics such as veterans cemeteries, tax credits and tax modifications, education funding, transportation revenue bonds, biotechnology incentives, a stillborn child tax credit, and recovery residence grant funding. The chamber also advanced numerous second-reading bills, generally adopting committee reports and amendments without objection. Among the measures discussed were collective bargaining for Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission police officers; adoption of the 2022 Uniform Commercial Code amendments for controllable electronic records; cemetery sale and transfer oversight; an additional license for electronic smoking devices; collective bargaining for Baltimore County Public Library supervisory employees; payroll processor exemptions under the Money Transmission Act; scalp cooling coverage for chemotherapy patients; orthoses and prostheses coverage under health and Medicaid plans; an online database of elevator inspection certificates; service animal program disqualification standards; extension of the State Board of Environmental Health Specialists; disclosure of lapsed professional liability insurance for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and nurse midwives; and revisions to massage therapy licensure rules. Most reports were favorable, with several technical or substantive amendments adopted and bills ordered printed for third reading. A notable policy discussion occurred on SB 56, which would allow the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center to share individual-level student and workforce data with a third-party data center for multi-state reporting. The sponsor explained the bill as a way to compare Maryland outcomes with other states while using data-sharing agreements and oversight to protect privacy; a minority whip raised concerns about the type of third-party data center and whether the practice was new. The sponsor said the bill was intended to formalize and safeguard data sharing, and noted a technical amendment would be offered to correct the amendment language.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those aren't really directed towards us.
• You know, this is this administration's directive, and with that New Mexico is.
• And so I didn't direct.
• of groundwater flows on Playa Lakes and in the direction of White Sands National Park.
• They've been meeting in another room today on their policy directives and agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• The darker area at the bottom is the direct jobs and then resulting from that, you have induced jobs.
• I don't know if that's going in the right direction. In FY09.
• Again, data is going in the wrong direction from my perspective. 83 of our positions are in the field
• Lanier, let me direct your attention. I want to mention chart 13.
• Policy, funding, grid capacity, or public trust. Madam Chair, Representative, thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything went up during that period and that has had a direct impact on the premium costs.
• of direct written premium collective, which is the total collection of premium in the state.
• So it says generally speaking, we've seen ourselves moving the right direction in this space and then
• And if I think if it if Florida had not moved in that direction, despite consternation 2 decades ago,
• Everything seems to be looking to play in the right direction for 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's not a surprise that nobody trusts it's not a surprise that nobody trusts the<00:15:46.880><
• They don't trust it after the primary.
• I trust this bill is written perfectly. I trust this<03:55:07.920> committee.
• Would you trust your bank?
• Would you trust your bank? reconciled. Would you trust your bank?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• haven't seen for quite some time trust haven't seen for quite some time trust in<00:32:47.600>
• I trust she probably did. She was always so fun to visit with. She'd take your call.
• I trust she probably did. She was always so fun to visit with. She'd take your call.
• I trust she probably did. She was always so fun to visit with. She'd take your call.
• <01:04:44.400> she passing I hope she read it I trust she passing I hope she read it I trust

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate convened for opening day of the 94th legislative session, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and remarks honoring the late Senator Carrie Dike, whose seat was left empty. Leaders from both parties described her as a unifying, hardworking public servant and noted the chamber’s grief at her death. A quorum was established by roll call of members from all districts. The Senate then elected Bobby Joe Champion and Jeremy Miller as co-presiding officers by a vote of 65 ayes and 1 pass, and they were sworn in. In their remarks, both emphasized cooperation, open dialogue, and working forward together despite a projected budget deficit and other difficult issues ahead. The chamber also elected Thomas Bodin as Secretary of the Senate by 66 votes, and then approved a slate of other officers—including assistant secretaries, engrossing secretary, sergeant at arms, assistant sergeant at arms, and chaplain—by one roll call with 66 votes. Senate Resolution No. 1, which set the temporary organization of the Senate and memorialized the organizing agreement between the two caucuses, was adopted by a vote of 66 ayes and 0 nays. The resolution covered temporary leadership structure, staff and appointments, committee memberships and schedules, adoption of temporary rules from the prior session with updated committee names, and procedures for resolving future issues. After adoption, the Senate set aside time for members to speak in tribute to Senator Dike, with several senators offering personal remembrances and condolences to her family and staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're direct-to-consumer through retail stores.
• We're wholesale, and we're online direct-to-consumer and business.
• I will direct you to the handout we did earlier.
• Synthetic THC is a direct result of prohibition.
• Less than 50% of veterans even trust the VA system enough to use it.

Bills: SB 3, HB28, SB3

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, hemp regulation, consumable products

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, I just don't know what to trust.
• That teacher have built that level of trust.
• That teacher have built that level of trust.
• That teacher have built that level of trust.
• That teacher have built that level of trust.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then quickly handled routine business including excusing absent senators, adopting the prior journal, and recognizing several guests in the gallery. The chamber also paused to honor Dr. Mark Sullivan, superintendent of Birmingham City Schools, with a Senate resolution commending him as the Alabama Education Association’s 2025-26 outstanding superintendent of the year. Senator Smitherman and Dr. Sullivan both spoke, with Sullivan highlighting Birmingham’s academic gains, reduced failing schools, and lower chronic absenteeism. The Senate then processed a series of House messages and confirmations. It concurred in SB 288 on agriculture authorities and SB 317 on the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services, but non-concurred and sent SB 174 on natural resources and SB 32 on solid waste collection fees to conference. The chamber confirmed numerous appointments, including Rex Jones, William Donahue, Jim Massey, Jason Windham, Alexander Atwater, Charles Dean, Steve McKinnon, Bonnie Temple, Shaniqua Johnson-Enam, Dwayne Jenkins, Troy Skipworth, Gloria Watts, Tracy Doughty, Kevin Ball, Joe D. Briggs, Josh Bryant, Dylan Turk, David R. Pruitt III, and Carol Smitherman, with most confirmations passing on near-unanimous rolls. Committee reports advanced several House bills, including favorable reports on HB 224, 591, 614, 609, 444, 248, 611, 622, 92, and 556, with HB 248 amended. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the University of Alabama women’s wheelchair basketball team for winning the 2026 national championship, and another resolution recognizing the seriousness of the national debt and urging Congress to establish regular budget order. A resolution honoring retired Brigadier General Vandiver H. Carter as the 2026 Marion Military Institute Alumnus of the Year and a resolution commending John R. Cooper were also adopted. In local legislation, the Senate passed HB 635 for Choctaw County, HB 639 for Escambia County, SB 10 for Tuscaloosa County, HB 315 for class one municipalities after adopting a committee substitute and a friendly amendment, and HB 404 for class one municipalities. Finally, the Committee on Rules reported and the Senate adopted a special order calendar for the next legislative day, listing a wide range of bills for priority consideration, including measures on solar power facilities, homestead exemptions, education, guardianships, tax increment districts, legal tender, college tuition, crime victims compensation, motor vehicles, entertainment industry issues, campus chaplains, tax abatements, alcoholic beverage producers, data privacy, constables, insurance, municipal audits, income tax, public high schools, taxation, state health planning, and University of Alabama matters.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also directs the commissioner to conduct certain site visits.
• > deny<00:10:00.720> a directs the commissioner to deny a directs the commissioner to deny
• ><00:13:34.720> to also directs the commissioner to also directs the commissioner to revalidate
• <00:13:53.279> the requirement um directing the requirement um directing the commissioner<
• 14:03.040> commissioner subdivision 4 directs the commissioner subdivision 4 directs the commissioner

Bills: HF3423, HF2354, HF3634

Keywords: healthcare, provider enrollment, medical assistance, legislation, state funds, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, service verification, Medicaid, human services, electronic documentation, 1183, house