Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so, I would imagine that sports betting may be high, but casino-style gambling is low, >> but predominantly
• Um so, I would<00:16:26.160><c> imagine</c><00:16:26.399><c> that</c><00:16:26.800><c> sports</c><00:
• 16:27.120><c> betting</c><00:16:27.440><c> may</c><00:16:27.680><c> be</c> would imagine that sports
• betting may be would imagine that sports betting may be high,<00:16:28.000><c> but</c><00:16:28.240><
• And I would imagine, I suspect, that these guys just move, shop, and set up again. >> HPD would be in

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I would imagine this will be on a voluntary basis. Oh, Senator, that's a tremendous point.
• So I would imagine that our first... We do not have the expertise in-house for something like this.
• So I would imagine that our first step would be to issue a solicitation and gain information from the
• If I have gold deposited with the depository, then I guess I'm imagining that there's a dollar equivalent
• Imagine had Texas led the charge to establish gold and silver as transactional currency in 1971 and backed

Bills: HB42

Keywords: special prosecutor, state law, criminal justice, accountability, law enforcement

Summary: The committee heard Senator Flores lay out the committee substitute for HB 2894, which would expand state reimbursement eligibility for local governments disproportionately affected by the disabled veterans homestead exemption. Flores said the bill would add certain municipalities in Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties if lost ad valorem tax revenue equals or exceeds 10% of general revenue, while existing recipients would remain under the current 2% threshold. Lampasas and Bell County officials and the City of Killeen testified in support, describing significant revenue losses and urging adequate funding. One witness, Howard Avery, argued any reimbursement should be counted as property tax revenue for voter-approval rate purposes to avoid a windfall. The committee later adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably, with one nay. The committee also heard SB 782, which would create a temporary severance tax exemption for restimulated inactive oil and gas wells, intended to encourage investment in mature wells. The Comptroller explained the revised fiscal note as effectively zero because the wells are currently marginal and not generating meaningful tax revenue, while industry witnesses said the bill could extend well life, support local economies, and reduce orphan-well liabilities. Public testimony was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 3033, a DPS-related grant program funded by voluntary $3 donations on driver’s license and ID applications to support nonprofits aiding injured or fallen DPS officers and their families, including memorial highway signs. The DPS Officers Association supported the bill, citing existing foundation assistance and the need for a steady funding stream. The committee later reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered SB 524, which would permanently extend the franchise tax and fee exemption for qualifying veteran-owned businesses for their first five years; testimony from a veteran business owner and veterans advocates supported the measure, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported it favorably. Additional measures were laid out and left pending or voted out: HB 3594, a local San Antonio retiree health care fund bill with agreed changes for contributions, spouse benefits, and remarriage rules, was supported by stakeholders and reported favorably; HB 4738 would repeal small administrative fees tied to certain loans and was reported favorably; HB 42 on HEAF funding and HB 5246 on the Texas Space Commission were heard and left pending. The committee also reported HB 3474, a cleanup bill for the Pension Review Board’s investment performance review schedule, and HB 2802, the Austin firefighter retirement fund bill, both favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 1056, which would allow gold and silver held in the Texas Bullion Depository to function as legal tender through debit-card transactions. Supporters framed it as a way to use hard assets and expand financial options, while bankers and some senators raised major operational, consumer-protection, tax, and constitutional questions; the bill remained under discussion as testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• So imagine being a queer kid in a homophobic household who may have had unprotected sex or just wants
• So imagine being a queer kid in a homophobic household who may have had unprotected sex or just wants
• So I cannot imagine what a child who's dealing with child sexual abuse from their parent is going through
• of these individuals who might happen upon a circumstance where a child... ...could be in real or imagined
• because while we should not put on parents the worst common denominator, we cannot, as a legislature, imagine

Summary: The committee on Pre-K through 12 Education took up SB 1288, a parental rights bill by Sen. Grall, which would expand the Parents Bill of Rights to require written parental consent for minors’ medical care and prescriptions, give parents access to medical records, require parental review/consent for surveys and questionnaires, and restrict use of biofeedback devices without parental permission. The sponsor said the bill is intended to restore parents’ role in major medical decisions and to address concerns about schools or providers collecting sensitive information from children without parents’ knowledge. She said she was open to clarifying language, especially around exceptions and definitions, but maintained that parents should generally be the decision-makers. Committee members pressed the sponsor on how the bill would affect minors who are abused, homeless, estranged from parents, or otherwise without a safe guardian, as well as access to STI treatment, mental health care, contraception, and care after sexual assault. The sponsor repeatedly said children in unsafe situations should come into the child welfare or law enforcement system and that she was open to changes for truly unsafe or unavailable parents, but she rejected the idea that the bill was merely about notification rather than consent. She also defended the survey provisions as a way to stop routine questioning of children about suicide and other sensitive topics without parental awareness, and said the biofeedback language was aimed at school settings where data about children’s anxiety or stress is allegedly being shared with classmates. Public testimony was heavily divided, with many speakers opposing the bill and describing personal experiences with abuse, rape, mental health crises, lack of supportive parents, and the need for confidential access to birth control, STI testing, and counseling. Opponents argued the bill would delay care, endanger vulnerable minors, and reduce access to medically necessary services and surveys that can identify risk. Supporters said the bill would restore parental authority, improve transparency, and protect children from inappropriate surveys and biometric monitoring. During debate, Sen. Berman and Sen. Davis opposed the bill, saying it conflicts with existing law and could harm vulnerable youth, while Sen. Yarborough supported it, arguing that not all parents are bad actors and that the state should not treat all families as if they were. The transcript ends with debate underway and no final vote or action recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're hurting in every way imaginable and we better awaken real quickly to just a couple of things.
• We go into grocery stores and as far as you can see a mile long there's every choice imaginable.
• of our annual incomes compared to countries all across this globe to have a luxury like you can't imagine
• We have a meltdown in a crisis in this country like you can't imagine.
• I mean this is like impossible for the folks who do this farming to imagine that you have an agreement

Keywords: agriculture, avian flu, bipartisan farm bill, economic challenges, poultry, dairy, specialty crops

Summary: The committee meeting focused on crucial discussions surrounding the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, particularly concerning avian flu and its impact on poultry and dairy producers. Members provided insights into the economic struggles within the industry, emphasizing the need for a new bipartisan farm bill that addresses the diverse needs of specialty crop and livestock producers. Witnesses from various agricultural sectors spoke about their experiences, illustrating the high costs, regulatory burdens, and emerging diseases that threaten their operations. The meeting underscored a commitment to exploring solutions that will help maintain market stability and ensure food security.

Transcript Highlights:

• windstorm mitigation program with the efforts that Kevin mentioned earlier and that you'll hear from, I imagine
• windstorm mitigation program with the efforts that Kevin mentioned earlier and that you'll hear from, I imagine
• So it runs the full gamut of everything you can imagine in those slides that I presented, those pictures
• have to go on in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida, not imagining
• have to go on in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida, not imagining

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard a series of presentations focused on mitigation, flood and wind resilience, and insurance discounts. Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management outlined several funding streams for mitigation, including federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program dollars, BRIC grants, flood mitigation assistance, and the state hurricane loss mitigation program. He emphasized the new Elevate Florida initiative, which will use about $400 million initially to elevate or reconstruct flood-prone homes, starting with National Flood Insurance Program properties and severe repetitive-loss homes, with no current per-home cap. Guthrie said the state will contract directly with licensed vendors and aims to reduce future flood losses, lower insurance costs, and keep properties on the tax rolls rather than relying on buyouts. Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski described Florida’s windstorm mitigation discount program, explaining that the 1802 inspection form is used to assess a home’s overall “envelope” and determine statutory discounts. He said the office is updating the program based on a new wind loss study, with likely changes including greater recognition of roof types such as metal roofs and possible territorial risk adjustments. He also said the Legislature now requires the office to revisit the study every five years. Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services reported on My Safe Florida Home, noting that the program offers inspections and grants for roof and opening protections, has completed more than 100,000 inspections, and has reimbursed hundreds of millions of dollars. He said the department has validated its discount calculations with insurers and that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce premiums through verified mitigation work. Michael Newman of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety said Florida’s building code is nationally leading and that post-Ian surveys found no wind-driven structural damage in buildings built after adoption of the code. He argued that mitigation should be treated as a system, not isolated upgrades, and suggested adding Fortified designation to the state’s mitigation form to better document verified resilience improvements. Bill Truex, a county commissioner and builder, stressed the need to educate homeowners about floodproofing and roof choices, citing examples where flood panels prevented damage and noting that asphalt shingles often do not last as long in Florida as their marketing suggests. In panel discussion, senators asked about program eligibility, outreach to elderly and digitally challenged residents, contractor vetting, roof-life disclosures, and whether flood insurance should be more broadly required. Officials said outreach will include call centers and in-person assistance, and several participants urged better consumer disclosure and more data-driven guidance on roof and mitigation choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can imagine. Okay, let's jump into it. I have a lot of questions here, you can imagine.
• It's vastly more complicated than I think anybody imagined.
• I can imagine you have it. Let me phrase the question. It's the public-facing transfers.
• You can imagine somebody's hours vary during the week.
• And as you can imagine, when you have a large caseload, it's a lot to keep up with.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the mandatory minimums, I would imagine the mandatory minimums, I would imagine that<00:38:07.280
• So, if the members of the committee can imagine a traffic stop where a boyfriend and a girlfriend are
• So, if the members of the committee<00:40:15.599><c> can</c><00:40:15.760><c> imagine</c><00:40:16.160
• committee can imagine a traffic stop where<00:40:17.839><c> a</c><00:40:18.079><c> boyfriend</c><00:
• Now<00:41:36.960><c> imagine</c><00:41:37.760><c> under</c><00:41:38.079><c> the</c><00:41:38.240><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In those situations, as you can imagine, some of those individuals choose to flee from us on foot as
• And then finally, with regard to training, as you can imagine, a deputy piloting a UAV is only as good
• </c><00:42:24.520><c> It</c> could imagine could be addressed. It could imagine could be addressed.
• So, as I say, I think a couple of clauses here I could imagine could make sense, might need a bit of
• As you can imagine, I must beyond them.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine riding them, mixing them with people and dogs and carrying guns—not a good mix.
• Imagine riding them, mixing them with people and dogs and carrying guns—not a good mix.
• Imagine riding them, mixing them with people and dogs and carrying guns—not a good mix.
• Imagine riding them, mixing them with people and dogs and carrying guns—not a good mix.
• Imagine riding them, mixing them with people and dogs and carrying guns—not a good mix.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine our surprise when the bill came: we had a $21 charge for the doctor’s services, which made sense
• You can imagine our confusion since our child didn’t set foot inside a hospital for this appointment.
• 15 minutes imagine our surprise when<00:10:02.560><c> the</c><00:10:02.720><c> bill</c><00:10:03.040
• our confusion since our you can imagine our confusion since our child<00:10:19.040><c> didn't</c><00
• </c><00:30:56.440><c> the</c> different um I would imagine the different um I would imagine the definition

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine that. Senator Alan, were know. Imagine that.
• Imagine that. Imagine that, Glenn. Well, just get rid of the whole thing and save the money.
• Imagine<01:38:04.639><c> that.</c><01:38:04.920><c> Imagine.
• </c><01:38:05.920><c> Imagine</c><01:38:06.239><c> that,</c> Imagine that. Imagine.
• Imagine that, Imagine that. Imagine.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• elements of the earth—stone and timber, iron and glass—the work of human hands guided by heaven-like imagination
• As you breathed life into humankind in the beginning, Imagination and purpose.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would imagine these are things that were robustly... As Massachusetts was in particular.
• I would imagine these are things that were robustly debated when the state adopted the compact.

Summary: The Committee on Election Laws held a hearing with three bills on the agenda, though the transcript focuses primarily on House Bill 5086, a measure to reform the handling of presidential electors. Testimony from Public Citizen, the Uniform Law Commission, and Protect Democracy supported the bill, describing it as a way to prevent “faithless electors,” require a pledge of faithfulness, replace any elector who violates that pledge, and ensure Massachusetts meets updated federal Electoral College deadlines. Witnesses also emphasized concerns about political coercion and threats against public officials, and several noted that similar laws have been adopted in many other states. Committee members raised questions about how the bill would interact with Massachusetts’ participation in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Witnesses responded that the bill is intended to be fully compatible with the compact, but suggested a minor amendment to make that clearer and avoid any mistaken reading that the bill weakens or rejects the compact. They also explained that the bill would not change how Massachusetts currently appoints electors under the compact framework, but would protect those electors from pressure or coercion. After questions concluded, the chair noted that testimony had also been heard from Representative Breguire, the Governor’s office on the other two bills, and Representative Hogan. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would imagine these are things that were robustly As Massachusetts was in particular.
• I would imagine these are things that were robustly debated when the state adopted the compact.

Bills: H5227, H5129, H5086

Keywords: vacancies, city council, local governance, Marlborough, elections, validation, town proceedings, MBTA Communities Zoning Bylaw, PFAS contamination, municipal governance, electoral process, presidential electors, election law, Electoral Count Reform Act, voter certification, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would imagine we might have some folks to testify as well. Very well.
• Representative Bruce, are you imagining, are you figuring that there's going to be like a lump sum amount

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee heard House Bill 897, a revised data center tax incentive bill presented by Representative Chris Bruce and Senator Lori Den Hartog. The sponsors said the bill narrows the existing sales tax exemption so it applies only to internal server equipment, limits the exemption to 20 years, requires Tax Commission reporting on foregone sales tax revenue, and modifies the property tax treatment for large data center investments. They also emphasized new conditions intended to protect ratepayers and water resources, including requiring utilities to recover electricity costs from the qualifying business entity and requiring efficient water-use arrangements. The sponsors described the measure as a tax incentive bill, not a regulatory bill. During questions, members asked about how the bill would protect utility customers and whether data centers that generate their own power or use closed-loop cooling systems would still qualify. The sponsors said the electricity costs would need to be covered through energy service agreements and that construction for on-site power generation or cooling systems would not qualify for the sales tax exemption because the bill limits the incentive to server equipment. Public testimony was generally supportive. Lane Thornton, a Kuna farmer, backed the bill because of concerns about power costs and water use, and Courtney Dawson of the Idaho Rural Water Association supported the water-related provisions and asked for a due pass recommendation. After closing remarks, Representative Monks moved to send House Bill 897 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee approved the motion by voice vote, and Representative Bruce was designated to carry the bill on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would imagine we might have some folks to testify as well. Very well.
• Representative, are you imagining or figuring that there's going to be a lump-sum amount paid from the

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine that. All right. Properly before the committee is House Bill 690. All right.
• Imagine this is just me speaking, that they give a warning: 'You need to move this tent off.

Summary: The House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee approved the minutes from its February 11, 13, and 17, 2026 meetings, and briefly recognized a page, Paisley, for her service. House Bill 660 was removed from the agenda at the sponsor’s request and was not heard. The committee then took up several bills from Representative Handy and others. House Bill 689 would expand administrative subpoena authority so the Attorney General or prosecutors can subpoena electric service providers to identify suspects in child sexual exploitation and related crimes, including AI-related child sexual conduct offenses. The Attorney General’s office testified that it is a critical investigative tool, and the bill received unanimous due-pass recommendation to the floor. House Bill 690 repeals an obsolete Attorney General program for a 24-7 sobriety and drug monitoring program that was created in 2014 but never implemented; the Attorney General’s office confirmed it had never been used, and the bill also passed unanimously with a due-pass recommendation. House Bill 698 closes a loophole so people convicted of treason in another state cannot regain voting rights in Idaho; it likewise passed unanimously with a due-pass recommendation. The committee also heard House Bill 603, which updates restrictions on camping and temporary structures on the Capitol Mall and clarifies how abandoned property is handled, with the sponsor saying it was a cleanup and security measure and the Department of Administration’s changes were made in response to court decisions. A virtual witness from Cicero Action supported the bill as a public safety and property-management measure. Some members questioned how the bill fits with prior camping laws and how it would be enforced, and one member said he would vote no because of concerns about differing treatment of tents versus vehicles, though the motion still passed by voice vote with a due-pass recommendation to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine that. All right. Properly before the committee is House Bill 690. All right.
• Imagine this is just me speaking, that they give a warning: 'You need to move this tent off.

Keywords: 989, all

Bills: SJR18, SCR9, SCR13, SB10, SB14, SB19, SB263, SB412, SB441, SB523, SB569, SB687, SB688, SB707, SB766, SB914, SB971, SB1006, SB1066, SJR36, SJR18, SCR9, SCR13, SCR25, SB565, SB372, SB495, SB842, SB971, SB1066, SB765, SB523, SB62, SB19, SB18, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB706, SB847, SB290, SB766, SB11, SB10, SB13, SB263, SB412, SB441, SB569, SB914, SB1248, SB740, SB14, SB1006, SB504, SB917, SB925, SB388, SB1902, SB1121, SB995, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB35, SB6, SB815, SB3, SB1281, SB1379, SB1300, SB1497, SB1499, SB1498, SB1451, SB263, SB523, SB569, SB688, SB766, SB914, SB971, SB1066, SR215, SR245, SR247, SR258, SCR9, SJR56, SJR63, SJR64, SJR69, SJR70, SJR71, SCR30, SCR31, SCR32, SCR33, SB1701, SB1702, SB1703, SB1704, SB1705, SB1706, SB1707, SB1708, SB1709, SB1710, SB1711, SB1712, SB1713, SB1714, SB1715, SB1716, SB1717, SB1718, SB1719, SB1720, SB1721, SB1722, SB1723, SB1724, SB1725, SB1726, SB1727, SB1728, SB1729, SB1730, SB1731, SB1732, SB1733, SB1734, SB1735, SB1736, SB1737, SB1738, SB1739, SB1740, SB1741, SB1742, SB1743, SB1744, SB1745, SB1746, SB1747, SB1748, SB1749, SB1750, SB1751, SB1752, SB1753, SB1754, SB1755, SB1756, SB1757, SB1758, SB1759, SB1760, SB1761, SB1762, SB1763, SB1764, SB1765, SB1766, SB1767, SB1768, SB1769, SB1770, SB1771, SB1772, SB1773, SB1774, SB1775, SB1776, SB1777, SB1778, SB1779, SB1781, SB1782, SB1783, SB1784, SB1785, SB1786, SB1787, SB1788, SB1789, SB1790, SB1791, SB1792, SB1793, SB1794, SB1795, SB1796, SB1797, SB1798, SB1799, SB1800, SB1801, SB1802, SB1803, SB1804, SB1805, SB1806, SB1807, SB1808, SB1809, SB1810, SB1811, SB1812, SB1813, SB1814, SB1815, SB1816, SB1817, SB1818, SB1819, SB1820, SB1821, SB1822, SB1823, SB1824, SB1825, SB1826, SB1827, SB1828, SB1829, SB1830, SB1831, SB1832, SB1833, SB1834, SB1835, SB1836, SB1837, SB1838, SB1839, SB1840, SB1841, SB1842, SB1843, SB1844, SB1845, SB1846, SB1847, SB1848, SB1849, SB1850, SB2188, SB2230, SB2312, SB2345, SJR56, SJR63, SJR64, SJR69, SJR70, SJR71, SCR30, SCR31, SCR32, SCR33, SB1701, SB1702, SB1703, SB1704, SB1705, SB1706, SB1707, SB1708, SB1709, SB1710, SB1711, SB1712, SB1713, SB1714, SB1715, SB1716, SB1717, SB1718, SB1719, SB1720, SB1721, SB1722, SB1723, SB1724, SB1725, SB1726, SB1727, SB1728, SB1729, SB1730, SB1731, SB1732, SB1733, SB1734, SB1735, SB1736, SB1737, SB1738, SB1739, SB1740, SB1741, SB1742, SB1743, SB1744, SB1745, SB1746, SB1747, SB1748, SB1749, SB1750, SB1751, SB1752, SB1753, SB1754, SB1755, SB1756, SB1757, SB1758, SB1759, SB1760, SB1761, SB1762, SB1763, SB1764, SB1765, SB1766, SB1767, SB1768, SB1769, SB1770, SB1771, SB1772, SB1773, SB1774, SB1775, SB1776, SB1777, SB1778, SB1779, SB1781, SB1782, SB1783, SB1784, SB1785, SB1786, SB1787, SB1788, SB1789, SB1790, SB1791, SB1792, SB1793, SB1794, SB1795, SB1796, SB1797, SB1798, SB1799, SB1800, SB1801, SB1802, SB1803, SB1804, SB1805, SB1806, SB1807, SB1808, SB1809, SB1810, SB1811, SB1812, SB1813, SB1814, SB1815, SB1816, SB1817, SB1818, SB1819, SB1820, SB1821, SB1822, SB1823, SB1824, SB1825, SB1826, SB1827, SB1828, SB1829, SB1830, SB1831, SB1832, SB1833, SB1834, SB1835, SB1836, SB1837, SB1838, SB1839, SB1840, SB1841, SB1842, SB1843, SB1844, SB1845, SB1846, SB1847, SB1848, SB1849, SB1850, SB2188, SB2230, SB2312, SB2345

Keywords: capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, Supreme Court, judicial independence, Keep Nine, checks and balances, water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine the outcry.
• Imagine the outcry.
• Imagine the outcry.
• Imagine the outcry.
• Imagine the outcry.

Keywords: 1189, house, all