Transcript Highlights:

• </c> says we can't do something in the future says we can't do something in the future I<03:56:55.479
• the future to decide.
• How does the program actually work?
• How does the program actually work?
• It enables the program to function as intended, makes the program functional. Thanks.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The discussion focused on a cannabis legalization/regulation bill and whether it should be retained for further study or moved forward. Members debated the fiscal impact, with one side emphasizing that the bill would cost about $7.1 million in the first two years before generating revenue, while supporters argued the House should make a statement in favor of legalization despite likely opposition from the Senate and governor. There was also disagreement over strategy: some said retaining the bill until closer to the next election would give the issue more visibility, while others said delaying would only avoid sending a bill the Senate was unlikely to take up anyway. A major point of contention was whether cannabis should be regulated by a new cannabis commission or placed under the Liquor Commission. Supporters of the Liquor Commission argued it already has enforcement infrastructure, especially for age restrictions, and could handle cannabis more efficiently without creating a new bureaucracy. Opponents said cannabis is a different industry that would require specialized expertise, and they objected to expanding the Liquor Commission, which they described as unpopular and costly. The committee also discussed past versions of the bill, including concerns about limited licenses and the perception that the earlier approach favored large businesses. Members reviewed specific provisions such as licensing fees, THC limits, and cultivation categories. One member noted a $10,000 fee for retail cannabis stores and cannabis product manufacturers authorized to perform extractions, while a smaller tier-one cultivator fee was described as a lower-cost option for small growers. There was also discussion of whether the bill would allow sales through general retail outlets or only dedicated cannabis stores, and whether plants and seeds were covered. No final vote or action was clearly recorded in the excerpt, but the main procedural question was whether to retain the bill for more work or advance it as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:30.360><c> in</c> Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program in Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program
• </c> conservation service opportunities. conservation service opportunities.
• </c> cut Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs cut Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs that<00:26:00.960>
• </c> Marylanders who rely on these programs. Marylanders who rely on these programs.
• </c> specifically for home energy programs specifically for home energy programs that<00:26:29.360><c

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 16, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is every citizen's right and duty to help shape the future legacy of our nation.
• This unity is our greatest strength, and it is what will guide us through this time of sorrow and in future
• raise general awareness about the importance of desert ecosystems, their biodiversity, and the conservation
• The Living Desert and Palm Desert is a leading project that is making significant strides in conserving
• recreational opportunities for visitors from across the globe, ensuring it remains a treasure for future

Transcript Highlights:

• There's not really an opt-in through us, like a program through us.
• And my question is going to be about the derelict vessel removal program.
• V-TIP program.
• This is a great program because it's voluntary.
• So that's been a great program for us.

Summary: The subcommittee received an overview from FWC Deputy Director in Law Enforcement Lt. Col. Rob Rowe on boating safety, derelict vessels, and marine debris. On boating safety, he said FWC uses inspections, BUI enforcement, public education campaigns, boater education courses, warnings, and citations to reduce accidents and fatalities. Members asked about probable cause for stops, geofenced safety messages, boating education age requirements, and common violations such as life jacket issues. Rowe said most stops are based on probable cause, the education requirement currently applies to those born after Jan. 1, 1988, and FWC is considering whether broader education requirements would improve safety. The committee then focused heavily on derelict vessels. Rowe explained the legal definition of a derelict vessel, the at-risk and nuisance vessel tools used to intervene earlier, and the V-TIP voluntary turn-in program. He described the removal process, including owner notification, a 21-day administrative hearing period, contractor selection, and disposal/recycling, and said FWC works with local governments, emergency management, and sometimes the Coast Guard on larger pollution-related cases. Members asked about timelines, costs, salvage rules, title issues, and jurisdictional differences between state, county, city, and federal authorities. Rowe said the agency has added staff and grant tools, but continued funding remains important, and he noted that local governments can also use ordinances to address floating structures, liveaboards, anchoring, and storm-related risks. On marine debris, Rowe said FWC works with DEP, FDACS, NOAA, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, local governments, and volunteers to remove debris ranging from plastics to storm-damaged fishing gear and derelict vessels. He said hurricane events greatly increase debris and derelict vessel removals, and the agency is updating the Florida Marine Debris Reduction Plan with partners. The meeting ended after members and the vice chair emphasized local tools such as mooring fields and pumpout enforcement, and the subcommittee adjourned without taking any formal vote or action beyond rising without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• and conservative members of Congress.
• AND CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
• , medical research programs, and rural health initiatives.
• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS.
• The families and want to have SNAP programs. No means we don't fund those programs.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I chair the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation.
• community air monitoring program.
• It would be $10 million for the testing program, $10 million to make farmers whole.
• It would be 10 million for the testing program, 10 million to make farmers whole.
• It would be 10 million for the testing program, 10 million to make farmers whole.

Committee: Senate Environmental Conservation

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation, chaired by Senator Pete Harckham, met with a quorum and considered a 10-bill active list. The committee advanced several bills on environmental monitoring and reporting, including measures on SPDES public notice submission, bioheating fuel requirements, community air monitoring, air quality monitoring for major mass transit projects, climate-related financial risk disclosure, mercury thermostat collection, financial responsibility for major facilities or vessels, a New York Youth Climate Corps, and a DEC study of school retrofits near major highways. Some of these bills were advanced on the calendar, while others were referred to finance. The committee discussed Senator Harckham’s PFAS and biosolids bill at length. Members reviewed amendments intended to address Farm Bureau concerns, including language changes that removed opposition, and discussed the proposed statewide moratorium, eligibility for voluntary testing, and the new Agricultural PFAS Response Fund. Harckham and others noted that the bill would help reimburse or assist farmers with remediation if contamination is found, and that the public should understand only a small percentage of New York farms have received direct biosolid application. Members also noted that the bill could affect other biosolid uses, such as at a golf course in one senator’s district. Throughout the meeting, senators asked brief questions, offered supportive comments, and in several cases recorded votes of without recommendation or nay on specific bills. The committee ultimately voted to advance or refer all ten bills as appropriate, with the PFAS bill referred to finance after unanimous support from those present. The meeting concluded after welcoming several senators who joined during the session, including new member Senator Bachar.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will help future families actually have a voice.
• It's about the future of Texas.
• Don't make it harder for qualified future physicians to study in our state.
• I think you could fix this a little bit by mentioning specific programs.
• But I think my main concern is my future.

Bills: HB4 , HB20

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2853, which would allow the UT System Board of Regents to adjust the University of Texas at El Paso student union fee above the current statutory cap, subject to student approval, to help fund a new student union building. Senator Blanco explained the bill and the committee substitute, there were no questions or witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then heard House Bill 610, which would limit severance payments for terminated independent school district superintendents to six months’ salary and benefits. Senator Paxton described large severance payouts and said the bill had passed the House overwhelmingly. There were no witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the bill was left pending. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 4623, which would waive school district immunity in certain cases involving negligent hiring, supervision, or employment of professional school employees who commit abuse or related misconduct against students. Senator Paxton and several witnesses, including survivors and parents, argued the bill was needed to address cover-ups, delayed reporting, and repeated failures to remove dangerous employees; some members raised concerns about liability caps, litigation, and how the bill would interact with the Tort Claims Act. The committee also heard from TEA staff and employee-group witnesses who discussed possible injunctions and stronger no-hire protections. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4, an accountability and assessment bill that would restore A-F ratings, change the state testing system, and replace STAAR with shorter, more instructionally useful assessments. Senator Bettencourt explained the committee substitute, including annual ratings, limits on taxpayer-funded lawsuits, and a phased-in testing redesign with beginning, middle, and end-of-year assessments. Testimony was generally supportive from education and business groups, though some witnesses favored norm-referenced testing while others emphasized criterion-referenced, TEKS-aligned assessments; one witness noted social studies assessments were restored in the bill. The hearing concluded with additional invited testimony and no final vote reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we do have a Celebrate 28 program.
• The mayor mentioned the Clean Corridors Program.
• So for the future, for the...
• The mayor mentioned our Kick It in the Park program.
• We will have composting programs.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• constituents elected me to fight for justice, for affordable health care for all, and a planet where future
• Just again yesterday, there was no Republican support for protecting people from future ICE incursions
• where future generations can flourish. flourish. flourish.
• </c> for soil and water conservation for soil and water conservation districts<00:04:00.560><c> that<
• </c><00:05:26.440><c> ICE</c> protecting people from future ICE protecting people from future ICE incursions

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We helped to ensure that children in custody get their federal benefits and that they're conserved for
• We help to ensure that children in custody get their federal benefits and that they're conserved for
• So our futures that we build for them cannot be tainted with our inability to address the issue when
• She will begin her master's program at New Mexico Highlands University in the fall of ...studies.
• She will begin her master's program at New Mexico Highlands University in the fall of 2026.

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Each tax credit can be carried forward six years, and this program has a sense and contracted programs
• And then we have the employer-provided child care program.
• Ideologically, I am, as a conservative, supposed to be opposed to tax credits.
• You know, that was that program she felt very strongly about.
• But just for future, I do believe that people need time to vote.

Summary: The chamber first established a quorum, then moved through House Bills for Perfection. The first major measure discussed was House Bill 305, which would set policies for reconsideration of library materials in public and school libraries, require appeals processes, and prohibit tracking or retaining personalized user data, especially for minors. Supporters framed it as a local-control and parental-rights bill that largely codifies existing library practices, while some members raised concerns about the privacy language and whether materials should be removed during reconsideration. After discussion, the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. Members then took up House Bills 2366 and 2511, a bipartisan construction-industry bill aimed at combating illegal labor and off-the-books hiring. The bill would give the Attorney General more investigative authority, including subpoena power, require complaints to be made by affidavit, and impose stronger penalties on violators. Supporters said it would protect law-abiding contractors and workers and level the playing field, while some members asked about possible overreach and whether the bill could be used against businesses unfairly. The substitute was adopted and the bills were ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 2409 followed, proposing child care tax credits for contributions to providers, employer assistance, and provider expansion; it was presented as a response to Missouri’s child care shortage and workforce challenges. Members from both parties largely supported it as an economic and family policy, though one member noted the bill’s fiscal cost and contrasted it with recent budget cuts to child care subsidies. The House adopted the substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. The chamber also considered House Bill 1885, which makes changes to the Missouri Clean Water Commission by adjusting membership qualifications and conflict-of-interest rules to make appointments easier while adding recusal procedures. Members said the changes would help fill vacancies and bring in knowledgeable members, and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 2658 addressed telephony laws, expanding the no-call list to any phone subscriber, adding anti-spoofing provisions, and creating penalties for caller ID spoofing; an amendment adding misdemeanor penalties for spoofing was adopted, and the bill was then perfected and printed. House Bill 1919 would require more employers to file certain tax withholding documents electronically, aligning state practice with IRS rules; it passed with support and was ordered perfected and printed. Finally, House Bill 1871, an omnibus elections bill, proposed several election administration changes, including electronic receipt of notices, shifting filing deadlines away from holidays, expanding testing windows for voting equipment, protecting the confidentiality of the permanently disabled voter list, requiring tax compliance for certain local candidates, and tightening write-in candidate rules. A key amendment removed an expansion of no-excuse absentee voting to keep the fiscal note at zero; that amendment was debated at length and then adopted before the bill moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a property owner's right to conserve water, especially during times of drought.
• We support water conservation.
• HB 1268 creates the Texas Technology Innovation Program, TTIP housed within the office.
• I, I don't, I don't believe that this would be a program. That would be cut.
• This is a must for the future of our state and our country as well. I close.

Bills: HB 186

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivisions, government expenditure, transparency, local government, political subdivision, county, city, municipality, special district, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying restriction, registered lobbyist, government association, county association dues, Texas Legislature, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Chapter 556

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a property owner's right to conserve water. especially during times of drought.
• We support water conservation.
• As it will be the first step in many steps to take Texas into the future. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.
• I don't believe that this would be a program that would be.
• For this program, I'm very optimistic that they will continue. Thank you for your optimism.

Bills: HB186 , HB517 , HB 1093 , HB 1268 , HB1395 , HB186

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, property owners' association, residential watering restrictions, vegetation, fine limitations, drought, technology, innovation, economic development, grants, Texas Economic Development, business funding, HB 1395, private passenger vehicle rental, car rental, vehicle rental

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no need for manufacturers to be future tellers here.
• learned from other state programs at HCD.
• The DBE program kicks in only on federally funded projects.
• The DBE program kicks in only on federally funded projects.
• I am a proud member of the TODEC Monarcha Luchadora Youth Program.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 16, which would require county behavioral health directors to create clear pathways for clinicians to be authorized to initiate 5150 involuntary holds. The author and supporters argued the bill would reduce reliance on law enforcement and create more consistent crisis response standards statewide, while county behavioral health directors opposed it as an unfunded mandate that could increase law enforcement involvement and create implementation burdens. Members raised questions about county costs and funding, but the author emphasized the bill’s role in building a more clinical response system. SB 561 would require public guardians to acknowledge conservatorship referrals, make determinations within a reasonable time, and provide status updates on request. Supporters said the bill would reduce delays that leave vulnerable adults in limbo, while the opposition from public guardian representatives was removed after amendments. SB 381 drew extensive public testimony in support; it would allow California-born adoptees, and descendants of deceased adoptees, access to original birth certificates, with a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents. Supporters framed the bill as a matter of dignity, identity, and health, and there was no formal opposition on the record. The committee also discussed SB 880, which would give tenants and prospective owner-occupants notice and a first opportunity to make an offer when institutional investors sell certain homes. Supporters said it would expand homeownership opportunities and preserve neighborhood stability, while opponents warned about conflicts with federal law, bundled-sale restrictions, and impacts on build-to-rent and affordable housing projects. Members and the author discussed possible amendments to address those concerns. SB 1238 would impose a duty of care and additional transparency requirements on HOA managers and boards; supporters said it would protect homeowners from mismanagement, while the main opposition argued the duty should remain contractual and could increase litigation. Finally, SB 423 would require disclosure of emergency-service records related to private detention facilities, and SB 28 would make changes to the CARE Court process, including a statewide ombudsperson and expanded oversight; both drew support and opposition, with concerns focused on transparency, privacy, implementation, and the balance between treatment and coercion. SB 574, discussed at the end, would require disclosure and human oversight for AI use in courts and legal practice and create a complaint process for ADR providers, with the State Bar noting requested amendments related to complaint handling and confidentiality.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no need for manufacturers to be future tellers here.
• learned from other state programs at HCD.
• The DBE program kicks in only on federally funded projects.
• The DBE program kicks in only on federally funded projects.
• I am a proud member of the TODEC Monarcha Luchadora Youth Program.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Did we—did you mention Soil Conservation? Oh, I did not mention Soil Conservation.
• Representative Leean asked about House Bill 246, the Conservation District resilience grant program for
• program for $50,000.
• I said comfort dog programs.
• </c><04:22:50.040><c> highly</c> program that program has been highly program that program has been highly

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard an overview from the Agriculture Commissioner on the department’s major divisions and staffing. He described the Office of the Commissioner, Agricultural Development, Pesticides, Regulatory Services, Weights and Measures, Animal Industry, Plant Industry, and Soil Conservation, noting that many programs are federally funded or supported by dedicated fees and fines. He said the department has 44 full-time positions plus one DoIT employee shared with other agencies, and that HR services are now contracted through Administrative Services. He also explained that Soil Conservation is administratively attached to the department and funded through Moose Plate grants and county contributions, not direct state funding. Members asked about specific program functions and issues, including weights and measures inspections, animal health, bird flu response, internships, invasive species, and the Big E/New Hampshire building. The commissioner said weights and measures covers nearly all commercial measuring devices and products sold by weight, and that inspectors are currently part-time police officers, though the department is discussing removing that requirement. He said the department is actively involved in bird flu monitoring, including regular calls with USDA and the state veterinarian and collecting milk samples from dairy farms. On invasive species, he focused on Japanese knotweed and bittersweet, saying the department has only one staff person working on the issue, mainly as a coordinator with DOT and towns, and that eradication is extremely difficult. He also said the department does not run student internships and refers inquiries to UNH Cooperative Extension. The committee discussed budget and revenue issues, including three new general fund positions, one of which is the assistant commissioner and another a biological scientist for invasive species. The commissioner said the department had been in “triage mode,” that an assistant commissioner was needed because of workload, and that the department is a net positive to the General Fund each year. He said some fees and fines have not been updated in decades and would require legislation to change, including a proposed $5 fee for each animal database certificate to help fund a system that costs about $250,000 annually to maintain. In response to questions about budget reductions, he said the department protected personnel, reduced the cost-of-care fund, fair grants, and land preservation funding to about $25,000 each, and did not plan to buy new vehicles or computers. He also said he could not support including the $50,000 Conservation District resilience grant program in his budget under the current reduction targets, though he remained hopeful it might be funded another way.

Transcript Highlights:

• Maui Conservancy, Kim Felinski, in support.
• </c><00:25:01.520><c> and</c> Kim felinski nature conservancy and Kim felinski nature conservancy and
• Sander Richards, The Nature Conservancy.
• I know they have this program and return to home program, yes, but don't...
• I know they have this program and return to home program, yes, but don't...

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered several bills focused on environmental protection and wastewater management. HB 26 HD 2, relating to environmental protection, drew support from the Department of Health, Reworld, and Energy Justice Network. Supporters said it would preserve existing standards for waste-to-energy facilities, including H-Power, even if federal EPA rules are weakened, while Energy Justice Network urged the state to go further and require stronger pollution controls on older burners at the plant. HB 734 and HB 735, both relating to wastewater systems, received broad support from state agencies, county representatives, realtors, environmental groups, and others. Testimony emphasized reducing the cost of cesspool upgrades, updating rules, and improving coordination between the Department of Health, counties, and the University of Hawaiʻi. Members raised concerns about whether some areas, such as Ewa, should be treated differently if they are not near aquifers or the ocean, but the department said the existing prioritization process already considered statewide conditions and that cesspools generally still affect water resources. On HB 735, the committee discussed the current bedroom-based limits for individual wastewater systems and whether the bill would allow more flexibility for housing configurations, with the department explaining the limits are tied to density and system capacity. HB 879, relating to cesspool conversions, was also supported by the Department of Health, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and several advocacy groups. Testimony said the bill would help low- and moderate-income homeowners in priority areas by increasing grant assistance for cesspool upgrades, but the Department of Health noted it would need three full-time positions to administer the program. Members asked for clarification on the grant amount and staffing costs, and the department indicated the grant cap should remain at $20,000 unless changed. HB 918, relating to labeling of non-flushable wipes, drew support from wastewater and industry groups, including the Association of Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, which said similar laws have passed in other states and that the bill reflects cooperation between manufacturers and wastewater officials. The Department of Health and county officials supported the concept but said enforcement and outreach would require additional staff, and senators questioned whether the state could effectively enforce the labeling requirement without a national standard.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, I would like to talk to you about a program called Project Momentum.
• But I'm not asked... ...programs that I spoke about in my talk. Mr. Chair.
• If the abuse is bad enough, we cut them out of the program.
• If the abuse is bad enough, we cut them out of the program.
• Obviously, there's more work we can do in all of our government programs.

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horn’s annual State of Education address, which focused on school safety, academic outcomes, school choice, teacher pay, and opposition to DEI/CRT in schools and teacher preparation. Horn said the department has expanded school police officers, promoted Project Momentum and tutoring, supported cell phone restrictions in classrooms, and pushed for more phonics-based reading instruction and stronger university teacher-prep programs. Members questioned him about DEI complaints, cell phone implementation, ESA oversight, school safety funding, reading proficiency, and teacher compensation; Horn said ESA spending is reviewed and recovered when inappropriate, and argued teacher raises should come directly to teachers, not through districts. No formal action was taken on his presentation. The committee then considered HB 2008, which would prohibit public school libraries from using public funds to pay dues to professional library associations. Sponsor Representative Cooper argued the bill would keep school libraries politically neutral and prevent taxpayer money from supporting ideological advocacy, while saying membership itself would still be allowed if paid privately. Opponents, including a former librarian, a school board member, and the ACLU of Arizona, said the bill would undermine professional development, local control, literacy support, and constitutional rights of association and petition. Supporters said associations promote ideological content and that free professional-development alternatives exist. After public testimony and debate, the committee voted to return HB 2008 with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 7,000 students in that program today.
• We have 7,000 students in that program today.
• Nobody is scaling programs for those people.”
• That program has just under 1,000 students in it now, but that program can have 10,000 students in it
• He is the epitome of the future of our state.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> director of the Minnesota Conservative director of the Minnesota Conservative Energy<00:15:38.800
• </c> state-funded energy assistance program state-funded energy assistance program with<00:40:47.440>
• </c> the federal program guidance is delayed. the federal program guidance is delayed.
• </c> the energy assistance program. the energy assistance program.
• </c> Uh where are we going in the future? Uh where are we going in the future?

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all