Transcript Highlights:

• have worked with the hospital association to try to come up with a solution and others over the past several
• A person in an accident, and they are severely injured, goes to the hospital, they get treated, and there's
• Under current law, if you'll So under current law, if you'll remember, we changed this several years
• Hos, I want to applaud you all for your efforts several years ago to ensure that those individuals...
• talking about the degree to which schools are impacted not just for that particular school day, but for several

Bills: SB210 , SB292 , HB360 , HB233 , HB66 , HB356 , HB164 , HB238 , HB209 , SB223 , HB307 , SB210 , SB292 , HB360 , HB233 , HB66 , HB356 , HB164 , HB238 , HB209 , SB223 , HB307

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, education oversight, subpoena authority, investigation, State Superintendent, school misconduct, drug courts, accountability, veterans, mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation, criminal justice, court intervention, terrorist threat, terroristic threat

Transcript Highlights:

• if a taxing unit...
• the taxing unit adopts a tax rate that exceeds the voter-approved tax rate and subsequently takes an
• the tax rate.
• the taxing unit adopts the tax.
• taxpayer in the event that the taxing unit miscalculates the tax rate.

Bills: SB3038 , SB3045 , SB3065 , SB3069 , SB3071 , HB2025 , HB2149 , HB3370 , HB4205 , HB4506 , HB5424 , HB5652 , HB24 , HB3687 , HB24

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: Fort Bend County, Municipal Utility District, MUD, special district, Rosenberg, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, ad valorem tax, bond issuance, assessments, fees, taxes, eminent domain, road district, storm drainage, infrastructure financing, development agreement, municipal consent, temporary directors, public utility district

Bills: HB24 , SB3038 , SB3045 , SB3065 , SB3069 , SB3071 , HB2025 , HB2149 , HB3370 , HB4205 , HB4506 , HB5424 , HB5652 , HB24 , HB3687

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management, Fort Bend County, Municipal Utility District, MUD, special district, Rosenberg, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, ad valorem tax, bond issuance, assessments, fees, taxes, eminent domain, road district, storm drainage

Bills: HCR3018

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: water rights, wetlands, inundated lands, taxation, property tax, drainage, flooded land, seasonal wetlands, meltwater, navigability, jurisdiction, county tax rolls, agricultural land, soil health, wildlife habitat, environmental regulation, public health, land ownership, riparian, drain and fill

Summary: The Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee was brought back to order and first took up a conference committee report on House Bill 1151, which concerns cultured meat. Members noted that the House had refused to concur with the Senate amendments and that the bill had previously been turned into a study. The committee discussed appointing conferees, with Randy identified as chair and Weston agreeing to serve as well. The chair explained that because the House did not concur with the committee’s change, further action would be needed and the House would chair the conference committee since it is their bill. Members briefly discussed whether additional conferees were needed, but no further names were settled beyond those mentioned. The committee also reported that Representative Porter could not be reached, leaving the committee at a standstill. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned until 9:00 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• wetlands, just different things about them, jurisdictional water sitting over the top of land, who has taxing
• This water is inundated over this farmland, and there are people still paying property taxes on that

Bills: HCR3018

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: water rights, wetlands, inundated lands, taxation, property tax, drainage, flooded land, seasonal wetlands, meltwater, navigability, jurisdiction, county tax rolls, agricultural land, soil health, wildlife habitat, environmental regulation, public health, land ownership, riparian, drain and fill

Summary: The Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Concurrent Resolution 3018, which was amended to expand a study of wetlands and jurisdictional water issues, including questions about taxing authority over land inundated by water. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the resolution as amended on a roll call vote, with all members present voting yes or aye. Senator Weston agreed to carry the measure. The committee then considered House Bill 1581, relating to funding for the Native American Tourism Alliance. Senator Marcellais explained an amendment restoring the funding level to $500,000 and adding a 10% tribal match. Members debated the budget impact and the likelihood of the bill surviving in that form. The amendment failed on a 3-3 tie, after which the committee moved to the original House version. That version, with $100,000 total funding and matching requirements, received a 4-2 do pass recommendation and was sent to Appropriations, with Senator Marcellais designated as carrier. The committee also discussed House Bill 1541, which would create a new commission to oversee septic systems, but members indicated a preference for a different approach already moving in the House that would place licensing and oversight under DEQ with health units still handling inspections. No final action was taken on that bill. Finally, the committee reviewed House Bill 1280, a water/drainage-related measure involving voting eligibility for landowners who have not paid assessments, but members raised legal questions and deferred further action. The committee also discussed broader concerns about a chemical-labeling bill and related public emails, then recessed until the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, the tax policy has been impacting them.
• And between all of the different costs, the taxes, the property taxes, sale, all of the different costs
• President, if you don't like the taxes, well, let's find some savings so we don't need all those taxes
• Now, it is actually a federal tax credit, Mr.
• There are no increases to property tax, B&O, or sales tax.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6170 , SB6176 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB5647 , SB6047 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB5998 , SB6005 , SB6003 , SB6129 , SB6225 , SB6228 , SB6231

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, contracting rules, state highway construction, procurement limits, state regulations, infrastructure funding, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law

Summary: The Senate met on February 23, 2026, opened with the usual roll call, pledge, prayer, and approval of the previous journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 8698 recognizing piano teachers, with several senators sharing personal remarks about their own teachers and the role of music education in families and communities. Guests from the Washington State Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then moved into budget debate, considering a series of amendments to the operating budget. Several proposals focused on housing costs, local planning, utility rates, and state spending restraint. Amendment 0772, which would have created a housing-related task force and increased funding, was rejected after debate over housing affordability and regulatory costs. Amendment 0785, restoring growth management planning funding for local governments, was also rejected. Amendment 0791, directing the Department of Commerce to study the effects of climate and clean energy laws on utility costs, and Amendment 0769, related to grid capacity and clean energy investments, were both adopted. Other amendments drew sharper partisan debate. Amendment 0798, which would have reduced the Supreme Court from nine justices to five and redirected savings to public defense, failed. Amendments 0794 and 0795, seeking funding for ballot measure costs tied to initiatives, also failed. Amendment 0799, intended to redirect Pacific Tower lease savings to developmental disability services, was rejected after discussion of the building’s current public uses. Amendment 0773, capping state spending growth and tying it to median wage growth, failed on a roll call vote, while Amendment 0777, addressing concurrent use of paid family and medical leave and sick leave by state employees, also failed after extended debate. Later, Amendment 0776 on tort liability reporting was adopted, as were Amendment 0758 creating a DSHS work group on community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Amendment 0786 was introduced to reduce cash and food assistance work-related funding, with debate beginning before the transcript ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• And between all of the different costs, the taxes, the property taxes, sale, all of the different costs
• President, if you don't like the taxes, well, let's find some savings so we don't need all those taxes
• That was preceded by several quarters of...
• That was preceded by several quarters of...
• There are no increases to property tax, to B&O, or to sales tax.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6170 , SB6176 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB5647 , SB6047 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB5998 , SB6005 , SB6003 , SB6129 , SB6225 , SB6228 , SB6231

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, contracting rules, state highway construction, procurement limits, state regulations, infrastructure funding, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law

Summary: The Senate convened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then moved to a resolution honoring piano teachers. Senate Resolution 8698 was adopted after remarks from Senator Conway and others describing the role of piano teachers in music education, family life, and community service. Members of the Washington State Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then took up the operating budget and considered a long series of amendments. Several amendments focused on housing costs and local planning, utility and energy policy, ballot measure costs, state spending growth, tort liability, and paid family and medical leave. Some amendments were adopted, including a study of utility cost impacts from climate laws, a grid-related funding amendment, a tort liability oversight/reporting amendment, and a workgroup on services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Others were rejected, including proposals to create a housing task force, cap state spending growth, fund ballot initiative costs, restore local planning grants, and change paid family and medical leave usage rules. Debate on the budget amendments was often partisan and detailed, with supporters arguing for fiscal restraint, cost transparency, and relief for taxpayers and local governments, while opponents emphasized existing work, program solvency, and the need to preserve services. The Senate also heard amendments on zero-based budgeting, federal education tax credit opt-in language, reproductive health funding, food assistance work requirements, and support for the Pediatric Interim Care Center; some were defeated and some were adopted. Roll-call votes were taken on certain amendments, and the transcript ends during consideration of Amendment 0787, which would restore funding for the Pediatric Interim Care Center.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we have several bills to hear today.
• It simply reduces the rollback rate, also known as the voter-approved tax rate, for...
• We're taxing jurisdictions, primarily cities and counties, from three and a half to two and a half.

Bills: SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB34 , SB18 , SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 10 , SB 14 , SB 16 , SB 18 , SB 34

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: flooding, public safety, outdoor warning sirens, disaster preparedness, emergency response, flood warning, outdoor sirens, local government, safety measures, flood management, emergency preparedness, municipal safety, disaster response, disaster relief, emergency funding, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, hemp regulation, consumable products

Transcript Highlights:

• But I was a former border prosecution unit prosecutor at the DA's office for several years.
• states to El Paso landed at a local motel and stayed there for several months.
• We looked at several hotels and motels in El Paso last year.
• Neighbors personally who've been severely injured from dog bites.
• It did not cause severe bodily injury, however, was still traumatizing for the child.

Bills: HB166 , HB2000 , HB3248 , HB3513 , SB155 , SB1659 , SB1730 , SB1778 , SB1790 , SB1848 , SB2017 , SB2105 , SB2794 , SB2917 , HB2756 , HB353 , HB166

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: child endangerment, controlled substances, penalty group, elderly protection, disabled individual rights, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, defense, peace officers, local government, security, juvenile board, Moore County, appointments, juvenile justice, county legislation, dangerous dogs

Transcript Highlights:

• So she is majoring in political science prelaw and she's interested in tax in the state policy.
• Majoring in political science prelaw and she's interested in tax in the state policy.

Bills: SB1423 , SB1426 , SB1502 , SB1377 , SB1983 , SB1466 , SB1645 , SB1647 , SB1847 , SB1565 , SB1562 , SB1329 , SB1383 , SB1833 , SB1555 , SB1344 , SB1839 , SB1280 , SB1832 , SB2001 , SB1405 , SB2143 , SB1989 , SB1393 , SB1392 , SB1395 , SB1400 , SB1220 , SB1516 , SB1239 , SB1531 , SB1349 , SB1221 , SB1538 , SB1309 , SB1434 , SB2108 , SB2121 , SB2171 , SB2061 , SB2112 , SB2138

Keywords: Oklahoma Hospital Advisory Council, hospital licensure, public health, State Department of Health, State Board of Health, hospital regulations, healthcare regulation, hospital standards, hospital construction, hospital operations, stroke care, stroke system, emergency medical services, EMS transport, psychiatric treatment, chemical dependency treatment, substance use disorder, drug storage, pharmacy, quality indicators

Transcript Highlights:

• She is majoring in political science pre-law, and she's interested in tax and estate policy.

Bills: SB1423 , SB1426 , SB1502 , SB1377 , SB1983 , SB1466 , SB1645 , SB1647 , SB1847 , SB1565 , SB1562 , SB1329 , SB1383 , SB1833 , SB1555 , SB1344 , SB1839 , SB1280 , SB1832 , SB2001 , SB1405 , SB2143 , SB1989 , SB1393 , SB1392 , SB1395 , SB1400 , SB1220 , SB1516 , SB1239 , SB1531 , SB1349 , SB1221 , SB1538 , SB1309 , SB1434 , SB2108 , SB2121 , SB2171 , SB2061 , SB2112 , SB2138

Keywords: Oklahoma Hospital Advisory Council, hospital licensure, public health, State Department of Health, State Board of Health, hospital regulations, healthcare regulation, hospital standards, hospital construction, hospital operations, stroke care, stroke system, emergency medical services, EMS transport, psychiatric treatment, chemical dependency treatment, substance use disorder, drug storage, pharmacy, quality indicators

Summary: The Senate convened, the roll was called, and a quorum was declared. The chamber opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then proceeded to a series of floor introductions recognizing the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Sameed Faruqi, and psychologist of the day, Dr. Jeffrey Martindale, along with several interns and guests on the floor and in the gallery. A major ceremonial item was the introduction of the Oakdale/Oktaha Lady Tigers fast-pitch softball team, which was recognized for winning the 2025 OSSAA Class 2A state championship. Senator Fricks presented a citation honoring the team’s resilience, sportsmanship, and community pride, and the coach briefly thanked the Senate and described the long-term connection between the players and the school program. The Senate also recognized the Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Association in the gallery. No legislation was debated or voted on in the transcript; the only formal action was a motion adopted to adjourn when the clerk’s desk was clear. Committee announcements noted that HHS would meet at 1:00 and Revenue and Taxation would meet later in the afternoon, and the Senate adjourned until Tuesday, February 10th at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the B&O tax is an equally inequitable tax that we should fix and have a tax on net receipts rather
• I think the B&O tax is an equally inequitable tax that we should fix and have a tax on net receipts rather
• And several years ago, this legislature took action to create a real estate excise tax re-exemption when
• It was a dumb tax break when we expanded it several times, and it is a dumb tax break today.
• Such that the tax rate would be changed to a lesser tax rate.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6170 , SB6176 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB5647 , SB6047 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB6129 , SB6228 , SB6231 , HB2235 , HB2272 , HB2340 , HB2543 , HB2554 , HB2632 , HB2464 , HB2619

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, contracting rules, state highway construction, procurement limits, state regulations, infrastructure funding, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial items, then moved through gubernatorial appointments and a series of floor votes. It confirmed Acacia E. Ingram to the Evergreen State College Board of Trustees, Ashland J. Tibbet and David S. Frockt to the Western Washington University Board of Trustees, and Christine Rolfes to the Olympic College Board of Trustees. Members spoke in support of the appointees’ public service and ties to higher education. The chamber also heard a personal privilege statement honoring a Colfax basketball coach who died of pancreatic cancer, followed by a caucus break. The Senate then considered several bills, passing measures on derelict vessels (SHB 2199), radiologic technologist supervision (HB 2113), nitrous oxide retail sales (ESHB 2532), ambulance transport fund alignment (HB 2531), EMT recertification (HB 2540), affordable housing on religious property (2SHB 1859), factory-built housing standards (SHB 2151), social housing public development authorities (EHB 1687), the Washington Voting Rights Act and voter suppression claims (ESSHB 1750), privacy and data protection reporting and AI use (HB 2606), military family school stability (ESHB 2534), coal-fired utility treatment (HB 2367), and school access to albuterol (SHB 2360). Most passed on strong bipartisan roll calls, though the voting-rights bill and coal-utility bill drew the most debate and partisan division. Several bills were amended on the floor. The Senate adopted changes to the nitrous oxide bill, the factory-built housing bill, the social housing bill, the albuterol bill, and the 3D-printer/firearm-manufacturing bill (ESHB 2320), while rejecting some proposed amendments on the voting-rights and 3D-printer bills. Debate centered on whether the voting-rights bill set too low a threshold for lawsuits and whether the coal-utility bill gave improper treatment to coal generation; supporters framed both as needed protections or transition measures, while opponents warned about litigation and policy overreach. The chamber also discussed tribal consultation in energy siting (SHB 2496), ultimately passing it after a close vote, and later returned to the 3D-printer bill, which advanced after amendments narrowed exemptions for gunsmiths and dealers and clarified the bill’s focus on digital files used to manufacture firearms.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Crawford, I've had several revenue reach...
• Crawford, I've had several revenue reach out to me about supporting this amendment, but wondering if
• Members of the committee, House Bill 315, first of all, is not a new sales tax holiday.
• And I think you're going to see several different ones. Um, To see several different ones.

Bills: HB226 , HB24 , HB309 , HB315 , HB272 , HB24 , HB226 , HB309 , HB315 , HB272

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: HB226, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax, property tax relief, widow, widower, unremarried spouse, surviving spouse, senior exemption, elderly, disabled, permanently and totally disabled, blind taxpayer, deed ownership, principal residence, school tax, county tax, municipal tax, Alabama Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• So we deduct—we have to do the gas taxes anyway—from the gross to get that tax.
• tax be remitted on top of >> But that fee would not be tax exempt.
• So we deduct—we have to do the gas taxes anyway—from the gross to get that tax.
• </c> taxed as a whole. taxed as a whole.
• </c> there's taxes on that. there's taxes on that.

Bills: SB59 , SB221 , SB59 , SB221

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: military families, immunization, education, public health, school enrollment, Mobile County, judge of probate, compensation, salary, expense allowance, higher education, funding, annual report, state funds, federal funds, budget oversight, sales tax, credit card fees, tax exemption, merchants

Bills: SB 868 , SB 1337 , SB 1371 , SB 1377 , SB 1426 , SB 1620 , SB 2064 , SB 2065 , SJR 4

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: tax penalties, interest calculation, overpayment, tax law, refund process, historic preservation, heritage tourism, public engagement, Texas Historical Commission, education, pension system, actuarially sound, emergency services, legacy liability, anonymized contributions, economic stabilization fund, state finance, constitutional amendment, budget management, financial security

Bills: SB 868 , SB 1337 , SB 1371 , SB 1377 , SB 1426 , SB 1620 , SB 2064 , SB 2065 , SJR 4

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: tax penalties, interest calculation, overpayment, tax law, refund process, historic preservation, heritage tourism, public engagement, Texas Historical Commission, education, pension system, actuarially sound, emergency services, legacy liability, anonymized contributions, economic stabilization fund, state finance, constitutional amendment, budget management, financial security

Bills: HB2148 , HB2306 , HB1776 , HB2007 , HB1939 , HB2490 , HB1733 , HB2049 , HB1710 , HB1918 , HB1926 , HB2325 , HB2426 , HB1553 , HB2544 , HB2599 , HB2616

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: estate tax, generation-skipping transfer tax, unrealized gains, surcharge, property transfer, tax exemption, small business, relative, income tax, tax brackets, household care credit, employment-related expenses, earned income tax credit, food tax credit, fraud disallowance, tenant rights, housing stability, landlord-tenant code, eviction prevention, multilingual resources

Transcript Highlights:

• This theft also robs Texas of vital tax revenue, undermining our state's economic stability.
• It clarifies our authority, ensuring we can protect businesses and preserve stability. state taxes.

Bills: HB201 , HB272 , HB618 , HB 1094 , HB 1142 , HB201 , HB272

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, credit card fraud, debit card fraud, prosecution, illegal possession, state law, HB 618, Texas insurance code, IVF, in vitro fertilization, fertility treatment, infertility coverage, government employee health benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• What it simply is, is a checkoff for your tax refund that you can donate part of your refund to the Wildlife

Bills: SB248 , SB985 , SB1307 , SB1319 , SB1405 , SB1530 , SB1919

Committee: House A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee

Keywords: tourism, revolving fund, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, real property, fund management, Oklahoma Local Food for Schools, school meals, local food procurement, farm to school, school districts, Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, local producers, meat processors, reimbursement program, agriculture, nutrition, farmers, ranchers, local sourcing

Transcript Highlights:

• There's nothing hidden in there that's going to raise any taxes or fees or anything.
• going<00:04:43.520><c> to</c><00:04:43.680><c> raise</c><00:04:43.919><c> any</c><00:04:44.639><c> taxes
• </c><00:04:45.040><c> or</c><00:04:45.280><c> fees</c><00:04:45.600><c> or</c> going to raise any taxes
• or fees or going to raise any taxes or fees or anything.<00:04:46.320><c> We</c><00:04:46.479><c> make

Bills: SB85 , SB263 , HB277 , HB267 , SB288 , SB85 , SB263 , HB277 , HB267 , SB288

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Keywords: vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education, immunization, religious tenets, sincerely held belief, school health policy, Alabama, AHSAA physical form