Transcript Highlights:

• of the state believes that this makes sense.
• I think the project does make sense.
• I think this project could make sense.
• We have to ask ourselves what makes sense.
• The state would make the most sense.

Bills: HB341, HB791, HB1564, HB1695, HB1722, HB1729, HB1772, HB2003, HB2954, HB2989, HB3084, HB3134, HB3135, HB3309, HB3611, HB3679, HB3727, HB3832

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, thank you for joining us today on decision making for the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism
• c> to<00:01:32.400> Thursday, deferring decision making to Thursday, deferring decision making
• SB decision-making and profits local.
• Seeing none, we're going to go into decision-making on this measure.
• Hi, thank you, and welcome back for decision-making on our 111 agenda.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2693 relating to capital improvement projects for aerospace infrastructure. Members had no questions, and the recommendation to pass the bill with a defective date of July 1, 2050 was adopted unanimously. The committee then deferred decision making on Senate Bill 26980 relating to transportation and Senate Bill 2374 relating to the blue economy until Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Room 229, pending additional information. In the joint hearing on Senate Bill 2816 relating to state enterprise zones, agencies and organizations including DBEDT, HTDC, Taxation, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Oceanit, the Hawaii Medical Association, and the Queen’s Health System testified in support or submitted written comments. One public testifier urged expanding enterprise zones around the Kakaako/Cancer Center area and combining them with the foreign trade zone to reduce taxes and attract business. A senator questioned whether the enterprise zone program had ever been comprehensively evaluated, noting DBEDT said it had not done a full study in recent years and cited annual report figures including about $221 million in company revenues and $460,000 in foregone state revenue in 2022. The discussion focused on whether the bill would subsidize existing activity or support new economic development, and on the broader policy question of whether enterprise zones should be used to revitalize depressed areas or to target strategic sectors like health care technology. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2900 relating to sports officials. The Department of Education supported the measure, saying the Attorney General is best positioned to represent employees in temporary restraining order matters and that elevating intentional bodily injury of a sports official to a class B felony would improve safety. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it would escalate conduct already covered by existing assault statutes and go beyond other protected classes. The Department of the Attorney General recommended narrowing the bill by inserting “substantial” before bodily injury in the criminal section and deleting a section that would make the AG’s office act like plaintiff’s counsel in civil matters, suggesting instead that departments adopt policies to help employees obtain TROs without creating an open-ended civil representation role. Several sports and school-related organizations testified in support, and members discussed whether the bill should be narrowed or coordinated with other measures before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, we had of those decisions.
• decision decision where<00:09:14.880> we<00:09:15.200> have<00:09:15.360> to<00
• the whatever other decision you need. the whatever other decision you need.
• to make those changes within the system. to make those changes within the system.
• finally do make that increase. finally do make that increase.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that system is making a difference? that system is making a difference?
• And even though it's CWS policy to not allow that and we object to it, the family court make that decision
• And even though it's CWS policy to not allow that and we object to it, the family court make that decision
• And even though it's CWS policy to not allow that and we object to it, the family court make that decision
• family court make that decision. Okay. family court make that decision. Okay.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• community so I want to I want to make community so I want to I want to make sure<00:22:40.799>
• Having dedicated board seats would ensure local concerns are properly represented in the decision-making
• This local expertise would be valuable for informed decision-making about port operations and development
• This local expertise would be valuable for informed decision-making about port operations and development
• That makes the roads less safe.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• making a dent in the backlog. making a dent in the backlog.
• So we do get circuit court judges substituting in for decision making.
• <00:46:51.760> making.
• <00:46:52.400> The<00:46:52.720> other Okay. for decision making.
• The other Okay. for decision making.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Message 790, the nomination of Karen T. Nakasone to serve as chief judge of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals for a 10-year term. The chair announced that no vote would be taken that day and that the committee would vote on Thursday. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with the chair reading that there were 103 supporters, zero opposed, and one comment. Supporters included current and retired judges, public defenders, bar association representatives, former elected officials, and community members. They described Nakasone as intelligent, fair, hardworking, well respected, and a strong leader with deep legal experience. Several speakers emphasized her judicial temperament, her work as an advocate and judge, and her community involvement, including leadership in civic and civil rights organizations. One pro se litigant also testified that she had been treated kindly and respectfully by Nakasone in prior interactions. The Hawaii State Bar Association reported that it had conducted an interview and review process and found her qualified for the position. In her own remarks, Nakasone introduced family and colleagues, described her 30-year legal career, and said her first job after law school was as an ICA law clerk. She highlighted the court’s backlog reduction efforts under Acting Chief Judge Katherine Leonard, saying the number of older pending appeals had dropped significantly through team-based reforms, and stated that she would continue that work if confirmed. The hearing ended without questions from the committee and with the nomination held for a later vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know a couple pilots for UPS, and we were making phone calls and everything trying to make sure that
• to make sure that and everything trying to make sure that everybody<00:01:59.520> was<00:01:59.759
• They're going to make recommendations. They're going to make recommendations.
• to make this permanent. to make this permanent. >> Got<00:39:29.440> it.
• And so that's the policy decision, more. And so that's the policy decision, right? right? right?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its fifth and final Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education meeting, but did not initially have a quorum and approved the minutes later when enough members were present. The Council on Postsecondary Education, represented by President Aaron Thompson and Vice President Bill Payne, opened with condolences for the UPS crash victims and then presented higher education budget recommendations for the 2026-2028 biennium. Thompson emphasized the return on investment from state support for higher education, citing gains in retention, enrollment, persistence, graduation, reduced time to degree, lower student debt, and expanded dual credit participation, while noting that affordability and access remain priorities. Payne outlined CPE’s operating funds request, including $43.3 million in the first year and $86.6 million in the second year for inflation adjustments, plus $30 million and $45 million for performance funding. He said the inflation request would apply across the board to institutions to offset rising costs, and that the KSU land grant match would not need additional funding because the state has already met the matching requirement. He also explained that state support for educating students has not kept pace with inflation over time, creating pressure on institutional budgets and tuition, though tuition increases have been held to historic lows in recent years. A major portion of the discussion focused on the performance funding model and how it affects smaller institutions. CPE proposed two approaches to address institutions that have received little or no performance funding, especially Kentucky State University and Morehead State University. The first approach would create a $20 million minimum distribution pool, providing $1.95 million to each university and $4.4 million to KCTCS, with the goal of giving smaller and rural institutions a base level of support. The second approach would provide direct appropriations totaling a little over $5.6 million to Kentucky State, Morehead State, and five community colleges that have not been receiving performance funding. Members, especially Representative Tipton and Senator West, questioned how the model had treated small schools over time, and CPE officials explained that the original small school adjustment was not large enough to prevent KSU and Morehead from effectively being left out of the distribution. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• That makes little sense, and that's what we have currently.
• It makes housing and construction in California prohibitively expensive.
• that decision with added costs of this bill.
• It's not about making blanket... ...the inventory, right?
• sure that they make sense.

Summary: The Committee on Emergency Management heard several bills related to public safety, wildfire preparedness, and fireworks regulation. SB 1299, by Senator Arreguín, would place in statute a certification and training framework for fire sprinkler fitters and apprentices after a court decision disrupted prior State Fire Marshal regulations. Supporters said the bill would protect life safety by ensuring qualified installation and maintenance of fire suppression systems, while opponents raised concerns about added costs, housing affordability, and labor-related effects. The committee passed the bill as amended to the Committee on Labor and Employment on a roll call vote, with DeMaio and Hadwick voting no. SB 1153, by Senator Caballero, would require urban retail water suppliers to incorporate wildfire-specific procedures into emergency plans and clarify that water systems are not designed to serve as wildfire defense systems. Supporters from water agencies and fire organizations said the bill would improve coordination, planning, and ratepayer protection while acknowledging infrastructure limits. Members discussed transparency, backup generators, and whether the bill should require more public disclosure; the author said he would continue working on possible amendments. The committee passed the bill as amended to the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. SB 828, by Senator Cabaldon, responds to the Esparto fireworks warehouse explosion by requiring fireworks licensees to disclose storage locations, verify local permits, and meet other compliance conditions. The author said the bill was developed with the State Fire Marshal and local public safety partners to close information gaps and improve enforcement. An opposition witness argued the permit-verification requirements could not be met in all jurisdictions, especially for hobby rocketry and small-scale uses, prompting discussion about clarifying different rocket categories and administrative implementation. The committee passed SB 828 as amended to the Committee on Local Government, and the meeting then adjourned after all bills were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Father, we trust you that you make no mistakes. You're not trying to be in control.
• Father, we cannot make it without you. Cover our borders, God.
• I don't know what the point of that would be, except to make political points, but...
• That was the Supreme Court decision. On behalf of the actual plaintiff.
• That was the Supreme Court decision that has supposedly led to why we're here.

Bills: SCR12, HB221, HB509, HCR58, HB75, HB1222, SB121, SB312, SB348, SB485, SCR9, SCR58, SB65, SB215, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR54, HCR79, HCR87, HCR94, HCR104, HCR32, HB944, HB17, HB41, HB73, HB223, HB244, HB410, HB750, HB759, HB906, HB966, HB1006, HB1009, HB1086, HB1107, HB1112, HB1215, HB1242, SB208, SB217, SB283, SB387, SB389, SB401, SB408, SB469, HB74, HB119, HB368, HB414, HB552, HB732, HB776, HB848, HB870, HB953, HB956, HB1236, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB78, SB149, SB274, SB300, SB341, SB382, SB441, SB449, HB134, HB210, HB258, HB359, HB468, HB784, HB1117

Keywords: logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, Mississippi River bridge, Trump Expressway, transportation, federal funding, Louisiana highways, injection wells, public hearing, geologic sequestration, environmental impact, public comment, Ascension Parish, state capitol, economic development, community partnership, celebration day

Transcript Highlights:

• decisions on whether they're going to provide surgical services at all in those areas.
• An autonomous board can make its own administrative, disciplinary, and licensure decisions.
• A semi-autonomous board has decision-making authority for certain aspects of licensing, but cedes responsibility
• An advisory board exists in an advisory capacity only, ceding final decision-making authority to a state
• In contrast, in advisory states, the legislature does not authorize health care boards to have decision-making

Bills: S0428, S0606, S0192, S0162, S0340

Keywords: drowning prevention, water safety, swimming lessons, swim vouchers, child drowning, infant safety, toddler safety, pool safety, bath safety, safe bathing practices, postpartum education, newborn care, childbirth education, birth centers, home birth providers, Department of Health, public health, water competency, swim instruction, infant supervision

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and took up several health-related bills, with a strong focus on drowning prevention and patient safety. SB 428 by Senator Yarborough would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7. Supporters, including a pediatric emergency physician and YMCA leadership, cited Florida’s high child drowning rates and argued that swim lessons reduce risk and should be available to more children. Senator Harrell noted the need to consider increasing the program’s funding as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 606 by Senator Smith, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum materials provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and, after amendment, no longer home birth providers. A parent who lost a child to drowning testified in support, and senators emphasized the preventability of such deaths. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 340 by Senator Harrell would require nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure; after a strike-all amendment shifted the requirement from nursing programs to the students themselves, the bill received support from advocates and was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also considered SB 162 by Senator Davis, which would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively inexpensive and already common in many facilities, while opponents and some senators questioned the medical evidence, enforcement, and possible impacts on rural and smaller facilities. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably, with some members voting no. SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull on behalf of Senator Martin, would remove the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; the Florida Chiropractic Society supported the change as pro-small-business, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also received an OPAGA presentation comparing Florida’s health care practitioner regulation system with other states, focusing on board autonomy, rulemaking oversight, board composition, appointments, term limits, and funding mechanisms.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill says that the board can look at those concerns and and make decisions based on the language
• I don't believe the board would be directed to make decisions on those outcomes. Follow up.
• So we have further clarified that law to make it easy for people to follow and to make a creative penalty
• That's how attorneys make all kinds of money.
• That would be an individual decision.

Bills: SB1090, SJR49, SB633, HR1059, SB650, SB2063, SB122, SB1614, SB1884, SJR52, SJR53, HJR1101, SJR50, HB3021, HR1058, SB514, SB382, HB3320, SB740, SB833, SB2143, SB1209, SB244

Keywords: wildlife, conservation, Oklahoma, regulations, permanent rules, Leo's Law, child endangerment, fentanyl testing, drug screening, child welfare, Oklahoma Children's Code, substance abuse, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, AAPI, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Oklahoma House resolution, commemorative resolution, heritage month, cultural recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, do you choose when to make that decision an option or if somebody doesn't come to my court after
• Do you make a phone call? Do you send an email?
• Things are constantly varying, circumstances are out there, and we have to make that decision very quickly
• If we've made that conscious decision to use a less lethal tool, we've made the decision not to use the
• The initiative focuses on people's behavior and decision-making processes to enhance the effectiveness

Bills: HB1455, HB1777, HB2101, HB2136, HB2609, HB3142, HB3552, HB3846, HB4155, HB4514, HB4879, HB4995, HB5014, HB5139, HB5228, HB5436, HCR40

Keywords: mental health, jail diversion, law enforcement, reporting requirements, criminal justice, data collection, criminal justice reform, intellectual disability, mental illness, data reporting, public safety, reporting, substance abuse, sex offender, driver's license, identification, gunshot detection, unreported gunshots, municipal police, crime investigation

Transcript Highlights:

• a decision on behalf of their child, they have to make that decision with eyes wide open.
• Let's start making steps to make sure that we don't have hungry kids in our classrooms.
• let's start making steps to make make let's start making steps to make make sure<01:45:53.520>
• food there, make your lunch.
• food there, make your lunch.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Who would be the arbiter of who makes this decision as to whether or not the city is actually following
• I just want to make a quick point.
• We need to force them to make decisions and to get these decisions out so that we're not hamstrung—my
• We’re getting there; we’re making progress.
• I'm just, obviously, if it's verbatim of the previous, people want to make sure that they make it in

Bills: HB5691, SB427, SB2623, SB2858

Keywords: municipal management district, bonds, assessments, property taxes, economic development, eminent domain, special district, SB 427, local government, political subdivision, state loan, state grant, financial reporting, annual financial statement, annual report, county report, municipal finance, water district, municipality, county auditor

Transcript Highlights:

• these critical decisions as we move forward.
• Makes perfect sense. Senator Gonzalez, thank you. Thank you, Mr.
• And so we have to make tough decisions at the end of the day. Not everybody likes it.
• the decision, and somebody's not going to like that.
• So that's the intent: to make it last for a while.

Transcript Highlights:

• instruction on sexual activities, sexual behavior, or contraceptives, abortion procedures, or reproductive decision-making
• This instruction cannot be classified Decision-making.
• Kavanaugh, I'll make the motion. Mr.
• It's making a growing problem worse.
• It's making a growing problem worse.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The weight carried by all who are entrusted with the decisions that we make that affect others in our
• they make and the...
• I'm glad to make this presentation along with Representative Archer.
• President, Coach, you're recognized to use the floor's mic to make some comments.
• President, that sounds like a political decision, not a decision about health and Safety.

Bills: HB4248, HB4429, HB2588, HB3472, HB4317, HB3462, HB2035, HB3501, HB3127, HB3143, HB3144, HB3260, HB4321, HB3011, HB3522, HB3530, HB3940, HB3078, HB3043, HB3005, HB3007, HB3403, HB1907, HB3175, HB3986, HB3466, HB3411, HB4246, SJR49, HB3281, HB4319, HJR1086, HJR1024, HJR1087

Keywords: HB4248, hemp beverage, hemp drinks, THC beverage, cannabis beverage, intoxicating hemp, age restriction, under 21, minor possession, youth access, public health and safety, Title 63, Oklahoma Statutes, retail sales, alcohol-style regulation, controlled substances, beverage regulation, proxy advisory services, shareholder rights, financial transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the spirit of the Bronx that makes it so, a spirit that was constructed over generations, scarred
• And it means making sure the Bronx is never overlooked in places where decisions are made, like right
• We know money-making Manhattan, Money earned in Mount Vernon, but I submit to you in this motion for
• I know some of you try to make the sign, but there is only one Borough with the sign.
• Would we make people bear the burden and costs of toilet paper, hand soap, and paper towels?

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on March 9, 2026, approved the prior journal, and took up several procedural items, including substituting identical Senate Bill 6734A for Assembly Bill 4382A and adopting a resolution calendar with exceptions for Resolutions 1718 and 1723. The chamber also received amendments on another bill and heard multiple guest introductions, including students from Ahavas Bas Yaakov of Monsey and Dr. Angela Odoms-Young, who was recognized for her work on food and nutrition policy and health equity. A major portion of the session was devoted to Resolution 1680 commemorating Bronx Day. Senators Fernandez, Bailey, Myrie, Serrano, Sepúlveda, Krueger, and others spoke in praise of the Bronx’s history, diversity, culture, resilience, and contributions to music, fashion, sports, and civic life. The Senate also adopted Resolution 1718 recognizing Harriet Tubman Day, with remarks highlighting Tubman’s work on the Underground Railroad, her Civil War service, and her later life in Auburn, and adopted Resolution 1723 marking the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday and emphasizing the continuing importance of voting rights protections. The Senate then passed a series of bills from the calendar. These included measures on general municipal law, public health, executive law, education, vehicle and traffic law, criminal procedure, labor law, and legislative law. Several members explained their votes on health-related bills: Senator Cleare spoke about period poverty and access to free menstrual products in educational institutions; Senator Webb supported a bill requiring hospital governing boards to include a registered professional nurse; and Senator Murray, joined by Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, described personal experiences with blood clots and pulmonary embolism in support of a bill creating a working group on the issue. Most bills passed with broad support, though some had notable negative votes, and the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, March 11 at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can debate the value of nationwide injunctions and the merits of any particular judicial decision
• It makes our country less safe This is especially true of our national security.
• Let's make sure that politicians, that we don't create problems.
• Article one section seven makes that doubly clear by saying you cannot make a federal law without both
• I'm a lawyer, sir, and before I make decisions... and form opinions, I need to look at the facts carefully

Keywords: John Eisenberg, assistant attorney general, national security, China Initiative, Department of Justice, judicial authority, executive actions, nomination hearing

Summary: The committee meeting primarily involved discussions around key nominations and pressing legal issues pertaining to the Department of Justice. Notable discussions included the nomination of John Eisenberg for assistant attorney general for national security, where concerns over the revival of the China Initiative were raised. Senators expressed significant apprehensions regarding previous actions taken under this initiative and its implications for national security. Additionally, there were critiques of the broader implications of executive actions that challenge judicial authority, aligning with ongoing dialogues about the integrity of the judiciary and executive oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• functioning to help them make functioning to help them make evidence-based<00:09:21.160> decisions
• <00:09:21.760> regarding evidence-based decisions regarding evidence-based decisions regarding
• evidence-based decisions regarding the criminal justice system.
• Section 3 is a technical amendment making a reference to the repealed definition from section 2.
• it clear and directly in it does make it clear and directly in the<00:17:44.080> statute.

Keywords: 927, senate, all