Transcript Highlights:

• The computer gets to be fun sometimes. That's 365."
• </c><00:38:18.079><c> The</c><00:38:18.560><c> computer</c><00:38:18.960><c> gets</c><00:38:19.280><c
• The computer gets to be fun No, no, no. The computer gets to be fun sometimes.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They can hire staff and buy computers, uh, things that are directly connected to a campaign. currently
• c><00:49:04.960><c> staff</c><00:49:05.359><c> and</c><00:49:05.599><c> buy</c><00:49:05.920><c> computers
• </c><00:49:07.040><c> uh</c> can hire staff and buy computers. uh can hire staff and buy computers. uh

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, February 12, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 39 members present, heard the invocation from Reverend Meredith West, and journalized her remarks. The chamber then recognized several guest groups and observances, including Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Second District Corridor 1 for “100 Q’s in Annapolis Day,” the Kent Island High School boys lacrosse team for winning the Maryland 2A state championship, Arts Day participants, Rural Maryland Council members, Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition advocates, and visitors from the Maryland Judiciary. Senators also spoke about the meaning of Kente cloth during Black History Month, and the chamber recognized a birthday and thanked protocol staff for Valentine’s Day decorations. The Senate’s featured presentation was the annual Lincoln Day speech by the Senator from the 37th District. The senator reflected on Abraham Lincoln’s life, political career, and moral leadership, emphasizing his self-education, opposition to the expansion of slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg, and the idea that the nation’s founding principles of liberty and equality guided Lincoln through the Civil War. The minority leader praised the address, and the Senate agreed without objection to journalize the remarks. After the ceremonial portion, the Senate moved to business. Bond initiatives on the calendar were read and referred to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. The Executive Nominations Committee reported favorably on a list of recess appointees, including gubernatorial secretaries, district court judges, and a state board appointee, and the report was special ordered to Monday, February 16, 2026. The chamber then began second-reader consideration of Budget and Taxation bills: Senate Bill 25, altering the cyber security technology and service tax credit, was amended and ordered printed for third reading; Senate Bill 58, creating a property tax credit for retail service station conversions, was discussed with questions about who would receive the credit and why the incentive was needed, and consideration was ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• except for school boards, I don't know, except for school boards, all, you know, it's—where is my computer
• You know, it's—where is my computer? Closed. So I don't have it in front of me again.
• We had the largest quantum computing company in the world in our room today.
• The largest quantum computing company in the world was in our room today, and it's such an amazing process

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• except for school boards, I don't know, except for school boards, all, you know, it's where is my computer
• You know, it's where is my computer closed? So I don't have it in front of me again.
• We had the largest quantum computing company in the world in our room today. ...computing company in

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, opened with an invocation, pledges, and a series of announcements recognizing West Side Day, School Board Appreciation Day, Sierra Club Climate Solutions Day, Gallup-McKinley County Day, and New Mexico Athlete Trainer Day. Members also agreed to allow cameras on the floor and a relaxed dress code for guests. Numerous student and community groups were introduced, including West Side Day students, ABC Prep basketball students, Bernalillo High School AP students, MANA del Norte Hermanitas, honorary lieutenant governors, Taos Municipal Schools leaders, Classical Conversations homeschool students, Bloomfield school board members, and others. A major portion of the session was devoted to honoring Bueno Foods with a Senate certificate recognizing February 5, 2026, as Bueno Foods Day in the Senate and celebrating the company’s 75th anniversary. Senators praised the Baca family’s multigenerational business, its role in New Mexico’s chile industry, its jobs and community support, and its national reach. Several members spoke in support, sharing personal stories about Bueno products and the company’s help during COVID and over decades of family and community life. The Senate also adopted a condolence certificate for Kayla Reagan Van Landingham, a 19-year-old bicyclist killed in Albuquerque, with remarks emphasizing her life, advocacy, and the need for stronger pedestrian and bicycle safety. Her mother and family were recognized, and members observed a moment of silence. Senators spoke about the importance of traffic safety reforms and the local ordinance changes already pursued in her memory. On legislation, the chamber received House and governor messages and adopted several committee reports. The main floor debate was on Senate Bill 38, concerning the spay and neuter program funding stream. Senator Block offered a floor substitute to restore a sunset clause for review and transparency; supporters argued the program should be periodically evaluated and that the funding functions like a tax rather than a fee. Opponents argued the program is important and should continue without a sunset. The floor substitute failed by roll call, 15 in favor and 22 against, and the Senate returned to the underlying bill for further debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• specialized training in fields such as healthcare, manufacturing, automotive technology, construction, computer
• healthcare, manufacturing, automotive technology,<00:02:27.040><c> construction,</c><00:02:28.000><c> computer
• </c> technology, construction, computer technology, construction, computer science,<00:02:28.959><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met without a quorum and first heard from Kentucky Department of Education officials on career and technical education funding. KDE explained that House Bill 499 created a CTE funding formula using 60% weighted full-time equivalent enrollment and 40% incentives, but House Bill 6’s budget language excluded area technology centers (ATCs) from that supplemental funding. KDE requested approval of an additional budget request of $14,789,352 in each fiscal year 2027 and 2028 to include ATCs in the formula and hold local districts harmless. Officials said ATCs serve students from 117 of Kentucky’s 171 districts and argued the change would reduce funding disparities and better reflect the return on investment from CTE programs, citing growth in dual credit and work-based learning participation. Members asked whether the issue would need to be revisited each budget cycle. KDE responded that the problem could be fixed by removing the notwithstanding language from the budget bill, which they said would allow ATCs to be included under the existing statute. Representative Klein supported the request, saying the current clause could lead to stagnation and that the committee should help the program continue to grow. No vote was taken on the CTE item during the portion of the meeting provided. The committee then heard a presentation from PreK for All on expanding preschool access in Kentucky. Advocates said the state’s preschool program has been funded since 1990 and currently serves about 14,200 children at roughly $84 million per year, but that many working families still fall into a coverage gap. They proposed expanding eligibility to 250% of the federal poverty line, which they said would add about 9,600 children at a cost of $40 million in year two, after a planning year. The proposal also included regulatory flexibility for classrooms and partnerships with private child care providers and nonprofits, with speakers emphasizing child care deserts in some counties and citing research that early learning improves kindergarten readiness and later outcomes. No action or vote was taken on the preschool proposal in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we're talking about is a mobile electronic device: a cellular telephone, portable computer, a GPS
• What we're talking about is a mobile electronic device: a cellular telephone, portable computer, a GPS
• What we're talking about is a mobile electronic device: a cellular telephone, portable computer, a GPS
• What we're talking about is a mobile electronic device: a cellular telephone, portable computer, a GPS

Keywords: 01:09 Roll Call 02:11 SB 7 12:42 SB 7 Vote 13:48 SB 30 17:26 SB 30 Vote 19:56 SB 28 46:35 SB 28 vote, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• contemplated as a bill that would travel on its own, the global tracking sheet that I maintain on my computer
• 00:07:56.840><c> my</c> tracking sheet that I maintain on my tracking sheet that I maintain on my computer
• 58.879><c> bundle</c><00:07:59.280><c> this</c><00:07:59.560><c> this</c><00:07:59.800><c> as</c> computer
• um would bundle this this as computer um would bundle this this as part<00:08:00.159><c> of</c><00:08

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , buildings along the Capitol complex, Swift, certificates of participation, which was the state computer
• participation which was the<00:35:04.520><c> uh</c><00:35:04.640><c> State</c><00:35:04.920><c> computer
• </c><00:35:05.359><c> s</c><00:35:05.640><c> or</c><00:35:05.880><c> accounting</c> the uh State computer
• s or accounting the uh State computer s or accounting system<00:35:07.720><c> um</c><00:35:08.720><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• where this can also be supported at a local level and not just assuming everybody can jump on a computer
• They also don't have a computer.
• Um Maybe he needs to start getting in in front of the computer and mapping this stuff, you know, I mean
• a whole system of trackers and identifiers you just make the call in and they look it up on the computer

Bills: HB206

Keywords: HB206, school district bonds, bond election, voter approval, Education Code, Chapter 45, Section 45.003, Section 45.0034, Texas schools, school finance, local tax election, bond referendum, school construction, capital improvements, election frequency, five-year waiting period, district bonds, public school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got a BA in literature and a master's in computer science.
• I've got a BA in literature and a master's in computer science.
• I've got a BA in literature and a master's in computer science.
• <00:52:21.359><c> in</c> a ba in literature and a masters in a ba in literature and a masters in computer

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education met to consider House Bill 4, relating to postsecondary education. Before taking up the bill, the committee adopted a committee substitute. The substitute removed language creating a private right of action and immunity provisions, added a definition of “indoctrinate,” revised language tied to the Attorney General, and added a new section directing the Auditor of Public Accounts to review compliance every four years. If an institution is found out of compliance, it would have 180 days to cure the issue or become ineligible for formula funding increases in the following fiscal year, with an opportunity to petition the Attorney General. The substitute also added language barring licensing authorities from requiring diversity, equity, and inclusion training as a condition of initial or renewal licensure. Representative Decker presented the bill as an effort to end what she described as unconstitutional DEI practices in Kentucky’s postsecondary system and to refocus colleges on academic instruction, equal opportunity, and affordability. She argued that DEI offices and initiatives have cost taxpayers heavily and have not improved enrollment outcomes for low-income and underrepresented students. Michael Frasier, testifying in support, framed the bill as an equal-protection measure rather than simply an anti-DEI bill, saying it targets preferential treatment and discrimination while exempting traditional civil-rights compliance offices such as Title IX, disability, and other anti-discrimination functions. He also argued that the bill aligns with recent U.S. Supreme Court precedent and that Kentucky should shift toward socioeconomic-based approaches. Several members raised concerns about the bill’s assumptions and effects. Representative Willner questioned the claim that DEI initiatives caused enrollment declines and asked why the state would not make such programs more inclusive instead of eliminating them. Representative Stalker argued that the bill ignored decades of exclusion in higher education and asked what would replace DEI efforts aimed at closing achievement gaps and preventing brain drain. Supporters responded that the bill addresses unconstitutional preferences and that the state should move toward equal treatment and socioeconomic factors rather than race-based criteria. After discussion, the committee substitute was adopted, and the committee continued consideration of House Bill 4.

Transcript Highlights:

• But, you know, with a department the size that we do and our services, it cannot just be done by computer
• challenges, but with a department the size that we do and our services, it cannot just be done by computer
• computer right it has to be done face computer right it has to be done face Toof<00:58:25.799><c> face

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard several gubernatorial nominations and appointments, beginning with Sunshine Cho and Barbara Tom for the Language Access Advisory Council. Both nominees said they stood on their written testimony and expressed interest in continuing to serve, and multiple organizations testified in strong support. No opposition or questions were raised on either nomination, and the committee moved on after hearing the testimony. The bulk of the meeting focused on GM 642, the nomination of Ryan Yamane to be Director of the Department of Human Services. Yamane gave an extensive opening statement describing his social work background, long public service career, and philosophy of compassionate, balanced leadership. He emphasized DHS’s role in helping people from keiki to kūpuna with dignity and support, and shared personal stories from disaster response and family-service work to illustrate his approach. Support testimony came from a wide range of state officials, agency directors, community organizations, health systems, advocacy groups, and former colleagues, who praised his leadership, problem-solving, communication skills, and empathy. One witness, Moani Kiala Katherine Tu Alun, testified in opposition, raising concerns about retaliation and safety issues affecting foster youth and alleging harmful treatment within Child Welfare Services. Another witness, Angela Melody Young, supported the nomination and said Yamane could help overcome barriers for vulnerable communities and improve DHS programs such as financial assistance, SNAP, and disability services. The committee also heard from DHS staff and related officials about the uncertainty surrounding possible federal funding and staffing cuts; Yamane said the department is gathering information, coordinating with Budget and Finance and federal partners, and preparing to prioritize services and adjust if federal changes affect programs. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><03:50:56.000><c> money</c> creates the crime of money creates the crime of money moneyaundering<03
• The that's the crime of moneyaundering.
• ,</c> if you've committed one of these crimes, if you've committed one of these crimes, but<04:29:41.680
• And not have been a crime in Wyoming.
• commit a crime at some point?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Law-abiding Texans have to be able to rely on their police. to deter crime, to punish crime, and to protect
• Together, we can help uphold justice for all. deterrent to crime, to punish crime, and to protect them
• And it's better for everybody—victims of crime, people convicted of crime, citizens of the state of Texas—that
• It's better for everyone involved, including victims of crime, those convicted of crimes, and the citizens
• It's better for everybody—victims of crime, people convicted of crime, and citizens of the state of Texas—that

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• thinking about the fiscal impact and with specificity to minimum mandatories with regard to deterring crime
• or recidivism, is there... ...with regard to deterring crime or recidivism, is there any research that
• bill or what the staff analysis that shows that these minimum mandatory sentences would work to deter crime
• especially those who are dealing this type of drug, obviously there should be punishment for their crime

Summary: The Justice Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum present and considered two bills. First, the committee heard HB 813 by Rep. Tuck, the state courts’ legislative package, which would require each multi-judge circuit to designate a duty judge for weekends and holidays, repeal the cap on arbitrator compensation in court-ordered non-binding arbitration, and allow an alternative notarization option by a judge. Testimony was waived in support by court-related witnesses, there were no amendments or debate, and the bill passed 14-0. The committee then took up CS for HB 57 by Rep. Plakon, addressing xylazine. The bill adds xylazine to the same statute as fentanyl when packaged to resemble food or marked with cartoon characters, creates a new trafficking offense, and exempts veterinary use. Discussion focused on the bill’s mandatory minimum penalty and its potential fiscal impact on prison beds; Rep. Rainer raised concerns about minimum mandatories and deterrence, while Rep. Daniels said she would support the bill while continuing to work on amendments. Public testimony was waived in support by the Florida Sheriffs Association, the City of Coconut Creek, and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. The bill passed 13-1 without amendment. After completing the agenda, the chair noted the meeting had been unusually brief and adjourned the subcommittee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to Crime Victims... Moving on to the Crime Victims Compensation Commission.
• Anyone representing the Crime Victims Compensation Commission? Everett Johnson? Okay, so any...
• The motion to approve Holly Brown Owens to the Crime Victims Compensation Commission is approved.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, next up, 2394, enhancing public safety and enforcement of crimes that impact insurance.
• For enhancing public safety and enforcement of crimes that impact insurance. Peter.
• the insurance fraud program administered by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and revises the crime
• of insurance fraud, including its definition and Commissioner and revises the crime of insurance fraud
• Commissioner and revises the crime of insurance fraud including its definition and penalty and the statute

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee met in executive session to review several bills and amendments. Staff briefed House Bill 2483 on creating a data broker registry, House Bill 2477 on limiting claims arising from appraisal reports, House Bill 2274 on the Washington Commercial Electronic Mail Act, House Bill 2394 on insurance fraud enforcement, House Bill 2624 on consumer protections for unsolicited real estate transactions, and House Bill 2240 on self-service storage rental agreements. Members discussed proposed amendments on narrowing the data broker definition, delaying registration dates, expanding exemptions, clarifying appraisal-related limitations, and revising email and insurance fraud language, but action on HB 2483 and HB 2477 was deferred. The committee then moved HB 2274 forward. Supporters said it was a needed fix after litigation involving misleading commercial emails, while some members noted remaining concerns but wanted to advance the bill before policy cutoff. The committee adopted the proposed substitute and reported it out with a due pass recommendation by a 12-3 vote. HB 2394 was also deferred without action. HB 2624 was reported out with a due pass recommendation after debate over whether the bill’s carve-out for public entities, tribes, and nonprofit nature conservancies was too broad; the vote was 9-6. The committee then adopted two amendments to HB 2240, requiring both email and first-class mail delivery of rental agreements when an email address is provided and extending notice for termination or nonrenewal to 25 days. As amended, HB 2240 was reported out with a due pass recommendation by voice vote, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Through that data, we started to get a bigger picture of the crime and what's happening throughout the
• So those are just the most serious of the serious crimes in the year 2024 in Texas.
• and you commit, or there is probable cause to believe, that you committed another one of those same crimes
• I guess what we're doing with this SJR and the Senate bills is trying to target the most serious crimes
• , violent crimes that are being committed against our families and our community.

Bills: SB3073, SJR87

Keywords: Texas criminal procedure, magistrate, probable cause, written findings, arrest review, criminal justice, Article 15.17, pretrial release, judicial recordkeeping, court transparency, law enforcement, defendant rights, criminal proceedings, no probable cause, magistrate findings, bail reform, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, public safety

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice met with a quorum present and took up three bills tied to bail reform and law enforcement records. Senator Huffman presented SJR 87, a proposed constitutional amendment that would require denial of bail for people accused of certain serious felony offenses if they have a prior conviction for, or are already on bond for, one of those offenses and there is probable cause to believe they committed another listed offense. Supporters said it would give judges a needed tool to detain repeat violent offenders; opponents from the ACLU of Texas and Texas Civil Rights Project argued it would mandate detention without individualized due process and weaken the presumption of innocence. The committee voted 7-1 to report SJR 87 favorably, with Senator Miles voting no. The committee then heard SB 3073, which would require magistrates who find no probable cause after an arrest to enter written findings supporting that determination. Senator Huffman said the bill was a narrow cleanup measure to improve transparency and provide guidance to law enforcement and prosecutors without limiting judicial discretion. With no invited or public testimony, the committee voted 6-1 to report SB 3073 favorably, again with Senator Miles dissenting. Finally, the committee considered SB 781, a committee substitute dealing with law enforcement file management and personnel records. Senator King explained that the bill would standardize policies already used in many Texas cities and under civil service rules, separating public and sealed personnel information while preserving access for criminal defense discovery. Senator Miles raised concerns that sealing exonerated allegations could hide patterns of misconduct and allow problematic officers to move between agencies. The committee adopted the committee substitute and voted 6-1 to report SB 781 favorably, with Senator Miles voting no. The committee then recessed subject to the chair’s call.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are vessels that have been investigated by FWC and our local law enforcement partners for the crime
• When someone runs out of things to do with about leaving of us on the water under the condition is a crime
• So we do issue citations to the ones that we can find and prosecute them for the crime of derelict vessel
• statutory changes that make it clear to the public and more effective at addressing derelict vessel crime
• the fine schedule for set forth in that jurisdiction for a misdemeanor because it is a misdemeanor crime

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 31, an act relating to crime, making the offense of making a shooting threat a crime.
• House Bill 38, introduced by Representative Cates, is an act relating to crime, creating the crime of
• House Bill 50, introduced by Representative Borrego, is an act relating to crime.

Transcript Highlights:

• against persons and property, but not other crimes within that 100- or 200-foot radius.
• So as to certain crimes, if there's an assault, clearly that's already written into the bill that police
• I don't think the crime rate would be impacted in California if, for example, the tax offender hid out
• We'll certainly work with law enforcement to make sure we tighten it down in terms of crimes.
• Nobody wants someone to have safe haven for a few hours for a crime that impacts public safety in the

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 1, 2026, heard a full agenda of election-related measures, and took final votes on several bills and one resolution. The committee also adopted two consent items, SB 1429 and SB 1430, without opposition. Members and the chair repeatedly noted committee membership changes and the final meeting of the session, and the chair emphasized the committee’s focus on protecting democracy and election integrity. Among the bills heard, SB 1369 would shorten the signature-gathering period for judicial recalls in larger counties and require paid gatherers to disclose they are compensated; supporters argued it would protect judicial independence, while the chair and some members noted the need to balance recall rights with county differences. SB 900 would reformat campaign disclosure language on large print ads and billboards to improve readability while preserving transparency, with broad support from outdoor advertising, clean money, and good-government groups. SJR 18, which condemns Citizens United and urges action against corporate spending in elections, drew support from reform advocates but also concerns about the resolution’s focus and scope; it was advanced on a party-line split with some members voting no. The committee also advanced SB 1164, a major voting-rights measure expanding California protections against vote dilution and voter suppression, adding preclearance-style review for some jurisdictions, and directing courts to interpret election laws in favor of voting access. Local government representatives opposed it unless amended, citing uncertainty, loss of safe-harbor protections, and implementation concerns, while civil-rights and labor groups strongly supported it. SB 1360, which expands language-access requirements for voters with limited English proficiency and lowers coverage thresholds, was supported by voting-rights and immigrant-advocacy groups but opposed by elections officials unless amended; the committee acknowledged the need for further work on county-level implementation and data standards. The committee also approved SB 1418, which extends protections against seizure of election records and voting systems beyond voted ballots, and SB 884, which creates a buffer zone around polling places and vote-by-mail drop locations to prevent interference with voting and ballot custody, though sheriffs and police groups opposed the arrest restrictions. SB 46, which would give the Secretary of State clearer authority to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the ballot, and SB 715, which moves candidate ballot-designation challenge deadlines earlier, also advanced. Most measures were sent to Appropriations or otherwise held on call for absent members, and the meeting ended with final roll calls and adjournment.