Transcript Highlights:

• However, the forensic science profession faces a growing shortage of qualified forensic analysts.
• professionals in the state and to collaborate with the Texas Forensic Science Commission to administer
• There is also a renewable provision allowing the right holder to apply with the Secretary of State for
• For those unfamiliar with this program, it allows individuals to apply to have a cemetery designated
• This provision applies to both the House and the Senate proceedings during the trial.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Jim Harris of Tilden Baptist Church, followed by remarks from Senator Zaffirini recognizing his service and retirement as an agricultural teacher. The chamber also received a message from the governor on appointments to the Coastal Water Authority Board of Directors. Senators then adopted SR 434 honoring Goodwill Industries of San Antonio’s 80th anniversary, with Senators Gutierrez, Menendez, and Zaffirini praising its workforce training and second-chance employment mission; SR 435 recognizing Dr. Christine Ramos Camacho as Doctor of the Day; and a group of additional resolutions adopted by voice vote. Senator Zaffirini also introduced the McMullen County Day delegation, and Senator Gutierrez introduced the Doctor of the Day. The Senate then took up and passed several bills. SB 1951 addressed penalties for late property rendition filings and removed a financial incentive for appraisal districts; SB 1261 related to financing water supply projects in the state water plan; SB 1620 created a Texas Forensic Analyst Apprenticeship Pilot Program; SB 530 updated higher-education accreditation rules; SB 2183 standardized fireworks sales periods statewide; SB 2368 strengthened the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act and added foreign-affiliation safeguards for electricity market participants; SB 1398 limited children without placement (CWOP) practices and added community-based care transparency; and SB 1960 established digital replication rights for voice and visual likenesses. Each of these bills advanced through suspension of the regular order, passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage, with recorded votes generally showing strong support and some opposition on a few measures. The chamber also debated SB 825, which would require an annual study of the economic, environmental, and financial impacts of illegal immigration. Senators Middleton, Hinojosa, Gutierrez, and Eckhardt debated whether the study should include positive as well as negative impacts; an amendment to require that broader analysis failed, and the bill was left pending after passage to engrossment. Other measures passed included SB 2010, prohibiting political subdivisions from operating guaranteed income programs; SB 546, requiring reporting and continued implementation of school bus seat belts; SB 586, establishing the Historical Texas Cemetery designation program; SB 1150, requiring inactive oil and gas wells to be plugged or returned to production under a compliance plan; SB 1184, lowering the minimum age of wine eligible for sale by wine collection sellers; SB 2185, clarifying bilingual education allotment funding; SB 1923, making child support follow the child in certain temporary placements; SB 2252, expanding early literacy and numeracy supports and screening tools; SB 1870, barring local decriminalization of drugs; and SB 2405, the major TDCJ sunset bill, which included facility planning, parole and rehabilitation reforms, and an amendment protecting parole board discretion. Most of these bills were adopted after floor amendments and passed with recorded votes, often along party-line or near-party-line divisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• As chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I have closely followed the accelerating
• Yet too often, Those rules are based on incomplete data, outdated science, or information that hasn't
• to military aircraft, since the FAA administration equipage requirements don't apply to military aircraft
• Rotor's ADS-B requirement applies only to our nation's busiest airspace, not to pilots flying in rural
• Rotor's ADS-B requirement applies only to our nation's busiest airspace, not to pilots flying in rural

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She's graduating this weekend with her bachelor's in political science pre-law.
• Club, he's on the dean's list of Columbia Arts and Sciences.
• And information and science and trust and facts are really important.
• The air pollution control program was originally designed to apply a fee...
• But now they're going to apply... They're doing that a different way. Is that correct?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you aware that this science exists already?
• And I further know that the science is, this is not a hypothesis.
• It's science, and it exists. But apparently, an agency did not tell you this.
• Does that apply in any way, shape, or form to someone's own?
• Texas, you know, with the desire to apply and work for our Texas universities.

Bills: SJR39, SB22, SB30, SB33, SB34, SB37, SB75, SB209, SB310, SB505, SB552, SB618, SB626, SB636, SB732, SB747, SB762, SB769, SB819, SB825, SB870, SB926, SB964, SB1030, SB1080, SB1099, SB1124, SB1177, SB1208, SB1233, SB1314, SB1325, SB1333, SB1405, SB1455, SB1506, SB1524, SB1541, SB1577, SB1579, SB1596, SB1646, SB1667, SB1727, SB1750, SB1758, SB1760, SB1791, SB1804, SB1806, SB1869, SB1923, SB1927, SB1951, SB1960, SB1962, SB2023, SB2024, SB2056, SB2078, SB2122, SB2129, SB2180, SB2183, SB2185, SB2207, SB2252, SB2361, SB2365, SB2368, SB2405, SB2411, SB2420, SB2425, SB2569, SB2717, SJR36, SJR50, SJR39, SJR63, SJR68, SCR12, SCR39, SCR38, SCR37, SCR42, SCR29, SB762, SB1596, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1539, SB1505, SB583, SB957, SB1502, SB507, SB1026, SB1349, SB1433, SB1434, SB310, SB505, SB264, SB1364, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB619, SB1122, SB1877, SB732, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1333, SB1436, SB964, SB287, SB2143, SB261, SB1247, SB1882, SB618, SB393, SB2243, SB2226, SB1919, SB1791, SB22, SB651, SB1080, SB826, SB1079, SB1243, SB1504, SB1851, SB1879, SB2237, SB1257, SB2034, SB1522, SB1151, SB596, SB1191, SB226, SB570, SB870, SB991, SB60, SB1401, SB1728, SB586, SB529, SB217, SB209, SB1923, SB1839, SB387, SB1874, SB1872, SB1873, SB1921, SB1883, SB1620, SB1838, SB2024, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB2166, SB510, SB33, SB2420, SB1860, SB1541, SB1314, SB1398, SB1869, SB1750, SB855, SB1233, SB2425, SB2037, SB1758, SB1759, SB2365, SB1924, SB1818, SB1405, SB1762, SB1968, SB1977, SB2077, SB2321, SB1662, SB1663, SB2124, SB2204, SB1855, SB863, SB37, SB819, SB2078, SB2252, SB1962, SB2253, SB825, SB1577, SB1184, SB2018, SB2206, SB1901, SB1030, SB2368, SB1963, SB1960, SB1643, SB1625, SB1299, SB841, SB668, SB584, SB231, SB2411, SB1085, SB2431, SB2231, SB1490, SB530, SB34, SB1261, SB552, SB1099, SB1646, SB2180, SB1804, SB1937, SB1936, SB2569, SB1372, SB1208, SB1124, SB1506, SB1806, SB1868, SB2361, SB2314, SB769, SB1409, SB2122, SB434, SB1214, SB1951, SB2183, SB2046, SB1667, SB1870, SB1727, SB2405, SB2127, SB1975, SB1760, SB1734, SB1335, SB2066, SB2129, SB2246, SB2439, SB1624, SB1244, SB1468, SB2717, SB1612, SB1262, SB604, SB2395, SB2185, SB1832, SB1745, SB1746, SB2207, SB2023, SB1784, SB1524, SB626, SB528, SB437, SB269, SB1137, SB968, SB636, SB747, SB1325, SB1789, SB1455, SB2056, SB75, SB1940, SB2052, SB1927, SB2010, SB1579, SB2068, SB3034, SB844, SB1920, SB1177, SB1558, SB1236, SB1044, SB926, SB884, SB463, SB331, SB227, SB240, SB517, SB1200, SB1410, SB1626, SB1845, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB1717, SB2053, SB546, SB2141, SB2949, SB2323, SB2200, SB2332, SB2199, SB1642, SB1150, SB1757, SB2050, SB1138, SB2051, SB2626, SB2458, SB1864, SB30, SB2201, SB1862, SB1583, SB1583, SB1055, SB2660, SB1898, SB2662, SB2662, SB2161, SB2161, SB2964, SB2881, SB1065, SB1065, SB801, SB2743, SB2533, SB2533, SB1413, SB1413

Keywords: constitutional amendment, veto override, legislature power, governor, Texas Constitution, Texas, moving image industry, incentive program, film production, grant funding, job creation, economic development, wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading

Transcript Highlights:

• We’ll insert definitions for climate disasters, extreme event attribution science, extreme weather, or
• We’ll insert definitions for climate disasters, extreme event attribution science, extreme weather, or
• <00:04:32.160> and impact attribution science and impact attribution science and responsible
• I strongly oppose SB 1150 as written, with education and applied research from Vanderbilt University
• I strongly oppose SB 1150 as written, with education and applied research from Vanderbilt University

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held decision-making on SB 146, SB 147, and SB 1166. SB 146 and SB 147, both relating to condominiums, were recommended to pass with amendments. The committee adopted amendments based on testimony from Anne Anderson, including mediator/arbitrator qualifications, clarifications about disputes involving managing agents, small claims timing, lien rights, and refund determinations by an early neutral evaluator. For both bills, the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050 for further discussion. Each measure was adopted with no objections. SB 1166, relating to insurance, was also passed with amendments. The committee removed language that would have required insurers to bring claims and condition rates on doing so, replacing it with encouraging language. The amended bill adds a private cause of action against responsible parties, authorizes insurer actions under certain conditions, defines terms tied to climate-related events and fossil fuel products, and requires HPIA to report to the insurance commissioner on whether it exercised direct action rights. The effective date was likewise deferred to July 1, 2050, and the measure was adopted without objection. The committee then heard SB 985, relating to consumer protection and gift card fraud, and SB 1525, relating to electronic smoking devices and e-liquids. SB 985 drew support from a consumer fraud victim and others who said gift card scams disproportionately harm kupuna, while the Retail Merchants of Hawaii opposed the bill’s packaging/display requirements and suggested stronger penalties instead. The committee voted to pass SB 985 with amendments, deferring its effective date to July 1, 2050, and noted it would move on to Judiciary next. SB 1525 drew significant opposition from the Attorney General’s office, Department of Taxation, Department of Health, and public health groups, who argued it conflicted with federal tobacco law, was hard for Tax to administer, and would not effectively remove unauthorized vape products. After testimony, the committee recommended deferral of SB 1525 without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an applied sociologist, so I work within the community and I teach my students the importance of
• Yet I see STEM students transform in humanities and social science classes and develop the curiosity
• Inevitably, SB 37 will devalue the Maggie DeSanza: humanities, social sciences, arts, and other fields
• After I graduated, I applied to work as an English teacher in South Korea.
• And so as both a former and current graduate student in both the hard science and social science, I can

Bills: SB 37

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• To bring this money to the state, you have to apply for it.
• And the five that are still in review have an opportunity to apply.
• Yet those are seniors who can't apply for SNAP.
• We also have another programmatic area focused on technical and applied science.
• We had applied for $9 million there.

Transcript Highlights:

• There needs to be systematic science here, and science demonstrates that sterile insect technique can
• Science here, and science demonstrates that sterile insect technique can work.
• Did you apply for that? We did. Did you get it? Or what happened with that? We did apply.
• And they even mentioned that they applied for this grant, didn't get approved. applied for this grant
• “So I get, we don’t have any, but surely we’ve talked in here today, science, science, science, science

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And more recently, I have also supported the New Mexico Partnership for Math and Science Education and
• Computer science is under CTE. Engineering is under CTE.
• Science is used every day in our farming and ranching endeavors throughout the state.
• varying to where I think down there they might be looking at it more with agricultural, more with science
• But the subset that are are going to be eligible, they are going to be able to apply for it, and they

Transcript Highlights:

• As an SRA, I help facilitate education and research for the Department of Food Science at UC.
• By only focusing on institutional support, we ensured that the cuts were not being applied to academic
• Based on sex and applies to all faculty, staff, students, and third parties.
• UC Davis runs a graduate master's of science program in business analytics on our campus.
• So growing up, I didn't know anybody that had a PhD, let alone someone in science.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to item 6, the Texas Forensic Science Commission account.
• Number 2 is forensic science, uh, representation represent a smaller number of folks who.
• Uh, are incarcerated on the basis of non-capital sentences on the because of flawed forensic science
• in cases referred to us by the Forensic Science commission.
• Last year, we did apply to expand our program to Val Verde and Terrell Counties down the river.

Transcript Highlights:

• After a lot of research and college visits, I applied to several out-of-state colleges. of state programs
• Kaysen wasn't ultimately accepted into every program he applied to across the country, but landed on
• Cole, and it also strikes business administration and political science. to narrow the focus to more
• and applied sciences, so that it carries over into the farm and ranching. communities.
• I am a current freshman with a major in kinesiology. about minoring in political science or English.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that additional characteristic applied to that student, then that triggers additional money for
• So with that additional characteristic applied to that student, then that triggers additional money for
• and offer the proper sciences and offer the proper sciences uh<00:51:49.760> chem<00:51:50.160
• <01:04:26.559> So, uh truths that science has revealed.
• So, uh truths that science has revealed.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met to consider eight bills, beginning with HB 443 on the terms of appointment for members of the Higher Education Commission. Department of Education Director Steve Applebee explained that the commission supported a language change to address a holdover issue, but members raised concerns that the bill did not solve the problem of inactive members and might not address the broader question of whether the commission should continue to exist. The committee agreed to retain HB 443 for further work and voted 18-0 to do so. The committee then voted on HB 137, which would allocate excess statewide education property tax funds for local school and municipal purposes. Supporters of ITL argued that using the statewide property tax to reduce the state’s school funding obligation could create a slippery slope and shift more burden to property taxpayers. The committee voted 15-3 to ITL the bill, with a minority report to be written. HB 237, which would prohibit the use of special education and differentiated aid funds on students not receiving special education services, was also ITL’d after members said federal law already governs how IDEA-related funds may be used and that the bill was unnecessary. That motion passed 16-0, with some members not voting because they were out for medical reasons. The committee next advanced HB 354, creating alternative certification pathways for career and technical education instructors. Members said the bill could help recruit qualified tradespeople and retirees to teach in CTE programs, and it was approved 18-0 and placed on the consent calendar. HB 491, establishing a committee to study alternative public education funding methods and reduce reliance on local property taxes, was retained for further study after members said the committee or a subcommittee could continue the work over the year; it passed 18-0. HB 656, concerning local school districts’ authority to accept federal grants, was also retained after discussion focused on transparency, grant conditions, and the need to avoid delays in services; it passed 18-0. The committee then moved on to HB 729, an appropriation for an attorney to recodify education laws, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• The College of Health Sciences has seen a 46% increase in enrollment over the last biennium.
• Those are all in the health sciences. So I will stop there, Mr.
• Only 3% of Texans that apply to medical school get in.
• Out of all of them that apply, get into medical school, yes. Three percent.
• Out of all of them that apply, get into medical school, yes. And you all... Three percent.

Bills: HB42, HB125

Keywords: special prosecutor, state law, criminal justice, accountability, law enforcement, stormwater management, counties, regulation, environment, water quality

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education met to hear several bills and first corrected the minutes from its April 1, 2025 meeting to reflect that a committee substitute for HB 271 had been adopted before the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 3326, which would help Texas higher education employees, especially adjunct faculty, qualify for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness by counting classroom hours toward full-time status, requiring institutions to verify employment within 60 days, and requiring annual notice to eligible employees. No witnesses testified against the bill, and it was left pending. Members then heard HB 2853, authorizing UTEP to phase in a student union fee increase to fund demolition and reconstruction of its aging student union. Representative Perez and UTEP student and university witnesses said the current facility is outdated and insufficient for a campus of more than 25,000 students, while some members raised concerns about the size of the fee increase and its impact on low-income students. UTEP representatives said most students receive aid, the fee would be phased in over time, and the project was student-approved; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4066, a one-line bill to abolish the Texas Research Incentive Program after the state cleared its backlog of matching obligations, with the author saying the program was no longer needed in light of newer research funding approaches. The bill was left pending. The committee spent substantial time on HB 125, which would create the Tarleton State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Supporters, including Tarleton leadership, the founding dean, a rural hospital CEO, and a feasibility consultant, argued the school would address severe rural physician shortages by recruiting Texas and rural students, training them in rural settings, and developing new residency slots rather than competing for existing ones. Members asked about affordability, residency placement, and whether the school would draw students from rural Texas; Tarleton said it would seek to keep tuition and debt low, had already raised private donations, and would request $25 million in state support over the biennium. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 42, which would increase the annual Higher Education Fund appropriation and adjust its allocation methodology. The chair and university witnesses described rising deferred maintenance, inflation, cybersecurity needs, and enrollment growth at HEAF-eligible institutions, with witnesses from Texas Tech, Sam Houston State, and UNT saying the additional funding would help address aging facilities and technology needs. After testimony, the committee left HB 42 pending and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal courts have long applied to fentanyl-related substances. It isn't a change in law.
• It's the way the courts are applying the law today.
• This is a common-sense, non-controversial, science-backed idea, and again, I direct the Senator to the
• or chemistry or any appropriate science.
• Typically, substances are controlled only. after science-based testing and analysis by the DEA and HHS

Bills: SB331

Keywords: fentanyl, controlled substances, drug trafficking, public health, research regulations, law enforcement, S-331, Halt All Lethal Trafficking and Fentanyl Act, fentanyl crisis, public testimony, drug legislation, bipartisan support

Summary: In this committee meeting, the focus was primarily on S-331, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking and Fentanyl Act, aimed at addressing the fentanyl crisis. The bill's key components include making permanent the class scheduling of fentanyl-related substances, confirming existing sentencing penalties, and easing registration requirements for scientific research on Schedule I substances. Numerous parents shared heartbreaking testimonies about their losses due to fentanyl, which fueled an urgent call to pass the legislation without alterations. The committee members engaged in passionate discussions highlighting the urgency of the situation as overdoses continue to claim American lives.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do love math, and I love science, and so I'm glad that you brought this forward.
• So I am in the welding class and in a small animal science class.
• Chemistry—it was good chemistry science—but let's not go down that one, okay?
• They still have the ability to do so; they don't have to apply to this fund.
• The procurement laws we have in the RFP processes would still apply.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know, maybe, maybe, maybe the science says the studies I've...
• I know, maybe, maybe, maybe the science says the studies I've...
• I know, maybe, maybe, maybe the science says the studies I've...
• I know, maybe, maybe, maybe the science says the studies I've...
• I know, maybe, maybe, maybe the science says the studies I've...

Bills: HB3005, HB3007, HB3403, HB1907, HB3175, HB3986, HB3466, HB3411, HB4246

Keywords: climatology, emergency declaration, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, environment, weather data, public policy, state governance, natural resources, advisory councils, sunset law, water quality, hazardous waste, solid waste, radiation management, public health, biosolids, land application, environmental quality, agriculture, wastewater treatment

Transcript Highlights:

• Edward's University with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and Political Science.
• medical science.
• So they applied or they did not bother to apply for the T-Cup? I mean, what was their experience?
• I'm a board member and one of the science advisors.
• Edward's University. with a bachelor's degree in environmental science and political science.

Bills: HB 28, SB 3

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, HB28, public testimony, committee decorum, bill substitute, legislative process

Summary: The meeting featured significant discussions regarding HB28, where the chair outlined the plans to bring forward a substitute for the bill. The chair emphasized the importance of maintaining order and decorum during the proceedings. Members engaged in deliberations, and a number of public witnesses were invited to testify, thereby enriching the discussion around the bill. This interaction provided valuable insights into public sentiment regarding the issues at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• They do not before they can apply leave. They do not before they can apply leave.
• Science save lives and it science. Science save lives and it science.
• Science save lives and it prevent deaths if we apply it in the prevent deaths if we apply it in the prevent
• And if it's science, um take hair relaxers for science, um take hair relaxers for science, um take hair
• Not saying that the science on saying. Not saying that the science on saying.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But if it doesn't go forward, then the process works because it will be based on science.
• Science dictates whether this works or not.
• So communication and science will drive the end conversation. Science supports it; it can be done.
• It applies to everybody that wasn’t investigated.
• It also follows that this system would apply to people who have... ...authorization.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all