Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in the Texas 8th Congressional District. in the Texas 8th Congressional District.
• </c> has made Texas 8th Congressional has made Texas 8th Congressional District<02:01:12.639><c> a</c
• </c><02:31:58.479><c> by</c> that have not been authorized by that have not been authorized by Congress
• </c> cooperate with the local authorities cooperate with the local authorities with<02:41:15.680><c>
• </c> his life by standing on the authority his life by standing on the authority vested vested vested

Bills: HB2988

Keywords: ERISA, retirement savings, pension plans, defined contribution plans, 401(k), 403(b), fiduciary duty, fiduciary, ESG, environmental social governance, proxy voting, shareholder rights, brokerage window, self-directed brokerage account, designated investment alternative, plan sponsor, investment adviser, service provider, non-pecuniary factors, pecuniary factors

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I ask unanimous consent that all petitions, resolutions, and memorials be read by number, author
• The materials be read by number, author, and title only, and the journal show they've been read at length
• President, I ask unanimous consent that all bills on first reading be read by number, author, and title
• In the Senate, Senate Bill 1258 by the State Affairs Committee, an act relating to liquor, to authorize
• Senate Bill 1259 by the Judiciary and Rules Committee, an act relating to juvenile corrections, to authorize

Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of everyone in the 13th Congressional District, I congratulate Betty on her retirement and
• </c> everyone in the 13th Congressional everyone in the 13th Congressional District,<00:10:52.480><c>
• It's entirely inconsistent for Republicans to deny floor consideration for an increased authorization
• </c><04:11:15.520><c> to</c> right expertise and authority to right expertise and authority to evaluate
• The authors of the last two bills for consideration are on their way.

Bills: HB3422 , HB3394 , HB1998 , HB2808 , HR1190 , HB3381 , HB3301 , HB2225 , HB3352 , HB1713 , HR910 , HR1082 , HB1520 , HB1664 , HB1767 , HB2269 , HB1679 , HB2481 , HB1737 , HR260

Keywords: small business, capital formation, securities exchange act, SEC, Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation, women-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses, underrepresented entrepreneurs, rural businesses, natural disasters, hurricanes, small business investors, capital raising, fundraising, crowdfunding, angel investors, venture capital, state securities commissions, blue sky laws, business outreach

Transcript Highlights:

• The year 27 is $128.6 million, with 367 authorized positions.
• Our total authorized positions remain unchanged from fiscal year 26 at 367.
• But the local governing authorities determine where polling locations are.
• So there will be no congressional general in December.
• And so that's what is... ...there will be no congressional general in December.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• May we remember that every governing authority has been placed here by you.
• Um, she also was a professional staffer on military readiness for the Congressional House Armed Services
• 32.000><c> the</c> staff on the military readiness for the staff on the military readiness for the Congressional
• <00:08:32.880><c> House</c><00:08:33.200><c> Armed</c><00:08:33.599><c> Services</c> Congressional House
• Armed Services Congressional House Armed Services Committee.<00:08:35.200><c> She</c><00:08:35.519><

Summary: The Maryland Senate met on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with a quorum present. The session opened with an invocation by Chaplain David Stadler, followed by journalization of his remarks and several introductions recognizing guests in the chamber, including dentists, an intern, a former legislative staffer, and representatives from the University System of Maryland and other groups. Senators also noted upcoming committee meetings and a Legislative Black Caucus photo the next day. The main floor action centered on a resolution honoring Maryland Career and Technical Student Organizations for Career and Technical Student Organization Week. The sponsor described the role of CTSOs in serving more than 12,000 students statewide and in building leadership, professional, and career skills. The resolution was read in full and adopted unanimously, with the Senate expressing congratulations and appreciation for the organizations’ work with young people. The Senate then took up layover items and calendar bills. Senate Bill 56, concerning Maryland Longitudinal Data Center external data sharing for multi-state reporting, was special ordered for one day after members raised privacy-related questions. Senate Bill 99, the Open Meetings Act/Local Board of Education Transparency Act measure, was also special ordered for one day after discussion of its committee amendment. The chamber also received administrative corrections from the Governor and referred them to the Executive Nominations Committee, and the majority leader later moved adjournment until February 19 at 10:00 a.m., which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under its authorizing statute, the task force is required to submit three reports: first, a preliminary
• to evaluate the necessity and efficiency of medical services, including the process for prior authorization
• If enacted, this bill would usurp the state's authority to protect its residents from potential AI harms
• We’re working with the governor’s D.C. team to stay connected with congressional members.
• Do you have a sense as to how we can support our congressional, I guess, delegation in making sure that

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on technology in government, AI, broadband, and digital equity. Seattle CTO Rob Lloyd described the city’s AI strategy, emphasizing responsible use, privacy, security, community input, and data strategy. He said Seattle is using small pilots and partnerships to test AI for tasks such as public records processing, infrastructure inspection, and permitting, while keeping humans as the final decision-makers. Members asked about bias, liability, training on best practices, labor involvement, and public records; Lloyd said AI should remain an assistant tool, not a replacement for human judgment, and that Seattle is still testing solutions for records requests and permitting. WATech CTO Nick Stow and Deputy Director Mark Quimby discussed the state’s broader AI policy, the generative AI executive order, a sandbox with more than 15 agencies, and use cases including a resident portal, cybersecurity, and wildfire detection. They stressed consent, closed systems, human-centered design, and the need to govern all forms of AI, not just generative AI. Committee members raised concerns about federal data access, labor issues, and wildfire detection effectiveness. Spokane County IT staff described a more restrictive approach to AI, citing privacy, bias, and cyber risks. The county standardized on Microsoft Copilot as its only approved chat-style AI tool, blocked other AI chat platforms, and requires human review of all AI-generated content. They said AI is also being used by criminals for phishing and deepfakes, underscoring the need for strong policy and security controls. The committee also received an update from the Attorney General’s AI Task Force. Yuki Ishizuka said the task force has 19 members and eight subcommittees covering ethics, consumer protection, labor, health care, public safety, education, government efficiency, cybersecurity, and industry/energy. The task force is working toward an interim report due December 1, 2025 and a final report due July 1, 2026, and is reviewing recommendations through public forums and advisory committees. Ishizuka warned that a federal budget reconciliation provision could bar states from enforcing AI regulations for 10 years, and several members voiced support for state authority and asked about possible 2026 legislation. The committee then heard updates on broadband and digital equity. Commerce’s Dave Pringle said the BEAD broadband program is being reshaped by new NTIA guidance, which removed or reduced emphasis on several prior priorities, and Washington is now working under an expedited process to submit its state application by September 4. He noted that no projects have been built yet, that four counties did not receive applications in round two, and that the state is trying to keep applicants engaged through office hours and a shortened review window. The Office of Equity and the Digital Equity Forum reported increased participation, new members, and ongoing outreach to tribal, rural, and underserved communities, while previewing recommendations such as creating an interdepartmental digital equity team and improving data use. Finally, Lumen’s Robert Thoms described private-sector broadband deployment challenges, including permitting, regulation, and the economics of extending fiber, while noting continued investment in overbuild projects, a $30 low-cost service option tied to the former ACP, and work with the state, tribes, and libraries. No votes were taken; the meeting consisted of presentations and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• If every member of our congressional<00:19:25.440><c> delegation,</c><00:19:26.400><c> Democrats</c><
• 00:19:26.880><c> or</c> congressional delegation, Democrats or congressional delegation, Democrats or
• Uh, I'm one of the co-authors.
• I think well I'm one of the co-authors.
• We hear from our congressional delegation that they're just not getting responses, and so we can just

Transcript Highlights:

• He disapproved the head of the presidential authority to close it back down.
• It focuses on a nursing home regulation, not on a spending authorization.
• About upholding our laws and Congress's constitutional authority over federal spending.
• I helped author that provision when I was Ranking Member of the Labor H.A.
• I rely on IGs for a lot of my help in Congressional oversight.

Committee: Senate Senate Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, authorizing committees and appropriation subcommittee chairs will now face even tougher spending
• Um authorizing administration.
• Um authorizing committees<00:04:34.720><c> and</c><00:04:34.880><c> appropriation</c> committees and
• So this is the House budget sending instructions back to the authorizing committees to cut funding.
• So it can't be like new policy or, you know, changing old policies, you know, the authorization aspects

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• expands the public service commission to a seven elected members that correspond with the seven congressional
• </c><00:20:37.120><c> Power</c><00:20:37.360><c> to</c><00:20:37.520><c> the</c> congressional districts
• Power to the congressional districts.
• 00.320><c> the</c> who is unaccountable to any voters, the who is unaccountable to any voters, the authority
• to set every PSC meeting and authority to set every PSC meeting and agenda<00:23:04.240><c> and</c><

Bills: HB303 , SB360 , SB325 , HB477 , SB329 , HB381 , SB330

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm so proud to co-author this resolution and respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
• I move the adoption of the authors' and floor amendments that crossed the desks on Friday, Saturday,
• Authors' amendments will be adopted, published, and the bills returned to the committee.
• Authors' amendments will be adopted, published, and the bills returned to the committee.
• I want to appreciate the author, the caucus, and all the members for I want to appreciate the author,

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker pro tempore: The Chair announces the Speaker's appointment, pursuant to section 803-A of the Congressional
• order of the House of January 3, 2025, of the following member on the part of the House to the Congressional
• Representatives: Sir, pursuant to the Barry Gold Water Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, authorizing

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I do support this bill and have be a co-author.
• So, I do support this bill and have be a co-author.
• So, I do support this bill and have be a co-author.
• </c> have be a co-author. have be a co-author.
• But these resources congressional level.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the state should not have the authority to fill in Something that's become a legal document to say

Bills: HB4104 , HB3722 , HB3787 , HB3700 , HB3701 , HB3310 , HB3404 , HB2964 , HB2398 , HB3024 , HB3499 , HB3278 , HB3279 , HB3645 , HB3649 , HB2293 , HB3260 , HB3176 , HB3177 , HB3114 , HB3172 , HB3322 , HB3323 , HB4248 , HB3720 , HB2210 , HB1322 , HB1937 , HB3301 , HB4107

Keywords: Oklahoma criminal law, felony classification, Class B5, Class D1, sentencing enhancement, repeat offender, domestic violence, stalking, voyeurism, peeping tom, clandestine recording, hidden camera, privacy offense, sex offender registry, Sex Offenders Registration Act, protective order violation, animal cruelty, cockfighting, dogfighting, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I actually just spoke to the author about that bill. The fine.

Bills: HB4104 , HB3722 , HB3787 , HB3700 , HB3701 , HB3310 , HB3404 , HB2964 , HB2398 , HB3024 , HB3499 , HB3278 , HB3279 , HB3645 , HB3649 , HB2293 , HB3260 , HB3176 , HB3177 , HB3114 , HB3172 , HB3322 , HB3323 , HB4248 , HB3720 , HB2210 , HB1322 , HB1937 , HB3301 , HB4107

Keywords: Oklahoma criminal law, felony classification, Class B5, Class D1, sentencing enhancement, repeat offender, domestic violence, stalking, voyeurism, peeping tom, clandestine recording, hidden camera, privacy offense, sex offender registry, Sex Offenders Registration Act, protective order violation, animal cruelty, cockfighting, dogfighting, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Honorable members of the committee, that's all point Community Development Authority.
• Our intent to be on the board or on this authority is very clear.
• The kupuna don't want on the authority.
• It's not to authority is very clear.
• HB</c><01:33:00.360><c> 2616</c> Co-author to the bill HB 2616 Co-author to the bill HB 2616 before<

Bills: HB2459 , HB1616 , HB1799 , HB1604 , HB1732 , HB1736 , HB1931 , HB772 , HB2153 , HB2122 , HB2009 , HB2012 , HB1779 , HB2296 , HB2397 , HB2398 , HB1596 , HB2233 , HB1976 , HB1563 , HB815 , HB1655 , HB1851 , HB1941 , HB2037 , HB1635 , HB2201 , HB1943 , HB1163 , HB2452 , HB2429 , HB2148 , HB2306 , HB2007 , HB2049 , HB2616

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: food innovation, agribusiness, food safety, market access, branding, economic diversification, performance indicators, agriculture, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, housing development, commercial projects, county authority, public works, construction standards, exemption, zoning, housing

Bills: HF2393 , HF2052 , HF2218 , HF2307 , HF2003 , HF2366 , HSB725 , HF2078 , HSB554 , HSB676 , HSB717 , HF2270 , HSB718 , HF2306 , HSB746 , HF332 , HF460 , HSB680 , HF2051 , HSB677 , HF2187 , HSB719 , HF2123 , HF2451 , HF621 , HSB608 , HSB683 , HSB735

Committee: Joint Education

Keywords: education savings account, general fund, school districts, funding flexibility, teacher salary, professional development, preschool, education, community-based providers, instruction, school district agreements, special education, classroom cameras, video surveillance, school safety, student privacy, FERPA, Iowa school districts, charter schools, innovation zone schools

Transcript Highlights:

• Doctor Azi has established a strong record for scientific scholarship, authoring more than 35 peer-reviewed

Bills: HB3840 , HB3431 , HB4422 , HB4117 , HB4300 , HB4298 , HB2984 , HB3344 , HB2979 , HB2980 , HB3662 , HB4107 , HB3082 , HB2997 , HB3083 , HB3055 , HB2951 , HB3469 , HB3173 , HB3287 , HB2947 , HB3784 , HB3901 , HB4275 , HR1031 , HB4359 , HB4115 , HB3467 , HB2978 , HB3026 , HB3032

Keywords: foreign ownership, land acquisition, military installation, critical infrastructure, affidavit requirements, state law, penalties, Attorney General, foreign ownership of land, foreign adversary, foreign government adversary, foreign government enterprise, foreign government entity, foreign terrorist organization, specially designated national, SDN, FTO, critical minerals, land ownership, real property

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, members, any questions for the bill author?
• same regulatory authority as a home-rule city.
• It doesn't just silence authors.
• It doesn't just silence authors.
• Members, any questions for the bill author?

Bills: HB2242 , HB2446 , HB2799 , HB4502 , HB2920 , HB2790 , HB5620 , HB5060 , HB5076 , HB5080 , HB5081 , HB5128 , HB5130 , HB3847 , HB5116 , HB2969 , HB4546 , HB4202 , HB5624 , HB3964 , HB4803 , HB872 , HB4775 , HB4777 , HB4961 , HB5570 , HB2988 , HB4260 , HB1375 , HB5009 , HB5411 , HB5134 , HB4388 , HB3095 , HB1387

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills affecting civil practice, judicial conduct, and attorney regulation. HB 4961 and the similar HB 3095 would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision, with HB 3095 also addressing certain exceptions and limiting economic damages in some cases. Supporters said the measures would encourage insurance coverage and fairness for insured drivers, while opponents argued they would unfairly punish injured people who were not responsible for the lack of insurance, including pedestrians, passengers, children, and others. HB 3095 drew constitutional concerns from witnesses, and the committee later withdrew the committee substitute and left the bill pending; HB 4961 was also left pending after questions about its scope, including passengers. HB 5570 would expand a continuing legal education exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate who serve on boards or commissions. The author and witness said the bill would free up time for public service while still requiring ethics training. A committee member raised a discrepancy in the number of attorneys covered, and the bill was left pending. HB 2969 would prohibit the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech, especially in relation to sincerely held religious beliefs. Supporters framed it as a protection for lawyers of faith against an ABA-style speech code, while no one testified in opposition; the bill was left pending. HB 4260 would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction. The author described it as an ethics measure to avoid conflicts of interest, but county officials and the County Judges and Commissioners Association opposed it, saying existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would impose hardships, especially in rural counties. The bill was left pending. HB 4388 would require all judges, including those who serve only in administrative roles, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct; supporters said some judges avoid discipline by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents said the bill was unnecessary and could burden county judges who serve as administrators. It was also left pending. The committee also heard HB 5134, which would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect to suffer actual damages and allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill would curb harassment and fishing expeditions, but members questioned how the standard would work in practice; the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 3964 would narrow common-law public nuisance claims by barring suits over lawful conduct, conduct already addressed by other remedies, and products, while preserving other causes of action. Supporters said the bill would prevent regulation through litigation and protect legislative authority; opponents said it would eliminate important remedies and that no Texas abuse had been shown. The author indicated he would revise the bill, and it was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay members, any questions for the bill's author?
• Members, any questions for the bill author? Okay. Thank you. You've got one witness.
• Members, any questions for the bill's author? All right. Thank you, Chairman Buckley.
• Members, any questions for the bill's author? All right.
• Withdrawing that bill at the request of the bill author.

Bills: HB2242 , HB2446 , HB2799 , HB4502 , HB2920 , HB2790 , HB5620 , HB5060 , HB5076 , HB5080 , HB5081 , HB5128 , HB5130 , HB3847 , HB5116 , HB2969 , HB4546 , HB4202 , HB5624 , HB3964 , HB4803 , HB872 , HB4775 , HB4777 , HB4961 , HB5570 , HB2988 , HB4260 , HB1375 , HB5009 , HB5411 , HB5134 , HB4388 , HB3095 , HB1387

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee