Transcript Highlights:

• Members, the Office of the Inspector General of the Juvenile Justice Department to investigate crimes
• And then they go into the general population, but the population that TDC...
• I mean, to the facilities that house the younger offenders, generally. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am.
• Statistically, employment is the second greatest barrier that inmates face in successfully re-entry.
• Casey Singer, Deputy General Counsel, Texas Juvenile Justice Department. as a resource.

Bills: SB 476, SB 664, SB 745, SB 826, SB 989, SB 1080, SB 1171, SB 1320, SB 1437, SB 1727, SB 1809, SB 2289, SB 2320

Keywords: education, funding, school infrastructure, public schools, teacher support, intoxication manslaughter, criminal penalties, ignition interlock devices, youth offenders, vehicular homicide, Texas courts, judicial officers, associate judge, magistrate, master, referee, hearing officer, court administration, Government Code Chapter 54, Government Code Chapter 54A

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice convened to address pressing issues surrounding oil field crime and safety on Texas highways. The meeting was initiated by Chair Flores, who emphasized the need for improved tools to combat repeat offenders having committed intoxicated driving, alongside tackling oil field theft that has escalated due to organized criminal activities. The committee heard public testimonies and engaged with various stakeholders, including law enforcement and industry representatives, who highlighted the complexities and dangers associated with these crimes. Notably, a significant focus was placed on Senate Bill 1320, which aims to establish a dedicated unit within the Department of Public Safety to investigate and address thefts specific to the oil and gas industry. This initiative seeks to strengthen coordination among various law enforcement agencies and improve training for local officers to combat these sophisticated theft operations more effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• starter homes, single-family homes, that young people, first-time home buyers, and hopefully first-generation
• That's how you, the single greatest cost component, Mr. Chair knows this, is land. It's land.
• That's how you, the single greatest cost component, Mr. Chair knows this, is land. It's land.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses held a brief hearing on several housing and planning bills. Testimony focused on Senate Bill 176 and House Bill 313, which would update Chapter 40R smart growth zoning incentives and double municipal payments for adopting qualifying zoning districts, and Senate Bill 177, a technical correction to Chapter 40S so starter-home districts created under Chapter 40Y would also qualify for school cost reimbursement. Benjamin Fierro, representing the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts, strongly supported the bills, arguing that the current incentives are too modest, that starter homes are needed for young and first-time buyers, and that the school reimbursement fix is necessary to align the statutes. Nally Soto of the Massachusetts Housing Coalition also supported the bills, saying the higher incentives would help municipalities approve more housing and address the housing shortage. Representative Kassner testified on House Bill 303, a remote community development planning bill modeled on Executive Order 418. She said it would restore and expand statewide comprehensive planning for land use, transportation, housing, open space, infrastructure, and climate resilience, with regional planning agencies playing a key role. Committee members asked about how Chapter 40S reimbursement is calculated and how the planning bill would interact with existing regional planning commissions. One member also spoke in support of the housing bills and described local challenges with affordability, land costs, and compliance with the MBTA Communities law. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chair closed testimony after a final call for additional witnesses and announced that the committee would continue working on the bills and hold one more hearing in September on additional measures and late-filed bills. The committee then adjourned by motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• In passing this bill, we would be honoring the legacy of our greatest generation, who in World War II
• Honoring the legacy of our greatest generation, who in World War II fought in theaters as far flung as
• counties as faxes, since that's currently the only other way that counties can receive ballots beyond general
• Importantly, this bill does not spend General Fund dollars.
• fund established would hold zero dollars unless and until the federal awards or other eligible non-General

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our General Assembly funded a new Our General Assembly funded a new veterinary<00:11:29.839> clinic
• Hi, Wesley Duke, General Counsel, Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
• Peyton Sans, Deputy Inspector General. Thank you all for coming today.
• <00:31:03.960> Assembly passed out of the General Assembly passed out of the General Assembly
• And they greatest products, I guess.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed several Fish and Wildlife regulations. Staff explained amendments to 301 KAR 2:176, 4:112, and 6:030, including updating wildlife control tag language, creating an impoundment agent program for seized wildlife, and clarifying boating safety rules. A member raised a concern about boat wakes near docks, and staff said the commission had recently voted on related changes that were not yet included because the regulation had been filed earlier; those changes would have to come back later. The committee approved the staff amendments without objection. The Board of Veterinary Examiners then presented 201 KAR 16:767, which would require veterinary managers to be physically present during business hours and limit them to five registered facilities. Board representatives said they had tried to meet with affected parties before the hearing but had not reached agreement. A representative for Kentucky Pet IQ argued the rule was written for full-service hospitals and would be impractical for short, limited-service clinics that only provide vaccinations, preventive care, and parasite testing. Members expressed concern about the rule’s impact on veterinary access in underserved areas, and the committee voted to defer the regulation until the next month so the parties could continue negotiating. The committee next considered Transportation Cabinet 601 KAR 9:120, the online insurance verification system, in both ordinary and emergency form. The chair said staff had identified conflicts with a bill passed the prior year and moved to find the regulations deficient. The motion passed on a roll call vote, with six ayes and two pass votes. The committee then found ordinary ABC regulations 804 KAR 12:020 and 12:030 deficient as well, again by six ayes and two pass votes, after noting that the emergency versions had already been found deficient the previous month. Finally, the committee reviewed Cabinet for Health and Family Services 902 KAR 55:110, which would require veterinarians to report dispensed controlled substances to KASPER while exempting administered medications. OIG staff said the rule was meant to align regulation with statute, which includes veterinarians as prescribers, and emphasized that the reporting duty applies to prescriptions, not administration to animals. Some members supported the change as a needed anti-diversion measure, while others worried about implementation burdens and timing. After discussion, the committee found the regulation deficient by a 6-2 vote. The meeting then moved into full review of 922 KAR 1:565, a Department for Community Based Services rule implementing kinship care provisions from Senate Bill 151; staff said it was needed for implementation once funding is available, but a member criticized the two-year delay and the inclusion of language conditioning implementation on funding. A public witness from the Kinship Families Coalition argued the rule should not shift the 120-day application window in a way that could affect federal funding eligibility and urged the committee to reject the regulation as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• MAY THIS SESSION BE THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT OF ANY FLORIDA SENATE BECAUSE THEY WERE WILLING TO YIELD
• THE AUDITOR GENERAL SCRUTINIZES OUR FUNDING MODEL AS PAY AND CHASE THEY DON'T MEAN IT AS A COMPLIMENT
• WHEN THE AUDITOR GENERAL COMPLETED HIS COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF WHEN THE AUDITOR GENERAL COMPLETED HIS
• MIXING UP THE MONEY THE AUDITOR GENERAL SAID.
• MY COMMENTS WILL BE BRIEF AND PRETTY GENERAL. SENATOR GAETZ, I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'VE DONE HERE.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Danley's work at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, both as general counsel and later as chairman
• Second, and relatedly, we have an acute need for electric generation.
• in order to ensure the retention of existing assets and incentivize the arrival of the new generators
• that the Department of Energy is doing in research on energy development generally?
• The states are granted the authority to determine what generation is within their borders.

Keywords: nuclear energy, permitting process, energy production, public lands, national parks, uranium imports, legislative bills, infrastructure development

Summary: The committee meeting was dominated by discussions on a variety of legislative bills including major topics such as nuclear energy advancement, the effects of regulatory hurdles on energy production, and proposals to improve national park staffing and maintenance. Members expressed concerns over the federal government's handling of uranium imports and the necessity for maintaining a robust domestic nuclear supply chain. Efforts to streamline permitting processes to facilitate more efficient energy project development were also a focal point, alongside public testimony from stakeholders in the energy and environmental sectors. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure development to meet rising energy demands while addressing climate change impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Homicide rates show some of the greatest racial disparities.
• In general, for our department, we have a budget for 2025-26 of $5.1 billion.
• Other ones, there are competing general fund priorities as well.
• So, CDPH is requesting state general fund to support.
• For SAPPHIRE, we are requesting 15 positions and $27 million general fund.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But then it really generates money to support you all in your education.
• But the more we invest in you all, you're the greatest resource we have.
• I would think, in general, Nellie, all the Members are educators of innovation, regardless of it's AI
• And the educators trust as you all being the greatest minds in this field in the state.
• I think it could be the Greatest impacts that you each bring to the table in education, so people know

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Founded in 1890, the greatest, well, second greatest Christmas present ever.
• But her greatest achievement is being a grandmother to 9 beautiful children ranging in ages 22 down to
• Can it not wait till the general so more people will have an opportunity to vote?
• Speaker, for generations, we've had the same kinds of property tax structures in place.
• And so, I'm just putting it, enshrining it so that it will be good for future generations.

Bills: HR1051, HR1048, SB2074, SJR39, SJR47, SB1983, SB444, SB1503, SB1561, SB592, SB1501, SB1946, SB1567, SB1833, SB2026, SB904, SB2178, SB1651, SB1558, SB1565, SB1553, SB1257, SB65, SB1749, SB1242, SB1642, SB640, SB667, SB1436, SB1484, SB1562, SB1794, SB1644, SB1533, SB933, SB1555

Keywords: livestock, judging, Oklahoma State University, championship, agriculture, military children, recognition, community support, military families, April 15, pharmacy benefits managers, reimbursement, healthcare, prescription drugs, cost regulation, property valuation, tax limit, homestead, income threshold, elderly

Transcript Highlights:

• It is where most of our organization spends its time and where we have the greatest amount of power to
• We don't have money, uh, for the primary care capital fund, and you were all very generous to provide
• Um, and the other two programs that have seen the greatest amount of, um, activity are, uh, the Water
• So rather than having a commercial lender and um a local government lender, we have lenders generally
• I can tell you what doesn't have money, and, and I can tell you what generally gets money, um, but I

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, the VA's inspector general released a report on several occupational staffing shortages within
• Fisher same answer yes okay in there is a and from your general understanding what is the deadline that
• We must get upstream and follow the data that data of who is at greatest risk, the who is so important
• I felt as if I was not just a. alienated in the general public, I was able to be real about my problems
• I think those work in general for basically, I think anybody could use those to their advantage. were

Keywords: veterans, mental health, suicide prevention, Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Grant Program, HOPE Act, BRAVE Act, Every State Counts for Vets Mental Health Act, advocacy, legislation, mental health resources

Summary: The committee meeting focused primarily on the critical issues surrounding veterans' mental health and suicide prevention. Discussions centered on the reauthorization of essential programs aimed at providing non-clinical support services to veterans, particularly the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. Senators emphasized the urgent need for adequate mental health resources as the suicide rate among veterans remains alarmingly high. Key testimonies were provided by various advocates and officials, illustrating both successful implementations of these programs and areas needing improvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• tuition uh, paid for uh, by the generous tuition uh, paid for uh, by the generous taxpayers<00:18
• <00:31:40.880> barrier necessarily even the greatest barrier necessarily even the greatest
• The carryforward is kind of like a general amount.
• The carryforward is kind of like a general amount.
• general amount. general amount. Thank<00:43:03.599> you,<00:43:03.760> Mr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Inspector General was fired Monday—to look into the facts and circumstances surrounding General Milley's
• As has been pointed out by our Ranking Member Reid, he is also a third generation soldier.
• Serving soldiers is the greatest privilege an American can have, so thank you for that.
• I am glad you agree with what General Mattis said.
• I think that, from my experience as a third generation soldier...

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas one of her greatest achievements was fulfilling her dream of owning and operating her own tailor
• Whereas one of her greatest achievements was fulfilling her dream of owning and operating her own tailor
• Whereas one of her greatest achievements was fulfilling her dream of owning and operating her own tailor
• Whereas one<00:03:42.720> of<00:03:42.799> her<00:03:43.040> greatest<00:03:43.360
• > achievements<00:03:44.080> was one of her greatest achievements was one of her greatest

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Senate convened and quickly adopted several organizational resolutions: Senate Resolution 1 notifying the House that the Senate was in session, Senate Joint Resolution 2 appointing a committee to notify the Governor, and Senate Joint Resolution 3 appointing a committee to escort the Governor to the joint session. The chamber also recognized Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Founders Day and later adopted a resolution honoring the life of Dorothy Lee “Dot” Hatcher, mother of Senator Kirk Hatcher, after it was read at length. Senators offered personal remarks of condolence and support to Senator Hatcher and his family. The Senate then agreed, without objection, to allow bill introductions throughout the day until 4:00 p.m. It adopted Senate Joint Resolution 5 by Senators Jones and Sessions, which recognizes Pineywoods cattle as an official heritage cattle breed of Alabama. The resolution was taken up immediately and passed by voice vote. Additional floor remarks welcomed new Senator Matt Woods, thanked family members in attendance, and recognized Trip Gudger and the new chief of staff, Connie Row. The chamber also noted that the journal would remain open until 4:00 p.m. for first readings and then recess until the next day, with the session adjourned by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• PROTECTING FLORIDA'S WILD AND WORKING LANDS FOR THE GENERATIONS OF FLORIDIANS TO COME.
• THE SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO THE LAND WAS HANDED DOWN OVER THE GENERATIONS.
• AND CONTINUE TO PASS THE LAND ONTO THE NEXT GENERATION.
• AND BE ABLE TO DO THAT ONTO THE NEXT GENERATION.
• BUT I WOULD ARGUE THAT THIS ASSOCIATED PATHOGENS IS THE GREATEST THREAT TO HONEYBEES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The basic allotment increase will generate us $7,150, and that'll fall short of what's needed, much less
• I'm generally grateful for the funds that you have dedicated to the public schools in our state.
• The report also tells us that arts and the cultural industry generated $7.3 billion in taxable sales.
• On a personal note, I am a first-generation college graduate.
• Because it's already current law where that money would be generated through the value growth of the

Bills: HB2

Keywords: disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Summary: The committee continued public testimony on House Bill 2, which would make major changes to public school funding, teacher pay, special education, early learning, school safety, and related programs. Many superintendents and education advocates supported the bill’s overall direction but urged changes, especially a larger basic allotment and more flexible funding for rural and small districts. Witnesses from Paint Creek, West Hardin, Cushing, Blooming Grove, Mildred, Buffalo, Plano, and rural school groups said the bill’s targeted raises and new requirements would not fully cover inflation, TRS/Medicare costs, transportation, insurance, or support staff salaries, and several asked the committee to restore the House version’s higher basic allotment and small-school allotment. Charter school representatives supported the facilities funding changes and said charter schools need state help because they cannot levy taxes, while also noting the funding gap with ISDs. Fine arts advocates asked the committee to restore the fine arts allotment, arguing arts improve engagement, attendance, and academic outcomes, especially in rural and at-risk communities. Early learning and special education witnesses supported parts of the bill but raised concerns about pre-K restrictions, disability-related pre-K access, and the need to preserve or clarify special education provisions and mental health oversight language. Several witnesses praised the teacher pay raise, teacher incentive allotment expansion, and teacher preparation investments, saying they would help recruit and retain educators and improve student outcomes. Others, including counselors and support staff advocates, argued the bill should also include raises for counselors, nurses, librarians, bus drivers, custodians, aides, and other non-teaching employees who keep schools running. One witness from the Texas Counseling Association opposed the substitute because it removed a counselor pay provision, warning of counselor shortages and inequities. A parent and special education advocate said the bill’s structure creates too many strings attached and asked for a larger basic allotment instead of more targeted funding. Another witness from Mental Health America urged keeping the collaborative task force on public school mental health services through 2031, and a disability rights advocate said the committee substitute appears to omit some special education items that were in the House version. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 6, a school discipline bill. After questions about automatic mandatory expulsion for vape possession and concerns about younger students, the committee adopted the substitute and voted to report HB 6 favorably to the full Senate by a 9-1 vote, with Senator Menendez voting no and Senators West and Menendez expressing reservations but supporting further discussion. After that vote, testimony on HB 2 resumed. Senators used the hearing to ask about the bill’s cost, the difference between the basic allotment and the bill’s targeted funding buckets, and whether the permanent teacher pay increase shifts pressure off districts. The bill’s supporters emphasized that it represents an historic, roughly $8 billion investment and that many of the new funding streams are intended to be permanent or to address specific district needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um recommendations of a general nature.
• the next generation of family farmers. the next generation of family farmers.
• Social media generates profits.
• a general fund $68 million cut.
• and and that's probably being generous. and and that's probably being generous.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2018, our general fund revenues were approximately 10.8 billion.
• 21:04.239> 2018, our general fund revenues 2018, our general fund revenues 2018, our<01:21:06.960
• general fund revenues were our general fund revenues were approximately<01:21:09.360> 10<01:21
• We pass torch to the next generation.
• This is our legacy to generations to come. Mr.

Keywords: Convene 00:00:00 Senate Message 00:04:59 Orders of the Day 00:06:19 Recess 00:06:38 Reconvene 01:11:12 HB 306 01:11:42 HB 34 01:14:19 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 01:16:25 Rep. Petrie Statements on Budget 01:16:42 Motions, Petitions, and Communications continued 01:23:50 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 01:36:28 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 01:38:52 ConC/Rules Report 01:45:18 Floor Amendments 01:46:21 Adjournment 01:46:32, 958, all

Summary: The House convened on the 14th legislative day after winter weather closures, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 27, 30, 40, and 76 and requested concurrence. The chamber also suspended rules to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications, and later recessed briefly for caucus and for meetings of the committee on committees and the rules committee. Two bills were taken up and passed on the floor. House Bill 306, relating to criminal trespass, was explained as a workplace-safety measure that would define disruptive or threatening behavior in workplaces and increase penalties for repeat offenses; it passed 83-7. House Bill 34, relating to death benefits, was described as expanding recognized cancers for fire service-related benefits; it passed 92-0. After passage of HB 34, a motion for a clincher was adopted without objection. During announcements, a member from Todd outlined the newly filed branch budget bills and said the executive budget would be a scaled-back, “bare-bones” operational budget focused on restraining spending growth and inviting more public review through budget subcommittees. The House also adopted a citation honoring Notre Dame Academy and Catholic Schools Week, heard an announcement about hearing screenings by the Kentucky Academy of Audiology, and received a lengthy floor speech marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day before adopting House Resolution 30 without objection. At the end of the session, new bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on lactation consultation, Medicaid waivers, a child tax credit, postsecondary employment, long-term care, court security officers, prisoner monitoring devices, administrative regulations, the state budget, transportation, legislative and judicial appropriations, stalking, and memorial overpasses. The committee on committees referred several bills to standing committees, the rules committee posted House Bills 56, 214, 281, and 366 for the next day, a floor amendment to House Bill 320 was reported, and the House adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Luckily, we have the greatest military in the world.
• We have the greatest planes, missiles, mines, bombs, etc., in the world.
• President, I asked unanimous consent that House Bill 1933 be placed on general order for consideration
• suspend paragraphs 4 and 5 of rule 822a to allow for the immediate consideration of House Bill 1933 on general
• professionals to do the work that they've been entrusted to do to strengthen the minds of our future generation

Bills: HB1675, HB3242, HB1739, HB3320, HB3047, HB4434, HJR1089, HB4432, HB3718, HB3705, SR43, HB1933, HB4248, SB1847, SB1778, HJR1086, HB3001, HB3002, HB3003, HB3004, HB3005, HB3007, HB3008, HB1590, HB1242, HB3818, HB4305, HB1979, HB1225, HB3931, HB4454, HB3849, HB1746, HB3720, HB4275, HB4300, HB3586, HB2268, HB3755, HB4117, HB4294, HB3650, HB4298, HB3270, HB3145, HB3056

Keywords: emergency management, severe weather, youth camp, summer camp, overnight camp, day camp, outdoor education, adventure camp, wilderness program, campground safety, tornado preparedness, flooding, flash flood, high winds, hail, lightning, extreme heat, extreme cold, wildfire smoke, evacuation plan

Transcript Highlights:

• Middle Class Scholarship at the 17.5% level of a student's unmet need, which will cost $513 million General
• the reduced award coverage, the proposed funding level would be an estimated $513 million ongoing General
• The state is using a General Fund cash loan to cover the payments to students.
• I want to highlight that many of the folks that are in the middle class were just one generation away
• That when we look at these students who are in the middle class, they don't have generational wealth

Summary: The subcommittee on Education Finance heard an overview of the governor’s budget proposals and higher education financial aid trends, with a major focus on the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS), Cal Grant spending, and the effects of recent federal student aid changes. The Department of Finance said the budget would fully fund Cal Grant at projected levels and reduce MCS coverage from 35% to 17.5% of unmet need in 2026-27, while the Legislative Analyst’s Office supported considering the reduction as a cost-saving measure given out-year deficits. UC and CSU representatives opposed the cut, saying MCS is important to affordability and debt-free degree goals; they estimated average awards would fall substantially and that campuses do not have funds to backfill the loss. The Student Aid Commission said the proposal would reduce aid but simplify administration, and members questioned how lower awards would affect students, borrowing, and work-study options. No vote was taken, and the issue was held open for possible future action. The committee then discussed federal changes to student loans and Pell Grant policy under H.R. 1, including caps on Parent PLUS loans, elimination of Grad PLUS loans, and new proration rules for federal direct loans based on enrollment intensity. The LAO said these changes would likely push some borrowers into the private market, especially graduate and professional students and some parents of students at private institutions. CSU said the changes would affect thousands of graduate and part-time students and could reduce access by about $97 million in loan availability for part-time borrowers, while UC said the new definitions of professional degrees were too restrictive and would reduce access for nursing, teaching, law, dentistry, and other programs. Community colleges said they use relatively little federal loan aid but are monitoring Workforce Pell. Members raised concerns about workforce impacts, social mobility, and whether the state should consider alternative loan programs or other ways to reduce student costs. This issue was also held open. In the segment financial aid update, the LAO reported Cal Grant spending is projected to rise to about $3.2 billion in 2026-27, driven by more recipients and higher awards tied to UC and CSU tuition increases, while CSAC said FAFSA and CADAA applications are up significantly year over year. CSU, community colleges, and UC described their aid packaging and rising aid totals, with CSU reporting over $5.5 billion in aid to 381,000 students, community colleges reporting over $4.3 billion to more than 920,000 students, and UC reporting $3.17 billion in grant aid to undergraduates. Members asked about Cal Grant reform, application trends, and long-term outcomes; UC and community colleges pointed to alumni and wage dashboards, and the LAO noted the state’s Cradle to Career data effort. The committee then took public comment, including testimony on library funding and other education-related priorities, and concluded by holding the issues open without formal action.