Transcript Highlights:

• The attacks on public health and equity will make it hard to know where to get effective care that will

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• TPCA has relayed this to the governor's staff.
• I asked some of my staff to go pick some up for me.
• I asked some of my staff to go pick some up for me.
• We have a meeting with the governor's staff tomorrow. Okay, so you're actually meeting with staff?
• Big cities can afford those in-house staff.

Bills: SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, human trafficking, trafficking victim, compelling prostitution, affirmative defense, criminal defense, coercion, force fraud or coercion, sexual exploitation, victim protection, Penal Code, Texas criminal law, prosecution, party liability, affirmative defense statute, survivor rights

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs took up Senate Bill 5, which Senator Perry described as a ban on intoxicating THC consumer products while preserving legal CBD, CBG, hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil products. Perry argued that most retail THC products are already illegal under federal law, that the industry has used loopholes and misleading labeling to sell high-potency products, and that regulation would be ineffective because chemists can quickly alter formulations. He also said the bill would steer people with medical needs toward the Texas Compassionate Use Program (T-Cup), which he and other supporters described as the proper physician-guided alternative. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly discussed the distinction between legal hemp-derived products and intoxicating THC products, and Perry said the bill would not touch non-consumable hemp uses such as fiber and clothing. Invited testimony came from law enforcement and medical witnesses who supported the bill. Texas Police Chiefs Association representative Steve Dye, Kaufman County District Attorney Early Wiley, and Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne all said regulation would be too costly, too complex, and ultimately unenforceable, while a ban would be clearer and easier to enforce. They cited overloaded DPS labs, the need for expensive private testing, limited police and prosecutor resources, and the difficulty of keeping up with constantly changing cannabinoids and out-of-state products. Hawthorne and Wiley described raids and investigations involving warehouses, retail stores, cash seizures, and products they said were marketed to young people and often mislabeled or imported from other states. They also said the bill would help law enforcement by creating a clearer legal line and protecting legitimate CBD/CBG businesses. Dr. Lindy McGee, speaking for the Texas Medical Association and Texas Pediatric Society, testified that retail THC products pose serious risks to children and adolescents, including addiction, impaired brain development, psychosis, suicide attempts, self-harm, accidental toddler ingestions, and possible long-term cognitive effects. She said there is no effective medication treatment for THC addiction comparable to nicotine cessation tools, and she supported restrictions such as child-resistant packaging, no marketing to minors, and age limits, while opposing criminal penalties for possession by minors. Senators asked follow-up questions about brain development, memory, dementia risk, pregnancy, and cardiovascular effects. No vote was taken during the portion provided, and the committee continued with invited testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd also like to thank the amazing committee staff that we have, committee counsel, and the budget staff
• </c> staff. Thank you. staff. Thank you.
• Staff in the amendment office are available to assist you.
• </c> on staff? on staff?
• Cuz if you're not there on staff, there.

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was no response from any lifeguard or staff.
• and staff who affirm their co-workers and their students a productive use of anyone's time?
• Their staffs are here. This hearing is live-streamed into every office in the Capitol.
• Justice and Equity.
• Of course, we're thankful for the committee staff and each member of staff and each member and all of

Bills: SB3, SB810, SB965, SB1073, SB1119, SB1505, SB 3

Keywords: Texas Education Code, public schools, school district, open-enrollment charter school, teacher speech, employee speech, biological sex, pronouns, gender identity, retaliation, discipline, workplace protections, school personnel, education policy, LGBTQ, transgender, charter schools, SB 965, religious speech, prayer

Transcript Highlights:

• our own problems, and to this end City Engineers has been actively working with our state and county staff
• our own problems, and to this end City Engineers has been actively working with our state and county staff
• our own problems, and to this end City Engineers has been actively working with our state and county staff
• our own problems, and to this end City Engineers has been actively working with our state and county staff
• Staff discussions around policy adjustments continue to fall short of the target established by House

Bills: HF192, HF268, HF1214, HF494

Keywords: Minnesota income tax, dependent exemption, personal income tax, tax relief, family tax relief, children, dependents, tax deduction, tax exemption, state revenue, inflation indexing, tax year 2025, taxable income, household tax policy, family tax credit, HF268, Joshua Schmidt Memorial Highway, memorial highway, highway naming, road designation

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 8 by Representative Bacala, legislative staff attendance at executive sessions and meetings
• Representative Owen added that he staffed BESE when he was on the BESE staff, long before 2023.

Bills: HR58, HR59, HR60, HR61, HR62, HR63, HR64, HCR32, HB43, HB447, HB573, HB1000, HB1001, HB1002, HB1003, HB1004, HB1005, HR46, HR48, HR50, HR51, HR52, HR53, HR54, HR55, HR56, HR57, HCR31, HB20, HB21, HB166, HB494, HB710, HB795, HB985, HB986, HB987, HB988, HB989, HB990, HB991, HB992, HB993, HB994, HB995, HB996, HB997, HB998, SB128, SB149, SB174, SB191, SB205, SB213, SB218, SB220, SB229, SB238, SB243, SB375, SB379, HB8, HB9, HB10, HB15, HB16, HB17, HB18, HB19, HB22, HB33, HB34, HB35, HB44, HB46, HB47, HB48, HB61, HB101, HB126, HB135, HB142, HB164, HB185, HB215, HB226, HB232, HB233, HB242, HB284, HB292, HB297, HB301, HB334, HB436, HB468, HB548, HB571, HB582, HB593, HB594, HB609, HB613, HB712, HB722, HB732, HB746, HB781, HB827, HB845, HB848, HB921, HB923, HB951, HB953, HB999, HB129, HB130, HB287, HB489, HB545, HB553, HB555, HB570, HB854, HB952, HB28, HB36, HB50, HB52, HB56, HB62, HB68, HB92, HB110, HB117, HB119, HB124, HB140, HB147, HB171, HB182, HB193, HB196, HB203, HB228, HB234, HB260, HB268, HB271, HB285, HB289, HB351, HB400, HB413, HB469, HB534, HB551, HB552, HB574, HB576, HB634, HB649, HB677, HB735, HB739, HB779, HB784, HB796, HB842, HB850, HB919, HB149, HB733, HB875, HB868, HB901

Keywords: waterfowl conservation, wetlands preservation, Ducks Unlimited, environmental stewardship, Louisiana, tennis, athlete recognition, family legacy, sports achievements, coaching, student parents, higher education, academic support, family stability, workforce equity, Homeland Security, federal funding, public safety, emergency services, TSA

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened in prayer, and received official notice from the Secretary of State certifying Dana Henry and Paul Sawyer to fill vacancies in the chamber. Both members were sworn in. The House also received Senate messages on several concurrent resolutions and a large slate of Senate bills, and it adopted a number of House resolutions recognizing groups and individuals, including agriculture, athletic trainers, GoFar Louisiana, homeschooling families, veterans, and several community honorees. Committee reports and bill referrals were also announced throughout the morning hour. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to floor action on House bills, many of them memorial highway designations and policy measures. The House gave final passage to bills naming roadways and bridges for Officer Trevor Abney, Dr. Harry Blake Sr., Virginia Green Evans, and American Legion Post No. 14, and it also passed bills extending Tax Commission assessment fees, creating a transfer-on-death securities registration act, increasing lender origination fees, expanding assessor certification committee membership, and strengthening protections for eligible adults against financial exploitation. Other bills passed included measures on teacher certification appeals, removing Evangeline Parish from a juvenile justice district, re-creating the Department of Education, and repealing a $25 impaired-driving fine. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 68, which would create a new offense for disturbing worship services and impose a mandatory 30-day jail term for certain misdemeanor conduct, with higher penalties for related offenses. Supporters argued the bill was intended to deter disruptions and reduce the risk of escalation in houses of worship, citing heightened security concerns and incidents in churches nationwide. Opponents questioned the bill’s vagueness, the mandatory minimum sentence, the distinction between misdemeanor and felony treatment, and whether existing law already covered the conduct. The bill remained under discussion as members continued to raise constitutional, enforcement, and policy concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 8 by Representative Bacala, legislative staff attendance at executive sessions and meetings
• Representative Owen: And did you know that I staffed that when I was on BESE staff?

Bills: HR58, HR59, HR60, HR61, HR62, HR63, HR64, HCR32, HB43, HB447, HB573, HB1000, HB1001, HB1002, HB1003, HB1004, HB1005, HR46, HR48, HR50, HR51, HR52, HR53, HR54, HR55, HR56, HR57, HCR31, HB20, HB21, HB166, HB494, HB710, HB795, HB985, HB986, HB987, HB988, HB989, HB990, HB991, HB992, HB993, HB994, HB995, HB996, HB997, HB998, SB128, SB149, SB174, SB191, SB205, SB213, SB218, SB220, SB229, SB238, SB243, SB375, SB379, HB8, HB9, HB10, HB15, HB16, HB17, HB18, HB19, HB22, HB33, HB34, HB35, HB44, HB46, HB47, HB48, HB61, HB101, HB126, HB135, HB142, HB164, HB185, HB215, HB226, HB232, HB233, HB242, HB284, HB292, HB297, HB301, HB334, HB436, HB468, HB548, HB571, HB582, HB593, HB594, HB609, HB613, HB712, HB722, HB732, HB746, HB781, HB827, HB845, HB848, HB921, HB923, HB951, HB953, HB999, HB129, HB130, HB287, HB489, HB545, HB553, HB555, HB570, HB854, HB952, HB28, HB36, HB50, HB52, HB56, HB62, HB68, HB92, HB110, HB117, HB119, HB124, HB140, HB147, HB171, HB182, HB193, HB196, HB203, HB228, HB234, HB260, HB268, HB271, HB285, HB289, HB351, HB400, HB413, HB469, HB534, HB551, HB552, HB574, HB576, HB634, HB649, HB677, HB735, HB739, HB779, HB784, HB796, HB842, HB850, HB919, HB149, HB733, HB875, HB868, HB901

Keywords: waterfowl conservation, wetlands preservation, Ducks Unlimited, environmental stewardship, Louisiana, tennis, athlete recognition, family legacy, sports achievements, coaching, student parents, higher education, academic support, family stability, workforce equity, Homeland Security, federal funding, public safety, emergency services, TSA

Transcript Highlights:

• Her commitment to equity and fairness was not performative. It was personal for her.
• Her commitment to<02:34:10.080><c> equity</c><02:34:10.479><c> and</c><02:34:10.720><c> fairness</c><
• 02:34:11.520><c> was</c><02:34:11.760><c> not</c> to equity and fairness was not to equity and fairness

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, lines 317 to 319 classify information that we receive from you or your staff operating on behalf
• That is different than how you work with all other legislative staff in the legislative branch.
• </c><00:32:24.320><c> operating</c> receive from you or your staff operating receive from you or your
• staff in the legislative<00:32:55.880><c> branch</c><00:32:56.279><c> everything</c><00:32:56.679><c
• I'm certainly happy to have conversations with you and the author and nonpartisan staff, um, but it's

Bills: HF1867, HF1240

Keywords: lottery, retailer contracts, Minnesota Statutes, contract qualifications, public integrity, criminal background, legislative auditor, public funds, state government, compliance, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We will have staff available to call you in when it's your time to testify.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or instead pursue another remedy that is in TEDCO's best interest within 15 years after making an equity
• condition, the hospital must<00:38:08.800><c> using</c><00:38:09.119><c> the</c><00:38:09.280><c> staff
• </c><00:38:09.520><c> and</c><00:38:09.760><c> facilities</c> must using the staff and facilities must
• using the staff and facilities available<00:38:10.480><c> to</c><00:38:10.640><c> the</c><00:38:10.800

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am pleased to contact the committee staff regarding registration for witnesses wishing to testify or
• Have you done any analyses on what it would look like to staff up for the different ranges of outcomes
• We lost the equity from our home. We urge you to say no.
• But you have scientists on your staff, right? Yes, we do. We have in-house chemists.

Bills: HB28, SB3, SB 3

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program

Transcript Highlights:

• Next Monday is auctioneer day, where all of the funds do go to our amazing nonpartisan staff.
• And my good colleague has an announcement too. >> Representative Suckla. amazing uh nonpartisan staff
• We get to amazing uh nonpartisan staff.
• are deed-restricted, I think a lot of discussions that we have in this well is around building that equity
• . ...around building that equity, and it takes a lot of forms to do that.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll just go around the table and then we'll call on staff. Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• </c><00:54:08.599><c> support</c> Resources Staffing uh staff support Resources Staffing uh staff support
• That is correct, but I will look to fiscal staff to confirm. Miss Voy, Mr.
• So a total, if you add that with the staff time, is approximately 19.25 million.
• </c><01:24:21.120><c> time</c><01:24:21.360><c> is</c> that with the staff time is that with the staff

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next unit appears on page 39: Unit 115, School Funding Equity Litigation. Are there any amendments?
• ><c> can</c><00:45:48.560><c> process</c><00:45:48.880><c> these</c> talented staff at DEEQ can process
• these talented staff at DEEQ can process these permits<00:45:49.520><c> in</c><00:45:49.760><c> 8</c
• >> Well, let me offer some thoughts that were brought to staff earlier.
• I would move that we place the footnote as described by staff.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and after your testimony is complete, the Zoom chat function allows you to chat with the technical staff
• Zoom, please keep yourself muted, video off, and the chat function is only to chat with technical staff
• > chat function is only to chat with chat function is only to chat with technical<01:25:27.880><c> staff
• c><01:25:28.639><c> if</c><01:25:28.760><c> you're</c><01:25:28.920><c> unexpectedly</c> technical staff
• if you're unexpectedly technical staff if you're unexpectedly disconnected<01:25:30.280><c> you</c><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard several measures focused on water quality, waste management, aquifer protection, wastewater, and climate-related funding. SB 984 on water pollution drew opposition from DLNR and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, with the latter arguing the bill could unfairly blame landowners for runoff caused by terrain and storm events; the chair noted there were also supporters and commenters submitted in writing. SB 639 on underground storage tanks received support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, and the Sierra Club, with testimony emphasizing environmental restoration standards after jet fuel releases; no opposition was noted in the live testimony. SB 946 on wastewater management was presented as clarifying that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters applies to treatment plants, and it drew support from the County of Maui, DOH, and Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, with no questions or opposition raised in the hearing. The committee also heard SB 438 on waste disposal facilities near significant aquifers. DOH and the Water Commission offered comments, while the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services opposed the bill because of a provision affecting ash recycling; the Board of Water Supply and Sierra Club supported the measure, and the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board and Energy Justice Network raised concerns about fly ash and bottom ash recycling, landfill capacity, and potential contamination of aquifers. Testimony reflected a split between environmental protection concerns and arguments that the bill could block beneficial reuse of ash. The committee then took up HB 1395 on state funds, which would direct interest from the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to the general fund when the reserve exceeds the state’s target. The Governor’s office, emergency management, the State Energy Office, the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority, the Nature Conservancy, and several other groups supported the bill’s climate-resilience intent, while the Tax Foundation and committee discussion raised concerns that the measure functioned mainly as a revenue transfer without a dedicated spending mechanism. Members discussed whether a special fund or legislative appropriation process would better ensure the money was used for climate mitigation and related projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, senators, guests, and staff. If your faith allows, would you pray with me?
• Amen. morning, senators, morning, senators, guests,<00:12:58.079><c> and</c><00:12:58.399><c> staff.
• </c><00:12:59.360><c> your</c><00:12:59.519><c> faith</c><00:12:59.760><c> allows,</c> guests, and staff
• If your faith allows, guests, and staff.
• that their staff rate of retention<00:54:46.559><c> went</c><00:54:46.880><c> from</c><00:54:47.359>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some school boards also have the auditor as the staff of the school board and not the staff of the superintendent
• not the staff of the superintendent.
• I want to thank staff. This was, you know, this was a large bill.
• But most importantly, I wanted to thank the staff, the rule staff, with, you know, Shasta Patrick and
• And I wanted to thank the staff, the entire Senate staff, for all their help.

Summary: The Committee on Rules heard a long agenda of growth-management, elections, education, housing, and professional-licensing bills. The first major item was SB 354 on “Blue Ribbon Projects,” a framework for very large planned developments on at least 15,000 contiguous acres with 60% reserved area. After adopting a strike-all amendment, senators debated whether the bill adequately protected conservation land, local government authority, neighboring property, concurrency, and multi-county projects. Supporters argued it would create more orderly, master-planned growth and preserve large areas of land; opponents said the reserve areas were too weakly protected and the bill preempted local control. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably on a party-line style roll call, with Chair Pasadomo and Vice Chair Jones voting no. The committee then approved SB 620 on candidate qualifying, which requires candidates to disclose any foreign citizenship and, through amendments, adds a 2026 congressional qualifying framework tied to apportionment and redistricting, including revised petition rules and deadlines. Members discussed disclosure, redistricting, and candidate vetting, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/CS/CS/SB 1452, a Department of Financial Services bill, was also amended and approved; the amendments addressed My Safe Florida Home, unclaimed property, firefighter hiring, workforce housing code accommodations, and related financial-services issues. CS/CS/SB 1620, the school board members’ bill of rights, was narrowed by substitute amendment to focus on access to records, fiscal transparency, NDAs, and related rights, and it passed after supportive testimony from school board and superintendent representatives. The committee also passed CS/HB 245, which replaces the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material,” after debate over whether the terminology change could affect the seriousness of the crime or existing case law. SB 1548, a Live Local/affordable housing update, was reported favorably with little debate. Finally, the committee approved the veterinary medicine bill creating veterinary professional associates, after amending it to require immediate supervision by a licensed veterinarian. Throughout the meeting, many public commenters and senators weighed in on the balance between development and conservation, local control, and the scope of state regulation, with several bills drawing both strong support and strong opposition before final votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• “Also, as well as our staff.
• And also, you know, the staff is also receiving those threats as well.
• And also, you know, the staff is also receiving those threats as well.
• And that includes court space and court staff.
• But ongoing costs are staff. But ongoing costs are staff, so the bailiff, the court coordinator.

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

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:

• It would exclude social equity status, recognizing the sensitive nature of that information.
• My staff wants to get me on record saying that, with all apologies to my staff, we're just saying we're
• My<01:04:15.160><c> staff</c><01:04:15.480><c> wants</c><01:04:15.680><c> to</c><01:04:15.760><c> get
• </c><01:04:15.920><c> me</c><01:04:16.040><c> on</c><01:04:16.160><c> record</c> My staff wants to get
• , we're just saying we're going to staff, we're just saying we're going to add<01:04:20.320><c> a</c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all