Transcript Highlights:

• oh, 11 years ago, I was summoned by Montgomery County, by conservative groups, to come to a very closely
• fought Senate primary, and they wanted Uncle Paul to come be the moderator.
• So in closing, I simply say thank you for this profound honor, and may God bless you all.

Summary: The Texas Senate convened for the opening of the 89th Legislature with an invocation, roll call, and certification of the newly elected senators by the Secretary of State. Senators-elect were then administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, formally seating the new members. Governor Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott addressed the chamber, congratulating members and emphasizing priorities such as border security, education, energy, foster care, and school choice, while Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick highlighted the Senate’s bipartisan culture and the work ahead. The chamber then held its organizational business, including the election of Senator Brandon Creighton as President Pro Tempore. Senator Parker nominated Creighton and Senator Bettencourt seconded the nomination, both praising his background, legislative record, and leadership. The Senate voted by standing vote to elect Creighton, who was then escorted to the dais and sworn in. In his remarks, Creighton reflected on his family, his time as a Senate messenger, and his priorities for the session, including Texas sovereignty, economic opportunity, education, and conservative policy goals. The only formal legislative action taken was adoption of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7, granting permission for the Legislature to adjourn for more than three days during the specified period. The resolution passed by a roll call vote of 31 ayes and no nays. The Senate then adopted a motion to recess until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, after a caucus meeting earlier that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:01.279><c> to</c> construction something close to construction something close to $300,000
• down Representative New... close that public hearing and um recess close that public hearing and um
• </c> seniors to downsize while staying close seniors to downsize while staying close to<00:57:41.799>
• Seeing none, I'm going to close that public hearing.
• </c><03:26:04.840><c> that</c> 382 seeing none I'm going to close that 382 seeing none I'm going to close

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pharmacies are closing their doors, neighborhoods are becoming health care deserts, and long-standing
• Across Boston, more than 245,000 residents depend on community health centers for everything from primary
• , Norwood Hospital closed, Signature Brockton Hospital had a fire and was closed for over a year, Compass
• seized by the Commonwealth and Carney closing down.
• In each of these events... ...being seized by the Commonwealth and Carney closing down, and each of the

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a series of amendments to a supplemental appropriations bill and related measures, with several adopted and several rejected or withdrawn. Early amendments on equitable approaches to public safety and a Holyoke local account clarification failed, while amendments providing $2.5 million for Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers technical assistance and expanding access to gender-affirming medications and mifepristone were adopted. The chamber also adopted a technical amendment on alternative protein grants, a clarification to ETF modernization, and an energy storage systems amendment. Other proposals on homeowner protections, La Casa funding, emergency contract reform, an energy dashboard, EV charging ratepayer impacts, hate crimes, distressed hospital payments, and task force membership were rejected or withdrawn. A substantial portion of the debate focused on health care, food assistance, and public safety. Senators spoke in support of funding for community health centers, hospital relief, and EBT anti-skimming protections, including $15.5 million for chip-enabled EBT cards and related replacement-benefit support. One amendment to strengthen protections against impersonating federal officers was rejected, while another on professional protections was withdrawn after discussion of ballot address privacy and security concerns. The Senate also adopted amendments to continue prior appropriations for a North Shore food pantry and drought management efforts, and it later approved a sick leave bank for a Department of Mental Health employee. The chamber then took up the fiscal year 2025 fair share supplemental budget conference report, which Ways and Means described as $1.39 billion in spending split between transportation and education, including MBTA improvements, Chapter 90 aid, regional transit authorities, special education circuit breaker reimbursements, higher education deferred maintenance, and career technical education capital grants. After a roll call, the bill passed, with one recorded negative vote. The Senate also adopted a separate Ways and Means amendment and ordered the bill to third reading before final passage. The session ended with adjournment motions and a moment of silence honoring Melissa and Mark Hortman and other victims of political violence, along with a memorial adjournment for firefighter Jeffrey DeSanchez.

Transcript Highlights:

• You probably don't need to close then. Yep, that's a lot. Okay. Senator Den Hartog: Mr.
• Senator Anthony, you're welcome to close. You're welcome to join us back.
• Senator Anthony, you're welcome to close. You're welcome to join us back.
• We even have acts of terrorism as close as Meridian.
• Chairman, would you like to come up and close your remarks? Okay.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to hear this bill, then we're going to close the hearing and we're going to open the hearing
• And with that, we're going to close the hearing temporarily on Senate Bill 6212, and we're going to open
• And for that, we're going to close the hearing on 607, and we're going to open up the hearing on 6186
• Molly Gallagher will close us out. Good afternoon, Chair Wilson and members of the committee.
• That ends testimony on Senate Bill 6212, and that closes our hearings for today.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard testimony on three bills. SB 6212, sponsored by Sen. Nobles, would create a Department of Commerce pilot program providing monthly cash benefits to families with children who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, with a control group and a final report to the Legislature on whether to expand the program statewide. Supporters said the pilot could reduce child poverty, improve family stability, and provide evidence on the effects of direct cash assistance; the sponsor acknowledged the bill would be expensive and said funding would need to be worked out. No vote was taken. SB 6186, sponsored by Sen. Warnick, would direct DSHS to seek a federal waiver to prohibit SNAP benefits from being used to buy candy and sweetened beverages, with annual reapplication if needed. The bill’s preliminary fiscal note was described as significant, and the sponsor said she was open to amendments, including possibly limiting the proposal to Sun Bucks. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed from anti-hunger advocates, public health experts, economists, SNAP educators, and individuals with lived experience, who argued the restrictions would be costly, hard to administer, stigmatizing, and unlikely to improve nutrition; one supporter said the measure would promote healthier choices and reduce long-term health costs. No action was taken. SB 6707, also by Sen. Warnick, would have WSIPP study DCYF’s screening tools and risk assessment processes for child welfare referrals and their effects on outcomes such as services, removals, re-referrals, and fatalities. DCYF said it supports evaluating its risk assessment tool but is already working with Chapin Hall on a similar redesign and pilot of the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale, and asked how the bill would avoid duplicating that work. Sen. Warnick said the bill was intended to examine child welfare outcomes more broadly. The committee heard testimony but took no vote, and the chair announced amendments for Wednesday’s executive session are due by noon the next day before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Though in our role as an NGO partner, we have the privilege of working very closely with local governments
• And I know that myself and many of the constituents that we work with closely would be really delighted
• to work more closely with you in the future to think and talk about these improvements.
• All right, with that, we will close the public hearing.
• All right, with that, we will close the public hearing on this bill and move into our public testimony

Bills: SB6139 , SB6214 , SB6237 , SB6091 , SB6096 , SB6200 , SGA9278 , SGA9279

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: rental payments, landlords, tenants, eviction, legal procedures, housing stability, land banking, property authority, housing development, urban planning, real estate management, SB 6237, Washington landlord-tenant law, Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, rental property disclosure, flood risk, flood hazard area, special flood hazard area, potential flooding, tenant notice

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have Senator Hunt here, so we'll close public hearing on SB 5831, and we will open on Senate Bill
• Vice Chair, and that closes our public hearing on Senate Bill 6178.
• Our criminal investigations unit, also known as our CIU, works very closely and collaboratively with
• This bill strengthens our ability to address insurance fraud and other closely related crimes that target
• I want to make clear that this bill does not change CIU's primary purpose of confronting insurance fraud

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on an amended and restated tribal-state gaming compact with the Squaxin Island Tribe. Washington State Gambling Commission staff explained the compact amendment process and said the restatement consolidates six prior amendments, updates several appendices, and adds new provisions including high-limit room options and electronic table games. Squaxin Island representatives said the changes clarify the existing compact, improve casino regulation and management, and support tribal economic development and community services. Committee members expressed support, and the compact will next go through additional commission and legislative review before possible governor approval. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5831, which enacts the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act. Staff and the bill sponsor said the measure creates safe harbors for common mortgage modifications, clarifies when modifications must be recorded, and preserves the priority of modified mortgages in foreclosure without preempting other mortgage or lending laws. A Uniform Law Commission representative testified that the bill would advance protections by reducing uncertainty and costly attorney opinion requirements. There was no opposition testimony, and the public hearing closed without a vote. Senate Bill 6178, requested by the Insurance Commissioner, would prohibit contractors and others from soliciting or requiring post-loss assignments of property insurance benefits from insureds, making such agreements void and enforceable by the commissioner with civil penalties. The sponsor, Insurance Commissioner, and several supporters said the bill would protect homeowners after disasters from losing control of their claims and help prevent contractor abuse; a consumer attorney, PEMCO, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau also supported it. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6031, which expands and modernizes the state’s insurance fraud laws, classifies insurance fraud as a Class B felony, broadens reporting and investigative authority, and extends the fraud program to related crimes affecting insurers and consumers. The Insurance Commissioner, anti-fraud groups, and industry representatives supported the bill, while the Washington Society of CPAs said concerns about CPA language would be addressed by amendment. After public hearings, the committee moved to executive session, adopted a proposed substitute for SB 5928, and voted do-pass recommendations for SB 5928 as amended and SB 5919, sending both to Rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:29.039><c> of</c> than one year um after the close of than one year um after the close of
• You have not closed your books. You are not ready for audits.
• </c> So, um we have six districts closing So, um we have six districts closing fiscal<00:32:38.240><c
• Seeing none, I'll close the hearing on House Bill 121.
• >> All right, close the hearing on that and go right to House Bill 656.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Closed? Close. Having waived close, all in favor of the amendment say aye. Aye.
• Senator Simon, you are recognized to close. Thank you, Mr. President.
• And so with that, I close and I thank you for your favorable support.
• Seeing none, Senator Gates was recognized to close.
• Seeing none, Senator Gates was recognized to close.

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer, pledge, doctor-of-the-day introduction, and several recognitions, including a Founders’ Day tribute to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a welcome to a nationally ranked student debater in the gallery. The chamber then took up a committee report on 52 gubernatorial executive appointments; after explanation by the Ethics and Elections chair, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a vote of 39-0. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities. Senator Simon described it as a broad “Rural Renaissance” package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program, housing and transportation investments, education funding, and rural health care improvements. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping health-care provisions in light of new federal rural health funding and to update hospital funding amounts. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing the bill’s focus on rural infrastructure, health care access, and local flexibility. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates explained that the bill responds to Auditor General concerns by separating scholarship funding from public-school funding, tightening enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees, requiring student identification numbers, improving reimbursement processes, and directing the Department of Education to develop a business plan for scholarship funding organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including removal of a declining-enrollment provision from the bill, with that issue expected to move elsewhere. Senators discussed transparency, accountability, and protections against overpayments and unverified enrollments, while also noting the need to preserve support for school districts. The bill passed 38-0. After both bills passed, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify SB 250 and CS/SB 318 to the House. The chamber also heard announcements recognizing Palm Beach County Day at the Capitol and scheduled a group photograph for the following Thursday before adjourning until January 22 or upon the President’s call.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to get the microphone and get it close to you, sir. My name's Hyman. Mr.
• Actually, we've already closed registration, so we are going to close public testimony and leave Senate
• It's not really that close to being completed at this point.
• We're going to close public testimony and leave Senate Bill 1897 pending.
• We're going to close public testimony and leave Senate Bill 2113 pending.

Bills: HB12 , HB149 , SB229 , SB1361 , SB1749 , SB1897 , SB2113 , SB2566 , SB2677 , SB1652 , SB2327 , SB2344 , SB2696 , HB12 , HB149

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing

Transcript Highlights:

• Please close the machine.
• Representative Barron and Rutnell, please close the machine.
• Representative Woodrow, please close the machine.
• Please close the machine.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Please close the machine. &gt;&gt; Please close the machine.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be closing registration for in-person testimony today at 3:30 p.m., which is a little over an
• They plainly do not, and quite frankly, it's not a close question at all.
• I promise I'm closing, but I'll just add.
• Chair here will close registration at this time.
• The electronic portal for today's hearing will close right after... ...after we adjourn.

Committee: House Congressional Redistricting, Select

Keywords: 997, house, all

Bills: HCR1 , HCR2 , SB2001 , SB2002 , SB2003 , SB2004 , SB2005 , SB2006 , SB2007 , SB2008 , SB2009 , SB2010 , SB2011 , SB2012 , SB2013 , SB2014 , SB2015 , SB2016 , SB2017 , SB2018 , SB2019 , SB2020 , SB2021 , SB2022 , SB2023 , SB2024 , SB2025 , SB2026 , SB2027 , SB2028 , SB2029 , SB2030 , SB2031 , SB2032 , SB2033 , SB2034 , SB2035 , SB2036 , SB2037 , SB2038 , SB2039 , SB2040 , SB2041 , SB2042 , SB2043 , SB2044 , SB2045 , SB2046 , SB2047 , SB2048 , SB2049 , SB2050 , SB2051 , SB2052 , SB2053 , SB2054 , SB2055 , SB2056 , SB2057 , SB2058 , SB2059 , SB2060 , SB2061 , SB2062 , SB2063 , SB2064 , SB2065 , SB2066 , SB2067 , SB2068 , SB2069 , SB2070 , SB2071 , SB2072 , SB2073 , SB2074 , SB2075 , SB2076 , SB2077 , SB2078 , SB2079 , SB2080 , SB2081 , SB2082 , SB2083 , SB2084 , SB2085 , SB2086 , SB2087 , SB2088 , SB2089 , SB2090 , SB2091 , SB2092 , SB2093 , SB2094 , SB2095 , SB2096 , SB2097 , SB2098 , SB2099 , SB2100

Keywords: recess, legislative session, Hawaii State Legislature, 2026, Governor address, joint session, legislature, Hawaii, state of the state, Banyan Drive, Waiakea peninsula, Makaokū, Hilo, Hawaii Island, HCDA, Hawaii Community Development Authority, community development district, redevelopment, urban renewal, blight

Transcript Highlights:

• It needed to be done before the license application window closes.
• It needed to be done before the license application window closes.
• It needed to be done before the license application window closes.
• For close, but we're not quite there yet on the answer to the question.
• For close, but we're not quite there yet on the answer to the question.

Bills: HF1672 , HF1877 , HF1735 , HF1734 , HF1271 , HF1634 , HF1615

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis, cannabis flower, cannabis products, dispensary, cannabis retail endorsement, patient protections

Transcript Highlights:

• The primary difference here is instead of having to do a recall petition, the matter has to be put before
• </c><00:30:50.840><c> The</c><00:30:50.960><c> primary</c> just like it is now.
• The primary just like it is now.
• The primary difference<00:30:51.800><c> here</c><00:30:52.120><c> is</c><00:30:52.600><c> instead</c>
• President, with permission of the primary sponsor, I move to be added as a co-sponsor of Senate Bill

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I use Firefox as my primary browser for that reason, and it's pretty easy to set it up. the original
• </c><00:15:36.040><c> browser</c><00:15:37.240><c> for</c> I use Firefox as my primary browser for I
• Grocery store closes at 10:00 on Tuesday night.
• price to an 8:00 their 10:00 closing price to an 8:00 open<01:04:22.800><c> price.
• </c> close study. close study.

Bills: HF3794 , HF3408

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, consumer protection, price setting, biometric data, retail, privacy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, We have close to 900 members throughout the state of Kentucky.
• We moved there to be close to our grandkids.
• I don't know be close to our grandkids.
• </c><01:16:18.960><c> with</c> of coordinating that more closely with of coordinating that more closely
• </c><01:23:46.320><c> Um</c><01:23:46.719><c> and</c> holding it close to the vest.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes unanimously and then heard extended testimony from Senator Jimmy Higdon, who reflected on Kentucky’s 2011 childhood obesity task force and said the state’s childhood obesity problem has worsened since then. He described prior recommendations from that task force, including more physical education, nutrition education, classroom-based physical activity, complete streets, bike lanes, sidewalks, and safe routes to school. Higdon also argued that government programs have contributed to obesity and drug abuse, focusing especially on SNAP and Medicaid, and said he has long advocated for a waiver to distribute SNAP benefits twice a month rather than once a month. Higdon said SNAP fraud and abuse are significant, claiming some recipients sell benefits and some retailers bend the rules on eligible purchases. He also said spreading benefits through the month could help families keep fresh food in the home and stabilize grocery store business, especially in food deserts and rural areas. In response to questions, he said he would not support allowing hot prepared foods under SNAP, though he said a grocery-store produce incentive similar to the farmers market match could be beneficial if structured separately. He also said the WIC program is a model for how SNAP could be better administered. Members thanked Higdon for his service and discussed whether the issue is food insecurity or poor nutrition. Senator Douglas emphasized adding stronger guardrails to nutrition-related programs, and Representative Proctor asked about the challenges of operating grocery stores in rural areas and food deserts. Higdon said independent grocers face thin margins, competition, and cyclical market pressures, and that SNAP distribution patterns can worsen those challenges. After Higdon’s testimony, the committee heard from Ann Cressilious, a registered dietitian with the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, who began a presentation on the profession and on efforts to improve nutrition and access to nutrition information in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just acknowledging the fact that the value of a primary residence of most homeowners in Arizona
• It's just acknowledging the fact that the value of a primary residence of most homeowners in Arizona
• But it is closely in line with the median value of a home in Arizona. Do you want?
• But we're also adding to that the value that's close to the median home, so it's easily calculated for

Bills: HB2016 , HB2104 , HB2105 , HB2174 , HB2256 , HB2289 , HB2477 , HB2903 , HB2939 , HB2979 , HB2996 , HB4103

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: tax penalties, filing, tax returns, administration, Arizona Revised Statutes, agricultural property, classification, county assessor, property inspection, appeal process, property tax, agricultural classification, Department of Revenue, property valuation, inspection notice, inspection report, on-site inspection, full cash value, rural land, farm land

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's get started with our representatives from the State Water Resources Control Board, the primary
• The primary driver in whether groundwater recharge occurs is not the presence or absence of a permit,
• In closing, AB 658 and the authority to issue five-year temporary permits have been a genuine success
• response was that the speaker could not speak for CDFW’s considerations, but that the agencies work closely

Summary: The hearing focused on oversight of AB 658 and the State Water Resources Control Board’s five-year temporary permits for groundwater recharge. Assembly Member Arambula and committee members discussed how the permits are intended to help capture high flows during wet periods, support SGMA implementation, and store water underground for later use. The State Water Board chair said the five-year permits have become an important tool, with seven five-year permits issued this season and over 43,000 acre-feet authorized, but noted that actual recharge depends on hydrology and that the board is open to improvements. Members and witnesses discussed several possible changes to make the program more effective: allowing a two-year delay before the five-year permit clock starts, codifying CEQA exemptions that have been used through executive order, and shifting from a public objection model to a public comment model to reduce delays. There was also discussion of water availability analyses, with some members asking whether the state could develop a broader statewide assessment to reduce consultant costs and make permitting more predictable. The board said such an effort would be large and costly, but could potentially save applicants money and improve consistency. District representatives described their experiences. Stockton East said the five-year permit was more cost-effective than repeated 180-day permits, but that the 90-20 methodology, consultant costs, and a burrowing owl survey condition made use difficult. Omaha-Hartnell Water District said its recharge work depends on simple, low-cost infrastructure and that five-year permits, CEQA reform, and lower upfront fees would help small districts. A consultant working with Scott Valley and Sierra Valley said five-year permits can work well in different basins, but local infrastructure, stakeholder coordination, streambed alteration agreements, and upstream flow constraints can limit recharge. Members also raised concerns about basin connectivity, downstream water rights, and the need to pair recharge with sustainable groundwater pumping and broader water storage planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's get started with our representatives from the State Water Resources Control Board, the primary
• The primary driver in whether groundwater recharge occurs is not the presence or absence of a permit,
• In closing, AB 658 and the authority to issue five-year temporary permits have been a genuine success
• to CDFW's considerations and so would hold off on speaking for CDFW, but know that we do work very closely

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Keywords: 988, house, all