Transcript Highlights:

• So we move House File 2566 be re-referred to the State Government Finance and Policy Committee.
• House File 2566 is re-referred to the State Government Finance and Policy Committee.
• Members of the House Commerce, Finance and Policy Committee, my name is Michael Swanson.
• There's a regulatory and policy enforcement that's another arm that we don't control.
• And I just think that's bad policy for the Commerce Committee.

Bills: HF2543 , HF2566 , HF2627

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: garnishment, wage garnishment, earnings levy, bank levy, execution, judgment debtor, judgment creditor, exemption notice, exempt property, bank account freeze, financial institution levy, employer disclosure, garnishee, writ of execution, debt collection, consumer debt, collections, bankruptcy exemptions, public benefits, means-tested benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> state government finance and policy state government finance and policy committee<00:05:18.080><
• House File 2566 is re-referred to the State Government Finance and Policy Committee.
• House File 2566 is re-referred to the State Government Finance and Policy Committee.
• And I just think that's a bad policy for the Commerce Committee.
• </c><00:48:14.960><c> for</c> and I just think that's bad policy for and I just think that's bad policy

Bills: HF2543 , HF2566 , HF2627

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: garnishment, wage garnishment, earnings levy, bank levy, execution, judgment debtor, judgment creditor, exemption notice, exempt property, bank account freeze, financial institution levy, employer disclosure, garnishee, writ of execution, debt collection, consumer debt, collections, bankruptcy exemptions, public benefits, means-tested benefits

Bills: SB60 , SB103 , SB60 , SB103

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: prison modernization, corrections finance, bonding authority, state debt, capital improvement, Department of Corrections, Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority, prison construction, prison renovation, prison replacement, bed space, overcrowding, women's prison, men's prison, Escambia prison, Tutwiler, Kilby, Elmore, Staton, St. Clair Correctional Facility

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm still working through that process. both the policy logistics of how that would work, but also

Bills: SB2030 , SB1926 , SB2170 , SB2151 , SB2166 , SB1213 , SB1381 , SB1824 , SB1876 , SB1728 , SB1582 , SB1286 , SB1386 , SB1708 , SB1618

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: expungement, record sealing, criminal records, clean slate, automatic expungement, expedited expungement, criminal history, OSBI, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, deferred judgment, delayed sentence, pardon, pardon and parole board, law enforcement records, sealed records, arrest records, conviction records, reclassification of felony to misdemeanor, reentry, second chance

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm still working through that process, both the policy logistics of how that would work, but also

Bills: SB2030 , SB1926 , SB2170 , SB2151 , SB2166 , SB1213 , SB1381 , SB1824 , SB1876 , SB1728 , SB1582 , SB1286 , SB1386 , SB1708 , SB1618

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: expungement, record sealing, criminal records, clean slate, automatic expungement, expedited expungement, criminal history, OSBI, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, deferred judgment, delayed sentence, pardon, pardon and parole board, law enforcement records, sealed records, arrest records, conviction records, reclassification of felony to misdemeanor, reentry, second chance

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard and advanced a series of bills covering criminal justice, family law, elections, insurance, and property issues. Among the measures approved were SB 2030, a clean-slate/automatic expungement bill; SB 1926, allowing victims seeking protective orders to file in another county; SB 2170, requiring supervised visits when sexual abuse allegations are substantiated by DHS; SB 2151, giving prosecutors discretion to seek a 65% sentence instead of an 85% sentence in some cases; SB 2166, setting evidentiary rules for calculating future medical damages; SB 1213, allowing certain inmates to start at a higher earned-credit level; SB 1381, creating a statewide pretrial hearing process with a pilot program approach; SB 1824, updating corporation and LLC statutes; SB 1876, modernizing service of process on foreign insurers; SB 1728, adding a domestic violence definition for coercive control; SB 1582, defining bona fide resident and lawful permanent resident for alien land ownership rules; SB 1286, requiring more political subdivisions to provide polling places at no cost; SB 1386, creating a courtroom transparency pilot program using audio-video recording; and SB 1708, creating a rebuttable presumption of joint custody and equal parenting time. Several bills were amended before passage, including title-striking motions on multiple measures and committee-substitute language changes. Debate centered on the policy tradeoffs in several of the more controversial bills. Senators raised concerns about forum shopping and judicial bias in the protective-order bill, the fairness and practical effects of the future-damages bill on injured plaintiffs and insurers, the impact of the custody presumption bill on domestic violence cases and guardian ad litem practice, and the risks of foreign land ownership. Supporters generally framed the bills as responses to constituent concerns, efforts to improve fairness or transparency, or ways to modernize outdated statutes and procedures. Opponents or skeptics focused on unintended consequences, possible burdens on victims, and whether existing law already addressed the problems being raised. The committee also heard that SB 1381 would likely return as a pilot program in one county because of fiscal concerns, and SB 1386 was discussed as a limited courtroom-recording pilot rather than a full statewide rollout. SB 1582 passed after discussion of the meaning of “bona fide resident” and whether certain noncitizens could buy land. SB 1708 drew especially detailed debate over whether the law should begin with a presumption of equal parenting time or leave custody decisions entirely to the judge’s best-interest analysis. Most measures advanced on bipartisan roll-call votes, with some dissent on SB 1926, SB 2166, SB 1386, and SB 1708.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> upend years of established policy upend years of established policy collaboration<00:24:37.120><
• </c><00:26:19.919><c> makers</c> understand emphasis our policy makers understand emphasis our policy
• disclosure right they &gt;&gt; disclosure disclosure right they &gt;&gt; so<01:17:04.800><c> there's
• </c> satisfy um notification and disclosure? satisfy um notification and disclosure?
• This is the disclosure. transaction. This is the disclosure.

Bills: HB1739 , HB1741 , HB2606 , HB2362 , HB2608 , HB2294 , HB2431 , HB2375 , HB2582 , HB2585 , HB2231 , HB1601 , HB2424 , HB1956

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: transit-oriented development, zoning, land use, urban planning, density, local governance, housing, inclusionary zoning, inclusionary mandate, affordable housing, below-market-rate housing, inclusionary housing, development exaction, impact fee, housing affordability impact fee, needs assessment study, financial feasibility, rough proportionality, essential nexus, county ordinance

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 19, 2026, and the chair opened by emphasizing strict time limits and that all bills would be deferred if the agenda was not completed before the noon session. The first major measure discussed was HB 1739 HD1, which would preempt county land-use authority in transit-oriented development areas. The Department of Planning supported the bill, saying it could promote state-funded TOD and infrastructure, while the city and county’s position was raised in questioning. Unite Here Local 5 opposed the bill, arguing it would strip counties of self-determination, disrupt state-county policy collaboration, and remove a check on unrestrained development. Committee members pressed the supporters on whether the bill was really about higher density and whether it would override local zoning and sustainability concerns. The committee then heard testimony on HB 1741 HD1, a housing bill described by supporters as reducing inclusionary housing mandates and increasing supply. Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued affordability mandates reduce overall housing production and raise market-rate prices, while a Zoom testifier said the bill would improve housing stability, health, and community outcomes for working families, kupuna, and young residents. Members asked about the bill’s needs assessment and who would conduct it, with a witness saying the counties would likely contract it out but that the bill did not clearly specify the reviewer. HB 2668 HD1, dealing with water heating systems, drew testimony from the Hawaii State Energy Office and industry representatives. Supporters generally backed adding heat pumps to the law, but one solar-water-heater industry witness asked for amendments to remove or extend the current 15-year statutory life limit for solar water heaters and to update outdated standards and variance rules. A Kauaʻi Climate Action Coalition witness opposed the existing solar-only structure, arguing heat pump water heaters are cheaper, align with climate goals, and should be allowed without a variance. The Energy Office said the current law already allows variances in some cases, suggested adding high-efficiency heat pump water heaters to the exemption, and said the 15-year figure may be too short, with 18 years mentioned as a possible alternative. The committee also briefly moved through several other bills, including HB 2606 HD1 on off-site construction and HB 2362 HD1 on housing, with no notable testimony or action recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am staff to the Community Safety Committee, and I'm here to brief the policy on House Bill 2403.
• We did improve it moderately in policy committee.
• Chair, have created some policy that looks like this.
• This is a broken policy. It should go no further than this.
• Lark to conduct a review of the economic impact of this policy by... Requires J.

Bills: HB2073 , HB2403 , HB2587 , HB2607 , HB1170 , HB1570 , HB1710 , HB1750 , HB1834 , HB2441

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: health insurance, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, failure to register, criminal justice, registration requirements, public safety, law enforcement, nonprofit, grant funding, pilot program, financial support, community development, child care, childcare, subsidy rates, rate regions, market rate survey

Transcript Highlights:

• This is probably one of the only policies we have to implement something.
• Do we require this in any other policy to go out and get so many signatures before, you know, we can
• even consider a policy?
• Do we require this in any other policy to go out and get so many signatures before, you know, we can
• even consider a policy?

Bills: SB6132 , SB6181 , SB6154 , SB6189 , SB5903 , SB6037 , SB5983 , SB5995 , SB6016 , SB5820 , SB6064 , SB6077 , SB6101 , SB6013 , SB6066

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development, city incorporation, local governance, municipalities, state law, government structure, culvert replacement, fish passage, hydraulic project approval, Department of Fish and Wildlife, stream crossing, bank stabilization, flood control, erosion control, emergency permit, expedited permit

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not an open-door policy. It's not a step towards permanent residency.
• approval, which would be required, ensuring, uh, continued, uh, respect for national immigration policy
• Federal Agriculture, foreign investment, disclosure asset. This bill as unnecessary. Bill crazy.
• My name is Sara Sayed, and I serve as the policy manager at Urijuntos.
• I'm the policy director of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance.

Bills: HB 256 , HB 1308 , HB 1554 , HB 1743 , HB 2308 , HB 2351 , HB 2858 , HB 3676 , HB 3784 , HB 4312 , HB 4552 , HB 4823 , HB 4852 , HB 5007 , HB 5010 , HB 5520 , HB 5524 , HCR 19

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, illegal employment, state contracts, government entities, license suspension, immigration compliance, state grant funding, E-Verify, compliance, penalties, immigration, government contracts, employee status, state contractors, E-verify program, legally present, employment practices, legal services, public money

Transcript Highlights:

• with a nonprofit organization with expertise in national and Washington State comparative education policy
• It would not direct policy. That's your job. But I also want to talk about my son.
• Our policies, data systems, and accountability structures are fragmented, and the consequences of this
• We need clear data to guide policy investments that tailor Washington's education system for Washington
• Policy that's in the bill, and it aligns language within sections and current law.

Bills: SB6078 , SB6089 , SB5859 , SB5861 , SB6065 , SB5956 , SB5901

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: SB 6078, child care, childcare, daycare, licensed child care provider, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, prelicensing, licensing support, resource guide, child care center, family home child care, family home provider, outdoor nature-based child care, school-age child care, early learning, provider application, local permit notice, city permit, county permit

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the policy director for Everybody Texas.
• the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
• Andrew Brown, Vice President of Policy.
• I have Andrew Brown, Vice President of Policy for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, registered for
• I'm the Director of Public Policy for Texas CASA.

Bills: HCR16 , HB782 , HB2159 , HB2288 , HB3281 , HB3819 , HB4656 , HB4696 , HB5494 , HCR16

Committee: House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Keywords: fatherhood, family support, fatherlessness, community engagement, youth development, social policy, male role models, child development, policy reform, role models, mental health, parenting, single-parent homes, welfare reform, economic opportunity, mentorship, community initiatives, children, welfare programs, education

Transcript Highlights:

• orientation on the institution's sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking policy
• all freshmen and undergraduate transfer students to complete an orientation that outlines these policies
• Or is it based on disparate impact, where policies and procedures unintentionally harm religious groups
• Competing on this team necessarily involves discussing the policies of foreign governments. analyzing
• Members, this bill relates to a limitation on rules, bylaws, and policies adopted by a school district's

Bills: SB2972 , SB1909 , SB2815 , SB735 , SB2233 , SB800 , SB1069 , SB2683 , SB2986 , SB2058 , SB2310 , SB2055 , SB1032

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: expressive activities, freedom of speech, public forum, higher education, protests, student rights, antisemitism, public institutions, disciplinary policy, student organizations, compliance, institutional policy, disciplinary sanctions, diploma designation, institution merger, academic records, student options, Holocaust education, Holocaust Remembrance Week, genocide education

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill does is requiring the institutions to develop. up that policy, a clear policy, and it
• Stan provides that the institution is supposed to adopt the policy prohibiting the action.
• I believe that would be in the policy, you know, as far as the institution's policy to enact what it,
• need to make certain. and that students are aware of the ramifications of the policy.
• Maybe the first panel, then unless it's the policy or practice of the United States.

Bills: SB2972 , SB1909 , SB2815 , SB735 , SB2233 , SB800 , SB1069 , SB2683 , SB2986 , SB2058 , SB2310 , SB2055 , SB1032

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: expressive activities, freedom of speech, public forum, higher education, protests, student rights, antisemitism, public institutions, disciplinary policy, student organizations, compliance, institutional policy, disciplinary sanctions, diploma designation, institution merger, academic records, student options, Holocaust education, Holocaust Remembrance Week, genocide education

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Kelly Law, and I'm a senior policy and field building adviser with the Minnesota Consortium

Bills: HF2148 , HF2693 , HF2542 , HF1141 , HF1770 , HF1489 , HF1709 , HF244 , HF1266 , HF807 , HF2619 , HF1340

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: affordable housing, local control, revolving loan fund, community partnerships, Minnesota housing policy, housing, locally controlled housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, housing infrastructure bonds, state bonds, bonding bill, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, homelessness, veterans housing, senior housing, manufactured home parks, community land trust, single-family housing, multifamily housing

Transcript Highlights:

• In my role, I provide counsel to our tax operations and tax policy teams regarding state and local taxes
• But in terms of hotel occupancy tax, that fee is not taxed, and that policy comes out of some court cases
• It's a policy choice as to whether we want to start taxing something that we're presently not taxing
• In fact, they already have a resource called Texas Work and Family Policies that will be merged into
• Texas Workforce Commission, you already have the Texas Work and Family Policies website.

Bills: SB209 , SB529 , SB1265 , SB1592 , SB1728 , SCR37 , SCR38

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: SB 529, Texas Tax Code, municipality, hotel and convention center, hotel convention center project, tourism development, economic development, tax revenue pledge, revenue commitment, qualified project, municipal finance, local government, special district, hotel occupancy tax, nearby establishments, convention center financing, city population 130000, Section 351.155, Section 351.157, child care

Transcript Highlights:

• and affordable energy for Texans. ...while continuing to promote a Texas-first economic and energy policy
• It kind of makes it even more difficult to pursue this policy in the future, right?

Bills: HB 103 , HB 1256 , HB1587 , HB1632 , HB2027 , HB2525 , HJR88 , HJR138 , HB103

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: taxing unit, bond database, local government, transparency, civil penalty, education reform, funding allocation, school infrastructure, teacher recruitment, student achievement, tax exemption, water conservation, graywater systems, rainwater harvesting, ad valorem taxation, county commissioners, HB 1587, Texas sales tax holiday, back-to-school tax holiday, clothing tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the policy director for Texas Valley.
• So this is just a terrible, terrible policy.
• I'm the policy coordinator for TENT, the Transgender Education Network of Texas.
• If so, why is state public policy picking winners and losers?
• We beg you to write regulations and create enforceable age-gating policies.

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

Committee: Senate State Affairs

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

Bills: HR39 , HCR43 , HR178 , HCR188 , SB3144 , SB3102 , SB2053 , SB3248 , SB2256 , SB3118 , SB2245 , SB2519 , SB3055 , SB2090 , SB2765 , SB2169 , SB3136 , SB2521 , SB2851 , SB3154 , SB3262 , SB2387 , SB3001 , SB2818 , SB2972 , SB2372 , SB2108 , SB888 , HR63 , HCR69

Keywords: pedestrian safety, crosswalks, traffic calming, school zone, Honolulu, community safety, raised crosswalks, traffic infrastructure, agritourism, agricultural tourism, Hawaii Tourism Authority, HTA, working group, farm tourism, regenerative tourism, working lands, agricultural land use, county ordinances, permitting, farm bureau

Bills: HR207 , SB2595 , SB3199 , SB3132 , SB2591 , SB2089 , SB2108 , SB2970 , SB2530 , SB2442 , SB3076 , SB2532 , SB2721 , SB2055 , SB2312 , SB2152 , SB2438 , SB2982 , SB2528 , SB2919 , SB2446 , SB2315 , SB2544 , SB2060 , SB2069 , SB3011 , SB2342 , SB2075 , SB2578 , SB2580 , SB2835 , SB3084 , SB3322 , SB3053 , SB888 , SB709

Keywords: Dr. David Lassner, higher education, community engagement, university leadership, innovation, Hawaii education system, agribusiness, leasing, agriculture, Hawaii, food innovation, Department of Education, mental health, emerging therapies, psychedelic treatment, task force, clinical trials, trauma recovery, MDMA, psilocybin

Transcript Highlights:

• career spanning nearly 50 years, Bob has helped to better the lives of people in Hawaii, shape public policy

Bills: HR207 , SB2595 , SB3199 , SB3132 , SB2591 , SB2089 , SB2108 , SB2970 , SB2530 , SB2442 , SB3076 , SB2532 , SB2721 , SB2055 , SB2312 , SB2152 , SB2438 , SB2982 , SB2528 , SB2919 , SB2446 , SB2315 , SB2544 , SB2060 , SB2069 , SB3011 , SB2342 , SB2075 , SB2578 , SB2580 , SB2835 , SB3084 , SB3322 , SB3053 , SB888 , SB709

Keywords: Dr. David Lassner, higher education, community engagement, university leadership, innovation, Hawaii education system, agribusiness, leasing, agriculture, Hawaii, food innovation, Department of Education, mental health, emerging therapies, psychedelic treatment, task force, clinical trials, trauma recovery, MDMA, psilocybin