Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam President, and through the members, I too rise in support of the measure that now opens
• I, too, rise in support of the measure that now opens before the Senate, and I, too, want to express
• I'd also point out, Madam President, because The benefit to which the door is now being opened is not
• their benefits to be able to count their time in the military towards their creditable service, now we open
• $20 million in resources to support scholarship programs for students seeking career pathways as primary

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two resolutions: one recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the 250th anniversary of the United States and another congratulating Zachary Erich on earning Eagle Scout. The chamber then handled several procedural matters, including suspending Joint Rule 12 on multiple petitions and adopting extension orders giving the Committee on Financial Services additional time to report on credit union and mortgage financing bills, with members emphasizing the extensions were limited and needed to complete ongoing work. The Senate then took up House No. 4361, a bill relative to benefits for teachers, which was amended by Ways and Means and passed to be engrossed after extensive support from members. Senators described the measure as a long-delayed fix to the Retirement Plus program, creating a one-time window through June 30, 2027 for eligible teachers to buy in, with required back payments of missed contributions. The bill passed by a roll call of 39-0. The chamber also passed S. 3106 on toxic-free medical devices and S. 3107 on advancing the profession of commercial interior design, both after supportive floor debate. The Senate later adopted a conference committee report on the FY26 supplemental budget, H. 5470, after debate over its major spending items. Supporters highlighted municipal winter relief, MBTA operating and capital support, education funding, housing incentives, and collective bargaining agreements, while opponents criticized MBTA subsidies, legal defense funding, and tax-related provisions. The report was approved by roll call, and the bill was passed to be enacted. The Senate also enacted several local bills, including measures for Berkeley recall elections, a Milton school construction deadline extension, a Lexington parkland exchange, and long-term municipal roads and bridges financing. Near the end of the session, the Senate concurred in a House amendment to S. 2563, a broad bill revising laws affecting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities by replacing outdated and offensive terminology in 346 sections of the General Laws. Members described it as a dignity and language modernization measure. The Senate adopted the emergency preamble and passed the bill to be enacted. The session concluded with an adjournment order to meet again the following Monday, and the day’s adjournment was dedicated to the memory of Richard Louis Volpe of Sturbridge.

Transcript Highlights:

• Open for questions. Seeing no questions, Mr.
• Also sets the term limit to move for adoption, open for questions. Seeing no questions. Mr.
• This upgrades the technology for the Department of Commerce, who is the primary agency responsible for
• Open for questions. Member does yield the question.
• It's open for questions and move for adoption. Member does yield to questions.

Bills: HR1038 , HB3263 , HB3127 , HB2997 , HB3115 , HB2123 , HB3587 , HB3028 , HB2035 , HB3369 , HB3620 , HB3621 , HB3622 , HB3624 , HB3175 , HB3173 , HB3178 , HB1979 , HB4476

Keywords: Oklahoma Youth Expo, OYE, 4-H, FFA, agriculture, agricultural education, youth expo, livestock show, junior livestock, scholarships, youth leadership, Oklahoma City, rural communities, ag mechanics, engineering contest, farm youth, student recognition, ceremonial resolution, house resolution, livestock competition

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the pledge, and several recognitions, including Veteran of the Week Major General (ret.) Tony L. Wright, Doctor of the Day Dr. Jeanette Kelly, Capitol Day students, Girl Scouts, and family members of legislators. Members also adopted House Resolution 1038 honoring the Oklahoma Youth Expo and its agricultural education and scholarship impact, including recognition of top ag mechanics exhibitors. The chamber then considered and passed several bills, including HB 3263 designating the morel mushroom as the state mushroom; HB 315 setting qualifications and a term limit for the Department of Corrections director; HB 2123 revising authorization for an Arkansas River bridge project near Bigsby; HB 3587 allowing court-ordered outpatient mental health treatment; HB 3028 allowing career techs in public schools to pass along credit card surcharges; HB 2035 clarifying transportation protection agreements related to funeral services; HB 3369 allowing food trucks to use two fire extinguishers and training in lieu of an automatic suppression system; and a series of census-related bills creating a census count committee, reestablishing a state data center function, and updating Commerce technology for census address work. The House also passed HB 3624 to standardize county boundary mapping, HB 3175 creating an Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 3173 allowing repurposing of orphaned and abandoned wells for geothermal or energy storage uses, and HB 4476 creating a revolving-fund rebate program to help smaller communities compete for music events and tourism. Two measures failed on final passage: HB 3178, which would have created a standard depreciation table for county assessors to value farm equipment, and HB 1979, which would have created an Early Childhood Task Force. In both cases, members later served notice of intent to reconsider the failed votes. The House also reconsidered and passed previously failed motions on HB 3127 and HB 2997. Most bills that reached final passage were approved by recorded vote, with HB 3178 failing 43-45 and HB 1979 failing 46-43. The House adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Notably, these efforts also drew Quantinuum to Albuquerque, and who also testified last week, to open
• This is one of my primary swim lanes that I work on here in the legislature.
• There's three open positions for every single qualified candidate in... $125,000 a year.
• There's three open positions for every single qualified candidate, and 80% of the workforce does not
• I've opened my big mouth and sunk a billion four into this, and I have to win with this.

Bills: SB145 , SB143

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control, pesticide registration, pesticide applicator, pest management consultant, plant protection, nursery license

Transcript Highlights:

• And number two, we've got a concern that it would open up contracted network rates also to the dispute
• So how do you respond to the argument that you're basically going to open up contracts?
• This includes new cases of primary breast cancer, but not breast cancer recurrences. [00:33:45.000] The
• Unfortunately, ambiguity in our law opens the door to frivolous lawsuits challenging these convenience
• Unfortunately, ambiguity in our law opens the door to frivolous lawsuits challenging these convenience

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee considered a full agenda of insurance, financial services, and probate bills. Early action included SB 1000, setting a floor and ceiling for interest on attorneys’ trust accounts, which was reported favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program for out-of-network emergency claims. Senator Graal explained it as a way to reduce litigation and use a dispute-resolution process similar to the federal No Surprises Act. An amendment intended to require plan disclosure and prevent default by nonparticipation drew questions from members and concerns from insurers and providers about clarity and scope, especially whether it could affect contracted rates or shift claims between state and federal systems. Senator Graal withdrew the amendment, and the bill was reported favorably after testimony from insurers and emergency physicians both supporting the underlying dispute-resolution concept while asking for further clarification. The committee also favorably reported SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels; CS/SB 158 on pet insurance, which adds agent continuing education, stronger consumer disclosures, and annual reporting to OIR; SB 1494 on breast cancer screening coverage, expanding required mammogram and supplemental screening coverage; and CS/SB 314, a strike-all bill creating a Florida framework for payment stablecoin issuers consistent with the federal GENIUS Act. CS/SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings was also approved, with an amendment addressing access to safe deposit boxes by requiring letters of administration. SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance raised the consent-to-rate cap from 10% to 20% for workers’ comp policies and adjusted the Florida Workers’ Compensation Guarantee Association board membership; supporters said it would help keep high-risk employers in the voluntary market. Later, the committee approved CS/SB 1568 creating a Florida Stablecoin Pilot Program within DFS to allow certain stablecoin payments for fees, after a substitute amendment removed authority for a Florida coin, limited eligible stablecoins, and required qualified public deposit handling. CS/SB 838 clarified that convenience fees for electronic payments on retail installment contracts are permissible, while preserving a fee-free payment option; members discussed consumer access and fee concerns. CS/SB 1452, a broad DFS agency bill covering My Safe Florida Home, insurance administration, unclaimed property, licensing, and other departmental changes, was reported favorably after a technical amendment. The committee also approved SB 1706 creating a My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program targeted to owner-occupied, lower-income condominiums, and SB 990 authorizing protected cell captive insurance companies in Florida, with supporters arguing it would modernize law and promote competition. The meeting concluded with all bills on the agenda that were heard being reported favorably and the committee adjourning without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill and the date of the current implementation—which I think is set for July of this year—are you open
• He's been open to discussion.
• The second primary point I would make is to emphasize that we are already In the midst of a workforce
• The oversupply effects of a market where hospices are opening and failing on a daily basis.
• It opens the door to fraud because what happened is private equity came in, and I'm kind of shocked with

Transcript Highlights:

• They will open the application and navigate to the place where there's an issue and do a little bit of
• I'm certainly willing and I'm open to address those as long as it addresses the persistent problems that
• We are respectfully in opposition to House Bill 4585, but as Chairman Spiller did mention, we are open
• Our primary issue with the It's taking the private market or commercial Texas Prompt Pay Act that was
• I'm certainly open for questions. Thank you, members. Are there any questions? Thank you.

Bills: HB660 , HB4845 , HB3902 , HB5396 , HB4615 , HB1825 , HB1403 , HB4336 , HB4585 , HB4371 , HB863 , SB1589 , HB5223 , HB3195 , HB2734

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a lot of open ends to this discussion at this point.
• She is a primary leadership role in market development projects and all legal and regulatory work for
• My father passed away in November of 2023 and I opened an account was one of the commercial providers
• Now the process as an executor, you're present for the opening of the Senate.
• So I'm I'm here and open for questions. We will.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ADDITIONALLY THE BILL DOES NOT PERMIT THE SALE OF THESE PRODUCTS JUST OUT IN THE OPEN SHELVES OF STORES
• THE HEMP MARKET OPENED UP WHEN WE PASSED THE BILL AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL BUT ALSO IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA
• WE OPENED OUR DOORS IN 2023 AND NOW BEING ABLE TO HAVE TWO LOCATIONS IN TWO YEARS DOES TO THE VOLUME
• WE DO FEEL LIKE THERE'S SOME THINGS WE NEED TO CONTINUE WORKING ON AND SENATOR BURTON HAS BEEN OPEN.
• THE PRIMARY CONCERN WITH POLICYMAKING SHOULD BE PRODUCT SAFETY AND KEEPING THE SALE OF THESE DRINKS OUT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, we will open it for questions.
• with</c><00:04:41.720><c> that</c><00:04:41.880><c> we</c><00:04:42.000><c> will</c><00:04:42.320><c> open
• </c><00:04:42.560><c> it</c><00:04:42.759><c> for</c> and with that we will open it for and with that
• we will open it for questions<00:04:45.039><c> first</c><00:04:45.520><c> question</c><00:04:46.160>
• that be, and then the power-sharing reestablishment after the Roseville election appears to be the primary

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That was the primary provision that was at issue in the EPA versus Ellison case.
• That was the primary provision that was at issue in the EPA versus Ellison case.
• That was the primary provision that was at issue in the EPA versus Ellison case.
• That<00:34:31.760><c> was</c><00:34:32.000><c> the</c><00:34:32.120><c> primary</c><00:34:32.679><c>
• provision</c><00:34:33.200><c> that</c><00:34:33.399><c> was</c> That was the primary provision that

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair will open up the hearing for SB 597, and I'm going to introduce it and then recess it.
• And if we open up the doors to that.
• Then we're going to open up a new one. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Which is also right.
• </c> Then we're going to open up a new one. Then we're going to open up a new one. &gt;&gt; Okay.
• We will uh open the hearing on right.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm open to any questions. Thank you. Thanks very much.
• </c><00:53:17.839><c> to</c> impetus of this bill, and I'm open to impetus of this bill, and I'm open
• I'm going to open the executive break.
• </c> they'll cover you but it's about opening they'll cover you but it's about opening up<04:30:40.880
• </c> Um the chair this ought to pass is open Um the chair this ought to pass is open for<04:34:30.000

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• indicates that more than 108,000 individuals in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with a primary
• the Commonwealth. ...108,000 individuals in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with a primary

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then adopted a resolution offered by Senator Crichton commending the National Brain Tumor Society for recognizing May 26, 2026 as Brain Tumor Awareness Month. The resolution highlighted the seriousness of brain tumors, cited expected diagnosis and mortality figures, noted Massachusetts research institutions involved in related work, and was adopted by voice vote. The Senate then took up several local matters. It passed to be engrossed a Dartmouth bill authorizing an additional off-premises alcohol license and a Westwood charter bill. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to the appropriate committees. Later, the Senate passed to be enacted an amended Andover bill regulating the number of registered voters who may petition for a special town meeting, along with bills amending the Plymouth town charter and authorizing an additional off-premises alcohol license in Pembroke; these were ordered signed and sent to the Governor. At the close of business, Senator Tarr offered and the Senate adopted an order to adjourn in memory of Joseph Elliott McKekney of Gloucester. The senator gave a tribute describing McKekney’s Coast Guard service, later work in LNG shipping and community involvement, and his family life. The Senate observed a moment of silence and then adjourned to meet again on Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a very straightforward, technical, and clarifying bill, which would remove price as the primary
• Construction and repair projects require workers to repeatedly open doors, driveway gates, and other
• gates and propped-open doors.
• been propped open all day.
• So are you concerned about existing building maintenance and repairs, and then doors propped open?

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard several bills focused on school nutrition, campus safety, college affordability, and UC contracting ethics. SB 1058 by Senator McNerney would remove price as the primary factor in school nutrition procurement, allowing districts more flexibility to prioritize meal quality, cultural appropriateness, local sourcing, and sustainability. Support came from school nutrition officials, education agencies, and school business groups; there was no opposition. Members raised questions about vendor selection and safeguards against favoritism, and the bill was ultimately moved forward on a due pass motion. SB 1140 by Senator Ashby, sponsored by the California Federation of Teachers, would require school safety plans to address access control during construction, maintenance, and repair projects by limiting unattended entry points such as open doors and gates. Supporters included Brady Campaign, Moms Demand Action, school employees, labor groups, and Prism. Members discussed how the bill would apply to both new construction and ongoing maintenance, and the measure advanced on a due pass motion. SB 959 was taken up on consent and also moved forward. SB 1006 by Senator Padilla would raise the Cal Grant B Access Award to a new minimum and tie future increases to inflation, with related supplemental awards for student parents and former foster youth also indexed. Support came from higher education advocates, CSU, student groups, and public advocacy organizations, with testimony from a Sac State student describing housing, transportation, and food insecurity. Members generally supported the bill, though questions were raised about fiscal impact; the author estimated about $21 million in first-year costs. The bill passed the committee on a due pass motion. SB 1141 by Senator Wahab would bar businesses from contracting with the University of California if a UC executive is paid by, or has been paid by, that business within the prior year, aiming to address conflicts of interest in UC contracting. AFSCME and UC workers supported the bill, citing examples of executives serving on corporate boards while their institutions contract with those companies. UC and business groups opposed it, arguing it was overly broad, could capture ordinary dividends or unpaid advisory roles, and could disrupt essential contracts and operations. After extensive debate over existing conflict-of-interest laws and whether the bill would create practical problems, the committee approved SB 1141 on a 4-3 vote and then reported the remaining bills out 7-0 as calls were lifted, concluding the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• hour time slot for each agency, about 30 minutes on the presentation, maybe 40, and then obviously, open
• was a little ahead of schedule, but the actual firm opening, the real opening, the grand celebration
• And certainly, we're always open to questions or ideas or thoughts that you might have.
• Hopefully, we'll open up temporarily here at the end of the month, first of February.
• And so, that is now open for aviation development activity.

Committee: House A&B Transportation Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we'll open up public testimony now for Senate Bill 2233.
• Okay, we'll open up public testimony now for Senate Bill 2233.
• We'll open up public testimony on Senate Bill 2683. The chair calls...
• Before we open up public testimony on Senate Bill 2683...
• Public testimony is open on Senate Bill 2683.

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee heard several bills before recessing to the floor, with most measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. SB 2986 would allow public schools and universities to permit after-hours facility use by religious groups on the same terms as other nonprofits, and SB 1032 would open the Governor’s University Research Initiative to private and independent universities; both had committee substitutes adopted and were left pending after brief testimony. Supporters of SB 1032 from Rice and Baylor said the change would help Texas recruit top researchers and strengthen the state’s research economy. The committee also heard SB 2058, which would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to publish annual data on nursing clinical training sites to improve placement coordination, and SB 2683, which would bar public colleges from giving benefits or recognition to student organizations that receive support from foreign entities of concern; both were left pending after testimony. A large portion of the meeting focused on SB 2233, which would require public institutions of higher education to adopt policies prohibiting students or employees on nonimmigrant visas from publicly supporting terrorist activity or organizations, with enforcement through investigations, reporting to Homeland Security, and possible Attorney General action and fines. The author said the bill was intended to reinforce existing federal definitions and campus safety, while senators questioned the bill’s scope, the definition of terrorist activity, and the clause tied to U.S. policy or practice. Public witnesses, including civil rights advocates, law students, and others, argued the bill was vague, overbroad, unconstitutional, and likely to chill protected speech and increase surveillance of international students and Black and brown communities; several Jewish witnesses also said the bill misused Jewish safety concerns and could be used for viewpoint discrimination. SB 2233 was left pending after public testimony. The committee then took up SB 735, which builds on prior Holocaust education legislation by funding optional age-appropriate and bilingual curriculum, museum field trips, teacher preparation partnerships, annual reporting, and regional collaboration with Holocaust museums and education service centers. The author and invited witnesses said the bill responds to survey findings showing uneven Holocaust instruction and a need for better teacher training and accountability. A fifth-grade teacher and the director of the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio testified in support, emphasizing the need for accurate, age-appropriate instruction and professional development. The committee recessed before finishing the agenda, and SB 735 was set to resume after the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair now opens up for public testimony.
• The Chair now opens up for public testimony.
• Now the Chair opens up for public testimony.
• The chair now opens up for public testimony.
• The Chair now opens up for invited testimony.

Bills: SB552 , SB1099 , SB1124 , SB1208 , SB1372 , SB1506 , SB1667 , SB1804 , SB1806 , SB1870 , SB1936 , SB1937 , SB2180 , SB2405 , SB2569 , SB2570 , SB1646

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to be pretty wide open.
• It's going to be pretty wide open. like. It's going to be pretty wide open.
• </c><00:21:45.280><c> and</c> room, maybe the cafeteria is open and room, maybe the cafeteria is open
• Um, our primary concern is with the special fund.
• Um, our primary Foundation of Hawaii.

Bills: HB2185 , HB2621 , HB2179 , HB2534 , HB2168 , HB2427 , HB2560 , HB2565 , HB2172 , HB2298 , HB2304

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: sports officials, referees, umpires, athletic directors, school administrators, league administrators, coaches, assault, first-degree assault, substantial bodily injury, temporary restraining order, TRO, private counsel, Department of Education, DOE, sports safety, school sports, amateur athletics, professional sports, public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:46.840><c> um</c> project both for our two main primary um project both for our two main primary
• </c><00:20:24.159><c> to</c> where as Larry mentioned we're open to where as Larry mentioned we're open
• barrier to them actually being able to open.
• Specificity takes away the gray areas and takes away the openness to interpretation.
• </c><00:48:33.640><c> to</c> areas and takes away the openness to areas and takes away the openness to

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been operating online and is prepared to open its doors this spring.
• c> doors</c><00:08:08.960><c> um</c><00:08:09.680><c> in</c><00:08:10.039><c> this</c> prepared to open
• its doors um in this prepared to open its doors um in this spring<00:08:10.720><c> I</c><00:08:10.840
• We've opened over a thousand cases in 2024 and put on hold $7.7 million to prevent fraud and financial
• receive primary care and then<00:57:32.599><c> they'll</c><00:57:32.799><c> rely</c><00:57:33.079><c

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house