Transcript Highlights:

• Any business interruption, such as a natural disaster like Hurricane Harvey, is the reason that we need
• prove three separate violations through contempt proceedings before the court will ever consider relief
• The science on cannabis and pain relief is the strongest science for any condition.

Bills: HB46 , HB272 , HB551 , HB1661 , HB2820 , HB3181 , HB4145 , HB4157 , HB46 , HB272

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard several House bills and took no final votes, leaving each bill pending after testimony. HB 272 would align venue and evidentiary rules for fraudulent use or possession of credit/debit card information with existing credit card abuse law; the sponsor said it would improve prosecutions, and the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center supported it. HB 1661 would increase penalties for certain election-related offenses, including failure to distribute election supplies and early release of election results; no substantive opposition was heard. HB 551 would protect the residential addresses of people who receive campaign expenditures on public Texas Ethics Commission reports, similar to donor privacy protections, and a witness from Texas Eagle Forum later indicated support for the privacy change. The committee also heard HB 2820, which would raise the amount charitable bingo organizations may keep in operating capital from $50,000 to $100,000. The sponsor and a Texans for Charitable Bingo representative said inflation and operating costs have made the current cap too low and that the bill would help charities maintain stable operations without expanding gaming. HB 3181 would impose stronger consequences for repeated denial of court-ordered child possession and access, including limiting probation and requiring attorney’s fees after multiple contempt findings; a family court judge and a parent testified in support, while another witness argued the bill should be paired with stronger criminal enforcement and that parents already face high costs. HB 4157 would update Texas law for commercial spaceflight by recognizing liability waivers and preserving workers’ compensation rights; no one testified against it. The committee also heard HB 4145, which would let health care providers satisfy a timely billing requirement by sending bills to a patient’s legal representative in a personal injury case, closing what supporters described as a loophole in letter-of-protection situations. Finally, HB 46, relating to the Texas Compassionate Use Program, drew the most extensive discussion: supporters said it should expand access for legitimate medical cannabis patients and add more delivery methods and conditions, while opponents warned against broader marijuana expansion and questioned adding chronic pain and other conditions. The sponsor said he still supports the program and wants a balanced, regulated expansion, but noted the bill is still being worked on. All bills were left pending at the close of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The biggest hurdle at this time is related to tax relief, both the number and the policy.
• Last night, the Senate offered $1.3 billion recurring tax relief and $1.5 billion non-recurring tax relief
• This represents well over $3 billion of broad-based tax relief, historic by any standard.
• Make no mistake about it, I am committed to passing historic, unprecedented tax relief.
• Senate Bill 96, a bill to be entitled an act for the relief of Jacob Rogers by the city of Gainesville

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions and introductions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. The chamber then took up a motion to reconsider the prior day’s failed vote on CS for SB 1080 (local government land regulation), which was adopted without objection, and moved into the special order calendar. A series of bills were debated and mostly passed, often after substituting House companions. Measures approved included funding for expedited DNA testing grants, additional aggravating factors in capital cases, fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients, commuter rail indemnification, migrant vessel disposition, specialty license plates, an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign, relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University, charter school changes, sexual offender registration updates, utility worker assault/battery penalties, juvenile justice revisions, student mental health outcome reporting, foster home licensure transfers, water access facilities, Florida Virtual School changes, school readiness resources for children with disabilities, sexual images/child exploitation penalties, tampering with electronic monitoring devices, certified recovery residences, the FSU Election Law Center, the Office of Faith and Community, and bonuses for county tax collector/property appraiser employees. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, school social workers, and brownfields. Debate centered on public safety, health care access, education, recovery housing, and government administration. Some of the most substantive discussion came on the Office of Faith and Community bill, where an amendment to bar political activity by office staff was offered and defeated after extended debate over election-related communications and the proper scope of existing ethics laws. The certified recovery residences bill also drew extensive support and testimony about addiction recovery and housing stability. Most bills passed on strong bipartisan votes, with a few receiving notable opposition, including the charter schools bill, the aggravating factors bill, and the Office of Faith and Community bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The biggest hurdle at this time is related to tax relief, both the number and the policy.
• Let's Tax relief, both the number and the policy.
• Last night, the Senate offered $1.3 billion recurring tax relief and $1.5 billion non-recurring tax relief
• This represents well over $3 billion of broad-based tax relief, historic by any standard.
• Make no mistake about it, I am committed to passing historic, unprecedented tax relief.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. Members then moved to the special order calendar after adopting a motion to reconsider the earlier failed vote on CS/SB 1080, which was temporarily postponed. The chamber also temporarily postponed several bills during the day, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, Brownfields, and school social workers. The Senate passed a series of bills with little or no opposition, often substituting House companions for Senate bills. These included expedited DNA testing grants for law enforcement; additional aggravating factors in capital felony sentencing; fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients; commuter rail indemnification; disposition of migrant vessels; specialty license plates; an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign; relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University; charter school changes; registration rules for sexual predators and offenders; assault and battery penalties for utility workers; juvenile justice revisions; reporting of student mental health outcomes; foster home licensure transfers; water access facilities and boating-related funding; Florida Virtual School changes; school readiness program improvements; protections against lewd sexual images of children; age-related criminal offense provisions; tampering with electronic monitoring devices; certified recovery residences; and codification of the FSU Election Law Center. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly, though the charter school bill and the aggravating factors bill drew more divided votes. One of the most debated measures was SB 820, codifying the Office of Faith and Community. Senator Polsky offered an amendment to bar political activity by office employees while on duty and using government resources, citing alleged election-related emails and concerns about mixing government and religious influence. Supporters argued the amendment was needed as a guardrail; opponents said existing law already covered the conduct and that the amendment could be confusing or overly broad. The amendment failed 13-23, and the underlying bill passed 27-9 after extended debate about faith, politics, and the office’s role. Another notable debate involved SB 954 on certified recovery residences, where senators emphasized the need for stable housing in addiction recovery and the bill passed unanimously after supportive remarks from members who had personal experience with recovery. The Senate also passed SB 674 on bonuses for county tax collector and property appraiser employees after questions about safeguards and the purpose of the bonuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• walk you through three things: the reality tribal nations are facing, the reforms underway, and what relief
• And I know the question on everybody's mind is simple: When will consumers see relief?
• Relief will come in stages. First, stability: fewer non-renewals, fewer abrupt withdrawals.
• Florida has been doing this for 20 years for a hurricane.
• Under the new rules, Florida has been doing this for 20 years for a hurricane.

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs met on Barona tribal land to examine rising homeowners insurance costs affecting tribal communities, with opening remarks from tribal leaders and Assembly members emphasizing tribal sovereignty, the history of forced settlement in high-risk areas, and the need for the state to recognize mitigation work already being done on tribal lands. The committee heard that wildfire, drought, and other climate-driven disasters have sharply increased insurance premiums and reduced coverage options, especially for tribes located in rural or mountainous areas that were not chosen by the tribes themselves. Cal Fire Deputy Director Frank Bigelow described the state’s wildfire response and tribal engagement efforts, including tribal liaisons on incident management teams, a Southern Region Tribal Affairs Deputy Chief, cultural burning agreements, and more than $30 million in tribal wildfire resilience grants over the last three years. Members questioned why tribal communities receive only a small share of grants, whether Cal Fire should do more outreach and budget proposals for tribes, and whether mitigation work is being recognized by insurers. Bigelow said Cal Fire is working with insurers and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety on mitigation standards, but acknowledged that more tribal outreach and participation are needed. Tribal chairpersons and fire chiefs testified that their communities are already investing heavily in fire protection through dedicated fire departments, fuel reduction, defensible space, prescribed burns, firebreaks, and home-hardening efforts, yet premiums remain high or coverage is denied. Barona leaders said premiums can range from $6,000 to $18,000 and urged insurers to assess properties individually rather than by broad high-risk zones. Soboba, Hamu, and Pechanga representatives described similar efforts and said grant rules, environmental review, and insurer practices can make it difficult to translate mitigation into lower rates. Several members suggested short-term state assistance or a tribal insurance mitigation fund, and the committee discussed the possibility of requiring insurers to better account for tribal mitigation and sovereignty in risk assessments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Extreme heat kills more older adults than wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and every other disaster combined
• Hurricanes, floods, every other disaster combined.
• The bill is far too broad and provides unneeded relief. ...would be required in order to boot a car.
• The bill is far too broad and provides unneeded relief to vehicle owners who are very likely able to
• they are to get 50, 60, 70 parking tickets, you know, that shouldn't be a reason why we don't give relief

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on traffic safety, climate resilience, wildlife crossings, parking enforcement, and EV charging reliability. AB 605 would create a pilot program for lower-emissions cargo-handling equipment at ports using hydrogen internal combustion technology; it drew support from the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, ILWU, and others, with South Coast AQMD expressing concern about possible NOx emissions and limits on future regulation. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Natural Resources. AB 1132 would require Caltrans to add community resilience indicators, including impacts on vulnerable users, to climate vulnerability assessments; supporters included Greenlining Institute and AARP, while some members raised budget concerns. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 382 would lower school-zone speed limits to 20 mph starting in 2029 and allow more flexible enforcement methods; it received broad support and passed to Appropriations. AB 902 would require wildlife crossings and connectivity considerations in transportation projects in identified connectivity areas; after committee amendments, opposition from builders and local government groups moved to neutral, and the bill passed as amended to Local Government. The committee also advanced AB 1014, which would give Caltrans more discretion to lower speed limits on state highways based on local safety conditions rather than the 85th percentile rule. Supporters said it would improve safety in rural and tribal communities, while one member asked about federal funding and NHTSA; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1022 would repeal authority to tow or immobilize vehicles solely for unpaid parking tickets, while preserving other safety-based towing authority; supporters described the practice as a harmful “poverty tow,” and opponents argued it would weaken parking enforcement, especially for out-of-state plates and booting. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1423 would apply reliability standards to publicly funded EV chargers installed before 2024 and allow enforcement of uptime rules; EV charging industry groups opposed the retroactive approach, while supporters emphasized taxpayer accountability. It passed to Utilities and Energy. The committee also approved a consent calendar of five bills earlier in the hearing. Multiple roll calls were held open for additional votes, and the chair recessed the committee near the end of the meeting to allow the final author to arrive and complete the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now in Alabama, disaster relief. Right now in Alabama, disaster relief.
• . provision about um the disaster relief. provision about um the disaster relief.
• What I clarifies the disaster relief. What I clarifies the disaster relief.
• , national disaster, tornado relief, national disaster, tornado relief, hurricane relief, whatnot, um
• this would hurricane relief, whatnot, um this would hurricane relief, whatnot, um this would say that

Bills: HB 29 , HB 125 , HB 145 , HB 171 , HB 255 , HB 50 , HB 796 , HB 363 , HB 116 , HB 491 , HB 589 , HB 1495 , HB 368 , HB 1285 , HB 1905 , HB 1360 , HB 2002 , HB 917 , HB 2723 , HB 2067 , HB 1238 , HB 2337 , HB 745 , HB 1188 , HB 1606 , HB 2003 , HB 2147 , HB 2391 , HB 2355 , HB 2546 , HB 2495 , HB 2818 , HB 2249 , HB 1749 , HB 3109 , HB 3228 , HB 3240 , HB 1507 , HB 658 , HB 1748 , HB 1851 , HB 1922 , HB 2001 , HB 2798 , HB 107 , HCR 29 , SB 5 , SB 262 , HB 11 , HJR 72 , HB 106 , HB 18 , HB 48 , HB 27 , HB 37 , HB 1481 , HB 581 , HB 1696 , HB 2216 , HB 1035 , HB 1633 , HB 742 , HB 754 , HB 1689 , HB 1690 , HB 2669 , HB 391 , HB 517 , HB 1024 , HB 1607 , HB 252 , HB 1716 , HB 1562 , HB 4116 , HB 1866 , HB 1741 , HB 2103 , HB 2637 , HB 2884 , HB 503 , HB 1089 , HB 2986 , HB 972 , HB 502 , HB 29 , HB 125 , HB 145 , HB 171 , HB 255 , HB 50 , HB 796 , HB 363 , HB 116 , HB 491 , HB 589 , HB 1495 , HB 368 , HB 1285 , HB 1905 , HB 1360 , HB 2002 , HB 917 , HB 2723 , HB 2067 , HB 1238 , HB 2337 , HB 745 , HB 1188 , HB 1606 , HB 2003 , HB 2147 , HB 2391 , HB 2355 , HB 2546 , HB 2495 , HB 2818 , HB 2249 , HB 1749 , HB 3109 , HB 3228 , HB 3240 , HB 1507 , HB 658 , HB 1748 , HB 1851 , HB 1922 , HB 2001 , HB 2798 , HB 107 , HCR 29

Transcript Highlights:

• And in 15 years of participation, I provided medical oversight for federal relief efforts in many federal
• And in 15 years of participation, I provided medical oversight for federal relief efforts in many federal
• Orleans, Including the Oklahoma City bombing, the World Trade Center on 9/11, New Orleans during Hurricane
• international nongovernmental organizations like Doctors Without Borders, International Medical Corps, Relief

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair and membership appointments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 Senate holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by 4-0 votes. The committee then heard confirmation testimony from Hernando Garzon, M.D., nominated as Chief Medical Officer of the Emergency Medical Services Authority. Senators asked about EMSA’s strategic plan, data integration, local flexibility in statewide standards, ambulance patient offload regulations, stakeholder engagement, disaster response, rural access, and alternatives to transporting 9-1-1 callers to emergency departments. Garzon emphasized data-driven decision-making, technical assistance to local EMS agencies, collaboration with hospitals and providers, and the use of community paramedicine, telehealth, and pre-positioned resources in disasters. Public commenters and members supported his confirmation, and the committee approved the appointment 4-0 for referral to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health. She described her tribal background, prior state, county, tribal, and nonprofit experience, and her focus on serving communities facing health disparities. Senators questioned her about how the office sets priorities, measures outcomes, balances equity work amid political opposition to DEI language, and tailors technical assistance to rural and tribal communities. Weldon pointed to work on tribal consultation, behavioral health, youth mental health, the California Reducing Disparities Project, gender-affirming care, reproductive health, housing and climate-related supports, and community advisory boards. Numerous public witnesses, including tribal and health equity advocates, spoke in strong support, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 for the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• More tornadoes, more hurricanes.
• More tornadoes, more hurricanes.
• More tornadoes, more hurricanes.
• More tornadoes, more hurricanes.
• More tornadoes, more hurricanes.

Transcript Highlights:

• to multiple Minnesota counties um relief to multiple Minnesota counties um do<00:48:28.319><c> you</
• </c><00:49:02.400><c> uh</c><00:49:02.920><c> uh</c> money down into uh hurricane uh uh money down into
• This includes workers in civil rights and fair housing enforcement, disaster relief, as was mentioned
• And, you know, if we're talking about the need for regulatory relief, then things like the improvement
• And, you know, if we're talking about the need for regulatory relief, then things like the improvement

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• He also gave back to his community as a volunteer firefighter with the Havstra Fire Department Relief
• </c> facilities closed due to Hurricane facilities closed due to Hurricane Helen.
• </c> tips, no tax on overtime, and tax relief tips, no tax on overtime, and tax relief for<08:00:18.240
• And by unleashing American energy, we're bringing relief to families right now.
• Tax relief for seniors.

Bills: HB7006 , HR992

Keywords: appropriations, national security, foreign aid, transparency, democracy, House Resolution 992, H.Res. 992, HR 992, rule resolution, procedural rule, Rules Committee, Committee of the Whole, previous question, motion to recommit, waiver of points of order, closed rule, structured rule, FY2026 appropriations, consolidated appropriations, federal spending

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the people who come together during hurricane season to help complete strangers, even when they
• I've been coming to the Capitol for the last six years, fighting for relief for people who remain incarcerated
• with non-unanimous juries and have not been successful so far to pass any relief.
• I've been coming to the Capitol for the last six years, fighting for relief for people who remain incarcerated
• with non-unanimous juries and have not been successful so far to pass any relief.

Bills: SB116 , SB121 , SB130 , SB407

Committee: Senate Senate & Governmental Affairs

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Louisiana, 2020 census, elections, precincts, voting, election, political representation, 2026 precincts, demographics, Louisiana congressional map, U.S. House, election districts, precinct shapefiles, Voting Districts, VTD, 2020 Census, 2026 Precinct Shapefiles, apportionment

Bills: HB4338 , HB3977 , HB2100 , HB2975 , HB3056 , HB3406 , HB3720 , HB4316 , HB3405 , HB1907 , HB3142 , HB3173 , HB3270 , HB3728 , HB2440 , HB2596 , HB3466 , HB3469 , HB4338 , HB3977 , HB2100 , HB2975 , HB3056 , HB3406 , HB3720 , HB4316 , HB3405 , HB1907 , HB3142 , HB3173 , HB3270 , HB3728 , HB2440 , HB2596 , HB3466 , HB3469

Committees: House Energy , House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight

Keywords: HB4338, Oklahoma Brine Development Act, brine unitization, produced water, produced water unit, oil and gas wastewater, produced water recycling, reclaimed water, constituent elements, brine rights, solution gas, Corporation Commission, unitization, royalty interests, surface owner, oil and gas produced water, recycling and reuse, wastewater disposal, mineral extraction, lithium extraction

Transcript Highlights:

• that health care provider instincts are to direct patients to safe and effective non-opioid pain relief
• , especially since there is a broader understanding of the risk of addiction. ...pain relief, especially

Bills: SB5845 , SB5916 , SB6102 , SB6071 , SB6103 , SB6159 , SB5877 , SB5967 , SB5904 , SB5915 , SB6025

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: health insurance, health carrier, insurance carrier, prompt pay, timely payment, claims processing, clean claim, remittance advice, provider reimbursement, hospital billing, medical billing, prior authorization, claims denial, interest on late claims, administrative penalty, Washington insurance commissioner, RCW 48, public employees benefits board, school employees benefits board, Medicaid managed care

Transcript Highlights:

• And their mission focuses on several things, including disaster relief, rehabilitation, family services

Bills: HB3351 , HB3095 , HB1450 , HB1716 , HB1764 , HB3395 , HB2384 , HB3357 , HB3339 , HB1469 , HB3343 , HB3382 , HR1043 , HR131 , HR183 , HR672 , HB2625 , HB2170 , SB201 , SB423

Keywords: small business, capital formation, financial regulation, Securities Exchange Act, Paperwork Reduction Act, ZIP Code, postal service, community designation, local governance, postal infrastructure, OFAC, Office of Foreign Assets Control, sanctions, licensing, investigators, private sector firms, nominal transactions, financial transactions, pilot program, FinCEN

Bills: HB1325 , HB1655 , HB3312 , HB5526 , SB13 , SB57 , SB207 , HB441 , HB591 , HB5019 , SB27 , SB843 , SB 13 , SB 27 , SB 57

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: student transfer, public servants, education code, peace officer, servicemember, judicial officer, school security, volunteer program, retired law enforcement, veterans, public safety, school safety, criminal background check, school libraries, library advisory councils, parental rights, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, emergency operations plan

Bills: SB 13 , SB 27 , SB 57 , HB1325 , HB1655 , HB3312 , HB5526 , SB13 , SB57 , SB207 , HB441 , HB591 , HB5019 , SB27 , SB843

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: lobbying, public funds, political subdivision, local government, county association, municipal lobbying, registered lobbyist, Texas Legislature, taxpayer lawsuit, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, government finance, county dues, state association of counties, sheriffs association, law enforcement officers, legislative advocacy, bill tracking, legislative alerts, Government Code Chapter 556

Transcript Highlights:

• projected at $11.7 billion over the next biennium, and $4.2 billion will be unavailable for property tax relief
• from the Property Tax Relief Fund.

Bills: HB 105 , HB982 , HB1483 , HB1508 , HB2575 , HB3646 , HB3993 , HB4083 , HB4580 , HB4725 , HB5169 , HB5511 , HJR73 , HJR102 , HJR174 , HB3746 , HB4240

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: economic development, job creation, energy, tax incentives, technology investment, ad valorem taxes, elderly, disabled, low-income, tax limitation, homesteads, Texas Tax Code, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, residential real property, home improvement, energy efficiency, energy-efficient upgrades, HVAC

Transcript Highlights:

• We were being hit by hurricanes since January 2017. People are living in tents.
• In 2017, we were hit by Hurricane Harvey. For 40 years, we hadn't had a hurricane.
• For 40 years, there was no hurricane.
• In 2017, we had a hurricane, and yet we are still having to pay this exorbitant amount on top of the

Bills: HB178 , HB178 , HB1551 , HB1939 , HB2040 , HB2354 , HB2674 , HB3029 , HB3460 , HB3631 , HB3662 , HB5201 , HB5381

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: efficiency audit, political subdivision, tax rate, fiscal management, government accountability, Texas education, public schools, curriculum, social studies, high school graduation requirements, State Board of Education, Education Code, ethnic studies, world history, world geography, U.S. history, government, economics, personal financial literacy, free enterprise

Bills: HB178 , HB1551 , HB1939 , HB2040 , HB2354 , HB2674 , HB3029 , HB3460 , HB3631 , HB3662 , HB5201 , HB5381 , HB178

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: Texas education, public schools, curriculum, social studies, high school graduation requirements, State Board of Education, Education Code, ethnic studies, world history, world geography, U.S. history, government, economics, personal financial literacy, free enterprise, religious literature, Hebrew Scriptures, Old Testament, New Testament, ninth grade

Bills: HB226 , HB24 , HB309 , HB315 , HB272 , HB24 , HB226 , HB309 , HB315 , HB272

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: HB226, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax, property tax relief, widow, widower, unremarried spouse, surviving spouse, senior exemption, elderly, disabled, permanently and totally disabled, blind taxpayer, deed ownership, principal residence, school tax, county tax, municipal tax, Alabama Department of Revenue