Transcript Highlights:

• of HB 233 body now is final passage of HB 233 body now is final passage of HB 233 clerk un loock machine
• the members will vote cler lock machine record votes 9i Z vote cler lock machine record votes 9i Z na
• the bir the clerk on the lock machine the bir the clerk on the lock machine the members will vote lock
• record the votes 96 will Locker machine record the votes 96 will Locker machine record the votes 96
• and well-being this prioritize learning and well-being this prioritize learning and well-being this

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:38:52.800> but It cannot be made by a machine, but It cannot be made by a machine, but
• >> Now I would mark this up as you learn >> Now I would mark this up as you learn something
• We know we have learned this not kids.
• We'll learn more >> On our roads. Yeah. We'll learn more about<03:48:23.199> that.
• what they've what they what we've learn what they've learned<05:25:41.280> from<05:25:41.520>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the first part is allowing the machines to be where the alcohol is sold.
• <02:18:52.240> to is is only allowing the the machines to is is only allowing the the machines
• I’m not crazy about more and more machines in all of our places.
• can't be on the machine. can't be on the machine. um<02:20:50.479> you<02:20:50.640> know
• I don't want to see children in a grocery store looking at gambling machines.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I just learned last night, literally, from your senator, how deep the history was. and last night
• Students have embraced this opportunity with enthusiasm, learning...
• There’s no machine that helps you pick asparagus.
• And this morning... ...no machine that helps you pick asparagus.
• They learned how a bill was drafted, introduced, and advocated for.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight held a public hybrid hearing with several late-file bills and a large turnout. The main topics were symbolic designations and local property/lease matters: bills to designate the American lobster as the official crustacean of the Commonwealth, asparagus as the official state vegetable, and a Waltham bill concerning the Veterans Memorial Ice Rink lease and right of first refusal. Senator Howard also testified on a Lowell bill making a limited language change to facilitate redevelopment of the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINK) at UMass Lowell. Testimony on the lobster bill emphasized the industry’s cultural and economic importance to coastal Massachusetts, its sustainability efforts, and its role in working waterfronts and the seafood economy. The asparagus bill drew especially enthusiastic support from Hadley Elementary students, teachers, local farmers, and legislators, who described asparagus as central to western Massachusetts agriculture, identity, and civic education. The Waltham rink bill was presented as necessary to protect a heavily used community and youth hockey facility after major city investment, while committee members noted concerns about privatization and affordability of ice time. The Lowell bill was described as a narrow technical fix to remove a reversionary clause that could impede a major redevelopment project. Committee members generally expressed support or favorable reactions to the proposals, with several lighthearted comments about lobster and asparagus. The hearing concluded after testimony ended, and a motion was made and seconded to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, prepare the machine. Is every member voted? Does every member vote?
• Clerk, close the machine and ask for the results. Is every member voted? Does every member vote?
• Clerk, close the machine and ask for the results.
• The clerk will prepare the machine. Is every member voted? Does every member vote?
• Clerk, close the machine and ask for the results.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate took up a long second- and third-reading calendar of House bills and one joint resolution, with most measures advanced after committee strike-and-insert amendments or technical changes. Major topics included economic development and infrastructure, education and school choice, public safety and criminal justice, election law, tax and revenue matters, health and human services, and several supplemental appropriations. Several bills were advanced to third reading without amendment, including measures on Ireland education, youth/handicapped hunting, child care, tax efficiency, school transfer eligibility repeal, religious organizations, teacher and state police pay raises, Medicare supplement guaranteed issue rights, and various supplemental appropriations. Among the more substantive amendments, the Senate approved changes to industrial access road funding, airport hangar financing, driver’s license reciprocity with Ireland and Japan, foster youth virtual instruction, medical cannabis fund allocations, EMS funding, virtual currency kiosk regulation, workers’ compensation updates, and protection of personal residential information for certain public officials. The chamber also adopted amendments on election-related bills, including changing party-switching deadlines for candidates, and on a bill creating a new offense and bail rules for terroristic threats to schools or children. The Senate also advanced bills on missing persons/cold case record preservation, campus safety mapping, pre-adjudicatory alternative disposition in abuse and neglect cases, hotel occupancy tax recordkeeping, and domestic violence penalties. Several measures received floor debate. The party-switching bill drew the most discussion, with supporters arguing it would prevent election gamesmanship and opponents saying it would protect incumbents and limit access for new candidates; a division vote adopted an amendment, and the bill was then advanced. The work-zone fines bill was amended on third reading to apply higher penalties only when workers are present, then passed 34-0. The Foster Youth Post Secondary Transition Awareness Act also passed after an amendment adding agricultural vocational program provisions. The Senate adopted a title amendment on the passed bills and then recessed for 15 minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• 407.932, that is stuff that is related to the labeling, the age requirements, the sale through vending machines
• We want to have a consistent standard on... ...You can't just put a tobacco vending machine in any restaurant
• , we're saying the state standards regarding where it needs to be behind the counter, the vending machine
• , we're saying the state standards regarding where it needs to be behind the counter, the vending machine
• but not the age, but not the age. ...regarding where it needs to be behind the counter, the vending machine

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Commerce Committee reconvened to continue testimony on House Bill 2085, which would preempt local regulation of the sale of tobacco, nicotine, and vapor products and establish a statewide standard. The bill sponsor and supporters repeatedly said the measure is intended to create uniform rules for retailers, protect small businesses from a patchwork of local ordinances, and preserve existing local zoning authority. Several members questioned whether the bill’s language was too broad or vague, especially as to whether it could affect zoning near schools or other sensitive locations, and the sponsor said zoning was not the intent and should remain local. Testimony in support came from representatives of the Missouri Vape and Alternative Products Association, Ware Brands, Warrant’s, the Missouri Grocers Association, Maverick Convenience Stores, and the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association. Supporters argued that local flavor bans or other restrictions would harm small businesses, create compliance problems, and push sales into neighboring jurisdictions. They also said federal Tobacco 21 rules already govern sales to minors, and that the bill should be read as a statewide sales standard rather than a public health measure. One supporter emphasized that retailers already comply with FDA enforcement and that inconsistent local rules create operational burdens. Opposition came from the Missouri Public Health Association and the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, which said local tobacco regulations have helped prevent youth smoking and that the bill could invite litigation over existing ordinances and limit future local public health action. Committee members raised concerns about local control, public health, and the bill’s wording, while the sponsor clarified that the bill would preempt state and local standards on the sale of tobacco products where the state has already acted, but would not require every locality to adopt a 21-year-old purchase age. An informational witness from MOST Policy Initiative described health risks associated with vaping, flavored products, and youth nicotine use. The hearing concluded without a vote, and the committee adjourned after taking all testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's for us to be able to program it into the machines. Correct. Ms.
• And that's for to be able to program it into the machines. Correct. Ms.
• So we did expect to have that learning curve.
• It's natural with change to have, you know, a learning curve.
• We have this copy machine going.

Summary: The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 20, 2026, with a quorum present and no minutes available for approval. The committee first heard HB 181, which would let the legislative auditor review income tax data to verify eligibility for Medicaid and, at LDH’s request, SNAP. The auditor said the work would be limited to internal data testing under sharing agreements and not disclosed to third parties. After questions about privacy and duplication, the bill was reported favorably to the floor without objection. The committee then took up HB 906 on presidential preference primaries and party nominating petitions. The Secretary of State and bill author said the measure would let major parties decide whether unaffiliated voters may participate in their primaries, with 180 days’ notice to the state, and would keep party rules consistent within presidential years so elections can be programmed properly. Several senators raised concerns that the bill would disenfranchise no-party voters and give parties too much control, but supporters said both major parties had approved the approach. The committee voted 4-3 to report the bill favorably. Members also advanced HB 398, which would require the judiciary to use the federal GSA meal per diem rate instead of the current higher state judicial rate; HB 1052, which strengthens confidentiality protections for child abuse investigations handled by child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams; HB 1245, which protects witness criminal history records from unintended public release in clerk of court records; HB 202, which requires state civil service or hiring agencies to notify applicants when a vacancy is filled or they are rejected; HB 540, which requires disclosure of paid digital election advertising; HB 9, designating stuffed shrimp as a Louisiana specialty; HB 1057, extending the validity of absentee-by-mail applications for military voters from one year to two; HB 225, proposing a constitutional amendment to limit governors to two lifetime terms; HB 177, allowing retired court reporters to contract with former public employers; and HB 459, requiring disclosure when campaign materials use AI, with amendments adopted after discussion of First Amendment and campaign finance concerns. The committee also rejected an amendment to HB 1057 that would have expanded Sunday early voting in certain parishes. After the bills, the committee held confirmation hearings for James Kelly and Charles Wilkinson to the Board of Supervisors of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, both of whom described education and workforce development backgrounds and were favorably received.

Transcript Highlights:

• One day, we will learn that the heart can never be totally right when the head is totally wrong.
• One day, we will learn that admonition.
• One day, we will learn that the<00:01:50.960> heart<00:01:51.200> can<00:01:51.439>
• are not machines. are not machines.
• We've all learned his words when him.

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, January 19, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with the pledge of allegiance, prayer, roll call, and approval of the previous day’s journal. Members introduced a large block of House bills (331 through 380) and journalized several bill reassignments, including House Bill 174 to Environment and Transportation and House Bill 296 to Ways and Means and Economic Matters. The chamber then turned to a special Martin Luther King Jr. Day address delivered by the delegate from Calvert and Prince George’s County, which focused on Dr. King’s legacy, moral courage, rest as resistance, protecting vulnerable communities, and the need for legislators to move beyond ceremony into action on civil rights, voting rights, and justice. The speech also highlighted Maryland’s early recognition of King’s birthday, the restoration of a neglected graveyard near the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, and the state’s history of diverse leadership. After the address, the House memorialized and journalized the speech. The remainder of the session consisted largely of announcements: caucus meetings were scheduled for the next day, including Democratic, Republican, Royal, women’s, rural, and running caucus gatherings; the women’s caucus said it was accepting numbered bills for review and possible sponsorship; and the Montgomery County delegation continued a food drive for the Upcounty Hub. Members also welcomed several guests and constituents to the gallery, including District 22 visitors, a delegate’s daughter, and a delegate’s son. The protocol chair then introduced a group of student pages from several counties and schools. The House took a second roll call, confirming 132 members present, and then adjourned on motion of the majority leader until Tuesday, January 20th at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, um, thank you for bringing the bill forward, and I feel like we've learned a lot more just
• As the Senator mentioned, MRI machines are the biggest user of helium globally.
• It was interesting to learn about. I was not aware that that was involved in MRI technology.
• It was interesting to learn about. I was not aware that that was involved in MRI technology.
• It was interesting to learn about. I was not aware that that was involved in MRI technology.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, please activate your machines upon entering the chamber. A quorum call has been requested.
• Members, please activate your machines upon entering the chamber. A quorum call has been requested.
• Please activate your machines when you enter the chamber.
• So they are here learning about their state government and enjoying a great day here.

Bills: SB1778, SB1570, SB134, SB1966, SB1636, SB1725, SB1726, SB259, SB504, SB592, SB2030, SB1572, SB843, SB1242, SB1255, SB1262, SB1264, SB1286, SB1581, SB1290, SB1316, SB1319, SB1369, SB1379, SB1381, SB1400, SB1427, SB1436, SB1461, SB1496, SB1509, SB1534, SB1553, SB904, SB1592, SB1645, SB1684, SB1767, SB1772, SB1813, SB1894, SB1928, SB1946, SB1980, SB2040, SB2060, SB2061

Keywords: reading instruction, literacy, educational equity, intervention services, third grade retention, Strong Readers Act, child welfare, child safety, administrative transition, Department of Child Safety and Well-being, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, juvenile justice, foster care, retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, memorial highways, bridge designations

Transcript Highlights:

• so much about the vital work will learn so much about the vital work these<00:57:02.960> centers<
• Sheel, please open the machine and members proceed to vote.
• Sheel, please open the machine<01:05:33.839> and<01:05:34.079> members<01:05:34.480>
• machine and members proceed to vote. machine and members proceed to vote.
• Please, please close the machine. With 42 I, 16 no, and seven excused, the report is adopted.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and spent much of the opening portion recognizing visitors and celebrating Colorado FFA Day. Members introduced guests and student groups, including the Colorado Dental Association and 350 Colorado Youth Action Committee, and several speakers highlighted the importance of FFA and agricultural education. Representative Johnson and AML Winter gave extended remarks about FFA’s role in leadership, rural life, and support for students, and the chamber recognized FFA members in attendance. The chamber then adopted a motion making several bills special orders and moved into floor consideration of multiple measures. Senate Bill 10, concerning clarification of agricultural property tax definitions, passed after sponsors explained it would better define agricultural land and pasture-based livestock operations to support small and beginning farmers. Senate Bill 52, concerning coal transition communities, passed after the House adopted amendments L4, L5, and L6 clarifying that hiring preferences apply only to qualified coal transition workers in coal transition communities and that public entities may invest settlement funds related to coal closures. House Bill 1115, modifying prepaid wireless telecommunications service charges, passed after a finance committee amendment exempted federal Lifeline plans; sponsors said the bill reinstates the 911 surcharge on prepaid plans to support 911 and 988 services. House Bill 1182 passed after sponsors and the veterinarian member described it as a sunset repeal of the Veterinary Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee, which had not met since 2021. House Bill 1096, allowing Medicaid members to access direct primary care on a cash-pay basis, passed with a two-year data-review amendment; sponsors said it is aimed at rural health access and health deserts. House Bill 1142, concerning child advocacy centers, also passed after amendment L3 clarified definitions in Title 19; sponsors said it would better define child advocacy centers, multidisciplinary teams, and child maltreatment and support confidentiality and immunity protections for those centers.

Transcript Highlights:

• If they had Braille and they learned it early on, they could continue to learn and excel in their school
• If they had Braille and they learned it early on, they could continue to learn and excel in their school
• Thank you. early on they could continue to learn early on they could continue to learn and<00:17:51.240
• <00:21:04.520> the didn't think we needed to learn the didn't think we needed to learn the
• Thank you for allowing me to testify. he learned how to read bill and became a he learned how to read

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last night, I learned that tempering chocolate is a thing. I had no idea.
• So we are also a recruiting machine for the state of North Dakota.
• So it’s true learning by doing; it’s what we do.
• And he said it took me a few years, but I learned that the students in the FFA...” “...years, but I learned
• can be doing that hands-on learning all of the time.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last night, I learned that tempering chocolate is a thing. I had no idea.
• So we are also a recruiting machine for the state of North Dakota.
• So it’s true learning by doing; it’s what we do.
• Years, but I learned that the students in FFA—those are our students.
• can be doing that hands-on learning all of the time.

Summary: The committee met at North Dakota State College of Science for a presentation from President Flanagan and campus leaders on the college’s mission, enrollment growth, workforce programs, facilities needs, and industry partnerships. Flanagan highlighted student success in national competitions, strong placement and retention, the college’s strategic plan, and new or expanding programs such as aviation maintenance, fire science, dental hygiene, community health worker, surgical technology, HVAC/plumbing, and precision agriculture. He also described the need for a new dorm and a remodel of the library into academic and allied health space, including a simulation center, to address capacity limits and support growth. Several committee members asked about program demand, faculty recruitment, pay competitiveness, and how the college shifts resources from lower-demand programs to high-demand ones. Industry partner Jim Albright of Comdell testified that the college has been essential to the local manufacturing workforce and that many employees and interns come from NDSCS. A major topic was dual credit. Flanagan said dual credit is important but financially challenging, noting that only a small share of dual credit students ultimately matriculate to NDSCS and that the college’s dual credit model is close to break-even. He explained that many dual credit credits are general education rather than CTE, and that the college pays instructors, supports high schools, and absorbs indirect costs. Williston State College President Bernal Herning added that his institution loses money on the front end but has shifted toward helping students complete associate degrees before high school graduation because many go directly to work after high school. Committee members questioned how dual credit is delivered, how instructors are qualified, and whether students are truly doing college-level work. The committee then received a University System presentation from Jamie Wilkie on the cost of delivering dual credit statewide. Wilkie explained the methodology used to allocate direct and overhead costs and said the analysis shows dual credit is not profitable at several institutions once tuition, instructor payments, and overhead are included. Members asked how much of the cost is borne by students, families, and the state, and whether K-12 funding should also be considered. Discussion also covered the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized dual credit, payments to high school teachers or schools, and the possibility of waiving tuition in the future. No votes were taken, and the committee mainly gathered information for the ongoing dual credit cost study.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, one of the things that I've learned is that saying that we are going to continue to do things
• Lastly, one of the things that I've learned is that saying that we are going to continue to do things
• versus 999 machines.
• you know they can put in th000 machines you know they can put in 999<01:14:35.960> machines<01
• <01:15:16.320> you look at graduated levels of machines you look at graduated levels of machines

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first met in a revenue estimate work session to approve an LSR codifying the committee’s revenue estimates. Members reviewed the process for turning the LSR into a House Resolution and discussed how the adopted estimates would be used to amend House Bill 1. After a brief question-and-answer about current revenue splits and the governor’s proposed video lottery and tax-split changes, the committee voted 19-0 to approve the revenue estimates. The committee then moved into executive session on HB 669, which would require all revenue from the statewide education property tax to be deposited into the education trust fund and set an equalized statewide tax rate. Supporters argued the bill would better direct education funding, while opponents said it was unnecessary or duplicative. The committee voted 12-7 to retain the bill (ITL), and a minority report was noted. Next, the committee considered HB 290, which would raise cigarette and electronic cigarette taxes and create a study committee on tobacco and nicotine taxes. Testimony focused on revenue needs, inflation, public health, and concerns that a higher tax could reduce sales or drive purchases across state lines. The committee voted 11-8 to ITL the bill, with a minority report. The committee also ITL’d HB 402, dealing with whether Education Freedom Account payments are taxable income, after debate over unintended consequences and whether the bill’s language was misleading; that vote was 11-8 with a minority report. Finally, the committee opened HB 483, and Representative Tierney moved ITL, arguing the bill’s requirement that the scholarship organization be incorporated in New Hampshire would likely violate the Commerce Clause; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• MIT News describes generative AI in its most simple form as a machine learning model that is trained
• <00:04:22.479> learning<00:04:22.800> model<00:04:23.280> that<00:04:23.520>
• is<00:04:23.759> trained machine learning model that is trained machine learning model that
• AI, machine learning, and the algorithms that support them have generated enormous interest among state
• to care; machines that can kill them.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Secretary, open the machine for roll call. Roll call. Members, vote to the machine.
• The machine is open for voting. Vote by machine, members. Senator Harris is here.
• Open the machines. Vote, members. Vote to the machines. Senator Seabaugh, yes.
• I learned something from that.
• Vote to machine members vote to machines. Mr.

Bills: SR122, SR123, SR124, SCR12, HB940, HB221, HCR109, HCR58, HB27, HB143, HB205, HB259, HB267, HB288, HB308, HB403, HB405, HB414, HB417, HB478, HB546, HB548, HB555, HB557, HB609, HB670, HB672, HB740, HB779, HB786, HB796, HB812, HB848, HB909, HB915, HB917, HB921, HB930, HB933, HB938, HB971, HB1095, HB1096, HB1103, HB1129, HB1154, HB1166, HB1187, HB1195, HB1230, SB121, SCR22, SCR24, SB29, SB30, SB32, SB41, SB42, SB43, SB47, SB84, SB93, SB113, SB192, SB199, SB219, SB220, SB221, SB222, SB241, SB253, SB255, SB289, SB292, SB306, SB314, SB351, SB399, SB404, SB14, SB102, SB133, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB200, SB217, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB330, SB449, SB489, SB521, SB45, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB274, SB304, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB436, SB424, SCR61, SCR9, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, HCR31, HB296, HB299, HB322, HB364, HB519, HB535, HB538, HB568, HB571, HB622, HB635, HB676, HB772, HB784, HB1006, HB1018, HB1043, HB1070, HB1134, HB1239, HB62, HB193, HB203, HB210, HB220, HB228, HB246, HB420, HB475, HB486, HB574, HB584, HB750, HB813, HB815, HB826, HB870, HB949, HB953, HB1045, HB1092, HB1151, HB1162, HB1176, HB1177, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB22, HB28, HB33, HB41, HB47, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB195, HB214, HB217, HB233, HB283, HB290, HB319, HB324, HB345, HB362, HB363, HB368, HB377, HB380, HB382, HB386, HB392, HB406, HB431, HB441, HB466, HB503, HB533, HB559, HB575, HB590, HB593, HB618, HB636, HB655, HB664, HB685, HB692, HB707, HB715, HB732, HB738, HB741, HB748, HB776, HB807, HB822, HB856, HB860, HB868, HB887, HB888, HB905, HB908, HB961, HB980, HB990, HB992, HB999, HB1000, HB1010, HB1146, HB1157, HB1233, HB1236, HB1243, HB17, HB36, HB73, HB119, HB126, HB129, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB166, HB211, HB226, HB245, HB271, HB280, HB337, HB351, HB354, HB399, HB677, HB712, HB723, HB726, HB728, HB759, HB789, HB844, HB850, HB966, HB1036, SB149, SB382, SB441, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB782

Keywords: SR122, Senate Resolution 122, Metairie Park Country Day School, Country Day Cajuns, Cajuns basketball, LHSAA, Louisiana High School Athletic Association, Division III Select, boys basketball, state championship, high school sports, athletic commendation, sports resolution, Lake Charles, Marsh Madness, Mike McGuire, Brennan White, Kellen Brewer, Calvary Baptist Academy, school recognition

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard a guest minister’s prayer and the pledge, and dispensed with reading the journal. The chamber then received Legislative Bureau reports on numerous House bills, many of which were reported favorably or without amendments and ordered to third reading or to the Legislative Bureau. The Senate also adopted a House concurrent resolution commending Special Olympics Louisiana by a 35-0 vote, and it took up several Senate resolutions, including one urging the Navy to use a transparent and competitive acquisition strategy to protect jobs at Conrad Shipyard, one commending Metairie Park Country Day School, one designating Early Ed Day, and one offering condolences for Carolyn Ann Cherry Moore. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 121, the congressional redistricting bill. Senator Morris presented the bill as a response to the federal court’s Calais decision, arguing the current map was unconstitutional and that the new plan should avoid race as the predominant factor while using partisan advantage, incumbency protection, compactness, contiguity, and communities of interest. Senators questioned whether the proposal effectively created a 5-1 Republican map, whether it diluted Black and Democratic voting strength, and whether it split too many parishes. Morris said the map was drawn from the 2022 plan, tweaked in committee and again on the floor, and that litigation was likely regardless of the final version. Two competing amendments drew extended debate. Senator Morris’s amendment, which further refined his map, was adopted 26-10. Senator Price then offered an alternative map based on an amicus brief and algorithmic criteria, arguing it would create two opportunity districts, split fewer parishes, avoid using race, and better reflect the state’s partisan balance; supporters said it was fairer and more compact, but it failed 10-27. After the amendments, the Senate returned to SB 121 for further questions, with members continuing to debate whether the bill’s 5-1 structure was a lawful partisan gerrymander or an impermissible racial dilution of voting strength.

Transcript Highlights:

• Almost like a Sonic drive-thru, you just go in and they pass the voting... machine around, everybody
• Now, the way these machines work is the old East Slate machines.
• boards will have no power to stop bullying or discrimination against students who are just trying to learn
• Our children should be learning how to grow into the best Texans that they can be instead of learning
• True liberty is the right to learn in safety.

Bills: SB38, SB287, SB291, SB292, SB508, SB618, SB901, SB1436, SB1494, SB1626, SB1719, SB1999, SB1333, SB 38

Keywords: evictions, property law, tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, justice court, court rules, SB 287, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, sexually oriented business, adult entertainment, strip club, nude entertainment, live nude performance, alcohol prohibition, alcohol consumption, possession of alcohol, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, third degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• proceed to open the machine and members proceed to vote.
• Sheel, please open the machine. Members, please proceed to vote. Please close the machine.
• With 39 I, 23 Please close the machine.
• > proceed<02:44:41.439> to machine.
• Please close the machine.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the corrected journal, and heard several announcements about upcoming committee meetings, events at the Capitol, and recognitions, including Music Therapy Day, Black History Month activities, adoptable puppies, and a Colorado Agricultural Forum. Members also celebrated Representative Story’s birthday and recognized the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) for its long-running support of arts, culture, science access, and economic impact in Colorado. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 12, designating February 20, 2026, as Colorado FFA Day, by a vote of 64-1 with one excused. The chamber then moved to special orders for several bills. The first major bill considered was House Bill 1017, which would prohibit insurers from receiving criminal restitution unless they are direct victims. Sponsors argued the bill prioritizes human victims, prevents restitution from becoming an unpayable burden on low-income defendants, and clarifies the law in response to court concerns and stakeholder feedback. Opponents argued it would shift costs to taxpayers and policyholders and could increase civil litigation and insurance premiums. An amendment, L005, was adopted to clarify the bill’s scope, and the bill then passed as amended. The House also took up House Bill 114, concerning minimum lot size and local land-use rules. An amendment, L002, was offered to prohibit certain local lot frontage, setback, open-space, or coverage requirements that would effectively prevent construction of a single-family home on a 2,000-square-foot residential lot. Supporters framed the measure as protecting housing access, while opponents argued it would override local land-use decision-making and public hearing processes. The transcript ends during debate on a substitute motion related to the amendment, before final action on House Bill 114 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• inventory, and these provide all of the objectives and outcomes that we’re looking for students to learn
• We've introduced state-of-the-art... ...state-of-the-art equipment for our students to learn on, and
• and the art machinery and simulators this past year, and those machines and that simulator replicate
• This collaboration not only elevates the student learning experience, but creates a seamless pipeline
• I can't just use tuition to be able to buy a tire-changer machine for automotive.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received an overview of Florida’s career and technical education (CTE) system from Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, who described the state’s CTE pathways, program types, enrollment and completion growth, quality audit metrics, and the Master Credentials List used to identify credentials of value. He highlighted record postsecondary CTE enrollment and completions, strong statewide performance in talent attraction, and several funding tools supporting expansion, including Open Door, the Florida First Responder Scholarship, Workforce Development Capitalization grants, Perkins funding, CAPE performance incentives, and apprenticeship grants. Senators asked about eligibility for Open Door and first responder aid, top industry certifications, and the teacher apprenticeship initiative. A panel of college and technical school leaders then described how state and federal funding has supported local program growth and facility expansion. Santa Fe College, Palm Beach State College, North Florida Technical College, Lake Technical College, Florida Gateway College, and Manatee Technical College each cited increases in enrollment, high placement or licensure pass rates, and new or expanded programs in nursing, welding, CDL, automotive, manufacturing, public safety, and apprenticeship. Several speakers emphasized partnerships with hospitals, employers, school districts, and local governments, and noted that grants helped fund equipment, renovations, and new training hubs. Palm Beach State also raised a request to broaden line funding beyond nursing to other health science fields, and multiple presenters asked for more flexibility, multi-year support, and continued or increased funding to sustain growth. Members discussed broader challenges, including the difficulty of sustaining grant-funded growth after initial awards, the lag between enrollment growth and funding formulas, and alignment problems for dual enrollment and technical programs with high school schedules. Senators also noted the need to balance support for high-demand core programs like nursing and welding with the ability to respond quickly to emerging industries such as AI and space. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond adjournment after Senator Davis moved to adjourn.