Transcript Highlights:

• : the Wise Technician Program and the Wise Authorized Service Provider Program.
• The interest on trust accounts program is commonly called the IOTA program or IOTA accounts.
• parameters for savings institutions participating in the program to fund programs providing or facilitating
• Scott Jenkins, bankers for a sustainable Iota program.
• It's not the oversight of the IOTA program or the trust program at all.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Rules Committee took up a large agenda of bills, with many measures reported favorably after brief explanations, amendments, and testimony. Early bills included CS/SB 658 on lien waivers and releases, which was amended to preserve enforceability despite form differences and then passed; CS/CS/SB 736 on brownfields redevelopment, which drew support from business and redevelopment interests and passed; and CS/SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, which was amended to bar certain building or fire code provisions affecting fuel-source choices and then passed despite opposition from environmental advocates. The committee also advanced CS/CS/SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, where manufacturers, dealer representatives, and industry groups warned the bill could undermine dealer networks and existing repair programs, while supporters argued it would improve consumer access and help farmers and equipment owners. The bill still passed. Other measures reported favorably included CS/SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of property-damage crashes, CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign-country controlling interests in health care licensing, CS/SB 772 on school access to glucagon for diabetes emergencies, CS/SB 1400 on removal of nonconsensual altered sexual depictions, and CS/SB 1696 on transportation network company impersonation and transit funding. A major portion of the meeting focused on affordable housing. CS/SB 1730, a follow-up to the Live Local Act, made several changes to zoning, height, density, parking, moratorium, and enforcement provisions, with members raising concerns about parking reductions, attorney’s fees, local control, and impacts in the Keys and other sensitive areas. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes and improves workforce housing implementation, while some witnesses urged additional exemptions for areas of critical state concern. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. Later, the committee considered several bills from Senator Leak, including CS/SB 576 on service of process, CS/SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments, and CS/SB 1164 on electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices. CS/SB 606 drew substantial debate over whether hotels and extended-stay properties should be able to remove nonpaying guests without treating them like residential tenants; the sponsor said the bill clarifies transient occupancy and removes mandatory arrest provisions, and it passed. CS/SB 1164, which allows email notice delivery by agreement, passed despite concerns from tenant advocates that the bill should include clearer consent and safeguards. The committee also approved CS/SB 1374 on school district reporting of educator arrests and misconduct, CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation sales, and began hearing CS/SB 1690 on surrendered infants, which would authorize infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, with supportive testimony from proponents describing crisis situations and the need for anonymous surrender options.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2015, the university has added 18 new bachelor degree programs, 17 new master degree programs,
• and six new doctoral programs.
• And let me just mention some of the new programs and facilities.
• And when we had waste and fraud in our food stamp program, you solved it with technology with a Lone
• for free pre-kindergarten programs in public schools, to Education K-16.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with remarks highlighting UTRGV’s growth, degree production, research expansion, medical school, and role in serving the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. The chamber also recognized the doctor of the day and adopted additional resolutions, including one for Denton County Days at the Capitol and another recognizing Texas HBCU Day. The Senate gave extensive recognition to outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp through Senate Resolution 368. Senators from both parties praised his long public career, leadership of the A&M System, support for regional universities, and bipartisan approach. The resolution was adopted after multiple members added their names. The chamber also heard from advocates with the Texas Streets Coalition, and received gubernatorial nominations for the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. On legislation, the Senate passed several major bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to address teacher vacancies, bilingual certification testing, paid leave options, classroom removals, and appeal rights, then passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment on parents’ right to direct a child’s education, advanced on a 22-9 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, aimed at preventing foreign influence and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education, passed unanimously. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the business entities bill, also passed after debate over corporate governance and shareholder protections. Senate Bill 857, authorizing law enforcement to tow certain vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed despite some concern about towing abuses during disasters. The Senate also took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536 on dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, but the transcript ends as that bill is being laid out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cunningham thanks Senator Weber for his continuing support for their programs in Greater Minnesota.
• </c><00:48:23.720><c> is</c> and all res resources for programs is and all res resources for programs
• </c><00:48:28.200><c> will</c> state with this credit programs will state with this credit programs will
• </c><00:49:11.240><c> that</c> they live in it also shows programs that they live in it also shows programs
• </c> rather than creating a new grant program rather than creating a new grant program or<00:55:16.720

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> important Department of Energy programs. important Department of Energy programs.
• Even these two programs that might seem less important than the rebate are still programs that reduce
• program.
• </c> scrapping some hypothetical program. scrapping some hypothetical program.
• program</c> elderly parole program elderly parole program that<03:48:49.199><c> grants</c><03:48:50.319

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:33:34.360><c> so</c> place um they can write a program so place um they can write a program so
• This is a consumer-friendly program.
• This is a consumer-friendly program.
• It's a program that works. We don't receive a large number of complaints about the program.
• requested as the primary program support requested as the primary program in<02:10:10.239><c> the</c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 119-FN, which would allow rental companies registering a rental fleet to choose New Hampshire as their base jurisdiction under the International Registration Plan. The DMV witness said the state already has this capability under the IRP and did not support the bill, adding that no additional staffing should be needed. Committee questions focused on whether the bill would change where registrations are done, what implementation would require, mileage tracking, decals, and inspection requirements. A representative of the Motor Transport Association also said the bill was unnecessary because the option already exists, while noting some related truck-registration and property-tax issues. The chair then closed the public hearing on HB 119-FN with no further speakers. The committee next heard House Bill 612, which would let youth operators renew up to 30 days before turning 21 and receive a temporary license so they can transition to a standard horizontal license without an extra DMV trip. The sponsor and DMV director strongly supported the bill, describing a long-standing problem where early online renewals can trigger another vertical youth license, forcing a duplicate transaction and fee after the birthday. The DMV said the change would reduce confusion and workload, and estimated a one-time system update cost of $48,000. Members asked about whether the proposal was effectively a 30-day extension, how law enforcement would view the temporary status, and whether the system could handle printing and mailing the new horizontal license; the director said the DMV could manage it and that the bill was the best approach. The chair closed the hearing after no one else testified. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 209, which would exempt new vehicles from inspection in the second year after purchase, effectively allowing two years before the next inspection. The sponsor argued the bill would save taxpayers money and reduce unnecessary trips for owners of new vehicles. Supporters said newer vehicles are already maintained through warranties and routine service. Opponents, including the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association and a service manager from a dealership, argued the bill was not limited to truly new cars, would weaken safety by delaying inspections on vehicles that can still develop tire, brake, and other defects, and could raise costs for everyone else if inspection volume drops. The Motor Transport Association clarified that commercial motor vehicles remain subject to annual federal inspection requirements. No vote was taken in the transcript, and the hearing remained open with testimony continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been having some things with transportation, and it was a pilot program.
• I move to adopt the National Guard Challenge program. I see no questions.
• Early voting commissioners would assist with the nursing home early voting program.
• This is a local bill that sets up a local insurance program. It's not an insurance company.
• It's a local assistance program for homeowners who have flood damage in Cameron Parish.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In developing the program in SB 1125, it was necessary that the language acknowledged that these programs
• programs are separate and that nothing in the statewide program would preclude local water rate assistance
• programs.
• They do not pay into the cap-and-trade program.
• So as refineries leave California, Cap-and-trade program.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the Division of Career Technical Education, Idaho for special programs, the Department of Education
• , post-secondary programs, Idaho Public Television, the Opportunity Scholarship Program account, the
• House Bill 730, by the Health and Welfare Committee, regarding Supplemental Assistance Program.
• House Bill 730, by the Health and Welfare Committee, regarding Supplemental Assistance Program.
• House Bill 730 deals with the SNAP program.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> have a CDL testing or training program have a CDL testing or training program that<00:04:09.440>
• , program, program, um<00:05:25.840><c> everything</c><00:05:26.120><c> is</c><00:05:26.240><c> tracked
• So, if you have Dakota Tech that has a CDL program or Century College or even just private CDL programs
• So, if you have Dakota Tech that has a CDL program or Century College or even just private CDL programs
• </c> additional funds to these two programs. additional funds to these two programs.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , our traditional voucher program.
• The high-impact jobs program is the first time we will include funding for that program.
• And the Gator program would take care of the vouchers. and that's, you know, program would take care
• So all projects through the Quipper program utilize CRMS data.
• I'm happy to answer any more questions about the program, if you like.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up the fiscal status statement, certification of the state surplus, and the five-year baseline budget. Officials from the Office of Planning and Budget and the Division of Administration said the January fiscal status statement had no changes, and the commissioner certified a surplus of $577,073,871. They also reviewed the baseline outlook, noting projected imbalances in later years driven by declining revenue, including the redirection of motor vehicle sales tax, and rising costs such as inflation and Medicaid-related expenses. The fiscal status statement was approved without objection. The governor’s executive budget was then presented as a third consecutive standstill budget, with administration officials emphasizing efficiency savings, no reduction in services, and no reduction in state workforce. They said the budget relies on prior savings efforts and incorporates agency-level cuts and reorganization, while also addressing higher costs in corrections, DCFS, and health care. Major items highlighted included funding for LA GATOR, the high-impact jobs program, DCFS modernization, corrections population and overtime needs, nursing home and managed care adjustments at LDH, and additional support for the MJ Foster Scholarship Program. Members asked about the impact of inflation, the use of federal versus state funds, the future of voucher and GATOR funding, and whether more support should go to DCFS and the Hero Fund. The committee also received the calculation of the FY27 expenditure limit, set at $20.1 billion, and the annual comprehensive financial report for FY2025, which received a clean audit opinion. Members approved a BA-7 increasing federal funds for an executive office transportation grant, approved additions to the Act 751 higher education deferred maintenance project list and a Baton Rouge Community College project combination, and approved contract amendments for CPRA with Coastal Estuary Services and Access Sciences. The committee also corrected a legislative intent item naming the New Orleans Recreational Development Foundation. Finally, the judiciary presented a weighted caseload study for district and appellate courts, explaining it as an updated tool to assess judicial workload and potential judgeship needs; members discussed its limits, the role of specialty courts and commissioners, and the need for further legislative-judicial collaboration before any changes are made.

Transcript Highlights:

• This has been, again, a very successful program. I think it has been a very successful program.
• We'll continue to support that program. Thank you.
• McCarthy was on that program, Focus New Mexico.
• This is kind of coming out of years of program events.
• To send extra money to those programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> districts with dual language programs districts with dual language programs and<00:21:49.520><c>
• classroom teachers as well as our immersion program classroom teachers.
• At that time, programs submitted evidence of alignment to these new standards.
• At that time, programs submitted evidence of alignment to these new standards.
• </c> that there is alignment these programs that there is alignment these programs have<01:49:09.599>

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, with the hemp program, we treat it just like any other regulatory program where we license
• You can't go get into a T-Cup program.
• But are you aware of the program? I'm aware of the program.
• The products being sold in the Texas Compassionate Use program and the hemp program are exactly the same
• The products being sold in the Texas Compassionate Use program and the hemp program are exactly the same

Committee: House Public Health

Summary: The House Committee on Public Health heard House Bill 5, a proposal to ban THC products outside the Texas Compassionate Use Program while allowing non-intoxicating CBD and CBG products under tighter regulation. Chair Van Deaver gave a lengthy background on the 2018 federal Farm Bill and Texas’s 2019 hemp law, arguing that the lack of guardrails allowed a large, unregulated THC market to develop. HB 5 would impose licensing fees, product registration, testing and inspection requirements, and restrictions intended to keep products away from children. Invited witnesses from law enforcement strongly supported the bill. Steve Dye of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and Brian Hawthorne of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas argued that THC consumables are widely mislabeled, often far more potent than advertised, and linked to youth access, impaired driving, and organized crime. Both said regulation would be ineffective and would amount to legalization, while a ban would be easier for officers to enforce. They also emphasized support for the Texas Compassionate Use Program and said medical THC should remain available. Dr. Peter Stout of the Texas Association of Crime Lab Directors and Alice Amelot of Texas DPS testified as resource witnesses about forensic testing. They said current lab resources are already stretched thin, that quantitative testing for THC and related cannabinoids is expensive and time-consuming, and that a ban would simplify enforcement because labs could focus on presence/absence testing rather than concentration. Amelot said DPS labs are neutral on the bill but explained that mislabeled products and inaccurate certificates of analysis are common. Committee members asked about traffic safety, impairment, youth use, and the costs of enforcement and lab testing; witnesses repeatedly said the bill would reduce complexity for law enforcement but that any approach would still require more resources for labs.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the programs that are being given by the university are all science-based.
• So that is our program. Thank you, Representative Mueller. Further discussion?
• </c><00:03:24.280><c> to</c> up with their own type of program to up with their own type of program to
• So that<00:03:49.280><c> is</c><00:03:49.400><c> our</c><00:03:49.480><c> program.
• </c><00:03:50.360><c> Thank</c><00:03:50.560><c> you,</c> that is our program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Maximized student athletic potential, along with a very strong academic program.
• At high school and their incredible running program, and these talented young men that are here today
• These four delegates are from the Youth Senate and Youth Assembly leadership for the program.
• The program is in its 78th year. Thank you.
• Welcome to our YMCA Youth and Government Program delegates.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of floor introductions and recognitions. Senators honored Jesuit High School’s 2025 CIF Division 2 boys cross-country championship team, noting it was the school’s 11th title, and also welcomed YMCA Youth and Government delegates, including a large Culver City Palms YMCA delegation in the gallery. Members spoke about the educational and civic value of the Youth and Government program and congratulated the student delegates on their participation. The chamber then took up the special consent calendar, which included Senate Resolution 73 and Assembly Concurrent Resolutions 71, 115, and 117. The consent items were approved on a roll call vote, with the record showing 38 ayes and 0 noes. No other substantive legislative debate or bill action was described in the transcript beyond the consent calendar approval. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournments in memory. Senators honored Superintendent Pastor Lawrence Champion Blake Sr. of West Angeles Church of God in Christ, San Jose community leader Joseph Anthony De Maria, and Marine Corps Major Tyler R. Bracone, each highlighting their service, faith, and community impact. The Senate then announced that the next floor session would be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 2 p.m., and recessed until later that day for adjournment motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, our bread and butter is performance audits, where we assess the performance of programs that
• So we provide an independent, objective analysis of program performance, which includes how efficiently
• and effectively programs are using State resources, which include State funds.
• </c><00:13:35.920><c> that</c><00:13:36.040><c> the</c> performance of programs that the performance
• and effectively programs are efficiently and effectively programs are using<00:13:47.399><c> State</

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the studies are out there. see a 68% program completion rate. see a 68% program completion rate.
• And guess what, program completion rate. And guess what, folks?
• ,</c> complete a rehab program, complete a rehab program, they<01:02:02.799><c> actually</c><01:02:03.040
• But they're the finish the program.
• </c> assistance programs. assistance programs. the<01:46:06.000><c> kinds</c><01:46:06.239><c> of</c>

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:22:50.240><c> that</c> separate from the PSPs program that separate from the PSPs program that
• our program last middle of last year, is in the outreach and engagement.
• </c> pantry a closet after school program pantry a closet after school program summer summer summer programs
• This is with regards to DOE and school librarians complex pilot program.
• This is with regards to DOE and school librarians complex pilot program.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Education met on February 6 at 2:00 p.m. and heard testimony on a series of education-related bills. HB 1200, which would codify teacher ratios in statute, drew support from the Department of Education, the Democratic Party of the Education Caucus, and 11 individuals; no opposition was noted and the committee moved on without questions. HB 1344, concerning mandatory FAFSA completion, received testimony from the Department of Education, Hawaii P20, and a University of Hawaiʻi student who cited unclaimed Pell Grant funds and low FAFSA completion rates as reasons to support the bill. Committee members asked about current outreach efforts, and DOE and P20 described FAFSA tracking data, hotlines, email support, school-based FAFSA nights, and coordination with counselors; members also raised concerns about federal education funding and Pell Grants. The committee then heard HB 1499, which would authorize staff and volunteers to administer certain medications. The Department of Education, Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi nursing leadership, and the Hawaii State Center for Nursing all testified in support, along with several individuals and the Democratic Party Environmental Caucus. The next measure, HB 902 on the Public Safety Power Shutoff program, was supported by DOE, the Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaiian Electric, but it prompted extensive questioning from the Vice Chair about whether taxpayers should fund a study to help schools remain open during shutoffs. Hawaiian Electric said the bill would help DOE assess impacts in wildfire-risk areas and noted its wildfire safety strategy, outreach efforts, and potential community resource centers, while the Vice Chair argued the utility should bear more of the cost. The committee also heard HB 961, a bill on school libraries and a CASS pilot program, with DOE offering comments and HSTA and the Hawaii Library Association strongly supporting it. HSTA argued certified librarians are important for literacy, research, and digital literacy, and said many schools lack them because of cost; the association and 14 individuals testified in support. HB 962, a related bill on DOE libraries and the system, also drew support from DOE, HSTA, and the Hawaii Library Association, with 15 individuals in support. Finally, HB 730, concerning the Civil Rights Compliance Branch, received support from DOE, White Children’s Action Network, AAW of Hawaiʻi, and many individuals. Testifiers said the branch needs more resources and training and handles more than Title IX, including Title VI, Title VII, and ADA matters. A student plaintiff in a Title IX lawsuit described unequal treatment in athletics and facilities, and another supporter said the bill would help ensure compliance with federal civil rights laws. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• A reparations program without a tax exclusion is an incomplete program.
• We would encourage members to view this as a floor and not a ceiling as reparations programs develop.
• A lot of challenges for the PRO to manage through an EPR program.
• And that's where the historic tax credits come in. 38 states have historic tax credit programs.
• CalSavers is California's retirement savings program for employees who don't have one at work.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion to Maryland program alterations.
• </c> trees and shrubs as a program purpose. trees and shrubs as a program purpose.
• If not, the clerk will take the call. enrolled in short-term program that enrolled in short-term program
• </c><00:10:09.240><c> President,</c> short-term program. Mr. President, short-term program. Mr.
• </c> requiring or authorizing a program requiring or authorizing a program monitor<00:24:15.040><c> to

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, April 9, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first outlined its plan to clear pending concurrence items, focusing on Senate bills with House amendments and not taking up unamended House bills. Members then approved several motions not to concur with House amendments, including Senate Bills 514, 626, and 866, with the clerk reading the formal Senate messages in each case. The chamber also addressed an excused-vote question, with the presiding officer explaining that excused votes do not count as missed votes. The Senate then concurred in House amendments and passed a series of Senate bills, including SB 11 on campaign finance reporting and the Fair Campaign Financing Fund, SB 164 on the Pamela J. Kelly Tree Maryland program, SB 266 on local regulation of invasive trees, SB 509 on workforce Pell Grant implementation, SB 553 reestablishing the lithium-ion battery safety commission, SB 581 on statewide technology master plan reporting, SB 670 on polling-place authority, SB 848 on municipal election reporting, and SB 940 on water quality testing. Most of these House amendments were described as technical, clarifying, or conforming changes, and each bill received the required constitutional majority on final passage. The chamber also took up House Bill 862, a rail safety bill requiring certain freight trains to have crews of at least two under specified interstate conditions. After questions from the minority leader about the bill’s trigger conditions and effect on an Eastern Shore rail line, a senator explained support for the measure and the bill passed with 33 affirmative votes. Additional special-order House bills passed as well, including HB 497 on protective order durations, HB 552 establishing a commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, and HB 573 on fair housing and discriminatory effect standards. Later, the Senate continued with more concurrence items from Finance, including SB 22 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, SB 412 on forensic review boards and community forensic aftercare, SB 413 on morticians and funeral directors board operations, SB 496 on Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment, SB 555 on dementia services and brain health resources, and SB 579 on no-cost preventive cancer screening for retired volunteer firefighters. These bills were generally amended in the House with clarifying or conforming changes, and the Senate adopted the amendments and passed the bills by constitutional majority.