Transcript Highlights:

• Right now lawmakers are debating immigration impacts on incarceration costs, public safety, and state budgets
• Right now lawmakers are debating immigration impacts on incarceration costs, public safety, state budgets
• violent and other crimes, excuse me, against innocent Americans, and I support House Bill 660, and I request
• to calls in our city, we would have to increase the number of police officers that we would be requesting
• I mean, if anything, I guess we could wait till it got to the Senate side and request the cleanup there

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The Local Government Committee approved the February 24, 2026 minutes and then heard House Bill 660, sponsored by Representative Dale Hawkins. Hawkins said the bill would require law enforcement to collect and publish biannual statewide data on the immigration status and nationality of arrested individuals, arguing Idaho taxpayers should know the costs and jail impacts associated with people in the country unlawfully. He said the bill was intended to create a uniform reporting system and that the state needs better information to manage immigration-related detention costs. Testimony was split. Supporters, including Secure Idaho representatives Michael Angela and Tim O’Donnell, said the bill would improve transparency, use information already gathered during booking, and help lawmakers make policy based on measurable data. Opponents, including Idaho Chiefs of Police Association representative Tracy Bastercia, argued the bill would burden local police, create confusion about who must collect the data, potentially duplicate work already done at the jail level, and raise concerns about asking citizens their nationality and publishing sensitive information. Several members questioned whether the fiscal note was accurate and whether the bill should be limited to sheriff’s offices and jail booking rather than all law enforcement agencies. After closing testimony, Representative Wheeler moved to hold the bill in committee, but that motion failed 8-7. The original motion to send HB 660 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation then passed 8-7. The chair noted interest in possible cleanup of the bill’s language, and the committee adjourned with a reminder that it may need to meet again later in the week for Senate bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3310 is a Government Accountability and Budget Transparency Act.
• What do you say to those local leaders that don't have it in their budget to make that happen?
• So, if that is the case, then I would request that you continue to work on this because currently I believe
• So, I'm humbly requesting that you would consider laying it over. Thank you.
• This bill was brought as a request bill from Rogers County treasurer.

Bills: HB3310 , HB4311 , HB3841 , HB3024 , HB3075

Committee: House General Government

Keywords: purchasing, compliance, state employees, longevity pay, contract management, unclaimed property, service charges, property fund, accountability, government transparency, local development, economic impact, voter approval, tax increment financing, review committee, public finance, blight, salary increase, bonus limits, job performance

Transcript Highlights:

• We have included a waiver that counties can request if they are unable to process mail ballots.
• We have included a waiver that counties can request if they are unable to process mail ballots within
• It was almost a million dollars over budget and had to come begging with his hat in his hands.
• It was almost a million dollars over budget and had to come begging with his hat and his hands.
• I therefore request three important short changes to Assembly Bill 534.

Committee: Senate Legislative Operations and Elections

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It took me until February 2021 to get a response from my request.
• I requested to rehabilitate all small animals, including raccoons.
• only rehabilitation permitting contact rehabilitation permitting contact stopped answering permit requests
• As far as I know, I've not been looking at the budget, but I don't think they have an increased line
• item on the budget to facilitate these types of intense regulations that are being proposed. these types

Bills: HB448 , HB448

Committee: House Agriculture and Forestry

Keywords: wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, good samaritan, injured animals, orphaned animals, debilitated wildlife, wild birds, wild animals, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, permit exemption, animal rescue, animal welfare, veterinary medicine, veterinary licensing, animal cruelty, wildlife care, rehabilitation act, non-federally protected species, endangered species

Transcript Highlights:

• But my request today is that each person who enters this Capitol would sense your presence through the
• Please grant our requests for the wisdom of Solomon as legislators navigate the political journey and
• ways that you all will be able to navigate the different challenges between having a $24 billion budget
• surplus and a $35 billion budget requests from all the different constituencies that are seeking money

Bills: SCR7

Keywords: legislature, adjournment, permissions, Texas Constitution, session, legislative authority

Summary: The Texas Senate convened for the opening of the 89th Legislature with an invocation, roll call, and certification of the newly elected senators. Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock administered the oath of office to the senators-elect, and Governor Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott addressed the chamber, emphasizing priorities such as foster care, the budget, border security, school choice, and maintaining Texas’s economic growth and constitutional principles. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick also welcomed members and guests, noted the Senate’s bipartisan culture, and highlighted the chamber’s organization for the session. The Senate then held its organizational election for President Pro Tempore. Senator Tan Parker nominated Senator Brandon Creighton, and Senator Paul Bettencourt seconded the nomination, both praising Creighton’s background, legislative record, and leadership. The chamber voted by standing vote to elect Creighton, who was then escorted to the front and sworn in as President Pro Tempore by State Minister Scott Wall. Creighton delivered remarks about his family, his time as a Senate messenger, and his priorities for the session, including education, border issues, energy, and Texas sovereignty. After the leadership election, the Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7, granting permission for either house to adjourn for more than three days during the specified January period. The resolution passed by a recorded vote of 31 ayes and no nays. The Senate then adopted a motion by Senator Zaffirini to recess until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, after a caucus at 10 a.m. in the Betty King Room.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> through request. through request.
• Um this comes at the request of Senator Hill, this comes at the request of Janette and Judge Touchstone
• Um this comes at the request of Senator Hill, this comes at the request of Janette and Judge Touchstone
• Chairman, that would be my amendment. >> Um, do we know where this bill was requested?
• </c><00:39:35.040><c> this</c> where this bill's who's requested this where this bill's who's requested

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division B

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 25 February, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those were compromise numbers between the governor's budget, the House's budget, and the Senate's budget
• to pass the budget.
• Those were compromise numbers between the governor's budget, the House's budget, and the Senate's budget
• to pass the budget.
• budget<04:46:33.040><c> any</c><04:46:33.240><c> further</c> budget any further budget any further questions

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HB 651, a school-funding bill that would raise the base cost of an adequate education and increase differentiated aid for students in poverty, English language learners, and special education. The chair opened with housekeeping notices about parking and eating in committee spaces, and noted a revised fiscal note would be distributed. Representative David Luneau presented the bill as part of a broader package of public school funding measures, explaining that HB 651 builds on HB 550 and is intended to respond to court rulings and the ongoing school-funding litigation by adjusting both the base adequacy amount and equity-based funding factors. Luneau said the bill would raise the state’s adequacy grant from about $4,100 to $7,351 per student and increase differentiated aid, while also updating statutory language so future recalculations include the court-identified resource elements. He argued the measure is about fairness and shifting more of the burden from local property taxpayers to the state, not about increasing overall education spending. He reviewed fiscal-note figures indicating the bill would add roughly $576 million to the state share of school funding, bringing the total state share to about $1.65 billion, and said the note also mentions possible effects on charter schools and vouchers. Committee members asked about the evidence supporting higher costs for low-income and English learner students, how long ESL funding should continue, why free-and-reduced-lunch aid remains higher than special education aid, whether the formula is based on enrollment or average daily membership, and whether the bill is truly equitable across districts of different sizes and needs. Luneau and later witness Zach Shen of the New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project said the bill is supported by research and court findings, that the current formula relies heavily on local property taxes, and that shifting more funding to the state would reduce property-tax pressure and help address disparities among districts. Shen also cited broad public support for the related HB 550 testimony and said HB 651 is intended as a step toward a more equitable funding system. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And first, I respectfully request a roll call on this. A roll call has been requested.
• And, Madam, I would like to request a roll call as well. Roll call has been requested.
• Seeing 15 has requested a roll call.
• So, able to get it into the base budget.
• </c> impact, we're passing a two-year budget impact, we're passing a two-year budget right<01:59:11.679

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Record the assignment upon request and payment of a $10 fee.
• And if requested, the Secretary of State must issue a new certificate in the name of the assignee and
• House Bill 2248 removes this requirement for issuing a new certificate to the assignee upon request.
• A fiscal note has been requested, but not yet available. Any questions of staff? All right.
• It is by request of the Uniform Law Commission.

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2248, described by the prime sponsor and Secretary of State staff as a technical cleanup and clarification measure affecting several Secretary of State programs. The bill would redirect portions of annual business filing fees over $50 into the Secretary of State’s revolving fund, require initial reports from nonprofit corporations and limited liability partnerships, clarify that employing a remote worker in Washington does not by itself constitute doing business in the state, remove a requirement to issue a new trademark certificate to an assignee, create reinstatement procedures for terminated international student exchange placement organizations, and limit certain notarization authentication practices. The sponsor and agency witness said the bill does not change policy or raise fees, but improves clarity and aligns statute with current practice. A committee member asked about trademark transfers, and staff said the bill would not affect public tracking of ownership changes. No vote was taken on HB 2248 during the hearing. The committee then moved into executive session on House Bill 2178 and House Bill 2158. For HB 2178, staff said the proposed substitute would remove a two-year extension for courts of limited jurisdiction to implement electronic submission of protection order petitions and would place into statute the treasurer’s authority to distribute appropriated local fiscal officer collection grant funds to county clerks, while repealing AOC’s role in administering those grants. Members generally supported the substitute, though one member voted no without recommendation, citing concern about how the Administrative Office of the Courts would comply with earlier legislation after removal of a section from the original draft. The committee approved the substitute and reported HB 2178 out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 10 ayes, 2 nays, and 1 excused. For HB 2158, staff explained that the bill updates the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts to address remote notarization of tangible records, with proposed substitute H-2937.1 narrowing the procedure to one acceptable method for confirming the record and adding the word “tangible” for clarity. Supporters said the substitute incorporated helpful technical changes from the Court Reporters Association and added a two-year delay to allow the Department of Licensing time for rulemaking. The committee approved the substitute unanimously and reported HB 2158 out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:26:26.560><c> neutrality</c> anything related to budget neutrality anything related to budget
• </c><01:49:34.719><c> um</c> And budget. Okay. Um, has budgeting instructions.
• But what you're really talking about is budget planning and then implementation of that budget.
• Even sit down at the office and decide how we're going to have a budget.
• But what you're really talking about is budget planning and then implementation of that budget.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first approved the minutes from its May 13 meeting. Members then reviewed a deferred contract with the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy for the Kentucky Pharmacist Recovery Network (KYPRN), a program that provides monitoring and support for pharmacists and pharmacy interns with substance abuse or mental health issues. Board representatives explained that the contract is a long-running arrangement, renewed periodically, with an option for two additional two-year renewals. Senators asked about the program’s structure, participation trends, follow-up, and consequences for noncompliance. The board said enrollment has remained fairly consistent at about 52 participants, with roughly 500 participants over the life of the program, weekly and monthly check-ins during the five-year typical enrollment period, and possible additional sanctions if participants fail to meet obligations. The committee then approved the contract. The committee next considered a group of economic development contracts, including items from the Cabinet for Economic Development. Secretary Jeff Null and general counsel Matt Wingate testified about contracts tied to regional innovation and entrepreneurship hubs. Members focused on the large differences in funding between regions and pressed for more support for rural and eastern Kentucky. Null said the cabinet is working on a more tailored, non-one-size-fits-all approach, including possible changes to capital support, build-to-suit options, and additional resources for rural areas. He said the hubs have helped 193 startups over the last two years and helped attract nearly $350 million in private capital, and he agreed to provide a written report by hub district on startup viability. The committee approved the economic development contracts. The Kentucky Lottery Corporation then presented its contracts with vendor IGT for retail and internet sales systems. Lottery officials said the contracts are mission-critical, cover both the traditional retail system and iLottery, and are structured as a percentage of sales so no payment is made until revenue is earned. They described planned equipment upgrades, including refreshed terminals, new ticket checkers, cashless vending and bill acceptors, and connected-play features that would link retail and online wallets. Officials said keeping the same vendor reduces the risk of business disruption and that the arrangement has already produced cost savings. They also said the lottery continues to see year-over-year growth and expects to meet its annual contribution target of $360 million for scholarships and grants. The committee approved the lottery contract after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a priority-of-your-budget question.
• And then you guys know government budgeting as well as I do.
• Zero agencies were budgeted to do this.
• So that brings us to a $23 million a year budget.
• Approximately 55% of our budget goes to on-parcel work.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. committee's budget. We believe this committee's budget.
• Each spring, I revise the current budget and build next year's budget.
• Each spring, I revise the current budget and build next year's budget.
• Each spring, I revise the current budget and build next year's budget.
• Each spring, I revise the current budget and build next year's budget.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The FTEs are in that budget. Mr.
• Chairman, you're on that work group, and those eight FTEs are in the current budget right now.
• The FTEs are in that budget. Mr.
• Chairman, you're on that work group, and those eight FTEs are in the current budget right now.
• As far as CCN requests, I worked for a municipality before I worked where I'm at now.

Bills: SB863 , SB1190 , SB1261 , SB1413 , SB1624 , SB1662 , SB1663 , SB1855 , SB1967 , SB2124 , SB2204 , SB1623

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, water loss, municipally owned utilities, Texas Water Development Board, administrative penalties, water audit, water infrastructure, water supply, state water plan, water management strategies, water financing, municipal bonds, revenue bonds, public debt, obligations, TWDB

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs heard several water-related bills, with testimony focused on drinking water quality, groundwater contamination notice, flood infrastructure funding, water rights conservation, and utility service areas. SB 1662 would limit TCEQ’s advance notice to public water systems to no more than 24 hours before testing after a consumer complaint, to reduce the chance of temporary treatment affecting results. SB 1663 would allow TCEQ to notify private well owners, groundwater conservation districts, and nearby residents by direct means about known groundwater contamination, rather than relying mainly on first-class mail and annual reporting. SB 2124 would move the deadline for publishing the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee’s annual report from April 1 to June 1. Witnesses on the first two bills described long-running water quality problems and delayed notice in their communities and supported the measures. No opposition was recorded, and each bill was left pending for a later vote. The committee also heard SB 1967, which would expand eligibility for Flood Infrastructure Fund financing to multipurpose projects that both reduce flooding and create water supply. Senator Hinojosa and Hidalgo County representatives described the Delta Reclamation Project as a shovel-ready example that would capture flood and drainage water, treat it, and produce new potable supply while also providing detention and flood mitigation. A Sierra Club witness also supported the bill, saying such projects could help manage floodwaters and reduce polluted discharges to bays and estuaries. The bill was left pending. A lengthy and divided discussion followed on SB 1413, which would expand the streamlined expedited release process for landowners seeking removal from a water or sewer CCN in additional counties. Senator Nichols said the bill was a property-rights measure aimed at legacy monopolies and bad actors who use CCNs to hold landowners hostage, while supporters described cases where developers could not get timely service, including fire flow, or were asked to fund infrastructure without reasonable recoupment. Opponents from rural water corporations and utility associations argued the bill would undermine investment in water infrastructure, strand debt, and weaken the return on planned expansion. PUC and TCEQ resource witnesses explained that compensation is handled case by case through appraisal and can include stranded costs, planning, design, construction, and some legal fees, but members noted the statute is unclear and discussed possible committee substitute language. Public testimony was closed with the bill left pending. Later, SB 1624 would allow the Texas Water Trust within the Texas Water Bank to hold donated water rights for conservation purposes and protect them from use-it-or-lose-it cancellation, and SB 863 would address Edwards Aquifer utilities that straddle the aquifer boundary by allowing them to continue using Edwards water within their certificated areas under specified conditions. Both bills were laid out, received no public opposition in the hearing, and were left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• The money has been appropriated, though, in the executive budget. Thank you. It's online.
• The money has been appropriated, though, in the executive budget. I think you.
• Despite repeated requests, I’ve been consistently denied in-class, hands-on ABA services.
• I think that's a reasonable request and a reminder that in that classroom, that teacher is in charge
• I think that's a reasonable request and a reminder that in that classroom, that teacher is in charge

Bills: HCR14 , HB201 , HB218 , HB352 , HB626 , HB636 , HB738 , HB749

Committee: House Education

Keywords: Department of Education, federal overreach, education policy, Tenth Amendment, local control, fine arts, high school diploma, arts education, capstone project, academic achievement, student recognition, Louisiana education, food insecurity, hunger, student hunger, school meals, free lunch, community eligibility provision, McKinney-Vento, homeless students

Transcript Highlights:

• Section five would allow Pelby to add forfeiture fees to our operations budget.
• And so we are requesting to be able to use that towards it. And it's not a significant amount.
• And I believe I don't know if budget.
• And so<00:08:56.720><c> we</c><00:08:57.360><c> are</c><00:08:57.760><c> requesting</c><00:08:58.240>
• We promise we're not requesting additional funds.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The parents requested removal, and CPS went ahead and followed those recommendations.
• We've requested records and have been refused. We were told it was a HIPAA violation. Ruth is dead.
• I'd like to see if we can, and I'd ask the request to see what are the different elements for removal
• The policies here, and the budget pieces are still going to be considered in the budget, and I think
• there's going to be some requests made for that funding.

Bills: HB2511 , HB2660

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, dependency, imminent physical harm, child abuse, neglect, foster care, extended foster care, shelter care, out-of-home placement, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, family law, juvenile court, child protection, unsafe home, substance use, caregiver impairment, relative placement, guardianship, adoption

Transcript Highlights:

• The parents requested removal, and CPS went ahead and followed those recommendations.
• We've requested records and have been refused. We were told it was a HIPAA violation. Ruth is dead.
• I'd like to see if we can, and I'd ask the request to see what are the different elements for removal
• The policies here, and the budget pieces are still going to be considered in the budget, and I think
• there's going to be some requests made for that funding.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2511, which would define “imminent physical harm” in the child welfare context as a substantial risk of serious harm arising from home conditions, caregiver conduct, neglect, substance abuse, unsafe environments, or other circumstances likely to cause significant injury. Representative Tom Dent, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to give caseworkers clearer tools to protect children while still recognizing the importance of keeping families together. Supporters, including some foster parents, kinship caregivers, advocates, and individuals with lived experience, argued that the current standard is too vague and has contributed to child fatalities and near-fatalities, especially in cases involving fentanyl exposure, chronic neglect, and abuse. They said clearer language would help courts and caseworkers intervene earlier and more consistently. Opponents, including legal aid, public defense, and child welfare policy groups, argued the bill is legally problematic, could conflict with existing statutes and ICWA-informed language, and would not address root causes such as service gaps, training, and inconsistent implementation. DCYF testified “other,” saying the bill could add clarity but that the language needed refinement; the sponsor said he was open to working on changes. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2660, which would allow courts at shelter care hearings to order parents of children under age five to comply with safety-related conditions, evaluations, or services when the child is returned home, with referrals required within seven days and participation not treated as an admission of abuse or neglect. The sponsor, Representative Ortiz-Self, said the bill is aimed at critical incidents and would give caseworkers and courts more ability to require safeguards for very young children when families are not voluntarily engaging in services. DCYF and the Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds supported the bill, saying it could help prevent tragedies by allowing earlier court-ordered services and safety conditions. Some advocates and parents also supported it, describing cases where removal or court intervention helped protect children. Opponents, including public defense and some family-support organizations, raised constitutional and due process concerns, argued that services are not the same as immediate safety, and warned the bill could shift problems without fixing underlying service shortages. The sponsor and DCYF discussed the need for follow-up on language and implementation, but no committee action or vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to withdraw SB 101 Wiener from the budget committee
• At the request of the authors, please move file item three.
• Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re-refer the following bills.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What this language does, it's related to state budget...
• budget.
• We have control over the budget, right?
• We have control over the budget, right?
• We have a lot of people concerned about our budget.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members of the committee, I'm here to respectfully request your support of HB 2620.
• is it, because this is the way it reads, appropriation homeless veterans, so how is this overall budget
• Is it just on top of the normal general budget? How do we know?
• of the things that's really important to CASS that they do struggle with is that each year their budget
• So to be able to keep caseworkers, Their budget starts from zero.

Summary: The Military Affairs and Border Security Committee heard two veterans-focused bills. HB 2960 would create a Veterans Specialty Court grant program and fund to help cities and counties start, expand, and improve veterans treatment courts, with the Administrative Office of the Courts overseeing best practices, data collection, and reporting. It would also require the Department of Corrections to identify incarcerated veterans and share monthly information with the Department of Veterans’ Services so veterans do not lose contact with benefits and support services. The sponsor and a veteran testifying in support described the bill as a way to address underlying issues such as PTSD, substance use, and reintegration challenges through diversion and treatment rather than punishment. The committee also heard HB 2620, which would appropriate $300,000 annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services for grants to large emergency shelters serving homeless veterans, including Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS). Supporters said the funding would allow shelters to hire dedicated veteran case managers, provide flexible assistance, and move veterans more quickly into permanent housing. A CASS representative and a veteran who had stayed there testified in favor, describing the shelter’s veteran-specific services and the importance of stable, trauma-informed case management. Both bills received strong support from committee members, many of whom spoke personally about veterans treatment courts and homelessness services. HB 2960 was approved on a 6-0 vote with one member not voting, and HB 2620 was also approved 6-0 with one member not voting, each receiving a do-pass recommendation.