Transcript Highlights:

• . >> [laughter] The vision there. Yes. Um I make this a priority of mine Yes.
• >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> The<00:04:10.240> vision<
• Ever since the board has moved from the Department of Agriculture to DIBED, it's been, uh, the visions
• Uh, but when we get to that point, I mean, it sounds like you have the ability and the vision to really
• Uh, but when we get to that point, I mean, it sounds like you have the ability and the vision to really

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard multiple governor’s messages for confirmation to the Agribusiness Development Corporation board and one appointment to the Aloha Stadium Authority. For GM 606, David Ige Hinazumi was supported by ADC and DBEDT, with testimony highlighting his private-sector experience, technology background, and ability to help with risk management and finances. He told senators he had attended board meetings since 2018, saw ADC as a state business arm for agriculture, and supported expanding land, facilities, and even aquaculture if resources allowed. Senators asked about ADC’s role relative to the Department of Agriculture, and he said the department’s strength is research/regulatory work while ADC should focus on business development, support, and facilities for farmers and aquaculture businesses. For GM 607, Jason Watts was strongly supported by ADC leadership, DBEDT, and many agricultural and community groups, with one opposing testimony from Hawaii Farm Bureau. Supporters praised his governance, accountability, transparency, and frequent communication with the agency. In questioning, Watts said ADC’s top priority should be increasing land holdings, and he discussed ADC’s role in water systems, including preserving agricultural water sources and inventorying systems statewide. He also said ADC could potentially help small farmers comply with environmental permitting through a broader, regional approach if authorized by the Legislature. The committee also heard from Joshua Uyehara for GM 682, who was supported by ADC, county officials, and farm groups. He said his priorities would be accelerating ADC projects, expanding capacity, and possibly using ADC as a center of expertise for water systems and for helping farmers with environmental requirements; he also said biofuel crops and food production can be complementary, though food should be prioritized when water is constrained. The committee then considered GM 513, Tracy Lester Smith’s appointment to the Aloha Stadium Authority. The stadium authority and DBEDT supported her, citing her experience in NASCAR, boxing, and Bellator MMA as useful for marketing, attracting events, and commercializing the stadium. Smith said she was eager to serve and would bring experience from both the landlord and tenant perspectives, helping the board think about venue operations, sponsorships, and event attraction. Senators asked about improving public perception and execution, and she emphasized accountability, timelines, and building a venue that can draw major sports and entertainment events. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:21.399> have<00:14:21.560> our<00:14:21.920> our<00:14:22.120> vision
• the very top we have our our vision the very top we have our our vision which<00:14:22.759> is
• If you look at Mission Zero, I'll give that as an example.
• In the past year, we've also been an integral part of, you may be aware of or heard of, Mission Zero
• one of the initiatives of mission zero one of the initiatives of mission zero does<01:30:59.440>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let our words bring healing and set up the vision, and let our actions reflect integrity and compassion
• Ninety-seven yeas, zero nays, and the bill finally passed.
• There's zero. Oh, there's none? Well, In Orleans Parish? I'm sure there's a lot. There's zero.
• Well, there's zero in New Orleans.
• Clerk will close the machine. 92 yeas, zero nays, and the bill finally passes. Rep.

Bills: HR265, HR266, HR267, HR268, HR269, HR270, HR271, HR272, HR273, HCR107, HCR108, HCR109, HCR110, HCR111, HR257, HR258, HR259, HR260, HR261, HR262, HR263, HCR105, HCR106, SCR30, SB57, SB157, SB202, SB237, SB276, SB450, SB465, SB501, SB525, HR3, HR80, HR197, HR243, SCR5, SCR35, HB4, HB623, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, SB34, SB164, SB172, SB198, SB208, SB232, SB281, SB286, SB317, SB322, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB409, SB417, SB421, SB430, SB439, SB447, SB458, SB510, SB398, HB646, HR84, HR188, HR205, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, SCR24, HCR6, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB302, HB819, HB1257, HB1258, SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB69, SB75, SB77, SB78, SB85, SB102, SB115, SB133, SB140, SB148, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB185, SB197, SB200, SB217, SB235, SB278, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB315, SB324, SB330, SB411, SB416, SB420, SB436, SB438, SB449, SB455, SB456, SB477, SB489, SB521, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, HCR72, HB633, HB603, HB940, HB251, HB775, HB998, HB1191, HB625, HB1255, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, HB258, HB842, SB149, SB382, SB441

Keywords: Pineville High School, Lady Rebels, softball, LHSAA, Louisiana High School Athletic Association, Class 5A, state championship, high school sports, student athletes, commendation, resolution, athletics, girls softball, championship team, Pineville, school recognition, sportsmanship, coach Allison Frye, Louisiana legislature, House Resolution

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to start just by demonstrating our GMCS vision for our student experience.
• Our vision for the student experience.
• For more information, visit www.fema.gov The vision for the student experience, it's not only aspirational
• I spent zero time in central office, which is very unusual. usual, and as a matter of fact, most superintendent
• If you do that real quick, just multiply it 14 times 2, and that's 28, throw the zeros at the end: $28

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a very important component of public pension portfolios when interest rates went down to zero.
• It wasn't very long ago the state of New Jersey was paying literally zero to its teachers' pension plan
• Instead of looking at ones and zeros, which is the framework of a classical transistor, this uses something
• We're talking about a real holistic vision of an innovation campus that was made possible through the
• That’s the vision I see for New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• enables the community college chancellor's office to allocate unallocated resources appropriated for the zero-cost
• SB 105 has $40 million for infrastructure for zero-emissions trucks and buses.
• Vanessa Cahina, on behalf of the California Academy of Family Physicians, Vision y Compromiso, and CalPACE
• Vanessa Cahina, on behalf of the California Academy of Family Physicians, Vision y Compromiso, and CalPACE
• protection program, air district-level Clean Cars for All programs, and investment in infrastructure for zero-emission

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the September budget package, which included SB 105 and a series of trailer bills covering health, human services, education, resources, child care, transportation, labor, public safety, housing, revenue, background checks, collective bargaining, and a special election. The Department of Finance described the package as largely technical and clarifying, but also responsive to state and federal changes, especially H.R. 1. Key items included roughly $3.3 billion in Proposition 4 climate and environmental spending, $540 million in discretionary greenhouse gas reduction funds, and major responses to H.R. 1 such as CalFresh error-rate mitigation, food bank support, and Medicaid-related changes. Other notable provisions included vaccine policy flexibility, an Abortion Access Fund, a gender-affirming care program, community college basic-needs and aid changes, CEQA and coastal permit exemptions tied to the 2028 Olympics, invasive mussel prevention funding, a civic media program, labor and pension-related provisions, and special election administration changes. Members raised questions and concerns about several parts of the package. There was support for climate, water, transit, offshore wind, food security, and health investments, but also significant criticism of the lack of cleanup language for SB 131 and its advanced manufacturing exemptions, with multiple members saying promised fixes had not materialized and expressing concerns about tribal consultation, labor standards, and environmental protections. Members also questioned the scale and timing of some Proposition 4 allocations, including fairground upgrades, regional conveyance, and a UC Davis alternative protein research center. The Department of Finance said some programs would roll out over time and that certain funding levels reflected current implementation capacity. The hearing also featured discussion of Bay Area transit financing, with Finance saying SB 105 directs the department and CalSTA to examine loan or other financing options rather than immediately providing loans. Members and public commenters also discussed the state’s response to H.R. 1, with advocates supporting food bank, health care, and immunization provisions while warning of ongoing harm to immigrants, foster youth, and other vulnerable groups. Public testimony broadly supported the health, food, water, offshore wind, and golden mussel provisions, while many speakers echoed legislative concerns about SB 131 and urged cleanup action in the next session. No votes were taken because the hearing was informational only, though the chair noted votes on the bills were expected later that night or the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our vision is a Los Angeles County where every resident, regardless of income, can find an affordable
• Our vision is a Los Angeles County where every resident, regardless of income, can find an affordable
• All right, seven to zero. We've been that open for absent members. Thank you so much.
• Ten to zero. Item number one. Item number one. Gallagher? Wicks? Aye. Weeks, aye. Wilson, aye.
• Two to zero with two non-voting members. Item number two. Avila Farias? Aye. Avila Farias, aye.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 249, which would require youth-specific coordinated entry assessments for homeless services. The author and supporters from Larkin Street Youth Services and the California Coalition for Youth argued that current vulnerability tools are adult-focused and can disadvantage young people; the bill was described as a developmentally appropriate fix to better connect youth to housing and prevention services. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0 to Human Services. Members then heard AB 239 and AB 1206. AB 239 would create a state-led disaster housing task force, a state disaster housing coordinator, and regular legislative reporting to speed recovery after disasters; it passed 7-0 to Emergency Management. AB 1206 would let local agencies pre-approve plans for single-family and small multifamily homes of up to 10 units to reduce permitting delays and costs; the League of California Cities opposed it unless amended, citing local variation and staffing concerns, but the author and supporters said it would preserve local control and help speed housing production. The bill passed 9-0 to Local Government. The committee also took up AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s home purchase assistance funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. Supporters framed it as reparative justice and a way to address longstanding racial disparities in homeownership, while Pacific Legal Foundation argued it likely violated constitutional limits on race-based government action and urged a race-neutral approach. After discussion about reparations criteria and the bill’s intent, it passed 6-0 to Judiciary. The consent calendar, including AB 480, AB 726, and AB 1154, was approved 8-0. Later, AB 282 was heard to allow housing providers to prefer applicants who participate in rental assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, despite existing source-of-income discrimination law. Supporters said it would help voucher holders find units and improve affordable housing operations; no opposition testified, and the bill passed 6-1 to Judiciary. AB 1229 followed, restructuring the adult reentry grant program to focus on permanent housing for people leaving prison by moving administration to HCD and using regional administrators; supporters emphasized the link between housing stability and reduced recidivism, and the bill passed 7-0 to Public Safety. The committee then approved AB 670, which would let local governments count preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element goals and require better demolition reporting, and AB 750, which would strengthen oversight and reporting for homeless shelters after a prior reporting law saw very low compliance. AB 670 passed 8-0 to Local Government, and AB 750 was presented with testimony from a shelter resident describing abuse and lack of accountability in shelters.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 113 yea, zero nay.
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 113 yea, zero nay.
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 114 yea, zero nay.
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 114 yea, zero nay.
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 112 yea, zero nay, Madam Speaker.

Keywords: sales tax reduction, budget cuts, boating safety, water treatment, municipal utilities, school safety, medical malpractice, firearm purchase age, cursive writing instruction, first responder support, veto overrides, veterans funding, infrastructure projects

Summary: The Florida House convened for regular business, with Speaker Perez announcing historic budget plans including the largest state tax cut in Florida history - a permanent 0.75% sales tax reduction from 6% to 5.25%, saving Floridians nearly $5 billion annually. The House will propose a budget lower than both the Governor's proposal and last year's budget. Several bills passed including Lucy's Law (boating safety), water access facilities funding, municipal utility rate corrections, hazardous walking conditions for schools, and medical malpractice 'Free Kill Law' repeal. The controversial firearm purchase age bill (HB 759) passed 78-34, lowering the minimum age from 21 to 18, despite emotional opposition citing the Parkland shooting. Other bills addressed cursive writing instruction, peer support for first responders, and government sunset reviews. Multiple veto override motions were approved unanimously, reinstating funding for veterans programs and infrastructure projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are zero in Delaware. I could not find a guarantee that there are any in New Jersey.
• It's important for our students to understand that we have their back, that we have the vision of the
• This is why we are developing the clear guardrails, and we say vision before vendor. It's not a...
• This is why we are developing the clear guardrails, and we say vision before vendor.
• So I appreciate that vision over vendor, the assurance lab, and everything that you spoke of, because

Summary: The House met on June 30, 2026, with opening ceremonies, guest introductions, a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence for two deceased community members. Members also adopted Consent Calendar 29, which included House Concurrent Resolutions 153, 154, and 156, and passed House Concurrent Resolution 157 directing the State Lottery to report on iLottery options to support traditional lottery retailers, as amended to set a February 15, 2027 reporting deadline. The chamber then considered several bills on agriculture, telecommunications, health, fire service standards, corrections, elections, and education. Among the measures passed were Senate Bill 53 on the Delaware Farm to Community Program, Senate Bill 307 on PSC authority for Lifeline telecom carriers, Senate Bill 339 clarifying advance health care directives, Senate Bill 235 extending manufactured home rent increase rules, Senate Bill 325 updating firefighter/EMS background check and membership standards, Senate Bill 309 discharging incarceration-related balances, Senate Bill 324 on constable-related handgun purchase exemptions, Senate Bill 94 on respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication access, and Senate Bill 293 creating a licensure pathway for summer camp providers in the Purchase of Care program. The House also passed Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment to protect the right to marry regardless of race or gender while explicitly preserving religious freedom. The bill drew extended debate, with supporters framing it as a safeguard against future rollbacks of marriage equality and opponents raising concerns about constitutionalizing an issue already in statute; several members explained changed votes and personal reflections before the final roll call, which passed 28-12. House Bill 188, which would allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary, also passed after amendment, despite some opposition over party-system effects. Two measures were tabled or amended after debate: Senate Bill 233 on removing snow and ice from vehicles was initially tabled to consider a truck-driver exemption amendment, then the amendment failed and the bill later passed as amended; and Senate Joint Resolution 19 on studying health care costs was tabled briefly pending legal clarification. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404, creating a three-year pilot program for AI and extended reality in schools, passed after testimony from the Department of Education emphasizing guardrails, data privacy, and teacher oversight. The transcript ends as House Bill 478 is being read in, but no final action on that bill appears in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• report by the 12 eyes and zero nays. report by the 12 eyes and zero nays.
• zero nays, and one abstention. zero nays, and one abstention.
• vote of 11 eyes and zero nays. vote of 11 eyes and zero nays.
• Woods. 35 ayes, zero nays. All right, 35 ayes, zero nays. House Bill 404 passes. Mr.
• <01:12:07.000> Uh All right, 33 eyes, zero nays. Uh All right, 33 eyes, zero nays.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then quickly handled routine business including excusing absent senators, adopting the prior journal, and recognizing several guests in the gallery. The chamber also paused to honor Dr. Mark Sullivan, superintendent of Birmingham City Schools, with a Senate resolution commending him as the Alabama Education Association’s 2025-26 outstanding superintendent of the year. Senator Smitherman and Dr. Sullivan both spoke, with Sullivan highlighting Birmingham’s academic gains, reduced failing schools, and lower chronic absenteeism. The Senate then processed a series of House messages and confirmations. It concurred in SB 288 on agriculture authorities and SB 317 on the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services, but non-concurred and sent SB 174 on natural resources and SB 32 on solid waste collection fees to conference. The chamber confirmed numerous appointments, including Rex Jones, William Donahue, Jim Massey, Jason Windham, Alexander Atwater, Charles Dean, Steve McKinnon, Bonnie Temple, Shaniqua Johnson-Enam, Dwayne Jenkins, Troy Skipworth, Gloria Watts, Tracy Doughty, Kevin Ball, Joe D. Briggs, Josh Bryant, Dylan Turk, David R. Pruitt III, and Carol Smitherman, with most confirmations passing on near-unanimous rolls. Committee reports advanced several House bills, including favorable reports on HB 224, 591, 614, 609, 444, 248, 611, 622, 92, and 556, with HB 248 amended. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the University of Alabama women’s wheelchair basketball team for winning the 2026 national championship, and another resolution recognizing the seriousness of the national debt and urging Congress to establish regular budget order. A resolution honoring retired Brigadier General Vandiver H. Carter as the 2026 Marion Military Institute Alumnus of the Year and a resolution commending John R. Cooper were also adopted. In local legislation, the Senate passed HB 635 for Choctaw County, HB 639 for Escambia County, SB 10 for Tuscaloosa County, HB 315 for class one municipalities after adopting a committee substitute and a friendly amendment, and HB 404 for class one municipalities. Finally, the Committee on Rules reported and the Senate adopted a special order calendar for the next legislative day, listing a wide range of bills for priority consideration, including measures on solar power facilities, homestead exemptions, education, guardianships, tax increment districts, legal tender, college tuition, crime victims compensation, motor vehicles, entertainment industry issues, campus chaplains, tax abatements, alcoholic beverage producers, data privacy, constables, insurance, municipal audits, income tax, public high schools, taxation, state health planning, and University of Alabama matters.

Transcript Highlights:

• Zero. That is stunning. That is a stunning break from normal. Mr.
• Zero. That is stunning. That is a stunning break from normal. Mr.
• Zero. That is stunning. That is a stunning break from normal. Mr.
• Zero. That is stunning. That is a stunning break from normal. Mr.
• We had to use Republicans lock down the floor and allow zero amendments. Zero. That is stunning.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On slide seven, I will share my national vision of San Jeronimo and what's happening on the other side
• All of this aligns with the binational vision we have for the state.
• On slide number 8, I will continue with the shared gateway for this vision.
• So it's not Colonia's funding, but that does have available funding—some with zero match.
• Without bigotry, we are one family across the border, and I think all of you who see that vision are

Transcript Highlights:

• Midland has the vision, demand, and track record, and with the right tools we can continue growing alongside
• So if you had a homeowner that was going to was not able to pay in full, so you might get zero property
• Uh, Brad Morrison and the talk share his vision, and he also share with my vision as well.
• So I'm very, very impressed and I want to let everybody know that uh that this is a It's a grand vision

Bills: HB249

Keywords: real property, ad valorem tax, tax appraisal, property value limitation, real estate taxation, property ownership

Transcript Highlights:

• The heat was so intense, it vaporized everyone within half a mile of ground zero.
• UC Merced is also the fastest-growing UC campus, with over 9,000 students today and a bold vision for
• No, zero. The measure passes. We are going to pass and retain on file items 43 through 90.

Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a largely procedural floor session. Members also heard guest introductions recognizing the 20th anniversary of UC Merced and visiting interns and local officials. The Speaker reminded members about floor managers for Senate bills and noted several items were passed and retained on file or deferred during the day’s business. On the Daily File, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 385 on park property and AB 1119 on teacher credentialing, both by unanimous 57-0 votes. The house also passed SB 351, a health practices measure presented as strengthening enforcement of California’s corporate practice of medicine rules and protecting the doctor-patient relationship, by a 61-0 vote. SB 697, relating to water rights adjudication and allowing the State Water Board to use technology such as drones for investigations, passed 55-0. The Assembly then took up SB 346 on local government and short-term rentals. Supporters said it would help cities collect transient occupancy taxes, enforce local ordinances, and identify unpermitted rentals; Assembly Members Bauer-Kahan, Papin, and Dixon spoke in favor, with Dixon describing local regulatory challenges from her time in Newport Beach. The bill passed 50-0. The second-day consent calendar was then approved. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment in memory remarks honoring Miguel Antonio Cano, Officer of the California Highway Patrol; Vincent Dino, a longtime Palmdale water district and civic leader; Andrew Meredith, a labor and building trades leader and former Galt mayor; and Erica Hoffman, a California School Boards Association advocate for public education. The Assembly then adjourned until Tuesday, September 2 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We share your vision, Chairman Perry, for a new water supply that will reduce the pressure on groundwater
• if you have something on top of the ground and no water available to it, your property values go to zero
• It does go to zero, Mr. Chairman, if you got...

Bills: HB2018, HB1633, HB1689, SB612, SB3058

Keywords: agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• With just under $10 million, we recently launched a new program called the ZIP program, Zero Interest
• So our vision is to be the primary destination for venturesome travelers.
• If we really want to talk about larger visions for projects, like event centers and spaces like that,
• to New Mexico, citizens, is really helpful to everybody, not just individuals who are blind or low vision
• crucial that we provide families and parents with information they need to know that their blind or low vision

Transcript Highlights:

• program to do direct loans, and these funds can be used to purchase land. first two years which is zero
• um no first two years which is zero um no maximum<00:09:24.760> net<00:09:24.959> worth
• million we these loans we've done is 461 million we have<00:16:14.560> had<00:16:15.000> zero
• <00:16:15.720> defaults<00:16:16.720> banks<00:16:17.000> are have had zero
• defaults banks are have had zero defaults banks are required<00:16:17.800> to<00:16:18.600>

Bills: HF770, HF857, HF38, HF1500, HF43

Keywords: HF770, Rural Finance Authority, RFA, capital investment, state bonds, general obligation bonds, bonding bill, agricultural loans, farm loans, beginning farmer, new farmer, seller-sponsored loans, loan restructuring, agricultural improvement loans, livestock expansion, modernization loans, rural development, Minnesota agriculture, farm credit, chapter 41B

Transcript Highlights:

• There are zero in Delaware.
• It's important for our students to understand that we have their back, that we have the vision of the
• This is why we are developing the clear guardrails, and we say vision before vendor. It's not a...
• This is why we are developing the clear guardrails, and we say vision before vendor.
• So I appreciate that vision over vendor, the assurance lab, and everything that you spoke of, because

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Actions under section 39 a point zero zero two of the education code the substitute limits the scope
• Campbell Crane I There being nine ayes and zero nays, the committee substitute for Senate Let's back
• up, members, there being eight ayes and zero nays, for Senate Bill 605 will be reported favorably to
• You know Hosa again boo Cretin I they're being eight eyes zero nays the committee substitute or Senate
• They're being eight ayes and zero Nays, the committee substitute for Senate Bill 2252 will be reported

Bills: SB530, SB757, SB769, SB1085, SB1241, SB1242, SB1409, SB1878, SB2138, SB2314, SB2231, SB2361, SB2431, SJR59

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary will lock the board and announce the vote. 37 yeas, zero nays, Mr. President.
• Clerk will lock the board and announce the vote. 37 yeas, zero nays, Mr. President.
• Secretary will lock the board and announce the vote. 37 yeas, zero nays, Mr. President.
• Go to zero, have a place for people to vent... ...zero, have a place for people to vent, report concerns
• Secretary will lock the board and record the vote. 36 yays, zero nays, Mr. President.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and several recognitions, including visiting student groups, chambers of commerce, and apprenticeship participants. Senators also observed a moment of silence for a fallen Walton County deputy and later for the late John Pasadoma. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading calendar and special order calendar, with most bills passing overwhelmingly and several amendments adopted along the way. Among the major measures, SB 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers passed 37-0 after debate and an amendment clarifying “good faith” in an officer’s duties; SB 7020 on open government and cybersecurity information passed 37-0; SM 1488 urging Congress to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund was adopted by voice vote; SB 944 reducing insurance overpayment claim deadlines for psychologists passed 37-0; SB 878 expanding misdemeanor probation treatment provisions to controlled substances passed 36-1; SB 538, the state court system package, passed 37-0; SB 480 on nonprofit agricultural organization medical benefit plans passed 32-4; SB 472 on correctional-facility education credit for licensure passed 37-0; and SB 56 on geoengineering and weather modification passed 28-9 after extensive debate about enforcement, federal preemption, and the bill’s purpose. Later, the Senate passed CS/HB 421 on peer support for first responders 37-0 after substituting the House companion, and SB 164 on vessel accountability advanced with a technical amendment. SB 166 on administrative efficiency in public schools drew the most extended debate and multiple amendments; it changes testing, promotion, teacher evaluation, certification, and facilities rules, and passed 37-0. The chamber also passed SB 282 on warranty association financial requirements 36-0, SB 316 creating series LLCs 35-1, and SB 384 on annexing state-owned lands 36-0. At the end of the day, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, received budget schedule guidance from Appropriations Chair Hooper for SB 2500 and SB 2502, and adjourned until April 9.