Transcript Highlights:

• Thomas Akul, as well as SHOPO President Robert Robert Robert Kavako. Okay, support.
• 05:08.639><c> president</c> akul as well as uh shopo president akul as well as uh shopo president Robert
• Robert Robert kavako<00:05:11.320><c> okay</c><00:05:12.240><c> Support</c><00:05:13.240><c> nahani<
• /c><00:05:40.199><c> here</c><00:05:40.360><c> in</c> Okay, who signed up to be here in person is Robert

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The joint hearing covered Senate Bills 470, 828, 730, and 1383. SB 470 would create a deferred retirement option program for police officers. The Employees Retirement System warned it could worsen the system’s $14.1 billion unfunded liability by stopping employer and employee contributions during the DROP period, and the Attorney General raised possible tax-qualified status, Internal Revenue Code, and age-discrimination concerns. Police and other supporters testified in favor, but the committees ultimately recommended deferring the bill indefinitely. SB 828 would expand workers’ compensation medical benefits for firefighters to cover an additional respiratory condition. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Hawaii Firefighters Association supported the measure, citing occupational exposure and health risks. The committees recommended passage with amendments, and the motion was adopted by both committees. SB 730, which concerns allowance on service retirements, drew support from the Department of Human Resources Development and the Department of Law Enforcement, but also comments from the Attorney General and ERS. DHRD said the bill could help recruitment and retention but requested more time to work on language with ERS, Budget and Finance, and the AG’s office. The committees postponed decision-making until Friday, February 7, at 3:15 p.m. in Conference Room 225. SB 1383, relating to fire protection, received broad support from the Governor’s office, Department of Defense, DLNR, Hawaiian Electric, and others. The committees agreed to pass it with amendments, including language suggested by the Hawaii Insurance Council on wildfire-related insurance issues and a committee report link to the Lina fire forward-looking report, phase three. The amended recommendation was adopted by both committees. Later in the meeting, the committees also heard SB 1360 and SB 1361 on ERS administrative and reporting matters, SB 340 on HLRB enforcement authority, and SB 997 on energy; SB 1360 and SB 1361 were presented as housekeeping measures, SB 340 drew disagreement between the Attorney General and HLRB over enforcement authority, and SB 997 was amended to incorporate prevailing-wage renewable energy rate language from SB 743 and then passed with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:28:56.279><c> chair</c><00:28:56.600><c> members</c><00:28:57.320><c> Ian</c><00:28:57.600><c> Roberts
• </c> you chair Vice chair members Ian Roberts you chair Vice chair members Ian Roberts and<00:28:58.080
• Susan Roberts Emory from the Green Party Hawaiʻi was noted as in support.
• comence thank you Leo uh we have provide comence thank you Leo uh we have Susan<00:55:18.559><c> Roberts
• > Emory</c><00:55:19.720><c> from</c><00:55:20.599><c> Green</c><00:55:21.599><c> Party</c> Susan Roberts

Committee: Senate Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committees first heard Senate Bill 151 relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and geothermal development on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL and Ulupono Initiative testified in strong support, saying the measure would help advance clean energy goals, create economic opportunities, and support DHHL’s mission. Fine Electric also supported the bill. Several members of the public testified in opposition, raising concerns about consultation with beneficiaries, water impacts, land issues, and the scale of the proposed spending. In response to questions, DHHL staff explained slimhole drilling, the permitting distinctions between water exploration and geothermal exploration, and said prior studies and geophysical testing had been done. The chair then recommended passage with amendments, including SMA technical amendments, a directive to establish a permitted interaction group to study geothermal options, removal of the appropriation language, and a new effective date. The committees adopted the recommendation and passed SB 151 with amendments, with one senator voting no and several excused. The joint committees then took up Senate Bill 371 on property damage to critical infrastructure facilities. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill with amendments, recommending broader critical infrastructure language to cover systems such as transportation, gas, power, water, and oil, and suggesting additional changes to improve prosecution. Utility and other supporters also testified in favor. The chairs proposed adopting the AG’s amendments except one, and further expanding the bill to make manslaughter explicit when a death results from disruption of critical infrastructure, and to add water as a covered infrastructure category. The committees adopted the amended recommendation and passed SB 371 with amendments. Finally, the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee heard Senate Bill 585 on special purpose revenue bonds for Bana Pacific. The Attorney General noted a possible issue with the company’s entity status and the bill title, but Bana Pacific stated it was in the process of converting from an LLC to a corporation and was satisfied with the title. The State Energy Office supported the concept, and Bana Pacific described the project as an integrated biogas and green hydrogen facility that would support energy security, create jobs, and reduce emissions. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 964 on waste-to-energy, where the State Energy Office offered supportive comments but many testifiers opposed the measure, arguing incineration is costly, polluting, and inferior to recycling. Written testimony showed more opposition than support, and public testimony focused on environmental and cost concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Osborne here, Pay here, Patzkowski, Patzkowski, Pfeifer, Pogamier, Provenzano, Provenzano, Ranson here, Roberts
• , Roberts.

Bills: HB3057 , HB3130 , HB4113 , HB3310 , HB3314 , HB3985 , HB4486 , HB3040 , HB3407 , HB4343 , HB2981 , HB3764 , HB3765 , HB3767 , HB3982 , HB3321 , HB3322 , HB3323 , HB4126 , HB4130 , HB4170 , HB3345 , HB2941 , HB3062 , HB3244 , HB3298 , HB2977 , HB3304 , HB3299 , HB3297 , HB4260 , HB3906 , HB3648 , HB3319 , HB2933 , HB3544 , HB1322 , HB4104 , HB4105 , HB4106 , HB4107 , HB4108 , HB3974 , HB3134 , HB3055 , HB3115 , HB3471 , HB3497 , HB3500 , HB3505 , HB3755 , HB4202 , HB4226 , HB4236 , HB4139 , HB4144 , HB4422 , HB4423 , HB4317 , HB4321 , HB4322 , HB3176 , HB3239 , HB3263 , HB3673 , HB3794 , HB3796 , HB4265 , HB4266 , HB2123 , HB3048 , HB2445

Keywords: government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, gender transition, minors, health services, punitive damages, parental rights, health care providers, voter registration, voter eligibility, felony disenfranchisement, restoration of voting rights, formerly incarcerated, reentry, parole, probation, supervision

Transcript Highlights:

• , Patzkowsky, Patzkowsky here, Pfeiffer, Pogemiller, Pogemiller, Provenzano here, Ranson, Ranson, Roberts
• , Robert, Roe, Roe, Rosecrants here, Schreiber, Schreiber, Shaw here, Smith, Rosecrants here, Schreiber

Bills: HB4139 , HB4143 , HB4144 , HB3974 , HB3303 , HB3790 , HB3697 , HB3262 , HB4226 , HB2936 , HB3322 , HB4296 , HB3278 , HB4202 , HB3648 , HB3500 , HB3037 , HB3428 , HB3257 , HB3432 , HB3043 , HB3044 , HB3078 , HB3940

Summary: The House convened, the roll was called, and the chamber proceeded with opening formalities including an invocation by Chaplain Ronnie Wilson and the Pledge of Allegiance. The chaplain’s message focused on valuing each person’s unique contribution, making the most of each opportunity, and remembering members and families who have experienced loss, including a tribute to Harvey. The House also briefly stood at ease for announcements and administrative matters, including reassignment of measures and scheduling notices. A special floor presentation honored law enforcement officers and first responders involved in a dangerous May 30 pursuit in Atoka County. Representative Eves described how officers from the Atoka Police Department, Stringtown Police Department, and the county sheriff’s office responded to a theft, pursued an armed suspect, and risked their lives to protect a trapped family of five and other citizens. Members gave the officers a standing ovation in recognition of their courage and service. Additional announcements included a reminder about the Civil Judicial Area Committee meeting, introductions of guests in the gallery, birthday wishes for Representative Hasenbeck’s daughter, and notice of a Veterans Military Caucus/committee. No substantive legislation was debated or voted on in the portion provided. The House then adjourned until Monday, February 9, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair calls Paul Roberts. not here. Paul Roberts will show as for the bill and not testifying.

Bills: HB483 , HB3345 , HB3643 , HB3821 , HB3849 , HB4472 , HB4523 , HB4524 , HB5346 , HB5347 , HB5376

Committee: House S/C on Transportation Funding

Keywords: high-speed rail, Texas Department of Transportation, TxDOT, public-private partnership, comprehensive development agreement, CDA, Interstate 35, I-35 corridor, Dallas, Waco, Austin, San Antonio, intercity passenger rail, rail infrastructure, private entity, transportation infrastructure, rail corridor, passenger rail, infrastructure finance, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Roberts makes a motion we adopt...
• Senator Roberts makes a motion we adopt the report, seconded by Senator Hatcher.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Roberts. &gt;&gt; Here. &gt;&gt; Here. &gt;&gt; Representative<00:02:35.560><c> Hart.
• &gt;&gt; Representative<00:02:49.120><c> Roberts.</c> &gt;&gt; Representative Roberts.
• &gt;&gt; Representative Roberts. &gt;&gt; Here. Representative Sharp.
• First, Representative Roberts, I believe you had— >> Thank you, Mr.
• &gt;&gt; Representative<01:18:45.440><c> Roberts,</c><01:18:45.800><c> I</c><01:18:45.840><c> think</

Committee: Joint Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Vice President Roberts Davis. Welcome, Vice President.
• As VP Roberts Davis has illuminated, the School of Dentistry has been located in Moose Health Science
• As VP Roberts Davis has illuminated, the School of Dentistry has been located in Moose Health Science
• >> Vice President Robert Davis, I will have to get somebody from our finance team to explain to me so
• >> Vice President Robert Davis, I will have to get somebody from our finance team to explain to me so

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Khal La Abil, Felix Orur, Mele Puli, Vaati, Cavi, Brendy Gonzalz, Robert Vieiraa, and Jeremiah Kaneshiro
• [applause] Cavi, Brendy Gonzalz, Robert Vieiraa, Cavi, Brendy Gonzalz, Robert Vieiraa, Jeremiah<00:07

Bills: SB2097 , SB2317 , SB2319 , SB2177 , SB2190 , SB2424 , SB2524 , SB2627 , SB3084 , SB895 , SB896 , SB3102 , SB3157 , SB3215 , SB2050 , SB2090 , SB2211 , SB2572 , SB2096 , SB2025 , SB2127 , SB2046 , SB2262 , SB2354 , SB2387 , SB2487 , SB2955 , SB3234 , SB2851 , SB2573 , SB2391 , SB3282 , SB3055 , SB2189 , SB2194 , SB3152 , SB2635 , SB888 , SB2203 , SCR1 , SCR2 , SCR3 , SCR4 , SCR5 , SCR6 , SCR7 , SCR8 , SCR9 , SCR10 , SCR11 , SCR12 , SCR13 , SCR14 , SCR15 , SCR16 , SCR17 , SCR18 , SCR19 , SCR20 , SCR21 , SCR22 , SR3 , SR5 , SR6 , SR7 , SR8 , SR9 , SR10 , SR11 , SR12 , SR13 , SR14 , SR15 , SR16 , SR17 , SR18 , SR19 , SB2010 , SB3118 , SB3276

Transcript Highlights:

• Robert Hale, who, with Lex Godfrey, absolutely have one of the best FFA programs in the nation.
• Robert Hale, who him and Lex Godfrey, absolutely have one of the best FFA programs in the nation.
• I mentioned my brothers, Robert Hale and Lex Godfrey.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Ali Roberts, and I'm a senior page.
• My name is Robert Wallace.
• Hello, my name is Robert Wallace, and I would just like to say that Charlie Kirk, as most of us recognize

Committee: Senate Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference

Summary: The Public Safety Committee met for its first session, introduced staff and pages, and then heard several bills. SB 1010 would designate Loop 202 as the Charlie Kirk Highway; an amendment to rename it the Freedom of Speech Highway failed, and after testimony both supporting the honor and objecting that it would affect the Ed Pastor portion of the freeway, the bill received a do pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote. SB 1077 would impose felony penalties for operating online services that facilitate prostitution, pandering, or child sex trafficking, and also address harmful sexual material and age verification; with no public testimony, it passed 5-2. SB 1093 would expand the definition of riot to include force or violence causing property damage and add riot to racketeering and conspiracy provisions; the ACLU opposed it as overbroad and harmful to protest rights, but the committee still gave it a do pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote. SB 1058 would create the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act to bar government firearm registries and restrict firearm-related merchant category codes; gun-rights advocates supported it as a privacy measure, and it passed 4-3. The committee also heard SB 1035, which appropriates funds for a 5% pay increase for sworn correctional officers and department civilians at ADCRR. The sponsor said the raise is a top priority and part of budget discussions. Correctional employee representatives supported the pay increase but argued it is not enough and urged a larger raise, while private prison representatives and the Arizona Police Association asked that the increase also cover private prison employees to preserve pay parity and retention. Some members raised concerns about the fiscal impact and about whether private prison funds would be directed to salaries rather than profit. An amendment extending the raise to private prison employees under contract with the department was adopted, and the amended bill passed 4-3, with several members explaining their votes based on the need for a footnote or further safeguards and others supporting parity across state and private facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair now calls a witness, Robert Tannenhahn from the Southeast Regional Management District for
• The chair now calls Robert to testify for the bill. I should have asked you one time before.
• We show you Robert Tottenham on Southeast Regional Management District testifying for the bill, please

Bills: HB293 , HB 1173 , HB3753 , HB4999 , HB5696 , SB2145 , HB5689 , HB5690 , HB5694 , HB5698 , HB293

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: HB 293, Texas housing tax credits, low-income housing, affordable housing, private activity bonds, PAB, qualified allocation plan, TDHCA, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, state representative objection, housing development approval, municipal notice, county commissioners court, extraterritorial jurisdiction, LIHTC, bond-financed housing, homelessness, housing services, Texas Department of Housing, municipal programs

Transcript Highlights:

• And so with that, we're presenting AB 290, and with me to testify is Robert Horrell, Executive Director
• And with me to testify is Robert Horel, Executive Director of Consumer Fed of California.
• I'm Robert Horel, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California, in support of the bill

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee heard several bills focused on insurance affordability, wildfire resilience, and consumer protections. AB 888, the California Safe Homes Act, would create a grant program for home hardening and wildfire mitigation. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Alabama Insurance Commissioner Mark Fowler testified in strong support, describing Alabama’s Strengthen Alabama Homes program as a model that has fortified thousands of homes and helped stabilize insurance markets. Committee members from fire-affected and rural districts spoke in favor, and the bill passed on a do-pass motion to Appropriations. AB 290 would require the California FAIR Plan to offer automatic payments and address non-renewal issues tied to missed payments. The author described her own non-renewal and difficulty staying insured, while consumer advocates called the measure common-sense reform. The FAIR Plan opposed unless amended, citing operational demands and concern about a grace period for non-renewals, but the committee members largely supported the bill and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 1339 would direct the Department of Insurance to study insurance availability and pricing for affordable housing providers, who testified that premiums have risen sharply and are forcing cuts to reserves, maintenance, and services. Supporters said better data is needed to craft long-term solutions. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also approved AB 1531 on consent and AB 646, which relates to catalytic converter theft deterrence disclosures and consumer protections, both moving forward to Appropriations. The committee later held the roll open for additional members to add their votes, and all measures received further aye votes before the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair calls Marina Roberts.
• We show you registered as Marina Roberts on behalf of your organization.
• My name is Marina Roberts, and I'm the Grants Manager at Workers Defense Action Fund.

Bills: HB446 , HB1609 , HB4443 , HB4464 , HB4735 , HB5476

Committee: House S/C on Workforce

Keywords: heat illness prevention, workplace safety, Texas Workforce Commission, advisory board, employee rights, administrative penalties, training requirements, employee training, occupational health, employer penalties, worker rights, heat illness, volunteer firefighter, volunteer emergency responder, emergency medical services volunteer, EMS volunteer, firefighter, fire department, emergency services, declared disaster

Transcript Highlights:

• Our next witness is uh Robert Martinez Junior. Chief. Good morning, Chief. Please.
• My name is Robert Martinez Jr. and I'm the chief of police and uh I am here to testify strongly uh in
• Like I said, my name is Robert Martinez Jr. and I'm here to testify on behalf of my department, which

Bills: HB176 , HB180 , HB176 , HB180 , HB333 , HCR35

Committee: House S/C on State-Federal Relations

Keywords: tax, ad valorem, voter-approval, local government finance, property tax, repeal, tax rates, school finance, tax reduction, compressed tax rate, education, funding, HB 176, Texas border security, interstate compact, Government Code Chapter 794, Texas-Mexico border, border enforcement, immigration enforcement, ICE 287(g)

Transcript Highlights:

• Major Robert D.
• Robert leaves behind his wife, Ashley, and his three children, Beverly, Eleanor, and Corbin.
• Major Robert D.
• Robert leaves behind his wife, Ashley, and his three children, Beverly, Eleanor, and Corbin.
• Major Robert D.

Transcript Highlights:

• Robert Ford. Robert, we can't hear you. Robert, we can't hear you. Robert Ford.
• I'm Robert Ford. I'm an ophthalmologist and owner of Pacific I'm Robert Ford.

Bills: HB99 , HJR5 , HM39 , HB206 , HB213 , SB41 , SB153 , SB165 , SB261 , SB264

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Transcript Highlights:

• Robert Emick. Grace Atkins. Allison Ackerman.
• **Robert Emick.** Grace Atkins. **Allison Ackerman.** Just have a seat on either side.
• **Robert Emick.** Go ahead, sir. Hello. My name is **Dr. Robert Emick**.
• Robert Emick.** Hello, my name is **Dr.
• Robert Emick.** I'm an emergency physician here to testify on behalf of the Texas Medical Association

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Pay, Patzkowski, Patzkowski, Pie, Er here, Pogamiler, Pogailler, Provenzano here, Ran, Son here, Roberts
• , Roberts, Roe, Row here, Rosecrantz.

Bills: HR1037 , HR1043 , SB1491 , SB1451 , SB1286 , SB1581 , SB1521 , SB201 , SB1290 , SB169 , SB1377 , SB1991 , SB1346 , SB1509 , SB1928 , SB2028 , SB2071 , SB2110 , SB2117 , SB2127 , SB2134 , SB722 , SB3

Keywords: National Poetry Month, poetry, education, cultural celebration, arts and humanities, child abuse, prevention, community support, family safety, child welfare, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, elections, voter registration, election integrity, Secretary of State, cancellation of registration, gender neutrality

Transcript Highlights:

• Roland Roberts II, to introduce our guest with us.
• Roland Roberts, the second, to introduce our guest with us.

Summary: The Senate first suspended Rule 54 to allow guests on the floor, then took up and adopted Senate Resolution 65. The resolution recognized West Virginia as a global hub for critical mineral processing and encouraged lawful private-sector dialogue and commercial engagement between West Virginia businesses and rare earth/critical mineral institutions abroad, beginning with institutions in Somalia. The sponsor emphasized that the measure was nonbinding and intended to open conversation about minerals, processing, and advanced materials, and the resolution was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then recessed briefly to receive and introduce a visiting delegation from Somalia, including the deputy prime minister, ministers of petroleum/mineral resources and commerce/industry, parliamentary leadership, and diplomatic representatives, along with other guests involved in the visit. After the recess, the Senate received several Finance Committee reports and advanced multiple House bills on first reading: HB 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia program; HB 4006 creating the West Virginia Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Growth Act; HB 2009 creating the Portable Benefit Account Act; HB 5412, the Future Ready Education Act; HB 5453 modifying the school aid funding formula; and HB 5510 removing the acreage/location requirement for private wedding venues. Each bill was reported as amended by Finance and taken up immediately without objection. During remarks, a senator from Randolph spoke about the death of Riley Wingfield in a side-by-side accident and praised students and administrators at Buckhannon-Upshur High School and Tucker County High School for wearing orange and black in solidarity with grieving Elkins High School students. The remarks were ordered placed in the Journal appendix. The Senate then announced adjournment until the next day at 10 a.m., with the Rules Committee scheduled to meet at 9:45 a.m.