Transcript Highlights:

• MDL itself, it has a certificate that was signed by a private key that's locked away by the state.
• They're smart, they're sophisticated, and they want nothing more than to see. this great state hurting
• How you store the bow and arrow, got to lock it. the case or have certain sub-type of age requirements
• And I think that that's smart for us as Texans. Thank you so much, Chairman.

Bills: HB2034, HB2436, HB3010, HB3033, HB3138, HB3177, HB3426, HB3686, HB3858, HB4176, HB4257, HB4264, HB4804, HCR98

Keywords: groundwater, foreign ownership, national security, water permits, environmental health, deadly conduct, firearm, recklessness, peace officer, prosecution, Penal Code, Texas laws, disaster recovery, infrastructure, rural communities, grants, state funding, emergency management, HB 3033, Texas Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The Speaker is about to lock the roll call machine. The Speaker has locked the roll call machine.
• The Speaker is about to lock the roll call machine. The Speaker has locked the roll call machine.
• The Speaker is about to lock the roll call machine. The Speaker has locked the roll call machine.
• The Speaker is about to lock the roll call machine. The Speaker has locked the roll call machine.
• The speaker's about to lock the roll call machine. The speaker has locked the roll call machine.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2681, SB5467, SB5820, SB5863, SB5892, SCR8406, HB2487, HB2711, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary will lock the board, and members proceed to vote.
• You are so smart and thoughtful and a great team.
• The Secretary will lock the board and record the vote.
• Secretary will lock the board and record the vote. 38, yay, zero nays, Mr. President.
• The Secretary will lock the board and record the vote. 37 yeas, 1 nay, Mr. President.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, page introductions, and recognition of guests, including a state champion Crossroads Academy basketball team and a student intern. The chamber then took up executive appointment reports from the Ethics and Elections Committee and related committees, which covered a large slate of gubernatorial appointees to state boards and commissions. Senators were given the opportunity to separate nominees for individual votes, and several members spoke in support of or opposition to specific appointees based on qualifications, ideology, and prior public service. The first major confirmation vote covered most of the 186 appointments on the report, with debate centered on three nominees highlighted by Senator Polsky: Ilya Shapiro, Thomas Zachary Smith, and Dr. John Lattell. The report was adopted 31-0 after those objections, and Jeffrey Aaron was then considered separately for the Public Employee Relations Commission. Senators Smith and Polsky opposed Aaron’s confirmation, citing his role as legal counsel to the Hope Florida Foundation and alleged involvement in the transfer of Medicaid settlement funds to political entities; Chair Gates defended Aaron as a lawyer representing a client and noted no disciplinary or law-enforcement action against him. Aaron was confirmed 26-10. The Senate next confirmed Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after debate focused on her prior leadership at the Department of Children and Families, Medicaid redeterminations, postpartum coverage issues, Hope Florida-related concerns, and a women’s shelter inspection dispute. Supporters emphasized her work stabilizing Medicaid funding and her responsiveness to agency problems, while opponents argued she had overseen serious failures and lacked suitability. The confirmation passed 32-5. Taylor Hatch was then confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families after committee members noted serious operational concerns at DCF, including SNAP/EBT compliance, child welfare practices, forensic audit issues, and questions about Hope Florida, but also cited her commitment to child welfare and willingness to address problems; the vote was 33-4. After the confirmations, the Senate recessed and later returned for a lengthy tribute to outgoing Senate President Kathleen Pasadomo. Senators from both parties offered personal remarks praising her leadership, diligence, toughness in committee, mentorship, and resilience after personal loss, while also joking about her reputation as a strict rules chair and “bill killer.” The session concluded with the recognition of her service and presentation of a handmade keepsake box filled with letters and mementos from staff and colleagues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary will lock the board, and members proceed to vote. Members proceed to vote.
• You are so smart and thoughtful and a great team.
• The secretary will lock the board and record the vote.
• Secretary will lock the board and record the vote.
• If all senators have voted, the secretary will lock the board and record the vote.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Gregoire tried to save, that Trudy Inslee tried to save, that Jay Inslee tried to save, that Governor Locke
• We would have loved to have been able to do that, but being resource constrained, we had to be smart
• In the spirit of former Governor Locke, the government must first fund core essential functions, then
• In the spirit of former Governor Locke, the government must first fund core essential functions, then
• In the spirit of former Governor Locke, the government must first fund core essential functions, then

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met in executive session on a proposed substitute operating budget bill and worked through a long series of amendments before voting on the bill. Members discussed a wide range of budget items, including court funding for Thurston County civil filings, Attorney General funding for a domestic extremism task force, grants for Yakima aquatics access, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring programs, poverty reduction work, a proposed Department of Housing task force, federal grant inventory staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, DCYF family resource centers and pediatric interim care, law enforcement training and equipment, shellfish and birthing center licensing fees, school bus depreciation, charter school accountability, transition to kindergarten priorities, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI grants. The committee also considered amendments related to the Columbia River Gorge Commission, shrub-steppe habitat mitigation, and a study on Lower Snake River reservoir drawdown impacts. Debate on many amendments centered on whether items were statewide priorities or local projects, and on the fiscal constraints of the budget. Supporters often argued that proposals would protect vulnerable populations, improve public safety, or leverage future savings and outside funding; opponents frequently cited budget pressure, the availability of existing funding, or the need to avoid singling out local projects. Some amendments were adopted, including Clark 343 on intent to fund up to 10,000 additional eCAP slots, Jones 419 on paint stewardship funding, and Stevens 070 limiting birthing center license fees. Many others failed, including amendments on Thurston County court funding, the domestic extremism task force, Yakima aquatics, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring, poverty reduction workgroup funding, the Department of Housing task force, federal grant staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, the PIC Center contract, the Lacey regional training academy, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI-related proposals. The committee then moved to the underlying bill, Proposed Substitute House Bill 2289, and adopted a do pass motion after disposing of the amendments. The transcript indicates the committee ultimately reported the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE CLERK WILL LOCK THE MACHINE AND ANNOUNCE THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM. 108 MEMBERS VOTING.
• She's smart.
• The only thing I want to count is how many criminal aliens got locked up or sent home.
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the presence of a quorum. >> 112 members voting, a quorum
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 82 Yea, 32 Nay, Mr. Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Speaker is about to lock the roll call machine. The Speaker has locked the roll call machine.
• The Speaker is about to lock the roll call machine. The Speaker has locked the roll call machine.
• The Speaker is about to lock the roll call machine. The Speaker has locked the roll call machine.
• The Speaker's about to lock the roll call machine. The Speaker has locked the roll call machine.
• The Speaker is about to lock the roll call machine. The Speaker has locked the roll call machine.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2681, SB5467, SB5820, SB5863, SB5892, SCR8406, HB2487, HB2711, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the prior day’s minutes, and then moved through caucuses and a series of transportation, elections, energy, historical records, cannabis, abortion-access, and fiscal bills. Members repeatedly emphasized that several measures were supplemental or technical updates to existing law, while others involved larger policy disputes over taxes, fees, clean energy, election security, and reproductive health. The chamber also received Senate messages on other bills and briefly recessed for caucus during the day. The most prominent action was final passage of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6005, the supplemental transportation budget, after adopting a technical amendment and a larger striker amendment. Supporters highlighted preservation and maintenance funding, rail investments, ferry maintenance, road safety, and continued work on major projects statewide; opponents largely reserved comments or noted concerns about future needs. The House passed the bill 93-0 with five excused. The House also passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2711 on transportation resources, after adopting a technical amendment that removed the aircraft tax and delayed an RV-related tax change; supporters said it protected businesses and jobs, while opponents objected to trade-in treatment and other tax changes. That bill passed 83-10. On elections, the House considered Senate Bill 5892 to protect the voter registration database. An amendment to reduce penalties from a felony to a civil infraction and remove the emergency clause failed, while the committee amendment passed 50-34. Supporters said the bill was needed to safeguard sensitive voter data and clarify access; opponents argued it created conflicts with federal law and imposed excessive penalties on local election officials. The bill then passed 57-36. On energy, Substitute Senate Bill 5982 updating consumer-owned utility provisions drew debate over carbon capture, resource adequacy, data centers, and clean energy policy. Amendments on carbon capture and blackout-triggered termination failed, while an amendment preserving cogeneration exceptions passed; the bill then passed 57-37. The House also passed Senate Bill 5863 on preservation and inspection of state historical records, after rejecting an amendment to require longer retention but adopting the committee amendment; supporters stressed preserving the history of residential habilitation centers and the value to families seeking records. Substitute Senate Bill 5874, allowing the Employment Security Department to waive penalties for minor employer reporting errors, passed unanimously. Engrossed House Bill 2681, raising cannabis license fees while removing an escalator, passed 52-42. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5917 on access to abortion medications saw several failed amendments from opponents seeking to narrow, reframe, or add fiscal limits to the bill; supporters said it preserved flexibility to ensure access and avoid waste, and the bill passed 57-36.

Transcript Highlights:

• The American Alliance of Acupuncture strongly supports AB 1949, and this bill is really smart.
• use their asthma medication, was forced to change their single maintenance and reliever therapy, or SMART
• For example, in 2009, the food industry implemented a Smart Choices label to identify healthier items
• For example, in 2009, the food industry implemented a Smart Choices label to identify healthier items
• There are already tens of thousands... a Smart Choices label to identify healthier items.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if, when we get those students at a kindergarten grade level, then we're locked in.
• That family is locked in. That is correct.
• I call it the smart kids come out of high school with at least a year of college.
• It looks like all the smart kids go to Missouri S&T. So I just wanted to point that out.
• I believe they refer to that as wicked smart. Representative Taylor, please proceed. Thank you.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><02:28:19.399><c> that</c><02:28:19.600><c> Congress</c><02:28:20.120><c> in</c><02:28:20.200><c> lock
• </c> resz will ensure that Congress in lock resz will ensure that Congress in lock step<02:28:20.760>
• </c> Democrats learn from this smarting Democrats learn from this smarting defeat<02:44:59.439><c> since
• ><03:06:02.800><c> walking</c><03:06:03.160><c> with</c><03:06:03.319><c> him</c><03:06:03.600><c> lock
• </c> caucus that is walking with him lock caucus that is walking with him lock step<03:06:04.600><c>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lock the board and record the vote. 31 yeas, 0 nays, Mr. President. Show the report adopted.
• Secretary will lock the board, and members proceed to vote.
• You are so smart and thoughtful and a great team.
• The secretary will lock the board and record the vote.
• If all senators have voted, the secretary will lock the board and record the vote.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And can you talk about the effect you... ...of being locked in.
• It doesn't matter how smart you are.
• But they locked me up for nine months because of this work.
• We’re not doing—no, we’re locking down the room.
• We're not doing No, we're locking down the room.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met to approve prior minutes and then heard extensive testimony focused on reentry, programming, and the differences between Department of Correction facilities and county sheriff programs. Much of the testimony came from incarcerated or formerly incarcerated people describing how county facilities offered education, treatment, work release, identification documents, housing help, and reentry planning that they said were often unavailable or harder to access in state DOC settings. Several witnesses emphasized that these programs helped them obtain sobriety, employment, family reunification, and parole readiness, while others said they needed more time, mentoring, or transitional support before release to make the most of those services. Witnesses from Hampshire, Barnstable, Hampden, and Franklin counties described specific programs such as high school/GED completion, college courses, culinary arts, vocational training, recovery groups, therapeutic treatment, and community-based reentry centers. Many said staff treated them with dignity and that the facilities’ culture encouraged accountability and personal change. A few witnesses also noted that some programs were not a fit for their needs, especially for people without substance-use issues or for those whose mental health needs were not adequately addressed. One Barnstable witness said she returned to custody within 48 hours of release because she was not mentally prepared for reentry, and another from Framingham said mental health support was insufficient and visitation restrictions worsened her experience. Commissioners asked follow-up questions about DOC access to programming, classification barriers, reentry preparation, and visitation policies. Several witnesses said DOC programming was limited by sentence length, classification status, or program waitlists, and that some people were steered into programs that did not match their needs. A number of commissioners and the sheriff present responded by stressing the importance of wraparound services, individualized planning, and hiring formerly incarcerated staff. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The answer is smart, efficient, and effective.
• From smart regulation, not eradication.
• I'm not as smart as a lot of my peers.
• Should I be locked up for 180 days for merely possessing this?
• I'm feeling really nice, not feeling at all couch-lock.

Bills: HB5

Keywords: hemp, cannabinoids, regulation, occupational licenses, consumable products, marketing, criminal offenses, labeling requirements, health and safety, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, so that turned out to be at least a smart decision to not try to do it big bang, but try to do
• 44.000><c> not</c><00:16:44.240><c> try</c><00:16:44.399><c> to</c><00:16:44.560><c> do</c> least a smart
• decision to not try to do least a smart decision to not try to do it<00:16:44.800><c> big</c><00:16:
• I'm the commissioner for the Department of Juvenile Justice. >> My name is Brian Lock.
• </c> &gt;&gt; My name is Brian Lock. I'm an attorney. &gt;&gt; My name is Brian Lock.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:03 Approve Minutes from July 10, 2025- 00:02:41 Statewide Emergency Responder Voice System Testimony- 00:03:38 Investment of State Funds- 00:46:13 Department of Juvenile Justice Update- 1:11:34 Adjournment- 1:54:08, 958, all

Summary: The committee opened with roll call, welcomed a new member, approved the July meeting minutes, and then took up testimony on the statewide emergency responder voice system, also described as the state police radio system replacement project. John Hicks, secretary of the governor’s executive cabinet and state budget director, testified that the project is unusually complex because it combines multiple IT replacements, land acquisition, and tower construction. He said the existing system dates to the early 1970s and that the administration is treating the project as a priority, with work proceeding in phases and weekly coordination among the Justice Cabinet, Kentucky State Police, and Finance and Administration Cabinet. Hicks said the project has already spent about $110 million, with nearly 1,900 portable radios acquired, microwave replacement completed at 56 sites and underway at 76 more, and routers, switches, and network upgrades addressed. He explained that because the State Police are not set up to handle real property work, the administration brought in outside real property consulting vendors through an RFP, and three vendors are now qualified to help identify and negotiate sites. He said the goal is to speed up land acquisition and tower construction while the State Police continue the technology work, and he emphasized that the project is intended to close coverage gaps for state police first and later benefit local governments and other first responders. Members of the committee expressed concern about the project’s cost and pace. Representative Petri noted that about $218.8 million has been authorized since 2018 and questioned whether the project could stretch into 2030 or later, asking what more the General Assembly could do to help. Representative Blandon also raised concerns about the long timeline and the risk of the project becoming another costly, delayed infrastructure effort, while asking when the vendor RFP was completed and whether any sites had been acquired since then. Representative Sharp asked whether there was a detailed plan and timeline, and Hicks responded that the technology side is well defined but the property acquisition side must proceed site by site because each location depends on ownership, access, power, and other factors. Hicks said the west-to-east phasing has been a smart approach and that the executive branch should improve performance to beat the current timeline expectations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Grace was a tough, smart, and determined woman, and her power to create opportunity for Charlottesville
• House Bill 581 relates to a smart solar permitting platform for residential solar energy systems.
• This legislation relates to a smart solar permitting platform for residential solar energy systems.
• Houseful 581 relates to smart solar permitting platform established residential solar energy systems.
• Now this legislation relates to smart solar permitting platform established residential solar energy

Keywords: March 11, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• starting in the 8th grade and we know that there's a time of wondering for a year or two, before they can lock
• So Smart Book is a document that we.
• So thank you for bringing up the smart book. I have a question.
• we're sending, uh, law students or law graduates, licensed attorneys out to practice law in a world of smart
• prepared to compete and deliver value to an employer or as an entrepreneur in a world dominated by smart

Transcript Highlights:

• You get locked up.
• You get locked up.
• You get locked up.
• You get locked up.
• You get locked up.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary will lock the board, and members proceed to vote. Members proceed to vote.
• You are so smart and thoughtful and a great team.
• Lock the board and record the vote: 38 yeas, 0 nays, Madam President. The bill passes.
• The Secretary will lock the board and record the vote: 37 yeas, 1 nay, Mr. President.
• The Secretary will lock the board and record the vote: 37 yeas, 1 nay, Mr. President.

Summary: The Senate first handled a large batch of executive appointments reported by the Ethics and Elections Committee. Senators debated several nominees, with some members objecting to particular appointees over their views or past conduct. The report on the first group of appointments was adopted 31-0, and Jeffrey Aaron’s separate confirmation to the Public Employee Relations Commission was approved 26-10 after extended debate centered on his role as counsel to the Hope Florida Foundation and allegations that he helped facilitate the transfer of Medicaid settlement funds into political activity. The chamber then considered Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration. Supporters praised her work on Medicaid directed payments and hospital funding, while opponents criticized her prior tenure at the Department of Children and Families, citing problems with Medicaid redeterminations, postpartum coverage, Hope Florida oversight, and a women’s shelter case. The Senate adopted her confirmation report 32-5. Next, Taylor Hatch’s confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families was taken up; the committee report noted ongoing concerns about SNAP/EBT compliance, child welfare practices, audits, and Hope Florida, but recommended confirmation based on her stated commitments to reform. After debate over DCF’s performance and accountability, the Senate adopted her confirmation report 33-4. After a brief recess, the Senate held a recognition ceremony for outgoing President Kathleen Passidomo. Senators from both parties offered lengthy remarks praising her leadership, diligence, humor, and support for members, often recalling personal interactions and her role in shaping legislation and mentoring newer senators. The ceremony emphasized her service as Senate President and continued leadership as Rules Chair, and included a presentation of a handmade keepsake box filled with letters and mementos from staff and colleagues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because as a parent myself, I know what it's like to have your kids' school locked down.
• It's like we try to do SAT prep, but if we don't have something like a guardian on their browser that locks
• But at the high school level, they're smart, and they even key their keyboards to where they don't even

Transcript Highlights:

• Questions from the committee, Representative Locke. Thank you. Mr.
• Chair, and Representative Locke.
• And I believe that smart education policy can help close this opportunity gap and can also create brighter