Transcript Highlights:

• .shortest bill of the year, but on lines 9 and 10, it simply adds the Mississippi Department of Agriculture

Committee: Joint Agriculture

Keywords: Agriculture - Room 210, 27 February, 2026; 11:00 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :08:13.039><c> of</c> does come from us, the Department of does come from us, the Department of Agriculture
• 14.639><c> it</c><00:08:14.879><c> simply</c><00:08:15.280><c> deletes</c><00:08:15.599><c> the</c> Agriculture
• Uh it simply deletes the Agriculture.
• the</c> &gt;&gt; what is that prohibition put in the &gt;&gt; what is that prohibition put in the code
• code? code?

Committee: Joint Agriculture

Keywords: Agriculture - Room 210, 3 February, 2026; 2:00 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Texas A&M, and Texas Tech University.
• The Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) is a test designed to help guide Texas public institutions
• Sir, I have you registered as Jack Todd, representing Texas.
• This bill would open it to all qualifying Texas institutions.
• , which occurred because Texas State... is included in a different part of the Education Code than the

Bills: SB800 , SB1534 , SB2055 , SB2310 , SB2431 , SB2786 , SB3039 , SB1242

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, higher education, student safety, orientation policies, health physics, workforce development, nuclear energy, radiological safety, scholarship, education, Texas Leadership Scholars Program, student funding, transparency, degree requirements, certificate programs, student transfer, foreign language

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• Governor of the State of Texas, pursuant to Article 4, Section 9 of the Texas Constitution, do hereby
• . and the state of Texas.
• Texas at Dallas.
• Welcome to your Texas Capitol.
• As we know, West Texas is Best Texas. Please join me in honoring, I will say...

Bills: SB2 , SJR36 , SB2 , SR19 , SR27 , SR30 , SR32 , SCR11

Keywords: Houston East End, Chamber of Commerce, East End Day, economic development, community involvement, scholarships, business events, McAllen, celebration, community pride, cultural events, economic growth, McAllen Day, community recognition, South Texas, local pride, Wise County Day, Texas Senate, Wise County, state recognition

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• Vice Senator Kathy creates the Agricultural-based National Security Priorities Task Force.
• Mike Strain, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry.
• I called the Department of Agriculture last week; no return call.
• And I have not heard back from the Department of Agriculture.
• Then we'd go through the pass-through account to the Agriculture Finance Authority.

Bills: HCR65 , HB512 , HB1194 , SCR23 , SB502

Committee: House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2A program, seasonal workforce, Louisiana economy, Healthy Food Retail Act, food access, food deserts, economic opportunity, public health, Louisiana agriculture, community development, fresh food, agriculture, national security, food production, supply chain, security task force, farm labor, Chinese investments

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 23, which would create an Agricultural-based National Security Priorities Task Force to study issues such as Chinese drones, farmland ownership, and other technology-related concerns that could affect farmers and national security. Senator Kathy Stewart said the goal was to avoid unintended consequences in legislation and to bring agriculture stakeholders together. The resolution was moved favorably with no objections. The committee then took up Senate Bill 502 on sugarcane bagasse storage. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the American Sugar Cane League, said the bill would clarify that bagasse is an agricultural byproduct and would protect storage practices that comply with department best practices from local ordinances. Several residents from St. Martin Parish testified in opposition, saying a large bagasse pile near their homes was out of compliance, created dust and odors, and caused health and property-value concerns. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably with no objections. House Bill 512, by Representative Schamerhorn, would prohibit the manufacturing and sale of cell-cultured food products in Louisiana while allowing university research to continue. An amendment was adopted to make the bill effective only if certain federal court rulings allow such a ban. The sponsor and Commissioner Strain argued the issue is still scientifically uncertain and that the state should avoid costly litigation; the bill was reported favorably with amendments after no objections. House Bill 1194, the Healthy Food Retail Act, was amended to shift food-desert research and mapping duties to the LSU AgCenter, while the financing authority would continue handling grants and related funding mechanisms. Supporters said the bill would improve data on food deserts and help target grocery access in underserved urban and rural areas; some members raised concerns about government subsidies and long-term dependence, but the sponsor and Commissioner Strain said the program is intended as infrastructure support to launch stores, not ongoing operating aid. After debate, the bill was reported favorably with amendments by a 10-3 roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably House Concurrent Resolution 65, which urges federal action to reclassify crawfish-industry job duties as agricultural labor for H-2A purposes; testimony emphasized labor shortages, the impact on crawfish and rice producers, and the need for more legal guest workers. The meeting ended with a brief informational handout on direct marketing and custom slaughter plants and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'll use agriculture as an example because it's the first line.
• So agriculture, the base spending for 2026 and 2027 would be $151 million.
• So I'll<00:03:35.200><c> use</c><00:03:35.440><c> agriculture</c><00:03:36.159><c> as</c><00:03:36.400
• ><c> an</c><00:03:36.560><c> example</c> I'll use agriculture as an example I'll use agriculture as an
• :42.480><c> for</c><00:03:42.799><c> 26</c> agriculture, the base spending for 26 agriculture, the base

Bills: HF601

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, 1183, house

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• </c> for the agricultural grant program. for the agricultural grant program.
• </c> Agriculture and Bio Security. Agriculture and Bio Security.
• agricultural producers.
• agricultural producers.
• </c> Agriculture and Security. Agriculture and Security.

Bills: HB1602 , HB2246 , HB1707 , HB2216 , HB2594 , HB2595 , HB2155 , HB2113 , HB2207 , HB1832 , HB2015 , HB2152 , HB2548

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: agriculture, grant specialist, financial support, farmers, Hawaii, federal grants, grant administration, revolving fund, department of agriculture and biosecurity, grant compliance, transportation, reimbursement, food security, local production, sustainability, agricultural loans, financing, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii agriculture, loan portfolio

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Senator Kathy creates the Agricultural-based National Security Priorities Task Force.
• Mike Strain, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry.
• I did call the Department of Agriculture last week, no return call.
• And I have not heard back from the Department of Agriculture.
• Then we'd go through the pass-through account to the Agriculture Finance Authority.

Bills: HCR65 , HB512 , HB1194 , SCR23 , SB502

Committees: House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development , House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture & Rural Development

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2A program, seasonal workforce, Louisiana economy, Healthy Food Retail Act, food access, food deserts, economic opportunity, public health, Louisiana agriculture, community development, fresh food, agriculture, national security, food production, supply chain, security task force, farm labor, Chinese investments

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• Texas.
• Thank you for your service to Texas.
• Senator Miles: ...state of Texas.
• The Texas chapter of APWA consists of over 2,100 members across the state of Texas with nine branches
• Thousands of public works across Texas provide services essential to the well-being of the Texas population

Bills: SJR36 , SB2 , SR9 , SR10 , SR16

Keywords: American Public Works Association, public works, infrastructure, Texas, recognition day, local government, municipalities, APWA, Texas Chapter, community development, engineering, professional recognition, community impact, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Lubbock leadership, recognition, professional achievement, Alpha Kappa Alpha, sorority, social service

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• Today, we're going to talk about a very serious topic that is facing Texas.
• Today we're going to talk about a very serious topic that is facing Texas.
• And so, I just want to implore Texas...
• This campaign with the Texas Trucking Association is another example of Texas leading, you know, with
• And we've got the Texas Packaging Association here.

Bills: SJR36 , SB2 , SR9 , SR10 , SR16

Keywords: American Public Works Association, public works, infrastructure, Texas, recognition day, local government, municipalities, APWA, Texas Chapter, community development, engineering, professional recognition, community impact, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Lubbock leadership, recognition, professional achievement, Alpha Kappa Alpha, sorority, social service

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• agriculture.
• Modernizing agricultural bio security systems creating a unified data-driven radar for Minnesota's agriculture
• Yes, we support diversification in agriculture.
• So we work with the Department of Agriculture.
• That is the future of Minnesota agriculture.

Bills: HF3692

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: Farmer-Lender Mediation Act, mediation, agriculture finance, debt relief, civil law, 1183, house

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• session, wherein he created this program that has been very beneficial to our landowners across South Texas
• session, wherein he created this program that has been very beneficial to our landowners across South Texas
• session, wherein he created this program that has been very beneficial to our landowners across South Texas
• Our membership is grateful to Senator Blanco, this committee, and the Texas Legislature for passing Senate
• You know, there's been a real challenge for us down in South Texas, especially along the border from

Bills: SB2601

Committee: Senate Border Security

Keywords: landowner compensation, border crime, agriculture damage, law enforcement, crop loss, 1185, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security met with a quorum and heard one bill, Senate Bill 2601 by Senator Blanco, laid out by Senator Hinojosa of Hidalgo. The bill amends the Landowner’s Compensation Program, which was created last session and is administered by the Office of the Attorney General, to expand eligibility to land lessees, cover damage to the land itself as well as structures and real property, add continuous smuggling of persons as a covered border crime, prohibit insurers from using claims under the program in rate calculations, and require law enforcement to provide border crime reports to the Attorney General within 14 days. The committee substitute also makes the bill a legislative council draft. Public testimony was unanimously supportive. Representatives of the South Texans Property Rights Association and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association said the program has helped landowners but needed cleanup and broader access, especially for lessees who manage property day to day and may otherwise not receive compensation. Testimony also emphasized ongoing problems with fence damage, debris, pollutants, and other border-related property damage. Members asked about implementation, including how conflicts between landowners and lessees would be handled; the response was that documentation of authority and lease responsibilities would be required. After public testimony closed, the committee adopted the committee substitute without objection. Senator Hinojosa then moved that SB 2601 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the committee substitute, and the motion passed on a 5-0 vote. The bill was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar, with no objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Agriculture.
• He'll work closely with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture closely with
• We're the 13th largest exporter of agricultural goods.
• That is our Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture. affairs.
• Your state's agricultural bounty is unique in our country.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Keywords: USDA, nominations, Judge Vaden, Tyler Clarkson, agriculture policy, rural America, tariffs, farmer advocacy

Summary: The meeting focused on the nominations of Judge Stephen Alexander Vaden for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Mr. Tyler Clarkson for General Counsel at the USDA. Members expressed concerns regarding the challenges farmers and ranchers face, especially in navigating the impacts of recent tariffs imposed by the President. Significant attention was given to how these nominations could influence agriculture policy and support rural communities amidst economic uncertainty. The committee emphasized the necessity for strong leadership in the USDA to advocate for farmer needs and ensure the proper implementation of assistance programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of things we can do, and Texas is already...
• You'll hear more from Jamie later, but Texas is already.
• I would just remind you that, you know, both the Texas Association of Business and Texas Coalition of
• We're the largest professional display company in Texas.
• We've just had a good discussion about the loophole in the Texas insurance code that allows insurance

Bills: HB712 , HB722 , HB946 , HB1687 , HB1809 , HB1899 , HB2528 , HB2583 , HB2741 , HB2750 , HB3021 , HB3150 , HB3265 , HB3658 , HB3812 , HB3960 , HB4392 , HB4432

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury

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• We don't want Texas to fall behind.
• This is about protecting Texas patients and Texas safety net hospitals. and the larger safety net that
• It's good to be back here in Texas, back at home, and from nursing school at Texas Woman's University
• He's treated at Texas.
• We are a Texas-only company.

Bills: HB712 , HB722 , HB946 , HB1687 , HB1809 , HB1899 , HB2528 , HB2583 , HB2741 , HB2750 , HB3021 , HB3150 , HB3265 , HB3658 , HB3812 , HB3960 , HB4392 , HB4432

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury

Transcript Highlights:

• The biggest tourist place in Texas.
• for Texas Heroes Home Loan Program.
• Texas Homeless Network.
• They both have an entire chapter in the Texas Penal Code. I came here with an empty toolbox.
• Corruption is a term of art, and that's why it's in Chapter 36 of the Texas Penal Code.

Bills: HB158 , HB714 , HB 1198 , HB1630 , HB1998 , HB3509 , HB3788 , HB3875 , HB3948 , HB3977 , HB4097 , HB4313 , HB4314 , HB4317 , HB158

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: housing, veterans, surplus government property, affordable housing, funding sources, housing assistance, homeless prevention, landlord incentives, rural housing, domestic violence, community development, tenant readiness, program participants, financial assistance, homelessness, rental support, Texas Tenant Readiness Program, tenant assistance, housing stability, Texas Department of Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• High property taxes in Texas cities affect the whole state.
• Texas? Well, not just—I mean, we have air quality monitors around every city in Texas.
• on behalf of the Texas Public Policy Foundation for the bill.
• Section 11.201 of the Texas Education Code places limitations on severance pay for school district superintendents
• We actually have about 12 hospital authorities left in Texas.

Bills: HB158 , HB714 , HB 1198 , HB1630 , HB1998 , HB3509 , HB3788 , HB3875 , HB3948 , HB3977 , HB4097 , HB4313 , HB4314 , HB4317 , HB158

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: housing, veterans, surplus government property, affordable housing, funding sources, housing assistance, homeless prevention, landlord incentives, rural housing, domestic violence, community development, tenant readiness, program participants, financial assistance, homelessness, rental support, Texas Tenant Readiness Program, tenant assistance, housing stability, Texas Department of Housing

Bills: SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16 , SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16

Keywords: education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, Texas congressional redistricting, U.S. House districts, congressional map, redistricting, gerrymandering, 2020 Census, census tracts, block groups, voting districts, election law, Texas House of Representatives districts, federal congressional districts, 2026 elections

Transcript Highlights:

• , to provide for legislative oversight of the code, to provide for periodic review of the code, to provide
• for mandatory adoption of certain nationally recognized codes, to provide for applicability of codes
• relief for code violations, to provide for it. ...facilities from the code, to provide for injunctive
• relief for code violations, to provide for agreements by public entities relative to code enforcement
• Amendments 11 through 15 amend the list of codes to be adopted as the uniform code.

Bills: HB471 , HB798 , HB947 , HB1140 , HB1186 , HB1195 , HB1222

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, consumer protection, automated decision systems, data privacy, broadband, cable service, price increase, notification, digital assets, abandonment, custodian, escheatment, blockchain, cryptocurrency, unclaimed property, state treasurer, telecommunications, spoofing, call authentication

Transcript Highlights:

• Lubbock is the home to Texas Tech University System and it's the flagship institutes for Texas Tech.
• Texas Tech University, Texas Tech Health Science Center, both world-renowned organizations.
• Texas Southern University and later his law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern
• President of Texas A&M University, welcome.
• Lastly, for a secondary offense committed in a different county under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure

Bills: SJR1 , SB9 , SB40 , SJR36 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB9 , SB40 , SJR1 , SB9 , SB40 , SR62 , SR92 , SR95 , SR108 , SR110 , SR111 , SR113 , SR114 , SR117 , SR120 , SB314 , SB314

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform, El Paso, economic development