Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2132, a justice surcharge on the credit cards at the point of sale from 2% to 3%.

Bills: HCR1006 , SB1226 , SB1239 , SB1309 , SB2132 , SB1189 , SB1344 , SB1295 , SB1355 , SB1998 , SB1330 , SB1297 , SB1338 , SB1546 , SB1378 , SB1859 , SB1333 , SB1341 , SB1377 , SB1990

Keywords: campaign finance, election spending, political spending, money in politics, constitutional amendment, Citizens United, free speech, ballot measures, elections, corruption, dark money, outside spending, foreign influence, special interests, corporations, unions, federalism, self-government, political equality, term limits

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and handled several floor introductions, including recognition of an intern, visiting FFA members, and later a Sand Springs state championship football team and Murray County visitors. The chamber also laid over Senate Bill 2067 and adopted a unanimous-consent request to bring HCR 1006 directly to calendar. HCR 1006, which calls on Congress to propose a constitutional amendment giving states more control over campaign and ballot-initiative money, passed by voice vote. Senate Bill 1226, expanding hit-and-run scene-retention requirements to include property damage, passed 47-0. Senate Bill 1239, dealing with transportation-related statutory cleanup and extending a sunset date for structurally deficient bridge funding from 2026 to 2031, was amended twice, advanced, and passed 44-2, then was approved as an emergency measure. Senate Bill 1309, adjusting the amount that may be reserved from the Roads Fund for debt service, advanced and passed 46-0 as an emergency measure. Later, Senate Bill 2132, increasing a justice surcharge on credit-card point-of-sale transactions from 2% to 3%, passed 28-17; Senator Hall recorded a personal-interest abstention. The Senate then confirmed Daniel LaFortune to the Oklahoma Tax Commission by a 44-1 roll call vote. The body concluded by moving to adjourn until Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. when the clerk’s desk is clear.

Bills: SB1180 , SB1215 , SB1270 , SB1290 , SB1292 , SB1294 , SB1430 , SCR1028

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: income tax, conformity, Arizona Revised Statutes, taxpayer, federal regulations, firefighters, occupational disease, workers compensation, cancer presumption, police officers, hazardous duty, SB1270, Arizona retirement system, public safety personnel, defined contribution plan, correctional officers, corrections officers, retirement contributions, supplemental contributions, retention incentive

Bills: SB15 , SB9 , SB4 , SB8 , SB60 , SB4 , SB8 , SB60 , SB4 , SB8 , SB60 , SB15 , SB9

Keywords: real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap

Bills: SB15 , SB9 , SB4 , SB8 , SB60 , SB4 , SB8 , SB60 , SB4 , SB8 , SB60 , SB15 , SB9

Keywords: real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, fuel sold or offered for sale in Texas must comply with standards adopted by TDLR and rule,
• In-home sales statutes were originally created to protect consumers from unsolicited door-to-door and
• This law, however, did not contemplate Internet sales or in-home sales such as the sale of insurance
• In 1973, when this was adopted, nobody thought about solar panel sales, but we saw a huge epidemic of
• fraudulent sales.

Bills: HB146 , HB150 , HB1500 , HB1545 , HB1562 , HB2067 , HB2520 , HB2818 , HB3214 , HB3250 , HB3466 , HB3512 , HB3623 , HB4063 , HB4395 , HB4464 , HB4668 , HB4690 , HB5331 , HB3833 , HB146 , HB150

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• We did it for Diwali in the 88th legislature by allowing the sale of fireworks so that Texans could fully

Bills: SB2784 , HB23 , HB247 , HB1533 , HB2011 , HB2013 , HB2273 , HB2421 , HB2464 , HB3120 , HB3424 , HB3575 , HB3788 , HB4370 , HB4809 , HB5057 , HB5084 , HB5534 , HB5668 , HJR34 , HB23 , HB247 , HJR34

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: Somervell County, hospital district, board of directors, elections, local governance, staggered terms, third-party review, property development, local government, permits, construction inspection, regulatory authority, land development, liability, occupancy certificate, border security, tax exemption, ad valorem, real property, infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, advertising rules for vehicles do not allow a dealer to advertise the vehicle for sale if
• Currently, Texas DMV advertising rules do not allow a dealer to advertise a used vehicle for sale unless
• This isn't about online sales.
• Acquiring vehicles from law enforcement auctions or lienholder foreclosure sales.
• Allowing auction sales receipts to be used to establish ownership will allow salvage auto purchasers

Bills: SB 35 , SB 249 , SB 546 , SB 1353 , SB 1493 , SB 2246 , SB 1902 , SB 1029

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not allow a dealer to advertise a vehicle for sale if they are not in possession of the vehicle
• This isn't about online sales; it's about multiple dealers advertising the very same product.
• Or has said that the vehicle is ready for sale.
• We make sure they're ready for the public, and then we offer them for sale.
• Requiring vehicles from law enforcement auctions or lien holder foreclosure sales.

Bills: SB35 , SB249 , SB546 , SB1353 , SB1493 , SB2246 , SB1902 , SB1029

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County

Transcript Highlights:

• When LCRA chose to exit the retail water business and in order to prevent the sale of the system, our
• It will be funded solely through the sale of water and wastewater services and may issue bonds for infrastructure

Bills: SB1169 , SB1285 , SB1583 , SB1611 , SB1898 , SB1976 , SB2160 , SB2161 , SB2658 , SB2661 , SB2662 , SB2692 , SB1055 , SB1359 , SB2660

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Bills: SB1169 , SB1285 , SB1583 , SB1611 , SB1898 , SB1976 , SB2160 , SB2161 , SB2658 , SB2661 , SB2662 , SB2692 , SB1055 , SB1359 , SB2660

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Bills: SB 1169 , SB 1285 , SB 1583 , SB 1611 , SB 1898 , SB 1976 , SB 2160 , SB 2161 , SB 2658 , SB 2661 , SB 2662 , SB 2692 , SB 1055 , SB 1359 , SB 2660

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Bills: SB 31 , SB 33 , SB 510 , SB 871 , SB 1868 , SB 2024 , SB 2166 , SB 2309 , SB 2880 , SJR 27 , SJR 39 , SJR 40

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education

Transcript Highlights:

• mothers that, if they were, you know, God forbid, had some sexual assault, folks that have given birth underage
• mothers that, if they were, you know, God forbid, had some sexual assault, folks that have given birth underage

Committee: Joint Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills. SB 479 would let Berkeley, Long Beach, and Pasadena use multidisciplinary homeless response teams and share specified information across departments; the author and a Berkeley official said current state confidentiality rules prevent effective coordination, and the bill passed 9-0 to Senate Appropriations. SB 46 would bar a person who has served two terms as President from appearing on the California ballot for a third term; supporters argued California has authority to enforce constitutional qualifications, while Senator Niello questioned whether the bill was needed, and it passed 6-1 to Senate Appropriations. SB 99 would improve coordination between civilian and military authorities on military protective orders and restraining orders; the Department of Defense supported it, the ACLU raised due process concerns about MPOs, and the bill passed 6-0 as amended to Senate Appropriations. SB 719 would extend the sunset on Department of Technology reporting on state agency use of high-risk automated decision systems from 2029 to 2032; there was no opposition and it passed 6-0 to Senate Appropriations. The committee also took up SB 300, which would strengthen California’s new AI chatbot law by requiring operators to prevent minors from being exposed to sexually explicit material or facilitation of such content. Supporters said new evidence shows current protections are insufficient and that the bill is needed now to address harms to children; industry groups opposed the bill as premature, arguing SB 243 had just taken effect and that the new standard could create strict-liability-like exposure and uncertainty. After extensive questioning, the bill passed 9-0 to Senate Appropriations. SB 381 would give adult adoptees and descendants access to original birth certificates and create a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents; many adoptees and birth parents testified in support, while some members raised privacy concerns for birth parents. The bill passed 13-0 to the Senate Health Committee, with the author noting amendments would be taken in Health rather than Judiciary. At the end of the hearing, the committee shifted chairs and began SB 33, which would eliminate the sunset on the existing public works contractor claim-resolution process so agencies must continue to respond to claims, pay undisputed amounts, and use early dispute resolution. The author and sponsor said the process has reduced litigation and helped contractors and workers, and the bill was just being introduced when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• action, knowing that we need to ensure that illicit hemp is kept out of the hands of those who are underage

Summary: The House opened with ceremonial activities, including the Pledge of Allegiance and recognition of several student athletic teams and guests, then took up a series of routine matters. Members adopted a resolution congratulating the William Diamond Jr. Fife and Drum Corps on its 25th anniversary, suspended Joint Rule 12 for a petition concerning lease authorization for Eastern Mountain State Forests, and enacted several bills, including measures related to the Sandwich town charter and Springfield tax relief. The House also passed a bill authorizing charity alcohol auctions after adopting a substitute amendment, and passed a bill directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for a specific applicant. The main policy debate centered on Senate Bill 2581, amended and retitled as an act promoting safe technology use and distraction-free education for youth. Supporters described the bill as a response to classroom distraction, bullying, and mental health harms associated with cell phones and social media, and said it would require bell-to-bell restrictions on personal devices in schools, provide guidance and a model policy for districts, and limit social media access for children under 14 while requiring parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds. Several members cited educator testimony, school district practices, and concerns about anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and online predators. Opponents and amendment sponsors argued for more local flexibility and warned about implementation costs, but amendments seeking to preserve district-specific policies or prohibit unfunded mandates were rejected. The House adopted a consolidated amendment to the bill by roll call, then passed the bill to be engrossed by a vote of 129-25. Earlier, the House also accepted a conference committee report on legislation modernizing cannabis laws by a vote of 155-0, after debate focused on restructuring the Cannabis Control Commission, expanding licensing and ownership rules, and addressing equity and social justice provisions. The chamber recessed several times, briefly lost quorum during proceedings, and adjourned to meet again in informal session the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• action, knowing that we need to ensure that illicit hemp is kept out of the hands of those who are underage

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• vagueness of language in section two regarding the allotment of funds opens taxpayers up to funding underage

Bills: HB2747

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: budget sustainability, state finance, fiscal policy, economic growth, government spending, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many underage victims of human trafficking are students in our school system. With that, I close.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee heard and advanced a series of education-related bills, beginning with SB 540, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, which would require age-appropriate disability history and awareness instruction across grade bands. The committee adopted a delete-all amendment, heard emotional testimony from Melissa Hartzell about her son Evan’s experience with disability and inclusion, and reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1296, creating a pilot study on school cellphone bans; SB 1590, creating a task force to review educator preparation, certification, and professional learning; SB 1702, a broad education bill with provisions on private school facilities, marching band credit, school readiness reimbursements, and charter school monitoring tools; SB 1150, exempting school social workers from certain certification testing requirements; SB 1708, revising School of Hope rules and adding a Miami-Dade co-location framework; SB 822, updating charter school governance and operations; SB 444, requiring annual human trafficking awareness training for school personnel; and SB 742, expanding workforce development and money-back guarantee programs. Most of these bills were amended before being reported favorably by committee vote. The committee also considered and reported favorably SB 8, a claims bill providing a $1.2 million settlement for Marcus Button and his family arising from a 2006 Pasco County school bus crash that caused severe lifelong injuries. Senator Gaetz opposed claims bills in general, arguing the sovereign immunity cap should be raised so such cases can be resolved locally. Several bills drew questions and debate over implementation details, including concerns about charter school dress and hair policies under SB 822, the scope of human trafficking training under SB 444, and the zoning implications of private school facility provisions in SB 1702. Sponsor responses generally emphasized that the bills were intended to clarify existing policy or improve student safety, access, or educational outcomes. The committee also took up confirmation appointments. It recommended confirmation of the slate of appointees on Tabs 12 and 14 through 21 by voice vote, and separately recommended confirmation of Daniel Fogunoli to the State Board of Education after debate in which Senator Davis and Senator Osgood opposed the appointment. The meeting concluded with members recording additional votes, including Senator Burgess’s affirmative vote on SB 1150, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're kind of falling... ...sale with tobacco, electronic smoking devices.
• Those things are all marketed towards underage people.
• The next section is a prohibition on sale to minors under 21 years of age.
• Estimated $10 billion in 2025 in generation of sales.
• Estimated $10 billion in 2025 in generation of sales.

Committee: Joint Legislative Management

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, probably the biggest part in this, strengthens penalties for sales to minors.
• tax on alcohol beverages at the point of sale. brief statement.
• <01:04:21.160><c> tax</c> sales tax sales tax on<01:04:22.520><c> alcohol</c><01:04:23.000><c> beverages
• </c><01:06:23.440><c> tax,</c> excise tax with an added sales tax, excise tax with an added sales tax
• Sales tax versus excise tax about.

Committee: House Appropriations & Revenue

Keywords: An issue was found with the live stream of this meeting. This version was uploaded as a complete version and should contain the entirety of the meeting. Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:15 HB 647 Discussion 00:02:00 HB 647 Vote 00:05:47 HB 501 Discussion 00:07:40 HB 501 Vote 00:09:53 HB 502 Discussion 00:11:20 HB 502 Vote 00:14:48 HJR 75 Discussion 00:16:53 HJR 75 Vote 00:17:35 HJR 76 Discussion 00:19:00 HJR 76 Vote 00:19:43 HB 869 Discussion 00:21:22 HB 869 Vote 00:30:00 HB 619 Discussion 00:31:39 HB 619 Vote 00:34:33 HB 356 Discussion 00:36:22 HB 356 Vote 00:40:19 HB 900 Discussion 00:43:17 HB 900 Vote 00:46:21 HB 816 Discussion 00:48:02 HB 816 Vote 00:53:47 HB 9 Discussion 00:55:05 HB 9 Vote 01:18:25 HB 757 Discussion 01:21:04 HB 757 Vote 01:35:55, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He violently raped at least nine women, most of them underage, in the Fresno Tower District, a place
• Assembly Bill 1720 by Assemblymember Haney, an act relating to sales.
• What happens is the tickets go on sale. Scalpers come in and take as many of them as they can.
• Again, as the tickets go on sale, scalpers come in and take as many of them as they can, often creating

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance before moving through the daily file. Several measures were taken up and passed, including bills on county jail accountability (AB 2257), claims against public agencies (AB 2529), affordable housing management metrics (AB 2689), digital wellness instruction in schools (AB 2071), pedestrian and bicycle safety project streamlining (AB 1976), manufactured home transport permits (AB 2012), a Surplus Land Act amendment tied to an Inland Empire soccer project (AB 2139), a Monterey Bay stewardship authority (AB 1548), online electrician licensing (AB 1707), a Caltrans study of navigation apps’ traffic impacts (AB 2105), coastal resiliency permitting reforms (AB 2051), downtown housing streamlining and financing (AB 2074), Cal Fire compensation (AB 2129), emergency care authority for Del Puerto Health Care District (AB 2282), charter school facilities hardship relief (AB 2316), theft by a peace officer under color of authority as serious misconduct (AB 2337), an Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander-serving institution designation (AB 2374), energy and cannabis support bills (AB 2464, AB 2537), and a suicide prevention plan requirement for treatment facilities (AB 2562). Most of these measures passed with broad bipartisan margins, and several were described as support bills with no opposition. The floor also debated a major criminal justice measure, AB 2727, which would raise the threshold for elderly parole eligibility for people serving sentences for violent sex offenses and add screening safeguards. Supporters from both parties emphasized child protection, survivor trauma, and specific local cases involving offenders who had become eligible for release; the bill passed 66-0. Another significant debate centered on AB 1958, which would clarify procedures under the California Racial Justice Act by refining how disparity claims are established and rebutted; the author said he would take Senate amendments to address concerns from district attorneys. The Assembly also considered AB 2313, a gas-to-electric transition bill allowing customers with planned service line replacements to opt out of gas service and use funds to electrify their homes. Members raised concerns about cost shifts and equity, and the author responded that the bill includes no-cost-shift language, larger credits for disadvantaged communities, and would not proceed if the math does not work; it passed 41-21. The final major item was AB 1709, a high-profile social media safety bill creating a minimum age of 16 for accounts on platforms using addictive features and establishing an e-safety commission. The author and many supporters from both parties framed the bill as a response to youth mental health harms, addictive design, and the need for age-based safeguards, while some members raised concerns about impacts on LGBTQ youth and other isolated young people who rely on online spaces. Supporters said the bill targets addictive design rather than speech and is intended to preserve safe online connection while limiting harmful features. The measure drew extensive bipartisan support and was still under debate at the end of the transcript.