Transcript Highlights:

• This is such an important part of our state and our economy. And we appreciate them coming today.
• So, when you're looking at just that part of what's being expanded, it has to do with the broadband and
• to expand that internet and the broadband service as much as you can because this is an essential part
• And part of the physical impact says if you're going to expand and you're gonna do this.
• From the 22.8% to the 15%, does it not, for the most part, for the vast majority of this, does it not

Bills: SB2102 , SB1940 , SB1625 , SB1442 , SB1623 , SB1242 , SB1949 , SB1592 , SB1913 , SB592 , SB992 , SB1241 , SB259 , SB1928 , SB1426 , SB1531 , SB1561 , SB1122

Keywords: credit card fees, merchant discounts, payment card network, interchange fees, transparency in fees, Oklahoma law, payment card, rebate, merchant, tax compliance, health insurance, mandate, impact analysis, insurance department, public health, access to healthcare, SB1442, alcoholic beverage control, ABLE Commission, liquor license fees

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a four-part exam, four hours for each part.
• There have been some discussion about moving it to other parts of the day.
• There have been some discussion about moving it to other parts of the day.
• That's the part I'm challenged with. So thank you.
• I'm challenged with so thank you That's the part I'm challenged with.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and swore in new pages. It then received several messages from the Senate and Governor, including Senate-passed bills being referred to committees and House Bills 514 and 515 being transmitted to the Governor. Committee reports moved a number of bills and memorials to second reading, general orders, or committee referral, including measures on Medicaid managed care review, taxation, public utilities, foster care, and other administrative updates. The chamber then took up multiple third-reading bills. House Bill 630, concerning aerial shooting of predators such as wolves and coyotes, passed 60-8 with 2 abstentions. House Bill 631, on certificates of free sale for Idaho products, passed 62-7. House Bill 548, requiring reasonable suspicion before stopping and boarding vessels on the water, passed 68-0 with 2 abstentions. House Bill 599, revising the public school digital content and curriculum grant process, passed 68-0 with 2 abstentions. House Bill 731, entering Idaho into a federal tax credit scholarship framework, passed 68-0. House Bill 603, clarifying rules on camping and property handling on state facilities, passed 68-0. House Bills 689 and 690 also passed unanimously with 68 ayes each, and House Bill 698, closing a voting-law loophole related to treason in another state, passed 68-0. The House also passed House Bill 642, creating a catastrophic benefit for public safety officers killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty, with 68 ayes and no opposition; one member declared a conflict because a spouse is a law enforcement officer. House Bill 563, easing CPA licensure pathways and clarifying practice privileges, passed 67-0 with 3 absent and excused. House Bill 623, requiring a 60-second moment of silence at the start of each public school day, drew the most debate over local control, teacher burden, and whether it should be a mandate; it ultimately passed 51-17 with 2 absent and excused. The remaining third-reading bills were held one legislative day, a committee letter on agricultural rules was filed, the House noted the death of former Representative Bob Geddes Sr., welcomed professional firefighters in the gallery, and then adjourned until 11:00 a.m. on February 25, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And before Ron gets started, I just point of clarification: I work part-time for Congressman Paul Gosar
• And I think that's the exciting part of this.
• As representative of District 17, which includes parts of Tucson, where a conservative community member
• As representative of District 17, which includes parts of Tucson, where a conservative community member
• And part and parcel to that was the workforce training effort that Lucid needed.

Committee: House House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first took up HB 2950, which would allow a governing body to approve a tourism improvement area to promote tourism and lodging. Supporters from the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, Visit Yuma, and Visit Phoenix said the bill would give communities a voluntary, locally controlled tool to market destinations, attract events, and strengthen rural and urban tourism economies without raising taxes on residents. Members discussed tourism’s economic importance in places like Yuma and other rural communities, and the bill was moved forward with a due pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote. The committee then held a presentation on rural economic development in Pinal County, focusing on the Lucid Motors project and its workforce partnership with Central Arizona College. Speakers from the Arizona Commerce Authority, Central Arizona College, and Lucid described the Drive48 training program, the creation of a skilled workforce pipeline, and broader economic impacts such as higher wages, job creation, and related growth in housing and infrastructure. The committee also read proclamations recognizing Lucid Motors and Central Arizona College for their contributions to economic development in rural Arizona. Finally, the committee heard HB 2946, which revises development fee requirements and prohibits development fees on accessory dwelling units. The sponsor argued the bill was intended to address housing affordability and reduce burdens on families and builders, while cities, towns, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, and municipal attorneys opposed it, saying it would shift costs from growth to existing taxpayers and weaken the principle that growth should pay for growth. An amendment in the chair’s name was adopted to remove county-related provisions and make clarifying changes. The amended bill was then passed with a 4-1 vote and two members voting present.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Rick Cheatham representing District 28, which is Power, Franklin, and part of Bannock County.
• The other part of this bill, because there's been an increase in fires in garages due to lithium-ion
• And part of the negotiation that came out of that was we wouldn't even put them in duplexes.
• TPLFs can be publicly traded by hedge funds, private institutions, etc., yet they do not take part or
• That would obviously be part of a contractual relationship as far as how you establish your benefits

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Healthy coral reefs play a crucial part in mitigating damage from natural disasters like floods, hurricanes
• But the other part of the tanks that would otherwise be prohibited are going to be able to go in the
• But the other part of the plans requires those tanks to come out of the ground by 2038.
• And the facilities that I'm aware of, all of that ash is contained as part of that operation and then
• So the batteries that were part of the $10 billion category are starting to hit the waste stream now.

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met with a quorum present and took up several environmental bills and one confirmation. First, the committee considered SB 1422 on surface waters, which was amended with a strike-all focused on coral reef protection and designation of coral reefs as critical natural infrastructure. Senator Garcia described the amendment as a way to support restoration, disaster resilience, and access to federal funding; Audubon Florida waived in support. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS for SB 1422 favorably. The committee next considered SPB 7034, a DEP rule ratification concerning the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee River minimum flows and levels and recovery strategy. Senator Rodriguez explained the rule would replace prior MFLs and allow longer permits, while opponents from the Florida Springs Council and local river advocates argued the plan relies too heavily on one future wastewater reuse project, delays restoration, and lacks a clear funding source. DEP and JEA waived in support. After debate, the committee approved the motion to submit the proposal as a committee bill; the measure was favorably reported, with Senator Smith voting no. The committee then heard SB 1510 on DEP-related matters, as amended. The strike-all addressed Outstanding Florida Springs B-MAP mediation plans, septic system upgrades where sewer is unavailable, rural cost-share eligibility, notice to property owners, rulemaking procedures, and land acquisition governance, while removing biosolids and fee provisions. Florida Springs Council opposed the 60-day delay for B-MAP effectiveness, saying it could slow restoration and allow more conventional septic systems to be installed before stricter requirements take effect. DEP and others supported the bill. The committee reported CS for SB 1510 favorably. It also heard SB 1196 on waste facilities, which would prohibit new ash-producing incinerators and waste-to-energy facilities within two miles of certain federally authorized water impoundment areas, with an amendment narrowing the bill to Miami-Dade and Broward County. Supporters, including the City of Miramar, said it would protect water resources and Everglades restoration; opponents from the Florida Waste-to-Energy Coalition warned it would limit local solid waste options and could force more landfilling. The committee adopted the amendment and reported CS for SB 1196 favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 912 on battery collection and recovery, establishing a battery stewardship program and requiring producers and retailers to join a stewardship organization by 2028. Supporters from the battery industry and recycling sector said the bill would reduce fires and keep batteries out of the waste stream. The committee adopted the amendment and reported CS for SB 912 favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of Gary Jennings to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think for the most part, you know, there's been some improvements.
• So that's part of what's in here.
• And that was part of the DCWF in the first place was to take our child welfare programs and put them
• And I think for the most part, you know, there's been some improvements.
• So that's part of what's in here.

Summary: The Early Learning and Human Services Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2468 would update the Revised Code of Washington to match DSHS’s 2025 reorganization, replacing references to eliminated administrations with the new Home and Community Living Administration and Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration, and also removing a 2028 sunset on the Dementia Action Collaborative, adjusting advisory committee membership, and eliminating a staffing mandate tied to no-paid-services caseloads. The sponsor and DSHS testified in support as a technical cleanup bill, while members raised questions about possible amendments, including whether to keep or remove the Dementia Action Collaborative sunset. DSHS said it was open to changes and noted some statutory references still need correction. No vote was taken. HB 2529 would rename the DCYF Oversight Board as the DCYF Accountability Board, move it to OFM for administrative purposes, narrow some duties, require at least twice-yearly engagement with affected communities, allow the board to request ombuds reports, broaden some membership qualifications, and change the annual report to an every-other-year report starting in 2027. Representative Dent, a board member, said the changes were intended to make the board less political, improve attendance and membership flexibility, and focus the report on more useful recommendations. A union representative asked for language ensuring a DCYF caseworker board member can attend meetings as part of job duties rather than using personal leave. Members also questioned whether the reduced reporting frequency was appropriate given recent fatalities and near-fatalities at the agency. No action was taken. HB 2455 would create a two-year pilot program providing rental assistance and related housing fees for 50 youth in extended foster care who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, beginning January 1, 2027, with a report due in 2029 and transition planning required before youth age out at 21. The sponsor and multiple youth advocates testified strongly in support, describing homelessness, instability, and barriers such as “double-dipping” restrictions that prevent youth from combining housing supports. Testifiers said the bill would help youth focus on school, work, and healing, and urged the committee to expand the program if possible. Members asked about the pilot timeline and whether an interim review might be useful. The hearing closed with no vote on the bill, followed by committee announcements about Friday’s 8:30 a.m. meeting and an agenda change removing HB 2200 from Friday executive session and moving it to possible executive session next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assigned as part of my duties to oversee this agency and administer the medical authority and trust.
• Part of the pass-through funding that comes to the medical authority is academic research funding that
• But we really focused on the efficiency part of this.
• At times, it's difficult, but the easiest part of my job is convincing people on why to come to work
• Part of that is the new MET portal, but part of that is also truly just having the right people that

Committee: House A&B Health Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, in King County, 16- to 24-year-olds are more than twice as likely to ride transit as part
• We are part of two panels from the Lake Washington School District.
• Were you all part of that drafting team?
• Were you all part of that drafting team?
• Great catch on your part.

Bills: HB2307 , HB2374 , HB2379 , HB1823 , HB2111

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commute trip reduction, definitions, transportation, environmental impact, urban planning, electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, regulation, vehicle classification, tolling, emergency suspension, public access, state highways, transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match

Transcript Highlights:

• The rules here are part of the Department of Health and Senior Services.
• That's not meant to be the burdensome part, or not burdensome.
• And so a lot of this is already baked into the cake as part of that process.
• I will also say that— Cake as part of that process.
• The back end of this, once we get this input made, the most important part, I think, is the output.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Administrative Rules

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this committee are aware, Southwest Washington is growing rapidly, and we're proud to be playing a part
• These are in part a product of having the two stairways required to be remote from each other.
• We very much want to be part of any solution and would like to be part of the continuing conversation
• I know exactly what I'm going to do about the vesting part of this bill.
• So because, as some of you all have mentioned, this is a huge part of global climate emissions.

Bills: HB2228 , HB2273 , HB2418 , HB2381

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: building code, safety regulations, construction, scissor stairs, state standards, embodied carbon, building materials, sustainability, environment, permit review, project permits, land use, zoning, development regulations, residential development, housing permits, affordable housing, local government, county planning, city planning

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a slide a little bit later in Mark's part of the presentation where...
• We have a slide a little bit later in Mark's part of the presentation where we go through each of the
• That's going to be part of the longer-term trend that I'll show you in a couple slides.
• But that's not technically part of the definition update.
• They're not part of the phased-down rates. The MCO, because of regulation, we need to change that.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the January 15 morning meeting. The main agenda item was the Department of Revenue’s budget and revenue presentation from Secretary Eric Nelson, Deputy Secretary Peter Shirley, and Deputy Secretary Mark Mucco. Nelson said the state remains double-A rated with a positive outlook, the budget includes a 5% personal income tax reduction, and the 2027 general revenue estimate is $5.493 billion, up $170 million from the prior year. Shirley gave an economic overview, saying West Virginia is forecast to see continued but slowing employment growth, continued wage growth, gains in private education/health services and business services, declines in some sectors, improving labor force participation relative to the nation, and strong recent net in-migration. He also noted continued growth in natural gas production and a modest rebound in coal production, though coal faces longer-term demand pressure. Mucco reviewed revenue trends and said 2025 collections were about $5.5 billion, below the prior year but above estimate, with personal income tax and sales tax driving the surplus. He explained that the forecast incorporates the 5% PIT cut and annual conformity to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including changes such as Section 179 expensing, bonus depreciation, R&D expensing, business interest deductions, and a new manufacturing facility expensing provision. He also discussed the effects of tax credits, severance tax volatility, declining tobacco revenues, and health care provider tax changes tied to federal Medicaid rules. He said road fund revenues are largely flat absent policy changes, and county commission revenues are growing faster than state revenues. Members asked about when new economic development projects like NewCore would appear in the projections, how much 20,000 new jobs would matter, whether the department had a calculator for job-growth impacts, the status of recent tax cuts, road fund growth, tobacco/vape taxation, and whether migration data could be broken down by county. The witnesses said major projects are not yet in the S&P-based forecast but would likely add jobs, wages, and tax revenue over time; they estimated 20,000 jobs would be a significant increase. They also said the state is unlikely to hit the current personal income tax trigger in the near term. No substantive votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee adjourned after a motion carried by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's part of something that we're going to be...
• Bonnie was a part of that.
• Bonnie was a part of that.
• But I do think part of that is, one, making sure that you have people that are going to help, because
• And so they're embedding that in, and it's going to be a part of things moving forward.

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from November 17 by motion and voice vote. It then heard a presentation from Arkansas State University on its inclusive postsecondary education programs, HOWL and ATLAS, led by Dr. Kristen Johnson and Shane Broadway. The programs serve students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, by providing on-campus living, academic support, life-skills training, financial literacy, internships, employment support, and community integration. Johnson explained that HOWL is a comprehensive transition program that does not lead to a degree but is eligible for financial aid, while ATLAS is degree-seeking and provides additional supports. She reported strong outcomes, including high goal attainment and a majority of graduates working full time, and emphasized that the programs are designed to help students build autonomous adult lives. Members asked about recruitment, eligibility, costs, school outreach, business partnerships, and transition planning. Johnson said the programs have done extensive outreach through IEP meetings, transition symposia, email blasts, and school visits, but that awareness remains a challenge. She identified major roadblocks as business concerns about liability, fragmented collaboration, and difficulty navigating funding streams such as vocational rehabilitation and Medicaid. She also said more coordinated statewide communication and coalition-building are needed, and noted that ASU is helping launch a state alliance for similar programs, with new programs opening at ASU Mountain Home and the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. The committee then heard from the University of Central Arkansas about Project Ascend, a new low-sensory living-learning community for neurodiverse students in Hughes Hall. Dr. Debbie Daly and Jeremy Gillum described it as a voluntary, self-identified program focused on community building, belonging, and retention rather than remediation or degree planning. The program has hosted a few low-sensory social events and plans to expand outreach through campus tours, orientation, and targeted communications. Members asked about recruitment, participation, success measures, and how to avoid duplicating ASU’s efforts; UCA said it is still in its infancy and will measure success mainly through participation, retention, and student engagement. The meeting ended with general support from members, discussion of collaboration across institutions and agencies, and adjournment of the task force.

Transcript Highlights:

• None of these are supposed to be part of the annual appropriations process.
• And so that would be new for most of the able-bodied adults that are going to be part of the Medicaid
• She said, "I just finally hired everybody part-time."
• So they've stepped up to the plate and been part of those lawsuits nationally.
• I haven't seen it in my part of the state at all. Right.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's one part of my question is, are you monitoring that authorization process and then are you
• I'll start with the latter part of your question, specific to behavior analysis since we transitioned
• Yeah, for the most part, results-based metrics and then the procurement occurs and then expect, yeah,
• And I've kind of a two-part question as well as does this number going down and first 15 month.
• To part if that's okay. Let me know. Thank you for okay. Thank you. Install all combine it.

Transcript Highlights:

• AS PART OF THE 2024 REPORT DEVELOPMENT PROVIDER FEEDBACK WAS COLLECTED THROUGH A SURVEY DISTRIBUTED TO
• HOW DOES THE MONTHLY RATE COMPARED TO THE HOURLY RATE AND THEN, SECOND PART IS, HOW DOES THE MONTHLY
• RATE COMPARED TO THE HOURLY RATE AND THEN, SECOND PART IS, WHEN YOU SAY YOU ARE TAKING ANOTHER LOOK TO
• PLEASE ELABORATE ON THE FIRST PART OF THAT QUESTION WHICH IS WHAT IS A HAPPY ENDING?
• OF THE NON RECURRING ENHANCEMENT PART OF CARE.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's part of the requirements that get evaluated every...
• It was a Healthcare Affordability Fund that became part of that bill.
• That might be something that would be coming in as part of like a gift.
• I'd like you to be part of that working group.
• So if we can do that, I think that's wise on our part.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 16 is the data center bill that was part of the negotiated agreement to have the special session
• And that's part of the reason so many would like to put it here.
• We are in a race right now for AI, and the data centers are a critical part of this.
• We are in a race right now for AI, and the data centers are a critical part of this.
• </c><00:14:00.560><c> of</c> The data centers are a critical part of this.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• What part of the county is this? It's southeast Montgomery County. Okay, great.
• No, that was part of the problem.
• And so that's part of the problem that we're trying to solve.
• That's part of the reason why we decided to split this bill up and take some time to talk about it.
• That was all part of that for... ...$7 billion.

Bills: SB3038 , SB3045 , SB3065 , SB3069 , SB3071 , HB2025 , HB2149 , HB3370 , HB4205 , HB4506 , HB5424 , HB5652 , HB24 , HB3687 , HB24

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: Fort Bend County, Municipal Utility District, MUD, special district, Rosenberg, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, ad valorem tax, bond issuance, assessments, fees, taxes, eminent domain, road district, storm drainage, infrastructure financing, development agreement, municipal consent, temporary directors, public utility district

Transcript Highlights:

• I COULDN'T BELIEVE THIS WAS PART OF LEGISLATION WE WERE PUTTING FORWARD THIS YEAR.
• DO YOU KNOW FLUORIDE IS NATURALLY OCCURRING IN MANY PARTS OF THE STATE? SENATOR TRUENOW. YES.
• THEY TAKE PARTS OF THE EGG AND MAKE THAT PRODUCT.
• THAT IS CHAPTER 403 PART SIX OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES. WHY IS THIS IN THE FARM BILL?
• WHAT PART? SENATOR OSGOOD IN QUESTIONS. THANK YOU MISTER PRESIDENT. MY BAD.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There were 15,000 men and women as part of the squadron, with 1,000 of them being pilots, and all of
• This is a FSC word staffed and manned by folks that are part of the Tuskegee Airmen.
• And so it's an important part of our history. Yes, sir.
• I think General Ayala, who's the... a major general that runs part of our military liaison between the
• There certainly couldn't be and shouldn't be because SAWS is part of the city.

Bills: HCR92 , HB 114 , HB561 , HB 1171 , HB1894 , HB2026 , HB2143 , HB2337 , HB2564 , HB114

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: Tuskegee Airmen, commemoration, African American history, civil rights, military recognition, veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, defense, grants, local government, economic support, community development, health and wellness, outdoor recreation, state land use