Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank Representative Lauderback in the House for his... ...work on this as well.
• Just plowed through a full house for you. Appreciate that very much.
• Full-time faculty are permitted to be members of the Faculty Senate.
• I just wanted to call to your attention that I went over to the House site for the companion bill, and

Bills: SB530 , SB757 , SB769 , SB1085 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1409 , SB1878 , SB2138 , SB2314 , SB2231 , SB2361 , SB2431 , SJR59

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a large agenda and repeatedly recessed for floor activity and other committee conflicts. The committee heard and left pending several higher education bills, including SB 2361 to transfer University of Houston-Victoria from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M System and rename it Texas A&M University Victoria; testimony from university officials, local leaders, and industry representatives strongly supported the move as a way to better align degree programs with regional workforce needs in engineering, agriculture, and STEM. SB 530, which would align Texas accreditation statutes with federal rules allowing institutions to choose among nationally recognized accreditors, also received supportive testimony and was left pending. SB 1085, allowing Sul Ross satellite campuses to offer lower-division coursework toward bachelor’s degrees, was laid out and left pending as well. The committee also took up a series of education policy bills. SB 1241 would expand the standardized tests Texas public universities may accept for admission beyond the SAT and ACT, with supporters from the Classic Learning Test, homeschool advocates, and student-choice groups arguing it would increase access and competition; it was left pending. SB 769 would require a TEA/Higher Education Coordinating Board report on barriers faced by students with disabilities in higher education, and testimony from The Arc of Texas and others emphasized the need for better data and accessibility; the bill was left pending. SB 2231 would designate the second week of October as Free College Application Week, and SB 1878 would modernize terminology and support workforce-oriented programs at the Josie School; both were laid out and left pending. The committee reported several bills favorably after adopting committee substitutes. SB 605, concerning charter school expansion applications while under conservatorship or a management team, passed on a 9-0 vote. SB 1871, SB 1873, and SB 1874, all related to school discipline and teacher immunity/placement review provisions, were adopted and reported favorably, with members noting the need for further discussion on some language. SB 762, dealing with flag displays in public schools, passed on a 7-1 vote. SB 1962, relating to public school accountability and challenges to school system operations, passed 7-1 after a corrected vote. SB 1750, replacing a $60 million statewide charter facilities cap with an attendance-growth-based allotment, passed 7-1 with one member voting present not voting. SB 2252, supporting kindergarten readiness and early literacy/numeracy, SB 2253, concerning educator preparation and certification, SB 2365, on student use of wireless devices during instructional time, and SB 1924, restoring local peace officer citation authority for school offenses and adding reporting and parent-notification requirements, were also reported favorably. The committee additionally heard SB 37 on higher education governance and compliance oversight, which passed 7-1 after a substitute that refined curriculum review, governing board authority, faculty senate rules, and a new compliance office within the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Transcript Highlights:

• kids are still intending to go to a private school or be homeschooled or utilize the funds in other permitted
• Was that something that you guys built in-house?
• Was that something that you guys built in-house?
• I'm a military veteran wife myself, and I know we have many that have served here in the House, my colleagues

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met to continue reviewing how Family Empowerment Scholarship students are funded through the FEFP and the role of scholarship funding organizations. Staff gave a statutory overview of parent, SFO, and Department of Education responsibilities, including application deadlines, eligibility verification, quarterly payment timing, cross-checks to prevent duplicate funding, and the 99% district FEFP limitation for certain awards. The committee then heard demonstrations from Step Up for Students and AAA Scholarship Foundation showing their parent portals, application workflows, reimbursement systems, school enrollment/invoice processes, and marketplace tools for tuition, tutoring, and approved goods and services. Step Up reported major growth since HB 1, saying its scholarship population expanded from about 260,000 to more than 440,000 students, with application processing averaging about 10 days. It also highlighted faster tuition, provider, and reimbursement payments, multilingual support in English and Spanish, and resources such as videos and a call center. Members asked about support for Creole speakers, optional Florida ID numbers, student identifiers, marketplace pricing, tutor qualifications, background screening, and how awards differ from funded status. Step Up said it does not currently support Creole, does not do background screenings for tutors, sets no marketplace prices itself, and uses a unique internal student ID separate from the state ID. AAA demonstrated its revised software for the 2025-26 school year, including an eligibility screener, household and student application steps, messaging with staff, reimbursement requests, and administrative review and payment batching. AAA said the new system is custom-built, more transparent about award value versus available balance, and designed to better handle quarterly funding for UA students. Members questioned AAA and Step Up about student ID numbers, public-school cross-checks, fraud controls, school fee schedules, whether schools must participate, and reimbursement timing. Both organizations said they report quarterly to DOE, receive public-school cross-checks, and recover funds when students return to public school; AAA said its average reimbursement turnaround is about 14 business days, while Step Up said its reimbursement approvals have improved significantly. The committee also requested follow-up information, including one-pagers, data on income levels and demographics, and additional details on forecasting and system costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Introduction of House bills.
• </c> an individual house. an individual house.
• </c><00:19:10.080><c> in</c> house in Baltimore City, and a house in house in Baltimore City, and a house
• . house. house.
• &gt;&gt; House<00:59:40.640><c> Bill.</c> &gt;&gt; House Bill. &gt;&gt; House Bill.

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, March 5, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, the state ranks last in housing affordability, with median home prices more than two
• High-cost regions where housing, transportation, and basic necessities continue to rise.
• High-cost regions where housing, transportation, and basic necessities continue to rise.
• It is our turn to keep them housed, fed, and most importantly, keeping them in California.
• They are buying houses, spending sales taxes, and generating other revenues here in the state.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The committee heard several tax and revenue-related bills. SB 1277, by Senator Grove, proposed a California Cost of Living Tax Credit modeled on the 2022 middle-class tax refund to provide direct relief to low- and middle-income Californians facing high housing, fuel, and utility costs. Supporters argued it would help families struggling with affordability, while opponents, including the California Tax Reform Association and CTA members, said California’s tax system already provides relief and that the bill would reduce General Fund revenue and harm schools. After extended debate, the bill was put on call and later failed on a 1-4 vote, though reconsideration was granted. SB 1287, by Senator Retado, would create a performance-based tax credit for short-line rail investments; supporters said it would improve freight efficiency, safety, emissions, and rural access, while opponents preferred direct grants. The bill was placed on call and later passed 5-0 to Transportation. SB 1407, by Senator Archuleta, would exempt military retirement pay and survivor benefits from state taxes; the author, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and veterans’ groups said it would help retain veterans and their economic contributions in California, while CTA and CTRA opposed on General Fund grounds. The bill passed 5-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. SB 1349, by Senator Gonzalez, would direct the LAO to review major tax expenditures for effectiveness and impacts on schools and the budget; CTA and CTRA supported it as a way to increase accountability, and it passed 4-1 to Governmental Organization. SB 1120, by Senator McNerney, would extend the California Competes Tax Credit through 2035 and make credits refundable for certain strategic industries; business and industry witnesses said this would help startups and manufacturers monetize credits and attract investment, and it passed 5-0 to Appropriations. SB 1275, also by Senator McNerney, proposed converting the state sales tax on vehicle purchases into a deductible vehicle license fee to reduce Californians’ federal tax burden; the LAO provided technical testimony, and the bill passed 4-0 to Transportation. The committee also heard SB 1078, by Senator Laird, to let Santa Cruz County voters consider a temporary local tax increase for health and safety-net services, but it was put on call. Later, the committee returned to SB 1314, by Senator Min, addressing youth tobacco and illicit smoke shop sales, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two things on House File 3127. House File 3127.
• House File 3127. House File 3127.
• </c> Anderson, House File 3814. Anderson, House File 3814.
• </c> House File 3814. House File 3814.
• House file 3817. lead that one over. House file 3817.

Bills: HF3127 , HF3816 , HF3814 , HF3815 , HF3817

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: taxation, pass-through entity, qualifying owner, partnership, S corporation, tax return, corporate franchise tax, individual income tax, research expenditures, federal compliance, Minnesota Statutes, income tax, corporate tax, section 179, federal conformity, HF3815, Minnesota taxes, tax conformity, Internal Revenue Code, IRC conformity

Transcript Highlights:

• Trying to find stable housing, trying to become financially stable.
• ,</c> basic needs like food, housing, basic needs like food, housing, bills,<00:10:18.600><c> and</c>
• ,</c><01:24:41.080><c> or</c> stopping uh when that's permitted, or stopping uh when that's permitted
• ,</c><02:34:46.120><c> at</c><02:34:46.320><c> the</c><02:34:46.480><c> house</c> At the house Chair
• Latz, at the house At the house Chair Latz, at the house introduction<02:34:47.400><c> of</c><02:34:47.560

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:29.679><c> supports</c> that came into the HSS housing supports that came into the HSS housing
• </c> detailed about being asked by a housing detailed about being asked by a housing provider<00:19:23.120
• And whatever you need to do for housing.
• I had to get a gun permit to protect my property.
• </c><01:31:52.159><c> of</c> our tools here in the House of our tools here in the House of Representatives

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be House File 15.
• This brings me to the urgency of House File 15.
• </c><00:14:26.000><c> is</c> furthermore the third floor house is furthermore the third floor house is
• file 12 as amended please present house file 12 as amended oh<00:58:19.160><c> house</c><00:58:19.400
• ><c> 22</c><00:58:21.480><c> as</c> Oh, House File 22 as amended.

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair moves that House Bill 2622, as filed, be approved. be reported favorably to the full House with
• House Bill, members, House Bill 220 is represented for Dez's bill, which seeks to codify into law and
• Chair moves that House Bill 220.
• I'm testifying in support of House Bill 44. House Bill 44.
• And my view is the house is burning, get out of the house.

Bills: HB44 , HB2200 , HB1612 , HB2747 , HB2038 , HB3717 , HB1431 , HB3800 , HB3801 , HB3560 , HB3246 , HB44

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care

Transcript Highlights:

• You're going to see the square footage of that house, the value of that house, any outbuildings, the
• , the value square footage of that house, the value of<00:41:13.640><c> that</c><00:41:13.840><c> house
• </c> land use permits. land use permits.
• Um, obviously House Bill 168, um, that didn't make introduction of this last legislative session.
• Um, obviously House Bill 168, um, that didn't make introduction of this last legislative session.

Committee: Joint Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the funding, but rather the reality of where we are in the state and nationally, with delays on permitting
• These students live in motels, shelters, overcrowded housing, and move frequently.
• They are chronically absent at twice the rate of their housed peers, 49% compared to 24%.
• These students have in motels, shelters, overcrowded housing, and move frequently.
• They are chronically absent twice the rate of their house peers, 49% compared to 24%.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals for universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools. On universal meals, the Department of Education supported continued funding for the Universal School Meals Program and a fourth round of Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants, citing meal-count growth, improved meal service, and the need to offset federal uncertainty, inflation, and reduced direct certification tied to immigration-related policy changes. The LAO recommended rejecting another kitchen grant round, arguing prior rounds are still being spent and the state has not clearly defined unmet need. Members also raised concerns about the state’s ability to backfill federal meal funding and about how federal requirements affect programs like Summer EBT/SUN Bucks. Public commenters largely supported school meals and kitchen investments, with some urging support for plant-based milk options and continued infrastructure funding. For ELOP, the Department of Finance proposed $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding, including $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended going further and fully fixing the Tier 2 rate, saying rate uncertainty complicates district planning. CDE supported the proposal and said the program has improved attendance and academic outcomes, while noting new CalPADS reporting will provide more data soon. Senators discussed whether ELOP should remain a standalone program or be folded into LCFF, and whether the state should require stronger outcome reporting. Public testimony generally backed stabilizing Tier 2 funding, but some speakers urged more support for older youth and more timely, user-friendly reporting. On community schools, the administration proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding to expand the model to thousands more schools and to support existing grantees, along with stronger technical assistance, statewide alignment, and an accreditation/self-certification framework. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, warning about reduced flexibility, administrative burden, and the state’s capacity to support a much larger cohort. CDE supported the ongoing investment but asked for additional county office and technical assistance funding. Senators and public commenters were broadly supportive of community schools, emphasizing improved attendance, graduation, and student engagement, while also debating accountability, accreditation, and whether non-classroom-based charter schools should be eligible. Public testimony strongly favored ongoing funding and highlighted community schools’ role in mental health, family engagement, and wraparound supports.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the Trump administration to restore Oklahoma'sitleen family planning grant after the biden White House
• And the Long Term Care Ombudsman program, which has been housed in the AG's office for just over a year
• Two nights ago, 3 miles from my house, one was raided, and another one in my district. So very.
• At present, we are accomplishing that in-house, so that is a subsidized attorney fee already expended
• We cannot take from the attorney general the discretion that the constitution and statute permits.

Committee: House A&B Judiciary Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They want to help in the house, but they should go to school. Thank you. Please wrap it up.
• They want to help in the house. 14 years old. My brother is 17. They want to work.
• You don't need a license to landscape, just, you know, to do stuff around the house.
• You don't need a license to landscape just, you know, to do stuff around the house.
• So first of all, as this bill moves forward, it's moving in a house.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The committee first took up a committee substitute for SB 752, which would require newspapers and television stations to remove online reports later found to be false or defamatory in certain circumstances, and would change when the statute of limitations begins to run. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address lasting harm from false accusations that remain searchable online. Several speakers opposed the measure, arguing it would chill reporting, punish accurate historical coverage, and create vague legal risks for the press. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then approved CS/SB 846, a bill aimed at preventing immigration service fraud by non-attorneys and misuse of the term "notario." Supporters, including an immigration attorney, said the bill would protect vulnerable immigrants from bad advice and fake legal services. The committee also approved CS/SB 800, which updates battery labeling and recycling requirements to reduce fires caused by discarded batteries; waste and recycling representatives supported it, while a battery industry group warned the bill could effectively ban battery-embedded products. CS/SB 578, dealing with wine container rules and allowing recyclable inserts and boxes up to 5.16 gallons, was also reported favorably. The committee next approved CS/SB 1734, the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which sets product standards, labeling rules, age limits, testing, and enforcement provisions. Supporters said it reflects current science and consumer safety needs, while opponents warned it could burden small businesses and overregulate the market. SB 918, which would loosen state child labor restrictions for certain minors and align Florida law more closely with federal standards, drew extensive opposition from advocates, students, and labor groups who said it would increase exploitation and harm education; several senators also raised concerns, but the bill was still reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 854 on unlicensed contractors and deposit fraud, and confirmed several appointments to state boards and commissions. A separate bill on online encryption and child safety, SB 868, was taken up with an amendment and public testimony, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair lays out House Bill 26.
• Particular houses, or I know it varies because of the size of the house, but how expensive is it to make
• uses similar principles to House Bill.
• House Bill 46 uses a similar formula as well.
• Right, on the House Bill.

Bills: HB26 , HB73 , SB 14 , HB46

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: HB26, law enforcement contracts, sheriff, constable, county commissioners court, commissioners court, private security, special law enforcement district, property owners association, POA, municipal utility district, school district, junior college district, local government, contract policing, supplemental police services, large counties, population over 3.3 million, Texas Local Government Code, Harris County

Transcript Highlights:

• This would permit the Department of Education to only retain amounts that are appropriated to it for
• This would um<01:03:10.640><c> permit</c><01:03:10.960><c> the</c><01:03:11.200><c> Department</c><01
• :03:11.520><c> of</c><01:03:11.680><c> Education</c><01:03:12.079><c> to</c> um permit the Department
• of Education to um permit the Department of Education to only<01:03:12.559><c> retain</c><01:03:13.280
• I know from listening to testimony in the House, unemployment insurance is a concern and being blamed

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just introduce the House members of the committee.
• And a final note: under the new House rules for this session, all House bills heard today are required
• And a final note under the new House rules for this session, all House bills heard today are required
• I'm here to testify on behalf of two bills, House Bill 183 and House Bill 182, both of which I filed.
• Bill 158, Senate Bill 99, House Bill 78, House Bill 174, House Bill 171, Senate Bill 75, and House Bill

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its first hearing of the 194th session to take public testimony on 21 cannabis-related bills. Chairs Donahue and Gómez outlined hearing procedures and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. Much of the hearing focused on the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), with Senator Mike Moore urging support for S. 90 to create an inspector general unit within the CCC. He argued the commission has suffered from dysfunction, workplace harassment allegations, delayed governance reforms, missed fee collections, and high legal costs, and said stronger legislative oversight is needed. Committee members largely agreed the CCC needs reform, though some expressed hope that new leadership would improve operations. A major theme was market structure and business viability. Representative Tyler testified for H. 183 to raise adult-use purchase limits from one ounce to two ounces, saying the change would reduce confusion and help retailers compete with neighboring states. Senator Payano supported S. 100, which would require a study of cannabis supply and demand to guide cultivation licensing, warning that oversupply is driving down prices and threatening cultivators. The Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, represented by Ryan Dominguez, backed a package of bills aimed at increasing revenue, reducing regulatory burdens, attracting investment, and stabilizing the market, including higher purchase limits, simpler badge and testing rules, and a phased increase in the retail license cap. Attorneys Kevin Conroy and Mike Ross also supported raising the cap, arguing that the industry lacks capital and that more investment and exit opportunities are needed for provisional and distressed licensees. The most contentious issue was whether to raise the retail license cap from three to six. Supporters, including several business owners and industry advocates such as Peyton Shubrick, Tito Jackson, Armani White, Sean Burt, and others, said the current cap traps owners in declining businesses, prevents exits, and limits access to capital. They argued that many social equity and economic empowerment operators are struggling, that oversupply has pushed prices down, and that allowing more ownership could help businesses scale or sell. Opponents, including Senator Liz Miranda and several social equity operators, warned that lifting the cap now would let larger operators and multi-state companies dominate the market and harm equity-owned businesses. Miranda’s S. 88 would instead strengthen enforcement of ownership limits through audits, whistleblower protections, an anonymous tip line, and greater transparency. Another major topic was worker and consumer safety: Laura Bruno, Danny Carson, Al Vega, and others supported H. 194 after the death of Lorna McMurray, arguing for a CCC workplace and consumer safety department, better ventilation and PPE standards, stronger testing oversight, and retaliation protections for workers. The hearing ended without votes, with members thanking testifiers and indicating the committee would continue reviewing the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, regulations permit states to have a health care tax amount to providers of up to 6% of the
• Currently, regulations permit states to have a health care tax amount to providers of up to 6% of the
• Currently, regulations permit states to have a health care tax amount to providers of up to 6% of the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk will read the message to the House.
• We have a message from the House. This is a calendar of House bills. Clerk will read the bill.
• We have a message from the House. This is a calendar of House bills. Clerk will read the bill.
• </c><01:03:45.359><c> bill</c> would have participated in a House bill would have participated in a House
• </c> the Senate bill is over in the House. the Senate bill is over in the House.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it in the House.
• it in the House.
• it in the House.
• I'm also a longtime housing advocate.
• </c> Rising costs I'm also a longtime housing Rising costs I'm also a longtime housing Advocate<01:43

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> this house at the end of each session. this house at the end of each session.
• </c> about chicken houses. about chicken houses.
• </c><02:18:27.120><c> to</c><02:18:27.359><c> the</c> two houses on the House amendment to the two houses
• House Bill the House of Representatives.
• public access, including microphones at each House member's desk permitting them to offer comments without

Keywords: 1136, house, all