Transcript Highlights:

• Some budgets are just balanced with imaginary money. This is borrowing from imaginary money.
• Some budgets are just balanced with imaginary money. This is borrowing from imaginary money.
• Some budgets are just balanced with imaginary money. This is borrowing from imaginary money.
• Because every budget is balanced. Some budgets are just balanced with imaginary money.
• I move to lay over the balance of the calendar to Wednesday, February 11th, 2026.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The potential for cost savings and the desire to balance rate pressures is exactly why West Virginia
• rate pressures is desire to balance rate pressures is exactly<00:15:57.200><c> why</c><00:15:57.400>
• The overall goal, think of it this way, is that the size of Kentucky Power's balance sheet is this big
• </c> balance sheet is is this big right now. balance sheet is is this big right now.
• sheet the same time to promote balance sheet the same time to promote affordability<00:30:49.200><c>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01:28 Introduction of Guests 00:02:08 American Electric Power and Kentucky Power Presentation 00:03:31 SB 89 Discussion 00:53:55 SB 89 Roll Call Vote 01:07:46, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for an initial natural resources hearing with a quorum present and introductory housekeeping, including prayer, roll call, and recognition of guests. Chair Smith outlined ground rules for questions and then invited Kentucky Power and American Electric Power representatives to the table to discuss a proposed plan involving the Mitchell Power Plant and future generation needs in Eastern Kentucky. Witnesses Cindy Wiseman, Alex Vaughn, and AEP CEO Bill Fehrman said the company’s goals are to stabilize and lower rates, reduce rate volatility, and expand generation in the Commonwealth. They explained that Kentucky Power seeks legislative authority to securitize its 50% interest in the Mitchell coal plant, describing securitization as a refinancing mechanism that would lower annual plant costs by about $34 million and help offset roughly one-third of the expected cost of adding new generation in Kentucky. They emphasized that the proposal is not intended to close Mitchell, and said Kentucky Power currently has no plan to divest its interest; the company still needs the plant to serve customers while it pursues additional dispatchable generation in Kentucky. Members pressed the witnesses on the plant’s book value versus fair market value, whether the Mitchell interest had ever been assigned a nominal value, how any divestiture proceeds would be handled, whether Kentucky Power owns Wheeling Power, and how long Mitchell can continue operating. The company said it values Mitchell at net book value for accounting purposes, not fair market value, and explained that Wheeling Power is a separate AEP affiliate and that West Virginia affiliates have already proposed securitization of their share. Witnesses said Kentucky Power’s interest cannot technically operate past 2028 without additional environmental control investment, while the West Virginia side is depreciating through 2040. They also described the financing timeline, saying securitization would require enactment of legislation, a PSC financing order, bond issuance, and then parallel work to acquire or build new generation, with any reinvestment terms to be addressed through the regulatory process.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are balancing our budget.
• Assembly Member Gabriel: We are balancing our budget not only this year, but next year.
• We have a spending problem, choosing priorities to keep our budget balanced.
• So let's take another $2.3 billion out of health care to balance the general fund.
• To balance our own budget by taxing health care is a moral failure.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This week on Senate Spotlight: booming, busted, or simply balanced?
• Senators' work to balance the budget last session is now paying dividends.
• As a result, we're currently forecasting a $377 million positive balance in FY28 and 29.
• Last year, we made hard compromises to balance the budget. We did it together.
• </c><00:20:42.680><c> We</c> compromises to balance the budget.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The program covered three main topics: Minnesota’s February economic forecast, gun violence prevention efforts, and the growing debate over data centers. Minnesota Management and Budget reported a stronger-than-expected outlook, replacing a projected deficit with a $3.7 billion surplus for FY 2026-27 and a projected positive balance for FY 2028-29, though officials warned the state still faces a structural imbalance and possible federal funding losses tied to Medicaid reimbursements and fraud-related federal actions. Lawmakers also discussed affordability concerns, with Senate Republicans promoting a tax-relief package focused on property taxes, vehicle tab fees, and ending taxes on tips and overtime. A lengthy segment focused on gun violence prevention, including a Capitol rally by Annunciation Catholic Church families, students, and advocates. Senator Ron Latz said an interim working group he co-led with Senator Zeinab Mohamed gathered public and expert input and helped shape ideas for the session. He said there is no single solution, but cited measures such as red flag laws, universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, high-capacity magazine limits, safe-storage requirements, ghost gun and binary trigger bans, and more school counseling and wraparound mental health supports. Latz emphasized that he sees these as compatible with the Second Amendment and said he hopes to build bipartisan support, especially around school counseling and other “common-sense” measures. Latz said the short session and narrow margins mean compromise will be necessary, and that if a package does not pass this year, lawmakers will return to the issue next session while voters should hold legislators accountable in future elections. The final segment introduced the data center discussion, with Senator Bill Liske describing how data centers have grown from small server rooms into large industrial facilities and noting that some communities are considering moratoriums or restrictions because of neighborhood impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• language scattered throughout that opinion of that court case that say things like striking a different balance
• Right now, protected under 13.51, the court is required to employ the balancing test before releasing
• And under 13.03, subdivision 6, the court has to do a balancing test and determine that this information
• Right now, protected under 13.51, the court is required to employ the balancing test before releasing
• The court is required to employ the balancing test before releasing this private information.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it is a delicate balance to your point, Senator. Mr. Chair, follow up. You're recognized.
• So I think that's the balance there.
• So we've tried to be balanced in the approach on that implementation as well.
• So we've tried to be balanced in the approach on that implementation as well. Thank you, Leader.
• ... ...I'm not sure that this legislation strikes a perfect balance on the issue.

Summary: The committee first took up CS for SB 896 on school safety, which would expand the Guardian program to public postsecondary institutions, require active assailant response plans and threat management protocols, improve reporting and information sharing, and make it a felony to discharge a weapon within 1,000 feet of a campus. A late-file amendment by Senator Polsky was adopted to clarify that students who are also employees or faculty at a public postsecondary institution are not eligible for the Guardian program. The bill drew strong opposition from faculty, students, and gun-safety advocates who argued that more guns on campus would create confusion, weaken safety, and undermine campus police; supporters said trained guardians would improve deterrence and protection. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably by a roll call vote. The committee then considered SB 1690 on child care and early learning services, which updates child care laws, reduces some regulatory burdens, and expands the Florida Education Foundation’s authority to fundraise for early learning from birth through VPK. Members discussed oversight of the related direct-support organization and the removal of certain notice requirements, while supporters from Moms Rising and other advocates said the bill would help families access affordable, high-quality child care and support home-based providers. One opponent argued the bill added more government regulation, but the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee passed CS for SB 118, a narrow bill on non-ad valorem special assessments for recreational vehicle parks, clarifying how assessments are calculated for RV spaces and campsites. The bill received supportive comments from RV advocates and was reported favorably without controversy. The committee then took up CS for SB 1220, the Department of Transportation package, which included provisions on seaports and airports, personal delivery devices, autonomous vehicles, broadband and utility permitting, and advanced air mobility. Amendments were adopted that revised research institute membership, limited some delivery-device provisions, and clarified cruiser light rules for law enforcement; after questions about utility preemption and PDD safety, the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require new vaccine educational materials, expand school-entry exemptions to include conscience-based objections, limit the Surgeon General’s emergency vaccination authority, and allow behind-the-counter ivermectin for adults with written information and liability protections. The bill drew extensive testimony from both supporters and opponents, with supporters emphasizing parental rights, informed consent, and vaccine injury concerns, and opponents warning about reduced immunization rates, public health risks, and the appropriateness of ivermectin provisions. The transcript ends during public testimony and debate on SB 1756, before final action on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This ensures that the governor, House, and Senate propose a balanced budget and general education trust
• into the rainy day fund of about $50.4 million based on your estimates, leaving the rainy day fund balance
• other part of the combined general education trust fund, the Senate finance proposal will leave a balance
• a little under 250 million at balance a little under 250 million at 249472.<00:07:31.199><c> Um</c><
• of about $19 million in the balance of about $19 million in the education<00:07:51.599><c> trust</c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the ultimate check and balance on your concern, because I would share your concern, I don't want to
• But the ultimate check and balance is it takes 38 states, or...
• And you believe that is sufficient enough of a check and balance to prevent a runaway convention, for
• was one of the many great things that the framers of our Constitution put in place as a check and balance
• And I hope that people back home realize that that is a significant check and balance.

Summary: The Senate took up and passed Senate Bill 945, which concerns political shareholder proposals by insurers and insurance holding companies. Senator Hughes argued the bill would protect Texas-based insurers from activist shareholder pressure, especially proposals aimed at limiting insurance coverage for oil and gas companies for ESG or political reasons. The motion to suspend the regular order was adopted over objection, and SB 945 passed to engrossment on a 20-10 vote with one present not voting. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 1117, allowing any Texas-licensed dentist to administer botulinum toxin in oral or maxillofacial regions for aesthetic purposes, and House Joint Resolution 98, renewing Texas’s application for an Article 5 Convention of States to propose amendments on fiscal restraints, federal power limits, and term limits. Both measures advanced after debate and roll-call votes; SB 1117 passed unanimously after suspension of the three-day rule, and H.J.R. 98 was adopted on a 17-14 vote. Members then approved several other measures, including the committee substitute for House Bill 142 on HHSC’s Office of Inspector General and Medicaid overpayment recovery, Senate Bill 2373 on AI-enabled financial fraud and deepfake/phishing schemes, Senate Bill 2221 on fraudulent UCC financing statements, and Senate Bill 2681 on the basis for third-party voter-registration challenges. The Senate also adopted a resolution authorizing a Texas Life Monument replica at the Capitol complex, and passed S.J.R. 59 creating funds for Texas State Technical College capital needs. The body debated and passed Senate Bill 946, which would bar credit discrimination against organizations based on social, political, religious, or similar value-based considerations and require credit decisions to rest on creditworthiness. Senators raised concerns that the bill could create a special protected class for non-human entities or conflict with existing state policies, but the bill advanced to engrossment on a 20-11 vote. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 2477 to ease office-to-residential conversions in large cities after adopting an amendment negotiated with municipal stakeholders, and began consideration of Senate Bill 715 on ERCOT reliability requirements for generators, including existing generation, with extensive debate over impacts on renewables, power purchase agreements, and grid reliability.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's balanced for both 2026-27 and 2027-28 fiscal years.
• It takes a balanced approach, making targeted reductions, and adopting $5 billion in new revenues.
• Any reduction in costs are currently used to balance the budget.
• Costs are currently used to balance the budget.
• And so we do have to have a budget that balances.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the balance that the prosecutors believe needs to be struck is that voice of the victim having
• We're talking about balancing the scales of justice.
• And I think what I would challenge here is that this is necessarily a check without a balance.
• And I think what I would challenge here is that this is necessarily a check without a balance.
• And it should come with the appropriate checks and balances that address that.

Bills: HCR50, HB123, HB219, HB251, HB404, HB769, HB1065, SB58, SB81, SB92, SB97, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB207, SB396, SB410

Keywords: electronic monitoring, GPS ankle monitor, ankle bracelet, pretrial release, post-conviction supervision, bail monitoring, house arrest, corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement, prosecuting authority, court reporting, provider registration, LCLE, Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, data privacy, personal information, cybersecurity, confidentiality, monitoring violations

Transcript Highlights:

• Total reserves balances at $3 billion, and that's 7.1% of reserves.
• In line 10, this is the projected near general fund outlook ending balance.
• So this is the combination of near general fund balance and the Budget Stabilization Account.
• In line 10, this is the projected near general fund outlook ending balance.
• I acknowledge the difficult choices you've been faced balancing competing priorities.

Bills: SB5998

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Representative, I also just add, like Deputy Secretary said, that cash balance or that fund balance
• the start of FY26, I think the fund balance was 80 million.
• We were just looking at the balances. Thank you, Mr. Chair, thank you for that answer.
• Their projected unappropriated fund balance at the end of FY26 is about 15.3 million.
• So work life balance for all of my team is pretty frustrating.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Together, these measures reflect a balanced approach.
• I know that we'll work to address this balance next year, and I look forward to continuing to see that
• And, you know, this is, cap-and-trade has always been that balancing act.
• We do believe that justice addresses both sides and balanced approaches are very helpful.
• We do believe that justice addresses both sides and balanced approaches are very helpful.

Summary: The chamber reconvened after a late-night session and first adopted the consent calendar, including ACR 107 on the Diablo Range, by a 48-0 vote. Members then took up several Senate bills and Assembly measures, with repeated remarks about the long hours and the need to respect staff and keep proceedings moving. A vote change was also announced for Assembly Member Patel on SB 414, changing from aye to not voting. The main policy debate centered on energy, climate, and affordability. SB 237, dealing with oil and gas policy, refinery closures, pipeline safety, Kern County permitting, gasoline blend flexibility, and regional fuel coordination, drew strong support from members who framed it as a managed transition to stabilize fuel supply and protect jobs, and strong opposition from members who called it a giveaway to oil interests and a setback for climate goals. The bill passed 59-0. SB 254, an energy affordability and wildfire package, included wildfire mitigation financing, a successor wildfire fund, transmission cost reductions, clean energy permitting changes, and energization timelines; members raised some concerns about local control, but the bill passed 58-0. SB 840 and AB 1207 advanced the cap-and-invest reauthorization package, with supporters emphasizing emissions reductions, housing, transit, wildfire prevention, and community air programs, while opponents argued it would raise costs and function as a tax-and-spend scheme. SB 840 passed 54-15 and AB 1207 passed 55-10, both with urgency and immediate transmittal. Members also approved SB 352, which makes the Bureau of Environmental Justice permanent and requires air quality monitoring and reporting on AB 617 implementation, by 43-19. AB 825, authorizing California to help establish a Westwide electricity market, was presented as a way to lower bills, improve reliability, and reduce emissions; it passed 67-2 and was sent to the Governor. Additional actions included concurrence in Senate amendments to AB 8 on cannabinoids and AB 383 on firearms cleanup, and the chamber began consideration of AB 764 on wildlife as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Portion two is there's not enough securitization capacity in the market or within our balance sheet to
• But when you try to balance our entire portfolio of everything we're doing, you will likely add costs
• It's a very complicated balance between OEIS and the CPC, and I know there's a lot of bills that have
• between making us safer and... ...having that perspective about finding balance between making us safer
• There must be no questions regarding the neutrality of the PUC, which must be trusted to balance the

Summary: The committee heard several energy and utilities bills, with testimony largely focused on wildfire mitigation, affordability, clean energy planning, and utility accountability. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass waste from wildfire mitigation and forest restoration; supporters said it would reduce open burning and emissions while providing reliable renewable power, and the bill later passed 13-0. AB 39, by Assembly Member Zbur, would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning strategies for transportation and buildings; it drew broad support from clean energy, labor, environmental, and local government advocates and passed 9-0. AB 1167, by Assembly Member Berman, would restrict investor-owned utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotional advertising, and similar shareholder-benefit expenses; supporters framed it as an affordability and transparency measure, while utilities argued the bill was overly broad and already covered by existing rules. It passed 7-0, with some members not voting and the roll left open. The committee also considered AB 1417 on offshore wind community funding transparency, which was amended to remove new fees and instead require reporting on developer support for local and tribal community capacity-building; opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 9-0. AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, would require water districts in high fire-risk areas of Ventura County to have backup power, full tanks during red flag warnings, and hardened facilities; water agencies opposed unless amended due to cost and liability concerns, but the bill passed 10-0. The consent calendar, including multiple additional measures, was approved 11-0. Other bills drew more divided testimony. AB 745 would allow securitization to finance utility undergrounding and prohibit a return on equity for undergrounding projects; supporters said it would lower ratepayer costs, while utilities warned it would effectively discourage undergrounding and could raise other rates. The bill passed 7-4 and was left on call. AB 1423 would apply reliability standards to publicly funded EV chargers installed before 2024; supporters said taxpayers should get functioning chargers, while charging-network representatives objected to retroactive requirements and possible conflicts with existing agreements. It passed 13-0. AB 388 would create a narrow exception to utility regulation to facilitate green hydrogen projects using private power lines; supporters said it would unlock low-cost renewable hydrogen and jobs, while utilities raised concerns about customer protections and grid planning. It passed 12-0. The committee also began hearing AB 825, which the author said would address the high cost of financing major transmission and generation buildout, but the transcript cuts off before the full presentation and action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I reserve the balance of my time.
• balance of her time.
• And I reserve the balance of my time.
• </c> balance of my time. balance of my time.
• </c> and I yield back the balance of my time. and I yield back the balance of my time.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:53.519><c> and</c> make difficult decisions to balance and make difficult decisions to balance
• </c> the balance in in pool three is. the balance in in pool three is.
• I think it strikes that, you know, helps to create that balancing test.
• Um, I to create that balancing test.
• </c> how we strike that right balance. how we strike that right balance. Thank<01:25:14.000><c> you.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so on college campuses, it's that balance in recognizing that...
• Thank you for balancing all the things you have to balance.
• Thank you for balancing all the things you have to balance.
• All the things you have to balance.
• And thank you for tracking that balance. You have to do it.

Summary: The joint Senate and House Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education convened for its first public hearing, adopted its proposed rules without objection, and framed the hearing as an organizational, invited-testimony-only session. Members repeatedly condemned political violence and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, saying the committee was created in response to concerns about civil discourse, intimidation, and hostility on college campuses. Several members emphasized that the goal was not to suppress speech but to protect open expression while maintaining order, due process, and institutional accountability. The first witness, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Commissioner Wyn Rosser, outlined implementation of Senate Bill 37. He described the General Education Advisory Committee, which is reviewing broad core-curriculum knowledge and skills and may recommend reducing the current 42-hour core, while leaving review of specific courses to individual institutions. He also explained the new Office of the Ombudsman, the board’s role in supporting it, and existing training and certification requirements for governing board members. Members asked about enforcement tools, transparency, and whether the ombudsman would investigate complaints involving censorship, retaliation, or political bias; Rosser said some enforcement exists in certain laws, but he deferred on the exact scope of the ombudsman’s investigatory authority and on issues outside the agency’s role. University of Texas at Austin President Jim Davis testified that UT Austin supports free speech, academic freedom, and civil discourse, and he described three areas of focus: speech on campus grounds, classroom discourse, and how people treat one another. He said the university enforces time, place, and manner rules, expects professors to present alternative views on controversial topics, and has created internal reporting and appeal processes for students and faculty. Members questioned him about heckler’s veto incidents, protests, off-campus participants, complaints about professors, hate speech, and whether the university would protect speakers and students from disruption or unfair targeting. Davis said the university would not tolerate disruptions, would use due process and factual review, and is working to align campus practices with the new law and regents’ expectations. Ricky Adam Jr. of Turning Point USA’s Club America described the group’s campus and high-school organizing, praised Charlie Kirk’s approach to open debate, and said the organization is expanding in Texas. He raised concerns about school administrators and a counselor at an Early College High School in Killeen allegedly interfering with a student club and withholding footage, and committee members said they would seek information and, if necessary, use legislative process to investigate. Members from both chambers reiterated support for free speech, criticized political violence and campus suppression of viewpoints, and stressed that future hearings would continue examining implementation and enforcement issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and I reserve the balance of my time. and I reserve the balance of my time.
• </c> and with that, I'd reserve the balance and with that, I'd reserve the balance of<00:52:33.440><c
• </c> &gt;&gt; reserve the balance of our time. &gt;&gt; reserve the balance of our time.
• </c> balance of my time, Mr. balance of my time, Mr.
• </c> back the balance of my time. back the balance of my time.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, January 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we need a balanced approach to this, right?
• This is a good step forward, but I want to make sure that there's balance.
• That's what Californians are asking for, is balance.
• I'd love to help in finding a balanced approach to this where we can come.
• So I would love to see a more balanced approach to this, yes I agree.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SOME OF THE ISSUES RELATED TO FUND BALANCE LEVELS, BANK RECONCILIATIONS AS WELL AS DECENTRALIZED COLLECTIONS
• ALSO IN THIS REPORT IS INFORMATION ABOUT FINANCIAL TRENDS INCLUDING FUND BALANCE RATIOS, STUDENT ACCOUNTS
• RELATING TO EDUCATION AND GENERAL CARRYFORWARD REPORTING, FAU UNDERREPORTED THEIR CARRYFORWARD BALANCE
• THE PERSON THAT BALANCES THE CHECKBOOKS HAS NO ACCESS TO THE BANK.
• I LOVE THIS COMMITTEE, I THINK THIS IS THE CHECKS AND BALANCE SYSTEM AND THE BUCK STOPS HERE. >> Sen.

Keywords: 999, senate, all