Transcript Highlights:

• of that committee.
• That's what our state rules do.
• ,</c> businesses that followed the rules, businesses that followed the rules, invested<00:14:55.360><
• </c><00:50:30.319><c> Um</c><00:50:30.640><c> although</c> agriculture committee.
• Um although agriculture committee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not claiming a rule violation.
• Pursuant to House Rule 9E, committees are granted permission to continue meeting.
• House Bill 2255 is withdrawn from the Committee on Education and additionally referred to the Committee
• Reports of standing committees: Without objection, the reports of standing committees as listed on the
• The bills from the Committee on Rules will be placed on the active calendar.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a reminder to the committee and our visitors and witnesses today, the House Committee is subject to
• In the hearing room, under House rule, committee members must first seek recognition from the chair before
• The committee unanimously supports it.
• Chairman and committee.
• Committee Substitute HB1969.

Bills: HB1826 , HB1969 , HB2708 , HB2729 , HB3618 , HB4515 , HB4764 , SB1021 , SB1610

Committee: House Corrections

Keywords: mental health, women's health, county jail, depression screening, criminal justice, inmate release, identification certificate, Texas Department of Corrections, personal identification, driver's license, state law, reentry services, nondisclosure, criminal history, criminal defendants, community supervision, misdemeanors, felonies, rehabilitation, hearsay

Transcript Highlights:

• So, who makes the determination as to whether we hire staff for this committee?
• And this advisory committee is a four-member advisory committee with one appointment from each of the
• Any questions on this advisory committee? >> Senator Dahms, I just have a question.
• Um any uh discussion to the house rules.
• </c><00:35:33.839><c> Senator</c> provided for in-house rules. Senator provided for in-house rules.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I find it absolutely horrifying that we keep talking about having a study committee for a study committee
• for a study committee.
• I find it absolutely horrifying that we keep talking about having a study committee for a study committee
• for a study committee.
• Good morning, Madam Chair and committee members.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee approved minutes from February 18, February 19, and March 4, then took up several health-related bills. HB 2050, which updates radiologic technologist and radiologic assistant standards, school accreditation, clinical hours, supervision rules, fees, and telehealth definitions, received support from a radiologic technologist and a nurse practitioner and passed 7-0 with a do-pass recommendation. HB 2082, creating a Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Commission and expanding the research fund, was amended to require at least $5 million in funding before commission allocations and to shift grant-awarding authority to the DHS director; it passed 7-0 as amended, though members raised concerns about oversight. HB 2176, which changes DHS licensing denial criteria and complaint-investigation procedures for health care institutions, also passed 7-0 after testimony from hospital and public health representatives supporting clearer timelines and transparency, with one member noting concerns about possible subjectivity in ownership-related denials. HB 2195, addressing DHS oversight of nursing care institutions, including personnel record access, deficiency timelines, and complaint-investigation deadlines, was amended to delay implementation until July 1, 2027 and allow off-site preliminary reviews; it passed 7-0 as amended, though one member said DHS should have been present to answer questions. HB 2202, appropriating $300,000 annually for a dementia care tele-mentoring program, drew support from the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient with younger-onset Alzheimer’s; it passed 6-1, with one no vote arguing medical schools should teach the material instead of the state funding it. HB 2307, an emergency measure to address placement of dangerous, incompetent, non-restorable defendants, was heavily debated and amended to use up to three beds at the Arizona State Hospital forensic campus temporarily, create a study committee, and sunset after five years; counties and DHS disagreed over whether counties should bear any costs, and the bill passed 4-3 as amended. Finally, HB 2584, which prohibits public funds from being used for genetic sequencing equipment or services tied to foreign adversaries, passed 4-3 after a sponsor and a national security witness argued it would protect genomic data from hostile foreign control. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Very nice job to committee staff for making that happen.
• Chair and members of the committee.
• You're off to the Judiciary Committee. Sharp-Collins, aye. You're off to the Judiciary Committee.
• Let me start by stating that I am happy to accept the committee amendments and thank the committee for
• Chair and Vice Chair and committee members.

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee met to consider several bills, with six measures approved on consent, including bills on background checks, female offender prison facilities, a juvenile justice hunger survey, protective orders and firearms, a youth offender camp pilot, and peace officer behavioral health training. AB 710 and AB 848 were pulled by the authors. The committee also took up AB 458, AB 394, AB 1094, AB 1092, and AB 1036, with extensive testimony on each. AB 458, by Assembly Member Stephanie, would require state agencies purchasing firearms, ammunition, or accessories to vet vendors for compliance with firearms laws and procurement standards. Supporters, including Brady and the California Police Chiefs Association, said taxpayer funds should not go to dealers with serious violations; opponents argued the bill added burdens and vague standards. The committee approved the bill as amended and sent it to Appropriations. AB 394, by Assembly Member Wilson, would expand protections for transit workers and riders by broadening enhanced battery penalties, clarifying who may seek temporary restraining orders in the transit context, and making those orders system-wide. Transit agencies, labor groups, and law enforcement supported the bill, while public defender and civil liberties groups raised concerns about vagueness, duration, and impacts on access to transit. The committee passed AB 394 to Judiciary as amended. AB 1094, by Assembly Member Baines, would raise the minimum parole eligibility term for child torture convictions involving a child under 14 in the perpetrator’s care or custody from seven years to 20 years. Prosecutors, sheriffs, and police groups supported the bill, citing the severity of the abuse and the need to protect child victims; opponents argued the parole system already screens for risk and that harsher sentences do not improve public safety. The committee approved the bill as amended to Appropriations. AB 1092, by Assembly Member Castillo, would extend concealed carry weapon license renewals from two years to four years; supporters said it would reduce costs and administrative burdens, while the chair and others opposed it as unnecessary. The committee ultimately voted the bill down. AB 1036, by Assembly Member Schultz, would expand post-conviction discovery access for people convicted of felonies with sentences of one year or more, including Brady materials and jury selection notes. Innocence organizations and defense groups supported it, while district attorneys opposed the broader discovery obligations; the committee passed it to Appropriations as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriations Committee.
• on Governmental Affairs to meet and adopt rules and a schedule for the convention and committees of
• Require the House and Senate Committees on Governmental Affairs to propose rules for the convention for
• We know the rules in the House of what has to be read in and how it has to lay over and the committees
• I got the rules here.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 105, which reinstates a sunset-expired TOPS Tech benefit for eligible veterans. Senator Kathy said the bill would use existing TOPS dollars, not new funding, and would help veterans stay in Louisiana and enter the workforce. After brief questions about eligibility and funding, Representative Marcelle moved the bill favorably, and it was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 3, by Representative Newell, asked the Louisiana Housing Corporation to study whether vacant state-owned property could be repurposed for housing and rental assistance for cost-burdened state employees. Members discussed the high fiscal note and whether the work could be absorbed in existing budgets. Fiscal staff said LHC had requested a full-time position and four part-time positions for the study, but the committee also talked about narrowing the study’s scope. Representative Marcelle moved the resolution favorably, and it was reported favorably without objection. The committee then debated House Bill 189, which would extend supplemental pay to fire protection officers at the Lakefront Management Authority’s airport fire department. Representative Newell and airport representatives argued the firefighters perform specialized, hazardous ARFF duties and should receive the same supplemental pay as other qualifying public firefighters. Some members questioned whether the airport and its employees qualify under existing law and whether the supplement should be expanded further. After discussion, Representative Marcelle moved the bill favorably, but the motion failed on a roll call vote of 8 yeas to 10 nays. Later, Senate Bill 461, concerning Office of Group Benefits coverage for certain small employee groups, was reported favorably without objection. House Bill 623, creating a three-tier permitting system for vapor products, was amended to clarify direct-to-consumer shipment restrictions and then reported favorably as amended. House Bill 1222, creating a grocery initiative grants and financial support program through LED to address food deserts, drew extended debate over whether it would amount to government-run grocery stores; supporters framed it as an incentive and grant program for private grocers, while critics raised concerns about government involvement. After amendment, it was reported favorably as amended by a vote of 16 yeas to 2 nays. Finally, House Resolution 80, directing a comprehensive fiscal audit related to Board of Regents and university system spending on certain executive budget metrics, was amended into a substitute version. Members debated whether the resolution would require universities to do additional work and whether it belonged in Appropriations at all, especially since the fiscal note had been removed. The discussion also raised concerns about the listed schools and the resolution’s purpose in light of a federal civil rights investigation. The transcript ends while the committee is still discussing the resolution and related procedural motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank the members of the committee for helping us make quorum.
• So our committee team includes Rishi.
• If the committee would allow, I'd rather hold my comments for 3445.
• Rules that come into play, we really need to make sure that the rules are applied across the board.
• Is there any further business for the committee to address today?

Bills: HB3445 , HB3448

Committee: House S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband

Keywords: telecommunications, electric cooperative, rights-of-way, infrastructure, provider access, right-of-way, pole attachment, regulatory access, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hoover, to the committee.
• As you came into the hearing room, there were rules.
• As you came into the hearing room, there were rules.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, committee members.
• AB 1113, Mark Gonzalez, federally qualified health centers, do pass to Rules Committee, with author's

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on January 22, 2026, for its regular order hearing and suspense-file hearing. In regular order, the committee approved consent-calendar bills AB 683, AB 763, AB 1126, and AB 1278 on unanimous due-pass motions, and AB 34 and AB 442 on a second unanimous due-pass motion. The committee then heard and advanced several bills, including AB 35, which would create an APA exemption for Proposition 4-funded programs to speed implementation of water, wildfire, energy-storage, and grid-support projects; AB 748, establishing pre-approved housing programs for local agencies; AB 939, allowing immediate transfer of certain affordable homeownership units to qualified nonprofit housing organizations; AB 643, adding a narrow organic-waste-derived agricultural fertilizer product to SB 1383 procurement options; and AB 96, removing the high school diploma requirement for certified Medi-Cal peer support specialists. Testimony on these bills was largely supportive, with sponsors and coalition representatives emphasizing reduced delays, lower costs, and improved housing, environmental, or behavioral-health outcomes. The Department of Finance offered general budget comments but no bill-specific positions. The committee voted the bills out, with AB 643 and AB 96 receiving no recorded opposition in the transcript and AB 939 passing with some members noting support and interest in coauthoring. The committee also received a presentation-only discussion of AB 1091, a proposal to authorize eight-letter specialty license plates, which the author said could generate revenue for rural programs such as the Williamson Act; the bill was not acted on at that time. After public comment, the committee moved to the suspense-file hearing on 53 bills. Using a substituted motion for due-pass and due-pass-with-amendments items, the committee held some bills and advanced many others, often with amendments that narrowed scope, deleted provisions, or required reports or studies. Bills held in committee included AB 405, AB 298, AB 333, AB 296, AB 1091, AB 1241, and AB 577, among others. The committee reported moving 43 bills to the Assembly floor, with several on A roll calls and others on B roll calls or with amendments, and noted that amendment language would be posted later online.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, let's call the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications to order.
• Good afternoon, Chair, and members of the committee.
• Good afternoon, Chair Allen, members of the committee. Ty Milder.
• Good afternoon, Chair Allen, members of the committee.
• to incorporate the rules.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee is ready for business.
• Good morning, committee. ...and House Appropriations is present.
• The committee is ready for business. Good morning, committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee. My name is Janet Jessup.
• I’ve talked to several people on that committee that was put together, and with that committee it was

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and questions for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Office of Species Conservation, and the Office of the Attorney General. Fish and Game’s budget was described as largely dedicated and federal funding with no general fund support, with discussion of ongoing and one-time enhancements for fisheries inflation, habitat projects, Good Neighbor Authority work, depredation claims, chronic wasting disease testing, and communications. Director Jim Fredericks also reviewed the new nonresident tag draw system, access challenges on private lands, and the department’s role in habitat work and species management. Members raised concerns about depredation claim shortfalls, survey and advisory committee processes, predator management, and the overlap between Fish and Game and the Office of Species Conservation on habitat and endangered species work. The Office of Species Conservation presentation focused on its role coordinating state actions for threatened, endangered, and candidate species, mostly through federal and miscellaneous revenue funds. Administrator Mike Edmondson explained that the office often serves as the policy and administrative lead while Fish and Game carries out much of the field work, and he described metrics for sage grouse, salmon and steelhead, and grizzly bear-related efforts. He also said the office has been working with the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources on a possible merger, with some staff reductions under consideration, and answered questions about grizzly bear delisting, wolf litigation, and tribal consultation. Attorney General Raul Labrador then argued that his office has produced significant results without asking for new money, but said the committee’s proposed reductions would force furloughs or position cuts and asked for $980,000 to be restored. He highlighted the ICAC unit’s elimination of a cyber-tip backlog, increased arrests, consumer protection recoveries, and expanded appellate and civil litigation work defending state laws. Members asked about the source of recovered funds, the office’s flexibility to absorb cuts, and whether the state could work on a framework to transfer incarcerated undocumented offenders to federal custody for deportation. The committee ended by noting upcoming budget-setting work and adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'm just wondering about endorsing a study committee on this bill when the majority of the rules
• committee didn't allow study committee bills. >> Senator Car, thank you for the question, Senator.
• </c> &gt;&gt; about the stud committees. &gt;&gt; about the stud committees.
• </c> senator on these committees. All right. senator on these committees. All right.
• </c> committee this year. committee this year.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill is referred to the Rules Committee. We have some bond initiatives. This is calendar 29.
• Other standing committees, select committees, joint committees, delegations, caucuses. Yes.
• </c> and arrest limitations rules. and arrest limitations rules.
• Bill is referred to the rules committee.<00:26:49.200><c> We</c><00:26:49.360><c> have</c><00:26:49.440
• ><c> committees,</c> select committees, joint committees, select committees, joint committees, delegations

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Fiscal Policy will now come to order. Michelle, please call the roll call.
• Senator Grall: Thank you, Madam Chair and committee, for your consideration of the bill.
• Andrew Shirvell: Good morning committee members. My name is Andrew.
• Does any Senator wish to be recorded as voting on bills before the committee today?
• Is there any other business before the committee today?

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I WILL SAY WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE ARE BASICALLY NO RULES OR VERY FEW RULES.
• THE BILL DOESN'T DO EVERYTHING, RULES ARE PERFECT.
• FROM THE START BECAUSE WE WERE FOLLOWING THE RULES.
• I WANT TO PRESENT DATA TO THE COMMITTEE.
• THANK YOU MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE TIME TO SPEAK.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Your position will be included in the committee meeting records.
• But we're focused on rule areas, real arterial highways.
• It just places those rule arterials at a high priority.
• You know, in our last committee over the military committee, we've learned about light are do you work
• You're recognized and thank you, committee members.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Rules Committee is called to order. Secretary, please call the roll. Pacheco? Here. Blackie?
• Motion passes, and Rules Committee is now adjourned. Sanchez, no. Zbur? Aye. The Burr? Aye.
• Motion passes, and Rules Committee is now adjourned. Thank you.

Summary: The Rules Committee met, called the roll, and confirmed a quorum. The committee considered a consent agenda, and one member requested that item 14 be removed for separate consideration. A motion was made and seconded to approve the remainder of the consent agenda. The committee then voted on the consent agenda, and the motion passed. Item 14, identified as H.R. 57, was then taken up separately. The committee voted on H.R. 57, and the motion passed by roll call. After the vote on H.R. 57, the committee adjourned. The transcript does not include discussion of the substance of the bill or any testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to the short time the committee has to hear bills, I move that the five-day notice rule be suspended
• I move that Senate Bill 5923 receive a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee.
• I move that Substitute Senate Bill 5923 receive a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee.
• I move that Senate Bill 6151 receive a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee.
• By your vote, Senate Bill 6151 has received a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee, subject

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on multiple bills, beginning with a motion to suspend the five-day notice rule for a long list of Senate bills, which passed on a voice vote. The committee first heard Substitute Senate Bill 6026, a governor-request housing bill that would require cities and counties over 30,000 population to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones, limit mixed-use/ground-floor commercial requirements in some areas, and allow added height where such requirements are imposed. The lieutenant governor testified strongly in support, arguing the bill would add needed housing capacity without requiring ground-floor retail burdens. The hearing on SB 6026 was then suspended so the committee could move through the agenda. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6294, a broad local government finance measure with eight parts, including expanded uses for certain REET revenues, a new county public utility tax, a new local sales tax for children and family services, expanded housing-related tax uses, changes to county levy structure, longer lid lift periods, and expanded use of rental car tax revenue. Local government, housing, and public health witnesses largely supported the bill, emphasizing flexibility for affordable housing, rental assistance, children’s services, and county fiscal stability. Opponents, including wireless industry, water/sewer district, auto dealer, realtors, energy, and cannabis representatives, objected to specific tax provisions as regressive, costly, or likely to raise consumer prices. Several witnesses requested amendments, including adding public health clinic funding and flood recovery language from House bills. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5400 on local news sustainability, which would create a state grant program funded by a surcharge on large search engines and social media platforms to support journalism jobs and the Murrow Fellowship program. News organizations, the League of Women Voters, open government advocates, and local journalism supporters testified in favor, saying local news is essential to civic life and that the bill would help sustain reporting without using general fund dollars. Technology industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it unfairly singles out tech companies and could face legal challenges. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6211, which would let opt-in GMA jurisdictions impose REET-2 without voter approval; cities and counties supported it as a parity and infrastructure funding measure, while Realtors opposed the loss of voter approval. Senate Bill 5650, authorizing local cannabis excise taxes, drew support from some local officials but strong opposition from cannabis businesses, which argued Washington’s cannabis taxes are already too high and drive sales to the illicit market. Senate Bill 6033, waiving penalties and interest for taxpayers who failed to collect new sales tax on certain services, was supported by NFIB as a compliance and fairness measure. Senate Bill 6297, exempting temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health providers from sales tax, drew strong support from behavioral health organizations citing workforce shortages and unsustainable costs. Finally, Senate Bill 6343, extending and expanding tax relief for disaster-damaged property and repairs, was presented as aid for flood recovery; local officials testified in support. No final committee votes on the bills were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that the Senate recess for a meeting of the Rules Committee and a committee on committees at the
• </c> Senate recess for a meeting of the rules Senate recess for a meeting of the rules committee<00:08
• 08:39.120><c> committees</c> committee and a committee on committees committee and a committee on committees
• Rules Committee has met and posted the following bills to the regular orders for Thursday, February 5th
• > committees</c><00:11:50.959><c> has</c> Also, the committee on committees has Also, the committee on

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Senate convened with an opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then completed roll call, excused absent senators, and approved the journal from February 3, 2026. The chamber received second readings for Senate Bill 5 on Kentucky-grown agricultural product procurement and Senate Bill 73 on tallow-based cosmetic products, and heard committee reports advancing Senate Bill 18 with a committee substitute, along with Senate Bills 33, 85, and 132. The House also communicated passage of House Bill 1694 and requested concurrence. Senate Bill 162, relating to children, was introduced, and Senate Bill 34 was passed over while retaining its place on the calendar. The Senate adopted Senate Citation 4 recognizing National School Counseling Week, with remarks emphasizing the role of school counselors in student academic and mental health support. The body also adopted Senate Resolution 71 honoring Dr. Samantha Shaver for her service as president of the Kentucky Dental Association; the sponsor and other members praised her leadership and oral health advocacy. Later, the Senate received a committee report posting Senate Bills 5, 12, and 73 to the regular orders and referring several bills to committees, including Senate Bills 129, 136, and 183 to Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor, Senate Bill 71 to Education, and Senate Bill 9 to State and Local Government. Members made several co-sponsorship requests for bills including Senate Bills 9, 12, 33, 132, 143, 153, 154, 159, and 183. A lengthy floor statement from the Senator from Clay praised Senator McConnell’s long service and recent federal funding achievements for Kentucky, including education, transportation, defense, and economic development projects. The Senate also received a floor amendment to Senate Bill 33, introduced Senate Bill 163 on unemployment insurance and Senate Resolution 78 honoring the CSX Santa Train, and then adjourned until 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• e e e e e e It being 9:40, we’ll go ahead and open up the meeting for the Senate Ways and Means Committee
• I don’t know what the rules are around sober homes, but they’d still be subject to that.
• It doesn't protect them from any other rule around running a sober home or anything else.
• It doesn't protect them from any other rule around running a sober home or anything else.
• All right, anything else come before the committee? Are we all set with you over there, Matthew?

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all