Transcript Highlights:

• them poorly. to many of them said, "I'd live in that," I think a lot of them take advantage of the program
• Horrible programs. You've got to go through the Department of Labor.
• When I call 911 or have a wastewater issue, I think things that have been taken for granted are not as
• taken for granted anymore.
• .. ...addresses this problem by authorizing IOUs to seek rate increases and authorizing the PEC to grant

Bills: SB243 , SB1586 , SB1891 , SB1959 , SB2159 , SB2568

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: migrant labor housing, migrant housing, farmworker housing, migrant agricultural worker, agricultural labor, farm labor contractor, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, TDHCA, civil penalty, housing code enforcement, sanitation, occupancy standards, retaliation, worker complaint, language access, Spanish-language outreach, H-2A visa, temporary agricultural workers, unlicensed housing, rural housing

Transcript Highlights:

• program because it expands<02:47:45.120><c> access.
• year of the grant.
• Neither organization are grant-making organizations.
• </c><03:52:39.920><c> the</c> so, the the money that the programs the so, the the money that the programs
• </c> a variety of loan guarantee programs. a variety of loan guarantee programs.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:45.199><c> from</c> intent of our safe schools grant from intent of our safe schools grant
• The program is an nutrition department.
• Uh, we're after capital program.
• How do you how do you fund a program?
• our program dollar amount appropriation our program dollar amount and<00:48:20.480><c> then</c><00:48

Bills: HF3220

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: school safety, school security, emergency access, law enforcement access, master key box, secure key box, entry device, school grants, education finance, Department of Education, charter schools, school districts, cooperative units, appropriation cancellation, one-time appropriation, school safety plan, emergency preparedness, public safety, school building security, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> deficits are in any of the any programs deficits are in any of the any programs including<00:08:
• </c> report showed the football program report showed the football program earned<00:09:28.000><c> more
• How do you get a surplus if the football program raises the money and the football program is having
• No. about the evolution of that uh the about the evolution of that uh the program program program expansion
• I mean, that one program probably could be a four-year degree program.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, programs that Minnesota veterans have relied on are being reduced and or eliminated, and this is
• , and what it does is make clear programs, and what it does is make clear in<00:22:53.000><c> statute
• :23:35.840><c> have</c> programs that Minnesota veterans have programs that Minnesota veterans have relied
• </c> legislature passed a bill that granted legislature passed a bill that granted the<00:28:19.840><
• </c> especially in our human services program especially in our human services program and<00:55:33.600

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Granted,<02:07:46.560><c> it</c><02:07:46.880><c> didn't</c><02:07:47.119><c> include</c> Granted, it
• didn't include Granted, it didn't include you. you. you.
• He was an elected official, and there's nothing so permanent as a temporary government program.
• Cassidy Dean was an active Denver Democrat, a housing grants and in the last two years housing grants
• </c><03:02:50.319><c> me</c> district closes down, will you grant me district closes down, will you grant

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank my general counsel, Grant McLaughlin, but others that I called on that night to talk,
• take action for a project to interconnect, the substitute instead calls for interconnection to be granted
• at 19, Senate Bill 1977, do not pass, but the committee substitute adopting thereof do pass to be granted
• I want to thank my general counsel, Grant McLaughlin, but others that I called on that night to talk,
• County commissioners, if you want to grant Chapter 312, you can do it.

Bills: SB231 , SB584 , SB600 , SB668 , SB841 , SB986 , SB1003 , SB1244 , SB1625 , SB1960 , SB1963 , SB1964 , SB2026 , SB2056 , SB2368

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up several pending and uncontested bills. It favorably reported SB 1405, SB 1762, SB 1977, SB 2077, SB 2148, and SB 1968, and also moved SB 2321 to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard SB 819, which would change how the Public Utility Commission reviews proposed utility-scale solar and related interconnection projects. The committee substitute would shift the default so interconnection is allowed unless the PUC affirmatively prohibits it within 180 days, limit denial to cases where harm substantially outweighs benefits, remove public meeting requirements, retain setback and financial assurance provisions, add optional application materials such as national security and environmental information, and restore local control over county tax abatements. The substitute was adopted and SB 819 was favorably reported to the full Senate on a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 231, focused on CenterPoint’s use of large emergency generators after Hurricane Beryl. Senator King explained that the original bill was intended to prevent customers from being charged for non-mobile generators that were leased at great cost and did not match the bill’s emergency-response purpose. CenterPoint’s Jason Ryan apologized for the company’s communication failures and said the company would make customers whole through a combination of rate reductions, foregone storm-cost recovery, and a donation of the 15 large generators to ERCOT for about two years to address a San Antonio-area reliability issue, with the company absorbing the associated costs. PUC Executive Director Connie Corona said the commission could enforce the agreement through its contested-case process. Public testimony included consumer and reliability advocates, one of whom argued utility-scale microgrids should be preserved as a policy option. SB 231 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 986, which would create an alternative process for routine Public Information Act requests so local governments can make initial redactions without sending every routine exception to the Attorney General, while preserving an appeal path and training requirements. Supporters said it would reduce backlog and speed access to records; opponents argued it would shift the burden to requesters and encourage delay. The AG’s office testified that the process could improve efficiency and still fit within current timelines if used promptly. SB 986 was left pending. Finally, SB 584 was briefly laid out to require consumer reporting agencies that buy data from others to ensure the information complies with Texas law on excluded items such as bankruptcies, judgments, and tax liens, and SB 600 was heard on heir property. SB 600’s substitute would strengthen notice, require an attorney ad litem, add an heir’s bill of rights, allow settlement conferences, and require fair-market-value sales protections; supporters said it would curb predatory partition practices, while opponents warned some provisions could burden or diminish minority heirs’ property rights. SB 584 and SB 600 were left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Granted. Thank you, sir.
• A moment of personal privilege, please. >> Granted. Thank you.
• </c><00:33:33.400><c> Granted.</c><00:33:34.080><c> Thank</c><00:33:34.400><c> you.
• Granted. Thank you. I privilege, please. Granted. Thank you.
• Granted.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and also to apply for grants through postsecondary and workforce readiness program.
• </c><00:41:05.240><c> through</c> Um and also to apply for grants through Um and also to apply for grants
• Granted. Thank you, Mr. President. So, Colorado suffered a loss this week, folks.
• </c><00:49:05.440><c> Granted.
• Granted. Thank you, personal privilege? Granted. Thank you, Mr.<00:49:06.880><c> President.</c> Mr.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will join our regularly scheduled programming shortly.
• as well as nursing education programs.
• SB 1246 also establishes a standardized process for identifying health science programs eligible for
• The legislature created the Step Into Success pilot program in 2023 to support eligible foster youth
• The bill makes this program permanent with a statewide program and expansion into more diverse areas.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including guests from the press, Florida State women’s soccer, and former Senator Janet Cruz. Members also announced there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and began taking up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and proceeding quickly to third reading and final passage. Among the measures approved were bills modernizing trust settlement and trustee discharge procedures; revising military affairs laws, including leave protections, retirement eligibility, and assistance programs; creating uniform cash-rounding rules as Florida prepares for the end of the penny; refining podiatric medicine rules on cellular/tissue-based products and informed consent; expanding veterans’ court access statewide; clarifying RV park special assessments; establishing concurrent state-federal jurisdiction for juveniles on military installations; reauthorizing alcoholic beverage loss deductions; and revising bail bond and pretrial release laws, including training, electronic notices, forfeiture timing, and related procedures. Members also passed bills on eyewear insurance licensing, expanding the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund into health science education, streamlining recovery residence regulation, enhancing felony battery penalties, and updating child welfare rules to reduce repeated background checks, make the Step Into Success program permanent, and create a best-practices program. Several bills drew brief supportive remarks, especially those affecting veterans, the National Guard, foster youth, and military families. One bail bond bill prompted questions about charitable bail bonds, with the sponsor stating the current statute would remain unchanged. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously; the bail bond measure passed 36-1, while the others noted here passed with no or minimal opposition. The Senate also adopted an amendment to the military affairs bill and a delete-all amendment to the military-installation jurisdiction bill before final passage. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to honoring Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman on her farewell. Members from both parties offered extended remarks praising her leadership, preparation, collegiality, advocacy on issues such as voting rights, women’s rights, Israel, anti-Semitism, breast cancer, school safety, and family law, and her effectiveness in committee and on the floor. Berman delivered an extended farewell speech reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her family, her district, and her legislative priorities, and the Senate ordered her remarks spread upon the journal before recessing and later returning to continue the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, my name is Jessica Spoya, and I am the licensing program manager with the Building, Construction
• It aligns apprenticeship programs with the class level of each license, and lastly, removes the requirement
• And, granted, your question, are we going to catch...
• And, granted, your question, are we going to catch everybody who might have it?
• I mean, I think, you know, granted, if they're out there, if our agencies are saying, hey, you should

Summary: The House Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee approved the minutes from February 10 and February 16, then heard a rule docket from the Drinking Water and Wastewater Professionals Board. The agency said the rule changes clarified licensure categories, exam score validity, experience and continuing education requirements, and auditing of exam providers, while also increasing fees to rebuild the board’s cash balance. After questions about the board’s finances and the Senate’s objection to the fee increase, the committee approved the docket with Section 400, the fee section, struck. The committee then took up House Bill 593, a code cleanup bill from Representative Scott that would repeal obsolete hazardous waste planning committee provisions and the Big Payette Lake Water Quality chapter. Members raised concerns about overlap with another bill and whether the repeal would conflict with other hazardous waste provisions. After discussion and a brief recess, the motion to advance the bill was withdrawn and the committee voted to hold House Bill 593 in committee to the call of the chair. House Bill 714 was also held in committee without hearing. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 687 from Representative Schurz, which would restrict state agencies from procuring, deploying, or using large language models unless they are developed and implemented without DEI principles and with truth-seeking, ideologically neutral standards. Schurz cited concerns about the Recidiviz vendor used by IDOC and said the bill would require contract language, agency procedures, and vendor accountability. Members questioned how agencies could verify compliance and whether the bill would affect other uses of AI, but the bill was advanced on a due pass motion and sent to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant that what we say with our lips, we may believe in our heart, and what we believe in our heart,
• Grant that what we say with our lips, we may believe in our heart, and what we believe in our heart,
• Grant that what we say with our lips, we may believe in our heart, and what we believe in our heart,
• than two decades, he has mentored young Black men through youth athletics, coaching, and community programs
• Athletics, coaching, and community programs, using sports as a way to teach discipline, teamwork, and

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 4, 2026 by roll call vote, 123-1. Members spent a substantial portion of the morning introducing special guests and recognizing birthdays, including visitors from Missouri Technology Corporation, educators, pediatricians, a longtime legislative photographer, and several family members and constituents. A member also delivered a lengthy personal-privilege tribute for Black History Month honoring his father’s military service, postal career, ministry, and mentorship work, and another member paid tribute to the late Donna Kramer Scott. The chamber then took up first reading of House Bills 3218, 3219, and 3220. On third reading, House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1667 and 2294 was debated as a “born alive”/abortion-related measure; supporters argued it protects infants born alive and clarifies provider duties, while opponents said the issue is already covered in statute and that the House should focus on other priorities. The bill passed 103-40. The House also considered House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1694, 1674, 1780, 2056, 2312, and 1755, a package centered on the Act Against Abusive Website Access Litigation and related accessibility/ADA litigation concerns. Supporters described it as curbing settlement-driven lawsuits and helping businesses, while opponents and some supporters emphasized the need for real accessibility improvements. That package passed unanimously, 149-0. During announcements, members highlighted an American Idol contestant from a district, an upcoming rural health care funding informational session, a property tax reform committee executive session, a St. Charles festival, an American Heart Month photo opportunity, and several committee meetings. The House was told to be prepared to consider additional bills upon return, and it adjourned until 4 p.m. Monday, February 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant us the strength to act with integrity, the courage to stand for what is right, and the compassion
• R. 11 Zaffirini granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period
• Legislation providing. for a universal education savings account program, legislation to provide salary
• increases for Texas teachers. through merit-based compensation programs, legislation expanding career
• Granting the Legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If they're going to program the money to actually turn off or not allow you to buy something because
• So if a programmable, they're going to program the money, reason within 90 days of the denial.
• So if a programmable, they're going to program the money to actually turn off or not allow you to buy
• That's where the algorithms and AI can actually program your money and your digital assets.
• AI can actually program your money and your digital assets.

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee approved the March 3 and March 5, 2026 minutes, then heard House Bill 750 as amended on programmable money protections. Representative Heather Scott described the bill as a Consumer Payment Rights and Transparency Act intended to prevent programmable money from being used to discriminate, require use without a non-programmable alternative, or deny transactions based on protected characteristics. Testimony included support from David Lichty, who said similar legislation had passed in Utah, and questions from senators about whether the technology is already operational. Opponents raised concerns about the bill’s interaction with the Uniform Commercial Code and whether it would create legal confusion. The committee voted 5-3 against the motion to send HB 750 to the floor, so the bill was held in committee. The committee then advanced HB 585, which would extend the 48-hour inspection refund/private inspector option to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections; it passed on a due-pass recommendation. HB 562, which increases notice periods for nonrenewal of homeowners’ and fire loss insurance policies to 60 days, also passed to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 545, dealing with military chaplains and counselor licensure. Representative Barbara Ehardt and Senator Ben Adams argued the bill would recognize military chaplains’ counseling experience and allow them to apply that experience toward civilian licensure, while noting Idaho law already says licensing authorities may not require certain exams for military applicants. Supporters, including chaplains Jared Gifford and Robert Morris, said military chaplains receive extensive counseling training, work with trauma, suicide, and moral injury, and could help address Idaho’s mental health and veteran care shortages. They said the bill would help chaplains bill insurance and expand access to trusted care. Opponents, including licensed counselors Monique Barber, Kelly Loy, Christy Weissman, Carmen French, Susan Reading, and others, argued chaplain counseling is not equivalent to clinical mental health counseling, that the bill could lower licensure standards, and that it should require the National Counselor Exam and supervised clinical hours under licensed counselors. Senators also questioned whether chaplains could diagnose, whether insurance would reimburse them, and whether the bill should be limited to military settings. After extensive debate, Senator Lenney moved to send HB 545 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation, but Senator Guthrie offered a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee. Several senators said they respected military chaplains but were concerned about blending pastoral counseling with clinical licensure and about the bill’s broader application beyond the military. The transcript ends during the roll call on the substitute motion, before the final vote is announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• That it's now creating a new general Fund program.
• There's conversations that need to be had about how To use the federal rural transformation grant that
• The next slide on page 12 Interestingly enough, this program provides voucher care for kids up to age
• So we're essentially using child care assistance to pay for after-school programming and some summer
• And so for the collective land grant permanent funds for the permanent school fund, it's a little bit

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But local business taxes are one of the home rule revenue sources that the legislature has granted our
• The local business tax program is an entry point for businesses within their city.
• or small business rental assistance programs.
• Others use it as a direct benefit back into the program that is helping to do the zoning verifications
• They actually have a dedicated two or three staff people that manage the program.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and first took up SB 122, which would repeal Chapter 205 governing local business taxes while allowing municipalities that already levy a gross-receipts-based business tax to continue doing so, with limits on changing the tax rate. The sponsor’s proxy and committee members discussed whether local business taxes fund identifiable services, with supporters saying the bill would reduce burdens on businesses and opponents arguing it would remove a capped home-rule revenue source used for general services, economic development, inspections, fire and police support, and business regulation. The Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities opposed the bill, citing a statewide revenue loss and concern that costs would shift to residential taxpayers, while one member noted the bill should be considered in the context of broader property tax changes. SB 122 was reported favorably by a roll call vote, with Senators Leek, Passidomo, Pizzo, Trumbull, and Chair McClain voting yes and Senator Sharief voting no. The committee then held an extended informational panel on Florida’s housing shortage and affordability challenges. Dr. Samuel Staley said Florida is in a housing crisis driven primarily by insufficient supply, arguing that the state needs far more units each year, that local comprehensive plans and zoning often fail to prioritize housing, and that the state should focus more on measurable impacts, density, accessory dwelling units, smaller lot sizes, and other ways to let the market respond. Ann Ray of the Shimberg Center presented data showing increased single-family and multifamily construction but limited condo growth, highly concentrated new development in a handful of counties, and continued high cost burdens for renters, especially lower-income and older households. Leslie Deutsch of John Burns Research and Consulting said the national housing market is slow, Florida prices are easing but remain well above pre-pandemic levels, and affordability problems are being driven by land, construction, financing, and insurance costs; she urged more product diversity, including build-to-rent, townhomes, manufactured housing, and higher-density redevelopment tailored to local demographics. Members questioned the panel about density, vertical development, impact fees, construction costs, and incentives for local governments. Several senators said local governments need clearer direction or incentives to approve more housing, while others emphasized preserving local character and avoiding overdevelopment. The panel generally agreed that no single policy will solve the problem, but that Florida needs more housing types, more density in appropriate places, updated zoning and building codes, and a more market-responsive regulatory framework. After the presentations and discussion, the committee adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the programs that have come in to be helpful do know your legal rights.
• And that's what this program does.
• learned from other state programs.
• The programs might have to exist.
• The ALJ in the proceeding granted the motion to compel San Francisco.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas, New Jersey, and Virginia, utilize 2-1-1 as a critical service that connects residents to programs
• There are already federal and state funding incentives, grants, and support that private entities can
• access, such as the NEVI Program and the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project, which is
• a lack of availability of charging stations throughout our state, which is why we give all these grants
• I'd like to think that we're already subsidizing through the California grant programs the building of

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several emergency-management-related bills. AB 1749 would prohibit drones from knowingly or recklessly interfering with wildfire suppression or other emergency response airspace and authorize civil enforcement with penalties up to $75,000 per violation. AB 1540 would restore the 988 “press 3” option for LGBTQ+ suicide prevention, with the author and supporters describing it as a needed crisis lifeline; opponents argued the bill was unnecessary and criticized the Trevor Project. AB 1805 would overhaul oversight of the state’s troubled next-generation 911 project by strengthening the advisory board, requiring quarterly reports, and mandating an independent technical evaluation and audit. AB 1832 would create a statewide 2-1-1 support fund and a community needs dashboard to expand and stabilize 2-1-1 services. AB 2543 would require EV charging operators to develop emergency management plans and identify backup power or charging options during disasters, with opponents arguing it singled out one industry and could slow deployment. Testimony was largely in support of AB 1540, AB 1805, and AB 1832, with many public agencies, behavioral health groups, fire organizations, and local governments backing the measures. AB 1540 drew emotional testimony from a parent who lost a child to suicide, while AB 1805 received support from police chiefs, dispatchers, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which discussed the need for an independent technical review of regional versus statewide 911 system options. AB 1832 supporters emphasized that 2-1-1 helps divert non-emergency calls from 911 and provides critical disaster information and referrals. AB 2543 drew opposition from EV charging companies and industry groups, who said the bill imposed unique obligations on private operators and did not address all fuel types. After debate, the committee voted to advance all of the measures. AB 1540 was sent to Senate Health, AB 1749 to Senate Judiciary, AB 1805 to Senate Privacy, Digital Technology, and Consumer Protection, AB 1832 to Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications, and AB 2543 to Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications with amendments to be taken in the next committee. The consent item, AB 1836, was also approved. Final recorded votes were overwhelmingly in favor, with AB 2543 receiving the most opposition but still passing the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it gives the attorney general the sole authority to grant that.
• We've had it for many years, and it's been an excellent program.
• Louis City, when we had funds available to give out in the form of grants to not-for-profits, we would
• Yeah, basic food programs that have been cut over the years. Okay.
• Most senior funds are going to expand other services rather than improve the food programs?”

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill would be partially implemented through the Motor Vehicle Division through its dealer licensing program
• bill does and does not do, it narrowly opens the franchise act to allow very specific It does not grant
• I'm the Transportation Program Director for the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, a nonprofit working
• I think it's time that New Mexico get with the program and get with the rest of the country and pass
• It's established already, which is easily allowable, and it would fund either through a grant or even

Bills: SB22 , SB310

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County, 996, all