Transcript Highlights:

• Article 5 is special education, and it's one section establishing a process to file a complaint over
• It allows an organization or individual to file a complaint with the department's Office of General Counsel
• It will also allow an organization or individual to file a complaint alleging a failure to implement
• This is a life-saving issue, and we hope that you include House File 2023 in the omnibus bill.

Bills: HF1306

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: education, school policy, teacher training, student health, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, with that, I will move House File 1066, a Ryer bill. Please present the bill.
• I'm glad to be here to talk about House File 1066, the Soil and Water Conservation District funding bill
• I'm glad to be here to talk<00:01:22.960><c> about</c><00:01:23.200><c> house</c><00:01:23.520><c> file
• With that, I will move that House File 1066, as amended, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1066, a Soil and Water Conservation District funding bill. An author’s amendment, 66A1, was offered and adopted by voice vote, putting the bill in the form preferred by the author. The amendment and bill discussion centered on changing the state aid level for SWCDs, with the bill as amended described as eliminating a scheduled reduction in funding and instead increasing the annual appropriation to $22 million. Representative Ryer explained that SWCDs are long-standing, locally elected conservation entities that help preserve soil and water quality, support farmers and homeowners, and do not have levy authority. He said the funding level was based on a bottom-up assessment of district needs and was intended to help districts maintain staffing and address local problems early. Sheila Vany of the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts testified in support, saying the aid has been a major improvement in SWCD funding and describing district work such as lakeshore stabilization, cover crops, nutrient management, lake monitoring, rain gardens, and irrigation guidance. The chair noted the voluntary nature of SWCD work with willing landowners and expressed support for the bill. No opposition testimony was presented, and no department testimony was offered. The committee then laid House File 1066, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'd say I maybe I'm mistaken this, but I think the appropriate time is to file on a felony case is
• No, what I was saying, the filing verb I was addressing that.
• for YO for his defense attorney file for YO for his client?
• in district court, you know, if can file in district court, you know, if you<01:06:18.160><c> want.
• verb I was what I was saying the filing verb I was addressing<01:06:28.799><c> that.

Bills: SB255 , SB199 , SB47 , HB605 , HB216 , HB621 , HB148 , HB389 , HB509 , HB248 , SB255 , SB199 , SB47 , HB605 , HB216 , HB621 , HB148 , HB389 , HB509 , HB248 , SB336 , SB293 , SB43 , HB420 , HB60 , HB188 , HB106 , HB105 , HB11 , SB336 , SB293 , SB43 , HB420 , HB60 , HB188 , HB106 , HB105 , HB11

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: SB255, cannabinoid, hemp, hemp-derived THC, THCa, delta-8 THC, HHC, CBD, THC, novel cannabinoid products, hemp products, intoxicating hemp, delta-8, retail license, Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture and Industries, testing and labeling, third-party laboratory, product safety, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• The hospital filed a petition in chancery court hoping to avoid that.
• At that point, Representative Creekmore, the chairman in the House, and I filed a statement with the
• So we thought it useful to file a statement with the court saying basically we were going to look at
• </c><00:04:26.160><c> a</c> chairman in House and I uh filed a chairman in House and I uh filed a statement
• </c><00:04:49.520><c> a</c> So we thought it useful to file a So we thought it useful to file a statement

Committee: Joint Public Health and Welfare

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The difference between the bill as filed—you'll not be surprised to know, Mr.
• The difference between the bill as filed—you'll not be surprised to know, Mr.
• So if you file, if the district decides to file a law... you know generally outside the bounds of whatever
• So if you file, if the district decides to file a law, A governing body.
• Look, I would love to see what a suit would actually be filed on at this point.

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Summary: The committee continued hearing testimony on Senate Bill 2252, which would expand early literacy and numeracy screening, parent notification, intervention supports, and teacher training, including math academies and early childhood supports. Supporters from Texas 2036, Good Reason Houston, Texas Business Leadership Council, and several parents argued that early identification of skill gaps, clearer data for families, and stronger teacher preparation would improve student outcomes, workforce readiness, and long-term earnings. They cited low math proficiency statewide, the importance of early intervention, and examples of districts using screeners and data dashboards to guide instruction and resource allocation. One witness also highlighted home visiting as a family-support model, while another urged more funding for pre-K partnerships and stronger support for parents with reading materials and guidance. A district special education administrator testified neutrally, saying the bill reflects practices already used in her district but expressing concern that it could reduce local control and teacher discretion by standardizing screening and tying it to funding. A Texas Classroom Teachers Association representative supported the intent but warned that mandatory math academies and intervention academies could burden teachers if implemented like prior reading academies, and a substitute teacher/teacher-of-the-year witness asked for clearer protections around special education information and pay for alternative certification candidates. After public testimony closed, SB 2252 was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2253, as substituted, which would phase out routine hiring of uncertified teachers over time, require parent notification when a teacher is uncertified, and expand high-quality preparation pathways such as university programs, residencies, improved alternative certification, and grow-your-own programs. Senator Creighton said the bill responds to the rise in uncertified teachers and aims to strengthen the teacher pipeline with more structured preparation, mentorship, and oversight by SBEC. Invited testimony strongly supported the measure: a Texas Tech researcher said uncertified teachers and fast-track programs are associated with significant learning losses, while year-long residencies and mentored pathways produce stronger outcomes and higher earnings for students. Leaders from Dallas College and Sam Houston State University described successful residency and grow-your-own models, high completion and retention rates, and the need for paid residencies and stipends so candidates can afford to enter the profession. Committee members asked about the difference between mentorship and residency, the cost-effectiveness of paid residencies, retention incentives, and how to scale the model statewide. The committee also adopted the substitute for SB 2253 and later paused to vote out several other bills, including SB 1191, SB 1786, SB 226, SB 326, SB 570, SB 870, SB 991, SB 60, SB 365, SB 1401, and SB 1067, all of which were reported favorably, many with unanimous votes and some placed on the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we're going to start um Senate File 2255.
• Then we will go on to move the A25 amendment. um Senate File um Senate File 2255<00:07:01.919><c> and
• </c> going to start um Senate File going to start um Senate File 2255.<00:07:29.599><c> Um</c><00:07:
• </c> the final article of uh Senate file the final article of uh Senate file 2255.<00:09:14.720><c> So
• </c> bills and testimony on Senate File 2255. bills and testimony on Senate File 2255. those<01:33:43.760

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there were nine bills that were brought forward in late filing, and we were the lucky recipient of
• So did you file those? Is that all I filed? Two? In one? Who did that?
• </c><01:29:48.320><c> two</c> did you file those is is all I file two did you file those is is all I
• file two in<01:29:48.679><c> one</c><01:29:48.840><c> wi</c><01:29:49.159><c> who</c><01:29:49.320><c
• </c><01:31:07.159><c> the</c><01:31:07.320><c> late</c> consider rather than filing the late consider

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• her, it was actually at a TWU event in Jersey, where the statute of limitations for her to actually file
• The statute of limitations for her to actually file a death benefits claim had already expired by the
• This actually would be a re-opener to allow those families a one-year period of time to be able to file

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Labor, chaired by Senator Jessica Ramos, met for its sixth meeting of the 2026 session and considered seven bills. The committee advanced bills on the minimum wage for employees with disabilities (S-28C), modular construction work (S.2225), COVID-19-related workers’ compensation death benefits (S.6078), withholding of workers’ compensation benefits based on attachment to the labor market (S.6376), paid sick leave eligibility (S.8677), mandatory disclosures in job advertisements (S.8877), and construction reporting pay-up (S.9843). Several members voiced support for the bills, and Senator Rhoads gave extended remarks in favor of S.6078, describing it as a needed reopening of the filing period for families who missed the deadline during the pandemic. Most measures were reported out of committee with little opposition. S-28C was reported to the Disabilities Committee, S.6078 and S.6376 were reported to Finance, and S.8677, S.8877, and S.9843 were reported to the calendar. The committee took voice votes on each bill, with some recorded abstentions or absent-without-recommendation responses noted, but no roll-call vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• File item 53, SB 299.
• Introduction of first reading of bills will be deemed read, consideration of the daily file, second reading
• file items 1 through 3.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And he assumed that enough people that he'd taught over the years hated him that if he put in the file
• , somebody else would file.
• And nobody else filed. And now he's stuck being on the Ma Orlando school board. Thank you for that.
• I mean, we all know this can be a very rewarding job, but especially this time of year after filing and
• I looked at the fiscal impact statement that was filed on February 1, 2025, and it said that in 2026,

Bills: SB1287 , SB1983 , SB1796 , SB1806 , SB1558 , SB2135 , SB483 , SB1198 , SB1265 , SB2154 , SB2139 , SB1552 , SB2118 , SB1775 , SB259 , SB1344 , SB1380 , SB2007 , SB1572 , SB2074 , SB1423 , SB1425 , SB1502 , SB1503 , SB1833 , SB1561 , SB1555 , SB2044 , SB1749 , SB904 , SB1565 , SB1500 , SB667 , SB1484 , SB1562 , SB1644 , HR1045 , SB227 , SB1627 , SB1475 , SB1966 , SB2049 , SB1531 , SB80 , SB1734 , SB1630 , SB1894 , SB1975 , SB1432 , SB1437 , SB1812 , SB346 , SB710 , SB1489 , SB1614 , SB2045 , SB1250 , SB1304 , SB1501 , SB1946 , SB592 , SB65 , SB1257 , SB444 , SB640 , SB2178 , SB1242 , SB1642

Keywords: abstraction, licensing, Oklahoma Abstractors Board, criminal background, good moral character, SB1983, foster care, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, child welfare, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions

Transcript Highlights:

• In that case, the regulation also allows any party to file a motion with the board member asking that
• Looking forward, I think filings overall are definitely up.
• If you have a lot of filings, you know at some point that could mean a lot of appeals before the board
• Looking forward, I think filings overall are definitely up.
• If you have a lot of filings, you know at some point that could mean a lot of appeals before the board

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several routine items and two governor’s appointments requiring appearance. The committee first approved, by unanimous 5-0 votes, the appointments of Armin Meyer to the Division of Consumer Financial Protection and Uca Danka to the California State Lottery Commission, along with bill referrals, a rules waiver request to suspend Senate Rule 55 for guests on the floor, and floor acknowledgments. The committee then heard from Arania Ortega, appointed to the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). Members asked about her background, PERB’s handling of AB 288 while litigation remains pending, recusal rules, case backlogs, ride-share enforcement, and legislative employee unionization. Ortega said PERB has no current backlog, is prepared to implement AB 288 if litigation changes, and has recusal procedures that would automatically exclude her from certain state employee and child care cases for one year. Public testimony supported the appointment, and the committee voted 5-0 to send Ortega’s nomination to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Monica Erickson, nominated to continue as Director of the Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Questions focused on bargaining and fiscal responsibility, CalPERS oversight, recruitment and retention, telework, discipline and accountability, DEIA efforts, degree requirements, veteran hiring, return-to-office implementation, and the gender pay gap. Erickson said CalHR is working to reduce vacancies, expand recruitment pipelines, remove unnecessary degree requirements, support departments with guidance and training, and address pay equity; she also noted the gender pay gap has declined over the past decade. Supportive public testimony followed, and her nomination was approved 5-0 to advance to the Senate floor. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The petition is filed, and I put it before the board.
• The code is pretty clear on what has to be provided, what the criteria is, and if a petition is filed
• So you file your petition.
• At the end of the day, the landowner has to file those petitions.
• the title companies is that we would receive a warranty deed during that transaction and it was on file

Summary: The committee first confirmed Michael Lyndon of Post Falls to the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and then heard several water-related bills. Senate Bill 1304 would clarify ditch easement rights by allowing ditch owners to inspect, maintain, and relocate diversion structures within an existing easement without written landowner permission, while still requiring permission to move anything outside the easement. Senate Bill 1306 would fix a timing issue in irrigation district exclusion petitions by replacing an automatic approval trigger after 150 days with a more structured hearing and appeal timeline. Senate Bill 1305 would let water districts, if authorized by a patron resolution, charge specific property owners for costs tied to updating water-right ownership records instead of spreading those costs across all users. Senate Bill 1307 would repeal and consolidate overlapping code chapters on lateral ditch management into one chapter, adding definitions and clarifying election, appointment, and maintenance rules for lateral users associations and water delivery entities. All four bills received do-pass recommendations, though one senator reserved judgment on SB 1304 to consult local property-rights concerns. The committee also considered House Bill 511, which would raise the cap on the Idaho Department of Lands’ improved-parcel wildfire preparedness surcharge from $40 to $100 per year. The sponsor and department said the fee supports wildfire readiness, equipment, training, and rapid initial attack in growing wildland-urban interface areas, and industry witnesses supported the increase as modest and necessary. The bill passed the committee on a do-pass motion, with Senators Cole and Hart voting no. Finally, Senate Bill 1269 would update Idaho’s cloud seeding statute by adding definitions, formal reporting and public meeting requirements, accountability provisions, and clarification that state standards govern the program. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and preserve the existing program without expanding it, while one virtual witness testified against it. Several members said they wanted more transparency and further discussion, but the committee still sent the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other amendment was to designate who the reports were to be filed with, because the previous ones
• The other amendment was to designate who the reports were to be filed with, because the previous ones
• ...so hard to find nobody knew where they were, so we decided to put in there who they were to be filed
• with and how they were supposed to be filed, so it didn't change any substance other than that.
• you're at events and you see constituents and constituents reach out, almost 95% of all the bills I filed

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2901 in executive session. After a brief explanation from the bill sponsor, the committee adopted a House Committee amendment ending in 0.07 that set a five-year expiration date and clarified where reports must be filed. The committee then rolled the amendment into a substitute and voted the House Committee substitute do pass by a roll call of 13 ayes and 0 noes. The committee then heard House Bill 3000, which would fix the signature threshold for petition-driven audits by tying the required number of signatures to the gubernatorial election in effect when the petition process begins, rather than when signatures are submitted. The sponsor and the State Auditor’s office said the change would prevent the required number from shifting during the petition period and provide consistency. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. House Bill 313 was then heard, a fentanyl-poisoning response bill that would require naloxone in public buildings, designate October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month, require fentanyl education for students in grades 6 through 12, and require training and investigation procedures for law enforcement in drug-related deaths. The sponsor and multiple family members who lost loved ones to fentanyl strongly supported the bill, emphasizing prevention, access to Narcan, and more thorough death investigations. Committee members generally expressed support, raised questions about the definition of public buildings, school implementation, and funding, and testimony suggested opioid settlement money as a possible source. No committee action was taken on HB 313 in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation also clarifies that once a claim dispute is filed, it meets all the requirements in statute
• by expanding how often carriers can, with the insured's written consent, change rates above their filed
• of transferring an out-of-state insurance license to a Florida resident license, and removes the filing
• There is one late-filed amendment. Is there any objection to taking up the late-filed amendment?
• Seeing no objection, take up late-filed Amendment Barcode 466478 by Senator Truenow.

Bills: S0158 , S0314 , S0618 , S0684 , S0838 , S0990 , S1000 , S1082 , S1452 , S1494 , S1500 , S1568 , S1706

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Keywords: pet insurance, consumer protection, insurance regulation, policy disclosure, agent training, payment stablecoin, financial regulation, anti-money laundering, state oversight, digital currency, financial services, workers compensation, Florida statute, commercial insurance, insurance board, electronic signatures, vehicle titles, insurance regulations, auditing, total loss vehicles

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard and advanced a wide range of insurance, financial services, and probate bills. Early in the meeting, SB 1000 on trust fund interest for attorney trust accounts was explained as setting a floor and ceiling tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate and was reported favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program for emergency out-of-network claims. After extensive discussion about the relationship between the state and federal No Surprises Act processes, an amendment was withdrawn due to concerns about clarity and scope, but the bill itself was supported by providers and insurers and was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels, CS/SB 158 on pet insurance consumer disclosures and agent education, SB 1494 expanding breast cancer screening coverage, CS/SB 314 on digital assets and stablecoin issuers, and CS/SB 1500 on uncontested probate procedures and small-estate administration. SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance was amended to raise the consent-to-rate cap for workers’ compensation policies from 10% to 20% and then reported favorably, with supporters saying it would help keep higher-risk employers in the voluntary market. CS/SB 1568 creating a Florida Stablecoin Pilot Program was amended to remove authority for a Florida coin and limit the program to existing stablecoins, then passed. Later, the committee approved CS/SB 838 on electronic payment convenience fees for retail installment contracts, with the sponsor emphasizing that a fee-free payment option must still be offered. SB 1452, the Department of Financial Services agency bill, was amended and reported favorably; it covered My Safe Florida Home administration, insurance and licensing changes, unclaimed property updates, and other DFS-related provisions. The committee also passed SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, targeting owner-occupied condominiums at or below 80% of area median income, and SB 990 on protected cell captive insurance companies, which supporters said would modernize Florida’s captive insurance laws and encourage more competition. The meeting ended with all listed bills reported favorably and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we're going to hear testimony on 17 bills concerning miscellaneous and late-file bills.
• Today we're going to hear testimony on 17 bills concerning miscellaneous and late-file bills.
• Late-file bills are bills that were not filed by the statutory deadline.
• Under House rules, matters that were filed in the House that we're hearing today are required to be reported
• The first is House 4722, an Act promoting fair tax treatment for zero-emission vehicles, which I filed

Bills: H3012 , H4008 , H4435 , H4444 , H4526 , H4547 , H4574 , H4575 , H4576 , H4577 , H4585 , H4605 , H4687 , H4703 , H4722 , H4754 , H4755

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: fines, property valuation, commercial property, real estate, tax penalties, property taxes, local option tax, marijuana sales, Salem, revenue generation, taxation, recreation, local government, commercial activities, Charlemont, property exemption, disabled persons, Swampscott, senior exemption, property tax

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:10.879><c> lawsuits</c> Attorney General Ellison filing lawsuits Attorney General Ellison
• filing lawsuits against<00:04:12.239><c> the</c><00:04:12.480><c> feds</c><00:04:13.599><c> instead</
• Uh, House File 2, which Democrats blocked in committee last year, would have a number of very important
• Uh, House File 2, which Democrats blocked in committee last year, would have a number of very important
• Uh, House File 2, which Democrats blocked in committee last year, would have a number of very important

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• On April 10th, 16 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit challenging the rescission of these
• Shortly after filing the lawsuit and submitting our briefs requesting a preliminary injunction that would
• emphasize that the Impact Litigation Division is not exclusively focused on federal litigation or filing
• So believe it or not, of the litigation, with the exception of one where the federal government has filed
• We are in this unfortunate situation where we can't file a lawsuit on behalf of the harm that would be

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we have House File 3220, which is being heard on the informational basis.
• The A-1 amendment adds in American Indian tribal contract schools into House File 3220. Thank you.
• So House File 3220 cancels the otherwise expiring balance of 1.8 million dollars from the 2018 school
• But what House File 3220 would do is create a mechanism to use existing funds to support one Knox box
• So, you know, House File 3220, I am aware of the budget constraints that we have this year.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• You really got to go through all of that to file your complaint and get a notarized letter.
• Counsel is conforming the draft to the bill that was filed.
• However, it's the expectation of the chair that a subsequent committee substitute will be filed to address
• There were original or filed versions of the bill that referenced larger. ...storage tanks, but that's
• And again, just for your edification, we obviously started out with the filed version of the bill, and

Bills: HB573 , HB1499 , HB1768 , HB3071 , HB3249 , HB3866 , HB4112

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Keywords: environmental enforcement, legislative oversight, inspection, concrete plants, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, environmental product declaration, grant program, ready-mixed concrete, manufacturers, sustainability, concrete plant, concrete batch plant, wet batching, dry batching, central mixing, standard permit, TCEQ, environmental regulation, air quality, construction permit

Transcript Highlights:

• LET'S MOVE ON NOW, WE DO HAVE A LATE FILED AMENDMENT.
• IS THERE A OBJECTION TO ACCEPTING A LATE FILED AMENDMENT?
• SEEING NO OBJECTION THE LATE FILED AMENDMENT IS PLACED IN ORDER. SO LET'S TAKE UP BARCODE 830284.
• LET'S MOVE ON TO ANOTHER LATE FILED AMENDMENT AND THAT IS BARCODE 254416 BY SENATOR CALATAYUD, ANY OBJECTION
• TO TAKING UP THE LATE FILED AMENDMENT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all