Transcript Highlights:

• Alternatively, a county can create a ferry district.
• A ferry district is governed by the members of the county legislative authority, and ferry districts
• Alternatively, a county can create a ferry district.
• A ferry district is governed by the members of the county legislative authority, and ferry districts
• Children commute to school, families commute to work. The ferry is vital.

Bills: HB2451 , HB2298 , HB2566 , HB2267 , HB2530 , HB2388 , HB2588 , HB2094

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: tax increment financing, local government, economic development, municipal finance, public infrastructure, property title protection, land record fraud, county auditors, voluntary program, real estate, procurement, contracting, transparency, financial oversight, urban forestry, environmental policy, tree management, community planning, public facilities district, regional aquatics

Transcript Highlights:

• It would make various changes to the Veterans Assistance Levy and the levy for developmental disabilities
• It would make various changes to the Veterans Assistance Levy and the levy for developmental disabilities
• It would provide that the veterans' assistance levy would be imposed as a separate, independent levy
• general levy.
• This levy would be imposed separately from the general property tax levy of the county and outside of

Bills: HB1717 , HB2133 , HB2135 , HB2140 , HB2442 , HB2559

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: affordable housing, sales tax, housing programs, tax incentives, economic development, property tax, senior citizens, tax exemption, local government funding, permanent legislation, adaptive housing, disabled veterans, tax preferences, housing affordability, retail sales tax, governmental transfer, agriculture, land use, local government, tax authority

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a junior at Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School.
• My name is Coopertreat from Deer Creek High School.
• I'm a senior at Edman Memorial High School.
• President, would you believe that the schools and?
• This is nutritious for our school kids.

Bills: SB843 , SB1733 , SB1476 , SB1237 , SB1410 , SB1894 , SB1272 , SB1204 , SB1721 , SB1725 , SB1735 , SB1337 , SB1339 , SB1461 , SB1975 , SB1450 , SB1458 , SB1232 , SB1238 , SB1325 , SB1209 , SB1362 , SB2072 , SB1451 , SB1540 , SB1581 , SB1535 , SB1266 , SB1927 , SB1460 , SB2084 , SB2182 , SB392 , SB985 , SB1265 , SB1283 , SB1441 , SB1307 , SB1425 , SB1826 , SB1365 , SB1696 , SB1870 , SB1722 , SB1639 , SB715 , SB716 , SB182 , SB609 , SB169 , SB134 , SB1611 , SB432 , SB1407 , SB2039 , SB1356 , SB1288 , SB2019 , SB1705 , SB1878 , SB2118

Keywords: school boards, educational governance, conflict of interest, employee relations, Oklahoma statutes, child abuse, reporting requirements, sexual misconduct, law enforcement, school personnel, confidentiality, student safety, land office, land exchange, investment, education funding, real estate management, Teachers' Bill of Rights, education, teachers' rights

Transcript Highlights:

• My plans after high school are just to go to college. Hi, Senators.
• Mary Catholic High School.
• Hey, my name's Cooper Tree from Deer Creek High School.
• Mary Catholic High School, I am honored to be paging for Senator Brenda Stanley, and after high school
• Hey my name's Cooper Tree from Deer Creek High School.

Bills: SB843 , SB1733 , SB1476 , SB1237 , SB1410 , SB1894 , SB1272 , SB1204 , SB1721 , SB1725 , SB1735 , SB1337 , SB1339 , SB1461 , SB1975 , SB1450 , SB1458 , SB1232 , SB1238 , SB1325 , SB1209 , SB1362 , SB2072 , SB1451 , SB1540 , SB1581 , SB1535 , SB1266 , SB1927 , SB1460 , SB2084 , SB2182 , SB392 , SB985 , SB1265 , SB1283 , SB1441 , SB1307 , SB1425 , SB1826 , SB1365 , SB1696 , SB1870 , SB1722 , SB1639 , SB715 , SB716 , SB182 , SB609 , SB169 , SB134 , SB1611 , SB432 , SB1407 , SB2039 , SB1356 , SB1288 , SB2019 , SB1705 , SB1878 , SB2118

Keywords: school boards, educational governance, conflict of interest, employee relations, Oklahoma statutes, child abuse, reporting requirements, sexual misconduct, law enforcement, school personnel, confidentiality, student safety, land office, land exchange, investment, education funding, real estate management, Teachers' Bill of Rights, education, teachers' rights

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Rachel Franklin, along with several student pages and visiting groups in the galleries, including Catholic home educators, Leadership Moore, and ALS advocates. The ALS introduction highlighted the disease’s effects and the need for awareness and support. The chamber then took up several bills. Senate Bill 392 reestablished the Oklahoma Strategic Military Planning Commission through 2030 to support military installations and related planning, and it passed 47-0 with emergency status. Senate Bill 985 codified the local food for schools program and gave the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry more flexibility to administer it; members discussed its benefits for school nutrition and local producers, and it also passed 47-0. Senate Bill 1265 extended the deadline for municipalities to publish ordinances from 15 to 30 days due to the decline of daily and weekly newspapers, and it passed 47-0. Senate Bill 1283 updated probate law so out-of-state executors, administrators, or guardians must appoint an agent in Oklahoma rather than in the county where the case is heard, and it passed 47-0. Senate Bill 1441 made it unlawful to knowingly fly a drone over critical infrastructure below 400 feet or into the structure, with penalties aligned to physical trespass, and it also passed 47-0. The Senate then made several committee and devotional announcements before adjourning until Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1039 by Hughes relates to creating a school uniform allotment under the Foundation School
• Senate Bill 1049 by King relates to excused absences from public school for the purpose of attending
• Senate Bill 1065 by Hall relates to the creation of an additional judicial district composed of Rockwall
• Senate Bill 1106 by Parker relates to the publication of public improvement district service plans.
• Senate Bill 1151 by Creighton relates to a school district's grievance procedure and to certain public

Bills: SJR36 , SB26 , SJR3 , SJR48 , SJR50 , SJR51 , SCR15 , SCR17 , SB3 , SB5 , SB12 , SB18 , SB1001 , SB1002 , SB1003 , SB1004 , SB1005 , SB1006 , SB1007 , SB1008 , SB1009 , SB1010 , SB1011 , SB1012 , SB1013 , SB1014 , SB1015 , SB1016 , SB1017 , SB1018 , SB1019 , SB1020 , SB1021 , SB1022 , SB1023 , SB1024 , SB1025 , SB1026 , SB1027 , SB1028 , SB1029 , SB1030 , SB1031 , SB1032 , SB1033 , SB1034 , SB1035 , SB1036 , SB1037 , SB1038 , SB1039 , SB1040 , SB1041 , SB1042 , SB1043 , SB1044 , SB1045 , SB1046 , SB1049 , SB1050 , SB1051 , SB1052 , SB1053 , SB1054 , SB1055 , SB1056 , SB1057 , SB1058 , SB1059 , SB1060 , SB1061 , SB1062 , SB1063 , SB1064 , SB1065 , SB1066 , SB1067 , SB1068 , SB1069 , SB1070 , SB1071 , SB1072 , SB1073 , SB1074 , SB1075 , SB1076 , SB1077 , SB1078 , SB1079 , SB1080 , SB1081 , SB1082 , SB1083 , SB1084 , SB1085 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1088 , SB1089 , SB1090 , SB1091 , SB1092 , SB1093 , SB1094 , SB1095 , SB1096 , SB1097 , SB1098 , SB1099 , SB1100 , SB1101 , SB1102 , SB1103 , SB1104 , SB1105 , SB1106 , SB1107 , SB1108 , SB1109 , SB1110 , SB1111 , SB1112 , SB1113 , SB1114 , SB1115 , SB1116 , SB1117 , SB1118 , SB1119 , SB1120 , SB1121 , SB1122 , SB1123 , SB1124 , SB1125 , SB1126 , SB1127 , SB1128 , SB1129 , SB1130 , SB1131 , SB1132 , SB1133 , SB1134 , SB1135 , SB1136 , SB1137 , SB1138 , SB1139 , SB1140 , SB1141 , SB1142 , SB1143 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1149 , SB1150 , SB1565

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, severance tax, oil and gas, Texas STRONG fund, economic stabilization, public health, property tax relief

Bills: SB211 , SB241 , HB614

Committee: House Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: school safety, local law enforcement, superintendent, complaints, school bus regulations, criminal enterprise, database, law enforcement, crime management, Alabama law, DUI, driving under the influence, drunk driving, license suspension, driver's license revocation, ignition interlock, interlock device, breathalyzer, alcohol offense, impaired driving

Bills: SB 312 , SB 945 , SB 946 , SB 1367 , SB 1861 , SB 2044 , SB 2337 , SB 2403 , SB 2819 , SJR 54

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: public school funding, education, budget allocation, financial transparency, state law, local control, fiduciary responsibility, public retirement systems, investment management, proxy voting, financial factors, insurance, political shareholder proposals, fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental regulation, discrimination, credit extension, social credit, value-based standards

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I have a page from Tier Miller High School, a Page from Tier Miller High School, a student
• This is for the school choice.
• We added $90,000 to do facility wiring at a high school. We added $150,000 for the... school.
• We added $200,000 for the Selma City Schools for tornado... the Selma City Schools for tornado damage
• We maintain funding for the Alabama School for the Deaf and... maintain funding for the Alabama School

Bills: SB113 , SB114 , SB305 , SB111 , HB600 , SB112 , SB150 , SB109 , SB122

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: education funding, appropriations, local education boards, school safety, workforce development, Alabama, technology, higher education, career technology centers, public institutions, grants, local education agencies, RAISE Act, student outcomes, public schools, accountability, weighted allocations, special education, English language learners, gifted students

Transcript Highlights:

• Then district court rules, appellate court rules, they have rules about how you Then, district court
• Well, in my district, thank you for the question.
• I have about 10 historic districts in my district alone.
• As I indicated in my district, I have about 10.
• I'm familiar with your district.

Bills: HCR11 , HB153 , HB278 , HB424 , HB454 , HB455 , HB687 , HB816 , HB833 , HB942 , HB1053 , HB1097 , HB1147 , HB1148 , HB1190 , SB75 , SB85 , SB197 , SB200 , SB217

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: Camp Beauregard, Louisiana National Guard, Youth Challenge Program, military affairs, Pineville, National Guard training, emergency response, youth development, alternative education, high school equivalency, GED, at-risk youth, leadership training, job skills, citizenship, veterans, state military operations, mobilization, logistics staging area, public service

Summary: The committee first adopted a three-minute rule for the rest of the meeting by a 9-3 vote. It then took up SB 217, which would reorganize Orleans Parish courts by reducing judgeships in criminal, juvenile, traffic, and municipal courts and, through an adopted amendment, creating one civil district court with 13 judges and allowing hearing officers. Senator Morris argued the changes were based on caseload comparisons and population data; opponents from the Urban League and ACLU said the bill was driven by power rather than efficiency, relied on incomplete or inconsistent data, would strain the courts, and would reduce minority representation on the bench. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended by an 11-4 vote. The committee next considered SB 197, which would reduce the number of judges on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal by two. Senator Morris again cited filings and caseload comparisons, while opponents argued the bill ignored the intensity and complexity of appellate work, could increase backlog and costs, and would disproportionately affect Black women judges. The bill was reported favorably by an 11-4 vote. The committee also adopted HCR 11, expressing support for the Louisiana National Guard at Camp Beauregard and the Youth Challenge Program, and reported favorably SB 85, creating an insurance fund for retired St. Charles Parish sheriff’s employees. Several other measures were advanced with little or no opposition. HB 833 created the Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force and was amended to add representatives from the coroners’ association, a survivor appointed by STAR, and a licensed clinical social worker; it was reported favorably. HB 816, with a technical correction, prohibited foreign adversaries from acquiring property near military installations and was reported favorably. HB 1053, dealing with definitions for dealers and retail dealers and allowing certain businesses to serve complimentary alcoholic beverages under agreed-upon floor amendments, was reported favorably. HB 153, as amended, removed the Office of Debt Recovery from the bill and limited it to prohibiting reporting certain criminal fines and fees to credit bureaus; it was reported favorably. SB 75, on cybersecurity reimbursement and baseline standards for local governments after cyber incidents, was reported favorably after testimony from GOSEP and others. SB 200, allowing expropriation of land near military bases owned by foreign adversaries when a court finds a threat to public health and safety, was also reported favorably after extensive testimony and discussion. Finally, HB 454, the Gracie Claire Rushing Act on chain of custody for human remains and internal organs, was converted into a substitute bill, adopted, and then introduced for further discussion, with the sponsor describing it as a transparency and accountability measure for grieving families.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, in my district, thank you for the question.
• I have about 10 historic districts in my district alone.
• Well, in my district, represent, thank you for the question.
• I have about 10 historic districts in my district alone.
• As I indicated, in my district I have about 10.

Bills: HCR11 , HB153 , HB278 , HB424 , HB454 , HB455 , HB687 , HB816 , HB833 , HB942 , HB1053 , HB1097 , HB1147 , HB1148 , HB1190 , SB75 , SB85 , SB197 , SB200 , SB217

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: Camp Beauregard, Louisiana National Guard, Youth Challenge Program, military affairs, Pineville, National Guard training, emergency response, youth development, alternative education, high school equivalency, GED, at-risk youth, leadership training, job skills, citizenship, veterans, state military operations, mobilization, logistics staging area, public service

Transcript Highlights:

• Students aged 13 to 21 without a high school degree are eligible for concurrent enrollment.
• And my assumption is that some schools are probably doing it better than others as far as taking this
• Our AG read the law, agreed, and so we entered into a binding consent judgment in our district courts
• This doesn't cause any issue for our concurrent enrollment students or for the schools that have Tech
• We're just doing this inside CareerEx with high school students. Yield to questions. Move adoption.

Bills: SB1477 , SB1480 , SB1593 , SB1633 , SB1670 , SB1725 , SB1726 , SB1735 , SB1632

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Keywords: education, concurrent enrollment, students, age restrictions, academic access, apprenticeship, career education, youth programs, employment, technology centers, SB1593, OSU Tulsa, Oklahoma State University/Tulsa, Board of Trustees, higher education, university governance, A&M Board, Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges, presidential search, board rules

Transcript Highlights:

• So this concurrent enrollment, only students that are age 13 to 21 and do not have a high school degree
• Students age 13 to 21 and who do not have a high school degree are eligible for concurrent enrollment
• And my assumption is that some schools are probably doing it better than others.
• So let's make sure that transition from high school to college is as smooth as possible by ensuring a
• Our AG read the law, agreed, and so we entered into a binding consent judgment in our district courts

Bills: SB1477 , SB1480 , SB1593 , SB1633 , SB1670 , SB1725 , SB1726 , SB1735 , SB1632

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Keywords: education, concurrent enrollment, students, age restrictions, academic access, apprenticeship, career education, youth programs, employment, technology centers, SB1593, OSU Tulsa, Oklahoma State University/Tulsa, Board of Trustees, higher education, university governance, A&M Board, Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges, presidential search, board rules

Summary: The Postsecondary Education Committee considered a series of higher education and career-tech bills, with members asking mostly clarifying questions about eligibility, implementation, and alignment with existing law. House Bill 1477, requested by the State Regents, would limit concurrent enrollment to students age 21 or under; it passed 6-0. Senate Bill 1593 updated language on the Oklahoma State University Board of Trustees to reflect current practice and passed 6-0. Senate Bill 1725 addressed expressive activities on public campuses by allowing security fees for students or student groups, but not based on the content of expression, and also directed free speech training through the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee; it passed 7-2. Senate Bill 1670, a State Chamber priority bill, aimed to strengthen startup ecosystems, venture capital, and industry-embedded research to help move university research into private-sector jobs, and it passed 9-0. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1726, which would establish a baseline training course for graduate student instructors at colleges and universities. Supporters said it would standardize instruction across institutions and help ensure a consistent level of preparation for graduate instructors teaching undergraduates; it passed 7-2. Senate Bill 1633 would align Oklahoma statute with federal law following a consent judgment regarding tuition eligibility for individuals not lawfully present in the United States; members discussed how “lawfully present” would apply to DACA recipients and others with federal immigration status, and the bill passed 6-3. Senate Bill 1735, a cleanup measure shifting certain oversight of technology center career tech schools more directly under the State Board of Career and Technology Education, passed 9-0. Later, the committee approved Senate Bill 1480, a pilot program for paid apprenticeships for 16-year-old students within career tech settings, despite questions about why a pilot was needed when career techs were already prepared to do similar work; it passed 9-0. Finally, an amendment to Senate Bill 1632 changed “shall” to “may” and allowed the State Board of Regents to use workforce assessments such as WorkKeys to award some entry-level college credit for students who score highly, especially those returning to community college or seeking an associate degree; after discussion about the limits of the credit, the amended measure passed 9-0. The meeting concluded with thanks to members as the committee’s final meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The challenge is not whether districts.
• districts, and school districts wouldn't be part of these changes either.
• </c> qualifying bond rating um not school qualifying bond rating um not school districts<00:25:14.400
• ><c> and</c><00:25:14.640><c> school</c><00:25:14.880><c> districts</c><00:25:15.200><c> wouldn't</c>
• districts and school districts wouldn't districts and school districts wouldn't be<00:25:15.600><c>

Bills: HF4348 , HF4186 , HF4202 , HF4455 , HF3884 , HF3883 , HF3882 , HF3881 , HF2688 , HF3295 , HF3862 , HF3362 , HF4242 , HF3798

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: HF4186, Minnesota local government finance, housing and redevelopment authority, HRA, public investment authority, qualifying government, State Board of Investment, SBI, index mutual fund, multifamily housing development, long-term equity investment, investment-grade fixed income, federally insured securities, government-sponsored entities, municipal investing, local government investments, housing finance, public funds, investment policy, risk of loss

Transcript Highlights:

• She survived a cardiac High School.
• The school cardiac arrest in the gym.
• </c> school nurses were there within seconds. school nurses were there within seconds.
• </c> agencies or public high schools to bring agencies or public high schools to bring valuable<00:06
• As well as public charter schools. schools. schools.

Bills: HB517 , HB520 , HB233 , HB354 , HB517 , HB520 , HB233 , HB354

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee, this one is simply adding the language a technology-centered: district, a public school, and
• But with district courts still have the oversight assignment, or would they still be under the oversight
• of like a district court that process?

Bills: HB3041 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1064 , HB3265 , HB3721 , HB3028 , HB3313 , HB3588 , HB3020

Committee: House Banking, Financial Services and Pensions

Keywords: credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, public finance, pension, pension fund, retirement system, board of trustees, proxy voting, proxy proposal, shareholder vote, shareholder activism, fiduciary duty, pecuniary factors, nonpecuniary factors, ESG, environmental social governance, social goals

Transcript Highlights:

• This one is simply adding the language, a technology center district, comma, a public school, into those
• And I'm pretty unfamiliar with this, except on the insurance side, but would district court still have
• Would they still be under the oversight of, like, a district court, that process?
• And I'm pretty unfamiliar with this, except on the insurance side, but would district court still have
• Would they still be under the oversight of, like, a district court, that process?

Bills: HB3041 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1064 , HB3265 , HB3721 , HB3028 , HB3313 , HB3588 , HB3020

Committee: House Banking, Financial Services and Pensions

Keywords: credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, public finance, pension, pension fund, retirement system, board of trustees, proxy voting, proxy proposal, shareholder vote, shareholder activism, fiduciary duty, pecuniary factors, nonpecuniary factors, ESG, environmental social governance, social goals

Summary: The Banking, Financial Services and Pensions Committee met and announced that several bills would be laid over, including HB 4225 and HB 4263, while also noting that actuarial follow-up reports on prior referrals were still being revised. The committee then worked through a long agenda, with members frequently noting schedule conflicts and the chair alternating between bills and committee business. The meeting adjourned after the agenda was completed, with the chair saying the committee would return the following week with a longer agenda, likely including additional pension bills. Several bills related to payment processing and pension governance were heard and passed. HB 3041 would allow merchants to pass along credit card surcharges up to the amount charged by the card company, with the author noting some businesses face fees of 4% to 5%; it passed 9-0. HB 4428 and HB 4429, both dealing with shareholder proxy advisors for pension funds, passed 8-1 and 9-0 respectively; supporters said the bills would require fiduciary standards and transparency, while the speaker referenced opposition from GreenAmerica.org as evidence of the bill’s value. HB 3028, which lets technology center districts and public schools pass on credit card service fees, also passed 7-0. The committee also advanced several pension-related measures. HB 3265, requested by the Police Pension Board, defines who qualifies as a mental health specialist for disability evaluations; testimony explained the change would let the board use psychologists because psychiatrists are harder to contract with, and the bill passed 7-0. HB 3721 would adjust the DROP benefit for public safety officers so surviving spouses can claim it if the officer dies before electing the option; the author said it has no actuarial cost, and it passed 7-0. HB 3313, a defined contribution retirement bill, would raise contribution levels, eliminate vesting delays, and add retirement planning and lifetime income options; members questioned whether it would affect retention or other retirement plans, and it passed 8-0. Other bills addressed creditors, housing, and financial exploitation. HB 3588, a Uniform Law Commission request bill on assignment for the benefit of creditors, was described as codifying existing case law and passed 8-0. HB 1064, which would restrict large institutional investors from buying single-family homes in Oklahoma, was amended in concept during discussion to narrow the hedge fund definition and remove a resale requirement; supporters framed it as protecting homeownership, while opponents raised concerns about restricting sales and the evidence for housing impacts, and it passed 5-2. Finally, HB 3020, the Protections for Financial Exploitation of Protected Adults Act, would let financial institutions place temporary holds and act in good faith when they suspect fraud against vulnerable adults; members asked about training and safeguards, and it passed 9-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, other categories of charter schools, specifically those partnering with local school districts
• our school districts and traditional charters.
• In my firm's representation of charter schools and school districts throughout Texas, we often must rely
• What kind of insurance do school districts and charter schools carry typically?
• Well, very similar to our school districts.

Bills: HB4 , HB20

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard a series of higher education and K-12 bills, initially without a quorum and with several measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early bills included HB 1868, which would direct a study on lowering the dual-credit funding threshold for public junior colleges from 15 to 9 semester credit hours; HB 2598, which would replace statutory references to “licensed specialist in school psychology” with “school psychologist”; HB 3629, which would bar registered sex offenders from serving on independent school district boards of trustees; and HB 4361, which would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education. Each received brief sponsor explanations, no opposition testimony, and was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4848, requiring public higher education systems to ensure at least one institution offers affordable competency-based bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields, and HB 1211, which would remove the age 25 deadline for former foster youth to use public college tuition waivers. HB 1211 drew extensive supportive testimony from Texas CASA, a former foster youth who benefited from the waiver, and a current student headed to medical school, all arguing the change would better match the realities faced by youth aging out of care. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal uncertainty and the argument that the waiver is an investment in workforce participation; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 20, creating an Applied Sciences Pathway Program to let high school students earn certificates in targeted industries such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, and oil and gas while in school. Industry and workforce groups strongly supported the bill as a way to address labor shortages, while Texas 2036 raised concerns about allowing applied versions of core academic courses to substitute for traditional instruction. HB 4687, which would extend governmental immunity protections to certain campus/district charter schools and adult charter high schools, also received support from a charter-school attorney who said it would align statutes with existing case law and not expand charter rights. HB 4236, as substituted, would create a study group to examine the property value study’s effect on school finance and alternative valuation methods; it was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. The committee also heard HB 824 on civics instruction in high school government courses and HB 2243, which would create a commission on teacher job satisfaction and retention; the latter prompted debate over removing “ethnic diversity” language from the commission’s makeup. After adopting the substitute for HB 2243 by roll call, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• The school district deleted the video.
• The school district? ...to rid those predators.
• SCUC ISD was our school district.
• And they're still in school in the district. Your children...
• In 2023, roughly 100 school districts, and in 2024, roughly 30 school districts, filed suits using taxpayer

Bills: HB4 , HB20

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2853, which would allow the UT System Board of Regents to adjust the University of Texas at El Paso student union fee above the current statutory cap, subject to student approval, to help fund a new student union building. Senator Blanco explained the bill and the committee substitute, there were no questions or witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then heard House Bill 610, which would limit severance payments for terminated independent school district superintendents to six months’ salary and benefits. Senator Paxton described large severance payouts and said the bill had passed the House overwhelmingly. There were no witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the bill was left pending. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 4623, which would waive school district immunity in certain cases involving negligent hiring, supervision, or employment of professional school employees who commit abuse or related misconduct against students. Senator Paxton and several witnesses, including survivors and parents, argued the bill was needed to address cover-ups, delayed reporting, and repeated failures to remove dangerous employees; some members raised concerns about liability caps, litigation, and how the bill would interact with the Tort Claims Act. The committee also heard from TEA staff and employee-group witnesses who discussed possible injunctions and stronger no-hire protections. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4, an accountability and assessment bill that would restore A-F ratings, change the state testing system, and replace STAAR with shorter, more instructionally useful assessments. Senator Bettencourt explained the committee substitute, including annual ratings, limits on taxpayer-funded lawsuits, and a phased-in testing redesign with beginning, middle, and end-of-year assessments. Testimony was generally supportive from education and business groups, though some witnesses favored norm-referenced testing while others emphasized criterion-referenced, TEKS-aligned assessments; one witness noted social studies assessments were restored in the bill. The hearing concluded with additional invited testimony and no final vote reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Stephanie Vanos, Orange County School Board member for District 6.
• school bus infraction detection systems on district school buses.
• It requires a school district to provide an annual report on the school bus camera program at a school
• of school bus infraction detection systems on district school buses. school bus infraction detection
• systems on district school buses, removes a provision that sufficiently of signage notifying drivers

Bills: S0382 , S0628 , S0654 , S0696 , S0880

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Keywords: transportation facility designations, road naming, highway designation, honorary designation, memorial highway, memorial boulevard, memorial interchange, airport naming, FDOT markers, Florida Department of Transportation, State Road 80, SR 80, U.S. 90, U.S. 41, A1A, Turnpike interchange, Kissimmee Park Road, Bobby Bowden, Donald Trump Highway, President Donald J. Trump Highway

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum and considered five bills, all of which were reported favorably. First, SB 628 designated a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as “Warrior Sacrifice Way” to honor Ensign Joshua Watson, Petty Officer Muhammad Hatham, and Cameron Walters, who were killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack. Senators spoke in support, emphasizing remembrance and support for the families. The committee then heard CS/SB 382 on electric bicycles and scooters. The bill would require riders on shared pathways to yield to pedestrians, sound an audible signal before passing, and limit speed near pedestrians, while creating an e-bike safety task force and reporting requirements. Law enforcement, local officials, and school board representatives supported the bill and described safety concerns and data gaps, while several senators raised questions about enforcement and asked that e-scooters be addressed more explicitly. The bill was reported favorably. Members also approved SB 880, creating a Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate to fund scholarships and school programs, and SB 696, which allows online trademark registration applications and updates Florida’s trademark classification and verification procedures. Finally, the committee took up CS/CS/SB 654 on traffic infraction enforcement cameras for red light, school zone speeding, and school bus violations. The bill and an amendment added guardrails on data use, hearings, reporting, signage, and contract limits; senators raised concerns about privacy, surveillance, and school zone enforcement, and a Hillsborough County sheriff’s representative testified that all-day school zone enforcement has improved safety. All measures were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after recording additional affirmative votes on SB 628 from Senators Martin and Smith.

Transcript Highlights:

• Stephanie Vanos, Orange County School Board member for District 6.
• Orange County School Board Member for District 6. We're here speaking in support of this bill.
• school bus infraction detection systems on district school buses.
• district to provide an annual report on the school bus camera program at a school board meeting, requires
• of school bus infraction detection systems on district school buses. school bus infraction detection

Bills: S0382 , S0628 , S0654 , S0696 , S0880

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Keywords: transportation facility designations, road naming, highway designation, honorary designation, memorial highway, memorial boulevard, memorial interchange, airport naming, FDOT markers, Florida Department of Transportation, State Road 80, SR 80, U.S. 90, U.S. 41, A1A, Turnpike interchange, Kissimmee Park Road, Bobby Bowden, Donald Trump Highway, President Donald J. Trump Highway