Transcript Highlights:

• for people who provide us with safety.
• for you to provide for people who<00:04:04.000><c> provide</c><00:04:04.400><c> us</c><00:04:04.720>
• So talk to who provide us with safety.
• /c><00:04:27.680><c> they</c><00:04:27.840><c> can</c> provide the services, then they can provide the
• </c><00:11:34.240><c> a</c> the 1970s has been supposed to provide a the 1970s has been supposed to provide

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:12.600><c> to</c> grant-funded activities provide to grant-funded activities provide to motans
• <00:47:10.440><c> best</c><00:47:10.760><c> practices</c> providing best practices providing best practices
• </c> hand out money and so much to provide hand out money and so much to provide training<00:47:49.640
• </c> that was federal aid that was provided that was federal aid that was provided to<00:56:36.680><c
• </c><01:04:39.079><c> the</c> of what's the best way to provide the of what's the best way to provide

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the services. are supposed to be provided under the IEP.
• Just like it, they're what I call subprime providers.
• So, you know, the theory of change here is that if you provide public subsidies to the providers that
• what Colleen is not providing and you're providing it.
• Vouchers don't provide choice.

Bills: HB3 , HB3

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• And the services that they provide are invaluable.
• And the services that they provide are invaluable.
• They became roommates and then they both graduated from Providence.
• They became roommates and then they both graduated from Providence.
• DOULAS PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES MUST BE COVERED.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and discharged several identical Assembly/Senate bills from committee so they could be substituted on the calendar. The chamber then took up and previously adopted two commemorative resolutions: one designating April 2026 as Sikh Heritage Month and another honoring Korean War veterans. Senators from both parties spoke in support of the Sikh resolution, emphasizing the community’s contributions, service, and the need for recognition and inclusion; the resolution was opened for co-sponsorship and the Sikh guests in the gallery were recognized. The Korean War resolution drew remarks from members recalling family service and the sacrifices of veterans, with repeated calls to preserve their stories and honor their legacy. The Senate then moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills. Among them were measures related to charter bus safety and seat belt awareness, coverage for doula services under insurance, social services/EBT-related changes, education, navigation, highway, public service, and hospital-closure reporting. Several bills passed unanimously or with only one dissenting vote; the social services bill drew the most opposition, with Senator Murray objecting that New York should first address EBT chip technology and skimming before adding new vendor requirements. One bill on the calendar was laid aside for the day. The chamber also adopted a supplemental bill authorizing the South Country Central School District to finance certain deficits, described by Senator Murray as a necessary rescue to keep the district operating and pay staff. Senators discussed the state budget impasse during debate on an extender bill, with the sponsor explaining it was a “clean extender” to keep government running through May 4 and cover payroll, health, education, and other essential payments. Senator Helming raised concerns about the lack of rural health transformation funding and the consequences of the delayed budget for schools, local governments, and hospitals. The extender passed, and the Senate adjourned until Monday, May 4, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, current DCYF rule provides maximum group size and child-to-staff ratios for various age groups
• You can't have fentanyl as a child care provider in your home. So that is why that is in there.
• We provide civil legal advocacy to young people 12 to 24.
• We provide civil legal advocacy to young people 12 to 24.
• It's just not providing enough.

Summary: The committee opened by explaining that several bills had been removed from the agenda because the Senate must physically possess a bill before holding a public hearing. The chair said the missing bills would be rescheduled for Tuesday. The committee then waived the five-day notice rule for considering substitute House Bills 1705 and 32010, and proceeded to hear substitute House Bill 2219 and substitute House Bill 1795. House Bill 2219, on child care operational efficiency, would allow longer mixed-age ratio periods in child care centers, waive repeat DCYF orientation requirements in certain cases when staff have recently completed the same training, and require licensing standards to include a zero-tolerance policy for imminent physical harm involving high-potency synthetic opioids and related drug residue or paraphernalia. The prime sponsor and supporters said the bill would help child care providers manage staffing shortages, take breaks, and reduce duplicative licensing burdens. Testimony was strongly supportive, with advocates and providers describing the bill as a low-cost way to improve retention and flexibility. Questions focused on how the fentanyl language would apply to prescribed medications. House Bill 1795 would narrow and update state law on restraint and isolation in public schools and other public educational programs. The bill prohibits mechanical and chemical restraints and restraints that restrict breathing or blood flow, bars planned isolation in IEPs and 504 plans, limits planned restraint to cases with parent request and medical necessity, and prohibits new construction or remodeling of spaces intended primarily for student isolation. Supporters, including disability advocates, educators, school psychologists, principals, and state education groups, said the bill is a needed step toward reducing trauma and disproportionality and cited demonstration sites showing reductions in restraint and isolation. Some educators and paraeducators raised concerns about staffing, training, and what tools remain available in crisis situations, while others asked for future work on professional development and resources. No vote was taken on either bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• To provide plans and specs to LDH.
• The system will provide, excuse me, an additional... Funding.
• So we actually provided them water to get them back because they had run out.
• They provided them water to get them back because they had run completely out.
• How many people does Tensaw provide water to?

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Water Sector Commission met with a quorum and opened with a reminder that no funding had yet been appropriated for future project awards, so any discussion of upcoming grants was speculative until the legislature acts. The committee then approved the December 10 minutes and moved through a series of deadline extensions for Phase Two state-funded projects, including Delcambre, Faraday, Meyer Branch, and Waterworks District No. 1 of Pointe Coupee Parish. Members also approved a scope change for St. Tammany Parish Project 845 to relocate an unmarked fiber optic line discovered during construction. The committee spent substantial time on Tallulah’s water rehabilitation project, where Mayor Yubon Lewis explained that the city is trying to isolate and fund the purchase of four permanent media filters, plus related electrical work, from the original approved project scope. Members questioned whether the request was a true scope change or a way to use existing funds while the city continues to rely on temporary filtration and state-led triage. After discussion, the committee approved the request and asked to be kept informed as the state continues seeking additional support for the system. The committee also approved additional funding requests for Kaplan, Ponchatoula, St. Martin Parish, and West Allen Water Works. Ponchatoula’s request included multiple change orders tied to sewer and force main work, including emergency levee repair, equipment changes, and rerouting around unmarked fiber. St. Martin Parish’s increase was tied to land acquisition and added costs for a new well site in a multi-phase consolidation project. West Allen’s increase stemmed from a failed well drilling effort and was supported by cost reductions from the contractor and engineers, which members treated as in-kind match. In contrast, Tensaw Water Association’s very large request to consolidate Newellton drew significant concern over cost growth, scope, and timing; after extensive questioning, the committee deferred that item to the next meeting for further review. The meeting ended with an update that about 42.11% of ARPA funds remain, 16 projects are now considered high risk, and staff will continue ground-truthing project status and pushing ARPA dollars out first before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The College Bound Scholarship provides four-year tuition to students from low-income families.
• The College-bound Scholarship provides four-year tuition to students from low-income families.
• I'm happy to answer any questions and also to provide a state-by-state breakdown.
• My name is Renee Roslier-Bomers, Chief Nursing Officer for Providence North Division.
• We have health care providers with incumbent workers ready to roll in the program.

Bills: HB2498 , HB2443 , HB2567 , HB2363 , HB2422

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Keywords: nursing education, nursing program standards, board of nursing, state board, national accreditation, accreditation body, nursing school, nurse educator, clinical simulation, simulation director, lead nurse educator, NCLEX, licensure exam pass rate, corrective action plan, technical assistance, higher education, program approval, Washington RCW, professional development, nursing licensure

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one, it provides accountability. Of this bill.
• Again, I'm glad for this... ...and provide related professional development.
• I spoke to that a little while to provide resources to match mandates.
• So it provides DESE flexibility.
• Tarr, providing professional development access for special education teachers.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Management response from UALR is provided in Appendix E.
• provide a response to ALA.
• any guidelines to provide metrics or data.
• I think we need to provide to you what we want to see.
• But I think if we provide you what we want to see, you all may be able to provide that better for us.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• current-year services being provided that were then not paid after provision.
• Those substance use providers were doing diversion court or other kinds of programs.
• And I do believe that providers themselves would acknowledge that in many cases they have.
• President, with some of those providers, so those folks who are providing services... Mr.
• President, with some of those providers, so those folks who are providing services, we have mandated

Bills: SB1636 , SB1584 , SB1730 , SB1255 , SB1627 , SB137 , SB2062 , SB1470 , SB1284 , SB1632 , SB1594 , SB2045 , SB1251 , SB1884 , SB1250 , SB1630 , SB1262 , SB1374 , SB1292 , SB1432 , SB1199 , SB1790 , SB1481 , SB1614 , SB1734 , SB1437 , SB1489 , SB1718 , SB1778 , SB1327 , SB1372 , SB1403 , SB1937 , SB277 , SB2131 , SB1749 , SB1348 , SB1469 , SB2018 , SB1931 , SB1530 , SB2155 , SB2030 , SB1926 , SB2170 , SB2151 , SB2166 , SB1213 , SB1381 , SB1824 , SB1876 , SB1728 , SB1582 , SB1286 , SB1386 , SB1708 , SB1618 , SB2106 , SB1471 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1619 , SCR15 , HB2786 , HB2787 , SB1525 , SB2011 , SB2159

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, sexual assault, evidence kits, DNA testing

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and recognized the nurse of the day, Michelle Bradshaw, along with several gallery guests and pages. The chamber then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 15, recognizing February 24 as World Spay Day to highlight pet overpopulation and the importance of spay and neuter programs; the resolution was adopted without debate. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 2786, a supplemental appropriation of $19,660,770 for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to close out FY25 and cover statutory and contractual obligations, including Medicaid/Title 19-related payments. Senator Kurt raised repeated concerns that the supplemental did not restore funding for substance use providers, uncompensated care, or crisis services that had been cut or left unpaid, while Senator Rosino argued the bill only covered amounts the state was legally required to pay and reflected the department’s verified needs. The Joint Committee report was adopted, and HB 2786 passed 38-10 and was then passed as an emergency measure. The Senate also passed House Bill 2787, a supplemental for the State Department of Health tied to legacy contracts associated with “Choosing Childbirth,” despite criticism from Senator Kurt that the money could have gone to direct mental health services. The chamber then advanced and passed Senate Bill 1525, raising the threshold for the Tourism and Recreation Department to contract with private entities for a tourism conference from $25,000 to $75,000, and Senate Bill 2011, adding contracted employees of county detention facilities to a protected class list. Senate Bill 2159, designating wheat as the official state crop, also passed. The Senate adjourned until Wednesday, February 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• for criminal trespass of a church and to provide a penalty.
• Provided chapter heading. The Senate Secretary will read the bill.
• Provided chapter heading. Mr. President.
• It provides clarity in certain...
• It provides clarity in certain. And conservatorship process.

Summary: The Senate convened with 32 members present, a quorum established, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The journal was approved as corrected, and the chamber received committee reports and House messages. Several bills were advanced: Senate bills 1261, 1262, 1265, and 1266 were reported out of committee for second reading, and House Bill 504 was also reported out. The Senate also received House bills 520, 579, 580, 581, and 583 for introduction, and Senate Bill 1225 and House Joint Memorial 10 were processed for enrollment and transmittal. The Senate introduced a large group of new bills, including measures on kratom consumer protections, direct-to-consumer agricultural commerce, dietitian licensure compact participation, occupational licensing and homeschool diploma equivalency, veteran benefits consumer protections, highway and right-of-way procedures, education funding and scholarship limits, school social access for homeschool students, foster parent training, public benefits verification, hearing loss screening, criminal trespass of a church, and conversational AI safety. The chamber then moved several bills to third reading, including Senate Bills 1240, 1248, 1249, and 1251, after second-reading action on additional bills such as 1250, 1246, 1247, 1254, 1255, 1256, and 1264. On final passage, Senate Bill 1240, a comprehensive overhaul of Idaho’s guardianship and conservatorship laws, received strong support after debate emphasizing added protections, alternatives to full guardianship, and a delayed implementation date of January 1, 2027; it passed 32-0 with three absent and excused. Senate Bill 1248, eliminating the old county capital crimes defense fund after the state took over public defense, also passed 32-0. Senate Bill 1249, a code cleanup measure updating an outdated time-zone reference, passed 32-0. Senate Bill 1251, clarifying the Attorney General’s civil enforcement authority to seek injunctions and declaratory relief, passed 30-3 with two absent. All passed bills were transmitted to the House. During miscellaneous business, senators announced upcoming events including the University of Idaho 4-H Know Your Government program, a birthday acknowledgment for Senator Shippee, and a memorial service for deceased senators scheduled for Monday, along with an afternoon session for bill introductions. The Senate then adjourned until 10 a.m. Monday, February 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So these themes provide statewide.
• that provide them down payment assistance.
• that provide them down payment programs that provide them down payment assistance.<00:29:07.679><c>
• So, the first that provide homesteads.
• How much loans does the department provide to homesteaders?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Act 279 working group met for an informational briefing with DHHL on its use of the $600 million appropriation and progress on the department’s implementation plan. The chair reviewed the working group’s oversight role, noting that it was created to monitor expenditures, project development, and progress toward reducing the Hawaiian Homes waitlist, and that the group must submit a progress report before the 2026 session and a final report before the 2027 session. DHHL said it had provided an updated booklet reflecting the Hawaiian Homes Commission’s February 2024 recommendations and a detailed accounting of encumbrances and project progress across the islands. DHHL highlighted several implementation themes: innovative financing and construction methods, land acquisitions and exchanges, technology, beneficiary services, and partnerships with counties and private entities. The department described a “project lease” model that gives beneficiaries access to a project rather than a specific lot, with options such as turnkey homes, owner-builder, self-help, or rent-to-purchase arrangements depending on financial qualification. Officials said this approach is intended to serve lower-income beneficiaries, expand access for people on the waitlist, and allow beneficiaries to receive support services such as financial literacy and down payment assistance. The department reported that roughly $511 million had been encumbered for infrastructure, about $152.8 million for acquisitions, financing, and beneficiary services, and about $36 million in other covered costs, with about $588.9 million encumbered as of December 31 and about $120 million expected to be spent by that date. Officials said the original implementation plan covered about 2,722 units, while the updated plan projects roughly 6,000 to 7,000 leases and 2,472 lots to be occupied. They also described phase-two needs for additional funding, including projects on Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu, and said they would need continued legislative support, including possible bonding and private activity bond set-asides, to complete remaining projects. Members discussed the distinction between encumbered and spent funds, and DHHL explained that encumbrances reserve money for specific contracts while construction spending occurs over time through progress payments. The department also showcased examples of innovative projects, including a high-rise project in urban Honolulu financed through a mix of private activity bonds, tax credits, and state funds, and an acquisition-based project in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi using multiple funding sources. DHHL emphasized partnerships with the City and County of Honolulu and Maui County, and said it is still assessing future projects to keep infrastructure costs manageable and ensure homes are safe and affordable for beneficiaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1186 would allow Midland to participate in the program established under Texas law, providing a state
• Midlanders will provide the equity.
• We're not asking for a new program or a new tax, just targeted legislation that provides Midland full
• Uh, is to provide adequate healthcare to this entire region, uh, so that we can support that economic
• Or never provide a recommendation.

Bills: HB249

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: real property, ad valorem tax, tax appraisal, property value limitation, real estate taxation, property ownership

Transcript Highlights:

• We try to provide that ourselves as a resource to provide customer service.
• We worked with the vet board, providing, we work with them every day, actually, providing guidance and
• I think that if you look at the proposals we've provided.
• Chair, I'm happy to provide that information to you.
• I, I might be more, I'm happy to provide it or I could provide to you in private afterwards.

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• These dogs provide life-changing support, enhancing independence and improving quality of life for their
• We also place dogs in facilities like hospitals and community service providers.
• service providers we rely on<00:04:17.959><c> private</c><00:04:18.280><c> donations</c><00:04:18.919
• We appreciate the legislation creating this program and ask that you provide more money because it is
• This program would provide needed investments in infrastructure across the state of Minnesota. to do

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Hawaii and a enable us to do to provide Hawaii and a enable us to do to provide the<00:12:45.880
• </c> bill in our written testimony um provide bill in our written testimony um provide further<00:14:
• </c> um but the reserve account provides um but the reserve account provides protection<00:18:09.760>
• </c> 60 mahz that you have to evenly provide 60 mahz that you have to evenly provide do<00:31:30.960>
• </c> issue with this bill and also provided issue with this bill and also provided some<00:57:15.160>

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several energy and environmental bills. On HB 974, which would authorize state step-in agreements for certain power purchase agreements and create a trust fund/reserve mechanism, the Attorney General’s office raised concern that the state should not incur liability beyond the trust fund. The Division of Consumer Advocacy said it had comments but did not take a position, while the Public Utilities Commission, Ameresco, Hawaiian Electric, and other industry groups supported the measure, saying it would help developers secure financing for renewable projects and improve reliability. Hawaiian Electric said the bill would not use state funds and that its proposed reserve account would be held in trust and returned to customers if unused. Committee members questioned whether the reserve would raise customer costs; Hawaiian Electric said the amount would be small and would be offset by avoiding higher financing costs, while Consumer Advocacy suggested the language should be strengthened to ensure unused funds are fully returned. The committee then heard HB 338, which would clarify that premium interest-rate adjustments for non-fossil fuel generation are just and reasonable and allow the PUC to include them in rates. DCCA and the State Energy Office supported the bill, and the PUC also supported it. Hawaiian Electric opposed unless amended, arguing the PUC already has discretion and warning the bill could weaken competitive procurement by encouraging higher bids tied to the utility’s credit rating. DCCA said the concern was that developers might not seek the best financing if premium rates are recoverable, but said Hawaiian Electric’s suggested amendment requiring clear and convincing evidence of unavoidable financing-cost increases would help. Members also asked about refinancing and whether developers could later lower debt costs after locking in a premium rate; DCCA said that ability exists and suggested a time limit or review mechanism. For HB 337, which would direct the PUC to establish standards requiring utilities to remove certain fossil-fuel costs from the rate base when adding renewable resources, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaii Clean Power Alliance, and the State Energy Office supported the measure. Hawaiian Electric opposed it, saying it misunderstood utility cost recovery and could threaten grid reliability because fossil plants provide ancillary services such as voltage regulation and balancing, not just energy. Hawaiian Electric pointed to its integrated grid plan and recent fossil-unit retirements as evidence of ongoing transition, and asked the committee to defer the bill and leave oversight to the PUC. The committee also heard HB 879 on cesspool conversions, which would raise the maximum grant from $20,000 to $30,000 and add DOH positions; DHHL, DOH, environmental groups, Hawaii Realtors, and others supported it, while DOH discussed staffing needs and the practical effect of the higher grant cap. The committee also began HB 379 on requiring denitrification capacity for certain wastewater systems near shorelines or groundwater, with DLNR testifying in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> allowed to use the student list provided allowed to use the student list provided by<00:07:35.440
• </c> next month and will help to provide next month and will help to provide valuable<00:22:08.799><c
• </c><00:23:01.720><c> County</c> development our office provides County development our office provides
• </c> Communications to counties providing Communications to counties providing weekly<00:29:04.000><c
• </c> first year so I I think it it provides first year so I I think it it provides the<01:28:03.960><

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> sessions we're struggling to provide sessions we're struggling to provide consistent<00:34:36.159
• </c><01:04:26.760><c> that</c> appropriate suspend ions provide that appropriate suspend ions provide
• </c><01:05:12.559><c> the</c> full day of suspension providing the full day of suspension providing the
• </c> remedial instruction which must provide remedial instruction which must provide without<01:08:29.400
• </c> um and that one as I mentioned provides um and that one as I mentioned provides flexibility<01:32

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um it provides that they're not considered government records if public comments are accepted via the
• Um, and it um, also provides that all the notice requirements in 13D regarding the open meeting still
• apply if the meeting is live broadcast. meetings law and it provides that a meetings law and it provides
• > provides</c><00:02:47.120><c> some</c> it provides that it provides some it provides that it provides
• Um it provides that public meeting.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides statutory safe harbor for parents and guardians.
• They still are seeking health care from a licensed health care provider in the community.
• They don't even have to be, like, a health care provider.
• So, for example, to just go back to the example that you've provided, if a child is diabetic and they
• are requiring a certain medication that their life depends on and that parent is not providing that,

Summary: The Health and Welfare Committee approved the February 13 minutes and then considered three RS drafts. RS 33263, by Rep. Dori Healy, would require annual reporting of dental loss ratios to increase transparency in dental insurance; it was introduced without objection. RS 33042, by Rep. Lucas Kaler, would narrow the definition of medical neglect and create private causes of action for knowingly false reports involving children and vulnerable adults. Members raised concerns that the language could discourage reporting, be too broad regarding alternative care, and create a “get-out-of-jail-free” effect if a parent eventually sought care. After extended discussion, the committee took a roll call vote and the motion to introduce RS 33042 failed on a 7-7 tie. The committee then heard RS 33328 from Rep. John Vander Wada, addressing SNAP administration and related state costs under new federal guidance. He said the proposal would codify current practices and tighten administration, noting the state now bears a larger share of administrative costs. The committee moved to introduce the RS, and it passed by voice vote. The meeting then adjourned, with members noting there was no meeting scheduled for the next day.