Transcript Highlights:

• So we set up. 11,000 feeding sites across the state of Texas. We keep, we expand it every year.
• In the 2022 crop year, Texas farmers were forced to abandon roughly 49% of their crops.
• In 2023 and 2024, the abandonment rate was 41% and 33% respectively.

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And four, authorizes the state, a county, or municipality to acquire an abandoned cemetery for specified
• And four, authorizes the state, a county, or municipality to acquire an abandoned cemetery for specified
• And four, authorizes the state, a county, or municipality to acquire an abandoned cemetery for specified
• And four, authorizes the state, a county, or municipality to acquire an abandoned cemetery for specified
• And four, authorizes the state, a county, or municipality to acquire an abandoned cemetery for specified

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's say abandoning their their roles as care takers in these children need help.
• That petition is your petition at which you state that you in some ways that have been abused, abandoned
• Right now, when we look at whether a child is abused, abandoned or neglected, we must look at whether
• Their actions do not rise to abuse, abandonment or neglect.
• Some of the court found that the child was abused, abandoned, neglected.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do participate in some latter-stage multi-site trials, but we are not as competitive as we should
• be like, you know what, I’m not paying $15 to ship this $50 shirt or whatever, you know, and just abandon
• , so for example, we've got this on our website now, and I think it's prominently displayed on the site
• Relative to unclaimed digital assets, to provide for definitions, to provide for a period after which abandonment
• is presumed, to provide for transfer of abandoned digital assets to a designated custodian, to provide

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 267, which would change the membership rules for the Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors by adjusting appointment qualifications, term limits, and nomination procedures. Vice Chair Thomas explained the bill was meant to address the lack of nominations from existing entities and to allow the governor more flexibility, especially in smaller districts. After adopting a technical amendment, the committee reported HB 267 favorably. The committee then considered House Bill 478 on utility overcharge reimbursements. The bill, as amended, requires utilities to clearly label reimbursements on customer bills and sets a deadline for issuing refunds. After discussion with the Public Service Commission and utility representatives, the committee changed the reimbursement timeline from 45 days to 90 days and clarified that the bill would not interfere with larger settlement or regulatory credits. HB 478 was then reported favorably as amended. The longest discussion centered on House Bill 924, a consumer protection measure aimed at contractors who solicit residential property owners after declared disasters. The author said the bill was intended to curb predatory storm-chasing and fraudulent insurance-related practices, while still allowing emergency mitigation work. The committee adopted technical amendments and then a conceptual amendment shortening the catastrophe response period from six months to 30 days. Testimony was split: the Insurance Commissioner and some roofing industry witnesses supported the bill as a way to deter fraud, while other contractors argued it would hurt small businesses, limit legitimate door-to-door work, and not solve enforcement problems. The bill remained under consideration after extensive testimony and public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're deeply disappointed that all of that work and investment was abandoned, but we do have those
• assets and... ...of that work and investment was abandoned, but we do have those assets and we hope
• in the wireframe and the user experience, to make sure that we're driving whomever is visiting the site
• We're driving whomever is visiting the site to core places as quickly as possible.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we're deeply disappointed that all of that work and investment was abandoned, but we do have those
• assets and... ...of that work and investment was abandoned, but we do have those assets, and we hope
• in the wireframe and the user experience, to make sure that we're driving whomever is visiting the site
• We're driving, you know, whomever is visiting the site to core places as quickly as possible.

Summary: The committee held a follow-up informational hearing on the State Library’s oversight of the statewide Imagination Library program, focusing on how state funds were used by the Strong Reader Partnership (SRP) and whether the program complied with statutory requirements. Chair and Senator Grove repeatedly questioned State Librarian Greg Lucas about delayed document production, the State Library’s decision to allow SRP to continue spending $4.8 million after the 2024 budget changes, and the lack of clear accounting for how many books were actually delivered to children. Lucas said the State Library had sent one demand letter, relied on counsel’s advice, and ultimately received bank statements, invoices, and narrative reports that he said were satisfactory, though he acknowledged the committee should have been given the documents sooner. A major issue was whether SRP and its vendors used state funds for lobbying or influence efforts related to AB 157/SB 157, despite contract language prohibiting lobbying. The committee highlighted invoices and emails involving ChangeCraft and SAGE Strategies that appeared to coincide with legislative activity, while SRP representatives said their work was communications, stakeholder outreach, and board-directed advocacy, not lobbying. Members of SRP also defended their vendor selections and invoicing practices, explaining that the organization was in startup and transition mode, had multiple financial vendors for checks and balances, and was working to build infrastructure, local partnerships, and multilingual outreach capacity rather than directly buying books. The hearing also scrutinized specific expenditures, including roughly $581,000 to Shipyard for marketing and web/digital work, $110,000 to Lotus Financial Solutions, and a $5,000 grant to United Way of the California Capital Region. Senators argued the invoices were vague and the deliverables were not evident, pointing to a simple website, limited social media presence, and no clear evidence that some advertised campaigns ever went live. SRP witnesses said the work was part of a phased plan to establish a statewide foundation and that some assets and documentation had not yet been provided to the committee. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with the chair emphasizing the need for tighter oversight, clearer documentation, and better accountability for taxpayer funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are simple appliances that meet a customer's on-site electric load, and will come with all the necessary
• center should be on the hook with termination fees if the AI bubble is to burst and they want to abandon
• And data centers would have an option of installing those resources on site as an alternative method
• planned or built to serve a data center's high energy demand only for that project to relocate or be abandoned

Summary: The committee first heard SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approval for portable plug-in solar devices for homes and apartments. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and other Californians lower electric bills, expand access to solar, and create statewide safety standards through UL certification and the National Electrical Code. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, backfeeding, older electrical systems, and the bill bypassing the California Electrical Code and Building Standards Commission process. After extended discussion and testimony from UL, the author agreed to add California Electrical Code language, and several opponents indicated they would move to neutral; the committee then passed the bill out as amended to the Senate Judiciary Committee on a roll call vote. The committee then took up SB 886, which would establish rules for large data centers to prevent electricity cost shifts to other ratepayers. The author and supporters said rapid data center growth could drive major grid costs and that the bill would require data centers to pay for their own infrastructure, participate in demand response, and secure new zero-carbon resources. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, while opponents such as the Data Center Coalition, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, utilities, and business groups argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC proceedings, and might impose operationally risky mandates, especially around demand response and backup power. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing behind-the-meter storage with a pre-funded long-term clean energy contract, and exempting certain public and critical facilities; the discussion continued with questions about cost responsibility, clean energy targets, and peak-load management.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not saying abandon the forest side of it, but we have a goal of trying to make sure that we clear
• I'm not saying abandon the forest side of it, but we have a goal of trying to make sure that we clear
• So with our overcrowded jails, even that still, even the investment in ADA and/or refreshing the site
• with our overcrowded jails, this, even that still, even the investment in ADA and or refreshing the site

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we have a trainer that is on site. So our trainer is also allowed to train.
• And then we have a trainer that is on site. So our trainer is also allowed to train.
• public feedback, including strong concerns from parents, educators, and community leaders about abandoning
• traditional historical references. ...educators, community leaders about abandoning traditional historical

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Committee on Education K-16 heard several bills focused largely on special education transparency, school safety, and student support services. Senate Bill 1908, by Senator Zaffirini, would direct the Higher Education Coordinating Board to study the feasibility of a statewide system for coordinating clinical training placements, including regional portals for healthcare clinical slots, with a report due by December 1, 2026. A representative of the Texas Nurses Association and the Nursing Legislative Agenda Coalition testified in support. The bill was left pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then took up Senate Bill 111, by Senator Hall, which in its committee substitute was narrowed to a reporting bill requiring school districts to disclose legal proceedings involving special education due process complaints when legal fees exceed $10,000, rather than capping spending. Several parents and advocates testified that districts spend large sums on litigation against families of children with disabilities and that greater transparency is needed; some senators raised concerns about unintended consequences, including possible pressure to settle cases. The committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1551 on automated external defibrillators in public schools, Senate Bill 865 on CPR instruction requirements for certain volunteers, Senate Bill 1032 on the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and Senate Bill 571 on school employee misconduct reporting and access to the Do Not Hire Registry; each was reported favorably after committee substitute adoption and roll-call votes. Additional bills discussed included Senate Bill 1884, which would formalize and expand dedicated staff support for the State Board of Education and give the board chair hiring authority over that staff; members questioned whether it duplicated TEA functions, while a witness argued the workload increase justified the change, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 625 would replace the current half-credit economics requirement with a half-credit in personal financial literacy; educators and advocates strongly supported making the course required, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 582 would make TEA settlement agreements in special investigations publicly available when sanctions are imposed, and Senate Bill 2600 would bar transportation fees for students living within two miles of campus unless districts do not receive state transportation funding; both were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2751, which would require TEA inspections of non-public special education programs to consider medical standards of care and crisis-prevention training; testimony from a program operator described severe student behaviors and the need for more flexibility, and the bill was left pending after the substitute was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• land, would you explain to me how that would affect me and my ability to do something with these abandoned
• "So current law has abandoned title, where you can apply for abandoned title.
• We have all seen unusual, questionably marked vehicles on construction sites on I-10, I-59, perhaps with
• . ...perhaps in Val Verde County at a construction site and being paid privately, either through TxDOT
• when it comes to... ...if someone disregarded that and decided to drive on through the construction site

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety, criminal justice, and regulatory bills. HB 4995 would create a training and certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would let tactical medical staff protect themselves while providing immediate care; the bill was left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the failure-to-appear-or-pay/OmniBase license-hold program, with the author and advocates arguing it creates compounding debt and unnecessary barriers to driving, while judges and municipal court representatives said the program is a voluntary, cost-effective tool that improves court appearances and reduces warrants; the bill was also left pending. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/Delta-9 THC substances, and HB 5436 would let licensed auto recyclers buy certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shops; both measures were left pending after brief testimony in support. The committee also heard HB 1777, which would require a discrete designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people required to register as sex offenders. The author and supporters argued the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and prevent harm, while opponents called it a stigmatizing “scarlet letter” that would increase harassment, family harm, and reintegration barriers. The bill was left pending. HB 4155 would create a two-year Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study family violence homicides, gather stakeholders, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and a survivor testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4514, which would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and privacy safeguards, to help businesses confirm identities and combat fraud; supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce theft and fraud, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 5139 would clarify that peace officers and jailers are justified in using less lethal force weapons when acting within training and official duties; law enforcement groups supported the measure as a way to encourage use of less lethal tools without fear of prosecution, and testimony was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• enough, I really want this outcome, and we now let the politics drive the outcome, then let's just abandon
• — And we now are—we let the politics drive the outcome, then let's just abandon the principle of equal
• really want this outcome, and we now are, we let the politics drive the outcome. then let's just abandon
• . and we now are we let the politics drive the outcome then let's just abandon the principle of equal

Bills: SB1246 , SB1338 , SB1428 , SB1443 , SB1501 , SB1566 , SB1571 , SB1645 , SB1646 , SB1663 , SB1688 , SB1805 , SB1808 , SB1825 , SCR1023 , SCR1029 , HB2079 , HB2080 , HB2130 , HB2239 , HB2324 , HB2375 , HB2610 , HB2619 , HB2620 , HB2716 , HB2745 , HB2749 , HB2837 , HB2857 , HB2968 , HB4064 , HB4066 , HB4087 , HB4130 , HCR2048 , HCR2058

Committee: Senate Government

Keywords: homeowners associations, foreclosure, common expense liens, condominiums, special assessments, unit owner, public benefits, eligibility, immigration status, documentation, Arizona law, county governance, supervisorial board, population-based representation, local government, elections, noise pollution, environmental nuisances, building permits, urban development

Transcript Highlights:

• For background, the derelict vessel program, which is run by DNR, allows for the removal of abandoned
• If we don't know the owner, we must declare the vessel abandoned and wait 30 days or more before the
• If we don't know the owner, we must declare the vessel abandoned and wait 30 days or more before the
• Washington has a growing and persistent problem with abandoned and derelict vessels, boats left to decay
• When abandoned vessels sit too long, the burden often falls to local governments and taxpayers, even

Bills: HB2117 , HB2199 , HB2327 , HB2516 , HB2554

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: tribal member, board of natural resources, indigenous representation, natural resource management, local governance, derelict vessels, marine environment, coastal management, environmental protection, maritime economy, audit, county, forest management, transparency, public lands, rodenticide, rodenticides, anticoagulant rodenticide, bromethalin, pesticide

Transcript Highlights:

• Thankfully, 75% of our school sites are on a community eligibility provision, and so that really does
• Thankfully, 75% of our school sites are on a community eligibility provision, and so that really does
• Thankfully, 75% of our school sites are on a community eligibility provision.
• Many of those districts are also receiving ASES funding that they receive funding for specific sites.
• On community schools, we encourage a system of investment to support existing sites and expand access

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals for universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools. On universal meals, the Department of Education supported continued funding for the Universal School Meals Program and a fourth round of Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants, citing meal-count growth, improved meal service, and the need to offset federal uncertainty, inflation, and reduced direct certification tied to immigration-related policy changes. The LAO recommended rejecting another kitchen grant round, arguing prior rounds are still being spent and the state has not clearly defined unmet need. Members also raised concerns about the state’s ability to backfill federal meal funding and about how federal requirements affect programs like Summer EBT/SUN Bucks. Public commenters largely supported school meals and kitchen investments, with some urging support for plant-based milk options and continued infrastructure funding. For ELOP, the Department of Finance proposed $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding, including $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended going further and fully fixing the Tier 2 rate, saying rate uncertainty complicates district planning. CDE supported the proposal and said the program has improved attendance and academic outcomes, while noting new CalPADS reporting will provide more data soon. Senators discussed whether ELOP should remain a standalone program or be folded into LCFF, and whether the state should require stronger outcome reporting. Public testimony generally backed stabilizing Tier 2 funding, but some speakers urged more support for older youth and more timely, user-friendly reporting. On community schools, the administration proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding to expand the model to thousands more schools and to support existing grantees, along with stronger technical assistance, statewide alignment, and an accreditation/self-certification framework. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, warning about reduced flexibility, administrative burden, and the state’s capacity to support a much larger cohort. CDE supported the ongoing investment but asked for additional county office and technical assistance funding. Senators and public commenters were broadly supportive of community schools, emphasizing improved attendance, graduation, and student engagement, while also debating accountability, accreditation, and whether non-classroom-based charter schools should be eligible. Public testimony strongly favored ongoing funding and highlighted community schools’ role in mental health, family engagement, and wraparound supports.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thankfully, 75% of our school sites are on a community eligibility provision, and so that really does
• Thankfully, 75% of our school sites are on a community eligibility provision.
• Many of those districts are also receiving ASES funding at specific sites.
• It's very site-based, but the county does have a role in identifying countywide partners that can help
• On community schools, we encourage a system of investment to support existing sites and expand access

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I hear from community members all the time that houses have been abandoned.
• They can write their own home site leasing policies and some of the requirements.
• The home site leasing policy says you can only have one property at a time, but I have met folks who
• So for instance, we'll allow those folks who serve the community to get a home site lease, right?
• There are home site leases that already exist that people have not built on, but it's been leased out

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Local government transfer vacant and abandoned property to municipalities.
• Section two finds that vacant and abandoned properties harm communities at land banks can serve as valid
• Um, I think all of you that represent cities, you know that one of the big issues they have is abandoned
• , and tax forfeited properties abandoned, and tax forfeited properties to<00:04:24.320><c> productive
• </c> issues they have is abandoned issues they have is abandoned properties.<00:04:35.759><c> Um,</c>

Committee: Joint Municipalities

Keywords: Municipalities - Room 216, 30 January, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:24:07.040><c> about</c> that time that we're um abandoning about that time that we're um abandoning
• </c><01:40:44.639><c> services</c> affordable homes with on-site services affordable homes with on-site
• These funds will also help to reduce wait lists, service reductions, and site closures.
• </c> service reductions, and site closures. service reductions, and site closures.
• As the statute appears to be amended under 1G, it also allows for scattered site LTH and site-based LTH

Bills: HF2434

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got hundreds of acres of state property with abandoned or unused courthouses, hospitals, and state
• They're on construction sites and in classrooms, on factory floors.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint convention of the Massachusetts Legislature convened to receive the Governor’s State of the Commonwealth address. The session began with procedural motions to appoint committees to notify the lieutenant governor, constitutional officers, Executive Council, and Governor, followed by an invocation from Archbishop Richard G. Henning, the posting and retiring of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. The Governor was then formally admitted to the chamber and delivered the address, with a benediction afterward by Rabbi Elaine Zacker. Governor Maura Healey’s address focused on affordability and public services. She highlighted actions and proposals on housing, including faster permitting, use of state land for housing, accessory dwelling units, down payment assistance, and expanded programs to help first-time buyers. She also discussed energy affordability, saying she would oppose utility rate hikes, pursue an energy affordability bill, and temporarily reduce electric and gas bills. On health care, she described efforts to cap costs, prevent prior authorization for insulin, ban medical debt reporting to credit agencies, and form a health care affordability working group. She also proposed making subscription cancellations easier, improving transportation through bridge repairs and transit investments, and strengthening protections for children on social media. The Governor also emphasized education, workforce development, and economic competitiveness, citing the state’s top national education ranking, expanded pre-K and child care, literacy and tutoring investments, early college opportunities, and a goal of 100,000 apprentices over 10 years. She praised Massachusetts’ response to federal actions, including support for vaccines, food assistance, abortion access, and research funding, and she criticized the Trump administration on tariffs, health care cuts, and immigration enforcement. She also noted public safety and veterans’ issues, including new assisted-living protections after the Gabriel House fire and the rebuilding of veterans’ homes. No substantive votes on legislation were taken beyond adoption of the ceremonial orders and the final adjournment motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got hundreds of acres of state property with abandoned or unused courthouses, hospitals, and state
• They're on construction sites and in classrooms, on factory floors.

Summary: The joint convention convened to receive the Governor’s annual State of the Commonwealth address. Before the address, the chamber adopted orders appointing committees to escort the Lieutenant Governor, constitutional officers, Executive Council, and Governor into the chamber, and the Archbishop of Boston and Rabbi Elaine Zacker delivered the invocation and benediction. The proceedings also included the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, and formal acknowledgments of guests and former officials. In her address, Governor Maura Healey focused on affordability and the state’s response to federal policy changes. She criticized actions by the Trump administration on tariffs, health care, immigration enforcement, and food assistance, while emphasizing Massachusetts’ efforts to lower costs and protect residents. She highlighted housing production and conversion of state and office properties, energy affordability measures, health care reforms including ending prior authorization for insulin and banning medical debt reporting, transportation improvements, economic development, education investments, and workforce training. She also announced short-term relief for winter utility bills, expanded support for food banks, and new proposals to protect children from social media harms. The Governor also discussed public safety and veterans’ services, citing reforms after the Gabriel House fire and improvements to the Chelsea and Holyoke veterans’ homes. She framed the speech around Massachusetts’ historical role in the nation’s founding and the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence, urging continued unity and leadership. After the Governor’s remarks and the benediction, the joint convention adjourned without any legislative vote on policy matters during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got hundreds of acres of state property with abandoned or unused courthouses, hospitals, and state
• They're on construction sites and in classrooms, on factory floors.

Keywords: 1212, all