Transcript Highlights:

• Ken is a 21-year Marine Corps veteran.
• He's a veteran of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• service, with many of its sons answering the call to serve the United States armed forces during World War
• I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, demonstrating courage... ...World War I, World
• War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, demonstrating courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized several guests and community groups, including Central Arizona Aging and visitors connected to the Santa Rosa Barrio/Washington Park community. Senator Bravo read a proclamation honoring the legacy of the Santa Rosa Barrio and celebrating the Washington Park community in Phoenix, recognizing its cultural history, labor heritage, military service, and the unveiling of a commemorative mural. The chamber also received introductions of other guests, including Ken Berger and John Elvis Taska. The body then moved through Committee of the Whole calendars. On the first calendar, the Senate considered and advanced House Bills 2050, 2176, 2189, 2195, and 2584, all receiving do-pass recommendations, with amendments adopted on HB 2050, HB 2176, HB 2189, and HB 2195. The discussion on these bills centered on health care and licensing issues, including radiologic technologies, health care institutions, licensed health aide rules, nursing facility records/timelines, and public money-related provisions. Several amendments were described as stakeholder-requested or clarifying supervision, timelines, or related requirements. On the second and third calendars, the Senate advanced additional measures including HB 2003, HB 2006, HB 2226, HB 2378, HB 2693, and HCM 2007, along with HB 2013, HB 2031, HB 2102, HB 213, HB 2117, HB 2262, and HB 2278. Topics included driver license destruction permits, elections and sample ballots/mail-in dates, arrest/processing and veteran status, school facilities oversight, accountable health plans, air pollution control and wildfire-related waivers, water rights and water improvement districts, natural resource conservation, geological survey matters, and a memorial urging a geographic name change for State Route 16. HB 2029 was retained on the calendar. The Senate adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and properly assigned the bills, then adjourned until Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The veteran service officer has a power of attorney with that veteran.
• I serve as the General Counsel of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
• Yesterday, I spent some time with two of my veterans, both Vietnam veterans.
• veterans.
• A lot of the veterans from the 20-year war struggled with how that withdrawal could have happened the

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2535 in executive session. Members adopted a House committee substitute and two cleanup amendments, including clarifications related to Gold Star spouses and a correction to a property tax exemption amount for veterans. The substitute was then approved, and the committee voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2535 do pass by a recorded vote of 15 ayes and 1 no. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 974, which Senator Black described as a consumer-protection measure aimed at preventing exploitation of veterans by unaccredited claims assistance companies. The bill would restrict compensation for referrals and certain claims work, require written agreements, cap fees tied to benefit increases, and prohibit upfront fees and misleading practices. Supporters, including a former VA official and several veterans, argued the bill would provide needed guardrails and choice for veterans navigating a difficult claims process. Opponents, including the VFW and Missouri veterans groups, argued the bill conflicts with federal law and could legitimize paid claims assistance outside the VA accreditation system; they urged striking the contested section and relying on existing federal rules and Missouri consumer-protection law instead. Testimony also covered several other provisions folded into SB 974, including military leave for public employees, National Guard-related items, survivor benefit tax deductions, and the MoGives living organ donor language. Witnesses on the organ donor provision said it would help service members avoid financial hardship while donating organs. The hearing ended without a vote on SB 974, and the chair announced the committee was out of time and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The veteran service officer has a power of attorney with that veteran.
• I serve as the General Counsel of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
• Both Vietnam veterans.
• veterans.
• A lot of the veterans from the 20-year war struggled with how that withdrawal could have happened the

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, as a veteran of—this time I am a veteran of our law enforcement family—I spent 20-plus years in
• I am not a U.S. veteran. You do not have to be a U.S... veteran. I am not a U.S. veteran.
• After two decades of war, our generation of veterans have the desire, the will, and the ability to fight
• So now, first, I'm a Navy veteran.
• , for veterans.

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a war on dignity, a war on Mexicans, a war on Mexican Americans, immigrants, and all diverse communities
• It's a war on more than a war on music.
• , a war on Mexicans, a war on dignity, a war on Mexicans, a war on MexicanAmericans,<00:12:46.040><c>
• To all our World War II veterans, to all the families of those who served on D-Day, and to Mr.
• This war must end. With D-Day on time. This war must end.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 5, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have serviced veterans through all the branches of service from the Korea War to Operations Iraqi
• We have serviced veterans through all the branches of services from the Korea War to operations Iraqi
• from our veterans for this program.
• For example, the Women's Veterans Unite were able to secure a $1,000 grant to support women veterans
• Joe Marino, Executive Director with Veterans Florida, on Veterans Workforce Recruitment and Training

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Committee on Military Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met to consider SB 96, which originally proposed a new veterans dental care program but was amended to expand the existing Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. The amendment raised eligibility from 300% to 400% of the federal poverty level and added a recurring $500,000 general revenue appropriation. Members discussed whether expanding eligibility without guaranteed additional funding could dilute services for veterans already being served, while supporters argued it would help veterans currently turned away for dental care. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 96 favorably by roll call vote, with Chair Wright voting no. The committee also approved two committee bills continuing public records exemptions: SPB 7000, covering the address and telephone number of people staying in public emergency shelters during storms or catastrophic events, and SPB 7002, covering certain Department of Military Affairs records stored in or transmitted through Department of Defense systems or related to military cyber operations. Both were moved as committee bills without objection and were favorably reported. Members then received presentations from Dr. Pia Woodley of the Florida Veterans Foundation and Joe Marino of Veterans Florida. Dr. Woodley outlined the foundation’s dental initiatives, emergency assistance, transportation support, benefits guide distribution, new programs for state veterans’ homes and community grants, and recent audits with no findings. Marino described Veterans Florida’s SkillBridge, entrepreneur, and workforce programs, including outreach and federal partnerships, and noted legislative priorities to allow stipends for training at UF IFAS AGVets facilities and to rename a program in statute for clarity. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We seem to be at a time where there's a tug-of-war with law and constitution.
• Outside of my capacity as delegate, I proudly serve as the minority veteran and small business liaison
• Outside of my capacity as delegate, I proudly serve as the minority veteran and small business liaison
• </c> proudly serve as the minority veteran proudly serve as the minority veteran and<01:46:41.119><c>
• </c> World War II, receiving a Purple Heart. World War II, receiving a Purple Heart.

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, February 12, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States was originally founded at the local level in 1899 by
• veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War to advocate for medical care, pensions
• HCR7 seeks to designate September 29th as Veterans of Foreign Wars in the United States Day for a 10-
• So when we think about homeless veterans, I want you to think about the soldier who went off to war for
• through the Veterans to the Texas Veterans Commission.

Bills: HCR7

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: memorial, tribute, military service, community contribution, Texas legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides regulatory clarity, allows veterans organizations to seek legal determinations, preempts
• Regarding the veterans' organizations seeking legal determinations, we're working on an amendment for
• the next stop between the Gaming Commission and the veterans organizations to strengthen and clarify
• I'm not a veteran, but I do have the honor and privilege to represent the American Legion.
• This is a direct war on children, school choice, and parental rights.

Bills: S0036 , S0620 , S0796 , S0934 , S1080 , S1096 , S1366 , S1536 , S1548 , S1580 , S1588 , S1620 , S1756 , S7034 , S7044

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, candidate qualifying, federal office, election integrity, regulatory compliance, political candidacy, veterinary medicine, telehealth, veterinary professional associate, animal health, public safety, access to veterinary services, payment bond exemption, Habitat for Humanity, Florida Forever Act, land acquisition

Summary: The committee first took up SB 354, the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill, which creates a framework for large planned communities on at least 15,000 contiguous acres with 60% reserved area and a streamlined local review process. Senator McLean presented the bill and a strike-all amendment, and members raised concerns about local control, conservation enforceability, data centers, concurrency, multi-county projects, and whether reserve lands could later be converted. Audubon Florida and 1,000 Friends of Florida opposed the bill, arguing the conservation protections were not permanent enough and that the reserve areas could be changed later; small-county representatives also worried about tax-base impacts. Supporters argued the bill would better manage growth, preserve green space, and provide a more orderly alternative to sprawl. After debate, the committee voted to report the bill favorably. The committee then approved SB 620 on candidate qualifying, which requires candidates for federal, state, county, district, judiciary, school, and school board offices to disclose any non-U.S. citizenship. Amendments added disclosure about whether federal candidates intend to trade stock if elected and adjusted 2026 congressional qualifying procedures in the event of redistricting, including a new qualifying window and petition rules. The bill was reported favorably after brief support from a member of the public and discussion about candidate vetting. The committee also reported favorably CS/CS/CS/SB 1452, a Department of Financial Services bill with amendments addressing My Safe Florida Home notices, condo pilot eligibility, firefighter hiring, unclaimed property, and related financial-services provisions. Next, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1620, a school board members’ bill of rights. A substitute amendment narrowed the bill to access to records, fiscal transparency, and nondisclosure agreements, while preserving board members’ rights to timely documents, budget information, and public comment, and setting deadlines for records requests. Superintendents and a school board member testified in support, saying the bill clarifies roles and prevents board members from being frozen out. The committee also passed CS/HB 245, which replaces the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material”; one senator supported the terminology change but warned about preserving legal precedent and avoiding appellate issues. The committee then reported favorably SB 1548, an update to the Live Local affordable housing law expanding eligible sites and clarifying setbacks, airport proximity, and fair-housing protections. Finally, the committee took up the veterinary medicine bill creating veterinary professional associates. The bill allows trained master’s-level VPAs to perform limited veterinary services under a veterinarian’s supervision, and an amendment tightened the standard to immediate supervision on premises. Supporters said the measure would expand access to care, especially in rural areas with vet shortages, while opponents argued it added unnecessary regulation. After testimony from veterinary educators and others, the bill continued with support expressed by committee members, including praise for the direct-supervision amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides regulatory clarity, allows veterans organizations to seek legal determinations, preempts
• Regarding the veterans' organizations seeking legal determinations, we're working on an amendment for
• Committee members, I'm not a veteran, but I do have the honor and privilege to represent the American
• This is a direct war on children, school choice, and parental rights.
• This is a direct war on children, school choice, and parental rights.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We said we can't be in a tariff war.
• We said we can't be in a tariff war.
• Would keep veterans in California.
• Not all veterans are broken.
• Nick Bussey, father, combat veteran, and founder of a social group for veteran voices called Veterans

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, the next report we have a finding is the Department of Veterans Affairs, FY24 report.
• Chair, that concludes the findings for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Thank you.
• I'm Wayne Ruthven, Chief of Staff, Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.
• I'm Wayne Ruthven, Chief of Staff, Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Stevie Smith, CFO, Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs. Thank you, gentlemen. Ms.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-STATE AGENCIES

Summary: The committee met with prayer and approved the January minutes, then heard a series of Arkansas Legislative Audit reports. Reports with findings were presented for the Department of Human Services, Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Department of Corrections, and Department of Veterans Affairs, along with a special report on law enforcement racial profiling policy compliance. Several reports without findings were also filed without objection. For DHS, auditors reported apparent thefts involving false benefit claims in disaster nutrition assistance and Medicaid, a nearly $610,000 altered warrant cashed by a California auto body shop, and multiple asset-control issues, including missing equipment, inventory discrepancies, and improper sales tax paid on exempt vehicle purchases. Members questioned DHS about the warrant fraud and whether other agencies or California officials had been notified. For Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, auditors cited missing museum receipts and problems with change funds at Daisy State Park and War Memorial Stadium; department officials said they are considering cashless payment options and provided an update on the museum loss investigation. For Corrections, auditors reported unauthorized personal fuel-card purchases totaling about $4,500 and a delayed disaster recovery test for critical IT systems. Department officials said staffing has been increased for fuel-card oversight and that a full production disaster recovery test is scheduled soon. For Veterans Affairs, auditors found improper pay for employees who were not working, duplicate vendor payment, and numerous overtime approvals that were not properly authorized; the department said it has tightened overtime approval procedures. The special report said only 203 of 383 law enforcement agencies had responded regarding racial profiling policies, and the Attorney General had notified the remaining agencies that they were not in compliance. The committee requested a list of nonresponding agencies and adjourned, with the next meeting scheduled for March 12.

Transcript Highlights:

• But, you know, I've never been so cold in all my life. I think my feet are finally unthawed.
• It was really, really cold.
• But, yeah, it was cold, snow blowing in your face.
• He was also cold, but he spent the night and is headed home today. Mr.
• He was also cold, but he spent the night and is headed home today. Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing and seeing none. 278 279 280 281 SR 239 by Blanco, SR 240 by Nishida. 283 cold course.
• So the cold course. Lots of good questions. Great bill. Members. Any objections?
• to take up and consider at this time committee substitutes. bill 3 14 along the theme that central cold
• Cold Course. Menendez, Middleton, Miles. Nichols, Parker, Paxton. Perry, Schwartner, Sparks. Parks.
• different federal cuts that have come down, and I want us to be aware that it does affect Texas. veterans

Bills: SJR18 , SCR9 , SCR13 , SB10 , SB11 , SB19 , SB20 , SB25 , SB62 , SB260 , SB263 , SB293 , SB314 , SB384 , SB412 , SB441 , SB442 , SB494 , SB523 , SB569 , SB616 , SB688 , SB707 , SB766 , SB842 , SB869 , SB890 , SB914 , SB929 , SB971 , SB992 , SB1066 , SB1145 , SB1621 , SJR36 , SJR18 , SCR9 , SCR13 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB372 , SB495 , SB842 , SB971 , SB1066 , SB929 , SB765 , SB523 , SB62 , SB19 , SB18 , SB666 , SB688 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB869 , SB890 , SB992 , SB1145 , SB494 , SB290 , SB766 , SB11 , SB10 , SB13 , SB263 , SB412 , SB20 , SB441 , SB442 , SB1621 , SB569 , SB314 , SB25 , SB293 , SB914 , SB260 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB20 , SB25 , SB260 , SB293 , SB314 , SB384 , SB442 , SB494 , SB616 , SB869 , SB890 , SB929 , SB992 , SB1145 , SB1621 , SR232 , SR237 , SR242 , SB16 , SB22

Keywords: capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, Supreme Court, judicial independence, Keep Nine, checks and balances, water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display

Transcript Highlights:

• These are SGU Special Guerrilla Units veterans who served during the Secret War.
• Veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces during the Secret War in Laos made tremendous sacrifices, yet
• In Minnesota, there are about 400 of these Hmong veterans from the Secret War who are still living.
• veterans that are here today.
• America to go fight in the war.

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, that concludes the findings for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Chair, that concludes the findings for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Thank you.
• I'm Wayne Ruthven, Chief of Staff, Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.
• I'm Wayne Ruthven, Chief of Staff, Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Stevie Smith, CFO, Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs. Thank you, gentlemen. Ms.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-STATE AGENCIES

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> department of military and veterans department of military and veterans affairs<02:04:32.639><c>
• You make a promise to our veterans. You You make a promise to our veterans.
• So, my veterans, I will calm down now. My veterans are going to be covered 100%.
• </c> So, my my veterans I will calm down now. So, my my veterans I will calm down now.
• to</c><02:08:58.400><c> be</c><02:08:58.560><c> covered</c> My veterans are going to be covered My veterans

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this amendment is, I hope, the first blow in a war against tip abuse, which I think every, uh, Texan
• It's almost like the Cold War.

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Is hope the first blow in a war against tip abuse, which I think every Texan and every American is tired
• It's almost like the Cold War.

Bills: HB3014 , HB3109 , HB3126 , HB3474 , HB3594

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: gift card fraud, counterfeit gift card, gift card tampering, gift card theft, prepaid card, stored value card, retail fraud, financial crimes, consumer protection, organized retail crime, gift card skimming, magnetic stripe, chip card, redemption information, gift card packaging, Penal Code, felony theft, state jail felony, third-degree felony, second-degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• And there are so many Korean veterans here in the United States. So many Korean veterans.
• So many Korean veterans, and we are enriched by their passion, by their patriotism to our country.
• II, the Korean War, and the generations has been mentioned, including World War II, the Korean War,
• Korean War.
• A Navy veteran and project engineer by trade, Mr.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journals, and took up motions to remove several measures from the inactive file, including S.J.R. 9, SB 626, and SCR 89. The main item on the floor was SCR 106 by Senator Choi, which recognized January 13 as Korean American Day and highlighted the history and contributions of Korean Americans in California and nationwide. Senator Choi and many members spoke in support, citing Korean American business, civic, cultural, military, and community contributions, as well as local Korean American communities and landmarks across their districts. The resolution was adopted on a 38-0 vote. After passage, Senator Choi introduced Korean American guests in the chamber and invited members to a reception. The Senate then returned to motions and committee announcements, including upcoming meetings of the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee and the Senate Human Services Committee. Members also requested that SB 626 be returned to the Assembly for amendments. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment memorials. Senators Umberg, Allen, Pérez, and Menjivar honored Monica Lynn Martinez-Hays, victims of the Palisades and Eaton fires, and Sergeant Adrian Carrillo, respectively. The memorials recounted the lives and community service of the deceased and emphasized ongoing grief, recovery, and support for affected families and communities. The Senate announced it would recess until the next scheduled floor session on Friday, January 16 at 9 a.m.