Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to thank the CAs from both parties: Marissa Mantefel for the Republican side Anna Bordardeen
• For the Republicans, Aaron Bursey, and for the Democrats, Zach Meinert.
• Republicans, we will caucus in our caucus room immediately upon recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one hard-right Republican, one business Republican, two corporate Democrats, and one lefty loony
• Now I can assure you, our hard-right Republican defends personal freedoms, low taxes, and property rights

Bills: SB840, HB2025, HB2512, HB3139, HB3798, HB3892, HB4373, HB4398, HB4582, HB4689, HB5187, HB5658, HB5666

Keywords: HB 2025, Texas Property Code, plat filing, replat, amended plat, condominium plat, subdivision, county clerk, tax certificate, ad valorem taxes, delinquent taxes, property records, real property, land use, local government, property development, subdivision recording, condominium recording, tax receipt, eminent domain

Transcript Highlights:

• Republicans and Democrats will each have up to five minutes for questions to the petitioner, followed
• And it's not because of the shifts in the vote. slight fall through the roofing of the Republican Agenda
• To questions by the Republican members of the committee for Representative Niska.

Transcript Highlights:

• But all of his fellow Texans, young and old, rich and poor, Republican and Democrat, owe Nathan Hecht
• Constitution, and to deliver equal justice under the law for every Texan, young and old, rich and poor, Republican
• Young and old, rich and poor, Republican and Democrat.

Summary: The House and Senate met in joint session under HCR 5 to hear an address from Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick introducing him. The session included recognition of the justices, judges, law enforcement officers, and interpreters present, and it also marked the formal completion of the joint session once the address ended. Chief Justice Blacklock said the state of the judiciary is strong, while paying tribute to former Chief Justice Nathan Hecht and thanking Governor Abbott for his appointment. His remarks focused on judicial administration and public safety, including a call for a 30% increase in district judge salaries, which he argued is needed to attract and retain qualified judges. He also urged support for law enforcement, backed efforts to keep violent offenders in custody pending trial, and said the court is gathering data to identify underperforming judges and use constitutional remedies where necessary. Blacklock emphasized that Texas courts should interpret statutes and the constitution according to text and original meaning, rejecting the “living constitution” approach. He highlighted reforms to improve efficiency and reduce litigation costs, including changes to docketing practices, civil procedure, and the regulation of legal services, and he urged the State Bar to remain politically neutral. He also discussed family law and child welfare, arguing for stronger legal representation for parents and suggesting repeal of Family Code subsection O, which he said can unfairly lead to termination of parental rights. The joint session concluded after his remarks, and the House stood at ease as guests departed.

Transcript Highlights:

• She was in our hallway counseling a Republican member on a bill that was in her committee related to
• Not many heads of committee have Republicans bring bills to the floor, and that was—I mean, I've been
• So, practical experience with our soon-to-be elected speaker is that, you know, as a Republican here,
• Thank you. not many uh heads of committee have not many uh heads of committee have Republicans<00:36:
• That I do not need the votes of the Republicans in a House with a Democratic supermajority.

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And for those of you who are concerned this is a Republican power grab, it is most certainly not.
• This is Republicans and Democrats coming together for Texas kids.
• Democrats and Republican parents are sick and tired of this.
• And again, this is Democrats and Republicans coming together to say we have had enough.
• It's one of the planks of the Republican Party platform.

Bills: SB835, SB3070, SB22, SJR59, SB926, SB1494, SB251, SB456, SB500, SB1307, SB2615, SB2995, SB2321, SB973, SB974, SB865, SB506, SB781, SB1522, SB1558, SB510, SB667, SB763, SB2073, SB1858, SB1660, SB505, SB2900, SB1433, SB1540, SB1964, SB1300, SB1644, SB2217, SB2373, SB2431, SB1758, SB2480, SB3039, SB3047, SB3073, SB2920, SB2781, SB826, SB766, SB2460, SB527, SB1946, SB2885, SB1243, SB2610, SB2595, SB857, SB37, SB8, SB10, SB227, SB261, SB12, SB15, SJR27, SB552, SB835, SB3070, SB22, SJR59, SB25, SB57, SB127, SB293, SB441, SB3059, SB512, SB241, SB1718, SB140, SB2055, SB2075, SB2018, SB1534, SB1567, SB785, SB1233, SB1580, SB1663, SB413, SB447, SB519, SB467, SB1579, SB1191, SB1021, SB1838, SB2807, SB2835, SB546, SB2121, SB2167, SB2035, SB2024, SB1032, SB1049, SB1266, SB1400, SB1302, SB401, SB1596, SB1281, SB1242, SB1343, SB310, SB1346, SB2753, SB2703, SB2221, SB1719, SB2177, SB800, SB790, SB748, SB571, SB1957, SB1923, SB1896, SB1760, SB1335, SB2368, SB2477, SB2587, SB2972, SB2986, SB2965, SB1563, SB1467, SB1164, SB1137, SB614, SB705, SB961, SB918, SB955, SB869, SB850, SB863, SB1610, SB1055, SB2206, SB457, SB2337, SB1362, SB926, SB1494, SB251, SB456, SB500, SB1307, SB2615, SB2995, SB2321, SB973, SB974, SB865, SB506, SB781, SB1522, SB1558, SB510, SB667, SB763, SB2073, SB1858, SB1660, SB505, SB2900, SB1433, SB1540, SB1964, SB1300, SB1644, SB2217, SB2373, SB2431, SB1758, SB2480, SB3039, SB3047, SB3073, SB2920, SB2781, SB826, SB766, SB2460, SB527, SB1946, SB2885, SB1243, SB2610, SB2595, SB857, SCR9, HB5560, HB762, HB 107, HB 114, HB300, HB138, HB4386, HB2495, HB581, HB3348, HB5323

Keywords: sexual abuse, nondisclosure agreements, confidentiality agreements, public policy, victim rights, lottery, bingo, regulation, Texas Lottery Commission, Department of Licensing and Regulation, criminal offenses, state administration, audits, transfers, Texas, moving image industry, incentive program, film production, grant funding, job creation

Transcript Highlights:

• Republican majorities in the legislature since 2002, the largest uninterrupted streak of Republican statewide
• Republican voters. Number five: personal accountability and responsibility.
• I want to remind all of you Republicans, Rule 44 changed at the last convention.
• Republicans and Democrats have quietly aligned to... ...bureaucrats.
• and Democrat and Republican... ...under Democrat and Republican governors and Democrat and Republican

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Members from both parties emphasized education as a major issue, while several Republicans framed the committee’s work around school choice and parent empowerment. Senator West and other Democrats stressed protecting public schools, listening to Texans, and considering the effects of vouchers or education savings accounts on school districts and communities. Chairman Creighton laid out Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, describing it as a universal education savings account program modeled on similar programs in other states. He said the bill would provide about $200 million for a universal eligibility pool and additional funding for students with disabilities and lower-income families, with priority weighting for former public school students. He also highlighted anti-fraud measures, vendor pre-approval, criminal background checks, cybersecurity protections, annual testing requirements for participating students, and the use of the Comptroller rather than TEA to administer the program. Creighton repeatedly said the bill is not a voucher and argued it would not take money from public schools, which he said would receive separate historic funding increases. Members questioned Creighton about the 500% of federal poverty line definition, the adequacy of the $10,000 ESA amount, whether the program would favor students already in private school, how microschools and homeschool pods would fit, and whether the bill protects religious liberty and private-school autonomy. Democrats raised concerns about disability protections, 504 students, foster children, public-school funding, open records, and the historical context of vouchers. Republicans generally supported the bill as a way to expand options for parents and students, while also asking about administration, fraud prevention, and data security. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, with EdChoice President Robert Inlow presenting in support of SB 2 and citing the growth and reported success of school choice programs nationwide.

Transcript Highlights:

• at least three different PACs to challenge state-level legislators like myself, whether they're Republican
• at least three different PACs to challenge state-level legislators like myself, whether they're Republican
• at least three different PACs to challenge state-level legislators like myself, whether they're Republican
• at least three different PACs to challenge state-level legislators like myself, whether they're Republican
• It's uh great to be here. whether they're Republican or Democrats, right?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There would have to be a Republican majority.
• And significant members of the Republican caucus themselves emphasize their concerns about federalism
• know, the other side, the I would presumably pass the Senate filibuster, there would have to be a Republican
• majority, and a Republican, significant members of the Republican caucus themselves emphasize their
• I would have— What the Republican majority might do, I would urge against that.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on California’s taxation of foreign subsidiaries of U.S. corporations, especially the state’s water’s-edge election versus worldwide combined reporting. Committee members and witnesses discussed how unitary taxation and sales-factor apportionment work, why multinational corporations are a small share of filers but a large share of tax liability, and how foreign income, profit shifting, and double taxation concerns affect policy choices. The Franchise Tax Board explained current filing rules, the seven-year water’s-edge election, and recent filing statistics showing about 21,562 water’s-edge returns in 2023, roughly 6% of C corporation filers but about half of corporate tax liability. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and FTB staff emphasized that revenue effects from eliminating water’s edge are uncertain because foreign affiliate income is not directly observable, and they noted possible revenue volatility and administrative complexity. Several committee members asked about foreign government pushback, the burden on FTB, whether certain industries are more likely to shift profits, and whether companies would leave California; witnesses generally said there was no strong evidence that firms would exit the state because tax liability is driven mainly by California sales. They also discussed how California already administers both methods, how the election can be advantageous or disadvantageous depending on a firm’s facts, and how federal reforms like GILTI/NCTI, CAMT, and OECD Pillar Two may affect the issue. The second panel presented sharply contrasting views. One professor and a tax policy advocate argued that water’s edge creates unfairness, encourages profit shifting, and leaves California with billions in lost revenue, while a Tax Foundation witness argued that mandatory worldwide reporting would tax the wrong income, create double taxation and litigation risk, and impose heavy compliance burdens, especially for foreign-based multinationals. A later panel from the California Budget and Policy Center supported closing the “water’s-edge loophole,” saying it would raise needed revenue for public services and level the playing field between large multinationals and smaller domestic businesses. No vote or formal action was taken; the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Republicans, we will Caucus in the Republican caucus room, also immediately following the rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just so sick and tired of Republicans and Democrats, politicians at the national level and the state
• It's not a solution, and we're seeing now several decades of this has gone on, Democrats and Republicans
• I'm just so sick and tired of Republicans and Democrats, politicians at the national level and the state
• </c><01:11:09.719><c> and</c> sick and tired of Republicans and sick and tired of Republicans and Democrats
• <01:11:32.640><c> George</c> Republicans George Republicans George Bush<01:11:35.280><c> uh</c><01:11

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Republicans will caucus in five minutes. The House will be at ease for the purpose of caucus.
• The Republicans will caucus in five minutes. The House will be at ease for the purpose of caucus.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2681, HB2720, HB2073, HB2681, SB5467, SB5820, SB5863, SB5892, SCR8406

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• So I know this is a Republican bill, but I agree with Senator Wirth.
• So, you know, in this committee we don't care if it's a Democrat or Republican bill.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Natural Resources Committee hearing on my birthday for a special order of business: a Republican
• Special order of business: a Republican bill by Assemblymember Joe Patterson, AB 34.

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee met for a special order hearing on AB 34 by Assemblymember Joe Patterson, the only bill on the agenda. Patterson described the bill as a simple measure that would extend for a few more years the ability of publicly owned utilities to count existing large hydroelectric generation toward their renewable portfolio standard obligations. Committee witnesses from the Northern California Power Agency and the City of Palo Alto supported the bill, saying the extension was a negotiated accommodation from earlier legislation and was important to avoid affordability risks for communities currently doing resource planning. There was no public opposition and no committee questions. Patterson closed by emphasizing the bill’s affordability benefits and asking for an aye vote. The committee then took a roll call vote and passed the bill unanimously on a due pass recommendation to the Appropriations Committee. The meeting was then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Natural Resources Committee hearing on my birthday for a special order of business, a Republican
• Special order of business: a Republican bill by Assembly Member Joe Patterson, AB 34.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, now how has that Republican one.
• <04:45:53.440><c> majorities,</c> Republican majorities, Republican majorities, can<04:45:55.440><c>
• </c> income tax passed by a Republican income tax passed by a Republican legislature. legislature. legislature
• Republicans? Republicans?
• Has any Republican, on any level, enacted a sales tax? Oh, of course. Yes.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On its public access television show last month, Republican leader and Manchester Alderman Joe Kelly
• </c><01:56:53.840><c> leader</c> show last last month Republican leader show last last month Republican
• </c> because the Republicans because the Republicans prioritize<01:57:47.520><c> tax</c><01:57:47.880
• </c> but the direct result of a republican but the direct result of a republican built<01:57:59.599><
• The bill that passed to set this up in 1999 was a Republican bill.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 402, a bill to repeal a provision in RSA 194-F:2 stating that Education Freedom Account (EFA) funds “shall not constitute taxable income” to the parent or student. The bill sponsor argued the current language is misleading because the state cannot determine federal tax liability, and said the bill would simply remove inaccurate tax advice from state law. He cited IRS guidance and prior federal legislation, including a Ted Cruz proposal, to suggest some EFA uses may be taxable under federal law, while others may not, and said the bill could be amended if needed to avoid confusion. Testimony was sharply divided. Py Campbell opposed the bill, arguing it would unfairly single out EFA students and could amount to a tax on education funds, including for self-employed families, and recommended it be voted inexpedient to legislate. Stephen Matthew French, a tax preparer, also opposed the bill, saying IRS Publication 970 already makes clear that scholarship-type payments used for tuition and related expenses are not taxable, and that the bill addresses a problem that does not exist. He warned that adding tax reporting requirements could create administrative costs for families and the program administrator. Bill Ardinger, a tax attorney, supported the repeal of the statutory language, saying the state should not place potentially incorrect tax advice into law. He explained that under federal tax law, only certain scholarship-like uses are exempt, while many EFA-eligible expenses may not be, especially for families using the program for homeschooling or other nontraditional expenses. He said the current statute could mislead families into thinking all EFA payments are tax-free and could expose the state to future legal problems. The hearing ended after questions from committee members; no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is so weird for me as a Republican chair to say: give me some DFL bills, and I thank you.
• And to the Republicans, get me some Republican bills, your local stuff, uh, whatever you need there,
• chair to say give me as a Republican chair to say give me some<01:12:44.360><c> dfl</c><01:12:44.800
• get me some there and to the Republicans get me some Republican<01:12:51.840><c> bills</c><01:12:52.159
• bills your local stuff uh Republican bills your local stuff uh what<01:12:54.239><c> whatever</c><01

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The Republicans will caucus now. All right.
• The Republicans will caucus now. All right. The House will be at ease for purpose of caucus.

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2134, HB2140, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2211, HB2219, HB2245, HB2283, HB2343, HB2406, HB2501, HB2574, HB1544, HB1834, HB2156, HB2188, HB2206, HB2478, HB2605, HJM4012, HB1104, HB1152, HB1254, HB1443, HB1903, HB1982, HB2006, HB2179, HB2203, HB2297, HB2303, HB2322, HB2329, HB2379, HB2388, HB2399, HB2462, HB2464, HB2495, HB2544, HB2551, HB2636, HB1570, HB2192, HB2251, HB2262, HB2266, HB2298, HB2320, HB2323, HB2351, HB2401, HB2405, HB2442, HB2515, HB2523, HB2593, HB2632, HB2661, HB1496, HB1898, HB2095, HB2157, HB2225, HB2274, HB2311, HB2325, HB2333, HB2476, HB2508, HB2552, HB1343, HB1634, HB1906, HB2339, HB2384, HB2389, HB2410, HB2475, HB2637, HB2720

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House was called to order, the roll was taken, and a quorum was declared present. The chamber then proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer offered by Representative Lauren Davis, who spoke about compassion, the burdens members and staff carry, and the importance of kindness and remembering the real-world impact of legislative decisions. After the prayer, the House approved the previous day’s minutes without objection. Representative Ortiz-Self announced that the Democrats would caucus immediately, and Representative Abbarno announced that the Republicans would caucus. The House then stood at ease for caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your best revenge will be to help make sure that... we flip the House and then we make Republicans live
• We are past this moment of hypocrisy of Republican extremism, and let's get down to the business of the