Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Secretary, please read the certification of election.
• Madam Secretary, please read the certification of election from the Secretary of State.
• The reading of the certification, Mr. President.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Secretary, please read the certification of election.
• Madam Secretary, please read the certification of election from the Secretary of State.
• The reading of the certification, Mr. President.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then administered the oath of office to newly elected Senator Brian Nathan of District 14, with his family present. The chamber also read the governor’s amended special session proclamation, which expanded the call to include legislation on congressional redistricting and related litigation, artificial intelligence protections including an AI Bill of Rights and related public records exemptions, and medical freedom. The secretary then read the bills filed within the call: SB 2D (Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights), SB 4D (public records), SB 60 (medical freedom), and SB 8D (congressional districts).

Transcript Highlights:

• consultation with colleges and universities to adopt rules that improve transparency in degree and er certificate
• Specifically, higher education institutions will be required to ensure all certificate and degree requirements
• Their rigorous certification programs and on the job training equip them with the core competencies assessed

Transcript Highlights:

• consultation with colleges and universities, to adopt rules that improve transparency in degree and certificate
• Higher education institutions will be required to ensure all certificate and degree requirements are
• Their rigorous certification programs and on-the-job training equip them with the core competencies assessed

Bills: SB800, SB1534, SB2055, SB2310, SB2431, SB2786, SB3039, SB1242

Keywords: sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, higher education, student safety, orientation policies, health physics, workforce development, nuclear energy, radiological safety, scholarship, education, Texas Leadership Scholars Program, student funding, transparency, degree requirements, certificate programs, student transfer, foreign language

Transcript Highlights:

• It's either a birth certificate or a U.S. passport.
• But there are a series of other things, like birth certificates, that are required to demonstrate some
• I have to bring my birth certificate to get my renewal.

Bills: HB3484, HCR112, HCR125

Keywords: border municipalities, agreements, funding eligibility, infrastructure, intergovernmental cooperation, REAL ID, travel document, border crossing, Texas, U.S. citizens, Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, defense innovation, national security, U.S. Army Futures Command, military technology, economic growth, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, survivors of deceased hospice patients are currently experiencing delays in securing death certificates
• allows physicians to utilize advanced practice registered nurses to certify death and file death certificates
• where the business of death and the families being able to move on cannot begin without the death certificate

Summary: The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met and reported several bills favorably. PCS for HB 647, which allows physicians to use advanced practice registered nurses under written protocol to certify deaths and file death certificates for hospice patients, passed unanimously after brief supportive testimony from hospice, AARP, and physician assistant representatives. HB 803 on acupuncture updated outdated statutory language, clarified the definition of acupuncture, listed allowable point injection therapy items while prohibiting certain drugs, and affirmed referral authority for imaging and labs; it passed 16-1 amid support from acupuncture stakeholders and opposition from several medical groups. PCS for HB 1545 would create recurring state funding for Parkinson’s disease research at the University of South Florida and a consortium of Florida universities; it drew support from USF, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Mayo Clinic, with concerns raised about limiting participation to universities, and it passed unanimously. HB 901, which clarifies procedures for parents challenging court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, passed 15-1 with support from a witness and no debate. HB 591, the children with developmental disabilities/autism bill, was presented as a broad early-diagnosis and intervention measure to help children enter treatment and mainstream life sooner; it received supportive testimony from the Florida PTA and strong floor support, and passed unanimously. Finally, PCS for HB 1299, the Department of Health agency bill, made multiple changes including preventing the mRNA vaccine from sunsetting in statute, adding vaccination-status protections in the patients’ bill of rights, updating medical marijuana center screening and reporting requirements, revising nurse active-practice requirements, making technical compact changes, and extending sovereign immunity protections to dental students doing charitable clinic work. After a brief note that optician-related provisions had been removed, the bill passed unanimously. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentlelady, I believe we have a certificate. Mr. Speaker, we have a certificate. Clerk to read.
• for adjunct and contingent faculty at post-secondary educational institutions, providing for the certification

Transcript Highlights:

• Certification at 255,813? B189700? Certification at 255,813? B189700? 822.3 FTE. 9437,075? 289,575?
• shall be from diesel inspection and mechanic certification fees.
• An and mechanic certification fees.
• Mechanic certification program. Local grants.
• Water Quality Certification, 9,264,177. Sector of 41,756; 1.5 FTE.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the prior journal, and heard several brief recognitions before moving to business. Members welcomed foster care advocates for Child Abuse Prevention Month, Girl Scouts visiting the Capitol, and participants in Black Maternal Health Week, with remarks emphasizing foster youth voice, leadership development, and the need for culturally competent maternal health care and doula/midwife support. The chamber then took up House Joint Resolution 1026, honoring former Governor Roy Romer and designating a portion of I-25 as the Governor Roy Romer Memorial Highway. Supporters highlighted Romer’s long public service, his work on education and infrastructure, and his role in major state projects. A proposed amendment to strike the word “memorial” was withdrawn, the House suspended the rules to allow Romer to speak from the well, and Romer offered remarks about legislative collegiality and the importance of democracy and listening to opposing views. House Joint Resolution 1026 was adopted on a 60-0 vote, with four excused and one absent. After a brief recess, the House returned to special orders and resumed reading House Bill 1410 at length, continuing through extensive appropriations language for the Department of Human Services, including child welfare, youth services, Medicaid-related transfers, SNAP and benefits administration, and other funding line items. No final action on House Bill 1410 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Frequent moves and cumbersome licensing and certification requirements limit career options for military
• as the chief operating officer of the National Registry of EMTs, which is the examination and certification
• As part of my certification, I'm already required to have clients sign a disclosure describing who I
• Ensuring that all medical physicists have the appropriate training, education, board certification, and
• The program culminates in the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants, a

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills involving professional licensure, clinical practice, and public health-related workforce issues. The chair explained that no votes would be taken at the hearing and that the purpose was to gather public input. Early testimony focused on Marnie’s Law, with supporters describing the bill as a no-cost, preventive measure to require nursing education on inflammatory breast cancer after a family tragedy and arguing it could reduce misdiagnosis and save lives. A major portion of the hearing centered on bills affecting clinical decision-making and licensure compacts. Supporters of the physician ownership/clinical autonomy bills argued they would protect independent practices from corporate interference after the Steward collapse, while supporters of EMS, dental, psychology, physical therapy, and physician assistant compacts said the measures would improve workforce mobility, reduce delays, and expand access to care, especially for rural patients, military families, and telehealth users. Several witnesses emphasized that the compacts would not reduce standards and would strengthen public protection through shared disciplinary databases and streamlined credentialing. There was also testimony on bills to ensure safe medication administration and to protect the independence of complementary and alternative health care practitioners. Nursing representatives urged that only licensed professionals administer medications in hospitals, hospices, and home care settings, warning that delegation to unlicensed staff could endanger patients and nurses’ licenses. A complementary and alternative care witness supported consumer access with mandatory disclosures and limits on reserved medical acts. On the dental compact, witnesses were split: some supported portability and workforce flexibility, while others warned the compact lacked a hands-on skills exam and could weaken Massachusetts’ regulatory authority and patient safety. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on the psychology compact, physical therapy compact, and physician assistant bills, with most speakers favoring expanded interstate practice and reduced administrative barriers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you say the POST certification was, how many hours of training?
• Do you know how much de-escalation training is required in POST certification?
• Do you know how much de-escalation training is required in post-certification?
• Do you know how much de-escalation training is required in POST certification? No, sir.
• And how does that compare to POST certification?

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• level<00:15:20.959> one<00:15:21.800> uh with a level one uh with a level one uh certification
• certification and licensure. certification and licensure.
• > toward<00:15:43.880> a open and then work toward a open and then work toward a certification
• 44.959> like<00:15:45.160> a<00:15:45.480> you<00:15:45.520> know, certification
• , almost like a you know, certification, almost like a you know, teacher<00:15:45.959> licensure

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How would that work with tribal ID or lack of a birth certificate or conflicting birth certificates from
• Madam Chair, Senator, so if a tribal member doesn't have a birth certificate—some of them don't—they
• have a certificate of live birth or of Indian birth, a C.I.B.
• Or they lose their birth certificate due to moving, house fires, natural disasters... ...birth certificate
• With the Arizona vital records, it's $20 to get a new birth certificate; new passports are up to $165

Bills: HB2109, HB2168, HB2198, HB2226, HB2415, HB2440, HB2665, HB2805, HB2811, HB2825, HB2857, HB2874, HB2966, HB4067, HB4117, HCR2001, HCR2016, HCR2051

Keywords: distracted driving, portable wireless communication devices, motorcycles, traffic safety, civil penalties, public nuisance, nuisance abatement, abatement action, injunction, superior court, attorney general, county attorney, city attorney, board of supervisors, obscenity, obscene materials, adult materials, pornography, schools, parks

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and announced several bills would be held at the sponsors’ request, including HB 4117, HCR 2016, HCR 2051, and HB 2415. It then took up HB 2811, which would expand obstructing governmental operations to include knowingly interfering with a lawful arrest and make that conduct a felony. Supporters, including a county attorney representative, argued the bill closes a loophole and protects officers from third-party interference during arrests, while opponents from criminal justice and civil liberties groups said existing laws already cover the conduct and warned the bill could chill First Amendment activity such as filming police or protesting. The committee debated whether the bill duplicated resisting arrest and hindering prosecution statutes, then passed HB 2811 on a 3-2 vote with one member not voting. The committee next heard HB 2665, which would create a manslaughter offense for an adult who intentionally gives advice or encouragement through a directed communication to a minor to die by suicide, including via social media or text. Representative Carter and family members of suicide victims described the bill as a response to online encouragement and a way to hold people accountable when minors are clearly urged toward suicide. The committee then passed HB 2665 unanimously, 6-0 with one not voting. It also approved HB 2857, allowing the Department of Corrections to store inmate medical records electronically and dispose of paper copies, by a 5-1 vote. The committee then passed HB 2226, which requires courts to ask about veteran status at initial appearance, notify prosecutors, and connect veterans to services and possible treatment court referrals; an amendment shifted the service-notice duty from prosecutors to the court. Supporters said the bill helps identify veterans with PTSD or other needs and can reduce recidivism, and it passed 6-0. HB 2168, which would require county board approval before the Attorney General could bring a public nuisance action in superior court, drew sharp disagreement over the AG’s use of nuisance litigation against businesses such as dairies, industrial plants, and rail projects; supporters framed it as local control and opposition to overreach, while opponents said it would weaken accountability and protect corporate interests. The committee passed HB 2168 on a 3-2 vote with two not voting. Finally, the committee heard HB 2966, which would bar early termination of lifetime probation for dangerous crimes against children and apply that restriction retroactively. Supporters argued it would keep serious child offenders on supervision and protect victims, while opponents, including survivors and defense advocates, said DCAC is a sentencing enhancement rather than a standalone offense, that the bill removes judicial discretion, may raise ex post facto concerns, and could sweep in lower-level online conduct. The bill passed 4-2 with one not voting. The committee then began hearing HCR 2001, a voter referral to end early voting the Friday before Election Day, require government-issued ID for voting, and restrict mail ballot procedures; the sponsor said it would improve election integrity and speed results, while opponents argued it would burden voters and reduce access. The transcript cuts off during testimony and debate on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also shortens the certification periods for SNAP and for Medicaid, which means that people are going
• It also shortens the certification<00:16:10.320> periods<00:16:10.800> for<00:16:11.120
• > SNAP<00:16:11.600> and<00:16:11.839> for certification periods for SNAP and for
• certification periods for SNAP and for Medicaid,<00:16:13.199> which<00:16:13.519> means
• >> That's new, and it's going to one-month certification periods for some people. >> So let me ask you

Bills: SB61, SB8, SB58, SB60, SB167

Keywords: school psychologist, school psychology, interstate compact, licensure compact, license reciprocity, portable license, equivalent license, professional licensing, psychology board, school mental health, student services, educational services, interstate practice, reciprocal licensing, background check, continuing education, workforce shortage, military spouse, active duty military, compact commission

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a notarial certificate on a document.
• So it includes a signed jurat page and actuarial certificate.
• It's a notorial certificate on page is. It's a notorial certificate on a<00:21:16.080> document.
• <00:21:27.919> It<00:21:28.159> also<00:21:28.400> includes actuarial certificate
• It also includes actuarial certificate.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with devotional remarks from Representative Greer focused on perspective, kindness, and the idea that people “earn” respect and love through shared humanity. After that, the chamber suspended rules to introduce 17 House bills by number only, and adopted JRS 3 in concurrence, setting a joint assembly for Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. to receive the governor’s budget message. Several announcements followed, including birthday wishes, a note about the new federal whole milk for schools law, guest introductions, and caucus notices. The House also approved committee transfers for H.393, an act relating to the prohibition of requiring face masks in schools, moving it from Education to Healthcare, and H.334, an act relating to limiting employer restrictions on individuals separating from employment, moving it from General and Housing to Commerce and Economic Development. The chamber then took up H.649 on captive insurance companies. The Commerce and Economic Development Committee explained that the bill, based on Department of Financial Regulation proposals, would prohibit risk retention groups from lending to or investing in members or affiliates, require annual and quarterly filings in NAIC form with a jurat page and actuarial certificate, and create new filing requirements for sponsored captive protected cells. The committee reported unanimous support, and the House amended the bill and ordered third reading. The House next considered S.60, establishing a Farm Security Special Fund. The Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Committee and Appropriations described the bill as a response to repeated weather-related losses affecting farms and forestry operations, including flooding, freezes, drought, and other extreme events. The House version adds forestry and changes assistance from grants to payments to make aid faster and less cumbersome. The program would be administered by the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, with a review board and payments of up to 50% of uncovered losses, capped at 5% of annual appropriations and $150,000 per application. The committee testimony emphasized the need for a permanent, predictable state relief mechanism, and the bill was advanced with strong support.

Transcript Highlights:

• registered voters, that have served their time, met all the qualifications, and now have to go through a certificate
• of certification.
• 18:30.880> a uh and uh now uh have to go through a uh and uh now uh have to go through a certificate
• <00:18:31.600> of<00:18:31.760> certification<00:18:32.400> and<00:18:32.559>
• and certificate of certification and and certificate of certification and and this<00:18:33.120>

Bills: HB63, HB19, HB80, HB41, HB20, HB60, HB100, HB71, HB91, HB93, HB63, HB19, HB80, HB41, HB20, HB60, HB100, HB71, HB91, HB93

Keywords: paternity, child custody, joint custody, parental rights, family law, domestic violence, shared parenting, Ebony Alert, missing youth, public safety, law enforcement, racial equity, human trafficking, victim restitution, civil action, criminal prosecution, labor servitude, sexual servitude, class A felony, class B felony

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know the distinction between that certification above the regular PT.
• Distinction between the certification that's 15 or 10. I don't have that background. Okay.
• So it is an additional certification.
• The stage in which that PT was in, but all of them ultimately end up getting the certification.
• No, sir, not all of them will get the certification. That's a voluntary thing.

Bills: HB1106, HB3284, HB541, HB713, HB1403, HB1586, HB1942, HB2070, HB2844, HB2851, HB3151, HB3749, HB3940, HB3963, HB4454, HB4466, HB4795, HB5154, HB5394, SB1357, HB1052, HB4099, HB4638, HB5147

Keywords: child abuse, neglect, gender identity, sexual orientation, child welfare, marriage, family, Texas Commission, family welfare, marriage support, stability, premarital education, child development, strong families, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services, insurance regulation, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• provision I'd worked on is for crop inputs, just clarifying handling and not needing a higher certification
• :27:04.159> needing<00:27:04.480> a<00:27:04.640> higher<00:27:04.960> certification
• <00:27:05.600> for not needing a higher certification for not needing a higher certification
• Answer the questions for the folks who are working with the farmers, provide the certifications and the
• <00:36:36.960> and farmers provide the certifications and farmers provide the certifications

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• physical world, the ones we're all familiar with like driver's licenses, passports, and birth certificates
• It has a certificate that was signed by a private key that's locked away by the state, and then the state
• the bill we heard, uh, relating to the content of a driver's license or personal identification certificate
• of the bill if they could hire someone with just a TCO license that doesn't have the cert the certification
• Upon being granted a Master Peace Officer certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement,

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1267, relating to certificates of number and certificates of title issued by and records
• Senate Bill 1267, relating to certificates of number and certificates of title issued by and records
• Senate Bill 1267, relating to certificates of number and certificates of title issued by and records
• Senate Bill 1267, relating to certificates of number and certificates of title issued by and records

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, recognized a Karnes County Day delegation and the Texas Association of Museums, received a governor’s message on Texas Diabetes Council appointments, and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber then took up several resolutions, including SR 388 honoring the Texas Association of Museums, and adopted SRs 380, 382, and 387 by voice vote. Senator King was excused due to a family death, and the journal reading was dispensed with. The Senate then moved through a series of bills, most of them on expedited suspension of the regular order and three-day rule. Measures passed included SB 868 on Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program funding for high-wildfire-risk areas; SB 264 exempting certain family motor-vehicle transfers from tax; SB 2112 on oyster mariculture penalties; SB 1484 on catfish labeling and marketing; SB 660 on bollards near hospital emergency rooms; SB 1809 creating offenses for gift card fraud; SB 32 and SJR 81 providing business personal property tax relief and a related constitutional amendment; SB 1267 modernizing boat titling and adding disclosure for hidden hull damage; SB 1470 allowing DPS data sharing for voter list maintenance; SB 2406 and SB 2407 implementing Sunset recommendations for the Sabine River Authority and Lower Neches Valley River Authority; SB 609 on school district compliance with legally required policies; SB 921 on ex parte Medicaid eligibility renewals; SB 2320 increasing DWI penalties; SB 1822 requiring disclosure and oversight of AI-based utilization review algorithms; SB 693 on notaries public and deed theft prevention; and SB 664 setting statewide qualifications and oversight for magistrates and related judicial officers. One of the most contested items was SB 779 on common law public nuisance claims, which drew extended debate over whether the bill would limit lawsuits against lawful, regulated activities and whether it would preserve private nuisance and other existing remedies. Despite objections, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment by a 17-12 vote, holding it there. Another debated measure was SB 1008 on state and local authority over the food service industry; after a perfecting amendment, it was passed to engrossment and then to final passage. Several bills were adopted or passed with near-unanimous support, while others, including SB 1267, SB 1470, SB 1822, and SB 2320, saw some opposition but still cleared the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• the ones we're all familiar with, like driver's licenses, passports, etc. passports and birth certificates
• MDL itself, it has a certificate that was signed by a private key that's locked away by the state.
• Certificate.
• purpose. the bill if they could hire someone with just a TCO license that doesn't have the the certification
• With this Masterpiece Officers Certification and I'd love to have y'all support and I close.

Bills: HB2034, HB2436, HB3010, HB3033, HB3138, HB3177, HB3426, HB3686, HB3858, HB4176, HB4257, HB4264, HB4804, HCR98

Keywords: groundwater, foreign ownership, national security, water permits, environmental health, deadly conduct, firearm, recklessness, peace officer, prosecution, Penal Code, Texas laws, disaster recovery, infrastructure, rural communities, grants, state funding, emergency management, HB 3033, Texas Department of Public Safety