Transcript Highlights:

• Under the current statute we passed, grants may only be provided to governmental entities in counties
• So I guess my question really comes back to how would this work with that as opposed to being duplicated
• ... ...back to how would this work with that as opposed to being duplicative to, you know, to what we're
• county attorney can bring injunctions for platting violations and all of the violations that the statutes
• Jurisdictions already operating compliant sirens are not required to duplicate those systems.

Bills: HB48, HB66, HB68, HB71, HB75, HB164, HB171, HB254, SB3, SB18, HB123, HB149, HB117

Keywords: HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert, Silver Alert, Blue Alert, missing persons alerts, accessible alerts, hearing impaired

Summary: The committee met in special session to hear a series of flood, preparedness, and youth-camp safety bills, with members repeatedly noting that many of the measures were intended as planning, warning, or authority-clarifying bills rather than direct spending bills. House Bill 254 would expand eligibility for the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program to include Kerr County and 18 other flood-affected counties by raising the GDP cap and lowering the poverty threshold; it drew no opposition and was left pending. House Bill 68 would direct a study of flood mitigation in flatland areas, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, to develop cost-effective drainage and infrastructure recommendations; local officials and advocates supported it, and it was also left pending. The committee then heard several youth camp bills tied to the recent Hill Country flooding. House Bill 75 would impose flood-aware building and site standards for youth camps near floodplains, and House Bill 71 would require camps and youth activity entities to submit emergency preparedness plans to TDEM, coordinate with local responders, and maintain readiness protocols; both bills were supported by safety advocates and camp representatives, and both were left pending. House Bill 171 would require campgrounds near flood-prone waters to give written flood-risk notice to campers and obtain signed acknowledgment; it was presented as informed consent and left pending. Testimony on these bills emphasized Camp Mystic and other recent flood tragedies, with some witnesses urging broader building-code and floodplain reforms. The committee also heard House Bill 117, which would let counties regulate impervious cover for flood mitigation in unincorporated areas. Supporters, including county officials, environmental groups, and residents, argued that rapid development in the Hill Country and other growing areas is worsening runoff and downstream flooding; opponents from the builders’ association said counties already have substantial authority and warned about overreach into rural property use. After extensive testimony, the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 18 would streamline permitting for certain flood control districts to repair dams and reservoirs and build small holding areas, and it was left pending after supportive testimony from Plum Creek Conservation District. Senate Bill 3 would create a state-backed outdoor flood warning siren program for identified flood-prone areas, funded through a grant program; witnesses generally supported it, though some cautioned that sirens are not sufficient by themselves and may not be heard indoors or in overnight storms. It too was left pending. The committee also began hearing House Bill 149 on public-safety radio interoperability, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s full testimony or action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The statute makes clear of the fund.
• additional requirements to the statute additional requirements to the statute that<02:05:30.480>
• confers<02:13:30.320> original statute itself um confers original statute itself um confers
• Final followup compensation statute.
• comp statute or 275 that I'm aware of. comp statute or 275 that I'm aware of.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As the professor has certainly indicated, most of what is in this bill is duplicative.
• That's something that no other statute really covers.
• As the professor has certainly indicated, most of what is in this bill is duplicative.
• That's something that no other statute really covers.
• “Well, how does this—so those problems will remain even if we pass the statute?”

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy opened its hearing with testimony on several broadband, towing, and rideshare-related bills. The first major issue was H. 3470/S. 2259, which would add data privacy and integrity protections for transportation network driver information. Rideshare drivers and labor advocates strongly opposed the bill, saying it would delay implementation of Question 3, which Massachusetts voters approved to give rideshare drivers a path to unionize. Drivers described low pay, deactivations, harassment, safety risks, and the need for a union to negotiate fairer working conditions. Legal and labor experts testified that the bill was largely duplicative of existing law and regulations and would unnecessarily postpone drivers’ organizing rights. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on broadband affordability and access bills, including S. 2318/H. 3527 and related measures. Supporters, including legislators, digital equity advocates, senior advocates, and service providers, said low-income households need a permanent affordable broadband option after the federal Affordable Connectivity Program ended. They argued that internet access is now essential for jobs, school, health care, housing, and daily life, and supported a flat-rate low-income plan around $15 per month with protections such as no installation fees or termination fees. Opponents from cable and wireless industry groups argued the bills would impose artificial price mandates, discourage investment, and reduce consumer choice, noting that providers already offer discounted programs. The committee also heard support for broadband deployment and pole-attachment streamlining bills, with providers and municipal broadband advocates saying permitting delays and pole access bottlenecks slow expansion and raise costs. Additional testimony covered H. 3566, which would exempt municipal broadband projects from surety bond requirements, and towing-related bills including S. 2235, H. 3507, H. 3516, and H. 3482. Insurance and anti-fraud witnesses supported stronger towing protections, saying some towers charge excessive fees and hold vehicles hostage, while one witness urged broader consumer safeguards. The hearing ended after the chairs shortened testimony to fit the room schedule, asked for final comments on remaining bills, and then adjourned by motion and voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I am not a, uh, criminal or civil statute expert, uh, but I would say that, you know, the brackets
• Well, we've got a situation where, uh, there is no timeline on the water, uh, permits currently in statute
• It is not absolutely precise because in statute to produce something like 20.423% just looks weird, so
• We were allotted $16 million in statute today.
• do this work and then TCUQ would have to get involved, uh, obviously to put some kind of rules or statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• CURRENT RECOVERY EFFORTS IN A PROACTIVE CALCULATIONS THAT WE USE AND ARE MITIGATION ACTIVITIES DUPLICATIVE
• THERE IS AN IRS TAX RULE AS WELL AS FEDERAL AND STATE STATUTE THAT SAYS AT LEAST $10 MILLION HAS TO BE
• ANOTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND AS WE HAVE TO DO OUR BEST TO ENSURE THERE IS NO DUPLICATION OF BENEFITS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Statute does allow us to enter into a two-year contract and renew it afterwards, if specified criteria
• So the last line that's taken out, that was struck because it's essentially duplicative of the language
• completed and appended to the measure under state law, and then we're referencing both of those statutes
• So indicating that last line is basically duplicative of what's already being indicated before in the
• That entire last sentence is basically duplicating what's being stated in the sentence before.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current statute, less-than-lethal devices like Tasers are still treated like firearms.
• FEDERAL LAW UNDER CURRENT STATUTE, LESS THAN LETHAL DEVICES LIKE TASERS ARE STILL TREATED LIKE FIREARMS
• And despite the importance, undersea cable projects face duplicative and unnecessary regulatory hurdles
• They were bureaucratic duplication—years of lost time before construction can even begin.
• THEY WERE BUREAUCRATIC DUPLICATION, YEARS OF LOST TIME BEFORE CONSTRUCTION CAN EVEN BEGIN.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we're doing a no-cost adjustment statute to ensure that it continues to be overseen by MD.
• Next item is subdivisions from statute.
• Uh, right now under current statute, and I will preface by saying that the special education laws are
• Uh right now<00:51:13.280> under<00:51:13.839> current<00:51:14.240> statute<00:
• State programs are in there, the duties are basically duplicated by the federal requirements.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with noise statutes and other environmental<00:25:51.320> regulations<00:25:52.320> would<
• AARs are required by statute to provide a level of urban impact analysis comparable to an EIS.
• HF 28 will prevent that duplicated effort and...
• <00:37:25.079> to form aars are required by Statute to form aars are required by Statute to
• Do any current statutes prevent building a data center right now?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• really honing in on reducing retroactive eligibility, which we're gonna get to also trying to reduce duplicate
• So this is really reducing duplicate enrollment under the Medicaid and CHIP programs section 7, 1, 1,
• So even before the new statutes, what we're seeing is that plans are already covering the bar market
• Another when we see it says some duplicate claims admissions. So we don't want to be paying twice.

Transcript Highlights:

• So let me say what you're kind of getting at is a concept that we call unwarranted duplication, right
• education or they're immediately employed, and that program meets demand, it's not unwarranted duplication
• if those institutions are meeting those metrics, we would not consider that to be an unwarranted duplication
• Thanks to the Legislature, it is required in... ...statute that students, as part of their student progression

Summary: The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first meeting of the session and heard presentations focused on workforce education in the Florida College System and district technical colleges. Members introduced themselves and discussed their personal connections to higher education, then heard from Department of Education senior chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, South Florida State College president Fred Hawkins, and Pinellas Technical College representative Mark Hunt. O’Farrell outlined the department’s budget request, including increases for adult education, Florida College System program funds, workforce development capitalization grants, apprenticeship and teacher apprenticeship programs, Open Door scholarships, and CAPE industry certification funding. He emphasized record growth in enrollments, completions, dual enrollment, and program offerings, and described grant-funded expansion in fields such as health sciences, manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, and AI-related programs. Committee members raised concerns about whether current programs match actual labor-market demand, how artificial intelligence may reduce future human labor needs in some fields, and how the state should avoid unwarranted duplication of programs. O’Farrell said the department uses economic forecasts, employer demand data, and a CTE audit process to review programs and phase out those that do not meet performance thresholds. Members also asked for more detail on the teacher apprenticeship model, the transition from technical college clock hours to college credit, job placement and salary outcomes, and the LPN-to-RN pathway. O’Farrell said he would provide additional information later. Hawkins described South Florida State College’s rural service area, low college-going rates, and difficulty recruiting and retaining faculty and staff because salaries lag behind local market alternatives and nearby school district pay. He said the college has had to turn away students in high-demand programs due to staffing and operational limits, while also noting strong outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography. Hunt said Pinellas Technical College serves about 5,000 students annually, including many dual-enrolled high school students, and reported a placement rate above 90% and strong local economic returns. He said many programs have waiting lists and that additional operational funding is needed to meet demand, maintain equipment, and keep pace with salary and cost increases. The meeting ended after public comment was opened and no further business was brought before the committee, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The statute currently that's in the code with regard to processing electronic voting system results.
• We've uncovered evidence of duplicate voters across multiple counties, and we've observed numerous anomalies
• When voter rolls contain duplicates or deceased voters, someone must be authorized to correct them.
• I think we already have processes in place through the team that identifies duplicate voters with strong

Bills: HB311, SB447, SB505, SB2217, SB2753, HB311

Keywords: voter registration, electronic, Texas election law, Signature verification, DPS, internet application, Texas Election Code, signature verification, online application, data security, electronic application, Department of Public Safety, information security, electronic voter registration, voting technology, voter access, state election laws, digital signature, election irregularities, audit

Transcript Highlights:

• And what happened with the current statute, so the current statute basically says that they can't do
• And what happened with the current statute, so the current statute basically says that they can't do
• by a popular vote, so the statute by a popular vote, so the statute actually<00:36:50.000> doesn't
• The witness said that the current definition of the statute is adequate.
• not seeing the duplication um of the<01:02:16.880> counting.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, however, they do have some of that uh I don't I hate to call it duplicative.
• hate<00:05:17.760> to<00:05:17.840> call<00:05:18.000> it<00:05:18.080> duplicative
• <00:05:18.640> They<00:05:18.760> just hate to call it duplicative.
• They just hate to call it duplicative.
• So, by statute, local governments have responsibility for what just come smaller buildings, buildings

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:32 Approval of Minutes 01:46 Public Protection Cabinet 19:05 Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet 33:14 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee met without a quorum at first, then approved the minutes once a quorum was reached. The first presentation was from the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction within the Public Protection Cabinet. Commissioner Max Fuller and Deputy Commissioner David Moore reviewed the department’s licensing structure, noting about 50 license types and roughly 42,000 active licenses, with most tied to plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work. They compared Kentucky’s fees and requirements with neighboring states and said Kentucky is generally in line or slightly below surrounding states when local and contractor licensing requirements elsewhere are considered. The department also described staffing and inspection pressures. Officials said boiler inspections have a measurable backlog, with about 18% of state-jurisdiction boilers and pressure vessels past due statewide and a higher percentage in Jefferson County. They said building code plan review turnaround has risen from about 30 days to roughly 33–35 days, and that some areas are struggling to maintain same-day plumbing inspections and three-day HVAC inspections. Members asked whether the agency could handle increased housing construction, especially in rural areas; the department said it had requested additional plumbing staff and a plan reviewer, particularly for the Bowling Green/Warren County area, and noted that electrical inspectors are stretched across the state and are also pulled into disaster response work. The committee then heard from Kentucky Venues and the Kentucky State Fair Board on the Kentucky Exposition Center renovation and related operations. David Beck, board chairman David Williams, CFO Tony Shrek, and others said the project is progressing ahead of schedule, with keys to the new building expected in December and the facility already booked for future events. They reported strong tourism and economic impact, including record activity at the Exposition Center and downtown convention center, and said the Farm Machinery Show and other events continue to drive demand. Members asked about budget status, and the presenters said inflation, delayed access to funds due to the RFP/design process, and added costs have left them short of money to finish all planned work. They identified phase three funding needs, including food and beverage service improvements and completion of Freedom Hall seating, and said they are considering bringing food and beverage operations back under their control to improve efficiency and revenue. The meeting ended with no formal votes on the presentations and an announcement that the committee would meet again the following Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a state statute.
• It's a state statute.
• It's a state statute.
• It's a state statute.
• It's a state statute.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You cannot, without compelling rhyme or reason, roll back such an unproven statute.
• entries from uh out all the duplicate entries from uh young<01:15:00.920> people<01:15:01.280
• So this puts it into statute and makes it crystal clear that in addition to approving your identity,
• <03:31:52.600> and<03:31:52.760> makes<03:31:52.920> it puts it into statute
• There is no fiscal note, because this is removing a statute, so there is no fiscal note.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:26:38.160> RSA point, per our statute, RSA point, per our statute, RSA 6796,<02:26:40.399
• special education was duplicative. special education was duplicative. presumably<02:39:45.520>
• duplicative. Um it is discretionary. duplicative.
• It’s a pretty extensive statute.
• :33:43.279> would formalizing this in statute would formalizing this in statute would provide<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:15:10.560> uh requiring a redundant, duplicative uh requiring a redundant, duplicative
• adding we're basically duplicating that. adding we're basically duplicating that.
• Sometimes it could cause duplication of services.
• Sometimes it could cause duplication of services.
• Sometimes it could cause duplication of services.

Bills: SB141, SB124, SB56, SJR116, SB94, SB37, SB127, SB197, SB66, SB70, SB133, SB160, SB214, SB312, SB52, SJR62, SJR75

Keywords: legal advertisements, tax rates, public hearings, transparency, local government, sick leave, education, teacher retirement, benefits, employee compensation, Medicaid, nonopioid analgesics, pain management, health care regulation, utilization controls, physician shortage, health care access, medically underserved areas, medical education, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• Some have claimed that this creates duplicative reporting.
• Some have claimed that this creates duplicative reporting.
• Some have claimed that this creates duplicative reporting.
• Some have claimed that this creates duplicative reporting.
• Some have claimed that this creates duplicative reporting.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we avoid duplication, replication, and more chaos at the school level?
• The statute requires us to use a third-party administrator, and it's fairly focused in what's required
• The statute requires us to use a third-party administrator, and it's fairly focused in what's required
• So the plain language of the statute says that the third-party administrator is to be responsible for
• The statute says the third-party administrator is to manage operations, but the way that the graphic

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations on several GovOps-related budget proposals, beginning with ongoing funding for the California Education Learning Lab. The Learning Lab described its intersegmental grants to UC, CSU, and community college faculty, including AI-related work and a math alignment project, and said the Governor’s proposal would move the program’s home agency to GovOps and restore $4 million annually. The Department of Finance supported the proposal as a way to improve coordination, while the LAO recommended rejecting it, arguing the projects are hard to scale, similar professional development already exists in the segments, and the state should consider saving General Fund dollars. Senators split on the value of the program, with some emphasizing innovation and intersegmental collaboration and others questioning its measurable long-term impact; the item was held open. The committee then reviewed the Office of Civil Rights proposal to implement AB 715 and SB 48 with $3.5 million in 2026-27 and $2.8 million ongoing. GovOps said the office had been set up administratively, positions were being recruited, and it would provide training, technical assistance, and complaint review related to anti-Semitism and other discrimination in TK-12 schools. The LAO had no concerns, but senators raised substantial questions about the office’s placement in GovOps, the lack of guidance while the laws are being implemented, the use of gubernatorial appointees, and whether the staffing structure matches the likely workload across different discrimination categories. GovOps said it would develop guidance, coordinate with CDE, and shift resources as needed once staff are hired, but several members said they were not prepared to support the item as presented; it was also held open. After public comment supporting the California Education Interagency Council, the subcommittee approved vote-only items 11 through 17 and 6 through 10. It then heard from the Office of Data and Innovation on a request for five positions and $1.25 million in reimbursement authority to expand digital service delivery work. ODI described projects such as reducing unauthorized EBT theft and forecasting community water system outages, and said it uses guardrails and contracts to protect sensitive data when working with vendor AI services. The LAO had no concerns, and members generally praised ODI’s small, high-impact role; the item was held open. Finally, the Department of Technology presented on the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative, reporting that 423 miles are complete, more than 70% of the network has been permitted, and about 5,300 miles are expected to be completed by December 2026, with some work potentially slipping into 2027. CDT said Skyline Technology Solutions had been selected to operate the network and that the third-party administrator, Golden State Net, would continue to support development and later help oversee operations and sales. The LAO noted the project’s progress but raised concerns about the novel three-party structure, accountability, and long-term financial sustainability. Senators questioned the legal basis for the operator arrangement, the revenue outlook, reporting to the Legislature, and whether the network will be self-sustaining; CDT said it expects revenues to cover operations over time and will continue annual and quarterly reporting. The item was left open.