Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, your Committee on Joint Budget, to whom was referred House Bill 1009, House Bill 1011, House
• Speaker, your Committee on Joint Budget, to whom was referred House Bill 1006, House Bill 1013, House
• Bill 1036, House Bill 1016, House Bill 1043, House Bill 1086, House Bill 1078, House Bill 188, begs
• Members, we're going to pass over House Bill 1024 today. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1060.
• Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1060. House Bill 1060.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum of 98 members present, and granted leave for Representative Jack Ladyman. The chamber approved dispensing with the previous day’s journal and received committee reports from Joint Budget on several appropriations bills, along with an executive communication from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders noting approval of House Bill 1001 as Act 2. The Speaker also recognized several guests, including law enforcement personnel, physicians, a nurse, STEM students, line workers, and Council of State Governments visitors. The main business was the budget calendar. The House adopted amendments to House Bills 1018, 1023, 1036, 1041, 1055, 1068, and 1077, covering items such as title changes for East Arkansas College, DHS resource reallocations, Nursing Board positions, Capitol Police positions for the Winthrop Rockefeller building, transfer of the early childhood nutrition program to the Department of Agriculture, DFA position changes and the Rural Health Transformation Program, and DHS county office staffing reductions. The chamber then sent the amendments to engrossing. Members passed House Bill 1060, the State Library appropriation, by 77 yeas, 15 nays, and 3 present; Senate Bill 5, the Tobacco Settlement Commission appropriation, by 90 yeas, 5 nays, and 3 present; Senate Bill 13, the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission appropriation, by 98 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 present; Senate Bill 39, the Arkansas State University appropriation, by 97 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 present; and Senate Bill 56, the Auditor of State continuing education appropriation for local offices, by 81 yeas, 14 nays, and 3 present. The Speaker announced the House was ahead of schedule and moved next week’s floor schedule from Tuesday-Thursday to Monday-Wednesday, with a likely Monday start time around 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. The House then adjourned until 1:00 p.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:48:08.319><c> no</c> little as 90 60 90 days um no little as 90 60 90 days um no investigations<
• House File 1 in the House does this in a different way.
• House File 1 in the House does this in a different way.
• do your bill.
• OIG bill?

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• to House Bill 2.
• House Bill 180 and Pacific, and then Senate Bill 273 and 274.
• The second item that I want to bring to your attention is this year we had a bill, it was House Bill
• Chair, so House Bill 180 is the fires, right?
• I mean, clearly we're doing housing and arenas and all sorts of things... Through House Bill 2.

Bills: HB2 , SB152

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So right now it's at about 90% design.
• Basically, you have to grow one house for every five houses that already exist here to meet that demand
• What I'm saying is that in the state of New Mexico, it looks like under House Bill 93, they can build
• So under House Bill 93, it looks like Like independent owners can build generation that perhaps the utility
• I'm particularly interested in this came up a little bit. in the implementation for House Bill 93, the

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to thank the introducers of this bill and the chairs for hearing this bill so we can bring
• </c> massive Network which which this bill massive Network which which this bill does<00:48:09.040><c
• Okay, so for AEN, Chair... ...Vice Chair on the bills, Senate Bill 1100.
• </c><01:04:07.799><c> Senate</c><01:04:08.160><c> Bill</c> chair on the uh bills Senate Bill chair on
• the uh bills Senate Bill 11000<01:04:10.559><c> chair</c><01:04:11.079><c> recommends</c><01:04:11.640

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The joint hearing focused on a bill reorganizing Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity and invasive species framework, including moving or renaming responsibilities within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and clarifying the role of the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC). Testimony from the Hawaiian Invasive Species Council, DLNR, Oʻahu and Big Island invasive species committees, the Sierra Club, farmers, and community members generally agreed that invasive species management is critical, but many opposed consolidating HISC or broader biosecurity functions into a single department. Supporters of the existing interagency model emphasized HISC’s statewide coordination role, its links to DLNR and other agencies, and its ability to fill gaps with federal funding and cross-agency collaboration. Several testifiers raised concerns that the bill could weaken existing authority or create unintended legal and operational problems. The Sierra Club and others warned about possible interstate commerce issues, loss of authority to regulate movement of infested material within an island, and the need to preserve HISC as an independent or elevated coordinating body rather than placing it inside one agency. Community testimony described real-world impacts from little fire ants, coqui frogs, and landscaping-related introductions, and argued that the current system has produced service gaps and duplication when funding or responsibilities shift. One testifier also urged removing hemp movement reporting provisions, saying they do not aid biosecurity and should be treated like other crops. DLNR and Department of Agriculture representatives said they support the overall goal of stronger biosecurity but stressed that invasive species work is broader than agriculture alone. They noted that DOA, DLNR, and other partners each have different missions and capabilities, and that staff safety, terrain, and training matter when responding in remote areas. The department said it was recruiting for new positions, with some of the 44 funded positions still being finalized, and that implementation would require phased rulemaking, standards, training, and outreach. Members asked about the bill’s practical impact, staffing needs, and whether inspectors are prohibited from hiking; the department said no blanket prohibition exists, but staff use judgment based on safety and terrain. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please read the House bill. House Bill 6517, a bill to be entitled an act for the relief of A.
• Senator, there's a companion House bill. Other questions? Senator, there's a companion House bill.
• Please read the House bill.
• Senate Bill 594, a bill to be entitled: An act relating to local housing assistance plans.
• Senate Bill 594, a bill to be entitled: An act relating to local housing assistance plans.

Summary: The Florida Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing visiting groups and guests, including college students and leaders, health and nonprofit organizations, Catholic Days at the Capitol participants, foreign dignitaries from Morocco, and others. Senators also observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, with remarks honoring the Parkland community and the school safety law that followed. The chamber then took up a special order calendar of bills, beginning with several claims bills and local relief measures. SB 14 for Jose Correa against Miami-Dade County passed 37-1, and HB 6517 for A. Sanchez-Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg passed after substitution. HB 6515 for Lordes Latour and Edward Lator against Miami-Dade County also passed 38-1. The Senate then approved SB 52 on volunteer armed security at places of worship (39-0), SB 124 updating Florida Virtual School statutes (39-0), SB 504 on code inspector body cameras (39-0), and SB 506 on related public records (38-1). A lengthy debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Several senators argued for tighter oversight and supported an amendment by Senator Berman that would have limited fund use and required Legislative Budget Commission approval for continued spending; that amendment failed 12-27. The underlying bill then passed 29-10. Senators also adopted SB 594 on local housing assistance for mobile home owners (39-0), SB 656 strengthening Internet Crimes Against Children programs (39-0), SB 806 creating right-to-repair protections for wireless devices and agricultural equipment (39-0), SB 816 establishing the University of Florida Diabetes Institute (39-0), SM 1186 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure by voice vote, SB 308 creating the Florida Museum of Black History with a late-filed amendment clarifying ex officio nonvoting legislative members (39-0), and SB 572 updating ethics law to include foster children and foster parents, as amended (38-0). The Senate also withdrew SB 1360 from further consideration, certified passed bills to the House, and adjourned until February 19.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please read the House bill. House Bill 6517, a bill to be entitled an act for the relief of A.
• Please read the bill a third time. House Bill 6517, an act for the relief of A.
• Senator, there's a companion House bill. Other questions? Senator, there's a companion House bill.
• Please read the House bill.
• Senate Bill 594, a bill to be entitled an act relating to local housing assistance plans.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bills reading of Senate bills.
• House File 3556, a bill for an act relating to energy, naming the community solar garden program for
• </c> bill its third reading. bill its third reading.
• </c> the same bill or is there another bill the same bill or is there another bill just<01:27:14.800>
• </c> the same as that bill. the same as that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please read the House bill. House Bill 6517, a bill to be entitled an act for the relief of A.
• Please read the bill a third time. House Bill 6517, an act for the relief of A.
• Senator, there's a companion House bill. Other questions? Senator, there's a companion House bill.
• Please read the House bill.
• Senate Bill 594, a bill to be entitled an act relating to local housing assistance plans.

Transcript Highlights:

• national average of 87 percent who remain housed after receiving permanent housing.
• When Selena became Executive Director of Housing Works, she rejuvenated her organizational culture by
• centering trauma-informed practices for workers and placing well-being at the heart of Housing Works
• Senate Resolution 90 by Senator Gonzalez relative to Kamai New Year.
• I rise today to present Senate Resolution 90, which will recognize April 4th.

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through several floor recognitions. Members honored the Natomas Nighthawks boys basketball team for their championship season, and the chamber also recognized the 2026 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awardees for work on homelessness, education, youth civic engagement, community college success, and mental health. Individual awardees highlighted included Chris Chapman, Leanne Chun, Darla Cooper, Virgil Moorhead Jr. and Amy Matheson, Adrian Hillman and Aaron Garner Ford, and Selina Alvarez. The Senate also welcomed former U.S. Treasurer Rosie Rios Perez and later heard committee and budget subcommittee announcements. On legislation, the body considered and passed Senate Resolution 88 by Senator Blakespear, commemorating the 50th anniversary of modern biotechnology and the 20th anniversary of the California Biotechnology Foundation. The resolution emphasized California’s role in biotech innovation and the industry’s economic and public health impact. The Senate also passed Senate Resolution 90 by Senator Gonzalez, recognizing April 14–16 as Khmer New Year and celebrating Cambodian American culture, especially in Long Beach. The chamber confirmed five gubernatorial appointments: Alan Guy, Henry Nutt III, and Steven Pennelli to the Contractors State License Board; Jacob Arkavakotov to the Medical Board of California; and Dr. V. V. Ling Sai to the Medical Board of California. All confirmations were approved by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. The Senate also suspended a rule to allow Senate Bill 1447 to be heard in policy committees after the deadline, and later announced that the next floor session would be held on Monday, April 13, 2026. The session concluded with adjournment in memory of Rod Diridon Sr., with extended remarks from Senators Cortese, Wahab, and Becker describing his long public service, leadership on transportation and environmental issues, and lasting influence in Santa Clara County and beyond.

Transcript Highlights:

• national average of 87 percent who remain housed after receiving permanent housing.
• When Selina became Executive Director of Housing Works, she rejuvenated her organizational culture by
• centering trauma-informed practices for workers and placing well-being at the heart of Housing Works
• Senate Resolution 90 by Senator Gonzalez relative to Kamai New Year.
• I rise today to present Senate Resolution 90, which will recognize April 4th.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and began with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The floor then moved through a series of recognitions, including the Natomas Nighthawks boys basketball team, 2026 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awardees, and visiting California biotech leaders. Senators highlighted the honorees’ work on youth development, education, mental health, homelessness, community college success, and biotechnology. The body also welcomed Rosie Perez, the 43rd Treasurer of the United States and chair of America 250, to the chamber. On the legislative side, the Senate approved a procedural request to allow Senate Bill 1447 to be heard in policy committees after the deadline. The chamber then confirmed five gubernatorial appointments: Alan Guy, Henry Nutt III, Steven Pennelli, Jacob Arkatov, and Dr. V. V. Ling Sai, with each confirmation passing on unanimous or near-unanimous roll calls. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 88, recognizing the 50th anniversary of modern biotechnology and the 20th anniversary of the California Biotechnology Foundation, and Senate Resolution 90, recognizing April 14-16 as Khmer New Year; both resolutions passed 37-0. The remainder of the session included committee announcements and an extended adjournment in memory of Rod Diridon Sr., with several senators speaking to his long career in local government, transportation planning, environmental advocacy, and public service. Members emphasized his role in shaping transit in Santa Clara County and California, his mentorship, and his lasting influence on the region. The Senate then announced it would recess and reconvene on Monday, April 13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to tell you about the, um, uh, in the A3, um, it contains House File 2904, a bill that creates
• </c> of this bill. of this bill.
• We later received a bill for $1,100 for this 90-minute visit.
• for $1,100 for We later received a bill for $1,100 for this<00:48:02.040><c> 90-minute</c><00:48:02.720
• </c> this 90-minute visit. this 90-minute visit.

Bills: HF3119

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We have slightly over 275 employees, but that's because of our Senate Bill 90 program, and I'll talk
• And then we have Senate Bill 90. Senate Bill 90 has been enacted in 2022 as a pilot program.
• I'll start with Senate Bill 90 from Kentucky, the pilot program of low-level offenders.
• Bill 90 from Kentucky, start with Senate Bill 90 from Kentucky, the<01:57:47.599><c> pilot</c><01:57
• Uh, we had zero interaction with the Department of Behavioral Health before Senate Bill 90, and now we

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll move to report House bill, Senate bill fority favorably. Are there any objections?
• You want to start on the bill on House Bill 762? House Resolution. Mr. Odom. 762? Mr.
• Move to report House Bill 762 with amendments. Are there any objections?
• Hearing none, House Bill 762 would be reported with amendments. Rep.
• House Bill 714 by Representative Phelps. Ms. Champaign. Mr.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee heard and advanced a wide range of transportation, public safety, and local infrastructure measures. Several bills dealt with port and commission appointments or authority, including SB 420 adding Vermilion and Iberia Parish representation to the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission, SB 69 aligning appointments to the South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission with redistricting, SB 438 increasing per diem for the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, and SB 170 adding qualification and Senate confirmation requirements for Caddo-Bossier Port Commission members. The committee also approved SB 449 to give the New Orleans Public Belt more flexibility in procuring specialized materials, and SB 115 to allow DOTD to assume certain federal NEPA responsibilities to speed project delivery, with testimony emphasizing long permitting delays and the need for faster project completion. Members also advanced multiple safety and enforcement measures. SB 40 expanded move-over protections for emergency and disabled vehicles, SB 55 clarified proper seat belt use, SB 278 required ignition interlock devices for DUI-related license reinstatement, SB 489 authorized third-party verification of insurance coverage through license plate inquiries, and SB 133 updated commercial vehicle parking and autonomous vehicle oversight provisions. SB 151 would flag OMV records for people who owe DNA samples tied to CODIS matches or qualifying arrests/convictions, and SB 48 would create Louisiana-Ireland driver’s license reciprocity. Most of these bills were reported favorably after brief testimony, with support from law enforcement, AAA, OMV, and other stakeholders. The committee also considered several local resolutions and infrastructure studies. Rep. Dickerson’s resolutions on widening Highway 16, studying turn lanes on Highway 1024, and constructing a roundabout on Highway 1019 were all reported favorably. HCR 53 created a study committee on oversized vehicle permits with DOTD participation, HCR 60 asked DOTD to study I-12 and I-55 corridor improvements, and HR/HCR 170 and 68 sought federal funding to remove four closed bridges on US 90 in St. Tammany Parish. HR 191, as amended, requested a DOTD study of mountable median curbs on Range Avenue in Denham Springs. HB 762, amended to make certain OMV debt referrals permissive rather than mandatory, was reported favorably over some concern about debt collection impacts. HB 714, which would have addressed abandoned railroad lines, drew extensive debate over federal preemption, blight definitions, and whether a new commission was needed; the author ultimately moved to defer it, and the committee agreed. SB 330 on school-zone automated speed enforcement markings was amended to grandfather existing compliant pavement markings and rejected an amendment that would have exempted several cities from the law. The committee adjourned after reporting the remaining measures favorably and recognizing a departing staff member.

Transcript Highlights:

• While the current version of House Bill 11 has made some changes, the core of the bill remains unchanged
• I support this bill, so we hope that House Bill 11 passes this year.
• House Bill 11 will directly improve the quality of life for our patients.
• While YECA strongly supports House Bill 11, I'm here today to share my personal story and why this bill
• And that's what House Bill 11 is about.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And we put that cost at around 85 to 90 million.
• I think it's 90%. But the transfer velocity is not 90%.
• I do not have their specific feedback in house.
• So it’s not a back bill.
• I need to go and present a bill to a committee that’s wrapping up.

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the California Community Colleges budget proposal, including Proposition 98 funding, a 2.41% COLA for apportionments, enrollment growth funding, repayment of an apportionment deferral, and one-time investments for a student support block grant and deferred maintenance. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s package as providing significant new resources, while the LAO recommended prioritizing COLA and enrollment growth within available funds but raised concerns about some smaller proposals, including making the Healthy School Food Pathways Program ongoing and adding more funding for credit for prior learning before outcomes are known. The Chancellor’s Office supported the COLA, enrollment growth, and one-time investments, and said current projections suggest enrollment growth closer to 3%, with about $85 million to $90 million in ongoing costs if fully funded. Members focused heavily on enrollment growth, the 10% district cap, and whether the state should continue funding growth in the current year and budget year. The Chancellor’s Office said some districts, especially in the Inland Empire and Central Valley, are growing rapidly and that about seven districts are above the cap, with roughly 1,563 FTES and about $30 million in ongoing costs tied to that issue. Members also discussed hold-harmless districts and whether declining campuses should be required to produce turnaround or right-sizing plans. The Chancellor’s Office said districts are already having local conversations and that state funding provides time to adjust, but no formal plan requirement was proposed. The committee then took up common course numbering, where the Chancellor’s Office said all 115 community colleges have implemented the first phase and more than 550,000 students enrolled in the first six commonly numbered courses. The office argued that CCN improves clarity but does not yet guarantee that credits will transfer with full value across UC and CSU, because articulation is still handled campus by campus and can require more than 3,500 separate reviews. Members expressed concern that students can still be forced to retake courses such as calculus or ethnic studies even when they have the same common number, and urged the systems to develop a stronger statewide articulation mechanism tied to outcomes and transparency. The item was left open. Finally, the committee heard the Governor’s proposal to make Calbright College’s funding ongoing at $53.1 million. The LAO recommended instead transitioning Calbright to the student-centered funding formula, with one-time bridge funding in the meantime, arguing the Governor’s proposal lacks a clear enrollment-based rationale and performance expectations. Calbright’s leadership defended the college’s competency-based, flexible model for adult learners, citing more than 6,800 students served, over 2,200 certificates awarded, and wage gains for graduates; they said enrollment is expected to grow from about 7,000 students now to roughly 8,000 to 9,000 next year and around 10,000 over the next couple of years. Members pressed for clearer enrollment and funding data before deciding how Calbright should be funded going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 516 is not a clean-up bill. It is a scrub-difference-away bill.
• House Bill 516 is not a clean-up bill. It is a scrub-difference-away bill.
• I'm speaking against House Bill 516.
• We support House Bill 516 and we thank the sponsor for bringing this bill forward. Thank you.
• We support House Bill 516 and we thank the sponsor for bringing this bill forward.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• national average of 87 percent who remain housed after receiving permanent housing.
• When Selena became Executive Director of Housing Works, she rejuvenated her organizational culture by
• centering trauma-informed practices for workers and placing well-being at the heart of Housing Works
• The focus on worker wellness and training contributes to Housing Works' 97 percent retention rate in
• Senate Resolution 90 by Senator Gonzalez relative to Kamai New Year.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair laid out House Bill 3326 and recognized Dr. Allen to explain the bill.
• Chair lays out House Bill 4066 and recognizes Chairman Bonin to explain the bill.
• Chair lays out House Bill 125 and recognizes Representative Slauson to explain the bill.
• Chair lays out House Bill 42 and recognizes Chairman Wilson to explain the bill.
• House Bill 42 seeks to provide for this increase.

Bills: HB42 , HB 125 , HB 1233 , HB2853 , HB3148 , HB3326 , HB3701 , HB4066 , HB4361 , HB4762 , HB4909 , HB4912 , HB42 , HB125

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education met to hear several bills and first corrected the minutes from its April 1, 2025 meeting to reflect that a committee substitute for HB 271 had been adopted before the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 3326, which would help Texas higher education employees, especially adjunct faculty, qualify for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness by counting classroom hours toward full-time status, requiring institutions to verify employment within 60 days, and requiring annual notice to eligible employees. No witnesses testified against the bill, and it was left pending. Members then heard HB 2853, authorizing UTEP to phase in a student union fee increase to fund demolition and reconstruction of its aging student union. Representative Perez and UTEP student and university witnesses said the current facility is outdated and insufficient for a campus of more than 25,000 students, while some members raised concerns about the size of the fee increase and its impact on low-income students. UTEP representatives said most students receive aid, the fee would be phased in over time, and the project was student-approved; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4066, a one-line bill to abolish the Texas Research Incentive Program after the state cleared its backlog of matching obligations, with the author saying the program was no longer needed in light of newer research funding approaches. The bill was left pending. The committee spent substantial time on HB 125, which would create the Tarleton State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Supporters, including Tarleton leadership, the founding dean, a rural hospital CEO, and a feasibility consultant, argued the school would address severe rural physician shortages by recruiting Texas and rural students, training them in rural settings, and developing new residency slots rather than competing for existing ones. Members asked about affordability, residency placement, and whether the school would draw students from rural Texas; Tarleton said it would seek to keep tuition and debt low, had already raised private donations, and would request $25 million in state support over the biennium. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 42, which would increase the annual Higher Education Fund appropriation and adjust its allocation methodology. The chair and university witnesses described rising deferred maintenance, inflation, cybersecurity needs, and enrollment growth at HEAF-eligible institutions, with witnesses from Texas Tech, Sam Houston State, and UNT saying the additional funding would help address aging facilities and technology needs. After testimony, the committee left HB 42 pending and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• This time, the chair lays out House Bill 627. Chair recognizes the Chair to explain the bill.
• Thank you. for the opportunity to lay out House Bill 627 before this committee.
• Self, Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers, testifying in favor of the bill.
• Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers for the bill.
• At this time, House Bill 627 will be left pending. Okay, nothing else on there, okay.

Bills: HB164 , HB411 , HB627 , HB 1226 , HB1677 , HB1865 , HB1997 , HB2985 , HB3462 , HB4188 , HB4685 , HB4840 , HB5370 , HB5424 , HB5466 , HB5509 , HB5660 , HB5673 , HB164

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs