Transcript Highlights:

• to... ...sent some additional language referring to a study on towing and recovery coverage for vehicles
• that there's getting to be a problem with motorists who carry liability only coverage on low value vehicles
• ... ...the point where towing services may not come and remove vehicles if the owner has liability only
• coverage because of the hassle of getting paid for removing that vehicle from the side of the road.
• On line 10 of page 6, but there's plenty of businesses that operate in multiple states.

Summary: The conference committee on Senate Bill 2374 discussed proposed amendments to the insurance rebating provisions and a new study on towing and recovery issues. Deputy Insurance Commissioner John Arnold explained that, after working with industry representatives, the compromise was to remove the large commercial rebating exemption language and keep the rest of the bill intact, while also clarifying that federal crop insurance remains subject to the state’s rebating laws. Members asked several questions about how the large commercial risk definition would work, how the rules would apply to nonresident producers and border-area farm policies, and whether the changes would affect long-standing industry practices. The committee also considered Commissioner Godfrey’s request for a study on who pays to remove vehicles from the roadside when the owner has liability-only coverage, especially in cases involving totaled or abandoned vehicles. Arnold said the issue has been raised by Highway Patrol and towing interests and that the study language was intended to examine possible solutions for the next legislative session. Some members expressed concern about shifting costs to the insurance industry, but others supported the study as a way to gain clarity. The committee adopted the amendment package, including the towing study language, by a 6-0 roll call vote. It then passed Senate Bill 2374 as amended by another 6-0 vote. The committee noted that the bill would need floor carriers on both chambers, with Representative Johnson and Senator Klein indicating they would carry it.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> specifically earmarked for operational specifically earmarked for operational and<00:20:49.880><
• </c> specific definition for operational specific definition for operational expenses<00:20:56.520><c
• The vehicles will be staffed and operated by advanced life support partners in the program, but they'll
• The vehicles will be staffed and operated by advanced life support partners in the program, but they'll
• </c> couple things your response vehicles couple things your response vehicles that<01:08:48.480><c>

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And not all of Texas operates off of the. ERCOT grid as well.
• SB 1214 by Perry, relating to the operation.
• Operation of a vehicle transporting ready-mixed concrete on a public highway.
• SB 2243 by West relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to require a vehicle
• trailer or semi-trailer to have a vehicle identification number inspection.

Bills: HB14 , HJR31 , HB43 , HB18 , HB 106 , HB36 , HB26 , HB149 , HB 121 , HB206 , HB136 , HB3114 , HB2733 , HB1732 , HB3700 , HB467 , HB 1130 , HB1846 , HB1442 , HB 1147 , HB2176 , HB2701 , HB805 , HB2890 , HB 1154 , HB1644 , HB2118 , HB1718 , HB2488 , HB2596 , HB1971 , HB2468 , HB484 , HB2578 , HB3204 , HB 1041 , HB307 , HB685 , HB1710 , HB538 , HB2525 , HB3125 , HB2027 , HB2894 , HB3077 , HB3684 , HJR99 , HB1399 , HJR5 , HB1330 , HB2110 , HJR2 , HJR6 , HB1587 , HB14 , HJR31 , HB43 , HB18 , HB 106 , HB36 , HB26 , HB149 , HB 121 , HB206 , HB136 , HB3114 , HB2733 , HB1732 , HB3700 , HB467 , HB 1130 , HB1846 , HB1442 , HB 1147 , HB2176 , HB2701 , HB805 , HB2890 , HB 1154 , HB1644 , HB2118 , HB1718 , HB2488 , HB2596 , HB1971 , HB2468 , HB484 , HB2578 , HB3204 , HB 1041 , HB307 , HB685 , HB1710 , HB538 , HB2525 , HB3125 , HB2027 , HB2894 , HB3077 , HB3684

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, farm products, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, agriculture, Texas Constitution, livestock, producer, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services

Transcript Highlights:

• WALLACE BECAME AGITATED AND TRIED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. OFC.
• RAYNOR INSTRUCTED HIM TO STAY IN THE VEHICLE. WALLACE REFUSED AND SHOVED OFC. RAYNOR.
• THAT MEANS SOMEONE WHO KNOWS, AN OFFICER WHO KNOWS HE OR SHE IS OPERATING UNLAWFULLY.
• NOW WE'RE SAYING IT IS OKAY TO OPERATE NOW WE'RE SAYING IT IS OKAY TO OPERATE UNLAWFULLY.
• MOST OFFICERS OPERATE IN GOOD FAITH.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, under current law, peace officers may issue citations following vehicle accidents when they
• This bill simply brings boating enforcement in line with vehicle law by allowing trained peace officers
• Driving under the influence on the road and operating a vessel under the influence on the water both
• Driving under the influence on the road and operating a vessel under the influence on the water, both
• No other state imposes uncapped vicarious liability for peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing platforms.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• and live with electric vehicles.
• </c> cold here in Minnesota electric vehicles cold here in Minnesota electric vehicles do<00:09:15.120
• an electric vehicle association we hired an electric vehicle program<00:09:49.560><c> director</c><00
• </c> operate and live with electric vehicles operate and live with electric vehicles so<00:10:04.200>
• vehicles, and we'll see a lot more vehicles that are older models.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is collateral that—ammetry, if we can call it that—from other vehicles in the crossing.
• FDOT will research, operate research-designated facilities, and enter into contracts and agreements for
• So it's already illegal to shoot into an occupied vehicle.
• Who is prohibited specifically from shooting into a vehicle? Assuming everybody? Yeah.
• It prohibits governmental entities from adopting 100% EV vehicle and appliance purchasing programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fleet Services Division of the Department of Administration for the replacement and purchase of vehicles
• Fleet Services Division of the Department of Administration for the replacement and purchase of vehicles
• of Conservation and Natural Resources for a new website and database, and for the replacement of vehicles
• Senate Bill 428, introduced by the Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections, revises
• Our small retailers, many of them local, family-run operations, don't have a reliable way to know what's

Transcript Highlights:

• heard a concern where businesses have expressed a concern of potentially leaving or being unable to operate
• Next we'll hear testimony on H. 4722, an act promoting fair tax treatment for zero-emission vehicles.
• The first is House 4722, an act promoting fair tax treatment for zero-emission vehicles, which I filed
• by capping those taxes at the level of a comparable diesel vehicle.
• By capping those taxes at the level of a comparable diesel vehicle.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 17 miscellaneous and late-file bills, with testimony focused on several local tax and policy measures. The first major item was H. 4687 for Watertown, which would make permanent a temporary tax classification adjustment allowing the city to maintain a 50% minimum residential factor and a 175% commercial shift. Watertown officials and legislators said the change is needed because the city’s commercial growth has triggered an old statutory formula that would otherwise push a larger share of the tax burden onto homeowners, especially seniors and fixed-income residents. They said the current temporary relief expires in fiscal 2027 and warned that, without permanent action, residential tax bills could rise sharply; committee members asked about the regional business impact, commercial taxpayers such as Alexandria Real Estate, and Watertown’s stabilization and free cash balances. The committee also heard H. 4435, a Charlemont bill authorizing a tax on commercial recreation services. Town officials said the measure would help a small rural town with a large tourism and recreation economy cover increased police, fire, and EMS costs caused by visitors, while reducing pressure on local property taxpayers. A committee member questioned whether the proposal fit within existing tax law and whether it was more like a tax on entry than on services; town witnesses responded that it would apply to recreation-related services such as guides and lifts and was modeled on the meals and rooms tax. Finally, testimony was taken on H. 4722, which would promote fair tax treatment for zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including electric school buses and trucks, by capping sales and excise taxes at the level of comparable diesel vehicles. Supporters said the bill would remove an unintended tax penalty, help school districts and transportation providers afford electrification, and remain revenue-neutral. Representative Gentile also testified in support of H. 4722 and H. 4755, a Sudbury bill to amend the town’s means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption so the local program can continue without requiring a new special act if it lapses. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Joint Committee hearing between Government Operations and our amazing friends at Transportation
• </c><00:10:01.240><c> first</c> companies with electric vehicles first companies with electric vehicles
• order to have construction vehicles being all electric?
• order to have construction vehicles being all electric?
• </c><00:16:10.639><c> and</c> hearing of government operations and hearing of government operations and

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Summary: The joint hearing of the Government Operations and Transportation, Culture and the Arts committees considered three bills. SB 1092 would establish a transportation demand management program for state employees, including a parking cash-out option. Testimony was largely in support, including from state planning, energy, labor, and several individuals, while committee members raised concerns about whether the program was mandatory and whether there was a full implementation plan. The bill’s proponents said it was voluntary and intended to reduce long parking waitlists by incentivizing employees to opt out of parking. The committees ultimately recommended SB 1092 be passed with amendments, and the measure was adopted in both committees. SB 1093 would create a parking demand management program and require DAGS to transition state employees from monthly parking to daily-rate parking. Testimony included strong opposition from most individuals and several agencies, with one supporter. A committee question focused on the loss of pre-tax payroll deductions under a daily-rate system, and the Deputy Attorney General explained that the current monthly arrangement allows deductions from gross pay, which would not work the same way with daily payments. Given the opposition and concerns, the committees recommended deferral indefinitely. SB 1121 would establish a procurement preference, beginning in 2027, for construction companies with electric vehicles. Testimony included comments from DAGS, the Department of Transportation, and others, with opposition noted from DOT. Committee members questioned charging infrastructure and battery disposal for electric vehicles used in construction. After discussion, the committees concluded it was in the best interest to defer the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• operations operations thank<00:09:59.720><c> you</c><00:09:59.839><c> representative</c><00:10:00.360
• </c><00:38:59.200><c> in</c> were 15,6 12 stolen vehicles in were 15,6 12 stolen vehicles in 2023<00:
• </c> do I have any Contraband in my vehicle do I have any Contraband in my vehicle which<00:47:14.640
• Following a vehicle too closely, slower vehicles passing stalled or disabled vehicles, you know, drive
• There's no vehicle to challenge this.

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is about the trails that are limited to smaller vehicles.
• The owner of the vehicle consents to access of data and images.
• B, a vehicle owner reports the vehicle as lost or stolen.
• finding the stolen vehicle?
• That way they can track every possible vehicle.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a series of guest introductions recognizing judges, medical and mining guests, students, and Girl Scout Troop 6354. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider a long calendar of bills, with most measures receiving committee amendments and do-pass recommendations. Bills discussed included SB 1272 on the Douglas port of entry, SB 1327 on Arizona Board of Regents restrictions involving foreign countries, SB 1400 on public safety employee information, SB 1519 on off-highway vehicles, SB 1627 on unmanned aircraft, SB 1630 on AHCCCS home and community-based services and mental illness, SB 1720 on parenting time, SB 1763 on school district finances, SB 1826 on rural wayfinding signs, and SB 1827 on vertiports/advanced air mobility. Several bills drew floor amendments and brief explanations, including changes to off-highway vehicle use, drone restrictions near schools, parenting-time standards, and school finance reporting. On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1272, SB 1327, SB 1400, SB 1519, SB 1627, SB 1630, SB 1720, SB 1763, and SB 1826. SB 1827 initially failed on a 15-15 vote. Members also debated SB 1111 on automatic license plate readers during a later Committee of the Whole session; supporters said it added guardrails such as warrant requirements, training, logging, and felony penalties for misuse, while opponents argued it still enabled broad surveillance and contained loopholes. The chamber adopted the Committee of the Whole report and then proceeded to third reading votes on the earlier bills. In the later session, the Senate considered SB 1111, SB 1214 on stem-cell/regenerative therapy, SB 1683 on foreign ownership/advisory limits for real property, SB 1686 on a memorial designation, and SB 1745 on local excise tax rate limits. SB 1214’s sponsor said the bill created a framework for regenerative medicine and medical tourism, while opponents said the policy was too significant for floor amendment and should be developed through stakeholder meetings. SB 1683 and SB 1745 were amended and advanced, and SB 1686 passed without amendment. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and the Senate then took up a motion to alter the report on SB 1111 to include the Hoffman amendment and exclude the Payne amendment, with debate centered on whether the bill was a necessary surveillance safeguard or an unconstitutional mass-surveillance measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And no agency should operate without enforceable accountability.
• The bill requires a private towing carrier to release an impounded motor vehicle to the vehicle owner
• It would require the towing company to take photographic evidence of the vehicle prior to tow.
• The bill adds blood transport vehicles to the list of vehicles that may use the HOV lane during restricted
• But— ...to the operating expenses for DPS, but that was—that’s not—it’s not a verbal amendment.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2615, as amended by a strike-everything amendment creating an Independent Oversight Committee on the Department of Child Safety with 15 members, authority to review DCS data and practices, request briefings and audits, conduct site visits, and receive confidential complaints, with a $2.2 million FY 2027 appropriation. The sponsor and several parents and foster/adoptive caregivers testified in support, describing child safety failures and arguing for independent accountability, while some members questioned whether the Ombudsman’s office was the right home for the committee and suggested other oversight structures. The amendment was adopted, but the bill itself failed on a 5-5 vote. House Bill 2620, which would appropriate $300,000 annually from FY 2027 through FY 2031 to the Arizona Department of Veterans Services for grants to emergency shelters serving veterans, received strong support from the sponsor and shelter advocates who said the funding would help move homeless veterans toward stable housing and connect them with VA services. Members emphasized veterans’ service and the need for trauma-informed case management, and the bill passed with a 10-0 do-pass recommendation. House Bill 2321, requiring DCS to place and later remove a credit freeze for children in care to prevent identity theft, also passed unanimously after the sponsor and members discussed the administrative process and protections for foster youth. The committee then considered House Bill 2601, directing ADOT to seek federal segmentation for the Interstate 11 project between Casa Grande and Wickenburg so environmental review could proceed separately from litigation affecting the southern portion. Supporters framed the bill as a bipartisan way to keep the project moving, while opponents from environmental groups and several members argued it would encourage sprawl, harm desert habitat, and add cost and delay; the bill passed 6-4. House Bill 2992, a pilot program for child sexual abuse and grooming awareness education in six public schools, drew testimony from a trafficking survivor and others who supported prevention efforts, but some members argued the topic should be handled through broader sex education or parent education; it passed 6-4. Later bills also advanced: HB 2156, appropriating $250,000 to the Livestock Compensation Fund, passed 7-3; HB 2165, exempting certain veterans and National Guard members from state park admission fees, passed 6-4 after amendment narrowing the exemption; HB 2960, creating a veterans specialty court grant program and related data-sharing requirements, passed 8-0; HB 2014, directing studies on gasoline blends and fuel feasibility amid EPA waiver concerns, passed 6-2; and HB 2957, preserving non-Real ID licenses and limiting biometric/data retention with a Kavanaugh amendment, passed 5-4-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that to include replacement operators that to include replacement operators licenses<00:15:14.560
• House did speak to the operations director for DOC.
• The DOC and the House did speak to the operations director for DOC.
• Such vehicles shall be permitted to park at a parking meter without fee.
• </c> government operations will meet at 2:00. government operations will meet at 2:00.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, occupy a stolen vehicle.
• /c> often times these stolen vehicles are often times these stolen vehicles are occupied<00:20:33.600
• We can watch people exit that vehicle, get into the vehicle.
• vehicles.
• The vehicle tracking device exception for fleeing vehicles.

Transcript Highlights:

• You want more money for heavy-duty and medium-duty vehicle activities?
• We also operate the Division of Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation, which provides high-quality off-road
• recreational vehicles at nine state off-highway vehicle parks.
• This includes personnel costs, operating expenses, and equipment.
• So do they operate in salt water? Do they live in salt water?

Transcript Highlights:

• Next slide, please. vehicles that will still inevitably need vehicles that will still inevitably need
• </c> course, we get 1.4 4 million vehicles course, we get 1.4 4 million vehicles that<00:53:59.119><c
• Not everybody can afford an electric vehicle. The infrastructure for an electric vehicle.
• For example, electric vehicles: there's an upfront cost, but cheaper to own and operate over time.
• </c> strain on the car vehicle battery. strain on the car vehicle battery.

Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s work under the Navah settlement, which was described as a first-of-its-kind climate agreement tied to the state’s constitutional public trust and clean-environment obligations. Speakers said the settlement was intended to accelerate progress toward Hawaii’s 2030 and 2045 clean energy goals, especially by addressing transportation, the state’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. They emphasized that the agreement formalizes milestones, reduces dependence on changing administrations, and includes a role for the legislature alongside the courts and executive branch. DOT and Earthjustice representatives outlined the main settlement deliverables: creation of a new Office of Energy Security and Community Outreach, formation of a youth council, and development of an emissions reduction plan that will be updated over time. They also highlighted a new project-level greenhouse gas/VMT scoring tool, described as the first of its kind in the nation for DOT-wide use, to evaluate the climate impact of transportation projects. The presentation tied these efforts to prior legislative actions, including the state’s climate emergency declaration, net-zero/net-negative targets, and Act 131’s requirements for multimodal network planning and emissions reporting. A substantial portion of the briefing was devoted to the youth council, which reported 20 members selected from 83 applicants, representation from across the islands, and work on bylaws, committees, and outreach. Youth members described feedback they gave on the energy security plan, a student leadership summit presentation, and future plans to meet with legislators and participate in the Climate Future Forum. DOT also said the settlement’s transportation strategies include clean fuels, electrification, aviation sustainable aviation fuel, marine shore power, and carbon sequestration, including expanded native tree planting and fire mitigation work. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the briefing. Members discussed implementation challenges, including cost and supply constraints for aviation and marine decarbonization, but DOT said industry stakeholders were not rejecting the goals, only raising affordability and timing concerns. Officials also noted that a GIS map for network gaps was in development and that the settlement’s pedestrian, bike, and transit connectivity requirement would compress roughly 15 years of work into five years, with an estimated annual commitment of $40 million to $50 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Vapors from exiting the vehic vehicle Vapors from exiting the vehic vehicle causing<00:26:58.919
• </c> the one exception is for youth Vehicles the one exception is for youth Vehicles so<00:32:34.840>
• </c><00:37:50.079><c> are</c> the if the if these vehicles are the if the if these vehicles are shedding
• The environments in which these vehicles must operate are very harsh, from Minnesota winters to Arizona
• The environments in which these vehicles must operate are very harsh, from Minnesota winters to Arizona

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The administrative operating part is what we use to serve our members.
• The administrative operating part is what we use to serve our members.
• I'm here to present our system's proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2027.
• Our total proposed operating budget is...” “...budget for fiscal year 2027.
• Our operating budget rises by about 2%.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget met on February 19, 2026, and first received unchanged fiscal status and five-year baseline budget reports from the Office of Planning and Budget; the fiscal status statement was approved without objection, and the baseline budget required no action. The committee then approved a request from Facility Planning and Control to add five higher education deferred maintenance projects to the eligible list under Act 751, and reviewed four change orders over $50,000 for informational purposes only. Members approved the Louisiana Lottery Corporation’s fiscal year 2026-2027 operating budget after testimony highlighted projected gross revenue of $610 million, 29 years without legislative auditor findings, and continued support for the MFP. The committee also approved, en bloc, the operating budgets for LASERS, the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana, the School Employees’ Retirement System, and the State Police Retirement System. Retirement officials described modest budget increases or decreases, strong investment performance, and ongoing efforts to reduce unfunded liabilities; members discussed the impact of surplus payments toward UAL debt and the possibility of future COLAs, including a 2% COLA if the legislature reaches the required two-thirds vote. The committee approved payment of $20,262.32 in prior-year deputy sheriff supplemental pay expenditures from the current-year budget. It also approved several legislative intent clarifications for prior appropriations, including changes involving Tangipahoa Parish, Harahan, Allen Parish, Morgan City, and DeSoto Parish School System-related funding. In addition, the Water Sector Commission’s recommendation for $2.8 million in additional funding for four ongoing water and sewer projects was approved. The remaining items were reviewed without action: an RTI International contract extension for DEQ air-quality filter weighing, amendments to four Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism marketing contracts to extend and supplement funding, and the fifth-year amendment to the Office of Risk Management’s Sedgwick claims administration contract, valued at $21.1 million. The meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's 14 times he has been caught recklessly and illegally operating a vehicle, all misdemeanors.
• </c><00:02:58.519><c> suspended</c> operate a motor vehicle while suspended operate a motor vehicle while
• That's 14 times he has been caught recklessly and illegally operating a vehicle, all misdemeanors.
• <00:05:07.240><c> a</c><00:05:07.520><c> vehicle</c><00:05:08.520><c> all</c> operating a vehicle all
• In each scenario, you legally cannot operate that vehicle, and it's also noteworthy that we don't get

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy