Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, thank you for having me today.
• Today, other states and global competitors are strengthening their R&D tax policies.
• Today, Texas does not receive the lion's share of MRO sales tax revenue.
• Thank you, Chair Huffman, for the opportunity to testify today.
• It's New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard several tax and economic development bills. SB 935 would exempt counties from the motor fuels tax on fuel used exclusively in county vehicles; Sen. Hall and Cass County Judge Travis Ransom argued it would save counties money without changing fund allocations, and the bill was left pending while the committee waited for the House version. SB 2206 would extend and revise Texas’s research and development incentives by tying the franchise tax credit more closely to federal law and changing the program’s effective date; supporters from business, manufacturing, and tax policy groups said it would protect innovation jobs and help startups, while the Comptroller’s office explained the fiscal note and said the committee substitute was no longer needed. The committee later withdrew the substitute and left the bill pending before ultimately voting it out favorably. The committee also heard SB 2020, which would repeal the “rehab tax” on nonresidential remodeling. Sen. Campbell said a large fiscal note led him to delay a full presentation, but builders, architects, and contractors testified that the tax raises remodeling costs, complicates audits, and discourages reuse and reinvestment in existing buildings. The bill was left pending. SB 2018 would create a two-year “strong families” tax credit for businesses donating to nonprofits that provide family support services; supporters from Family First, Buckner International, and Texas Baptist said it would strengthen families, father engagement, and upstream prevention, while the author said the Comptroller and HHSC were still working on administration details. That bill was also left pending. After a quorum was established, the committee heard and later reported several bills favorably. SB 1030 would exempt certain aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul parts from sales tax for general aviation; industry, airport, and local economic development witnesses said it would keep high-wage aviation work in Texas and improve competitiveness with neighboring states, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 214 would create a temporary sales tax holiday for qualifying residential HVAC systems; it was laid out and left pending. SB 1901 would make administrative and ethics changes to the Opioid Abatement Fund Council, including staggered terms, conflict rules, and fund reallocation procedures; it was reported favorably. SB 266 would repeal the Texas Research Incentive Program and use the appropriation to address the existing backlog of unmatched donations; the chair and Sen. Paxton said the state should honor past commitments, and the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is March 18th.
• 18.079><c> simply</c><00:04:18.400><c> return</c> before you today would simply return before you today
• And in the aftermath of that, there's the Oklahoma City bombing or Oklahoma the government building there
• </c><00:18:54.280><c> the</c> Oklahoma City bombing or Oklahoma the Oklahoma City bombing or Oklahoma
• </c> our discussion today. our discussion today.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, today we have the remaining agencies under the purview of the Education Committee.
• Unfortunately, our board members couldn't be here today.
• </c><00:41:02.160><c> we</c> ebooks, audiobooks, and e magazines. we ebooks, audiobooks, and e magazines
• And unfortunately today, behaviors are not the same.
• And um unfortunately today for us.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got today, Wednesday, and Friday.
• Remember we of them on the list today.
• We've got today, more each day.
• magazine magazine or<01:37:48.719><c> a</c><01:37:48.960><c> Playboy</c><01:37:49.440><c> or</c><01:
• So, up in the West Gallery today, my daughter's here, and today is her 18th birthday.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After we're done, vote this bill out today and, and get it moving. Let's, let's get it done.
• Thank you for being here today.
• Thank you for being here today.
• No, thank you for being here today. Chair calls Grayson Gee. Thank you for being here today.
• Thank you for being here today. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• They all... ...other states including Texas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.
• If Texas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska can do it... ...carbon emissions and create rich soils.
• If Texas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska can do it, so can we. Thank you. Thank you. Next.
• Senator, I appreciate you having this bill here today.
• My hands aren't working with it today. Thank you. Commercial feed, Mr.

Bills: SB47, SB110, SB122, SB143, SB168

Keywords: food recovery, composting, waste management, solid waste surcharge, organic waste reduction, environment, grants, advisory group, bosque management, Rio Grande, environmental protection, water resources, fiscal appropriation, drinking water, well owners, water testing, water treatment, public health, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• But today, members, you have the right to vote.
• I'm here today because of my son Ashton.
• Why am I here today? Because I can.
• So I just ask you today to support.
• Today, you're in shame. Today, it's embarrassing. Today, it's hurtful.

Bills: HB34, HB128, HB621, HB748, HB2259, HB2960, HB3113, HB4749, SB835, HB128

Keywords: HB 128, sister city, sister-city agreement, international exchange, municipal diplomacy, local government, state agency, political subdivision, foreign adversary, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Taiwan, major non-NATO ally, cultural exchange, educational exchange, tourism, bilateral cooperation, foreign relations

Transcript Highlights:

• who are here today.
• She doesn't trust him driving, so she flew and he drove from Oklahoma today.
• After David graduated from high school in Oklahoma City...
• As we consider Aaron Szabo's nomination to serve on the EPA today, to serve at the EPA today, I want
• I would not be here today without them. today as the nominee for Assistant Administrator of the Office

Transcript Highlights:

• Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you today in prayer, Lord.
• That's the only ringer I have today.
• Also recognized, though not present today, is the...
• Today, Senator King.
• I have the honor of talking about Senator English and just honoring her today.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for allowing me to be here today, will you bow your head?
• Family Practice Center. residency in Lawton, Oklahoma.
• Also, with us today, Mr. President and members, our members of the Longoria family.
• And I will say that big changes are on the horizon for UHV, and so we want to say today welcome.
• Thank you guys for being here today. With that, Mr.

Bills: SJR36, SJR34, SJR18, SCR9, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB372, SB495, SB627, SB764, SB842, SB971, SB767, SB480, SB1066, SB929, SB765, SB523, SB62, SB19, SB18, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB706, SB847, SB869, SB890, SB992, SB1145, SB494, SB290, SB766, SB11, SB10, SB13, SB263, SB412, SB20, SB441, SB442, SB1621, SCR13, SB569, SB314, SB25, SB293, SB914, SB260, SB1248, SB740, SB14, SJR34, SCR9, SB10, SB11, SB19, SB20, SB25, SB62, SB140, SB260, SB262, SB290, SB293, SB314, SB370, SB384, SB412, SB441, SB442, SB480, SB494, SB495, SB616, SB627, SB706, SB707, SB764, SB767, SB869, SB890, SB929, SB992, SB1145, SB1621, SJR34, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB480, SB627, SB764, SB767, SR224, SB1626, SB1627, SB1628, SB1629, SB1630, SB1631, SB1632, SB1633, SB1634, SB1635, SB1636, SB1637, SB1638, SB1639, SB1640, SB1641, SB1642, SB1643, SB1644, SB1645, SB1646, SB1647, SB1648, SB1649, SB1650, SB1651, SB1652, SB1653, SB1654, SB1656, SB1657, SB1658, SB1659, SB1660, SB1661, SB1662, SB1663, SB1664, SB1665, SB1666, SB1667, SB1668, SB1669, SB1670, SB1671, SB1672, SB1673, SB1674, SB1675, SB1676, SB1677, SB1678, SB1679, SB1680, SB1681, SB1682, SB1683, SB1684, SB1685, SB1686, SB1687, SB1688, SB1689, SB1690, SB1691, SB1692, SB1693, SB1694, SB1695, SB1696, SB1697, SB1698, SB1699, SB1700, SB1626, SB1627, SB1628, SB1629, SB1630, SB1631, SB1632, SB1633, SB1634, SB1635, SB1636, SB1637, SB1638, SB1639, SB1640, SB1641, SB1642, SB1643, SB1644, SB1645, SB1646, SB1647, SB1648, SB1649, SB1650, SB1651, SB1652, SB1653, SB1654, SB1656, SB1657, SB1658, SB1659, SB1660, SB1661, SB1662, SB1663, SB1664, SB1665, SB1666, SB1667, SB1668, SB1669, SB1670, SB1671, SB1672, SB1673, SB1674, SB1675, SB1676, SB1677, SB1678, SB1679, SB1680, SB1681, SB1682, SB1683, SB1684, SB1685, SB1686, SB1687, SB1688, SB1689, SB1690, SB1691, SB1692, SB1693, SB1694, SB1695, SB1696, SB1697, SB1698, SB1699, SB1700

Keywords: parental rights, parents, children, custody, care and control, upbringing, family law, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, child welfare, education policy, medical decisions, parental authority, primary decision makers, family autonomy, capital gains, taxation, state revenue, individual investment, Supreme Court

Transcript Highlights:

• Prayer by our chaplain, Tom Doherty, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, provided today by Adam Blank
• Now, this is the more heavenly of the two bills that we've seen today.
• Second announcement would be that the majority will caucus at 3:30 today. Be greatly appreciated.
• Second announcement would be that the majority will caucus at 3:30 today upstairs. Thank you.
• Laramie Wheeler, who's in the gallery today. Welcome. Further announcements. Clerk may read.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the prior day’s journal, received substitute member appointments, and handled several messages from the Governor and Senate, including transmission of enrolled bills and committee referrals. Standing committee reports moved a number of bills to second or third reading, and several new bills were introduced covering manufactured homes, land use, execution procedures, dental hygiene, physician assistants, Medicaid, immunization/medical mandates, child protective act terminology, and election qualifications. On the floor, the House debated and passed House Bill 711, creating an alternative authorization pathway for principals and superintendents; House Bill 658, allowing county appointment of cemetery district board members when vacancies leave a district unable to govern; House Bill 661, changing a county waste-disposal provision; House Bill 715, giving city councils more authority over city library directors; House Bill 662, giving the Department of Agriculture authority to expand milk testing/payment rules; House Bill 687, restricting state procurement of AI systems built with DEI principles; House Bill 665, redirecting specialty plate funds to the Appaloosa Horse Club museum and adjusting related plate provisions; House Bill 666, requiring new Idaho residents to obtain a license and registration within 30 days; House Bill 712, creating a voluntary state seal of excellence in civics; House Bill 762, revising charter school lottery priorities to include foster children and military families; House Bill 777, updating the Uniform Controlled Substances Act; and House Bill 688, making knowingly installing counterfeit airbags a misdemeanor. Most passed with substantial majorities, though HB 687 and HB 688 drew the most opposition. The House also adopted a motion to hold the remaining third-reading bills for one legislative day, referred House Concurrent Resolution 31 commemorating Linden Bateman for printing, and signed/enrolled House Concurrent Resolution 28. The session ended with announcements and a motion to adjourn, with members noting the chamber’s workload and indicating the House would begin meeting at 10:30 a.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank you for hearing Senate Bill 422 today.
• It wasn't controversial today. That's good.
• Thank you for being here with us today.
• Thank you for joining us today.
• Today I'm voting in support of the...

Bills: AB568, SB90, SB133, SB147, SB229, SB233, SB240, SB245, SB280, SB378, SB393, SB417, SB434, SB494, SB495, AB62, SB104, SB119, SB132, SB193, SB262, SB422, SB431, SB435, SB468, SB503

Keywords: higher education, Nevada System of Higher Education, operational expenses, instructional expenses, public funding, education funding, teacher grants, classroom supplies, instructional support, specialized personnel, civics education, Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, funding, youth programs, civic involvement, Southern Nevada, Clark County, Las Vegas Valley, regional planning, economic resiliency

Transcript Highlights:

• Since we're just doing public hearings today, we do not need a quorum to proceed.
• I'm here today presenting House Bill 3328 relating to homeowners insurance, the Missouri Disaster Mediation
• I hope you don't have too many questions for me today.
• And again, similar programs have been recently enacted in Oklahoma.
• And again, similar programs have been recently enacted in Oklahoma.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The important work of this committee continues today.
• Thank you very much for your time today. Rep. Scanlan. Thank you.
• what they're allowed to practice today, and it's frankly ridiculous.
• I'm here today in support of House Bill 3840.
• And I also want to say thank you for being patient today.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its second public hearing of the 2025–26 session, with opening remarks from Chairs John Velis and Joe McGonagle outlining testimony on 20 House bills and 18 Senate bills. The hearing covered a wide range of veterans issues, including municipal veterans assistance funds, pension equity, expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate, veterans service officer staffing, disability benefits eligibility, service dogs, POW tax relief, courtesy parking spaces, women veterans and motherhood, and workforce-related licensing and employment measures. Chairs emphasized the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, and written testimony process. Several bills drew support focused on expanding services and access. Representative Arena-DeRosa spoke for bills to broaden municipal veterans assistance funds to cover housing and legal expenses and to study enhanced pension equity for veterans, citing burn pit exposure and shorter life expectancy among veterans. Senator Fattman, Representative Peas, and Veterans Advocate Bob Notch supported bills expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate to include active-duty service members and their families, arguing it would improve transition support, coordination with state agencies, and retention of military talent in Massachusetts. Representative Arriaga backed a bill to incentivize municipalities to provide full-time or regional veterans service officers and another to study the impact of combat on women veterans and motherhood. Representative Moulton/another sponsor also sought to exempt veterans’ disability payments from income calculations for other state benefits, and Representative Hong and Senator Scanlan supported a state service dog program, POW income tax relief, and courtesy retail parking spaces for veterans. Testimony also focused on workforce and claims-assistance issues. The Military Officers Association of America and James Keene urged passage of bills waiving duplicative education requirements so qualified veterans and military medics can become licensed practical nurses, arguing it would help address health care shortages and recognize military training. Brave Veterans Inc. called for a Veterans Research Trust Fund to protect data and program evaluation work during budget cuts. On claims assistance, one witness supported criminal penalties for unaccredited agents who charge veterans for VA claims help, while a private consulting firm opposed the bill, arguing it would restrict lawful speech and veterans’ choice and that existing federal and HERO Act safeguards already address abuses. The VFW strongly opposed paid claims consulting, said its accredited service officers provide free help statewide, and urged more public awareness of existing free services. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is Wednesday, January 21st, 2026. We have five bills up for public hearing today.
• your time today.
• your time today.
• Thank you for allowing me to speak today.
• Those funds are not fully expended today.

Bills: HB2405, HB2406, HB2471, HB2478, HB2492

Keywords: mental health, PTSD, treatment program, research, pilot program, veteran support, trauma, healthcare funding, labor, communication, Department of Labor and Industries, workplace standards, modernization, collective bargaining, labor relations, employee rights, union representation, non-covered employees, wage enforcement, labor standards

Transcript Highlights:

• So great to see all of you today. Thank you for being here.
• Members, we have two bills on the agenda today.
• Thank you so much for your time today.
• They are available to a minor child today.
• Thank you for being with us today. Leslie Worcester. Ms.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up two bills. SB 98, by Senator Harrell, would let self-storage facilities advertise lien sales either in a newspaper or on a qualifying website, while keeping other notice requirements in place and updating contact information provisions. Supporters, including the Florida Press Association and several newspaper/storage owners, argued print and digital newspaper notices already provide broad public notice and that the bill could reduce notice effectiveness; the sponsor said the bill is an optional modernization and does not affect government notices. After debate, the committee voted 8-1 to report SB 98 favorably. The committee then heard SB 164, by Senator Grall, which expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover civil damages for the death of an unborn child at any stage of development, with carve-outs for the mother and lawful medical care. The sponsor said the bill aligns civil law with Florida’s criminal protections for unborn children and gives families a remedy where current law may not. Opponents, including the ACLU of Florida, health care workers, and others, warned it could invite lawsuits against doctors, hospitals, friends, family members, and people involved in abortion access, and could worsen OB-GYN shortages and deter care. Supporters said it recognizes unborn life and should be treated consistently with existing wrongful death law. The committee approved SB 164 on a 4-3 vote and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is Wednesday, January 21st, 2026. We have five bills up for public hearing today.
• your time today.
• your time today.
• Thank you for allowing me to speak today.
• Those funds are not fully expended today.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several Labor and Workplace Standards bills. HB 2492 would require building and construction apprenticeship programs, beginning in 2027, to include two hours of behavioral health and wellness training covering topics such as suicide prevention, substance use disorder, recognizing distress, peer support, and connecting to resources. The prime sponsor and many labor, apprenticeship, and contractor witnesses supported the bill, describing high suicide and overdose rates in construction and sharing personal stories about losses and struggles in the trades. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 2405, a Department of Labor and Industries request bill creating a pilot to allow earlier treatment for PTSD claims in workers’ compensation, including up to 11 treatment sessions before claim adjudication and limited follow-up treatment after closure. L&I and NFIB supported the measure as a way to speed treatment and reduce barriers, while one legal advocate supported it but raised technical concerns about pre-claim treatment and urged more focus on workplace prevention; another witness cautioned against emphasizing psychiatric drug treatment. The bill was heard only; no action was taken. HB 2406 would expand L&I’s ability to send notices electronically, with opt-in/opt-out provisions and some changes to timing rules for workers’ compensation and WISHA notices. L&I supported the bill as a modernization measure, while labor and workers’ advocates opposed changes affecting workers’ compensation notices, arguing that email should not become the default for vulnerable workers who may miss deadlines. HB 2478 would give L&I discretion, rather than a mandate, to investigate wage complaints and allow penalties when the department initiates an investigation; L&I supported it as a more efficient enforcement tool, and the committee discussed how complaints would still be handled and communicated. Finally, HB 2471 would create a state collective bargaining framework for private-sector workers if federal labor law or the NLRB no longer covers them. Supporters said it would preserve organizing and dispute-resolution rights if federal protections fail, while agricultural employers and NFIB opposed it, arguing it would inappropriately apply to agriculture and small businesses, could disrupt perishable harvests, and should rely on secret-ballot elections rather than card check. No votes were taken on any of the bills in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• A federal appeals court struck down a ban on Sharia that was enacted in Oklahoma.
• A federal appeals court struck down a ban on Sharia that was enacted in Oklahoma.
• I am appalled at the testimony that I just heard today.
• We're signing neutral today.
• But for today, I'm going to be a no until we see those changes. So I vote no.

Bills: SB1018, SB1037, SB1568, SB1687, SB1825, SCR1001

Keywords: foreign law, Sharia law, cultural practices, women's rights, marriage laws, domestic violence, honor killings, Arizona legislation, elections, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security, internet connectivity, offline voting, chain of custody, polling place equipment, counting center, central counting center, election management system, EMS gateway

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you all for joining us today.
• So, that's all I have for today.
• who are struggling today?
• are the reasons why we have these protections today.
• I'm pleased to be here today.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know there's some concerns today in the room.
• I know there you have a lot of testifiers today.
• I'm not going to talk about what those other maps might be today.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Seth Hewlett.
• And that completes our work for today. Enjoy the rest of your day. Work for today.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several local government bills. HB 2006 would extend the deadline for certain rural counties that collect a sales and use tax for economic development to designate industrial land banks under the Growth Management Act. Supporters, including the sponsor and Kittitas County representatives, said the bill would help counties identify industrial land for job growth and economic development; Futurewise opposed it, citing concerns about large industrial land banks and impacts to agricultural lands. HB 2244 would let a city that forms a fire protection district after July 1, 2026, keep its levy rate without reducing it by the district’s levy, and would also allow online notice and interlocal contracting for fire services. City and fire officials supported it as a practical tool to fund fire service, while one witness opposed the broader trend of appointed taxing authorities. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 2316, which would limit shrub-step vegetation inside urban growth areas from being treated as wildlife habitat, critical area, or conservation area, and would bar related mitigation or replacement requirements. Tri-Cities officials, builders, housing advocates, and the sponsor argued the bill would reduce delays and costs for housing and development on already designated urban land, while conservation groups, tribal representatives, and some individuals opposed it as a broad rollback of habitat protections and a harmful precedent for ecosystems and wildlife. No vote was taken on the bills during the hearing. HB 2103 would expand public utility contracting authority so cities, utilities, and joint operating agencies could enter “capability” contracts for renewable or non-emitting generation projects, including nuclear, renewable hydrogen, and fusion, and repeal certain price-limit restrictions. Supporters said it would align older contracting law with the Clean Energy Transformation Act and help utilities plan for future power needs; opponents warned it would shift risk to ratepayers and revive concerns tied to the WPPSS nuclear debacle. The committee also heard HB 2388, which would classify pivot-corner solar and agrovoltaic facilities on agricultural land as distributed energy resources and accessory uses; the sponsor and supporters said it would help meet energy needs without harming productive farmland, while Futurewise asked for clarification to avoid unintended loss of agricultural land. The hearing then returned to HB 2103 for additional testimony, with the same basic split between utility and clean-energy supporters and ratepayer or anti-nuclear opponents.