Transcript Highlights:

• up and passed Senate Substitute, Senate Committee Substitute, House Bill 2004, in which the concurrence
• up and passed Senate Substitute, House Committee Substitute, House Bill 2012, in which the concurrence
• Senate Committee Substitute, House Committee Substitute, House Bill 2013, in which the concurrence of
• I ask the House refuse to adopt Senate substitute, Senate substitute, Senate substitute, Senate substitute
• I asked the House to adopt Senate substitute, Senate substitute, Senate substitute, Senate Substute House

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 56th day by a roll call vote of 131-2. The Speaker also signed several measures, including House Bill 1768, House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1866, Senate Substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1870, Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill 2180, and Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174. Members then offered a point of personal privilege recognizing National Infertility Awareness Week and shared a constituent’s testimony in support of HCR 28, followed by numerous introductions of student groups, guests, and legislative announcements such as Hat Day and Ken Waller Day. The House received Senate messages on a series of budget bills and other measures, including House Bills 2002 through 2013, and then adopted motions on each of the budget bills to refuse the Senate substitutes and send the bills to conference committees. During discussion, members highlighted major budget differences, including child care subsidies, transportation funding, higher education funding, and a large broadband-related funding shift that would affect the apparent size of the operating budget. The budget chair said he had not yet seen all of the Senate’s printed changes but supported going to conference and expressed hope for compromise on disputed items. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 975, relating to ambulance districts and emergency medical services. After adopting a House committee substitute and a House amendment that restored compromise language on community paramedics and made a minor change to first responder mental health services, the bill passed 136-7. Supporters said it would help struggling ambulance districts, improve emergency response, and keep patients out of emergency rooms when appropriate; one member noted the bill was the same language as a previously passed House bill. The House also considered a property tax reform package in Senate Bills 1066 and 1088, adopting two technical and policy amendments on assessor training, electronic notices, protest payments, levy uniformity, and timing of voter-approved tax increases. Despite support from several members, concerns were raised that the bill could limit local control and create legal or fiscal issues for counties and taxing districts. The combined bill ultimately passed 83-61, and the House adjourned until April 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Resolution 2007.
• remain as it is and won't have a bunch of more things put onto it between now and the end of the Senate
• The end of the Senate, and I obviously take them at their word, and yeah. Any further discussion?
• We are going to go to the second packet now, starting on page 5. HB 2868, please.
• We are going to go to the second packet now, starting on page 5. 2868, please.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a caucus-style review of two packets of bills, with staff reading summaries and members briefly explaining several measures. Topics included appropriations for pregnancy resource centers, home- and community-based services for the elderly and people with disabilities, veteran specialty courts, child care grants and infrastructure, language acquisition services for deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers, ambulance service regulation, short-term rental rules, tourism improvement areas, manufactured home installer licensure, CPR/AED training in schools, veterans’ park fee exemptions, and multiple child welfare and family-court bills. Several Senate bills were also reviewed, including optometry standards, behavior analyst licensure transfer, virtual mental health hearings, and assisted-living residency rules. Members speaking for bills emphasized themes such as supporting aging in place, improving rural ambulance access and reporting, protecting children in DCS cases, preventing poverty alone from being treated as neglect, and expanding access to health screenings and services. Other sponsors described measures to help veterans, strengthen school safety, and create local funding or improvement mechanisms for tourism and child care. Some bills were described as technical or administrative changes, such as post-nuptial agreement rules, tax lien procedures, and local government contract posting requirements. No formal votes were taken in the transcript excerpt, but many bills were noted as being on the consent calendar or third-read consent calendar, while a few had been removed from consent or were not yet on a calendar. The meeting concluded after the final bill on the second packet, HB 4025, was summarized as creating a study committee on gasoline and petroleum refinery feasibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Morris with Senate Bill 123. Maybe Senator Morris is here. Jay still high.
• Good morning, Senator. Good morning, Senator. Good morning. Senator, Ms.
• Is it a panel of senators? Is it a whole Senate? The entire Senate.
• He then moved to report Senate Concurrent Resolution 11 favorable.
• All right, Senator Fessi, Senate... Senate Bill 224 by Senator Fessi was taken up.

Summary: The House and Governmental Affairs Committee met on Senate Bill 123, a proposed constitutional amendment to create a legislative process for removing judges for cause. Senator Morris said the bill was needed because of uncertainty in the current Constitution about whether impeachment applies to judges, given the Judiciary Commission’s role in judicial discipline. He argued the measure would provide a clearer, higher-threshold accountability mechanism, and the committee adopted a technical amendment renumbering provisions and later clarified that the bill uses a majority vote in the House and two-thirds in the Senate, consistent with impeachment-style thresholds. Much of the hearing centered on testimony from Anna Carter and her family, who supported the bill after the murder of Jacob Carter in New Orleans. They described his death and other cases they said showed judges releasing dangerous offenders despite repeated violations, missed electronic-monitoring check-ins, and other warning signs. They argued the bill would create a last-resort accountability tool when judicial decisions or supervision failures lead to preventable harm. Several committee members expressed sympathy and said the testimony highlighted serious problems in the justice system, though some also suggested the bill should address district attorneys, electronic-monitoring oversight, or broader systemic issues. Opposition came from members who warned the proposal was overly broad, could become a political tool, and might conflict with existing constitutional provisions governing impeachment and judicial discipline. They argued the Judiciary Commission and Supreme Court already provide a disciplinary framework and that the bill could chill judicial independence or create due-process concerns. The ACLU’s Sarah Whittington also opposed the bill, noting technical inconsistencies in the draft, questioning why impeachment had not been tried first, and arguing the measure singled out judicial discretion while leaving other elected officials’ discretion untouched. The committee took no final vote on the bill during the hearing, but did adopt the technical amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So today, with Senate Resolution 646, we... ...to fight in the war.
• requests the concurrence of the Senate.
• requests the concurrence of the Senate.
• requests the concurrence of the Senate.
• request the concurrence of the Senate, Jeff Takis, Clerk.

Summary: The Florida Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness for sexual assault survivors, a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and a memorial proclamation for former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron. The chamber then moved to special-order bills, with senators also briefly discussing the session’s pace and thanking staff and colleagues for their work. The first major bill, on driving and boating offenses, was amended and passed 37-0. As amended, it increases penalties for repeat DUI/BUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide/vessel homicide offenses, and adds notice requirements and misdemeanor penalties for refusing lawful breath or urine tests. Senators also passed SB 306 on Medicaid providers 37-0, requiring Medicaid managed care plans to offer more after-hours and holiday access and ensuring more primary care appointment availability outside regular business hours. The Senate then passed a major condominium and cooperative associations bill, also 37-0, after extensive debate and multiple amendments. The measure extends deadlines for structural integrity reserve studies, adds flexibility for reserve funding and budgeting, tightens rules for managers and inspectors, limits certain requirements to buildings of three or more habitable stories, and extends the rescission period for condo purchases. Senators from both parties praised the bill’s sponsors for years of work responding to post-Surfside safety and affordability concerns. The longest and most contentious item was SB 7016/HB 1205 on constitutional amendment petition procedures. Sponsors said the bill responds to fraud and abuse in the citizen initiative process by tightening circulator rules, requiring faster submission of signed petitions, adding voter notification, increasing penalties, and shifting costs to sponsors. Opponents argued it would burden volunteers and make it harder for citizens to qualify initiatives. The chamber adopted a series of amendments, including changes to the petition-circulator threshold, volunteer protections, submission timing, invalid-signature investigation thresholds, and notice/cure provisions, while debate continued over whether the overall package would protect election integrity or suppress citizen-led amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Luneau. Here. Present. Senator Carter. Senator Edmonds. Senator Jenkins. Senator Mizell.
• Senator Luneau? Senator Carter? No. Senator Edmonds? Senator Jenkins? No. Senator Mizell? Yes.
• The chair introduced Representative Owen's House Concurrent Resolution 61.
• Senator Luneau? No. Senator Carter? No. Senator Edmonds? No. Senator Carter? No. Senator Edmonds?
• Senator Carter? Yes. Yes. Senator Edmonds? Senator Jenkins? Yes. Senator Mizell? Senator Seabaw?

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 23, Vice Senator Kathy creates the Agricultural-based National
• Senator Kathy, on your resolution. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Members, Senate Bill 502 by Senator Kathy provides relative to the storage of sugarcane bagasse biomass
• So I know Senator Ann DePlessis was here.
• Members, House Concurrent Resolution 65 by Chairwoman Butler memorializes the United States Congress,

Bills: HCR65, HB512, HB1194, SCR23, SB502

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2A program, seasonal workforce, Louisiana economy, Healthy Food Retail Act, food access, food deserts, economic opportunity, public health, Louisiana agriculture, community development, fresh food, agriculture, national security, food production, supply chain, security task force, farm labor, Chinese investments

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 23, which creates an agricultural-based national security priorities task force. Senator Kathy Stewart said the task force is intended to study emerging technology and other issues to avoid unintended consequences for farmers while still protecting Americans. The resolution was moved favorably with no objections. The committee then heard Senate Bill 502 on sugarcane bagasse storage. Senator Kathy Stewart explained that the bill clarifies bagasse as an agricultural byproduct and would prevent local governments from regulating its storage so long as it complies with Department of Agriculture and Forestry best management practices. Supporters described bagasse as a useful byproduct for biofuel and other uses, while several residents from St. Martin Parish testified in opposition, saying a large bagasse pile near homes was out of compliance, created dust, odor, and health concerns, and had damaged property values and livestock. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably. House Bill 512 on cell-cultured food products was then considered. Representative Schamerhorn said the bill would prohibit the manufacture, distribution, and mixing of cell-cultured food products with other meat products, while amendments clarified the bill’s scope and delayed effectiveness pending certain court outcomes while preserving university research. Commissioner Mike Strain and others discussed legal uncertainty, safety questions, and the need for more research. The committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably with amendments. House Bill 1194, the Healthy Food Retail Act, was also heard. The amendments shifted the food-desert study and related database/reporting responsibilities from the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to the LSU AgCenter. Representative Terry Landry and Commissioner Strain described the bill as a way to identify food deserts, create a 10-year elimination plan, and use grants or incentives to attract grocery stores and improve access to fresh food. Some members questioned government involvement and long-term sustainability, while supporters cited public health and economic benefits and examples such as the Fresh Food Financing Initiative and the Red Stick Market. After debate, the committee voted 10-3 to report the bill favorably with amendments. Finally, House Concurrent Resolution 65 was adopted. Chairwoman Butler’s resolution urges Congress and federal agencies to reclassify crawfish-industry job duties as agricultural labor for H-2A purposes. Testimony from Commissioner Strain and others said the current H-2A/H-2B split leaves crawfish processors short of workers, causing major losses to the industry and affecting rice farmers, restaurants, and related businesses. The resolution was reported favorably with no objections, and the meeting adjourned after a brief personal privilege announcement.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate will come to order. following bills and resolutions on first reading in reference to committee
• Senate Bill 70.
• Senate Bill 744 by.
• Senate Bill 750 by Eckhart.
• Senate Bill 768 by Menendez.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can do Senate Concurrent Resolution 29. Okay, SCR 29, Ms. Winkler, please.
• Senate Bill 174. Thank you, Senator. Senator Presley. Senator Fasie.
• House Concurrent Resolution 85 by Representative Knox, Ms. Winkler. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr.
• House Concurrent Resolution 85 by Representative Knox creates a task force.
• House Concurrent Resolution 85 by Representative Knox creates a task force on illegal dumping.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee took up a series of natural resources, wildlife, environmental, and infrastructure measures. HCR 79 by Chairman Butler, which memorializes Congress and the U.S. Forest Service to allow dog hunting in Kisatchie National Forest, drew testimony in support from hunters and a former NRCS official describing it as a rural Louisiana tradition, and opposition from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, which said it supported hunting with dogs generally but opposed the deer/hog hunting portions while favoring the recovery-of-wounded-deer component. The committee reported HCR 79 favorable. It also reported favorable on SB 419, allowing pre-charged pneumatic devices for deer during primitive firearms season, and on SCR 29, creating a study committee on Atchafalaya Basin water quality and sediment impacts, and SB 111, setting black bass and crappie bag and size limits in the basin, with Wildlife and Fisheries saying it would monitor the effects through sampling and creel data. Several resolutions and bills focused on environmental management and state property. SB 174 authorized transfer of certain state property in Caddo Parish from Louisiana Tech University to the Caddo Parish School Board and was reported favorable. SB 189, a preemptive ban on intentional release or dispersion of fuels or chemicals to affect temperatures, was also reported favorable after discussion of geoengineering-related additives. SB 99, which updates DEQ communications to allow optional electronic notices for permits and public notifications, was supported by DEQ and reported favorable. HCR 104, from Rep. Coates, asked the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study and recommend improvements to subsurface data collection and access; testimony described efforts to modernize core and well-log records and build a statewide 3D subsurface model, and the resolution was reported favorable. The committee also considered river, boating, and wildlife-related measures. SB 331 would temporarily remove portions of the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act for five years to allow work on the lower Pearl River, including dredging and channel realignment, while prohibiting commercial development and reservoir construction; environmental groups opposed it as a bad precedent and urged a shorter sunset, but the bill was reported favorable. HCR 54 urged a federal study of flooded corn and migratory waterfowl behavior and was reported favorable after support from the Flyway Federation and Louisiana Wildlife Federation. HCR 94 would require annual Wildlife and Fisheries reports on boating safety data, and HCR 87 expressed support for a U.S. senator’s correspondence on migratory flyways; both were reported favorable. SB 505, dealing with the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Dedicated Fund, was reported favorable after testimony that it would expand grant capacity, create a two-cycle application process, and address LLC-related issues. The committee also advanced several measures on public policy and cleanup issues. HCR 85 created a task force on illegal dumping; after amendments added Keep Louisiana Beautiful and the Louisiana Police Jury Association, members discussed statewide tire dumping problems, DEQ staffing, and cleanup funding, and the resolution was reported favorable as amended. HR 216, as substituted, was changed from a repudiation of the Louisiana Climate Action Plan to a resolution authorizing the committee to hold a hearing and receive input from agencies and stakeholders on the plan; after reconsideration and adoption of the substitute amendment, it was reported favorable. One item, SB 243, was voluntarily deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Communication Nos. 494 to 496 transmit various House Concurrent Resolutions, which were adopted
• transmit various House Concurrent transmit various House Concurrent Resolutions,<00:03:11.440>
• Discussion, Senator Elefante. Thank you, Mr. President. Rising opposition to resolutions.
• If not, Madam Clerk, all resolutions would pass. Oh, Senator Awana. Mahalo, Pele Kekano.
• Thank you, Senate President. And again, the objection is to the resolution, not the bill.

Bills: SB1432, SB2024, SB2043, SB2060, SB2069, SB2153, SB2259, SB2319, SB2321, SB2338, SB2360, SB2396, SB2405, SB2407, SB2544, SB2550, SB2552, SB2578, SB2580, SB2607, SB2614, SB2671, SB2800, SB2805, SB2816, SB2835, SB2877, SB2892, SB2928, SB2934, SB3063, SB3199, SB3233, SB3325, HCR8, HCR10, HCR11, HCR13, HCR14, HCR18, HCR19, HCR22, HCR24, HCR31, HCR32, HCR33, HCR35, HCR54, HCR62, HCR63, HCR66, HCR67, HCR82, HCR83, HCR85, HCR91, HCR93, HCR94, HCR96, HCR98, HCR102, HCR104, HCR105, HCR106, HCR110, HCR111, HCR116, HCR117, HCR118, HCR121, HCR122, HCR123, HCR124, HCR125, HCR127, HCR128, HCR137, HCR139, HCR140, HCR141, HCR144, HCR146, HCR162, HCR165, HCR166, HCR173, HCR178, HCR179, HCR180, HCR181, HCR182, HCR185, HCR189, HCR191, HCR192, HCR193, HCR194, HCR200, HCR202, HCR6, HCR36, HCR42, HCR43, HCR44, HCR53, HCR57, HCR61, HCR64, HCR69, HCR84, HCR101, HCR103, HCR107, HCR112, HCR126, HCR136, HCR154, HCR161, HCR175, HCR186, HCR187, HCR188, HCR197, HCR203, HCR204, HCR206, HB1870, HB1588, HB2429, HB2386, HB2583, HB2361, HB2270, HB2137, HB1643, HB1682, HB1692, HB2078, HB1553, HB1667, HB1700, HB1728, HB2293, HB2096, HB1959, HB1511, HB1961, HB1858, HB1897, HB2088, HB2093, HB2279, HB2314, HB2505, HB2433, HB963, HB1705, HB1550, HB469, HB1334, HB1710, HB1737, HB1753, HB1881, HB2309, HB1713, HB1741, HB2062, HB463, HB1839, HB1664, HB2455, HB2417, HB1898, HB1573, HB1768, HB1962, HB2101, HB1782, HB2033, HB1518, HB1642, HB1752, HB2097, HB2282, HB1696, HB1823, HB1886, HB2152, HB2413, HB2503, HB1875, HB1519, HB1509, HB1628, HB1810, HB1990, HB2023, HB2540, HB1679, HB1888, HB2576, HB2592

Keywords: Kalaupapa, Kalawao, Molokai, Maui County, county consolidation, Hansen's disease, leprosy, Department of Health, DOH, patient residents, former patients, public health, transition planning, jurisdiction transfer, county governance, historical preservation, cultural preservation, environmental remediation, community input, Kalaupapa Settlement

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I move that Senate Bills 1110 and 1618... I'm sorry. And Senate 18, 1618.
• So I moved that Senate Bills 1110, 1618, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 1004 are constitutional and
• And also Senate Concurrent Resolution 1004, photo enforcement.
• Also, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1004, photo enforcement systems voter approval.
• They passed rules in the Senate. They passed caucus in the Senate. They passed COW in the Senate.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair announces the signing of the following by the President of the Senate: Senate Concurrent Resolution
• Chair lays out on third reading and final passage: Senate Bill 5. Secretary, read the caption.
• Senate Bill 5 goes much farther, however.
• Senate Bill 5 is about fixing what's broken.
• For these reasons, I'll be voting yes on Senate Bill 5.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB5, SB11, SB12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• resolution be considered as read and that the previous question be considered as ordered on the concurrent
• <07:15:19.200> resolution<07:15:19.760> be<07:15:20.000> considered the concurrent
• resolution be considered the concurrent resolution be considered as<07:15:20.798> read<07:15:
• <07:15:25.280> resolution<07:15:25.920> to<07:15:26.160> adoption concurrent resolution
• to adoption concurrent resolution to adoption without<07:15:27.360> intervening<07:15:28.000>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 27, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Two to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title two of Senate Concurrent Resolution 33.
• the resolution. the resolution.
• Concurrent Resolution 33. number 79, House Resolution 1345, number 79, House Resolution 1345, resolution
• Senate 2, an act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of Senate Concurrent Resolution 33
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 33. Pursuant to House Resolution 1345, the bill is considered read.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can do Senate Concurrent Resolution 29.” “Okay, SCR 29, Ms. Winkler, please.
• Senate Bill 174. Thank you, Senator Presley. Senator Fesi. Senate Bill 189 by Senator Fesi. Ms.
• House Concurrent Resolution 85 by Representative Knox, Ms. Winkler. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr.
• House Concurrent Resolution 85 by Representative Knox creates a task force.
• House Concurrent Resolution 85 by Representative Knox creates a task force on illegal dumping.

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up a series of hunting, wildlife, environmental, and property measures. It reported favorably HCR 79, which urges Congress and the U.S. Forest Service to allow deer hunting with dogs in Kisatchie National Forest, after testimony emphasizing the cultural importance of dog hunting and opposition from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, which supported only the wounded-deer recovery component. The committee also reported favorably SB 419 on using pre-charged pneumatic devices during primitive firearms season, SCR 29 creating a study committee on Atchafalaya Basin water quality, and SB 111 setting black bass and crappie bag and size limits in the basin, with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries saying it would continue sampling and monitor impacts. Members then approved SB 174 transferring state property in Caddo Parish from Louisiana Tech University to the Caddo Parish School Board, SB 189 prohibiting intentional release of fuels or chemicals for temperature-affecting purposes, and SB 99 modernizing DEQ communications to allow optional electronic notices. They also reported favorably HCR 54 requesting a federal study of flooded corn and migratory waterfowl behavior, and HCR 94 requiring annual boating safety reports from Wildlife and Fisheries; witnesses supported the reporting idea and suggested adding a 10-year average for context. The committee next approved HCR 104, which asks the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study collection and access to subsurface data, with LSU’s Greg Upton describing ongoing modernization of core samples, well logs, and 3D subsurface mapping. It also passed SB 331, which temporarily removes a section of the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act for five years to allow work on the lower Pearl River; conservation groups opposed the bill, warning about precedent, flooding, erosion, and habitat impacts, while the author said the measure was narrowly tailored to address severe silting and channel problems. Finally, the committee created a task force on illegal dumping in HCR 85 after amending its membership, adopted a substitute for HR 216 to authorize a committee hearing on the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, and reported favorably HCR 87 supporting a U.S. senator’s migratory flyway correspondence and SB 505 revising the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund grant process and related tank requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• HCR 12 is a House concurrent resolution, as opposed to an HR.

• A House concurrent resolution, because it goes to the Senate. >> Excuse me. >> House concurrent resolution
• resolution because it goes to the<01:11:27.679> Senate.
• Continuing >> House concurrent resolution.
• Concurrent resolution goes correction.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill has passed the Senate and will be sent to the House of Representatives for its concurrence.
• This bill has been passed by the Senate will be sent to the House of Representatives for its concurrence
• This bill has passed the Senate and will be sent to the House of Representatives for its concurrence.
• This bill has passed the Senate and will be sent to the House of Representatives for its concurrence.
• I'm proud to sponsor Senate Resolution 346 along with Senator Brooks and ask the Senate to share in the

Keywords: Scheduler, 972, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate will be in a brief recess. The Senate will come to order. The Senator from Hampden, Mr.
• The Senate will be in a brief recess.
• The committee on rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, to whom was referred several Senate
• The Senate will be in a brief recess.
• The Senator from Plymouth and Norfolk, Mr. O'Connor, moves that the Senate now adjourn.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several routine matters. It adopted a resolution commending the New England chapter of the National Kidney Foundation for recognizing March 2026 as National Kidney Month and March 12, 2026 as World Kidney Day. The Senate also passed to be enacted House 4272, authorizing the town of Hudson to grant an additional off-premises wine and malt beverages license; the bill was ordered signed by the President and laid before the Governor. The chamber then considered multiple procedural reports from the Committee on Rules of the Two Branches. It suspended Senate Rule 36 and Joint Rule 12 to allow several Senate petitions and House papers to be referred to the appropriate committees. The Senate adopted orders extending the reporting deadlines for the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development until March 3, 2026, and for the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight until February 28, 2026. Later, the Senate took up House 4701, authorizing the town of Orange to increase the membership of its Board of Selectmen. The bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed. At the end of the session, the Senate agreed to meet again the next day at 11:00 a.m. in formal session and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, Senator.
• Senator Blanco to explain the resolution. Thank you, Mr.
• Chairman, members, for allowing me to lay out House Concurrent Resolution 108.
• Chairman, members, for allow me to lay out House concurrent resolution 108. HCR 108 urges the U.S.
• Romero, Senate sponsor Senator Johnson.

Summary: The committee met with limited attendance at first, then took up a series of water, agriculture, and rural affairs measures. HB 3898 would allow the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance for brackish water desalination projects in certain border counties and related nonprofit suppliers even if the projects are not in the state water plan. Supporters said it is needed to address severe water shortages in places like Webb County and to support future planning; opponents, including the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, argued it bypasses the regional and state water planning process. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 5339, which would create a higher-education grant program for regenerative agriculture research. A rancher testified that regenerative methods improved soil health, water retention, and farm viability, while a senator noted existing university research but said better coordination could help. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 1523, a temporary prohibition on TCEQ issuing Austin a Class 5 injection well permit for an aquifer storage and recovery project in Bastrop and Lee counties until December 2027. Local officials from Bastrop supported the pause, citing unanswered questions about water treatment, recovery rates, and impacts on the aquifer, while Austin Water opposed the substitute, saying the project is central to its long-term water plan and that stakeholder talks were already underway. TCEQ explained its ASR permitting process and said public participation is possible but not always used in the current authorization process. The bill was left pending. HB 5659, concerning the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District and requiring majority city-council approval before certain water sales or interbasin transfers, drew testimony from district officials who said the change could interfere with existing contracts and district authority, but the chair emphasized the need for local buy-in and said the stakeholders had reached a workable compromise; testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1690, which would expand notice requirements for groundwater export permits so neighboring landowners and potentially affected aquifer areas are informed by certified mail and publication. The sponsor tied the bill to impacts from the Vista Ridge project, and no one testified against it; it was left pending. HB 3333 would prohibit TCEQ from issuing new wastewater discharge permits directly into the Devils River in Val Verde County. The sponsor and a conservation witness said the bill protects one of Texas’s most pristine rivers and reflects a local stakeholder agreement, while TCEQ said it can ensure water quality but acknowledged the river’s unique sensitivity; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HCR 108 urging continuation of the U.S.-Mexico tomato suspension agreement, with supporters warning of major Texas job and consumer-price impacts if it ends, and HCR 76 urging federal action on imported shrimp, citing public health and industry concerns; both were left pending. Additional measures heard and left pending included HB 4158 on compensation for Texana Groundwater Conservation District directors, HB 654 creating a dismissal path for certain first-time deer hunting violations after self-reporting and hunter education, HB 4530 requiring Texas Water Development Board review of groundwater rights placed in the Texas Water Trust, HB 2128 directing a study of rural versus urban firefighting and rescue disparities, and HB 278 requiring groundwater districts and management areas to track progress toward desired future conditions over shorter intervals. On HB 278, witnesses split over whether the bill’s interim tracking would improve accountability or create new triggers that could be used against local districts, but no final vote was taken and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 159, Senator A.
• The Senate has appointed Senator Smith chairman, Senator Love, Senator West.
• Recognizing Senator from District 5 as floor leader. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Recognize the Senator from District 5. Minority Whip. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Recognize Senator from the 23rd. >> We can take a 5-minute delay.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, April 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum and began by reading House messages and first-reading bills, including SB 8 on identity fraud and deepfakes and HB 145 on election misinformation and deepfakes, which was referred to Rules. The chamber then handled several concurrence and conference matters. On HB 154, the Open Meetings Act bill for county boards of education, the Senate initially moved to recede from its amendments and accept the House version, but debate centered on a Senate transparency amendment limiting school boards’ ability to censor recordings. A motion to reconsider the amendments was laid over for 15 minutes. On SB 514, a third-degree assault bill, the House refused to recede and a conference committee was appointed. A guest introduction also welcomed a 10-month-old visitor to the gallery. In second-reader business, the Senate adopted committee amendments and advanced SB 504, which strengthens data privacy protections and limits use of personal data for immigration enforcement, and SB 790, the Public Health Reform Act, which revises the Commission on Public Health, updates the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps, adds health equity review processes, and makes related administrative changes. Both bills were reported favorably with technical and conforming amendments and ordered printed for third reading. The chamber then took up HB 191, which would require merchants to accept cash for essential consumer goods and set related rules and exceptions; members questioned its scope, exemptions, and enforcement, and the bill was laid over pending clarification about whether stadiums are covered. Finally, HB 564 on pet cremation and burial services added consumer protection and disclosure requirements for pet cremation providers; its technical amendment was adopted and the bill was ordered passed for third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am calling the Senate Education Committee to order, and at the same time I'm calling the Senate Education
• Thank you, Senator. Senator Apprentice, good morning, Representative Wheeler.
• <00:39:33.440> Senator<00:39:34.000> abis represent thank you Senator Senator abis
• Thank you, Senator Miller.
• life so Senator Warden thank you Senator life so Senator Warden thank you Senator San<01:41:02.920

Keywords: 1191, senate, all