Transcript Highlights:

• were from vendors typically used, a business purpose could not be substantiated; therefore, the validity

Summary: The Legislative Joint Audit Committee met on February 13, 2026, and first adopted the January 9, 2026 minutes and then adopted reports from its executive and standing committees. The Executive Committee reported on scheduled audits, denied a special report request concerning the I-owned fire department, approved questions to the Arkansas Department of Health about Title V sexual risk avoidance education funds, authorized the Office of Property Risk to hire a CPA for its annual audit, and asked staff to gather information on circuit judge caseload assignments in Benton County. The Counties and Municipalities Committee reported progress on delinquent private water and sewer audits, including reinstatement of 19 entities after required reports were filed and 59 of 64 delinquent 2023 entities submitting reports. It also noted that Adona was now in substantial compliance with municipal accounting law, while officials from Denning and Gum Springs appeared regarding noncompliance. Of 109 current reports reviewed, 15 were referred to prosecutors and the Attorney General, two were certified to the Governmental Bonding Board, 94 were filed, and 15 were deferred. The Education Institutions Committee filed 31 audit reports, including one for Cedarville School District that was referred to the prosecuting attorney, Attorney General, and Governmental Bonding Board, and the State Agencies Committee filed 10 reports involving issues at DHS, Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Corrections, and Veterans Affairs. The committee also heard a Medicaid Subcommittee report that included presentations from DHS, the Office of Medicaid Inspector General, and the Attorney General’s Office on their Medicaid-related roles. In special reports, Legislative Audit presented a review of Cleburne County’s library expenses, finding more than $80,000 in unauthorized or questionable disbursements, including purchases lacking a documented business purpose, undocumented disbursements, and possible improper fuel expenses; the matter was referred to the 16th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney and the Attorney General. The committee also reviewed the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at UALR, where auditors found scholarship awards to ineligible students, numerous disbursement-processing exceptions, and that the program had ceased in 2024 with remaining funds returned to the school districts. After discussion, the committee filed both special reports and adjourned, with the next meeting set for March 12-13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to establish the validity of the reimbursable grants, I mean, who is weighing those?

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of House bills as pending business, voting to report many of them favorably to the full Senate. Bills reported favorably included HB 705, 1094, 2037, 3005, 3112, 3320, 3388, 3516, 3923, 4134, 4214, 4233, 4350, 4559, 4748, 4765, 5093, 5129, and 5196, with several also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Some measures were reported with committee substitutes, including HB 3516, HB 3848, HB 4211, and HB 14. HB 2488 and HB 3320 had some dissenting votes, while most other bills were approved unanimously or near-unanimously. The committee spent the most time on HB 14, which Senator Schwertner explained would create the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office in the governor’s office and the Texas Advanced Nuclear Development Fund. The substitute would appropriate $350 million this biennium for reimbursement-based grants to support nuclear generation, supply chain development, pre-construction work, and construction-stage costs, with approval from the lieutenant governor, speaker, and governor. Senators Menendez and Nichols asked clarifying questions about whether the program involved grants rather than loans, how reimbursable grants would work, and who would evaluate applications; Schwertner said the program was modeled on the Enterprise Fund and that the grants would not be loans. After the committee had recessed, Senator Zaffirini asked to change her no votes on HB 4211 and HB 4233 to ayes so those bills could be placed on the local and uncontested calendar, while still registering no votes there. Senator Kolkhorst similarly asked to change her vote on HB 2488 to an aye for calendar purposes, while preserving her no vote. The committee then recessed again after completing its actions on the bills before it.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill proposes allowing auction sales receipts to serve as valid proof of ownership for such vehicles

Bills: SB 35, SB 249, SB 546, SB 1353, SB 1493, SB 2246, SB 1902, SB 1029

Keywords: transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS IS WITH THE VOTERS WANT AND LET'S VALIDATE IT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have much issue with the enforcement side; that's another enforcement side; that's another valid

Bills: SB46

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AND THE YOU THAT YOUR COMPETENCY BE VALIDATED AND AFFIRMED BY THE SURVEYOR.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• taking all the comments, I think that instead of the AG or the governor doing it, I think it's a fair valid

Bills: HB191, HB196, HB134, HB14, HB14

Keywords: juvenile detention, county management, legal procedures, juvenile justice, county commission, supervision, administration, vehicle registration, disability access, fines, law enforcement, public accommodation, interim police chief, public safety, municipalities, state authority, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• whomever or whichever appointing authority would appoint someone because this is the reason and it is a valid
• whomever or whichever appointing authority would appoint someone because this is the reason, and it is a valid
• attabo and I hear those individuals that come to give you all your props at different times and to validate
• It was a personal question, not to validate because— >> Just because it's a black sheriff doesn't mean
• <03:04:50.399> because validate because validate because >> just<03:04:52.160> because

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FEMA itself validated more than $33 million in damage.
• <00:27:02.640> FEMA<00:27:03.279> itself<00:27:03.919> validated western Maryland
• FEMA itself validated western Maryland.
• FEMA itself validated more<00:27:04.960> than<00:27:05.360> $33<00:27:06.000> million
• contact the county superintendent and legal counsel for the local school system if presented with a valid

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 38 members present and a quorum, then began with an invocation and several ceremonial introductions. The chamber recognized pioneering women of the Maryland State Police for Women’s History Month, including the original six female graduates and other firsts in the department, and also introduced the day’s doctor and a student intern. The Senate agreed to journalize the remarks honoring the Maryland State Police guests. The body then took up several Finance Committee bills, adopting committee amendments and favorable reports without objection on Senate Bills 385, 387, 389, 753, 469, and 608, each of which was ordered printed for third reading. SB 385 concerns immunization, screening, and preventive-service recommendations and pharmacist administration; SB 387 restricts predatory pricing and use of personal data by food retailers and delivery services; SB 389 makes transit-oriented development changes; SB 753 addresses financial exploitation protections for seniors and vulnerable adults; SB 469 authorizes a Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund affordability program; and SB 608 requires coverage for pharmacogenomic testing. Senate Bill 626, dealing with birth certificate sex designation changes and related identification documents, was briefly set aside at the request of a senator seeking possible amendments, with the presiding officer agreeing to hold it until the next session. Senate Bill 739, a climate change, homeowners insurance, and emergency management study bill, was also introduced with one amendment and sparked debate over its scope and funding, including discussion of a $150,000 Strategic Energy Investment Fund allocation and whether the study would examine the General Assembly’s own climate policies. The transcript ends during that discussion, before any final action on SB 739.

Transcript Highlights:

• I highlighted some in my words, but you're verifying and validating. ...with your questions.
• Over the next two years, more validated medical research is going to come out about the harmful effects
• Even when a product looks illegal, it must go to a crime lab, be tested with validated methods, and come
• Is this what— That was the pharmaceutical clinical trial; very different, but it— It validates the point
• Yeah, that's a very valid point. There is a trend.

Bills: HB5

Keywords: hemp, cannabinoids, regulation, occupational licenses, consumable products, marketing, criminal offenses, labeling requirements, health and safety, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• so it is a benefit for them because they do not have to wait for their identities to be manually validated
• 03.400> ver-<00:07:03.919> uh manually ver- uh manually ver- uh uh<00:07:04.720> validated
• And<00:07:05.880> then<00:07:06.040> finally,<00:07:07.080> this uh validated
• And then finally, this uh validated.
• We can just say it's gone as soon as they're validated."

Bills: HF4698, HF4608

Keywords: higher education, identity verification, enrollment fraud, funding, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, postsecondary education, community college, university, developmental education, remedial education, remediation, corequisite, co-requisite, English composition, college readiness, adult basic education, ABE, student placement, credit-bearing courses, noncredit courses

Summary: The committee first approved the March 26 minutes after Representative Coulter pointed out and moved a technical correction to add a missing “T” in “Regents.” The committee then took up HF 4698, which Representative Duran said would address enrollment fraud at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities by funding an automated identity-proofing system. Testimony from Chief Information Security Officer Craig Munson described a commercial software system that would verify student identities using a selfie and a state ID image, reduce ghost students and fraud, speed enrollment, and lessen staff time spent on manual investigations. Members focused heavily on privacy, data retention, and biometric concerns. Representative Cleveland asked what biometric data would be collected, and Munson said it would be limited to a selfie and ID images, not fingerprints or retinal scans. Chair Klippert and others urged stronger Chapter 13 protections and clearer data practices, while Chair Scott asked how long images would be stored; Munson said they should be deleted as soon as identity is validated, with possible revalidation later. Members also raised concerns about racial bias in biometric matching and the need for alternate verification methods. The bill was laid over, and Duran said he would work on the data practices with committee members. The committee then heard HF 4608, presented by Representative Allen for Representative Koznick, on developmental education reform. Allen said too many students are placed into remedial courses that do not count toward a degree, costing time and money and reducing completion rates. Jane Groatman of the International Institute of Minnesota supported the bill, describing students who spent years in noncredit remedial coursework and arguing for a one-semester cap on remedial classes and clearer notice that such credits do not count toward a degree. Mark Grant of Minnesota State College faculty opposed the bill’s approach, saying it imposed a one-size-fits-all model, could undermine open admissions, and should not limit colleges’ flexibility to meet diverse student needs. The bill was laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it makes a valid point, though. I'll just finish that question.
• I think it makes a valid point, though. I'll just finish that question.
• I think it makes a valid point, though. I'll just finish that question.
• I think it makes a valid point, though. I'll just finish that question.
• I think it makes a valid point, though. I'll just finish that question.

Bills: HF3694, HF3844, HF4006, HF3785, HF3849, HF4102, HF3441, HF3507, HF3562

Keywords: transportation, tow trucks, variable message signs, road safety, emergency service, optometrist, window glazing, motor vehicle regulations, medical prescriptions, transportation safety, infrastructure, construction, appropriation, state project, motorized bicycles, motorcycles, electric vehicles, transportation regulations, safety standards, dealer license

Transcript Highlights:

• Not because Tier 1 and Tier 2 aren't valid teaching licenses, but because they are limited in term and
• One, it eliminates barriers for teachers with valid licenses from other compact states to receive a Minnesota
• One, it eliminates barriers for teachers with valid licenses from other compact states to receive a Minnesota
• 19:32.080> with eliminates barriers for teachers with eliminates barriers for teachers with valid
• licenses from other compact states valid licenses from other compact states to<01:19:34.480> receive

Bills: HF3635, HF3638

Keywords: teacher mobility, interstate compact, licensure, military spouses, education, teacher regulation, teacher qualifications, state sovereignty, educator licensing, paraprofessional credentials, mental health, professional development, data sharing, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it undermines the validity and the legitimacy of the process.
• I think it undermines the validity and the legitimacy of the process.
• I think it undermines the validity and the legitimacy of the process.
• I think it undermines the validity and the legitimacy of the process.
• I think it undermines the validity and the legitimacy of the process.

Bills: HF3298

Keywords: underground storage tanks, petroleum, reimbursement program, environmental regulation, pollution control, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Very valid points. We are in a crisis.
• sides of the made by members on both sides of the aisle.<01:39:51.840> Very<01:39:52.159> valid
• Very valid points. We are in a aisle. Very valid points.
• It would provide a process for ratifying or validating defective corporate acts, transactions, and stock
• It would provide a process for ratifying or validating defective corporate acts, transactions, and stock

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's a valid one.
• design the microbes that will lead to the production of various kinds of products; experimentation to validate
• design the microbes that will lead to the production of various kinds of products; experimentation to validate
• kinds of products<01:32:39.440> experimentation<01:32:40.280> to<01:32:40.560> validate
• <01:32:41.040> it products experimentation to validate it products experimentation to validate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are worthy and valid of being here, and I know that's the work that you do every day too.
• They are worthy and valid of being here, and I know that's the work that you do every day too.
• They are worthy and valid of being here, and I know that's the work that you do every day too.
• They are worthy and valid of being here, and I know that's the work that you do every day too.
• They are worthy and valid of being here, and I know that's the work that you do every day too.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think a lot of people's concerns are very valid. You know, on both sides of the argument.
• I think a lot of people's concerns are very valid. You know, on both sides of the argument.
• was is a valid um concern because<03:14:15.120> you<03:14:15.359> can<03:14:15.520>
• necessarily a valid concern for that<03:14:53.840> to<03:14:54.080> be<03:14:54.239>
• debate on both sides of this been valid debate on both sides of this argument.<03:17:54.479> I

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their firearms with the Department of Justice within 180 days of moving into California and obtain a valid
• require that somebody who moves to California, who imports a firearm into the state, has to get a valid
• firearm safety certificate. ...to the state has to get a valid firearm safety certificate and would
• that law was the subject of a federal court case and withstood a constitutional challenge as to the validity
• We are working with DOJ on the ...constitutional challenge as to the validity of that statute.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their firearms with the Department of Justice within 180 days of moving into California and obtain a valid
• require that somebody who moves to California, who imports a firearm into the state, has to get a valid
• firearm safety certificate. ...to the state has to get a valid firearm safety certificate and would
• that law was the subject of a federal court case and withstood a constitutional challenge as to the validity
• We are working with DOJ on the... ...constitutional challenge as to the validity of that statute.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, though no final votes were taken because a quorum had not yet been established. SB 493 by Senator Becker would add war or armed conflict to California’s price-gouging emergency triggers, with the author and supporters arguing it would protect consumers from gas-price spikes tied to international conflict. Opponents, including business and housing groups, warned the bill could over-trigger emergency powers and create broad, ongoing price controls. The chair indicated support for an aye-as-amended recommendation once quorum was reached. SB 1056 by Senator Grayson would require protective orders for disclosure of sexually explicit material involving adult victims in specified criminal cases. Denise Huskins-Quinn and Aaron Quinn testified in support, describing how sensitive evidence in their case was copied and handled without adequate safeguards; supporters said the bill would extend privacy protections similar to those already used for child sexual abuse material. Criminal defense attorneys supported the goal but raised concerns about notice procedures and how the bill would apply when material is in the public domain. The chair said the bill filled a gap in existing law and would receive an aye recommendation. SB 1208 by Senator Grayson would let law enforcement seize and return crypto assets used in scams and fraud to victims. The Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the bill as a tool to recover losses from transnational crypto fraud, while the ACLU and public defenders argued it lowered the burden of proof, raised constitutional concerns, and could be misused against unbanked or low-level defendants. The chair nevertheless said the bill aligned with existing law for stolen property and would be recommended aye. SB 874 by Senator Weber-Pearson would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including requiring background checks for employees of providers and convening a stakeholder workgroup; it drew support from the California Association for Behavior Analysis and no opposition was heard. Later, SB 1266 by Senator Stern would change how the value of stolen copper and related infrastructure damage is calculated, aiming to address copper theft and its costs to cities and utilities. Supporters said the bill would better capture the real harm from thefts that disrupt streetlights, telecom, and emergency services, while opponents argued it would inflate charges, turn many misdemeanors into felonies, and increase court and incarceration costs. The author said he would continue discussions and accept the amendments. Senator Cervantes presented SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County sheriff and coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death concerns and conflicts of interest, while opponents said the problem was not unique to Riverside and that the bill would override local control. Cervantes also presented SB 1418 to extend ballot-custody protections to other election records and equipment after a Riverside County ballot seizure, with support from the Attorney General’s office. Finally, Senator Blakespear began presenting SB 936 on nitrous oxide misuse, describing public health, impaired-driving, and disposal concerns, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s testimony concluded.