Transcript Highlights:

• <00:57:21.920> for we just want to pay pay a fair price for we just want to pay pay a fair
• don't have to pay any of that.
• don't have to pay any of that.
• don't have to pay any of that.
• who's going to pay, you pay the linemen?

Bills: HF3830, HF3688

Keywords: utilities, rate cases, cost recovery, reporting requirements, gas infrastructure, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to work out a plan to pay that back. So that is, I don't want to dig through...
• Are they paying anything back?
• They don't get prosecuted, and... ...they may be paying money back.
• it back.
• I will... ...tools in our toolbox to force them to pay it back.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Why move it back another month? I'm not sure I understand that.
• And so this would be turning it back the opposite way. Is that correct?
• So if they're at that where they are now, they may roll back.
• The state determines what they pay for the cost of care.
• They don't pay the tax that we already pay. They don't pay the sales tax, the property tax.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Back on the bill. Thank you.
• , I guess, the school districts back.
• , I guess, the school districts back.
• Is that what happens for sub pay? For the sub.
• But back on to Rep.

Summary: The committee met on May 19, 2026, with a quorum present and first heard a presentation from Superintendent Cade Brumley on Louisiana’s recent education scorecard, which showed the state ranked first nationally in reading growth, second in math growth, and first overall in academic growth from 2022 to 2026. Members praised teachers and the department for the results. The committee then deferred SB 507 at the author’s request. The committee reported several bills favorably. SB 484 by Sen. Abraham, as amended, transfers selected duties from the Board of Regents to university management boards and Louisiana Works, adjusts authority over certain higher-education initiatives, creates a study of LUMCON’s placement, and adds financial reporting and early-warning requirements for universities. SB 157 by Sen. Jenkins, as amended, creates six weeks of paid parental leave for eligible public K-12 employees for birth, adoption, or fostering, with a reimbursement fund subject to appropriation; testimony emphasized family support, recruitment and retention, and health benefits. SB 83 by Sen. Edmonds, as amended, requires human trafficking prevention and victim-identification training in schools and updates coordination and service language; the amendment made implementation subject to appropriation and clarified the governor’s office role. The committee also reported SB 450 by Sen. Edmonds, as amended, requiring mandatory reporting of school threats and physical security assessments, with student witnesses and members stressing school safety and the need for funding and practical security measures. SB 132 by Sen. Klein-Peter, as amended, requires exterior master key boxes and updated school mapping data for emergency response, with an amendment exempting districts already using such boxes. Finally, Rep. Carver presented HR 251 on recess for K-3 students, citing Oklahoma’s expanded recess law and research on physical activity and learning, but said he would keep the resolution parked for further discussion rather than seek a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• You talked about you started at the private, went back to the public and then went back.
• You know, HISD, for example, was paying over $170 million in recapture and they’re not paying zero.
• And so much of the people I know can't pay that.
• And so much of the people I know can't pay that.
• We're not paying enough for them. Whose fault is that? We're not paying enough for them.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Members from both parties emphasized education as a major issue, while several Republicans framed the committee’s work around school choice and parent empowerment. Senator West and other Democrats stressed protecting public schools, listening to Texans, and considering the effects of vouchers or education savings accounts on school districts and communities. Chairman Creighton laid out Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, describing it as a universal education savings account program modeled on similar programs in other states. He said the bill would provide about $200 million for a universal eligibility pool and additional funding for students with disabilities and lower-income families, with priority weighting for former public school students. He also highlighted anti-fraud measures, vendor pre-approval, criminal background checks, cybersecurity protections, annual testing requirements for participating students, and the use of the Comptroller rather than TEA to administer the program. Creighton repeatedly said the bill is not a voucher and argued it would not take money from public schools, which he said would receive separate historic funding increases. Members questioned Creighton about the 500% of federal poverty line definition, the adequacy of the $10,000 ESA amount, whether the program would favor students already in private school, how microschools and homeschool pods would fit, and whether the bill protects religious liberty and private-school autonomy. Democrats raised concerns about disability protections, 504 students, foster children, public-school funding, open records, and the historical context of vouchers. Republicans generally supported the bill as a way to expand options for parents and students, while also asking about administration, fraud prevention, and data security. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, with EdChoice President Robert Inlow presenting in support of SB 2 and citing the growth and reported success of school choice programs nationwide.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, they pay for the food, they pay for the alcohol, they pay for the membership.
• > for they pay for the alcohol, they pay for they pay for the alcohol, they pay for the<00:09:27.120
• They did the wrong thing, but too bad you ratepayers have to pay me back.'"
• <04:25:35.760> So, and then don't pay the money back.
• So, and then don't pay the money back.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Good to have you back, Madam Clerk. >> Good to have you back, Madam Clerk.
• <00:12:59.839> these the cost and pay the cost back to these the cost and pay the cost back
• <00:16:06.639> back<00:16:07.120> as amount was, they would only pay back as amount
• was, they would only pay back as the<00:16:07.680> fines<00:16:08.160> were<00:16:08.880
• would then turn and pay that money back<00:16:16.240> to<00:16:16.560> the<00:16:17.279

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 06:11 Orders of the Day 06:59 HB 7 07:15 HB 48 17:57 HB 266 20:32 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 22:33 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 31:03 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 33:29 ConC/Rules Report 36:49 Floor Amendments 37:57 Adjournment 38:24, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 18 and 132 and requested concurrence. The chamber also suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. Later, the Committee on Committees and Rules reported referrals of several bills and resolutions to standing committees and posted House Bills 49, 66, 139, and 313 for future consideration. The main floor action centered on House Bill 7, relating to school bus safety. The bill would create a voluntary, violator-funded stop-arm camera program for school buses, with civil penalties of $300 for a first offense and $500 for repeat offenses, due process appeal rights, and possible registration consequences for nonpayment. Members from both parties spoke in support, including one member who described being injured after getting off a school bus. The House passed HB 7 by a vote of 78-15. The House also passed House Bill 48, which updates and modernizes statutes governing the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy without expanding scope of practice, and House Bill 266, which adds audiologists and speech-language pathologists as eligible credentials under the Kentucky Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund. Both bills passed unanimously, 95-0. The chamber then handled motions and announcements, including withdrawal of House Bill 105, notice of several committee meetings, and a resolution recognizing the last day of February as a day to honor Black women; that resolution was introduced and discussed but no final vote was taken in the transcript. The House adjourned until 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and we're asking, in this fee, people that didn't cause this problem to pay for it.
• So they're already paying into that process.
• This bill, I believe, rolls us back.
• That's why I'm taking grief back home from even trying to tackle this.
• That's why I'm taking grief back home from even trying to tackle this.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They pay, depending on the station, they pay $20, $30 here and there, each person.
• So it all comes back to us, yes, right?
• I'd have to have my assistant look back to my notes.
• I'd have to have my assistant look back to my...
• Money back in that, neither does this officer.

Bills: SB1216, SB1391, SB1493, SB1520

Keywords: trauma, public safety, counseling, mental health, employee benefits, law enforcement, stress management, suicide prevention, workforce readiness, disciplinary action, appeals, termination, superior court, investigative process, reinstatement, immigration, data sharing, federal government, undocumented immigrants, visa overstays

Transcript Highlights:

• But there's still much work to do because many Minnesotans who carry medical debt just cannot pay back
• But there's still much work to do because many Minnesotans who carry medical debt just cannot pay back
• But there's still much work to do because many Minnesotans who carry medical debt just cannot pay back
• But there's still much work to do because many Minnesotans who carry medical debt just cannot pay back
• But there's still much work to do because many Minnesotans who carry medical debt just cannot pay back

Bills: HF1646, HF2443

Keywords: medical debt, debt relief, healthcare financing, consumer protection, financial hardship, commerce, cannabis, insurance, housing, ombudsperson, affordability, property, task force, financial institutions, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:49.519> property Minnesota families who do pay property Minnesota families who do pay
• <00:19:24.400> It's<00:19:24.640> the back. It's not our money. It's the back.
• So, we went back on our word.
• So, we went back on our word. committee. So, we went back on our word.
• <00:33:06.159> for things, how we're going to pay for things, how we're going to pay for health

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I may move back to the may move back to the may move back to the farm.
• able to pay a premium? able to pay a premium?
• I'm sitting back just back just back just watching. But it's watching. But it's watching.
• in in back in in back in in 2016.
• So it don't go back to It does not go back. it don't go back to It does not go back. it don't go back

Bills: SB 1, HB 500, SB 1, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HB 500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• So, thank you guys for coming back.
• So, thank you guys for coming back.
• And I'm actually guys for coming back.
• <00:15:30.320> up their computer and it's not backed up their computer and it's not backed
• Agency 10 in your books, call back.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All righty, back to 515.
• <00:49:29.160> we this back we this back we right Representative RSE moved 2025 D16H to HB
• Representative F said the program pays the $150 tuition cost that students would pay, but if students
• pay as college students.
• <05:06:08.878> for<05:06:09.040> teachers pay scale pay schedule uh for teachers pay

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 193, which limits the maximum credits per course eligible for the Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Program. Representative Ladd said the bill clarifies that eligible courses may not exceed four credits and was requested by the community college system. Representative Earth offered an amendment to make the bill effective on passage, which the committee adopted 18-0. The committee then approved HB 193 as amended by an 18-0 OTPA vote and placed it on the consent calendar. The committee next retained HB 295, concerning School Building Aid program funds, after Representative Spillsbury said the building aid bills were complex and needed more work. The motion to retain passed 18-0, with the chair explaining that retained bills can be revisited later and that related language could be moved among building aid bills. HB 354 was not acted on because the chair said the Department of Education and others had suggested possible changes that should be worked out first. HB 366, another school building aid bill, was also retained 18-0 for the same reasons as HB 295. The committee then considered HB 494, which funds the math learning communities program. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program, reducing the proposed increase by a net $50,000 and keeping funding at current levels for the biennium. After discussion about budget pressures and the program’s role in supporting math instruction and professional development, the amendment passed 18-0, and the bill as amended was approved 18-0 and placed on consent. Finally, the committee took up HB 515, which would repeal charter public school eligibility for state school building aid. Representative Popovici-Muller moved inexpedient to legislate, arguing charter schools should not be treated differently from other public schools, while Representatives Luno and Damon opposed the motion, saying charter schools differ in governance and financial risk and should not receive limited state building aid. The motion failed 10-8, so HB 515 was sent to the regular calendar. The committee assigned Representative Damon to the minority report and Representative Popovici-Muller to the majority report, with a noon deadline the next day. The committee then began HB 716, an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program. Representative Ladd described the program as a successful affordability measure that saves families money and supports college access. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program at current levels, reducing the proposed increase by $500,000 in each year of the biennium. Shannon Reed of the Community College System said the change could limit enrollment or the number of funded courses, though students could still take additional courses at their own expense. Representative Ladd explained the program’s tuition structure and said the funding would help meet demand; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 716.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please roll back what was done in the past with regards to the Senate bill, and let's get retirees back
• The member would be required to pay back all benefits that they received during that time period, and
• So if they do 24 months, go back at less than $25,000, then come back to the same.
• Then we will come back at 1:15, unless you all want to come back at 1:00, and then we can.
• If you want to come back at 1:00, okay. Then we will come back at 1:00.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are back in the session. Back in the saddle. Okay.
• Back in the saddle. Okay. the session. Back in the saddle. Okay.
• We pay into it all the time. facility. We pay into it all the time.
• And I'll go to a competitive supplier and I won't pay that money back because, as it is right now, it
• The price that we pay is the price that our customers pay.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:46.560> to incremental cost and that goes back to incremental cost and that goes back
• are not specifically required to pay are not specifically required to pay more<00:24:44.000>
• <00:37:23.319> in told back in told back in 2008<00:37:25.400> uh<00:37:26.000>
• Balance the question of which category of fee pays for which type of spill: gas and diesel paying
• <00:54:10.480> reimburse will come in and it will pay reimburse will come in and it will pay

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on HB 660, which would require historic horse racing facilities to pay 10% of HHR winnings to host communities as mitigation. Representative Om said the amendment was intended to leave charities and the state whole while funding local costs tied to large gaming facilities. Supporters argued the measure would address future municipal expenses, while opponents said host towns have not reported current problems and that the bill would single out one industry. Members questioned the 10% rate, whether the proposal was retroactive, and whether it would apply to existing facilities; the sponsor said it would apply to facilities already in place or later added. The hearing was then closed without any vote recorded in the transcript. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 658-FN, which raises reimbursement caps and adjusts fees for the Oil Discharge and Disposal Cleanup Fund and the Oil Pollution Control Fund. Representative Malloy introduced the bill, and Representative Aly explained the funds as a state-backed insurance mechanism for oil spill cleanup and prevention, including replacement of leaking home heating oil tanks for low-income homeowners. Bob Scully of the Energy Marketers Association supported the bill, saying the fee structure helps fund remediation and tank replacement, though costs are ultimately passed on to consumers. Department of Environmental Services officials Robert Bishop and Jennifer Marts described the bill as extending the fee collection for 10 years, changing reporting dates, increasing the cap for low-income tank replacement, and rebalancing fees based on an actuarial review. DES testified that the actuarial study found the fund needed to remain solvent and that home heating oil releases are the largest category of new releases, with the fuel oil fee otherwise needing to rise by more than 200% to cover projected costs. The board instead proposed a smaller increase and adjusted other fees accordingly, while maintaining a reserve to cover the first days of a major coastal spill before federal funds become available. Members asked about the basis for the fee changes, the role of the actuarial review, and the statutory language governing who pays the fees. The transcript ends during this hearing, with no final committee action or vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• But he goes back to his life, he goes back to work, he's married, goes back to his kids.
• Come back to the insurance company that's going to pay at the end of the day.
• That medical care that will get them back to living, back to work, and back to their families.
• If someone pays them.
• So when you have insurance, the insurance pays some, you pay some.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome back, everyone, to the Committee on Education K-16.
• recapture while also having to pay windstorm property insurance.
• We got to pay it this week from Harvey. Okay, see, there you go.
• Do you happen to know how much you're paying for recapture?
• I'm not coming back.'

Summary: The Committee on Education K-16 heard testimony on SB 1635, which would give certain coastal, recapture-paying school districts a credit against recapture payments for mandatory windstorm and hail insurance costs. Senator Hinojosa said the bill is intended to offset unusually high insurance expenses for districts in Tier 1 or Tier 2 coastal zones, and he estimated about a $12 million impact to state revenue. Witnesses from Port Aransas ISD and Gregory-Portland ISD described sharp premium increases, reduced coverage, higher deductibles, and the effect on teacher pay and classroom spending. Senators asked about the number of affected districts, the accuracy of the fiscal estimate, and whether the bill might encourage districts to maintain coverage. Public testimony was closed and SB 1635 was left pending. The committee then took up several other bills and committee substitutes, adopting and reporting favorably SB 2786, SB 2623, SB 646, SB 843, SB 2392, SB 1998, SB 1418, SB 2788, and SB 2076, with most votes unanimous or near-unanimous. SB 2392 was amended to add improper relationship between educator and student to mandatory reporting offenses and to authorize an attorney general civil penalty for failure to report. SB 2623 was revised to clarify duties and exemptions related to the Safe Schools and Neighborhood Task Force and school proximity restrictions. SB 843 would create a TEA database of school district bonds and related projects, and SB 2788 would exempt certain PSAT scorers from the Texas Success Initiative assessment. The committee also heard SB 2929, which would allow referees and other officials at school athletic events to immediately eject disruptive spectators. The Texas Association of Sports Officials testified in support, citing abusive spectator behavior and a shortage of officials. SB 2929 was left pending. Finally, the committee heard a substitute for SB 2927 on 1882 partnerships and a substitute for SB 2619, which would require more transparency and accountability for failing school districts, superintendent hiring, trustee training, and takeover timelines. Testimony on SB 2619 was mixed, with one witness from Texas 2036 supporting parts of the bill’s accountability provisions. The committee adopted the substitute for SB 2619, left it pending, and then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• So back to Mr. McManus. You raise a valid point.
• the mortgage, or potentially could pay the mortgage.
• What is your projection of your future revenue, and how are you going to pay this back?
• back through user fees is unattainable in a lot of ways.
• Stinson is in the back.

Bills: SB863, SB1190, SB1261, SB1413, SB1624, SB1662, SB1663, SB1855, SB1967, SB2124, SB2204, SB1623

Keywords: Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, water loss, municipally owned utilities, Texas Water Development Board, administrative penalties, water audit, water infrastructure, water supply, state water plan, water management strategies, water financing, municipal bonds, revenue bonds, public debt, obligations, TWDB

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs heard several water-related bills, with testimony focused on drinking water quality, groundwater contamination notice, flood infrastructure funding, water rights conservation, and utility service areas. SB 1662 would limit TCEQ’s advance notice to public water systems to no more than 24 hours before testing after a consumer complaint, to reduce the chance of temporary treatment affecting results. SB 1663 would allow TCEQ to notify private well owners, groundwater conservation districts, and nearby residents by direct means about known groundwater contamination, rather than relying mainly on first-class mail and annual reporting. SB 2124 would move the deadline for publishing the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee’s annual report from April 1 to June 1. Witnesses on the first two bills described long-running water quality problems and delayed notice in their communities and supported the measures. No opposition was recorded, and each bill was left pending for a later vote. The committee also heard SB 1967, which would expand eligibility for Flood Infrastructure Fund financing to multipurpose projects that both reduce flooding and create water supply. Senator Hinojosa and Hidalgo County representatives described the Delta Reclamation Project as a shovel-ready example that would capture flood and drainage water, treat it, and produce new potable supply while also providing detention and flood mitigation. A Sierra Club witness also supported the bill, saying such projects could help manage floodwaters and reduce polluted discharges to bays and estuaries. The bill was left pending. A lengthy and divided discussion followed on SB 1413, which would expand the streamlined expedited release process for landowners seeking removal from a water or sewer CCN in additional counties. Senator Nichols said the bill was a property-rights measure aimed at legacy monopolies and bad actors who use CCNs to hold landowners hostage, while supporters described cases where developers could not get timely service, including fire flow, or were asked to fund infrastructure without reasonable recoupment. Opponents from rural water corporations and utility associations argued the bill would undermine investment in water infrastructure, strand debt, and weaken the return on planned expansion. PUC and TCEQ resource witnesses explained that compensation is handled case by case through appraisal and can include stranded costs, planning, design, construction, and some legal fees, but members noted the statute is unclear and discussed possible committee substitute language. Public testimony was closed with the bill left pending. Later, SB 1624 would allow the Texas Water Trust within the Texas Water Bank to hold donated water rights for conservation purposes and protect them from use-it-or-lose-it cancellation, and SB 863 would address Edwards Aquifer utilities that straddle the aquifer boundary by allowing them to continue using Edwards water within their certificated areas under specified conditions. Both bills were laid out, received no public opposition in the hearing, and were left pending.