Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate amended the bill by adding the requirement for the owner to provide a written notice to the
• to where we can put some guardrails on how HOAs are handling situations with homeowners and condo owners
• , so... ...how HOAs are handling situations with homeowners and condo owners.
• Chair and members, as passed the House, House Bill 2398 requires watercraft owners who provide for rent
• of a charter, allowing the watercraft owner to maintain a personal lines boat policy with specified

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're going to build in ERCOT, you have to build in ERCOT.
• You do have a choice whether or not to build, right? You do.
• Texas has a lot of gun owners, and it's going to have a lot more gun owners.
• And I've got to think there's enough gun owners and prospective gun owners in Texas that you're going
• This will help us build strategies that are consistent.

Bills: SB913 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1143 , SB1534 , SB1553 , SB1718 , SB1754 , SB2004 , SB2322 , SB2448

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills, mostly related to economic development, tax incentives, and workforce programs. Senate Bill 1534 would direct a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission on health physics education and workforce needs; resource witnesses from the Workforce Commission and Coordinating Board testified, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1553 would authorize Kerr County to impose a hotel occupancy tax for tourism-related uses, and Senate Bills 1086 and 1087 would authorize similar county hotel taxes for Children’s County and Mason County; all three bills received supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1754, which would prohibit county and local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power wholesale, with testimony sharply divided between landowners and policy groups opposing renewable subsidies and industry representatives and some senators arguing the bill would harm clean energy investment and local decision-making; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2322, which would exempt dispatchable electric generation facilities from the JEDI program’s compelling-factor test so they could qualify for school district tax incentives; testimony was mixed, and the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 1718, which would add the NRA annual meeting to the state’s major events reimbursement program. The bill’s sponsor and NRA representatives argued the event brings substantial tourism and economic activity, while opponents said it would use taxpayer funds to subsidize an organization that opposes gun safety measures; the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events reimbursement program, with the committee substitute exempting it from the usual competitive site-selection requirement because of timing; testimony from the event organizers and Arlington tourism officials was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program at the Texas Workforce Commission to support college-and-career readiness and technical assistance in rural communities; witnesses from Texas 2036, Collegiate Edgination, and a rural school district supported it, and it was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 913 would repeal a special requirement that Alpine dedicate at least 50% of its hotel occupancy tax to advertising and promotion, and Senate Bill 1143 would require more coordination and reporting for youth workforce programs serving disconnected young Texans; both bills received supportive testimony and were left pending. At the end of the hearing, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess, subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• a solar energy power plant owner or operator, if part of the solar energy power plant is damaged or
• HB 2781 builds on the standard that is already recognized as responsible policy in Arizona, extending
• They're building these things. They just dropped in an SMR in Utah two weeks ago Thursday.
• They're building these things. They just dropped in an SMR in Utah two weeks ago Thursday.
• Otherwise, you will not get the certificate to build.

Committee: Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2787, which would bar the state and its political subdivisions from using personnel or financial resources to enforce or cooperate with the federal Mexican wolf reintroduction program, while exempting the Livestock Loss Board’s livestock loss program. Sierra Club and animal welfare advocates opposed the bill as harmful to wolf recovery and unnecessary given the livestock loss reimbursement data. The committee approved HB 2787 on a 4-3 vote. Members then considered House Bill 255, which would create a Brackish Groundwater Recovery Program Fund and authorize the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority to administer projects using long-term water augmentation funds. Opponents argued brackish groundwater is still groundwater and pumping it could cause localized impacts and land subsidence, while supporters framed it as a water-supply solution. The bill failed on a 2-4 vote. The committee next advanced House Bill 2782, requiring disclosure rules for regulatory assets included in utility rates, and House Bill 2781, which would impose financial assurance, insurance, decommissioning, and site-restoration requirements on solar energy power plants. HB 2781 drew stakeholder testimony from solar industry, utilities, and local-government interests; an amendment to revise financial assurance and remove a remediation fund was adopted, but the bill itself then failed on a 4-4 vote. The committee also approved House Bill 2975, which would suspend State Land Department solar scoring maps and require new mining and housing resource maps, despite opposition that it would reduce transparency and favor certain land uses over solar. Later, the committee approved House Bill 2696, as amended, directing the Arizona Commerce Authority to prioritize fuel and gas price reduction and create a fuel resiliency task force, after debate over whether the bill should focus more broadly on energy resilience and whether the ACA was the right agency. The committee also passed HCM 2009, urging Congress to streamline mining access, compensate states for subsurface mineral rights, and require legislative approval for new national monuments, and HB 2889, which would fund ADEQ monitoring of uranium contamination and create a statewide registry and tribal-partnered monitoring program. Finally, the committee heard HB 2763, which would require a legislative joint resolution before the Game and Fish Commission could close a shooting range; Game and Fish said it would add another step to the closure process and mainly affect the Ben Avery facility, but no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program is designed to provide grants and forgivable loans for eligible owner-occupants and investor-owners
• It's important that we build more housing.
• And that legislation set up the... ...came into the building in 2017.
• Provided, however, that upon demand by the owner or the person, Shall be required.
• Provided, however, that upon demand by the owner or the person in control of the premises, a warrant

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> building, it's 20 years and $35,000. building, it's 20 years and $35,000.
• </c> home owners don't want to go to court. home owners don't want to go to court.
• Um, if we, the economic reality, hits the home owners harder than the park owners.
• Um, if we, the economic reality, hits the home owners harder than the park owners.
• </c> owners like private equity owners. owners like private equity owners.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The owner of the racetrack and casino is all on board.
• We represent GA and S D was the owner of the property. There we go. So the.
• I think some of those buildings will stay.
• And this is how We can build upon.
• As we build this forward, we don't have the full funding, but this is one Step closer.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• short list of people during the worst of times, and I've had some worst times in my district, from buildings
• This bill requires local governments to allow property owners to voluntarily create accessory dwelling
• Under this bill, the property owner retains his homestead exemption for that portion of the property
• on which the owner maintains a permanent residence.
• ADUs can increase workforce housing because ADUs cost less to build, cost less to rent, and are often

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several ceremonial introductions recognizing St. Johns County Day, Florida Space Day, Florida State Parks Day, Pinellas County Commissioner Kathleen Peters, and AMI Kids Day at the Capitol. The chamber then received and adopted a committee report on executive appointments, with debate focused on the confirmation of Tina Vidal-Douart. Senator Smith opposed her confirmation, citing concerns about contracts tied to the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility and the Hope Florida Foundation; Senator Pizzo spoke in support, describing her assistance during COVID testing and vaccination efforts. The report was adopted by a vote of 37 yeas, 0 nays. On the special order calendar, the Senate passed Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 48 on housing, which requires local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, limits certain local restrictions, preserves homestead treatment for the primary residence portion, and extends density bonus incentives for military families. The bill passed 38 yeas, 0 nays. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 578, creating a statewide Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Initiative through the Department of Elder Affairs to promote early detection, diagnosis, brain health, and outreach to older and higher-risk Floridians. That bill also passed 38 yeas, 0 nays. Chair Hooper gave a budget update, saying appropriations work was progressing and that budget rollout would be delayed until next Thursday, February 12, with full appropriations hearing scheduled for Wednesday, February 18. The Senate then waived rules to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House. Additional announcements highlighted Manatee County Days, New College of Florida Day, and Florida Keys Day. The Senate adjourned until noon on Wednesday, February 11, or upon the call of the President.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas Indian Americans are small business owners, entrepreneurs, and CEOs of Washington companies
• Americans enrich every facet of our society, from the classroom to the boardroom, as small business owners
• , as CEOs, and to the boardroom, as small business owners, as CEOs, and state legislators.
• As an immigrant and daughter of immigrants, I know what it's like to build a life someplace new and to
• As an immigrant and daughter of immigrants, I know what it's like to build a life someplace new and to

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas Indian Americans are small business owners, entrepreneurs, and CEOs of Washington companies
• Americans enrich every facet of our society, from the classroom to the boardroom, as small business owners
• , as CEOs, and To the boardroom, as small business owners, as CEOs, and state legislators.
• As an immigrant and daughter of immigrants, I know what it's like to build a life someplace new and to
• As an immigrant and daughter of immigrants, I know what it's like to build a life someplace new and to

Summary: The Senate convened with roll call, page introductions, the Pledge of Allegiance, and prayers offered by representatives of the Islamic Center of Olympia. The chamber then suspended Rule 46 so committees could meet during the pro forma session, approved the previous day’s journal, received a message from the Secretary of State certifying initiative I-26-001, and referred Substitute Senate Bill 5292 (Family Medical Rights) and Senate Bill 6301 (supervision of line) to the designated committees. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 8674 recognizing the 77th Republic Day of India. Supportive remarks emphasized India’s constitution, democratic values, and the contributions of Indian Americans in Washington in business, public service, culture, and civic life. After adoption, the Senate welcomed the Consul General of India in Seattle and members of the Indian American community in the gallery. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8664 recognizing youth sports. The resolution highlighted the benefits of organized athletics for youth well-being, academic engagement, and mental health, while noting disparities in access, the need for trained coaches and injury prevention, and the value of adaptive and emerging sports. Senator Nobles and others spoke in support, stressing inclusion, belonging, and the importance of investing in youth. The Senate then welcomed youth sports and equity groups in the gallery and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't build on the beach. You can't do anything without a permit on the beach.
• You can't build on the beach. You can't do anything without a permit on the beach.
• Because the beachfront owners, they didn't care who was out there.
• When we discuss this with beachfront owners, you know what their answer to me is?
• The property owners filed suit saying that, and they were, that they didn't like...

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up CS for Senate Bill 304, which would address child protective investigations involving children with certain pre-existing genetic or medical conditions. Senator Sharif said the bill is intended to prevent children from being wrongly removed from their families when symptoms of conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, rickets, or vitamin deficiencies are mistaken for abuse. Several parents and advocates testified in support, describing long dependency cases and removals they said were caused by misdiagnosis. The committee adopted a substitute amendment that removed language requiring certain medical personnel to provide differential-diagnosis analysis, and the bill then passed favorably with unanimous support. The committee then heard SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings relating to terrorism, sponsored by Senator Collins, who described the long effort by U.S. victims of the FARC to enforce a federal judgment and recover assets. The bill would clarify procedures for terrorism-related judgments, modernize intangible asset law, and help prevent terrorists from hiding assets or blocking wire transfers. After one supportive appearance form and no debate, the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 96, a local claims bill for Jacob Rogers, and SB 382, an affordable housing rent bill that was amended to define base rent and apply to certain shorter-term rental agreements entered after July 1, 2026; SB 382 drew support from housing advocates and some opposition, but passed unanimously. Several claims bills were also approved: SB 4 for Patricia Armini, SB 6 for Jose Correa, SB 28 for Darlene Engerville and J.R., SB 30 for the estate of M.N., and SB 24 for Mandy Penny Lemon, each involving injuries or damages caused by local government or hospital district negligence and each reported favorably after brief testimony and roll calls. The committee also passed SB 658 on waiver or release of liens after discussion about form language and enforceability. SB 72, which would allow campaign funds to pay certain child care expenses incurred while a candidate is actively campaigning, prompted questions about definitions and safeguards; the sponsor said the bill would require the expense to exist only because of campaign activity, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1142 on release of conservation easements, which would create a statewide process for releasing certain small, low-value parcels from conservation easements if mitigation credits are secured elsewhere. The bill drew support from the sponsor and a property representative, but environmental advocates and President Passidomo raised concerns about flood control, wildlife corridors, and whether the bill was too property-specific; the sponsor said he would continue working on the language. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 1622, which would repeal the 2018 customary use law and restore local authority over public beach access. Supporters argued the current law has privatized beaches, hurt tourism, and led to harassment and conflict, while opponents defended private property rights and warned against taking away owners’ ability to exclude others. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 1622, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Metro, Metro Link, and the building trades.
• Metro, and Keith Dunn with State Building Trades. I'll defer to them.
• Metro, Metro, Link, and the building trades.
• Metro and Keith Dunn with State Building Trades. I'll defer to them.
• Keith Dunn on behalf of the State Building Construction Trades Council.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Um in this building, that charter has um has had a dismal history of being stopped in the ...
• ,</c> the Alchemist owner, the Alchemist owner, Lucy<01:15:14.239><c> and</c><01:15:14.400><c> How</c
• Brewing Company owner, Lucy and How Brewing Company owner, several<01:15:18.080><c> members</c><01:15
• So that was one quarter of the funding and is building the project.
• So that was one quarter of the funding and is building the project.

Transcript Highlights:

• VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC WHICH IS NOT BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC NOR THE OWNER.
• WE ASK THAT YOU VOTE NO ON SB 386 AND PROTECT THE OWNERS IN THE PUBLIC. THANK YOU.
• ONE OF OUR OWNERS GOT A QUOTE FROM THE MIAMI HERALD THAT WAS IN EXCESS OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS.
• CHAIRMAN THIS BILL GIVES THE STORAGE OWNER UNIT OWNER THE OPTION TO USE A WEBSITE IN ORDER TO ADVERTISE
• IT STILL ALLOWS A PROPERTY OWNER TO MAKE A CHOICE IT.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:16.559><c> and</c><00:19:16.799><c> non-owners</c> views and firearm owners and non-owners
• views and firearm owners and non-owners to<00:19:18.000><c> identify</c><00:19:18.559><c> firearm</c
• I'm the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus.
• :49:03.680><c> build</c><00:49:03.920><c> on</c> there's opportunity to build on there's opportunity
• </c><00:49:17.839><c> on</c><00:49:18.240><c> these</c> and um and building on these and um and building

Transcript Highlights:

• They will treat them here in facilities and they will build their own state network.
• They're demolishing the building, so we're losing our lease.
• Since 1973, doing business in an old, dilapidated BIA building.
• It’s in the planning stages, and we’re doing a lot of building right here.
• The company building... How many hours do you have training to do this? Two hours?

Bills: SB1072 , SB1111 , SB1114 , SB1116 , SB1122 , SB1179 , SB1250 , SB1308 , SB1455 , SB1456 , SB1457 , SB1487 , SB1547 , SB1549 , SB1551 , SB1552

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Keywords: reimbursement rates, intellectual disabilities, community services, economic security, funding appropriations, automated license plate readers, law enforcement, privacy, data access, public records, behavioral health, patient brokering, appropriation, state funds, Maricopa County, claims review, medical necessity, American Indian health program, healthcare regulations, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• You are the property owner. You have to own the property. Ms.
• Cole Garrett: Yes, I am, because this is just to the property owner.
• To the property owner. Simple bill.
• Cole Garrett: Yes, I am, because this is just to the property owner.
• To the property owner. Simple bill. Representative Bryant: Do you oppose it if it was 1,000 feet?

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1209, which would pause new cooperative endeavor agreements for surface water withdrawals after December 31, 2026, while allowing existing agreements to continue and renew through 2036. The author said the bill is intended to force a broader, data-driven review of Louisiana’s surface water management and to improve funding for aquatic plant control, especially giant salvinia. An amendment was adopted to broaden the description of how the aquatic plant control fund may be used and to require annual reporting on agreements, withdrawals, revenues, deposits, spending, and non-monetary consideration. Department officials said the current program is voluntary, underfunded for monitoring, and that the bill could create a gap for new users if no replacement mechanism is enacted. The bill was reported favorable as amended after testimony from supporters including the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and opposition concerns from industry representatives were noted but not formally presented. House Bill 599 was then heard, which would prohibit the sale of Louisiana running surface water outside the state. The author argued that out-of-state sales, especially involving Toledo Bend and Texas, would be short-sighted and could harm Louisiana’s long-term water interests. Supporters said Louisiana lacks a water budget and should preserve water for in-state needs, while the Department of Conservation and Energy noted that the state currently has no mandatory process for such agreements and that the bill would not affect Sabine River Authority authority. The committee reported the bill favorable. Finally, House Bill 1206, dealing with permitting and reporting of water usage at data centers, was discussed. The substitute bill and amendment would give the department authority to monitor and regulate groundwater and surface water withdrawals, require public hearings, and improve transparency through reporting and a universal project identifier. The author and supporters said the bill was prompted by concerns in communities affected by large data center projects and the lack of public hearings on water use. Department officials agreed that more comprehensive data and a clearer framework are needed, but the author voluntarily deferred the bill to continue working with the department on a broader measure for next session. The committee also heard House Bill 1171 on allowing airboats in the Mar-Paw Swamp Wildlife Management Area, but after extensive debate over noise, habitat impacts, and existing restrictions, the discussion was ongoing in the portion provided and no final action on that bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• He is the owner of Sunlight Sports, with his wife up in Cody.
• He is the owner of Sunlight Sports, with his wife up in Cody.
• He is the owner of Sunlight Sports, with his wife up in Cody.
• He is the owner of Sunlight Sports, with his wife up in Cody.
• He is the owner of Sunlight Sports, with his wife up in Cody.

Bills: HB0015 , HB0017 , HB0019

Committee: Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• We're just trying to build off the success of other states. All right, thank you.
• Today, I sit here also as the owner of Rivenberg Wine, Texas' first wine incubator.
• Let's be clear, it duplicates the G permit. ...rather than building upon it.
• And with my husband, we are the second generation owners of Messina Hoff Wine Cellars, Inc., which is
• We lose another funeral home; we don't just lose a building, we lose public health infrastructure.

Bills: HB223

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• You need to realize that this building is your building, and that we need to do so much work to make
• Historic building boom with $11.4 billion for 306 projects and improved facilities at all 11 universities
• There is no more effective person, I really believe, in the state of Texas, certainly in this building
• Senate Bill 2586 by Flores, relating to information that a property owners association must file with
• associations and property owners associations, to Business and Commerce.

Bills: SJR12 , SCR39 , SB27 , SB29 , SB241 , SB406 , SB414 , SB464 , SB568 , SB578 , SB609 , SB660 , SB689 , SB693 , SB785 , SB857 , SB879 , SB921 , SB922 , SB955 , SB985 , SB993 , SB996 , SB1008 , SB1035 , SB1036 , SB1059 , SB1098 , SB1120 , SB1122 , SB1147 , SB1188 , SB1197 , SB1209 , SB1227 , SB1245 , SB1267 , SB1307 , SB1321 , SB1332 , SB1386 , SB1396 , SB1453 , SB1484 , SB1494 , SB1536 , SB1537 , SB1596 , SB1610 , SB1664 , SB1741 , SB1814 , SB1822 , SB1841 , SB1948 , SB2065 , SB2155 , SB2188 , SB2230 , SB2406 , SB2407

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with senators highlighting the university’s growth, medical school, research expansion, and role in serving South Texas. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 368 honoring outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, with numerous senators praising his long public career, leadership in higher education, and statewide impact. Senate Resolution 361 recognizing Texas HBCU Day and Senate Resolution 362 recognizing Denton County Days at the Capitol were also adopted, along with other routine recognitions and gubernatorial appointments being read into the record. The Senate then took up several bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to shorten vacancy posting requirements, allow bilingual certification candidates to retake only failed test sections, give teachers more flexibility with paid leave, clarify classroom removal procedures, and ensure parents are informed of appeal rights. The bill passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment to establish a parent’s right to direct a child’s education, was also brought up and passed to engrossment after a contested suspension vote. The Senate next passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, which would require reporting of foreign funding at public universities, bar gifts from adversarial governments, and require training and reporting systems to prevent foreign influence and intellectual property theft in higher education. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the so-called “Dexit” bill, was debated at length for its corporate governance changes, including codifying the business judgment rule and altering internal corporate litigation and records rules; it passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed by a 30-1 vote. Senate Bill 857, allowing law enforcement discretion to tow vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed after discussion of towing abuses during flooding and disaster conditions. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536, requiring dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, passed with broad support, and Senate Bill 922, addressing delayed electronic disclosure of sensitive medical test results so physicians can discuss them first, was taken up and passed to engrossment as the chamber continued through its calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:41:28.800><c> that</c> personally as a business owner that personally as a business owner that
• > lighting,</c> building envelopes, upgraded lighting, building envelopes, upgraded lighting, installed
• </c> I'm the owner of Turncycle Solutions. I'm the owner of Turncycle Solutions.
• </c><01:36:13.280><c> something</c> that if you were to build something that if you were to build something
• If you were to build honest with you.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources