Transcript Highlights:

• Those are decisions that should be made at the community level, not at the state level.
• <00:27:40.799> levels worked on at the different grade levels worked on at the different grade
• <01:00:23.280> of um the granular level of um the granular level of disciplinary<01:00:26.240
• And so we we're we're local level.
• <01:16:36.640> of necessarily puts someone in a level of necessarily puts someone in a level

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At the federal level, FEMA and DHS have given the states indication that they are going to significantly
• Our goal here actually is, I believe it's in section 3, is that rates must be below market level, but
• and working with our uh federal level and working with our uh friends<03:20:38.440> at<03:20:
• And LTAC serves a vital discharge destination for complex patients who cannot go to a lower level of
• cannot go to a lower level of care. cannot go to a lower level of care.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 12 February, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles, and heard an invocation and pledge. The early portion of the meeting focused on recognizing recipients of the 2026 Governor’s Arts Awards. The Senate adopted resolutions honoring Greg Harkins for excellence in traditional craft, Jesse Robinson for lifetime achievement in blues music, Heather Christian for excellence in music composition, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra for excellence in performing arts, and Dorothy “Dottie” Armstrong for excellence in art education. The executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission briefly thanked the senators and invited them to the evening awards ceremony. The chamber also received several announcements and introductions, including recognition of the Mississippi Society of Radiologic Technologists’ Capitol Day and visiting students from several radiologic science programs. There was also mention of an out-of-order resolution commemorating the 155th anniversary of Alcorn State University, though no action on it was detailed in the excerpt. On the calendar, the Senate took up Senate Bill 2915, which concerns alcoholic beverages, native wine retail permits, and festival permits. The bill was explained as a measure to support Mississippi’s native wineries by allowing free-standing tasting rooms in different parts of the state while maintaining tax collection; a committee substitute and a friendly amendment were adopted, and the bill passed by use of the morning roll call. The Senate then began consideration of Senate Bill 2828, the Money Transmission Modernization Act, which would impose transaction fees, create a Law Enforcement 287G Program Fund, provide an income tax credit for fees paid, and revise licensing and control definitions. After objections to the usual motion, the bill was read at length, but the excerpt ends before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we all know that that has caused sea levels to rise and will continue to do so.
• Sea level rise projections for Massachusetts are alarming.
• Today was his first day of eighth grade, which is unbelievable.
• I'm also a soccer coach in Cambridge, ...eighth grade, which is unbelievable.
• I coach kids from third to eighth grade.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of climate, energy, and environmental justice proposals. Early testimony strongly supported the Climate Change Superfund or “Polluter Pays” bill (H.1014/S.58), which would assess the largest fossil fuel emitters for a one-time fee based on historic emissions to fund climate adaptation. Sponsors argued the bill is modeled on Superfund cleanup principles, would target only the largest multinational polluters, would not be passed on to consumers, and would direct a significant share of funds to environmental justice communities. Committee members asked about the number of companies covered, consumer impacts, and whether the bill would address other forms of environmental destruction; sponsors said it was limited to major fossil fuel companies with a Massachusetts footprint and did not cover other pollution sources. The committee also heard testimony on a fusion energy compact proposal (S.673) that would direct the administration to develop a framework for a New England regional compact to accelerate fusion research, workforce development, and supply-chain growth. Supporters from MIT and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities said fusion could become a major clean-energy and economic opportunity, but acknowledged the technology is not yet commercially viable and still has unresolved technical, cost, and waste-management questions. Members pressed on environmental impacts, siting, waste, costs, and whether the bill would create a compact or only a framework; sponsors said it would only create the framework and that the administration would need to negotiate with other states. Another major topic was a pilot program for nature-based climate solutions (H.971/S.??), backed by legislators, Boston Harbor Now, and UMass Boston’s Stone Living Lab. Witnesses said the bill would help speed permits for research and demonstration projects such as living shorelines, marsh restoration, and hybrid “green-to-gray” flood protections, while maintaining safeguards and protecting Indigenous and historic resources. Committee members asked how the proposal would interact with other permitting reforms and whether it could conflict with housing or wetland-related streamlining; supporters said it was complementary and aimed at making projects faster, more affordable, and more data-driven. The hearing also covered climate-safe buildings and climate adaptation funding bills. Supporters of H.1004/S.583 said current building codes do not adequately account for future flooding, heat, and wind, and the bill would add climate expertise to the building board, allow stretch resilience codes, expand floodplain standards, and create a retrofit program. Related testimony backed H.938/S.572, which would create a dedicated climate and community resilience fund financed by a small fee on property insurance premiums; advocates said it would provide stable long-term revenue for adaptation, especially in environmental justice communities, and help replace unreliable federal funding. One witness from CLF supported the climate-safe buildings and funding bills but opposed S.560/H.939 as too broad. The committee also heard testimony on airport air-quality legislation (H.997) calling for more monitoring and mitigation of ultra-fine particulate pollution around Logan Airport and Massport communities. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• that I not been supported at the level that I not been supported at the level that I think in recent
• a similar structure of a cabinet level a similar structure of a cabinet level official uh being the
• official organization to a cabinet level official organization to a cabinet level official uh the buck
• of cabinet level position that the level of cabinet level position that the level of cabinet level position
• veterans group then uh at the same level veterans group then uh at the same level with a daily contact

Bills: SJR 36, SJR 2, SB 4, SR 45, SR 47, SR 63, SR 66, SR 70, SR 85, SCR 14, SB 10, SB 11, SB 10, SB 11

Keywords: SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark's legacy at the Capitol extended beyond policy, as his character and level-headed spirit have left
• So I want to—your bill is bracketed basically to a super high-level employee, we'll say?
• It's high-level employees. This doesn't affect teachers, counselors, anything like that.
• Well, it'll be implemented from the federal level.
• My daughter, Charlotte, who's 14 and going into the ninth grade, is in a club called PALS.

Summary: The House met in a late-session floor session that began with prayer, pledges, quorum, and a series of excused absences and Senate messages reporting action on numerous bills, conference committee appointments, and conference reports. Members also adopted a memorial resolution honoring Mark James Hanna, a Capitol lobbyist and advocate for nurses, and a congratulatory resolution for Rishi Tarumalasetti, an eighth-grade civics bee winner from Katy. The chamber also received and recorded a parliamentary colloquy about an unusual Senate request on SB 293, with the Chair stating the House could not recede from only part of its amendments and could not suspend the rules because the bill had not been returned from the Senate. The bulk of the session was devoted to taking up conference committee reports and related procedural resolutions, especially the state budget. The House adopted a resolution allowing the SB 1 conferees to go outside the normal bounds, then adopted the SB 1 conference report on a 107-21 vote. Debate on the budget centered on public education funding, tax relief, health care, corrections pay, and judicial compensation, with supporters calling it a responsible compromise and opponents arguing it was overly expansive and insufficient on property tax relief. The House also adopted a technical correction resolution tying judicial pay increases in SB 1 to the House version of SB 293, and members discussed at length the relationship between judicial salaries and legislative pensions. The chamber then adopted a long series of conference reports on measures covering topics such as school library review and book challenges (SB 13), SNAP restrictions on sweetened drinks and candy (SB 379), hospital price transparency (SB 331), nursing home accountability (SB 457), school district personnel compensation conflicts (HB 3372), property notice rules (HB 2011), research and development tax credits (SB 2018), and several other bills affecting elections, permits, education, and criminal justice. Most reports passed by wide margins, though some drew significant opposition, especially SB 13 and SB 379. The House also granted several Senate requests for conference committees and introduced additional resolutions to suspend conferee limits on various bills as the session moved toward adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also a 10th grade student here in Austin.
• We must keep fighting and showing lawmakers at all levels of government that education being the great
• I would like to bring it to a more local level to talk about how this might impact everyday families
• You know what we see happening at the federal level with the.
• We have to push back against the administration both at the federal level and here at the state level

Transcript Highlights:

• You do believe in a level playing field?
• The level playing field would be that the utility...
• So you support leveling your playing field, but not mine?
• I support leveling the entire playing field.
• and not the federal level.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several energy-related bills, with the main focus on H. 3534/S. 2255, which would ban or sharply restrict residential third-party electric suppliers, and on related reform proposals. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, municipal and regional planning officials, environmental justice groups, consumer advocates, and city officials from Boston and Chelsea. They argued that the residential competitive supply market has produced higher bills, deceptive sales tactics, auto-renewals into higher rates, and disproportionate harm to low-income residents, seniors, communities of color, and people with limited English. Witnesses cited AG reports estimating hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges over time, described door-to-door and storefront marketing abuses, and said municipal aggregation programs have saved residents money while offering more stable rates. Several supporters said the Legislature should either ban residential competitive supply or adopt strong guardrails such as ending automatic renewals, banning incentive-based commissions, and capping rates relative to basic service. Opponents or industry representatives from the Retail Energy Advancement League, Vistra, and Constellation argued that the market can provide savings, longer-term price stability, and value-added products such as renewable options and time-of-use offerings. They said Massachusetts has already improved consumer protections through DPU proceedings, that complaints are relatively few compared with the size of the market, and that a ban would eliminate consumer choice. They also defended direct sales and commissions as normal features of a retail market, while saying they would support additional protections, licensing, bonding, and stronger oversight of bad actors. Committee members pressed both sides on whether the market truly saves money, whether automatic renewals should be banned, and whether the AG’s proposed reforms would be enough. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3972, a bill to extend utility shutoff protections during extreme heat, with Rep. Mindy Domb arguing that Massachusetts should treat extreme heat like extreme cold and protect customers facing financial hardship. Rep. Barrett also testified for H. 3450, a municipal broadband/right-of-way bill, arguing that communities need easier and cheaper access to utility poles and public rights of way to build municipal broadband. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Creem testified for S. 2239, which would bar utilities from recovering ratepayer funds for lobbying, promotions, trade association dues, and similar expenses. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 2 hospitals at level 1 and level 3.
• LBJ is a Level 3 trauma hospital, the busiest Level 3 trauma hospital in Texas.
• So Ben Taub is a Level 1, only one of two Level 1s in the, uh, in Harris County.
• Uh, LBJ is a Level 3 trauma hospital.
• at the graded level, which would be a reduced death benefit.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many more have some level of programming but can use much more.
• Providing this level of education is required of the DOC by statute.
• in in those with the highest risk levels in in those with the highest risk levels members<00:13:
• That program is really length dependent upon the level of risk the person is assessed to have.
• That program is really length dependent upon the level of risk the person is assessed to have.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We added what was beyond third grade.
• They're not at that level.
• is at different level. you know research is at different levels<00:48:04.800> and<00:48:05.040
• That level to be considered in this pot.
• <01:01:58.000> I there's different types of levels I there's different types of levels I understand

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are seeing cases of extortion start as young as third and fourth grade and it's escalating by middle
• <00:17:33.760> and as young as third and fourth grade and as young as third and fourth grade
• <00:41:46.640> There's at at the federal level, too.
• There's at at the federal level, too.
• <00:42:03.920> of don't have um that amount that level of don't have um that amount that level

Bills: HF2358, HF3496, HF3504, HF2169, HF3440

Keywords: public safety, coercion, criminal penalties, law enforcement, victim protection, HF3496, supervision abatement, earned compliance credit, earned compliance credits, conditional release, supervised release, corrections, Minnesota Department of Corrections, restitution, willful nonpayment, probation-like supervision, release supervision, community supervision, lifetime conditional release, early termination of supervision

Transcript Highlights:

• This slide is a high-level overview of our ask.
• I know the patrol yard out of San Holm once told me that they didn't have a way to grade that road.
• That is why we'll need to do a plan at the district level with the local entities to come up with their
• that are identified at the district level.
• Chrissy grants, which are grants that are given to us through FTA that are eliminating at-grade rail

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• requesting another written status update, at our last meeting we approved a motion to move to the next level
• Well, it's not about the F-150 versus the F-250, though it is, because we went through a heavier-grade
• Well, it's not about the F-150 versus the F-250, though it is, because we went through a heavier-grade
• The legal level of budgetary control, for example fund, department, function, was not specified, and
• Would probably be able to lower tax rate, and you probably have the same level of services.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee first heard a long-running audit finding involving Daytona Beach’s unexpended building permit funds, which have exceeded the statutory limit for several years and were reported at $10.8 million in the most recent audit. Mayor Derek Henry and city staff said the city has analyzed the fund, adopted a corrective action plan, waived more than $5.5 million in permit and inspection fees over several periods, and used some excess funds for a training facility rehabilitation and a proposed City Hall expansion. Committee members repeatedly questioned whether the city was simply trying to spend down the money, raised concerns about the legality and necessity of proposed expenditures, and asked about interest earnings, truck purchases, and the lack of detailed tracking for training-facility use. The city said an Attorney General opinion allows construction of a new building for building-code functions but not purchase of an existing building, and that if the city cannot comply through permissible construction it would have to return the funds. No vote was taken, but members expressed strong frustration and urged the city to resolve the issue quickly and lawfully. The committee then received the Auditor General’s presentation on the Town of Greenville, which found 31 findings and described pervasive control failures, possible fraud, waste, and abuse. The findings covered elections and quorum issues, conflicts of interest, late or missing financial disclosure forms, related-party transactions, poor meeting notices and minutes, council involvement in day-to-day operations, missing ethics training, budget and accounting deficiencies, weak bank reconciliations, improper utility billing and rates, grant compliance problems tied to a grocery store project, personnel and compensation issues involving the town manager, late vendor payments, weak procurement and P-card controls, vehicle-use and property-control problems, public records issues, and IT/fraud-policy weaknesses. The auditor said the review focused mainly on October 2022 through February 2024 but went back further for some grant-related matters. Greenville’s mayor and staff said the audit reflected actions of a previous administration and that the current council and staff have already adopted seven new policies to improve procurement, financial controls, inventory management, grant oversight, and ethics. They said the town has a new manager and clerk, that the former manager was terminated, and that the town referred matters to FDLE, which is investigating. Committee members asked about the manager’s salary increase, severance, P-card use, and whether the town should consider consolidation or dissolution. The mayor said the town is on a better path, that most of the prior leadership has been voted out, and that the town is working with auditors and an outside accounting firm to correct the problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I know many people brought up behavioral health, but there's a lot of confusion at the local level
• Book that, that grades things and if you look in there on some of the MCO grades, um, you know, it's
• I mean, so, so our intent was that raises bring the, the direct service providers up to a level where
• Uh, for New Mexico, especially in light of changes at the federal level, and then finally looking at
• but also at a congressional level.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it removes the tax from level two chargers. So, level two chargers are different.
• Um, it also, so that's why we choose charging the level threes over the level twos.
• Springs had had um level two chargers. Springs had had um level two chargers.
• charging the level threes over the level charging the level threes over the level twos.<00:04:41.120
• These are not consumer grade<01:09:47.120> appliances grade appliances grade appliances essentially

Bills: SF0095, SF0107, SF0112

Keywords: driver's license, motor vehicle services, third-party providers, Wyoming, regulatory compliance, motor vehicle, registration, license plate, electronic system, State Department of Transportation, county treasurers, vehicle fees, public records, license plates, replacement cycle, vehicle registration, motor vehicles, state fees, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of for all different types and levels of for all different types and levels of research for us to be
• for our changes at the federal level for our changes at the federal level for our Medicare sh Medicare
• by putting this money the federal level by putting this money the federal level by putting this money
• gone up their a problem their grades gone up their a problem their grades gone up their discipline has
• it has increased I think see some grades it has increased I think see some grades it has increased I

Bills: HB 9, HB 22, HB 908, HB 1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and this bill is critical to begin the process of returning to investment grade and reducing cost
• <00:37:48.640> and returning to investment grade and returning to investment grade and reducing
• I mean, that that's a good level."
• improvements that are still below investment grade, but we need all those pieces to happen, Senator,
• There's sort of a level playing field for all those that are signing these long-term contracts, and an

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate committees heard HB 108 HD2, which would allow direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees and require liquor commissions to adopt rules. Most testimony came from craft brewers and distillers in support, who said the bill would help small and fragile producers reach customers, move limited or specialty products that wholesalers do not carry, and maintain relationships with visitors after they leave Hawaii. Supporters also argued that direct-to-consumer shipping would not meaningfully increase underage access because common carriers age-gate deliveries and require adult signatures, and that the measure would supplement rather than replace the three-tier system. Opposition came from the Hawaii Food Industry Association and the Hawaii Liquor Wholesalers Association, which said the bill could create problems with minor access and tax revenue and would allow out-of-state manufacturers to ship directly to Hawaii households. Supporters responded that similar concerns were raised when wine direct shipping was adopted and said the existing shipping and reporting systems can track and tax these sales. Several witnesses, including Maui Brewing, Ola Brew, Koloa Rum, Hana Rum, Koulana Rumworks, Koval Distillery, and the Brewers Association, described their small-batch operations, limited distribution options, and the potential for direct shipping to expand sales and jobs. Committee members questioned witnesses about underage access, tax collection, and the impact on the three-tier system. One witness discussed efforts to protect and potentially scale the Hawaiian spirit Okolehao through geographic and sourcing rules. The transcript does not show a final vote or disposition on HB 108 HD2 in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• five, which is currently a level four.
• And lastly, aggravated fleeing or eluding is a level six, while currently it is a level five.
• five, which is currently a level four.
• Current law, it's a level three.
• And lastly, aggravated fleeing or eluding is a level six, while currently it is a level five.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and heard several announcements and recognitions, including remarks from the new Democratic caucus leader, Senator Berman, who emphasized bipartisan work on education, health care, the environment, and family issues. The chamber also recognized military leaders, an intern, and guests connected to later bills. No committee reports or executive messages were on the desk at the start of the session. The Senate then took up a series of bills, many of them with House companion substitutions and technical amendments. Major measures included the Pam Rock Act on dangerous dogs, which passed 36-0; a local government land regulation bill that was amended after questions about quasi-judicial hearings, impact fees, and county costs, then passed 26-8; a vessels/boating bill that incorporated related legislation and passed 35-0; a blood clot screening and treatment bill creating the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which passed 36-0; a fleeing or eluding law enforcement bill, amended to remove vehicle impoundment in the House version, which passed 36-0; a concealed carry/firearms bill for certain law enforcement and military personnel, which passed 33-3; and a timeshare management bill, which passed 36-0. The chamber also passed a disability history and awareness instruction bill, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, after extensive debate about language and the meaning of disability versus “unique abilities”; it received 35 co-sponsors and passed 35-0. Other bills passed included manufacturing and related fee legislation, public education on background screening requirements, utility service restrictions, educational opportunities for military children, Medicaid oversight, health facilities authorities, and veteran and spouse nursing home beds, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on human trafficking, waste management, Bright Futures, mammogram coverage, Parkinson’s disease, and others.

Transcript Highlights:

• , their GPA to get got their their grades, their GPA to get their<01:05:43.039> diploma.
• reason we do this as a statewide level reason we do this as a statewide level is<04:35:39.760>
• levels.
• levels.
• Having considered the same, the level.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So Texas History Day involves more than 70,000 students statewide at the regional levels.
• Then they come to Austin, more than 1000 of them for the state level competition.
• It helps grade school students foster their love of history and go experience it in real life.
• And then Walter Prescott Webb Society does the same thing at the college level, at college universities