Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, House Bill 557 amends the Texas Family Code to create reasonable safeguards.
• And it says here you are testifying for yourself and on behalf of the Texas Family Law Texas Family Foundation
• Uh, your witness affirmation says Texas Family Foundation, but I believe that's the Texas Family Law
• House Bill 2301 is a straightforward amendment to the Texas Family Code and clarifies the timing of providing
• Family Code caregiver authorizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• in Texas.
• The programs included in the bill are Medicaid, CHIP, Healthy Texas Women, Family Planning, TANF, SNAP
• Aligning the language of the Health and Safety Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure will clarify.
• In Texas criminal justice system, it continues the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, uh, for 12 more
• Doors, Texas Appleseed, Texans for Free Enterprise, EdTrust in Texas Lone Star Justice Alliance, Cicero

Bills: HB153

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill makes it clear that the Texas Family Code, that the Texas Family Code that another person or
• One of these is um chapter, Texas Family Code chapter 32.003.
• This addresses inconsistencies within the Texas Family Code, uh, in Title 12, and 5 does not, uh, apply
• In the family code.
• And so the Texas Family Code currently, again, grants sole managing conservators various exclusive rights

Transcript Highlights:

• And it, they happen from North Texas to South Texas.
• busts across North Texas.
• The Texas Penal Code on non-livestock animal cruelty states that a person commits an offense if the person
• Pursuant to Texas Penal Code Section 6.03, a person is criminally negligent when he ought to be aware
• Um, the violence that impacted our family and, and the family of Louise and others like them.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of that, I pray that she'll be at our families back home.
• Recognize Jake's family in the south gallery up here. Please stand.
• He shows pigs and works on the family farm. Let's go. Next, Mr.
• This bill establishes the Oklahoma Families Thriving Everywhere program.
• They can be raising funds not just in Texas but throughout the southwest region.

Bills: HB2059, HB3920, HB2992, HB3267, HB4457, HB3800, HB3818, HB4425, HB4427, HB4430, HB4431, HB4333, HB4340, HB4343, HB4344, HB4363, HB4229, HB4230, HB4236, HB4246, HB1979, HB3431, HB3052, HB3047, HB3048, HB4092, HB4302, HB3261, HB3704, HB3312, HB3546, HB3849, HCR1021, HB4105, HB4159, HB4304, HB3835, HB3619, HB4490, HB3710, HB4201, HB3907, HB3748

Keywords: health care, medication, inmates, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, reimbursement, county jails, medical expenses, sales tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, procurement, transplant research, Oklahoma Tax Code, HB2992, Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, Corporation Commission, Oklahoma utilities, ratepayer protection, data centers, artificial intelligence computing, AI data centers

Transcript Highlights:

• under Texas Family Code Chapter 160.
• Exploitation of the, as it's called in Texas, family code gestational mother, I am...
• Of the, as it's called in Texas Family Code, gestational mother, I am not sure if there is a reporting
• First, require strict compliance with the Texas Family Code for every gestational surrogacy arrangement
• governed by Texas. ...compliance with the Texas Family Code for every gestational surrogacy arrangement

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is an exception though, and that's in the, I believe it's in the Texas Family code.
• Family code, um, language where, you know, districts can step in if there's an immediate need.
• Family Code, my understanding is the district can intervene in that situation immediately.
• School counselors are required by section 33.005 of the Texas Education Code to carry out a comprehensive
• Uh, Chapter 32 of the Family Code, I believe it's 32.004, allows a child to consent to counseling for

Transcript Highlights:

• I teach at two Texas law schools. Um, I'm also a former assistant DA in two large Texas counties.
• Um, I've been an assistant city attorney in several Texas cities, so I'm very familiar with Texas ordinances
• And this is how we raise our family.
• And at the end of the day, Texas is about horses.
• I represent the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Transcript Highlights:

• crime networks, which this bill smartly addresses by amending section 71.02 of the Texas Penal Code
• I'm director of public policy at the Texas Council on Family Violence, and I'm here in support of HB
• The Texas Council on Family Violence has the privilege of representing family violence programs all over
• The chair calls Cayden Lopez with the Texas Family Project. Thank you for being here today, Mr.
• At, at Texas Family Project, we are dedicated to creating a society where families are protected and

Bills: HB316

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, affordable care act, medical assistance, federal funding

Transcript Highlights:

• So, DJ is Texas strong.
• We're proud to have him in the DPS family, and God bless you and God bless Texas.
• Will the Texas Rangers and Chief Shiver please escort DJ and his family to the North Steps of the Capitol
• HB5327 by Richardson pertains to the conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective
• HB5638 by Garcia-Bear relates to the provision of family protection services by the Texas Indigent and

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She came back to Texas in time to attend medical school at UT, then back up I-35 to complete her family
• To be members of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists... Thank you.
• Code, Senate Bill 8 when it's specifically about abortions, and then the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration
• , the Health and Safety Code, Senate Bill 8 when it's specifically about abortions, and then the Texas
• Bill of practice or remedies code in Texas? Right, so that's the statutory rule. Right.

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, approval of the previous journal, and messages from the House, then moved through several recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups. Members adopted resolutions recognizing the Texas chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America, Fine Arts Education Day, Donate Life Texas Day, Baha’i Capitol Day, County Government Day, Jack County Day, Crockett County Day, and a recognition of Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanik for service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The chamber also heard remarks from visiting doctors, students, county officials, and community groups, with multiple senators speaking in support of military families, arts education, organ donation, and local government service. The Senate then took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2779, relating to the allocation and use of certain hotel occupancy tax revenues. Senator Birdwell said the bill would stop local governments from conditioning HOT funds on race- or class-based priorities and would require Galveston to transfer the full state rebate for beach cleaning and maintenance to its park board. After questions, the Senate suspended the rules, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed it, though the final vote showed significant opposition. The chamber also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2322, described as a cleanup bill removing the compelling-factor test for dispatchable generation from the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act. A major debate centered on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2253, which would phase out uncertified teachers in core classrooms and strengthen educator certification requirements. Senator Creighton argued the bill responds to a teacher pipeline crisis, adds parent notification, creates multiple preparation pathways, and provides financial incentives for certification; Senator West and Senator Sparks pressed for rural flexibility and implementation details. An amendment from Senator Gutierrez to add a teacher student-loan repayment program failed on a 11-17 vote, while other technical and fiscal amendments were adopted. The bill then passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2371, updating skimmer-reporting rules to cover electronic terminals beyond fuel pumps, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2351, relating to the construction of certain concrete plants under a standard permit. Senate Bill 619, a conscience-protection bill for health care workers, drew extended questioning from Senators Cook, Eckhardt, and Menendez about patient abandonment, scope, and whether it could allow refusals of legal services such as vaccines, antibiotics, contraception, or personal care; despite those concerns, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment. Finally, the chamber began consideration of Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1169, which would allow public entities to form public utility agencies to cooperate on water and wastewater projects without eminent domain or cross-collateralization, with Senator Hinojosa explaining it as a tool for small and rural communities facing utility infrastructure problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, is that Texas, honey? This is Texas honey. We have time.
• I think this time we have honey to make and it is currently illegal, uh, under Texas law to take Texas
• House Bill 4285 seeks to revise and update portions of the Texas Alcohol Beverage Code to solve logistical
• This bill has come out of conversations with the Texas Distiller Spirits Association, the Texas Wine
• Our family owned and operated brewery was able to open a second location in 2021 in Waxahatchee, Texas

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this is a completely separate portion of the Texas education code. So the answer is no.
• There are separate sections of Texas education code.
• So this would establish Texas Education Code Chapter 30B.
• Thank you for your time and for fighting for the families, children, and small businesses of Texas.
• HB 117 presents an opportunity to strengthen Texas businesses, empower families, and advance a more globally

Bills: HB117

Keywords: county regulation, impervious cover, land use, unincorporated areas, environmental management

Transcript Highlights:

• So, a key retailer in Texas, and really all over East Texas and Texas, Tractor Supply operates 239 stores
• I live in Frisco, Texas.
• I live in Frisco, Texas.
• His family still serves there.
• His family still serves there.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation heard several bills, mostly local memorial highway designations and transportation-related regulatory measures. Senator Hinojosa presented SB 1351 to designate part of US 281 in Hidalgo County as the Jose Rodriguez Lua Memorial Highway in honor of a Border Patrol processing coordinator killed by a drunk driver; a family member testified emotionally in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard and left pending SB 2245 on bonded titles for vehicles when a lienholder has gone out of business, SB 1568 on animal-friendly specialty license plates with a second “spay, neuter, adopt” plate, SB 2589 on handling closed county roads in Webb County, SB 1104 on allowing large retailers to use one fingerprinted employee of record across multiple Texas locations, SB 1423 naming the Bill Stout Parkway in Longview, and SB 1931 naming part of US 83 the Rodolfo Valdez Memorial Highway. Most of these bills drew supportive testimony or were presented as local measures with no opposition. The committee also took up broader policy bills. SB 215 would create a digital identification program for Texas driver’s licenses and certain other licenses, but the sponsor said he was mainly laying the bill out for discussion and study; testimony was limited and the bill was left pending. SB 2707 would clarify that government entities such as TxDOT and the military remain exempt from fees on oversized/overweight permit authority, though a county commissioner raised questions about road-use impacts and fee revenue. SB 2807 drew the most discussion: it would prevent a motor carrier’s use of safety technology, training, and related practices from being used as evidence that an independent contractor is actually an employee. Supporters said the bill would encourage adoption of safety tools like cameras and braking systems without increasing misclassification risk, while opponents from the trial lawyers’ side warned the wording could conflict with existing labor-code definitions and create litigation. The sponsor and committee members discussed possible clarifying floor amendments. After public testimony, the committee voted on the pending bills. All measures were reported favorably on 6-0 votes, with committee substitutes adopted where applicable. SB 1351, SB 1423, SB 1568, SB 1931, SB 2245, SB 2589, SB 2707, SB 2807, and SB 2841 were all sent to the full Senate, and several were recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee recessed subject to the call of the chair after completing the votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result of the 2005 Workers' Compensation Reform, Chapter 504.053 of the Texas Labor Code created
• , just like certified networks. 405 of the Texas Labor Code requires workers' compensation and requires
• This is an issue for all that will benefit all Texas families.
• The current damages caps under Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code are the... same as under federal law
• Defining opportunity youth in Texas Code will allow us to get a much clearer picture of who opportunity

Bills: HB875, HB1667, HB2369, HB3844, HB4415, HB4479, HB4483, HB4676, HB5118, HB5400, HB5545

Keywords: workers' compensation, municipal construction, bidding requirements, small municipalities, contracting policies, first responders, PTSD, mental health, emergency services, medical expenses, injury claims, insurance carriers, opportunity youth, workforce development, employment, education, federal funds, employment discrimination, immunity waiver, public employees

Transcript Highlights:

• Also working with our partners at Texas Council on Family Violence, we were able to move a lot of those
• Chairman: Chair now calls Lauren Juveras, Texas Council on Family Violence, testifying for the bill.
• My name is Lauren Juveras, and I'm a public policy manager at the Texas Council on Family Violence, TCFV
• They both have an entire chapter in the Texas Penal Code. I came here with an empty toolbox.
• Corruption is a term of art, and that's why it's in Chapter 36 of the Texas Penal Code.

Bills: HB158

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivision, government spending, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• for Safe and Healthy Texas to prevent Texas families from living Colorado's nightmare and to expose
• Behind every marijuana policy are families like mine. This is Ladin Skinner from Texas.
• Please, committee, do everything you can to protect Texas families.
• Chapter 573 of the Texas Health and Safety Code mandates that a peace officer shall...
• Education Agency, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and the Texas Higher Education

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, a unique code.
• So, I can't read a QR code.
• families' rights and a family.
• unique code.
• They include a QR code. That QR code can't be read by a standard QR code reader, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• it got some traction, not just with Texas, but we ended up with a group that was Texas and California
• Many of our programs support the needs of mothers, children, and families in Texas, and this includes
• Um, we use family-based safety services when there are safety concerns in a family and the family has
• And families to DFPS.
• So that is, um, two areas in central Texas and then South Texas as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• And interestingly, it got some traction not just with Texas, but we ended up with a group that was Texas
• Many of our programs support the needs of mothers, children, and families in Texas. programs like Medicaid
• The statute is Chapter 32 of the Human Resources Code. 32 of the Human Resources Code. Yes, sir.
• We use family-based safety. services when there is safety concerns in a family and the family has needs
• Texas and then south Texas as well and the areas in white El Paso and the Permian Basin Concho Valley

Keywords: 1184, house, all