Transcript Highlights:

• And it's the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Texas Department of Justice.
• Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, and the Texas Indigent Defense Commission.
• Texas Indigent Defense Commission.
• And so that's whether local prosecutors. whether an offense certain offenses within the election code
• I said, well, I'm from West Texas.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are currently conducting the fifth special election since the 2024 general election.
• and state election board staff.
• as the regular elections.
• of the Election Board.
• board by 7 p.m. on election day.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Texas, and you're testifying on the bill.
• economy and Texas citizens.
• I'm the elected criminal district attorney for Coal County.
• It can be in either, uh, but we prefer to do it in Texas.
• Most people don't realize that the Texas penal code compared to most states and the feds is quite the

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office in Conroe, Texas.
• Although mail fraud is often considered a federal issue, Texas...
• A name along with a unique identifying account number is what constitutes PII under Texas code.
• Decker, you're registered as Kate Decker from the Texas Bankers Association? Yes.
• No, just the Texas Bankers Association. Are you testifying for or against House Bill 4414?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, these Licensees ensure that these projects are safe, code-compliant, and read.
• In 2024, 114 officials were elected, and many of them for the first time.
• There's no state that does it like Texas. There's no state that doesn't like Arkansas.
• I'm actually the newly elected chairman of the Oklahoma Polygraph Examiner Board.
• You can go to Texas, and then Texas pays county by county, not as a state as a whole.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Tech, Texas A&M, West Texas A&M—some pretty impressive programs that are working.
• Tech Texas A&M West Texas A&M some pretty impressive programs that are working and so I think this one's
• In Northeast Texas, of course, it’s about the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District, established back
• I mean Texas is Mexico.
• Since then, the TCEQ, in consultation with the Texas Water Development Board and the Texas Parks and

Summary: The committee met with limited attendance at first, then took up a series of water, agriculture, and rural affairs measures. HB 3898 would allow the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance for brackish water desalination projects in certain border counties and related nonprofit suppliers even if the projects are not in the state water plan. Supporters said it is needed to address severe water shortages in places like Webb County and to support future planning; opponents, including the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, argued it bypasses the regional and state water planning process. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 5339, which would create a higher-education grant program for regenerative agriculture research. A rancher testified that regenerative methods improved soil health, water retention, and farm viability, while a senator noted existing university research but said better coordination could help. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 1523, a temporary prohibition on TCEQ issuing Austin a Class 5 injection well permit for an aquifer storage and recovery project in Bastrop and Lee counties until December 2027. Local officials from Bastrop supported the pause, citing unanswered questions about water treatment, recovery rates, and impacts on the aquifer, while Austin Water opposed the substitute, saying the project is central to its long-term water plan and that stakeholder talks were already underway. TCEQ explained its ASR permitting process and said public participation is possible but not always used in the current authorization process. The bill was left pending. HB 5659, concerning the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District and requiring majority city-council approval before certain water sales or interbasin transfers, drew testimony from district officials who said the change could interfere with existing contracts and district authority, but the chair emphasized the need for local buy-in and said the stakeholders had reached a workable compromise; testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1690, which would expand notice requirements for groundwater export permits so neighboring landowners and potentially affected aquifer areas are informed by certified mail and publication. The sponsor tied the bill to impacts from the Vista Ridge project, and no one testified against it; it was left pending. HB 3333 would prohibit TCEQ from issuing new wastewater discharge permits directly into the Devils River in Val Verde County. The sponsor and a conservation witness said the bill protects one of Texas’s most pristine rivers and reflects a local stakeholder agreement, while TCEQ said it can ensure water quality but acknowledged the river’s unique sensitivity; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HCR 108 urging continuation of the U.S.-Mexico tomato suspension agreement, with supporters warning of major Texas job and consumer-price impacts if it ends, and HCR 76 urging federal action on imported shrimp, citing public health and industry concerns; both were left pending. Additional measures heard and left pending included HB 4158 on compensation for Texana Groundwater Conservation District directors, HB 654 creating a dismissal path for certain first-time deer hunting violations after self-reporting and hunter education, HB 4530 requiring Texas Water Development Board review of groundwater rights placed in the Texas Water Trust, HB 2128 directing a study of rural versus urban firefighting and rescue disparities, and HB 278 requiring groundwater districts and management areas to track progress toward desired future conditions over shorter intervals. On HB 278, witnesses split over whether the bill’s interim tracking would improve accountability or create new triggers that could be used against local districts, but no final vote was taken and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• I strongly request that you, as elected Texas senators, look to your sworn oaths and not further expand
• In summary, my Texas senator said it best: voters should elect their representatives, not representatives
• Donald Trump didn't elect the Texas legislature, Texans did. So I have a question.
• Donald Trump didn't elect the Texas legislature, Texans did.
• Donald Trump didn't elect the Texas legislature, Texans did.

Summary: The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting held its first regional hearing, focused on South and Central Texas, including Bexar County, Travis County, and the Rio Grande Valley. After establishing a quorum, the committee adopted its rules on a 6-3 roll-call vote, with Senators Alvarado and Miles voting no. Chair Phil King explained the regional-hearing format, the use of 2020 census data, the online testimony process, and the availability of written comments and future hearings. Several members then gave opening remarks, with Republicans emphasizing public input and Democrats arguing the special session and mid-decade redistricting were unnecessary and aimed at minority districts. A major procedural issue arose over whether the committee should invite or subpoena the DOJ attorney who authored the July 7 letter that prompted the redistricting discussion. Senator Miles moved to subpoena the attorney; the motion was seconded but then set aside after the chair said the committee could not take formal action on a non-procedural matter during a regional hearing under the adopted rules. The chair said he would consult legal counsel about issuing an invitation, and members discussed the August 7 deadline referenced in the DOJ letter. The committee then moved on to public testimony. Witnesses, including Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, law professor Ellen Katz, and Texas NAACP president Gary Bledsoe, argued that the DOJ letter misread the law and that the targeted districts were lawful opportunity or coalition districts. They said the Fifth Circuit’s Pettway decision was limited to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and did not declare coalition districts unconstitutional, and they cited Bartlett v. Strickland as warning against intentionally dismantling effective minority districts. Garcia and Bledsoe said the hearing was politically motivated and would harm Black and Latino representation; Katz said Texas would act illegally if it followed the DOJ letter’s instructions. Members asked questions about the legal status of coalition districts, the 2021 map-drawing process, and the difference between opportunity, coalition, and crossover districts. The hearing continued with additional public witnesses, including labor representative Emily Amps, who said workers and communities of color were being harmed by the proposed redistricting effort.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state of Texas is...
• 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
• Penal Code section 6.03.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.
• As a co-chair of the Texas House AAPI Caucus and one of the first South Asian elected, it is my honor
• Texas Capitol.
• So, I want to say this, Texas, Texas is as great as its diversity.
• across the state of Texas.

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• Something I'll note is that in an election year, we see a bump.
• We are again in an election year.
• Texas was Very clear, our labor market has to have more options.
• And sometimes Texas can overlook the kindness aspect of things with big business.
• We've gotten one in Texas.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas has a 4.6% rate. I believe, actually, I believe that's incorrect for Texas.
• I believe, actually, I believe that's incorrect for Texas.
• One of theirs is, I'll get the correction on the Texas tax.
• The election costs alone are 9% of that 3%.
• We hold our annual elections in June.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to continue its tax reform and relief study agenda, approved the December 3, 2025 minutes, and announced a new subcommittee to examine property tax statement issues with counties, auditors, and the tax office. Representative Headland was named chair, Senator Rummel vice chair, and Representatives Dressler and Dr. Dr. and Senator Patton were also assigned. The chair noted the group may need an additional meeting and thanked staff and attendees. A major portion of the meeting focused on economic development incentives. The Department of Commerce presented on the Renaissance Zone program and TIF districts, describing Renaissance Zones as locally tailored tools that combine local property tax relief with state income tax incentives. Commerce said the program has supported thousands of projects since 1999 and cited examples from Beach and Mandan showing increases in property and taxable value, business retention, housing, and downtown revitalization. Committee members raised concerns that smaller rural communities often lack the staff and expertise to apply, and Commerce said it provides outreach through conferences, office hours, and one-on-one assistance. League of Cities and local officials from Bismarck and Ellendale echoed the capacity issue, discussed how the programs have worked in their communities, and suggested possible reforms or more targeted support for small towns. Ellendale’s mayor also described two TIF districts, one for industrial infrastructure in Oaks and one for housing infrastructure tied to a data center project in Ellendale. The committee then turned to stripper oil taxation. The Tax Department gave a comparison of oil and gas tax structures in selected states, noting that most have some form of stripper or marginal well provision, while Alaska does not appear to have a specific stripper-well exemption. Members asked for more detail on definitions and North Dakota’s annual adjusted rate. The Department of Mineral Resources followed with a detailed presentation on North Dakota stripper wells, explaining the statutory thresholds, the 12-consecutive-month production test, and the fact that once a well qualifies it remains on stripper status even if production later rises. DMR said about 11,332 stripper wells are active, representing roughly 54% of wells and about 16% of state production, and emphasized that stripper status can extend well life, preserve tax revenue, and reduce orphaned wells. Committee members and industry witnesses discussed refracs, the economics of keeping marginal wells active, and the competitive disadvantage created by North Dakota’s oil price discount. No votes were taken on these informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Legislature is thus failing to serve the Texas people.
• You were elected to serve the Texas people, not businesses.
• specifically looking at Texas Education Code Section 33001637115 and 3835.
• I am a newly elected trustee for the seventh largest district in the state of Texas, Conroe ISD.
• According to Section 33005 of the Texas Education Code, school counselors are required to plan, implement

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

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
• Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

Transcript Highlights:

• , fire codes.
• <00:24:34.080> Uh<00:24:34.400> if are building codes, fire codes.
• Uh if are building codes, fire codes.
• Amending the state building code to allow, or to reduce costs associated with high building code mandates
• with that except to send out the code with that except to send out the code enforcer.<01:01:29.280

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:05 Roll Call 00:00:12 Discussion of Legislative Measures 00:03:12 Discussion of Housing and Land Use 00:21:58 Discussion of Short Term Rental Policies 01:03:17 Adjournment 01:15:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its June 4, 2025 meeting and then heard a series of presentations focused largely on housing and land-use policy. Senator Robbie Mills and Representative Josh Bray discussed two 2025 housing measures: Senate Bill 50, which would create residential infrastructure development districts to help local governments finance infrastructure for new housing developments through special assessments and local debt, and House Bill 7, which would let local governments identify development areas and rebate new property tax revenue to developers as an incentive for housing growth. They said Kentucky faces a statewide housing shortage of roughly 210,000 units, projected to grow if building patterns do not change, and argued that regulatory relief and financing tools are needed to increase supply. Representative Rebecca Rymer presented House Bill 371, which would require local permitting when an industry’s residual waste landfill is located in a different county from the industry itself. She said current law lets such landfills bypass local review, leaving host counties with no say despite road impacts and other local burdens. She said the bill would preserve the existing exemption when the landfill and industry are co-located, and noted support from KLC and KO. Representative Steve Doan also described House Bill 806, a statewide backyard chicken bill that would allow domesticated hens, prohibit roosters, set a minimum of six hens that local governments could not go below, and preserve local authority over setbacks, sanitation, maintenance standards, and egg sales. He said it would override outright local bans but not HOA restrictions, and cited a current Northern Kentucky dispute and ADA litigation as reasons for the proposal. The committee then heard a broader discussion on housing and land use from Charlie Gardner of the Mercatus Center and Nolan Gray of California YIMBY and the Bluegrass Institute. They outlined categories of land-use regulation, described the recent growth of state-level housing reforms nationwide, and cited examples such as ADU legalization, smaller lot sizes, reduced parking minimums, streamlined permitting, and single-stair or other building-code reforms. They argued that housing shortages are a statewide concern, that localities often have incentives to block growth, and that state intervention can reduce costs and uncertainty without compromising health and safety. Members asked about the housing shortage estimate, the effect of red tape on safety and local authority, and how state reforms could be phased in; the presenters said reforms often include lead time, can be targeted to larger jurisdictions, and should focus on reducing time and cost while maintaining basic standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• They expect their elected representatives to honor that vote.
• c> honor<00:16:27.519> that elected representatives to honor that elected representatives
• I thank the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Texas legislators advancing common sense ...measures
• The court Texas age verification law.
• I would not be standing before you as the first Black woman elected to you as the first Black woman elected

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, June 29, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we talk about this historic money, knowing that every district wins in Texas.
• in the state of Texas, period, end of conversation.
• Texas Tech's Dr.
• Residency programs in Texas perform comparably to teachers.
• It is critical to get us up to speed for thousands of Texas students.

Bills: HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In Texas, only 9.4%.
• zip code.
• Under Texas Government Code 661.20, state employees are guaranteed 12 sick days per year.
• Because in our Texas Administrative Code, we rely on a medical diagnosis in order for these kids to get
• That is how these kids get their needs met, but the barriers in our Texas Administrative Code restrict

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• meet monthly to hear our investigations and to make determinations about whether a violation of the code
• So, we do not limit it only to the judges who are brand new who have just been elected.
• The state of Texas has gotten a ton of attention.
• The state of Texas has a dramatic need for employment of people.
• And so the state of Texas, I think quite wisely made the decision.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas A&M, West Texas A&M, and some pretty impressive programs that are working.
• According to the Texas Water Development Board, there are currently no operational ASR projects in Texas
• Caddo is the only natural lake in Texas.
• House Bill 4530 addresses a Texas Water Development Board legislative priority. The Texas Water...
• Since then, the TCEQ, in consultation with the Texas Water Development Board and the Texas Parks and

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Executive Director of Texas Ethics Commission and Mike Novak, Executive Director of Texas Facility Commission
• Texas endured an unprecedented election cycle. Lots of money coming into this.
• Texas Real Estate Commission, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, there's a number.
• Texas or from Texas who never go to the valley or go to the border and, you know, they think it is 1,200
• Council of Texas, ERCOT, who runs the majority of the Texas electric grid.

Keywords: 1184, house, all