Transcript Highlights:

• NRG is a major player in the electric industry here in Texas.
• The Texas healthy grid is why the data centers are here.
• And that's a good thing for the state of Texas and improves grid stability.
• Mark Whitman: We are not a passive consumer of grid electricity.
• Oscar Garza, Electric Reliability Council of Texas, ERCOT. Okay.

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss data centers and their impact on Texas's energy infrastructure. The meeting featured testimony from key representatives of the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and ERCOT, who outlined the evolving landscape of energy generation and the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data centers. Notably, ERCOT reported over 450,000 MW of generation resources planned for connection, with a significant portion attributed to data centers, which now represent around 87% of new large load interconnection requests. The committee explored proposed changes to the interconnection process, including a new 'batch study' approach aimed at streamlining the approval of multiple projects simultaneously. This change is intended to address the challenges of managing numerous simultaneous requests and to provide more certainty for developers regarding their energy needs. Testimonies emphasized the importance of ensuring that the costs of infrastructure upgrades are borne by the data centers rather than residential ratepayers, with discussions around the financial commitments required from developers. Several data center developers also provided testimony, highlighting the economic benefits of their projects, including job creation and increased local revenues. They expressed concerns about the potential for a moratorium on future growth due to the new interconnection rules and emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address water usage and environmental impacts. The committee plans to continue discussions on these topics in future hearings, with a focus on balancing economic growth with energy reliability and resource management.

Transcript Highlights:

• A good model is actually the state of Texas, and I did draft a privacy bill that isn't all-encompassing
• In conclusion, REAL ID is foundational to a control grid. He who controls the data makes the rules.
• We have seen some fraud in Texas on that issue.

Bills: HB2056 , HB2057 , HB2224 , HB2257 , HB2265 , HB2311 , HB2352 , HB2367 , HB2369 , HB2446 , HB2532 , HB2592 , HB2752 , HB2809 , HB2957

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Keywords: brackish water, groundwater, desalination, water resources, feasibility study, environmental impact, special plates, centennial, Arizona Department of Transportation, vehicle registration, commercial discounts, Arizona Centennial, produce incentive, agriculture, economic support, funding, Arizona, auditor general, county treasurer, procedural reviews

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Texas seek recognition? Texas seek recognition?
• Babin of Texas. Pursuant to House Resolution 936, the gentleman from Texas, Mr.
• </c> gentleman from Texas. gentleman from Texas.
• The gentleman from Texas reserves.
• </c> gentleman from Texas. Oh, wait. gentleman from Texas. Oh, wait. Mr.<04:16:22.000><c> Cloud.

Bills: HCR66 , HB2550 , HR432 , HB3898 , HB3383 , HB3638 , HB3628 , HR939

Keywords: military funding, defense, appropriations, fiscal year, government, labor relations, collective bargaining, federal employees, workforce protection, executive order, federal labor relations, labor management, federal oversight, government reform, Clean Water Act, Federal Water Pollution Control Act, PERMIT Act, waters of the United States, WOTUS, EPA

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. ...to ensure that the rest of Texas can get electricity.
• association representing electric co-ops operating in Texas.
• higher demand, taking a measurable amount of strain off the Texas grid.
• Power Grid and to economic development across Texas.
• BESS has been called the Swiss Army knife of the electric grid because it does so much.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got to have a reliable electric system in the state of Texas.
• of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.
• there's the Texas grid. ...so we could have a dialogue face-to-face.
• there's the Texas grid.
• the Texas Grid.

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas independence in 2036.
• Thank you for your service to the state of Texas, and God bless Texas.
• The State Fair of Texas feels a stewardship for Texas history in the centennial.
• Texas.
• Texas. Mr.

Bills: HB370 , HB738 , HB2935 , HB3227 , HB4103 , HB5259 , SB519 , SB1350 , SB1247 , SB1248 , SB2112 , HCR81 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HCR59 , HCR109 , HCR111 , HCR135 , SCR6

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: HB 370, Events Trust Fund, Texas events funding, sports eligibility, women's sports, girls' sports, biological sex, transgender athletes, sex-segregated sports, athletic competition, event subsidies, tourism funding, site selection organization, anti-trafficking plan, female athletes, public funding, economic impact, sports policy, Rosenwald Schools, historical preservation

Transcript Highlights:

• With the support for getting the Texas Almond Act designated as the state book of Texas, I appreciate
• Texas Revolution. Under the Republic of Texas, Milan served as a port of entry.
• Texas road safety.
• Texas needs a wildlife corridor action plan for the safety of both Texans and wildlife in Texas.
• That prompted the Texas Department of Transportation to work with Texas Parks and Wildlife as well as

Bills: HB370 , HB738 , HB2935 , HB3227 , HB4103 , HB5259 , SB519 , SB1350 , SB1247 , SB1248 , SB2112 , HCR81 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HCR59 , HCR109 , HCR111 , HCR135 , SCR6

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: HB 370, Events Trust Fund, Texas events funding, sports eligibility, women's sports, girls' sports, biological sex, transgender athletes, sex-segregated sports, athletic competition, event subsidies, tourism funding, site selection organization, anti-trafficking plan, female athletes, public funding, economic impact, sports policy, Rosenwald Schools, historical preservation

Transcript Highlights:

• That is so much that no ordinary electric grid on the planet could serve them.
• For the grid-connected centers, the ones that will draw electricity from our local grid, the resource
• In Texas,... term benefit of the grid, you want there to be a connection.
• ... ...in Texas, our bigger issue now is that just grid interconnection just takes too long.
• systems to support the electric grid.

Summary: The committee met to continue its study of artificial intelligence and data center development, beginning with approval of the August 13 minutes and a staff memorandum on data center types, growth, energy demand, tax incentives, and North Dakota economic impacts. The memo noted rapid national growth in data centers, the state’s existing sales and use tax exemption for qualified data centers, and recent North Dakota employment, wage, and tax contribution figures tied to the industry. The first major presentation came from Dr. Robert Mayo of NDSU’s Challey Institute, who argued that public concerns should be separated into grid-connected facilities and large behind-the-meter hyperscale projects. He said the effects on electric bills, water use, and noise depend largely on project design, siting, cooling method, and community engagement, and he cited examples from North Dakota and other states to support his view that well-planned projects can bring investment, jobs, and tax base without shifting costs to residents. Members questioned him about wastewater, long-term decommissioning, transparency, tax incentives, and whether other states have regained public trust; he repeatedly emphasized that he had not studied some issues in depth and that openness is key. James Dickey, a Texas-based industry consultant, then testified that data centers are ordinary industrial projects that should be regulated through existing local and state tools for zoning, water, roads, and environmental controls. He described Texas practices such as large deposits, curtailment requirements, and behind-the-meter generation, and said data centers can lower rates or support grid reliability when structured properly. He also said North Dakota’s climate, wind, and natural gas resources make it well positioned for development, while cautioning that incentives alone are not decisive and that local residents must see direct benefits. Aaron Burst of the North Dakota Association of Counties closed the discussion by stressing local control and transparency. He said counties generally already have zoning authority and should retain it, opposed broad NDAs, and described three approaches counties are using: highly specific ordinances, a short model ordinance, or treating data centers like other industrial users. He said most counties already have baseline industrial zoning, that public buy-in is essential, and that counties need flexibility to decide whether and where large projects should be allowed.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, my name is Kirk Watson, and I'm the Mayor of Austin, Texas.
• We generate our own revenue by selling electricity, electric transmission, and water services, and we
• I'm the Executive Director of the Texas Retired Teachers Association.
• As a matter of fact, back in the 1980s and 90s, there was an organization in Texas called the Texas Association
• Currently, there are two judicial retirement plans in Texas: JRS1 and JRS2.

Bills: HB886 , HB1514 , HB2434 , HB2688 , HB2802 , HB3161 , HB3221 , HB4029 , HB4339 , HB4591 , HB4774 , HB4802 , HB4853 , HB5627 , SB1737

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• I worked for the Texas State Comptroller's Office for 31 years.
• Texas lenders, regulated in accordance with Chapter 342, Subchapter of the Texas Finance Code.
• Texas citizens to meet their financial needs.
• Texas and our 2.5 million members across Texas.
• Um, I am a member of the Texas Consumer Credit Coalition.

Bills: HB886 , HB1514 , HB2434 , HB2688 , HB2802 , HB3161 , HB3221 , HB4029 , HB4339 , HB4591 , HB4774 , HB4802 , HB4853 , HB5627 , SB1737

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement

Bills: HR1038 , HB3263 , HB3127 , HB2997 , HB3115 , HB2123 , HB3587 , HB3028 , HB2035 , HB3369 , HB3620 , HB3621 , HB3622 , HB3624 , HB3175 , HB3173 , HB3178 , HB1979 , HB4476

Keywords: Oklahoma Youth Expo, OYE, 4-H, FFA, agriculture, agricultural education, youth expo, livestock show, junior livestock, scholarships, youth leadership, Oklahoma City, rural communities, ag mechanics, engineering contest, farm youth, student recognition, ceremonial resolution, house resolution, livestock competition

Bills: HR1038 , HB3263 , HB3127 , HB2997 , HB3115 , HB2123 , HB3587 , HB3028 , HB2035 , HB3369 , HB3620 , HB3621 , HB3622 , HB3624 , HB3175 , HB3173 , HB3178 , HB1979 , HB4476

Keywords: Oklahoma Youth Expo, OYE, 4-H, FFA, agriculture, agricultural education, youth expo, livestock show, junior livestock, scholarships, youth leadership, Oklahoma City, rural communities, ag mechanics, engineering contest, farm youth, student recognition, ceremonial resolution, house resolution, livestock competition

Transcript Highlights:

• Growth in Texas is not new.
• We want that business in Texas. in Texas.
• Vegas, you run the grid.
• grid.
• For grid services, I think could be different than someone who does lean on the grid periodically.

Bills: SB 6 , SB6 , SB504 , SB765 , SB815 , SB929

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• And unfortunately, it does take it from Texas Parks and Wildlife.
• I live in Seabrook, Texas, in the Clear Lake Galveston Bay Area.
• When the issue is brought up to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens.
• All right members, the Chair lays out HCR 89 for Representative Heffner throughout Texas.
• Everything's bigger in Texas. That's right. Mr.

Bills: HB4538 , HCR89 , HCR142 , SCR1 , SB2139

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: vessel registration, derelict vessels, waterways, removal fee, Parks and Wildlife Department, General Land Office, HCR 89, official state gun, cannon, Texas state symbol, Texas Revolution, Battle of Gonzales, Come and Take It, Alamo, San Jacinto, Twin Sisters, Angelina Eberly, Texas history, historical preservation, heritage tourism

Bills: SB462 , SB519 , SB878 , SB972 , SB1228 , SB1350 , SB1356 , SB1535

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: childcare, priority, child-care workers, waiting list, legislation, Texas history, education, grant program, nonprofit, student engagement, economic development, public funding, local government, tax abatement, performance metrics, transparency, community engagement, reimbursement rates, Texas Rising Star Program, subsidized childcare

Transcript Highlights:

• permits and franchises for use of highway rights-of-way for utility facilities such as water, gas, electricity
• Again, for brief background, the Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council is co-chaired by the
• You can't run to the gas station and get five gallons of kilowatts to run back to your electric car to
• Before you is Senate Bill 5750 relating to fees for electric vehicle charging at state facilities.
• There's a party down the street or I need some electricity.

Bills: SB5750 , SB6148

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: electric vehicles, charging fees, state facilities, sustainability, infrastructure, regional transit authority, RTA, transit bonds, general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, bond maturity, debt limit, 25-year cap, regional mobility grant program, public transit financing, transportation funding, Washington RCW, bond issuance, municipal finance, infrastructure finance

Transcript Highlights:

• from federal oversight of our state electrical grid.
• from federal oversight of our state electrical grid.
• By maintaining control over the Texas electrical grid, Texas will safeguard its energy sovereignty, ensuring
• of our state electrical grid.
• By maintaining control over Texas electrical grid, Texas will safeguard its energy sovereignty, ensuring

Bills: HB 11 , HB14 , HB132 , HB1584 , HB1606 , HB5061 , HB 1041 , HB2286 , HB132

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The committee first took up pending business and quickly reported several measures favorably, including HB 12, SB 1361, SB 1705, SB 1749, SB 1897, SB 2344, SB 2566, HB 3809, and HB 4215, with most sent to the Local and Uncontested Calendar. HB 12’s substitute clarified a limited midterm review of regulatory agencies tied to Sunset Commission recommendations. SB 2696’s substitute changed med spa regulation from a license to a certificate, with training instead of an exam, plus background checks, continuing education, and two-year renewals. HB 3809 dealt with battery energy storage decommissioning and recycling, and HB 4215 was reported without a substitute. SB 1978, concerning interconnection of electric facilities in ERCOT and federal jurisdiction concerns, was reported out on a 5-3 vote after debate, but then the chair later announced the bill was withdrawn and left pending subject to the call of the chair. HB 1899 was also reported favorably, with one nay. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 14, the advanced nuclear energy bill. Senator Schwertner described it as creating a Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, a nuclear permitting coordinator, a development fund, a completion grant program, and a workforce development program. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives from Fermi America, Dow/X-energy, CPS Energy, Paragon Energy Solutions, Bridge to Nuclear, Aalo Atomics, and the Texas Association of Business, argued that Texas should lead in advanced nuclear, citing future baseload demand, data centers, industrial power needs, supply-chain development, and long-term energy diversification. Opponents, including Public Citizen, Texas Nuclear Watchdogs, Sierra Club, and individual citizens, argued the bill would subsidize unproven, expensive technology, create grants rather than loans, and expose taxpayers to major risk while doing little to meet near-term energy needs. Several members questioned whether the state should fund projects that may not produce grid power for years, and whether the bill’s grant structure and new office were justified. The committee also heard HB 5061, which Senator Schwertner said would prohibit unethical surveillance and misuse of confidential information by state contractors, create a confidential reporting system through the State Auditor’s Office, authorize Texas Rangers investigations, protect whistleblowers, and impose penalties including contract termination, fines, and contracting bans. No public testimony was offered, and the bill was left pending. HB 132, sponsored by Senator Hughes, would extend confidentiality protections for sensitive information to hostile acts by foreign adversaries; it was also left pending after no testimony. HB 1584 was then laid out, with Senator Schwertner explaining it would require utilities to maintain and update priority restoration lists for critical facilities after Hurricane Beryl exposed communication failures, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Senate Bill 75 would codify the Texas Grid Security Commission under the Texas Department of
• You are registered for yourself and on behalf of Protect the Texas Grid, and you are in support of this
• The continuous operation of the electric grid is in the public's best interest.
• One thing from Winter Storm Uri is that the Texas electric grid doesn't exist in isolation.
• Mark Bell is testifying on behalf of the Association of Electric Companies of Texas and you're new.

Bills: SB34 , SB75 , SB330 , SB1535 , SB18 , SB 18 , SB 34

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• Respondents were asked to provide information about their source of electricity, whether this be grid
• With respect to electricity, the facilities within ERCOT will have their interconnection with the grid
• And I do agree it's tied to electrical. A lot of these are autonomous to the grid.
• Texas is moving forward aggressively, and I mean, think about it—we have our own grid.
• Are you going to be part of the grid where you take advantage of peak electric rates, you know, that

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met for an interim hearing focused almost entirely on data centers and their water and energy demands. The chair said the committee would not vote on bills that day, but that the hearing was intended to gather facts and inform likely legislation next session, including possible guardrails on water use, disposal requirements, and other accountability measures. Members repeatedly emphasized that water and power policy are linked, and several senators expressed concern about rapid growth, especially in rural areas, and about public misinformation and lack of transparency from some developers. Texas Water Development Board and Public Utility Commission staff described their survey and planning work. TWDB said it conducts annual water-use surveys and is preparing to treat data centers as a subcategory of manufacturing in future water planning, using projected power demand as a proxy for future water demand. PUC said it conducted a voluntary statewide survey of data centers and virtual currency mining facilities to collect energy and water information for a legislative rider study. Officials reported that the survey identified 168 facilities from 57 companies, with most operational facilities concentrated in Dallas, Travis, Harris, Collin, and Bexar counties. They said most operational facilities rely on grid power and public water, while planned facilities are larger and more likely to use behind-the-meter generation and non-evaporative cooling. Members pressed agency witnesses on response rates, enforcement, and data gaps. TWDB said its 2025 survey had about a 30% response rate among identified data centers and that 227 facilities had not responded, while PUC said its outreach reached 377 facilities but that no comprehensive statewide list exists. Senators asked how nonresponders could be compelled to participate, whether water hookups or permits could be conditioned on reporting, and what oversight exists in counties without groundwater conservation districts. Witnesses said enforcement is limited, that local entities and districts handle most compliance issues, and that the agencies do not have authority to mandate technology choices or impose fees. The committee also discussed drought curtailment, metering, and whether future data center approvals should require enforceable water and power contingency plans. A third panel from the Bureau of Economic Geology began presenting independent research mapping more than 370 operating facilities statewide and tracking projects through the development pipeline.

Transcript Highlights:

• Honor to Texas Flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one and indivisible.
• He earned a law degree from Texas Southern, and I'm sorry, from the South Texas.
• His work with the Texas General Land Office and the Texas Veterans Land Board reflected his dedication
• We now have 61 women in the Texas legislature. legislature. 46 of whom serve in the Texas House, and
• Members, Jim Wells County and its county seat, Alice, Texas, are notable. in Texas history, known as

Bills: HCR21 , HCR22 , HCR23 , HCR24 , HCR25 , HCR26 , HCR27 , HCR31 , HCR41 , HCR42 , HCR43 , HCR44 , HCR45 , HCR52 , HCR53 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HCR73 , HR8 , HR10 , HR13 , HR20 , HR21 , HR50 , HR59 , HR61 , HR71 , HR74 , HR79 , HR84 , HR86 , HR90 , HR91 , HR102 , HR103 , HR107 , HR113 , HR125 , HR126 , HR132 , HR142 , HR145 , HR149 , HR150 , HR152 , HR167 , HR179 , HR181 , HR183 , HR186 , HR192 , HR196 , HR199 , HR207 , HR211 , HR212 , HR213 , HR216 , HR249 , HR256 , HR259 , HR261 , HR263 , HR272 , HR281 , HR285 , HR294 , HR295 , HR300 , HR305 , HR311 , HR313 , HR315 , HR316 , HR323 , HR331 , HR339 , HR340 , HR346 , HR349 , HR352 , HR357 , HR358 , HR360 , HR363 , HR374 , HR377 , HCR20 , HCR28 , HCR30 , HCR32 , HCR49 , HR14 , HR15 , HR19 , HR23 , HR24 , HR25 , HR26 , HR27 , HR29 , HR47 , HR48 , HR55 , HR56 , HR66 , HR85 , HR92 , HR93 , HR95 , HR96 , HR140 , HR155 , HR164 , HR204 , HR241 , HR242 , HR250 , HR253 , HR260 , HR262 , HR265 , HR279 , HR310 , HR312 , HR328 , HR332 , HR359 , HR362 , HR367

Keywords: recognition, award, petroleum industry, leadership, community service, HCR 22, House Concurrent Resolution, Texas Legislature, commendation, honorary resolution, Dr. James Olson, James Olson, University of Texas Permian Basin, UT Permian Basin, psychology professor, 50 years of service, faculty recognition, academic award, Piper Professor Award, Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award