Transcript Highlights:

• Metro in public transportation to ...Cascades trip times, $12 million for King County Metro in public
• In the area of local programs, a policy of resource smoothing is applied to the portfolio of local program
• You also funded King County Metro to mitigate the traffic congestion and revive I-5.
• You also funded King County Metro to mitigate the traffic congestion and revive I-5.
• the new local roads program you supported last session get up and going.

Bills: HB2306, HB2711

Keywords: transportation budget, capital budget, operating budget, appropriations, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferry funding, state ferries, highway maintenance, road preservation, bridge replacement, tolling, express toll lanes, traffic safety, speed cameras, ignition interlock, transit grants, public transit

Summary: The House Transportation Committee held public hearings on a proposed substitute supplemental transportation budget and on a transportation resources bill. Staff described the supplemental budget as increasing transportation spending by about $1.1 billion to $16.5 billion, largely through reappropriations and preservation/maintenance funding, while avoiding any new bond authority. The chair and ranking member emphasized caution because of declining revenue forecasts, uncertainty around major projects and future fish-passage costs, and the need to preserve flexibility for ferries, roads, and maintenance. Testimony on the budget was generally supportive of investments in rail, transit access, dredging, safety programs, local roads, flood response, and preservation, though several witnesses urged more long-term funding stability and some requested specific changes, such as shifting King County Metro electrification funds and restoring funding for a Kent freight corridor project. The committee then heard House Bill 2711, a follow-up to last year’s transportation resources law. Staff explained that the bill makes technical and administrative changes to fuel tax distribution, luxury vehicle/aircraft/recreational vessel taxes, the indigent tow reimbursement program, tire-fee language, and related reporting provisions. The proposed substitute would repeal the luxury aircraft tax, clarify peer-to-peer rental car tax administration, restore transit bus toll-exemption authority, waive certain penalties and interest for dealers complying with the luxury vehicle tax, allow installment payment of the luxury vehicle tax on leases, exempt certain sales to tribal members and nonresidents, change transfer timing between accounts, and create a Preserve Washington Account for highway preservation and maintenance. Questions from members focused on public availability of the substitute and on the transit-bus toll exemption. Public testimony on the resources bill was mixed. An RV dealer and an RV industry representative asked for a delay or repeal of the luxury vehicle tax, arguing it would worsen an already weak market and drive sales out of state. Other witnesses supported the dedicated preservation account and asked the committee to adopt Senate language increasing bid limits for highway maintenance work. The committee closed the public hearings and announced that executive action on the two bills, plus a wildlife safe passages bill, would occur Wednesday, with amendment requests due the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• County.
• Is the county notified about that, is that correct? They are. Currently, the county is notified.
• , you know... 24 of us totally in the county and only four county commissioners.
• We also engaged with a local nonprofit and received a resolution of no objection from both the county
• This bill is a County bill that extends the local Ethics Commission tenure to a one-year term versus

Bills: HB293, HB 1173, HB3753, HB4999, HB5696, SB2145, HB5689, HB5690, HB5694, HB5698, HB293

Keywords: HB 293, Texas housing tax credits, low-income housing, affordable housing, private activity bonds, PAB, qualified allocation plan, TDHCA, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, state representative objection, housing development approval, municipal notice, county commissioners court, extraterritorial jurisdiction, LIHTC, bond-financed housing, homelessness, housing services, Texas Department of Housing, municipal programs

Transcript Highlights:

• County Commissioner Rick Bailey from Johnson County, a constituent, brought this issue to my attention
• Our county roads and bridges in Johnson County are crumbling.
• Our county roads and bridges are not built for this amount of weight.
• I am, uh, Commissioner Rick Bailey, Johnson County, uh.
• In Atascos County, almost in Atascosa County, instead of hauling, uh, 200 loads we would have normally

Bills: HCR 114, HB 137, HB 283, HB 1398, HB 1960, HB 2153, HB 2431, HB 2638, HB 2699, HB 2999, HB 3208, HB 3389, HB 3413, HB 3510, HB 3642, HB 3859, HB 3974, HB 3986, HB 4142, HB 4173, HB 4174, HB 4542, HB 4605, HB 4663, HB 4731, HB 5064, HB 5216, HB 5218, HB 5332, HB 5453, HB 5577

Keywords: memorial, pedestrian bridge, Houston, Sergio Ivan Rodriguez, city council, oversize vehicles, transportation permits, Hidalgo County, port authority, highway routes, healthcare, insurance, mental health, treatment access, state funding, transportation, axle weight, aggregates, regulations, Texas law

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Local Government will come to order.
• Well, unfortunately, it changes, right, because we send it to local. So it's too late?
• It's a local bill. Sorry, it would appear to be a local bill.
• It's double local. Okay. Any other questions? Any other questions by the members?
• Senator Middleton, is there any confirmation regarding whether his bill is local?

Bills: SB 1079, SB 1243, SB 1504, SB 1579, SB 1708, SB 1844, SB 1851, SB 1879, SB 1921, SB 1951, SB 2237, SB 2238, SB 2406, SB 2407

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Local Government was marked by significant discussions on multiple bills aimed at enhancing governance and protecting taxpayer interests. Among the notable legislations was SB1951, where Senator Paxton emphasized reforms to reduce erroneous penalty notices imposed by appraisal districts, eliminating the financial incentive for such penalties. The session concluded with public testimonies that highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in taxpayer dealings. Additionally, Senator Middleton presented SB1504 and SB2237, focusing on the operational frameworks of local authorities and executive severance payments, respectively, both of which sparked considerable debate among committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• direct the TVC to conduct a study to assess the number of veterans eligible for benefits in each county
• It is a priority act.

Bills: HB101, HB290

Keywords: voter approval, local tax, disaster declaration, tax rate increases, community funding, PFAS, agriculture, criminal offense, pollution, Johnson County, environmental regulation, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Menendez now moves that House Bill 101 be recommended for local and contested calendars.
• Senator Menendez now moves that House Bill 2193 be recommended for local and contested calendars.
• Senator Menendez now moves that House Bill 5308 be recommended for local and contested calendars.
• Senator Menendez now moves that House Bill 5329 be recommended for local and contested calendars.

Bills: HB101, HB290

Keywords: voter approval, local tax, disaster declaration, tax rate increases, community funding, PFAS, agriculture, criminal offense, pollution, Johnson County, environmental regulation, 1185, senate, all

Bills: HB595, HB583

Keywords: boundary alteration, corporate limits, Madison County, City of New Hope, local government, sheriff compensation, salary increase, law enforcement, elected officials, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In SB1, RV parks will have a plan on file with the locals.
• Which were all the Kerr County officials.
• Plans do you have access to in Kerr County?
• And he said, his answer was, there are 19 counties in this county, and I have six on file.
• Counties in my district, members, Southeast Travis County, Caldwell, and Guadalupe County were impacted

Bills: SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, SB 1, HB4, HB4, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, SB2, SB5

Keywords: school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans

Bills: SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, SB 1, HB4, HB4, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, SB2, SB5

Keywords: school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, I'm here to talk about a local issue for Hays County.
• The local city, so this is just seeking to allow the county to have a sign-off to help protect the character
• Maverick County is experiencing tremendous growth in its population along with its booming local business
• Without properly funding its infrastructure projects to meet current local needs, Maverick County will
• Enhance local control for vital transportation projects can allow Maverick County to properly facilitate

Bills: HB2007, HB2863, HB2921, HB3331, HB3332, HJR144, HB3514, HB3528, HB3720, HB3751, HB3859, HB3947, HB4148, HB4346, HB4880, HB5603, HB4337

Keywords: commercial signs, county approval, transportation code, regulations, road signage, vehicle title, revocation, hearing process, Transportation Code, county assessor-collector, confidentiality, personal information, local government, airport data, public records, vehicle regulation, transportation, steel industry, state fees, safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Local Government Committee will come to order.
• We have the 12 counties around Harris County, and I build and live in Senator Cook's district.
• I live in Collin County. We are in favor of SB 1883. We ask for your support.
• So I'm going to my urban council, county council of counties, to my TML TAC.
• Impact fee statutes first took effect in 1987, Chapter 395, Local Government Code.

Bills: SB32, SB464, SB996, SB1163, SB1173, SB1277, SB1452, SB1453, SB1548, SB1882, SB1883, SB2016

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, tax exemption, franchise tax credit, income production, personal property, SB 464, school buffer zone, tobacco retailer, vape shop, e-cigarette, vaping, nicotine, tobacco products, retail permit, comptroller, Class A misdemeanor, school proximity, youth access, public school, private school

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee heard several bills by Senator Bettencourt focused on property tax and local government accountability. SB 32 would provide about $700 million in business tax relief by raising the business personal property exemption from $2,500 to $25,000 and continuing a 20% franchise tax credit for inventory taxes paid. Witnesses from NFIB, the Texas Retailers Association, and Texas Realtors supported the bill, saying business personal property and inventory taxes are burdensome and especially hard on small businesses. After no opposition testimony, SB 32 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 1453, which would change how interest and sinking tax rates are calculated by using only the minimum debt service required under bond schedules, while still allowing a higher rate with a 60% governing body vote and a public explanation. A witness from the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association supported the bill as a way to keep debt rates from rising as property values increase and to preserve tax relief. The bill was left pending after testimony. SB 1883 would tighten rules on local impact fees by requiring 60 days of public availability for capital improvement plans and land use assumptions, raising the approval threshold for adopting impact fees from a simple majority to two-thirds, limiting how often fees can be increased, and expanding notice requirements. Builders and developers testified in support, arguing that impact fees are often poorly reviewed, lack accountability, and are passed on to homebuyers, worsening housing affordability. Committee members discussed adding audit provisions and questioned the lack of city testimony. The bill was left pending with subcommittee action. SB 1452 would require a voter election to decide whether a municipal management district continues to exist, with dissolution if voters reject it; supporters said it would add accountability, while others noted some districts provide essential services and infrastructure. The committee heard testimony from district representatives and builders, then left SB 1452 pending before recessing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, local government procurement simply Senate Bill 1173 raises the local government competitive
• Uh, this is an important bill for our counties.
• Local. No, OK, alright, no local. Hard to mend it. Yeah, that's right.
• So let's see, counties of over a million. What counties would those be?
• Harris County, Harris, Dallas County, my county, Bear County.

Bills: SB 32, SB 464, SB 996, SB 1163, SB 1173, SB 1277, SB 1452, SB 1453, SB 1548, SB 1882, SB 1883, SB 2016

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, tax exemption, franchise tax credit, income production, personal property, SB 464, school buffer zone, tobacco retailer, vape shop, e-cigarette, vaping, nicotine, tobacco products, retail permit, comptroller, Class A misdemeanor, school proximity, youth access, public school, private school

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> or</c><00:40:50.360><c> the</c> for these local companies or the for these local companies or the
• </c><01:48:14.520><c> had</c> a lot of the different counties had a lot of the different counties had
• county projects.
• </c> staffing for counties. staffing for counties.
• </c> counties to participate in this program. counties to participate in this program.

Bills: SB2908, SB2671, SB3085, SB2907, SB2353, SB2074, SB2360, SB2057, SB3251, SB2354, SB3001

Keywords: permit processing, permitting reform, county permits, development permits, building permits, land use, construction delays, housing development, infrastructure development, county workforce, differential pay, salary incentive, performance bonus, recruitment and retention, expedited hiring, vacancy rates, permit backlog, government modernization, county mayor, county council

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several Senate bills, with most measures drawing broad support and a few generating significant opposition or policy questions. SB 2908 SD1 and SB 2671 SD1 were taken up first; both appeared to have majority support, with SB 2908 receiving seven in support, one in opposition, and one comment, and SB 2671 receiving five in support and two comments. SB 3085 SD2, related to film industry operations, drew 11 supporters and no opposition. Georgia Skinner explained that the bill would streamline the approval timeline for productions by reducing delays tied to Land Board review, and she said DLNR supported the effort. Committee members asked about the need for the change and the relationship between the film studio, DLNR, and the approval process. The committee then discussed SB 2907 SD1, which would create an Office of Marine Affairs. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DLNR, HTDC, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, ocean industry representatives, and others. The governor’s office supported the bill’s intent but objected to placing the office within the Office of the Governor, urging instead that it be housed at HTDC. HTDC said it was willing and excited to take on the work and described ongoing stakeholder engagement. Members asked about the rationale for the placement and the long-term structure of the office. SB 2353 SD2, concerning the Aloha Stadium district and billboard/naming-rights issues, drew strong opposition overall, with four in support, 23 in opposition, and one comment. Andrew Pereira of the Stadium Authority argued the measure could generate revenue to help maintain and operate the stadium and said the district would remain self-contained; he also emphasized that the development would respect the character of the area. The committee then heard SB 2074 SD1, which had five in support and 26 in opposition; only one support testimony from the Carpenters was heard before the discussion moved on. Finally, SB 2360 SD1, an enterprise zones measure, received 14 supportive testimonies and two comments. Testimony focused on updating the program for modern business models, especially e-commerce and direct-to-consumer sales, while committee members questioned whether the program overlaps with higher tax burdens and whether businesses receiving subsidies should be monitored for job retention after graduation from the program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Judge of Probate from each county to conduct post-election audits.
• The canvas and board of each county shall randomly select at the next one.
• It updates funding opportunities for local 911 districts in this state.
• They're trying to find a way to distribute them to the local level.
• Alabama, but you think about it; we have 67 counties.

Bills: HB30, HB263, HB357, HB359, SB60, SB102, HB30

Keywords: elections, post-election audit, election audit, risk-limiting audit, ballot audit, election integrity, voter confidence, Secretary of State, judge of probate, canvassing board, poll watchers, ballot containers, manual tally, recount, county election, statewide election, general election, absentee ballots, provisional ballots, election transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• , members living, working, and working in Montgomery County. and shopping there.
• Provide counties an opportunity to operate county assistance districts without the county needing to
• House Bill 5685. is a local bill that creates Waller County Improvement District number three within
• Incorporated, Waller County.
• District will bring welcome visitors to Waller County.

Bills: HB769, HB2132, HB3383, HB3792, HB5431, HB5682, HB5677, HB5678, HB5680, HB5681, HB5683, HB5684, HB5685, HB5686, HB4078

Keywords: environmental regulation, sustainability, business compliance, state oversight, local control, pollution, renewable resources, grant program, neighborhood organization, pedestrian infrastructure, Texas Department of Housing, financial assistance, neighborhood organizations, grants, urban development, safety, public safety, housing development, low income housing, tax credits

Transcript Highlights:

• And then a local resident who wants to find out just goes to their local news, could go to their local
• What better thing to subsidize than a free press, local press, local journalism?
• I know that the local... ...a free press, local press, local journalism.
• Local journalists and local newspapers are the lifeblood of our democracy. I vote no. All right.
• Local journalists and local newspapers are the lifeblood of our democracy. I vote no. All right.

Bills: HB2015, HB2060, HB2129, HB2170, HB2210, HB2228, HB2352, HB2460, HB2533, SB1019, SB1045, SB1050, SB1078, SB1083, SB1167, SB1184, SCR1006

Keywords: budget procedures, late filing penalty, accounting standards, financial reporting, state appropriations, abortion, educational institutions, health education, state aid, public schools, municipal libraries, annual reporting, state legislation, transparency, government accountability, procurement, foreign adversary, China, state contracts, information technology

Transcript Highlights:

• While the intent of the legislature was clear, that counties cannot regulate density, many counties have
• Development in our county.
• rules and different applications, it seems, county by county and month by month.
• , Brazoria County, Fort Bend, Waller, Chambers, and Austin County.
• Adam Haynes, Conference of Urban Counties. Go ahead. Thank you, Conference of Urban Counties.

Bills: SB840, HB2025, HB2512, HB3139, HB3798, HB3892, HB4373, HB4398, HB4582, HB4689, HB5187, HB5658, HB5666

Keywords: HB 2025, Texas Property Code, plat filing, replat, amended plat, condominium plat, subdivision, county clerk, tax certificate, ad valorem taxes, delinquent taxes, property records, real property, land use, local government, property development, subdivision recording, condominium recording, tax receipt, eminent domain

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this bill creates the Fensick Road Municipal Utility District of Harris County.
• the full House with the recommendation that it do pass, be printed, and be sent to the Committee on Local
• to the full House with the recommendation that it do pass, be printed, and sent to the Committee on Local
• And is Travis County in a water shortage situation right now? Absolutely.
• So the way this code is, the local government code, this section, this 212.905, in it, it talks about

Bills: SB840, HB2025, HB2512, HB3139, HB3798, HB3892, HB4373, HB4398, HB4582, HB4689, HB5187, HB5658, HB5666

Keywords: HB 2025, Texas Property Code, plat filing, replat, amended plat, condominium plat, subdivision, county clerk, tax certificate, ad valorem taxes, delinquent taxes, property records, real property, land use, local government, property development, subdivision recording, condominium recording, tax receipt, eminent domain

Bills: HB247, SB117

Keywords: Gulf of America, name change, state compliance, educational materials, local resources, historical reference, procurement, county commission, services, administrative savings, government efficiency, 1136, house, all

Bills: HB247, SB117

Keywords: Gulf of America, name change, state compliance, educational materials, local resources, historical reference, procurement, county commission, services, administrative savings, government efficiency, 923, senate, all