Transcript Highlights:

• She's from Little Elm, Texas.
• First, the bill amends the Texas Family Code to require parents whose rights have been terminated.
• Amends the Texas Family Code to require parents whose rights have been terminated and are financially
• section in the appellate code.
• and according to the laws of Texas unless both the policyholder and insurer agree to a different venue

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a House message announcing passage of HB 4 on public school accountability and assessment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, adopted SR 520 honoring Rosser Coke-Newton Sr. for his biography of former Governor Richard Coke, and adopted SR 518 recognizing Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day, with remarks focused on the impact of moral injury on veterans and first responders. The Senate later adopted SR 395 honoring the ninth class of Governor William P. Clements, Jr. Scholars, and several other resolutions were adopted by voice vote, including college savings awareness recognition and other member-sponsored recognitions. The body then took up several bills and resolutions on the floor. HB 3307, allowing online continuing education for arbitrators in property tax appeals, passed unanimously after suspension of the rules and the three-day rule. HB 913, renaming and reorganizing certain state hospitals, and HB 2970, governing the Gulf Coast Protection District and coastal barrier design, also passed unanimously. HJR 1 and HB 9 advanced a proposed constitutional amendment and statutory change to raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000; both measures passed, with HJR 1 receiving one no vote and HB 9 passing unanimously after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed HB 1151, which limits child removals and termination of parental rights based solely on parental medical treatment decisions, and HB 116, which revises grounds for involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship by removing the “O grounds” and requiring support from financially able parents whose rights were terminated. HB 1899 lowered the age for pyrotechnic operator licenses and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18. SB 1285, as amended, passed to protect bats by prohibiting entombment while preserving removal options from unoccupied spaces, and SB 2847 passed to promote innovations in core curriculum for faster bachelor’s degrees. On criminal justice, SJR 87, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail for certain repeat violent felony offenders, passed after two floor amendments clarifying due process and representation language; Senator Eckhardt spoke against it on final passage, arguing it lacked judicial discretion and a clear-and-convincing standard. SB 3073, requiring magistrates to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings, also passed. Later, SB 128, requiring hospitals to report suspected child abuse-related information to HHSC, advanced on a divided vote, and SB 2619 and SB 2972 passed on public school accountability and expressive activities at public colleges, respectively, with Senator Eckhardt opposing SB 2972 as too restrictive on campus protest rights. The chamber also heard extended debate on HB 21, targeting “traveling” housing finance corporations and their use of tax exemptions for apartment projects, with supporters arguing it curbs abuse of the tax code and critics warning about unintended effects on affordable housing; the discussion continued with questions but no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our statutory authority is in Chapter 36 of the Human Resources Code, the Texas Health Care Program Fraud
• We took a look at the Texas Administrative Code, the TAC, audit ready.
• We took a look at the Texas Administrative Code, the TAC, and based on publicly available data, looking
• They can code the Texas Unified Licensure Information Portal, which is TULIP, and the Medicaid contracting
• Texas Health Authority was established in 2007, Chapter 182, Health and Safety Code, really to promote

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance? I'm sorry, say that again. We had health insurance. Health insurance.
• Within the Texas Education Code, we have a law, which is 22.085, that permits violent Title V offenders
• Texas Ed 911 reposted it.
• on Texas TEKS and Texas Learning is very important.
• Texas School Alliance.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Texas' music office, Travel Texas, the Texas Workforce Investment Council, and the new Texas..
• Jeff Nelson, Commissioner of Workforce Compensation... ...Texas Department of Insurance, Division of
• It's not in the insurance code. In Texas, there's...
• We have insurance carriers that includes commercial insurance. large self-insured businesses, political
• anywhere, it was a disaster. and this is the one shining light in the insurance story in Texas.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They want it insured.
• They thought they had to insure the gold. They don't have to insure the gold.
• They thought they had to insure the gold. They don't have to insure the gold.
• They thought they had to insure the gold. They don't have to insure the gold.
• No, I'm talking about other states that have, you know, does Texas have the Texas gold program?

Summary: The committee took up several House measures. HCR 66, as amended, asked Louisiana Economic Development and the Governor’s Office of Rural Development to study rural parish assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities, and it was moved forward without objection. HB 387, a clarification to allow the fire marshal’s office to review architectural and engineering plans equally, also passed favorably without objection. HB 1223, which would have LED promote Louisiana’s clinical trial capacity and adjust internal review board processes, was amended and moved favorably. HB 950, aimed at helping older adults recognize and avoid fraud through materials and resources from the Office of Elderly Affairs, was reported favorably. HB 975, a routine measure to recreate the Public Service Commission, was also reported favorably. HB 1186, which would create a more uniform statewide building code and licensing system for inspectors, was amended and moved favorably. HB 1222, described as a Grocery Initiative Act to let LED identify ways to address food deserts and food insecurity, was introduced near the end of the meeting. The most extensive debate centered on HB 617, a consumer transparency bill requiring mandatory fees to be included in upfront pricing. The author said the bill was intended to curb hidden fees and help consumers compare prices, with examples such as hotel resort fees and automatic restaurant service charges. Supporters argued it would improve transparency, while opponents from grocery, restaurant, hotel, housing, retail, and business groups said the bill was too broad, vague about terms like “total price,” unclear on enforcement and penalties, and could create compliance burdens and litigation risk, especially for small businesses. Housing advocates opposed the bill’s housing carve-out, arguing it could weaken renters’ ability to bring unfair-practice claims. Senator Morris moved to defer HB 617, and the committee agreed without objection. The committee also heard lengthy testimony on HB 797, which would create a Bayou Gold certification for certain transactional gold vendors that meet state-defined standards such as segregation, insurance, and nearby storage. The sponsor said the goal was to give consumers confidence and encourage vendors to keep gold closer to Louisiana, while critics argued the program would amount to a state endorsement of private companies, create misleading consumer impressions, and expose the state to confusion or liability. The bill drew opposition from the Sound Money Defense League and others, but the committee ultimately reported HB 797 favorably, with the understanding it still had to go to Finance. HB 1228, a hearing-aid cleanup bill updating definitions, contracts, testing periods, and licensing rules, was also moved favorably without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't impact insurance.
• Worth area, and my insurance will still cover me.
• If she misstepped, she could go to jail in Texas.
• And if I may, Madam President, the mental health code is in the developmental disabilities code.
• And if I may, Madam President, the mental health code is in the developmental disabilities code.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He earned a law degree from Texas Southern and I'm, I'm sorry, from the South Texas College of Law in
• His work with the Texas General Land Office and the Texas Veterans Land Board reflected his dedication
• work of the people of Texas.
• located in Austin, Texas.
• to the Committee on Insurance.

Transcript Highlights:

• is no pressure relief for the state of Texas when we have inflation.
• 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:

• We will hear invited testimony from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Historical Commission
• The Texas Historical Commission, FEMA, and the Texas...
• . ...framework from which our rules in the Texas Administrative Code are promulgated.
• Texas has about 1,182 camps.
• state of Texas.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Historical Commission representatives from Texas youth camps and the lodging industry.
• To that end, Texas Game Boards continue to stand by and be ready to respond to the state of Texas.
• Um, the Texas Historical Commission, FEEMA, the Texas Department of Emergency Management are parties
• Camps in Texas? Almost 1200 camps.
• of Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fourth, we have narrowed the specific provisions of a section of code that applies to ed prep providers
• And they ...between those policies in the code.
• costs... ...increasing costs, inflation, in terms of whether it be transportation or their insurance
• But I believe all of our districts are dealing with those increased insurance costs.
• It's going to make a huge difference, and we just all thank you from South Texas.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met to consider House Bill 2, the major public education and school finance bill. The committee first reconsidered and withdrew the prior committee substitute, then took up a new substitute. Senator Creighton explained several changes, including a correction to the golden penny yield weight, an increase in the special education evaluation incentive cap from $45 million to $67 million, timing changes to avoid a funding gap for Bluebonnet curriculum training grants, narrowed language affecting educator preparation providers, added facility-usage reporting language, incorporation of bilingual allotment language from Senate Bill 2185, removal of the $20 million annual cap on JROTC funding, and a prevailing-clause provision to make HB 2 controlling over conflicting measures. Members generally praised the bill’s historic funding level but raised concerns about details and future floor debate. Senator Menendez said he appreciated the special education, safety, and teacher pay funding but was not ready to fully support the bill because of inflationary pressures, facilities funding, and district-specific impacts, and indicated he might vote present. Senator Parker strongly supported the bill, emphasizing historic funding, teacher pay, and the need to continue refining the package. Senator Witt also said he would vote present while seeking more refinement, especially on certification issues for public and charter schools. Senator Bettencourt highlighted the bill’s scale, including about $8 billion in new funding and $1.3 billion for special education, while Senator Hinojosa asked for more flexibility in the basic allotment and thanked the author for bilingual education and coastal-area provisions. The committee then adopted the new committee substitute and voted to report HB 2 favorably to the full Senate. The motion passed 9 ayes and 2 present not voting, with the bill reported as committee substitute do pass and be printed.

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:

• I'm the Director of Public Policy for Texas CASA.
• Arc of Texas. Arc of Texas? Okay, I did miss that at the beginning. Thank you very much. OK.
• I'm a Director of Government and Fiscal Policy with Texas 2036, and I'm here to express Texas 2036's
• I retired from the Texas Department of Insurance in 1999 after 35 years of state service with the same
• I serve as the CEO for the Texas Council representing the 39 local mental health authorities across Texas

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Families expect that reflects Texas values, so very important.
• It's Education package in Texas history.
• The world is watching what Texas does next.
• Texas is rich in resources. We're rich in industry. We're rich in diversity.
• Are we violating the spirit of the prohibition in the Texas Government Code of representing somebody

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion to suspend Rule 5.14 and move the intent calendar deadline to 6 p.m. that day. It then took up and passed several bills, often by suspending the regular order of business and the constitutional three-day rule. HB 1866 gave limited Texas peace officer authority to National Park Service law enforcement officers within the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park; HB 4996 increased the penalty for refusing to release a fraudulent lien when the victim is a public servant; and HB 5033 created a trigger mechanism for ending vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes. HB 1533 made a range of appraisal and property tax procedure changes, HB 2282 raised the arrest warrant reimbursement fee from $50 to $75, HB 3421 updated probate and estates procedures, and HB 4263 revised Texas Juvenile Justice Department grievance procedures. Each of these measures advanced through second reading, third reading, and final passage, with recorded votes generally showing strong support and some opposition on a few bills. The chamber also considered major policy bills. HB 2, the large public education and school finance package, drew extensive floor discussion and multiple amendments. Senators emphasized its $8.5 billion investment, including teacher and staff pay, school safety funding, special education, charter and traditional school funding changes, and other allotment adjustments. Several senators praised the bill as historic and collaborative, while also noting the need to monitor implementation and future effects. After adopting amendments and hearing supportive remarks from multiple members, the Senate passed HB 2 on final vote, 31-0. Other debated measures included HB 143, which codified cooperation between the Railroad Commission and the Public Utility Commission to address electrical safety hazards at well sites and related facilities, and CS SB 3074/3070, which allowed limited written communications from the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to TCEQ commissioners about permit applications, with disclosure and response requirements. Senator Johnson raised concerns that the TCEQ bill could politicize an apolitical permitting process and potentially affect federal delegation, but the bill was amended and passed 28-3. The Senate also passed HB 4426 on Railroad Commission permits for commercial surface disposal facilities, HB 3161 giving TMRS cities more flexibility on employee contribution rates, and HB 2712 allowing future test years for certain water and sewer utility rate-making, with an amendment to protect ratepayers if projections overcharge them. At the end of the session, the Senate handled several procedural motions, including re-referring HB 1904 from Criminal Justice to State Affairs and suspending posting rules so committees could meet later that day. The chamber then recessed until 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2025, for a local and uncontested calendar, and planned to adjourn until 5:00 p.m. that same day after that calendar concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are therefore considered employees under the Texas DPS rules, Texas Workforce Commission rules,
• By that they are oftentimes not insured because some insurance companies provide the liability insurance
• Uh, the Texas, so speaking on behalf of the Texas Department of Public Safety, uh, we have 17 polygraph
• or far east Texas or up in the panhandle, because I know my nephew who's in the National Guard, Texas
• We have to protect Texas ourselves.

Bills: SB 36

Keywords: transportation, regional authorities, mobility, infrastructure, sales tax

Transcript Highlights:

• , Texas-headquartered firms, and investing in Texas corporations.
• Insurance and fuel.
• The Texas Legislature is thus failing to serve the Texas people.
• specifically looking at Texas Education Code Section 33001637115 and 3835.
• 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:

• I stand here today because Texas is in a health care crisis.
• Since Texas cut family planning in 2011.
• Texas is the most uninsured state in the nation. 1 out of 10 children in Texas have no healthcare.
• Texas has refused to expand Medicaid.
• that Texas families are healthy, and Texas communities are healthy, no matter what.

Transcript Highlights:

• But really, the 10-hour workday has really saved us in East Texas, West Texas, in the Texas panhandle
• We can hire people in South Texas and West Texas.
• We can hire people in South Texas and West Texas.
• West Texas, there are parts of West Texas where Amarillo...
• Government Code.

Bills: SB1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees. DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.

Transcript Highlights:

• premiums<00:16:10.480> and<00:16:10.800> how<00:16:11.120> that health insurance
• premiums and how that health insurance premiums and how that may<00:16:11.680> have<00:16:11.759
• And one of the big things he's been working on the last few years is the cost of insurance.
• <00:22:37.280> the<00:22:37.520> cost<00:22:37.840> of<00:22:38.799> insurance
• <00:22:40.240> But years is the cost of insurance. But years is the cost of insurance.

Bills: HCR1, HCR2, SB2001, SB2002, SB2003, SB2004, SB2005, SB2006, SB2007, SB2008, SB2009, SB2010, SB2011, SB2012, SB2013, SB2014, SB2015, SB2016, SB2017, SB2018, SB2019, SB2020, SB2021, SB2022, SB2023, SB2024, SB2025, SB2026, SB2027, SB2028, SB2029, SB2030, SB2031, SB2032, SB2033, SB2034, SB2035, SB2036, SB2037, SB2038, SB2039, SB2040, SB2041, SB2042, SB2043, SB2044, SB2045, SB2046, SB2047, SB2048, SB2049, SB2050, SB2051, SB2052, SB2053, SB2054, SB2055, SB2056, SB2057, SB2058, SB2059, SB2060, SB2061, SB2062, SB2063, SB2064, SB2065, SB2066, SB2067, SB2068, SB2069, SB2070, SB2071, SB2072, SB2073, SB2074, SB2075, SB2076, SB2077, SB2078, SB2079, SB2080, SB2081, SB2082, SB2083, SB2084, SB2085, SB2086, SB2087, SB2088, SB2089, SB2090, SB2091, SB2092, SB2093, SB2094, SB2095, SB2096, SB2097, SB2098, SB2099, SB2100

Keywords: recess, legislative session, Hawaii State Legislature, 2026, Governor address, joint session, legislature, Hawaii, state of the state, Banyan Drive, Waiakea peninsula, Makaokū, Hilo, Hawaii Island, HCDA, Hawaii Community Development Authority, community development district, redevelopment, urban renewal, blight

Transcript Highlights:

• And with regard to these codes, who's suggesting what goes into the codes?
• code.
• code.
• If a code, some code, results in an increase in fee, we're typically not going to oppose the code, as
• Insurance, they might look to their insurance if it was allowed to have the insurance pay, but a lot

Keywords: 959, house, all