Transcript Highlights:

• Section one of the bill excludes weekends and holidays from the 10-day window within which a diagnostic
• </c><00:04:51.280><c> excludes</c> Section one of the bill excludes Section one of the bill excludes
• This section of the bill is simply updating statute to more clearly reflect current state law to avoid
• Could you repeat where the 5.1—the place that we added the sections for behavioral health in the 245I
• </c><00:09:19.680><c> for</c> the place that we added the sections for the place that we added the sections

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We join the intent of this bill, and with Sections 1 and 2 of the bill, it gets that done.
• We join the intent of this bill, and with Sections 1 and 2 of the bill, it gets that done.
• Sections 1 and 2 create that new crime, that new misdemeanor, but our concern is with Section 3 of the
• 901.15, which is the section that is getting amended.
• So those are our only concerns with allowing Section 3 to get passed. Thank you.

Summary: The Fiscal Policy Committee met and first adopted a late-filed amendment to SB 774, which expands enhanced workers’ compensation coverage to 911 public safety telecommunicators for mental or nervous injuries. The bill drew supportive testimony from a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher and others, and was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 770 on forensic services for certain defendants, which would allow the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to consolidate secure forensic services for individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism whose charges were dismissed after incompetency findings. Members then considered several public safety, family, and workforce bills. CS/SB 86, which declares unauthorized aliens operating commercial vehicles an imminent safety hazard and imposes vehicle impoundment and a $50,000 penalty on motor carriers, was reported favorably after questions about impound procedures and cargo handling; one speaker opposed it. SB 1594, protecting veterans’ benefits for foster youth so the funds are reserved for postsecondary education, training, and after-care services, was reported favorably with supportive testimony from a former DCF attorney. CS/SB 760, creating a new offense for willful violations of no-contact pretrial release conditions in violent crime cases, was reported favorably despite criminal defense attorneys’ concerns about a provision allowing warrantless arrests without officer observation. The committee also approved a complete rewrite of the nonprofit corporations chapter in SB 554, a sickle cell continuing education bill (SB 844) after extensive emotional testimony from patients, advocates, and family members, and SB 1022 adding two children’s initiative programs in Bay County and Broward County. CS/SB 1246 broadened the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund to include health science education programs and related workforce needs and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1230 restricting use and sale of certain firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS, and CS/CS/SB 128 directing DEP to mark Red Harris Spoil Island; both passed with favorable votes. Several senators later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on specific tabs, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page eight, between lines one and two, insert section three, section 1374 N.O.S.A. 1978 to be in law
• It opens up a new section of code and it changes our procedure.
• Senator Ramos, the effective dates are on page 15, section seven.
• Sections one, four, five, and six are effective July 1st, 2026.
• The effective date of sections two and three is July 1st, 2027. And, Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 1 at the top of the page, technical adjustment, amend Section 4 federal match assumptions.
• Item 2, amend Section 15, use of trauma fund receipts. That item was adopted.
• On page 50, item 4, amend section 8 caseload and expenditure reporting requirements.
• Out of 5, amend Section 9 system support services, that item was also adopted.
• Moving on to page six, there are two technical adjustments to section 2.01. Both are adopted.

Bills: SB 1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> idea of doing this as a separate section idea of doing this as a separate section um<00:30:39.799
• </c> one just deals with the ecoin section one just deals with the ecoin section and<00:42:36.960><c>
• <00:42:56.839><c> um</c> section um section um so<00:42:58.839><c> yes</c><00:42:59.240><c> 644</c><00
• </c><00:55:14.160><c> is</c> and I think that the new section is and I think that the new section is
• </c> difficult to understand how a section difficult to understand how a section that<00:55:43.960><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a work session on HB 505, which would allow the sale of freeze-dried foods produced in homestead food operations. Members raised concerns about the bill’s broad language, especially the provision stating freeze-dried food would not be considered potentially hazardous. Several suggested narrowing the bill to specific products such as processed foods, berries, fruit, dairy products, ice cream, or vegetables, and requiring use of commercial freeze-drying equipment rather than dehydrators. There was also discussion of oxygen absorbers, moisture control, sanitation, and whether the issue should be handled in statute or rules. By the end of the discussion, members generally agreed the topic should be treated in a separate section of law rather than folded into the existing homestead food license, and the chair said the matter would be sent to the food safety subcommittee, with the possibility of a study committee if more time was needed. The committee then moved to HB 277, a technical correction to the animal cruelty statutes. Representative Bixby explained that current law refers to a “colt,” which applies only to male baby horses, leaving fillies unaddressed; the bill would replace “colt” with “foal” and make related wording changes so the restriction applies to any horse under 90 days old not being nursed by its dam. The New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the change was requested to clarify and modernize the statute and that the issue had been identified during work on related animal cruelty legislation. No votes were taken in the portion provided. The chair recessed the work session until 11:00 a.m. and announced that Representative Ktoa would take over the hearing on HB 277.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, as far as funding goes, I'm going to go straight through the bill, and the first section of the
• </c><00:05:02.479><c> Uh</c><00:05:03.280><c> includes</c> in section two of the bill.
• Uh includes in section two of the bill.
• Also in this bill, I think another very important section is on section 13, line 15.15.
• </c> important uh, section is on is section important uh, section is on is section 13<00:09:05.040><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, anyway, Senate Bill 2184 is the duplicate sections bill. It doesn't add any new law.
• What it does is it merges multiple versions of the statute and repeals duplicative sections.
• And this has happened before in the past where we've had the duplicate sections bill in the Senate, but
• This has happened before in the past where we've had the duplicate sections bill in the Senate, but it
• And it just messes everything up, and it makes the next duplicate sections bill even larger.

Summary: The Rules Committee met briefly and first took up Senate Bill 2184, described as a clean duplicate-sections bill that does not create new law but consolidates multiple versions of statutes and repeals duplicative sections. In response to a question about what happens if such a bill does not pass, members explained that the duplicate provisions remain in statute, which can create confusion and make future cleanup bills larger; they also referenced a prior attorney general request aimed at guiding judges when duplicate sections remain. The committee then voted 7-0 to report SB 2184 as due pass. The committee next considered an amended version of Senate Bill 171, using a PCS as the working draft without objection. The bill would increase the number of armed security personnel/sergeants from one to two, with the additional commission coming from an existing staff member rather than a new hire; the commission would end when that person leaves service. After brief discussion, the committee voted 7-0 to report SB 171 as due pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Section 9, is that what you said, Mr. Rule 1, Section 9?
• three of Section 14 of the Texas Constitution.
• And specifically Section Two, correct? That's correct.
• Section 2 is one of the biggest sections in there.
• District, but you cannot use it to violate Section 2.

Bills: HB4, HB 4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Section 1045 of the Internal Revenue Code.
• As was noted, there's a section-by-section summary.
• I'm here to talk about only one section. It's section 26, the last section of the bill on page 74.
• I'm here today in opposition to HB 2257 because of an addition to Section 26.
• I also want to flag for you the apportionment provision in Section 15.

Summary: House Finance heard bill briefings and testimony on several tax and property-tax measures. HB 2175 would exempt licensed nonprofit providers of free durable medical equipment from retail sales and use tax on items reasonably necessary to operate and provide care; the sponsor and a nonprofit provider described how the bill would help organizations that refurbish and donate wheelchairs, beds, walkers, and similar equipment, and staff noted a small Department of Revenue fiscal impact. The committee then heard HB 2608, which revises the targeted urban area property tax exemption for nuclear facility projects by requiring labor standards, including submission of a workforce or project labor agreement and related wage/apprenticeship information, and extending project-completion deadlines. Supporters said it would help attract major clean-energy and nuclear supply-chain investment and jobs, while opponents from construction groups, environmental advocates, and some public commenters objected to the PLA requirement, the tax preference for nuclear projects, and the broader policy direction; tribal consultation concerns were also raised. No votes were taken on these bills in the transcript. The committee also heard HB 2227, which expands an existing REET exemption for affordable homeownership sales from self-help housing to other nonprofit affordable homeownership programs, including community land trusts. The sponsor and nonprofit witnesses said the change would lower transaction costs, improve affordability, and support permanently affordable resale models; staff clarified the exemption applies to the initial sale from the nonprofit to an income-qualified buyer, not later resales. HB 2528 would allow cities and counties that fully plan under the Growth Management Act to impose the second local REET without voter approval, aligning opt-in jurisdictions with those required to plan under GMA. Supporters from cities and counties said the revenue would help fund sidewalks, ADA upgrades, water, sewer, and other infrastructure, while opponents argued it would raise home-selling costs and bypass voters. Finally, the committee heard HB 2292, which would subject long-term capital gains from qualified small business stock to the state capital gains tax beginning in 2026. Staff said the bill would affect about 260 taxpayers and raise roughly $1.2 million in FY 2027, while the sponsor and supporters argued the current QSBS exemption mainly benefits very wealthy investors and should be treated like other capital gains; opponents from the tech and startup community said the exemption helps founders attract investment, keep companies in Washington, and create jobs, and warned the bill would send a negative signal to entrepreneurs. The committee also heard HB 2257, a Department of Revenue request bill making technical and administrative changes to the tax code, largely to codify guidance from last year’s sales-tax-on-services law and make other clarifications; DOR said it was intended to provide certainty and had no fiscal impact. School groups testified that the 5814-related service-tax changes have increased costs for districts, especially for staffing and professional learning, and asked for relief or a broader exemption.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, Section 3, subsection 8, and Section 3, subsection 11, are particularly concerning.
• Additionally, Section 3, subsection 8, and Section 3, subsection 11, are particularly concerning.
• side, but section 1 needed changes.
• The section two of the bill, perfect.
• You can cut sections 102 and 103. 101. Great.

Summary: The committee heard public hearing testimony on House Bill 2265, which would expand tenant protections during extreme heat. Staff explained that the bill would bar landlords from restricting portable cooling devices, require written notice of tenant rights and landlord immunity for tenant-installed devices, add a cooling duty under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, and prohibit sheriffs from physically evicting tenants during defined extreme heat periods. Representative Mena said the bill responds to the 2021 heat dome and is intended to address a gap in housing law, while committee members and the sponsor discussed unresolved questions about what “reasonably required” cooling means, how the eviction pause would work, and whether the bill could raise rents or create liability and operational burdens for landlords. Supporters, including climate, public health, tenant, and clean energy advocates, said extreme heat is a growing health threat and that renters need a right to cooling; opponents from multifamily housing, property management, and rental housing groups argued the bill is too vague, could effectively mandate costly cooling upgrades, create safety and insurance issues, and complicate eviction enforcement. The hearing also included testimony from landlords and housing providers who said the bill should be narrowed or amended, and from tenants and advocates who said it does not go far enough because it mostly permits tenant-installed cooling rather than requiring landlords to provide it. The committee then heard House Bill 1974, a proposed substitute authorizing land banks. Staff described the bill as allowing public corporations, housing authorities, and nonprofit corporations to acquire, hold, improve, lease, transfer, or dispose of property for affordable housing, with 30-year affordability requirements, annual reporting, tax exemptions, and priority transfer of certain tax-foreclosed properties. Vice Chair Hill said the bill was scaled back from earlier versions and is meant to create a flexible tool for turning difficult parcels into housing-ready land aligned with local housing plans. Testifiers from the Spokane Regional Land Bank, housing authorities, developers, youth shelter providers, and housing advocates supported the bill as a way to lower land costs, clear title issues, reduce displacement, and create a pipeline of permanently affordable housing. A counties representative also supported the concept but said they would like the grant program restored. One committee member raised a question about whether the tax-foreclosed property language could bypass the normal surplus distribution process, and staff said the provision is placed in the chapter governing properties that have already gone through foreclosure and auction, though the wording may need further review. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 2452, which would change how rent increase notices are served. Staff said the bill would remove the current requirement that rent increase notices be served like unlawful detainer notices and instead allow service by personal delivery, mail, or posting on the dwelling unit, with service by mail complete when deposited in the mail; the manufactured home version would follow the general notice rules under that act. Representative Connors said the bill responds to problems created when prior legislation required certified mail, which she said has led to tenants not receiving notices and housing providers facing higher costs and administrative burdens. Housing provider and industry witnesses supported the bill, saying certified mail is expensive, inefficient, and often not actually received, while tenant advocates opposed it, arguing that mail-only service weakens notice protections and can cause missed rent increases and displacement; they urged the committee to preserve stronger in-person or posting requirements. Some witnesses also suggested broader changes, including electronic notice, while others said the bill should be expanded to fix certified mail requirements for more than just rent increase notices.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had four landslides within our county, on a similar section of roadway.
• It's close to a million dollars for this particular road section repair.
• This entire section is within the floodplain.
• This particular section that we replaced was only about a third of a mile.
• However, it's just one section of the road.

Bills: SB5989

Keywords: aircraft fuel tax, tax revenue distribution, aviation funding, transportation, state revenue, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so section nine of the bill, I had a suggested potential amendment for section 9, and this deals
• Um, so section nine of the bill, I had a suggested potential amendment for section 9, and this deals
• Um, so section nine of the bill, I had a suggested potential amendment for section 9, and this deals
• Um, so section nine of the bill, I had a suggested potential amendment for section 9, and this deals
• Um, so section nine of the bill, I had a suggested potential amendment for section 9, and this deals

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On page 17, after line 19, insert the following: New section, sections line.
• Section and insert new sections. Senator Schessler. Thank you, Mr. President.
• New section, sections line. Section and insert new sections. Senator Schessler. Thank you, Mr.
• New section. Section 10. This act takes effect January 1, 2027.
• The last line: New section, Section 3, this act takes effect July 1, 2027. Senator Conway.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Senate took up Second Substitute Senate Bill 5974, which would modernize and strengthen laws governing sheriffs, police chiefs, town marshals, and other law enforcement agencies, particularly by setting certification and background-check standards and addressing what happens if an elected sheriff is decertified. The chamber first considered several amendments focused on preserving voter control over sheriffs, limiting the bill’s reach, and shifting costs to the state. Amendment 632, which would have required a recall-style vote if a sheriff were found uncertified, failed. Amendment 628, which would have excluded foreign convictions from consideration, failed. Amendment 633, which would have made the state pay background-check costs, failed. Amendment 634, which would have exempted current sheriffs from the bill’s five-year uninterrupted employment requirement, failed on a roll call vote of 21 yeas to 28 nays. Members then rejected additional amendments: Amendment 631, which would have carved out an exception for Capitol security personnel, failed; Amendment 629, which would have prevented a vacancy if a sheriff was acting consistently with the state and U.S. constitutions, failed; Amendment 630, which would have created a private right of action for removed sheriffs, failed; and Amendment 627, which would have retained language barring men and women from being confined in the same cell when removing an old “police matron” provision, failed on a roll call vote of 19 yeas to 30 nays. Supporters of the bill argued it was about accountability, integrity, and aligning sheriffs with certification standards already applied to other law enforcement officers. Opponents argued it would override voter choice, create unfunded mandates, and let an unelected state body remove elected sheriffs. After amendments were disposed of, the Senate suspended the rules and advanced the bill to third reading and final passage. In final debate, supporters emphasized public safety, professional standards, and the need for clear decertification rules when a sheriff loses certification. Opponents repeatedly framed the bill as an unconstitutional intrusion on local democracy and a solution in search of a problem, warning it would disenfranchise voters and set a dangerous precedent. The transcript ends during final-passage debate, with no final vote on the bill shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would repeal in section four, it would repeal section five, five. A transfer bill.
• And I'm not speaking for the author, but if in section 4, it says that section 552.231 is required.
• The most concerning part of House Bill 111 is Section 3.
• sections from the TPIA to the Open Meetings Act removes a section from the file bill that removed the
• So that's the section that is there now.

Bills: HB 111, HB1545, HB2145, HB2467, HB2520, HB4136, HB4181, HB4214, HB4218, HB4219, HB4359, HB4437, HB4822, HB111

Keywords: Texas Public Information Act, open records, public records, government transparency, confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, governmental body, Chapter 552, public information law, nonprofit association, quasi-governmental entity, economic development, trade secrets, proprietary information, commercial financial information, Alamo restoration, local workforce board, TDCJ contract facility, civil commitment facility, water supply corporation

Transcript Highlights:

• amendments that you've adopted in your amendment packet, as well as any of the Governor's recommended section
• </c><00:04:29.960><c> that</c> uh Governor's recommended section that uh Governor's recommended section
• </c><00:08:18.639><c> in</c> 14879 million 25 there is a section in 14879 million 25 there is a section
• You'll see on page 27, surprisingly enough, section 27, which this amends should work.
• section toward the end relating to section toward the end relating to Historic<00:21:12.240><c> horse

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee met for final approval of HB 1 and HB 2, with legislative budget staff Michael Kain reviewing the final amendment documents and surplus statements. Kain explained that HB 1474H and HB 1484H incorporated the committee’s prior votes and the Governor’s recommended sections, and he walked through the budget math for the general fund, education trust fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund. He said the committee’s proposal remained balanced overall, though the current-year general fund showed a projected deficit that HB 2 would address by allowing a possible rainy day fund transfer if needed. He also noted that the committee’s revenue estimates were below the Governor’s, requiring reductions and adjustments to appropriations and lapse assumptions. Members discussed the rainy day fund provisions, including a section in HB 2 that suspends existing restrictions so a transfer can be made if the deficit materializes. Kain said the committee’s approach differed from the Governor’s because the state was not below the overall revenue plan, and the fiscal committee would retain a role in determining any transfer. He also summarized that the Highway Fund would end with about a $13 million balance and Fish and Game with about $3 million, both without additional general fund support. The committee then adopted two amendments to HB 2 unanimously: Amendment 1473H, a technical cleanup to the Group 2 retirement seven-year rule, and Amendment 1482H, a technical correction to the recreational services language. Amendment 1484H, which incorporated those changes into HB 2, was adopted on a 14-1 vote after minority members objected to the bill’s broader cuts and policy changes, including reductions to state agencies, health and human services, and education-related provisions. The committee also adopted Amendment 1474H to HB 1A on a 14-1 vote after similar debate over budget reductions, vacancies, university funding, and school spending limits. Finally, the committee voted 14-1 to report HB 1A and HB 2 as amended as ought to pass, with the minority voting no and the committee planning a full House presentation the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• what section two would accomplish.
• what what section two to accomplish what what section two would<00:40:28.960><c> accomplish.
• It's a different section. towns, cities. It's a different section.
• </c> wording around um section one. wording around um section one.
• </c><04:10:26.800><c> Does</c> um section two of the bill. Does um section two of the bill.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• next question becomes: what about the rest of Article 3, Section 20?
• When Article 3, Section 20 was sold to the Florida voters in 2010, it was sold as a package.
• The text of Article 3, Section 20, sets up a tiered structure.
• And I think Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act deals with not taking away, not diminishing.
• Approved by 63% of voters and codified in Article 3, Sections 20 and 21.

Summary: The Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting met to consider HB 1D, which would establish Florida’s congressional districts using the governor’s proposed map, EOG PCRP 26. Representative Persons-Mulicka briefly introduced the bill, and Jason Jazeel and Jason Pareda of the governor’s office presented the legal rationale and map details. Jazeel argued that mid-cycle congressional redistricting is not prohibited, that the governor’s position is to draw districts without considering race, and that federal equal-protection principles should control over state race-based redistricting provisions. Pareda said he drew the map alone using 2020 census data and census blocks, while also considering population growth estimates, traditional redistricting criteria, and county/city boundaries where feasible. Pareda described the map as race-neutral and said it keeps 48 counties whole, 382 cities whole, and has a boundary-analysis score of about 85.7%. He walked through regional changes, including major revisions in South Florida, adjustments in Central Florida, and changes in the Tampa Bay area, explaining that population shifts and the need for exact congressional population equality drove many of the district configurations. Members questioned the timing of the special session, the use of 2020 census data versus newer population estimates, the role of the legislature versus the governor, the legal basis for mid-decade redistricting, and whether the map complies with the Voting Rights Act and Fair Districts amendments. Motions to place witnesses under oath and to extend the committee meeting by 30 minutes both failed. During public testimony, every speaker who was heard opposed the map. Commenters argued that the proposal was a partisan power grab, would reduce Democratic and minority representation, and violated the Florida Constitution and voting rights protections. Several speakers criticized the short notice and lack of public input, while others said the map would confuse voters or split communities. The chair repeatedly reminded attendees to maintain decorum and limited each speaker to about one minute.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, well, let's go down on section two, line 11 there, subsection two, line 11.
• We can indicate that the family law section members represent rural and urban.
• How does that work with the language in Section D?
• And then it talks about, in the third section, requesting a hearing.
• I'll refer to the section generally.

Summary: The Child Custody Review Task Force met to approve prior minutes and then worked through draft legislation related to a possible family court study committee. The group discussed the proposed 15-member committee’s makeup in detail, including whether to add parent representation, judges, family law section members, child support, clerks of court, domestic violence advocates, and other stakeholders. The task force ultimately agreed to keep the committee at 15 members, reduce the legislative membership from eight to six, add two judges from different districts, add two family law section members with rural and urban representation, include one parent subject to a custody order, and replace the mental health professional with a clerk of court representative appointed through the trial court administrator’s office. The draft was also revised to keep domestic violence advocacy representation and to clarify that the study could consider juvenile court issues as part of the family court umbrella. The committee voted to approve the revised draft and recommend it to Legislative Management, with one recorded “no” vote from Judge Hovey after the meeting resumed. The task force then turned to a second draft dealing with requiring participation in a family transition program, which was renamed in discussion to a parenting education course. Members debated whether the bill should simply refer to an existing program like Parents Forever or instead specify broader education about the court process, parental rights, co-parenting, and related issues. Some members supported the requirement as a way to reduce conflict and improve understanding of the system, while others raised concerns about vague language, cost to parents, lack of exemptions, and whether the bill was too open-ended or potentially duplicative of other legislation. The discussion became lengthy and unresolved, with the drafter noting that more specific direction would be needed to revise the bill. The transcript cuts off before a final vote or action on this second draft is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm trying to catch up with your section C. We're at page five.
• I'm trying to catch up with your section C. We're at page five, section C. Page five.
• Chair, I move to amend House Bill 3851, page 2, Section 1, line 1, by deleting sections 1 and 3 in their
• entirety, and by renumbering the subsequent section.
• We removed Sections 1 and 3. Members, are there questions on the amendment?

Bills: HB3334, HB4248, HB4454, HB3851

Keywords: alcohol regulation, retail, recordkeeping, reporting, state laws, HB4248, hemp beverage, hemp drinks, THC beverage, cannabis beverage, intoxicating hemp, age restriction, under 21, minor possession, youth access, public health and safety, Title 63, Oklahoma Statutes, retail sales, alcohol-style regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> bill section by section. bill section by section.
• </c> you, and so on your behalf um section you, and so on your behalf um section one one one deals<00
• </c><00:49:40.360><c> in</c> um as newly defined then in section in um as newly defined then in section
• ><c> split</c><01:13:56.520><c> into</c> There's one major section split into There's one major section
• the</c><01:14:53.120><c> bill</c> The second section of the bill The second section of the bill is<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all