Transcript Highlights:

• county now, so they could remove them from the rolls.
• Two of the counties selected must have a total population of less than 300,000, and two of the counties
• The chair calls Ed Johnson with Harris County. ...county ballot security, and also representing yourself
• The most glaring problem with the count was that the County Elections Department used reports generated
• We think this will help us do these tests consistently from county to county and help us be able to explain

Bills: HB3097, HB3691, SB108, SB827, SB1541, SB1862, SB2166, SB2216

Keywords: Texas elections, Election Code, uniform election date, November election, local elections, political subdivisions, general election date, election administration, municipal utility district, county elections, local government, ballot scheduling, candidate filing, voter turnout, election calendar, HB 3097, early voting, electronic application, mail-in ballot, voting accessibility

Transcript Highlights:

• Worth and Tarrant County.
• Johnson County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.
• For example, we know that Parker County SUD, Mustang SUD, Denton County, Aguaud, Hidalgo County do not
• For example, we know that Parker County SUD, Mustang SUD, Denton County, Aguaud, Hidalgo County do not
• Interestingly, four counties.

Bills: HB3115, HB5671, HB5693, SB790, SB1055, SB1302, SB1504, SB1625, SB1663, SB2692

Keywords: Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater, water wells, domestic well, livestock well, exempt well, metering device, well meter, groundwater conservation district, Special District Local Laws Code, Water Code, Section 36.117, groundwater regulation, water rights, aquifer management, municipal utility, retail public utility, groundwater export, water supply contract, election

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony on a series of water, utility, and groundwater-related bills. Early items included HB 5693, which would let Drainage District 7 hold board elections in November of odd-numbered years when a countywide election is occurring, and HB 5671, which would update the Johnson County Special Utility District by clarifying board eligibility, allowing bond issuance, and removing redundant TCEQ approval language to reduce costs and delays. Both bills were left pending after brief testimony from bill sponsors and local witnesses. The committee also heard SB 1504, which would update the Gulf Coast Authority to allow video-conference participation in meetings, and SB 1302, aimed at closing a TCEQ permitting loophole that allowed dischargers with prior denials or suspensions to reapply through an automated process without meaningful review. SB 2692 drew substantial discussion: it would change the signature threshold for outside-city-limits customers appealing municipal utility rates to the PUC by customer class. Valero supported the bill as a way to avoid requiring large-volume users to gather signatures from unrelated residential customers, while the City of Corpus Christi opposed it, arguing that lowering the threshold to one customer could trigger expensive appeals costing $500,000 to $1 million. A PUC witness said such cases are increasing and that the agency would need additional staff under the fiscal note. SB 790, creating a simplified PUC complaint process for small water and wastewater billing disputes, and SB 1663, expanding TCEQ notice requirements for nearby residents when groundwater contamination is discovered, were also heard and left pending. Additional bills included HB 3115, clarifying that the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District cannot require meters on exempt domestic or livestock wells; SB 1055, raising the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District’s production fee cap from 1 cent to 7 cents per 1,000 gallons; and SB 1625, requiring private water and wastewater utilities to report cybersecurity incidents to TCEQ and DIR. The committee then took up pending business and adopted a substitute for SB 7, which made several changes to water fund use, eminent domain coordination, and EDAP-related provisions, and voted 10-0 to report it favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute for HB 2347, a county water conservation program bill, and reported it favorably 9-1. HB 5675 and SB 2476 were each reported favorably 10-0. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Bills: HB3115, HB5671, HB5693, SB790, SB1055, SB1302, SB1504, SB1625, SB1663, SB2692

Keywords: Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater, water wells, domestic well, livestock well, exempt well, metering device, well meter, groundwater conservation district, Special District Local Laws Code, Water Code, Section 36.117, groundwater regulation, water rights, aquifer management, municipal utility, retail public utility, groundwater export, water supply contract, election

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Franklin County ended up with some land in Fayette County and Walker County, and it was relatively
• in Faget County and Walker some land in Faget County and Walker County County County and<00:06:30.720
• Walker County.
• Walker County.
• County. County.

Bills: SB337, HB520, HB75, SB337, HB520, HB75

Keywords: SB337, Montgomery County, probate judge, judge of probate, county officer compensation, salary increase, circuit judge parity, local legislation, county commission, general fund, public official pay, judicial compensation, Montgomery County Legislation, discrimination, immunization, facial coverings, healthcare rights, religious convictions, civil rights, Attorney General

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 149 says the governing body of a county or municipality may but is not required to appoint.
• The substitute just says that the governing body of the county or municipality may appoint one or more
• <00:08:46.640> or governing body of the county or governing body of the county or municipality
• Uh with our county rural problem.
• Uh with our county government,<00:16:38.639> we<00:16:38.800> we<00:16:39.199> have<

Bills: HB446, HB446

Keywords: HB446, Daphne, Baldwin County, annexation, municipal boundary, corporate limits, local act, municipal incorporation, city limits expansion, zoning, land use, property tax, municipal services, Section 11-42-6, Judge of Probate, County Road 54 W, County Road 64, Rigsby Road, Highway 181, Alabama State Highway 181

Transcript Highlights:

• and contributed to last year's untimely delivery of the report.
• You're required to report if you see any misconduct.
• because they don't have that information to report.
• I see the misconduct, nurse, you are exempted from reporting it.
• for reporting the Compact Commission data system.

Bills: HB163, HB 296

Keywords: judicial liability, personal bond, felony offenses, judges, criminal justice reform, voter registration, election procedures, change of address, residence requirements, Texas Election Code, Texas election law, residence address, precinct voting, county move, same-county move, Election Code, registrar, statement of residence, polling place, local elections

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if the county or city has until...
• city and county would have to either opt in on their own or just not do it.
• It's my pleasure to present HB196, which was brought from Mobile County.
• It's to set the time limit on the County Commission Association.
• But you know, the county—right, the Jason to my home county, Jefferson County—in 2010, was the epicenter

Bills: HB191, HB196, HB134, HB14, HB14

Keywords: juvenile detention, county management, legal procedures, juvenile justice, county commission, supervision, administration, vehicle registration, disability access, fines, law enforcement, public accommodation, interim police chief, public safety, municipalities, state authority, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Nichols moves that S.J.R. 60 be reported back to the full Senate.
• HB 4205 is reported.
• HB. 4205 is reported. I bring six ayes, zero nays, and one PNV.
• HB 4205 is reported to the full Senate.
• HB 4205 is reported to the full Senate. Senator West.

Bills: SB3038, SB3045, SB3065, SB3069, SB3071, HB2025, HB2149, HB3370, HB4205, HB4506, HB5424, HB5652, HB24, HB3687

Keywords: Fort Bend County, Municipal Utility District, MUD, special district, Rosenberg, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, ad valorem tax, bond issuance, assessments, fees, taxes, eminent domain, road district, storm drainage, infrastructure financing, development agreement, municipal consent, temporary directors, public utility district

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and took up a series of pending bills, mostly local-government measures. Early action included final committee approval of Senate Bill 1633 and S.J.R. 60, followed by Senate Bill 3038 and Senate Bill 3045, both reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also considered House Bill 24, adopted a committee substitute, and reported the substitute version favorably; House Bill 2025 was likewise reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. Members then handled several companion and local bills, including House Bill 2713 as the companion to Senate Bill 1331, which was reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 3348, House Bill 3370, House Bill 3505, and House Bill 4506 were each reported favorably, with no objections to local-and-uncontested placement. House Bill 5424 passed on a 6-1 vote, and House Bill 5652 passed with one present-not-voting, both also sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted substitutes and reported House Bill 3687 and House Bill 4205, though both were later reconsidered because the wrong script had been read. After reconsideration, House Bill 3687 and House Bill 4205 were each re-voted and reported favorably to the full Senate, with both placed on the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 3071 was also reported out on a 5-2 vote after adoption of a committee substitute. The meeting ended with no further business and the committee standing at recess subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• mandatory reporting to include grooming,<00:02:57.280> and<00:02:57.680> enhance<00:02
• Mandated reporter training and establishing the grooming of children as a felony.
• reporter training and Mandated reporter training and establishing<00:07:50.960> the<00:07:51.120
• <00:08:01.599> I<00:08:01.919> do of behavior and didn't report it.
• I do of behavior and didn't report it.

Bills: HF3489, HF3550

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• We have all these, uh, counties. There are 254 counties in the state.
• All that being said, whether you're looking at 216 counties or you're looking at 32 counties, what I
• Martin County is 1, and Midland County is another.
• I'm the Rie County judge and served on the Ris County for 7 years.
• Uh, the future of Pecos and Reeves County and all cities and counties within the Permian Basin and the

Bills: HB188, HB 265, HJR35

Keywords: emergency preparedness, flood-prone communities, Texas Rural Emergency Preparedness Fund, disaster relief, funding, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid

Transcript Highlights:

• The re bill um in mostly Wilton County.
• This pilot program would be conducted in Wilin County exclusively.
• This pilot program would be conducted in Wilin County exclusively.
• This pilot program would be conducted in Wilin County exclusively.
• ,<01:47:27.360> a safeguards, a series of reporting, a safeguards, a series of reporting,

Bills: HF3553, HF3513, HF3576

Keywords: vehicle platooning, transportation, public safety, pilot project, Wilkin County, Grant County, autonomous vehicles, transportation regulations, driverless cars, safety standards, first responder interaction, school bus, third-party testing, driver certification, transportation regulation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We did add on the reporting...
• Okay, so originally in current law, anything that happens that's being reported at a school is reported
• We did add on the reporting...
• Okay, so originally in current law, anything that happens that's being reported at a school is reported
• Okay, so originally in current law, anything that happens that's being reported at a school is reported

Bills: SB237

Keywords: child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews, confidentiality, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, you're recognized for a question on the report.
• Further questions on the joint committee report.
• You're recognized for a question on the report.
• On the report. Thank you, Mr. President.
• on the report.

Bills: HB3418, HB3985, HB3463, HB3002, HB4303, HB3919, HB3416, HB3417, HB3415, HB2206, HB3414, HB3265, HB3310, HB3413, HB4486, HB1219, SR39, SB1177, HB3298, HB2696, HB3941, HB3970, HB3264, HB3321, HB2650, HB3497, HB3980, HB3981, HB4421, HB3177, HB3322, HB3499, HB3500, HB3845, HB3742, HB3622, HB1250, HB2710, HB3831, HB4408, HB1002, HB3008, HB3086, HB3595, HB3678, HB4107, HB3695, HB3315, HB3590, HB3006, HB3151, HB2959, HB2398, HB3026, HB3467, HB4268, HB3372, HB2210, HB4359, HB4427

Keywords: public works, bidding procedures, construction contracts, transparency, public trust, electronic bidding, school districts, property rights, public nuisance, compensation claims, government enforcement, Oklahoma Safe Neighborhoods Act, municipal audit, state auditor, local government, financial transparency, gasoline tax allocations, counties, county officers, education

Transcript Highlights:

• What this would do is allow the county commission to grant an exemption to the mandatory solid waste
• Chairman, are there any income exemptions in Lee County for this? Now, I don't think there is.
• This was a resolution by the county commission and asked for by the Lee County Commission.

Bills: SB293

Keywords: SB293, Lee County, solid waste, waste collection fees, garbage fees, trash collection, county commission, fee exemption, low-income households, poverty level, federal poverty level, public sanitation, local act, municipal services, waste management, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the attorney general's report the attorney general's report um<00:03:50.080> on um on um
• the number of uh reports that we have. the number of uh reports that we have.
• <00:09:27.600> It a.m. to 2:00 p.m. um reporting. It a.m. to 2:00 p.m. um reporting.
• in and then give you folks the reports in and then give you folks the reports from<00:10:18.000>
• report on arrests. report on arrests.

Bills: SB2055, SB2152

Keywords: civil rights, helpline, investigator, data analysis, Aloha United Way, reporting, confidentiality, community support, mandatory retirement, Hawaii Constitution, judiciary, justices, judges, 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard SB 2055, which would create a Civil Rights Commission helpline for reports of harms from federal deployments in Hawaii and require annual reporting and a public hearing. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission supported the concept but said the bill should be broadened to cover civil rights and human rights violations more generally, and recommended using existing 211/Aloha United Way infrastructure. Testimony was largely in support, with a few opponents. Members focused on whether the proposed line was really a 24-hour legal hotline or a reporting/referral mechanism, what jurisdiction the commission would have over federal employees, and the estimated costs. The committee chair indicated the bill would move forward with amendments, including adopting HCRC recommendations and adding appropriations for Aloha United Way, database/website development, and staffing. The committee then heard SB 2152, a proposed constitutional amendment to raise the mandatory retirement age for state judges and justices from 70 to 75. Judge Robert D.S. Kim, the Office of the Public Defender, Earthjustice, Community Alliance on Prisons, the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, United Public Workers, the League of Women Voters, ILWU Local 142, CARES, and others testified in support, arguing that experienced judges improve stability, reduce vacancies, and preserve institutional knowledge. Opponents or skeptical comments were limited, but one member questioned whether the measure was just a temporary fix rather than a broader solution to judicial succession and mentoring. Members also asked about existing retention and fitness safeguards, including Judicial Selection Commission retention hearings and the Commission on Judicial Conduct’s ability to investigate complaints about a judge’s physical or mental ability to serve. The discussion noted that the measure would still leave those processes in place. No final vote on SB 2152 was taken in the portion provided, but the committee appeared to be moving toward decision-making after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• My county, Scott County, is doing amazing work with their PSAP program.
• My county, Scott County, is doing amazing work with their PSAP program.
• Our counties want to implement this. They know that it is important.
• Our counties want to implement this. They know that it is important.
• We do need some of these fixes for the counties.

Bills: HF4382, HF2929

Keywords: child care, day care, child care center, family child care, family day care, group family day care, licensed child care, licensing modernization, early childhood education, preschool, infant care, toddler care, school-age care, drop-in child care, night care, sick care, community-based child care, provider training, staff ratios, group size

Bills: HB 1320, HB 2012, HB 2293, HB 2655, HB 3174, HB 4108, HB 4661, HB 4799, HB 5534, HB 5580

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors

Bills: HB141, HB178, HB179, HB187, HB188, HB527, HB782, HB911, HB916

Keywords: court proceedings, transcription, criminal law, recording, judicial discretion, court reporters, record retention, criminal cases, civil cases, legal proceedings, judicial administration, Louisiana Supreme Court, court reporting services, digital reporting, remote proceedings, virtual courts, court reporter fees, judicial district, statewide revision, costs

Transcript Highlights:

• 13:18.959> board, county, industrial development board, county, industrial development board,
• <00:14:19.279> and new to the to the city the county and new to the to the city the county
• So, if you were short of these rural counties?
• So, if you were short of these rural counties?
• Your bill receives a favor report. report. report.

Bills: HB179, HB354, SB57, SB137, HB431, HB179, HB354, SB57, SB137, HB431

Keywords: campus chaplain, chaplain, school chaplain, volunteer chaplain, public schools, public K-12 education, public charter schools, local control, teacher support, student support services, religious volunteer, faith-based support, church-state separation, background check, sex offender registry, school volunteer, education policy, district attorney, compensation, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill has been given a favorable report.
• We have a motion to move for a favorable report, and we have a second. Thank you.
• Hi, we got a favorable report. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your support and for listening.

Bills: SB60, SB103, SB60, SB103

Keywords: prison modernization, corrections finance, bonding authority, state debt, capital improvement, Department of Corrections, Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority, prison construction, prison renovation, prison replacement, bed space, overcrowding, women's prison, men's prison, Escambia prison, Tutwiler, Kilby, Elmore, Staton, St. Clair Correctional Facility