Transcript Highlights:

• TPWD currently offers this option for deer, turkey, and red drum.
• Currently, Texas offers multiple types of non-resident hunting licenses, including separate permits for
• general hunting, special hunting, and... spring turkey hunting.
• This change will streamline the non-resident hunting license system while keeping Texas... hunting opportunities
• ensures fair pricing and strengthens the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's ability to manage hunting

Keywords: wildlife corridors, animal-vehicle collisions, HB5259, licensing, concurrent resolutions, cultural significance, Senate Bill 1247, public safety, environmental conservation

Summary: The meeting of the committee centered around significant legislative measures, including several bills aimed at enhancing wildlife safety through the establishment of wildlife corridors and licenses for outdoor activities. Key discussions highlighted House Bill 5259, led by Vice Chair Flores, which proposes a wildlife corridor action plan to reduce animal-vehicle collisions in Texas. This bill is crucial given Texas's alarming rate of wildlife-vehicle accidents, and testimonies from supporting members emphasized the need for action to protect both wildlife and public safety. Furthermore, Senate Bill 1247 was brought forward, simplifying the non-resident hunting license system to improve compliance and conservation funding. The committee also addressed multiple concurrent resolutions recognizing towns for their cultural significance, reflecting a broader commitment to community identity and heritage.

Transcript Highlights:

• TPWD currently offers this option for harvested deer, turkey, and red drum.
• Currently, Texas offers multiple types of non-resident hunting hunting license, including separate permits
• for general hunting, special hunting, and spring turkey hunting.
• To adjust fees and categories as needed, this change will streamline the non-resident hunting license
• system while keeping Texas hunting opportunities affordable for out of state hunters.

Transcript Highlights:

• Look at the deer; they need more area.
• Because if you leave just a small area for the deer to winter and the wolves and other predators have
• need more area trees look at the deer need more area because<00:20:41.159> if<00:20:41.240>
• to Winter and the wolves for the deer to Winter and the wolves and<00:20:45.039> other<00:20:
• There's 1.8 million acres of wildlife management areas that provide outdoor recreation and hunting.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3129 allows those applying for a hunting or a fishing license to voluntarily contribute money
• Eagles hunt through that rotary swept zone, and that's why these projects are so detrimental to eagles
• heard previously by Representative Zwiener relating to the control by lethal means of white-tailed deer
• the bill we heard previously relating to the dismissal of a criminal charge related to the illegal hunting
• of certain deer authorizing fees.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<01:24:33.480> fishing,<01:24:34.120> and hunting, fishing, and hunting, fishing, and
• trapping and also to retrieve a deer during deer season.
• Thank you for your time. deer hunter myself, we have an exemption deer hunter myself, we have an exemption
• <01:35:00.720> Nothing<01:35:01.120> will deer during deer season.
• Nothing will deer during deer season.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• violations related to harvesting deer.
• Deer still faces fines and criminal charges.
• 654 would establish a process for dismissing criminal charges against hunters who unintentionally hunt
• deer with an antler spread no more than one inch greater than the maximum antler spread measurement.
• of certain deer, authorizing fees.

Summary: The committee met with limited attendance at first, then took up a series of water, agriculture, and rural affairs measures. HB 3898 would allow the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance for brackish water desalination projects in certain border counties and related nonprofit suppliers even if the projects are not in the state water plan. Supporters said it is needed to address severe water shortages in places like Webb County and to support future planning; opponents, including the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, argued it bypasses the regional and state water planning process. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 5339, which would create a higher-education grant program for regenerative agriculture research. A rancher testified that regenerative methods improved soil health, water retention, and farm viability, while a senator noted existing university research but said better coordination could help. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 1523, a temporary prohibition on TCEQ issuing Austin a Class 5 injection well permit for an aquifer storage and recovery project in Bastrop and Lee counties until December 2027. Local officials from Bastrop supported the pause, citing unanswered questions about water treatment, recovery rates, and impacts on the aquifer, while Austin Water opposed the substitute, saying the project is central to its long-term water plan and that stakeholder talks were already underway. TCEQ explained its ASR permitting process and said public participation is possible but not always used in the current authorization process. The bill was left pending. HB 5659, concerning the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District and requiring majority city-council approval before certain water sales or interbasin transfers, drew testimony from district officials who said the change could interfere with existing contracts and district authority, but the chair emphasized the need for local buy-in and said the stakeholders had reached a workable compromise; testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1690, which would expand notice requirements for groundwater export permits so neighboring landowners and potentially affected aquifer areas are informed by certified mail and publication. The sponsor tied the bill to impacts from the Vista Ridge project, and no one testified against it; it was left pending. HB 3333 would prohibit TCEQ from issuing new wastewater discharge permits directly into the Devils River in Val Verde County. The sponsor and a conservation witness said the bill protects one of Texas’s most pristine rivers and reflects a local stakeholder agreement, while TCEQ said it can ensure water quality but acknowledged the river’s unique sensitivity; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HCR 108 urging continuation of the U.S.-Mexico tomato suspension agreement, with supporters warning of major Texas job and consumer-price impacts if it ends, and HCR 76 urging federal action on imported shrimp, citing public health and industry concerns; both were left pending. Additional measures heard and left pending included HB 4158 on compensation for Texana Groundwater Conservation District directors, HB 654 creating a dismissal path for certain first-time deer hunting violations after self-reporting and hunter education, HB 4530 requiring Texas Water Development Board review of groundwater rights placed in the Texas Water Trust, HB 2128 directing a study of rural versus urban firefighting and rescue disparities, and HB 278 requiring groundwater districts and management areas to track progress toward desired future conditions over shorter intervals. On HB 278, witnesses split over whether the bill’s interim tracking would improve accountability or create new triggers that could be used against local districts, but no final vote was taken and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Violations result in points on a person's hunting license.
• Currently, annual hunting licenses expire on December 31st each year.
• <00:03:44.239> The for certain hunting requirements.
• The for certain hunting requirements.
• , annual hunting licenses Currently, annual hunting licenses expire<00:04:03.599> on<00:04:03.840

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House took up several Senate proposals of amendment and, by voice vote, concurred in each. On House Bill 928, technical corrections to fish and wildlife statutes, the House suspended the rules, heard a section-by-section explanation of changes to hunting violation points, license expiration dates, license fees, and Champion Lands reporting, and then concurred after both the committee and Ways and Means reported favorable straw polls of 11-0. On House Bill 915, the extended producer responsibility program for beverage containers, the House also suspended the rules and heard a detailed summary of Senate changes affecting handling fees, redemption requirements, PRO administration, collection-site standards, reporting, and effective dates; Environment reported a favorable straw poll and Ways and Means noted a modest fiscal impact from higher liquor bottle handling fees, after which the House concurred. The House then took up Senate Bill 328 on housing and common interest communities. The General and Housing Committee explained the Senate’s further amendments, including changes to the treasurer’s housing credit facility, consultation requirements, VHIP funding provisions, municipal housing planning, duplex and accessory dwelling unit rules, temporary multi-unit provisions, downtown and village center benefits, and common-interest-community reporting on vegetable gardens. Appropriations and Environment both reported no additional fiscal concerns and favorable straw polls, and the House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment. Finally, the House considered House Bill 542 on PCB testing in Vermont schools. The Senate strike-all amendment would extend the testing deadline to 2035, create a future special fund for testing and remediation, require PCB testing before major renovation projects using state construction dollars, and direct ANR to report on remaining costs and funding options. After questions about how the amendment would affect schools that had already tested or completed remediation, Education explained that existing remediation reimbursements would continue and that the amendment mainly delays the mandate and sets up a future funding mechanism. The House concurred, then recessed until 5:20 p.m. to prepare for additional Senate bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if it was to show up in South Texas, if it was to begin to impact white-tailed deer hunting opportunities
• And so you may be very unlikely to find a deer that has an infestation.
• Happened in the Florida Keys, which was the Florida Key deer, which is a little tiny white-tailed deer
• And that's why you had these zombie deer and the nasty pictures I had.
• The value of the hunting industry in Texas overall is about 10.

Summary: During the meeting, legislative members discussed the practice of municipalities diverting water and sewer revenues to their general funds, which impacts infrastructure maintenance and project delays. Vice Chair Sparks proposed limiting public testimony to two minutes, which was adopted without objection. The committee heard from various witnesses, including Perry Fowler from the Texas Water Infrastructure Network, who emphasized that utility revenues should primarily support water services and that transfers should be transparent and justified. He noted that many utilities face financial pressures that could hinder infrastructure projects. Larry French from the Texas Public Policy Foundation highlighted the significant financial impact of water loss and general fund transfers, estimating the annual loss at $1.5 billion. He argued that these transfers can create disincentives for municipalities to address water loss issues. Brian Butcher, Assistant City Manager of Sugar Land, defended the city's cost allocation model for general fund transfers, asserting that they are necessary for equitable service provision and operational efficiency. The committee also discussed the implications of rising construction costs and the need for better procurement processes to ensure effective use of taxpayer dollars. The second part of the meeting focused on the New World Screwworm and the state's preparedness to manage potential infestations. Dudley Hoskins from the USDA outlined the federal response efforts and the importance of collaboration with state agencies. He emphasized the need for ongoing surveillance and the production of sterile flies to combat the pest. Dr. Philip Kaufman from Texas A&M discussed the historical context of the screwworm and the challenges posed by its potential reintroduction, urging proactive management strategies among livestock producers. The committee acknowledged the need for increased resources and research to effectively address the threat of the screwworm.

Transcript Highlights:

• So kids are coming from, you know, Cody, being able to hunt, to be able to fish, being able to hunt,
• and deer.
• that at some point we can begin to hunt that at some point we can begin to hunt and<00:32:15.840
• to hunt. to hunt.
• We do have a hunting season there. Obviously, we don't hunt within the national parks.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, not as long as I've been hunting and fishing, but it's been around for a long time.
• So that is beneficial to both the low-fenced hunter. and those that hunt behind high fences.
• So deer in a captive setting in a pen And those depopulation events occur in. generally in cooperation
• Some of them involve a phased depopulation plan. allows that facility owner potentially to turn deer
• Again, to mitigate risk and allow them to derive some income from the hunting opportunities.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from the deer activity there.
• from the deer activity there.
• the damage to the environment the deer the damage to the environment the deer in<01:45:07.360>
• <02:24:49.240> animals you know they're popular hunting animals you know they're popular hunting
• <03:49:16.520> did through the budget review so deer did through the budget review so deer

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I bought it to go elk hunting out west in the mountains, and it's pretty unique.
• <00:37:17.720> out or so I bought it to go elk hunting out or so I bought it to go elk hunting
• season spotlight in a field during deer season and<00:42:41.040> spot<00:42:41.839> or
• <00:42:42.119> shine<00:42:42.800> deer<00:42:43.800> that's<00:42:43.960> a<
• /c><00:42:44.079> gross and spot or shine deer that's a gross and spot or shine deer that's a

Bills: HF2066, HF340, HF341, HF566, HF2107, HF2130

Keywords: electric bicycles, tax rebate, transportation, environment, local economy, fleeing peace officer, culpable negligence, traffic laws, public safety, motor vehicle offenses, driving violations, penalties, license suspension, traffic enforcement, all-terrain vehicle, ATV, class 1 ATV, class 2 ATV, road rights-of-way, public roads

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:11:36.280> Fishing um so there's Recreation Hunting Fishing um so there's Recreation Hunting
• <01:34:19.400> and consistently lower than hunting and consistently lower than hunting and
• There are articles written about Pittsburgh and small game hunting.
• hunting why this 10 miles of trails hunting why this 10 miles of trails which<02:15:20.760> is
• <02:35:22.720> is the bird Hunter who goes bird hunting is the bird Hunter who goes bird hunting

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an orientation for the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee, led by Chair Bob Harb. He reviewed committee procedures, including pink cards for witnesses, blue sheets for counts, use of drawers in the committee room, scheduling practices, and how bills would be posted and distributed. Members briefly introduced themselves and explained why they wanted to serve on the committee, with several citing interests in conservation, water quality, outdoor recreation, land use, and related local issues. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1113, relative to OHRV operation on certain highways within the town of Windsor. Representative Ré Colcombe, the sponsor, explained that the bill would allow local OHV/UTV access across a short section of state road in Windsor so residents on divided portions of town could travel legally between areas. He said the town selectmen were already allowing OHRV use on town roads, the route was paved, traffic impacts were expected to be minimal, and local police had no objections. He also said the town would hold public hearings and notify abutters as required, and that if the select board ultimately opposed the proposal he would recommend killing the bill. Members asked about the legal authority for the change, speed limits, traffic volume, winter maintenance, and whether the Department of Transportation or select board had to approve the route. Colcombe said the town must hold a public hearing and that the change would need to be incorporated into RSA 258:10, section 4. He said the road is maintained by the town in winter and by the state in summer. An opponent, Anne Davis, testified that she opposed the bill, saying ATV use should be treated as a tool for forest management rather than recreation, that law enforcement capacity in Windsor was a concern, and that she believed affected residents should be fully notified before any approval. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have some hunting items for hunting."
• So, we hunt. A lot of people hunt. A lot of people in here hunt.
• So, so we hunt. A lot of people hunt. A So, so we hunt. A lot of people hunt.
• hunting supplies. hunting supplies.
• in hunting, they buy more interested in hunting, they buy more hunting<01:56:41.679> license.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Senate Bill 1247 is common sense... ...and consolidates non-resident hunting licenses.
• TPWD currently offers this option for harvested deer, turkey, and red drum.

Bills: SB664, SB40, SB9, SJR1, SJR5, SB27, SB207, SB2938, SB1901, SB1227, SB1248, SB912, SB1321, SB2143, SB2145, SB1497, SB1239, SB2180, SB1388, SB1762, SB1662, SB1951, SB1537, SB493, SB378, SB1020, SB1018, SB992, SB958, SB920, SB1350, SCR25, SB687, SB1332, SB2185, SB552, SB664, SB40, SB9, SJR1, SJR5, SB458, SB482, SB927, SB984, SB651, SB1620, SB2124, SB2448, SB841, SB843, SB402, SB2662, SB2053, SB2332, SB2112, SB745, SB1247, SB1789, SB27, SB207, SB2938, SB1901, SB1227, SB1248, SB912, SB1321, SB2143, SB2145, SB1497, SB1239, SB2180, SB1388, SB1762, SB1662, SB1951, SB1537, SB493, SB378, SB1020, SB1018, SB992, SB958, SB920, SB1350, HCR76, HCR127, HCR9, HCR40, HCR118, HR559, HCR59, HCR135, HCR141, HCR46, HCR109, HCR10, SCR25, HB2525, HB142, HB140, HB29, HB451, HB3809, HB3307, HB 1130, HJR1, HB9, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, SB2308

Keywords: Texas courts, judicial officers, associate judge, magistrate, master, referee, hearing officer, court administration, Government Code Chapter 54, Government Code Chapter 54A, bail training, Article 17.024, Article 15.17, local administrative judge, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Office of Court Administration, county courts, criminal justice, criminal jurisprudence, judicial qualifications

Transcript Highlights:

• the ability to issue an annual hunting the ability to issue an annual hunting or<01:44:14.240>
• or deer. or deer.
• to go back to the so-called deer wars of 20 years ago here in the chamber.
• Does that apply to hunting as well? It will. All right, and one more question.
• Madam Speaker, we have four big game species in the state of Vermont: moose, deer, bear, and turkey.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reflection on Nowruz, the Persian New Year, emphasizing renewal, spring, and the challenges facing Iranian families amid conflict. The speaker connected the holiday’s themes of hope and responsibility to Vermont and democracy, then the chamber moved to routine business, including first readings and referrals of five House bills: H.945 on hemp products, H.946 on utility advertising and costs in rental agreements, H.947 on a residential universal design building code, H.948 on membership of the Retired Employees Committee on Insurance, and H.949 on homestead and non-homestead property tax yields and technical education finance changes. Three Senate bills were also read and referred: S.189 on hospital service reductions, S.203 on penalties for repeat DUI offenses, and S.313 on transforming Vermont’s career technical education system. The House also recognized several guests and announcements, including family members of members, airport employees, a UVM student intern, and visitors from Brazil. A House concurrent resolution, HCR 168, was read and congratulated Girl Scout Troop 60336 of Milton on earning the Bronze Award for a community garden project that improved accessibility through rain barrels and raised beds. The resolution highlighted the troop’s leadership and the role of its co-leaders, and the chamber applauded the guests in attendance. The main floor action centered on House Bill 642, relating to youthful offender proceedings, where Representative Booton of Barre City offered an amendment to stop the scheduled expansion of Raise the Age to 20-year-olds. Supporters argued the change would preserve current treatment of 18-year-olds while preventing an automatic expansion they said could strain the system and raise public safety concerns; opponents, including the Judiciary Committee, urged waiting for required Department for Children and Families reports due in 2026 before making changes. After debate, a roll call vote was taken on the amendment, with members calling the roll as the vote proceeded.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> First reading of the bill: landowner license limits and limited quota hunt areas.
• That is a habitat project for mule deer, elk, moose, antelope, and maintains migration corridors, etc
• And, um, that's the spraying of cheat grass for our native species, mule deer, elk, moose, antelope,
• That is a habitat project for mule deer, elk, moose, antelope, and maintains migration corridors, etc
• And, um, that's the spraying of cheat grass for our native species, mule deer, elk, moose, antelope,

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're hunting, you know, you can have a firearm to engage in that with, uh, no issues.
• gun, a deer hunting gun, or a target practice gun, he would not be checking on them every other day.
• gun, a deer hunting gun, or a target practice gun, he would not be checking on them every other day.
• gun, a deer hunting gun, or a target practice gun, he would not be checking on them every other day.
• season uh and I go into my gun and deer season uh and I go into my gun safe<01:09:14.120> and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• currently allowed uh not white tail deer currently allowed uh not white tail deer but<01:54:26.079
• It can be anything from baby deer to crows to owls.
• than uh raising you know a baby deer than uh raising you know a baby deer that<04:01:06.520>
• survive on its own to it just can't hunt survive on its own to it just can't hunt anymore<04:02:
• <04:02:47.439> for it won't properly be able to hunt for it won't properly be able to hunt

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:

• This is a really simple piece of legislation that's designed to help communities be able to manage deer
• overpopulation in areas where traditional fair chase hunting just isn't achievable, but usually because
• So there are many parts in the state where deer overpopulation causes concerns either for that.
• subdivisions, HOAs or an institution of higher education, a specific permit to do some of that depredation of deer
• If anyone has more in the weeds questions about deer management.