Transcript Highlights:

• Watchdogs have become frustrated when... ...but data sets are available in one county but not another
• Many of our counties are already implementing these practices.
• There are many things in this bill, but it will require all counties to comply.
• To the conduct of randomized county election audits. Bill favorably to the whole Senate.
• To the conduct of randomized county election audits. Bill favorably to the whole Senate.

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Ed Johnson, I'm Harris with the Harris County Ballot Security Department and a former Harris County employee
• Watchdogs have become frustrated when but a data sets available in one county, but not another.
• It means that when we're looking at data... across counties you can do an apples-to-apples comparison
• Many of our counties are already doing the thing. But the bill will require all counties to comply.
• Some counties only reconcile once.

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 2743 would authorize a district court to disqualify local county and district attorneys who refuse
• The committee substitute for SB 2743 makes a change to allow a judge of a court in an adjacent county
• I'm with the Harris County Ballot Security Department and a former Harris County employee under Tax Assessor-Collector
• After every election, he would say, take it over to the county attorney in the DA's office.
• After every election, he would say, take it over to the county attorney in the DA's office.

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1065, which would require government property contracts to prohibit contractors from barring licensed handgun holders from carrying firearms on leased or owned public property, with civil penalties and attorney general enforcement for violations. Senator Hall and invited witnesses from the Texas State Rifle Association, NRA, and Texas Gun Rights argued the bill would close a loophole exposed by the State Fair of Texas gun ban and protect law-abiding Texans’ self-defense rights. Opponents, including Moms Demand Action/Everytown, said the bill would undermine event organizers’ ability to set site-specific safety rules and could increase liability and insurance costs. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. The committee next took up Senate Bill 2742, which would create civil penalties for independent school districts and officials who use public resources for electioneering, waive immunity defenses, and expand attorney general enforcement. Senator Hagan-Bood said current law bans the conduct but lacks meaningful penalties, making injunctions the only remedy. No public testimony was heard, and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2743, also by Senator Hagan-Bood, which would allow a court to disqualify local prosecutors who refuse to prosecute election offenses and appoint the attorney general to handle the case, with a committee substitute adjusting the removal process through an adjacent-county judge. Opponents from the Texas Civil Rights Project argued the bill would undermine prosecutorial discretion and was vague and open to abuse, while a Harris County election official described past instances where alleged voter fraud cases were not pursued. After testimony, public comment was closed and SB 2743 was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• A 50 percent local match often comes from airport sponsors, usually a county or city.
• And urban counties? If that is of a similar type? Yes, well, it has to be.
• It would have to meet the threshold of an economically disadvantaged county.
• Like Dallas County is now. Not an economically disadvantaged county. I don't think so.
• Believe it or not, I have some rural areas in Dallas County as well. Okay?

Bills: SB 1493, SB 1598, SB 1895, SB 1919, SB 2039, SB 2226, SB 2243, SB 2425

Keywords: SB 1493, Texas Transportation Code, motor vehicle lighting, vehicle lighting standards, high-mounted stoplamp, center high mount stop lamp, CHMSL, brake light, stop lamp, federal motor vehicle safety standards, 49 C.F.R. 571.108, FMVSS 108, vehicle inspection, automotive compliance, Transportation Committee, Texas vehicle equipment, motor vehicle collision report, crash report, accident report, traffic accident

Summary: The committee meeting focused on two primary bills, SB1598 and SB1493. SB1598, introduced by Senator Hagen Booth, addresses the clarity of collision report information access for law enforcement, aiming to enhance the tools available to police agencies across Texas for solving crimes. The meeting featured strong support from police representatives, including Sheriff Brian Hawthorne of Chambers County, who emphasized the significance of the CARFAX program for police in facilitating access to vital vehicle information, free of charge. Public testimony reflected a consensus on the necessity of the bill for improved investigatory processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• To meet that threshold in economically disadvantaged counties, there are counties that have below-average
• To meet that threshold in economically disadvantaged counties, there are counties that have below-average
• Like Dallas County is not an economically disadvantaged county, I don't think so.
• And each county, we try to have at least one small airport in every single county, and it's a very large
• That is— Similar to airports in disadvantaged counties.

Bills: SB1493, SB1598, SB1895, SB1919, SB2039, SB2226, SB2243, SB2425

Keywords: SB 1493, Texas Transportation Code, motor vehicle lighting, vehicle lighting standards, high-mounted stoplamp, center high mount stop lamp, CHMSL, brake light, stop lamp, federal motor vehicle safety standards, 49 C.F.R. 571.108, FMVSS 108, vehicle inspection, automotive compliance, Transportation Committee, Texas vehicle equipment, motor vehicle collision report, crash report, accident report, traffic accident

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard and advanced a wide range of transportation-related bills. Early in the meeting, SB 1598 by Senator Hagenbuch was heard on allowing collision report information to be used and shared more clearly for law enforcement investigations, including through records-management partners and nonconfidential VIN data; the bill drew support from the Sheriff’s Association and Carfax for Police and was left pending before later being reported favorably. SB 1493 by Senator Parker, which would codify DPS’s position on flashing/pulsing stop lamps as compliant with federal standards, also received supportive testimony and was reported favorably. SB 1895 by Senator Perry would designate Loop 88 in Lubbock as a First Responders Memorial Loop and was reported favorably, and SB 1919 and SB 2243 by Senator West, dealing with TxDOT liability claim settlements and TxDMV authority to require VIN inspections for certain trailers, were likewise heard without opposition and later reported favorably. SB 2039, concerning right-of-way and traffic rules for sidewalk users such as bicycles, e-bikes, skateboards, and scooters, was heard and left pending before being reported favorably later in the meeting. SB 2226 by Senator Nichols, reducing the local match requirement for aviation grants in economically disadvantaged counties from 10% to 5%, was discussed with TxDOT testimony explaining how federal and state airport funding interact; it was reported favorably. SB 2499 by Senator Flores, involving memorial markers and an account for donations, and SB 1394 by Senator Hall, concerning concrete truck axle rules, were also reported favorably. The committee recessed after handling the pending items and leaving some additional matters for a later hearing. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2425 by Senator Nichols, a comprehensive bill on commercial autonomous vehicles. The author said the bill was developed through extensive stakeholder meetings with industry, agencies, insurers, and lawyers, and it would require AV companies to provide information to TxDMV, submit first-responder interaction plans to DPS, and allow DPS and DMV to suspend or revoke operations in certain circumstances. The committee substitute also updated definitions, addressed Level 3 systems, clarified commercial use and fleet penalties, and created an expedited process for reinstating operating authority after disputes. Supporters included the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Tesla, GM Cruise, Bot Auto, and the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, who said the bill balances innovation and safety and helps Texas remain a leader in AV deployment. One witness opposed the bill, arguing that it would improperly shield manufacturers from liability, but committee members and the industry witnesses said liability would continue to be governed by state law and that the bill was intended to clarify, not eliminate, responsibility. After debate, the committee adopted the substitute and reported SB 2425 favorably on a 6-0 vote. Throughout the hearing, members asked questions about practical effects and funding. On SB 2226, TxDOT’s aviation director explained that some airports already receive federal and state support and that the bill would mainly help state-only airports in disadvantaged counties that struggle to meet local match requirements. On SB 2425, members asked about reliability metrics, commercialization, and liability; industry witnesses said the technology is still being refined but that Texas’s framework has attracted investment and could improve road safety over time. Several bills were recommended to the local and uncontested calendar after favorable votes, and the committee also agreed to keep motions in writing open briefly for members who were absent, so long as doing so would not change any bill outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• office of higher education Anoka County office of higher education Anoka County Dakota<00:36:14.440
• > Dakota County the Metropolitan Center Dakota County the Metropolitan Center for<00:36:16.520> Independent
• I'm the clinical supervisor at the Dakota County Juvenile Services Center.
• I can certainly attest, working within a county system, that counties and lead agencies would already
• <01:31:50.639> DHS churning within Direct Care counties DHS churning within Direct Care counties

Bills: HF2367, HF2319, HF2523, HF1742, HF671, HF2331, HF2722, HF2406, HF1674

Keywords: HF2367, Community First Services and Supports, CFSS, personal care assistance, PCA, consumer-directed community supports, CDCS, home and community-based services, HCBS, direct support professionals, direct care workers, caregivers, support workers, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, collective bargaining agreement, retention stipend, health care cost stipend, training stipend, orientation program, retirement trust

Transcript Highlights:

• This is something for us to consider because what's going to happen is the counties and cities are going
• It allowed us to dramatically. increase the support that we can provide to the county attorneys across
• The capacity of some of the smaller county attorney's offices is either surpassed or impossible to meet
• I think we'd get positive support from the County Attorney Association about that example of return on
• This is an authority that county attorneys already have.

Bills: HF2783, HF2603, HF2846, HF2354, HF1836, HF2713, HF1198, HF1389

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• Planned Parenthood South Texas as the regional local public health authority for San Antonio and Bir County
• We were appointed the most pro-abortion radical district judge in Bear County and ruled in favor of the

Bills: SB 31, SB 33, SB 510, SB 871, SB 1868, SB 2024, SB 2166, SB 2309, SB 2880, SJR 27, SJR 39, SJR 40

Keywords: SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education

Transcript Highlights:

• including 1.15 from this Henipin County. including 1.15 from this Henipin County.
• Henipin County, bringing Henipin County Henipin County, bringing Henipin County kind<00:22:47.440>
• Louis County? Is the county willing to put in some dollars for this project too, or not?
• We have on board Washington Ramsey County, North St. Paul, Oakdale, Washington County.
• Paul, Oakdale, Washington County. Uh St. Paul, Oakdale, Washington County.

Bills: HF2178, HF942, HF2470, HF1043, HF1287, HF1229, HF1230, HF424, HF571, HF404, HF910, HF1055, HF318, HF319, HF401, HF609, HF306, HF1599, HF1881

Keywords: HF2178, Cohasset, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, public infrastructure, water tower, water infrastructure, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, street reconstruction, municipal infrastructure, Public Facilities Authority, bond proceeds fund, Minnesota bonding, local government aid, utility infrastructure, public works, infrastructure, stormwater

Transcript Highlights:

• what's going to happen is the counties what's going to happen is the counties and<00:18:44.120><
• Uh as county attorneys across the state.
• This is an authority that county attorneys already have.
• Uh that county attorneys already have.
• General's office on par with a county General's office on par with a county attorney's<01:09:06.640

Bills: HF2783, HF2603, HF2846, HF2354, HF1836, HF2713, HF1198, HF1389

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• Nine of our counties have no hospital at all.
• Local counties are defined as having a population of 68,750 or less.
• Under House Bill 18, there are 156 counties that are eligible.
• Certain counties will be eligible for funding where a county does not have a hospital but has a rural
• I think I've got 14 counties, so definitely a lot of that is very, very rural.

Bills: HB18, HB742, HB754, HB1644, HB2187, HB1887, HB 1275, HB37, HB1503, HB1699, HB1700, HB2735, HB1741, HB1731, HB1675, HB18, HB37

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, trafficking prevention, medical assistant training, health care facilities, hospital compliance, clinic compliance, anti-retaliation, whistleblower protection, employee reporting, good faith report

Transcript Highlights:

• In this oil field, in either eastern Hudson County, western Great County, the whole. point of enforcing
• And luckily there was a county road that ran through it and it stopped it on the Thursday.
• I have been in Sonoma County, California with 34 years of experience. deaths in 5,500 homes.
• But the one testimony. but that I heard to teet him, was from the county judges in my area.
• Today, I oversee the operations of public safety communications for Bexar County.

Bills: HB 13, HB143, HB144, HB145, HB366, HB470, HB805, HB912, HB13, HB143, HB144, HB145

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• So if it's a PO box in Austin, it would be Travis County? Yes, sir. Okay.
• It could be in the victim's county. Yes, sir. OK. Other questions? That's what I wanted to.
• So I would meet with the Travis County even though.
• attorney, DPS actually took it to the county attorney.
• And the county attorney just decided they weren't going to prosecute that.

Bills: HB 13, HB143, HB144, HB145, HB366, HB470, HB805, HB912, HB13, HB143, HB144, HB145

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• It's nice to hear, especially as one set of. put it from a rural county, $57 million of horses went out
• So, do you, you're familiar with that committee though, that, the county or something?
• I'm the director of the Webb and Zabata County CD in Laredo, Texas, and I am here on behalf of the Texas
• I'm here. representing myself and the Harris County Ballot Security and Senator Bernie Zafirini, I just

Bills: SB 28, SB 687, SJR 34, SCR 9, SB 523, SB 62, SB 847, SB 706, SB 869, SB 890, SB 992

Keywords: lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, SB 687, land surveyor, land surveying, surveying services, construction contract, anti-indemnity, indemnity, hold harmless, defense obligation, standard of care, professional negligence, civil practice and remedies code, local government code, governmental agency, public contracts

Summary: The meeting was a crucial session for discussing several important bills including SB992, which aims to establish a clear time frame for the Attorney General's approval on outside legal counsel for state agencies. Senator Nichols presented the bill, emphasizing its necessity for timely responses to ensure efficient legal processing. Another notable discussion centered around SB523, which seeks to allow parole and probation officers to use a business address on their driver's licenses for safety and security purposes. This bill passed favorably out of the committee, with public testimony supporting the need for such provisions due to the risks these officers face.

Transcript Highlights:

• McGoffen County and Owen County. McGoffen County and Owen County.
• <00:59:28.400> that counties and the other counties that counties and the other counties that
• The first is PR 4849 in Clark County for 10,946 square feet at $10 per square foot, or $109,460 annually
• The first is PR4849 in Clark County for The first is PR4849 in Clark County for 10,946 10,946 10,946
• c> county<01:27:43.280> because it changes county to county because it changes county to county

Keywords: 0:00:07 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:47 Approval of Minutes 0:01:05 Correspondence and Information Items 0:54:15 Lease Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions 0:56:19 Project Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 1:08:46 Lease Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 1:13:00 Rpt from Office of Financial Mgmt - KIA 1:20:00 Office of Financial Management 1:35:50 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with routine business, including welcoming new committee member Senator Reginald Thomas, approving the minutes, and receiving a correspondence report on several information items. Those items included University of Kentucky research equipment funding, UK capital project funding using federal/private funds, debt issues from McGoffin County and Owen County school districts, lease modifications by the Division of Real Properties, asset preservation project revisions at Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University, and Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) information on Kentucky Wired critical infrastructure. The main discussion focused on a dispute over the Kentucky Wired communication shelters, or “huts,” and related payments under KCNA’s agreement with Asellicom/Excel. Brad Kilby of Asellicom testified that KCNA had not paid for the huts, that Asellicom had not received the alleged $8 million or any later payment, and that Asellicom remained the legal owner. Committee members pressed him on whether payment had been received, whether anyone else might have received it, and whether the lawsuit or dispute resolution process clarified the issue. Kilby said no payment had been received and that the matter was part of ongoing litigation. KCNA Executive Director Doug Hendricks and General Counsel Adam Atkins then testified. They said a certified check for $8.5 million was mailed in July, based on the Finance and Administration Cabinet secretary’s determination that $8.5 million was due under the model procurement code, even though KCNA had initially requested about $12 million to cover a worst-case estimate. They said the contract allowed payment in full or in tranches, that the huts were completed and operational, and that KCNA had not received documentation supporting Asellicom’s higher $10.1 million claim. Members expressed frustration over the missing check and the broader implications for Kentucky Wired, and one member requested that the committee obtain all agency requests related to KCNA/Kentucky Wired since inception; the co-chairs said they would look into making that information available. No formal vote was taken on the dispute during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We celebrate today especially Becker, Otter Tail, and Clay, formerly known as Breckenridge counties,
• , Breckenridge counties, Breckenridge counties, on<00:06:22.840> the<00:06:23.000> anniversary
• The secretary will take the roll. >> Abler, Bar, Boldon, Carlson, Champion, Clark, Coleman, Swazinski
• Our county is self-insured, and we have a statute, 471.617, that allows cities, counties, and school
• Our county is self-insured, pool.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• service districts, a regional emergency dispatch center, and the system itself, make up the Hampden County
• in strong support of House 2745, legislation that proposes a new governance model for the Hampden County
• My name is Carl Smalsley, and I am the chairman of the Hampden County Regional Retirement Board.
• Right now, we have five members that make up the Hampden County Regional Retirement Board.
• Right now, we have five members that make up the Hampden County Regional Retirement Board, just like

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a range of public retirement and municipal health insurance bills. Mass Retirees and the American Federation of Teachers supported House 2890/Senate 1848 on transparency in municipal health insurance, arguing that broker and consultant roles should be clearly defined, commissions disclosed, and dual roles prohibited to reduce conflicts of interest and costs. They also supported House 2799/Senate 1848 on protecting municipal retirees from future premium contribution increases, House 2854 on voting rights for surviving spouses in retirement board elections, and Senate 1917 on updating the definition of veteran for retirement purposes. Committee members discussed whether the veteran definition should simply conform to the federal definition going forward. Educators testified in support of House 2769/Senate 1921, which would allow teachers with at least 20 years of service to buy back creditable service for periods when they worked part-time while raising children. Multiple teachers described the financial and retirement penalties they experienced after stepping down to part-time work for child care, calling the current system inequitable and a “mom tax.” Sponsors and supporters said the bill is intended to correct that disparity and help retain teachers, while one committee member noted it appeared neutral on an actuarial basis. The committee also heard strong support for Senate 1908, which would raise the cap on outside income for public pension recipients, from retired State Police troopers who said the current limit is outdated and unfair to those forced into disability retirement after line-of-duty injuries. Another State Police representative supported House 2910 on state police pensions, citing recruitment and retention problems under current pension rules. In contrast, Hampden County Regional Retirement System officials and the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems opposed House 2745, a bill to restructure the Hampden County system’s governance, arguing it would weaken PERAC oversight and create an unworkable local system. They instead supported House 2813, which would extend the time to fill a vacant fifth member seat on retirement boards. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted to adjourn the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clark and I worked our way up through the HR system, and I retired in 2023 as the State Personnel Director
• But you started out at the county level and then worked your way up to the state level.
• options in being fair in the approach, I've really learned a lot In working alongside her both at the county
• Those are state, county, municipality.
• I'm here today to introduce Senate Memorial 13 relating to the Las Vegas land grant in San Miguel County

Bills: SM13, SM14

Keywords: land grant, Las Vegas, governance, self-governance, judicial management, forced sterilization, coerced sterilization, Indigenous women, Native American women, women of color, reproductive justice, reproductive sovereignty, truth and reconciliation commission, memorial, trauma-informed care, reparative justice, human rights, bodily autonomy, Indian Health Service, Indian affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• , Scott County, Carver County, and Anoka County would have lost funding that they could use for roads
• <04:10:27.279> and County or represent Anoka County and Ramsey County, and we were about to
• Likewise, members, it's important to know that Anoka County, Dakota County, and some other counties have
• Likewise, members, it's important to know that Anoka County, Dakota County, and some other counties have
• :26:31.279> have Dakota County, some other counties have Dakota County, some other counties have

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's also Lincoln County Day and the Lincoln County 4-H Council and NMSU Cooperative Extension Service
• Crystal Valley Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln County Legislative Reception at the Irv Wine Bar, 139 West
• The Village of Las Lunas tomorrow is holding an all-day Matanza at the Capitol for Valencia County Day
• Rioriba County. Now, FFA is in a world, and in a world, Mr.
• They're the non-profit of the year for Lee County, and they're going to be receiving an award tomorrow