Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, and thank you and your team for hearing this bill.
• And if you want to drop that amount of money and eliminate the tip and the sales tax, you can surely
• Just a thank you and just a reminder, this bill affects the interchange rate on the tax and the tax and
• tips and...
• And I know you all run on close margins and stuff.

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• But I listened, and I listened, and I listened that night.
• and we went round and round.
• Thank you, Chair Schwertner, Vice Chair King, and members of the Business and Commerce Committee and
• In residential, commercial, and farm and ranch law.
• And be reminded, Visa and MasterCard control 85% of the market, and by the way as...

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• and I listened and I listened that night.
• and Wildlife, and fire mitigation costs.
• and I listened and I listened that night.
• and Wildlife and fire mitigation costs.
• And it also, and again, it will need to be available to run within three hours. and it also and again

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up several pending and uncontested bills. It favorably reported SB 1405, SB 1762, SB 1977, SB 2077, SB 2148, and SB 1968, and also moved SB 2321 to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard SB 819, which would change how the Public Utility Commission reviews proposed utility-scale solar and related interconnection projects. The committee substitute would shift the default so interconnection is allowed unless the PUC affirmatively prohibits it within 180 days, limit denial to cases where harm substantially outweighs benefits, remove public meeting requirements, retain setback and financial assurance provisions, add optional application materials such as national security and environmental information, and restore local control over county tax abatements. The substitute was adopted and SB 819 was favorably reported to the full Senate on a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 231, focused on CenterPoint’s use of large emergency generators after Hurricane Beryl. Senator King explained that the original bill was intended to prevent customers from being charged for non-mobile generators that were leased at great cost and did not match the bill’s emergency-response purpose. CenterPoint’s Jason Ryan apologized for the company’s communication failures and said the company would make customers whole through a combination of rate reductions, foregone storm-cost recovery, and a donation of the 15 large generators to ERCOT for about two years to address a San Antonio-area reliability issue, with the company absorbing the associated costs. PUC Executive Director Connie Corona said the commission could enforce the agreement through its contested-case process. Public testimony included consumer and reliability advocates, one of whom argued utility-scale microgrids should be preserved as a policy option. SB 231 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 986, which would create an alternative process for routine Public Information Act requests so local governments can make initial redactions without sending every routine exception to the Attorney General, while preserving an appeal path and training requirements. Supporters said it would reduce backlog and speed access to records; opponents argued it would shift the burden to requesters and encourage delay. The AG’s office testified that the process could improve efficiency and still fit within current timelines if used promptly. SB 986 was left pending. Finally, SB 584 was briefly laid out to require consumer reporting agencies that buy data from others to ensure the information complies with Texas law on excluded items such as bankruptcies, judgments, and tax liens, and SB 600 was heard on heir property. SB 600’s substitute would strengthen notice, require an attorney ad litem, add an heir’s bill of rights, allow settlement conferences, and require fair-market-value sales protections; supporters said it would curb predatory partition practices, while opponents warned some provisions could burden or diminish minority heirs’ property rights. SB 584 and SB 600 were left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Really wonderful to work with on this, and you really delved in and tried to understand the pluses and
• Chair and committee members, thank you for your time and consideration, and I welcome any questions.
• of cats and ducks.
• Hall and I brought up and the other ones listed on page 2, require analysis and looking at the relationship
• It took many months and many fits and starts.

Bills: HF2233, HF1999, HF1995, HF1614, HF2781, HF1775, HF1316, HF2127, HF2521, HF689, HF2380, HF1273

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, members may step in and out, and, um, we know that happens, and we'll just try to accommodate
• this forward and and uh we're hoping this forward and and uh we're hoping that<00:03:06.879>
• And oh, let’s see. Oh, and I’m sorry.
• and Economic Development Finance and and Economic Development Finance and Policy<01:04:22.799>
• many months and uh many fits and starts. many months and uh many fits and starts.

Bills: HF2233, HF1999, HF1995, HF1614, HF2781, HF1775, HF1316, HF2127, HF2521, HF689, HF2380, HF1273

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• , and on any given day, 90... percent of the license plates in those parking lots are from Texas.
• And the chair calls Caitlin Cash, Gwen Morata, and Carly Bruder. And Amanda Zurowski.
• Our speed limits, our state parks, and apparently the cruelty towards families like mine who are just
• When considering Kratom as a dietary choice, my customers and others are not seeking a recreational option
• And then I got more and more and more.

Bills: SB31, SB33, SB510, SB871, SB1868, SB2024, SB2166, SB2309, SB2880, SJR27, SJR39, SJR40, SB 31, SB 33

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:

• Unfortunately, there's been a lot of confusion and even some malicious lies about pro-life. Care.
• Many in the medical community called upon the Texas Health Department, Texas Medical Board, and Texas
• I thank you all for taking it up, and I look forward to In March of 2018, the licensed abortionist and
• former medical director of Planned Parenthood. to the city of San Antonio's general budget, and so instead
• And because the Senate will be coming in shortly, in a moment the committee will be

Bills: SB31, SB33, SB510, SB871, SB1868, SB2024, SB2166, SB2309, SB2880, SJR27, SJR39, SJR40, SB 31, SB 33

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:

• And I. I had to pay to go downtown and testify. I had to park, take time off of work.
• And you should never pay for parking, right?
• So it was getting dark, but I always park under the lights, and that place is super well lit, and people
• Her abuser followed her to a Kroger... parking lot in Fort Worth, Texas, and shot and killed her as she
• was driving and committed to. and died by suicide there in the parking lot.

Bills: HB36, HB75, HB76, HB166, HB799, HB 1135, HJR15, HJR16, HB36, HB75, HB76, HB166, HJR15, HJR16

Keywords: family violence, global positioning monitoring system, victim resources, electronic monitoring, protective orders, magistrate, criminal procedure, probable cause, written findings, law enforcement, bail bonds, bail fund, charitable bail fund, nonprofit bail organization, public funds, local government spending, political subdivision, county, city, taxpayer lawsuit

Transcript Highlights:

• Generals uh store outside in the parking Generals uh store outside in the parking lot time and and one
• sold for recreational use marketed and sold for recreational use marketed and sold for recreational
• so yes and and and the the law and so yes and and and the the law and so yes and and and the reason
• and and and and and them some clothes and and and and and them some clothes and and and and and food
• and and and and on the granted and and and and and on the granted and and and and and on the intention

Bills: SB82, SB78, SB4, SB6, SB62, SB66, SB77, SB63, SB79, SB53, SB55, HB14

Keywords: SB82, warrant recall, outstanding warrants, stale warrants, misdemeanor warrants, Class B misdemeanor, Class C misdemeanor, municipal magistrate, circuit court clerk, criminal procedure, court administration, docket cleanup, warrant audit, law enforcement notification, domestic violence, sex offense, weapons offense, deadly weapon, dangerous instrument, felony-related charges

Transcript Highlights:

• We visited national parks and national wildlife refuges across the country between moves and spent summer
• science initiatives. of Parks and Recreation and during my tenure as the first director of the Department
• value this land. their ability to access these lands for hunting, fishing, and other recreational uses
• And to react is just this simple, and I've said it a million times. over and over and over and over.
• These lands boost the 17 billion dollar recreation economy not to mention all the wildlife and watershed

Transcript Highlights:

• G2 is a letter from Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Outdoor Recreation.
• Jamie Fisher, Parks, Heritage and Tourism, CFO. Okay, thank you.
• It allows them to provide enforcement, open up those recreational opportunities, and provide also technical
• expertise to help with forest management…” “...public recreation access points and help, you know, develop
• provide also technical expertise to help with forest management, public recreation access points and

Summary: The committee met to consider a series of temporary appropriation requests, reserve fund transfers, federal grant appropriations, and review items. Early items included a $32 million appropriation and matching reserve transfer for the Department of Education’s educational freedom account program, a $476,000 request for the State Crime Lab, and a $90,000 assessment coordination request from DFA. Members asked questions about the assessment contract costs, and the item was approved. The committee also approved a $1 ARPA return to the CDC and a Department of Human Services reallocation package that moved general revenue and positions among divisions to meet client needs. The most extensive discussion centered on a $32 million restricted reserve transfer for the educational freedom account program. Members questioned the growing number of participating students, the program’s long-term funding needs, and safeguards against improper purchases. Agency representatives said about 44,000 students were being funded, that reimbursements and marketplace purchases are reviewed, and that reporting and audit controls are in place, though not every instance of fraud can be prevented. The committee approved the transfer after discussion. Members also approved smaller cash and federal grant items, including funding for a teacher shortage data dashboard, All Kids Bike grants, crime lab outsourcing, veterans cemetery operations, and a podiatric medicine licensing investigation fund. The most contentious item was a $7 million federal Forest Legacy grant request for Central Arkansas Water and the Department of Agriculture to acquire land in the Maumelle watershed, including acreage in Perry County and Pulaski County. Members debated water quality, development pressure, property tax impacts, local support, and whether Perry County had been adequately consulted. Agency and company representatives argued the acquisition would protect drinking water, preserve forested watershed land, and support recreation, while some legislators emphasized the county’s tax and development concerns. Senator Davis moved to defer the item to the full Legislative Council and to request removal of the Perry County portion; that motion passed. The committee then reviewed the remaining items, including a Veterans Affairs pay plan request, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:11.199> and start with parks and trails um parks and start with parks and trails um
• :19.879> and<00:08:20.080> L account and state parks Lottery and L account and state parks
• And then our final fee increase proposal centers around our operation of state parks and recreation areas
• > areas of state parks uh and Recreation areas of state parks uh and Recreation areas um<00:20:55.559
• our Parks and levels of service and our Parks and Recreation Recreation Recreation areas<00:21:32.080

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Lake Waco and Cameron Park on the banks of the Brazos River.
• Fair, Autumn Fest, Cinco de Mayo, Pioneer Days, Hubbard City Trade Days. and recreational opportunities
• Economic Development. of towing companies, booting companies, and parking facility owners for certain
• for the committee of culture, recreation, and tourism.
• The state capital complex or for the committee on culture recreation and tourism hcr 110 by commit capital

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and Recreation for the purposes of sighting, permitting, designing, and construction of a public pier
• administered by the Division of Parks administered by the Division of Parks and<00:54:31.119>
• :32.880> of and Recreation for the purposes of and Recreation for the purposes of sighting,<00
• donations and it is at the state park. donations and it is at the state park.
• Welcome back to Resources, Recreation and Development.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 27FN, which would change how improvements to dwellings over water are handled and align those projects more closely with the state building code. The bill was presented by Trisha Milo on behalf of Senator Lang, and attorney John Cronin explained that it arose from a specific New Hampshire Supreme Court case involving the Newcombs’ lakeside property, but that it could affect a small number of older waterfront homes statewide. He said the intent was to give the Department of Environmental Services (DES) limited waiver authority for improvements that do not harm water quality, plant life, or fish, while still requiring DES review and local permits. Committee members asked several questions about the scope of the bill, including whether it was tied to one case, how many properties might be affected, what counts as “living space,” and whether the language could allow larger decks or other expansions. Cronin said the bill was meant to be narrow, focused on access and egress and not on creating new living space, and that DES would still be able to deny unreasonable requests. He also described the Newcombs’ project as a rehabilitation of an older structure that had been approved locally and later challenged by DES, leading to the current dispute. Darlene Forst, the Wetlands Bureau administrator at DES, testified in opposition. She said the department was surprised the bill was being heard because it believed the Senate had sent it to interim study, and she argued the language was unclear and could have broader statewide effects than intended. Forst also said the underlying case was still active and should not be effectively re-litigated through this bill. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• facilities, reduced recreational access due to closures and quarantines, and harm to native ecosystems
• Thank you, Vice Chair and members. Jerry Desmond with Recreational Boaters of California.
• on, because it is a real threat to navigation and recreation and the water supply.
• because it is a real threat to navigation and recreation and the water supply.
• “Recreation and the water supply. Thank you. Any others in opposition?

Summary: The committee heard three water- and environment-related bills. AB 1663, by Assembly Member Wallace, would provide relief for high desert homeowners by allowing permits without mitigation fees for removing or trimming up to 10 Western Joshua trees for health and safety needs, including defensible space. Support came from the California Association of Realtors and the Community Water Systems Alliance, and members discussed balancing conservation with property maintenance. The bill was moved out of committee on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations. AB 1772, by Assembly Member Papin, sought to create a statewide framework to prevent the spread of golden mussels through watercraft decontamination standards, reciprocity for certifications, and long-term funding. Testimony in support highlighted Lake Tahoe’s invasive species prevention program as a model, while Recreational Boaters of California expressed caution about funding fairness, reciprocity, and how the system would work if infestations become widespread. After discussion about mandatory decontamination standards and funding, the bill was also passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 2521, also by Assembly Member Papin, would use a watershed-wide water availability analysis from the California Council of Science and Technology to help streamline groundwater recharge permitting and reduce applicant costs. Members raised concerns about protecting existing water rights and ensuring stakeholder input, and the author emphasized the study would be informational rather than binding. The bill passed to Appropriations, and the committee later took add-on votes confirming passage of AB 1663, AB 1772, and AB 2521.

Transcript Highlights:

• facilities, reduced recreational access due to closures and quarantines, and harm to native ecosystems
• Thank you, Vice Chair and members. Jerry Desmond with Recreational Boaters of California.
• on, because it is a real threat to navigation and recreation and the water supply.
• because it is a real threat to navigation and recreation and the water supply.
• Recreation and the water supply. Thank you. Any others in opposition?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard and advanced three bills. AB 1663, by Assembly Member Wallace, would ease permit and fee requirements for homeowners in the western Joshua tree region who need to remove or trim up to 10 trees for health, safety, or defensible-space reasons. Supporters included the California Association of Realtors and the Community Water Systems Alliance, and members emphasized balancing conservation with homeowner needs. The bill was moved out of committee on a do pass as amended vote to Appropriations. AB 1772, by Assembly Member Papin, addressed the spread of golden mussels and other aquatic invasive species by creating a statewide decontamination framework for watercraft, reciprocity among California water bodies, and longer-term funding ideas. Testimony from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency described Tahoe’s invasive-species prevention program and warned of major ecological and economic harm if golden mussels spread further. Recreational Boaters of California expressed caution but said it was not in opposition, raising concerns about fairness, reciprocity, and post-infestation management. The committee discussed committee amendments and the bill passed do pass as amended to Appropriations. AB 2521, also by Assembly Member Papin, would help expedite groundwater recharge permitting by directing the California Council of Science and Technology to complete a watershed-wide water availability analysis that applicants could use in permit applications. Supporters said the bill would reduce expensive data-analysis burdens and improve climate resilience by helping capture excess water during wet periods. Some members raised concerns about impacts on existing water rights and regional water interests, especially in the San Joaquin Valley, but the author said the study would be informational rather than binding. The bill passed do pass to Appropriations. At the end of the meeting, the committee also took add-on votes confirming passage of the bills, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And yet we are humble and meek as sinners in the face of your glory and great goodness.
• And most of all, as we lean on and learn from you.
• this tree when it was just a little tree and that tree grew and I'm listening to him and and he finished
• And I. And I want to forever be, keep him in my heart, and all of us continue to...
• and the.

Bills: HR34, HR36, HR38, HR39, HR41, HR42, HR43, HR67, HR68, HR73, HR77, HR81, HR104, HR166, HR201, HR202, HR223, HR226, HR233, HR234, HR246, HR264, HR266, HR268, HR271, HR280, HR282, HR286, HR291, HR292, HR296, HR298, HR319, HR326, HR329, HR348, HR354, HR373, HR376, HR381, HR385, HR386, HR387, HR391, HR394, HR395, HR396, HR399, HR400, HR402, HR403, HR404, HR408, HR409, HR410, HR413, HR414, HR417, HR418, HR419, HR422, HR424, HR429, HR435, HR439, HR440, HR22, HR88, HR94, HR136, HR194, HR231, HR302, HR397, HR416, HR420, HR421, HR423, HR430, HR431

Keywords: Ramadan, Islam, Muslim community, spiritual observance, cultural recognition, Eid al-Fitr, celebration, Texas legislation, Mother's Day, family, women, honor, Father's Day, gratefulness, recognition, Diwali, festival of lights, Hinduism, unity, Veterans Day

Transcript Highlights:

• In my district, which includes Buena Park, Fullerton, Artesia, Cypress, La Palma, and Cerritos, Buena
• Park, Fullerton, Artesia, Cypress, La Palma, and Cerritos.
• where alcoholic beverages are being sold and recreational drugs consumed.
• where alcohol beverages are being sold and recreational drugs consumed.
• Code governing regional park districts, park and open space districts, and open space districts.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month ceremony. Members adopted House Resolution 35 recognizing May as AAPI Heritage Month, with extensive floor remarks from caucus leaders and members highlighting AAPI history, contributions, and solidarity with other communities. The chamber then honored 14 AAPI honorees from across the state, including public servants, advocates, artists, health professionals, and community leaders, before moving to the regular file. On the floor, the Assembly passed a series of bills on social media harms to minors, labor privilege, foster care family-finding, low-impact camping areas, student body association governance, drink-spiking prevention at music festivals, behavioral health access, greenhouse gas recapture, physical therapy access, housing enforcement, insurance licensing, density bonus clarification, water district proxy voting, park district updates, secured transactions, and property tax relief during emergencies. Most measures passed with broad or unanimous support; notable votes included AB 2 on social media platform accountability passing 59-0, AB 1109 on union communications privilege passing 45-4, AB 409 on student body association open meetings passing 55-6, AB 518 on low-impact camping passing 55-0, AB 668 on drink-spiking protections passing 72-0, AB 348 on behavioral health access passing 69-0, AB 663 on HFC recapture passing 71-0, AB 574 on physical therapy access passing 68-0, AB 712 on housing enforcement passing 57-1, AB 943 on insurance pre-licensing reform passing 63-0, AB 87 on density bonus law clarification passing 63-0, AB 523 on Metropolitan Water District proxy voting passing 62-1, AB 769 on park district code cleanup passing 68-0, AB 771 on secured transactions passing 69-0, and AB 1416 on property tax installment deferrals passing 66-0. The Assembly also took up AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Protection Act, which would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service. Supporters described the practice as predatory and discriminatory, while noting ongoing concerns about preserving legitimate discounts and loyalty programs. The bill was presented as a consumer protection measure aimed at preventing hidden price discrimination and reducing cost-of-living pressures. The transcript ends amid repeated and partially duplicated readings of AB 446, without a final vote shown for that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• state parks and over 8,813 acres and 100 miles of beach front.
• of many, many buildings and facilities in our state parks.
• And in 1916, we helped create the Royal Palm State Park. That is Florida's very first state park.
• may happen in their precious and beloved state parks.
• Our state parks are so unique and we want to make sure that they are there for that enjoyment and the

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Plants and animals are gifts to us and entrusted for us to cultivate and steward.
• And it's debatable, and I understand that.
• And the good senator from Cushing is right; everybody has opinions, and that's fine and well and good
• thank you for that question senator and and and and that's a that's a very fair question it really is
• I'll make this short and I really appreciate the questions and the back and forth.

Bills: HB4322, HB4202, HB4203, HB4457, HB3983, HB3660, HB3802, HB2933, HB2955, HB2956, HB3781, HB3521, HB3794, HB3796, HB3800

Keywords: funeral services licensing, funeral director, embalmer, funeral director in charge, dual licensure, mortuary science, Oklahoma Funeral Board, funeral establishment, commercial embalming establishment, crematory, cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, apprenticeship, licensing requirements, professional regulation, undertaker, mortician, burial services, death care industry, workers' compensation