Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Middleton. Senator Nichols. Senator Zaffirini. That means seven.
• Senator Middleton, Senator Nichols, Senator Zaffirini.
• Senator Middleton. I don't know. Aye. Senator Kolkhorst. Aye. Senator Menendez. Senator Middleton.
• Senator Middleton. Aye. Senator Nichols. Aye. Senator Zaffirini. Senator King. Aye.
• Senator Middleton. Aye. Senator Nichols. Aye. Senator Zaffirini. Aye. Senator King. Aye.

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:

• Menendez, Middleton, Miles, Nichols. Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwartner. Sparks, West, Saffirini.
• Senate resolution 209 by Middleton and Creighton.
• The chair recognizes Senator Middleton on the resolution. All right, it's Galveston County Day.
• debt for the guarantee of a bond by this permanent school fund to education K-16. 3 by Middleton and
• Senate Bill 1524 by Middleton, relating to the collection of confidentiality of information regarding

Bills: SJR34, SB10, SB18, SB19, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB480, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB767, SB790

Keywords: parental rights, parents, children, custody, care and control, upbringing, family law, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, child welfare, education policy, medical decisions, parental authority, primary decision makers, family autonomy, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display, First Amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Middleton, here. Senator Cook, here. Senator Gutierrez? Senator Nichols? I'm here.
• Before we begin, Senator Middleton moves that public testimony be limited to two minutes for each witness
• Senator Middleton? Aye. Senator Cook? Aye. Senator Gutierrez? Senator Nichols? Aye. Senator Paxton?
• Senator Middleton? Aye. Senator Cook? No. Senator Gutierrez? Senator Nichols? Aye. Senator Paxton?
• With the last motion made by Senator Middleton, Senator Middleton moved the committee.

Bills: HB17, HB23

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest

Transcript Highlights:

• And Senator Middleton says up committee, Senator Middleton says that committee member number 3.
• And Senator Middleton says up committee, Senator Middleton says that committee member number three.
• And Senator Middleton sends up Amendment Number Six, Committee Amendment Number Six...
• And Senator Middleton sends up Amendment Number Six, Committee Amendment Number Six.
• He recognizes Senator Middleton to explain the amendment.

Bills: SB312, SB945, SB946, SB1367, SB1861, SB2044, SB2337, SB2403, SB2819, SJR54

Keywords: public school funding, education, budget allocation, financial transparency, state law, local control, fiduciary responsibility, public retirement systems, investment management, proxy voting, financial factors, insurance, political shareholder proposals, fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental regulation, discrimination, credit extension, social credit, value-based standards

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 945, 946, 2044, 2819, 2403, 2337, and 312, with all bills left pending after testimony. SB 945 would restrict insurance companies from denying or limiting coverage based on oil and gas activity or ESG-related goals, and supporters argued it would protect Texas energy producers from politically motivated shareholder activism and insurance discrimination. SB 946 would bar creditors from using social credit, ESG, DEI, or religious/political affiliation as a basis for denying or limiting credit; witnesses said it would prevent viewpoint-based financial discrimination and protect access to capital for Texas businesses. SB 2337 would require proxy advisory firms to disclose when recommendations are based on non-financial factors or when they give conflicting advice to different clients; supporters said the measure would increase transparency and curb ESG-driven influence over shareholder voting. SB 312 would direct public retirement systems to focus on financial returns rather than social or political objectives, with the author saying the bill responds to activist pressure on pensions and would reinforce fiduciary duty. The committee also took up election and ethics measures. SB 2044 would strengthen electioneering restrictions for publicly funded education institutions and personnel, prohibiting use of official resources to promote political agendas; testimony focused on alleged school district electioneering in bond and tax elections. SB 2819 would prohibit county elections administrators from holding certain officer positions appointed by elected officials, addressing potential conflicts of interest. SB 2403, the Texas Ethics Commission sunset bill, would restructure complaint handling with a three-tier violation system, risk-based complaint prioritization, longer response times, bipartisan preliminary review panels, and expanded hearing options; members discussed amendments aimed at dismissing minor complaints, clarifying categories, and adjusting lobbying and penalty provisions, but the amendments were withdrawn during committee consideration. Across the ESG and finance bills, invited witnesses from the American Energy Institute, Heartland Impact, Consumers Research, ADF Action, Texas Civil Justice League, and related groups generally supported the measures, arguing that banks, insurers, proxy advisors, and asset managers have used ESG or reputational-risk standards to discriminate against energy, agriculture, firearms, and religious organizations. No opposition testimony was presented in the excerpt, and the committee closed public testimony on each bill and left them pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Middleton, if you're ready, I will recognize you on Senate Bill 1798.
• Senator Middleton, you're recognized to explain the difference in the substitute language.
• Senator Middleton. Thank you, Chairman. Sherry, thank you for coming here today.
• And I want to thank Senator Middleton for bringing this bill forward.
• So that is not a category that Senator Middleton has made allowances for in this bill.

Summary: The committee heard several education bills, with most of the discussion focused on Senate Bill 1835, Senate Bill 784, Senate Bill 1049, Senate Bill 2942, and Senate Bill 2928. SB 1835 would raise from 5% to 20% the cap on nonresident students who can receive resident tuition and fees through competitive scholarships at certain regional universities in slower-growing workforce development areas, provided the schools have capacity as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Supporters, including West Texas A&M University, said the bill would help fill underused capacity, attract students who may stay and work in Texas, and support regional workforce needs. SB 784 would strengthen a prior law allowing peace officers’ children to transfer between public school districts for safety reasons by requiring both districts’ approval, making clear that districts of innovation are not exempt, and prohibiting tuition charges. SB 1049 would require districts and open-enrollment charters to excuse students, at a parent’s request, for religious release-time instruction for up to one hour per day and five hours per week; witnesses said the program is constitutional, voluntary, and already operating in other states and some Texas districts. Each of these bills was left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them. SB 2942 would expand and adjust the state’s adult charter high school pilot program. Senator Creighton said the bill is intended to help the estimated 7 million Texas adults without a high school diploma by removing barriers to expansion, aligning legal protections with ISDs, changing TEA’s disapproval window for expansion amendments to a 30-day period after receipt, and updating funding to reflect part-year attendance. A committee substitute kept the upper enrollment age at 50 and removed a proposed testing change. Testimony from New Heights students and leadership described the program as life-changing, emphasizing that it combines diplomas with career credentials, childcare, transportation, and other supports to help adults stabilize their families and enter better-paying work. TEA witnesses explained the expansion process and said adult charter schools are overseen by the commissioner rather than the SBOE. The committee substitute was adopted, public testimony closed, and the bill was left pending. SB 2928 would set a uniform school start date for public school districts at the third Wednesday in August, while preserving existing district-of-innovation flexibility for current DOI districts and allowing year-round systems to continue. Senator Creighton argued the bill would reduce the patchwork created by DOI exemptions, support students and families, and preserve summer employment and tourism revenue. A committee substitute was adopted. Testimony came largely from tourism, hospitality, and recreation interests, including hotel, water park, zoo, chamber of commerce, and camp representatives, who said later start dates would extend the summer travel season, improve staffing and revenue, and give students more opportunities for summer jobs and camps. Several witnesses cited large economic impacts from tourism and said early school starts reduce August business. Some senators raised concerns about charter schools being excluded and about year-round calendars, but the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Middleton? Here. Senator Cook? Here. Senator Gutierrez? Senator Nichols? Here.
• Senator Middleton? Senator Cook? Senator Gutierrez? Senator Nichols? Senator West?
• Senator Middleton? Aye. Senator Cook? Aye. Senator Gutierrez? Aye. Senator Nichols? Aye.
• Senator Hancock... ...and recognizes Senator Middleton to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr.
• Any questions for Senator Middleton on Senator Hancock's bill? Hearing none, we'll open up...

Bills: SB1331, SB1375, SB1443, SB1578, SB2251, SB2519, SB2553, SB2655, SB2764, SB2907, SB3030, SB3033, SB3035, SB3036, SB3037, SB3043, SB3047, SB3050, SB3051, SB3056, SB3057, SB3063, HB9, HB467, HB331, HB1244, HB1399, HB2559, HB2730, HB3307, HJR1, HJR99, SB3048, SB3052, SB3053, SJR78, HB1327, HB2723, HB9, HJR1

Keywords: civil service, firefighters, police officers, municipalities, local government, repeal, voter petition, health care, provider participation, continuation programs, population-based regulation, health care provider participation, Medicaid, hospital funding, voluntary compliance, mandatory payments, public health, healthcare program, county participation, nonpublic hospitals

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Bettencourt, Senator Middleton, here. Senator Cook, here. Senator Gutierrez, here.
• Senator Middleton moves to ask for clarification. Mr.
• Senator Middleton. Aye. Senator Cook. ... Senator Cook. No. Senator Gutierrez. Yes, sir.
• Senator Middleton. Senator Cook. No. Senator Gutierrez. Senator Nichols. Senator Nichols.
• Senator Middleton? Aye. Senator Cook? Aye. Senator Gutierrez? Senator Nichols? Aye. Senator Paxton?

Bills: SB32, SB464, SB996, SB1163, SB1173, SB1277, SB1452, SB1453, SB1548, SB1882, SB1883, SB2016, SB 32

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, tax exemption, franchise tax credit, income production, personal property, SB 464, school buffer zone, tobacco retailer, vape shop, e-cigarette, vaping, nicotine, tobacco products, retail permit, comptroller, Class A misdemeanor, school proximity, youth access, public school, private school

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Middleton, Senator Cook, Senator Gutierrez. Senator Nichols, Senator Paxson. Senator West.
• Vice Chair Middleton. Members of the Senate Committee on Local Government.
• Senator Middleton moves that Senate. Again, can you kind of remind us what 393 is?
• Chairman Betancourt, I, Senator Middleton, Senator Cook, Senator Gutierrez. Uh, 10:59.
• Chairman Betancourt, Senator Middleton, Senator Cook, Senator Gutierrez.

Bills: SB 32, SB 464, SB 996, SB 1163, SB 1173, SB 1277, SB 1452, SB 1453, SB 1548, SB 1882, SB 1883, SB 2016

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, tax exemption, franchise tax credit, income production, personal property, SB 464, school buffer zone, tobacco retailer, vape shop, e-cigarette, vaping, nicotine, tobacco products, retail permit, comptroller, Class A misdemeanor, school proximity, youth access, public school, private school

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Middleton. Here. Senator Cook. Senator Gutierrez. Senator Nichols. Senator Paxton.
• Senator Middleton. Aye. Senator Gutierrez? Senator Nichols? Senator Paxton? Senator West?
• Senator Middleton. Aye. Senator Cook. Senator Gutierrez. Senator Nichols. Senator Paxton.
• With no other business that needs to come before the committee, and with a motion by Senator Middleton

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Middleton? Here. Johnson? Here. Corm is present. So, just, ah, very well.
• Middleton.
• Middleton. Aye. Thank you. Creighton. Aye. Hinojosa. Aye. Middleton. Johnson. Aye. Hughes. Aye.

Summary: The Committee on Jurisprudence met and considered two bills. House Bill 3783, relating to court-ordered counseling in certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship, was taken up with a committee substitute. Senator Johnson explained that the substitute clarifies that a court may not order a victim of family violence or abuse by the other parent to pay any part of the counseling costs. The committee adopted the substitute without objection and then voted 5-0 to report HB 3783 favorably to the full Senate, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, and to place it on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then considered House Bill 4170. Senator Hughes moved to report the bill favorably to the full Senate, and the motion passed by a 5-0 roll call vote. The committee also agreed without objection to recommend HB 4170 for placement on the local and uncontested calendar. After completing business, the committee recessed at the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Betancourt, Senator Middleton, here, Senator Cook, here, Senator Gutierrez, Senator Nichols,
• Before we begin, Senator Middleton moves that public testimony be limited to 2 minutes for each witness
• Senator Middleton. Aye. Senator Cook, Senator Gutierrez, Senator Nichols, Senator Paxton, Senator.
• Senator Middleton. Senator Cook. No. Senator Gutierrez. Senator Nichols, aye. Senator Paxton.
• And with the last motion made by Senator Middleton, Senator Middleton moves the committee stand in recess

Bills: HB17, HB23

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest

Transcript Highlights:

• **Senator Menendez**: **Senator Middleton**: Here.
• **Senator Menendez**: **Senator Middleton**: Here.
• I'd also like to welcome our returning members, **Senator Kohlkors**, **Senator Middleton**, and **Senator
• **Senator Menendez**: **Senator Middleton**: Aye.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Betancourt present Middleton. Cook Gutierrez Nichols Paxson West it's 5 OK um. She's all right.
• Aye, Middleton. Aye. Aye, Gutierrez. Nichols Paxson West.
• pending business, the chair lays out House Bill 3711 by Representative Caerleon, sponsored by Senator Middleton
• Betancourt, Middleton, Cook, Gutierrez, Nichols, aye Paxson West 50. All right.

Transcript Highlights:

• Menendez, Middleton, Miles, Nichols. Parker, Paxton, Perry. Schwartner, Sparks, West.
• Senator Middleton. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Thank you. 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 The chair recognizes Senator Middleton for recognition thank
• President, and thank you to Senator Middleton for offering this. It's good to see him.
• SR 52 by King, SR 69 by he knows of new aces, SR 72 by by Middleton, SR 73 by West, SR 75 by Blanco,

Bills: SJR2, SB4, SJR36, SJR2, SB4, SR42, SR74, SR76, HCR5, SB710, SB710

Keywords: SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Chairman Bettencourt, Vice Chairman Middleton, and committee members.
• Chairman Betancourt, Senator Middleton, Senator Cook, Senator Gutierrez, Senator Nichols, Senator Paxton
• The Chair lays out Senate Bill 1331 by Senator Hancock and recognizes Senator Middleton.
• Yes, Senator Hancock, and, and recognizes Senator Middleton. Explained the bill. Uh, thank you, Mr.
• Any questions of Senator Middleton on Senator Hancock's bill?

Bills: SB1331, SB1375, SB1443, SB1578, SB2251, SB2519, SB2553, SB2655, SB2764, SB2907, SB3030, SB3033, SB3035, SB3036, SB3037, SB3043, SB3047, SB3050, SB3051, SB3056, SB3057, SB3063, HB9, HB467, HB331, HB1244, HB1399, HB2559, HB2730, HB3307, HJR1, HJR99, SB3048, SB3052, SB3053, SJR78, HB1327, HB2723

Keywords: civil service, firefighters, police officers, municipalities, local government, repeal, voter petition, health care, provider participation, continuation programs, population-based regulation, health care provider participation, Medicaid, hospital funding, voluntary compliance, mandatory payments, public health, healthcare program, county participation, nonpublic hospitals

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard several bills, most of them left pending after brief public testimony. House Bill 331, by Rep. Patterson and sponsored by Sen. Hinojosa, would create a presumption that firefighters, police officers, and EMTs who suffer a heart attack or stroke within eight hours after a strenuous shift were injured in the line of duty for workers’ compensation purposes; testimony from a firefighters’ association supported the bill, and it was left pending. Senate Bill 2655, by Sen. Flores, would authorize Burnet County to establish a local provider participation fund to help support local hospital services; a hospital administrator testified in support, and the committee substitute was left pending. Senate Bill 1443, by Sen. Hughes, would extend the Northeast Healthcare Provider Participation District in three counties, and House Bill 3307, by Rep. Noble, would allow property tax arbitrators to complete required continuing education online; both were left pending without opposition. Senate Bill 3048, by Sen. Birdwell, would create the Bluebonnet Hills Municipal Management District in Midlothian and was also left pending. The committee then took up House Bill 9 and HJR 1, sponsored by Sen. Bettencourt, which would raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000 and place the constitutional amendment on the November 4, 2025 ballot. Business groups, realtors, and taxpayers’ advocates testified in strong support, saying the change would provide meaningful relief to small businesses and help balance earlier homeowner tax relief. The City of Fort Worth testified in opposition, warning of a revenue shift to homeowners and budget impacts, but the committee adopted the committee substitutes and reported both measures to the full Senate on 6-0 votes. The committee also heard House Bill 1399 and HJR 99, by Sen. Nichols, to exempt animal feed from property tax when it is already sales-tax exempt; no one testified against them, and both were left pending. Senate Bill 2553, by Sen. West, would let owners of historic archaeological sites protest land and structure appraisals separately, and it was left pending after supportive testimony. Senate Bill 2907 and SJR 78, also by Sen. West, would exempt certain perishable inventory, including food and some prescription drugs, from property tax if approved by voters; pharmacists, business groups, a researcher, and a coalition of retailers and food/medicine advocates supported the bill, and it was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 1331, by Sen. Hancock and explained by Sen. Middleton, would lower the population threshold for certain municipal civil-service-related petition restrictions from 950,000 to 70,000; law enforcement representatives and a San Marcos police association supported it, and it was left pending. The committee then recessed until 15 to 30 minutes after adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Menéndez, Senator Middleton, Senator Nichols, Dean Zaffirini.
• Middleton. Nichols. Zaffirini. King? Yes. Schwertner? Aye.
• Middleton? Aye. Michaels, Zaffirini, King, Schwertner. Aye.
• Middleton? Nichols? Zaffirini? King? Schwertner? Aye.
• Middleton. Aye. Nichols. Aye. Zaffirini. Aye. King. Aye.

Bills: HB146, HB150, HB1500, HB1545, HB1562, HB2067, HB2520, HB2818, HB3214, HB3250, HB3466, HB3512, HB3623, HB4063, HB4395, HB4464, HB4668, HB4690, HB5331, HB3833, HB146, HB150

Keywords: HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• Middleton, Weston, where's Middleton? Is he on the floor?
• Thank you for clarifying that, Senator Middleton.
• Thanks for those clarifications, Senator Middleton.
• Floor Amendment 17 by Middleton and Creighton.
• Amendment number 33 by Middleton and Thank you. Senator Middleton on the amendment. Thank you Mr.

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SB2, SR29, SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hinojosa, Middleton, Parker, Perry, Schwertner, Zaffirini, Paxton, Hughes. The quorum is present.
• Middleton? Aye. Parker? Aye. Perry? Aye. Aye. Schwertner. Aye. Zaffirini. Aye. Paxton. Aye. Hughes.
• Betancourt, aye, Birdwell, aye, Hall, aye, Hinojosa, aye, Middleton, aye, Parker, aye, Perry, aye, Schwertner
• Middleton. Aye. Parker. Aye. Perry. Aye. Schwertner. Aye. Zaffirini. No. Paxton. Aye. Hughes. Aye.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to ask questions of Senator Middleton, if you will yield.” “Of course.”
• “Thank you so much, Senator Middleton. With regard to” “Of course.
• Thank you so much, Senator Middleton.
• “Senator Menendez, you're joining the chorus once Senator Middleton gets on the floor.
• And Senator Middleton, I understand why you're—” “We do. We really do. I agree.

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion to move the intent calendar deadline to 4 p.m. and then took up several bills by suspending the regular order of business. Senate Bill 2031, concerning removal of high fences around breeder deer release sites, passed after an amendment shortened the testing period from five years to three, tied visible identification requirements to the date Parks and Wildlife began requiring them, and made the bill effective immediately. Senate Bill 1490, a cleanup to adult charter high school funding, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2227, creating a process for delayed birth certificates and renamed the Charles E. Barton Act, both passed unanimously after floor amendments. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1964, regulating artificial intelligence systems used by state agencies, also passed unanimously after the author described guardrails for high-risk AI and disclosure requirements. The Senate then considered Senate Bill 2877, which increases penalties for election fraud and related attempts; after debate over whether existing law already covers some conduct and whether the bill was necessary given the small number of convictions, it passed to engrossment and later final passage on a 21-10 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2658, on brackish groundwater production and study, passed after four amendments, including one giving water districts authority to stop production if monitoring shows harm to freshwater supplies or subsidence and another returning a portion of transported water revenue to districts. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 648, strengthening recording requirements for real property instruments to help prevent deed theft, also passed on a 26-4 vote. Other measures approved included Committee Substitute Senate Bill 401, making it easier for homeschool students to participate in UIL activities through local district opt-in/nearest-district participation rules; Committee Substitute Senate Bill 407, requiring health care facilities to honor conscience or religious vaccine exemptions for employees, despite extensive questioning about patient safety and immunocompromised patients; Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2117, creating a Texas Committee on Foreign Investment to review risky foreign acquisitions; Senate Bill 1718, adding the NRA annual meeting to the major events reimbursement program after a failed amendment seeking equal space for gun-control advocacy; Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1626, clarifying limits on censorship and interference with digital expression by social media platforms; and Senate Bill 2206, updating the state R&D franchise tax credit and related sales tax treatment, which passed 31-0. The chamber also debated Senate Bill 1395 on school health advisory councils. An initial amendment to restore voting seats for teachers and school employees failed, but a later amendment by Senator West added students back in an advisory, non-voting capacity. The Senate then handled routine motions, committee scheduling, first-reading referrals, and adjourned until April 29, with the session ending in memory of two constituents.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bettencourt, Birdwell, Hall, Hinojosa, Middleton, Parker, Perry, Schwertner, Zaffirini, Paxton, Hughes
• Thank you, Senator Middleton. Senator Birdwell, you're recognized.
• Senator Middleton, great bill.
• And we probably need to have that conversation with Senator Middleton.
• Senate Bill 2713, authored by Senator Middleton.

Bills: SB2101, SB2334, SB2633, SB2637, SB2713, SB2781, SB2782, SB3059, HB 1130

Keywords: minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several bills, mostly on alcohol regulation, ethics procedures, the Alamo, and free speech in professional associations. SB 2633 would let the City of Garland hold local option elections on alcohol sales within designated zones and use zoning/land-use rules for alcohol-selling businesses; Senator Johnson and Garland officials said it would reduce the burden of the petition process and support economic development. SB 2637 would require social media platforms to disclose when posts are made by bot accounts and allow Attorney General enforcement; supporters framed it as consumer protection against misleading automated content, while members raised questions about how platforms would identify bots and how enforcement would work. SB 2334 would allow airlines with passenger transportation permits to store sealed alcoholic beverages within five miles of an airport in the same county, which the sponsor and an American Airlines witness said would improve logistics without changing permits, taxes, or alcohol sourcing. The committee also heard SB 2781 and SB 2782, both related to Texas Ethics Commission procedures. SB 2781 would cap civil penalties tied to certain campaign contribution violations by former legislators who later lobby, and SB 2782 would require TEC to adopt discovery control plans and align discovery rules more closely with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to limit costly, open-ended discovery. Both bills were left pending after no public testimony. SB 3059 would transfer oversight of the Alamo from the General Land Office to a new Alamo Commission beginning in 2027; Senator Campbell said it would provide long-term stewardship and transparency, while Senator Birdwell questioned the need for a change and the commission’s structure, and GLO witnesses said they were not aware of any problem prompting the shift. HB 1130, a House companion to a previously passed Senate bill, would provide liability protections for cavern entities that post warning signs, and it was also left pending. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2713, which would bar professional or trade associations from denying membership or access based on protected characteristics or lawful speech and assembly. Senator Middleton and invited witnesses described disciplinary actions by realtor associations against members for social media posts, sermons, or political speech, arguing that the National Association of Realtors’ ethics rules were being used to punish private expression and threaten livelihoods through loss of MLS access. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the bill should be narrowed to avoid affecting religious organizations, how association discipline works, and whether the measure should address existing penalties or only future conduct. The bill was left pending after extensive invited testimony and committee discussion.