Transcript Highlights:

• Steve Shale, Environmental Defense Fund, waving in support. Good to see you. Chad.
• Steve Shale, Environmental Defense Fund, waving in support. Good to see you.
• And those of you who sit on the Environmental Committee are very familiar with what we call PFAS, and
• impact study and the 1997 environmental... ...to rely solely on the 2001 environmental impact study
• and the 1997 environmental resource permit.

Bills: S0302 , S0394 , S0480 , S0546 , S0636 , S0774 , S0796 , S1028 , S1050 , S1066 , S1120 , S1230 , S1288 , S1682

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Keywords: cybersecurity, information technology, data management, local government compliance, cloud services, state agency oversight, integrated governance, conservation lands, land exchange, state-owned land, Acquisition and Restoration Council, Florida water management, environmental protection, beach management, beach erosion, beach nourishment, coastal resilience, shoreline protection, critical erosion, critically eroded beach

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with CS/SB 796, which would create Veterinary Professional Associates as a new supervised veterinary role, expand telehealth prescription timeframes, and set training and scope limits. Supporters said it would improve access to care, lower costs, and create a career path, while opponents argued the proposal lacked a clear regulatory framework, could create liability and federal-law conflicts, and would not address the real shortage in rural large-animal practice. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Members also heard and favorably reported SB 1682 on local authority over derelict and abandoned vessels, CS/SB 1028 on a commercial Citizens clearinghouse for property insurance, SB 394 on exempting certain reinsurance underwriting managers from licensing, SB 636 on beach management and erosion designations, CS/SB 546 on public notice for conservation land sales or exchanges, CS/SB 302 on Biscayne Bay nature-based solutions and related coastal resiliency provisions, SB 1050 on pharmacy choice for pet medications, and SB 774 extending workers’ compensation benefits to 911 public safety telecommunicators for mental and nervous injuries. Testimony on these bills generally focused on access, regulatory clarity, environmental protection, or workforce support, with some concerns raised on insurance consumer protections and beach-management language. Senator Harrell’s bills were also taken up and reported favorably: CS/SB 480, a major overhaul of state IT governance creating DIGIT and new procurement, reporting, and workforce structures; CS/SB 1230, restricting PFAS-containing firefighting foam and adding testing, inventory, and disposal requirements; and CS/SB 1288, a naming bill designating the Andrew Red Harris Shoal and requiring markers. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on SB 1066 regarding restoration of the Oklawaha/Rodman system, with supporters emphasizing ecological restoration, flood-risk reduction, and economic benefits, and opponents warning about local impacts, water quality, and the loss of a world-class fishery. The transcript ends during testimony on that bill, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• DHS must close the complaint and cease the investigation.
• Does the complaint just disappear? Madam Chair, it doesn't speak to that.
• requirements based on complaint severity.
• low-priority complaints can be escalated if they demonstrate a pattern or trend.
• low-priority complaints can be escalated if they demonstrate a pattern or trend.

Bills: HB2050 , HB2082 , HB2176 , HB2195 , HB2202 , HB2307 , HB2584

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: radiologic technologist, radiologist assistant, radiology, imaging, x-ray, diagnostic x-ray, fluoroscopy, mammography, computed tomography, CT technologist, nuclear medicine technologist, bone densitometry, radiation safety, radiation licensing, scope of practice, health workforce, rural health care, critical access hospital, supervision, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• This was the first known complaint that we know of in the state of Texas, and it took digging to find
• The State Anatomical Board was handling that complaint. It was released publicly through MPC News.
• You'll hear from some people later today about some of the complaints that we've received.
• We have complaints right now that say they are tossing them, emptying them out into bushes or emptying
• I filed my complaint after coming across additional information.

Bills: SB1406 , SB1681 , SB2480 , SB2721

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: body donation, medical science, forensic science, willed body program, informed consent, boarding home, boarding home facility, adult care home, group home, assisted living, county reporting, municipal reporting, annual report, reasonable accommodation, fair housing, disability accommodation, local ordinance, permit requirement, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC

Transcript Highlights:

• So back in 2021, when U&T was working with Med Ed Labs out of Las Vegas, some complaints had come up.
• The biggest complaint being they had a body that was returned, dropped off in a loading dock, wrapped
• The State Anatomical Board was handling that complaint. It was released publicly through NBC News.
• You'll hear from some people later today that even some of the complaints that we've received.
• I filed my complaint after coming across additional information.

Bills: SB1406 , SB1681 , SB2480 , SB2721

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: body donation, medical science, forensic science, willed body program, informed consent, boarding home, boarding home facility, adult care home, group home, assisted living, county reporting, municipal reporting, annual report, reasonable accommodation, fair housing, disability accommodation, local ordinance, permit requirement, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2480, which would clarify that the Texas Medical Board may collect license renewal surcharge fees from all licensees to fund the Texas Physician Health Program and related administrative costs. The bill author explained the funding fix was needed after prior language was found to allow surcharges only for physicians and physician assistants. Witnesses from the Texas Physician Health Program supported the measure and described the program’s confidential monitoring and treatment services; members asked about the fee amount, which was described as capped at $15 per two-year registration cycle. The bill was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bills 1406 and 2721, both authored by Senator Parker, addressing the handling of human remains by non-transplant anatomical donation organizations, willed body programs, and related facilities. Senator Parker and several witnesses described alleged abuses involving unclaimed bodies, consent problems, body leasing, hotel-based dissections, and mishandling of cremains, and argued for strict licensing, inspections, transparency, and criminal penalties. Supporters included families of deceased veterans and other relatives, a biomedical ethicist, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, and some public safety and hotel industry representatives who said legitimate training should continue but bad actors should be shut down. Opponents or cautious witnesses from accredited donation organizations and bioskills labs said they support stronger oversight but warned the bills could unintentionally disrupt legitimate medical education and urged clearer language and implementation of existing law. Both bills were left pending. Senate Bill 1681, by Senator Menendez, would require counties and municipalities that regulate boarding homes to report facility standards and related information to the Health and Human Services Commission. The author said the bill is intended to improve state oversight of boarding homes that serve elderly and disabled residents and to address abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The bill was left pending after brief discussion. After the testimony portion, the committee returned to voting on pending business and unanimously reported Senate Bills 527, 912, 1580, 1952, and 2032 to the Senate with recommendations that they do pass and be printed, and each was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 407 and reported the substitute favorably, with six ayes and three nays. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 500 as pending business.

Transcript Highlights:

• E stands for environmental. S stands for social. G stands for governance.
• E stands for environmental, S stands for social, G stands for governance.
• Many of the shareholder proposals are related to environmental, social, and governance issues.
• For over a year, we have warned the SIB of the legal, financial, environmental, and reputational risks
• For over a year, we have warned the SIB of the legal, financial, environmental, and reputational risks

Bills: SB5439 , SB6109 , SB6304

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: investment, thermal coal, divestment, state investment board, fossil fuels, environmental impact, renewable energy, detention facilities, state funds, privatization, criminal justice reform, Washington State Investment Board, responsible investment, sustainability, corporate governance, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We hold our employees, employers accountable through collective bargaining, safety standards, environmental
• Josh Estes: Standards, environmental compliance.

Bills: HB2537 , HB2245 , HB2296

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: emissions, climate commitment act, environmental regulation, trade regulation, facility compliance, consumer-owned utilities, clean energy, port districts, market customers, energy transformation, distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, sustainability, energy policy, 904, all

Bills: SCR8 , SCR40 , SCR83 , SCR179 , SCR90 , SCR94 , SCR159 , SCR165 , SCR177

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: building permits, seniors, health care, disability, safety modifications, county regulations, expedited processing, environment, pollution, tourism, disposable bodyboards, polystyrene, marine ecosystems, lithium-ion batteries, environmental safety, recycling, public safety, waste management, Honolulu, Maui County

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions related to water, coastal management, and permitting. Early measures included SCR 8 on faster county action for certain home-modification permits for older adults and people with disabilities, SCR 40 on banning disposable body boards, SCR 83 on creating a lithium-ion battery disposal facility, SCR 179 on enforcing Maui fire-code provisions for brush clearance and emergency access, and SCR 90 on kupuna-friendly permit requirements. No testifiers were present for those measures, and the chair moved through them without taking votes in the portion provided. The most extensive discussion was on SCR 94, endorsing Waikiki as a world surfing reserve, and SCR 159, urging shared guiding principles for restoring and maintaining Waikiki’s beaches and shoreline. University of Hawaii testimony said the surfing-reserve designation would bring recognition, could help attract grants, and would require a stewardship committee and management plan, but would not itself block beach nourishment or shoreline restoration. Members asked about possible effects on dredging, beach nourishment, and shoreline structures; the witness said impacts on surfing were not expected to be immediate or significant. For SCR 159, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the resolution but requested clarifying amendments to broaden references to law, stakeholder collaboration, and coastal science expertise. The Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association also supported the measure, emphasizing coordinated maintenance, public access, and the economic importance of Waikiki beaches, while noting that existing legal agreements and court decisions should be reflected in the resolution. The discussion also covered whether the state and private owners share repair and maintenance obligations for Waikiki seawalls; testimony said existing agreements remain relevant but must yield to current law. The committee also heard SCR 165 designating March as Water Month, with support from the Board of Water Supply and others, and SCR 177 requesting DAGS to convene a cooperative working group on state projects needing county permits. Mary Alice Evans said the latter would help expedite permitting, especially for housing and other state projects, and would complement efforts to standardize county permitting processes. No final votes or dispositions were announced in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• cut corners and mislead homeowners, and I won't read all of it, but many of us have heard similar complaints
• So this is for the last, I heard these complaints when I was in the Senate, so that was 10 years ago.

Bills: SB1137 , SB1200 , SB1419 , SB1447 , SB1560 , SCM1004

Committee: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Keywords: underground utilities, utility locating, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, excavation safety, damage prevention, one-call center, locate request, white lining, large project coordination, buried infrastructure, subsurface utilities, utility marking, locator wire, locator strip, interactive positive response system, landlord duties, apartment community, mobile home park

Transcript Highlights:

• So last year, I asked ROC how many complaints you had on workmanship on rooftop solar last year.
• There were 29 complaints about workmanship. Twenty-nine.
• So, to do the math for you, it's 0.16% of all installs had a complaint. 1.6% of all installs had a complaint
• ROC takes lots of complaints. It could be a payment issue. It could be an administrative error.
• The complaint typically was, my roof leaks.

Bills: SB1041 , SB1363 , SB1418 , SB1419 , SB1445 , SB1447 , SB1488 , SB1519 , SB1523 , SB1560 , SB1580

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, marijuana, rural opportunity, dispensary, economic development, licensing, social equity, unserved communities, Arizona, small modular reactors, energy regulation, environmental compatibility, utility construction, agricultural use

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Water Trust, a program within the bank to accept and hold donations of water rights for environmental
• And the reason we're against this bill because this bill addresses customer complaints.
• also on the table and that we ask that the system engineer working with the Texas Commission on Environmental
• people to understand and determine what is the best course of action when there are water quality complaints
• Again, I show you're registered as Michelle Risco on behalf of the Texas Commission on Environmental

Bills: HB 5208 , SB 863 , SB 1243 , SB 1624 , SB 1965 , SB 2660 , SB 2702 , SB 2885

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Water Trust, a program within the bank to. accept and hold donations of water rights for environmental
• The reason we're against this bill is because it addresses Customer complaints with regards to water
• And that we ask that the system engineer working with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality be
• As the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was unsure of its authority, SB 2885 addresses this
• The fact is, I receive complaints on a daily basis, and I will give you the example that within.

Bills: HB5208 , SB863 , SB1243 , SB1624 , SB1965 , SB2660 , SB2702 , SB2885

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow

Transcript Highlights:

• Meeting of the Environmental Resources Finance and Policy Committee meeting to order.
• Environmental risk of battery fires that we've seen.
• So what other permits, particularly in environmental...
• between business, communities, government, and non-profits to tackle environmental challenges.
• protection and environmental health, responding to the needs of communities statewide.

Bills: HF1587 , HF2293 , HF2218 , HF1208 , HF1482

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• I the environmental council of states.
• </c> work does result in better environmental work does result in better environmental outcomes.<00:05
• </c> are eager to address environmental are eager to address environmental challenges<01:09:30.319><c
• </c><01:09:43.440><c> access,</c> to improving environmental access, to improving environmental access
• The change in environmental effects.

Bills: HF1587 , HF2293 , HF2218 , HF1208 , HF1482

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• Hadn't been any complaints or so. know, problems with their management or their service delivery or any
• We respond to all complaints, they're prioritized based on environmental risk. or public health risk
• State, investigators in those offices respond to complaints as soon as immediately, 24 hours in some
• cases. and my recollection is no longer than 30 days to get out. and respond to a complaint.
• You can speak to the history of this body of water and how many complaints there's been?

Bills: HB 1089 , HB 1163 , HB 1177 , HB 1238 , HB1318 , HB1400 , HB1407 , HB1532 , HJR7 , HJR7

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Vanessa Puig-Williams, and I lead Environmental Water Program here in Texas, and I am here
• investments in conservation projects, kind of like the... what we went through years ago with environmental
• Williams, and I lead the water program in Texas for Environmental Defense Fund, or EDF.
• There is a large and diverse coalition of stakeholders who support the bill, from ag groups, environmental
• known, is a buyout. national financial institution that is charged with developing and financing environmental

Bills: HB 1089 , HB 1163 , HB 1177 , HB 1238 , HB1318 , HB1400 , HB1407 , HB1532 , HJR7 , HJR7

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Transcript Highlights:

• During historic inflation, I cannot access assistance to build environmentally responsible infrastructure
• Washington's food security depends on helping farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions, market
• Washington's food security depends on helping farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions, food
• security depends on helping farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions, market demands, and
• It also helps to address environmental injustices impacting communities that otherwise lack the resources

Bills: SB6104 , SB6241 , SJM8015 , SB6318

Committee: Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: agriculture, protection, state regulation, farmers, land use, sustainability, steelhead, conservation, wildlife, fishing, environmental protection, federal response, wildfire protection, community safety, infrastructure, natural resources, commercial shellfish, fees, fishing industry, regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• The Environmental Protection Division investigates serious violations of state environmental law and
• undercover operations when investigating violations of civil rights, consumer protection, and environmental

Bills: HB2096 , HB2134 , HB2323

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: confidential identification, investigators, attorney general, security, law enforcement, transportation planning, greenhouse gas emissions, vehicle miles traveled, regional planning organizations, environmental policy, blue envelope program, healthcare, patient privacy, state laws, medical records, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate: House Bill Number 270 by Representatives Hammet and others regarding the Department of Environmental

Bills: SJR 3 , SB 5 , SB 21 , SB 72 , SB 703 , SB 764 , SB 790 , SJR 36 , SJR 3 , SJR 34 , SJR 18 , SCR 9 , SB 616 , SB 565 , SB 384 , SB 5 , SB 21 , SB 72 , SB 140 , SB 262 , SB 370 , SB 372 , SB 495 , SB 627 , SB 703 , SB 764 , SB 842 , SB 971 , SB 790 , SB 767 , SB 480 , SB 1066 , SB 929 , SB 765 , SB 523 , SB 62 , SB 19 , SB 18 , SB 666 , SB 688 , SB 707 , SB 888 , SB 687 , SB 706 , SB 847 , SB 869 , SB 890 , SB 992 , SB 1145 , SB 494 , SB 290 , SB 766 , SB 11 , SB 10 , SB 13 , SB 263 , SJR 3 , SB 5 , SR 172 , SR 176 , SR 177 , SR 190 , SR 193 , SR 194 , SR 202 , SR 203 , SR 208

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, cryptocurrency, bitcoin, investment reserve, economic resilience, financial security, vehicle rental, damage waiver

Transcript Highlights:

• local communities, but throughout the Coastal Bend area. for his role in wildlife resiliency and environmental
• It was named the county seat in 1883 in a environmental policy.
• Engineering and environmental science.

Bills: SJR3 , SB5 , SB21 , SB72 , SB703 , SB764 , SB790 , SJR36 , SJR3 , SJR34 , SJR18 , SCR9 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB5 , SB21 , SB72 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB372 , SB495 , SB627 , SB703 , SB764 , SB842 , SB971 , SB790 , SB767 , SB480 , SB1066 , SB929 , SB765 , SB523 , SB62 , SB19 , SB18 , SB666 , SB688 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB869 , SB890 , SB992 , SB1145 , SB494 , SB290 , SB766 , SB11 , SB10 , SB13 , SB263 , SJR3 , SB5 , SR172 , SR176 , SR177 , SR190 , SR193 , SR194 , SR202 , SR203 , SR208

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, cryptocurrency, bitcoin, investment reserve, economic resilience, financial security, vehicle rental, damage waiver

Bills: SB1246 , SB1510 , SB1979 , SB1929 , SB1930 , SB1976 , HCR1019 , SB1459 , SB1673 , SB1500 , SB1447 , SB1646 , SB2007 , SB1275 , SB2074

Keywords: environmental permitting, Oklahoma, Department of Environmental Quality, public participation, regulatory framework, administered applications, energy, wind energy, financial assurance, property restoration, environmental regulation, mining, blasting, residential protection, buffer zone, Department of Mines, public utilities, electric transmission lines, landowner rights, payment regulations