Transcript Highlights:

• Gleason is a graduate of the governor's executive development program at the University of Texas at Austin
• And we're in this nexus between needing to ensure reliability while not wanting to hurt economic development
• And we're in this nexus between needing to ensure reliability while not wanting to hurt economic development
• The goal there, what we're solving for is, again, you want all that economic development here.
• We want this economic development here, but it needs to be done in a managed way so that we are sure

Summary: The Senate Committee on Nominations held its final nomination hearing of the session and considered three nominees: J.B. Goodwin for the Texas Real Estate Commission, Courtney Yaltman for the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and Thomas Gleason as PUC chairman. Goodwin described his long career in real estate and charitable work, and senators questioned him extensively about the Real Estate Commission’s self-directed, semi-independent status, housing affordability, institutional homebuyers, property insurance costs, disclosure issues, and the Burnett v. National Association of Realtors case. Yaltman and Gleason were questioned about PUC oversight of ERCOT, post-Winter Storm Uri reforms, utility resilience and vegetation management after Hurricane Beryl, water and telecommunications oversight, staffing and transparency, and rising infrastructure and utility costs. Much of the discussion focused on housing and utility affordability, with several senators urging the nominees to keep consumer protection and public trust at the forefront. Goodwin said housing affordability and large-scale investment purchases were not within the Real Estate Commission’s direct purview, though he supported further study. Yaltman and Gleason said the PUC had increased oversight of ERCOT, improved communication and accountability with utilities, and was working on resiliency plans, rate-setting issues, and infrastructure planning while trying to avoid overburdening ratepayers. The committee first voted to favorably report nominees left pending from the May 5 agenda by a 6-0 roll call vote. After public testimony was opened and closed, the committee then voted on the nominees heard that day and favorably recommended all three to the full Senate for confirmation by a 7-0 vote. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if it's economic and it does save consumers money, hopefully it will. ...horizon, and if it's economic
• All new economic development projects are highly energy intensive, and what we do now, and what has worked
• at the South Texas Project.
• projects with an eye toward Texas.
• projects with an eye toward Texas.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• making awards for research development making awards for research development demonstration<02:18
• The gentleman from Texas, uh, Mr.
• <02:26:31.520> seek Texas seek Texas seek recognition<02:26:33.640> uh<02:26:33.760>
• that development in rural America.
• <03:14:11.720> has gentlem from Texas has gentlem from Texas has recognized<03:14:13.439><

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 24, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a major economic development tool because people ask me, why would you want the heavy Mexican
• To put that in perspective, two other very important economic development industries in the state are
• Continue to work with Arrowhead Center and the Center for Border Economic Development at NMSU to keep
• So that is a major economic development.
• to bring in economic development.

Transcript Highlights:

• And now our Texas flag.
• Refer to the Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development. HB 618 by.
• Development.
• Economic Development, HB 720 by Flores, relating the ketamine treatment grant program for ketamine clinics
• Based on a criminal offense referred to the Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development,

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Responsibility of the priority designation from a local workforce development board to the Texas Workforce
• development.
• While simultaneously driving economic growth for Texas, we strongly urge the committee to support House
• Texas has always led the nation in job creation and economic growth.
• Members, we have a resource witness from the director of workforce development with Texas Workforce Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• The substitute that we will vote on today makes strategic investments to ensure that Texas' economic
• Water Development Board for the economically distressed areas.
• development programs.
• There are $30 billion in all funds at the Texas Department of Transportation for project development
• Arc of Texas. Arc of Texas? Okay, I did miss that at the beginning. Thank you very much. OK.

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All of our development happens out of Houston, Texas.
• for autonomous vehicle developers coming and wanting to do business in Texas, ensuring that they could
• , Texas, to San Antonio, Texas.
• We're working with the New Mexico Environmental Department and the Economic Development Department.
• Right, but there are these workhorse industrial roads that are vital to our economic development and

Transcript Highlights:

• Camacho developed a deep appreciation for the people of South Texas and a passion for primary care management
• Senate Bill 825 aims to provide Texas lawmakers with comprehensive, data-driven insights into the economic
• Texas lawmakers with comprehensive, data-driven insights into the economic, environmental, and financial
• These developments threaten the integrity of lawful fuel trade, economic investment, and infrastructure
• in Texas.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Jim Harris of Tilden Baptist Church, followed by remarks from Senator Zaffirini recognizing his service and retirement as an agricultural teacher. The chamber also received a message from the governor on appointments to the Coastal Water Authority Board of Directors. Senators then adopted SR 434 honoring Goodwill Industries of San Antonio’s 80th anniversary, with Senators Gutierrez, Menendez, and Zaffirini praising its workforce training and second-chance employment mission; SR 435 recognizing Dr. Christine Ramos Camacho as Doctor of the Day; and a group of additional resolutions adopted by voice vote. Senator Zaffirini also introduced the McMullen County Day delegation, and Senator Gutierrez introduced the Doctor of the Day. The Senate then took up and passed several bills. SB 1951 addressed penalties for late property rendition filings and removed a financial incentive for appraisal districts; SB 1261 related to financing water supply projects in the state water plan; SB 1620 created a Texas Forensic Analyst Apprenticeship Pilot Program; SB 530 updated higher-education accreditation rules; SB 2183 standardized fireworks sales periods statewide; SB 2368 strengthened the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act and added foreign-affiliation safeguards for electricity market participants; SB 1398 limited children without placement (CWOP) practices and added community-based care transparency; and SB 1960 established digital replication rights for voice and visual likenesses. Each of these bills advanced through suspension of the regular order, passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage, with recorded votes generally showing strong support and some opposition on a few measures. The chamber also debated SB 825, which would require an annual study of the economic, environmental, and financial impacts of illegal immigration. Senators Middleton, Hinojosa, Gutierrez, and Eckhardt debated whether the study should include positive as well as negative impacts; an amendment to require that broader analysis failed, and the bill was left pending after passage to engrossment. Other measures passed included SB 2010, prohibiting political subdivisions from operating guaranteed income programs; SB 546, requiring reporting and continued implementation of school bus seat belts; SB 586, establishing the Historical Texas Cemetery designation program; SB 1150, requiring inactive oil and gas wells to be plugged or returned to production under a compliance plan; SB 1184, lowering the minimum age of wine eligible for sale by wine collection sellers; SB 2185, clarifying bilingual education allotment funding; SB 1923, making child support follow the child in certain temporary placements; SB 2252, expanding early literacy and numeracy supports and screening tools; SB 1870, barring local decriminalization of drugs; and SB 2405, the major TDCJ sunset bill, which included facility planning, parole and rehabilitation reforms, and an amendment protecting parole board discretion. Most of these bills were adopted after floor amendments and passed with recorded votes, often along party-line or near-party-line divisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a Texas.
• Uh, my own research looked at economic development in the lower left-hand corner here and broadband,
• Greg Conti, director of the Broadband Development Office with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
• Uh, Texas, uh, seems to have gotten off to a slow start with its broadband development office.
• timeline for Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• architectural firm in Lubbock, Texas.
• Um, according to the Texas Council on Family Violence's Honoring Texas Victims Report, in 2023, 205 Texans
• HB 11 ultimately aims to reduce economic and professional barriers, enhancing Texas workforce efficiency
• and economic competitiveness.
• This legislation though is not just good for businesses in Texas, it's essential for our continued economic

Transcript Highlights:

• So Texas A&M. MagriLife continues to develop educational materials.
• I mean, this fly is going to reach Texas, if not this winter, because in winter It slows down the development
• Animal Health Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife Service, Texas A&M, AgriLife, Texas Tech University
• economic impact to the state.
• and our Texas Texas livestock marketing Texas Livestock Marketing Legislative Advisory Group provides

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that the House grant permission for the Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development
• The Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development will meet today at 11 a.m. in Room 1W.14,
• HB 2091 by Martinez, relating to the provision of financial assistance by the Texas Water Development
• Texas Future Fund Investment Review Board, and permissible investments by the Economic Stabilization
• the Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, led the pledges, and approved a series of routine motions, including excusing absent members and granting permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. Members also adopted several memorial and recognition resolutions, including H.R. 1023 honoring Christian Beerbill, H.R. 1033 recognizing International Bereaved Mother’s Day, and H.R. 877 recognizing Urban League Advocates Day. The House also recommitted SB 17 and HB 4211 to committee and postponed SCR 27 and HB 2145 for later consideration. The chamber then took up a long third-reading calendar of bills covering a wide range of topics, including Sunset review measures, health care workforce and pricing, child custody and family law, Medicaid, rural ambulance grants, energy reporting, public information requests, trail development, virtual meeting disruptions, occupational licensing, protective orders, county leave pools, animal cruelty, infrastructure, and higher education. Most bills were explained briefly by their authors and passed with broad support, though several drew notable opposition, including HB 5265, HB 2402, HB 3000, HB 3237, HB 3326, HB 1056, HB 281, HB 3308, HB 1043, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 294, HB 809, HB 334, HB 2037, HB 285, HB 1353, HB 3960, HB 4044, HB 4264, HB 2807, HB 3349, HB 4406, HB 1593, HB 1899, HB 1201, and others. Several bills prompted extended debate or amendments. HB 3237, extending public energy-use reporting for state and higher-education buildings, passed after questions about its public-sector-only scope and energy savings. HB 3326, addressing public service loan forgiveness credit for adjunct professors, initially failed on a 69-70 vote but later passed after verification and machine corrections. HB 3211, concerning optometrists in managed care plans, adopted a Buckley amendment before passing. HB 2213 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association board composition adopted a Metcalf amendment requiring certain board members to be Texas residents. HB 412, dealing with harmful materials and sexual performance of a child, generated extensive questioning about its scope, existing legal standards, and effects on educators and medical professionals; the excerpt ends during that debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• For developers, this has real economic impacts.
• For developers, this has real economic<00:08:07.680> impacts.
• economic impacts. economic impacts.
• research on a range of economic issues. research on a range of economic issues.
• in Texas has ruled um just last month. in Texas has ruled um just last month.

Bills: HB69, HB114, HB161

Keywords: firearms, possession, Class 1 municipalities, criminal penalties, federal law, stolen firearms, prohibited persons, HB114, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset bill, Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama, dental board, dental licensing, dentist regulation, professional licensing, occupational licensing, healthcare regulation, licensure board, state agency continuation, agency sunset review

Transcript Highlights:

• And now as we honor the Texas flag, honor the Texas flag.
• Development.
• for the Committee of Trade Workforce and Economic Development.
• HB 3781 by McLaughlin leading to the provision of financial assistance from the Texas Water Development
• Board for the development of certain products in economically distressed areas or for the Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 405 to Economic Development. House Bill 554 to Local Government.
• House Bill 2898 to Economic Development. House Bill 2885 to State Affairs.
• House Bill 2898 to Economic Development. House Bill 2960 to State Affairs.
• House Bill 3260 to Economic Development. House Bill 3308 to State Affairs.
• House Bill 4233 to Economic Development. House Bill 4264 to Finance.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received the House message that HB 35 had passed, and heard a gubernatorial message submitting Trinity River Authority board appointments for Senate confirmation. The chamber also adopted a slate of Senate resolutions by voice vote and later postponed reading and referral of bills and resolutions until the end of the calendar. Several members introduced bills with brief explanations before the Senate took them up under suspension of the regular order. The body then considered and passed a series of measures, often by wide margins, including SB 2846 on wildlife disease control and quarantine authority; CS SB 1224 requiring school superintendents or directors to report certain employee misconduct to local law enforcement; CS SB 2310 on transparency for degree and transfer requirements at public colleges; SB 1502 limiting school districts’ ability to exceed voter-approval tax rates after a failed TRE; CS SB 1141 on notice requirements before full adversary hearings in child-protection cases; CS SB 2568 exempting certain flood-control reservoirs from TCEQ permitting; SB 1524 on confidentiality of information about weapons in foster homes; CS SB 2925 creating a task force on modernizing manufacturing; CS SB 2269 on dispute resolution and enforcement for long-term care facilities; CS SB 1266 on Medicaid provider enrollment and disenrollment notices; SB 243 on migrant labor housing standards; SB 2200 on overweight vehicles transporting hazardous materials; CS SB 2480 on the Texas Physician Health Program; CS SB 1585 restricting government contracts with companies tied to foreign adversaries; CS SB 2357 establishing maternal health training; and SB 1551 requiring accessible AED placement in public schools. The Senate also debated more contested bills. CS SB 2019, which would extend vaccine exemption rules to medical and veterinary students, advanced only partway after a divided vote. CS SB 1442, directing a study on veterinary telemedicine relationships, and CS SB 1241, which would allow the Higher Education Coordinating Board to study alternative college entrance exams, prompted extended questioning about agency authority and whether changes should return to the legislature before taking effect. CS SB 2753, which would integrate early voting and election day voting into a single in-person voting period, was amended and passed to engrossment despite opposition. CS SB 2201, dealing with gang and foreign terrorist organization intelligence databases, and CS SB 2514, creating a DPS hostile foreign adversaries unit, drew detailed debate over civil liberties and national security. CS SB 2422, aimed at limiting Texas Medical Board discipline related to COVID-19 treatments and practices, also advanced after lengthy discussion and a close vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• All new economic...
• Projects, economic development projects are highly energy-intensive, and what we do now has worked to
• Those outside Austin and rural Texas are being forced out.
• at the South Texas Project.
• in Texas.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas home today.
• It was a need from the state of Texas, as identified by the Texas... mortality child with the maternal
• And then workforce development.
• The Texas Child Mental Health Care.
• It's let a local organization build that those foster families develop. that and develop residential

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Certification and workforce development in Texas public schools.
• Five years from now, I hope Texas is recognized as a national model for recruiting, developing, and retaining
• You got the economically disadvantaged and the non-economically disadvantaged.
• In Texas, only 9.4%.
• Schools, therefore, serve as one of the largest drivers of economic stability, workforce development,

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we will start with all of the Article 7 business and economic development agencies. communities
• For Texas homebuyers, an issue about $450 million in conduit bonds for multifamily development.
• development growth or this is the impact on GEP in the state of Texas.
• That's not a conversation about what the economic development is.
• Texas Appleseed, Texas CASA, and Texas Network of Youth Services worked with legislators to pass this

Keywords: 1184, house, all