Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance... 29 30 Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas.
• of Texas Permian Basin.
• Community Action Agencies strengthen Texas communities in times of disaster. disaster, and economic challenges
• Longhorn field Texas back then Texas Memorial Stadium from Freer, Texas and I grew up 24 miles If you're
• At University of Texas.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , petrochemical refining, and economic development.
• Uh, and Rustin Stewart and also representing the Frisco Economic Development Corporation, Jason Ford
• For 100 years, NIFA, Texas has been advancing the well-being of Texans and strengthening the economic
• state has developed a plan to address kidney disease and the Texas Renal Coalition continues its vital
• The Texas Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force has developed a state plan to address chronic kidney disease

Transcript Highlights:

• development.
• program to economic development.
• development.
• development.
• Senate Bill 1606 by Hinojosa of Nueces, relating to the authority of the Texas Water Development Board

Summary: The Senate convened, adopted a motion by Senator Zaffirini to suspend Senate Rule 11.13 so committees could meet during the reading and referral of bills, and then proceeded to first reading and committee referral of a large number of measures. The bills covered a wide range of topics, including judicial qualifications, alcohol sales at racing facilities, health care provider participation programs, abandoned land receiverships, local mental health authority governance, school trustee employment eligibility, DFPS review procedures, groundwater district management plans, early voting by mail, contracts with companies from foreign adversaries, wastewater permitting, nondisclosure provisions involving child sexual abuse, child abuse reporting, veterans’ claims assistance, hotel occupancy tax collection by accommodations intermediaries, apprenticeship grants, Sunset Commission renaming, health care entity ownership reporting, firearms and school trespass offenses, water trust and water bank issues, construction contract trust funds and payments, Medicaid recoupment, colonia real estate contracts, epinephrine use in schools, forensic analyst apprenticeship training, online ticket sales disclosures, and public water system security incident reporting. The chamber also received and read several resolutions, including SCR 27 authorizing burial of Guy Herman in the State Cemetery, SCR 28 urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment on regulating money in campaigns and ballot measures, SCR 29 designating El Paso as the official boot capital of Texas, and multiple joint resolutions. Those included proposals on county tax exemptions for rainwater harvesting and graywater systems, creation of a Texas Health Care Workforce Education Fund, authorization of sports wagering, dedication of state tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund, a statewide referendum on standard time versus daylight saving time, and clarification of impeachment-trial and removal provisions for public officers. After the readings and referrals, the Senate adjourned until 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 11.

Transcript Highlights:

• Economic development is critical.
• I'm on the Economic Development Commission or group up here, and water is critical for economic development
• I'm the director of the Quest to Economic Development Fund.
• So yes, Texas may be making very different economic development decisions and taking on their...
• So yes, Texas may be making very different economic development decisions and taking on their own provisions

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• refining, and economic development. home to very cherished traditions such as the Texas Skater Fest,
• We have Frisco City Council members Laura Rummel and John Keating from the Frisco Economic Development
• For a hundred years NYFA Texas has been advancing the well-being of Texans and strengthening the economic
• then the state has developed a plan to... address kidney disease, and the Texas Renal Coalition continues
• The Texas Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force has developed a state plan to address chronic kidney disease

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In Texas and South Texas...
• leadership and development, then on to the University of Texas Law School, where I graduated with honors
• In short, we changed the game in Texas.
• Let's turn to rural development.
• SNAP is a rural development tool.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2974 to Economic Development. HB 35.
• HB 2974 to Economic Development. HB 30151 to Health and Human Services. HB 318 to Jurisprudence.
• HB 4396 to Economic Development.
• HB 4396 to Economic Development. HB 43413 to Natural Resources. HB 4580 to Local Government.
• HB 4868 to Economic Development. HB 5154 to Education K through 16.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a House message announcing passage of HB 4 on public school accountability and assessment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, adopted SR 520 honoring Rosser Coke-Newton Sr. for his biography of former Governor Richard Coke, and adopted SR 518 recognizing Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day, with remarks focused on the impact of moral injury on veterans and first responders. The Senate later adopted SR 395 honoring the ninth class of Governor William P. Clements, Jr. Scholars, and several other resolutions were adopted by voice vote, including college savings awareness recognition and other member-sponsored recognitions. The body then took up several bills and resolutions on the floor. HB 3307, allowing online continuing education for arbitrators in property tax appeals, passed unanimously after suspension of the rules and the three-day rule. HB 913, renaming and reorganizing certain state hospitals, and HB 2970, governing the Gulf Coast Protection District and coastal barrier design, also passed unanimously. HJR 1 and HB 9 advanced a proposed constitutional amendment and statutory change to raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000; both measures passed, with HJR 1 receiving one no vote and HB 9 passing unanimously after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed HB 1151, which limits child removals and termination of parental rights based solely on parental medical treatment decisions, and HB 116, which revises grounds for involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship by removing the “O grounds” and requiring support from financially able parents whose rights were terminated. HB 1899 lowered the age for pyrotechnic operator licenses and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18. SB 1285, as amended, passed to protect bats by prohibiting entombment while preserving removal options from unoccupied spaces, and SB 2847 passed to promote innovations in core curriculum for faster bachelor’s degrees. On criminal justice, SJR 87, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail for certain repeat violent felony offenders, passed after two floor amendments clarifying due process and representation language; Senator Eckhardt spoke against it on final passage, arguing it lacked judicial discretion and a clear-and-convincing standard. SB 3073, requiring magistrates to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings, also passed. Later, SB 128, requiring hospitals to report suspected child abuse-related information to HHSC, advanced on a divided vote, and SB 2619 and SB 2972 passed on public school accountability and expressive activities at public colleges, respectively, with Senator Eckhardt opposing SB 2972 as too restrictive on campus protest rights. The chamber also heard extended debate on HB 21, targeting “traveling” housing finance corporations and their use of tax exemptions for apartment projects, with supporters arguing it curbs abuse of the tax code and critics warning about unintended effects on affordable housing; the discussion continued with questions but no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• , specifically brackish zones are the next water development phase in Texas to meet the water challenges
• Brackish zones are the next water development phase in Texas to meet the water challenges of the future
• And create that economic activity. No doubt.
• development office.
• Development.

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:

• , one of the most powerful engine in economic growth.
• Texas' current rate is 5%.
• During a Senate Committee on Economic Development on April 14th, there was a miscommunication by the
• In Texas, only private aircraft still pay sales tax on parts.
• I represent the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas is a great state.
• It was a need from the state of Texas, as identified by the Texas... Child...
• People across the state of Texas thought were some ideas that we could do in Texas to bolster the mental
• The Texas Child Mental Health Care.
• It's let a local organization build that those foster families develop. that and develop residential

Keywords: budget, House Bill 1, public education, healthcare, border security, federal funding, spending limits

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming biennium, with substantial discussions around House Bill 1 and its implications for public education, healthcare, and border security. The Comptroller presented a revenue overview indicating a total of $194.6 billion available for general purpose spending, which reflects a slight decrease compared to previous years due to fluctuating economic conditions. Members raised questions regarding spending limits and the impact of federal funding on state programs, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of funding in light of potential changes at the federal level.

Transcript Highlights:

• To date, over 100 Texas Animal Health Commission livestock inspectors, along with other Texas Animal
• So Texas A&M AgriLife continues to develop educational materials.
• Texas A&M AgriLife continues to develop educational materials.
• Rollins, USDA APHIS, Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife Service, Texas A&M AgriLife
• On top of that, the white-tailed deer hunting industry in Texas generates over $9 billion in economic

Summary: The joint hearing focused on preparedness for the New World screwworm threat and brought together the House Committees on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism and Agriculture and Livestock. USDA officials, Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, and Texas Animal Health Commission leadership described the pest as a serious risk to livestock, wildlife, rural economies, and beef prices, and emphasized coordination among federal, state, industry, and Mexican partners. Witnesses repeatedly stressed that Texas is currently seeing no confirmed U.S. detections, but that recent confirmed cases in northern Mexico, including Nuevo León, remain a concern because of their proximity to the border. USDA testimony outlined current surveillance and response efforts, including more than 120 screw worm-specific traps along the Texas border and neighboring states, thousands of additional dual-purpose traps, wildlife inspections, weekly coordination with Mexico’s Senasica, and a new USDA New World Screwworm Directorate. Officials said the existing Panama sterile fly facility is maxed out at about 100 million flies per week, while a dispersal facility in Tampico is helping move flies farther north in Mexico. They also described plans for a retrofitted sterile fly facility in Metapa, Mexico, expected to come online in 2026, and a new domestic production facility at Moore Air Base, with phase one targeted for late 2026 or early 2027 and phase two adding substantially more capacity later. Members pressed USDA on timelines, production capacity, the reliability of Mexican reporting, the risk from wildlife, and whether modular or mobile facilities could be deployed faster. USDA said it is also exploring innovative technologies, including a genetically engineered sterile male fly, but that such tools still require EPA review and field validation. Commissioner Miller highlighted Texas biosecurity efforts, five permanent inspection stations, cooperation with FDA and EPA on treatments such as Exzolt, and other pest issues affecting Texas agriculture. He also noted research into fly bait and private-sector efforts to speed sterile fly production. Texas Animal Health Commission officials described extensive state preparedness work, including weekly coordination calls, field response trainings, outreach to producers and veterinarians, and a Texas Screwworm Response Team. They said Texas has trained more than 100 inspectors and other personnel, with additional trainings planned, and that the state is expanding its cattle fever tick rider program. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing; the main action was the exchange of testimony and questions about readiness, surveillance, and facility timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sure, my name is Adina Lewis, and I'm the director of tourism and economic development for Bastrop County
• House Bill 2996 defines economic economic benefit.
• Economic benefits for the area.
• That's the Texas grid and spirit.
• It leaves Texas farmers like myself and many others, and other Texas manufacturing businesses with no

Transcript Highlights:

• My ultimate goal is to develop a fair and workable Texas-specific formula, something even the Texas elected
• But we need a Texas formula.
• We care about the economic development of our communities, the education, the healthcare services that
• Texas landowner rights.
• Importantly, this bill is a first step toward developing a Texas-specific rate formula.

Transcript Highlights:

• My ultimate goal is to develop a fair and workable solution. workable Texas-specific formula, something
• Texas is coming to the forefront now because Texas is deploying billions to close the digital divide.
• service we care about; we care about the economic development of our communities, the education, and
• Across the state of Texas.
• Importantly, this bill is a first step toward developing a Texas-specific rate formula.

Bills: HB3445, HB3448

Keywords: telecommunications, electric cooperative, rights-of-way, infrastructure, provider access, right-of-way, pole attachment, regulatory access, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The gentleman from Texas is recognized. >> Mr.
• THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED. >> MR.
• The gentleman from Texas is recognized. >> Mr.
• Think about the immense economic value and economic opportunity created in this country by individuals
• THINK ABOUT THE IMMENSE EPIC ECONOMIC VALUE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CREATED IN THIS COUNTRY BY INDIVIDUALS

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then Texas sued New Mexico in 2013 in the U.S.
• I don't see that in your comments where you said if we want to do any economic development and pump groundwater
• Senator to Texas.
• I mean, you just said we have to ask Texas for any economic benefit.
• But at the end of the day, if Texas...

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• Texas Water Code.
• The chair calls, uh, Elizabeth McGee, Texas Land USA for the bill.
• Here now calls Trey Larry, uh, Texas Land USA LLC for the bill.
• Texas pedestrian traffic deaths increased by 20%.
• development in these underserved neighborhoods of our community.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I know in economic development we use a whole acronym.
• As we're proceeding with our economic development efforts in the state, they have made that loud and
• We're here to talk about developing New Mexico's geothermal energy as economic development.
• Lots and lots of opportunities for sustainable economic development.
• To really give us these detailed answers, particularly in the realm of economic development and development

Transcript Highlights:

• For the Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development, HB 3707 by Jessica Gonzalez, relating
• Development.
• This bill is referred to the Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development.
• HB 3781 by McLaughlin relates to the provision of financial assistance from the Texas Water Development
• Board for the development of certain products in economically distressed areas, for the Committee on

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have the list of the 12 that have been approved, but Adriana Cruz with our economic development
• My name is Adrienne Cruz, and I'm the executive director of the Texas Economic Development and Tourism
• In my 18 counties, it doesn't matter when or where the conversation about economic development comes
• In my 18 counties, it doesn't matter when or where the conversation about economic development comes
• We’re here today to support the work of the economic development and tourism office and ask that you

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee began with Article I budget items for the Secretary of State. LBB staff outlined recommendations that would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million, including changes to HAVA funding, removal of one-time business system replacement money, and a rider directing the agency to use Fund 5095 first. Secretary Jane Nelson and staff then defended several exceptional items, especially additional staffing for elections and business filings, a new website, digitization of records, cybersecurity tools, and renovation of the James Earl Rudder Building. Members focused heavily on election administration, cross-checking voter rolls, Harris County complaints, call-center response times, and whether online voter registration should be expanded. No votes were taken; the discussion was informational and budget-focused. The committee then heard the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB presented a recommended $2.4 million decrease for the governor’s office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs driven by one-time funding and unexpended balances, while still preserving major border security funding and victim assistance funding. Governor’s staff emphasized Texas’ economic growth, the importance of border security, and efforts to seek federal reimbursement for the roughly $11 billion Texas has spent on border operations. Members discussed whether shifting National Guard deployment to federal control could reduce state costs, and they also reviewed the music incubator program, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and the semiconductor innovation consortium. Staff highlighted a $5 million late-added request for grants to protect nonprofits from violence and terrorism. Again, the exchange was largely explanatory, with no formal action. Finally, the committee took up the Texas Facilities Commission and lease payments for revenue bonds. LBB recommended major reductions overall, including removal of border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, but added money for higher utility costs, renovation of the Rudder Building, and additional facilities staff. George Purcell also noted stable maintenance-and-renewal funding and new riders related to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission building, tenant communications, and space utilization. For lease payments, LBB recommended a smaller appropriation tied to revenue-bond costs allocated across agencies. The discussion was informational, with members asking about the Rudder Building renovation, border wall progress, and capital complex construction timelines; no votes were recorded.