Transcript Highlights:

• And the family or business outside the Capitol.
• Then we passed it again this session to provide that uniformity and that safety and that security for

Bills: SB15, SB9, SB7, SB1, SB2, SB67, SB15, SB9, SB7

Keywords: real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap

Transcript Highlights:

• This particularly affected employees in higher turnover roles such as those here at the Capitol, where
• Mainly bonds and other fixed income securities, although it can do equities as well and actually can

Bills: HB104

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tax rate election, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, de minimis rate, local government, special district, tax increase, tax notice, public hearing, tax code, Health and Safety Code, Texas property taxes, taxing unit, election threshold, two-thirds vote, majority vote, budget approval

Transcript Highlights:

• She secured critical funding for roads, rail, and airports that moved our communities forward. ...region
• We've had flags flown over the Capitol for each family, which we'd like to present to you.

Bills: HCR114, HB137, HB283, HB1398, HB1960, HB2153, HB2431, HB2638, HB2699, HB2999, HB3208, HB3389, HB3413, HB3510, HB3642, HB3859, HB3974, HB3986, HB4142, HB4173, HB4174, HB4542, HB4605, HB4663, HB4731, HB5064, HB5216, HB5218, HB5332, HB5453, HB5577, HB137, HB283

Keywords: memorial, pedestrian bridge, Houston, Sergio Ivan Rodriguez, city council, oversize vehicles, transportation permits, Hidalgo County, port authority, highway routes, healthcare, insurance, mental health, treatment access, state funding, transportation, axle weight, aggregates, regulations, Texas law

Transcript Highlights:

• dealing with fees and other costs, ensured there was access to information, and also made sure the security
• I'm here in the Capitol for another reason, but I was asked to review the bill by somebody at AARP, and

Summary: The committee first adopted its rules, which were distributed in the same form as the prior session’s rules. Members then took up several bills, beginning with SB 711, an HOA/condominium association bill that would extend and conform property-owner protections to condominium associations; the bill’s author and a Community Associations Institute representative testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 942 would allow child support and certain prenatal/postnatal medical expenses to be calculated from the date of conception rather than birth; it drew supportive testimony from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Attorney General’s Child Support Division, and was also left pending after testimony. SB 1448, an estates and probate cleanup bill, would require transfer of original wills by qualified delivery, add notice and electronic-order requirements for statutory probate courts, and make other clarifications; it received supportive testimony from the Texas Real Estate and Probate Institute and was left pending. The committee also heard SB 1403, the Attorney General’s Title IV-D child support modernization bill, which updates notice, review, remote-hearing, and administrative-process provisions and clarifies several enforcement and evidence rules; the AG’s office testified that it would improve efficiency, and the bill remained pending. SB 1404 would allow courts to require an email address in final SAPCR orders when other contact information is nondisclosed and clarify service and judgment requirements; the Attorney General’s office described it as a good-government measure, and it was left pending. SB 1559 would require transfer of protective orders into divorce or custody cases to avoid conflicting orders; family-law practitioners and a family court judge testified that it would resolve longstanding conflicts identified by multiple courts of appeals, and the bill remained pending. Finally, the committee considered SB 746, a guardianship bill that would address conflicts of interest in guardianship proceedings, allow guardian ad litem appointment earlier in the process, and require timely court action on annual guardianship reports and accounts; a committee substitute would remove some provisions and extend a reporting deadline from 20 to 30 days. TREP supported the bill, and one practitioner suggested requiring courts to state reasons when rejecting annual accounts. SB 1536 would require dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain family guardians, with a committee substitute narrowing the scope and reducing the training time from three hours to one; the Alzheimer’s Association supported the measure and the substitute, and the bill was left pending. No bills were voted out of committee during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• shared this morning, which you've shared, 77% of our youth unfit to serve, yes, that's a national security
• showed this to school teachers since 2018 and recently with the classroom teachers coming around the Capitol

Bills: SB 25, SB 314

Keywords: nutrition, health standards, food labeling, education, dietary guidelines, medical education, food safety, school meals, child nutrition, food additives, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• LOT OF SITUATIONS JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE HAS A SEATBELT ON DOESN'T MEAN THE PILLARS SUPPORTING OUR SECURE
• SKILL SET MAY BE NEEDED DIFFERENTLY IN ONE REGION VERSUS THE OTHER IN SOME REGIONS OF SIGNIFICANT CAPITOL

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Edilsa Lopez, and it is so great to be back at the Texas Capitol.
• My name is Edilsa Lopez, and it is so great to be back at the Texas Capitol.
• Luckily, the student was able to secure...
• We have long prioritized border security and border protection and eliminating the magnets that draw
• This legislation doesn't secure our borders. It doesn't fix immigration.

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:

• out if members of the committee are monitoring this hearing, please come to room 444 in the state capitol
• They want to feel secure that they scanned it.
• I personally don't feel comfortable with this, because I just feel like it's an added layer of security
• The bottom line here is that California's elections are already secure, right?
• Social Security payments and savings accounts that were meant to last decades.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Veronica Marshall at the Capitol.
• So, to Capitol for the gorgeous art.
• State Capitol site Capitol's walls.
• Asked makes this Capitol pretty special.
• I for Mira, today the Capitol, tomorrow?

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: This episode of Senate Spotlight focused on several nonpartisan Senate offices and programs that help lawmakers and the public understand the legislative process. It highlighted the Civility Caucus, where Republican Sen. Zach Duckworth and DFL Sen. Grant Hauschild work to build relationships across party lines, especially important in a closely divided Senate and during a bonding year that requires a two-thirds vote for infrastructure spending. Speakers emphasized that the caucus is about civility, empathy, and laying groundwork for future bipartisan work rather than guaranteeing agreement on specific bills. The program also explained how Minnesotans can track legislative activity through the Senate Journal and the fiscal review. Staff described the Journal as a public record of votes, amendments, roll calls, and other actions, useful for checking how senators voted on bills that passed or failed. The fiscal review was presented as a nonpartisan, award-winning summary of the enacted budget, with examples of how readers can find spending details by page and a discussion of plans to make the document more interactive and web-based. Viewers were also directed to the Senate website to look up senators’ contact information and to the Legislature’s bill-tracking system. Another segment covered Senate File 901, a bipartisan bill by Sen. Eric Pratt that funded an equine-assisted therapy program for first responders dealing with trauma. Testimony described how the program has helped police, firefighters, dispatchers, and correctional officers stay on the job and recover mentally, with lawmakers noting its strong support and practical benefits. The episode also featured Senate pages and interns, who described their behind-the-scenes work supporting committee meetings and learning the legislative process, and concluded with a segment on Capitol art and a new public gallery meant to inspire good government and showcase Minnesota artists.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know that the future of all Texans needs to be secured.
• Not only as, you know, water is life, but also on a national security front.
• Not only as, you know, water is life, but also on a national security front.
• Not only as, you know, water is life, but also on a national security front.
• Not only as, you know, water is life, but also on a national security front.

Bills: HB1523, HB2109, HB2694, HB3525, HB3898, HB4646, HB5188, HB5219, HB5320, HB5651, HB5655, HB5659, HB5662, HB5672

Keywords: aquifer conservation, Class V injection well, environmental regulation, groundwater protection, municipal water supply, temporary prohibition, water management, reservoir construction, state water plan, Texas Water Code, environmental impact, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, elections, vacancies, resignation, HB 3525, North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater permit, permit amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• I will save my later introduction on Art at the Capitol because today is Art at the Capitol.
• introduction on Art at the Capitol introduction on Art at the Capitol because<00:08:24.840> today
• So because today is Art at the Capitol.
• Art at the Capitol possible. Art at the Capitol possible.
• And to my team, thank you for planning Art at the Capitol.

Bills: SCR48, SCR28, SCR74, SCR62, SCR60, SCR89, SCR147, SCR179, SCR182, SCR59, SCR54, SCR180

Keywords: affordable housing, housing credits, perpetual credits, development, Hawaii Housing Finance, Vietnam veterans, commemorative medal, recognition, working group, Hawaii, no-bid contracts, emergency procurement, audit, state agencies, public funds, accountability, emergency response, disability access, 911 systems, life-saving measures

Transcript Highlights:

• And then tomorrow, we do have the New Mexico PTA Family Legislative Day at the state capitol from 9:30
• NASA, the Department of War, Homeland Security, Labor, Army, and the Navy.
• Signed and sealed at the Capitol in the city of Santa Fe, Senator Harold J.
• I'm just wondering if you guys have looked at that for the security...
• President, we certainly are concerned about security, but we have not talked about any gated community

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Darlene Brough, AKA Day at the Capitol Co-Chair.
• Senator Miles: ...Coordinator for AKA Day at the Capitol and Chairman, Dr.
• Darlene Breaux, AKA Day at the Capitol Co-Chair, Priscilla Barber, Randall, AKA Day at the Capitol Steering
• It's my honor and privilege to celebrate Brownsville Day with you here at your state capitol.
• It is my honor and privilege to celebrate Brownsville Day with you here at your state capitol.

Bills: SJR36, SB2, SR9, SR10, SR16

Keywords: American Public Works Association, public works, infrastructure, Texas, recognition day, local government, municipalities, APWA, Texas Chapter, community development, engineering, professional recognition, community impact, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Lubbock leadership, recognition, professional achievement, Alpha Kappa Alpha, sorority, social service

Transcript Highlights:

• Very inspiring to see all these medical colleagues here speaking to this issue, coming down to the Capitol
• supports the health and well-being of all who seek obstetric and gynecologic care and advocates to secure
• supports the health and well-being of all who seek obstetric and gynecologic care and advocates to secure
• agents out of the rooms, including calling the police, calling administration, calling hospital security
• , and they have refused to security, and they have refused to leave.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: At this meeting, Senator Matt Klein and a group of Minnesota physicians and medical organizations described what they said was escalating ICE activity in and around hospitals and clinics, and argued it is deterring patients from seeking care and interfering with medical work. Speakers from emergency medicine, pediatrics, the Minnesota Medical Association, obstetrics/gynecology, and family medicine said patients are avoiding appointments, missing follow-up care, and in some cases suffering serious harm because of fear of detention or family separation. They emphasized that emergency departments and other health care settings should remain safe spaces where care is based on medical need, not immigration status. Several speakers gave examples they said showed actual patient harm, including missed prenatal and pediatric visits, delayed treatment leading to sepsis, perforated colon, burst appendix, and a patient with cancer who was detained and moved without medications. Pediatric and OB/GYN speakers focused on trauma to children and families, including fear of bringing children to appointments, requests for home births, and patients refusing transfer for higher-level care. Family medicine and emergency physicians also said staff morale is low, some workers are afraid to come in, and the situation is affecting diverse health care teams across the state. The discussion also touched on legal and policy questions. Speakers said they have tried calling police, hospital administration, and security to remove ICE agents from private patient areas, but reported that agents refused to leave. They said ICE may be allowed in public spaces but should not be in patient rooms or during private exams, and suggested there may be a role for legislation to codify best practices for law enforcement interactions in health care settings. No votes were taken; the meeting consisted of testimony, questions from reporters, and calls for collaboration and for ICE to stop enforcement activity in health care settings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you fall under the Office of Cyber Security for your cyber systems? Madam Chair, we do not.
• The Office of Cyber Security mentioned when we met with them down in Las Cruces that even if you have
• certain agencies that you're working with for cyber security, it's helpful if the Office of Cyber Security
• Having this space available will also allow them to secure governmental contracts.
• Equity and also other funds that they may have secured to finance that particular project.

Transcript Highlights:

• Accountability, housing security, and family choice are essential to building strong schools and strong
• I'll say my experience and the experience of the security teams at our properties is... ...is I think
• I think our clean teams and our security teams actually do a really good job.
• We have 45 security officers and 25 clean team members trying to cover a 1.4 square mile geographic area
• We also contract with law enforcement for extra security patrols, and we have a wild. fire prevention

Bills: HB22, SB250, SB375, SB536, SB845, SB1633, SB1944, SB1957, SB2081, SB2137, SB2262, SB2299, SB2419, SB2452, SB2522, SB2549, SB2594, SB2605, SB2631, SB2639, SB2675, SB3029, SJR60, HB22, HB1392, HB2525

Keywords: emergency communication, broadband, funding, natural disasters, technology, HB 22, Texas broadband development office, comptroller, emergency communications, early warning systems, disaster alerts, natural disaster notifications, interoperable communications, interoperable emergency radio, public safety communications, 9-1-1, next generation 9-1-1, NG911, broadband grants, low-interest loans

Transcript Highlights:

• So on a traditional oil and gas well, we want to make sure that there's enough financial security that
• So on a traditional oil and gas, well, we want to make sure that there's enough financial security that
• We're still requiring financial security on the front end of this stuff.
• So this does not absolve the financial security requirements.
• security requirements.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This month, here, from the Capitol and within these walls... ...we shall know the answer.
• Next, we'll take up your final bill, tab 17: Senate Bill 1472 on public record school security guards
• Senate Bill 1472 on public record school security guards by Senator, Senate Bill 1472 on public records
• for school security guards by Senator Burgess.
• It requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to maintain a list of certified school security

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills and amendments, reporting several measures favorably. Early in the meeting, CS for CS for SB 344 modernizing the Telecommunications Access System Act was approved without opposition. The committee then adopted amendments and passed CS for SB 714 on non-opioid advanced directives, CS for SB 738 updating child care and early learning provider regulation, CS for SB 756 revising health insurance coverage for individuals with developmental disabilities, and CS for CS for SB 1356 creating a Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a newborn genetic testing pilot. Later, the committee also approved CS for SB 1624 on higher education, CS for SB 1626 on child welfare, SB 178 on an agronomic study for emerging crops, SB 1162 on water access facilities and boat ramp parking, CS for CS for SB 958 creating a type 1 diabetes early detection program, CS for CS for SB 1402 expanding dropout retrieval eligibility, SB 774 requiring electronic transmission of certain court orders, SB 1516 creating an international aerospace innovation fund, and SB 994 revising driver education requirements. Most of these bills were reported favorably by roll call votes after brief explanations and, in several cases, amendments. Several measures drew substantive discussion and public testimony. CS for CS for SB 1624 prompted questions about replacing “minority” with “underrepresented,” the role of the Florida Department of Education’s Commission for Independent Education in overseeing private religious postsecondary institutions, and whether the changes could affect access for students at institutions such as FAMU and FIU. CS for CS for SB 1070 on ECGs for student athletes received extensive emotional testimony from parents and advocates describing children lost to sudden cardiac arrest and urging mandatory screenings; the sponsor said the bill would be cost-neutral for districts by encouraging partnerships with screening groups. SB 994 on driver education was discussed as a vehicle to add distracted driving instruction, and the sponsor agreed to work on that issue. SB 774 was presented as a response to a fatal delay in transmitting an ex parte order, with support from clerks and sheriffs. The most extended debate centered on SB 810 on stormwater management systems. The sponsor said the bill, as amended, would narrow annual inspections to infrastructure identified as vulnerable by MS4 entities, but the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, and Florida Stormwater Association warned the proposal could impose major costs and duplicate existing MS4 permit requirements. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact, whether the bill would apply to FDOT or other entities, and whether annual inspections were feasible for large and small jurisdictions alike. Despite those concerns, the sponsor and several members emphasized flood prevention and public safety, and the bill remained under discussion with the sponsor indicating continued willingness to work with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to faculty, student success requires modern, secure facilities and resources.
• We have targeted our efforts in very specific ways, including 36% for campus security infrastructure
• AI is a national security... security imperative.
• Would you all have any problem securing clinical hours? ...rotation in that area.
• Blanchard, welcome to the Capitol. Thank you.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I've watched DPSS social workers present requests like these before a juvenile court judge to secure
• It says ward of the court, they belong to us, and they are counting on us to secure the future because
• Assembly Member, so we are going to recess and reconvene in Capitol Room 113.
• We are going to recess and reconvene in Capitol Room 113.
• We have now reconvened in Room 113 here in the Capitol.

Keywords: 987, senate, all