Keywords: Public Health Joint - Room 216, 28 August, 2025; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Bills: HB 28, SB 3

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses

Transcript Highlights:

• > to committee and the health committee to committee and the health committee to understand<00
• programs and into other uh social safety programs and into other uh social safety networks<00:31
• Alita Borude: ...to affordable and quality health care, regardless of their ZIP code and how they got
• doing this and we are having health doing this and we are having health insurance<01:09:30.799><
• receives the health care and then have receives the health care and then have them<01:21:08.440>

Bills: HF837

Keywords: health insurance, premium security plan, federal funding, state innovation waiver, Minnesota, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, lead us and views and their points.
• :03:14.800> and guide us in everything we say and do and guide us in everything we say and do
• and innovate and embracing modernize and innovate and embracing transformation<00:21:30.640> that<
• <00:29:15.840> the relocating six and and um you know, the relocating six and and um you know
• Thank you. charge of the program and they could and charge of the program and they could and so<00:38

Bills: HB517, HB520, HB233, HB354, HB517, HB520, HB233, HB354

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response

Transcript Highlights:

• And safety, you know, reasonable safety implements that we can do to save a child seem pretty reasonable
• And safety, you know, reasonable safety implements that we can do to save a child seem pretty reasonable
• We don't know and cannot confirm what safety anti-fire measures are used by the towers.
• I'm a Metro-Dade fire investigator and life safety inspector, and I see this bill as a great step in
• So it is an environmental issue, and it's a health issue when people cannot hook up to sewer and they

Bills: S0018, S0028, S0260, S0848, S0934, S1014, S1102, S1264, S1566, S1622, S1724

Keywords: negligence, compensation, child welfare, law enforcement accountability, personal injury, police negligence, law enforcement, monetary compensation, civil rights, city liability, electric vehicle, EV, battery fire, lithium-ion battery, towing, wrecker service, vehicle storage, submerged vehicle, saltwater damage, fire marshal

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills focused on water safety, utilities, housing, transparency, and claims relief. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment was presented as a follow-up to prior water-quality legislation and reported favorably with one support waiver. SB 28, a claims bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, was also reported favorably. CS/SB 658, a bipartisan child-drowning prevention bill for rental properties, drew extensive testimony from child advocacy and drowning-prevention groups in strong support; amendments required rental license applicants to certify compliance and removed local-government add-on authority, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 18, a claims bill involving the estate of a deceased minor and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, prompted questions about settlement and responsibility but was ultimately reported favorably despite opposition from a waiver form. Several utility and infrastructure measures were considered. CS/SB 1724 would regulate municipal utility service outside city limits, limit revenue transfers, require public meetings, and cap rate differences; an amendment added gas utilities, and the bill was reported favorably after testimony from municipal utility representatives and small-county advocates. CS/SB 1014 would require municipal utilities to extend water and wastewater service to certain nearby residential properties without conditioning service on annexation; an amendment narrowed the bill to residential uses and clarified capacity and grandfathering provisions, and it passed favorably. CS/SB 1102 would allow local infrastructure surtax revenue to fund body camera programs, with an amendment making the surtax authorization prospective and requiring a new referendum; it was reported favorably. CS/SB 260 on electric-vehicle storage in towing yards was amended to focus on storage only and to tie the higher fee to the period before fire-risk inspection, then reported favorably after testimony from insurers, fire officials, and EV industry representatives. The committee also advanced education, housing, and ethics-related bills. SB 1264 would ease zoning and code barriers for small private schools and micro-schools, with supporters arguing it would expand school choice and opponents raising implementation concerns; it was reported favorably. SB 934 on Florida Keys areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a tax-exemption section that conflicted with the Live Local Act, then reported favorably. SB 1622 would provide a one-time waiver of late financial-disclosure fines under specified conditions and was reported favorably. Finally, CS/SB 1566 on local government spending and transparency required online posting of budgets and related materials, and an amendment added utility revenue reinvestment and other changes while removing DEI spending restrictions; the bill drew support for transparency but concern from small cities and counties about cost and workload, and it was reported favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment after senators recorded votes on selected bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I chaired Public Health, and it was truly an honor and a pleasure to serve the people of Texas, just
• Hi, I'm Deborah Danberg, and I was staff in the 70s and a member all through the 80s and 90s. from the
• And I love Houston. And we won. The Astros won yesterday.
• And this place is really a lot of fun, and you can move mountains here.
• I'm Tracy King and I served 14 terms and retired on January 14th of this year.

Bills: HR33, HR138, HR200, HR243, HR267, HR307, HR353, HR383, HR443, HR446, HR449, HR451, HR453, HR457, HR459, HR460, HR461, HR462, HR464, HR466, HR467, HR474, HR475, HR477, HR479, HR481, HR482, HR483, HR484, HR486, HR487, HR490, HR491, HR497, HR502, HR505, HR509, HR510, HR511, HR512, HR513, HR515, HR516, HR527, HR531, HR532, HR541, HR542, HR547, HR548, HR549, HR550, HR555, HR557, HR564, HR568, HR574, HR575, HR576, HR577, HR578, HR580, HR584, HR586, HR587, HR588, HR589, HR594, HR595, HR597, HR599, HR606, HR607, HR608, HR609, HR610, HR611, HR612, HR613, HR615, HR616, HR617, HR619, HR620, HCR65, HCR119, HR434, HR447, HR450, HR454, HR455, HR458, HR463, HR476, HR478, HR488, HR489, HR492, HR496, HR499, HR522, HR523, HR524, HR533, HR534, HR535, HR536, HR537, HR539, HR546, HR552, HR553, HR554, HR556, HR579, HR582, HR598

Keywords: autism, neurodiversity, awareness, acceptance, public health, HR 138, H.R. 138, House Resolution, Texas House, 89th Texas Legislature, Susan Christian, Houston Mayor's Office of Special Events, MOSE, retirement resolution, congratulatory resolution, ceremonial resolution, Houston, special events, city events, civic events

Transcript Highlights:

• develop recommendations intended to improve teacher and student safety and accountability through a
• process, and updates safety and health policy by updating epinephrine usage to cover all approved devices
• process and updates safety and health policy by updating epinephrine usage to cover all provided devices
• This legislation enhances safety, transparency, and accountability measures for school districts focused
• at the expense of safety, and dignity should never mean silence."

Bills: S0824, S1170, S1620, S1738, S7036

Keywords: school district, real property, inventory, land use, education, video monitoring, safety, special education, parental rights, public education, school board rights, transparency, employment conditions, nondisclosure agreements, educational facilities, student safety, teacher accountability, physical plant, school design, construction standards

Summary: The Education Pre-K-12 Committee considered several K-12 bills and resolutions. SJR 1104, by Senator Massullo, would place on the ballot a proposed constitutional amendment protecting voluntary religious expression in public schools; supporters said it simply codifies existing law and protects student and employee rights, while opponents warned it could entrench religious pressure and exclusion. The resolution was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 1738, by Senator Yarborough, on educational facilities; an amendment removed crime-prevention-through-environmental-design language and adjusted transparency/safe-space provisions, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. SB 824, by Senator Truenow, was amended into a transparency measure requiring districts to submit annual reports on unimproved land holdings to DOE, and it was reported favorably. Appointments in tabs 7 and 8 were recommended for confirmation. The committee then took up SPB 7036, a comprehensive education package by Chair Simon. The bill would expand educational emergency triggers, adjust Title I withholding uses, align charter school rules with school improvement processes, update safety and early learning provisions, expand literacy and math interventions, and revise educator pipeline policies. Members raised concerns about a provision that could allow the state to develop instructional materials; Simon said that section was still being considered and would need guardrails. The committee adopted a motion to submit the bill as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably. SB 1620, by Senator Leak, proposed a “school board members’ bill of rights” giving board members direct access to district documents and staff, limiting district attorneys’ dual representation, strengthening nepotism rules, and prohibiting nondisclosure agreements. Volusia County school board members and others testified both for and against the bill, with supporters citing transparency and accountability and opponents warning about confidentiality, staff pressure, and undermining the superintendent’s authority. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1170, by Senator Calatayud, as amended, would allow parents of students in self-contained ESE classrooms to request cameras, with district policies governing review, notice, timelines, and appeals. Parents, advocates, and educators testified strongly in support, while one witness opposed it as an unfunded mandate. The committee reported the bill favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm anticipating we'll be taking a look at the compacts that were passed out of House Health and
• We will meet on Saturdays and Health and try to move those along as quickly as possible.
• And then within the Health Sciences Center, they actually have a vice president.
• And then within the Health Sciences Center, they actually have a vice president.
• and required disclosure related to substance use, mental health issues, and other life challenges.

Bills: SB1, SB3

Keywords: interstate medical licensure compact, physician licensure, medical license reciprocity, expedited licensure, medical practice act, New Mexico medical board, compact commission, physician mobility, telemedicine, license portability, background check, disciplinary action, joint investigation, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, scope of practice, medical board transparency, multistate compact, licensure renewal, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• The definition of harm to self, harm to others, and the Mental Health and Development Disabilities Code
• The Chamber views behavioral health as closely tied to public safety, workforce stability, and economic
• The impacts are felt across communities by families, employers, first responders, and the health care
• The Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code is about inpatient civil commitment.
• Chair, mental health, mental disorder is defined, and mental health are.

Bills: SB1, SB3

Keywords: interstate medical licensure compact, physician licensure, medical license reciprocity, expedited licensure, medical practice act, New Mexico medical board, compact commission, physician mobility, telemedicine, license portability, background check, disciplinary action, joint investigation, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, scope of practice, medical board transparency, multistate compact, licensure renewal, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• from the Minnesota Department of Health rule and the CMS claims manual.
• from the Minnesota Department of codes from the Minnesota Department of Health<00:15:48.839> Rule
• Health Rule and the CMS claims Health Rule and the CMS claims manual<00:15:52.519> and<00
• > of<00:40:31.319> Public<00:40:31.520> Safety and uh the Department of Public Safety
• and uh the Department of Public Safety are<00:40:31.920> routinely<00:40:32.400> bringing<

Bills: HF1470, HF1310, HF1837

Keywords: opioids, substance use, addiction recovery, mental health, state cabinet, HF1310, Office of Cannabis Management, cannabis, marijuana, tribal consultation, government-to-government relationship, Minnesota tribes, Tribal governments, state government, consultation, rulemaking, Indian affairs, cannabis regulation, tribal sovereignty, state-tribal relations

Transcript Highlights:

• And And so, that's what this is about.
• And um and so, that's what that's bill.
• And we're in the midst of a mental health crisis, and our young people are suffering.
• And we're in the midst of a mental health crisis, and our young people are suffering.
• And mental health has what gone up 200% since then. So, that may be the problem.

Bills: SB271, HB511

Keywords: SB271, Alabama, municipalities, city fees, town fees, franchise fees, utility franchise, natural gas, manufactured gas, gas utility, public streets, public places, right-of-way, municipal consent, gross receipts tax, license tax, privilege tax, Public Service Commission, PSC, utility regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, while I do not shy away from partisanship, ...public schools, and so while I do not shy away
• but moms who are Republicans and leaders in their party, in their communities, and in this state.
• and reprioritize that money to what matters: teacher pay, school safety, and closing the special education
• And that starts at the top.
• So Texas schools need significantly more money this session to close the school safety funding gap, and

Keywords: education funding, House Bill 5419, zero-based budgeting, public testimony, school safety, special education

Summary: State Representative Gina Hinojosa and a group of parents and education advocates testified in support of House Bill 5419, a zero-based budgeting proposal aimed at reviewing Texas Education Agency spending and redirecting more public education dollars to classrooms. Hinojosa argued that public schools are being weakened by chronic underfunding, teacher shortages, delayed special education services, and inadequate school safety funding, and said the bill would help cut bureaucracy, vendor contracts, and other non-classroom spending in favor of teacher pay, safety, and special education. Several witnesses, including self-identified Republicans and former GOP officials, backed the bill as a good-government measure and said they were crossing party lines because public schools need more direct investment. They criticized TEA growth, vendor contracts, public-private partnerships, and what they described as unfunded mandates from the state, including school safety requirements. One witness said rural districts are being forced into four-day school weeks, while others cited campus closures, deferred maintenance, and local tax increases tied to state funding shortfalls and recapture payments. The discussion also focused on the need for a systematic review of TEA spending and the lack of a sunset review for the agency since before 2005. Hinojosa and others said increasing the basic allotment would help districts, reduce recapture pressures, and prevent local tax hikes. The exchange was primarily a public hearing and advocacy session; no vote or formal committee action was described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• of technology for efficiency and safety.
• We must drive sound policy and regulations to ensure safety, efficiency, and reliability. for all projects
• This ensures a return on our investment and public safety.
• Maintaining and improving our infrastructure is vital to our safety, health, and prosperity. for all
• safety, and resilience.

Keywords: Texas, Infrastructure Report Card, ASCE, population growth, climate change, investment, public safety, engineering standards

Summary: The meeting focused on the release of the 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card, highlighting key findings and recommendations for improving infrastructure across various sectors in the state. Julie Jones, Vice President of ASCE Texas, opened the session by introducing key speakers, including Dr. Art Wood and committee co-chairs Griselda Gonzalez and Austin Mazzarelli. Throughout the discussion, the report's grades were revealed, showing the state's infrastructure received an overall grade of 'C'—adequate but requiring significant attention and investment. Emphasis was placed on the rising challenges posed by climate change and increased population growth, underscoring the need for strategic investments in infrastructure to support Texas' economic growth and public safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• around the state that are teaching safety individuals from various companies about safety and improving
• I'm CEO of Elevate Brain Injury and Mental Health.
• We pass our DOT safety audits, we have a formal safety plan, and we employ a full... time mechanic to
• I'm President of Research and Planning Consultants, and we do analysis of reasonable value of health
• services for plaintiff and defense personal injury attorneys, healthcare providers, and health plans.

Bills: HB4806

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It amends Chapter 18 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to conform the statute.
• It also allows health care providers and facilities, through the affidavit and counter-affidavit process
• Then they'll come in and do their own coding and billing and say this is the rate that it really should
• When you have health insurance, state and federal rules force providers to submit clean, coded claims
• The second way is in the Pater and Curd portion, Chapter 41.

Bills: HB4806

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course, the general curriculum code that's in... in the statute lays out a general code for what
• , safety, and well-being of our communities.
• I work at Dell Medical School, and I also teach their health equity curriculum.
• in fields like health care and education where we already face shortages.
• Improving college accessibility and addressing the health care shortages is at risk.

Bills: SB 37

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• assign primary importance to the safety and well-being of the child and domestic violence victim, including
• assign primary importance to the safety and well-being of the child and domestic violence victim, including
• Really, this should be about health care and women's health and not about child support.
• That is basic child safety. Children deserve courts that... ...and reliable, not radical.
• presumptively relevant to the safety of the child and the fitness of the parent.

Bills: HB2041, HB2144, HB2239, HB2321, HB2371, HB2594, HB2661, HB2662, HB2793, HB2968, HB2995

Keywords: child neglect, financial resources, behavioral health, Christian Science treatment, parental rights, child support, preborn children, retroactive support, medical expenses, child welfare, child care, grant program, low-income, early learning, infrastructure, economic growth, security freeze, credit reporting, dependent children, parental notification

Bills: HB 842, HB 1907, HB 2844, HB 2892, HB 3439, HB 4211, HB 4536, HB 5111, HB 5138, HB 5182, HB 5247, HB 5269, HB 5323, HB 5435, HJR 201, SB 871, HB 3896, SJR 40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill creates a new chapter in the property code, Chapter 223, titled Business Entity-Owned Residence
• Currently, Chapter 2258 of the Government Code governs the enforcement of prevailing wage laws. and publicly
• Well, if you look at that area of code that's being updated, it talks about investigations and prosecutions
• and stuff, and ID you want there, fingerprints and, I mean, what?
• You're testifying on behalf of the Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club, and you're for the bill.

Bills: HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• and safety. ...for the patrons of these food trucks.
• both health standards and small businesses.
• Services and rules involve multiple health permits, redundant inspections, and stacked fees.
• What we're really looking for is to have this one permit that has a uniform health and safety standard
• If they just have one uniform standard to meet, that still protects the health and safety of their customers

Bills: HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties