Bills: SB68 , SB68

Committee: House Urban and Rural Development

Keywords: emergency management, mutual aid, disaster response, local government, political subdivision, public safety, public health, emergency services, first responders, intergovernmental agreements, reciprocal aid, emergency preparedness, local emergency management organization, governing body, liability immunity, Alabama Code 31-9-9, Alabama Code 31-9-11, tribal agreements, federally recognized Indian tribes, state emergency management plan

Transcript Highlights:

• . 🙏🙏🙏 🙏🙏🙏 🙏🙏🙏 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
• Institutions may choose a number of years from within a range of five to 10 years to make.
• Speaker Phelan doing his two-tenths. 10 years extended me the privilege also.
• Speaker, I move to postpone further consideration of House Bill 1775 until 10 a.m.
• The House adjourned until 10 a.m. Thursday. Is there objection?

Bills: SB5 , SJR3 , HB 11 , HJR72 , HB48 , HB27 , HB144 , HB37 , HB1481 , HB581 , HB1696 , HB2216 , HB 1035 , HB1633 , HB742 , HB754 , HB1689 , HB1690 , HB2669 , HB391 , HB517 , HB1775 , HB 1024 , HB1607 , HB252 , HB1716 , HB1562 , HB4116 , HB1866 , HB1741 , HB2103 , HB2637 , HB2884 , HB3707 , HB503 , HB 1089 , HB1757 , HB2986 , HB972 , SB365 , SB1786 , SB5 , SJR3 , HB14 , HB43 , HB36 , HB26 , HB149 , HB 121 , HB206 , HB136 , HB3114 , HB2733 , HB1732 , HB3700 , HB467 , HB 1130 , HB1846 , HB1442 , HB 1147 , HB2176 , HB2701 , HB805 , HB2890 , HB 1154 , HB1644 , HB2118 , HB1718 , HB2488 , HB2596 , HB2468 , HB484 , HB2578 , HB3204 , HB 1041 , HB307 , HB685 , HB538 , HB2525 , HB3125 , HB2027 , HB2894 , HB3077 , HB 106 , HB18 , HB 11 , HJR72 , HB48 , HB27 , HB144 , HB37 , HB1481 , HB581 , HB1696 , HB2216 , HB 1035 , HB1633 , HB742 , HB754 , HB1689 , HB1690 , HB2669 , HB391 , HB517 , HB1775 , HB 1024 , HB1607 , HB252 , HB1716 , HB1562 , HB4116 , HB1866 , HB1741 , HB2103 , HB2637 , HB2884 , HB3707 , HB503 , HB 1089 , HB1757 , HB2986 , HB972

Keywords: dementia, research institute, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, funding, grants, state health initiatives, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, tax exemption, intellectual disability

Transcript Highlights:

• So we really need to be thinking strategically ahead for 10 to 15 years down the road about what DFPS
• On Slide 10, this really has highlights, and I've hit on a couple of these, but these are the transition
• We have seen an increase in kinship placements, and we've experienced a significant improvement of 10%
• A similar thing happened in Region 10 last year.

Bills: SB596 , SB961 , SB1398 , SB1183 , SB1952

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, foster care, child welfare, Family Code, conservatorship, managing conservator, parental child safety placement, authorization agreement, temporary authorization order, child abuse, child neglect, placement reporting, court-ordered removal, investigation, family preservation, transparency, public reporting, data reporting

Bills: SB596 , SB961 , SB1398 , SB1183 , SB1952

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, foster care, child welfare, Family Code, conservatorship, managing conservator, parental child safety placement, authorization agreement, temporary authorization order, child abuse, child neglect, placement reporting, court-ordered removal, investigation, family preservation, transparency, public reporting, data reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• Hotel occupancy taxes under the Texas Tax Code Section 351.004 remain unaffected.
• Restaurants comply with health codes. Home-based businesses get...
• I serve as the managing partner of Code Concepts Group, where my partner and I...
• The Department of Licensing and Regulation has adopted the 2023 National Electric Code.
• Following that code, these systems should be safe.

Bills: HB346 , HB1360 , HB1510 , HB1606 , HB1804 , HB1805 , HB2156 , HB2391 , HB2767 , HB3022 , HB3044 , HB3272 , HB3293 , HB3493 , HB3809 , HB3824 , HJR110 , HB2463

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, Texas Ethics Commission, election reporting, campaign finance, violation categorization, penalties, public disclosure, Texas Utilities Code, electric utility, retail electric provider, municipally owned utility, electric cooperative, vegetation management, tree trimming, line clearance, transmission line

Bills: HB346 , HB1360 , HB1510 , HB1606 , HB1804 , HB1805 , HB2156 , HB2391 , HB2767 , HB3022 , HB3044 , HB3272 , HB3293 , HB3493 , HB3809 , HB3824 , HJR110 , HB2463

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, Texas Ethics Commission, election reporting, campaign finance, violation categorization, penalties, public disclosure, Texas Utilities Code, electric utility, retail electric provider, municipally owned utility, electric cooperative, vegetation management, tree trimming, line clearance, transmission line

Bills: HB7 , HB 100 , HB 121 , HB 124 , HB 1175 , HB1458 , HB2249 , HB7 , HB100 , HB121 , HB124

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: parental rights, public education, Texas Education Agency, TEA inspector general, school grievance process, student records, teacher certification, human sexuality instruction, parental consent, library materials, school transparency, educator misconduct, child abuse reporting, neglect reporting, school safety, charter schools, district of innovation, home school, private school, open-enrollment charter school

Transcript Highlights:

• House District 10, Madison County, Alabama. House District 64, Bald County. Our Clerk, Mary Ruth.
• On page 10, there's a lot of strikethroughs at the bottom.
• It's 10:52 and we have got an 11:30 meeting.
• That'll keep this discussion to about 10 minutes. Mr. ...
• This discussion will take about 10 minutes. Mr. Creps, you're up first.

Bills: HB159 , HB110 , HB114 , HB115 , HB116 , HB123 , HB125

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Keywords: U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, public facilities, space exploration, education programs, bond issuance, Governor involvement, HB110, sunset bill, Alabama Sunset Law, State Board of Medical Examiners, Medical Licensure Commission, medical licensing, physician regulation, healthcare regulation, professional licensing, ethics law, state ethics code, public servants, board members

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:15.200><c> while</c><00:10:15.440><c> the</c><00:10:15.600><c> world's</c><00:10:16.000><c
• service to Iowa County and Iowa.
• To amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, and other federal laws to improve benefits for veterans
• Providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 9237, to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, and
• and 38, United States to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code,<03:37:02.720><c> and</c><03:37:

Bills: HR1181 , HR139 , HB6556 , HB3074

Keywords: Arab American, heritage, cultural recognition, National Arab American Heritage Month, diversity, community contributions, social justice, education, Iran, nuclear, sanctions, JCPOA, global security, U.N. Security Council, weapons proliferation

Transcript Highlights:

• There being 10 ayes, 0 nays, the motion prevails.
• They talk about that. um, every type of technology and especially 10 part of, I mean, 10 key technologies
• 10 miles of the United States border.
• The first one is dealing with the 10-mile.
• Concerned with the 10 mile limitation.

Bills: HB17 , HB34 , HB41 , HB 118 , HB 119 , HB 127 , HB 128 , HB 129 , HB 130 , HB132 , HB133 , HB17 , HB41 , HB118 , HB119 , HB127 , HB128 , HB129 , HB130 , HB132 , HB133

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: foreign ownership, real estate, national security, designated countries, Texas property law, lobbying, foreign adversaries, compensation prohibition, transparency, civil penalties, higher education, foreign adversary, research security, trade secrets, academic partnerships, HB 128, sister city, sister-city agreement, international exchange, municipal diplomacy

Transcript Highlights:

• We are convening, of course, this morning at 10:30. We also have a session beginning.

Bills: HB207 , HB235 , HB324 , HB449 , HB463 , HB502 , HB 1121 , HB1445 , HB1465 , HB1778 , HB1977 , HB2000 , HB2066 , HB2596 , HB207 , HB235

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: child protection, sexual offenses, obscenity laws, visual material, anatomically correct dolls, mannequins, robots, criminal offenses, sexually explicit material, minors, artificial intelligence, sexually explicit, doll, mannequin, robot, law enforcement, healthcare, insurance, affordable care, access

Transcript Highlights:

• Missing a point that we're just adding to this, to the code.
• I think it's the language that's already in that code, but I want to make sure that it's covered.
• All right, and then if we go to... okay, you have the code in front of you. Ms.
• I'm sorry, we refer to it as 3914 because that's the code of criminal procedure. My apologies.
• I'm not terribly familiar with this part of the code, but I know that in the family violence code, there

Bills: HB207 , HB235 , HB324 , HB449 , HB463 , HB502 , HB 1121 , HB1445 , HB1465 , HB1778 , HB1977 , HB2000 , HB2066 , HB2596 , HB207 , HB235

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: child protection, sexual offenses, obscenity laws, visual material, anatomically correct dolls, mannequins, robots, criminal offenses, sexually explicit material, minors, artificial intelligence, sexually explicit, doll, mannequin, robot, law enforcement, healthcare, insurance, affordable care, access

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, starting today, all speeches are limited to 10 minutes and cannot be aired.
• A.002B of the Health and Safety Code. This bill does not change.
• Speaker, I move to postpone further consideration of Senate Bill 562 until 10 a.m.
• We are in the last 10 days of session; there are no extensions. Mr. Speaker? Mr.
• The House adjourned until 10 a.m. Friday. Is there any objection? Chair hears none.

Bills: SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB987 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SCR8 , SB31 , SB33 , SB3 , SB1405 , SB1948 , SB243 , SB20 , SB217 , SB264 , SB269 , SB650 , SB681 , SB528 , SB502 , SB740 , SB916 , SB995 , SB2581 , SB3031 , SB24 , SB2570 , SB1566 , SB552 , SJR1 , SB646 , SB379 , SB1171 , SB1121 , SB1120 , SB1061 , SB1036 , SB1019 , SB890 , SB11 , SB868 , SB1188 , SB1254 , SB2778 , SB2543 , SB2443 , SB1333 , SB1259 , SB1401 , SB1404 , SB2139 , SB2165 , SB2237 , SB2268 , SB1202 , SB1198 , SB1212 , SB1451 , SB1470 , SB1498 , SB965 , SB1547 , SB1667 , SB1818 , SB1902 , SB2129 , SB2078 , SB2069 , SB1737 , SB1589 , SB1318 , SB387 , SB1150 , SB1574 , SB2127 , SB3034 , SB860 , SB1278 , SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB987 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SCR5 , SCR32 , SCR8 , HB3228 , HB2802 , HB45 , HB1318 , HB5560 , HB2894 , HB4344 , HB4238 , HB2775 , HB34 , HB33 , HB 12 , HB148 , HB 130 , HB4273 , HB4850 , HB2733 , HB4783 , SB1833

Keywords: SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights

Transcript Highlights:

• codifies the enabling legislation for the San Antonio River Authority in the Special District Local Laws Code
• We'll be here until 10 o'clock. SB 2850. Explain the bill. Mr. Senator Menendez. Thank you, Mr.
• Thanks to legislation passed in 2012 by this body, the Texas Tax Code allowed landowners to qualify for
• And after we were able to buy it about 10 years ago, we took the terraces out.
• We were able to buy it about 10 years ago.

Bills: HB630 , HB685 , HB1318 , HB2692

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 685, municipal utility rates, water rates, sewer rates, local government code, rate discrimination, tax-exempt entities, sales tax exemption, ad valorem tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, charitable organizations, municipal water service, municipal sewer service, utility billing, public utilities

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with no quorum at the start, but later reached quorum and took up several bills. House Bill 2692, codifying the San Antonio River Authority’s enabling legislation and making non-substantive modernization changes, received brief supportive testimony from the River Authority and was left pending before later being voted out favorably. House Bill 685, which would prevent municipalities from charging higher water or sewer rates to tax-exempt entities than comparable customers, also drew support and was reported favorably. House Bill 1318, clarifying compensation issues when a municipality decertifies part of a retail water utility’s service area, was heard without opposition and passed out of committee. House Bill 630, exempting certain older outboard motors from title requirements, likewise passed and was placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee spent the most time on Senate Bill 2497, relating to filtration systems for certain public drinking water systems. Senator Zaffirini described the bill as a response to ongoing secondary water quality complaints, while TCEQ testified that such contaminants are aesthetic rather than health-based and that the water remains safe to drink if primary standards are met. The Texas Rural Water Association opposed the bill as written, arguing filtration may not solve most water quality problems and could be costly for small systems, while a consumer witness from Floresville supported it and described repeated rate increases and brown water after a filtration system was removed. Members discussed narrowing the bill through a committee substitute and emphasized the need for flexibility and technical expertise; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with Senator Kolkhorst later asking to be recorded as voting no. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2850, which would create a pollinator task force to study habitat loss, public education, and best practices for protecting bees and other pollinators. Senator Menendez and invited witness Erica Thompson of Texas BeeWorks highlighted major colony losses and the economic importance of pollinators to Texas agriculture, and Environment Texas and the Texas Beekeepers Association supported the measure. Members discussed monarch butterflies, native grasses, milkweed, and conservation efforts, and the bill was reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. After testimony, the committee also voted out several pending items, including House Bill 5560 with a committee substitute addressing water-loss penalties and infrastructure improvements, and then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• buildings and the ability to implement the latest energy codes of the International Code Council.
• Health and Safety Code.
• On two of the government code... Of the government code itself, yes.
• They noted that UL and the National Electric Code electrical safety code should be reordered so that
• Of the labor code in 2004.

Bills: HB1500 , HJR7 , HJR112 , HB34 , HB133 , HB 112 , HB 119 , HB 128 , HB 130 , HB132 , HB2756 , HB166 , HB406 , HB186 , HB271 , HB331 , HB380 , HB1583 , HB1584 , HB1819 , HB621 , HB303 , HB552 , HB366 , HB463 , HB 1211 , HB1327 , HB1461 , HB923 , HB1760 , HB2043 , HB2467 , HB5333 , HB5265 , HB1592 , HB1576 , HB1552 , HB2018 , HB3511 , HB1781 , HB2013 , HB2340 , HB2349 , HB2508 , HB2970 , HB2520 , HB865 , HB2851 , HB3385 , HB3336 , HB3529 , HB3309 , HB 1127 , HB 1232 , HB1397 , HB4236 , HB1804 , HB1926 , HB4041 , HB1965 , HB1964 , HB2679 , HB2730 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HCR77 , HB3354 , HB163 , HB201 , HB272 , HB333 , HB405 , HB519 , HB569 , HB654 , HB694 , HB791 , HB 1006 , HB 1136 , HB 1240 , HB 1266 , HB 1275 , HB1437 , HB1532 , HB1675 , HB1842 , HB1868 , HB1888 , HB1894 , HB1943 , HB1990 , HB2029 , HB2061 , HB2286 , HB2523 , HB2622 , HB2626 , HB2652 , HB2692 , HB2842 , HB2885 , HB2914 , HB3016 , HB3096 , HB3129 , HB3248 , HB3251 , HB3255 , HB3479 , HB3611 , HB3623 , HB3701 , HB3724 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB3810 , HB3816 , HB3832 , HB3887 , HB4127 , HB4129 , HB4130 , HB4131 , HB4163 , HB4187 , HB4229 , HB4238 , HB4454 , HB4588 , HB4643 , HB4736 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HB5616 , SB767 , SB1619 , SB1738 , HJR5 , HJR2 , HB1399 , HB388 , HB 114 , HB205 , HB2789 , HB2791 , HB499 , HB2960 , HB3163 , HB3135 , HB2427 , HB1672 , HB1722 , HB2618 , HB879 , HB 1126 , HB4134 , HB3513 , HB1445 , HB1893 , HB1734 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB 1276 , HB3516 , HB4145 , HB1585 , HB4810 , HB2558 , HB2742 , HB1695 , HB33 , HB144 , HB 109 , HB 103 , HB148 , HB3809 , HB2217 , HB220 , HB2421 , HB2363 , HB421 , HB2455 , HB3711 , HB2559 , HB2775 , HB3126 , HB3666 , HB3595 , HB3260 , HB3376 , HB3826 , HB3770 , HB1831 , HB2614 , HB3113 , HB322 , HB431 , HB869 , HB 1203 , HB 1244 , HB1875 , HB1950 , HB2152 , HB2341 , HB2809 , HB2856 , HB3012 , SB1415 , SB1058 , SB487 , SB1499 , SB513 , SB1697 , SB1197 , SB1437 , SB1809 , SB836 , SB1879 , SB1145 , SB963 , SB1038 , SB1147 , SB914 , SB711 , SB1409 , HB3707 , HB589 , HB1360 , HB2337 , HB2391 , HB718 , HB23 , HB2436 , HB1500 , HJR7 , HJR112 , HB34 , HB133 , HB 112 , HB 119 , HB 128 , HB 130 , HB132 , HB2756 , HB166 , HB406 , HB186 , HB271 , HB331 , HB380 , HB1583 , HB1584 , HB1819 , HB621 , HB303 , HB552 , HB366 , HB463 , HB 1211 , HB1327 , HB1461 , HB923 , HB1760 , HB2043 , HB2467 , HB5333 , HB5265 , HB1592 , HB1576 , HB1552 , HB2018 , HB3511 , HB1781 , HB2013 , HB2340 , HB2349 , HB2508 , HB2970 , HB2520 , HB865 , HB2851 , HB3385 , HB3336 , HB3529 , HB3309 , HB 1127 , HB 1232 , HB1397 , HB4236 , HB1804 , HB1926 , HB4041 , HB1965 , HB1964 , HB2679 , HB2730 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB3354 , HB163 , HB201 , HB272 , HB333 , HB405 , HB519 , HB569 , HB654 , HB694 , HB791 , HB 1006 , HB 1136 , HB 1240 , HB 1266 , HB 1275 , HB1437 , HB1532 , HB1675 , HB1842 , HB1868 , HB1888 , HB1894 , HB1943 , HB1990 , HB2029 , HB2061 , HB2286 , HB2523 , HB2622 , HB2626 , HB2652 , HB2692 , HB2842 , HB2885 , HB2914 , HB3016 , HB3096 , HB3129 , HB3248 , HB3251 , HB3255 , HB3479 , HB3611 , HB3623 , HB3701 , HB3724 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB3810 , HB3816 , HB3832 , HB3887 , HB4127 , HB4129 , HB4130 , HB4131 , HB4163 , HB4187 , HB4229 , HB4238 , HB4454 , HB4588 , HB4643 , HB4736 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HB5616 , SB767 , SB1619 , SB1738 , HCR77

Keywords: Information Resources, Department governance, cybersecurity, state assistance, procurement training, technology resources, advisory committees, water fund, Texas water supply, constitutional amendment, state revenue, infrastructure, parental rights, child upbringing, government interference, Texas legislation, science park district, economic development, technology innovation, higher education collaboration

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill amends the federal government code to include both current and former administrative law judges
• The current fee-for-service model within the code has led to. to fragmented billing and unpredictable
• I'd like to highlight three key parts of the First, it will establish an AI code of ethics to be adopted
• It establishes a comprehensive code of ethics, as was mentioned previously, and the bill also calls for

Bills: HCR141 , SB438 , SB1495 , SB1964 , HB 1225

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: HCR 141, House Concurrent Resolution, NASA, Houston, Space City, Johnson Space Center, Mission Control, Apollo 11, moon landing, aerospace, commercial space, space exploration, Texas Space Commission, space policy, federal resolution, memorial resolution, Congress, Washington D.C., headquarters relocation, space industry

Transcript Highlights:

• But they weren't against the code.
• But they weren't against the code.
• The Election Code states that a provision of this code may not be interpreted to prohibit or limit the
• The Election Code states that a provision of this code may not be interpreted to prohibit or limit the
• 10 years, okay.

Bills: HB569 , HB766 , HB1638 , HB2316 , HB2773 , HB2785 , HB3113 , HB3709 , HB3775 , HB4275

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: early voting, ballot correction, voting rights, election integrity, mail-in voting, voter notification, HB 766, precinct chair, precinct chair candidate, ballot application, Texas Election Code, Section 172.021, election administration, candidate filing, party precinct chair, county party, political party office, email address, telephone number, confidential candidate information

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 3709, which would change the partial manual audit process so early voting could be audited by voting location rather than by randomly selected precincts. The author and several supporters said the current precinct-based process is antiquated, labor-intensive, and especially difficult in countywide voting systems and large counties. Opponents and some neutral witnesses raised concerns about whether the change would still allow an apples-to-apples audit against official precinct results, whether random selection procedures should be more clearly defined, and how ballot secrecy and mail ballots would be handled. The Secretary of State’s office said counties already use random selection methods and that the bill would largely standardize early voting audits with election-day procedures, while also noting ballot privacy issues can arise in public records requests. After testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee then took up House Bill 766, as substituted, which would require precinct chair applicants to provide an email address, phone number, or both, while making that contact information confidential. Supporters said the change would help parties and local officials contact applicants more efficiently. Opponents argued it could expose personal contact information to public records requests and harassment, and some suggested the information should instead be handled through party rules. The bill was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. House Bill 3775 followed and would set clearer timelines for when early voting ballot boards may begin opening carrier envelopes, with different start times based on county size. Supporters said the bill would address counties opening ballots too early and improve ballot security, while opponents warned it could delay defect notices and cure opportunities for mail voters and create problems in large counties that process high volumes of ballots. Testimony also focused on whether the bill referred to carrier envelopes or secrecy envelopes and on how counties like Harris County currently image and secure ballot materials. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4275, which would require countywide polling systems to have polling places in each election precinct, intended to address uneven distribution of polling locations across county commissioner precincts. Supporters said the bill would make polling place distribution fairer and more consistent, especially in Harris County, while opponents said it would undermine countywide voting, increase costs, require more equipment and staff, and reduce local flexibility. Several witnesses also raised concerns about ballot secrecy and the practical burden on large and rural counties. The bill remained under discussion as testimony continued.

Bills: SJR50 , SJR51 , SJR52 , SJR53 , SJR54 , HJR1090 , HJR1091 , HJR1092 , HJR1093 , HJR1094 , HJR1095 , SJR49

Committee: Senate Administrative Rules

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, healthcare regulations, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, permanent rules, joint resolution, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, these pilots operate under the General Transportation Code.
• Unlike other local pilot branches with specific engineering codes, we have operated under.
• General Statutes of the Texas Transportation Code to formalize our operations and support future growth
• If it is purchased within 10 days; otherwise, the DMV will come up with criteria for the disposal of

Bills: SB35 , SB249 , SB546 , SB1353 , SB1493 , SB2246 , SB1902 , SB1029

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County

Transcript Highlights:

• It usually drags on for two, three, sometimes we've seen the complete bizarre things of 10 years.
• It took government code 51.903.
• It took government code 51.903.
• This bill is about the offense of human smuggling in the Texas Penal Code.
• Legally, about 10% of human organs have been supplied for organ transplantation. 10% of human organs

Bills: SB127 , SB456 , SB482 , SB659 , SB739 , SB816 , SB1234 , SB1666 , SB1886 , SB1980 , SB2580 , SB2611 , SB2693 , SB2776

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: child abuse, reporting obligation, statute of limitations, negligence, legal professionals, human organs, criminal penalties, physician license, medical ethics, illegal trade, smuggling, human trafficking, felony offenses, law enforcement, authorized peace officer, peace officer definition, tracking equipment, communications access, electronic surveillance, cell phone records

Summary: The committee heard and laid out a series of criminal justice bills, with public and invited testimony on restitution, juvenile justice, child abuse reporting, public-safety protections, organ trafficking, property fraud, disaster-response worker protections, fentanyl exposure, emergency data disclosure, insurance-fraud investigations, blood warrant execution, human smuggling, and TJJD advocacy access. Several measures drew support from prosecutors, clerks, law enforcement, utility companies, and victims who described real-world harms and delays in current law; opposition or caution came from civil-rights and advocacy groups on bills involving expanded criminal liability, data disclosure, and juvenile-facility access. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with the committee later voting out SB 127 favorably and placing it on the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1666 would streamline restitution payments for parole or mandatory supervision cases by requiring TDCJ to include victim information when forwarding payments, shortening the period before unclaimed funds go to the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund, and clarifying confidentiality and contact procedures; county clerks supported it as an efficiency measure. SB 2776 would let TJJD disclose certain information, with written consent, to support the Credible Messengers Program, and SB 127 would extend limitations periods for failure-to-report child abuse and concealment offenses, with testimony emphasizing delayed discovery of abuse and the need for accountability. SB 1980 would increase penalties for assaulting or interfering with peace officers, parole officers, and community supervision officers, and SB 456 would raise penalties for organ purchasing/trafficking and create a more specific criminal framework for the offense; both drew strong support from law enforcement and victims. The committee also heard SB 2611 on real property theft and deed fraud, which would create separate offenses for real property theft and fraud, add a ten-year limitations period, require criminal judgments to be filed in county property records, and expand restitution and title-clearing remedies. Witnesses described forged deeds, stolen church and family properties, and long, costly efforts to restore title; county clerks and prosecutors said the bill would help victims and streamline civil remedies. SB 482 would increase penalties for offenses against utility workers during declared disasters or evacuation orders, prompted by reports of threats and assaults during Hurricane Beryl; utility representatives said the bill is needed to keep mutual-aid crews coming to Texas. SB 1234 would add fentanyl to the endangerment statute for vulnerable people, while SB 816 would allow providers to disclose electronic data in immediate life-threatening situations; both drew support from prosecutors and criticism from civil-rights advocates concerned about overbreadth and liability protections.