Transcript Highlights:

• records disclosure under Government Code Chapter 552.
• Senate Bill 1248 provides a narrow exception to the Open Records Act by specifically exempting location
• Public testimony on Senate Bill 1248 was opened, and Matt Wagner was called forward.
• on private land was protected from open records requests.
• First, press the federal government to hold Mexico accountable under the 1944 Water Treaty.

Bills: SCR13, SB1248

Keywords: water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, harvest reports, wildlife harvest data, public information act, open records, confidentiality, hunter privacy, angler data, game animals, game birds, fur-bearing animals, nongame animals

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met without a quorum at first, then later established quorum and proceeded with testimony and votes. Senate Bill 1248, by Chair Perry, was explained as a narrow Open Records Act exception to protect harvest report location data collected through Texas Parks and Wildlife’s digital tagging system. Support testimony came from Matt Wagner of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, who said the bill would protect private land and sensitive biological information while preserving useful wildlife data. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending until later in the meeting. The committee then heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 13, which urges the State Department and the International Boundary and Water Commission to press Mexico to comply with the 1944 Water Treaty and deliver its share of Rio Grande water. Senator Hinojosa, farmers, municipal officials, and other witnesses described severe water shortages in South Texas, low reservoir levels, crop losses, the closure of the Valley sugar industry, and the need for alternative supplies such as desalination, reuse, and drainage-runoff projects. Members also discussed treaty enforcement, regional drought, and the role of cartels and Mexican water storage, while emphasizing that Texas must also invest in its own water infrastructure. The committee also considered Senate Bill 740, which the committee substitute amended to require the Public Utility Commission to adopt a standardized application form for system improvement charges and complete related rulemaking by September 1, 2026, applying only to applications filed on or after that date. Members discussed concerns about water wholesalers using the process to delay cases and drive up costs, and the need for more transparency and PUC resources. The committee voted to adopt the substitute and report SB 740 favorably. After returning to the earlier items, the committee voted SB 1248 out favorably and recommended it for the local and uncontested calendar, and voted SCR 13 out favorably as well. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• They could open up the market after 10 years.
• They could open up the market after 10 years.
• They could open up the market after 10 years.
• They could open up the market after 10 years.
• </c> pathway act? pathway act?

Bills: SB2060, SB2063, SB2062, SB2069, SB2070

Keywords: rental housing revolving fund, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, mixed-income housing, mixed-income rental project, affordable housing, low-income housing, housing finance, housing development, preservation, rehabilitation, pre-development, construction financing, equity investment, credit enhancement, collateral, gap financing, area median income, AMI, perpetual affordability

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> confidence to act in an emergency. confidence to act in an emergency.
• So, the definition of first responder is our open water lifeguards. Thanks.
• So, the definition of first responder is our open water lifeguards. Thanks.
• </c> our open water lifeguards. our open water lifeguards. Thanks.
• </c><00:48:55.040><c> its</c> Resources Development to review its Resources Development to review its

Bills: HCR92, HCR46, HCR172, HCR147, HCR112, HCR100, HR84, HR42, HR139, HR104, HR92

Keywords: automated external defibrillator, AED, cardiac arrest, state buildings, health education, public health, lifeguards, first responders, public safety, ocean safety, emergency response, Hawaii, workers' compensation, auditor, procurement audit, compliance, Department of Human Resources Development, transparency, accountability, medical care

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1871 is intended to holistically review how we scale. ...to learn.
• So it kind of opens the door up to keep them engaged. Yeah.
• So we would be open to more campus behavior coordinators.
• They act a little bit like a welder.
• They act a little bit like a welder.

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Summary: The committee heard a series of school safety and discipline bills, beginning with SB 870, which would codify an attorney general opinion allowing local school boards to decide whether school marshals may openly carry, conceal carry, or store a firearm in a secure safe on campus. The bill was laid out with no public testimony and left pending. The chair then moved to a combined discussion of SB 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, and 1924, all focused on school discipline, teacher authority, and student safety. Senators Perry and Creighton described the package as a response to rising classroom disruptions, assaults on teachers, and concerns that districts lack effective tools to maintain order. SB 1871 would expand teacher removal authority, require return-to-class plans before a student removed for certain conduct can return, make some serious offenses mandatory for placement in juvenile justice settings, and provide telehealth mental health services through a consortium. SB 1872 would require expulsion to a JJAEP for assaults on teachers or school volunteers and extend certain expulsion-eligible conduct to off-campus offenses. SB 1873 would restore the prior understanding that in-school suspension is not subject to a three-day limit. SB 1874 would grant teachers immunity from disciplinary action for reporting discipline violations or acting in compliance with Chapter 37. SB 1924 would restore authority for local police and school district police to issue Class C citations for school offenses and require criminal referrals for students posing an imminent threat or assaulting a teacher, with a substitute clarifying referral rules when a citation has already been issued. The committee adopted the substitutes for the bills and moved them forward. Invited witnesses from teacher and administrator groups largely supported the overall goal of stronger discipline and safer classrooms, while asking for refinements. The Texas Classroom Teachers Association testified that teachers need more autonomy to remove disruptive or violent students and that classroom removals should not mean removal from learning. Superintendents from San Angelo, Grandview, and Wiley ISDs supported the bills’ emphasis on safety, expanded ISS flexibility, mandatory placement for serious offenses, and telehealth mental health services, but asked for more local control, flexibility for Districts of Innovation, more than one campus behavior coordinator in large districts, clearer timelines for return-to-class plans, and more precise definitions for disruptive conduct. Several witnesses stressed that teacher retention and student learning are being harmed by current discipline problems, while some members raised concerns about vague standards and the risk of overuse or public humiliation through citations and removals.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll open the floor for public testimony on Senate Bill 870. Thank you very much, everybody.
• Members, we can discuss questions, and then we'll open up with public testimony.
• From the 1970s, we were subject to the Board of Governance. If you remember...
• I don't think this opens the door to a lot of the obvious, but reasonable suspicion.
• So we would be open to more campus behavior coordinators.

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• However, then we were looking deeper into this and recognizing that the Government Data Practices Act
• However, then we were looking deeper into this and recognizing that the Government Data Practices Act
• I'm wearing my hat of sunshine open government hat.
• I'm wearing my hat of Sunshine Open Government.
• > I</c> sunshine open government hat uh I sunshine open government hat uh I applaud<00:55:03.839><c>

Bills: HF1379, HF1596, HF2260, HF1429

Keywords: nonopioid directive, opioid refusal, opioid-free care, pain management, health care directive, advance directive, patient autonomy, informed consent, substance use disorder, opioid epidemic, prescriber immunity, provider liability, emergency medical services, EMS, health record, Minnesota Department of Health, health care agent, medical power of attorney, Metropolitan Council, Minnesota government data practices

Transcript Highlights:

• point out from my perspective that none of us serving here, none of us serving in any level of government
• I think between today's comments and how you helped me on opening day, when our members need help, you
• I still stand by what I said on opening day: that we have a team that's put together that is prepared
• </c><00:24:16.000><c> day</c> helped me on opening day helped me on opening day when<00:24:18.240><c>
• day that we have what I said on opening day that we have a<00:24:26.799><c> team</c><00:24:27.039><c

Bills: SB2445, SB2125, SB2355, SB2834, SB3237

Keywords: pedestrian, fines, traffic laws, economic vulnerability, safety, walking, public transportation, teacher licensing, teacher shortage, emergency hire, unlicensed teacher, out-of-field teaching, licensed teachers, charter schools, Department of Education, DOE, Board of Education, licensure requirements, teacher certification, alternative licensure

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's a very important change, allowing the House to support ESEs. ...nominate teachers to review
• Okay, let me open public testimony.
• HB 26 allows a... a sheriff, a county sheriff or constable, to enter into a contract with local government
• owners of land to provide law enforcement services in and near an area managed or regulated by local government
• We'll open public testimony then on... House Bill 26. Do we have any cards? No cards.

Bills: HB8, HB26, HB192

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• 59.039><c> Father,</c> Father, we thank you for this day, the opportunity to be of service in the government
• that as we deliberate and we look through the things that we're doing today, that we do it with an open
• we're doing today, that we do it with a we're doing today, that we do it with a an<00:08:17.360><c> open
• 08:18.000><c> and</c><00:08:18.160><c> mind</c><00:08:18.479><c> and</c><00:08:18.720><c> an</c> an open
• heart and mind and an an open heart and mind and an opportunity<00:08:19.440><c> to</c><00:08:19.759

Bills: SB42, SB166, SB42, SB166

Keywords: abandoned roads, land ownership, government regulations, property rights, transportation, Ten Commandments, public education, displays, funding, Alabama law, municipal elections, runoff elections, majority voting, electoral procedures, local governance, campaign finance, record retention, political action committees, Fair Campaign Practices Act, 1136

Transcript Highlights:

• So it acts as both.
• So what they will say is in low doses it acts as a stimulant; in higher doses it acts as an opioid.
• I mean, So it acts as both.
• in higher doses it acts as a stimulant in higher doses it acts as an<00:37:06.560><c> opioid.
• So it can act as product in that regard. So it can act as both. both. both.

Bills: HB0103, HB0070, HB0091

Keywords: First Amendment, free speech, lawsuits, immunity, public participation, strategic lawsuits, foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws, civil actions, speech protection, legal jurisdiction, joint liability, artificial intelligence, social scoring, biometric data, privacy rights, government regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> appellet review. appellet review.
• Um, so help me understand how a foreign government has any power to act extraterritorially in our country
• The question is, should the legislature act then or should the legislature wait for the federal government
• to act?
• </c> for the federal government to act? for the federal government to act?

Bills: HB0103, HB0070, HB0091

Keywords: First Amendment, free speech, lawsuits, immunity, public participation, strategic lawsuits, foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws, civil actions, speech protection, legal jurisdiction, joint liability, artificial intelligence, social scoring, biometric data, privacy rights, government regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3002 extends a sunset on the commission on county government personnel education and training
• House Bill 3003 adjusts the sunset for the chiropractic examiners and cracks open a new opportunity for
• House Bill 305 by Kendrick of the House and Bergstrom of the Senate, an act relating to state government
• House Bill 3320 by Osborne of the House and Thompson of the Senate, an act relating to sunsets.
• House Bill 3320 by Osborne of the House and Thompson of the Senate, an act relating to sunsets.

Bills: HB2997, HB2021, HB3041, HB1823, HB3372, HB1427, HB3127, HB3128, HCR1020, HB4198, HB3000, HB3001, HB3002, HB3003, HB3004, HB3005, HB3006, HB3007, HB3008, SB392, HB3320

Keywords: motor vehicles, administrative fines, license regulation, state agencies, employment levels, after-school programs, grant funding, community organizations, child care, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, housing finance, Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, publication requirements, housing policy, state regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• Move adoption, open for questions. From the federal government. Move adoption, open for questions.
• House Bill 3001 is an extension of the Child Death Review Board sunset.
• House Bill 3320, by Osborne of the House and Thompson of the Senate, an act relating to sunsets.
• House Bill 3320, by Osborne of the House and Thompson of the Senate, an act relating to sunsets.
• House Bill 3320 by Osborne of the House and Thompson of the Senate and act relating to Sunsets.

Bills: HB2997, HB2021, HB3041, HB1823, HB3372, HB1427, HB3127, HB3128, HCR1020, HB4198, HB3000, HB3001, HB3002, HB3003, HB3004, HB3005, HB3006, HB3007, HB3008, SB392, HB3320

Keywords: motor vehicles, administrative fines, license regulation, state agencies, employment levels, after-school programs, grant funding, community organizations, child care, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, housing finance, Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, publication requirements, housing policy, state regulations

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, heard an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including guests in the galleries and a special recognition of a doctor of the day and a state volleyball championship team. The chamber then took up a series of bills, with most receiving brief explanations and little or no debate. House Bill 2997, dealing with used-car bait-and-switch enforcement and higher fines, failed on final passage 47-39, and notice was given of a possible motion to reconsider. House Bill 2021, creating a DHS grant program for out-of-school programming through larger community-based organizations, passed 51-29 after questions about eligibility and partnerships. House Bill 3041, adjusting the cap on credit-card surcharges so retailers can recover actual processing costs up to 2%, passed 86-1 and its emergency was adopted. The House also passed House Bill 1823 on Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency compliance with federal HOME grant guidelines, 83-5, with the emergency adopted. House Bill 3372, creating lower-cost financing tools for high-performing charter schools, drew extensive questioning about taxpayer funding, ownership, default risk, and comparisons to public-school bonds, but ultimately passed 53-36. House Bill 1427, as amended by the Senate, was adopted and passed 57-20, codifying current clean-burning vehicle tax-credit practices tied to the bank privilege tax. House Bill 3127, which would have broadened employer drug-testing and zero-tolerance authority beyond current safety-sensitive positions for medical marijuana users, drew the most extended debate over worker protections, constitutionality, and testing standards, but failed narrowly 47-46; notice of reconsideration was given. Later measures passed with broad support, including House Bill 3128 creating a task force to identify workplace barriers and recommend administrative or legislative fixes, 73-21; House Bill 4198 allowing employers to seek protective orders against former employees who pose an imminent threat, 88-12; and a series of sunset-extension bills for professional and advisory boards. Those included House Bills 3000 through 3007, covering the cosmetology board, child death review board, county personnel training commission, chiropractic examiners, optometry board, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education, and DEQ natural resource advisory councils, with most also receiving emergency clauses. House Concurrent Resolution 1020, commending Team USA Olympic hockey teams for gold medals, was adopted by unanimous consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff, please open the queue for a vote.
• Seeing none, please open the queue for a vote.
• Seeing none, please open the queue for a vote.
• Staff, please open the queue for a vote.
• Staff, please open the queue for a vote.

Bills: HB4423, HB3342, HB3645, HB3647, HB3887, HB4430, HB4431, HB2964, HB3834

Keywords: Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Medicaid, immigration verification, healthcare access, federal reporting, health care providers, auditing, patient rights, claims, protection from fraud, audit process, error correction, hospice care, physician determination, healthcare standards, symptom management, health information exchange, all-payer claims database, health care transparency, health care costs

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, staff, please open the queue for a vote.
• Seeing none, staff, please open the queue for a vote.
• Seeing none, staff, please open the queue for a vote.
• If not, clerk, open the queue for a vote.
• Seeing none, staff, please open the queue for a vote.

Bills: HB4423, HB3342, HB3645, HB3647, HB3887, HB4430, HB4431, HB2964, HB3834

Keywords: Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Medicaid, immigration verification, healthcare access, federal reporting, health care providers, auditing, patient rights, claims, protection from fraud, audit process, error correction, hospice care, physician determination, healthcare standards, symptom management, health information exchange, all-payer claims database, health care transparency, health care costs

Summary: The committee first announced several bills would be laid over because sponsors were absent, then took up House Bill 4423, which would require Medicaid applicants to be legal U.S. citizens. After adopting a PCS, members asked whether Medicaid already had citizenship limits, and the bill passed 4-1. House Bill 3342 followed, revising the Health Care Authority audit process; the sponsor said it was based on an Arkansas model, had no fiscal impact, and was intended to be fairer after prior problems. It passed 5-0. House Bill 3645, allowing physicians or other independent doctors to authorize hospice referral when a patient lacks next of kin or is not coherent, also passed 5-0. House Bill 3647, creating an all-payer claims database through the state HIE for greater transparency in medical costs, passed 5-0 after a question about which entities would be included or excluded. House Bill 3887, which removes the requirement for a physician referral every 30 days for continued physical therapy, drew the most discussion. The sponsor said therapists would refer patients back to a physician if treatment was not helping or was outside their scope, while a member raised concerns about delayed diagnosis and suggested adding a timeline; the sponsor said he would be open to further discussion. The bill passed 4-1. House Bill 4430 extended tort claims protection to certain state-employed providers who work for entities such as FQHCs, and House Bill 4431 did the same for nurse practitioners working for state agencies; both passed 5-0. Later, House Bill 2964 changed medical-record copying language from “shall be charged” to “may be charged,” giving facilities discretion on whether to charge patients for copies of their records; it passed 5-0. Finally, House Bill 3834 was heard for research funding on ibogaine therapy for PTSD and related conditions among veterans, firefighters, and police officers. The sponsor said the goal was to allow Oklahoma research, not to remove the substance from controlled status, and a witness described the treatment as a monitored oral session used in Mexico and supported by some studies. The bill passed 5-0, and the chair adjourned the meeting, noting the laid-over bills would likely be heard the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> assessments process review committee. assessments process review committee.
• </c> an act relating to judicial sales. an act relating to judicial sales.
• Senate Bill 20, an act relating to city government. Senator from Taylor, Mr.
• Senate Bill 20, an act relating to city government. Senator from Taylor, Mr.
• House Bill 607, an act relating to consolidated local governments. Senator from Taylor. Mr.

Bills: HB567, HB776, HB2, HB568, HB619

Keywords: open records, public access, transparency, government accountability, public agency, dental practice, licensing, administrative regulations, dental assistants, supervision, Medicaid, community engagement, healthcare, managed care, eligibility, public assistance, insurance, public adjuster, claim process, contract requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Jason Rayner Act. You may recognize it from years past.
• Please, please look at this with open eyes.
• I'm grateful to be here again to support the Haven Act.
• Senator Berman, tough act to follow. It is.
• Senator Berman, tough act to follow. It is.

Bills: S0054, S0156, S0296, S0298

Keywords: cognitive function, psychotropic drugs, violent offenders, autopsy procedures, medical records, school safety, public records, open government, sunshine law, victims of dating violence, domestic violence, address confidentiality program, confidential address, voter registration, voting records, elections, supervisor of elections, Department of State, Attorney General, privacy

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 public safety budget, which totals about $8.2 billion within a $117.4 billion overall state budget. Caitlin Dawkins of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget outlined funding and reductions across the public safety silo, including the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, FDLE, Legal Affairs, the courts, and related entities. Agency heads then presented their requests, with FDLE seeking funding for fentanyl enforcement, career offender registry staffing, alert system upgrades, alcohol testing equipment, officer mental health, criminal alien detection, and statutory staffing needs; DJJ requesting money for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential contract rate increases, a new Broward detention center, and facility maintenance; and DOC requesting major funding for correctional officer pay increases, 500 additional FTE, facility construction and maintenance, communications and security technology, offender information system modernization, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members discussed staffing shortages, prison conditions, immigration enforcement, public records burdens, mental health and substance use treatment, and the need for continued investment in corrections. A member of the public also testified about poor conditions in some prisons, including clothing, food, medical care, and maintenance issues. The committee then considered and passed CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, which would clarify that a person may not resist a law enforcement officer with violence when the officer is performing official duties and would increase penalties in cases involving violence against officers. The bill sponsor described the case of Officer Jason Rayner and said the measure was intended to prevent defendants from using claims about unlawful detention or arrest to justify violence. An amendment conforming the bill’s language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably after support was noted from several law enforcement and municipal groups. Next, the committee passed CS/SB 54, which addresses use of substances affecting cognitive function. An amendment narrowed the medical-records language to records relevant to investigations of violent offenders and clarified privacy protections. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 296, the Haven Act, which would direct a study of a secure web-based alert system for domestic violence victims so they can contact 911 without alerting an abuser, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to include dating violence victims. Testimony from survivors and advocates emphasized the danger victims face when trying to leave abusive situations. Finally, the committee passed CS/SB 298, the public-records companion bill, which extends confidentiality protections for participants in the Address Confidentiality Program to dating violence victims as well. All three bills were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Jason Rayner Act. You may recognize it from years past.
• Specifically, it changes the word 'acting' to 'engaged.' Excellent. Thank you.
• Please, please look at this with open eyes.
• I'm grateful to be here again to support the Haven Act.
• Senator Berman, tough act to follow. It is.

Bills: S0054, S0156, S0296, S0298

Keywords: cognitive function, psychotropic drugs, violent offenders, autopsy procedures, medical records, school safety, public records, open government, sunshine law, victims of dating violence, domestic violence, address confidentiality program, confidential address, voter registration, voting records, elections, supervisor of elections, Department of State, Attorney General, privacy

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice heard a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-2027 public safety budget, which totals $117.4 billion overall and includes $8.2 billion for the public safety silo. Caitlin Dawkins of the Governor’s Office outlined proposed funding and reductions across FDLE, DJJ, DOC, and related justice agencies. Agency heads then presented major budget requests: FDLE sought funding for fentanyl enforcement, a career offender registry unit, a missing persons alert system upgrade, alcohol testing modernization, officer wellness, criminal intelligence, and illegal immigration-related intelligence work; DJJ requested funds for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential services, a new Broward detention center, and facility repairs; and DOC requested major increases for officer pay, 500 additional FTE, facility construction and maintenance, communications technology, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members questioned FDLE about the scope of immigration-related enforcement and public records burdens, and DOC about staffing, inmate health care, substance use treatment, prison capacity, and whether prison beds were being used for immigration detainees. A public commenter also urged attention to basic conditions in prisons, including clothing, food, medical care, and facility maintenance. The committee then considered several bills. CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, was presented as a response to the killing of Daytona Beach Officer Jason Rayner and would clarify that a person may not use violence against an officer performing official duties, while also increasing penalties related to manslaughter involving law enforcement. An amendment conforming the bill’s language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably after debate and a roll call vote. CS/SB 54, dealing with substances affecting cognitive function and law enforcement access to certain medical records, also received an amendment clarifying that only records relevant to an investigation of a violent offender may be furnished; the amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee next heard CS/SB 296, the Haven Act, which would direct a study of a secure web-based alert system for domestic violence victims so they can contact 911 without alerting an abuser, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to include dating violence victims. Testimony from advocates and survivors strongly supported the measure, and the bill was reported favorably. Its companion, CS/SB 298, a public records exemption for victims of domestic and dating violence in the Address Confidentiality Program, was also reported favorably. The meeting concluded after the committee approved all four bills and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• if deficiencies are identified in the regulatory agency's rulemaking process prior to the sunset review
• Hearing none, we're going to open up public testimony for HB 132.
• Hearing none, we'll go ahead and open up for public testimony.
• You mentioned you had massive support from the federal government.
• Seeing none, we'll open for public testimony.

Bills: HB 11, HB 14, HB 132, HB 1584, HB 1606, HB 5061, HB 1041, HB 2286

Keywords: licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 132, Texas Government Code Chapter 418, Public Information Act, confidential records, homeland security, foreign adversary, terrorism, critical infrastructure, emergency response, law enforcement

Summary: The meeting was a thorough exploration of multiple bills, most notably focused on innovative energy solutions and public safety enhancements. Key discussions centered around HB14, which aims to bolster the state's nuclear energy capabilities through the establishment of a Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office. Senators and expert witnesses discussed the potential of nuclear power as a clean energy source and a strategic necessity for Texas's growth. There was strong support for the bill, with various stakeholders highlighting its importance for the future energy landscape. Additionally, other bills like HB132 addressed the need for enhanced confidentiality protections regarding sensitive information, while HB1584 sought improvements in power restoration procedures during emergencies. Overall, the committee engaged with multiple viewpoints, balancing innovation with safety and ethical considerations.