Bills: HB112 , HB117

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: county regulation, impervious cover, land use, unincorporated areas, environmental management

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:01.000><c> and</c> with pass of the Clean Water land and with pass of the Clean Water land
• , as they acquire lands with these funds or as they accept lands that are acquired with these funds,
• </c> these funds like w or amas it's the land these funds like w or amas it's the land acquisition<00
• First is land availability—just that the land market is very, very tough—and also the land prices are
• </c> land market when there's a lot of land land market when there's a lot of land available<00:24:15.360

Bills: HF1250

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: outdoor heritage, land acquisition, wildlife management, conservation easements, environmental restoration

Transcript Highlights:

• and 41 of the Tax Code specifically to allow property owners to protest the appraised value of the land
• The land of historic properties should not be valued at the same square footage as the neighboring non-historic
• properties due to restrictions on what an owner can do in order to develop the land.

Bills: SB1331 , SB1375 , SB1443 , SB1578 , SB2251 , SB2519 , SB2553 , SB2655 , SB2764 , SB2907 , SB3030 , SB3033 , SB3035 , SB3036 , SB3037 , SB3043 , SB3047 , SB3050 , SB3051 , SB3056 , SB3057 , SB3063 , HB9 , HB467 , HB331 , HB 1244 , HB1399 , HB2559 , HB2730 , HB3307 , HJR1 , HJR99 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SJR78 , HB1327 , HB2723 , HB9 , HJR1

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: civil service, firefighters, police officers, municipalities, local government, repeal, voter petition, health care, provider participation, continuation programs, population-based regulation, health care provider participation, Medicaid, hospital funding, voluntary compliance, mandatory payments, public health, healthcare program, county participation, nonpublic hospitals

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard several bills, most of them left pending after brief public testimony. House Bill 331, by Rep. Patterson and sponsored by Sen. Hinojosa, would create a presumption that firefighters, police officers, and EMTs who suffer a heart attack or stroke within eight hours after a strenuous shift were injured in the line of duty for workers’ compensation purposes; testimony from a firefighters’ association supported the bill, and it was left pending. Senate Bill 2655, by Sen. Flores, would authorize Burnet County to establish a local provider participation fund to help support local hospital services; a hospital administrator testified in support, and the committee substitute was left pending. Senate Bill 1443, by Sen. Hughes, would extend the Northeast Healthcare Provider Participation District in three counties, and House Bill 3307, by Rep. Noble, would allow property tax arbitrators to complete required continuing education online; both were left pending without opposition. Senate Bill 3048, by Sen. Birdwell, would create the Bluebonnet Hills Municipal Management District in Midlothian and was also left pending. The committee then took up House Bill 9 and HJR 1, sponsored by Sen. Bettencourt, which would raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000 and place the constitutional amendment on the November 4, 2025 ballot. Business groups, realtors, and taxpayers’ advocates testified in strong support, saying the change would provide meaningful relief to small businesses and help balance earlier homeowner tax relief. The City of Fort Worth testified in opposition, warning of a revenue shift to homeowners and budget impacts, but the committee adopted the committee substitutes and reported both measures to the full Senate on 6-0 votes. The committee also heard House Bill 1399 and HJR 99, by Sen. Nichols, to exempt animal feed from property tax when it is already sales-tax exempt; no one testified against them, and both were left pending. Senate Bill 2553, by Sen. West, would let owners of historic archaeological sites protest land and structure appraisals separately, and it was left pending after supportive testimony. Senate Bill 2907 and SJR 78, also by Sen. West, would exempt certain perishable inventory, including food and some prescription drugs, from property tax if approved by voters; pharmacists, business groups, a researcher, and a coalition of retailers and food/medicine advocates supported the bill, and it was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 1331, by Sen. Hancock and explained by Sen. Middleton, would lower the population threshold for certain municipal civil-service-related petition restrictions from 950,000 to 70,000; law enforcement representatives and a San Marcos police association supported it, and it was left pending. The committee then recessed until 15 to 30 minutes after adjournment.

Bills: SB893

Committees: House Rules , House Conference Committee on Health and Human Services Oversight

Keywords: foreign land ownership, military protection, critical infrastructure, whistleblower rewards, state security

Transcript Highlights:

• , airports, and related aviation facilities, including but not limited to spaceflight activities, landing
• fields, landing strips, and navigation facilities.

Bills: HB375 , HB986 , HB1098 , SCR35 , SB97 , SB123 , SB466

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Keywords: liability, regional transit, streetcars, trolley cars, motor vehicles, HB986, vehicular homicide, child support, surviving child, minor child, parent killed in crash, criminal restitution, family law, Louisiana child support schedule, R.S. 9:315.48, R.S. 14:32.1, victim compensation, traffic fatality, wrongful death, sentencing enhancement

Transcript Highlights:

• There are 331 sites identified on state land.
• There are 331 sites identified on state land.
• lands in the state.
• lands in the state.
• lands in the state.

Bills: HB2024 , HB2053 , HB2097 , HB2116 , HB2117

Committees: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water , House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Keywords: water infrastructure finance authority, WIFA, water supply development, snowpack augmentation, cloud seeding, water augmentation, water financing, water infrastructure, Arizona water law, water conservation, groundwater recharge, stormwater recharge, reclamation and reuse, water rights, water supply projects, public-private partnership, long-term water augmentation fund, water provider, desalination, drought mitigation

Transcript Highlights:

• The program benefits working agricultural lands only.
• fragmentation and preserve land for continued agricultural growth.
• million acres of grazing lands.
• The Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program is a valuable tool to protect working ag lands, but
• You know, Texas loses approximately 1000 acres of ag land every day.

Bills: HB2018 , HB1633 , HB1689 , SB612 , SB3058

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources

Summary: The Senate Water, Agriculture, Rural Affairs Committee heard several bills focused on groundwater management, water infrastructure, and agricultural land conservation. SB 612 would limit certain water districts in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties from charging developers pipeline construction fees above actual, documented costs; the committee substitute removed a developer challenge mechanism to preserve district discretion over construction standards. HB 1633 would require groundwater conservation districts to consider registered exempt wells when reviewing or amending permits, and testimony from landowners, district representatives, and advocacy groups largely supported the bill as a way to protect domestic and livestock wells from drawdown caused by large export projects. HB 1689 would clarify that export fee revenues may be used for well operability, alternative water supplies, and aquifer monitoring, including through interlocal cooperation, and HB 3058 would give the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District authority to use export fees for county road improvements and environmental programs tied to well inspection and groundwater management. HB 2018 would clarify that the Texas Farm and Ranchland Conservation Program is intended to purchase conservation easements only on working agricultural lands, with support from cattle raisers and Farm Bureau representatives. The committee also considered HB 29, which would require large water systems to validate water loss audits and submit mitigation plans; a committee substitute removed the water-loss threshold and adjusted the timeline for more detailed validation. Public testimony on the bills was generally supportive, with several witnesses describing declining well levels, road damage from export projects, and the need to preserve agricultural land and local water supplies. The committee adopted committee substitutes and voted favorably on HB 29, HB 1689, HB 2018, SB 612, and SB 3058, recommending several of them for the local and uncontested calendar; HB 1633 was left pending awaiting a committee substitute.

Bills: HB1550 , HB1592 , HB1964 , HB2002 , HB2063 , HB2118 , HB2128 , HB2669 , HB2765

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: veterinary, regulation, licensing, practices, board, administration, facilities, pest control, wildlife management, agriculture, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, HB 1964, Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 251, agricultural operations, farmers, ranchers, livestock

Transcript Highlights:

• By reducing projects on these lands.
• federal subsurface land.
• and</c><00:32:54.960><c> resources</c> to make sure their lands and resources to make sure their lands
• Geothermal wells can federal lands.
• Again, I am a strong land or below it.

Bills: HB5587

Keywords: geothermal, environmental policy, federal drilling permit, energy production, state regulations, land use

Bills: SB171

Committee: House Ports, Waterways & Intermodal Transit

Keywords: navigable waters, non-navigable waters, motor vehicle prohibition, criminal penalties, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• The City of Austin, since we're here, has a number of city streets where the land is blocked off for

Bills: SB1079 , SB1243 , SB1504 , SB1579 , SB1708 , SB1844 , SB1851 , SB1879 , SB1921 , SB1951 , SB2237 , SB2238 , SB2406 , SB2407

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Local Government was marked by significant discussions on multiple bills aimed at enhancing governance and protecting taxpayer interests. Among the notable legislations was SB1951, where Senator Paxton emphasized reforms to reduce erroneous penalty notices imposed by appraisal districts, eliminating the financial incentive for such penalties. The session concluded with public testimonies that highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in taxpayer dealings. Additionally, Senator Middleton presented SB1504 and SB2237, focusing on the operational frameworks of local authorities and executive severance payments, respectively, both of which sparked considerable debate among committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also states in the bill that you do not need a guide on your private land. Follow up.
• I don't need a guide on my public land or nobody needs.
• Or sorry, I don't need a guide on my private land or nobody needs a license on my private land.
• Nobody needs a license on your private land. They need a license. They don't need a guide license.
• And because it's on my private land, they don't need the license to come and guide on my property.

Bills: SB3 , SB1346 , SB1509 , SB1928 , SB2028 , SB2071 , SB2110 , SB2117 , SB2127 , SB2134 , SB259 , SB1191 , SB1246 , SB1314 , SB1439 , SB1613 , SB1930 , SB1976 , SB330 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB3 , SB1346 , SB1509 , SB1928 , SB2028 , SB2071 , SB2110 , SB2117 , SB2127 , SB2134 , SB259 , SB1191 , SB1246 , SB1314 , SB1439 , SB1613 , SB1930 , SB1976 , SB330 , SB2069 , SB2095

Committees: House Energy , House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight

Keywords: industrial hemp, program licensing, agriculture, cannabinoids, state regulation, water infrastructure, wastewater, investment program, loans, local government, SB1509, groundwater, water wells, well spacing, water rights, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, OWRB, basin, subbasin, maximum annual yield

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, my hope is that we can continue to have both sides come to the table and We land on something

Bills: SB1732 , SB1217 , SB1443 , SB1455 , SB1457 , SB1459 , SB1465 , SB1944 , SB1946 , SB1218 , SB1942 , SB1352 , SB2132 , SB1920 , SB1285 , SB1304 , SB1305 , SB1326 , SB1590 , SB1767

Committee: Senate Business and Insurance

Keywords: professional licensing, licensing fees, home inspection, home inspector, Construction Industries Board, CIB, contractor license, journeyman license, apprentice registration, alarm endorsement, code inspector, electrical license, plumbing license, mechanical license, permit fees, renewal fee, reciprocity, poultry house contractor, poultry house wiring, environmentally controlled poultry house

Bills: SB2026 , SB1376 , SB1355 , SB2115 , SB1533 , SB1732 , SB1217 , SB1443 , SB1455 , SB1457 , SB1459 , SB1465 , SB1944 , SB1946 , SB1218 , SB1942 , SB1352 , SB2132 , SB1920 , SB1285 , SB1304 , SB1305 , SB1326 , SB1590 , SB1767

Keywords: military discharge, veterans, DD Form 214, confidentiality, grandchildren access, Oklahoma National Guard, education assistance, military benefits, dependents, CareerTech Assistance Act, burial grant, memorial headstone, eligibility requirements, funding, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, fiscal management, state law, veteran burial, burial assistance, indigent veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, so if I understand this right, the state buys land.
• Commissioners of the Land Office.

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, we own land in Lafleur County and we're overrun with bears there.

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• And we've been using integrated pest management successfully on public land without relying on rat poisons
• So our Conservation Commission protects 2,200 acres of land in Andover, which is available for public
• Our citizens use this land to enjoy the wildlife that inhabits it.
• We do not use harmful pesticides on this land, but we cannot restrict what's happening on private land
• A rodent poison on private property in Andover can become prey to a fox or hawk on conservation land.

Bills: H5432 , H5433 , S3093 , H5363 , H5137 , H5247

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: Newbury, rodenticides, second generation anticoagulant rodenticides, SGARs, pesticides, pest control, wildlife protection, environmental regulation, local bylaw, municipal authority, private property, rodent control, anticoagulant poison, public health, Massachusetts local option, Wellfleet, fertilizer, nitrogen, phosphorus, nutrient pollution

Bills: HF4261 , HF4263 , HF4264 , HF4787

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: natural resources, motorboat, boating safety, personal watercraft, PWC, watercraft operator permit, boater safety exam, off-road vehicle, ORV, ATV, snowmobile, state trail pass, cross-country ski pass, horse pass, state park permit, game and fish, hunting license, fishing license, wildlife permit, invasive species

Transcript Highlights:

• And they had the reports prior to buying my land.
• And they had the reports prior to buying my land.
• I grew up in a town that had a racetrack on a square mile of land.
• I grew up in a town that had a race track on a square mile of land.
• You're supposed to own your land and that's it.

Bills: SB1254 , SB1431 , SB1478 , SB1566 , SB1787

Committees: House Commerce , House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Keywords: workers' compensation, industrial commission, safety regulations, employee protection, penalties, compliance, liquor, alcohol, spirituous liquor, liquor license, liquor licensing, Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, restaurant to-go cocktails, mixed cocktails, off-premises sales, alcohol delivery, delivery contractor, registered alcohol delivery contractor, age verification, tamperproof seal