Video & Transcript Research : 'Texas Local Government Code'

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part II) May 8th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • If we hurt Texas energy, we hurt good-paying Texas jobs.
  • Texas.
  • It strikes lines 29 through 49 and then renumbers the local government chapter.
  • And so, Senator, let me go... ...and then renumbers the local government chapter.
  • Code.
Summary: The Senate took up and passed Senate Bill 945, which concerns political shareholder proposals by insurers and insurance holding companies. Senator Hughes argued the bill would protect Texas-based insurers from activist shareholder pressure, especially proposals aimed at limiting insurance coverage for oil and gas companies for ESG or political reasons. The motion to suspend the regular order was adopted over objection, and SB 945 passed to engrossment on a 20-10 vote with one present not voting. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 1117, allowing any Texas-licensed dentist to administer botulinum toxin in oral or maxillofacial regions for aesthetic purposes, and House Joint Resolution 98, renewing Texas’s application for an Article 5 Convention of States to propose amendments on fiscal restraints, federal power limits, and term limits. Both measures advanced after debate and roll-call votes; SB 1117 passed unanimously after suspension of the three-day rule, and H.J.R. 98 was adopted on a 17-14 vote. Members then approved several other measures, including the committee substitute for House Bill 142 on HHSC’s Office of Inspector General and Medicaid overpayment recovery, Senate Bill 2373 on AI-enabled financial fraud and deepfake/phishing schemes, Senate Bill 2221 on fraudulent UCC financing statements, and Senate Bill 2681 on the basis for third-party voter-registration challenges. The Senate also adopted a resolution authorizing a Texas Life Monument replica at the Capitol complex, and passed S.J.R. 59 creating funds for Texas State Technical College capital needs. The body debated and passed Senate Bill 946, which would bar credit discrimination against organizations based on social, political, religious, or similar value-based considerations and require credit decisions to rest on creditworthiness. Senators raised concerns that the bill could create a special protected class for non-human entities or conflict with existing state policies, but the bill advanced to engrossment on a 20-11 vote. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 2477 to ease office-to-residential conversions in large cities after adopting an amendment negotiated with municipal stakeholders, and began consideration of Senate Bill 715 on ERCOT reliability requirements for generators, including existing generation, with extensive debate over impacts on renewables, power purchase agreements, and grid reliability.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Education K-16 (Part II) Apr 3rd, 2025

Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:
  • Education Code provisions for governing to prevent loss in schools, including measuring what matters
  • and solving problems locally, which is already in Texas law.
  • rights in Texas.
  • Senate Bill 2138 would close a critical loophole by applying Government Code Chapter 809 to governing
  • Senate Bill 2138 would close a critical loophole by applying Government Code Chapter 809 to governing
Summary: The committee heard and discussed several higher education and public school bills. Senator Burwell presented SB 1242 to remove an outdated Coordinating Board approval requirement for Texas State Technical College land and facility acquisitions, and SJR 59 to create a constitutionally dedicated endowment for TSTC capital needs; both drew strong support from industry and workforce groups and were left pending. SB 757, by Senator Middleton, would create a debt-to-earnings accountability system for public college programs, with supporters saying it would protect students from low-value degrees and opponents warning it could unfairly penalize programs with long-term value, especially graduate, medical, and public service fields; it was also left pending. SB 1241, by Senator Millington, would expand acceptable college entrance exams beyond the SAT and ACT, including the Classic Learning Test, and was left pending after testimony from CLT, homeschool, and student groups in support. SB 1085, by Senator Blanco, would let Sul Ross State University offer lower-division courses at its satellite campuses in the Middle Rio Grande region; it too was left pending. The committee then took up a series of public school and higher education measures, voting several out favorably. SB 605, as substituted, limits commissioner approval of charter school expansion amendments for schools under conservatorship or a management team and was reported favorably 9-0. SB 1871 and SB 1873, both by Senator Perry, were revised to narrow teacher immunity, clarify removal and suspension procedures, require periodic review of in-school suspension placements, and align discipline rules; both substitutes were adopted and reported favorably. SB 1872, SB 1874, SB 762, SB 1962, SB 1750, SB 2252, SB 2253, SB 2365, SB 1924, and SB 37 were also considered, with most reported favorably on party-line or near-unanimous votes. SB 1750 would replace a flat charter school facilities funding cap with an attendance-based formula; SB 2252 and SB 2253 address kindergarten readiness, early literacy/numeracy, and educator preparation; SB 2365 concerns student phone use during instructional time; SB 1924 restores local citation authority for certain school offenses and adds reporting, notice, and completion requirements; and SB 37 would expand state oversight of higher education curriculum, governance, faculty senates, and compliance with state law. Other measures heard included SB 769, which would require a Coordinating Board report on barriers faced by students with disabilities in higher education; supporters emphasized the need for better data and accessibility, while witnesses suggested broader reporting on race, disability types, and K-12-to-college transitions. SB 2231 would designate a Free College Application Week in October and was left pending. SB 1878 would modernize the Josie School statute and provide formula funding and aid eligibility for Polytechnic College. SB 1409 would authorize universities to offer self-funded student health benefit plans, with Rice University and Texas 2036 supporting the measure as a way to lower costs and expand coverage. SB 2431 would require universities to give foreign language credit for study abroad programs, SB 2314 would require schools to inform students about opting in or out of record sharing for direct admissions through My Texas Future, and SB 2138 would extend the state’s anti-ESG contracting restrictions to public higher education endowments and governing boards; these later bills were introduced and left pending.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • under Texas Family Code Chapter 160.
  • Exploitation of the, as it's called in Texas, family code gestational mother, I am...
  • governed by Texas. ...compliance with the Texas Family Code for every gestational surrogacy arrangement
  • governed by Texas law, especially around vital statistics.
  • counsel for each party in every gestational surrogacy arrangement governed by Texas law.
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Public Health Jun 4th, 2026

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • However, Texas Education Code 28.002, which outlines the required curriculum, lays out the requirement
  • I don't understand that extra time because the way that this Texas Education Code 28.002 is written,
  • So then under Texas Education Code 28.002, I guess that's, is that L? L. Yes, ma'am. Okay.
  • and the Government Code, telemedicine must be delivered equivalent to the standard of care that would
  • I don't oversee that division, but they're working on Texas Administrative Code Rule changes to comply
Keywords: 1184, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband Mar 31st, 2025

S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband

Transcript Highlights:
  • After all, the vast majority of the poles currently in the ground in Texas are governed by the FCC formula
  • Our members range from the very largest nationwide providers to local Texas providers.
  • rates under Texas Utility Code 54.204(c).
  • As stated in Texas Utility Code 54.204(d), the regulatory commission decides these disputes when they
  • We are also governed by a locally elected Board of Directors.
Bills: HB3445, HB3448
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Criminal Jurisprudence May 19th, 2026

Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • And one of my questions is how much responsibility do the local governments have on this?
  • And one of my questions is how much responsibility do the local governments have on this?
  • Our last recommendation would be to amend Texas Penal Code Section 3255 to address the telecommunications
  • In Texas, we are seeing people considering signage at the local ordinance level.
  • However, with the consent order from the Texas Department of Banking, our local municipalities are concerned
Keywords: 1184, house, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Licensing & Administrative Procedures Apr 8th, 2025

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Transcript Highlights:
  • code.
  • so that we, you know, can continue to abide by Texas penal code laws.
  • This bill is about a local option.
  • That's the Texas grid and spirit.
  • In 2005, the Texas occupation code in 2303.155 set impound and storage fees at $20 per day and capped
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Human Services Mar 4th, 2025

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • it got some traction, not just with Texas, but we ended up with a group that was Texas and California
  • In the gray is where Texas has, uh, gone above that.
  • I'm, I'm a small government guy.
  • And sometimes those codes are added impermissibly.
  • So that is, um, two areas in central Texas and then South Texas as well.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part I) Apr 24th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • the heart of Central Texas.
  • Rob played a key role in drafting and implementing the 1993 Texas Penal Code.
  • governments.
  • It supports continued cooperation with the federal government while making clear that Texas will lead
  • The federal government while making clear that Texas will lead and continue to lead in managing and defending
Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation, messages from the House, and several recognitions, including county day delegations from Fayette, LaSalle, Jim Hogg, Austin, and others, as well as a recognition of Rob Keppel for his career with the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. The chamber also adopted several resolutions, including SR 429 designating October 2025 as RET Syndrome Awareness Month and SR 432 honoring Rob Keppel. A doctor-of-the-day introduction and a public announcement about free skin checks were also made. The Senate then took up and passed several bills. SB 1152, creating the offense of continuous manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, passed after suspension of the rules. SB 1868, regulating kratom and related substances, was amended to prohibit smokeable kratom products and kratom pills and to clarify THC variants such as Delta-8 and Delta-10, then passed. SB 1349, creating offenses for transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law, drew debate over a failed amendment that would have added election misinformation and foreign meddling; the bill ultimately passed unanimously. SB 2037, expediting review of LNG environmental permits, passed after amendments clarifying fees and deadlines, with opposition focused on its energy-policy implications. SB 1164, addressing emergency detention and court-ordered inpatient mental health treatment, passed after a drafting-error correction and discussion of the bill’s basis in recommendations from the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health. The Senate also advanced SB 2743 on prosecution of certain election offenses, which would allow a court process to disqualify a local prosecutor who repeatedly refuses to prosecute election cases and appoint the Attorney General; it passed to engrossment amid questions about evidence and local discretion. SB 1299, protecting nonprofit members, supporters, volunteers, and donors from disclosure by public agencies, passed unanimously. SB 2349, exempting certain short-term leases and temporary tenancies from floodplain notice requirements, passed unanimously. SB 2788, adding PSAT and pre-ACT scores for Texas Success Initiative exemptions and clarifying dual-credit eligibility, passed unanimously after amendment. SB 843, creating a TEA database of school district bonds, taxes, and bond-related projects and adding charter schools, passed after amendments on funding and scope. Finally, SB 1832, allowing parents to transfer a student who was victimized by a public school employee to another campus, passed to engrossment after extended debate over whether the bill should also cover private schools and how it would interact with school choice and ESA policy. SB 39, revising the admission rule in commercial motor vehicle collision cases, was laid out and debated over its effect on negligent entrustment and related evidence, with the author emphasizing that the bill preserves the bifurcated trial structure and does not alter other admissibility rules.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • I think most of your local codes call for that and the local fire chiefs and local government folks work
  • I think most of your local codes call for that and the local fire chiefs and local government folks.
  • I think most of your local codes call for that and the local fire chiefs and local government folks work
  • There are codes, but they're mostly local.
  • Again, there are codes, but they're mostly local jurisdictional codes except when you get out into the
Bills: SB 1
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Property Tax Appraisals Mar 6th, 2025

S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Transcript Highlights:
  • The accuracy of appraisals have an impact on Texas taxpayers. local governments, businesses, and importantly
  • I'm sorry, we're required in the Texas tax code to require it.
  • In Texas, of course, that is market value as provided by tax code section 23.01.
  • So I don't know of anywhere in the tax code that allows for local discretion.
  • I would think that the state, what's in the Texas property tax code.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part II) May 23rd, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • They defer to local law enforcement.
  • Government Code—it says that no member of the legislature may represent any interest before a state
  • Are we violating the spirit of the prohibition in the Texas Government Code of representing somebody
  • Government Code that prevents us from representing anybody before a state agency.
  • Committee concludes its business, to take up pending business for the Local Government Committee.
Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion to suspend Rule 5.14 and move the intent calendar deadline to 6 p.m. that day. It then took up and passed several bills, often by suspending the regular order of business and the constitutional three-day rule. HB 1866 gave limited Texas peace officer authority to National Park Service law enforcement officers within the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park; HB 4996 increased the penalty for refusing to release a fraudulent lien when the victim is a public servant; and HB 5033 created a trigger mechanism for ending vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes. HB 1533 made a range of appraisal and property tax procedure changes, HB 2282 raised the arrest warrant reimbursement fee from $50 to $75, HB 3421 updated probate and estates procedures, and HB 4263 revised Texas Juvenile Justice Department grievance procedures. Each of these measures advanced through second reading, third reading, and final passage, with recorded votes generally showing strong support and some opposition on a few bills. The chamber also considered major policy bills. HB 2, the large public education and school finance package, drew extensive floor discussion and multiple amendments. Senators emphasized its $8.5 billion investment, including teacher and staff pay, school safety funding, special education, charter and traditional school funding changes, and other allotment adjustments. Several senators praised the bill as historic and collaborative, while also noting the need to monitor implementation and future effects. After adopting amendments and hearing supportive remarks from multiple members, the Senate passed HB 2 on final vote, 31-0. Other debated measures included HB 143, which codified cooperation between the Railroad Commission and the Public Utility Commission to address electrical safety hazards at well sites and related facilities, and CS SB 3074/3070, which allowed limited written communications from the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to TCEQ commissioners about permit applications, with disclosure and response requirements. Senator Johnson raised concerns that the TCEQ bill could politicize an apolitical permitting process and potentially affect federal delegation, but the bill was amended and passed 28-3. The Senate also passed HB 4426 on Railroad Commission permits for commercial surface disposal facilities, HB 3161 giving TMRS cities more flexibility on employee contribution rates, and HB 2712 allowing future test years for certain water and sewer utility rate-making, with an amendment to protect ratepayers if projections overcharge them. At the end of the session, the Senate handled several procedural motions, including re-referring HB 1904 from Criminal Justice to State Affairs and suspending posting rules so committees could meet later that day. The chamber then recessed until 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2025, for a local and uncontested calendar, and planned to adjourn until 5:00 p.m. that same day after that calendar concluded.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Mar 5th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • the great state of Texas.
  • Texas flag. Honor the Texas flag.
  • Texas State Technical College and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley prepare students for careers
  • Speaker and members, please take a moment to help me welcome Special Olympic Texas to the Texas House
  • We as the Texas House want to thank the local the Texas Forest Service and Texas Department of Emergency
Keywords: 1184, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session May 12th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill has the backing of local law enforcement and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
  • Texas A&M system in the local area than Robbie Burge. He would call me and say, how can I help you?
  • H.J.R. 175 to Business and Commerce, HB 21 to Local Government, HB 30 to Local Government, HB 74 to Transportation
  • 16, HB 1557 to Transportation, HB 1677 to Local Government, HB 1747...
  • to Finance, HB 3161 to Finance, HB 3045 to Finance, HB 3161 to Finance, HB 3370 to Local Government,
Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Tedrick Woods, followed by routine chamber actions including excusing Senator Gutierrez and receiving House messages that the House had passed HB 21 and HB 49. Senators also recognized advocates visiting the gallery on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis awareness and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including HCR 66, by voice vote. The Senate then took up and passed a series of measures, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Among the bills finally passed were HJR 2, which would prohibit state death taxes; HB 206, limiting counties from requiring cash bonds for pipeline construction; HB 517, barring property owners associations from fining homeowners for discolored vegetation during watering restrictions; HB 2756, requiring TDCJ correctional officers to receive de-escalation and behavioral health training; HB 451, expanding screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk among children in DFPS and TJJD custody; SB 705, cleaning up the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board; SB 2017, creating an offense for burnouts and wheelies; SB 1858, expanding body armor grant eligibility to ISDs; SB 1400, directing a study on transfer-student outcomes for community college funding; SB 2764, requiring notice to manufactured home buyers about converting homes to real property; SB 748, a licensing cleanup bill on laser hair removal; SB 2519, restricting certain ad valorem tax uses and bonds after amendment; SB 2878, the courts bill with amendments on Brazoria County courts and youth diversion provisions; SB 466, allowing families to request fetal death certificates at any gestational age; SB 1608, requiring timely physical exams for inpatient mental health admissions; SB 1730, limiting civil damages claims arising from certain uses of force or deadly force; SB 2417, clarifying Attorney General antitrust investigation work product and discovery rules; and SB 1946, creating a family violence, criminal homicide prevention task force. The Senate also passed HB 3204, renaming and updating the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, and SB 1986, requiring opioid warning labels. Several bills drew brief debate or amendments. Senators discussed broader HOA reform while considering HB 517, and SB 2203 on TCEQ discovery procedures was amended to require party motions, set a 15-day expiration for certified issues, and limit hearing abatement. SB 2017 was amended to change the mens rea language from knowingly to intentional. SB 2519 was narrowed by amendment to a forward-looking policy statement separating maintenance-and-operation taxes from debt-service taxes. SB 2878 also received amendments to reduce the number of new Brazoria County courts and add youth diversion and crisis-response provisions. SB 466 prompted a floor debate over whether fetal death certificates are appropriate for pre-20-week losses, with supporters emphasizing family closure and opponents arguing the document has no estate-related purpose. SB 1730 also prompted questions about the relationship between criminal findings and civil liability in self-defense cases. The session concluded with additional House and Senate measures being signed in the presence of the Senate and continued consideration of SB 2177, a grant program to help local law enforcement solve violent and sexual offenses.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Human Services Mar 4th, 2025

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • And interestingly, it got some traction not just with Texas, but we ended up with a group that was Texas
  • as the... the Texas Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act.
  • It's still Chapter 36 of the Human Resources Code.
  • The statute is Chapter 32 of the Human Resources Code. 32 of the Human Resources Code. Yes, sir.
  • Texas and then south Texas as well and the areas in white El Paso and the Permian Basin Concho Valley
Keywords: 1184, house, all
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • It also had detailed training for state agencies and local governments.
  • Clark, a question on the Texas HB 149: it provides training for state agencies and local governments.
  • HB 149 provides training for state agencies and local governments.
  • And in reality, governance from the local level is the best governance.
  • And in reality, governance from the local level is the best governance.
Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, established a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from Majority Leader Hogue and the chair about the committee’s charge. Members said the goal was to build a factual foundation on AI, hear from experts and stakeholders, and develop practical North Dakota-focused recommendations rather than simply produce a large volume of bills. Legislative Council also reviewed interim committee rules and procedures before the informational presentations began. Staff and NCSL presenters then gave overviews of AI concepts and the state and federal policy landscape. The background memo and presentations covered AI categories and terms, state laws in areas such as consumer protection, algorithmic discrimination, deepfakes, chatbots, children’s safety, health, education, and government use, as well as data center siting and economic impacts. NCSL described a growing number of AI bills introduced and enacted across the states, with comprehensive laws in places like Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois, and noted recurring issues around transparency, privacy, liability, and protections for minors. A major focus of the discussion was federal preemption and the tension between state regulation and national AI policy. NCSL said a recent White House executive order and related federal framework seek a light-touch, innovation-friendly national standard, with possible challenges to state laws and possible funding conditions tied to compliance, though no broad federal preemption has yet been enacted. Members asked about Commerce Clause concerns, industry pushback, oversight models, and whether AI policy is bipartisan; presenters said the issue cuts across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfake restrictions but more disagreement on broader regulatory approaches. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting, and the committee recessed briefly for technical issues during the second presentation.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband Mar 31st, 2025

S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband

Transcript Highlights:
  • After all, the vast majority of polls currently in the ground in Texas are governed by the FCC formula
  • in Texas utility code 54204c, the law these bills, this bill appears modeled on.
  • bill is trading local control for centralized control, which in rural Texas we're not a big fan of that
  • water code.
  • And we are also governed by a locally elected board of directors.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Criminal Justice May 22nd, 2025

Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • It adds the following trafficking-related offenses to the list of crimes in the Government Code that
  • The bill would amend the Government Code to allow correctional officers to voluntarily transfer up to
  • House Bill 3664 amends the Government Code to require a prospective grand juror, before the prospective
  • grand juror may be accepted and impaneled under the Code of Criminal Procedure provisions governing
  • Because I think that would be a huge, unfunded mandate for local governments.
Bills: HB75, HB108
Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice and public safety bills, with most measures focused on tougher penalties, victim protections, and procedural changes. Bills discussed included HB 75, requiring magistrates to make written findings when denying probable cause despite believing an arrestee committed an offense; HB 413, limiting pretrial detention so it cannot exceed the maximum jail term for the charged offense, with competency-related exceptions; HB 1422, expanding sexual assault survivor protections and increasing penalties for certain sexual offenses and voyeurism; HB 2073, increasing penalties for violating protective orders or bond conditions while armed; HB 2593, raising indecent assault penalties against elderly or disabled victims; HB 108, enhancing punishment when body armor is used during violent crimes; HB 3816, expanding cruelty-to-livestock offenses to include unlawful controlled-substance administration; HB 2854, requiring parole officers to notify hospitals or law enforcement when violent parolees visit hospital premises; HB 1871, increasing punishment for attempted capital murder of a peace officer and making such offenders ineligible for parole; HB 3463, clarifying notice methods in theft-of-service cases; HB 2348, allowing video-recorded depositions of elderly or disabled witnesses; HB 2594, expanding venue options for cybercrime and digital theft prosecutions; HB 2761, clarifying that children cannot be deemed to consent to prostitution-related offenses; HB 3185, authorizing administrative subpoenas in cybercrime investigations; HB 2017, increasing penalties for certain intoxication manslaughter cases involving undocumented immigrants with prior DWI convictions; HB 2306, making certain trafficking offenses ineligible for parole; HB 1607, allowing a rear-only license plate when a vehicle lacks a front bracket; HB 1828, creating a legislative leave pool for TDCJ correctional officers; and HB 3664, requiring prospective grand jurors to complete training and proposing additional changes to grand jury procedure in a future substitute. The committee also took up HB 3073, the Summer Willis Act, which would clarify consent in sexual assault law and address intoxication-related incapacity; the committee substitute narrowed the language to situations where the perpetrator knows the other person cannot consent because of intoxication or impairment, while removing withdrawal-of-consent and “reasonably should know” language from the House version. Several bills were laid out with committee substitutes adopted, including HB 3463, HB 2594, HB 3073, and HB 3073’s substitute, and most bills were left pending after no invited or public testimony or after hearing testimony. Public testimony was especially extensive on HB 3073, with survivors, advocates, and prosecutors supporting broader consent language, while some prosecutors said the substitute was an improvement but still favored the House version’s broader protections. HB 3664 drew significant opposition from district attorneys, who argued that mandatory transcription or recording of grand jury testimony would be costly, chill grand juror questioning, and complicate timely presentations; concerns were also raised about new-evidence requirements and grand jury shopping. No final votes were taken on the bills discussed in the transcript, and the committee recessed partway through to return to the floor before continuing its hearing.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session May 31st, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • From across Texas who make up this great body, the Texas State Senate.
  • by persons in our local community, but by the entire state of Texas.
  • by persons in our local community, but the entire state of Texas.
  • of Texas for the $11 billion that it has spent... ...that the federal government should reimburse the
  • Government Code.
Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several conference committee matters and resolutions. It granted the House request for a conference committee on House Bill 46 and adopted a conference report on Senate Bill 37, which was described as higher education governance reform, including stronger board authority, changes to faculty senates, general education requirements, and a new ombudsman office. Senators also adopted a large package of resolutions and HCRs by voice vote. A major focus was Senate Bill 12, the “Parental Bill of Rights,” whose conference report was adopted after extended questioning. The bill was described as giving parents more access to school materials and grievance procedures, requiring parental consent for student clubs, and restricting school district employees from assisting with social transitioning or related gender-identity instruction. Senators raised concerns about effects on students already socially transitioned and on parental rights in medical or psychological decisions; the author said the House language was retained in key areas and that districts would need policies and parent notification. The report passed 20-11. The Senate then adopted a resolution allowing the conference committee on Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-2027, to go outside the bounds, and later adopted the budget conference report. Senators highlighted major funding for public education, property tax relief, public safety, health and human services, child care, water and transportation infrastructure, and the Texas Energy Fund. The budget discussion also covered higher education, mental health facilities, community attendant wages, rural hospitals, DFPS case management, child care assistance, and a study rider on TRS. The report passed unanimously, 30-0. Finally, the Senate suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 8 and adopted its conference report. The bill requires counties with jails or jail contracts to participate in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program, with sheriffs choosing among available models and counties receiving tiered grants to help cover costs. Supporters framed it as a public safety measure targeting criminal illegal aliens, while opponents questioned whether it would divert local resources and increase fear in immigrant communities. The report was adopted after debate.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Our role is outlined in Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code.
  • All disasters in Texas are locally managed.
  • and operated at the expense of the local government.
  • state to support that local government, not to second-guess and not to command that local government
  • And a lot of local governments do them.
Keywords: 1185, senate, all