Transcript Highlights:

• Your action to propose a solution has given my community significant hope.
• Your action to propose a solution has given my community significant hope.
• They are not communicating with the HIV community, which has us in deep fear.
• You have heard the community. You have stepped up to the challenge.
• home and community-based services.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the respect and admiration that those community leaders had for Mike and the parents of that community
• I think... ...for Mike and the parents of that community was evident.
• It's because school board members, as a reminder, are volunteer community leaders.
• It's because school board members, as a reminder, are volunteer community leaders.
• Another example would be the Yavapai Community College Teacher Program.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Edward's Catholic Church community. And we are honored to have you here, Father Don.
• Economic Development to conduct a comprehensive study on the feasibility of establishing a rural community
• The community and the state were said to be proud of them. Morning Hour 17.
• This bill also provides for better communication and coordination between local law enforcement and state

Bills: HR286 , HR287 , HR288 , HR289 , HR290 , HR291 , HR292 , HR293 , HR294 , HCR114 , HR275 , HR276 , HR277 , HR278 , HR279 , HR280 , HR282 , HR283 , HR284 , HR285 , HCR112 , HCR113 , SCR62 , SCR64 , SB132 , SB135 , SB405 , HR179 , HR216 , HR223 , HR225 , HR274 , HCR89 , SB39 , SB99 , SB111 , SB112 , SB124 , SB134 , SB174 , SB189 , SB190 , SB201 , SB233 , SB236 , SB258 , SB270 , SB273 , SB288 , SB307 , SB313 , SB320 , SB321 , SB325 , SB326 , SB331 , SB339 , SB341 , SB345 , SB346 , SB347 , SB353 , SB357 , SB359 , SB387 , SB393 , SB401 , SB415 , SB419 , SB422 , SB426 , SB435 , SB437 , SB440 , SB451 , SB464 , SB470 , SB487 , SB488 , SB495 , SB504 , SB505 , SB518 , SB523 , SB228 , SB408 , HR168 , HR174 , HR194 , HCR54 , HCR74 , HCR79 , HCR87 , HCR94 , HCR95 , HCR97 , HCR98 , HCR102 , HCR104 , SCR23 , SCR38 , HCR26 , HB250 , HB265 , HB339 , HB427 , HB445 , HB463 , HB468 , HB606 , HB639 , HB649 , HB665 , HB746 , HB781 , HB853 , HB861 , HB872 , HB886 , HB916 , HB937 , HB1054 , HB1068 , HB1117 , HB1237 , HB75 , HB705 , SB34 , SB164 , SB172 , SB198 , SB208 , SB232 , SB281 , SB286 , SB317 , SB322 , SB334 , SB380 , SB385 , SB409 , SB417 , SB421 , SB430 , SB439 , SB447 , SB458 , SB510 , SB54 , SB56 , SB72 , SB79 , SB97 , SB105 , SB123 , SB125 , SB129 , SB163 , SB171 , SB252 , SB287 , SB375 , SB386 , SB461 , SB466 , HR84 , SCR3 , HB582 , HB625 , HB646 , HB998 , HB1191 , HB1255 , SB81 , SB100 , SB109 , SB197 , SB374 , SB479 , SB78 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HB284 , HB302 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , SB82 , SB89 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB782 , SB149 , SB382 , SB441

Keywords: HR286, House Resolution 286, LED, Louisiana Economic Development, rural development, energy efficiency, renewable energy, public-private partnership, tax credits, economic development, workforce training, school energy costs, community colleges, technical colleges, local government, building modernization, on-site energy generation, public facilities, rural parishes, distressed communities

Summary: The House met with a quorum, received a guest minister for prayer, approved the journal, and heard several announcements and recognitions, including NEC Awareness Day, a European Union delegation visit, and the Glenmore Wildcats baseball team’s state championship. Members also received Senate messages, including concurrence on some House measures, the filing of Senate bills, and several Senate resolutions and bills laid over for later consideration. The chamber then took up a long series of resolutions and bills. Among the resolutions adopted were measures on a Louisiana-United Kingdom Trade Commission, support for migratory waterfowl studies, hunting education in schools, SNAP delivery-fee studies, fraud prevention for seniors, subsurface data preservation, boating safety reporting, and visual acuity screening data. Some items were temporarily returned to the calendar, including a sales-tax uniform-base rule resolution and several Senate measures. The House also adopted a resolution creating an agricultural national security task force and another supporting a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. On legislation, the House passed bills on missing-person alerts for people with disabilities (“Brian’s Call”), first responder status for public works employees, planning commission procedures, historic preservation district rules, judges’ supplemental compensation, the Baker Economic Development District, New Orleans downtown development district tax authority, a local crime prevention district, clerks of court records, hotel occupancy taxes in Shreveport-Bossier, firefighter cancer screenings, Shreveport police civil service rules, local ethics entity funding, hemp/alcohol age restrictions, OMV digital signatures, LED recreation, TOPS Tech eligibility for veterans, anatomical gift recordkeeping, crypto kiosk fraud protections, firefighting foam definitions, and consumer data privacy. Several bills failed, including HB 705 on legislative contempt penalties and HB 75 on gaming promotional play. One bill on vehicle insurance reinstatement fees was amended and passed, and a bill on judicial compensation fund adjustments was amended and passed after questions about CPI indexing.

Bills: HR286 , HR287 , HR288 , HR289 , HR290 , HR291 , HR292 , HR293 , HR294 , HCR114 , HR275 , HR276 , HR277 , HR278 , HR279 , HR280 , HR282 , HR283 , HR284 , HR285 , HCR112 , HCR113 , SCR62 , SCR64 , SB132 , SB135 , SB405 , HR179 , HR216 , HR223 , HR225 , HR274 , HCR89 , SB39 , SB99 , SB111 , SB112 , SB124 , SB134 , SB174 , SB189 , SB190 , SB201 , SB233 , SB236 , SB258 , SB270 , SB273 , SB288 , SB307 , SB313 , SB320 , SB321 , SB325 , SB326 , SB331 , SB339 , SB341 , SB345 , SB346 , SB347 , SB353 , SB357 , SB359 , SB387 , SB393 , SB401 , SB415 , SB419 , SB422 , SB426 , SB435 , SB437 , SB440 , SB451 , SB464 , SB470 , SB487 , SB488 , SB495 , SB504 , SB505 , SB518 , SB523 , SB228 , SB408 , HR168 , HR174 , HR194 , HCR54 , HCR74 , HCR79 , HCR87 , HCR94 , HCR95 , HCR97 , HCR98 , HCR102 , HCR104 , SCR23 , SCR38 , HCR26 , HB250 , HB265 , HB339 , HB427 , HB445 , HB463 , HB468 , HB606 , HB639 , HB649 , HB665 , HB746 , HB781 , HB853 , HB861 , HB872 , HB886 , HB916 , HB937 , HB1054 , HB1068 , HB1117 , HB1237 , HB75 , HB705 , SB34 , SB164 , SB172 , SB198 , SB208 , SB232 , SB281 , SB286 , SB317 , SB322 , SB334 , SB380 , SB385 , SB409 , SB417 , SB421 , SB430 , SB439 , SB447 , SB458 , SB510 , SB54 , SB56 , SB72 , SB79 , SB97 , SB105 , SB123 , SB125 , SB129 , SB163 , SB171 , SB252 , SB287 , SB375 , SB386 , SB461 , SB466 , HR84 , SCR3 , HB582 , HB625 , HB646 , HB998 , HB1191 , HB1255 , SB81 , SB100 , SB109 , SB197 , SB374 , SB479 , SB78 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HB284 , HB302 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , SB82 , SB89 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB782 , SB149 , SB382 , SB441

Keywords: HR286, House Resolution 286, LED, Louisiana Economic Development, rural development, energy efficiency, renewable energy, public-private partnership, tax credits, economic development, workforce training, school energy costs, community colleges, technical colleges, local government, building modernization, on-site energy generation, public facilities, rural parishes, distressed communities

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's why we need our local community.
• Do you communicate? Is there a concern about the amount of data that you can send to them?
• So we work with them, I feel like those communication lines are already there.
• So, the communications lines are there. They do their best to predict what's coming.
• And we all know that different communities have different training.

Bills: HB2034 , HB2436 , HB3010 , HB3033 , HB3138 , HB3177 , HB3426 , HB3686 , HB3858 , HB4176 , HB4257 , HB4264 , HB4804 , HCR98

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

Keywords: groundwater, foreign ownership, national security, water permits, environmental health, deadly conduct, firearm, recklessness, peace officer, prosecution, Penal Code, Texas laws, disaster recovery, infrastructure, rural communities, grants, state funding, emergency management, HB 3033, Texas Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Tried to communicate with some of them. Uh, and they've not done that and this is ongoing.
• </c><00:10:39.440><c> Uh</c><00:10:39.760><c> and</c> communicate with some of them.
• Uh and communicate with some of them.
• So it doesn't itemize it down community.
• </c> that that uh that that I I communicate that that uh that that I I communicate with<00:38:16.560>

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:32 SB 155 Discussion: 03:00 SB 155 Roll Call Vote: 07:50 SB 45 Discussion: 08:39 SB 45 Roll Call Vote: 36:00, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's retired in that community.
• I, I feel like those, those communication lines are already there.
• Now they have folks in our communities more of, you know, staying in our communities working with our
• So the communications lines are there, that they do their best to predict what's coming.
• Thank you for your many, many years of service to the state of Texas and to your communities.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And the respect and admiration that those community leaders had for Mike and the parents of that community
• I think... ...for Mike and the parents of that community was evident.
• It's because school board members, as a reminder, are volunteer community leaders.
• Another example would be the Yavapai Community College Teacher Program. And if...
• So community members can absolutely... ...make change.

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several school-related bills, with much of the discussion focused on governance, transparency, and accountability in school districts. House Bill 2318 would impose term limits on school district governing board members in districts with at least 250 students, while allowing county superintendents to appoint a term-limited member to fill a vacancy. Supporters argued it would bring fresh ideas and prevent entrenched leadership; opponents said voters should decide. The bill received a due pass recommendation after a divided roll call. House Bill 2312 would allow certain patriotic youth groups to address students during school hours and require equal access for those groups in school forums. The sponsor said it was intended to promote programs such as FFA, Scouts, and similar organizations. Some members objected that it would take instructional time and was not truly permissive if access was granted to one group, and the bill nonetheless received a due pass recommendation. House Bill 2320 would require school districts to hire a registered independent municipal advisor before calling a bond election and for each successful bond issue. The sponsor and supporters said this could reduce underwriting fees and save taxpayers money, while some members raised questions about costs if a bond failed and whether the bill should be narrowed; it passed with a due pass recommendation after several members voted present or no. The committee also approved House Bill 2376, which would bar districts from buying or leasing school property while a charter or private school is still operating there, and House Bill 2378, which tightens conflict-of-interest rules for the School Facilities Oversight Board by barring the architect and engineer members from having school-construction business. Both were framed by the sponsor as responses to concerns raised in Tolleson Union-related testimony and reporting. House Bill 2379, as amended, requires school board members to complete biennial training approved by the Auditor General, to be offered by county superintendents or ADE, with counties able to contract with others; supporters called it needed training, while opponents raised concerns about unfunded mandates, inclusion of ASBA, and charter schools. It received a due pass recommendation. Finally, House Bill 2380 would require board and subcommittee meetings to be held in-district, preserve online access to materials, and require public approval of out-of-state travel, with reimbursement if retroactive approval is denied. Rural districts and others raised concerns about flexibility, executive-session confidentiality, and administrative burden, but the bill was discussed with amendments and public access concerns rather than a final recorded action in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> decline equally in every Community decline equally in every Community across<00:40:14.240><c> the
• I think there's three or— been hearing from Community groups from been hearing from Community groups
• c> those</c><02:07:52.119><c> communities</c> representation within those communities representation
• This is a former sugar plantation community, so we're replicating this model in our rural communities
• </c> knocking on the doors at hwood Community knocking on the doors at hwood Community College<05:22:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Security and economic stability across lots of rural communities and really for our entire state, as
• Our staff is in pretty constant communication with a specific contact at FBI here in Oklahoma who is
• Communication open, but hopefully we're doing some things.
• But now, with the people moving out into the suburbs, into these communities around our major cities,
• It's got to be at, you know, some communities are just neighborhoods out in rural areas.

Committee: House A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee

Summary: The meeting began with a budget presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Secretary Blaine Arthur and Deputy Commissioner Jan Lee described the agency’s divisions and recent efforts to improve efficiency, including expanded online licensing, electronic veterinary inspection certificates, and a new laboratory information system. They highlighted youth and workforce programs, local food initiatives for schools, market development efforts, and ongoing animal health concerns such as avian influenza, equine herpesvirus, and the threat of New World screwworm. They also discussed staffing, turnover, and uncertainty around federal cooperative agreement funding, while noting they were not requesting new or additional appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year. Members asked about meat inspection staffing, the use of one-time forestry firefighting funds, biosecurity and national security coordination, and agency staffing levels. The department said meat inspection was currently in good shape but dependent on federal funding stability, and explained that prior firefighting dollars had been used for equipment purchases. They also said they work with state and federal partners, including DHS and FBI, on threat preparedness and have reduced turnover by adjusting salaries and maintaining staffing at or below prior levels. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission then presented its budget and program overview. Staff described the agency’s long history and current work in water quality, flood control, soil health, unpaved roads, wetlands, and woody species control, especially eastern red cedar removal. They emphasized data-driven, voluntary conservation practices, citing stream cleanups, flood-control dam benefits, pond cleanouts during drought, and the Cherry-Peach watershed project as examples of programs that improve water resources and reduce wildfire risk. The agency said its workload has grown significantly and requested funding for critical dam repairs, local conservation district staffing, continued unpaved roads work, and expansion of woody species control statewide. Members asked about county matching for road and dam projects, who to contact about flooding roads, sediment removal from pond cleanouts, and the effectiveness of county training programs. Commission staff explained that county in-kind work can count as match, local conservation districts are the first point of contact, and the road training has produced measurable savings and better maintenance practices. They also clarified that “high hazard” dams are those where failure could threaten people or infrastructure downstream, not necessarily dams that are structurally failing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> dollars to Corner Community Hospital. dollars to Corner Community Hospital. that<00:23:21.600><c
• </c><00:32:58.799><c> Design</c> Architecture for the Community Design Architecture for the Community
• </c><01:25:24.480><c> So</c> services in the community. So services in the community.
• about community wellness with us.
• . community. community.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These businesses have gone above and beyond to serve our community and benefit our community.
• These businesses have gone above and beyond to serve our community and benefit our community.
• </c> for all that you do for our community. for all that you do for our community.
• </c> uplifting communities everywhere. uplifting communities everywhere.
• </c> our communities and we have to say no. our communities and we have to say no.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, May 19, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the new process, we have initiated redundant communications through program and rules staff in
• But I came today in support of Director Johnson, and this is as a community stakeholder.
• for in terms of simple communication, directive from the agency that is regulating the licensed community
• The type of communication and open lines that you have, that is wonderful. of communication and open
• I don't see anything in Arizona law on that, which communicates to me that it's not. All right.

Summary: The Committee on Director Nominations met with four members present and approved the prior minutes without objection. Chair Jay Kaufman outlined the committee’s role in reviewing executive nominations and explained the hearing process for three nominees: Mary Foote for the Office of Economic Opportunity, Debbie Johnston for the Department of Health Services, and Chuck Bassett. Foote did not appear for her hearing, and members discussed her absence and alleged omissions in her disclosure materials, including prior service with Planned Parenthood-related organizations. The committee then moved to reject her nomination, and the motion passed 3-2, recommending that the full Senate reject Mary Foote. Debbie Johnston, nominee to lead the Department of Health Services, appeared and gave an opening statement describing her Arizona background, prior Senate staff work, and more than 20 years with the Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association. She said her priorities at ADHS include rebuilding trust in public health licensing, improving stakeholder engagement, standardizing rulemaking communication, addressing alleged religious discrimination and retaliation concerns in licensing, and using technology and AI to improve efficiency. In questioning, senators pressed her on her management style, conflict-of-interest safeguards given her prior industry role, enforcement priorities, budget pressures, behavioral health and assisted living oversight, and the department’s response to COVID-19. Johnston said she would follow statutes, recuse herself from enforcement matters involving former contacts, and resign if directed to carry out an unlawful policy. She also said the department does not regulate therapy itself, only facilities, and that it would rely on legal counsel regarding the governor’s conversion-therapy executive order and related federal civil-rights allegations. Several senators focused on public health trust and the department’s pandemic response, with Johnston acknowledging concerns about closures, data collection, and communication during COVID-19 while saying she would review past after-action materials and be better prepared in the future. Public testimony from stakeholders in aging services and health care strongly supported her confirmation, praising her accessibility, responsiveness, and collaborative approach. After testimony, the vice chair moved to recommend Johnston’s confirmation to the full Senate. The roll call was underway when the transcript ended, with several members voting aye and one member expressing reservations about her not reviewing the pandemic after-action report before another crisis occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the new process, we have initiated redundant communications through program and rules staff in
• Of our communities, that our decisions are data-driven and that we are working to leverage technology
• But I came today in support of Director Johnson, and this is as a community stakeholder.
• for in terms of simple communication, a directive from the agency that is regulating the licensed community
• The type of communication and open lines that you have, that is wonderful.

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ratings provide essential transparency for parents, communities, and policymakers.
• and impress upon the committee the importance of a strong accountability system to the business community
• I can speak for myself and hopefully the rest of my class when I say that the community fostered in my
• We are actively developing empathy, teamwork, and communication skills that are essential for patient
• the foundation of this culture, and abolishing it would jeopardize the very values that make our community

Bills: HB4 , HB20

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2853, which would allow the UT System Board of Regents to adjust the University of Texas at El Paso student union fee above the current statutory cap, subject to student approval, to help fund a new student union building. Senator Blanco explained the bill and the committee substitute, there were no questions or witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then heard House Bill 610, which would limit severance payments for terminated independent school district superintendents to six months’ salary and benefits. Senator Paxton described large severance payouts and said the bill had passed the House overwhelmingly. There were no witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the bill was left pending. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 4623, which would waive school district immunity in certain cases involving negligent hiring, supervision, or employment of professional school employees who commit abuse or related misconduct against students. Senator Paxton and several witnesses, including survivors and parents, argued the bill was needed to address cover-ups, delayed reporting, and repeated failures to remove dangerous employees; some members raised concerns about liability caps, litigation, and how the bill would interact with the Tort Claims Act. The committee also heard from TEA staff and employee-group witnesses who discussed possible injunctions and stronger no-hire protections. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4, an accountability and assessment bill that would restore A-F ratings, change the state testing system, and replace STAAR with shorter, more instructionally useful assessments. Senator Bettencourt explained the committee substitute, including annual ratings, limits on taxpayer-funded lawsuits, and a phased-in testing redesign with beginning, middle, and end-of-year assessments. Testimony was generally supportive from education and business groups, though some witnesses favored norm-referenced testing while others emphasized criterion-referenced, TEKS-aligned assessments; one witness noted social studies assessments were restored in the bill. The hearing concluded with additional invited testimony and no final vote reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• By Appropriations, Community Affairs, and Senator DeSigley, for CS for Senate... Secretary.
• an act relating to emergency preparedness and response.
• Many of these communities did not have an emergency management plan.
• These same type of accidents have occurred in other communities, including Miami.
• , to make sure that we’re keeping our community safe.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum established, and several recognitions, including a legislative intern, a guest in the gallery, and Representative Bruce Antone’s upcoming induction into the Tuskegee Athletic Hall of Fame. The Speaker also gave brief remarks about the end of session and the freshman class. The chamber then took up a series of Senate-returned messages and concurred or insisted on several amendments while moving bills toward final passage. The House unanimously approved CS/CS/HB 1299 on Department of Health matters, CS/HB 1549 on financial institutions after adopting a House amendment to remove the IOTA-related provision, and CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign ties and business interests after a House concurrence motion. It also insisted on its amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 184 on housing. CS/CS/HB 875 on educator preparation was amended to restore House provisions on teacher-prep courses, the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College, and related testing and mentor-qualification changes; it passed 91-22 after debate over teacher certification, testing, and “identity politics” language. HB 1101 on out-of-network providers was amended to keep the House’s original notice and referral framework with a good-cause exemption; it passed 87-27 despite objections that it placed too much responsibility on doctors. After recess, the House took up CS/CS/SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response. Members described changes including removal of some homestead-assessment and debris-removal provisions, a study requirement for a post-hurricane county restriction concept, and a Florida Keys evacuation-time change paired with a 10-year cap of 900 permit allocations; the bill passed 116-0. The House also refused to concur in a Senate amendment to HB 1609 on waste incineration and requested the Senate recede. Later, the House returned to HB 1101 and insisted on its amendment after the Senate refused to concur. The longest debate came on CS/CS/HB 1115 on education, where the House amendment replaced the Senate version with the substance of HB 1267, including Schools of Hope, higher education governance, and course transparency. Members questioned provisions expanding Schools of Hope co-location and sponsorship authority beyond traditional opportunity zones, the role of the Department of Education versus school districts, transportation and facility-cost issues, and performance-based agreements. Supporters said the changes would expand options for students and use vacant or underutilized facilities; opponents argued the language was added late, lacked transportation funding, and could allow charter operators to enter high-performing schools. The bill remained under debate at the end of the transcript, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, community with wildfires. You know, community with wildfires.
• and we don't have rural communities and we don't have rural communities and we don't have access to
• service winning the statewide community service winning the statewide community service award.
• The problem we have here is that some a lot of the farming community, some a lot of the farming community
• that get something bad and community that get something bad and community that get something bad and

Bills: HB 135 , HCR 64 , SCR 3 , SCR 30 , SB 500 , SB 739 , SB 816 , SB 898 , SB 1283 , SB 1351 , SB 1423 , SB 1531 , SB 1540 , SB 1666 , SB 1721 , SB 1886 , SB 1931 , SB 2001 , SB 2075 , SB 2154 , SB 2173 , SB 2217 , SB 2284 , SB 2375 , SB 2383 , SB 2386 , SB 2398 , SB 2448 , SB 2476 , SB 2540 , SB 2580 , SB 2589 , SB 2693 , SB 2707 , SB 2776 , SB 2786 , SB 2801 , SB 2864 , SB 2927 , SJR 84 , SCR 30 , SB 243 , SB 324 , SB 393 , SB 457 , SB 511 , SB 529 , SB 547 , SB 636 , SB 646 , SB 659 , SB 715 , SB 731 , SB 735 , SB 800 , SB 801 , SB 904 , SB 1065 , SB 1141 , SB 1181 , SB 1224 , SB 1241 , SB 1242 , SB 1250 , SB 1266 , SB 1285 , SB 1359 , SB 1434 , SB 1442 , SB 1467 , SB 1502 , SB 1524 , SB 1528 , SB 1551 , SB 1585 , SB 1640 , SB 1754 , SB 1757 , SB 1777 , SB 1844 , SB 1863 , SB 1972 , SB 2007 , SB 2035 , SB 2046 , SB 2055 , SB 2069 , SB 2082 , SB 2119 , SB 2139 , SB 2154 , SB 2200 , SB 2201 , SB 2269 , SB 2310 , SB 2330 , SB 2357 , SB 2366 , SB 2401 , SB 2422 , SB 2514 , SB 2530 , SB 2533 , SB 2543 , SB 2544 , SB 2550 , SB 2568 , SB 2589 , SB 2660 , SB 2693 , SB 2695 , SB 2707 , SB 2717 , SB 2721 , SB 2742 , SB 2753 , SB 2807 , SB 2846 , SB 2891 , SB 2925 , SB 2938 , SJR 3 , SJR 18 , SB 5 , SB 326 , SB 767 , SB 769 , SB 783 , SB 914 , SB 963 , SB 1035 , SB 1197 , SB 1271 , SB 1415 , SB 1437 , SB 1619 , SB 1637 , SB 1786 , SB 1806 , SB 494 , SB 530 , SB 2312 , SB 1 , SB 260 , HB 135 , HB 1109 , HB 1392 , HB 22 , HCR 64 , SJR 36 , SJR 50 , SJR 63 , SJR 84 , SJR 59 , SCR 12 , SCR 39 , SCR 48 , SCR 19 , SCR 30 , SCR 3 , SB 2023 , SB 62 , SB 666 , SB 847 , SB 284 , SB 854 , SB 1073 , SB 810 , SB 1505 , SB 583 , SB 1502 , SB 507 , SB 1434 , SB 1376 , SB 1585 , SB 1772 , SB 2016 , SB 1163 , SB 1122 , SB 731 , SB 397 , SB 508 , SB 1436 , SB 287 , SB 261 , SB 1882 , SB 393 , SB 1791 , SB 209 , SB 2429 , SB 1999 , SB 511 , SB 2309 , SB 510 , SB 1085 , SB 1975 , SB 2717 , SB 1262 , SB 1524 , SB 636 , SB 2056 , SB 884 , SB 517 , SB 1200 , SB 1845 , SB 1863 , SB 2681 , SB 2200 , SB 2199 , SB 1757 , SB 2458 , SB 2201 , SB 801 , SB 2533 , SB 3014 , SB 3013 , SB 758 , SB 1721 , SB 1013 , SB 2797 , SB 2383 , SB 2119 , SB 2448 , SB 1777 , SB 1283 , SB 2076 , SB 2786 , SB 2876 , SB 2284 , SB 1540 , SB 2929 , SB 2540 , SB 2595 , SB 2217 , SB 715 , SB 500 , SB 1640 , SB 2001 , SB 2514 , SB 2753 , SB 2398 , SB 1241 , SB 2927 , SB 2173 , SB 2538 , SB 898 , SB 1449 , SB 2529 , SB 2846 , SB 2476 , SB 986 , SB 1181 , SB 2075 , SB 2154 , SB 2864 , SB 1359 , SB 2386 , SB 2550 , SB 1351 , SB 1423 , SB 1931 , SB 2245 , SB 2589 , SB 2707 , SB 410 , SB 2776 , SB 2580 , SB 1886 , SB 1234 , SB 739 , SB 456 , SB 1666 , SB 2801 , SB 2055 , SB 1012 , SB 2926 , SB 2138 , SB 1242 , SB 2615 , SB 2310 , SB 1224 , SB 2972 , SB 2841 , SB 3016 , SB 2139 , SB 1856 , SB 2035 , SB 1528 , SB 1141 , SB 2401 , SB 2530 , SB 2375 , SB 547 , SB 1266 , SB 1373 , SB 1467 , SB 2069 , SB 2269 , SB 2480 , SB 672 , SB 904 , SB 2695 , SB 2891 , SB 2422 , SB 2543 , SB 1854 , SB 317 , SB 2539 , SB 2532 , SB 2925 , SB 1250 , SB 2082 , SB 2203 , SB 457 , SB 2357 , SB 2721 , SB 243 , SB 1285 , SB 2568 , SB 1959 , SB 1442 , SB 1454 , SB 2520 , SB 2541 , SB 1708 , SB 1237 , SB 1844 , SB 1586 , SB 1551 , SB 3039 , SB 2819 , SB 66 , SB 629 , SB 1015 , SB 2342 , SB 2903 , SB 2933 , SB 1965 , SB 2477 , SB 3029 , SB 2605 , SB 2419 , SB 1957 , SB 375 , SB 250 , SB 777 , SB 628 , SB 2523 , SB 2367 , SB 2703 , SB 2608 , SB 2778 , SB 3044 , SB 2965 , SB 2521 , SB 865 , HB 2525 , HB 3093 , SB 1032 , SB 2165 , SB 2501 , SB 2675 , SB 2452 , SB 2835 , SJR 84 , SB 457 , SB 547 , SB 904 , SB 1467 , SB 1757 , SB 1777 , SB 2055 , SB 2069 , SB 2139 , SB 2401 , SB 2530 , SB 2543 , SB 2695 , SR 349 , SR 367 , SR 468 , SB 3064 , SB 3065 , HJR 7 , HB 119 , HB 130 , HB 163 , HB 166 , HB 201 , HB 272 , HB 331 , HB 380 , HB 654 , HB 694 , HB 718 , HB 865 , HB 1266 , HB 1397 , HB 1500 , HB 1552 , HB 1576 , HB 1583 , HB 1584 , HB 1760 , HB 1894 , HB 1965 , HB 2018 , HB 2029 , HB 2286 , HB 2340 , HB 2427 , HB 2455 , HB 2467 , HB 2508 , HB 2523 , HB 2730 , HB 2756 , HB 2791 , HB 2970 , HB 3016 , HB 3096 , HB 3248 , HB 3255 , HB 3336 , HB 3623 , HB 3698 , HB 3699 , HB 3803 , HB 3804 , HB 3805 , HB 3806 , HB 4129 , HB 4187 , HB 4236 , HB 4238 , HB 4643 , HB 4738 , HB 4739 , HB 5333 , SCR 3 , SCR 30 , SB 500 , SB 739 , SB 898 , SB 1283 , SB 1351 , SB 1423 , SB 1540 , SB 1666 , SB 1721 , SB 1886 , SB 1931 , SB 2001 , SB 2075 , SB 2154 , SB 2173 , SB 2217 , SB 2375 , SB 2383 , SB 2386 , SB 2398 , SB 2448 , SB 2476 , SB 2540 , SB 2580 , SB 2589 , SB 2707 , SB 2776 , SB 2786 , SB 2801 , SB 2864 , SB 2927 , HB 135 , HCR 64 , SB 2284 , SB 3064 , SB 3065 , HJR 7 , HB 119 , HB 130 , HB 163 , HB 166 , HB 201 , HB 272 , HB 331 , HB 380 , HB 654 , HB 694 , HB 718 , HB 865 , HB 1266 , HB 1397 , HB 1500 , HB 1552 , HB 1576 , HB 1583 , HB 1584 , HB 1760 , HB 1894 , HB 1965 , HB 2018 , HB 2029 , HB 2286 , HB 2340 , HB 2427 , HB 2455 , HB 2467 , HB 2508 , HB 2523 , HB 2730 , HB 2756 , HB 2791 , HB 2970 , HB 3016 , HB 3096 , HB 3248 , HB 3255 , HB 3336 , HB 3623 , HB 3698 , HB 3699 , HB 3803 , HB 3804 , HB 3805 , HB 3806 , HB 4129 , HB 4187 , HB 4236 , HB 4238 , HB 4643 , HB 4738 , HB 4739 , HB 5333

Keywords: sales tax exemption, exotic animals, game animals, agriculture, livestock, gifted education, education support, student achievement, academic excellence, Texas education, cowboy culture, Bandera, cultural heritage, historical significance, Texas identity, Birding Capital, Matagorda County, wildlife, conservation, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there messages from the governor or other executive communications? None on the desk, Mr.
• We do it in our communities. We'll all go back and do legislative updates.
• So I come from a community where I have a very large senior population.
• And that's why medical marijuana was something that was very popular in our community.
• We have to go back home to our communities.

Bills: HB135 , HCR64 , SCR3 , SCR30 , SB500 , SB739 , SB816 , SB898 , SB1283 , SB1351 , SB1423 , SB1531 , SB1540 , SB1666 , SB1721 , SB1886 , SB1931 , SB2001 , SB2075 , SB2154 , SB2173 , SB2217 , SB2284 , SB2375 , SB2383 , SB2386 , SB2398 , SB2448 , SB2476 , SB2540 , SB2580 , SB2589 , SB2693 , SB2707 , SB2776 , SB2786 , SB2801 , SB2864 , SB2927 , SJR84 , SCR30 , SB243 , SB324 , SB393 , SB457 , SB511 , SB529 , SB547 , SB636 , SB646 , SB659 , SB715 , SB731 , SB735 , SB800 , SB801 , SB904 , SB1065 , SB1141 , SB1181 , SB1224 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1250 , SB1266 , SB1285 , SB1359 , SB1434 , SB1442 , SB1467 , SB1502 , SB1524 , SB1528 , SB1551 , SB1585 , SB1640 , SB1754 , SB1757 , SB1777 , SB1844 , SB1863 , SB1972 , SB2007 , SB2035 , SB2046 , SB2055 , SB2069 , SB2082 , SB2119 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB2200 , SB2201 , SB2269 , SB2310 , SB2330 , SB2357 , SB2366 , SB2401 , SB2422 , SB2514 , SB2530 , SB2533 , SB2543 , SB2544 , SB2550 , SB2568 , SB2589 , SB2660 , SB2693 , SB2695 , SB2707 , SB2717 , SB2721 , SB2742 , SB2753 , SB2807 , SB2846 , SB2891 , SB2925 , SB2938 , SJR3 , SJR18 , SB5 , SB326 , SB767 , SB769 , SB783 , SB914 , SB963 , SB1035 , SB1197 , SB1271 , SB1415 , SB1437 , SB1619 , SB1637 , SB1786 , SB1806 , SB494 , SB530 , SB2312 , SB1 , SB260 , HB135 , HB 1109 , HB1392 , HB22 , HCR64 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR84 , SJR59 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR48 , SCR19 , SCR30 , SCR3 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB1524 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2681 , SB2200 , SB2199 , SB1757 , SB2458 , SB2201 , SB801 , SB2533 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB1721 , SB1013 , SB2797 , SB2383 , SB2119 , SB2448 , SB1777 , SB1283 , SB2076 , SB2786 , SB2876 , SB2284 , SB1540 , SB2929 , SB2540 , SB2595 , SB2217 , SB715 , SB500 , SB1640 , SB2001 , SB2514 , SB2753 , SB2398 , SB1241 , SB2927 , SB2173 , SB2538 , SB898 , SB1449 , SB2529 , SB2846 , SB2476 , SB986 , SB1181 , SB2075 , SB2154 , SB2864 , SB1359 , SB2386 , SB2550 , SB1351 , SB1423 , SB1931 , SB2245 , SB2589 , SB2707 , SB410 , SB2776 , SB2580 , SB1886 , SB1234 , SB739 , SB456 , SB1666 , SB2801 , SB2055 , SB1012 , SB2926 , SB2138 , SB1242 , SB2615 , SB2310 , SB1224 , SB2972 , SB2841 , SB3016 , SB2139 , SB1856 , SB2035 , SB1528 , SB1141 , SB2401 , SB2530 , SB2375 , SB547 , SB1266 , SB1373 , SB1467 , SB2069 , SB2269 , SB2480 , SB672 , SB904 , SB2695 , SB2891 , SB2422 , SB2543 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2539 , SB2532 , SB2925 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB457 , SB2357 , SB2721 , SB243 , SB1285 , SB2568 , SB1959 , SB1442 , SB1454 , SB2520 , SB2541 , SB1708 , SB1237 , SB1844 , SB1586 , SB1551 , SB3039 , SB2819 , SB66 , SB629 , SB1015 , SB2342 , SB2903 , SB2933 , SB1965 , SB2477 , SB3029 , SB2605 , SB2419 , SB1957 , SB375 , SB250 , SB777 , SB628 , SB2523 , SB2367 , SB2703 , SB2608 , SB2778 , SB3044 , SB2965 , SB2521 , SB865 , HB2525 , HB3093 , SB1032 , SB2165 , SB2501 , SB2675 , SB2452 , SB2835 , SJR84 , SB457 , SB547 , SB904 , SB1467 , SB1757 , SB1777 , SB2055 , SB2069 , SB2139 , SB2401 , SB2530 , SB2543 , SB2695 , SR349 , SR367 , SR468 , SB3064 , SB3065 , HJR7 , HB 119 , HB 130 , HB163 , HB166 , HB201 , HB272 , HB331 , HB380 , HB654 , HB694 , HB718 , HB865 , HB 1266 , HB1397 , HB1500 , HB1552 , HB1576 , HB1583 , HB1584 , HB1760 , HB1894 , HB1965 , HB2018 , HB2029 , HB2286 , HB2340 , HB2427 , HB2455 , HB2467 , HB2508 , HB2523 , HB2730 , HB2756 , HB2791 , HB2970 , HB3016 , HB3096 , HB3248 , HB3255 , HB3336 , HB3623 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB4129 , HB4187 , HB4236 , HB4238 , HB4643 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB5333 , SCR3 , SCR30 , SB500 , SB739 , SB898 , SB1283 , SB1351 , SB1423 , SB1540 , SB1666 , SB1721 , SB1886 , SB1931 , SB2001 , SB2075 , SB2154 , SB2173 , SB2217 , SB2375 , SB2383 , SB2386 , SB2398 , SB2448 , SB2476 , SB2540 , SB2580 , SB2589 , SB2707 , SB2776 , SB2786 , SB2801 , SB2864 , SB2927 , HB135 , HCR64 , SB2284 , SB3064 , SB3065 , HJR7 , HB 119 , HB 130 , HB163 , HB166 , HB201 , HB272 , HB331 , HB380 , HB654 , HB694 , HB718 , HB865 , HB 1266 , HB1397 , HB1500 , HB1552 , HB1576 , HB1583 , HB1584 , HB1760 , HB1894 , HB1965 , HB2018 , HB2029 , HB2286 , HB2340 , HB2427 , HB2455 , HB2467 , HB2508 , HB2523 , HB2730 , HB2756 , HB2791 , HB2970 , HB3016 , HB3096 , HB3248 , HB3255 , HB3336 , HB3623 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB4129 , HB4187 , HB4236 , HB4238 , HB4643 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB5333

Keywords: sales tax exemption, exotic animals, game animals, agriculture, livestock, gifted education, education support, student achievement, academic excellence, Texas education, cowboy culture, Bandera, cultural heritage, historical significance, Texas identity, Birding Capital, Matagorda County, wildlife, conservation, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• seeking the soft underbelly of our state agencies, our school districts, our water utilities, our community
• seeking the soft underbelly of our state agencies, our school districts, our water utilities, our community
• hospitals, and any of our Our water utilities, our community hospitals, and any vendor that stores Texans
• To me, this cyber command will make sure that Texans' business community and citizens are protected.
• To me, this cyber command will make sure that Texans' business community and citizens are protected.

Bills: HB146 , HB150 , HB1500 , HB1545 , HB1562 , HB2067 , HB2520 , HB2818 , HB3214 , HB3250 , HB3466 , HB3512 , HB3623 , HB4063 , HB4395 , HB4464 , HB4668 , HB4690 , HB5331 , HB3833

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity

Summary: The committee took up several pending business items and reported a series of House bills out of committee, including HB 2467, HB 2468, HB 2518, HB 4310, HB 4386, HB 4490, HB 5323, and HB 149. Most of these were advanced on committee substitute motions and sent to the local and uncontested calendar or reported favorably to the full Senate. HB 2467 drew one nay vote, while the others were approved without opposition. HB 4310 and HB 4386 were described as committee-substitute versions with changes narrowing disclosure requirements and preserving attorney-client privilege in certain circumstances. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 149, an AI governance bill. The substitute was explained as addressing biometric identifier capture and storage, exempting certain AI uses for security and fraud prevention, clarifying definitions, restricting AI systems that simulate explicit child sexual content, adjusting Attorney General investigative authority, refining sandbox program waivers, reducing Texas AI Council powers and membership, and adding DIR coordination provisions. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 1500, the DIR sunset bill. The author said the bill would continue DIR for 12 years, restructure its board, update advisory committees, require regular cybersecurity assessments and penetration testing for state agencies, improve IT procurement training, and transfer the e-grants program to the Comptroller. A Texas 2036 witness supported the bill as a way to strengthen governance, procurement, and cybersecurity. Members asked detailed questions about the bill’s structure and then left HB 1500 pending. The committee also heard a lengthy presentation on HB 150, which would create the Texas Cyber Command as a component of the University of Texas System, administratively attached to UTSA and located in San Antonio. The author argued the command would centralize cyber threat intelligence, incident response, and digital forensics, and would be able to support state and local entities, with optional services for local governments. Members raised concerns about university mission drift, governance, security, chain of command, procurement authority, gifts and donations, and civil liberties implications of proactive cyber monitoring. Witnesses from UTSA/NSCC and SecurityScorecard testified in support, emphasizing the security of the downtown San Antonio facility, the existing cyber ecosystem there, and the need for a dedicated cyber capability. The bill remained under discussion with no final committee action announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• an act relating to emergency preparedness and response.
• Many of these communities did not have an emergency management plan.
• These same type of accidents have occurred in other communities, including Miami.
• to make sure that we're keeping our community safe.
• This is the last-ditch effort to fill that school with students again, serve that community.

Summary: The House took up a series of Senate messages and concurred in several amendments before passing multiple bills. Early actions included unanimous passage of CS/CS/HB 1299 on Department of Health matters, CS/HB 1549 on financial institutions after removing a Senate-added trust-account provision, and CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign ties in business ownership after trimming registration requirements. The chamber also insisted on its housing amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 184 after the Senate refused to concur. A major portion of the meeting focused on CS/CS/HB 875 on educator preparation. The House adopted an amendment restoring two teacher-prep courses, preserving the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College in partnership with USF, and modifying the teacher candidate testing framework and mentor qualifications. Supporters said it reduced barriers while keeping standards; opponents raised concerns about the remaining “identity politics” language and other provisions. The bill then passed 91-22. The House also passed HB 1101 on out-of-network providers after adopting a House amendment that kept the original bill’s notice and referral provisions with a good-cause exemption, despite objections that it placed too much responsibility on doctors. Later, the chamber approved CS/CS/SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, with members highlighting debris management, emergency planning, crane safety, and hurricane recovery provisions; it passed unanimously. The House then rejected concurrence in a Senate amendment to HB 1609 on waste incineration, and later spent substantial time debating CS/CS/HB 1115 on education, especially Schools of Hope, expanded co-location authority, funding, transportation, and school-district agreement terms. Critics argued the language was added late and could disadvantage traditional public schools, while supporters said it would expand options for students; the debate continued with the bill still under consideration at the end of the excerpt.