Transcript Highlights:

• We contract with two incubators, one out of University of Texas and the other out of Texas A&M University
• They're all in East Texas. They're all in East Texas. There's a lot.
• So, Texas, we're military state USA, right?
• You represent Texas Oil and Gas Association.
• The Texas Geothermal Energy Alliance is a Texas-based, Texas-led advocacy organization. of advancing

Keywords: 1184, house, all

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• The Texas Board of Nursing, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and the Texas Juvenile Justice
• The state of Texas has 11 major installations in the state of Texas.
• What works in the Midwest may not necessarily work in West Texas or South Texas in the valley.
• If we can't grow food in Texas, we can't feed Texas. Regenerative agriculture ensures.
• You know, you hear about Mexico having to pay debt to Texas to South Texas farmers, except the problem

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• And now our Texas flag. Honor the Texas flag.
• I Greg Abbott governor of the state of Texas pursuant to article 4 section 9 of the Texas Constitution
• Without each and every one of you Texas just wouldn't be Texas.
• On January 30th, grandparents. from across the state of Texas came here to their Texas State Capitol
• all across the state of Texas.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

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• The legislature in Texas provides a vast amount of support to its veterans in the state of Texas through
• In Texas, we have it at the Texas Veterans Commission.
• And there's a lot of veterans in Texas that want to start their own businesses, and that's good for Texas
• And we also send out a recurring Work in Texas data from our Texas workforce partners.
• So more and more veterans who want to either keep staying here in Texas or make Texas their home.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard a briefing from the Texas Veterans Commission on its major programs and outreach efforts. TVC described its claims assistance, health care advocacy, education oversight, employment services, entrepreneurship support, mental health and suicide prevention work, women veterans services, grant funding for nonprofits and local governments, and support for veteran treatment courts. The agency also highlighted its communications strategy, including media outreach, events, newsletters, social media, and the Texas Veterans State Benefits Booklet, and noted that less than 58% of veterans were aware of TVC in the latest needs assessment. A committee member asked about performance metrics, and TVC said each appropriation has associated measures and that it could provide recent results. The committee then took up Senate Bill 651, which would allow a county veterans service office in a large county to report either directly to commissioners court or to a designated county executive official. Senator West explained the bill as a cleanup of current practice, and Dallas County testified in support, saying the change would streamline internal management. No opposition was heard, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 897 would reduce the non-state matching requirement for the Texas Veterans and Family Alliance grant program in larger counties from 100 percent to 75 percent in the committee substitute, rather than the 50 percent reduction in the filed version. Supporters from MetroCare and Emergence Health Network said the lower match would help sustain and expand veteran mental health services, citing increased demand and program growth. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also adopted its rules. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1814, which would create an interagency database to collect and coordinate contact information for transitioning veterans so agencies could proactively connect them with services. Senator Hancock said the goal was to better use information already being collected, though he noted the bill had a significant fiscal note. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1818, which would create a temporary six-month licensing and certification process for military members and spouses assigned to Texas while they wait for letters of good standing from other states. VFW testified in support, emphasizing the importance of employment for military families. Both bills were left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we have learned across Texas is flood looks.
• Allocated so that's 250 million dollars And we are popular in Texas. exploding in Texas.
• Number five, our Texas Grant Management. standards.
• We've worked closely with the Texas Produced Water Consortium.
• I don't believe Texas can ever, Texas users can ever fully. plan on the amount of security or insecurity

Keywords: 1184, house, all

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• Since 2015, she has also served on the Texas Judicial Council. since 2017 and the Texas Access to Justice
• South Texas Foundation and the DNJ Alexander Foundation named a distinguished alumna from the Texas from
• the University of Texas at Austin. 2003.
• Welcome to your Texas capital. Welcome to Texas. 457 The chair recognizes Mr.
• to the Texas Capitol.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

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• That's within the University of Texas System and the Texas A&M System.
• That's within the University of Texas system and the Texas A&M system.
• I believe, for instance, I believe the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University in College
• Texas Tech does research.
• Stated simply, Texas is special.

Summary: The committee heard testimony first from the Texas General Land Office and School Land Board. GLO officials described the agency’s role in managing more than 13 million acres of state lands and mineral interests for the Permanent School Fund, overseeing the Alamo, coastal programs, veterans’ services, and federal disaster recovery. They said the agency has generated about $6 billion for the Permanent School Fund since Commissioner Buckingham took office, and that its disaster recovery portfolio is about $14 billion across multiple events, with more than 22,000 housing units rebuilt or reconstructed since Hurricane Harvey. Members asked about land purchases such as Brewster Ranch, rare earth mineral leasing, SpaceX-related beach access, and whether the lands are public access lands; GLO staff said the holdings are managed to maximize revenue for education, that most land is leased rather than open to public access, and that they are coordinating on coastal access and compliance. On the School Land Board, members sought clarification on the difference between GLO-managed lands and the Permanent School Fund Corporation’s investment role, and staff explained that GLO generates the revenue while the separate corporation invests it. No votes or formal actions were taken. The Board for Lease of University Lands then testified. University Lands officials explained that they steward 2.1 million acres of surface and mineral interests in West Texas for the Permanent University Fund, which supports UT and Texas A&M institutions. They said a 2025 lease sale produced about $50 million in bonus revenue from 28,000 acres, and described the Board for Lease’s role in approving lease forms, lease sales, and development agreements. Members asked about the size and use of the PUF, how distributions work through UTIMCO, whether PUF money can be used for athletics, and how the land is managed; the witness said the fund is a constitutional endowment, the land is largely leased rather than sold, and distributions are generally used for buildings, labs, and other permanent structures, with some institutions also using a portion for operations. No votes or formal actions were taken. The committee then took up municipal utility districts. Testimony from a law firm, the Texas Municipal League, Fort Bend County Commissioner Vincent Morales, and Johnson Development largely supported MUDs as a financing tool for infrastructure tied to growth. Witnesses said MUDs help fund water, sewer, drainage, roads, parks, and related infrastructure, allowing development to proceed without shifting costs to existing taxpayers and helping keep housing affordable. They emphasized that MUDs are created with disclosure to homebuyers, are subject to the Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act, and are overseen by TCEQ for bond issuance and related financial stress tests. Members questioned whether MUDs are taxing entities, whether they can be created inside city limits or ETJs, how much control cities and counties retain, and whether MUDs are becoming permanent local governments; witnesses acknowledged they levy taxes and debt, can exist within city limits with city consent, and often function as long-term local entities. The committee did not take any formal action during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the state of Texas, call the Texas House of Representatives of the eighty-ninth legislature to order
• This is our Texas.
• It looks like Texas, all of Texas.
• Together we create our Texas.
• because Texas is different.

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• , Jane Nelson, Secretary of State of the State of Texas, call the Texas House of Representatives of the
• This is our Texas.
• Together we create our Texas.
• because Texas is different.
• In Texas because Texas is different. I don't agree with that.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

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• But really, the 10-hour workday has really saved us in East Texas, West Texas, in the Texas panhandle
• Texas, what Driver License has done, we're 98% REAL ID compliant in Texas.
• We can hire people in South Texas and West Texas.
• We can hire people in South Texas and West Texas.
• West Texas, there are parts of West Texas where Amarillo...

Bills: SB1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees. DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 23 of those in the state of Texas.
• by Texas mobile application.
• I could use a reference in Texas.
• Maritime commerce moves 24/7, 365 through Texas maritime ports, propelling the Texas economy.
• the region that fuel the Texas economy.

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• We have invited testimony beginning with the Texas Secretary of State, Texas Department of Public Safety
• , the Texas Association of Election Administrators, the County and District Clerks Association of Texas
• ... and outside the state of Texas.
• Those four pieces, they have their new Texas by Texas account, basically. right where you can go in and
• by the Texas Secretary of State.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

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• I stand here today because Texas is in a health care crisis.
• Since Texas cut family planning in 2011.
• Texas is the most uninsured state in the nation. 1 out of 10 children in Texas have no healthcare.
• Texas has refused to expand Medicaid.
• that Texas families are healthy, and Texas communities are healthy, no matter what.

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• We have 23 of those in the state of Texas.
• by Texas mobile application.
• We all watch football here in Texas.
• Maritime Commerce. moves 24-7, 365, through Texas Maritime Ports, propelling the Texas economy.
• the region. that fuel the Texas economy.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

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• The students of Texas deserve it.
• We'll have the Catholic Conference of Bishops up in the Texas Private School Association, and the Texas
• There are thousands of families in Texas that are. of families in Texas that are low income or middle
• But I'm here today to share with you that the time is now for the Texas Senate and the Texas House to
• school located in Magnolia, Texas.

Bills: SB 2

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But really, the 10-hour workday has really saved us in East Texas, West Texas, in the Texas panhandle
• to Texas DPS in 1936.
• Texas, what driver license has done, we're 98% Real ID compliant in Texas.
• We can hire people in South Texas and West Texas, but we cannot hire people.
• We can hire people in South Texas and West Texas, but we cannot hire people.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Texas State Lead for Climate Cabinet.
• But this isn't just happening in Texas.
• They are African American and Hispanic. districts in Texas.
• But we will stand here, defending Texas, defending Texans, and defending Texas families.
• In this case, Texas Democrats and Texas Republicans in Congress all oppose this plan.

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• Tech University and propel innovation across West Texas.
• Section 1 adds section 21 to Article seven of the Texas Constitution to establish the Texas Healthcare
• workforce and investing in Texas' future.
• Texas needs 1 counselor per 2,668 people.
• Kevin Cruiser, Texas Women's University, also neutral on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a veteran of Texas. I'm in Senate District 25, New Braunfels, Texas.
• Last session, the legislature created the Texas Space Commission and the Texas Aerospace Research and
• gold would stay in Texas.
• gold would stay in Texas.
• I live here in Texas, Lago Vista, Texas.

Bills: HB42

Keywords: special prosecutor, state law, criminal justice, accountability, law enforcement

Summary: The committee heard Senator Flores lay out the committee substitute for HB 2894, which would expand state reimbursement eligibility for local governments disproportionately affected by the disabled veterans homestead exemption. Flores said the bill would add certain municipalities in Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties if lost ad valorem tax revenue equals or exceeds 10% of general revenue, while existing recipients would remain under the current 2% threshold. Lampasas and Bell County officials and the City of Killeen testified in support, describing significant revenue losses and urging adequate funding. One witness, Howard Avery, argued any reimbursement should be counted as property tax revenue for voter-approval rate purposes to avoid a windfall. The committee later adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably, with one nay. The committee also heard SB 782, which would create a temporary severance tax exemption for restimulated inactive oil and gas wells, intended to encourage investment in mature wells. The Comptroller explained the revised fiscal note as effectively zero because the wells are currently marginal and not generating meaningful tax revenue, while industry witnesses said the bill could extend well life, support local economies, and reduce orphan-well liabilities. Public testimony was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 3033, a DPS-related grant program funded by voluntary $3 donations on driver’s license and ID applications to support nonprofits aiding injured or fallen DPS officers and their families, including memorial highway signs. The DPS Officers Association supported the bill, citing existing foundation assistance and the need for a steady funding stream. The committee later reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered SB 524, which would permanently extend the franchise tax and fee exemption for qualifying veteran-owned businesses for their first five years; testimony from a veteran business owner and veterans advocates supported the measure, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported it favorably. Additional measures were laid out and left pending or voted out: HB 3594, a local San Antonio retiree health care fund bill with agreed changes for contributions, spouse benefits, and remarriage rules, was supported by stakeholders and reported favorably; HB 4738 would repeal small administrative fees tied to certain loans and was reported favorably; HB 42 on HEAF funding and HB 5246 on the Texas Space Commission were heard and left pending. The committee also reported HB 3474, a cleanup bill for the Pension Review Board’s investment performance review schedule, and HB 2802, the Austin firefighter retirement fund bill, both favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 1056, which would allow gold and silver held in the Texas Bullion Depository to function as legal tender through debit-card transactions. Supporters framed it as a way to use hard assets and expand financial options, while bankers and some senators raised major operational, consumer-protection, tax, and constitutional questions; the bill remained under discussion as testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• But really, the 10-hour workday has really, really saved us in East Texas, West Texas, and the Texas
• That's most of Texas.
• Texas, what driver license has done, we're 98% real ID compliant in Texas.
• We can hire people in South Texas and West Texas. We cannot hire people.
• The Texas side, the cities on the Texas side are safe.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard the Legislative Budget Board’s overview of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s 2026-27 budget, followed by extensive testimony from DPS leadership. The LBB presentation covered funding and staffing changes across driver license services, facilities, troopers and recruit schools, crime labs, vehicle and aircraft operations, and border security. The recommendations included added support for customer service staffing and trooper hiring, but did not include several DPS exceptional items such as major driver license staffing and technology requests, new regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio, and other capital projects. Members also discussed proposed rider changes, including a new rider to lapse unused trooper funding and require reporting after recruit schools. Much of the committee’s questioning focused on driver license operations, where senators criticized long call wait times, low call-answer rates, appointment delays, and what they viewed as an overreliance on adding staff rather than improving processes. DPS and LBB witnesses said the agency is pursuing some technology upgrades, including automation, online pre-population of applications, and appointment-system improvements, but acknowledged that the driver license division remains a major problem area. Senators also raised concerns about whether the 2019 efficiency study led to meaningful changes and whether the agency should consider broader process redesign or even a different administrative structure. Colonel Freeman and other DPS officials then defended the agency’s broader law enforcement and border-security work, emphasizing the need for the Williamson County training academy, the 500 additional troopers funded in prior sessions, and continued support for Operation Lone Star. They described DPS’s role in border interdiction, threat-to-life investigations, oilfield theft cases, Capitol and Alamo security, and highway safety, and said the agency is stretched thin by deployments and overtime. Members asked about border reimbursement possibilities, regional staffing differences, pursuit safety, fleet and aircraft replacement needs, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame museum. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.