Transcript Highlights:

• I introduced this piece of legislation last year, kind of in the second half of the session, and then
• The private right-of-ways right-of-ways.
• I serve as senior director of government affairs for Charter Spectrum in the state of Alabama, but also
• serve as the president of the Alabama Cable and Broadband Association.
• . right-of-way. right-of-way.

Bills: HB542

Keywords: HB542, district attorney, prosecutor, supernumerary district attorney, Employees' Retirement System, ERS, Alabama retirement, public employee retirement, pension, retirement benefits, post-retirement employment, salary cap, dual participation, double dipping, District Attorneys' Plan, assistant district attorney, deputy district attorney, state pension, survivor benefits, Office of Prosecution Services

Transcript Highlights:

• a bottle of antibiotics.
• This bill is simply to update the veterinary practice act for the state of Alabama and make it compliant
• /c><00:05:41.840> compliant<00:05:42.479> with of Alabama and make it compliant with of
• have any effect on that sort of have any effect on that sort of >> Not.
• We're not changing any of that. We're not changing any of that.

Bills: SB85, SB85

Keywords: vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education, immunization, religious tenets, sincerely held belief, school health policy, Alabama, AHSAA physical form

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee overlaps some of the other committees.
• Yes, I have two of them.
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• Uh we wheel of confirming with that.
• In Dothan, we have a large company that transports all types of material, tobacco being one of them.

Bills: HB66, HB79, HB95, HB145, HB66, HB79, HB95, HB145

Keywords: elder abuse, financial exploitation, inheritance, joint tenancy, conviction effects, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, HVAC, air conditioning, heating, ventilation, warranty transfer, manufacturer warranty, consumer protection, home sale, residential real property, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• And it overlaps some of the other committees.
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• of them.
• Alabama. Alabama.

Bills: HB66, HB79, HB95, HB145, HB66, HB79, HB95, HB145

Keywords: elder abuse, financial exploitation, inheritance, joint tenancy, conviction effects, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, HVAC, air conditioning, heating, ventilation, warranty transfer, manufacturer warranty, consumer protection, home sale, residential real property, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, as I read Chapter 33 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, it would require that all evidence
• In Section Article 17.03B2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, a judge is not allowed to release a defendant
• As you know, the business... ...Organization Code governs the creation and operation of Texas corporations
• While certain forms of While impersonation is criminalized under the Texas Penal Code, there is currently
• House Bill 4737 amends the Government Code to require the Board of Law Examiners to process applications

Bills: HB5621, HB4904, HB5067, HB5076, HB5081, HB5354, HB4862, HB3847, HB4088, HB4157, HB2966, HB2287, HB4203, HB4803, HB4737, HB5093, HB783, HB5411, HB4281

Keywords: HB 5621, consumer protection, Deceptive Trade Practices Act, DTPA, Business & Commerce Code, attorney general, consumer protection division, district attorney, county attorney, local prosecutor, civil investigative demand, CID, voluntary compliance, financial institution records, bank records, privacy, protective order, in camera review, trade secrets, insurer

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the director of public policy for Texas CASA here. I'm here in support of Senate Bill 2165.
• have experienced a lot of trauma.
• their decision. of any changes in contact information of the guardian or of a newly designated guardian
• I'm here on behalf of TGA.
• There are codes of conduct, there are ethics involved, all those sorts of things. things, and we believe

Bills: SB66, SB2165, SB2342, SB2878, SB2903

Keywords: disability, supported decision-making, legal assistance, confidentiality, access to justice, autonomy, civil rights, advocacy, Texas Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child welfare, foster care, substitute care, missing child, missing from placement, permanency hearing, parent-child relationship, SAPCR, conservatorship

Transcript Highlights:

• Ryan Hollingsworth, the executive director of the School Superintendents of Alabama.
• I don't know; I don't believe those are verified as being parents of Alabama students in public schools
• So that's about a half of 1% of folks that have signed up.
• As we investigated the state of Alabama, there was essentially a disparity among the implementation of
• There are a lot of superintendents that are in favor of this.

Bills: SB13, SB278, SB13

Keywords: education, national anthem, patriotism, school policy, constitutional amendment, SB278, released time, religious instruction, elective credit, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama Released Time Credit Act, church-state separation, First Amendment, school choice, parental consent, elective course, off-campus instruction, private religious entity, State Board of Education

Transcript Highlights:

• of law.
• This may be my first bill ever in front of one of your committees.
• 202.007, is intended to be a subsection of the property code.
• Gun Owners of America are very supportive of this.
• This kind of structure of notice and opportunity to remedy.

Bills: HB1958, HB2031, HB2879, HB3285, HB3995, HB4487, HB4558, HB4560, HB4876, HB4899, HB5212, HB5317, HB5543, HB5567, SB1333

Keywords: firearm possession, tenant rights, landlord regulations, civil penalties, property code, justified use of force, deadly force, property rights, home defense, smart devices, data privacy, personal data collection, user consent, mobile application, data transparency, HOA, property owners association, property owners' association, Texas Property Code, Chapter 202

Transcript Highlights:

• presentation from the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services.
• We can all make improvements in our budget, and the state of Alabama is the same; much like the...
• We're not the only one in the state of Alabama, but we are one of those.
• the outcomes of Alabama and becoming a more efficient and effective state government.
• Compensation for the board members and the chair of the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority.

Bills: SB197, HB140, SB214, HB214, HB147, HB270, SB73

Keywords: business regulation, nonprofit entities, electronic filing, merger agreements, limited liability companies, partnerships, property transfer, termination fees, HB140, private sewer systems, wastewater utilities, Public Service Commission, PSC jurisdiction, utility regulation, rate setting, rate consolidation, affiliated systems, common ownership, private utilities, sewer rates

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3909 amends the Election Code by removing the current 100-foot boundary for use of a wireless device
• Excuse me, there are other sections of that code that address recording devices and photos.
• of the code that talks about recording images and sound within the room.
• I do actually have the election code definition of... ...unsure of where the author is getting this eight-year
• one's vote or adding votes that are not there consistent with that chapter of the Penal Code.

Bills: HB1968, HB2279, HB2739, HB2803, HB3909, HB3918, HB4253, HB4475, HB5115, HB5430

Keywords: election services, contracting, political subdivisions, county elections, election code, voter registration, citizenship status, election law, cancellation, disqualification, Texas Election Code, voter identification, registration, election integrity, identification documents, election, watcher, polling place, removal, Texas Elections Code

Summary: The committee first voted out two previously heard Senate bills without amendment: SB 688, relating to the date of the meeting of presidential electors, and SB 914, relating to authorizing certain cities to change the date of their general election for officers. Both motions passed on 8-0 votes with one member absent. The committee then heard HB 3909, which would change the current prohibition on wireless device use from a 100-foot boundary around a voting station to only inside the room where voting is taking place, with a committee substitute also adding state-prescribed signage. The author and supporters said the change would reduce confusion and make enforcement easier for election workers, while opponents argued the existing 100-foot rule helps prevent electioneering, recording, and possible technical interference with election equipment. The bill was left pending. Members also heard HB 1968, which would repeal a provision that requires counties to provide election services to certain political subdivisions in odd-numbered years but not even-numbered years, making county-provided election services consistent across years. Supporters said it would improve consistency for smaller cities and school districts, while opponents warned it could strain county equipment and staffing during heavy election cycles. The bill was left pending. HB 2279 would require voter registrars to remove a person from the rolls if the person swears under oath during jury service that they are not a U.S. citizen; supporters said this would streamline removal of ineligible voters, while opponents raised concerns about mistaken identity and loss of due process. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 2803, which would require a presiding judge to give a poll watcher a signed statement explaining any removal from service. Supporters said this would improve documentation and accountability, and one witness asked for clarification that improper removal would remain a criminal offense; the author said he would consider a floor amendment and further discussion. The committee also heard HB 4253, which would create a more uniform voter-roll maintenance process based on inactivity, sending confirmation notices to voters who have not voted in the prior 25 months and eventually removing those who do not respond after multiple election cycles. Supporters said it would clean up outdated records and help keep voters registered where they actually live, while opponents argued it could wrongly remove eligible voters who simply do not vote regularly. HB 4253 was left pending as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• House District 63, which is Tuscaloosa and a part of Northport, Alabama.
• I represent the University of Alabama and also Shelton State Community Colleges in our town.
• House District 63, which is Tuscaloosa and a part of Northport, Alabama.
• I represent the University of Alabama and also Shelton State Community Colleges in our town.
• money more than we do in amount of money more than we do in Alabama<00:21:20.799> to<00:21:21.039

Bills: HB87, HB96, HB28, HB87, HB96, HB28

Keywords: HB87, Marengo County, coroner, deputy coroner, county commission, expense allowance, mileage allowance, travel reimbursement, local act, local legislation, county general fund, public official compensation, county office, Section 45-46-60, Alabama Code, salary increase, allowance increase, National Signing Day, athletic scholarships, military enlistment

Transcript Highlights:

• There were a couple of adjustments to that, which we will address in some of these other resolutions.
• HTR1092 is one of the items that we pulled out of the business and commerce.
• Outright subversion of the APA at worst.
• The amendment is essentially pulling out one of the rules of one of our committee members, and I don't
• It had no provision for what the standard of best interests of the state, and then they would then be

Bills: HJR1090, HJR1091, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1094, HJR1095, SJR49

Keywords: administrative rules, rule approval, joint resolution, Oklahoma Register, Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, Corporation Commission, Department of Environmental Quality, Liquified Petroleum Gas Board, water resources, wildlife conservation, tourism, zoning commission, energy regulation, agricultural regulation, agency rules, permanent rules, state agencies, Oklahoma Legislature, business and commerce, professional licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not changing laws let's say for the Secretary of State. or for the elections code or anything like
• Chapter 32 of Texas Penal Code corruption has chapter 36.
• The Substitute Amends Penal Code, Section 2205, is in effect until the end of the year.
• this code or a similar statute. is a reasonable application of criminal law when officers have violated
• Section 9 of the Penal Code provides justifications for certain types of criminal acts, which would normally

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

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:

• the legislature fundraising during special sessions and, um, and regardless of what you may think of
• the date of final adjournment of the special legislative session.
• or a member of the legislature.
• Very little public awareness of this kind of legislation.
• Well, as a member of the Senate, and as a member of the legislature, I will say this, regardless of this

Bills: SB 53, SB 54, HB16, SB 19

Keywords: voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements, Texas Election Code, voting rights, judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, political contributions, special legislative session, election code, transparency, campaign finance, election law

Transcript Highlights:

• And as y'all know, Ledge Council sometimes cleans up the codes, and this is. one of those opportunities
• SB 396 mirrors. the language of the Ohio legislation. Election Code.
• changes to 15.051 of the election code other than the new underlined text takes current law and arranges
• You simply modify section of the election code 13.072 the very beginning subparagraph a the registrar
• Section 10 in that code says is capable of providing records from which the operation of the voting system

Bills: SB16, SB76, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB827, SB964, SB1209, SB1210, SB1386, SB1470, SB2035, SJR37, SB 16

Keywords: voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses, limited federal ballot, transportation, infrastructure, funding, public safety, state regulation, election, polling places, voter access, state oversight, electronic voting, voting, polling place, elections, countywide program, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• I kind of had a love-hate relationship with that part of the bill, and I just spoke to a lot of members
• That's still the province of the Court of Criminal Appeals.
• Senate Bill 311 will amend section 22.002A of the Texas Government Code, and it will allow the Texas
• of the Government Code to the text of Article 5, Section 3A. of the Constitution, and that constitutional
• of Texas.

Bills: SB16, SB76, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB827, SB964, SB1209, SB1210, SB1386, SB1470, SB2035, SJR37, SB 16

Keywords: voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses, limited federal ballot, transportation, infrastructure, funding, public safety, state regulation, election, polling places, voter access, state oversight, electronic voting, voting, polling place, elections, countywide program, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• Lots of economy, lots of people in history.
• of HB 16.
• I'm speaking today on behalf of the City of Austin and in strong support of House Bill 16.
• Texas, some of which need a lot of water.
• This would clarify the test year definition in Texas Water Code Chapter 13 and in other parts of Chapter

Bills: HB16, HB16, HB1618, HB2692, HB2712, HB2970, HB3609, HB3628

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, water infrastructure, Texas Water Development Board, financial assistance, water supply projects, rural municipalities, water access assessment, aquifer storage, Edwards Aquifer, water injection, environmental regulations, groundwater management, San Antonio River, pollution control

Transcript Highlights:

• If any of you have driven north of the Capitol, you've seen that my district and Williamson County, in
• A lot of y'all were on this committee and were part of that.
• Army Corps of Engineers.
• a couple of different gates.
• the Port of Houston and some of the metrics on the impact on Texas.

Bills: HB16, HB1618, HB2692, HB2712, HB2970, HB3609, HB3628, HB16

Keywords: water infrastructure, Texas Water Development Board, financial assistance, water supply projects, rural municipalities, water access assessment, aquifer storage, Edwards Aquifer, water injection, environmental regulations, groundwater management, San Antonio River, pollution control, flood management, water quality, conservation district, bonds, utility rates, ratemaking, water services

Transcript Highlights:

• the Government Code.
• I'm the President and CEO of the Texas Association of Business.
• In fact, there is no better friend of the United States than the state of Israel.
• Most of the markers are on public land or in right-of-way, so...
• The SOAH hearings process is... governed by Chapter 2003 of the Government Code.

Bills: HB1240, HB2768, HB2788, HB3146, HB4850, HB5032, HCR90

Keywords: border region, infrastructure, economic development, government operations, education, HB 2768, Texas information technology apprenticeship, state IT credential, information resources workforce, junior college, technical institute, apprenticeship program, workforce development, state agency hiring, job classification, career ladder, bachelor's degree substitution, associate degree, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, state auditor classification officer

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business.
• Most of the markers are on public land or in right-of-way. ...land or in right-of-way, so virtually all
• of our metal markers are in public right-of-way.
• The SOAH hearings process is governed by Chapter 2003 of the Government Code.
• of a product originating. 51% of all significant parts and processing of a product originate in Texas

Bills: HB1240, HB2768, HB2788, HB3146, HB4850, HB5032, HCR90

Keywords: border region, infrastructure, economic development, government operations, education, HB 2768, Texas information technology apprenticeship, state IT credential, information resources workforce, junior college, technical institute, apprenticeship program, workforce development, state agency hiring, job classification, career ladder, bachelor's degree substitution, associate degree, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, state auditor classification officer

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met without a quorum, so no votes or formal actions were taken. The chair laid out several bills and resolutions for explanation and public testimony, with each item left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early items included House Bill 1240, a cleanup measure to create a single uniform definition of the Texas-Mexico border region across state law, and House Bill 2768, which would establish an IT apprenticeship credential through junior colleges and technical institutions to help fill state government technology jobs. The committee also heard House Concurrent Resolution 90, which would encourage establishing a Texas trade and investment office in Jerusalem. Testimony on the resolution was sharply divided: one witness opposed it on foreign policy and values grounds, while a Texas Association of Business representative strongly supported it, citing Israel’s innovation and trade potential. Another major item was House Bill 4187, a committee substitute for legislation affecting the Texas Historical Commission; the sponsor described changes expanding use of trust fund money for historic sites, allowing more affiliated nonprofits, clarifying retail operations, and creating a framework for training and consistent interpretation at historic sites. A Texas Historical Commission witness explained that the bill would shift responsibility for maintaining many state-owned historical markers and monuments, including markers on private land, to the commission. Additional measures included House Bill 2788, which would shield Texas Workforce Commission fraud-prevention methods from public information requests; House Bill 5032, directing state agencies to plan for public display of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Texas Constitution, and the Victory or Death letter at the Capitol Complex; House Bill 3146, which would eliminate outdated memoranda-of-understanding requirements for certain State Office of Administrative Hearings arrangements; and House Bill 4815, a cleanup bill modernizing economic development statutes, revising the Made in Texas standard to 51% Texas-origin content, repealing the Governor’s Broadband Development Council, and making other conforming changes. The committee ended by recessing, with members indicating they would likely vote on pending business later when a quorum was available.