Transcript Highlights:

• to address things like limiting the spread of invasive species in local waterways and keeping our lakes
• It contains letters from the Chambers of Commerce in Minneapolis, Duluth, White Bear Lake, St.
• Louis County, it's millions for Lake County; it goes on.
• I recognize the member from Benton, Representative Wolgaman. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Duluth, where I was driving down, if you're familiar with Park Point, which is really beautiful on the lake

Transcript Highlights:

• Our service area is Benton and Stearns County, and our emergency shelter is a primary choice for the
• Our service area is Benton and Stearns County, and our emergency shelter is a primary choice for the
• And I live on the Cloquet River and Indian Lake. And the water came up. I couldn't believe this.
• c> And I live on the Cloquet River and And I live on the Cloquet River and Indian<00:51:17.640><c> Lake
• </c> Indian Lake. Indian Lake.

Bills: HF1082, HF2099, HF4177, HF2742

Keywords: public safety, law enforcement, mental health, domestic violence, appropriations, criminal justice, Minnesota corrections, victim services, task force, personal safety, emergency management, local government, funding, preparedness, Minnesota, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit, use of force, police accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• River, Apple Valley, Minneapolis, Elk River, Apple Valley, Minneapolis, Faribault,<01:11:59.880><c> Benton
• </c><01:12:00.200><c> County,</c><01:12:00.680><c> Woodbury,</c> Faribault, Benton County, Woodbury,
• Faribault, Benton County, Woodbury, Forest<01:12:01.760><c> Lake,</c><01:12:02.360><c> and</c><01:12:
• > the</c><01:12:02.680><c> Minnesota</c><01:12:03.400><c> BCA</c><01:12:04.360><c> have</c> Forest Lake
• , and the Minnesota BCA have Forest Lake, and the Minnesota BCA have all<01:12:04.840><c> written</c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have three located across the state: one in Camden, Arkansas, one in Central Arkansas, the Benton-Bryant
• We have three located across the state, one in Camden, Arkansas, one in Central Arkansas, the Benton-Bryant

Summary: The committee first reviewed the Division of Environmental Quality’s asbestos abatement program. DEQ officials explained that the program licenses asbestos-related workers and businesses, including contractors, workers, inspectors, planners/designers, consultants, air monitors, and training providers, under federal and state requirements. Members asked about asbestos use today, grant funding for removal, inspections funded by fees and fines, complaint handling, enforcement authority, and health risks. DEQ said some asbestos-containing products are still manufactured, grants have not been issued in over six years due to funding constraints, inspectors investigate complaints and can issue civil penalties or other enforcement actions, and exposure can cause asbestosis and mesothelioma. The report was accepted without objection. The committee then heard from the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. Officials described the agency’s standards and training divisions, three basic academies, advanced training, and jail standards training. Members asked about recruitment, academy capacity, training costs, and curriculum changes. The commission said recruitment and retention are improving, basic academy enrollment is around 700 per year with capacity for about 725 to 750, training costs counties nothing because the state funds it, and basic training is being expanded from 528 hours to 705 hours with more practical instruction based on input from chiefs and sheriffs. Questions also covered detention officer training, school resource officer training, and whether other agencies are subject to the same standards. Officials said detention officers receive separate training, school resource officers have standalone training approved by the commission, and other law enforcement divisions such as the Department of Agriculture are held to the same standards. They also noted a Veterans to Law Enforcement program that allows eligible veterans to attend the academy without first being hired by an agency, with GI Bill support. The report was accepted without objection, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• As the Stearns County and Benton County folks came to St.
• 00:15:48.400><c> Stearns</c><00:15:48.720><c> County</c><00:15:49.000><c> and</c><00:15:49.120><c> Benton
• </c><00:15:49.360><c> County</c> As the Stearns County and Benton County As the Stearns County and Benton

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• greater than 12 cases allegedly involving a firearm—were Max at 0%, Pine County at 1%, Nobles at 6%, Benton
• 21:11.840><c> six</c> at 0% Pine County at 1% Nobles at six at 0% Pine County at 1% Nobles at six Benton
• </c><00:21:14.880><c> When</c><00:21:15.120><c> I</c> Benton and Crow Wing at 8%.
• When I Benton and Crow Wing at 8%.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Alvarado, Benton Court, Wardwell, Blanco, Cameron. 31 ayes, 0 nays. Rules are suspended.
• Alvarado, Benton Court, Bordwell, Blanco. 31 ayes, zero nays. Rules are suspended.
• Alvarado, Benton Court, Bordwell, Blanco, Campbell. 28 ayes, 3 nays. Bill is passed to engrossment.
• Alvarado, Benton, Kirk-McMurdo. 19 ayes, 12 nays. The rules are suspended.
• that we can agree on. the adoption of amendment number two the secretary will call the roll Alvarado Benton

Bills: HCR35, SJR59, SJR84, SCR30, SB127, SB317, SB324, SB457, SB506, SB511, SB529, SB547, SB584, SB619, SB636, SB646, SB659, SB715, SB732, SB735, SB771, SB784, SB800, SB801, SB904, SB1026, SB1049, SB1065, SB1181, SB1224, SB1250, SB1383, SB1467, SB1524, SB1528, SB1531, SB1568, SB1585, SB1640, SB1681, SB1754, SB1757, SB1777, SB1972, SB1980, SB2007, SB2041, SB2046, SB2050, SB2055, SB2069, SB2080, SB2119, SB2138, SB2139, SB2154, SB2201, SB2225, SB2268, SB2306, SB2308, SB2310, SB2330, SB2366, SB2375, SB2392, SB2401, SB2422, SB2480, SB2514, SB2530, SB2533, SB2543, SB2544, SB2589, SB2610, SB2615, SB2623, SB2660, SB2662, SB2693, SB2695, SB2707, SB2722, SB2742, SB2753, SB2807, SB2843, SB2844, SB2858, SB2880, SB2885, SB2891, SB2925, SB2938, SB2986, SJR3, SJR18, SB5, SB914, SB963, SB1197, SB1415, SB1437, SB1786, SB326, SB767, SB769, SB783, SB1035, SB1271, SB1619, SB1637, SB1806, SB1, SB260, HB135, HB1109, HCR35, HCR64, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR84, SJR59, SCR12, SCR39, SCR48, SCR19, SCR30, SCR3, SB2023, SB619, SB2742, SB646, SB1026, SB2880, 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, SB529, SB209, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB584, SB1085, SB2046, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB1524, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB517, SB1200, SB1845, SB1863, SB2681, SB2200, SB2199, SB1757, SB2050, SB2458, SB2201, SB2660, SB2662, SB1065, SB801, SB2533, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB1721, SB2366, SB1013, SB2797, SB2383, SB1754, SB2119, SB2448, SB1777, SB1283, SB2392, SB2076, SB2786, SB2876, SB2284, SB2225, SB1540, SB2929, SB1972, SB2540, SB2595, SB2217, SB715, SB2330, SB1383, SB500, SB1640, SB2001, SB2080, SB506, SB2514, SB2753, SB2398, SB1241, SB2927, SB2173, SB2538, SB898, SB1449, SB2529, SB1531, SB2846, SB2476, SB986, SB1181, SB2075, SB2154, SB2864, SB1359, SB2386, SB771, SB2844, SB2550, SB1351, SB1423, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB410, SB659, SB2776, SB2693, SB2580, SB1980, SB1886, SB1234, SB739, SB456, SB127, SB1666, SB2843, SB2801, SB800, SB2055, SB784, SB2986, SB735, SB1012, SB324, SB2926, SB2938, SB2007, SB2138, SB1242, SB2615, SB1049, SB2310, SB1224, SB2972, SB1568, SB2841, SB2885, SB3016, SB2858, SB2610, SB2139, SB1856, SB2035, SB2308, SB2306, SB2041, SB1528, SB1681, SB1141, SB2401, SB2530, SB2375, SB547, SB1266, SB1373, SB1467, SB2069, SB2269, SB2480, SB2544, 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, HB1392, HB22, 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

Keywords: spaceports, tax-exempt bonds, aerospace investment, Texas space economy, Federal legislation, education funding, Texas State Technical College System, capital projects, infrastructure, higher education, tax exemption, property tax, homestead, fire damage, constitutional amendment, Birding Capital, Matagorda County, wildlife, conservation, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• Alvarado, Benton Court and Farnwell.
• Berrada, Benton Court, Bordwell, Blanco, Campbell, Cook, Brighton. 31 ayes, 0 nays.
• Alvarado, Benton Court, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Creighton. 28 ayes and 3 nays.
• Alvarado, Benton-Cortin, Bordwell, Blanco, Campbell. 20 ayes, 11 nays.
• Alvarado, Benton Court, Bordwell, Blanco, Campbell. 20 ayes, 11 nays. The rule is suspended.

Keywords: HCR65, HCR19, Senate resolutions, memorial, community impact, legislative proceedings

Summary: The recent Senate meeting primarily covered two resolutions, HCR65 and HCR19, both of which were passed unanimously with little to no opposition. HCR65 was introduced in memory of Tracy Lee Vincent of Longview, while HCR19 was presented to honor the late Terrell Lynn Roberts of Angleton. The meeting included brief addresses from several senators, who shared personal reflections on the impacts of the individuals being honored and expressed gratitude for their contributions to the community. This collaborative atmosphere showcased the members' capacity for camaraderie and respect, emphasizing the importance of human connection in legislative proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentleman from Benton. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, from a mic other than my own. Proceed, please.
• Gentleman from Benton has moved for the adoption of House Amendment No. 34. Gentleman from Benton.
• Further discussion on House Amendment No. 34, seeing none, gentleman from Benton. Thank you, Mr.
• Gentleman from Benton is the motion for the adoption of House Amendment No. 34.
• Gentleman from Benton is the motion for the option of House Amendment number 34.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House met with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the previous day’s journal by roll call vote 133-0, and then spent much of the session recognizing interns, guests, a teacher appreciation message, and a visiting fourth-grade class. Committee reports were received, including a recommendation that Senate Bill 903 do pass. The chamber then moved into third reading and amendment consideration on Senate substitute for Senate Bill 1421, a broad vehicle carrying many previously heard measures. Members adopted a series of amendments covering public safety, criminal justice, and related topics. These included a drone enforcement bill for law enforcement, a Clean Slate automatic expungement amendment narrowed to certain drug offenses, an Alzheimer’s task force/law enforcement training amendment, fire hydrant testing standards, pseudoephedrine access, prison contraband penalties for portable electronic devices, a hands-free cell phone law fix, critical infrastructure/copper theft language, a minor-aiding offense amendment, fentanyl trafficking language, Attorney General self-defense/firearm authority, a domestic violence registry, squatter/notary fraud technical fixes, gift card fraud, St. Louis and Kansas City police board language, and several corrections/reentry measures such as inmate IDs and good-time credit. Some amendments drew opposition over school safety, expanded penalties, privacy, or concerns about overbroad enforcement, but most were adopted by voice vote. The most contested item was an amendment on death-penalty post-conviction relief, which drew extended debate over whether it would speed executions or preserve due process. After discussion from both supporters and opponents, the House adopted that amendment by roll call, 75-68. Another notable amendment required background checks for adults staying overnight at youth camps and added face-to-face, recorded child-abuse interviews, both of which were adopted. The session continued with additional amendments, including one on domestic violence registry language and another on reentry documentation and good-time credit, with the House generally approving the package as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Further discussion, gentleman from Benton. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, from a mic other than my own.
• The gentleman from Benton has moved for the adoption of House Amendment No. 34.
• Seeing none, the gentleman from Benton is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I close.
• The gentleman from Benton has moved for the adoption of House Amendment No. 34.
• Gentleman from Benton is a motion for the option.

Summary: The House met with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 133-0. The session then included many introductions of interns, guests, and a Teacher Appreciation Day statement. A committee report recommended passage of Senate Bill 903, and the chamber moved into third reading and amendment action on Senate Bill 1421 and related measures. Members debated and adopted a long series of amendments covering public safety, criminal justice, schools, and corrections. Topics included drone enforcement authority for law enforcement, a Missouri Ranger school safety program and school bus stop-arm penalties, Clean Slate automatic expungement language narrowed to drug offenses, an Alzheimer’s task force and dementia training for law enforcement, fire hydrant testing, pseudoephedrine access, banning portable electronic devices in prisons, hands-free cell phone law fixes, critical infrastructure protections, parental accountability for minors’ offenses, fentanyl trafficking, attorney general firearms authority, support for St. Louis and Kansas City police boards, DNA collection on arrest for additional crimes, a 25-foot buffer around first responders, a domestic violence registry, squatter and notary fraud fixes, gift card fraud, and post-conviction death penalty procedures. Several amendments drew opposition over civil liberties, school safety, prison penalties, and death penalty concerns, but most were adopted. The most contested item was the death penalty post-conviction relief amendment, which members argued either would streamline appeals and risk wrongful executions or would provide needed finality for victims; it ultimately passed 75-68 after a roll call vote. Another notable debate centered on the St. Louis Police Board amendment, with members disputing who should pay for police overtime and liability costs. The transcript ends amid discussion of a corrections-related amendment on good-time credit and rehabilitation programming, with the amendment to the amendment being supported by members from both parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are four individuals: Benton Arnett, Casey Kelly, Liz Dalton, and Reed Clay.
• My name is Benton Arnett.
• I do want to reiterate what Benton said a minute ago, which is that nuclear is going to be key for making

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent District 57 in Central Missouri, covering most all of Benton County, part of Pettis and Johnson
• record that there is no bigger fan that has done more for county government than the gentleman from Benton

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Local Government heard testimony on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 975, which dealt with community paramedic/mobile integrated health services and related jurisdictional issues. Supporters, including representatives from Caldwell County Ambulance, Osage Ambulance District, and Cox Health EMS, described community paramedic programs as effective in rural and regional care, reducing Medicaid costs, helping frequent ER users, supporting early hospital discharges, and filling gaps in underserved areas. A representative of the Missouri State Council of Firefighters opposed the jurisdictional changes added in the Senate, saying the organization supported the underlying bill but wanted the community paramedic language clarified so services could continue without conflict between service areas. Committee members asked about MOUs, service-area boundaries, and whether the Senate amendment was necessary, but no vote was taken and testimony was closed. The committee then took up House Bill 3496, sponsored by Representative Reedy, which would update county official salary schedules and assessed valuation ranges that have been in place for about 45 years. Reedy and Missouri Association of Counties Executive Director Steve Hobbs said the bill was the product of a multi-year task force effort and was intended to preserve local control while modernizing minimum salary schedules to reflect current county valuations and economic conditions. Members discussed how the bill would interact with existing salary-setting practices, annual training requirements, and prior legislation, and noted concerns about public misunderstanding when county commissions set salaries above the base schedule. Support for HB 3496 came from the Missouri Association of Counties and Warren County Presiding Commissioner Joe Gildon, who said he approved of the bill. There was no opposition or informational testimony on HB 3496, and the chair closed the public hearing and adjourned the meeting after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent District 57 in Central Missouri, covering most of Benton County, part of Pettis and Johnson
• record that there is no bigger fan that has done more for county government than the gentleman from Benton

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on Senate Bill 975, which dealt with ambulance district mergers and community paramedic/mobile integrated health services. Supporters said the merger provisions would help rural districts combine resources, reduce costs, and improve patient care, while community paramedic programs have been effective in reducing emergency room use and supporting early hospital discharges. An EMS chief described situations where neighboring services cooperated and one where a service refused access to community paramedic care, arguing the bill should address those jurisdictional barriers. Opposition from the Missouri State Council of Firefighters focused on concerns about the Senate-added jurisdictional language, saying they did not oppose the underlying bill but wanted the jurisdictional issues resolved so services could continue in rural areas. No vote was taken, and testimony on SB 975 was closed. The committee then took up House Bill 3496, which updates county official salary schedules and assessed valuation ranges. Representative Reedy said the bill is intended to modernize salary minimums that have not been changed in about 45 years while preserving local control through county salary commissions, which can set pay below the maximum based on what each county can afford. Missouri Association of Counties staff testified in support, explaining that a task force spent about two years developing the proposal and that the updated schedule and growth factor were designed to reflect current county economics and avoid abrupt salary jumps. Committee members asked about alternative training options, coordination with other salary legislation, and whether the bill could create public misunderstandings about pay increases. A county commissioner also testified in support. The hearing closed without any vote or other action.

Transcript Highlights:

• business, staff provided information regarding the current caseload assignments to circuit judges in the Benton
• Caseload assignments to circuit judges in the Benton County 19th West Judicial District Circuit Court

Summary: The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to approve prior minutes and receive reports from several subcommittees and audits. The executive committee reported that audit and special reports were scheduled for presentation, one requested report remained outstanding, and staff had reviewed circuit-court caseload assignments in Benton County’s 19th West Judicial District. The committee also heard that Arkansas legislative audit financial statements and audits for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 received clean opinions with no internal-control findings, and that the report was accepted. The counties and municipalities report covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, with many entities reinstated after filing required reports, and reviewed current and deferred reports; several reports were referred to prosecutors, the attorney general, or the Government Bonding Board. The education audit report covered 57 school district audits, with three districts—Camden Fairview, Forest City, and Eudora—deferred until the June meeting because of findings and referrals. A substitute motion amended the report to file the Nettleton School District report, and the amended report passed. The state agencies report noted findings at the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation and Shared Services, including duplicate payments, collateral issues, record-keeping problems, and missing vehicle logs; the committee filed five reports. The committee then reviewed the City of Pine Bluff’s 2024 financial audit. The city received clean opinions overall, but the management letter identified serious issues in the mayor’s office, Parks and Recreation, and Finance, including unaccounted-for receipts, altered invoices, unallowable and questionable purchases, missing equipment, and weak cash-receipting and reconciliation procedures. City officials, including the mayor and department heads, testified that the problems largely involved prior activity, said they had terminated involved employees, referred matters to law enforcement, and described corrective steps such as a forensic audit, new procurement and accounting procedures, electronic receipting and payments, and software upgrades. After questions from members, the committee voted to file the Pine Bluff report and adjourned, with the next meeting set for June 4-5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• business, staff provided information regarding the current caseload assignments to circuit judges in the Benton
• The caseload assignments to circuit judges in the Benton County 19th West Judicial District Circuit Court

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the record, my name is Cassie Losey and I serve as Director of Government Affairs for the Port of Benton
• give us an example, kind of paint a picture of what type of things you have in mind for the Port of Benton

Summary: The committee held public hearings on two bills. Senate Bill 5420 would expand access to state benefits and preferences for veterans, uniformed service members, and military spouses by adding the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and NOAA Corps to various eligibility provisions, extending some employment preferences to military spouses, and updating related protections. Staff and the prime sponsor, Sen. John Lovick, described it as a long-worked-on measure that passed the Senate overwhelmingly. Tammy Pro of the Department of War supported the bill, saying it modernizes state law and better recognizes service members and military families. The committee also heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5649, which would create a Washington State supply chain competitiveness infrastructure program to provide grants and loans for public and tribal port projects tied to freight mobility and supply chain performance. Sen. Marko Liias and port representatives testified in support, saying ports are critical to Washington’s trade-driven economy and that the bill would help fund needed infrastructure, including rail and terminal improvements, especially for smaller and rural ports. Testifiers said the program would fill a gap because ports lack a dedicated state grant program and could help leverage federal funding. An amendment to SB 5649 was explained as limiting eligible projects to those not already eligible for funding from the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, to avoid duplication. The committee paused and later closed the hearing on SB 5649, then returned to SB 5420 to hear additional testimony. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended after the public hearings were closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• or against Senate Bill 28, please. to come forward after this panel, and so the chair calls Megan Benton
• We're looking for Megan Benton, Andrew McVay, John Litzler. Missler, Cindy Castillo.
• Megan Benton. Strategic Policy Associate for Texas Values Action. All right.
• My name is Megan Benton and I'm Strategic Policy Associate for Texas Values Action.
• committee to vote in favor of SB 28 to provide common-sense protections for the people of the Great Lakes

Bills: SB 28, SB 687, SJR 34, SCR 9, SB 523, SB 62, SB 847, SB 706, SB 869, SB 890, SB 992

Keywords: lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, SB 687, land surveyor, land surveying, surveying services, construction contract, anti-indemnity, indemnity, hold harmless, defense obligation, standard of care, professional negligence, civil practice and remedies code, local government code, governmental agency, public contracts

Summary: The meeting was a crucial session for discussing several important bills including SB992, which aims to establish a clear time frame for the Attorney General's approval on outside legal counsel for state agencies. Senator Nichols presented the bill, emphasizing its necessity for timely responses to ensure efficient legal processing. Another notable discussion centered around SB523, which seeks to allow parole and probation officers to use a business address on their driver's licenses for safety and security purposes. This bill passed favorably out of the committee, with public testimony supporting the need for such provisions due to the risks these officers face.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alvarado, Benton, Cart, Berwell. There being 31 ayes and no nays, the bill is finally passed.
• Alvarado, Benton, Cart, Berwell. There being 31 ayes and no nays, the bill is finally passed.
• The roll call appears garbled in the transcript: “Alvarado, Benton, Court, Birdwell, Blancourt, County
• Alvarado, Benton, Burdwell, Blanco. 20 ayes, 11 nays. The rule is suspended.
• Alvarado, Benton, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell. 20 ayes, 11 nays. The bill is finally passed.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, adopted the prior day’s journal, received House messages, and adopted several resolutions and recognitions, including Senate Resolution 496 honoring Leadership Garland and resolutions 503 and 504. The chamber also recognized guests, including a North Dakota senator and the Doctor of the Day, and received gubernatorial nominations for the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board and the Nueces River Authority Board. The Senate then took up and passed a series of bills, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Measures approved included SB 614 on Texas Forensic Science Commission referrals to the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs; SB 250 on municipal annexation across railroad rights-of-way; SB 1660 on toxicological evidence retention and destruction procedures; SB 2586 requiring property owners associations to file governing documents with the Texas Real Estate Commission; SB 1588 increasing penalties for certain failures to report child sexual abuse; HB 912 on compensation for distributed renewable generation outside ERCOT; SB 1957 setting eligibility standards for civilian oversight boards; HB 2525 clarifying a charitable property tax exemption; SB 1525 limiting repeated prior authorization for neurodegenerative disease drugs; SB 865 requiring CPR/AED training and cardiac emergency response planning in schools; SB 1212 elevating human trafficking penalties; SB 2690 on solicitations for Secretary of State documents; SB 1802 on landlord repair duties for ramps, elevators, and handrails; SB 905 on licensing rules for speech-language pathologists and audiologists; SB 2929 allowing removal of disruptive spectators at school athletic events; SB 2675 creating a narrow McAllen-specific parkland conveyance exception; SB 872 increasing punishment for burglary of a vehicle involving firearm theft; and SB 1113 clarifying sales rules for certain converter-license holders. Several bills drew extended debate. SB 2487, dealing with crisis and mental health services for homelessness, was amended to make the county model permissive rather than mandatory and to remove state funding/assistance requirements before passing 28-3. SB 2138, barring higher education funds from contracting with firms that boycott fossil fuels through ESG policies, also passed after questions about fiscal effects and First Amendment concerns. SB 2615, restricting remote work at public institutions of higher education, advanced 22-9. The Senate also began consideration of SB 3016, which would expand enforcement tools against local governments that fail to comply with state law, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentleman from Benton, for what purpose do you rise? Thank you, Mr.
• Gentleman from Benton, for what purpose do you rise? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Does the lady from Carroll yield to the gentleman from Benton? I do. You may proceed.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 117-1 vote. Members then spent a long portion of the morning introducing guests and visiting groups, including schoolchildren, university visitors, county officials, business and civic groups, fraternity and sorority members, and legislative conference participants. The Speaker also signed several measures already passed, including Senate Substitute for HB 2061, HB 2641, Senate Substitute for HB 2423, and HB 2934. The main floor debate centered on HCR 48, which urges Congress to pass the federal SAVE Act requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. Supporters argued it would protect election integrity and prevent non-citizen voting, while opponents said it would create burdensome, potentially disenfranchising requirements, amount to a poll tax, and interfere with state election administration. After extended debate and a successful previous-question motion, HCR 48 was third read and passed 92-43. The House then took up HCR 23, a federalism resolution reaffirming that states should control election administration; it passed unanimously, 137-0. The House also perfected and printed two bills. HB 2855, dealing with workers’ compensation funding increments for the workers’ compensation and second injury funds, was amended to allow finer 0.1% adjustments instead of 0.5% increments and then perfected. HB 1906, a simple county-government bill allowing township counties to offer annual, semiannual, or quarterly payment options for real and personal property taxes, also advanced without opposition. The chamber then moved to announcements and recessed until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Benton Court, Birdwell, Hall. Hinojosa, aye. Middleton, aye. Parker, aye. Perry, aye.
• Benton Court. Birdwell. Hall. Hinojosa. Middleton. Aye. Parker. Perry. Schwertner. Saffirini.
• Benton Court, Birdwell, Hall, Hinojosa, Middleton.

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty